Living with Christopher wasn’t quite as strange as I expected.

The apartment was big enough that we didn’t need to share much space. He had the master bedroom with his own bathroom and shower. I used the guest bathroom near the living room, so we didn’t get in each other’s way in the morning before work. Neither one of us ate much, so sharing food wasn’t a problem either. We went to the grocery store once a week and purchased the bare essentials, but dirty dishes never piled up in the sink because neither one of us used them.

Of course, Christopher brought women back to the apartment often. When they first looked at me, they despised me, viewing me as a threat. But once Christopher explained I was his poor sister who needed to shack up with him, they actually cracked a smile.

But other than that, everything was fine.

I didn’t need a driver to take me to work because my office was just two blocks away. Calloway didn’t mind my walking there, especially since Christopher had to head that direction anyway. So I had someone to keep me company on the short journey.

I came home after work one afternoon to find Christopher on the couch, placing a cold beer on a coaster. He was still in his collared shirt and tie, his jacket hanging over the back of the couch. “Hey.”

“Yo.” He didn’t take his eyes off the TV. “How are the stinky homeless people?”

I set my purse on the counter and pulled out my phone. “Christopher, don’t call them that.”

“What?” he asked. “It’s not like it’s untrue.”

“But even so.”

“We were stinky homeless people once upon a time.” He continued to stare at the screen even though he didn’t seem truly interested in it.

I dropped the conversation because it was pointless anyway. “How was work?”

“Good. Stocks are high. I’m doing a lot of selling.”

I’d never cared for his profession or tried to understand it. It was far too mathematical and unpredictable for me to truly care about. I’d always been interested in the behaviors of people and society, not making money.

I grabbed the mail sitting on the counter and rifled through it, not seeing anything for me. I’d changed my mailing address to this apartment so I didn’t have to head to my post office box all the time. If Hank really wanted to bother me, he could come here. My bat would love to say hello.

I slipped off my heels and fell into the armchair, my feet finally relaxing after a long day of walking around my office.

“How’s Prince Charming?”

“I don’t know who you’re referring to.” I eyed the TV, seeing a cartoon. Christopher was a grown man who was successful and intelligent, but he still acted like a child. Since neither one of us had really had a childhood, I didn’t give him shit for it.

“Oh, come on. Yes, you do.”

“You mean my sexy boyfriend?”

He rolled his eyes. “Sure. Whatever.”

“Good. He’s glad I moved in here with you.”

“I bet,” he said with a chuckle. “That way I can make sure you don’t do anything stupid.”

“I never do stupid things,” I countered.

“You fought a thug who broke into your apartment, busted your lip, and bruised your face.” He turned his eyes to me, giving me a glare. “Yes, you do stupid stuff.”

Calloway and Christopher would throw that in my face forever. “Okay, that’s the one stupid thing that I’ve done.”

“Ro, I have a list. But I don’t have the energy to go through the whole thing. So, are you going to his place for dinner?”

I picked up on his train of thought. “Trying to get rid of me because you have a hot date coming over?”

“I wouldn’t call her a hot date. Just a fuck buddy that’s in town for a business meeting.”

Christopher usually gave me a heads-up when he needed to be alone in the apartment, and I appreciated the notification so I could find something else to do. I definitely didn’t want to be here for their hump-a-thon. “I’ll go to Calloway’s place.”

“Perfect.”

As if he knew we were talking about him, Calloway called.

“Ooh,” Christopher said. “It’s Prince Charming…”

I ignored the nickname and took the call. “Hey, sexy.”

Christopher cringed then walked into his bedroom on the other side of the apartment, not wanting to listen to this conversation.

Deep and powerful, Calloway’s masculine voice came through the phone. “Hey, Vanilla.”

I’d become used to the nickname even though I didn’t really feel vanilla anymore. “Are you free tonight? I need to get out of the apartment because Christopher is having company—the slutty kind.”

“You know you’re always welcome here.”

“So, that’s a yes?”

“A big yes.” Whenever he spoke to me, he always had very little to say, and he always got to the point. He seemed to issue commands more often than participate in a fluid conversation. “So, get over here.”

* * *

I stopped by the store and picked up a few things before I knocked on his front door.

To my delight, he was only in his sweatpants, his chiseled chest looking far more appetizing than the food I just bought. He looked me up and down with the same desire, his eyes black as coal. “Sweetheart.” His powerful arm, corded with veins, wrapped around my waist, and he pulled me inside.

I dropped the bag onto the hardwood floor and wrapped my arms around his tight waist. His skin was searing hot in comparison to the cold weather outside. My nails automatically dug into him just the way they did when we made love. My claws sank into him because I never wanted to let go.

