His manners and movements were so elegant. It seemed to her that he was out of place in his chosen profession. A rock musician? Certainly not this elegant man.
Brushing her fingers across the white linen napkin, Scarlet savored the last taste of tender beef before speaking. “So, what made you choose rock n’ roll as a profession?”
“It was a natural progression from what I had been doing. I’ve always played guitar, not always rock n’ roll, but similar things. Although my heart remains true to the classical and flamenco styles of music, I’ve progressed over the years to the style that I’m playing now. But if you listen carefully you can hear the influence of the classics in the music that I play. I imagine that eventually my style will again change to whatever kind of music the future holds in store for us.”
“Why not become a classical musician?”
He sipped the wine, savoring the bouquet of the ancient vintage. “Let’s just say that the lifestyle of the popular musician is…seduisant. I don’t care for pageantry or the arrogant and disciplined lifestyle of the concert guitarist. I enjoy my freedom and the fact that this style of music lets me do anything I wish. There are no boundaries in rock n’ roll, Scarlet. And you would be amazed at how much of the classical form I weave into my compositions. You might say I still play the classical style, except now it’s a bit…” He smiled, searching for the right word to describe his heavy metal classics. “…harder.”
“Oh, I love your album, though I don’t own a copy yet.” Scarlet bit her lip. Should she have admitted to that one?
His laughter relieved her worries. “I have a few I copies of the CD lying around. I’d love to give you one.”
She smiled at him. The night was going very well. And as each second ticked by she felt herself becoming more and more transfixed by him, falling deeper into the spell.
He cleared their dishes to the side of the table, his plate untouched. Giving her his complete attention, something no man had ever bothered to do before, Sebastian’s dark eyes danced in the candlelight. “So, what is it that you do?”
“I work for Hilliard Accounting. They hire out accountants to do various offices jobs and I do secretarial work for one of the top accountants. He handles all of our foreign accounts. I’m fluent in French and German, which I think helped score the job for me.”
“Vous parlez fransais! C’est magnifique!”
“It pays the bills. Right now, I’m enjoying a two-week vacation. It’s kind of nice with my brother just arriving in town.”
“You’ve never had the desire to become a musician like Gary?”
“I’m not musically inclined.” She snapped her nails against the rim of the wine glass and it tinged loudly. “I can’t carry a tune.”
“You sounded fine last night when I caught you singing in the kitchen. A beautiful chanteuse.”
“Gary was right.” She settled back into her chair, chuckling softly.
“He was?”
“Yes, he said that you’re a charmer.”
For a second Sebastian appeared worried as he looked to the floor. Then, his gaze tilted and he looked at Scarlet through the candlelight. “Is there anything criminal in that?"
“Oh, no, not at all.” She hadn’t wanted him to take her seriously, she was just flirting. “I’m having a wonderful time, Sebastian, and your charm is to blame.”
He nodded acceptance of that answer and touched her fingers, smiling satisfactorily when she pulled back. He sucked down the last few drops of his wine and went to select some music. His back was to her as he stood at the stereo flipping through his collection of CDs. She saw him clutch at his stomach as if in pain. She was about to question him, but he turned around with a smile on his face and she decided not to bother.
His next words thrilled Scarlet, for she had never heard such a delightful offer in any language. “Voulez-vous danser?”
The minutes turned long and the candle melted to its base with the flame barely glimmering in a pool of liquid wax. This is truly a dream, she thought, feeling a giddy wave rush through her body. As they danced in intimate silence, she floated as if on a cloud lined with silver stars. But she knew that it was probably her second glass of wine taking effect.
Wanting him to kiss her again, as he’d done at the party, she moved closer to Sebastian’s body, pressing her breasts against his chest so she could feel his thunderous heartbeat against hers. She felt reckless and alive, eager to capture this man’s heart.
