The car pulled up to a building somewhere in the neighborhood. I sat at a distance from him in the backseat. He seemed to pretend I wasn't there. I cautiously peered out through the raindrops to see what this place was like. It was already past midnight, but I felt calm. The master had explained back in the café that the girl had to ask him for a session herself, explained the rules, and the girl, without a second thought, did so. And now she was here. The screeching of brakes, the sound of drips on the roof of the car, and the sound of the door opening. The man walked around the back of the car, opened the door, took off his coat, and covered me with it to keep me dry. I got out of the car without meeting his gaze, and we hurried inside. It was a reception area of sorts, but it was so dim, so intimate. The girl behind the counter smiled at the man, and she clearly recognized him. I shrugged off his coat and hung it over my arm; it was barely wet. And I stepped aside. I looked... continue reading

His loft smelled of old books, leather, and the faintest hint of his cologne—something woody, tart. The candles on the nightstands cast dancing shadows on the walls, creating bizarre giants of light and darkness. I stood in the middle of the room, feeling small and fragile, almost translucent. My short black hair seemed even darker against my pale skin, and the tiny swallow tattoo on my wrist felt like my only talisman of protection. He was thirty-eight. Tall, with a graying beard and eyes that had seen too much. His hands—strong, with the sinewy fingers of a photographer and thin silver scars on his knuckles—now ignited a fire within me that sent shivers down my spine. He approached me silently, like a predator. "Ready?" His voice was low, almost chest-like, and it sent a shiver down my spine. I merely nodded, unable to speak. My throat was dry. We'd met several times, discussed boundaries, safe words. But the theory proved worthless compared to the practical items lyin... continue reading

Early in the morning, in my sleep, I heard the doorbell ring. I did not move, vainly hoping that there would be no more ringing, but I had to get up and, sniffling, shuffling with my slippers, trudge into the hallway to open the door. It was Anyuta. She stood with her head tilted to the side and looked expressively at me with her beautiful brown eyes.

“Well, come in if you’ve come,” I muttered, trying not to show my excitement.

The day before, Anyuta and I were visiting, where this creature drank champagne and began flirting with the hostess’s brother. I warned her to stop, threatening to leave immediately, but Anyutka was only provoked by my jealousy - she laughed in a drunken voice and continued her dirty work. I carried out the threat... went home. The dear one, of course, kicked a couple of cobblestones with the toe of his boot, but when he came home he calmed down quite quickly. In general, this was not the first time for Anyuta to behave this way.

And here she is, early in... continue reading