by Daya Daniels
“Ariana, take it easy, please. I do have a few dresses I can wear. I can do something with my hair when we get there.” I raised a hand.
She pulled a small suitcase out of the closet and began shoving clothes into it. Then she froze, giving me her brown-eyed glare.
“Hey, have you seen that Luke guy lately?”
“I have. He comes in every morning, same time.”
“And.”
“And nothing, Ariana.”
I wanted to tell Ariana about my last conversation with Luke but I would save it for another time. My best friend had a funny way of adding to my anxiety, when it came to men.
Pulling out a few black dresses that I’d worn in the Stevie-era, I stood in front of the mirror holding the hangers at my neck, getting a feel for what they would look like. I was the same size. Hopefully they would still fit. I hadn’t seen myself in a dress, except for the one I wore to work every day, in almost two years. I threw some other loose items into the suitcase until it was full.
She threw her arms to the ceiling. “Evie, makeup? Do you have makeup? I mean you don’t really need it but some eyeshadow and lipstick wouldn’t hurt. We can keep it minimal.”
I cringed. “I think I have some.”
She clapped her hands, moving across the room at breakneck speed. Her long black ponytail whipped me in the face when she ran into the bathroom. From the bedroom, I could hear drawers slamming and things clattering against the tile.
“Found some makeup!” she shouted.
“Okayyyy.”
“Evie, you really need to get new curtains. You can see right through these things!”
“I know. I know,” I drawled out.
She threw everything into the suitcase, zipping it up. “Okay. So, Karl is picking us up from my place at twelve o’clock tomorrow. You need to be at my place by eleven thirty. Do not be late.
“I’m so excited you’re finally coming with us, Evie. Yay!” she yelled jumping up and down like a cheerleader. “Just between you and me, Evie. Karl’s friend Liam is sexy!
“Don’t tell anyone I said that, especially Karl but…he’s just perfect for you, Evie. Perfect!
“Liam will get Stevie out of your system for good.”
I gave her a tired look.
“Evie, I swear by the time Liam is done bending you over and shoving his cock deep inside you, you won’t even remember who Stevie is!”
I groaned and punched her playfully in the shoulder. She only giggled and walked off, finishing with the rest of my packing. Leaning against the wall, I stared at the ceiling, thinking again. I didn’t want Liam. I wanted Luke but Luke was leaving. I wasn’t sure if there was a chance there of anything. There wasn’t enough time.
Luke
Evie looked peaceful when she slept. There was an empty glass of wine next to her bed. She was curled up under a thick white comforter, wearing a white camisole. I wanted to slip into bed next to her and pull her warm body against mine. I moved to stand next to where her head rested, looking her over. Listening to her soft breathing, I watched her chest rise and fall with each breath.
Evie’s thick brown hair fanned out behind her head, against the pillow. One of her nipples had begun to slide out from underneath the thin camisole. Patiently, I waited for the fabric to move across her skin, revealing the skin at the top of her breasts. Evie shifted a little more in her sleep and the camisole fully exposed them. I clenched my jaw looking over the hard nipple that so desperately wanted to be suckled. I so fucking wanted to touch her but I knew I couldn’t yet.
Her bedroom was a mess with clothes strewn everywhere. A heavy refractor telescope, covered in bright cartoon stickers, was pointing out of her window, towards the Milky Way. I peered through the eyepiece looking at the large pinwheel rotating with dust, gas, and stars in long spiraling arms.
Evie knew I was leaving. It’s possible she felt there was no point in getting to know me, since she still hadn’t called.
There was a picture on Evie’s nightstand of her and someone else. I peered closer to it in the darkness, placing my gloved hands on the frame. In the picture, a man was leaning over Evie’s shoulder, placing a kissing on her neck. Niagara Falls is in the background. Evie looks happy and in love.
I guess this is the schmuck ex-boyfriend, I huffed.
I made my way to the den. Evie’s laptop sat open on a console table to a video. I hit the volume button, turning it to mute, clicked play and the video began. The film recorded the dark night sky and then there was a bright red flash of light that floated in the air for a millisecond then shot off and out of the camera’s view. The image was clear and unaltered. I replayed it and laughed softly.
I had work to do tonight and then I would somehow come back for Evie.
She was going to be mine.
Evie
I awoke later than usual, enjoying the usual feeling of sleeping in, since I was so used to always having to go to work. Stumbling out of bed groggily, I made my way to the bathroom. I sat on the toilet to gathering my bearing and without looking shot up, quickly feeling something cool touch the skin on my thighs. I narrowed my eyes, examining what appeared to be a package of white and blue blackout bathroom curtains. I could always count on Ariana looking out for me. She must have put them there before she left last night.
I dressed quickly and gathered my things. I gave my parents a call to let them know I’d be gone for a few days. I left Kitten’s automatic system for water and food supplied and headed out the door.
Ariana and Karl’s place was a short drive away. When I arrived, they were both standing together, waiting next to their car. Ariana placed a hand to her chest, being dramatic. Then she ran towards me.
