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He has a chiseled jaw, blonde hair, and bright blue eyes. His smile is charming and sparkling white. His hair is styled in a slick back look, and you can tell the top is longer. His black t-shirt hugs his body snugly. His arms are free of tattoos, and he is impressively tall.

“I normally am,” I peer up at him, giving him a shy smile.

“What is different about tonight then? Celebrating?”

“You could say that…”

I smile to myself as I look over my shoulder at the bar. I spin around, seeing my drink is waiting for me, and open my clutch to pay for my drink. A hand slaps a $20 bill on the bar. I look back over my shoulder, and I am met with the same handsome smile.

“It’s on me. After all, you’re celebrating.”

I smile up at him, appreciating the kindness, but there is no way I am going to let him buy me a drink.

“Thank you, I appreciate it, but really, I got it.”

He grabs my wrist softly as I go to pull out my card. My breath catches from the act.

“I insist.” He pauses for a brief moment and then removes his hand from my wrist slowly. My eyes travel from his hand to his chest, up to his eyes.

“Thank you,” I smile and nod at him, taking my drink and heading off to find my friends.

I find my friends rather quickly, as they sway sensually to the music. They know how to attract attention to themselves. I giggle to myself, standing off to the side, observing their seductive dance. My phone vibrates in my clutch, and I pull it out to check. My parents are out of town and are due back at any time tonight.

Unknown.

You let him touch you— and now I get to decide what you learn from that. -D

What the actual fuck? He thinks he can dictate what I do with myself? He is delusional. Also, he is still watching me in plain sight. I feel fury building inside my fragile body, and I am about to come unglued. I have had enough. I scan the room, not seeing anyone who is directly staring at me. It’s time I tell this asshole how I really feel.

You are delusional. You keep stalking me, threatening me, and sending me cryptic messages. Stop, or I will report you to the police. I tried to let you down easy, but I will never fucking want you. Kindly, fuck off.

I lock my phone and stuff it back into my clutch. Fuck him. I will do as I please. I head out onto the dance floor with my friends— only this time, I am on a mission. A mission to show this asshole how much I don’t care about what he has to say. He doesn’t own me.

* * *

Astra, Amara, Harmony, and I all walk out of the bar at 2 A.M. We are all trashed. Harmony showed up about halfway through the night and we made the dance floor our bitch. I was grinding on so many different guys, I lost count. I felt a bit bad for being a tease, but I knew someone was watching. I wanted to make him regret that.

They all pile into an Uber, and I stand outside the car.

“You guys go ahead. I have another one on the way to take me back home.”

Astra slides back out of the Uber and pulls me in for a big hug.

“I could get used to this version of you, Ev. I had so much fun tonight. Share your ride with us so we know you make it back okay?”

I nod at her, feeling like the spins are coming on. She slides back into her Uber and they take off. I step back, leaning against the side of the building as I watch the Uber car slowly making its way to me on the app.

I hear footsteps to my left, and I turn around the corner to look, and no one is there. I need to go to sleep. Just as I relax back against the wall, I see a dark figure rushing me from around the corner. I’m too drunk to react quickly enough. I stumble back, but I am caught. Two muscular arms catch me.

“You need to learn what happens sooner, rather than later, princess.”

I blink rapidly as I look up at his face. This can’t be real. I am too intoxicated for this right now.

My eyes skate up the dark figure, but I can’t see his face. A mask covers it. The same mask that haunts my dreams and fills my fantasies. I want to force that last thought out, but it somehow slipped through the cracks. It’s the tequila. It makes me crazy.

He hurls me over his shoulder as he heads into the alley. I try to kick and scream, but he only chuckles.

“My Uber is almost here, you better let me go or my friends will call the cops!”