I am sorry for not updating sooner. School work, my Adrian/Sydney story, and my original have been demanding my attention. I wanted to write this story, but my mind was not giving me the ideas, either. And I don't like chasing after ideas, no, they have to come to me. With no further rants from me, I give you this chapter. It is short, compared to the previous ones. I have to say, this chapter. . .is the start of the smuttiness that will be present in almost every chapter. The start of Rose releasing the Demoness inside.

I don't own. Richelle Mead gets paid to write these books. I just like borrowing her characters and making my "it would be cool if. . .and practicing my horrible writing skills.

Chapter 4: Not So Casual Invitation

Upon seeing Belikov at my door, I stood stunned in the doorway. The billion, and counting, words that had been implanted in my head since the day I was born completely vanished from my mind as I saw Belikov standing at my doorway. I should have said something, something friendly, something, but unfortunately, his looks were too distracting for I was sidetracked by his charming looks, similar to those of a god, or anything equally as mystical and beautiful. My God—I had never been left so speechless. I was wonderstruck, completely desiring to swoon and wake up in his arms.

"Ah, Belikov! My good friend!" Kellan called out from the casual dining room, saving me from the embarrassment of a no-conversation, no actions, standoff with Belikov. "Come on in. Excuse the princess. She can get a little speechless at times. Especially if she likes what she sees in front of her."

To that, Kellan's words, I began to a feel a blush creep up to my face.

"Rose, Rose. . .please step aside so your date could walk into the house and not feel unwanted standing in the doorway. Plus, it is rude to keep someone waiting."

"Date?" I echoed, still rooted in place, still making such an unworthy fool of myself.

Kellan shook his head at my sluggish mind. "Yes, date. Your husband and master decided no guests unless they bring business. A date is business. To me, at least."

Belikov raised a brow, looking down at me with an almost-absent amused smile, the tiny smile making my heart beat ridiculously fast. I wanted to obscure myself from the world in that second, to hide in the storage closet inside the kitchen; I was absolute absurdity as the moments flew by, with no capability of speech, or actions besides breathing, and staring, real intense staring. And Belikov, he had his gaze fixated on nothing besides myself, eyes wandering around my facial features, but always returning his looks to my eyes.

I cleared my throat, my mind clearing as well. I stepped aside, attempting to regain control of my sanity. Looking at me in an indescribable way, indecipherable, almost erotically, equally as sensual—I had more than several indecent thoughts filling up my mind—Belikov proceeded to place the rose in my hands, uncurling my fingers easily when he realized my hand was frozen. My fingers could not keep hold of the rose and it dropped to the floor. Flustered, I bent down to grab it from the floor.

Belikov had a neutral face but his eyes expressed everything his face did not show.

"You can go on ahead," I told him. "I need to help out Kellan in the kitchen. And I'll take the chance to put the lovely champagne bottle you brought inside the cooler."

Kellan gave me the most innocent smirk as I passed him with an unkind glower. "Darling head on, I need to wait for my date and I will meet you in the kitchen."

Hiding in the safety of my kitchen, I was free to think. I wanted to, and I was aware how unladylike it was—I wanted to take Belikov to the bed upstairs. Well, if we could manage to prolong the trip—we would probably end up on the living room couch, or the grand dinner room table as it was the place of lesser distance. Or if I really wanted to be daring, I am sure the ground of the entrance would not mind having Belikov and me on top as we went wild on each other.

Oh dear God. . .please help me not think about getting naked with the neighbor on the floor. Stop. Stop. My mind remembered what kind of man I was married to and I was not so hesitant to think about all my indecent fantasies. Mmm. . .in my lusty mind, I began to wonder how Belikov would react if I invited him over for an evening swim, no lights, no clothes. I could imagine his hands on me, running his hands down my arms, touching parts of my body better left unmentioned, while I lifted up a leg, wrapping the leg around his waist, as our wet bodies slid against each other, and accidentally slid into each other.

I resisted the temptation to lick my lips, biting down on my lip, hoping the pain would fight off the erotic fantasies, to curb this carnal desire. I never had thought about any other man besides the excuse of a man I was trapped with. Would this abrupt desire ever fade? No. And I would do something about this sudden want. After being restrained in Stan's chains for so long, I was breaking free, slowly but surely. The tall and gorgeous neighbor sure helped the chains have a looser hold; I was positive Belikov would be the reason why these chains would snap.

The kitchen was decorated in dull colors and I knew the white rose would bring beauty to the boringness of the room where blessed meals were prepared. Besides, I knew Stan would most likely freak out over the rose; I wanted him to have a small panic attack. I placed the champagne bottle Belikov had brought along inside the refrigerator, after setting the white rose on the counter. Champagne could be useful and tasteful. . .for a midnight swim scheduled in a few hours with the gorgeous male neighbor. . . .

"I worked my ass off on this. . .the food better be tasty. It will hurt my ego if it is not."

I glanced over my shoulder at Kellan, my fantasy high gone for the moment. "At least you know how to cook. I am sure it will be tasty."

"I will teach you, don't you worry, princess." Kellan winked at me as he lifted a large platter from the counter. "Now, if you would be kind enough, help me take that blue salad bowl out to the dining room."

"Salad?" I made a face.

"Stan said you had to eat salad with every meal. See, not to break your master's laws, I will serve you salad with a steak sandwich on the side. We aren't technically breaking the law; just bending it a little."

"Kellan, I love you." I grinned, reaching for the aforementioned salad bowl.

"I, unfortunately, cannot say the same. But it beats you wanting to kill me for setting you on a date."

"I can't say anything because I know I will love this setup."

