6

Harlow wasn't sure what she'd been expecting when Lucien led her into his penthouse, the door clicking softly shut behind them.

Maybe a corner filled with dead bodies, or a list of people that owed him various things throughout the city written in blood on his wall. Maybe his entire living room would be one large torture chamber and he planned on tossing her inside.

Instead, his home was very masculine in nature. Gray walls, sleek black appliances, a backless black leather sofa that looked extremely uncomfortable. A large TV that hung on the wall. A black piano in the corner. Dark gray hardwood floors and a fantastic view of Chicago.

It was all so normal for someone who essentially ruled over this city and spent his days building up criminal organizations or ensuring they crumbled to the ground.

Security personnel lingered outside in the hallway, and even Stefan had escorted them up before departing for the night, though Harlow had a sinking suspicion Lucien didn't need the added guns to take out someone who broke into his house.

Men like him didn't get to where they were in life without being fully capable of killing on their own. Ruthlessly. Indiscriminately.

It was one of the many reasons she should have been running for her life or screaming her head off in terror that she'd been essentially kidnapped and forced to be here.

But she'd grown up in this life, and unfortunately Harlow knew what her options were now that she'd been passed around like a football. A few years ago she might have cried and thrown a fit, begging him to have mercy and release her.

Not now.

Now, she just had to deal with the fact that this was her new normal, at least for a little while. And she'd agreed to his deal, so she'd play his game until he grew tired of her and then she'd leave and never look back.

Hopefully she'd have several mind blowing orgasms before then as well.

"I'll have some things sent over for you later this morning," Lucien said, leading her toward the left side of the penthouse. "My room is through here. It is off-limits to you."

He led her past the closed door and Harlow knew she'd be snooping through his drawers at the first possible opportunity.

He'd just let a thief into his house and he honestly expected her to not meddle through his things? She'd have to be discreet, but if he planned on keeping her here for an extended period of time, she'd just lie in wait for the perfect opportunity to find out why she wasn't allowed in there.

And why did he need to buy her anything?

"I don't want whatever you plan on getting for me. I'll just stop by my place later and pack some necessities."

"You'll wear what I provide you," Lucien stated, his voice colder than it had been in the car. "And you won't be leaving here unless I'm with you."

"Why do I need you with me to leave? You've already threatened to hurt the Devil's Guardians if I try to run away again. You know I'm staying now," Harlow argued.

Lucien had her pinned to the wall before she'd even understood what was happening.

His warmth seeped into her, and Harlow couldn't help the way she relaxed as he heated her chilled body.

He tilted her chin up with his finger, his expression unreadable as he stared down at her.

"Did you just admit that you had been fleeing me, princess?"

Harlow's eyes widened at her slip up and he smirked.

Lucien took a small step back, giving her a tiny bit of room to breathe as he murmured, "On your knees, Harlow."

Heavy hands found her shoulders, urging her to the ground and she complied, already knowing where this was leading.

He'd told her what would happen if she lied to him, and now he was delivering on his promise.

"What's your safe word?" he asked, running his fingers through her hair.

"Red."

Lucien nodded. "Tap my wrist if you need to use it, your mouth will be too preoccupied. Now, take my cock out, princess," he murmured darkly, his hand cupping the back of her head tenderly.

Harlow fumbled with his leather belt, in disbelief that she was actually doing this. Nerves danced around in her stomach, but as she unzipped his slacks and reached inside, she couldn't ignore the steady thrum of anticipation that filled her.

She could use her safe word and run off to whatever room Lucien gave her to hide in, but she didn't want that. She wanted to make him weak in the knees while she had him at her mercy.

And besides, he wouldn't be touching her unless she asked. She still held the power between them, at least in this small thing.

Her logic was obviously flawed, but Harlow couldn't find it in herself to care as her fingers wrapped around his hard cock.

He was hot and heavy in her hands, and as she pulled him from his slacks, her mouth watered at the sight.

How the hell was she supposed to fit that comfortably inside her mouth?

Her fingers couldn't even fit all the way around his shaft. He was thick, veiny and long.

"Don't be shy, princess. Open for me."