Page 10

Chapter ten

Ashia

‘Roses’-SAINt JHN, Imanbek

‘Memories’-David Guetta, Kid Cudi

“U-um. What?” I'm such a dumb bitch. This towering, god-like man, couldn’t be shorter than six foot four inches tall, almost black hair, piercing teal blue eyes, solid muscles, fully tattooed left arm, and strong jawline stands in front of me, practically asks me out, and what comes out of my mouth? Fucking ‘um what’. I hate myself . His deep chuckle shakes me back to the moment.

“I asked what you were doing tonight.” His soft, smooth, commanding voice slips through those full, velvety lips. I laugh awkwardly, very awkwardly as my body floods with heat. I might actually break out into a sweat. I can’t breathe, my breaths stalling worse than a new driver on manual vehicle. Is this normal? Probably not. Normal people don’t react like this.

“O-Oh, um…um, I’m supposed to go out with my friend tonight.” You dumb bitch. I say to myself, my mouth suddenly running dry, but then watering again as I run my gaze over the features of his face.

“Ah, I see. Well, you want some company? I don’t mind being a third wheel.” The striking man says with seductive intent. Oh my God, this man looks like he could ruin my life. I've had that happen before…but this time, I don’t feel scared, I feel…antsy. Jittery. Not a bad nervousness, but more like anticipation. Suddenly energetic, as if an electric current is building throughout my body.

This can’t be happening. This doesn’t happen to me, I normally run screaming in the opposite direction. My mind isn’t trying to retreat into a black hole, and my body isn’t sending me my normal warning signals. Any second now they’ll go off…any moment…well? No? Strange. That’s alright. I don’t need my body to tell me anymore. This is a trick, a scam, or maybe I’m hallucinating again. I slowly feel my adrenaline rush cease as I start to think of what this man could do to me. Mainly focusing on the not so good things.

“My name’s Damien.” He says so sexy, his voice soothing, yet demanding. The voice you’d expect from a king.

“Ashia.” That is all I can muster up behind my strained voice.

“Yeah, I caught that from Charlie. So, what do you say? Can I keep you company?” He says to me, like he’s toying with me.

“I-I think my friend would be mad…if I brought a guy to our girls’ night.” Bullshit, I don’t even sound convincing. If I brought a man out with us, she’d lock me and him in a bathroom and tell me not to come out until I got some dick. That thought has the muscles deep in my core clenching. Notifying me of how badly it needs to be filled.

“That’s alright. I was planning on going out tonight too. Maybe I'll see you around.” He stares at me so intensely, yet so softly. I know he’s searching for my soul in my eyes, yet he’s doing it in a way that isn’t harsh or alarming. Careful not scare me off.

“Yeah, maybe.” I turn around quickly to finish Carter’s cut and take off the cape, determined to get them out of here before I melt into a puddle in front of them. I turn to walk to the front desk, and I jump in surprise when I see Damien standing right in front of me now, holding four hundred dollar bills out to me. I have to strain my neck as I look up to see him fully. His scent of musk and a tinge of tobacco travels up my nose. He towers at least a whole foot above me, and his broad shoulders stretch out like a darkness that is waiting to consume me. I avert my gaze as I feel how hot my face is getting, and probably reddening with the sensation. Only for my eyes to meet with the money in his hand. “Oh. You don’t have to do that.” I say frantically as I shake my head.

“I want to.” His royal voice directs my gaze back up, his sharp blue eyes look into me deeply, hungry even as I swear the color shifts the more I look. God damn it, why can’t I just get over myself and go out with this hot ass man. A part of me wants to sign my life away to the devil at a chance of a piece of this man. I gently take it and nod to him, wanting to thank him, but the words won’t come out.

