Chapter 2: THE DREAD AND PLEASURE L.

Lilico’s nod sent shivers down Ivana’s spine, draining the color from her face.

Ivana blinked once, twice, then tilted her head as if trying to grasp the whole thing.

Suddenly, it clicked in head, her eyes widened in shock as she raised a finger and pointed at Lilico. “You’re Ice Face’s younger sister? The adopted child?” she exclaimed.

Ivana couldn’t believe she was sitting across from the only daughter of the Brooklyn. A well-known U.S business tycoon.

Lilico was their adopted daughter, showered with love even after patriarch Grey Brooklyn’s death. Her cold, ice-faced elder brother, Tardrain, had left abroad to run his own company, leaving Lilico and his mother in charge of the family business.

Lilico scoffed, a cold smirk twisting her lips. “I hate that word ‘adopted’!” she hissed, slamming another cash onto the table. “Make him fall hard for you, then kill him. He took what’s mine. Now I’ll take everything from him.” Venom dripped from every word of her mouth.

Ivana’s heart pounded. How could they expect her to target such a man? She’d never crossed paths with Tardrain, but the stories about him were terrifying.

Was it his godlike arrogance? That unnaturally perfect face masking a beast?

Ivana recalled the viral video of him coldly firing an employee for sneezing too loudly; another for daring to sip water in his presence.

All without a flicker of remorse. Or the countless tales of him crushing the less privileged, or news of his contempt for women who failed to grovel at his feet.

‘They’re throwing me into the fire. With his reputation, Tardrain will kill me first,’ Ivana thought, clenching her sweating hands tighter.

She’d never been so terrified.

“This is suicide,” Ivana protested, the words sour on her tongue. She couldn’t hide her dread, because it was clearly showing all over her.

Lilico scoffed, rolling her eyes, visibly irritated. This wasn’t what she’d bargained for. “I’m paying you for it,” she snapped.

“But he’s your brother.” Ivana’s voice cracked. “Why hurt him?” Concern laced her words.

She couldn’t grasp what drove such cruelty toward the family that had raised Lilico since birth. “What did he do to deserve death? No one has the right—”

Lilico’s curved into a smile that didn't reach her eyes, cutting her off. “I’m paying you! No mistakes. Do a clean job,” she purred, utterly remorseless.

Ivana stared, jaw slack, as Lilico stood abruptly and tossed two more stacks of cash onto the table.

“Tomorrow, I’ll pick you up to meet your future in-laws,” Lilico sneered sarcastically, waving dismissively at Davis before sauntering out. Her heels clicked like a countdown to Ivana’s doom.

Ivana gathered the money and stormed into her room. She sat on the bed, chewed her thumbnail, then threw herself back with a groan, grappling with what she’d agreed to.

‘Is this even enough to buy my soul?’ She thought, casting a glance at the stacks of cash beside her.

The door creaked open. Davis leaned against the frame, swirling a glass of amber liquid. “Mrs. Brooklyn, your drink,” he teased, offering it.

A bitter chuckle escaped Ivana as she sat up.

“Crazy, isn’t it?” She glared, snatching the glass. The sweet liquor did nothing to ease her dread.

“Doesn’t matter. You’ve earned it,” Davis grinned, his face alight with excitement like he’d hit the jackpot. Finally, Ivana was his gateway to wealth.

Ivana studied him, baffled by his ease, his eagerness to send her to her death, to let her seduce another man.

Shouldn't he be jealous? Enraged? Shouldn’t he fear losing her? The questions tangled in her mind.

Davis’s weight dipped the bed as he sat beside her. Ivana lowered her head, avoiding his gaze as she swirled her drink.

He hooked a finger under her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. “What’s wrong, babe?” he asked softly.

She jerked away. “What if I fail? What if he sees through me? What if—”

“No what-ifs,” Davis interrupted, cupping her face. “Ivana, you’re beautiful. Kind. Jovial. Fearless. You could make devil himself fall for you.” His thumb brushed her lips. “I trust you.” He pulled her into a hug, and she melted into his arms.

“Won’t you be jealous, seeing me with another man?” she mumbled softly, voicing her fear.

Davis shook his head. “My Ivana loves me. That’s why I won’t be jealous. It’s all an act. We’re doing it for the money.” He smiled, confident he knew her heart and her capabilities.

Ivana hugged him even tighter, this anchor calming her terrified heartbeat. She didn’t know the danger ahead, but having him felt like enough.

Suddenly, she jerked back, catching him off guard. Without hesitation, she crushed her lips to his. The taste of citrus mingled with desperation as she pushed him down, hovering over him, kissing harder, as if she could erase the day, the deal, the dread.

Davis couldn’t match her aggression; it felt like she’d rip his mouth apart. He yanked away, gripping her shoulders. When she tried to kiss him again, he slid off the bed and gently pushed her down.

“Baby… I want you,” she whined, tugging his shirt, needing release from the tension.

Davis planted a soft kiss on her head. “You need sleep for tomorrow,” he said calmly. “No sex, you maniac!” he teased, darting out. They both burst into laughter.

