Chapter 19 Daphne
19 Daphne
‘Come on, Miss Green,’ Milosh goads, trapping me with his arms either side of my face.
His eyes trail down my body as he smirks. ‘You can do better than that.’ I huff as I wrap my legs around his waist, pushing at his arm until it gives way, using that momentum to roll us, leaving him on his back with me now on top of him, legs either side.
I smile, imitating a blow to his head, lightly tapping instead of actually punching so I don’t hurt him. ‘That was good, right?’
‘It was better,’ Milosh agrees as I go to swing my leg off him, but before I do he captures my thigh in one hand and my hip in the other, locking me in place. ‘But if that punch didn’t work, they would be able to use their very free hands to hold you in place, and you do not want that.’ I momentarily tune him out, trying to level my breathing. With the feel of his hands burning into my body, I become all too aware of our current position.
I’m straddling him. I’m straddling Milosh Petrov, pinning him down with my body, while his hands dig into my flesh.
This is inappropriate. Yes, I’ve had romantic interests before, but I’ve never really made it past kissing and this position suggests a whole lot more than that. But with it being his firm, warm body underneath mine, it makes me feel a little safer. He’s not going to take advantage of me or the situation we’re in. Actually, I’m ninety-nine per cent sure he’s completely unaware of our position. He’s in training mode, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned about Milosh, it’s that he’s a professional.
‘You need to disable them in every way and as fast as possible,’ he continues, loosening his grip on me, signalling me to get up.
See? Professional.
‘Restrict their arms and legs to prevent their movement and give you time to run away. Let’s try this again with a few different scenarios.’ He walks over to the table of assorted weapons, picks up a rubber replica of a knife and tucks it into the waistband of his cargos.
‘What I want you to do is jog up and down the length of the backyard. At some point I’m going to attack you and you’re going to have to disarm me and run away. This time let’s go with the pretence that once you have me where you want me and “knock me out”, I pass out, giving you enough time to run away. We’ll try different scenarios a number of times so you can get a better understanding of how to handle yourself in different situations.’
After we warmed up today, Milosh told me to put on some normal clothes so that I know what it’s like to fight someone if I’m caught off guard, so I’m currently wearing a light pink flowy dress with my hair up in a curly ponytail and he’s wearing his usual black T-shirt and cargos combination.
‘Okay.’ I nod. ‘I’m ready.’
He nods in return and I take off in a light jog towards the end of the garden. Our back garden is vast, with trees lining the bottom overlooking a heavily wooded area, but a tall fence divides that section from our well-manicured lawn. It takes me a couple of minutes to actually reach the far end, but before I can turn to jog back up an arm clamps around me, locking me in and pulling my back close to the attacker’s front.
Inhaling, I instantly feel at ease, recognizing Milosh by his clean, warm scent. I know he won’t actually cause me any harm, but that doesn’t stop him from securing his arm around my neck. I start to panic, thinking back to the last time I was in this position, but unfreeze when I remember it’s only Milosh.
Before he clamps his arms around my neck, I bring my hands, palms facing outwards, to my throat, ensuring he can’t cut off my oxygen supply.
I push to try to break free from his arm, but that proves useless because he’s too strong. Arms and legs. I think back to what Milosh taught me about restricting movement, and swiftly wrap my leg around the bottom of his, pulling forward, causing him to lose balance for a second, resulting in a looser grip around my neck.
I break free and turn round to face him. Milosh has recovered quickly from the minor imbalance and now has the rubber knife in his hand.
‘Good job, Daphne.’ The mix of his praise and him using my first name gives me the encouragement I didn’t realize I needed as he slowly approaches. ‘Now, you need to get this knife off me, and defuse the situation.’
He strikes first, but I use my speed and co-ordination to dodge him, or so I think, until the knife pokes the side of my waist before flattening against just under my ribs. ‘That would’ve been non-lethal, so continue, but slow your movements down because if this were real, you’d be hindered by the pain.’
I nod, adjusting my speed while still trying to evade the knife. He aims for my side again but I move forward and capture his hand in my arm, twisting it until the knife drops. I kick the crevice at the back of his knee, which makes him buck, but not enough to fall. When I go to try again he beats me to it, swiping with his other leg, knocking me to the ground. I fall with a thud, looking up to see a flash of discomfort in his eyes when I wince in pain. I know he would’ve supported my fall if I hadn’t asked him not to at the start of practice today.
