Guess whose back? Back again? Lol I found time today to send this chapter out. *I thought, in honor of BELMONT STAKES DAY, I could UD a story revolved around horse racing. Today, American Pharaoh makes a bid at history as he attempts to win the Belmont following his wins in the Derby and Preakness. Post time is 6:50 p.m. eastern time. The last triple crown winner was Affirmed in 1978.*

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Vampire Academy.

I leant my head against the brick of the wall behind me. With each sob that came from the hall around the corner, the sicker I felt. Good going, fuck head. Scare her to death after her horse is put to sleep. Fantastic idea, your best so far.

"I'm so sorry." Her broken whisper lanced straight through my chest. Damn it. Why did she make me care so much? Why did she make me feel anything?

His wicked laugh rang through the kitchen as he took in my cowering form in front of my mother.

"You think anyone is going to love you, son? My blood runs through those veins of yours, remember that, boy. You'll be like me someday. You'll think you want a 'soulmate' until you tire of her and want someone else. Take my word boy, if you love, you'll be no better than me."

I shuddered at the memory of the beating I had taken moments after his speech that night. And the bastard was right. I was a monster just like he was.

"If your plan was to frighten me, you've succeeded." Her scared admission was like a bucket of cold water. She was afraid of me. I was the reason her hands had begun to shake, her breathing quickened. I screwed my eyes shut, only opening them when I was sure I had my act together.

Ivan's concerned face met me when I rounded the corner into the paddock. Lissa's gaze caught mine, her face growing angry. Smart girl. She knew what kind of man I was. Irredeemable. I smiled wickedly.

"Come Ivan, I've tired of the races. How about we find something more entertaining to do?" I strode by him, pretending not to see the look of concern he shot my way as he scrambled to catch up to me.

"Are you not staying?" His confusion only served to make me angrier. I turned a cold glare on him.

"No, Ive, I'm not staying. I don't stay. Not my thing. Actually, I'm feeling homesick. Shall we return to New York?" At his shrug, we departed.

Rose Garlands

As we boarded our jet, I pretended not to notice the look Gretchen and Ivan gave one another. I knew full and well what would happen once we reached the skies. Ivan knocked his shoulder into my own.

"You could always join." He gave me a wicked smile. "Just like old times." I paused, contemplating the idea. By the look Gretchen sent my way, it was clear that I had an open invitation. When I thought back to my previous quest in that very same cabin, the sick feeling was back in my gut.

"I'm not really in the mood Ive. Really just want to get smashed." He nodded, shrugging. I took my seat reaching for the bourbon. Unfortunately for me, two hours was not nearly long enough to get drunk enough. No thanks to Gretchen and Ivan's moaning. I rolled my eyes.

Taking one last swig from the bottle, I exited the jet, much less flamboyant than Ivan. I nodded to Tanner as I ducked into the Escalade. He climbed behind the wheel and began the familiar journey home. Tiny and the team would remain in Louisville until the end of November, running in the Kentucky Jockey Club on the 28th. Two days later he was scheduled to depart for Gulfstream Park just above Miami in Florida. The team would winter there, running three more prep races before hopefully returning back to churchill downs. Reny would make his prep race debut at Aqueduct the same day as Tiny's next race. Unfortunately for that part of the team, Ivan decided that Reny would stay a Aqueduct all winter.

I sighed. Atleast Rose would have decently enjoyable weather this winter. Rose. A pang ran through my chest, causing a frown to form on my face. Before my thoughts could take a turn down that road, my phone rang. Glancing down, Vika's name appeared on the screen. I muttered a russian expletive before answering.

"Dimka!" I chuckled as the voices of my mother, three sisters, and my grandmother chimed over the phone.

"Hey momma, babushka, everyone else." Giggles erupted over the line, making a small smile form on my face.

"So, Dimka, we were calling to give you a heads up before we dropped in at the end of the month. We heard your colt did well and would like to accompany you."

"Absolutely, momma. Come anytime." We talked the entire way to my building and up the elevator. My family finally letting me go as I stepped through the foyer. As I looked around at the empty house, I suddenly wished they hadn't of. That and I knew having Rose here the week before would be a terrible idea. And it was. She was everywhere, her scent lingering like her memory. Just there to serve as a painful reminder. You'll be no better than me. I blanched.

I had a sudden sense of desperation as I strode towards the bedroom. Why did I care? This woman was just that: another woman. So why did this feeling of dread overcome me when I acknowledged the fact that I would not see her for a month. I grimaced, stripping from my clothing. I needed a shower.

Stepping under the spray, I closed my eyes, willing myself not to long for her. But, it was a futile attempt. My body longed to be touched by her. When she had reached out at Keeneland, needing something solid to anchor her to earth, I expected the normal dread and sting of newly raised flesh. Instead, her fingers trailed fire in their wake, making my body hum. And it frankly scared the living hell out of me. Not even my mother had been able to get close to me, though she understood why.

The thought of the way Rose made my blood sing, had every bit of it running southward. I groaned. My hand was not pleasing, nor was I used to having to resort to such measures. Typically, I found someone to scratch the itch. Unfortunately, there was only one person qualified by my body's standards lately. I frowned, attempting to ignore the hardening member. I lathered myself, still refusing to acknowledge my now bobbing cock.

I rinsed, raking my hands down my body, ignoring the bob from my hard prick. I turned the cold water on, hoping to scare it away. Of course, it didn't work. I ran a hand through my hair, tugging slightly in frustration. If anything, the head was bigger now, ready for her even though she wasn't here. Now what? My subconscious slumped into a chair and pulled his own prick in hand, tugging as he shrugged at me. I frowned. Damn it.

Closing my eyes, I let my hand fall to my cock. Grabbing the length in hand, I started a slow rhythm. I imagined Rose on her knees in front of me, her gorgeous full lips wrapped around my head, her delicate hands wrapping around what she couldn't fit in her mouth. I swiped my thumb over the head, wiping a bead of precum that had seeped from the slit. The memory of her tongue applying extra pressure to said slit made my hips buck against my hand.

My other hand dropped lower, dancing along the sack hanging underneath. My head fell back, a moan ripping unbidden from my throat. Come on, just cum. I quickened my pace, feeling the steel under the skin of my cock. I pressed my pinky against the underneath vein as I pumped, still fondling my balls. That was all it took. Head thrown back, hand pumping, I shot a load against the tile, a strangled "Roza" leaving my lips. I slumped against the side of the shower, panting. I was pathetic.

I cleaned myself up, turning the shower head off, and exited the bathroom. I scrubbed my face, realizing stubble was growing there. I sighed, knowing I needed to shave but not being able to muster the care to actually do it.

I plopped onto my bed, staring at the darkness to my left, overlooking the city. I used to take comfort from the isolation my home provided, but now I found myself wishing someone was sharing it with me. Not just someone, my subconscious leered at me. I blew a heavy breath out, eyeing my phone. Nothing. Why did I feel so miserable? I was used to this, the loneliness. I thrived in it. But, as I tossed and turned unsatisfied and cold, I realized with a start that loneliness wasn't working for me anymore.

So, Dimitri realizes his mistake…

Let me know what you guys think! Once again, anyone interested in horse racing should tune into the Belmont today at 6:50 east. :)