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“Can I have my drink?” I reach for it again, but he pulls it away.
“You can when you answer this simple question.”
“What question?”
“What do you find most attractive about me?”
I grimace and shake my head. “This is stupid. Just give me my drink.”
“Not until you answer the question.”
“Why?”
“Because this is a date, and we’re not talking, and I want to know what you like about me.”
“Nothing. Final answer.” I reach for the drink, and he gives it to me this time, an annoyed look turning down the edges of his disapproving frown.
“You're no fun.”
“Ditto.”
“Honestly, I didn’t even have to bring you here. I could be a complete tyrant and lock you in your room for the entirety of our stay.”
“You wouldn’t do that.” I take a sip of my IPA, and it’s good, fantastic even. Better than I’ve ever tasted, and I don’t get to drink beer that much. It's mostly white wine at fancy dinner parties where men try to impress me with expensive gifts and elaborate settings.
“Maybe you’re right.” He shrugs. “But, you don’t know me, so—“
“You keep saying that, but ninety eight percent of the time, you've shown how much of a dick you are. So, tell me, Adrik, how am I supposed to assume anything more of you than the unpleasant person I see every day?” His brows twitch, and he takes a long sip of his beer, looking away from me and to the fire.
“You’re not so pleasant yourself.”
“Another thing you keep saying.”
“Well, this entire date was supposed to be fun, and you’ve managed to ruin it, so I don’t know what else to tell you.”
“Sitting at a pub and drinking beers is your idea of fun?”
“No.” He shakes his head. “It’syours.”
“I’m sorry, did I give you that impression last night? Because I definitely don’t just get drunk for fun.” I can feel my eyes go wild with bewilderment.
He shakes his head. “This is a pub designed after that book you’ve been reading.”
“What?” I look around and notice the paintings on the walls, the antler chandeliers, and even the milk glass candles on every table. It’s exactly like the one from my book, and now I’m lost. “How?”
“I’ve come to this pub since I was a kid. Russians are big fans of the Valkinov Knight series.”
“You’ve read it?” He pouts his lower lip, squinting as he shakes his head vehemently.
“No.” He chuckles. “No, I definitely have not.”
“So, you did this for me…?” He shrugs like it’s no big deal, but it kind of is. It’s quite a length to go just to court someone. More than I can say about anyone who has ever courted me before. This is personal, and meaningful, and now I have to force myself to remember why he’s doing it.
“Thank you.” I resolve, and he nods proudly, taking another sip of his beer and glancing at the person beside me. I hadn’t noticed them until just now, but I think they’ve been next to me for a while. Subtly, I glance over my shoulder because Adrik’s eyes are not leaving them.
He’s got dark long hair, tight untamed curls, and leathery skin. His silver eyes are looking at me up and down as he licks his chapped lips.
“Ty ochen' seksual'naya zhenshchina?” He asks, and before I can explain that I don’t speak his language, Adrik flies across the table, hands right to the man’s throat and they both tumble to the stone floor with a thud.
