Romance: Seducing The Quarterback (46 page)

The international marriage agency was located in a simple
renovated college just outside the city. It was done up like the perfect home
with a flowerbed and a swinging bench on the wraparound porch. It made Anya
think of having a family one day. That was the real reason for all of this. She
wanted a family more than anything. She needed a kid. Her life's ambition,
since she was little was to become a wife and mother. To her, there was nothing
more beautiful than running a home and bringing life into the world. She wanted
love, but she would have a child either way if she could.

She walked up the frost-laden steps and made her way inside.
The receptionist was a simple woman with a pixie cut and glasses. She smiled
when she walked in the door.

“Are you here to register,” she asked.

“Yes.”

“Alright. We'll call you in a moment.”

A scrub-wearing nurse came out and took her to an exam room.
He explained that they would need to do a DNA test. That seemed very odd to
Anya. She knew they'd probably test for STDs, but that wasn't done with a DNA
test.

“Why a blood test?”

“We have very specific requirements for admission.”

“It's not anything weird is it?”

“No. We just have clients who want girls with very specific
traits. We will also be testing fertility. Can you have children?”

“Yes.”

“Alright.”

Once the test was over they checked her papers to make sure
she could travel and sent her on her way. They said that she would be accepted
and that she should wear something nice. She did ask about her look and they
said it would be perfect for the agency. This both confounded and excited her.
In fact, it was all she could think about on the way home. These men would like
her.

* * * * *

Anya looked stunning in her long, red sequin gown. Her hair
was glowing. She had it curled and she was wearing her favorite ruby red
lipstick. Her grandmother had always told her to wear red if she wanted a
husband. It had a way of affecting them, she said. She didn't believe in old
superstitions, but she was going to use every trick at her disposal.

The mixer was set in a majestic dance hall. There was a
crystal chandelier and a beautiful marble floor. There were waiters walking
around in tuxedos with wine glasses on trays. She decided to abstain. Thoughts
of the night she should've had with Ivan were still fresh in her mind, but she
wasn't going to let that get to her. She was going to meet her husband. That
was what mattered.

They lined the women up on stage and started the
announcements. She was last in line, which excited her. She looked around the
room. Many of the women were stunning, but she was a fierce competitor who
could stand up to the rest of them. When they called her name, she beamed and
the audience clapped.

There was one man standing in the back corner that she saw
looking her way. He was big and muscular. He had hair covering his entire body
and a black buzz cut. She could feel her thighs getting warm at the thought of
him on top of her. She wanted this man and there was something that said that
he wanted her too.

Every school in her area taught English, and she loved the
language. Although it was quite harsh, the harshest she'd ever heard, she found
it to be glamorous. It was the language of majesty and the rich. It would be
her language, and she knew it well. She practiced it every chance she got. She
read English books and watched English movies more than she did in her own
language.

She decided that she should try out her skills. When the
music came on, she walked over to one of the men and smiled. He was a bald,
furry little man that seemed to be undressing her with his eyes. She wasn't
going to go for the kill right away. She wanted to lure her suitor in a bit. It
worked. As soon as she opened her mouth, he was there. His hot breath was on
her neck and she could feel her thighs getting warmer. Her sanctuary was
throbbing and when she turned around to look at that somber face, she melted.

He had such tender eyes. He was giving her a knowing smile
and they were spinning around the dance floor before she knew what was
happening. 

“What is your name,” his face was close to hers when he
asked and she could smell cinnamon.

“Anya.”

“How is your English, Anya?”

“I am fluent.” The man seemed pleased by that. They took a
dip and his chest was bearing into hers.

“Is this your hometown?”

“No. I came here as a child. I’m from the country.”

“Which do you prefer, the city or the country.” This was an
odd question.

“The city.” The man seemed displeased by that.

“Why?” Anya didn't like this question.

“The country scares me.”

“I understand. I live on the outskirts of the city, so you'd
like it. I have a forest house near Portland, Oregon in the US. Do you like the
U.S?”

“No. But I would like to go there.” The man smiled when she
said no.

“You sound like an intelligent woman. You're sure of
yourself.”