Kellan nodded, eyes full of mischief. "I will leave you two alone for a while. Get cozy. Get to know each other. Get naked, if you please."

"Wow, I think you read my mind. I was just thinking about that, getting naked with him."

"I knew there was a sinful side to you, princess—no, princess has gotten old. I know there is a sinful side to you, Sin."

Kellan and I were on amazing terms when we reached the dinner table, setting down the plates. In no time, Belikov, Kellan, an unknown female, and I lunched on the steak sandwiches Kellan had kindly prepared. I took small bites, savoring each piece, trying to decipher each taste; I was not allowed this luxury often and it was best to enjoy it while I could. It was when I was about halfway through my sandwich when I had the mind to pay attention to the conversation of the table.

". . .your legs look lovely and long in the revealing dress you are wearing," Kellan was telling the female who was delicately picking at her food.

Kellan and the female are the only ones in involved in conversation. I guess he is keeping up his act of a good date. And I am just lagging behind.

A bit embarrassed with myself, I looked over at Belikov who seemed enthralled with his food. He was distraction enough to be the cause of my appetite subsiding. I enjoyed watching him, every last detail of him. The way his eyebrow would raise slightly at the conversation Kellan and the female were involved in; the way his brown hair fell over his eyes slightly; the way he chewed was very amazing to me.

Belikov's eyes somehow found themselves on me, openly observing me the way I had just done with him, keeping his face with no emotion. Timidly, after a brief encounter of our eyes, I looked down, heat rising to my cheeks, heart racing inconsiderably fast, emotions within me stirring feverishly. The emotions I felt coursing through me were nothing I had ever felt before. Could I possibly be falling in love? I did not know what love was—Stan forced me to "love" him and I did not know what was real.

What if I was falling in love?

What if I was falling in love.

Or maybe I was in deep lust, not love.

I believed I was in lust—love couldn't happen this fast, could it?

I lifted up my head to look at Belikov once more; his eyes remained where they had been when I had bashfully glanced down at the table.

Belikov looked at me for far too long; I enjoyed it far too much.

"You weren't this quiet when I met you," Belikov commented. If only he knew how loud my thoughts are. He looked at me again—actually, he wouldn't stop looking at me—with a "lip twist", or what you could call an almost nonexistent smile on anyone else. I know if he ever were to smile at me, a full smile, I knew I would most likely faint. Or perhaps believe I had died and woken up to find a beautiful angel in front of me.

"I don't know what to say?" And that was true. Either I only spoke when I was asked to speak, I was always told what to say, or I was told to shut up. But oh yes, I had once been a Demoness, with a mouth that no one could control; she was hidden now. And she most definitely would come out of hiding one of these days. The Demoness Rose was already beginning to come out—the indecent thoughts of mine were proof enough. I could almost feel her, trying to break free.

The day she wanted to break free, I would let her.

"You can ask me those blunt questions of—hold on a second, excuse me." Belikov rose from his chair, pressing his phone to his ear, making his way to the living room, away from our curious ears. Even sitting right next to me, I could have never deciphered what he was saying because he was speaking a different language. The call was kept short, professional. After he was done, Belikov put his phone away, returning to the table; he remained standing, though.

"Kellan, Rose, thank you for the lunch, but you will have to excuse me. I received a business call—to keep it simple, I have to make arrangements. Now, please enjoy your lunch. I will be on my way." Kellan had the biggest grin on his face when he noticed me stand and follow Belikov to the door, fixing up my boobs. What man would not enjoy a good cleavage show?

I beat Belikov to the door, opening the door for him, stopping his exit by standing against the doorframe.

"Do you really have to go?"

Belikov's eyes stayed focused on my face.

Your slutful ways do not work anymore, Rose.

Shitface Stan needed to die for fucking me over—I was sure Kellan would freak out if he heard my thought of that second.

"Yes, I do. My old boss told me he finally had a job for me, a job I actually like doing. Not this rich business stuff—too dull for my liking. I constantly find myself lost." Belikov gave me a lip twist. "I should get going."

"Wait a second. . .I have another invitation for you. If you're not too busy this night, I would like for you to join me in a swim."

This man had a lot of control. It was not easy to ignore things right in your face. I am sure if Stan was here. . .he would have undressed the female showing off her upper assets in his face. It was wrong and horrid to think so—but somehow I wished there was a part of Stan in Belikov. Stan lost control very easy and Belikov possessing that quality. . .I could imagine how easily I could get my way with Belikov.

"After dark? Aren't you afraid of being alone with me in the night?" There was a threat to his voice that I found strangely erotic.

"What is there to be afraid of? I have experienced many adventures. I was allowed to live a little before I married my shrewd husband. I know how. . .men work."

"I am glad," Belikov said, with another lip twist. "A woman should settle, not be settled."

"I agree." I was forced to settle; I hadn't wanted to settle yet. But my mother. . .I was glad she was out of my life now.

"I must go, Rose. This job is important for my life right now."

"See you later?"

"I'll see you tonight." He gave me one those lip twists and he was off.

I looked down at myself, wondering if I still had admirable traits. I straightened out the material over my breasts once more, not for flirtatious reasons this time, hoping to make myself look more presentable.

And while I was basking in my indecision, I just so happened to look up when Belikov was winking my way, giving me the fullest smile.

My heart almost stopped beating; the angels were singing.

Hmm, this man wasn't as oblivious as I pegged him to be.

Accidentally screwing Stan over could be a lot easier than I imagined it would be.

Who would love to see Stan screwed over?

Thanks for all the awesome feedback I have been receiving!

And remember, I will give you sneak peeks of the next chapter when I reply to your review:) Plus, reviews let me know you want me to continue.

Take much care

-Melissa