Seriously? Ten, even twenty minutes is one thing; an hour, there's no excuse for that.
Tapping the buttons, I told her he obviously didn't want to do this, and I wasn't going to sit around and wait for him any longer.
'This was a bad idea. I'm going home, I'll call you tomorrow.'
The whole blind date thing just wasn't for me. I gave it an honest try, it didn't work out, there had to be some credit thrown my way for that. I knew she would end up giving me the third degree tomorrow for not sticking it out, and giving him a chance.
I just didn't care.
I loved my best friend, and I knew her intentions were good. She had a boyfriend, she had a life outside her home and work. Della was happy. That's all she wanted for me. She just had a hard time seeing that we weren't the same person, and I was completely fine with the life I lived.
I didn't need a man to be complete or whole, or to pamper me with compliments so I felt good. I liked who I was. I enjoyed being home, I enjoyed wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt and sitting down to eat an entire container of ice cream, without worrying about what my thighs might look like after.
I don't need to do this.
Facing the crowd, the music blared overhead, pounding and thumping with so much bass, I could feel my ribs vibrate. Attempting to work my way through the mass of people, I was elbowed and shoved, ping ponged between strangers. It was impossible for me to get to the front door.
Alright, I need a different way out.
Turning around, I walked past the bathrooms, scanning above my head for another exit. The tight hallway was filled with couples, all of them kissing and groping each other in the darkness.
Get a fucking room, jeez.
Spotting two people against the wall that looked like they were about to get it on, I turned around quickly, and slammed into the wall.
“Ahh, shit.” Huffing under my breath, I ran my fingers through my hair and took a step back.
Wow, I am buzzed.
“You alright?” a man asked, lifting his hand to my arm and cupping my elbow.
Looking up, I was shocked and embarrassed that it wasn't a wall I had driven myself into, but a guy. As my gaze settled on his face, I had trouble catching my breath.
His eyes were almost black, so dark I couldn't tell the difference between his pupils and iris'. His jaw was hard, covered in a light stubble, with angles so sharp they looked like they could cut diamond.
Tilting his head, jet black hair fell across his brows, tickling his lids. Brushing his hair from his face, he smiled down on me, and my heart skipped inside my chest. Thick muscles firmed beneath his shirt as his biceps tightened with each move he made, making my stomach tumble into knots.
He wasbeautiful. . .
Darting my eyes away, I was suddenly extremely nervous, like a school girl in the presence of her boy crush. “Uh, yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Sorry about that, I didn't know you were right behind me.”
He looked slightly anxious as he glanced over the faces around us, his eyes wide and serious. I could feel the tension around him, like a hot air balloon about to burst. “Not a problem.” His thumb swirled over my elbow, drawing invisible designs against my skin. Lowering his eyes to mine, his voice came out smooth as cognac. “Can I buy you a drink?”
Fiddling with the strap on my purse, I looked down at the floor. “I was actually just leaving, but thank you anyway.”
Why are you saying no?
Emery, what the hell is wrong with you?
Relaxing his body, whatever had concerned him before seemed to disappear as his muscles loosened and his eyes drew me in. Licking his lips, he smirked. “Come on, let me buy you one drink. It can be my apology for almost knocking you off your feet.”
Pursing my lips, I debated his offer. I had been ready to hightail it out of the fucking place, thinking I had wasted my time and the night was ruined. But wasn't this the point? A night of forbidden thoughts, a mystery man in the darkness to make me feel good, to help me let loose for once in my life?
What the hell, it couldn't hurt anything to stay a little bit longer.
“Alright, one drink.” Holding up one finger, I did my best to sound firm in my decision. “But that's it, just one.”
The man slipped his hand down my arm, braiding our fingers together. My skin tingled, buzzing and zipping with electric shocks that crawled up my arm, curling hard into my chest.
