He taps the table in front of him, but his entire intense and creepy attention is on me. “Why didn’t you enroll at The King’s U?”
I’m taken aback by the question, and I pause, frowning. “That’s none of your business.”
“All your friends are there, so the most logical option would’ve been to join them. Why haven’t you?”
“I prefer Columbia.”
He lifts a brow but says nothing.
I hate that look.
And I need to change the subject.
“You must know I’ll report your out-of-the-blue appearance to my dad.” I sit taller, my spine and teeth locking under the overwhelming tension. “You don’t get to come to our territories unannounced.”
“You have it in your heart to have me whipped half to death?” His lips push forward in an exaggerated pout. “I thought we were friends.”
“I’m not your damn friend, Yulian.”
His face falls back into that intense creepy look that’s so intrusive, I feel like his asymmetrical eyes will turn into actual beings.
“Now leave and don’t disturb my date.”
“Your date.”
It’s not a question, but I nod. “That’s what I said.”
“Is that the girl you had a crush on?”
“None of your business.”
“The one you wanted to lose your virginity to because you liked her, correct?”
“I said?—”
“None of my business, I know, but here’s the thing.” He whistles. “I’m making it mine.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
He pinches his lower lip between his thumb and forefinger, and I’m transfixed by the motion as flashbacks from that godforsaken night rush through my brain, into my blood.
My breathing turns shallow, and I loosen my tie, feeling as if I’m being asphyxiated by his mere presence.
He doesn’t have to say or do anything, just his being here is enough to grate on my last nerve.
Finally, he releases his lip. “What if I told you that by the end of this evening, you have to break up with her?”
I release a humorless laugh, but he doesn’t join me. “I’d tell you that’s a distasteful joke.”
“I’m not joking.” There’s no grin nor any nonchalance in his surprisingly firm tone. “Let that girl go and change schools to The King’s U.”
“And why would I do that?”
“Because I want you to.”
I reach into my pants pocket, then produce a middle finger. “This is what I have to give about your wants and demands.”
He bursts out laughing, the husky sound intrusive.
