“Malayna.” She heard her name and turned around to see Aspen standing there with a tall handsome man. He was gorgeous and his green eyes captured hers and lit up. He looked her over as Aspen introduced him.
“This is a good friend of mine. I mentioned him to you the other day and he was able to make it here this evening.”
He reached his hand out as he said his name, Ellington Cossin, and she shook it hello. “Happy birthday,” he added.
“Thank you, Mr. Cossin,” she replied.
“Oh please, call me Ellington. All my friends do,” he said and winked. She felt his flirtatious tactics immediately and her cheeks blushed. She definitely needed to work on her reaction to other charismatic men flirting with her or she would come off as an easy target. He obviously saw her reaction and surely so did Star and his team. Someone mumbled something.
“Excuse me a moment. It was so nice meeting you. I’m certain I’ll be back shortly. I don’t want to be rude and not say hello to other guests,” Malayna said to the Mulichecks.
“You go on, dear, and enjoy the party,” Mrs. Mulicheck said and gave her a wink as if she found Ellington to be quite handsome, too. Her eyes hadn’t left the man’s face. Ellington nodded at them and then offered his arm to Malayna and she took it as he and Aspen walked through the crowd talking.
* * * *
“Oh, Nicolai, you definitely will have your hands full. She’ll be beating the men away with a club. She’s gorgeous,” Border’s father said to Nicolai. They watched as two guards they hadn’t known were assigned to Malayna followed her closely.
He felt the hand on his arm and then his mom leaned closer. “She is very stunning. That Ellington Cossin looked like a movie star. Do you know him?” his mother asked.
“No, I don’t know him.”
“Some rich asshole who wants to move in on Malayna because of her name,” Star added to the conversation now that Nicolai and his father were in a private conversation.
“I think it was more than that. She lights up a room,” Soyva whispered to them.
“She sure does,” Krane added, sounding angry.
Border looked at their mom, who was watching Malayna and that Cossin guy talking. His hand went to her lower back, nearly to her ass, as he guided her down the hallway away from the crowd.
He wondered where they were going and saw the two guards following. She would be safe. She wasn’t their responsibility. They made their position clear.
When she didn’t return for a few more minutes he got antsy.
“Excuse me a moment,” he told his mother and she gave him a smile and a wink.
He gave Lucca a tap and Lucca followed him immediately.
They headed down the hallway in search of Malayna and that Ellington guy. They passed a few guards that were stationed there blocking off the hallways that led to the area where no guests were allowed. Of course they let them through, knowing who they were and that they had lived there only a few weeks ago. Border thought of the time they had alone with Malayna, teaching her some moves, going for jogs in the early morning hours, and of course insulting her. He wished for that time alone with her back now. She was a different person entirely tonight. She was confident, fantastically stunning to the point that he wanted her by his side so he could claim her his woman. Where had thoughts of her being so young, too young and inexperienced, gone to?
As they approached the studio they saw the two guards. Border recognized them.
“Is Malayna inside?” he asked and the one guy nodded then opened the door. Border saw Ellington standing behind Malayna looking at a series of paintings. He didn’t need to be that close to her. She turned around at the sound of their footsteps.
“Hello,” she said and then glanced back at the one painting Ellington was focused on before he looked at them, giving them the once-over. The guy didn’t know who the fuck they were or how capable. He copped an attitude.
“Malayna, you should be at the party talking with your guests,” Lucca told her.
Ellington turned around. “They’re right. It was rude of me to ask to see the paintings on this special night.” He smiled down at Malayna and then took her hand.
“I will be in touch. I’ll leave my card and perhaps Monday you will call and we can arrange to meet again.”
“Definitely. Thank you and I’m sure I’ll see you later.”
“Ah, perhaps save me a dance?” he asked, letting her hand go.
“Perhaps,” she replied, holding his gaze. Border wanted to punch the guy’s lights out. They watched him walk from the room and Malayna tapped the card to her pretty plump pink lips and then turned around when he left and she placed the card on her desk.
“Did my father send you to get me? He’s so silly, and must have forgotten that I have Dubkova and Murin. Oh well, we should head back,” she said but Lucca stopped her.
He took both of her hands and opened them wide to look over her dress. “This is some dress you’re wearing, Malayna. A little too sexy for someone your age,” he added and Border saw her eyes widen and then she squinted at him. It was like she hadn’t expected him to reprimand her dress but instead compliment it.
“Actually, Lucca, you’re wrong. This is exactly what women my age are wearing. Although there was one particular dress that gapped between my breasts all the way to my naval, and then dipped in the back just so and nearly to my…ass. It was quite sexy,” she said as she pulled her hands away and used them to accentuate her words and make Border imagine that dress on her.
“Never,” Border whispered.
She looked at him. “Excuse me?”
He couldn’t help but to sweep his eyes over her body again. She looked classy and sexy, leaving more to the imagination and teasing him as well. The fact that there was no panty line indicated she was bare underneath the dress.