“Oh my God. I thought you weren’t coming! I thought you changed your mind!” She laughed.
I rolled my eyes, dragging my suitcase towards them.
“I thought Karl and I were going to have to come and kidnap you.”
“So funny,” I said drily.
Karl grabbed my bag, chucking it in the truck, then the engine started.
Evie
It was Friday. Ariana and I’d gone shopping the second we arrived to pick up a few new dresses, shoes, and makeup. It was exciting to be in a new place and seeing different sights. Hundreds of people moved around me, carrying odd-shaped containers filled with alcohol in the blazing Las Vegas heat. There was music playing at the turn of nearly every corner.
Earlier today, we spent two hours in the casino at Caesar’s Palace and practically had to drag Ariana away from one of the machines, as she religiously lost money.
Friday in Rachel was vastly different from all the stimuli on the Las Vegas Strip.
Karl introduced me to a group of his friends from college who were in Vegas. Liam was cute as Ariana pointed out but he was young and had the maturity level of a toddler, which I could tell even before he spoke.
“It’s nice to finally meet you, Evie.” Liam extended a hand towards me.
I took his hand for a handshake as he stared at my breasts and then my ass before even saying hello…to my face. The rest of the guys he was with were just as bad.
Liam wasn’t all that tall but he was cute. He was fuckable, if I were desperate.
“Are you going to be with Ariana and Karl later?” Liam asked, looming over me.
“Yes, I think so.” I looked around.
I missed Luke in some weird sort of way. Today was the first time in nearly a month that one day went by when I hadn’t seen Luke. I still needed to call him but I didn’t know if it made any sense, since he was leaving so soon. I would call him tonight, I decided.
“You’re very charming, Evie,” Liam complimented while slurring his words, leaving his eyes firmly planted on my breasts.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
The group of us had plans for dinner tonight and I knew we would be staying out late. I rolled my eyes when Karl and Ariana started making out against the side of the bar. It wasn’t even seven o�
�clock yet and the two were already wasted. I wasn’t entirely sure how we would make it to dinner. I ignored their heavy petting, until I realized it wouldn’t stop without some intervention.
“Did you buy me curtains?” I asked Ariana as her lips smacked when Karl released them from between his own.
“What?” Her face twisted into an ugly expression. “Curtains?” she asked again.
“Yes, curtains. Did you leave curtains at my place last night?”
“I don’t know, Evie. We’re in Vegas!” Ariana shouted, right before she began to dance in place.
I decided to have another drink when Ariana headed towards the mechanical bull across the room. This would be good. Karl gave a loud whistle as Ariana mounted the contraption, swinging her leg over the side clumsily.
“You’re next,” Liam moaned into my ear, referring to the bull, causing me to jump.
Liam licked his lips slowly in an overtly sexual way and then gave me a wide grin. I shuddered and stared into the bottom of my glass, while he inched closer to me. Is this what I’d been reduced to? Fucking frat boys out of desperation?
I decided to head out to get ready for later. I knew I wanted to have some fun. I was tired of feeling so cooped up in my own skin. When I returned to my room, I called Luke. There was no answer, only a deep sexy voice on the other end of the line, that I could listen to over and over again. I debated hanging up and calling again just to hear it, but the number would register and I would undoubtedly look like quite the stalker. I left a message, trying to steady my voice as much as possible, attempting not to sound nervous.
Luke
I sat on the upper deck in the VIP section across from Viktor Krushkev. Tryst was filled to the brim with people. The music had gotten exponentially louder since I’d first entered the club. The bass was in my chest, while I struggled to listen to Viktor’s words. A statuesque woman sat in his lap who had flawless dark chocolate skin. She poured the Patron down Viktor’s throat each time he tapped her thigh for another sip. Viktor loved his women. I never did see him with the same one and he loved to party.
I picked up my glass of scotch and placed it to my lips, sipping slowly. It was the one drink I would have tonight. Then, I was leaving.
“Luke. This is all of the information I have.”
I didn’t believe Viktor for a second. Ascela sent me here for good reason. They don’t send their agents out into the field based on a hunch. They send agents out based on facts. Viktor was hiding something. I’d come a long way to be jerked around by Viktor Krushkev. I placed my glass down on the table, tempering my annoyance.
“Viktor, if I find out you’re lying, you’re going to disappear. Do you understand that?”
Viktor swallowed nervously.
“There’s a lot of people that depend on this information and if there is something you’re leaving out; a lot of people will suffer.
“Viktor…and that includes your people too.”
Viktor nodded. “Luke, I swear to you. It’s everything I have.”
I took a deep breath and decided that for appearances sake, I would take his word for it. Scanning the floor below from the balcony, I took in the beat of the music and then sat forward completely fucking...stunned.