If this was real, my attacker wouldn’t care about my safety so I need to prepare for that, not be coddled.
Milosh picks the knife up from the ground and walks over to me. ‘Whoever you’re fighting will determine what happens next. A lot of men are stupid and they’ll take their time walking over to you, taunting you as much as they can. Women are usually a lot smarter and will either throw the knife from a distance, or use their speed to quickly slit your throat. We’ll go through all scenarios later, but for now let’s play into the whole cocky guy thing.’
He sinks onto his haunches and runs the knife across my face. ‘You do have a very pretty face, Daphne,’ he murmurs, dragging the knife down my neck lightly. I reach out and grab his feet, jerking them forward, causing him to drop to the floor with a thud.
I shoot up and knock the knife out of his hands, kicking it even further away. Before he can move, I straddle him again, locking him in, my knees pressed tightly against his obliques.
‘My arms are still free, Miss Green. Do something about it.’
I push his arms up over his head and press them into the ground, pinning him by his wrists. My body is now completely flush to his, once again, only this time his mouth is just centimetres away from mine.
‘Yeah…’ he breathes, looking from my eyes to my mouth, his jaw clenching. ‘Don’t do that.’
Feeling bold, I lower my lips to graze his earlobe. ‘You told me to do something about it, Mr Petrov, and I did just that.’ I release my tight hold on his wrists and trace my fingers down his arms languidly, but I don’t make it very far because he abruptly sits up, causing me to fall into his lap. His strong arm clasps my waist to steady me.
‘Looks like we’re gonna have to go over how to restrict the arms again,’ he bites out as I roll off him and stand up, trying and failing to contain my laugh. He stands up and walks to retrieve the knife.
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’ I blink up innocently. ‘I feel like I did a very good job.’
He turns around to look at me, his gaze darkening. ‘Oh, you did a good job, Miss Green.’ He closes the distance between us and lifts my chin up with one finger to look me dead in the eye.
I blink up again, flustered, as I feel my heart rate increase when he dips his mouth to my ear, his lip grazing the sensitive skin. ‘You did a great job, in fact. But don’t be so light with your fingers.’ His hand starts travelling up the length of my arm with the lightest touch. ‘That’s too nice. Too cute. Too kind.’ His touch starts to roughen, getting firmer, travelling back down my arm, stopping at my wrist as he places it behind my back with one hand. Firm and in control. ‘I need you to be more certain. More demanding,’ he murmurs. ‘More rough.’ My other hand flies to his chest for stability as he pushes me so we’re once again flush against each other. He lifts his head away from my ear to bore those green irises into mine. ‘Can you do that for me, Miss Green?’
All I can do is nod, as he smirks. ‘Good.’ He instantly drops my hands and moves away, walking back to the top of the garden where the table of weapons stands. ‘Let’s move on to the next scenario.’
I open the door to my dressing room, ready to get my things for a shower, only to be greeted by two women and a rack of pink, white and cream dresses that I do not recognize.
‘You must be Daphne!’ the blond girl on the right determines in a perky American accent.
‘Yes… can I help you?’
‘We’re here for the dress fitting,’ responds the beautiful Asian woman standing next to the dress rack. She’s definitely American too, but her accent sounds a lot more refined.
‘I’m sorry, what dress fitting?’ I didn’t organize a dress fitting.
‘You weren’t able to shop for a dress, so I brought the dresses to you.’ I turn around at the sound of Milosh’s voice behind me. He’s leaning against the door frame looking irritatingly unperturbed.
‘You organized this for me?’ I walk towards him, the ladies in the back completely forgotten.
‘Mm hmm,’ is his simple response before he looks over to the two girls behind me. ‘Daphne, this is Averie Lee and Hallie Valentine. Hallie was in the same children’s home as me. She and Averie run a personal styling business in Connecticut, but they’re over here visiting an international client so I asked if they could stop by.’
‘Oh, wow.’ I turn back to Averie and Hallie, a genuine smile blooming. ‘That’s amazing, thank you so much!’
