which I like more, the thought of him ordering me around or of me getting to order him around. Proud and stubborn as he clearly is, I bet he likes to be in charge everywhere.
Heat flares through my body, and I’m instantly appalled at myself. Goddamn it. This guy’s an asshole. Why am I thinking about what he’d be like in bed?
Especially not when I just met two sweet, equally hot men who seem more than happy to have my company. I don’t need to waste my time chasing after some guy who hates me for indecipherable reasons.
Dmitri hasn’t responded to my taunt with words, but his stare hasn’t eased up at all either.
“I should get back to my dorm anyway,” I blurt, just to give myself something to say to break the awkward silence.
Cam steps forward, bouncing on the balls of his feet. “I’ll walk you.”
Before I can respond, Asher reaches out and catches my hand, tugging me out of the way as a gaggle of students traipse up the stairs toward the dining hall. They’re a big group, and I end up crowding close to him to avoid getting jostled. He smells like citrus and lemongrass, and when I suck in a deep breath, trying to regain my equilibrium, his scent invades my nostrils.
I have the strangest impulse to step even closer to him, to bury my face in the soft fabric of his t-shirt and see if he smells that good all over. I manage to resist the urge—thank God—but I can’t quite bring myself to step away like I normally would.
My face must be bright pink. I don’t quite understand what’s going on. I’m not usually the kind of girl people take to immediately; I’ll be the first to admit I’m a bit closed off, maybe even a little cold. But Cam and Asher are both friendly enough to compensate for my lack of social skills. Plus, I’m all alone here and could use some friends, and Maddy’s voice is in the back of my mind reminding me to branch out, to be social, to have fun and meet people.
“Sure, you can walk me if you want.” Mustering my courage, I glance over at the blond man with a smile that’s only a little forced. I start to step away when I realize I’m still holding Asher’s hand—and he seems to realize it in the same moment, because he lets go quickly, glancing down and clearing his throat, clearly embarrassed.
Cam just cocks his head at the two of us, waggling his eyebrows with a knowing smirk. “Awesome. C’mon then, show me your room.”
“That better not be a euphemism.” At least my mouth can keep up with banter even when my brain is a few steps behind.
“Oh, God no.” He laughs, his full lips parting to reveal white teeth. “My euphemisms are much worse than that.”
That makes me chuckle, and the two men frame me on either side and escort me back to my dorm. Well, technically Dmitri’s there as well, but he doesn’t do anything except walk behind us like a tenacious storm cloud.
I want to ask Cam what’s up with him or see if Asher has any insights, but I don’t want to invade Dmitri’s privacy or gossip, or talk about him like he’s not there. And besides, I just met him. It’s none of my business if he’s got a stick up his ass.
“I’m up on the second floor, in the southern corner,” I tell Cam once we get to the year one dorm I’ve been assigned.
“Excellent. Now I know which windows to throw stones at,” he says with a faux-innocent smile.
“Don’t bother, I’ll just let down my hair and you can climb up.”
It’s extremely lame, as far as jokes go, but Cam and Asher both laugh like my response is actually funny. Dmitri’s scowl deepens, which I wouldn’t have thought was possible.
“We’ll see you later, Sin.” Cam leans forward and brushes his lips over my cheek in a kiss so soft he might as well be a ghost. But I swear I feel a delicious tingle spreading out from every place our skin touches.
“My name’s actually Elliot,” I murmur. “Just for future reference.”
“Elliot,” Asher repeats, a smile blooming across his face as Cam pulls away. “That’s pretty. I like it.”
The three men leave, and now there’s nothing for me to do but go back upstairs to my room and wonder how the hell I ended up with two—three?—gorgeous guys as my only friends