She rolled her eyes. “You don’t know my brothers well if you think that. Misha’s the biggest jerk of them all. He just doesn’t care enough most times to show that side of his.”
When she fidgeted on her feet, he knew right away what was bothering her and he said quietly, “I give you my word. I won’t tell anyone about you two, not even Misha.”
“Thank you,” Seri said simply. “You don’t know how much that means to me. To us. Family’s the most important thing for Vassi—-”
Unable to stop himself, Maximilian asked sharply, “More important than you are to him?”
Seri’s smile faltered at the unexpected question, but she forced herself to tell the truth. “Yes.”
And that was okay, she told herself. She didn’t need to be the most important thing to Vassi. She just wanted to be important enough for him not to ever let her go.
Chapter Five
Seri’s family was in full force that night, as it always was every time one of Seri’s films was playing in the States. The fact that Seri had only voiced for a bit role in the animated period drama didn’t make a difference to her boys. For them, everything she did was an achievement to be proud of. It was one of the things she loved the most about her family, but at that moment, she would have given up everything she owned if she could just have a few precious moments alone with Vassi.
It was just too hard, Seri thought, groveling in public.
The cocktail area outside the theater was crowded, with the guests mostly made up of die-hard otaku fans that had willingly shelled out almost a hundred dollars each to watch the exclusive premier of their favorite Japanese film. Since the majority of them had also come in cosplay attire, with the women dressed in kimonos and the men in ninja uniforms, Seri’s family easily stood out, with all four Grachyovs looking drop-dead gorgeous in their suits.
As soon as she finished signing an autograph, she turned back to Vassi, asking hopefully, “Do you want me to get you some popcorn?”
He smiled dazzlingly at her. “No thanks.”
“Soda?”
“Thank you, but no.”
Observing his two youngest offspring in amusement, Fyodor drawled, “This is certainly a first. Seri’s the one wooing you this time?”
“He’s probably holding a grudge,” Misha commented. “He’s unable to accept the fact that Seri kept her boyfriend a secret even from him.”
Both Fyodor and Sergei scowled.
“A boyfriend?” Fyodor asked grimly. “This is the first time I’ve heard of it.”
“Do you know him?” Sergei asked Misha.
Misha nodded. “He’s a good man, but whether he’s good enough for our little dove…” He arched a brow at Vassi. “What do you think, brat?”
Seri gulped, and when Vassi put an arm around her shoulders, she gulped again because she could almost feel his desire to squeeze the life out of her.
“I think,” he said softly, “as long as Seri’s happy, then I’m happy, too.”
Riiiiight. He sounded very convincing, and she might have believed him if not for the cold glitter in his gaze.
He was definitely still mad at her.
When it was time to enter the theater, she immediately took hold of Vassi’s hand, saying, “Let’s sit together?” When Vassi seemed to seriously consider her question, she said hastily, “Actually, I’m not giving you a choice.” Tugging him towards the doors, she waved at the rest of her family, saying, “Hope you enjoy the movie!”
The theater was divided into several rows of cubes, with each cube consisting of a pair of recliner seats. She tugged Vassi towards one of the cubes at the back row, knowing that Fyodor and the other boys preferred to sit closer to the screen.
The lights went out as they settled in their seats, and she pressed the service button to order popcorn and soda. Glancing at Vassi, she said nervously, “It’s best to order them beforehand so we don’t get interrupted later on.”
“Interrupted doing what?”
The taunting note in his voice made Seri flush, and she stammered, “It’s not that! I mean, I just want us to talk.”
“A pity,” Vassi murmured in the dark. “Because if we did that, I might just forgive you.”
Oh. Wetting her suddenly dry lips, she mumbled, “But we’re in the movies.”
“And?”
“The other boys are here.”
“So?”
She fell silent, unable to believe that he truly meant what he was implying. Would he really try to touch her here? Even when their family was in the same place?
The thought was terrifying and exciting, and Seri bit her lip hard when she realized that the idea alone was enough for her to make her wet.
Bo zheh moy.
Vassi leaned towards her, murmuring under his breath, “Are you wet now?”
Oh!
More moisture flooded out of her, soaking her panties, and knowing that Vassi was aware of her arousal only made her nipples pebble hard against her dress.