A/N: Reposted the correct chapter!

A/N:

Thank you all so much for all the reviews! They please me so!

I planned to upload this chapter yesterday, but never got around to editing it properly. Sorry for that!

I just had to share that the previous chapter is how the whole storyline started for me. This isn't the first time this has happened. The previous story I did (Guarding Partners), was also born from a lemon. What does that say about me?

Anyways, happy reading!

(there will not be a cyber monday special, in case you were wondering! lol)

Cheers

K

Still pressed firmly against the wall, Rose and Dimitri didn't know what to do. Rose unlocked her ankles from behind him and Dimitri set Rose on her feet. He put his piece away and zipped up as Rose straightened her skirt and panties (even if they were a lost cause, they were the only thing that kept her from dripping down her legs).

Now that the moment had passed, they didn't really know what the etiquette was. Should they hug it out? High five maybe? Continue to awkwardly not make eye contact?

How were they supposed to go back to the hotel? They weren't in a relationship. What was doing to happen now? Would they be able to stay friends, even though they were never really friends to begin with? Was this considered a one night stand even though they'd known each other forever? Would even be a one off thing?

These questions silently plagued both Rose and Dimitri. There were no right answers, but one thing was for sure. They needed to get their shit together and get the hell out of that alley.

Dimitri cleared his throat. "We need to call the alchemists so they can take care of the bodies".

"I've got this", Rose answered. She retrieved her stake, the one she failed to kill strigoi-Dimitri with months ago, with the geometric etchings from Russia, and unscrewed the top. Rose answered Dimitri's puzzled expression, "I found out by chance that this stake has a hollowed out handle with a secret compartment when I tried to clean some dry blood out of the design".

Inside the stake was a small vile. Rose spilled the contents over the strigoi bodies and watched them dissolve. "I have an alchemist friend who hooked me up with some of their strigoi solvent", Rose continued her explanation. "Too bad it only works when they're already dead", she shrugged. "I just have to text her, so she can log the details of the attack". Rose didn't even mention the fact that should have also called it in to Guardian HQ, nor did she make any reference to the molnijas Dimitri was now owed...

Dimitri nodded, disguising his surprise with indifference. How she still managed to surprise him at every turn was a mystery to him.

The alley taken care of, they walked back to the hotel in uncomfortable silence. The night was getting chilly. That, along with the aftermath of the adrenaline rush from the slay, the sex and the orgasm, meant Rose's teeth were starting to chatter.

As deep as Dimitri was in thought and self loathing, he still managed to show a sliver of chivalry, removing his duster and draping it over Rose. He did so without touching her. Which only made Rose feel colder.

"Thank you", she muttered, pushing her hands into the too long sleeves and wrapping the duster around herself. It still smelled new. Not at all like Dimitri. That only added to the sadness of their situation.

At the hotel, Dimitri said, "You should shower first".

Rose nodded numbly and disappeared into the bathroom.

Dimitri plopped down on the couch. He instinctively wanted to rub his palms over his face, but his hands were beyond filthy. What the fuck are you doing?! he questioned. He could still smell Rose all over himself. Not just her unique bouquet, but the aroma of her arousal as well. Dimitri tried not to get lost in the scent.

In the shower, Rose scrubbed her body raw. She didn't know what she was trying to wash off, the strigoi assault or the alley quickie. She tried not to think about either too much, preferring the monotonous lather, rinse, repeat.

She hastily dried her hair, bandaged her knee and relinquished the bathroom to Dimitri.

"I ordered us some food", Dimitri said before he locked himself in the bathroom, "it should be here in about 15 minutes". Food seemed like a good idea. Rose could always eat and he was hungry after every thing that transpired that evening. Killing strigoi and the adrenaline rush built up one hell of an appetite, but if he was being honest with himself, Dimitri was suffering from sex munchies.