“I am.”

She felt his eyes move down her body. He liked her and he
took the air right out of her. His grip was firm but tender. His features were
round, and he had a graceful way of moving. His eyes met hers, just as the song
was ending, and their lips met slowly.

He didn't move his tongue inside of her. He was respectful,
but he did put his hand around her waist. He could've taken on the dance floor,
and he would've given himself to her at a moment's notice, but this was not
that kind of date, no matter how much she wanted it to be. She didn't like the
barrier, but it was there nonetheless.

His hands moved up to stroke her hair out of her face and
she melted immediately. She could feel his firm grip moving slowly down her
waist and her heart beat to the rhythm of his sultry steps. She wanted him and
he would take her. That was the sexiest part. He would be hers and they both
knew it.

“I've been waiting for you for a long time, Anya.” She
blushed as she felt her body starting to give way from the intense passion. He
struck a chord and there was no going back. It may as well have been a marriage
vow.

“And I have been waiting for you. What is your name?”

“Caleb.” They parted for one terrifying moment while he went
to get their drinks, but he was back as soon as he came.

Caleb was an angel, but there was a fierceness to him. At
the same time, he was tender. It was strange to see both traits in a person,
but they were bursting out of him, like a tangible aura that wafted through the
air. His eyes would dart this way and that. It reminded Anya of a man that she
knew who came back from being stationed in the military. He said he saw stuff,
and Anya wanted to know what he saw.

She needed to see behind that veil. It scared her, but she
was wholly devoted. This man would never hurt her—she could feel it. He would
protect her. They'd only just met, but they both knew.

When he walked back, she was trembling. His bulge pronounced
just enough to be sexy while still being appropriate. She needed to be in his
arms, and then she was. Their eyes met and his lips met hers. The entire room
stopped. The music was gone and so was the dance floor. He picked her up and
kicked out the door and they were walking back to his hotel. His arms were so
bog. His skin was rough in the right places and smooth in the right places.
Most of all, she had never felt safe as when she was in his arms and they were
on the elevator. She was nestled sweetly against his chest when he opened the
door to his room and she was writhing with excitement as he slammed her onto
the bed. This wasn't that kind of date, this was different.

She didn't believe in magic until she saw him tear off his
shirt in one swoop and it was lying on the floor. He was a beast. His entire
chest was covered in soft black fur that, as she rubbed her hands against it,
sent jolts of static running down her hands. Their eyes met and big lips were
caressing hers as he slowly exposed her chest to the warm air. When his tongue
finally pierced through her lips, she sighed and felt her thighs getting
warmer. She was dripping with sweet ambrosia as his tongue darted around and
held hers. She felt as though she'd been waiting for this touch her entire
life.

He smelled of fire and ash. His body was a sweltering
volcano that set her ablaze as he slowly nibbled on the nip of her neck. She
cried out and he growled and bit her nipple through her shirt. It was like
lava, making its way down her stomach and over her temple that was already
screaming for his touch. He reached his hands around and gently rubbed her
back. She could feel the tantalizing pressure as his electric finger unhooked
her bra and he threw it off the bed. He looked down and took her in and she
felt vulnerable. His fingers ran along the edge of her nipple and her voice
shuddered as he slowly undid his zipper.

She could feel her lips salivating from the thought of
caressing him. She wanted to run her tongue around the head just to see his
face brimming with pleasure. He saw the desire in her eyes and picked her
nipple again as he hands moved down her pants, stopping just short of her lips.
His finger grazed her spot and she jolted from the sparks that shot out.

His hands were moving lower. His fly was almost open and she
could make out the outline of his thick cock starting to come to the surface.
She wanted it. She could feel herself tense up from the overwhelming desire.
She needed to feel it inside of her. His fingers were circling her lips and she
could feel her explosion coming. She had to stop it. He couldn't do that. It
was too early. She was panting frantically. He had a cocky smile on his face as
he reached in and rubbed his hands up and down his shaft.

“I want to cum inside you,” his deep whisper made her
tremble with excitement.

