Aleksei leaned over the counter together with Lev who had no interest in dancing. His eyes were glued on Tai all night and he had no better fun than enjoying her looks. Lev was never a party person, but he was playing on his phone the whole night, rejecting any dance offers.

"Just go and dance with her." Lev finally told him.

"I can't. If I go near her, I'll make a mistake again." Aleksei answered.

Lev scanned the crowd and located Nikita outside with a group of people laughing and drinking. A girl had wrapped herself on his arm, laughing at everything he said. They looked like they were having fun. Guess he could go out for a smoke.

"Well I need a smoke, so you're on your own." Lev said and headed outside to the pool area joining Nikita's circle of friends.

Aleksei ordered one more sour alcohol-free cocktail for himself. It worked great in his favor that they kept him aware and conscious not to slip up and do something he shouldn't.

"Your drink." The bartender hired for the night, gave him the drink.

"Thanks." He took the cocktail and the moment he turned around he almost dropped it. Some guy had his hands on Tai's hips.

 Who the fuck had the nerve to approach her like this? Tai was surprised and she turned around telling something to the guy. That's right little one... Tell him to fuck off and not bother you.

The guy leaned over, whispering something in her ear. Aleksei was now unglued from the counter.

He was tempted to take the ice out of the cocktail glass and start throwing it at this guy. He knew very well how it would feel to be that close to her, taking in her scent and how soft her lips would be if he decided to kiss her.

Aleksei saw her friend was slowly making her break leaving them alone. Fuck!

Tai suddenly laughed at something the guy said and Aleksei's heart shattered into pieces. What kind of betrayal was this?

She said something to the guy and he nodded at her enthusiastically, then headed towards the bar. Aleksei sipped from the cocktail in a hurry and then placed the glass on the counter taking out the straw. There were not many things he could do, but he knew it was vital right there and then to take care of the competition.

Tai couldn't see from the crowd what was going on, but at least she got rid of the guy who offered to bring her a drink. She only agreed to talk to him if he got her a drink, so in the meantime, she could find Mei who left her alone without reading the signs she needed saving.

A slow bachata song started playing and couples attacked the floor. They were glued to each other, having fun and few were making out.

 Awkward enough, Tai started making her way out of that crowd. There was someone in her way so she tried to nudge them away. When that didn't work, she tried passing him by and lifted her eyes only for a second to see Aleksei standing in front of her.

"Alone?" He asked with a serious frown on his face.

"Just looking for my friend." Tai looked around trying to spot Mei.

Suddenly he took her hand and then slowly brought it upon his shoulder. Then he ran the fingers of his tattooed hand down her other arm. He took her fingers and lifted her other hand over his chest, to his neck. He pushed her back in between the crowd of couples and started dancing.

She couldn't explain to herself why she couldn't push him away. He touched her waist bringing her hips to his, but one touch alone at the dip of her back was enough to make her blank out.

There was something so sensual and vulnerable in the way she was looking at him, he noticed. Ignoring everyone else's tempo he slowly started swinging her to the music with him.

He tilted his head and he lowered his head to her neck. At this distance, her scent was even more addictive.

His breath and then a slight brush over his nose on her neck was enough to make her forget about her mission of avoiding him. She tightened her arms around his neck and danced as he swayed her. It was like the place on her back where he was touching, was burning up.

Suddenly the music was changed to a more upbeat one and the couples broke off the intimate situation. She pulled away from him even though he still held her waist. When she struggled to set herself free, he held her tighter.

"Where are you going?" He asked, looking at her.

"The song is over. I was just.." She noticed the way he was looking at her and it distracted her. "Let me go."

"No." He said clearly.

"No?" Her brow shot up and she nudged his chest to get away, but the grip around her waist tightened and she was brought closer to him.

"Stay here."

"No." She was the one to say it this time, very clearly.

He released the grip over her waist and brought her hands down by her body. "Just tell me why. Why can you dance with other guys and laugh with them but reject me even after you kissed me?"

She didn't expect that question. "I wasn't dancing with another guy.."

"I saw him put his hands over you." He said looking down at her. "Why didn't you push him away like you're pushing me away."

"Because he wasn't touching me like that." She said annoyed. "And he doesn't make me nervous enough, for me to shove him away."

He stared at her. "I make you nervous?"

She fucking slipped. Maybe the atmosphere and music that made her a bit rash, but she knew she shouldn't stay in his company any longer or she was going to get herself in trouble.

"I have to go find my friends." She excused herself.

"Of course." He gave her a cold smile and then walked away first.

After the cake was cut Tai took her piece and sat down on one of the chairs in the corner resting her feet. She took a bite of the piece of cake and glanced outside.

 Aleksei was outside, sitting down on a tall stone curb looking at the sky. He seemed to be sulking. Against her better judgment, Tai took a piece of cake and went outside.

