All Your Fault

Chapter Ten

When I returned to the empty house that I dreaded walking into, a powder blue box with a gold ribbon was laying on the front mat. It was no longer crushed, it was a perfect square. Balancing the grocery bags in one hand, I picked it up gently, spinning looking for who could have put it there, but I knew they were long gone. I slowly undid the ribbon and open the top of the box; I held back a gasp, my eyes widening. In the middle of the box sat a luscious Chocolate Strawberry Delight cupcake, identical to the one that was destroyed. My mouth watered, but that fought with the quick realization at who had done this. Dorian.

"It's just a cupcake," his Russian voice repeated in my head.

"Just a cupcake indeed." I mumbled softly, unlocking the front door.

The guy, no… man, perplexed me. He held an arrogant, care for only himself, damn what everybody else thinks persona that made me furious to the point of kicking him between the legs. His tattoos, coiled muscles, and dark eyes displayed a quiet danger that rolled off him in waves. Then he goes and does something like this, this silent apology. He seemed to be my intense shadow but disappeared for days at a time. I didn't get him; I had a feeling I never would.

What did I really know about Dorian Petrov? I knew he was my ex mother's boss, he had quite near a billion tattoos, and preferred a toothpick to cigarettes. He was an award-winning physicist, a billionaire, and owned a black 2010 Chevy Camaro that he treated with care.

I set my bags and the boxed cupcake on the counter, walking towards my room; I kicked off my shoes as I went. There was no one to tell me to pick them up anymore, I glanced at the shut white door of my mother's vacated room, and walked into mine.

Flipping open my laptop, I chewed on my fingernails as I waited for my internet to boot up, twirling my hairs as the background of a cherry blossom tree popped up. Opening a new screen, I went to Google, I blew out a breath. I tapped my fingers on the keys, unsure if I should search his name or just remain oblivious. I groaned and typed his name, Dorian Petrov. I bit my lip and clicked the search button, 20,638 hits on his name. I set my laptop aside and threw myself back into the chair and stretched my legs out in front of me, my eyes glanced back at the screen.

The bubbles popping up as the screen saver started, "Fine." I grumbled and clicked on the first link. A big photograph popped up, Dorian stood in a white lab coat, arms crossed, only a hint of tattoos snaking out of the collar. A pair of wire rim glasses were perched on his nose, his hair tied back. His face was blank; his dark eyes were prideful and arrogant. I stared hard at the picture, knowing I would never be able to do it in real life. Shutting off the computer I decided not to look any further, I didn't want to feel insignificant next to his many accomplishments.

The kitchen was dark and slightly eerie when I returned, night had fallen and with it, it brought the feeling of loneliness and a tinge of metallic fear. I quickly switched on the lights, bathing the kitchen in a luminescent glow and set about unpacking all the groceries. I put the vanilla ice cream in the freezer and laid all the other ingredients out, scanning over them, I cursed. I forgot flour, how could I forget flour. I sighed; I'm such a careless idiot sometimes. Grabbing my shoes from the hall and black jacket, I locked the front door behind me. The streets were vacant, the bus didn't run today, and cabs were out of the question—I looked like I was going to walk. I slipped my hood once again over my dark hair and trudged towards the store only a few blocks away. It was no Wal-Mart, but I was betting they had flour.

A twig snapped, an owl hooted, and a wolf howled—we didn't have wolves out here. That thought made my heart race, my mouth dried, and I picked up the pace. This was a stupid idea, what was I thinking going to get flour in the middle of the night.

Malicious chuckles sounded from behind me, my shoulders hunched as I glanced back. Three lanky college aged guys were following me, a six-pack of Busch Light in each of their hands. I winced and tried to walk faster.

"Hey pretty girl. Want to have some fun? I promise we'll show you a good time." One smirked, his white hair pale in the dark of the night.

I clenched my jaw to keep from screaming, screaming would get me nowhere. "Yeah, you're really pretty, and I think you'll like us." I shuddered as I tried to remember the self-defense lessons I was taught. My mind was drawing a blank and I started to panic.

A hand wrapped around my wrist, I tried to futilely yank it away, but was unable to. How had I gotten away from Dorian all these times, I blanched, he must have let me. I was going to die here tonight or worse, get raped.

I pulled my right fist back and slammed it into the guys' face, his eyes widened and he cursed. "You stupid little bitch, you're going to pay for that." He raised a hand, I paled as I watched it come closer, this was going to hurt.

A tanned arm snaked out of the darkness and grabbed the wrist of that guy, my head swiveled towards my savior. He flashed his infectious smile at me; his beanie was gone, his fiery red hair left to fall over his jade eyes. "Hello there darlin." He purred then turned back to the guy about to hit me.

"Now just what were you going to do to this girl here? Deplorable things are my guess. My brother is police chief so I guess you should run along before I call him and get you for underage drinking." He stared them down, I couldn't see his face.

They all blanched, dropped their six packs and took off. I breathed a sigh of relief, my muscles quaking in exhaustion. Carter turned back to me, his lips thinned, eyes tired. "When I said I'd hope to see you again, I didn't mean by saving you from some scumbags. What do you think you are doing out here this time of night?" he all but yelled.

I flinched and shrugged, "I needed flour."

His mouth dropped open, "y-you needed flour?" he scoffed outraged, "what for at," he glanced down at his watch, "eleven at night."

I swallowed, glancing around at the eerie streets, "I'm baking a cake."

He closed his eyes and sighed deeply, rubbing the bridge of his nose, "you Kasey are going to be one interesting person to get to know. Come on I'll take you to get flour on one condition."

I stepped back wary, I didn't really know anything about this guy, "yeah?" I questioned.

He hooked his fingers in his belt loops, "I get to watch you make the cake and I get to eat a piece." He grinned.

I stuck out my hand, "deal."