Madison sat with Dusty Rhoades at the Valentine Dance, already bored with him. He fawned over her, trying to satisfy her every wish. Still, it was better than sitting at home. Of course, Marco not only allowed her to date other men; he insisted on it. Beards. She could have some fun with that.

She longed for Marco, who spoiled her but kept her under his thumb. She knew how the balance of power shifted in their relationship, and she now knew her power over him was more than sexual. He was the catch she and her mother had never dared to dream possible, and she meant to make their relationship permanent over Sebastian's objections. She felt a thrill of excitement, flushing her cheeks, and smiled at Dusty, who thought it was for him.

"Let's dance," he said. She let his damp hand hold hers as they walked on the dance floor. He tried to hold her too close and she twisted away, twirling gracefully.

Other ETAs and their dates arrived, including Jessica and her date, the same young man who accompanied her to the Winter Dance. She looked unhappy.

Dusty helped Madison into her seat and sat between her and Jessica.

"I could use a martini," said Madison. "Dirty."

"Me, too," said Jessica. "Justin, get me a vodka martini. A special."

Justin's eyebrows rose, but he got up and went with Dusty.

Madison and Jessica were watching the dancers when Alexei and Metty walked across the dance floor. Metty wore a retro style brown dress with lace trim and a full skirt that floated around her. Her new haircut curled around her face. She wore diamond studs and a gold chain necklace with a diamond heart pendant. The gold bracelet Alexei gave her for Christmas flashed on her wrist. A few heads turned to watch her walk by.

Jessica froze. She glared at Metty. Nobody that fat should look that good. Alexei, walking beside her, holding her hand, seemed almost desirable to her. He was second to Marco, but when the new laws for the Princely Succession were passed in Almurias Sebastian was certain to make him a prince.

Alexei and Metty stopped at a nearby table where Dolores, Chris, and another couple sat. Alexei seated Metty and sat next to her, his arm on the back of her chair. She leaned back against him. Jessica scowled.

Madison looked from Metty to Jessica. She studied Jessica for a moment, relishing her jealousy. "Metty and Alexei make a handsome couple. Who'd have thought she'd get a rich baron."

"There's a movement to change the laws so women can succeed to the throne," said Jessica.

"So what?" said Madison. That law wouldn't affect Marco so it didn't interest her.

Jessica wondered once again how Madison could be so smart about some things and so stupid about others. She said, slowly, one word at a time, "Princess Sancha would be second in line after Marco and her sons would probably be made princes."

"A wealthy prince from a family that rules its own country. That color suits her. No wonder he noticed her."

Jessica glared at Madison. She looked at Alexei and Metty. Alexei leaned over Metty, gazing into her eyes. She looked back at him. An intimate, lovers' look. So they'd had sex.

Alexei smiled and she smiled back. They're in their own world. He never looked at me that way. Just the adoring, sick calf look. So annoying.

Jessica looked up as Justin placed a martini before her. It was a special, an extra-large martini. She picked it up and gulped a third of it. The strong drink warmed her and she relaxed.

"How is it?" Justin sat beside her.

She started, remembering he was there. "It's fine. Thanks." She drank again. The glass was almost empty. She set it down and checked her face in a gold compact. She touched up her lipstick. When she finished, she looked up and saw Alexei and Metty dancing.

He held her close, her hand resting in his. She stumbled and he held her up, smiling. The music ended, and they stood, talking quietly. The next song began, a fast number.

Jessica turned to Justin. "Why don't we dance?"

As they danced, Jessica moved so they were next to Alexei and Metty as the music ended. They stopped, and Jessica glanced over to Alexei.

"Oh, hello, Alexei. The dance is great, isn't it?"

"Hi, the dance is fantastic."

"Metty, that color's good on you, with your complexion. You should wear it more often."

"Thank you," Metty said. "That purple dress is stunning."

Jessica half-smiled. The dress, a Domenico original, belonged to her mother. Her mother mentioned casually that the color was too cold and dark for her, but she had insisted on wearing it. She knew no other girl would have a dress anything like it. No one really looked at her, just at her dress. She regretted wearing the purple gown.

The music began. "Change partners?" She moved to Alexei before anyone could answer, and he politely danced off with her. Justin shrugged and held out his hand to Metty. She put her hand in his and they danced.

Metty stumbled. "Oops," said Justin. He was bored already. She wished she were with Alexei.

At long last the dance ended. Justin walked away without a word. She walked back to her table, looking for Alexei. She saw him holding Jessica's chair as she sat. Jessica rested her hand on his arm, smiling at him. He looked at Justin, then looked at Metty, walking alone to their table.

"I enjoyed dancing with you again, Alejito," Jessica said, giving him her most alluring smile.

"It's been a while since the Baile, Jessica." He moved to pull his arm away, but she tightened her grip slightly. His good manners kept him from wriggling his arm free.

Jessica slid her hand up Alexei's arm. "You're the best dancer, you know. All the girls say so."

"You two dance well together," Justin said, taking his seat. "You make quite a couple."

"Thanks," said Alexei, dryly. "However, we're not a couple. I'll go to my table now." He slipped his arm free.

Jessica watched them covertly. Alexei sat next to Metty, saying something. She smiled at him. He put his arm on the back of her chair. Her smile widened slowly. Jessica started. For a moment, Metty almost looked beautiful. They got up and walked to the buffet. Justin said something. Jessica turned to him.

"I didn't catch that, Justin?"

"I said, 'Let's dance.'" They walked to the dance floor.

Jessica tried to dance with Alexei again, but he refused, saying this dance was Madison's. Jessica sulked off with Justin. Metty danced with Dusty. He said something, and she laughed. Jessica turned to watch them, and Justin said, "I'm over here."

"I know," Jessica said.

After the dance, they walked back to their table. She sat down. "I want another martini."

Justin's eyebrows went up. "You're welcome." He left.

Jessica realized she was losing him. He was popular, good looking, good dancer, immune to her methods, and very, very wealthy. She planned to date him until school ended. Or until she could distract Marco from Madison. Or if that didn't happen, claim Alexei from Metty, as a distant second best.

Jessica watched as Alexei and Metty left. They looked very comfortable together. She wondered if she could upset their relationship. He wasn't her first choice, but Metty didn't deserve him. In the meantime, Justin needed to be kept interested in her.

She stirred uneasily. She hadn't had sex with a partner in a while. She was bored. She wanted the excitement of the unknown, where anything might happen, adventures a vibrator could not give. Justin was a player. Tonight I'll play him.

Justin set a martini before her. She twisted to face him, the designer dress clinging to her cleavage. He looked, then looked at her, amused instead of captivated. She looked back, took the toothpick and olive out, drank half her martini, and licked her lips. Her eyes locked on his.

"That's a sexy way to drink a martini," Justin said.

She finished her martini. "If a martini is all the sexy you want," she said. She was a little drunk. No more martinis, if you want tonight to go your way.

"My roommate is away, so we have my place to ourselves," he said, casually. As though mentioning it had started to rain. "We can find something sexier than a martini there." He held out his hand and helped her up.