Date in the Dark

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Date in the Dark Page 7

by Jami Wagner


  I’m definitely overreacting.

  I don’t have time to think about what this place must look like if they have enough room for a dance hall before a hand touches my arm. When I stand from my seat, someone leads me through the dark. When this is over, I’ll have to remind Sara to ask her husband’s parents for a tour of the place.

  The person leading me stops and lets go of my arm. They don’t give me any instructions either. I listen for some type of noise but hear nothing.

  “Miles?”

  My heart races at the whisper of Allie’s voice. “Allie, I’m here,” I tell her and turn to face the sound of her voice. She can probably hear the excitement in mine.

  “Parker?” she gasps.

  I step back. “Seriously, you knew it was me by the sound of my voice?”

  “Well…yeah. Of course I did. So, Miles really is your brother?”

  “You knew?” I ask and laugh.

  “I had a hunch.” She laughs with me and for a moment I smile at the sound, absorbing the way it makes me feel.

  “Can you dance?” she asks.

  “I can dance very well, actually. Can you?”

  “I have before…but I’m not experienced, so I apologize now if I step on your toes. I’m not very good and now that I can’t see, this is a disaster just waiting to happen.” There’s humor in her voice and I can’t help but get excited at how much more comfortable she sounds tonight than when we are at work. Hopefully the idea of being with me outside work will change her mind.

  Slow music starts to play in the background and I hear people start to talk. Fewer people feel the need to whisper tonight. Just when I’m about to suggest we start dancing, someone bumps into me, causing me to bump into someone else.

  “Oh…” Allie’s voice is so close to my ear I can feel her breath. I take advantage of knowing where she is and wrap my arms around her. My hand grazes her butt and I move it higher, pulling her into me.

  My arm close around her small waist easily and I have to take a deep breath at what her warm body next to mine does to me. Her hair falls close to my face, smelling of the same spiced vanilla she wears each day. I smile at how perfectly the scent fits her. I’ll never think of another woman when I smell vanilla. Only Allie. And now that I have her in my arms, I don’t want to let her go.

  “Would you dance with me?” I whisper in her ear when I’ve got one hand at her hip and one holding her small soft hand.

  She lets out a breath before answering. “Yes, I would love to.”

  We make our way onto the middle, I think, of the dance floor, bumping into only two couples on our way. Not once did we let go of the other.

  “What happened to Miles?” she asks softly.

  “I made a deal with him.”

  “A deal? What kind of deal?”

  “I told him I’d set him up with your friend Kelly.”

  Allie laughs in my ear. “And how do you plan to do that?”

  “I’m not sure yet.”

  The music switches to another slow song and I’m surprised to hear they have a live band. They’re playing a song that I don’t recognize, but I can’t complain that it lets me hold Allie for a few minutes longer. We start to dance, moving our bodies together. Allie laughing every now and then when she steps on my feet, and it makes me happy. If I could hear that sound all day, she can step on anything she wants.

  Allie

  How unbelievable is it that being this close to Parker feels so right? I take back everything I said about this date-in-the-dark idea. Or about Parker for that matter.

  His hold around me is firm, and I feel protected. I was never afraid of being in the dark, but if I was, his presence near me would have faded that fear. It would’ve been weird had his brother shown up. I mean, I was going to ask Miles about Parker anyway, but this works out in my favor. I no longer have to pretend my date is Parker. My date really is Parker.

  I have one hand on his shoulder and one in his hand. They’re like most men’s hands are, rough and firm, but when he strokes his thumb across my hand, the tenderness that comes from it isn’t what I expected. I like it. Each time he touches me, my body reacts in a way I’ve only felt once before—with Parker.

  Our small steps move gracefully with the music. Parker is an amazing dancer, and he makes me look good. If only the other couples could see how amazing he is. I wish I could see his face, his eyes. To feel the way he’s looking at me. I have it bad for this one.