“Beautiful flower.” He says, looking over at my station, as he leans down close to me. His intoxicating presence and smell of white musk and tobacco pull me closer to him. Any other time, I’d be running for dear life if a man got this close to me. But with him, I don’t have the urge to run. The same pulling feeling between us emerges again and grows stronger the closer he gets. His face comes close enough to brush his lips against the shell of my ear. Warming the side of my face with his intoxicating spearmint breath. “It doesn’t do you justice.” He whispers to me before turning and walking out with Carter.

I stand and stare at the door in awe, a feeling foreign to me pushing its way to the surface. I want to run out of the door, and catch another glimpse of him, but I refrain, quickly realizing how embarrassing that would be. But would it? Would I seem too desperate? He clearly noticed the reaction I had over him, and it was obvious that he enjoyed it.

Don’t think about it. Just go. Stop him. Tell him you change your mind, and then freak out about it later.

I go to step towards the door, when my phone begins to buzz in my pocket, quickly pulling me from my irrational and manic decision. A wave of disappointment in myself crashing over me like a plane dropped from the sky. I pull it out to look. Another chill is sent down my spine, rattling me to my core as I see it’s the unknown number again.

Unknown Number:

There will never be a flower beautiful enough in comparison to you.

Serena and I get out of the Uber and go to walk into ‘Until Dawn’, a local night club located in deep downtown. My apartment is only about ten blocks down, but I'm not walking all of that way in these heels, especially after how much I plan on drinking. The last thing I need is to walk around the streets at night fumbling and make myself easy prey for any deranged man who thinks they could take advantage.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been out, and even longer since I’ve worn something so slutty. I caught myself really trying to look nice, on the very off chance that I actually run into Damien. According to Serena, I still look like a nun. I’m not sure how, considering I'm wearing a skimpy, draped, black halter top where the only things holding it up are two rhinestone straps, one around my neck and one around my back. I am wearing long black pants, but they’re bell-bottomed, only tight fitted around my waist, ass, and thighs, and the fabric around my waist is cut out like a ladder. So still, plenty of skin in my opinion.

I haven’t told Serena about meeting Damien. She’ll either want me to fuck him or hit him. Either way, I suppose. I don’t know what’s coming over me, but ever since I saw him again, my body has been a charging train. Slowly building momentum and buzzing with excitement and arousal at a now constant speed. But what if he’s my stalker? I mean, that text was almost immediate. And how else could my stalker have heard him say that? I don’t know. Maybe I’m crazy and I'm imagining all of this.

Yeah, that would be the most likely answer. The self-diagnosed hallucinations are slamming full throttle and I’m trying to deflect.

If someone knew what I went through, how used up I was, they’d never want to look in my direction again. I remember how men used to stare at my scars. They way their eyes would scan my arm and the way their lips would curl in disgust. They could play dumb all they wanted, but the look in their eyes said everything, and I won’t be looked down on like that again.

Once we show our IDs and get our bands, we walk inside the crowded club to hear the pulsating music thumping in my ears so loudly I can feel the base in my throat. Strobe lights, along with flashing colors of pink, purple, and blue fill the room. The dance floor is so packed at the moment that people are dancing shoulder to shoulder. There’s a balcony where the VIP’s go, and along the walls of the room, there are black leather couches and lounge chairs lined up in seating areas with small tables. Plus, three large bars, with at least thirty stools each.

I’m normally a rock kind of girl, but this song is hitting in the right places, and the atmosphere feels really fun tonight. Everyone else here looks so loose and free. The bodies covering the dance floor sway and jump so eloquently it’s almost as if they do this every night. Their movements are so smooth, it’s as if their bodies are boneless. I’m desperate to feel that free tonight, and even if I don’t look as good as they do, I’ll be too drunk to notice or care.

Serena immediately grabs my hand and leads me to the dance floor, only letting go long enough to grab two Jello shots from the server walking them around. After she hands me one, we both tilt our heads back and let the cool, jiggly substance slide down our throats, and my nerves melt almost instantly.

