Page 27 of HER SISTER

Mili's loft was the perfect mix between industrial and modern.

As soon as you walk in there's a kitchen to your right with a dining room table and the living room just beyond it.

The space was completely open, and even if it was dark, I couldn't help but notice the floor-to-ceiling windows completely covering one of the tall walls.

The busy city of LA looked beautiful from the loft-style apartment.

I hesitantly followed Mili further into her apartment, noticing a set of stairs to the left of the living room, which I assumed led to her bedroom.

The large loft felt exactly what I imagined for her.

I looked over to Mili when she opened the shiny fridge and grabbed two waters.

The silence was tense and awkward and all I could say was—

"I'm sorry."

Just like that, Mili's eyes were on me, "You've said that already," she said distastefully as she continued to stand by the counter.

I felt my chest tighten at her coldness, but I honestly didn't expect less.

Hesitantly, I walked over to her, "I know, but I'm just... really sorry, Milan," I said, softening my tone as I stood right in front of her.

Mili hummed, looking between my eyes, "And I know, but I'm still not happy with the situation," she said, basically repeating my words back to me in a different manner.

I pursed my lips awkwardly, feeling as if I had gotten my own hopes up. Maybe she wouldn't be able to move past this.

Maybe this was only a closure talk.

"I mean, we can both agree how bad it looked, Ana."

I shook my head to myself, "Can you stop calling me that?" I said, knowing she never called me Ana.

Mili lazily raised her brows, "Thought you hated the other nickname," she said, and I could hear the slight sarcasm in her tone.

I gave her a narrowed look, "You know I never actually hated it," I said, keeping my tone soft and lowered.

Mili hummed sharply, shaking her head to herself, "I just can't believe you right now—maybe that's what the issue is—the fact that I can't believe you went off and did something like that."

And just like that, I could feel my chest tightening, hating that she was so disappointed in me.

"I didn't plan it. I swear—"

"It's not about whether you planned it. You could've said no," Mili cut me short, and I could tell that my explanation only seemed to bother her.

I shook my head when I felt my eyes burn with tears. I really didn't want to cry right now, but I just felt so overwhelmed.

And I just... I don't want to lose Mili.

"Please don't cry," Mili suddenly said, and I could easily feel her dark eyes on me, "I can't be mad at you when you cry, Atiana," she said, and I could hear the soft tone that she suddenly had, clearly troubled by how upset I was.

I quickly turned away, trying to wipe the tears, but the tears only kept coming and my vision was so blurry—

I turned my head slightly when Mili's warm arms suddenly wrapped around my waist, pulling me back into her warm body.

"I'm fine, Milan—really," I assured her, wiping my own tears as she continued to hug me from behind.

The last thing I wanted was for her to pity me or feel bad. I'm the one who messed up.

Mili only guided me to face her before gently cupping my face, "You made a really bad choice, Atiana," she reminded me, keeping her tone soft and lowered.

And I couldn't help but nod as more tears seemed to gather in my eyes, knowing it was a bad choice and that I'd take it back if I could.

Mili gently wiped my tears away, "But I can move past it. We can move past," she assured me, and I couldn't help but nod numerous times wanting that so badly.

A smile twitched up on Mili's lips, clearly amused by how quickly I jumped at her offer.

"I don't think I've wanted anything more," I forced out.

Mili hummed, pulling me in closer to her warm body, "I don't want you seeing other people," she suddenly said, and I couldn't help but feel slightly shocked by her words.

Does this mean...

Is she asking me to be her—

"There's no labels—I don't want to ask you to officially be mine under these circumstances," Mili said, quickly shutting my assumptions down, "We'll just call this exclusivity—no more seeing anyone else."

And I couldn't help but smile slightly, liking the idea of having Mili all to myself—I would never have to worry about her talking to anyone else again.

She'd be mine and I'd be hers—without the labels.

It felt like such an easy decision to make.

"I'd love to be exclusive with you," I suddenly said, allowing my smile to grow so wide it made my cheeks sore.

Mili's smile managed to grow as well, and she didn't bother wasting any time to lean down to me, pressing a soft kiss to my lips.

And god, did it feel so good after being apart from her for a week.

"I've really missed kissing you," she murmured against my lips.

I couldn't help but smile as she continued to kiss me, "Oh, is that all you've missed?" I teased her, pulling back from the warm kiss to meet her stare.

Mili laughed slightly, "Definitely not—I could name off a list of things I've missed, but someone seems to get shy," she said, easily making me shake my head at her.

"I can't help it," I whined, leaning up to press another kiss to her lips.

Mili only laughed slightly, pressing me back against the dark counters as she deepened the kiss.

I slid my arms around her neck, pulling her into me as she suddenly hooked her hands under my thighs and lifted me up onto the counter.

A hum vibrated in my throat when she slid her tongue past my swollen lips, allowing her hands to grip my waist in place.

I unconsciously arched my body into hers, sucking down on her bottom lip, which easily earned the most perfect hum from Mili.

I swear I had never felt so warm before—I could practically feel every warm tingle tickling my spine.

Mili suddenly slid her hand around my throat, pulling me in deeper as she purposefully dominated the kiss—practically sending my thoughts into overdrive.

I felt like I could suddenly let her take me right here and right now.

And honestly, the idea of it sounded more than amazing.

Mili suddenly pulled back from the very intense kiss, forcing our swollen lips apart as we both regained our composure.

I used my legs to tug her back into me, "Mili," I whispered breathlessly.

Mili hummed, looking down at me precisely—and I swear she looked so incredible with swollen lips and flushed cheeks.

"It's too soon," Mili determined, practically reading my needy thoughts.

Then again, my neediness seemed obvious.

I only pulled her closer to me, "But I want you," I practically whined, and my words alone made Mili's jaw tighten.

"You're making this really hard," she said, visibly swallowing as she looked away from me.

It was clear that she wanted my first time to be special.

I hummed, "Or maybe you're the one making this hard," I pointed out, hoping to convince her.

But Mili only shook her head, "We should wait," she said, and it was clear she already had her mind made up, "Come on, let's get ready for bed."

I raised a mischievous brow at her as she helped me down from the counter, "You're taking me to bed?" I said, clearly teasing her.

Mili only laughed, "Oh yeah, I'm tucking you in and all," she said, clearly joking back as she led me up the metal stairs toward her bedroom.