The train sways, rattling along the tracks, the fluorescent light overhead flickering just enough to make me irritated. I should’ve gotten off three stops ago, but of course he’s here. leaning against the other end of the carriage like he owns the damn place.

And before I can even prepare, Zhenya’s on me.

His hand slams the metal wall beside my head, the vibration shuddering through me as his chest presses in close. My breath sticks in my throat, more from anger than anything else.

“Move,” I snap, shoving at him with my palm against his chest. He doesn’t budge.

“If anyone sees—”

“No one’s watching.” His voice is low, too calm, like he’s already decided for me. Smoke lingers on his breath, sharp and warm in the stale train air.

The carriage jolts suddenly, and I stumble. My shoulder hits cold metal, and before I can recover, my body collides right back into his. His hips. His chest. His mouth hovering so close to mine it makes my skin crawl.

I grit my teeth. “You think this is funny?”

His smirk cuts through the flickering light. “I think you’re lying to yourself.”

I want to spit in his face. I want to punch him. But my fists stay clenched at his shirt, caught between pushing him away and holding him there. The train rattles again, humming through the walls, and every damn vibration makes it worse.

My pulse is hammering, and I hate that he knows it.