Everyone rose from their seats, picked up their things, and loud noises echoed through the auditorium, along with laughter. My bag felt heavy on my shoulder from all the books I borrowed from the library, but my car wasn't far away, so all was good. I made for the door, completely forgetting about my conversation with the guy, when someone poked me in the back, and I glanced over my shoulder.
"I'm Aaron." With a goofy smile on his face, he said, "Wanna hang out in the cafeteria? I gathered that since you are new, you could use new friends."
Getting out of the class while a hundred other students tried to do the same was an impossible task, so with an exasperated sigh, I stood by the wall, waiting for everybody to leave so I could do the same in peace. "Sounds good, but I can't today."
He waved a 'no worries' gesture and nodded. "Sure, but here is my number in case you need it."
Honestly, had I not been so tired from the five classes and a sleepless night thinking about my future, I would have found his behavior suspicious, but I simply didn't care at the moment. Shrugging, I took the piece of paper he extended and sent a smile his way. "Thanks." Noticing the coast was clear, I added, "See you later." Dragging my feet through various floors, I finally exited the building and breathed in the fresh air, enjoying the breezy weather of New York in July.
Columbia University had one of the most beautiful campuses in the world in my opinion. It had big buildings that reminded me of museums with their gothic architecture and muted colors. The big grassy field almost created this castle-like feeling, and I loved getting lost there only to discover new places to visit.
However, with all the deadlines I had for my classes, tonight, I preferred to go home and spend some time researching different apartments to rent. Living with my dad was never part of my plan.
My phone vibrated inside my pocket. Taking it out, I slowly walked to the gate.
<Frankie> French fries and wine in our favorite place?
A few weeks ago, she took me to this bar on the edge of the city located in Brooklyn. Our entire way there on the subway, I was sweating bullets, expecting danger to lurk in every corner, but Frankie just laughed. I seriously preferred to use my feet than the metro with questionable people. Closed spaces were on my shit list after my captivity.
The bar was a small family establishment designed in a wooden cabin style with various mounted-animal trophies, wooden tables and chairs, and a jukebox, which played old rock-and-roll songs when you put a quarter in it.
<Me> Not today. I'm dead.
<Frankie> Bitch. *judging you*
<Me> Love you, too. *eye roll*
<Frankie> Whatever. Guess who had sex last night? Ha! Me.
<Me> Who was the unlucky prey now?
<Frankie> Unlucky prey? I'm offended. I'll have you know I'm very good at it. *winks*
<Me> TMI.
<Frankie> He sucked though.
<Me> Maybe just stick to one.
<Frankie> Nope. Never. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
Shaking my head at her reluctance to ever fall in love again, I didn't watch where I was going and bumped into a hard chest. I would have fallen down, had the strong arms not grabbed me and hugged me tight.
My eyes travelled up from my phone, to a muscled chest in a navy-blue shirt, to Dominic's face, which was covered in blue Ray Ban shades as he grinned at me. "Krasavica."
Blinking a few times in surprise, I blurted, "What does that mean?" Oh, my God, he showed up out of the blue when I looked like shit in my sweatpants, T-shirt, and a messy bun, and the only thing I cared to ask was the meaning of the word? Glancing behind his back, I noticed Dad's car with Lorenzo holding the door for me, while another black car waited for Dominic, with Vitya in charge. He waved at me, and stupidly, I waved back.
"Beautiful."
Huh? "Excuse me?"
"The translation of the word. It means beautiful."
My cheeks heated as a blush spread over me. Despite the confusion, I felt my stomach flutter at the idea of him complimenting me like that. He was as freaking handsome as ever, with his hair loose over his shoulders. I barely restrained myself from tugging on it and bringing his mouth closer to mine to-
Earth to Rosa!
He grinned, and I quickly added, "I don't need problems with my dad. Just leave." A group of girls passed by us, giggling loudly as they scanned Dominic's body, one of them winking cockily at him. Since his blank face gave no reaction to them, they went on their merry way with disappointed expressions. "Don't hold back on my account," I advised spitefully, and he raised his brow, right before satisfaction shone in his eyes.
