22. KAVI

22

KAVI

He doesn't wait a beat. His thigh withdraws, my dress is carefully pulled down in place, and I'm steadied on my feet. Meeting my eyes briefly, he grimaces before turning and leaving. Down the hallway and around the corner.

I'm alone, but it's not quiet. I overhear raucous voices clash, then settle. There's the indecipherable timbre of Dmitri ordering people around. Then silence.

My body wilts against the wall. I feel like I've lost the sauce. The whole damn sauce, considering I almost got caught dry (wet?) humping a clothed, very muscular thigh, marking it up with my… enthusiasm as if my pussy is this fun stamp I like to pull out and apply.

Lokhov comes back. His eyes flick to my hands, which bunch in front of my stomach. His expression tightens, cheekbones standing out. Mouth flattens.

I don't know what I'm doing, but can you hold me again?

It's what I want to say, but don't. Can't. Because I don't need anyone ever again, remember?

Dmitri slowly approaches. "I'm sorry, Kavi. I took it too far."

My chest heaves. Right. An apology I did not expect, though, I should have. He regrets what happened. Of course, it went too far.

Not that he started it. "I asked for the favor. I guess I should also say sorry."

Fiery warmth shoots across my cheeks when I see the wet patch on his pants. It's the raunchiest thing I've ever done.

"Do you regret it?"

The question bursts out of me, like I can't help myself. In truth, I wish I could sink into the floor.

Lokhov's hand scrubs his face. "I should have been thinking. But I wasn't."

My heart is paper. A rip starts, hearing his avoidance of the question.

Why did that hurt?

"There's a lot of non-thinking going around," I say, trying for casualness and failing. My voice is too shrill for that. "Don't worry. Neither of us has been acting smart."

Did I really ask him to touch me as a favor? For this night to count?

My stomach somersaults. I can't believe myself.

What am I really trying to do? Tyler cheated, most likely. I'm running from his apologies, using Lokhov as an escape, as if his arms are safe enough to bury me in.

I should know better.

"Tell me what to do." Lokhov is breathing hard through his nose.

I step away from my wall. "Should we be friends or something?"

He balks. A reasonable reaction, considering I've no idea what I'm saying.

Friendship? Frantically slapping a label on the tangled mess between us is not the right answer.

"Kavi—"

"Don't," I interrupt, feeling so embarrassed I could be sick. "Forget that. I'm going to leave. Bye."

I turn on my heel.

He follows. "It's dark. I'm going with you."

Outside the club, a car pulls up to the curb, ready for us. I don't know how he or his team does it, but a car shows up whenever they need it to.

Before getting in, I cross my arms. "You don't have to leave your team."

"The only reason I came out was you, Basra." He goes ahead and opens the door for me. "I fucking hate places like this."

My fault again. Whew. Anything else I should add to the list?

We get in the car—and then I remember. "Wait. Sonya."

We're not officially friends, but it's girl code.

"Can you make sure she's okay? And tell her I'm leaving?" I ask Lokhov, hating that I need to rack up another request.

He pulls out his phone. Quinn answers the call.

"Is your sister okay? Kavi is asking."

Quinn must answer affirmatively for Lokhov replies. "Good. We're leaving."

He ends the call.

The car moves.

"I got you a hotel suite," he says quietly. "Close to the airport. If that doesn't work, let me know. I'll arrange whatever you want."

"No. That's perfect." I don't have the energy to find anything for myself right now. "Let me know how much it was, and I'll transfer you."

"I'll get right on that."

The way he says it… "You won't, will you?"

"Not a chance."

I frown.

The rest of the ride is silent. When we arrive at the hotel, Lokhov gets out and opens the door for me. He casts a shadow, walking me to the front doors. We're not side-by-side. He's keeping his distance.

It's not far enough. Not when I understand now. This tattooed man is a typhoon across the shore. No matter how hard you run, there's a risk of obliteration. Dmitri Lokhov seemed dangerous from afar back in high school, but he is devastating at close-range.

How many inches can you start with?

Be a good girl and hate it.

Maybe you misunderstood me earlier, Princess. I said to use me.

I'm still wet.

And that's why this has to be the last time we see each other.

I'm not getting myself involved with another hockey player in any capacity. Not after what happened with Tyler.

This is over.

He must have the same opinion, for he doesn't say goodbye. The last thing I see is his clenched jaw and eyes gone somewhat glassy. What I can only assume is evidence of a massive need to get rid of me.

Inside the hotel lobby, I hide behind a plant and watch him walk away. He's…. limping a bit?

No, it must be a reflection in the glass. As I squint harder, a manager comes and asks me if I'm Kavleen Basra.

My chest somersaults again. Déjà vu.

This started when I barged into another hotel, trying to ambush Dmitri Lokhov, rival defenseman, sworn enemy of my fiancé.

Now I'm being put up in a hotel by Dmitri Lokhov, rival defenseman, sworn enemy of my ex-fiancé. My temporary rescuer. A man with such pushy, greedy hands and an even pushier, greedier mouth.

How many inches?

My eek noise jolts the hotel manager. I fluster out a laugh.

He takes me up a private elevator, while I pretend to be normal.

Alone, I tap my room key to open the suite.

It's the penthouse.

Nothing less for Dmitri Lokhov.

My luggage waits, delivered by the door like he promised it would be when his assistant took it away after the flight today.

Placed on its own table is my camera. The one he said I didn't need to bring to the club because he swore multiple times he would keep it safe.

I'd only given it over because I was afraid of it getting damaged otherwise. And because, I guess, on some level, I believed him. He'd kept it safe before.

Going to the camera, I browse the pictures I took of him playing the game tonight.

I can't stop flipping through them.