She walked behind him and when he saw her from the corner of his eye, he exhaled dramatically.

"I figured you didn't have cake." She stood in front of him to face him and passed him down the plate.

He took it from her and stuffed his mouth with a big bite. He let go of another bitter sigh.

"What did the cake do to you? You're supposed to savor it." Tai complained.

Aleksei swallowed the bite. "The cake was flirting with others."

"It's a damn good cake. It's natural for others to want to get their hands on it. Now stop being petty and enjoy it. Hada had the chef flown out from Paris for this party. It's a shame to miss it."

Aleksei had swallowed down any remarks and enjoyed the rest of the cake. After he was done he placed the plate next to him and wiped the corner of his mouth with his finger, licking the remains.

Tai smiled. "It was good right?"

"My compliments to the chef."

There was a small silence between them. Aleksei wondered why she wasn't leaving yet. He was waiting on her to pull back.

"You're not leaving?" He asked taking her fingers into his arm.

She glanced down for a second but didn't answer.

Aleksei tugged her gently forward and brought her fingers to his lips.

"Why did you kiss me in the car back then? "

"I apologized." She stared at his lips. Why did she kiss him back then? Maybe because she was tempted like she was right now.

"Maybe I should kiss you again." He said looking at her lips as well. He got off the curb and leaned over her.

"You shouldn't." She touched his chest. "You really shouldn't."

Aleksei was ready to let her walk but the way she was looking at him right now, was very clear. She looked like she wanted to be kissed rather than let her walk away. He tried his best to be the nice guy. He really tried. But she looked way too good tonight and he was too frustrated and restless that for a moment tonight, he might have lost her to someone else. And that notion hurt him. While he was hesitating, her wavering heart had made up its mind.

She came halfway closer and her fingers brushed over his knuckles. She had never been so attracted to someone to the point of not being able to control herself. She said one thing and did another. But would it be so bad to just indulge in another kiss?

The door opened and Zakhar and Arya walked outside interrupting them. Tai moved away from Aleksei as fast as she could but not fast enough as Zahar had seen them.

"We're leaving. Go get the car." Zakhar told Aleksei.

"I'm going back inside." Tai awkwardly smiled at them and left.

Aleksei stayed on the same spot, the realization of what just happened, replaying in his mind.

This was the second time she initiated a move of her own, even though she didn't manage to play it out until the end this time.

 There was no denying it this time, she was attracted to him. He was sure of it. This wasn't just in his head anymore. But she was scared. She had no idea what she was getting into and the fear was written all over her actions. She made her decision on impulse and she ran away just as fast.

This was his fault. From the start, he didn't give her a stable ground to stand on.

The trip back was quiet. The moment they were back at the school they dropped Arya off and then walked to their villa.

Zakhar glanced at Aleksei with disapproval. He had been on edge all night, so Aleksei was sure he was going to get chewed out.

"So are you pursuing her or not? You say one thing and do another." Zakhar said as soon as Lev and Nikita went to their rooms.

"I'm not sure." Aleksei pushed his hair back.

"Fucking hell Aleksei. Just date the girl or don't lead her on."

"Why do you care what I do?"

Zakhar was no longer patient. He took a step closer to Aleksei. "You told me you weren't going to let your brother influence you anymore."

Aleksei tensed up. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Isn't it because of him that you're hesitating to get close to her? Because you keep acting like you have PTSD from what he told you."

Aleksei tried to suppress any anxiousness swelling up in his chest.

"Look." Zakhar rubbed his forehead nervously and then approached Aleksei, squeezing his shoulder. "You're a good guy. Just forget that shit in your head and be happy. If you keep doing this to Tai, she'll believe you're toying with her and I know that's the last thing you want her to think.."

Aleksei was quiet but there was a sense of excitement replacing the anxiety. Being together with Tai without the fear he would fuck it up was a liberating feeling. If he can really forget the past and just be with her, wouldn't that be great?

Sensing that he accomplished his mission, Zakhar left upstairs.

Not even a full ten minutes Arya was back. Aleksei opened the door unwillingly. He was not looking forward to hearing her and Zakhar go at it another night, but at least he was in a good mood to sleep on the couch tonight.

As soon as Arya got upstairs Nikita came out of the bathroom and headed for his room. "You're going to get in trouble doing this."

Arya walked toward Nikita in silent steps and a smile. "One day when you have a boyfriend you just want to cuddle up all night, you will understand."

Nikita was sure she didn't mean cuddling.

"If you keep this secret for me.." She whispered. "I will be in your debt."

"Just keep it down."

"I'll tie him up and gag him so you won't hear a peep." She smirked.

Nikita closed the door in her face, ignoring her wicked grin.

How did you like this chapter? It was so fun to write 💕

The next one is probably one of my favorites hahah