He pulled out his cock and it jumped up and down. It was
almost as big as her arm. The thought of it rushing through her was too much to
bear and his thumb was rubbing so good along her clit. She knew that explosion
was coming, but she could stop it no matter how hard she tried. He cries echoed
throughout the room as she puckered up and a fountain of amorous fluid shot out
of her. She was still throbbing. He was stroking himself and watching her. He
reached down and his fingers grazed her inner sanctum. Another explosion came
and ripped through her.

“Please, I need it.”

“Yeah?”

His finger slammed inside of her and moved back and forth.
She could feel herself losing all awareness. The only thing that existed was
the relentless jolts of ecstasy that were passing through her and the wave
after wave of explosions that sent her writhing.

A wave of magical energy thrust itself upon her and she was
overcome by passion as his cock slammed into her over and over again. She was
losing track of her roller coaster of orgasms that came right after the other
in a furious barrage of ecstasy. She could feel his face tense up from the
pleasure and he bent down to kiss her once more His hot breath was moving like
a bonfire, down her chest and into her temple, like the cock that had finally
found its place. He was screaming with her. His body was shaking and she was
seething with the fire that sparked an eruption of passion. He was spewing hot
lava inside of her and she was unaware of anything except the love which had
enveloped her in his arms.

People don't believe in love at first sight. They say it's a
fairy tale that never existed. They define their bleak pessimistic worldview on
that thought. Whether or not you believe in fate is decided by whether or not
you believe in true love. When you find it, everything changes. You see the
world as a place of enchantment and opportunity. You begin to question
everything you believe in, and how you interact with the world. It's all
because when you do find it, you become so certain of it that you could never
possibly doubt it. It does exist. If you've never experienced it, you couldn't
possibly understand. It's not rare, though it is treasured. It's natural and it
happens every single day.

When the sun started peeking behind the Victorian curtains
of Caleb's majestic suite, she started to feel a smile creeping up on her lips.
There were warm arms around her and she'd seen visions of faeries and gods in
her dreams. He was there. He was real, and they would be together.

He was already awake, staring at her while she slept. She
could tell that he was mesmerized by her. It felt so sweet to have somebody
really care about her. She realized that she had never had that happen before.
She thought she had, but nobody had laid down with her and explored her body,
loving every single part of her. She felt like a child discovering how many
fingers they had. She explored every crevice and every hair. It was the most
intimate experience she'd ever had.

Anya knew what she had found. Just the confirming it in her
mind sent chills all over her.

There was a lot to do. They had to arrange visas, handle
shipping, and she would go to the US before her marriage. Caleb wanted her to
just come, and she wanted to, but there was something there. He shifted his
eyes around that much. He would stop and stare into space sometimes. She needed
to know everything. This was her life she was talking about, and she wasn't
going to give it over when she didn't know what was going.

Room service arrived with a breakfast of porridge and honey.
There were berries on the side. It was delicious. They made their way out to
make arrangements and went from there.

* * * * *

Anya's departure to the US was scheduled in less than a
month. She said her goodbyes to her friends and went to visit her parent's
grave. She would miss them the most. She'd been going to their grave since she
was a little girl. She begged the church to have them buried near the city so
she could visit them, and the priests obliged after a hefty sum from her
parent's estate. They'd died when she was a little girl.

She was excited to be leaving Siberia. She hated the cold.
She loved it when she could walk around in shorts and short sleeved shirts, but
that wasn't very often. She felt chilled everywhere she went. Her nose would
run and her face would sting. She'd have to constantly wear chap stick and
apply lotion so her skin didn't crack. No matter what, though, that chill was
always there, haunting her like her parent's death.

She dreamed of beaches and green meadows. She wanted to feel
the sun without feeling like the air was stabbing her. It was too much—it
always had been. She was ready to leave.

They were standing in his suite on the last day looking out
over the city. It could've been any city, but it was the tundra. She would
finally leave it behind. They both had to wear fur just to be comfortable. The
night air could kill you.

“I want you in my life, Anya, but you won't love me.”

She was shocked. “I already do.”

“But you don't know me for who I am.”

“I can feel you already.”