We start dancing with each other, and our bodies move to the beat of the music. Our hips and arms sway back and forth, occasionally grabbing and serenading each other like we don’t have a care in the world. I’ve never felt a physical attraction to Serena, or another woman for that matter, but the way we’re dancing with each other would make people ask twice.

Time is either going by very fast or very slow as we keep grabbing Jello shots when they glide by. Most people tonight are respectful to one another. Either staying with their own groups or partner and not bothering the other patrons. I say most. A man has already tried to get close to me and touch me, but Ser shoved her face into his and growled at him like a dog and scared him off. I almost spit out my Jello shot I laughed so hard.

After four of those Jello shots, I'm really feeling something stronger. The alcohol slowly unraveling my tense nerves as they night goes on.

“What do you want to drink?” I yell over the music.

“Anything with tequila!” She tells me. I'm more of a rum person myself, but tequila is definitely her drink, especially when she’s looking out for some dick. With the way she’s starting to eye the room? She’s definitely on the prowl. I make my way over to the bar and almost immediately, the woman bartender, Julie, by her name tag, notices me. She’s wearing a cute leather halter top, and she has her hair pinned up in a curly bun.

“What can I get ya babe?” She asks confidently.

“Liquid Marijuana and a Tequila Sunrise please!” She nods happily and starts making it when I feel a large hand on my forearm. I snap to my left to see some greasy haired, foul faced man touching me. His clammy hand brushing against my shoulder before gripping it lightly in a what should be sensual manner. His hair is a matted mess, and not purposely from what I can tell. Sweat shines off of his face and his beard is clearly uncared for. The top of his shirt is unbuttoned, showing off his very hairy chest, and I can smell the alcohol on him from here.

“You’re hot!” He yells at me as his face twists into what I’m sure he believes is an attractive smolder.

“Not interested.” I shake my head at him as I pull my arm away and turn my attention back to the bartender.

“Oh, come on, don’t be like that, let me buy you a drink!” The words slam out as well as his hand on the bar top. He’s clearly drunk, half slurring his words and leaning against the bar for balance. I cut my eyes at him in an unamusing glare.

“No, thank you.” I look back in the other direction. As if I wasn’t clear enough about my disinterest, I’m hoping not giving him any more of my time will seal it. I try to focus on the music blasting around me, and how good our drinks will taste. Anything to keep the creeping nerves from coming back, when suddenly, I feel my phone buzz in my pocket. Yanking it out of the tight pocket in the fabric of my pants, I pull it out to see a message from him .

Unknown Number:

If that piece of shit touches you again, I'll cut off his fucking hands!

A wave of fear washes over me and my hands begin to shake. The nerves are back full force, and I can feel the sweat begin to bead on my neck and brow. He’s here. He can see me. Frantically looking around the room, I look for any sign of Serena to tell her that he’s here, and I keep an eye out for Damien, just in case it is him.

I gasp as a sharp pain shoots down my left arm, and I look back to see the man from before gripping it tightly. It almost jerks me out of my fearful thoughts, but now I’m not sure what’s scarier. My stalker, or him. This man is drunk, and clearly violent. He could do anything to me right now, and it would take someone else a solid thirty seconds to react.

“You’re being really fucking rude.” The man pushes his face in mine, practically spiting on me and blowing his disgusting breath in my nose as he speaks. Ice shoots through my chest, and I feel like I can’t breathe. My vision becomes shaky as the man stares daggers into my eyes.

Suddenly, his grip loosens as he and his friend behind him are jerked away by security. The greasy man jerks and tries to get away, but it seems like it only takes a matter of seconds for them to be out of my sight. I look over at the bartender, and she hands me our drinks as she winks at me.

“Thank you.” I quietly say to her, and I scurry away, allowing my nerves to carry me as I walk back to Serena. Well, practically speed walking, but I see that she’s already making her way towards me. Pushing her way aggressively through the crowd of people.

