The rough, unwelcome massage to my scalp is like someone burning me with a cigarette.
Had I not been in my previous situation, I might shrug this off as no big deal, but there’s a heavy anxiety I gain from men touching me and it’s crippling.
“Now doesn’t that feel good?” Mark asks in a seductive tone, causing the blood to rush to my feet.
The silent elephant tension is obvious, and my sight grows blurry.
“Stop. I think she gets the point,” Lana commands, nearly clawing his eyes out.
He drops his hands like they’re on fire, a theatrical confused expression flashes across his face. “Felt great though, didn’t it?” He lost any seductiveness to his voice, but that doesn’t make me feel any less uncomfortable.
Lana’s eyes widen in shock like she couldn’t believe her boyfriend just inappropriately touched her best friend. Also, during this fucked-up interaction, Logan moves closer to me. His towering presence is more than welcoming but it’s not enough. I need to get away. I need room to breathe.
“I’m going to the restroom,” I blurt out, and before I know it, I’m maneuvering through a couple standing by the single bathroom door. When I reach it, I scurry inside, locking it with force, taking the heavy weight off my body as I lean against the sink.
The loud pounding in my ears becomes quieter as I take long controlled breaths. It happened before when a customer first got touchy with me. Jason said it was all part of the business. That right there should have been my first sign.
A knock sounds. “Sora. Are you okay?” Lana asks from the other side of the door, her voice shaken with worry.
“I just need a minute.” Maybe I’m more messed up by Jason than I thought. All this coolness and collectiveness is only a front.
In the mirror, my reflection reveals a changed woman. The braver me, despite the trauma left behind. I will survive. These memories won't haunt me forever and I’ll make damn sure of that.
I’m fine.
As soon as I swing the door open and take my first step out of the restroom, my face collides with a hard object. But before I can stumble back, a muscled arm wraps around my waist, and my hands are left pressing against a solid chest.
Oh.
I look up at Logan, whose face is setting me on fire. His touch is blazing. It happens so fast that my body doesn’t have time to react. If it had, my knee would have slammed into their balls. But knowing it’s Logan… his touch is the only one I can handle. His warm embrace doesn’t make me want to flee. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. I find myself wondering what it’d be like to fully melt against him.
What a psycho way of thinking. I barely know the guy.
Logan takes a step back, letting me out of the warmth of his body. “Wanted to see if you were good.” He rubs his neck with a tough shyness, and his other hand finds the inside of his jean pocket.
He came to check on me.
“I’m better.” I huff out a breath. “Just needed a second to collect myself.” It’s only when my back hits the hard wall, I realize I subconsciously backed into it.
Logan’s eyes soften, almost in sadness as he slightly tilts his head, moving back to allow me more space. I’m not afraid of him. I don’t want him to think I’m afraid of him. Sure, I don’t know him like that, but my gut instinct isn’t sending off any redflags. No sirens going off and any human being would assume he’s a decent person.
He steps aside allowing me to go first and I throw him a soft smile.
Back at the table, Lana's eyes hint at annoyance or most likely anger. Crew, unexpectedly still present, reclines back, arms crossed, as he observes them. Mark hasn’t done an excellent job of winning any of us over tonight.
“I’m going to head back to the bar. Anyone want more drinks?” Mark asks, scanning us, but his gaze ends on me.
“No,” we all say together.
I glance Lana’s way. “Tonight was fun, but I think I’m going to go. I’ll see you back at your place.” The nightwasfun, and a well-needed distraction, except for when it became sour, and the distraction turned into a bad trauma episode.
I snatch my purse off the table while Lana sends me an apologetic smile.
Mark takes a quick stride, placing his body in front of mine. “The night’s early. Why don’t you stay a little longer?”
My internal rage boils, about ready to erupt but I feel someone step up behind me. I turn slightly, peering up at an alarming-looking Logan. His mouth is straight, eyes are dark, and he stands tall and tense.
When he slides past, placing himself in front of me, our arms brush together. “Move,” Logan demands in a bone chilling voice and we all can’t help but stare in total stunned silence.
