Chapter 17
Seventeen
Zee
Prickle.
Heat.
My gaze stays fixed on the caterpillar beyond the thick glass.
Have I invited something as poisonous into my life?
It’s beautiful, new to the collection and nothing I’ve seen before. Long and large with colours that remind me of tie-dye. Blues, purples and oranges.
“Told you not to go to that party.”
Kon appears next to me, a stutter in my heartbeat.
He leans against the wall in a silky black shirt, unbuttoned to remind me of his hard chest.
Word was out all over campus this morning. Olivia Soros and Reginald Winfrey murdered at Eastmount Manor.
Even Atlas reached out… in his own way.
Atlas: Please take an extra break today.
I survived the Manor. Still, I can’t help but wonder. Was Liv’s fate meant to be mine?
“You okay?” Kon’s hand lands on my shoulder, pulling me back to the world. His touch is firm. Warm. And after last night, what I need.
My mind flashes back to the tub. The curtain. My moans. His groans.
“I’m good.” I place my hand on top of his.
A pink hue grows on his cheeks before I pull my hand away. His gaze hits like fire on my skin.
Where do we go from here?
Do I tell him I know who he is?
Can we even be out in public together?
Something tells me he holds a lot of the answers to the questions I have.
But is it safe to ask?
I texted Mo about the chances of me dating my hot prof, and her advice was simple.
Mo: fuck yeah girl!!!! enjoy it!
I haven’t enjoyed anything in a long time.
Kon tips his chin towards the enclosure. “Most people get creeped out by her.”
My attention returns to the caterpillar. “Is it true? Is she that deadly?”
“Harmless unless you touch it. They’re also good luck." He smiles. "You look like you need it. Want to take her for a bit?”
My head whips back to him. “Wh—Atlas would murder me.”
“Well, it’s more unique than flowers, and, despite your name, you don’t strike me as a girl who likes a bouquet.”
“What kind of girl am I, Konstantin?”
“One who likes a little danger." His smile widens. "Don’t worry about Atty. No one has to know our secrets.”
A secret. Is that what we’ll be?
“You should get perks from your job,” he continues. “Don’t you think?” He lifts his finger to his lips, my eyes following. Plump. Moist. Full. “Give me one second.” Kon steps back, keeping his eyes on me until he disappears behind the wall.
Have the butterflies moved into my stomach?
Everything about last night points to Kon, and his actions this morning don’t help.
I still don’t know what Reggie and Liv did to deserve their fate. I still don’t know what my father did to deserve his.
How do I know he’s not still dangerous?
Have I fucked my way into safety?
Kon returns with a large glass jar filled with leaves and twigs, topped with a wooden lid with holes.
“She’ll be okay in here for a few days. But no longer. Got it?” Kon’s ungloved hand comes to my back, a surge of heat coursing through me with his claiming touch. With his gloved hand, he waits for the caterpillar to crawl onto a stick before placing it in the jar.
He holds the jar toward me, and I let him place it in my palms.
Bringing the jar up to my face, my eyes follow the caterpillar's pattern before Kon’s face appears on the other side of the jar. His eyes sparkle through the glass in a way that steals the show.
I’m so cooked.
“Zee."
“Y-yeah?”
“What are you doing tonight?”
My answer is instant. “I’m free.”
His smile grows, spreading across his face. “Good. See you at eight.”
Kon’s only ten minutes late picking me up from the house for our date.
An actual date.
Thank fuck for that because the anticipation damn near killed me.
Every creak, every thud made me jump.
He doesn’t enter without asking. He doesn’t show up in my living room. Like we’re normal, he arrives on his bike, an extra helmet and leather jacket in hand.
Without my paycheck arriving for another week, I’ve opted for the same skirt I wore to the party.
Washed, of course. I rummaged through my father’s stuff for an appropriate top, ending up with his red silk dress shirt.
I rolled it to my elbows, tied it at the waist, and let one side hang off my shoulder.
It really works, highlighting my breasts and showing some skin.
I just have to survive the motorcycle ride in it.
“First time?” he asks.
I snort. “You wish.”
I straddle the bike, my skirt hiking to my waist. He pulls my arms around him, the bike rumbling underneath me.
He leans back, yelling over the engine. “Hang on tight for me, okay?”
With a nod, my grip tightens around him, and he takes off.
I’m happy to get off campus, my arms around Kon’s hard body as we cruise out of Eastmount. We can be ourselves without worrying about other faculty members or students spotting us. We don't have to hide what this is.
This can be real.
Kon's short ride takes us to the Old Port, the city’s historic district with cobblestone paths and horse-drawn carriages. When he parks, he takes my hand as I slide off his bike.