“No. You have no idea. I will show you.”

“Show me what?”

“In time.” He looked out over the balcony for a while and
Anya knew that something was very wrong. People have this kind of conversation
before they marry, but this felt different. He was different, but there was
something more. She needed to understand. “There are things you never knew
existed.”

“I didn't know this kind of love existed, Caleb. It couldn't
possibly be that bad.”

“It is.”

* * * * *

The trees were black. Their needles were waiting to pierce
through soft flesh and whatever lay hidden within the shadows they cast would
devour the entrants. Fear is a tangible entity, a protector. It should never be
ignored. Don't go near him. You will love him; you will trust him. He will
shelter you in his arms and you will lie with him, but when you enter the
forest, he will crush your skull.

She was wearing a white flowing nightgown, something you'd
find in another century. Her arms were reaching out and her voice was wailing.

“Mother!” The woman was a brightly lit apparition.

She was wailing. Her screams were the cold wind, stabbing
through flesh and cracking bones. That face told a message from beyond the thin
veil between the worlds.

Anya tried to sit up, but his arms were tightly wound around
her. He was still sleeping. He looked so peaceful, with his soft snores and his
fluttering eyes. He must be dreaming. She felt safe. They would leave to
Portland, and she would make her decision there. The flight would leave at noon
and it was five in the morning. She decided to push his arms off of her and get
dressed. The same breakfast of porridge, berries and honey arrived in less than
an hour. It was strange. He always had that in the morning. She'd never eaten
it before, but the sugar was comforting. It reminded her of when she was in the
orphanage and she'd sneak honey from the priest's table to put in her oatmeal.

When he awoke, the first thing he did was get up and kiss her.
It was such a comfort to be the first thing he saw in the morning.

They got ready quickly and were on the flight without any
trouble. He would have to wait while she went through customs, which was going
to be a grueling process. America had closed their borders off so tightly that
she had no reassurance that she could enter.

She'd never been on a plane before. Caleb had insisted on
her getting a widow seat. He said the experience was thrilling. He got them a
seat in first class, where he said they would be waited on. This was when Anya
first realized that Caleb was a man of means. She figured that the agency, as
wealthy as they obviously were, had paid for the suite, but they hadn't. She
figured that Caleb had nice clothes that he bought for that night, but they
were all designer.

“You're rich, aren't you?” They were waiting for the plane
to take off.

“Yes.”

“How rich?”

“I can buy anything.”

“Billions.”

“Yes.”

“You are comfortable with me asking this?”

“You have to know. I am your husband and you will be my
wife. Well, maybe. You will decide.”

“Whatever it i—.”

“Just wait and see, Anya.” He wouldn't tell her no matter
how much she pleaded. He just kept giving cryptic messages. She thought back to
that dream when her mother was screaming out to her. The forest had always
seemed terrible to her. You could die easily in the forest in Siberia. People
rarely traveled inside of it. If they got lost, they would die within a few
hours. Was she just anxious? What did he mean when he said, there were things
she never knew existed?

She thought about strange government conspiracies and
aliens, but none of it fit. Whatever was going on must be terrible, or at least
very strange, or else he wouldn't be saying those things.

The thought that she wasn't safe had occurred to her, but he
loved her. Nothing bad could come out of the right kind of love, and Anya knew
bad love from a mile away. All women who have experienced it know it. They can
smell it like they smell rotten eggs or putrid flesh.

“As weird as it is, I don't care. I love you, Caleb. Love is
good.” That would be her affirmation. She'd use it to stay strong. No matter
how afraid she got, she would say it and it would make her feel better, because
it was true. She was afraid, and she was worried her fear would overcome her,
but she couldn't allow that to happen.

You can't feel it when a plane takes off. You can hear it
and you can see it. Anya watched as the city started rising up above her and
she said goodbye. She could see the bustling downtown streets she had known her
whole life. She knew she'd never see it again. She was above the skyscrapers.
She could see in people's backyards and the tops of buildings. Then Anya saw
the clouds. They were walking on a blanket of fluffy mist. It was an ethereal
landscape, a part of heaven and she looked over at Caleb.

