The women said a few more things, but Jane didn’t need to hear any more.She waited a few minutes, because the happiness she had moments ago evaporated.
Stepping out into the main bathroom, she avoided looking in the mirror.No one ever looked in her direction.
As she washed her hands, she tried to ignore the pain of a lifetime of rejection.She lifted her head and stared at her reflection.She was not a “looker,” not a keeper.
She thought about all the people that had come and gone throughout her life over the years.Even Steve had told her that not many men would consider her a potential partner.She was more a friend than a partner or lover.He was doing her a favor by being her first.It had been the worst experience in the world.
“Tell me what is going on in your head right now.”
Jane gasped and looked at Alexey as he moved in to trap her against his rock-hard body and the sink.
“Alexey, what are you doing in here?When did you come in?”
“When those bitches came out and attempted to gain my attention.One of them said some nasty shit, and she’s had her ass dragged out of the club.I figured they had something to say, and that is why you’re still here and not coming back to me.”
“I’ll be out in a minute.I was just washing my hands.”
“And losing that smile you came in here with.”
She stared at him in the mirror.“I’m just washing my hands.”
Alexey put his hands on her waist and kissed her shoulder.“Then, while you’re washing your hands and doing a thorough job of it, you’re going to tell me what is going on inside that head of yours.”
“Nothing.”
“Don’t lie to me, Jane.We’re not like that, and you’re going to tell me the truth.”
“I was just thinking how those women—some of them, maybe all of them—should be the women at your side,” Jane said.“I’m plain.I’m boring.I’m not the one for you.”
“So, you’re willing to step aside for a nasty bitch, who faced with certain death would just let me get shot in the face?”Alexey asked.
“I’m not pretty.”
He spun her around and cupped her face.“And do you think I give a shit about that?”
“I’ve always wanted to be pretty,” she said.“I’ve not wanted to be beautiful, but at least pretty would have meant that someone wanted me, right?”
She hated feeling this way and had never spoken like this before to anyone.Tears filled her eyes, and she didn’t want to cry in front of him.This was awful.It had been a long time since she cried about herself.Tears were useless.They were not going to change, and she had accepted what she was.She hated how weak this made her feel.
“Look at me,” he said.
She had been staring at his chest.This was mortifying.Jane forced herself to look at him, even though it was the last thing she wanted to do.She hated feeling this vulnerable and lost.
“It’s not about what anyone else wants or says they want.It’s about what I want, and I look at you, Jane, and it’s you I want.I don’t give a fuck if you’re not the most beautiful woman in the world.That night, you saved me.People can call it whatever they fucking want, but you are a fighter.You didn’t look the other way.You killed for me, and that means more to me than anything else.I see beauty when I look at you.”
“You don’t have to say that.”
“I do, because you’re never going to see what I see.I see a fighter.I see a loyal woman, that up until me, kept a secret that saved children.You’re everything I could ever want.You’re worth going to war for.Those women out there turn their heads at a pretty face.They want to fuck me, fine.There are a lot of guys they want to fuck.You’re mine, Jane.You’re who I want, you’re who I’m with, and nothing is going to change that.”
He took possession of her lips, and this was fire.
“And nothing is ever going to change that.”
He wiped under her eyes, wrapped an arm around her waist, pulled her in close, and without another word, they were out of the bathroom and onto the dance floor.There was no time to ask questions, or to second-guess what was going on.
Alexey had her in his arms, they danced, and it felt so magical.She didn’t want it to end.All the doubts from the women faded away, and all that mattered was the two of them.By the end of the night, Jane was more than ready to go home.
Rather than sit in her own seat, she moved to straddle Alexey’s lap, feeling the hard ridge of his cock as she thrust down against him.