“Are you okay! What the fuck was that?” She angrily thrusts her hand in the bar’s direction, telling me she saw the last few seconds of the altercation.

“Just some asshole!” I hand her the drink and try to shake it off now that he’s gone and taken care of.

“Do you want to leave?” She puts her free hand on my arm, and I know she’s asking genuinely. She knows almost everything that happened with me and Cooper, practically saved my life that night, and even though she made me go out tonight, she’s seriously concerned.

Maybe I should leave, since my stalker is obviously here and spitting violent threats at the prospect of me doing something he doesn’t approve of. Granted, I didn’t want that man touching me either, but how would he know that? I see the look in Serena’s face, and while she would leave with me if I needed to, she doesn’t want to go. It’s the first time we’ve been out in ages. I can’t let her down.

“No! We’re here for fun!” She smiles at me reassuringly and holds up her glass. We clink them together in a cheer and chug our drinks.

About thirty minutes of us still dancing, and three more Jello shots a piece, I walk back over to the bar and order two more drinks from Julie. I’m at that point in my buzz where I'm starting to feel confident, and I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not.

Who does this stalker think he is? He can send me flowers from a distance, but another man can’t touch me? I decide who touches me. The fact that I might want him touching me, especially if it is Damien, is irrelevant, and the thought almost pisses me off. The needy and wanting feelings this man has brought out in me has me feeling agitated. I pull out my phone and aggressively type out a message, hoping that my sarcasm and annoyance are portrayed in my taunting text.

Me:

You said in your note ‘soon.’ How soon is that exactly?

I know I shouldn’t poke the bear, but my judgement is impaired, and I'm not sure touching myself is going to cut it tonight. Plus, this could all be bullshit like Ser said, and if it is, I'm going to call him out on it. I’m sick of being messed and toyed with. No other man is going to think he can control me again. I look back to my phone to see the new notification.

Unknown Number:

Sooner than you think, little wolf.

My body goes rigid as I feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and I'm hit by the soft smell of tobacco and white musk again. It smells like my favorite beard oil I sell. I can tell that it’s not exactly that, but God, it smells so similar. So good. It’s called Alpha Male, and I find it fitting given this new nickname. ‘Little wolf’? Where on earth did he get that from?

Two large, firm hands slowly snake their way to my waist, and a hard torso presses up against my back. The large body towers over me, encasing and shielding me, as I feel the side of a masculine, firm face brush against the back of my head. The hard torso rising and falling as he gently inhales my scent. I don’t jerk or react other than draw in a deep gasp. A wave of anticipation and worry flows down my body.

“Is this soon enough?” I hear him say in my ear, that same deep, growling voice from this evening. Slight relief washes over me as fear and excitement shake its way down my spine. Arousal even, no matter how much my mind is trying to silence it.

“Damien.” I say through my barely quivering lips.

“You're able to recognize me so easily. Have you been thinking about me?” He lowers his mouth to the shell of my ear.

“Damien, I don’t…” He gently and quietly shushes me.

“Don’t worry, little wolf. The only pain I'll bring you, is the pain you beg me for.” I feel the trembles from my core ignite the heat between my legs as his warm breath caresses my ear.

“You know…any normal, sane woman would be terrified right now…” I say as I lean against him gently. My body greedily seeking out his warmth and touch.

“But you're not any woman, and as I feel you tremble, I know it’s not from fear.” His grip on my waist loosens only for him to slide his hands to my hips and grip them again.

“If Serena sees you, she’ll kill you.” I warn as I turn my head slightly in his direction.

“She can certainly try, but nothing is going to tear me from you.” I feel his words trickle down from my ear through my throat and spine.

“I’m drunk...” I say more so to myself as I try to justify these unfamiliar feelings and actions.

“You're not that drunk.” He slowly runs his right arm over my bare stomach, traveling a little lower with each pass. Only a hot, tingling sensation drags from his touch. “Do you want me to stop?” I ponder that past the heartbeat in my throat. His touch is electrifying. I can feel the invisible paths he creates with his fingers as the imaginary trails crawl down my body and in between my legs.

