Kicking away the habit of submission and obedience by my own strength is one thing. Learning to say "no," achieving what I want, getting what I desire is another. But dancing with bare buttocks in front of a bunch of people? No. That's definitely not me.
— I'm sorry, — I smile. — But I can't do it. Not even to annoy your brother.
Milan laughs.
— Everyone has their own path. Then we need to come up with something. What doesn't he like? I mean, what annoys him about your actions?
I ponder. What annoys him? I know he’s angry because he didn’t protect me from the Wild. He’s furious about "Paradise" and Anton. But is that what we need?
— I don’t know.
The girl rolls her eyes.
— Why am I not surprised? You’re studying to be an artist, am I right?
— Right.
— Artists draw from life, right?
I bite my lip. The only one I truly want to attempt to draw from life is Vlad.
— Yes.
— Then we’ll hold a casting for models.
— No.
— Yes! Your brother will be home sooner or later. And I’ll make him come. Imagine: you, a bunch of guys, all innocent and sexy. He’ll explode! — Milan pretends to rub her hands together.
— You love to annoy your brothers?
— You have no idea how much. I’m the youngest, — she smirks and looks meaningfully into my eyes. — And you want one of them, who better than me to know what to do?
— Models in Vlad's apartment is a bad idea, — I say doubtfully.
— Either that, or a belly dancer!
I laugh.
— Probably not after all.
Milan smiles crookedly. At this moment, she looks so much like her older brother.
— Alright. Then… Let’s go to “Paradise.” You’ll call your Katrin, — she rolls her eyes, judging by her tone, my classmate already doesn’t like her. — And the guys. If jealousy is the only feeling that will spur my brother to action, then…
— I think no feeling will motivate your brother. He said he controls his emotions.
— And didn’t he say emotions do the same to him? — she asks skeptically.
— He did… — I reply, bewildered.
— Exactly.
Milan takes my hand, and we step out of the restroom into the hall together. The music is significantly louder, golden and silver flashes sparkle on the walls. Vlad's sister pulls us onto the dance floor and starts dancing with a wide smile. At first, I barely sway to the music's rhythm. Sober, I really feel stiff, so I can’t immerse myself in the melody's rhythm like I do in "Paradise." However, Milan doesn’t let the bad emotions take over and push me to hide on a sofa in some corner. She takes my hands and leads the way, like Vlad once did in a restaurant.
I sigh. It was then, for the first time, I felt his scent of forest darkness and danger. It smelled like when you wander down an empty street in a bad neighborhood, knowing something terrible is around the corner. It was then I inhaled the delicious aroma of paints and luxury for the first time. For the first time, I felt what it’s like to be in the arms of a handsome man.
We merge with the melody's rhythm. Moment by moment, I start to feel the music and move to it. Milan is beside me, and oddly enough, I trust her just like I trust Saint and Timur. As if this family has an unconscious yet strange influence on the mind. Because if brothers are one thing, their sister is a complete opposite. She’s the type who will drag you into trouble instead. But I do trust her.
Suddenly, someone’s body presses against me from behind. At first, I freeze and look into Miyana’s eyes. She is calm. A light and blissful smile touches her lips. I get scared. I want to turn around, but foreign hands lay on my shoulders, preventing me from doing so.
Panic washes over me. I jerk, trying to pull my fingers from the girl’s hands, but she won’t let go either. She just moves her lips, saying “calm down.”
No. I don't trust. I can't. Milan holds me tightly and smiles as if doing something good.
I don’t know how I manage to turn around. I lift my head to see the face of the stranger and am surprised to drown in familiar blue.
Saint tilts his head and looks at me curiously. In a black shirt and matching pants, wildly sexy and handsome.
His body radiates power and strength. The confidence of my husband soothes my heart and instantly calms my wild rhythm.
— Hi, — he mouths and touches my lips with his.
— What are you…
— I told you — I’ll take you home.
— I thought… — I whisper. — I got scared.
— Milan would never let a stranger approach you, — first, he leans down to my ear and whispers. — Second, — he continues, — do you really think I don’t know where my sister and wife are?
— Did Milan tell you? — I ask quietly.
— Hmm, — he smirks lazily, — security. Personal for each, my Timid.
I want to turn to Milan, but Vlad won’t allow it. He pulls me close by the waist and breathes gently against the shell of my ear:
— Don’t worry about my sister. She won’t be touched here.
— Why?
— The owner is my good friend.
— Who?
Vlad stops our unconscious dance and lifts my head to him, placing his fingers under my chin:
— The doctor you had the honor of meeting.
— Oh...
A light and pleasant smile brushes the corners of the man's lips. To the intoxication, it’s just perfect. To the wild heat in my chest. To the fire lower in my abdomen. We haven’t seen each other in a month. During this time, my marshmallow dreams longed for everything, especially — his touches.
I push away all the bad that has happened. There are doubts, just as there are hopes, but for now, there is us, here, among the music and the flashes of gold. I have missed him. Madly, madly missed. And I want to kiss him. He allows himself to do whatever he wants with me! And I allow myself. I will be a good student.
I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him closer. I kiss him on the lips and press my whole body against his firm muscles.
I feel Vlad smiling during the kiss. He responds, squeezing my waist with his fingers and whispers into my lips:
— You surprise me, Juliana. Has the star decided to start shining?
— If the sun shines on her, then why not? — I reply in a whisper.
Saint hums contentedly and kisses me already on his own. And then he pulls away for a moment, takes my hand, and says:
— Let’s go home. I want to see your shine in all its beauty.
And I realize — he’s missed me too. He really is jealous. So he feels not only passion… right?