A sword? Really?
Because I didn't think my life could become any weirder, some benevolent being has made it their sole interest to prove me wrong.
I can't comprehend anything that is happening, my mind races in time with my rapid heartbeats and I idly wonder why I didn't feel his sword before.
"What the FUCK are you doing here?" Adrian hisses at Dimitri. I guess when he told me they didn't really see eye to eye he was putting it mildly.
"I teach here Adrian. You can't be so self obsessed as to have forgotten that already. Can you?" Dimitri retorts. I swear there is enough venom in his voice to cause goose bumps to erupt all over my body. I try to convince myself this is the reason that my body is so aware of him and not because of my treacherous body's response to his arrival.
"Seriously Adrian put the fucking sword down if you're not going to hold it correctly." Adrian looks suddenly hurt but recovers himself quickly. "I thought you were a dhampir. Sorry." Adrian responds half heartedly.
"I'm sure. Anyway, Ms. Hathaway has a great deal of learning tomorrow so it would be best if she went to bed." Dimitri spoke with a subliminal superiority that spoke to his obnoxious nature. Expecting us to do as he decrees he raised a perfect brow in question to our still bodies. "I said move . Now."
"Dimitri, give me a break, it's my night off and I was just about to get a proper good bye before you so rudely interrupted." THERE! Take that you overgrown hunk of a man, I shout internally. I think I see jealousy flash through his eyes. "You confuse my intentions . I could care less what a proper goodbye you were about to receive. What I care about is my reputation and you will not degrade it because of the fact I can't train you properly due to your insignificant adolescent pleasures." He sneers at me.
His voice cut deep and I'm irreparably hurt by his words regardless of the stoic outward experience that I portray. "Back off Belikov. She'll get her rest." Adrian suddenly looks over to me. "I think it is best if you go to sleep we need to train tomorrow too. Well, that is if you have accepted my offer." His half smile and hopeful eyes do me in.
"Yes" I answer breathlessly and open my dorm door without another look to Dimitri but before I can close my door my eyes meet his and the shock there surprises me. That I have made Dimitri Belikov feel any other emotion other than anger and disappointment is astonishing but under his surprise I see the hurt I have caused by agreeing to have Adrian train me as well.
Tomorrow. I will deal with all of this tomorrow. Tonight I just need to sleep, I need time to asses all of the information I have learned. Most of all I need time for my battered heart to heal at Dmitri's hurtful words.
I step into the bathroom for a quick shower to lull my senses. The water is warm to the touch and my body can finally relax
As I wash my hair dark eyes haunt me. Soon after, I am showered and fresh, fully ready for a restful sleep.
That night my dreams were filled with dark eyes and a sword.
The next morning when I wake up I had solved nothing. I didn't even manage a restful sleep. Stumbling towards my bathroom I curse under my breath to the gods of finely assembled Russian men who don't let new students be late for training. Sigh, I guess I need that shower more than I thought.
After an hour of a warm shower to cool my temper I am ready to face the music and start my training with Dimitri. On my way to our spot in the gym I send a quick text to Adrian about our later training.
Can't wait for training tonight.
See you at 7 :)
R
"Do I bore you ?" I sigh inwardly because it is the same heart stopping yet condescending voice that haunts my dreams. And this time the voice is dangerously close to my now still form.
"No" I reply. His question boils my blood to the very surface of my epidermis. Oh god. What this man does to me is so unequivocal that his mere voice makes me use anatomical terminology.
I just want to get this training session over with but of course he won't even let that be easy. But really, who can blame him. One look at his sculpted chest in a tight black tee and I no longer care about training being over... Unless, if it was over and it was time for the showers.
And we ended up in the same stall.
And he'd look at me longingly.
And he'd bring down his mouth to meet mine.
And my hands would reach to touch his... "Hathaway! Are you deaf? I asked you a question." he blazes at me.
My face instantly reddens and it has NOTHING to do with his tone of voice.
"I... I... I'm sorry? I didn't really catch what you said last." my voice hangs on a question. I try but fail to slow my beating heart but it refuses to quiet while in the presence of this Russian God (blasphemy intended).
"I asked if you're meeting Adrian tonight for training" He spoke matter-of-factly but beneath his tone I could feel his hindrance. He wanted me to say no. I don't know how I knew this but it was a fact deep to my bones.
My treacherous body wanted to respond to him in order to void him of any pain, but my body hasn't been hurt by his words. My heart has and that vital organ wasn't going to give up the slightest hint of emotion radiating from this powerful man.
"Yes. I just texted him. We are meeting tonight."
"You don't know what you're doing"
"Oh? Well. Enlighten me, Professor."
"Don't fuck with me . I'm your mentor and it would do you well to remember that."
"Yes" I respond shakily because he still has that effect on me.
"Yes what?" He glares.
Oh! You have got to be kidding me. I may be beneath this egomaniacs direction as a Timur guardian but I am NOT about to succumb to his every wish.
I stay silent and finally he speaks.
"Answer me or this training is over" He starts towards me and with each step I enclose my back closer and closer to the punching bag a few feet behind me.
"I'm tired of this and the little stunt with Adrian yesterday won't happen again. Will it Ms. Hathaway?" He snarls and my heart skips a much needed beat but my veins fill with this all consuming passion and it pulses in time with my speeding heart.
Slowly I open my mouth to answer but he beats me to it.
"Mine. You're mine. Not HIS. Never HIS." He hisses at me and his fist flies out towards the punching bag and it sways behind me, beating my back with each wing.
Dimitri instantly backs off as if wounded. He closes his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose as he exhales.
"I'm sorry. I meant that you're mine to train." His words cut deep to my soul because in the few moments I thought he wanted me, I was… well, happy.
My family troubles didn't matter anymore. Being in a new school didn't matter. Finding out new and weird thing about myself didn't matter anymore.
He mattered.
His voice.
His presence.
His touch.
But he doesn't want me. Not like that, I sadly remind myself.
As I entertain my eyes with the sight of my shoes, I speak softly… lacking conviction.
"I know Belikov." He steps toward me, possibly wanting to comfort me but I refuse his pity with a spread palm over his chest.
At the mere touch of his warm skin under his tee my breath quickens and I slowly retract my hand. My heart can no longer take the pressure of being cornered by his domineering presence. I step back in order to provide each of us with the personal space we had previously lost. But being so far away from his body heat only make me feel hurt and alone.
"Shall we start?" I try and fail to shake the quibble in my voice.
"You still haven't said you won't train with Adrian." He speaks softly this time.
"I won't say that because I will train with him. You show me the mind aspect of being a Timur guardian and he'll show me the combat side. That's all there is Dimitri."
"Rose. I can teach you the combat side too. Just give me a chance." His voice is liquid honey and my legs tighten in response to my name on his tongue.
"I... I... don't know."
"Please." He whispers. His lips near my ear. In that moment I have no recollection of him getting closer to me but at close inspection I feel his hot breath against my neck. His thumbs tracing the curves of my wrist and my body becomes alive under his touch.
"I…."
"Roza"… Oooh.
Be still my beating heart.
Breathless I respond. "Yes."
He grins down at me. A slow playful grin that reminds me that he is just a few short years older than me. His smile can brighten up a room and I vow to try to make that smile a regular occurrence on his lips.
He snakes his arm around to pull me into a hug but the feel quickly changes. Before I know it I am on the mat and he is towering over me with a smug look on his face.
Hmm.
I guess combat training has begun.