He's Going to Kill Me/ Dissection

VIII. There's a Stranger in My Life

I left the house not long after Anton did, knowing I had to face the man he'd originally came to me to talk about.

I'd entered the smoky, petrol-stinking garage no more than twenty minutes since locking my front door. I hadn't been around here in a long time, and it showed -- as I was not immediately greeted upon my unexpected arrival. I used to always drop by, to give him food, or say I knew he was struggling in calculus and I'd help him out. I used to do everything for him.

I rounded a few corners, about to give up when I noticed a clump of dark chestnut hair. It was messed, as if hands had run through it far too much. Clothes were stained with grease and oil, dark patches on his skin, too, especially his cheek.

Expelling a breath, I stalked towards him.

He heard me coming though, wiped his oil-ridden gloves on his nose and turned to face me. In a few seconds, his expression went from ultimate concentration to pleasure.

"Hi Dimitri."

"Well, well, I guess lover boy was convincing." His tone was joking, but it held an edge. Great.

I rolled my eyes, I didn't have time for pettiness. I came here to talk, like adults.

He gestured for me to follow him into the office. It was small and cramped, green sickly walls and it generated a horrible musky stink. Too many men in one place, I mused, it wasn't good for anyone.

He bit his lip, examining me head to toe. Obviously I wasn't the only one who appreciated that I looked good today.

I don't know what made him think he had the right though, he lost all of that the moment he decided to end our relationship. We'd been together for nearly two years, I'd never gotten over how he'd been so heartless.

"What do you want?" I crossed my arms, back against the door, ready to leave whenever I got the chance.

"Iain Lovelorn is bad news, Ash. There's a reason why we're not fond of him."

"Yeah, I know. There's not liking someone, but then there's hatred. A person can only take so much! Do you have no shame in how you have treated him?"

He avoided my question. "You know he's bad news?"

Now it was my turn to ignore him. Instead, I swallowed down the massive lump that had formed in my throat and took my gaze away from his. There had always been something about his eyes that made me want to confess all my daily sins to him, regardless of how abhorrent he could be.

A footstep drew nearer. Looking up, I saw that he'd made the decision to get closer to me.

"What did he do?"

I rolled my eyes again. "Nothing! I'm just--"

"Lying to me. Yeah, I can tell." Dimitri's brows furrowed, his hand daring to reach out and touch me.

I hope he didn't. I didn't know if I'd be able to hate him still if he did. That was the thing about him: he made you forget things. History, anger... anything. Maybe that was why we worked before. I'd forgotten about everything else and been consumed by him completely.

But now, I was rational. I'd been on my own for long enough to understand myself. I knew when to back off.

"Please Dimitri, just tell me why you wanted to see me." I kept my voice calm and collected, so he'd know I really couldn't be bothered.

His dark eyes softened.

"I'm worried Iain's infatuated with you." When I narrowed my eyes, his frown deepened. "Look Ashlynn, I've never lied to you so I'm not going to start. He's not a good guy, his mood swings are unpredictable and I've seen the way he looks at you."

His words reminded me of Anton's on the day he and Iain met.

He looks at you like he's in love.

Everyone has seen a side to Iain that was unhealthy. Finally, even I'd seen past his facade.

"Iain's a brute and he needs to be put down."

I went to say something then stopped, as I'd come to notice Dimitri was closer to me than he'd been for months. His breath was ragged, and I could smell the faintest hint of cologne. It was familiar...

I had to suppress a gasp. I knew that smell.

"You're wearing the aftershave I got you for our six month anniversary." It was barely above a whisper, I did not dare meet his eyes again. I knew, if I did, we'd be right back at square one.

"I told you I loved it."

My back pressed to the door, and with him so close, anyone from outside this vicinity might assume the worst. I didn't know what I wanted them to think either.

Unconsciously, or wholly consciously, his hand grazed all the way up my arm, to where he finally reached my collar bone. His fingers were calloused but nimble.

Through them, I could feel his pulse.

"Don't let him in, Ash. Don't let that monster control you." His fingers weaved lightly through my hair. Fuck me, what was I doing?

"He's scaring me." I whispered.

"You're so wonderful, love. Show him he has no power over you."

Those words triggered me. Reclaiming my confidence, I pushed him off. He staggered only a little, his massive eyes focused on me. Not surprised, or angry... just hurt.

Dimitri was playing with me, always has been. Couldn't he see I wasn't in the mood?

Tears brimmed my eyes, capturing his and locking. Despite everything, he still wanted to hold me.

"If I'm 'so wonderful', you wouldn't have left me."

His mouth open. "Ashlynn, please--"

"Once again, this visit was a waste of time. See you at school Dimitri." So I turned around and made a bolt for it. I didn't know if he'd follow me, I didn't care. I just knew being in the same company as Dimitri Pegg, especially alone, was not a good idea.