“It's so beautiful!”

“It's almost like you can walk on it, huh?”

“Yes! I want to.”

“Trust me, you don't want to.”

Soon the clouds got so thick that all she could see was
white, and eventually, day faded into night. She closed her eyes.

“This is your captain speaking. We are now approaching
Portland International Airport. The temperature is 67 degrees Fahrenheit and it
is overcast with a light drizzle. It is 11:35 PM, but if you look outside you
can still see the lights of the city.”

Anya opened her window screen and looked outside at her new
home. The window was covered in a thin mist, but she could see lights looming
in front of her. It was different. The buildings were different. People dressed
differently. All the signs were written in English and the harsh language could
be heard all around her. It was overwhelming. People acted differently. They
were calmer and nicer. They seemed more innocent and naive. Some would even
smile when you walked by. It was a different kind of energy.

She went through customs fine. They looked through her
things. She didn't like that, but what else could she do. They wanted to
intimidate her and she wouldn't give them that power. They did make a display.
They tried to interrogate her and trap her. It was funny. She'd dealt with a
lot worse, but they thought they were putting her through the wringer. At one
point, she sat back and smiled and they looked infuriated. Men want to wave
their things around and when you don't seem impressed they get mad. If this was
the worst the states had to offer, and she suspected it was, then she would be
fine.

When she finally got into the city, she could see where she
was. It was forested, heavily, but it was different. Instead of being dry, it
was wet. Everything was always wet. The forest wasn't dark or icy. It didn't
scare her. It was green and beautiful. There were meadows and fields of
flowers. The air was moist and warm against her skin. It felt like a refreshing
shower.

They walked out of the airport and to Caleb's limousine.
That was when it hit. He was sitting in the seat next to her. It was made of
leather. There was a full bar, a flat screen TV and touch screen consoles.
There was even a moon roof. This man could give her the world and would if she
asked for it. She'd never seen such wealth in her entire life.

“What can I expect?”

“Why would I say when I can show you?”'

They had been traveling for more than an hour past the
highway, which was dotted by tiny waterfalls dropping from the forest and over
the rock walls lining the road. When they got into the forest, things were
darker and it was hard to see. They passed through a black gate and pulled up
to a four story estate lined with gardens she never even knew were possible.
There were stepping stones, floating in a tiny brook leading up to the mansion
which had statues on either side of the wooden double door that was three times
as tall as her. It was built around a majestic pine that was as thick as her
apartment, which was showcased in the living room by glass windows that went
all around the trunk. The entire house was meant to be a shrine to the beauty
of the forest surrounding them.

“I hope you feel at home here.”

“It's beautiful.” She didn't like the forest at home. It was
black and silent, but the forest here was full of life. Everything was green.
She'd even seen houses with moss covering their roofs. Everywhere she looked
there was something green. There was no dirt or mud. Every single centimeter of
land had something growing out of it. It was as though nature's power was
embodied in this place and it reached out to her in a way that unsettled and
amazed her all at the same time. Had she been afraid of nature or what she knew
was waiting for her inside of it?

“Come on. Let me show you to our bedroom.” He took her up to
the second story. The walls were lined with statues of bears in different
poses. He really seemed to like bears. They were everywhere in the house. He
also had mounted fish and nature paintings. She was starting to get a feel for
his style and she loved it regardless of her disdain for the environment.

“This is my bedroom.” He opened another massive wooden door.
There was a small sitting area with antique couches and a marble coffee table
held up by angels. There was another wooden door that must've led to his
bedchamber. He walked over to it with a tantalizing smile. When he opened the
door, she could feel her heart pounding. It was strange to her, but the moment
had a real significance to it. She felt like a young bride who was finally
lifting her veil.

His bed was the centerpiece of the room. It was solid wood
with four posters and a white silk canopy. The posters were as thick as small
tree trunks and had intricate designs with flowers and vines carved into them
with tiny inlaid gold leaf.

At first he seemed playful. He jumped onto the bed and she
fell into his arms, but a harsh depression quickly started to show on his face.

“This might be our last night together.”