Page 138 of Positively Pricked

I had to wonder, if they didn't make up, which one of them would be sent packing?

I didn't plan on sticking around long enough to find out. So I wished the senator a good night and made a move to leave, only to have him envelope me in a giant bear hug. "You're really nice," he repeated.

I said the same thing I said the first time. "Uh, thanks."

"Smell nice, too."

"Uh, okay."

I made a move to pull back, but the senator only held on tighter. "I like your hair." He gave it a noisy sniff and mumbled, "Smells good, too."

I gave a nervous laugh. "Thanks, but I'd better get going."

As I spoke, it took me a moment to realize his hands were creeping lower. Almost before I knew what was happening, he'd cupped a cheek in each hand and gave them a firm squeeze.

I yanked myself backward just as I felt both of his thumbs going in for the crack.

I glared up at him. "What the hell are you doing?"

He looked to his room. "You wanna go inside?"

What the hell?

I gave a bark of laughter. "No."

He mumbled, "My ass isn'tthathairy." He perked up. "If you want, you could shave it."

I didn't know whether to laugh or slap him. The only upside was that I highly doubted he'd remember any of this tomorrow.

I gave a shudder. If only I could say the same for myself.

I dodged past him and scurried down the hall, not looking back, even as he hollered out, "Come back, you fucking tease!"

At that particular moment, he sounded almost sober, and I couldn't help but wonder if the whole drunk-as-a-skunk thing had been only an act to get me up here.

But no. It couldn't be. After all, he'd been staggering when talking to Tiffany, too.

Hadn't he?

I decided not to dwell on it, and just thanked my lucky stars that I hadn't been even more foolish.

I made a mental note to avoid him like the plague in the future. And I might've managed it, too, if only it weren't for what happened the very next morning.