The Markelov Papers - Artem Markelov

CHAPTER 2

Artem was true to his word and picked me up at 9pm. I had put a pink shirt with a V-neck, hoping to catch him stare at my cleavage during the evening, with dark blue jeans and black heels. Nothing over the top, but still very well calculated for him to check me out. I wanted to test him, tonight. He probably had the same idea as me because he had put a tight light grey shirt with sweatpants hugging him. Once again, his perfume intoxicated me when I entered the car. It was addicting and I was completely falling for it.

"Hi." I smiled shyly when I entered the car, his scent making me lose all composure. He saw it and smirked, knowing he had an effect on me.

"Hi. We're going to a bar in Oxford, that alright with you? We can eat some tapas, drink tequila, even dance a bit if the music is good." He started the engine of the car and looked at me for an answer before he could drive to Oxford, which is the biggest city close to Enstone.

"I like that, let's go! Although I have to tell you I'm not good at dancing."

"I don't believe you, sweetheart." He made a small wink and started driving towards Oxford. I still enjoyed watching him drive in his confident, relax way. It reminded me the laps we did on the track the day before. I felt safe.

"I definitely don't have Shakira's hips." I said, almost laughing as I imagined myself dancing like the singer. What a disaster!

"Fortunately, I've been told I'm a great dance partner! I guess I should thank my mum for making me take dancing lessons with her when I was a kid. It always has an effect on girls!" His grin kept getting bigger and I shook my head at his cockiness.

"We'll see about that, then. Can't wait to see you shake that body of yours."

The rest of the drive was joyful and I was excited to get the evening started. Artem parked his car not far from the bar and opened my door, taking my hand in his to help me out of the car like a true gentleman.

"Are you trying to impress me, Artem?"

"Obviously!" He laughed deeply and I swore it was the most magical sound I have ever heard. It almost made my knees weak.

The bar was huge, yet cosy. There weren't many people inside, I guess it was some kind of VIP thing. There was a corner where people could dance, although the music wasn't too loud so we could still talk. There was a long bar and some round tables with high leather stools. Artem guided me towards one in a corner.

I took off my black leather jacket that was hiding my chest and saw Artem immediately stare at my cleavage. I smirked proudly, glad my plan worked, and couldn't wait to turn around for him to see my butt in those jeans.

"Eyes up." I put a finger on his jaw to push his head higher so his eyes were staring into mine instead. He blushed, a cute pink colour on his cheeks, and he shook his head as if to shake away bad thoughts from his head.

"I'm going to get us drinks. Tequila, I guess? It's Monday."

I was impressed he remembered that, he really did pay attention to what I was saying that night, then.

"Yes, but get a margarita for me please. I don't feel like having shots tonight, I want to remember this."

Artem nodded and came back a few minutes later with our drinks and some tapas. We started eating silently. Artem was staring at me while my body as waving on the stool at the rhythm of the music.

"See, you have the rhythm! I'm sure you're not that bad of a dancer."

"I know you can't wait to see my hips in action, but I need a bit more alcohol for that. Tell me something about you, Artem." I took a sip of my cocktail, my green eyes looking in his deep brown ones. I rested my elbows on the table to lean a bit closer to him. I was missing his scent.