Page 32 of Dare You to See Me

The chair creaks as he leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees and steepeling his fingers. “Don’t be scared. It’s just a little fun, naughty talk. That’s what I’m here for.”

“I thought you wanted to get to know me?”

“I do. I want to know what you taste like. What fantasies live behind those eyes. And one day, I’d love to hear what my name sounds like falling from your tongue when you come.”

I swallow and exhale, my lungs too weak to hold the breath in. My body buzzes, recalling what it feels like to have someone touch it and make it feel good.

“Would you like that?” He asks and I push back from the screen.

“You know, maybe I should go. It’s late and I have work in the morning.” I reach for my earbud and King surges forward.

“No wait.” His voice sounds panicked and the pitch rises. “I’m sorry. I was inappropriate. I’m just so anxious to learn more about you. Please stay.”

I want to believe the sincerity in his words, but the black visor of his helmet hides all emotion. “Can I see your eyes?”

His head makes a big, slow shake from side to side. “No, Sunny girl. You can’t. What else can I give you to let you know that I’m being serious?”

I roll my lip between my teeth, thinking of how to answer him.

“Your real name?” I ask and he shakes his head.

“Your age?”

“Thirty,” he replies quickly. “What else?”

“Do you have a job?” He nods. “What do you do?” He shakes his headno.

I sigh, giving up. He’s a closed book that you’re only allowed to view the shiny cover.

“I have a job in the public sector. If someone were to find out about what I do in my free time, I could lose it, and I love my job.” Though I may not see it, I can hear it in his voice.

I pull my chair back in and return to how I was before. “Okay. Then can we talk about other things? I don’t think I’m ready for anything like that.”

“Deal. So since you love the 80’s so much, what is your favorite movie?”

I relax, and an easy smile crosses my face. “That’s easy. Sixteen Candles.”

“Good one. I had a crush on Molly Ringwald as a kid.”

Our conversation flows easily and before I know it, an hour has passed and we’re still laughing. I let out a yawn and rub my eyes.

“It’s getting late. I should let you go. Thanks for staying up with me, Sunny.” He rests his elbow on his thigh and cradles his chin in his hand.

“Thank you for inviting me. I had fun talking with you.”

I see his chest rise and fall. “Can we talk again sometime? Soon, hopefully.”

My smile is hard to contain and I nod. “I’d like that. Good night, King.”

“Good night, my Sunny girl.” We both hesitate to end the call and I finally make the first move, exiting out and watching him fade out of sight.

The screen is black and ridiculous as it seems, I already miss him.

SIXTEEN

MALIK

I sitin Hendrix’s backyard, watching him clean the pool looking like one sad fuck.