And as her prey fell victim to her flirtations, she tilted her head to the side and he burrowed into her hair in search of the origin of her rosy scent, sending delicious chills down her back each time his skin brushed against hers. His lips grazed her neck and he softly kissed her, working from her shoulders up to her ear. Though they barely spoke, their bodies were more vocal than words.
Sebastian stiffened suddenly. Not a grand gesture, but a slight movement, a pulling in of his stomach. Enough so that Scarlet was aware of it, although he acted as if nothing had happened. Then as quickly as it had started, he relaxed and melted into her body, his heart beating heavily against hers again.
She wondered if he wasn't feeling well, and hoped he wasn't trying to hide it, because she'd understand if he wanted her to leave. Not that she wanted to leave…
She forgot his strange actions and relaxed as his mouth searched out hers. Once found, she became its willing prisoner. His kisses were slow and tender, and a quiet moan, almost a growl, escaped Sebastian’s throat. He pulled her close so that they no longer swayed to the music but stood in the middle of the room caressing each other. His hands glided down her back, slinking the red silk across her skin, sending shivers all through her body. She nibbled his lower lip, gently coaxing him to feed her desires.
Sebastian’s kisses grew deep and hard. Scarlet was surprised at first, but then matched his intensity. He ravaged her mouth with kisses that grew rougher with each pulse beat. She had never been kissed this way, and it was exciting to give in. It was as though he was trying to possess her.
Yet soon his kisses grew more painful than pleasurable. Scarlet squirmed within his embrace, trying to break the rough contact. She tried to loosen Sebastian’s grip, but to no avail. He was hurting her and she wasn’t sure whether or not he realized it. Her struggles were useless. His mouth firmly explored hers and her body was crushed helplessly against his.
As if sensing her displeasure, Sebastian’s hands moved lower, pulling her against his hips, moving his body rhythmically against hers, and she could feel how excited he had become. His mouth released her from captivity in a gasp and he slid down to her neck, moving over her jugular, which was hard and pulsing with anxiety. He moaned and then hesitantly moved on, finding the firm mounds of her breasts heaving in and out of her dress.
Shocked and fearful at his insistent advances, Scarlet began to worry. He gave no sign of letting up or heeding her weak struggles. And the feelings he ignited in her, once a mixture of pleasure and trepidation, were now only fear of what he might do if she didn’t stop him. His lips, moving across her chest, took her breath away, but at the same time she wanted to scream.
Not this way, she thought, he’s being much too rough. She stiffened as his mouth fell over her breasts and his teeth found the rise of her nipples under her dress. He began to nip at them lightly, and despite herself, she felt her excitement rising again.
But those kisses, too, soon became rough and violent. Sebastian’s moans were now more than passionate, they were animalistic.
“Sebastian, please stop!” She gasped and swung her head back as she struggled to push him away. Catching her fingers in his hair, she couldn’t pull hard enough to move his head from her body. “Please, you’re hurting me!”
"Chut, ma cherie," he commanded sternly. She was able to see his eyes as he looked up. His pupils had widened, blackening his eyes, and he seemed in a trance, as if controlled by some unseen power.
Grabbing her free hand he tightly clenched her wrist be
hind his waist. Her other hand pulled at his hair, only causing him to squeeze her harder, while the hand on her waist dug in deeply, bruising her skin.
“Sebastian!” She pushed against his rigid shoulder and was able to gain a few inches of space between his punishing mouth and her shaking body.
He stopped for a moment, as if she’d finally reached his subconscious with her pleas, and he looked into her eyes. His mouth was hanging open and his eyes were wild with lust. He reached to pull her face to his, but was halted by an excruciating pain.
With all her might, Scarlet raised her leg, bringing her knee crashing into his groin. Sebastian let out a moan and doubled over, instantly releasing his iron grip on her.
Scarlet stepped back. She couldn’t believe that she’d kicked him or that she’d actually had to do it. Immediately, she wanted to reach out and comfort him, to tell him she was sorry, that she had overreacted. Until he looked up.
“Damn you!” The pain changed his voice to a wicked growl. He was still hunched over as he stalked toward her. He swung out, but missed her.