He stepped closer and held her gaze. “I think you pulled off your intention. To make men swoon over you, to stare at this dress, to see how sexy your body is, and also that you’re not wearing any panties.” Her face flushed but then she placed her hands on her hips and looked him over, affecting him immediately.
“And no bra either,” she added.
He looked at the top, wondering if that were the case. So many thoughts went through his head. He wanted to reach for her and kiss her deeply then spread her over one of the tables and explore her further to see if her words were true.
There was a knock at the door and they turned to see one of the guards. He spoke to her in Ukrainian and she replied back. Little did she know that both he and Lucca understood. They were getting ready to serve the food.
She motioned with her hand.
“Shall we return to the party? I’m supposed to meet a few more important people and I would love to have a chance to dance, too,” she said and headed out with them following.
“Not with that dick Ellington,” Lucca whispered and Border nodded his head in agreement. Tonight was going to be torture.
* * * *
“So what do you think?” Aspen asked Ellington.
Ellington gave her a wink and then glanced at Storm.
“I think she is super talented. I know I have never seen anything like her style or the boldness of her work. The detail on the people in the paintings is superb. Aspen, if she is willing to meet with me and discuss a showing at any of my galleries I would be more than willing.”
Aspen smiled and looked at Storm. He raised one of his eyebrows up at her like he didn’t want to be involved with this. Then he looked away and toward the dance floor. Malayna was dancing with Nalia and a few other women. Ellington leaned closer to Aspen. “You could have warned me about how beautiful she is. I got all tongue-tied and couldn’t take my eyes off of her. She has this way about her. She glows.”
Aspen smiled.
“She is a very special young woman, besides being my sister.” Aspen watched Malayna and couldn’t help but to smile. She had gone through such trauma, it was surprising that she had come s
o far so quickly. Her eyes dashed to the Mulicheck men and immediately she noticed the anger in Star’s eyes, and Border looked about ready to flip out. She followed their eyes and heard the music change to a slower song as Boian took Nalia’s hand and pulled her close. The other women were asked to dance as Pierre Lafranchess bowed before Malayna and asked her to dance. She realized in that instant that Nalia had been right. The Mulicheck men were in love with Malayna, despite their insistence to Malayna that they were only her rescuers and nothing more.
“Seems I may have some competition for her work,” Ellington stated and took a sip from his wine glass.
“Not necessarily. Pierre’s galleries are all over the world. You have multiple here in Chicago and in Texas.”
“That’s why I would like to meet with Malayna. Despite her confidence, and of course her beauty, there seems to be a shyness about her. I can’t imagine her work on display in Manhattan or even Paris or Milan. She seems more quaint and would be more marketable and approachable in a smaller venue. Of course, it’s up to her. Her paintings and her photography skills are superb.”
Aspen smiled. She hadn’t even seen all of Malayna’s work but what she did see she knew was special. As she watched Pierre talking to Malayna and making her smile and laugh, she caught sight of Border and he didn’t look happy.
“Perhaps I need to cut in,” Ellington said and placed his wine glass down, fixed his bow tie, and headed out to the dance floor. Aspen watched as he interrupted the dance, smiled at Malayna, and asked to cut in. Pierre looked none the happier, but accepted Malayna’s agreement to dance with Ellington. That was when the night got even more interesting.
* * * *
“Are you enjoying your party, Malayna?” Ellington asked her as he held her close and whisked her around the dance floor. He was quite the handsome man and he smelled good as well, but she felt a bit queasy. She gripped him tighter and his eyes squinted at her. “Are you feeling okay?” he asked.
“I didn’t have a chance to eat anything or to drink. I think I’m feeling it. I’m so sorry but I think I should get something.”
“Don’t be sorry. I’ll accompany you and we can talk some more,” he said and wrapped his arm around her waist and walked with her off the dance floor. They headed toward the dining area where a large assortment of food was being served, everything from appetizers to entrees. He grabbed a bottle of water. “Here. Take a sip of this,” he said, opening up the top. She took it from him, watched his blue eyes hold her gaze, and she realized that he was actually a very nice man. He was older, like Krane and his brothers. That thought had her looking around and locking gazes with Border. He looked angry. She gave a nod toward him and a light smile. Was he jealous, or was he just acting protective? She turned away and Ellington guided her along the food table, helping to add items to a plate. He grabbed two forks and held her waist. The warmth of his large hand made her skin tingle and she wondered if she were wasting her time feeling an attraction to the Mulicheck men when it seemed they didn’t feel the same way about her.
Thirty minutes later, as she and Ellington shared the plate of food and talked about the art industry, she realized that it wasn’t a romantic attraction she had for Ellington, but a professional one. He seemed to feel the same way. Especially midway through them flirting and him smiling as he spoke to her about his galleries, he seemed to pick up on the men watching them.
“Seems you have more than two guards this evening,” he said to her.
She took a deep breath and exhaled. “It comes with the territory, but I don’t mind. For years I was all alone,” she told him.
“No guards, or friends and family?” he asked.
She swallowed hard. Surely Aspen must have told him some of her story.
“Nothing like that, and the guards were enemies. It was a terrible time in my life and I don’t talk about it to anyone, Ellington.”
