Bound

Chapter 14 - Questions

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Skylar

I offered Dmitri some coffee last night, but he declined, leaving abruptly. Perhaps sensing I had questions I wanted to ask him. It didn't make sense that a bear was in the woods, not this time of year. The last sighting of a bear in these parts was over three years ago. So, while not unfathomable, it was highly unusual. I checked before I moved to the property, obviously not wanting to move to a place infested with creatures that could crush my skull with their mouth. Since when were there hunters in this part of the world? No hunting has been permitted here since they passed the law eight years ago.

And what had he been doing for a whole hour before he found me sleeping in the sunroom? I checked the clock on the wall when entering my place last night, a habit I had formed since putting it up in the living room. After he woke me up, I checked it again. I had waited so long that I had fallen asleep.

The story didn't make sense, and I just wanted to straighten it out for peace of mind.

Waking up the next morning, I could tell the day ahead would be long. I slept poorly, waking up numerous times during the night. Thankfully I didn't have the recurring dream, but it wouldn't have had a chance given how little I had slept.

There are dark shadows under my eyes, and my skin looks and feels dull and lifeless. Joy.

"Let's scare the customer half to death today," I say aloud as I approach the front door. With my bike still outside my shop, I had to leave a bit earlier to make it to work on time. At the time, I hadn't thought about the walk I would have to make this morning when agreeing to Dmitri's offer to escort me home last night.

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. As I open my front door, I'm met with a very fresh, gorgeous-looking Dmitri. He is dressed in jeans and a dark blue collared shirt. His white hair is loose but pushed back off his face, sporting two-day-old stubble, just like I like it. 

"What are you doing here?" I'm slightly taken aback. Déjà vu, like yesterday when he fetched me from my shop. This guy makes me forget all my manners. What happened to a 'Hi, how are you?'.

"Good morning to you, too," he says sarcastically.

The sarcasm surprises me. I thought his range was restricted to silent or stern.

"I remembered you left your bike at the shop," green eyes scan my features, "so I thought I'd keep you company on your walk to work."

"Thank you, but you didn't have to." Turning around, I lock the front door.

A small smile creeps onto my face as butterflies bash the inside of my stomach. Ok, calm down bitch. You got this. Just be cool. Before facing him, I wipe the grin off my face. Thankfully, I had opted for a dress today. The morning was already hot. Coupled with the fire this man was igniting in me, I was a furnace. The last thing I needed was to be a sweaty mess next to him.

He hands me a coffee. A Fred's diner coffee, just the way I like it. Can this man get any better? I practically beam up at him.

"Thank you." A huge smile can't help but make its way onto my face.

"How did you know what I like?" I remove the takeaway lid, hoping to cool the scalding liquid down quicker. I need this.

"Rene is a wealth of information when it comes to you," he says casually, falling in step with me as we walk down my driveway. I'm surprised and a little giddy that he went to the effort to find out what I like.

"Thank you again for walking me and for the coffee, but you really didn't have to." I take a sip of the deliciousness in my hand. Mmmmm. I almost moan out loud. I was surprised to see no vehicle in my driveway, but perhaps he liked to walk as much as I did. Also, this way, we got more time together.

"I wanted to, Skylar."

His gaze fixed on me is super intense. I tell myself I mustn't read too much into his words. I'm sure he has a string of much prettier women lined up to warm his bed. I'm not unattractive, but he seems like he is in a whole other league, almost another universe really. I remind myself that even if he was interested, which he isn't obviously, I couldn't be a bed warmer or pleasure him the way he certainly looked like he needed. Long story that I didn't want to think about. That thought sours my mood, and I must consciously tell myself to remove the frown from my face. Apparently not quick enough, though.

"Are you ok?" he asks, concern in his tone.

"Fine. I just didn't sleep much last night." The half-truth leaves my lips as the coffee enters them.

"About last night, what exactly happened? It doesn't make sense for a bear to be in this area this time of year, and hunting is illegal in these parts. The locals would never do something like that." I'm looking up at him as we walk, checking for some reaction. Would he lie to me? And if he would, why?

I don't really know why it is so important I get answers to these questions. When I woke up this morning, I wondered why the whole situation bothered me. Everything he said seemed plausible, but at the same time, my intuition was telling me something wasn't right. That something was missing. Perhaps it was because the thought of him hiding something from me bothered me. I wanted him to trust me, to confide in me. Dmitri didn't seem like the kind of guy who was close to anyone. Why did I crave for that to be different with me?

"Look, Skylar, there are some things I need to tell you, but we need more time than just this walk for what I have to say." There is a little frustration coating his tone.

"How about I come over to your place after work? I'll even bring dinner."

Some thoughts cross my mind. What does he have to tell me that could possibly need a whole evening? Am I ok being alone with this man? Bit late after he has already walked me to and from my house alone, I counter. And he knows where I live and that I live alone.

He is friends with Ivan, who I have seen around, so that should make it alright, yes? Why is this guy with me right now? I look up at him when that last question pops into my mind. I want to hear what he has to say. There must be a reason why such a hot guy is hanging around the likes of me.

"Sure, I usually get home at around half-five," I say as we round the corner where the diner is.

"You're vegan?" His brows lift as he asks, and I wonder if there is a wrong answer to his question.

"Vegetarian, actually, but I do enjoy vegan food. I just couldn't give up cheese. My nemesis." I try lightening the mood with a smile which seems to work.

"Perfect, I'll get pizza then. I know a place that does a killer vegetarian with a thick crust. I'll see you later, Skylar."

He walks off as we reach the shop. I say a "goodbye" to his back. And what a back it is. Rooted to the spot, I stand there staring at the rear of his form and continue staring long after he is gone from view. I am brought back to reality by a knocking sound on the window, Rene gesturing for me to come inside.

The blush creeps up and settles on my cheeks as the feeling of being caught red-handed by Rene ignites my embarrassment. She probably saw me drooling over Dmitri while he walked away.

"So, you and Dmitri, hey." She has a huge expectant smile on her face. "Tell me all about it!"

Unfortunately, there wasn't much to tell. Part of me wished I could tell Rene we kissed, and it was love at first sight, just like her and Ivan. But no. I wasn't deluded enough to imagine that Mr. sex god over there was interested in me. Hopefully, I will get some answers tonight. Rounding the counter, I look at the clock, already wishing it was five o'clock, as an unbelievable longing settles in my body to be near Dmitri again.

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