I held my roses. “Thank you, Misha.”
His friend Maxwell was on his side with an excited expression on his face as he drank in all the ballerinas. “Yeah. We should party and invite all your friends too.”
I couldn’t tell him that they weren’t my friends in front of them. In fact, all I wanted to do at this moment was spend alone time with Misha.
Alyssa came over. “Do you mind if we all hang out, Ava?”
“Hell no. She doesn’t mind.” Maxwell held his hand out to Alyssa. “Nice to meet you, by the way. My name is Maxwell. What’s everyone’s names?”
I smirked as they crowded around Maxwell and told him their names. The whole time Misha gazed at me with so much intensity my panties moistened. Tenderly, he took my hand and led me away. “Do you want to hang out with them?”
“Yes and no.” I sniffed the roses. “Yes, because this is the first time they’ve invited me out. And all of these women have defended me in the past. I think they’re attempting to be friends and. . .”
“After Olesya’s death, you would like a friend in the company?”
“Yes. You know me well.”
He slipped a strand of hair behind my ear. The contact brought delicious shivers to my skin. “And the reason you would say no?”
“No because. . .my panties are wet and you look so damn good in that tuxedo.”
He hissed, but no words left him.
I gave him a wicked smile. “Thoughts?”
“I wanted to stuff my cock in you when you called me before the performance.”
People rushed around us.
He guided me away. “However, since spending time with Maxwell, I’m learning friends are important. We need them in our lives. Sometimes they stop us from doing stupid things. Other moments they help. But most of all, they make each day a little bit more interesting than the last.”
“You’re right.” I nodded. “I miss that.”
“And you miss Olesya too.”
My voice went weak. “I do.”
“Allow me to take you and your new friends out to my favorite spot. We’ll drink and eat with the best of St Petersburg. And then when you are full, drunk, and partied out. . .” He stepped closer to me and whispered, “I’m going to take you somewhere quiet, tear off whatever gown you choose for this evening, pick you up, and bounce that beautiful body on my cock.”
I swallowed. “That sounds like a great plan.”
He kissed me, enticing my body to forget the celebration and rush to the bouncing on his length. When he pulled away, he licked his lips. “I’m going to order more limos for the evening. I’ll be waiting outside.”
I had to blink away the trance he’d put me in. “Should I tell everyone—”
He shook his head. “Maxwell and my men will make sure your new friends know the way.”
“Oh wait.” I looked around. “Where’s my grandmother?”
“She knew I was leaving soon for Paris and that we had a bumpy week. She’s heading back to her place to give us a romantic evening. My godfather is taking her.”
I widened my eyes. “Your godfather?”
“You’ll meet him tomorrow.” He lifted my hand and kissed each finger. “Get dressed. I can’t wait to start the celebration.”
My guards and I rushed back to my dressing room. I took a quick shower and chose a daring outfit that I wouldn’t usually wear. Just taking the dress off the hanger gave me an electric shock.
It was a seductive black dress all embellished in beaded lace appliques. It ended mid-thigh. The fitted sheer bodice supported a plunging V-neckline. Ostrich feathers decorated the shoulders and parts of the skirt.
When I put it on and gazed at myself in the mirror, my reflection represented exactly how I felt—irresistible and alluring.
I fixed my bun, put on some simple diamond earrings, and did my makeup. I checked my watch.
Thirty minutes. Not bad. I hope I didn’t take too long.
I left the dressing room, knowing that it would be a while before I returned to the theater. With that thought, I went back inside and grabbed the picture of my grandmother as well as my parents.
I hope the theater hurries back with opening.
When I stepped into the hallway, Yefim extended his hand. “I can hold those for you.”
“Thank you.”
“They’ll be in your condo by the morning.” He handed it to the man next to him who rushed off. “Let’s go.”
“Perfect.” I walked with him.
Yefim remained by my side.
Backstage was more quiet than usual. Most of the time, ballerinas chattered and hung around in the back, wearing their gowns and waiting for the company’s cocktail party to begin. Now I knew the truth of that event.
Hopefully, the theater is done with their hobby-prostituting.
The whole affair put a bad taste in my mouth. While I held gratitude for being the first black prima ballerina in Russia, I didn’t know if I wanted to stand with such an industry anymore. I loved the stage but despised the dark side of ballet—the stallions and forced rape, the auctioning of ballerinas, and the helplessness of women who just wanted to dance.