He kissed my neck and moved his lips along my jawline until he kissed my chin. Slowly, he moved to my lips before he gave me a scorching kiss right on the mouth. He breathed into me, his arms constricting me like a snake suffocating its prey. He devoured me like he’d been thinking about me all day, waiting for this moment when we were reunited. “Missed you, Vanilla.”

“I always miss you.” Whenever he kissed me, I lost my resolve. I turned into a weak woman, my knees unable to keep my frame straight. He did incredible things to me, making me lose all logic and focus. A part of me loved the effect he had on me—but another part hated it. My heart was losing the battle for power, and slowly, I was surrendering to this ruthless warlord. I didn’t mind living with Christopher, but I would give anything to live with Calloway again. After only knowing each other for a few months, it immediately felt right.

“Good.” He pressed his lips to my ear. “That must mean I’m doing something right.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my face against his chest, feeling so safe with this strong man. My backbone was rigid with pride. I never let my walls down, but they were slowly crumbling. And the worst part was, I wanted them to crumble. I trusted this man as much as I trusted my own brother. The world didn’t seem so cold and unforgiving when I had Calloway in my life.

He rested his chin on my head as he held me in the doorway, his hard chest expanding with every breath he took. “Everything alright, sweetheart?”

Everything was perfect—and that was the problem. I was falling hard, and I actually enjoyed it. “Everything is great. I just like it when you hold me like this.”

He moved his lips to my forehead and pressed a gentle kiss against my skin. “Then I’ll hold you like this forever.”

After minutes of savoring the touch, I pulled away. “I brought dinner. I thought I could make some salmon, veggies, and rice.”

“That sounds amazing.” He looked at me with those beautiful blue eyes and handsome features. He had a strong jaw, a perfect nose, and a chin that made him look kingly. When he stared at me like I was his queen, I felt like royalty.

“Then I’ll get to work.” I walked into the kitchen and set everything on the counter.

Calloway leaned against the kitchen island, watching me with interest. He crossed his arms over his massive chest as he watched me wash the vegetables and dice them on the cutting board. He didn’t make a comment about anything I was doing, content just to watch me.

“What?” I asked, keeping my eyes on my handiwork.

“I like to watch you. You fascinate me.”

I chuckled. “Because I’m cooking for you.” After I finished preparing everything, I shoved the pan in the oven and turned on the timer.

“Because of so much more, actually.” He crowded me against the counter, using his large size to press me against the wood. Once he had me cornered, he pressed his hips into me, his cock hard through his pants. He moved his lips down my neck, gently kissing and teasing me.

I closed my eyes and enjoyed it, loving it when he pinned me like this. I was his to enjoy, and I loved being devoured like wild prey.

Slowly, he began to undress me, removing my dress, bra, and panties. When I stood naked in his kitchen, he pulled his sweatpants off, over six feet of pure man. His long cock was pressed between us, warm against my stomach.

He kissed the corner of my mouth before he walked away into his living room. He sat back in the center of the couch, his back against the cushion. His thick dick lay against his stomach, seeping pre-come as he waited for me to join him.

I stood in front of him, my naked body on display for him to study.

He grabbed the base of his cock and gently massaged it as he looked at me. It was the hottest scene I’d ever witnessed. He locked his eyes with mine, not the least bit self-conscious about me watching him. “Ride me. Now.” He turned authoritative, speaking to me like a commanding officer.

I didn’t appreciate the bossiness when we were spending time together, but the moment things turned sexual between us, I couldn’t get enough of it. I liked not thinking. I liked not having to make decisions. I liked letting go, trusting someone else to guide me.

I crawled into his lap and straddled his hips, feeling the head of his cock against my entrance. I’d never taken him this way, and my stomach clenched nervously. He wasn’t just long, but impressively thick. It was a new angle, one I’d never tried before. My experience paled in comparison to his, but he never seemed to mind.

Calloway took the lead, like always. “Play with your tits.” His expression was ice-cold, suggesting defiance wasn’t an option.

I palmed both of my breasts and massaged them.

Calloway grabbed my hips and slowly pulled me onto his length, pushing through my tightness as he slid into me. Inch by inch, he entered my slick channel.

My hands stopped moving, and I winced and moaned nearly at the same time, absorbing the pleasure and disregarding the pain. We’d been sleeping together for nearly a month, but the pain of intercourse was prevalent. Our anatomical differences must have been the cause, but I wouldn’t want it to change anything even if I had the power to make it happen. Because the discomfort was nothing in comparison to how good he made me feel. His cock made me feel so full, like a sexy woman.

He pulled me into his lap, every inch of his length buried inside me.

My hands left my tits and wrapped around his strong wrists, gripping the corded veins across his hands and forearms. My pussy stretched the longer he sat inside me, my narrow channel acclimating slowly.

