Vlad presses my body against his. Hard. Forcing all the air from my lungs to leave with a hiss. With one hand he holds my hips, with the other gently, yet commanding, squeezes the back of my head, grabbing my hair. The kiss becomes deep, passionate, hungry. I moan, unconsciously, but intensely, burying my fingers in his hair.
I crave more. Hotter. The roof is tearing off; this is just not enough. Not strong enough. Not crazy enough.
Saint undresses me. It's difficult to take off my pants, but in the hurried movements, we manage. The t-shirt flies to the shore too; good thing we’re not far from it. And then he stops. He stands me on my feet and carefully examines me. His eyes touch every inch of my exposed body. I feel shy, yet patiently wait for him to be satiated. Finally, I look at him like that myself. Goosebumps arise, and only then does he pull me by the waist to him and lifts me into the air with his hands.
I didn’t know you could do something like this in the water, during the day, in the middle of fields and forests. Perhaps it’s the awareness of being public, even though there’s no one else around but us, that stirs the imagination. The cool water mixed with Saint’s hot touches is like a contrast shower. It alternates between making me sweat and chilling me. My deep, hoarse moans merge with Vlad’s throaty voice, full of desire. In such moments, it’s hard to believe that we have a sham marriage, that there will be neither love nor anything else…
I quickly chase away the bad thoughts. I surrender to the power of strong hands, passionate movements, burning kisses. It feels so good. My head is empty; he is near, smelling exactly how I like it. He stirs my soul and soothes the wounds inflicted by him. I just need to forget the harsh words. To throw them out of my mind, and then… then it will somehow be fine.
Vlad kisses my lips once more and presses me tightly as though my existence is the meaning of his life. I like that he applies so much strength and seems to be holding onto me rather than the other way around… After that, he carries me out of the lake in his arms. I start to shiver. I grab my t-shirt from the ground and quickly put it on. The passion has passed, leaving a pleasant, lingering sensation in my body. And the shame hasn’t gone anywhere.
Vlad turns his back. He throws off his underwear and puts on dry pants. I watch as the sun dances on his back, highlighting his muscles and tan. Drops of water stream down him, turning the man into a deity thanks to his appearance. Today, he has impressed me… Yes, after the terrible confessions and return to reality, but he has impressed me. He opened up from a different side. Showed that he can be warm, not cold and domineering, and serious; that he can take risks, be the guy he is, in general, someone who doesn’t need to prove anything and shatter anyone's dreams or lives. It’s a pity that this is the end of it all… He will go work on his own game, continue it, while I must just… live and enjoy.
— Hey, — Saint pulls me from my thoughts. His blue eyes are so deep, warm, full of tenderness, making my heart ache. — Are you okay?
— Yes, — I answer quietly.
— You’ve turned pale, — he appears beside me and lifts my face by the chin. — Are you sure?
— Sure.
He narrows his gaze. He doesn’t believe me. But I really feel fine. I’m not lying.
— We’re going back. It’s time to return to the city, no matter how much I want to spend at least a week here.
— I can go back by myself…
Saint raises an eyebrow.
— You are my wife, Juliana. You can’t go alone.
We get on the motorcycle, and just as quickly and energetically we head back home. To my shock, Timur is waiting for us there. Leaning against a black car, wearing a shirt with rolled-up sleeves and dark pants. A satisfied smile plays on his lips, and his gray-blue eyes carefully scan me and my brother.
— I’m glad your morning went differently than mine.
— And how did your morning go? — Vlad silences the motorcycle and puts it on the stand. He slowly walks over to Timur, and they embrace.
— Worse than expected after I kind of became a son-in-law, — he chuckles. — You’re needed in the office to meet everyone.
I listen closely while stepping a few paces away from the motorcycle. Perhaps Dad has already found out that the brothers deceived him. Found out that the controlling stake is with Vlad, and now he’s a puppet in someone else's hands with no right to vote.
— Juliana, — Timur unexpectedly addresses me. — I hope my brother was polite, and you weren’t too scared when he left you yesterday?
I look seriously at both of them. So different yet so similar. Their posture, the way they carry themselves, their strong aura, the influence they have — that’s what makes the brothers alike. But their appearance, the color of their eyes, even the shade of their skin — that sets them apart. Timur is pale, Vlad is tanned. Timur is more refined, Vlad is stronger.
— What happened? — I ignore the question.
Timur chuckles, fully aware of what I’m doing. Vlad, on the other hand, slides a mysterious gaze over me.
— I have the right to know, — I add.
The brothers exchange glances.
— Your father knows that we’re not married, — Timur throws out. — He’s furious that the head of AMB is now Vlad, not you or him, considering your shares.
Oh-oh-oh! So fast? I thought there would be time…
— Mom and brother, — I whisper quietly, looking at Saint. I worry most about them in this situation. — What will happen to them?