Pulling my arm into his, he escorts me into Papillon de Nuit. The name’s fitting, but it’s also known for being one of the city’s hottest spots. A place I could never afford.
Once inside, its reputation rings true. Dim lighting. Candles on the small round tables that you have to cozy up to. The smell of wood and bread fills the air, and a DJ tucked in the corner plays some soft synth beats. Melancholic and dark.
The song hits me. “VEIL!”
Kon leans closer as walk through the room. “Is that a club?”
Shaking my head, I wave him off.
It’s a lucky coincidence that Atlas knows her. I don’t expect other people to. And tonight, that doesn’t matter.
We’re escorted to a cozy table next to a foggy window and a small fireplace.
Kon takes his phone out of his pocket, placing it on the table before unzipping his leather jacket, and…
fuck. How he looks this divine in something so simple is beyond me.
His black shirt fits him perfectly, with matching slacks and a golden belt buckle.
Once seated, a server immediately brings over a bottle of wine and pours a bit into Kon’s glass.
He sips it, his mouth moving from side to side before he asks, “Trust me?”
“Should I?”
He smirks before nodding to the server. Once the server pours our wine, he tells us our food will be out shortly.
I arch a brow. “But I didn’t order anything.”
“I know what you like."
Of course he does.
“Tell me, Kon,” I lean in, giving him a glimpse of the girls. “What do I like?”
“Ease." His phone lights up on the table. Without looking, he flips it over. “That’s why I’m making the decisions tonight.”
“Do you always make decisions for women?”
“Only ones I know you’ll enjoy.”
Picking up my glass of wine, I take a sip, and I’m floored. Light and layered, but spicy and decadent. I’m used to the cheap stuff from the convenience store, but this tastes as luxurious as the place we’re in.
I lean back in my seat, wine glass still by my lips. “You’ve done your research, Konstantin.”
“Always.”
His phone vibrates against the table. He lifts a finger, reaching for it. Glancing between me and the screen, he taps something before placing it down again.
“Sorry, where were we?” His eyes return to mine.
“Your first course.” The server appears to my right, pulling me from Kon’s allure. “Smoked salmon truffle canapés.”
Looking across the table, Kon raises a brow, like he’s waiting for my response.
My mouth twists, eyeing the delicately plated starter. “Truffles are a little overrated."
“Just try it,” Kon urges. He waits as I reach for one and bite into the delicate appetizer.
My eyes widen.
It’s an explosion of flavour, the salmon and creamy layer of cheese blending with the intensity of the smoked truffle. It's still a little too elegant for my buds, but I get it.
I bring my napkin to my mouth, nodding. “Like I said, you do your research.”
Kon chuckles, reaching for a canapé of his own. “I’d pay a lot of money to see that look on your face every day.”
“Is that what you want? To see me every day?”
His phone vibrates, and he reaches for it again.
“Someone else have your attention?” My eyes narrow, that familiar feeling stirring my insides.
Kon places the phone back on the table, leaning in, that charming smile creeping across his face. “Absolutely no one.”
The next three courses pass by quickly. Kon tells me about summers in Monaco, how he almost flunked university because he partied too much, and the expectations from his family. Outside of vacations and business trips, Eastmount is all he knows.
I don’t say much as he speaks. I don’t know if I have to. Does he already know everything? Or is he still piecing me together like I am him?
I’m unsure whether I should delve further into my father or the workings of Eastmount. After last night, is it wrong to want a moment with my hot prof?
“So, is this what you do?" I ask, the bottle of wine almost empty between us. Between dinner, wine and a couple of shots, I'm feeling loose. "Do you take out all your pretty underlings?”
“Only the prettiest.”
“You have it all, Kon.” It’s hard not to smile as I push my leg forward, the tip of my high-tops meeting his shin. I lift my foot higher and higher until it rests between his legs. “So, why are you still single?”
He chokes on his sip of wine, his cheeks reddening. “It’s complicated.”
He reaches for his phone, vibrating against the table again. Then he glances at his watch.
I open my mouth to speak before my phone vibrates in my tote on my lap. Since Kon’s looking at his, I take the chance to peek at my screen.
My heartbeat quickens.
Unknown: Ladies’ bathroom. Now.
Glasses and cutlery rattle when I push from the table, a rush spiralling through me.
Kon raises his brows. “Everything alright?”
“Yeah, uh, bathroom?"
“Of course.” He leans back in his seat.
I smirk, moving away from the table with a bite of my lip. I float to the bathroom, glancing back at Kon.