Moving Objects

Chapter 3

"Hi, you brought me a set earlier and said my friend asked you to. Which friend told you?" I asked quietly, mindful that Lissa was just out of earshot.

The sales representative gave me a smirk and jutted his chin out, gesturing behind me. "That tall, handsome guy," he said with a small laugh. I turned and saw Dimitri slowly making his way towards the front of the store, giving me a ghost of a smile as he walked by.

"Oh," I said as heat rose to my cheeks and I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. The guy must have taken that in a disapproving manner and quickly stumbled over his words.

"Was it bad that he did? Or do you not know him?" he asked quickly. I chuckled and waved his apology off.

"No, no. I know him, I just wasn't expecting it. Thank you though," I said and I said my goodbyes.

I walked to catch up with Lissa but she had already found Christian in the food court, so I slowed my pace enough that Dimitri was just a few steps behind me. I smirked to myself and let the bag in my hand swing a bit, putting a small amount of sway to my step. It was my birthday, and I'd be a tease if I wanted to.

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The SUV was quiet on our drive back, almost everyone asleep bar me and the Guardians. I reclaimed my seat beside Dimitri in the back and was happily content with only our knees, shoulders and fingers brushing.

"Green?" I asked quietly to Dimitri, keeping my gaze out the window as the countryside zoomed by us. Dimitri didn't respond verbally but stretched his fingers out to graze over the top of my hand a few times. I turned and gave him raised brows which he returned with a smirk.

I breathed slowly out of my nose and crossed my arms over my chest and stretched out as much as I could, slouching down in the cushion. I sighed happily as I closed my eyes, trying to keep the quip from crossing my lips, but it did anyway.

"I don't know when you'll get to see it, but I did buy it. It looks really hot, too."

Dimitri's hand startled me when it moved to my thigh and he gave it a firm squeeze, but with how close his hand was to the apex of my legs, I shivered a little. Damn Russian God. Now, I was thinking of other places he could squeeze. He moved his hand back after that with a low growl and settled into the seat too, not quite mimicking my position, but clearly more relaxed as he surveyed the surroundings outside.

Getting through the gate and back to campus took less time than I thought and the sun was already setting when we started to unload the back. I approached Lissa and gave her a long hug, whispering my thanks for what she had done for me. I may not have wanted to go shopping in the first place, but I was glad we went and I really did love what she bought me.

"It's a little late tonight, but how about we all get breakfast tomorrow since it's Saturday and everyone else can give you their gifts?"

I nodded and watched as she and Christian headed towards the Moroi dorms while Eddie and I headed towards ours.

"Are you going to give me a preview of those delicate delights you bought?" Adrian asked around the cigarette in his mouth as he matched strides with me. I grimaced and looked at him out of the corner of my eye.

"No. Why would I?" I replied, switching my bags to my other hand when the weight got uncomfortable. Adrian shrugged and exhaled a cloud of smoke, rubbing his bottom lip with his thumb.

"Because no one buys that if they don't have someone they want to wear it for," he said, gesturing to the pink and black bag. I huffed and shook my head at him.

"I bought a few pairs of underwear. Is that a crime?" I said but I felt a heavy bit of snark in my tone.

Adrian shrugged and took a long drag as we walked. I said my goodbyes to Eddie when we reached the male dorms and turned to Adrian, crossing my arms the best I could with my bags. "I'm going to bed now. You should probably go too," I said. Adrian gave a half-hearted nod before saying goodbye and heading off towards guest housing. I took the opportunity to tilt my head back to face the setting sun, breathing in a deep breath as the last few rays caressed my skin.