  “Alright everyone, one more song, and we’re off to dinner.”

  It’s already been an hour?

  Parker’s body freezes at the announcement and then he pulls me in closer—I didn’t think it was possible. His woodsy scent surrounds me, shooting a flutter into the pit of stomach.

  “I could dance with you all night,” he whispers in my ear, and my heart beat picks up speed.

  “Yes, it’s nice,” I say calmly.

  “You’re shaking. Am I making you uncomfortable?” His voice rises and he starts to pull away.

  “No,” I say louder than necessary and tighten my grip before he can let go of my hand. “A little nervous…yes.”

  The next song begins to play and before I can let myself enjoy the delicate rhythm, Parkers words stun me.

  “I’m nervous too.”

  I feel his breath next to my cheek as he speaks and if Kelly could see us, she’d be applauding my behavior. I turn my head slightly toward the sound of his voice until my face is almost touching his. In an instant, his mouth is on mine.

  His lips are soft and kind, but when I let my tongue slip instinctively between us, his kiss turns desperate, causing the core of my body to heat up and my hands to move quickly around his neck, pulling him closer.

  A zing bursts through me as his hands greedily feel every part of me, touching every inch like he’s memorizing me. Our lips move faster, absorbing as much as we can. It’s like we’re in high school all over again and have to get the most we can before we’re pulled apart. I feel myself moving backward by his force and couldn’t give a care in the world if we bump into someone or cause a scene. I’ve never wanted anyone this much in my entire life.

  My back bumps a wall, and Parker presses into me, never letting his lips leave mine. I can feel how much I’m affecting him, and knowing he can’t see my reaction has me craving for more. His right hand holds on to my outer thigh, pulling my leg up and around his waist. I hold it there and then press my heel into the back of his thigh until he’s as close as I can get him.

  This is crazy!

  What am I doing?

  He moans into my mouth and my body responds on its own, thirsting for his every touch. I wrap my arms around him, locking my hands at the waistband of his pants.

  We’re completely unaware the music has stopped until a throat clears next to us.

  “If the remaining couples could please walk toward the sound of my voice, your server is ready to take you to your table,” a man says.

  Were other couples doing the exact same thing?

  I know I’m blushing. Had they not stopped us, they were about to get quite the show.

  Parker

  “What if…your current career didn’t work out? What would be your dream backup job?” I ask.

  “Ohh, we’re getting into the serious questions now, huh?” she asks, and I’m pretty sure she’s flirting. “When I was little, becoming an interior decorator was my dream job. I wanted to make things pretty, colorful, memorable. Then as I grew older, the dream never really went away, but reality set in and I found my love for books was bigger than my dream for decorating.”

  “You read often then?”

  “Isn’t it my turn for a question?” she says, and there is no doubt a smile on her face.

  “You’re right. Ask away,” I say at the same time our waitress appears and informs us she has our desserts. Tonight is cheesecake. I rest my arm on the back of Allie’s chair and I feel her shift closer to me.

  “Hmmm. How many brothers and s
ister do you have?”

  “One brother and one sister,” I say and hear a little moan come from her side of the table. A vision of Allie, blond hair and green eyes, fills my mind. She moans again, and I’m a little taken back at how the sounds make me feel. A flashback of us kissing an hour ago fills my head.

  “This is sooo good. Have you tried it yet? It practically melts in your mouth. I might even have to lick the plate clean since no one will see me.”

  That noise alone makes this night feel more intimate than any date I’ve been on in years. Maybe this place is on to something with the whole dining-in-the-dark idea. Another moan comes across the table, and I swallow hard at the thought of her licking anything and quickly shake the thoughts from my head.

  If this is how she eats sweets every night…I’m screwed.

  “Parker?”

  I clear my throat and adjust myself in my seat. “Yep, sorry. I was just…trying to find my plate with my fork.”

  “Oh, good. I thought you left me.”

  “Nope. Still here.

