Page 25 of Vicious Knight

“Jesus, Bambi, you really need to be careful. I’d bet someone could kill you and you wouldn’t even know you were dead until you were dead.”

If that’s not a fucked up thing to say, then I don’t know what is. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

I know my tone is way harsh, but I don’t care who he is. He frightened the living daylights out of me. Again.

I’m still trying to catch my breath and assure my heart I’m not under attack while he just watches me with that unhinged calm. And of course, even at this ungodly hour he looks as shockingly handsome as ever, with that dark, dangerous edge that both warns and, regrettably, entices me.

“It’s funny how we keep meeting like this.” He sits back and sharpens his stare. “In these strange places.”

I grab some tissues from the holder on the table and clean up the spilled coffee. “This is the library. It’s not a strange place. Also, last time I was lost.”

“But that wasn’t the last time we saw each other. Was it now, little deer?” His lips curl into a slow predatory smile.

At first I’m stumped about what he’s talking about, then I remember. I saw him yesterday when I was with Isabelle.

“That was hardly a meeting. And must you scare me every single time you see me?” Once again I didn’t hear him come up.

“You need to be more aware of your surroundings.”

“I am, but you snuck up on me.”

“What are you doing up at this hour?” He taps the table and lifts a skeptical brow.

“Studying.”

“There’s no way you have shit to study yet. And not at this hour.”

“Maybe I want to get ahead of myself. What are you doing up?”

“Taking a walk.”

He seemed to be out for a walk the other night too. “Here?”

He pulls out a slim cigarette from his pocket and allows it to dangle between his fingers. “You don’t think I use the library?”

I choose not to answer because, no, I don’t think the library is his scene.

“No comment, huh?” He chuckles and lights up, completely ignoring the no smoking sign across from us.

“Is there something you want?”

“Of course. There are many things I want.”

“I mean specifically from me.”

“Like I said. There are many things.” The way his gaze moves over my face, slow and unhurried, makes my temperature rise, but I try to keep my head screwed on.

His cryptic words are the least of my worries. The problem is that he’s talking to me again. Why?

I’m not the kind of girl who attracts guys like him. And it’s nothing to do with looks. I’m just different, and in this instance he’s off limits to me.

“It might not be such a good idea to want anything from me.”

My answer seems to amuse him. “What if I like you? Are you telling me I can’t?”

My eyes widen and my breath stills. I don’t know if that was a joke or a trick. Something to rattle my brain or jar me like the urban legend.

I wait for him to say something more like he’s joking, but he looks serious. I don’t know him, but I think I know enough from our brief encounters to figure out that he’s not a guy who wastes words. No matter, I already know the answer to give him.

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