“No…” I say, barely a whisper.

“Good.” He sharply says. “I can feel how your body is screaming for me. I’m not sure I could stop. Even if you had asked.” He flattens his hand as he gently continues to caress me. “After tonight, you are mine, Ashia. I am the only one who gets to touch you, claim you. Own you, and you'll be begging me for more by morning.” I draw his words in with a deep breath as my body strains, and I feel the arousal start to pool between my thighs.

How is he pulling this reaction from me? Another man tries to touch me, and I’m instantly revolted. Damien touches me and I’m instantly a limp noodle. I should be running and screaming right now. Telling anyone who will listen that I have a stalker, and he found me. I don’t know what his plans for me are, or how violent he can be. Would he hurt me? Take me from my familiar life? Would he hurt Serena?

“You don’t have to be afraid of me, baby. You are more of a danger to me, than I am to you.” He says in a low, husky voice. One that drips with seduction. How did he know what I was thinking? He couldn’t possibly know me so well. What does he mean that I’m more of a danger to him? Surely he couldn’t think that I would be able to overpower such a strong and forceful man like himself.

Suddenly, he moves his right hand back down and into the front of my pants, and quickly finds my swollen, pulsing clit. My body instantly tensing with euphoric feeling. He gently starts massaging me, tracing gentle, tight circles around my aching bead, and I'm too entranced to speak. All that manages to escape my now lonely lips is a small whimper. The pull in my stomach returns and intensifies as my body bends to his will. Much quicker than my head. I hear his growling moan in my ear.

“Fuck, you're so wet for me. I have no problem showing everyone in this bar that your pussy, and every other inch of you belongs to me.” My breath hitches to his possessive words, but I find that it’s not out of nervousness, its anticipation. The rumble deep in my body builds more and more with every stroke of his fingers. “I'm being discreet, trying to respect your boundaries like any good man would do, but if you draw too much attention to us, I'll bend you over this bar and fuck you right now. Understand?” I can’t hold back the moan that escapes my lips, so I use it to signal to him that I happily understand. I had completely forgotten the room full of hundreds of drunk people. What if they notice? What if they watch him ravage me like this? I’ve never found that hot before. Why is that making me even more wet? “You use your words, little wolf.”

Oh my God, that’s why…

“Yes…” I groan as the next song begins to play, and I secretly beg whatever God is out there that it’s loud and heavy enough to mask what is happening right now. The heavy thumping in my ear matches the pulsing from my clit, and it’s hitting the right parts of my depraved body. Why the fuck did that just come out of my mouth? He’s asserting dominance, and I’m surprised by myself that I’m actually enjoying it. I’m finding a lot out about myself this evening, and a part of me can’t help but wonder if it’s ME or if it’s because he’s the one doing it to me.

I feel the pulsating from the heavy music fuel my want for him as I feel the sensation from my vagina pull and tug at my gut. It’s dangerous enough to get caught doing this here, but exciting enough to keep going. I can’t help but notice how while he’s touching me in such an erotic manner, his body is still encasing me. Shielding me from any prying eyes, and he’s holding me so close to the bar top that nobody next to or in front of us is any the wiser to what is happening.

For some reason, when he walked in today it was like I knew this man would never physically hurt me. Emotionally? Most definitely. I’ve been fantasizing about this man for weeks now, and my mind never raced to violence. For the first time in years, I didn’t have the sick feeling that someone was out to mutilate me. Ever since those icy blue eyes stared at me from the other side of the window. It was as if at that moment, I had sold my soul to something ominous. I'm not sure I could ever give my heart to someone again, but he sure as fuck can use my body.

