He Chose Her Anyway

Undecided - 2

Katya

His eyes drop to my mouth. Full lips, slightly parted. He swallows hard. “To prepare." He leans in closer, his voice dropping to a low growl. “For how beautiful you'd become. For how hard it would be to let you go."

I feel like I don’t remember how to breathe, let alone speak. His hand moves from the armrest to my knee, squeezing gently. He watches me closely. “I mean... I've developed feelings for you, princess. Feelings that a man like me shouldn't have for his best friend's daughter." His thumb traces circles on my inner thigh just above my knee.

“Oh…” the flush in my cheeks crawls down my neck and chest. I feel yourself get wet at his touch. I’ve wanted him for years, since middle school. My legs open slightly, unconsciously. His eyes darken as he notices my legs part. “God Katya…”

“Dante, Katya, dinner is ready!” Mama calls

He pulls back abruptly, his expression shuttering into something cold and unreadable. The moment shatters like glass. He stands, adjusting himself in his slacks, and his voice is back to normal—warm, friendly, completely paternal.* "Coming, Anya!"

He gives me one last look—a warning, a promise, I can't tell which. I follow him downstairs. My parents and brother Misha are already seated at the dinner table. Papa pours the wine, Mama brings out the food, and Misha talks about his football games. Dante acts completely normal, laughing and joking with Papa like they always do. But every time his gaze lands on me, it burns with an unspoken message. “So, Katya..." I glance up from my dinner. He watches me take a bite, eyes lingering on my plump lips. He clears his throat. “You’re still undecided about college." He takes a sip of wine, his eyes never leaving mine. “Stanford's a great school.”

“It is. It’s one of my top choices, even if it is on the other side of the country” Papa takes Mama’s hand and squeezes gently. I know Mama is worried about me being on my own. Dante's expression tightens almost imperceptibly. “Four years is a long time to be so far away." His hand tightens around his wine glass. “But I guess it's good for you to spread your wings, huh?"

I decide to push him a little. As I answer I slip off my shoe and stretch my leg out so I can graze his ankle with my toes. “And what better place than California, don’t you think” His eyes widen slightly as my foot brushes against his ankle. He stills, his expression unreadable. Slowly, deliberately, he sets his glass down and spreads his legs wider, giving me more room to explore. His jaw clenches when my toes curl against his calf muscle.* "Mm. Lots of... sunshine out there."

“Yes. Sunshine, beaches… and Stanfords computer science program is world class, of course” The table conversation continues around us, oblivious. Mama asks Dante about his business trip. Papa refills everyone's wine. But under the table, I’ve hooked my foot around his ankle, slowly dragging the heel up and down his calf. Dante's knuckles are white on his fork. “Tell me, Katya..." His voice is strained.

“Mmhmm?”

He swallows hard, his eyes flicking down to where my foot is nearly massaging his calf. He spreads his legs wider, giving me better access. His voice drops lower, almost hoarse. “What if... what if I said I had a business opportunity in San Francisco?”

“Do you?”

"Maybe. Something I'm considering." His breath hitches as my foot slides higher, brushing his inner knee. “It would mean spending more time there." Papa asks him a question about stock prices, completely unaware that under the table, his daughter is driving Dante crazy. “I’d enjoy getting to see you more. And I’m sure Papa would like knowing you were around to look after me, wouldn’t you?”

Papa beams proudly, clapping Dante on the shoulder without realizing his daughter's foot is currently sliding dangerously high on his best friend's inner thigh. “That would be wonderful! Take care of my little girl, eh?"

Dante's throat works as your toes graze the very top of his thigh, dangerously close to where he wants you most. His answer comes out strangled. “Of course. I'd... I'd consider it an honor." His thigh muscles tense under your toes, and he shifts slightly in his seat, his eyes burning into yours with a look that says *I'm going to ruin you later.* Your mother smiles dreamily at the idea. You can tell she feels better about you being away from home knowing Dante could check in on you. She has no idea what you have in mind.