“Play with your tits.” His face was inches from mine as he issued the same command as he had before. He didn’t move until I obeyed.

My hands returned to the sensitive skin, feeling my hard nipples brush against my fingertips.

He watched me with a dark expression, loving the sight. His jaw clenched, and a moan so quiet I barely heard it escaped his lips. His hands moved underneath my thighs, and he guided me up and down his length, his hips rocking into me slowly. “Pinch your nipples.”

I’d never heard of someone pinching their own nipples, so I didn’t do it. I massaged my breasts slowly, feeling the smooth skin and the round shape.

“Twist. Your. Nipples.” He pulled me down his length again, impaling me with this size.

A haze had fallen over me, and I couldn’t see straight anymore. All I could see was this gorgeous man, the king of sex, commanding me to do something. His hard cock was deep inside me, so he had the power to rule my body.

I did as he asked, twisting them mildly until I felt a spike of pain. I moaned quietly through the pain until I felt the influx of pleasure. It floored me because I didn’t expect it. Not once did I consider touching myself like that when I was alone with my vibrator.

He moved me up and down again, the lust deep in his eyes. “Rock your hips. Like this.” He gripped my ass and then made the motion for me, teaching me how to arch my back before I slid down his length. Each time I did it, my clit rubbed against his pelvic bone in just the right away—and it felt amazing.

“Oh god…” My hands left my breasts, and I touched his chest, feeling the powerful muscle and grooves of his abs. I slid my hands to his shoulders and used them as an anchor so I could dig my hips deeper. We were still moving together at a slow pace, but the speed didn’t hinder the pleasure—it only heightened it.

“Jesus fucking Christ, you look sexy.” His hands moved up my stomach to my tits, where he palmed each one. He squeezed my nipples between his thumbs and forefingers and gave them a gentle pinch.

I winced but moaned again, inexplicably addicted to the sensation. The moisture from my pussy dripped down his length all the way to his balls. I could feel the slickness every time I ground against his hips, knowing I was overflowing with arousal.

My hips moved quicker, grinding against him and taking in his length. I rubbed my nub against his hard skin, feeling my orgasm approaching in the distance. There was a fire deep in my belly, a power surging through my veins. My nails dug into his shoulders, and I locked my eyes with his, crumbling before I even hit my threshold.

“I knew I had to have you the second I laid eyes on you…” He guided my hips harder, making me move faster up and down his length. “Beautiful. Strong. And you’ve got one hell of an arm on you.”

I don’t know what possessed me to do it, but I slapped him hard across the face—hard enough to leave a mark. His face turned with the hit, and he closed his eyes as he released a quiet moan. His hips didn’t stop thrusting, and his cock twitched noticeably deep inside me.

He slowly turned back to me, his eyes burning like the center of the sun. “Fuck, baby.” He clenched his jaw, his arousal increasing as his skin continued to redden in response to my palm. His hand moved between my legs, and he rubbed me aggressively, circling my clit with a perfect motion. “Come, sweetheart. Because I know I’m about to.”

My nails dug into his shoulders as I felt the explosion between my legs. I tightened around him, squeezing him as the rush surged through me. “Calloway…” I loved saying his name. It rolled off my tongue with possessiveness, loving the fact that this man was mine to treasure. “Oh god…”

He shoved himself deep inside me as he released, reaching his threshold while I finished off the rest of mine. His heavy come filled me, the weight significant and warm. He pressed his lips to mine as he finished, his breathing deep and heavy.

After the moment had passed, he kept me on top of him. He leaned back against the couch and gripped my thighs, his cock softening inside me. He watched me with his lidded eyes, his expression dark with obsession.

The timer went off on the oven, announcing the food had finished cooking. Just when I moved to get off him, he pulled me back onto his length, refusing to pull out of me. “Forget the food. You’re staying right here.” He pulled me against his chest and kissed the corner of my mouth, waiting to get hard so he could fuck me again.

I almost obeyed, wanting to stay connected to this glorious man. But my beliefs were too strong to be ignored. “I can’t waste food.” The impulse was deep in my gut. I wouldn’t even throw away a half-eaten container of yogurt. When I made a big meal, I ate it every single day until it was completely gone.

Calloway wanted to fight me. It was obvious in the expression he gave me. But he yielded his power and released me, understanding this was important to me. He relinquished his need to control the situation and let me go. Once his hands were off me, they curled into fists, the silent sign of his frustration.

“Thank you.” I left his lap, his wet dick thudding against his stomach once I was back on my feet. I could still feel the weight of his come inside me, knowing it was slowly sliding down to my entrance. He intended to add another load after dinner.

And I looked forward to it.