“You made me this way!” she yelled, hurling a pillow as the door slammed shut.

Ivana exhaled loudly, shutting her eyes. She pushed the chaos aside, letting sleep drag her under.

******

The Next Morning

“Rise and shine, sleepyhead,” Davis whispered, tapping her arm before slipping out.

Ivana groaned, muscles heavy with yesterday’s terror. But the red dress laid across the foot of the bed curved her lips upward despite everything.

She padded to the bathroom. The tub steamed with fragrant bubbles.

‘God, I’m lucky,’ she thought, sinking in, letting the heat soak away some of the dread.

After, she stepped out, skin flushed and glistening, wrapped only in a fluffy white towel that clung to her damp curves.

Water droplets trailed down her collarbone, disappearing into the valley between her breasts. She reached for the lotion on the dresser, then froze.

Davis stood in the doorway, eyes dark, raking over her slowly. He hadn’t left the room after all. He leaned against the frame, his arms crossed, but his posture had changed, hungrier, less playful as he stare at her.

“You look…” His voice dropped, rough. “…I will miss you, my baby.”

Ivana’s breath hitched. The fear from last night still coiled tight in her chest, but seeing him like this; his pejama’s shirt half-unbuttoned, his short low on his hips, ignited something primal with her body.

She needed to feel him, to have his hand linger on her body before she can walked into that mansion and played pretend-wife to a monster.

She didn’t speak. She just let the towel slip an inch, baring the swell of her breast.

Davis crossed the room in three strides. His hands found her waist, yanking her against him. The towel loosened further; cool air brushed her skin before his mouth did. He kissed her hard, desperate, claiming, like he was branding her before she left.

“Uhmm!” Ivana moaned into his mouth, fingers tangling in his hair, pulling him closer. She tasted coffee in his tongue, as she kissed him harder.

His hands slid up her thighs, bunching the towel higher until it rode up around her hips. He lifted her effortlessly, backing her against the dresser. Bottles rattled; lotion tipped over.

“Davis—” she gasped as he broke the kiss, teeth grazing her throat, and goosebumps cover her body.

“You’re mine,” he growled against her skin. “No matter what happens after today. Say it.”

“I’m yours,” she whispered, the words half-truth, half-prayer. Because she knew herself, at the sight of a cock, all her defense would be broken. All senses would be loose.

Her legs wrapped around his waist as he pressed between them, his hard cock of him grinding against her through his pajamas, sending an electric wave all over her body.

He tugged the towel free in one rough pull. It pooled at her feet. Cool air hit her nipples, tightening them into aching peaks. Davis’s mouth closed over one, sucking hard, tongue flicking until she arched in pleasure, her nails digging into his shoulders.

“Fuck, Ivana,” he groaned, voice muffled against her breast. One hand slid between her thighs, fingers finding her already slick, swollen pussy. He circled her clit with slow, deliberate pressure, teasing, then plunging two fingers inside her without warning.

“Dav…” She cried out, head falling back against the mirror. The stretch burned sweetly; she rocked against his hand, chasing the friction. “More,” she begged. “Please.”

He didn’t make her wait. He freed himself with one hand, his pajamas shoved down just enough. His cock sprang free, thick, hot, already leaking at the tip. He notched himself at her entrance, rubbing the head through her pussy, coating himself in her wetness.

“Look at me,” he ordered.

She struggled to keep her eyes open. His gaze burned into hers, possessive, almost desperate, as he thrust in one deep stroke.

“Fuck….” Ivana’s mouth fell open on a silent scream. He filled her completely, stretching her to the edge of pain and pleasure.

He stilled for a heartbeat, letting her adjust, then started moving, hard, fast, relentless. The dresser rattled with every snap of his hips; her breasts bounced against his chest.

She clung to him, nails raking down his back, her legs locked tight. Each thrust drove him deeper, hitting that spot that made stars burst behind her eyelids. “Davis—oh God—” she moaned.

He buried his face in her neck, teeth sinking into the soft skin there, marking her. “Come for me,” he rasped. “Before you walk out that door. Come on my cock so you remember who you belong to.”

The command tipped her over. Pleasure coiled tight, then snapped. She shattered around him, walls fluttering, pulsing, milking him. “Davisss…..” she cried his name, as waves crashed through her, her thighs were trembling, her breath sobbing.

Davis followed seconds later, “I will miss my girl.” He groaned low in his throat, hips stuttering as he spilled inside her, hot and deep. He held her pinned there, both of them shaking, slick with sweat and release.

For a long moment, neither moved. Just ragged breathing, hearts slamming together.

Then suddenly a sharp knock echoed from downstairs. “Lilico’s here,” Davis murmured against her throat, voice rough. “It's time.”

Ivana exhaled shakily, her legs slid down until her feet touched the floor. His release trickled warm down her inner thigh, as she made her way back to the bathroom to clean up.

Within a minute, it was done and she came out. She reached for the red dress, and wore it and went over to apply her make up, while she waited for Davis to dress up too.