She laughs softly and shakes her head. “I just took one. I need to dry my hair. Go on.”
I reluctantly let her go and head into the bathroom. The hot water helps ease some of the tension in my muscles, but the headache still lingers.
When I step, towel around my waist, she’s already changed into a soft pajama set, looking cozy and sweet.
“Come sit on the bed,” she says gently.
I obey, sitting on the edge. She crawls behind me, and I hear the soft sound of her rubbing oil between her palms. The scent is warm and soothing.
Then her hands are on me. She starts at my neck, massaging with firm, skilled fingers, working her way up to the back of my ears and down to my shoulders.
The pressure is perfect. No one has ever taken care of me like this before. Not once in my life has anyone touched me with this kind of quiet devotion, not out of fear or obligation, but because they wanted to.
My eyes close as her thumbs work into the tight knots in my shoulders. The headache slowly begins to fade under her care. I let out a long, heavy breath, leaning into her touch. And soon I start to feel drowsy.
Calina
Maxim is now fast asleep beside me, his breathing deep and even. I, however, am wide awake.
I napped earlier in the afternoon, and whenever I do that, falling asleep at night becomes nearly impossible.
I lie there for a while, staring at the ceiling, not wanting to disturb him. Eventually, I carefully slide out of bed, slip on a silk robe, and tiptoe out of the bedroom.
The house is quiet as I head downstairs to the kitchen. I make myself a bowl of popcorn. Once it’s ready, I decide to go to the theatre room to watch something mind-numbing. Anything to help me relax.
The theatre room is on the lower floor where some of the guards stay. I walk quietly down the hallway, bowl in hand, when I hear a low voice coming from one of the rooms.
I pause.
“…I'll send the file the moment I have access to it, but I need more time.”
The voice is hushed, almost whispered, like the person doesn’t want to be overheard. My heart picks up speed. Who is sending a file? And to whom?
Curiosity gets the better of me. I quietly creep closer, pressing myself against the wall just outside the slightly ajar door, trying to listen.
The voice continues, “...I need to be careful.” I strain to hear more, but suddenly the conversation stops.
Before I can move, the door swings open.
Dimitri steps out.
He freezes the moment he sees me, clearly not expecting to see anyone.
“Hey Calina, what are you doing here?” he asks, his voice filled with suspicion.
Of all the people I expected to see, he was the last. I open my mouth, but no smooth lie comes out. My eyes drop to the bowl of popcorn still in my hands. I lift it slightly, forcing a small smile.
“I… I couldn’t sleep. I was on my way to the media room to watch a movie.”
Dmitri stares at me like he’s trying to read something on my face.
Finally, he nods slowly. “Would you like me to walk you there?” he offers.
“No need, I will find my way. Thank you.”
I turn and walk away as calmly as I can, feeling his eyes on my back the entire way. The moment I step into the theatre room and close the door behind me, I let out a shaky breath.
I sink into one of the large recliners, the bowl of popcorn forgotten in my lap. My mind keeps replaying the hushed tone of his voice, the way he looked almost… caught.
