Ruthless Spring

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO: WINTER

“Hey,canyougo up to the stockroom and grab a couple of bottles of brandy?” Amarie asks as she peers over her clipboard at me.

Today is inventory day and we’re at the club earlier than usual to take stock of everything at the bar before we open up tonight.

“Sure.” I place the last bottle of tequila into the spot it belongs in before heading into the back. I go up the stairs to the stock room, lost in my thoughts.

It’s been a couple of days since my date with Giovanni and I feel… off. Giovanni hadn’t been the horrible man that I’m used to and it’d confused me. I know that it was all an act, but a part of me can’t seem to let it go.

The way he’d licked his lips when I’d eaten off of his forks. It’d looked like he wanted to devour me.

I rub my neck, pushing the stock room door open.

It’s all just an act, don’t fall for it, Winter.

I haven’t seen Giovanni since that night, and I’ve been trying to remind myself of exactly who he is before he makes another appearance. The last thing I need is for him to see the confusion in my face the next time I see him.

I sigh, pushing the thought away.

Just do your work.

I glance up at how high on the shelf the brandy actually is. There’s no way I’d be able to reach it, so I grab the ladder sitting in the back against the wall. I unfold it, placing it where I need it to be. Thankfully, I was given flats to wear with my dress today. I grab the rung, climbing up.

I’m in the middle of putting my hand on the first glass of brandy when I hear the door open behind me. I pause, turning my head. I freeze when I find Maximo standing in the doorway. He offers me a chilling smile as he steps into the room.

“Mouse,” he greets me, walking closer.

I look down at him, frozen in place on the ladder. He doesn’t stop until he’s standing just in front of the ladder, looking up at me.

“Do you remember the last time we were in here, Mouse?” he asks.

I do.

It’d been the first time that he assaulted me. He’d forced me down on my knees, right into a pile of shattered glass and made me give him a blowjob. I’d felt sick, all while he got off and smiled at me afterwards.

“I said do you remember, Mouse?” He repeats himself. One of his hands come up onto the ladder, right by my knee.

I gulp, nodding. “I remember.” I haven’t seen Maximo in a couple of days, and the last time I’d seen him, he hadn’t showed any interest in tormenting me. Apparently, that has changed.

“Turn around.” He twirls his finger around.

I turn, being careful. I place my hands on the sides of the ladder, my butt leaning against one of the rungs.

“Now, stay still and hopefully you won’t fall too hard.” Maximo’s eyes twinkle as he reaches up, sliding his hands along the seam of my dress. He pushes it up, bunching it around my hips. He lets go but it starts to fall back down. He frowns, pushing it back up, “Can’t have that.” His eyes meet mine. “Use one hand to hold your dress up.”

There isn’t a single part of me that considers disobeying him, but it doesn't mean I don’t hate myself up.

I hold my dress.

A little thrill of adrenaline shoots down my spine as his fingers slide up the inside of my thigh. His touch is electrifying as it continues to dance along my flesh. His fingers slide along the seam of my panties, and he lets out a little sound. “Already so wet.”

He continues to rub me outside of my panties and my body warms, my arousal coating my panties.

Maximo chuckles before he leans in, pushing my panties to the side. His tongue strokes along my lips, teasing. My legs tremble and I have to hold onto the ladder harder.

Maximo’s thumb circles my clit as he leans in to lick me again and then his tongue is pushing inside of my pussy.

I gasp, my body jerking and sending the ladder swaying. Fright moves through me but Maximo never stops, his tongue persistent. His thumb continues to circle my clit and my breaths are short as I fight to remain still.