Page 24 of Where the Dark Knelt
Everyonehad packed up and begun to leave, so I made my way outside to my car after saying my goodbyes. Stepping into the warm air Alfie was right in front of me with the same woman he’d been with in the bar.
His car was parked about ten feet from the door. They were standing talking, Alfie with his back against his red Mustang. He’d already seen me step out, so I had no choice but to walk past him to get to my car.
Ignoring Alfie was easy because he didn’t acknowledge me. The woman with him looked even more attractive close-up, and although she was older than him, I could see why Alfie would be drawn to someone like her.
I watched as he played the perfect gentleman for her.Settling her in his car first, he quietly closed the passenger door behind him. He walked around the hood. His eyes looked up briefly and darted in my direction, then he slipped himself into the driver’s side.
Dirty and disgusted with myself, was how his little showhad left me. Another bout of shame hit me, that I’d stooped so low as to sleep with him. Seeing how he was there in front of me, with her, I felt I really did need to revise my thoughts about him.
Especially with the negative feelings he was evoking in me. I was invisible when I walked past him, and I felt less than nothing to him.
During the drive back, I was ashamed of how far my moral compass had fallen in such a short amount of time.What the hell is wrong with me?I had guarded my V card vigorously until a week ago. Since then, I’d slept with not one but two guys.
Worse than that,I wasn’t in a relationship with either of them, plus I’d had sex with someone I’d only just met. I knew nothing about him at all, yet I’d put myself at risk like that. Even more shockingly, I was thrilled with the whole dangerous situation.
Alfie drove offfirst, and I sat in my car for a few minutes collecting my thoughts. I pushed the key into the ignition and fired up the engine.
Drivinghome gave me the creeps because I was the only person on the road. After a few miles I saw another car up ahead at the intersection. It made me feel less edgy to know someone else was still on the road.
However, I changed my mind as I drove past the intersection and recognized the familiar model was actually Alfie’s car. The sight of him made me furious. I must have seemed so naïve to him when he singled me out at the college.
The wayhe did that, and how he’d behaved since this morning, had made him seem predatory. Especially when I realized that there was someone else in his life.
Alfiepulled out behind me and at first I thought he was just going the same way, until I turned into my condobuilding car lot, and I realized he’d followed me home. My blood boiled at how furious he’d made me feel.
As soon as he got out of his car, his stride was aggressive in his approach toward me. “Are you following me, Lily?” His face was twisted in anger, and he spoke to me through gritted teeth.
My jaw dropped at his audacity, so Ipointed at him animatedly, completely pissed at his attitude and tone toward me. “Don’t flatter yourself. Who do you think you are, talking to me like this? You were behind me, remember?” I couldn’t hide my rage as it laced my voice. “Technically, you were following me.” I stared, puzzled, and I was sure my anger was apparent by this point.
“What do you want?” I sounded worn out.
Strutting around me, he stopped and grabbed my arm, handling me a little roughly. Alfie’s brows were furrowed in a frown. “I thought you were cool with how this works.” I pulled my arm away in a violent movement and exhaled slowly, my hands went out in front of me pushing my hands palms down to calm him.
“Okay, you’ve lost me. I’m not sure what you’re talking about, but you’re scaring me.”
He pushed his hair back. “You followed me tonight, didn’t you?”
Sneering, I laughed at him. My temper was getting right up there now at his cheek.Did he really think I’d follow him?“I did? I followedyoutomyfriends’ gig you mean?” I snickered. “Damn, you’re an asshole, Alfie. You’re so self-absorbed.”
I ranted on, “What time did you get there? Are you sure you didn’t follow me? Oh, no. Wait… you wouldn’t have done that with a woman in tow, would you?” He looked sheepishly at me, his head briefly dropped, but he tilted it to make eye contact with me again.
“You were really there by chance?” he asks quietly.
Lustful eyes raked me over, his anger diminishing and being replaced with desire as he took in my appearance. The hint of a smirk reappeared. Immediately, I mentally kicked myself for wearing my boots with the fuck-me heels and my tight jeans with my favorite off-the-shoulder top.
I hadknown it was a sexy outfit when I wore it, but I didn’t want to tease him with what I was wearing, especially when he was checking me out. I wondered if he thought I was stupid or just weak.
“Lily, what the fuck areyou doing to me? I can’t think straight around you. Do you realize how turned on I am right now? You’re so sexy when you’re mad.” I couldn’t believe his complete shift of mood or his confidence.
“You’re a shit, you know that?” I had to do something to put this Neanderthalin his place. “You’re a good lay, but you’re notthatgood.” He seemed to wince at my lie. “Did she blow you off, Alfie… your date? Is that why you’re really here? Am I a booty call?”
I began to pace. “What? She wouldn’t put out like I did? Goodnight, Alfie.” I turned away from him and strode inside my building pushing the button for the elevator before folding my arms and willing it to hurry up. He followed me to the elevator before it arrived.
“Leave me alone, Alfie.”Come on elevator.
When the car arrived, the doors opened, and he pulled me inside. I stared him down and pushed the button for my floor, leaning against the wall of the elevator. His hands landed on either side of my head as he turned, pinning me against the wall.
“Whatyou saw was a business meeting,” he started, staring straight at me. I laughed.