  “Parker?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I’m having a really good time.”

  Using the hand that’s wrapped around her chair, I guide myself forward and press my lips against her temple. “Come back tomorrow.”

  “Parker, it’s not a – “

  “Just think about it. If you don’t show up, I’ll stop asking. But please, just consider it.

  Chapter Eleven

  Allie

  I need a drink, something strong, and I need it now. I kissed Parker! Like, really really kissed him! I kissed him and ate dinner with him, and as if it was the most natural thing we would ever do. I can still feel the tingle in the hand he held above the table the entire time. Dinner was over before I knew it and now I’m left with a decision. It should be easy, right? Of course, the right thing to do would be to show up tomorrow, but something is holding me back.

  “Allie. Stop freaking out. Your date couldn’t have been that bad.” Kelly is a couple of steps behind me, her heels clicking quickly against the pavement as she tries to keep up. She sounds irritated, but I don’t care.

  Keep up, Kel, I kissed Parker. I broke my own rules!

  And I liked it.

  Loved it.

  I can’t wait to do it again.

  I’m walking as fast as I can to the first bar I see. Bennie’s is the just across the street and I waste no time taking a seat at the old bar and ordering a shot. Vodka. Yep, that sounds like it should do the trick.

  Bennie’s has been around for years, a small tavern that has been passed down generation after generation. It’s one of my favorite places to go because it’s only three blocks from my apartment and there are never more than ten people in the dark-lit room. It’s the perfect place to have this minor yet huge freak-out I’m having right now.

  “Make it a double,” I say, firmly letting the gentleman behind the counter know this is not up for debate.

  “Coming right up.” He lets out a laugh and pours my drink.

  “Okay, you have to tell me what just happened. I’ve never seen you move so fast. Have you been running and not telling me? Because that was impressive.” Kelly sounds winded as she pulls up a seat, flopping her purse on the counter in front of her. “Oh, good, water,” she says reaching for my glass, but I move it before she can take a drink. Then, I down the entire glass and take a deep breath.

  “Another?” the bartender asks. He’s tall with dark hair and looks way too young to be serving alcohol.

  “Yes, and a Moscow Mule. Please.”

  “Whoa! Allie, you know how those can sneak up on you. It’s not a good idea to take extra shots of vodka.”

  I turn to face her, ignoring her comment, and consider whether I should tell her. She would be way too supportive of my behavior. No one loves to break self made rules more than her.

  She combs a hand through her auburn hair and laughs. “My date sucks. He’s so completely boring. I don’t know if I want to go back tomorrow. So if you don’t want to, I won’t make you.”

  I want to.

  “Say something,” she says, giving me a shy smile. I nod once and prepare to pull the bandage, hoping I can keep a straight face. The bartender sets my drink down in front of me, and I take a nice long drink from the copper mug.

  “I kissed Parker,” I say as my face scrunches up.

  Her eyes go wide and her mouth drops open. “Like the real Parker or were you just really good at pretending your date was Parker?”

  “It was the real guy. His brother was my date last night.”

  Kelly looks at me shocked. “Hey bartender, I think I’ll have the same as her, and you’d better get me caught up on the shots too.” Kelly shouts to get his attention before looking back at me. We stare at each other for a few seconds before erupting into a fit of laughter. So much for keeping a straight face.

  “Allie?”

  My eyes flash up instantly to find Parker leaning against the bar next to me. Please tell me he didn’t hear that. He watches me in a way that sends warm chills throughout my entire body and when his eyes meet mine, I can’t pull them away.

  I should kiss him again. That might clear some things up and help me make my final decision.

  “I didn’t know you came here.” He points to the seat next to me. “Mind if I join you? My brother’s meeting me here.”

  “Of course.”

  “So did she figure out it was—,” Miles, who fortunately for him, looks the spitting image of Parker, stops midsentence and scratches the back of his neck as he stares at both Kelly and I. His eyes narrow and he keeps his gaze on Kelly for a few seconds longer as something clicks inside me.

