Sleepless, I concentrate on Dallas's soft, steady breathing. An arrant contrast to the free-for-all all revel that had taken place just hours before. My muscles feels heavy, and the soreness in my buttocks is a lingering reminder of the night's intensity. The air is cool against my bare skin, but there's a vehement desire beneath that coolness--an ache that stretches deeper than just physical exhaustion.
What am I doing?
I roll onto my side, careful not to disturb Dallas, who is still fast asleep beside me. His arm drapes loosely across my waist, his breathing steady and calm. There's a part of me that wants to crawl into him and make him my protective cocoon, to bask in the warmth and comfort of his familiar presence, but something holds me back. It's not him. It's me.
The Admiral's voice ricochets around in my head, his words a lingering thread that pulls at my thoughts: "You're a rare gift, Aiyana--one I don't intend to share with anyone who doesn't see your worth."
I slip out of bed as quietly as I can, throwing on one of Dallas's oversized T-shirts. My feet touch the cold floor, and the sensation grounds me, cutting through the haze of lust and exhaustion. I walk down the hallway to the living room. The house is quiet. The Admiral is nowhere to be seen.
I move toward the window, peeking through the curtains. The sky is a muted black, the darkness feels close enough to touch. I stare out at the quiet landscape, my mind a tangled mess of thoughts.
Is this what I want? To be caught between two men, both vying for control in their own ways? To be pushed and pulled between desire and dominance, my body a playground for their power?
I swallow hard, pressing my forehead against the cool glass. The truth is, I don't know. Part of me is liberated by the idea--by the way they make me feel, the way they take me to places I've never been. But another part of me--the part that's always in control, always planning, always thinking--feels a pang of guilt, of doubt.
Where does this leave me? Where does this leave any of us?
I mean, I came here with the intention of having a simple, carefree escape. But now everything feels complicated, twisted in ways I'd never even imagined. Now, the lines between fantasy and reality are blurred, and I don't think they can be pulled apart anymore.
How was I supposed to just go back to normal life after this? How was I supposed to go back to school and just pretend like I'm not a completely changed woman? I had experienced something I was sure most other girls my age could never even fathom. I doubt most of them would even entertain the idea of being with their boyfriend's uncle. But I also doubt any woman could resist a man like the Admiral.
I'm deep in thought when I notice a shift in the atmosphere. I don't even need to turn to see him--his presence is commanding enough to announce itself.
"I... can't sleep," I say, chewing my lip.
"That makes two of us" he adds.
"Can I ask you a question?" I say turning to him.
"of course, ask me anything," his tone is almost too agreeable.
"I can't shake the feeling that you know more about me than I do. You have control over me, and I'm letting you have it, even though it doesn't make sense. And you keep asserting your dominance over Dallas like you're positioning yourself above him, and I can't figure out why. So what do you want from me--beyond this week? Is this all just some power play to you? Or is there something real here?"
The Admiral moves closer, his presence overwhelming yet calculated, his gaze locking onto mine with that familiar intensity.
"You're right, baby girl," he murmurs, his voice a low, velvety rumble. "I do know more about you than you think. You may not understand why you're letting me have this control, but I do. Because you crave it. You need someone to take you to the edge, to challenge what you thought you knew about yourself."
His fingers lightly graze my arm, trailing a path that makes my skin tingle. "As for Dallas... I'm not positioning myself above him. He put me on a pedestal that I never wanted to be on. He saw my lifestyle as something to be coveted, when in reality, I curated this life for myself, with patience, discipline, and a great deal of inner work."
He leans in, his breath warm against my ear. "With that said, I wasn't expecting this type of connection with you. In fact, you've completely disarmed me in a way I didn't think was possible. I want you to know this isn't just a game to me. I see you, Aiyana. There's something real between us."
His lips brush against my neck, barely a whisper, sending a shiver down my spine. "This connection isn't fleeting for me--I want to be wherever you need me, for as long as you'll let me."."
He pulls back just enough to meet my eyes, his expression both commanding and tender. "The question is... are you ready to let me in completely?"
The moonlight filters through the curtains, casting a soft glow on his face, and highlighting the desire in his eyes.
"Come with me," he murmurs, taking my hand in his. His touch is firm but gentle, guiding me without resistance.
I follow him down the dimly lit hallway, my heart pounding in my chest. The Admiral's room feels warmer and more intimate than it had a few hours ago. A single lamp casts a golden hue over the space, making everything feel softer and more inviting. He closes the door behind us, and the world outside seems to fade away.
He sits on the edge of the bed, pulling me close. "Sit with me," he says, his voice a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. I hesitate for a moment before settling beside him, our bodies aligned, his warmth seeping into me.
"What you said earlier... it made sense," I admit, my voice low and uncertain. "But it scares me. Dallas is predictable, easy to read--I know what I'm getting with him, even when it's not enough. But you... you're a mystery. You say all the right things, and it sounds so good, but how do I know it's real? You're asking me to open up, to trust you, but you haven't shown me yet that I can. If I take that step...if I take that risk and let you in, I won't survive being wrong."
The Admiral nods, his gaze steady, his expression soft yet serious. "I hear you, and I don't take your trust lightly. You're not just someone to me--not now, not ever. Every action I take, every word I say, is meant to guide you, to uplift you, and to show you the strength you don't yet realize you have. But I want to address your fear head-on. I'm not here to manipulate or harm you. Sex, intimacy--it's not just physical. It's an exchange of energy, of vulnerability, and the person you let in should honor that. They should have intentions rooted in care, respect, and love--not only for you but for themselves too. And if I ever fall short of that, I'll own it. You deserve nothing less."
His fingers trail up my arm, leaving a wake of a tingling sensation. "With that said, there are behaviors you should never accept. Disrespect, cruelty, selfishness--those are red flags. True connection, the kind we're exploring, is built on mutual respect, trust, and genuine caring. Do you understand?"
I nod slowly, absorbing his words. "Yes, I think so."
He smiles a rare, genuine smile that reaches his eyes. "Good. Now, let me show you what real connection feels like."
