Page 25 of Where the Dark Knelt
“In a bar with live music, and all that touchy-feely stuff going on between you, Alfie? More like the ‘kinky business’you kept going on about earlier.” He bent his elbows bringing his face nearer, so that his lips were just a fraction from mine.
He stared into my eyes,and I could feel his hot breath on my skin. The smell of his scent and his nearness made me feel like I couldn’t breathe. His stare was intimidating until his hair fell in front of his eyes, breaking the connection. He moved a hand to smooth it back.
When he did, I could see him trying to control his feelings. His frustration was beating right there, in his temple vein that was visibly pulsating.
Crossing my arms, I stepped to the side of him. “So… you owe me an explanation, for the crazy stalking and the bipolar behavior.” I waved my hand in his direction, and he stood there silently until I spoke again.“I thought as much, you’re full of shit, Alfie. Go home.”
The elevator doorbell dinged its arrival on my floor, and I pushed myself off the wall making for the door. Alfie grabbed ahold of my wrist, pulling me back into him. No one had ever handled me that way before.“We’re not done yet.” His jaw tightenedand twitched again.
“The hell we’re not,” I retorted, my voice louder as I tried to pull away from him. His grip tightened, and he swung me around, looking intently at me.
“Jesus, girl. Stop. Take a breath.”
I was speechless. “M… me? You…”
His face relaxed and there was a hint of a smile on his lips again.
I tookadvantage of his momentary lapse and used my free hand to swipe his from my wrist. I placed both my hands on his chest and shoved him out of my way, walking quickly to my door. He began to apologize. “Aw, come on, honey…” I turned on my heels to face him.
“I amnotyour honey. Go home, we’re done for today.” Iopened my door and banged it shut with him on the other side.
Alfie knockedsoftly on the door. “Don’t do this, Lily.” His voice was soft through the door. The guy was infuriating. He’d started all of this with his paranoia.
“I said go home. I’m not going to change my mind. If you don’t leave, I’m going to call security to remove you.” He didn’t knock again, but I could hear him sigh and what I imagined was his head knocking softly against the door, then nothing. I heard the elevator arrive, and when I looked out of the peephole, he was gone.
Holding my wrist inmy hand where he’d gripped me, I noted his touch, even in anger, sent those familiar goose bumps coursing over my skin. My heart was still pounding rapidly in my chest.
Holly wasworking tonight, and I knew thatSaffywouldn’t be home any time soon. Tears pricked my eyes and one escaped, streaking down my cheek. I sniffed and blinked, trying not to let the night end with me sobbing into my pillow.
What happened between Alfie and I made me feel desperately homesick, and I was about to ring Jack, until I remembered it was only 4 a.m. in the UK. I turned on my laptop and wrote a long, rambling email to him and copied it to Elle. I had just finished pouring my heart out to them when my cell beeped with a text alert.
SEXPERT: *Sad emoji*
I didn’t reply. Alfie had made me so confused about myself. I had loved spending time with him last night and this morning but I hated what happened afterward. He’d made me feel cheap and worthless.
Maybe I already saw things a lot differently from him,because all the fucked up stuff that’s followed since made me wish I’d never met him. I pushed myself off the couch and went to my room.
Standing in the darkwith just the glow of my laptop for light, I began to get ready for bed. I tugged at the hem of my top and pulled it off, the static electricity crackling loudly, making small bursts of light in the semi darkness.
Feeling swelteringhot, I thought living in Miami made everyone get clean, whether they wanted to or not. The shower was a godsend. I don’t think I’d managed more than about seven hours without one since I’d arrived. As I stepped under the shower my cell beeped again, so I quickly showered and rinsed off. Grabbing a towel, I sat on the bed to read the text.
Chapter Eleven
SPOONING
SEXPERT: Don’t stay mad at me, Lily. Make up sex is the best.
SEXPERT: What are you doing? Are you awake?
Please don’t stay mad, talk to me.*sad face*
I was confused.What did he want from me? It didn’t seem like the carefree arrangement he’d proposed when we were at the college.
Pink Lady: I’m taking a shower and going to bed.
SEXPERT: Oh, sounds good to me… can I shower and have make up sex?
Pink Lady: Definitely not. I’m pissed off, and I have a headache.