He lays his left, toned, veiny, tattooed arm on the bar, getting the bartender’s attention. Immediately making my mouth water. His thumb replaces his fingers, and continues to massage and encircle my clit, as he penetrates me with one of his fingers. The thick extremity sliding in easily from how wet I am. The action immediately sends a jolt of searing electricity through my body, and I find myself clenching around it, gently thrusting back into his hand, begging him for more.

“I'll take a single malt whiskey, and then whatever she’s been ordering, it’s on me.” She nods at him, and as soon as she turns away, I try to fling my head back onto his shoulder to allow the pleasure to make its way through my entire body, but I'm jolted back up by him sticking a second finger in, and his left hand returning to my bare stomach. He curls his fingers in just the right spot, making another moan slip from my lips. I hope he doesn’t feel the muscles in my stomach already begin to tense to his touch, but I know he feels my pussy clench around his fingers and my knees begin to tremble with the build of the impending orgasm.

“You’re not going to come until I tell you to little wolf, and remember to keep your eyes forward, unless you want me to fuck you on this bar top.” All I can do is nod and try to contain my heavy breathing. I fight through the urge and keep my head straight, determined not allow the latter to happen. With how possessive he seems to be so far, I doubt he’d actually fuck me in front of all of these people. But, I have been wrong before. “That’s my good girl.” Those words slip from his soft lips like a prayer.

That certainly didn’t help my impending demise. I didn’t know I like being talked to like that until now. His deep voice travels, vibrating every nerve from my ears to my stomach. He picks up his discreet speed, and I feel the pressure building more and more, until the coil deep within me is uncomfortable. My legs are trembling so badly I’m not sure how I’m still standing, and I know I won’t be able to contain it much longer.

“Damien…” I practically beg. He lets out a low sound, almost a growl, in my ear again as I moan his name, and he then sticks a third finger inside me and creates more pressure on my clit. I'm going to fucking explode. My body cramps with slight pain as I try my hardest to keep it in, but I can’t. “Oh, God…”

“Come for me, baby girl.” That’s all I needed to hear to detonate. I let go of the bar top, and grab onto his hand on my stomach to steady myself as my pussy tightens around his fingers. I explode all over his right hand, being sure to keep my head straight. Fighting whatever demons necessary to not drop my jaw and scream out into this room full of people. My pussy throbs as he continues to move in and out, and I close my eyes to keep the sight of them rolling back from any possible lingering gazes.

My grip on his arm and hand is suffocating as he slides his hand free of me. Spreading my arousal around my slits before retreating fully. I look over and up to see his eyes, his pupils are blown, and the hungry stare is enough to both make me cower and turn me on again. His jaw tightens on his handsome face as he grits his teeth and grins. Then, in a seductive gesture, he gently runs his finger over his bottom lip and sticks his tongue out to taste me. His eye practically roll.

“Fuck, you taste like sugar and divinity. Better than the finest wine in Olympus.” His left hand tightens his grip around me, pulling me back and even closer to him. I whimper as I press myself back. Dying to feel his warmth and comfort against me as I graze his enlarged, humongous erection through his jeans on my back. The heat between my legs returns, racing through my blood stream. “You did so good for me.” He presses his head gently against mine, and for some stupid fucking reason, I can’t help but nudge playfully back.. God please come back to my apartment… “I have some business to take care of, but I'll be seeing you later.”

The bartender slides us our drinks, and he sticks two fingers, on his right hand, into his whiskey and stirs it before taking a large swig. Swirling my arousal in his drink to savor it. He then hands me my drinks, puts my phone in my pocket, and turns me around to face him. I almost fall my legs are so shaky, and looking up to him now steals my breath away. As if I approached a demon as a willing sacrifice.

“Be careful, little wolf. You'll have the rest of our lives to fall for me.” He plants his plump, begging-to-be-kissed lips to my cheek. His face gently nudging mine, and gliding against my skin as he backs away, still facing me. Taking slow, menacing strides backward until he disappears into the crowd.

What. The. Fuck. Just happened.