Chapter 12
Iwake up feeling sore all over. As I slowly become aware of my surroundings, I realize Dimitri is not beside me. Once again, the sheets where he lay are rumpled but cold. Where the hell does he always go in the morning?
Im cleaned up; the blood and grime from yesterday washed away. He dressed me in one of my shirts. As I try to slide out of my small bed, I wince as a sharp pain shoots up between my legs. My inner thighs ache and throb.
Carefully, I go to the bathroom and turn the taps on full blast. The steam soon fogs up the mirrors. As I lower myself into the near-scalding water, I cant hold back a moan. The heat soothes and relaxes my sore muscles.
Leaning back, I let my mind drift to the previous afternoon and night. Dimitris strong hands gripping my body, his talented mouth working me into a frenzy. The feeling of him filling me up, his powerful thrusts bringing me wave after wave of pleasure. I moan again involuntarily at the memories, heat pooling low in my belly.
I wash quickly, the hot water stinging slightly between my legs. Wrapped in my towel I wander back into the bedroom.
Rummaging through my dresser, I choose a pair of sweatpants and an oversize T-shirt. I dress quickly. I pick up my phone from the nightstand and I see that I have a text from Martha.
I quickly tap it open and read. It’s all caps.
THEY FOUND ANOTHER BODY. DID YOU KNOW?
I press the power button on my phone and stare at the blank screen. Another body?
I head downstairs, and as I exit the front door, I spot Dimitri casually leaning against his sleek, black sports car. Hes holding two takeaway coffee cups, steaming in the morning chill. When he sees me, he waves a cup in my direction.
I hurry over, and Dimitri passes me a cup of coffee wordlessly.
What are you doing here? I ask instead of taking the cup.
Dimitri just chuckles. Ill be taking good care of you from now on Sara, you are mine now.
I frown, not liking his possessive tone. Dimitri reaches out, gently grasping my chin. His touch sends tingles down my spine.
Im going to treat you so well, youll willingly walk away from your family for me.
I jerk my head back, glaring at him. But I cant deny how my body responds to his nearness, heart racing.
Dimitri just smirks and opens the passenger door for me. He stretches the cup again, and I take it this time. I slide in silently and sip the coffee. As he gets on the drivers side, he asks, Hows your body?
Fine, I mutter shortly, not meeting his eyes.
Dimitri reaches over, squeezing my thigh. I have to bite my lip to stop myself from whimpering at the spike of pleasure. What have I turned into?
The drive to class is short and quiet. I keep glancing over at Dimitri as he confidently handles the powerful car. His cologne fills the small space, and my body tingles, reacting to his presence. I squeeze my thighs together tightly.
Control yourself, Sara.
We pull into the parking lot with minutes to spare before class starts. Dimitri escorts me inside with his hand pressed possessively against my lower back.
We enter the lecture hall together, quickly taking seats near the back. Martha comes rushing in just as the professor walks in. She gives me a quizzical look as she sits on my other side.
I avoid her questioning gaze, hyper-aware of Dimitri sitting close beside me.
What the hell? she whisper-yells into my ears. The lecturer walks in before I can answer.
I am sorry to have to announce, he says gravely, that another student was found dead this morning near the campus’ cafeteria. The police reported the same MO as the other two victims of the campus killer.”
A collective gasp sweeps through the hall. My chest seized with anxiety as the professor broke the news.
Given the circumstances, the school has decided to end this semester earlier. Your first test will be held next week.”
Stunned murmuring breaks out around us. Three murders on campus in less than a week?
Dimitri leans over, breath tickling my ear. “Don’t worry, printsessa, I’ll keep you safe.” His hand settles on my leg under the desk, squeezing reassuringly. How can he possibly keep me safe when he’s in danger himself. Or is he?
I’m trying to pay attention to the professor, but it’s hard to focus with Dimitri’s hand creeping further up my thigh. His touch makes my skin tingle, sending little shocks of pleasure through me that I try to ignore.
The lecture hall door opens and Ivan strides in, scanning the room intently until his gaze lands on us. His face is grim as he walks over to where we sit.
