Page 8 of Stumped

“There’s a place in Nungambakkam we can go,” I answer, staring at Elias. Kuriakose says something, but I don’t hear it. I’m too curious about my companion. “Who are you,Mr. Joseph?”

Kuriakose tuts and in Malayalam?1 says, “She doesn’t know who you are?”

“I wanted a night to be unknown,” Elias replies as I bite my lip.

Should I admit I know the language?But decide that if he can keep secrets, so can I. His hand cups my jaw, thumb grazing over my mouth until I release the bottom lip. His attention is fixed where his finger moves and I have to remind myself to breathe normally.

“I’m sure getting into the cars of handsome strangers is not advisable,” he teases.

“You’ve had your tongue in my mouth, we can skip the strangers part. Besides, I can google you now.”

“I’d rather you didn’t. Tonight we’re just Vera and Elias.”

“Tomorrow?” I ask, nipping at his thumb.

“Anything you want to be.”

I hum softly and wrap my hand around his wrist, scooting closer to him. As I lean in, Kuriakose announces that we’ve arrived. Elias huffs, his breath warm against my skin and steals a quick kiss before sliding away. I’ve been horny for strangers before, but whatever Elias is making me feel? It’s new and unsettling.

As someonewho spends close to ten hours in an office five days a week, I crave the chance to get out and do things as often as possible. Don’t get me wrong, I love being a homebody. Spending late nights wandering the city doesn’t happen too often, so I’m making the most of it. Especially since I’ve got great company.

It’s closing in on midnight and in the hours since we met, we’ve been to four different bars. Cricket followed us to the first two places and Elias flinched every time the fans got rowdy. He stayed close the whole time, an arm around my waist or a hand on my hip. Like he was claiming me for the world to see and I’m all about it.Goodbye feminism. He’s worn his cap the whole time too, dipping his head whenever it seems like someone is getting too close to us.

I’ve lost track of the drinks we’ve had, but I made sure to swipe my card whenever I could. I might have joked when I said not all of us are rolling around in money, because I can afford to pay for everything we’ve consumed tonight. Since he’s being so silent about who he really is, I haven’t divulged anything either. All my past hook-ups and relationships know who I am, whichinstantly puts them on alert. It’s clear to me that men still don’t know how to respond when they’re with a powerful woman who can look after herself. Which is partly why I like this anonymity.

Tonight, we’re two random people connecting over our mutual attraction and nothing else.

When we stumble out of the last bar and into the car, Elias asks if I know any good clubs—“I feel like dancing”. I give Kuriakose directions and lean back as we stare at each other. I’m curious what it would be like to fuck him, to have those big, capable hands mapping my body. He’s not burly, but I can tell he’d be able to handle me the way I like.Down, girl.

Since most clubs in the city are connected to hotels, I picked a five-star location in hopes of there being good music. I don’t goclubbinganymore, but I know my way around the city. Kuriakose pulls up in the portico of the Grand Bay and we slide out of the car. The lobby is packed with folks taking group pictures and sweaty, happy people leaving after a night of partying. The clubs don’t stay open too late, but if my mysterious stranger wants to dance, who am I to deny him that?

Especially when it means I’ll get to have his hands on me again.

We ride the elevator fourteen stories for the club housed on the top floor and Elias chuckles when he sees the name: Underworld. I thought the hotel was really smart to not have it in the basement, like most do, and to name it something soobviousmakes sense. We move with the horde until I feel a tug on my hand. Elias is frozen in the middle of the hallway, shoulders pressed against his ears as his eyes dart around before landing on me.

I pull him to the side, and he takes it as an invitation to back me up against the wall. “Something tells me you’re not really ready for this.”

He exhales loudly as his hands land beside my head. “I hate crowds, but I like being with you.”

I noticed his dislike for crowds during our bar hopping; he was stiff and non-verbal most of the time. Assuming it was his personality, I didn’t say anything. Now his behaviour makes sense.

“You know,” I whisper, fingers hooking into the loops of his jeans to bring him closer, “I was joking about not fucking you.”

“I was joking about not fucking you too. But I do wanna dance.”

I slide off his cap. “Will you be okay without your security blanket?”

He grunts and presses our hips together. “I’ve got you, don’t I?”

One hand cups my jaw and a whimper escapes before he swallows it with a kiss. My fingers tunnel through his hair and I moan as his tongue dances with mine, our bodies lined up perfectly. Some asshole clears their throat and Elias breaks the kiss, his forehead resting against mine. I steal a kiss and slip his cap into my bag as he steps away. He rolls his shoulders back and straightens up, body seeming looser than it was before. Without the shadow of his brim and his hair mussed up thanks to my fingers, he’s one of the handsomest men I’ve ever seen.

“You’re a delicious piece of ass, Elias Joseph.”

He blushes and holds out his hand. I take it and we head towards the door of the club. The bouncer slaps bands around our wrists, takes Elias’s card for our cover charge and waves us inside. The music is way too loud and it’s teeming with people. His hand tightens in mine and after a quick nod of acknowledgement that he’s going to be okay, we make a beeline to the bar.

Everyone standing at the counter has drinks, but they refuse to move. It takes some pushing and shoving, and someapologising from Elias, before we’re close enough to order. With a flash of our wristbands, we get two beers and step away. I truly believe people in nightclubs can’t actually dance, but if you’re in a crowd that’s grooving and you move with them, it all seems to work.

He tugs me back against his chest as we sway to the music and I can feel him relax. The hand not holding his drink is wrapped around my waist, the bottom half of my dress riding up enough and I can feel the cool air brushing against my thighs. Elias hums in my ear and I smile, trying my best to ignore how hard he is against my ass.

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