Scarlet screamed and mis-stepped, losing her balance. Her head scraped against the oak coffee table as she crashed to the floor.
Shaking the confusion away, she realized she had to get out of here. She could run for it, and then run home. He was slowly coming toward her, his face twisted in pain, his hands clutching his stomach and groin.
“Get out!” he growled.
And then he shook his head and seemed to come out of his trance. In a harsh whisper he pleaded, “Please. I’m so sorry. You must leave! I can’t control this.”
Not one to stick around for more of a bad thing, Scarlet staggered to her feet. Her head stung as she groped the wall for balance and then ran for the door, but her hand slipped on the doorknob. Looking at her fingers, she saw they were stained with her own blood. She could feel a warm stickiness when she reached up. She had been cut when she fell against the table.
Sebastian staggered close behind her and would be on her within seconds if she didn’t hurry. She threw open the door and ran into the hazy night. Stopping for a second to slip off her heels, she fled toward her house.
Adrenaline. Thank God for that, otherwise she would never have made it to her doorstep. Heaving from exhaustion, Scarlet collapsed across the rough plastic mat on the steps and looked down her driveway along the path she had just come. Sebastian wasn’t in sight.
Trying to catch her breath was hard, for the cool breeze from the ocean wafted in her throat, drying it painfully. She looked across the beach just beyond her yard. The sky glimmered pink at the horizon. It was still early. They had only spent a few hours together.
He had changed so quickly. There hadn’t been enough time to guess what was going to happen. But she could only think one thing as she bent to examine her aching feet. Rape.
She felt her forehead again. The cut seemed to have stopped bleeding, but she followed a trail of slippery blood down her face, wiping it away with her sweating fingers.
It was hard to believe what had just happened. Sebastian had been so charming and such a gentleman. And then he’d changed into an animal, pawing her and seething with malevolent intentions. Did I lead him on? I did want him to kiss me.
She sank back against the door. A little body contact. Was that all it took?
“Ohhh,” Scarlet groaned, and massaged her aching hip, sure she’d find a bruise there when she undressed.
Sebastian's fingers had unmercifully dug into her flesh and she now noticed that the seams at her hip were frayed and had been pulled into a hole. What would he have done if she hadn’t gotten away? She shuddered as the cool breeze sifted through the thin silk of her dress and raised goose bumps all over her body.
And now she realized that it wasn’t over yet.
Looking through the side window by the door she saw a glow of light from the kitchen.
If she was careful she could sneak in. She couldn't let Gary discover what had happened, knowing that he would freak out. She covered the hole in her dress with her hand. Maybe Gary wouldn’t hear?
Being painfully careful as she turned the knob, Scarlet opened the door and snuck toward the stairs. She could hear Gary rambling on about something to Vince in the kitchen. One of them snapped open a can of pop and she listened to the liquid glug as it was quickly emptied down a throat.
Not eager to be discovered, she bent her knees alternately and wiggled her toes above the floor. Her feet ached and her head pounded. Wanting the comfort of her own bed, she reluctantly started for the stairs, but her ankle twisted. Instinctively, she grabbed for the wall, her fingernails scraping across the flowered wallpaper as she went down, cursing the fact that she had just waxed the floor.
“Scarlet? Is that you? You’re home.” Gary’s mouth dropped open and he raced to her. “What the hell happened!”
Vince took her other hand in his. “Did Sebastian do this?”
Gary’s face tightened and the veins in his temples pulsed with anger, reminding her of their father. “Is Vince right? Is Sebastian to blame for this?”
“Ouch.” She flinched when Vince touched her forehead and he pulled back as if he’d been bitten.
“I’m sorry. We should put a bandage on this.” Vince headed toward the kitchen and Gary helped her to stand and led her to a chair.
“It’s nothing, guys.” She tried to act casual.
Why am I such a klutz? This would have been much easier if Gary hadn’t found out.
