Page 100 of Wicked Knight

He kisses the bridge of my nose and moves away to pick up my clothes from the pile on the ground. He hands them to me, and we put our clothes back on.

“Next time,” he promises with a sad smile.

“Next time.” I nod.

He lifts my hands to his lips and kisses over my knuckles. Then he backs away, opens the door, and walks out the door.

I know the drill. We’re back to how we were a month ago, so once he leaves, I’m supposed to wait a few minutes then leave, too.

I rest my head back against the wall, my skin still on fire.

There’s no way I can go back upstairs. I won’t be able to concentrate.

Besides, Professor Lanksky has a ten-minute late rule. Since I was already in the class and left, and I’ve probably been gone for at least fifteen minutes, it’s best I head back to my apartment.

I wait a few moments then walk outside. I’m walking down the path when I suddenly feel eyes on me. Because I’m already so paranoid, I look around.

That’s when I see Ryan.

Ryan Konstantin is standing on the second-floor balcony of the building opposite, watching me.

Damn it.He would've seen Dimitri leaving.

But would he have known we were together?

He couldn’t know that part, right?

Ryan doesn’t know about Dmitri and me. Right?

How would he have known?

Maybe he’s watching the building. Because he knew I’d be here. I’ve never even seen him this side of campus before because he’s studying medicine.

The asshole stays there long enough to creep the hell out of me, then he walks away leaving me feeling like I’ve been drained of my lifeforce.

God. What fresh hell is this?

Chapter Twenty-One

Dmitri

The soft night breeze lifts my hair as I lean forward and rest my elbows on my knees.

I'm out on the terrace of my father's cottage with him, Yuliana, Uncle Eric, and his wife Vanessa.

My father is sitting in the wicker chair by the fire pit. I'm across from him, sitting on the wall. He's been casting daggers at me all night.

I've been mostly ignoring him. My aunt and uncle have been carrying the evening and this get together as if this is their home and we're the guests.

Eric is talking about his latest climb to Mount Everest.

I call him the Fun Uncle.

He's my father's older brother. He manages the business in Russia but he takes a couple of months off during the year to go on these extreme adventures. Sometimes he takes Vanessa with him so she’s been joining in the adventure talk too.

As they don't have kids they've taken every opportunity to spoil me. When Tommy was alive, they spoiled him too.

“The best thing about Everest is the view when you get to the top.” Eric beams. “It's like nothing else. It makes the whole journey up there worth it and it's like staring into heaven.”

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