Leaning down, Ivan murmurs something in Dimitri’s ear that makes him frown. Dimitri nods towards me, and Ivan’s eyes flicker to my face briefly before he turns and takes an empty seat behind Martha.
Martha immediately turns around to Ivan, angling her body towards him with a flirtatious smile.
“Hey there, I’m Martha. What’s your name?” She asks brightly. Ivan just grunts in response, slouching down in his seat.
“Not much of a talker, huh? That’s okay, I can chat enough for both of us,” Martha continues cheerfully. Ivan pointedly looks away from her, jaw clenched.
“So, you go to school here too? I’ve only seen you once before. I don’t forget a face like yours,” she says playfully.
Ivan finally turns to look at her, one eyebrow raised. “Do you ever stop talking?” he asks bluntly.
Martha just laughs, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “Nope, talking is one of my greatest talents,” she retorts, then lowers her voice as she leans into him, “you should see what else my mouth is very talented at,” she adds with a wink.
“Well, I prefer silence,” he grunts back.
Meanwhile, Dimitri’s hand still rests high on my thigh, his thumb making lazy circles driving me crazy. I shift in my seat, pressing my legs together. Dimitri notices my squirming and leans in close.
“Getting worked up?” he murmurs in my ear. I shiver at the feeling of his warm breath on my skin.
“Stop it,” I hiss back at him, trying to angle my body away. Dimitri just chuckles softly, giving my thigh a firm squeeze.
“You can pretend all you want, but I know how much you enjoy my touch,” he whispers. I feel my face flush. I’m saved from responding by the professor dismissing the class early.
As everyone starts packing up their things, Dimitri stands abruptly. “Let’s go,” he says curtly to Ivan. He turns back to me and pecks my lips. “See you later baby.” Martha pouts at their sudden departure.
“Damn, Ivan is a tough nut to crack,” she sighs dramatically. Before I can respond, she reaches over and pinches my arm. Hard.
“Ow!” I yelp, pulling my arm away and rubbing the sore spot. “What was that for?”
Martha fixes me with an intense stare, her green eyes narrowed. “Don’t play dumb, I know something happened between you and the tall, dark and dangerous bad boy back there.” She jerks her chin in the direction Dimitri left. “Spill. Now.”
I hesitate, biting my lip. I’m not entirely ready to talk about last night yet; my feelings are still jumbled. But Martha is my best friend; I know I can trust her.
“I slept with Dimitri last night,” I confess quietly, not meeting her eyes.
“You WHAT?” Martha shrieks, loud enough to draw stares from the few students still milling around the lecture hall. She reaches over and pinches me again, hard.
“Ow, will you stop that?” I hiss, swatting her hand away.
“Not until you tell me everything!” Martha insists, green eyes bright with curiosity. “I want details!”
I sigh, knowing she won’t let this go until I satisfy her nosiness. “It just... happened. He showed up at my dorm yesterday, and things happened… a lot of things.” I feel my cheeks heating.
“Was he good?” Martha asks eagerly, scooting closer. “Did he rock your world? Give me the dirty details!”
I actually giggle at her enthusiasm. “It was... intense,” I admit. “He definitely knew what he was doing in the bedroom department.”
Martha fans herself dramatically. “Girl, look at you getting your world rocked by the hot Bratva man! I’m kinda jealous.” She pouts.
“Oh please, like you even care. You just met Ivan and you’re already trying to climb him like a tree,” I tease.
Martha tosses her hair with a grin. “What can I say, I appreciate a strong, silent hottie.”
I roll my eyes and stand up, swinging my bag over my shoulder. “Come on, we should head to the library to study for next week’s test.”
Martha groans but follows me out of the lecture hall. “Ugh studying, so boring. I’d rather dish about your spicy love affair!”
I shake my head, laughing as we walk across the quad towards the library. “Maybe later. Right now, we need to focus if we want to pass this test.”
Martha heaves a dramatic sigh. “Fiiine. But don’t think you’re off the hook, missy. I expect a full debriefing later!”