Page 5 of My Bloody Valentine

It makes me uneasy yet exhilarated at the same time. It’s not calculated. It’s not planned. It’s not… safe. That’s the allure, I’m just sure of it. Besides, I wanted to get under someone, didn’t I?

This would be the perfect way to get revenge on Grant. Something tells me that this man is no stranger to a woman’s pleasure. I don’t know how I know, but deep down, I do. Breathless, I nod, not really able to speak.

“Which one?” he whispers in my ear, making my body shudder.

“A way to forget?”

“Good answer. She’ll have the Fallen Angel.”

My insides knot for a moment at the command in his tone. The fact that he’s trying to push a drink on me makes me wary despite the flutterings of arousal. I’m all for having a night of dirty, raunchy sex, but I want to be in control of my faculties. Having alcohol will put me at risk, and I just can’t justify that.

“No,” I say again, this time firmer. Turning to the stranger I level a glare at him, silently demanding he try to force me. When he remains silent, I breathe a sigh of relief and turn back to the bartender. “I’ll not have anything right now. Maybe later.”

Once more, the bartender glances over at the man next to me. Does he have some kind of power here? Is he the owner? Again, his eyes collide with mine, making every thought drift out of my head. What kind of magic does he wield around me that my brain will just stop?

It never stops. Even when I’m sleeping, it’s always alert, always calculating. However, there’s an easiness with him, something I’ve never felt before in my life. It’s as if my body wants to just melt under his touch and allow him free rein to do whatever he wants… but that’s just ridiculous.

“Fine. No drink. I’d still like to help you forget whatever it is you’re running from.”

"Do you think it’s that easy? Do you really think you can drive it all away?"

He shrugs and gives me a lopsided grin. My heart pounds incredibly loud in my ears while my stomach flops about. This must be what infatuation feels like. Again, I can’t help but compare this night with when I met Grant.

There were no fireworks, not explosions, and definitely no stomach flopping. It was easy, natural, as if our lives just seamlessly coexisted. There was never any drama, but, on the other hand, there was never excitement either.

It must be because I’m allowing myself to just go out and do something. The fact that this encounter is completely unplanned, is, in and of itself, taboo. At least for me. That’s got to be the only reason my body is acting like this.

“I- I don’t know what I want. I just-”

“You want to forget. You said that.”

“Well, yes, but…”

“There are no buts,” he chuckles, sliding his finger up to cover my lips. The touch is electric, causing every bit of me to stand on end. “If you let me, I’ll give you a night of pleasure beyond anything you’ve ever imagined.”

“I’ve heard that before.”

His words are melodic to my ears, like a song drifting about in my brain. So soothing yet it sets me on fire. I want to believe him. I want to trust that he can do what he says.

But unfortunately, the rational part of my brain refuses to shut up. Grant promised similar things, and yet, I was never discombobulated. I never felt as if my world was turned upside down. Hell, even the orgasms I had were nothing like they talked about in books.

In fact, I’m pretty sure nothing this man does to me will scratch whatever itch it is that I cannot seem to reach. But then, the night won’t have to be over once he and I are done. If I’m still not satisfied, I can always go looking for another.

“Care to at least let me try before you dismiss me outright?”

“No drink?”

“No drink.”

“Good,” I nod, sliding back from the bar to stand before him. “Because I want to know what pleasure comes from you really feels like. I don’t want it watered down by alcohol. If you’re as good as you say you are, then that should be no problem.”

He throws his head back and laughs, the throaty sound drifting over my body, almost as if his fingers are brushing over my skin. My nipples tighten as my core clenches. A laugh shouldn’t turn me on, and yet, so far, everything about this man is erotic.

Perhaps I’m in over my head. Is it too late to back out now? I bite down on my lower lip, weighing my options when he slides his hand around my waist. He’s so cold, enough that I can feel it through the dress. It must be the weather, that or I’m so flushed he feels like ice.

I drive that thought out of my mind as he leans closer, capturing my lips with his. Sparks fly between us. As if a damn is bursting inside me, a longing I never really knew I had comes pouring out. I whimper against the intensity of his kiss.

This is the stuff I read about in novels. This is the stuff I secretly want but don’t dare tell a soul. With just one kiss, he rips me open, discarding the calm, calculated, coiffed person I’ve try so hard to erect.