She rubbed her arms to bring some heat to them and tried to persuade Gary not to be angry. “I slipped and hit my head.” She stopped and spread her hands out on the table. Her nails were stained from the blood on her forehead. What am I doing? she thought. Why am I covering up for Sebastian? “I’ll be okay. Please don’t make a big thing out of this.”
“A big thing!” Gary raged as Vince appeared with a first aid kit he’d found up in the bathroom. “Where did you slip? At Sebastian’s? And why are you home so soon? Something must have happened. Oh my God!” He fingered the tear in the side of her dress and Scarlet winced . “What happened?”
Scarlet could feel tears forming, and strained not to let Vince see her cry.
Seeing how upset she was, Gary took her hands in his and knelt beside her. “What did Sebastian do to you?” he asked softly.
Her sobs grew louder and she threw her arms around him while he nestled her within his comforting grasp.
“Please don’t be mad Gary, things just got a little out of hand.”
“A little out of hand?” He held her back from him and looked at the cut on her head. “Look at yourself, you’re bleeding, shaking, barefoot. Did you walk home?”
“Ran.” She began hiccuping between sobs and felt like a silly child who had gotten hurt doing something she knew she wasn’t supposed to be doing.
Gary jumped up, almost knocking Vince and his medical accoutrements over, and started to pace in front of the two while Vince dabbed at the cut on her forehead with a wet cloth. “I’m going over there. I can’t believe this! You have to tell me exactly what happened.”
Between loud sniffles she explained as best she could. "…and then we started to dance. He was so charming. I had no idea.” She paused and blew her nose into the tissues Vince had handed her. Gary chewed madly at his gum as if he was pumping up his machine gun to fire at Sebastian.
“Like I said,” she continued, “he was very nice, and then he started to kiss me—which I didn’t mind at first—but he started to get so rough, and he wouldn’t stop. So I kicked him. And then he pushed me away and I hit the table. I don’t think he tried to push me into the table. I’m sure he feels bad—”
"He feels bad!” Gary paused in his pacing. “Please, Scarlet, after what he just did to you, don’t give him any mercy.”
“I ran all the way home.” She looked to Vince, who was at least giving her a sympathetic ear without beating his chest like an angry chimp. “I’m glad I don’t live any farther away, ot
herwise I don’t think I would have made it.” She felt the bandage and thanked Vince for his kindness. “I’m tired, I want to go lie down and just forget this whole night.”
“Fine, you go lie down. I’m going to kill that bastard.” Gary pounded the counter with a fist, toppling the empty pop can into the sink. “I can’t believe he actually thought he could pull that crap with my sister. What the hell was he thinking?”
Vince agreed, smacking a fist into his hand. “I think we should go over there and give him a piece of our minds.”
“No!” Scarlet pleaded, “I don’t want you to do that.” She wasn’t sure why, but it seemed to make sense at the moment. She wanted to talk to Sebastian before Gary became involved. Maybe he hadn’t been feeling well, as she’d thought. There had to be a reasonable explanation for the way he had acted. “Just leave it alone. I don’t want to blow this out of proportion. I just want to forget about tonight. Please?”
“I’m not going to let him get away with this, Scarlet. He thinks he can treat any woman like dirt and that’s just fine and dandy. Not by me, it’s not.” He had taken to pounding his chest now as if to enact Scarlet’s image of an angry chimp.
“Gary, for me, please, just wait. I promise I won’t see him again.” She slumped against the chair, knowing she would never keep her promise. She would talk to him. She just wouldn’t let Gary find out. “After all, it may not be his fault, I might have inadvertently led him on.”
Gary hugged her and then fingered the bandage carefully. “No matter what you did, Scarlet, no man has the right to force himself on you. What if you hadn’t gotten away?”
The question of the moment.
“I did get away.”
“Why don’t you go up and take a shower and hop into bed? I’ll come up later to check on you.” Gary helped her toward the stairs.
“I’ll be okay. It’s just a few scratches.”
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