He reached over and covered her hands with his.
“I understand. I’m reaching here, but I noticed one particular painting that looked like a view from a window overlooking a partial garden and a very old, stable looking wall. Was that a memory from where you were?”
“It was,” she said and looked away from him. Her eyes locked onto Star’s and he squinted at her, obviously picking up on her emotions. She smiled and then looked at Ellington.
“Malayna, if there are other paintings, other memories from that part of your life that makes you sad, or perhaps has been the ignition in you creating your pieces, maybe presenting them in a gallery would help you heal.”
She was shocked at his idea. She shook her head.
“I don’t want to sell those pieces. They’re part of me, of what I experienced.”
“You don’t need to sell them. I can understand they are part of you. You’ve painted other pieces, I’m sure. You could even work on some more while we plan an event.”
“I’m not certain I feel comfortable with that.”
“I’ll help you and so will Aspen. Has she told you about Marianna Spaulding?” Malayna shook her head.
“Marianna is a very good friend of mine and she has a gorgeous gallery in Salvation. It’s very upscale, yet she handpicks the artists she displays there. You see, she had a tough life for many years, but she worked hard and established her gallery with the help of her husbands, Jax and Jameson. I have a brother who was in the service with Jameson. Anyway, if you want to explore options, and visit a few galleries to see other artists’ work, to see how the galleries showcase artists like yourself, we could organize that.”
She stared at him, uncertain of why he was doing this.
“Why do you want to help me? What makes you think my artwork and photographs are so special?”
He widened his eyes and then she smiled as he squeezed her hands. “Sweetheart, it’s not only the paintings that are special, it’s you. There’s just something amazing about you, intriguing and charismatic.”
“Me?” she asked, pulling from his hands and pointing at herself.
He chuckled. “You see? Right there, you are simply charming.”
“Excuse me, Malayna, I was wondering if we could talk a little bit? I’m hoping Ellington here is not trying to persuade you to showcase your work at one of his galleries,” Pierre said, joining them. He took a seat directly across from her and beside Ellington. Her heart began to hammer inside of her chest. Two very attractive men were vying for her attention.
“We were just discussing her work, Pierre,” Ellington said and gave Pierre an annoyed expression but then he smirked at Malayna. Before long she was engaged in conversation with both men and they were smiling and laughing. She was learning a lot about both of them and they seemed to share the same interests and ideas about art and presentation.
“You two should consider working together,” she suggested then took another sip of her water.
They were shocked. “What?” Pierre asked. Ellington raised one of his eyebrows at her.
She leaned forward. “I’m serious. You’ve known one another for a while, I can tell, and despite you both trying to battle against one another here, you actually agree on so much.”
Pierre leaned back. “We compete against one another,” he said to her.
“Compete? Heck, you both are individually successful. One of you doesn’t appear to have more than the other in number of galleries or successes. It’s business as well as a love of art you both enjoy. Why not work together?” she suggested.
Pierre looked at Ellington and Ellington shook his head, smiling at her. “I think I’m in love,” he said. She felt her cheeks heat up and she lowered her eyes.
Pierre chuckled. “I think I’m in love, too,” Pierre stated just as Krane placed his hands on her shoulders from behind.
“I think this conversation is over,” Krane stated firmly and then came around and offered his hand to Malayna. She was shocked by his approach and his words as he interrupted the conversation.
“Krane, I was just making
plans with Pierre and Ellington. We’re meeting for lunch on Monday.” Both men smiled.
“Excellent,” Ellington said and took her hand. He brought it to his lips and kissed the top of it. Pierre did the same thing. “I’ll contact you tomorrow afternoon to confirm the location and time.”
Both men walked away and she smiled wide then turned to Krane, who looked like veins would pop from his temples and his forehead. “What are you doing?” he demanded.
“What do you mean?” she asked even though she felt her gut clench. Challenging a man like Krane or his brothers was asking for war. She had to remind herself that all of this was for them. So they could see her as a woman, as mature and capable of loving them if they could love her.
Then it hit her. Perhaps they couldn’t love her because they knew she’d been a prisoner, a slave to Cornikup. The tears hit her eyes and he squinted at her. “Malayna?”
She shook her head and pulled her hand from his.
“You should be enjoying the party. Mingling and having fun. You’re not on duty, Krane. You’re not even responsible for watching over me. Dubkova and Murin are,” she said and then looked at her two guards who had been feet away from her this entire time. As she tried to walk away, Krane and his firm grip held her hand. He placed his other hand on her hip, on the sheer side.
“I kind of like watching over you, especially when you’re wearing something as sexy as this, and grabbing every man’s attention in the place. You need the protection,” he whispered.
She looked up at him as he walked her through the crowd. “I can assure you that I’m safe here in my father’s home.”
“Not when older men are eating you up with their eyes and planning their attack on your inexperience,” he scolded her.
She was shocked. So he was interrupting her conversation with Pierre and Ellington because he was protecting her virtue and thought her inexperienced against the charms of older men? She was fuming.
The American Soldier Collection 15: Their Battle for Love (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 6