  Parker told his brother he’s set him up with Kelly. Now is as good a time as any.

  “Miles meet Kelly. Kelly, this is Miles, Parker’s brother.”

  Miles extends his hand awkwardly as Kelly giggles like a school girl. When the awkward meet is over, the four of us exchange a few odd glances. My gaze finds Parker’s to see something unfamiliar flash in his eyes. Fear, maybe?

  “Shots?” I ask.

  “Yes!” they all say in unison.

  Parker

  I think it’s time I cut myself off from anything else to drink. Allie has been calling shot after shot all night. Who could blame her? The way my brother is acting around her friend Kelly is beyond weird. I’m actually a little embarrassed and if it wasn’t for the alcohol running through me right now, ordering my brain to hang around Allie for as long as I can, I’d have drug his ass home by now.

  “Dude, I think Kelly is the one,” Miles says, interrupting the silence.

  I glance back to the bathrooms to make sure both Allie and Kelly aren’t on their way back and accidentally hear something wrong. That would be my luck. “Miles, that’s a little extreme, don’t you think?”

  “Nope, I don’t. Is she doing the dark dating thing too?”

  “I’m not sure but I was assume if Allie is, then Kelly is too,” I say and take a drink of water. I’d been trying to keep up with Allie and that ginger beer drink she was having, but I was starting to feel the vodka creep up and had to switch to beer. I’m not sure how she’s still walking.

  “Her voice, man,” he says, leaning back against the booth, looking up like he’s dreaming. “It does things to me. I can’t explain it.”

  I glance again toward the bathroom. That would explain his behavior earlier.

  “Oh, and by the way, I said it once and I’ll say it again, that’s one sexy librarian. It doesn’t surprise me you wanted to go in my place tonight.”

  When the girls finally come out, I look at Kelly then Allie. My eyes bounce back and forth between them. What are the odds that two brothers could end up with best friends?

  I stand as they join us at the table and once we’re all sitting, Allie’s eyes meet mine.

  “Is everyone here doing okay?” the waitress asks when she walks up to our table.

  “Could I get a g
lass of ice water, please?” Allie asks. She isn’t even slurring her words. This woman knows how to hold her liquor.

  “How do you two know each other?” I ask. For as close as these two are, I have a feeling they’ve know each other for a long time

  “We met in third grade,” Kelly blurts out.

  “And have been friends ever since,” Allie finishes.

  “Even when we went to different colleges,” Kelly adds quickly. “We never lost touch. The only thing that ever come between us was a dirt bag ex who caused Allie to quit her job and—”

  Allie looks at Kelly with wide eyes, and Kelly shrugs before looking away. I nod in understanding. This is exactly why she won’t date a coworker. I’m still nodding, a side effect of too much drinking, when I glance at Miles. Oh, geez. I rub my forehead to get the image out of my mind. He’s sitting across from Kelly with his chin rested in his palms with a goofy smile on his face. This is embarrassing. I need to get this guy out of here.

  “We should probably get going,” Allie says, practically reading my mind as she stands.

  “You’re both leaving?” Miles asks as the rest of us stand. I lay some money on the table and follow the girls outside. No one answers my brother.

  “Thanks for the drinks,” Allie says, walking over to stand in front of me. “I’ll, uh…I’ll see you tomorrow?”

  “You will,” I answer with a smile. So quickly, I would have missed it had I not felt it, Allie rises to her toes and presses her lips against mine. My hands grab onto the back of her head and my fingers weave through her hair as I deepen the kiss. Too soon, Allie pulls away and quickly catches up with her friend. Work is about to get a lot more interesting.

  Chapter Twelve

  Allie

  There has never been a more confusing week in my entire life than this one. I walk casually into the library, glancing around for Parker. I don’t see him anywhere. Good. That gives me time to think.

 

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