Okay, my being exhausted equaled stupid things. Any second now, he would think-
"Jealous?"
Yeah, exactly that. "No, I don't care." Before he could say anything else, I repeated annoyingly, "Dom, just go. A fight with my dad is not on my agenda for tonight."
Instead of doing what I asked, he extended his hand at me with a pink box wrapped in a red ribbon. "It's for you." He removed the heavy bag from my shoulder. "I handled stuff with your dad."
Staring at him stupidly, I asked, "Handled what exactly?"
"He allowed me to woo you."
"Woo me?" Again, an amused smile, and why wouldn't he be amused, considering I acted like a damn parrot!
"Date you, in other words."
"I know what woo means. It's just not in the hands of my dad to decide it," I snapped. "So-"
He wrapped his arm around my waist, squishing me to his chest as he held my eyes with his intense stare. "One date, Rosa. Give me that, and if you are not interested, I'll stop wooing you."
As much as my body sang "Hallelujah" when he was close, like how my freaking nipples puckered against my bra, I wasn't so sure about this whole dating thing.
But what the hell.
"Okay, fine," I gave in, because who wouldn't?
"Tomorrow night, I'll pick you up at seven." Placing one hand on my hip, as the other one was still occupied with gift I had yet to unwrap, I said, "What if I have classes?"
"You don't."
I didn't, but how did he know? "And you are so sure, because … ?"
"I checked your schedule online."
"You did what?" I shouted, but he just shrugged.
"Seemed easier, the date required planning." Then unexpectedly, he caressed my cheek with his bruised knuckles, and murmured, "Until then, krasavica." With that, he gave a chin lift to Lorenzo, put the bag inside my car, and left me standing there like a freaking idiot.
What the hell was going on here? This guy barely reminded me of the possessive beast from our every other encounter.
"Just what is your game, Dominic?" I whispered, but even with my doubts, I couldn't deny the happiness blossoming inside me from the fact he hadn't given up.
Once he was out of view, I tore the ribbon away, opened the lid of the box, and my eyes widened at the beautiful emerald earrings reminding me of teardrops. Similar to the ones Angelina Jolie wore for the Oscar ceremony in 2009.
Dominic Konstantinov sure knew how to give one hell of a gift.
Dominic
As the car slowly drove in the New York traffic, I had time to admire the city's beauty. Tall buildings, constantly busy streets, people wearing all kinds of clothes, and in all this, accepting whatever the fuck they wanted. Strangely enough, New York represented freedom and energy, making you always move forward, and it could swallow you whole if you didn't get with the program.
"Amazing. She'll love the present." Michael assured me from the front seat, while Vitya drove the vehicle. He turned to me, steaming coffee in his right hand as his left held tight to his man. "See? You can act like a normal man around her." Vitya chuckled.
Michael frowned and raised his eyes to me. "What's so funny about it?"
Ignoring the question, I closed my eyes and rested the side of my head on the window as lights flickered on the streets.
Dating Rosa was for her.
However, the minute dating wouldn't be sufficient, or she decided to end it? She'd be fucking kidnapped to Russia and married to me.
Brutal? Yes.
But she was mine.
Mine and nobody else's.
Man with the dragon tattoo
Smashing the bottle of whiskey against the wall, I breathed heavily, my eyes searching for other things to destroy. With a shout of displeasure, I threw all the toiletries on the nightstand on the floor. A female cry penetrated the haze of anger surrounding me.
Bianca, beaten up and bruised, tried to become invisible in the darkest corner of the room. Her blonde hair was sticky from the blood pouring from her wound, which she got from me slamming my belt buckle against her head. She trembled, because the air conditioner was running on high.
Hot. I always felt fucking hot, to the point of my clothes sticking to my sweaty skin even in winter. "Shut up!"
She jumped, pressing her fist over her mouth like it fucking helped with the sounds. "Please," she begged, as she shook with sobs. "Stop hurting me." Reaching her side in a few short steps, I grabbed her hair painfully. One more groan of pain erupted from her.
"Next time, you think before instructing me on how to behave." Slapping her cheek hard, I added, "I saw how you looked at him."