‘Of course,’ Hallie replies. ‘Anything for Milosh!’ I look between them as a sour taste enters my mouth. Hallie is stunning, with long sandy-blond hair cascading down her back in messy but sexy waves. She’s wearing a simple black tank top and some matching black slim-cut jeans but she somehow makes it look like the most fashionable outfit I’ve ever seen. Her tan, short red nails and minimal make-up help her look effortlessly sexy and cool, but still professional.
If I had to pick out a girl who would pair nicely with Milosh, it would be her. They would look great together.
Therefore, I’m not a fan. Especially with the way she’s currently looking at him.
‘You ready to get started, Daphne?’ Averie chirps, dragging my attention back to the present.
‘Um… yeah, sure.’ I look back over to Milosh, who’s already looking at me. ‘Did you want to stay, so you can give me your opinions on the dresses?’
‘You want me to stay?’ He frowns and I suddenly feel I may have crossed an invisible line I didn’t know was there, but, hey, it’s a bit too late to backtrack now.
‘Mm hmm,’ I hum. ‘Oh, and could you call Amelia in? I feel like she may want to see them too.’
‘I’ll go get her.’
‘Thank you.’ I give him a soft smile as I place my hand on his forearm, giving it a little squeeze before he nods curtly and heads out of the room, closing the door softly behind him. I turn back to Averie and Hallie only to find them grinning hugely.
‘Oh, I soooo get it now.’ Hallie smirks at me.
Letting out an extremely forced laugh I ask, ‘What are you talking about?’
‘You and Milosh! You’re literally the cutest couple ever!’
Okay, see, now I’m confused. Is she being condescending? No, I don’t think so, her tone was too genuine.
‘We’re not together,’ I clarify, walking in front of the rack where they’re standing.
‘Yeah, sure you’re not,’ Averie says, rolling her eyes playfully, flicking her jet black hair out of her face. She has such an old Hollywood way about her with how she moves, talks and looks. She definitely comes from money, and she is absolutely stunning.
‘I’m sorry, but what made you think we were together?’ I ask, genuinely curious.
Averie and Hallie exchange the same knowing look that Amelia and Henry did last night when they asked about the kiss. ‘What?’ I breathe a laugh out, slightly apprehensive about what they may say.
‘Daphne,’ Hallie starts. ‘Just the fact that Milosh was honest with you about how he met me tells me everything I need to know. He told you he was in care. He doesn’t share that with anyone, least of all clients.’
‘And,’ Averie adds softly, ‘have you seen the way that man looks at you? And vice versa? Daphne, I’m sorry that you’re evidently the last one to know, but you guys clearly like each other.’
‘I mean, I’ve known him since he was twelve, and I’ve never seen him look at a girl the way he was just looking at you. Not through many girls’ lack of trying, though,’ Hallie laughs. ‘I was fourteen when he came to the home and it was so funny to see the younger girls tripping over themselves to get his attention. Then when he joined school it was even worse. Every girl in his grade and even the grade above wanted a shot with him, but he paid them no mind. When he got older and both of us moved out he stayed in contact with me, so I know he did entertain a few small flings, but nothing like this.’
‘And what is “this” exactly?’ I question.
‘This.’ Hallie gestures between the door and me. ‘You, him, whatever you wanna call it. You may be his client, but the way he looks at you is anything but professional. The way you two talk to each other alone is absolutely laced with tension.’ Hallie sighs wistfully.
‘How about we get back on to the dresses?’ Averie suggests, and I silently thank her with my eyes as we all look to the portable clothing rack.
There are around ten gowns on it. Some I’ve seen recently on the runway while others are completely new to me.
‘These dresses are just my style. Goodness, you girls are good at your job!’ I commend.
‘Daphne, we didn’t pick these out. Milosh did,’ Hallie says with that same knowing look. ‘We sent him, like, fifty options. All different colours and styles, but he was adamant that these ones were more you.’
I look back at the dresses through a new lens. They’re all either light pink, white or cream, with classic feminine lines, and are soft, light and girly rather than overly sensual or seductive. That’s my style completely.
‘Milosh chose all of them individually?’ I ask, my voice small as I feel the fabrics beneath my fingers.
‘Mm hmm,’ Averie replies. ‘And judging by your fantastic closet, by the way, it looks like he got it pretty spot on.’
Huh. Would you look at that?
Me and Milosh.
Milosh and I.
Mr Petrov and Miss Green
Daphne and Milosh.
No matter how I spin it, I seem to come to the same conclusion.
We sound great together.