Evie
The music in the building pumped loudly. There were half-naked women gyrating in cages placed throughout the nightclub. People danced and moved tight on the dance floor, leaving no room for air between them. I closed my drunk eyes and raised my hands above my head, reaching for the ceiling. Swaying my hips to the beat, I sank into the music, feeling sexy and carefree.
Ariana was a few feet away leaning against Karl, wrapped in his arms, dancing. They looked so good together. I knew Karl would be proposing to Ariana very soon.
“Evie!” she shouted. “Another drink?” Ariana gestured with her hand.
“Sure!”
Ariana nodded her head in response. The lights above began to flash blue, yellow, red, and pink and the music grew even louder and the beat grew faster. I felt my heart sync to it, then the bass vibrated through me, saturating every single bone in my body, compelling me to dance!
Karl returned with shots. I shut my eyes and tossed mine back before they both did. When I opened them Karl and Ariana were giving me a blank look. Then they looked at each other and laughed.
“Evie, you’re having fun!” Karl shouted over the music.
I exploded in laughter, realizing that I was having fun. I was also drunk.
I kept dancing. Liam stood a few feet away, bobbing his head to the music, watching me. He moved across the dance floor rocking his body to the beat, until he was next to me. I closed my eyes again, feeling the beat move through me, moving my hips slow. A big, hard body slid up behind me and strong arms wrapped around my middle, pulling me into him. He moved to the beat of the music but slowed me a little, gripping my hips with his hands. The man had rhythm. When I slowed with him, swaying and rocking my hips, he slowed even more, wrapping a hand around my waist and grazing my neck with his mouth. I tilted my head to the side, exposing my neck, welcoming the attention to my skin and the light stubble on his face that brushed over my own. I shivered at his possessive touch. Then felt his nose press into the strands of my hair and his soft lips skim the outer shell of my ear, leaving a minty trail in their path.
He rocked his hips, pulling me tight against him. I slid a hand between us, feeling his hard abs. Then he gripped me tighter, stealing all the air from my lungs. He was strong and his grip was powerful I realized, even in my haze. When the song changed, he slowed even more and pulled me close, allowing me to feel the hard ridge of his cock that pressed into my ass cheeks. We moved to the beat of Rihanna’s song Sex With Me. His hand slid across my middle, and I leaned back, dropping my head against his shoulder wrapping my arms around his neck. We rocked like that for what seemed like an eternity. I was turned on and judging by the large bulge in his pants, so was he. Whoever this man was, his moves were putting me in a trance. I nearly lost my breath when his cologne and what was probably the natural scent of his skin invaded my senses again. He smelled intox—
Luke
The woman was wearing a short pink dress that scooped just above her ass in the back. The front of it was cut low and bared her shoulders and the top of her breasts. She had on four-inch heels and her brown wavy hair flowed over her golden, tanned skin. She was fucking gorgeous and by far the sexiest woman in this entire nightclub.
I excused myself from Viktor Krushkev’s table quickly, nearly knocking the entire thing over. I bounded down the stairs, feeling my heart pounding against the wall of my chest, desperate to get to the woman I just saw. When I reached the dance floor, I pushed myself through the thick crowd, where Evie was being watched by nearly every single man that was in the vicinity.
She was in her own world, dancing alone, writhing her body and rocking her hips with her arms raised high above her head. I moved closer to her, pushing some asshole aside who was about to make a move on her. Stepping closer, watching Evie under the flashing lights, I took in the bare skin of her back and the roundness of her ass that was moving to the beat of the music. She was sexy and hot and mine. I edged closer, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her close. There was nothing about this that wasn’t perfect, from the way Evie felt in my grip, to the way we moved perfectly in sync with one another. I gripped Evie’s hips firmly pulling her into my hard cock, allowing her to feel it. The music slowed and I took control even more, swaying and pressing hard into her ass while I did it. Evie relaxed against my chest and then her arms snaked up and wrapped around my neck.
I moaned, nuzzling my face into her hair, inhaling her. This woman was going to be my undoing. I’d waited so long to be close to Evie. Now, I was here and she was in my arms. There was no fucking way I was letting her go, not after feeling her curves through the thin dress she was wearing, the shape of her ass and her soft bare skin underneath my fingertips. I couldn’t give this up. This only made
me want more.
The sultry woman’s voice sank into my ears, while she belted out the sexy tune. I was rock hard in my suit pants, enjoying the feeling of my cock, sliding up the crack of Evie’s ass. I brushed my nose along the soft skin on Evie’s neck, closing my eyes. If it was like this dancing, then my imagination could only wonder what it would all be like when I had my cock in her and we were both stripped bare. I would consume this woman, body and soul.
Evie exposed her neck again, while we swayed to the music. Her nose brushed against mine a few times. Then she giggled in that cute way that always makes me smile. I ran my lips along her ear, breathing heavily, trying to contain my own hunger. Evie’s eyes were closed and I knew she was turned on. I also realized a long time ago that she was severely intoxicated. She breathed into the skin on my neck and then she froze.
Evie
Slowly, I opened my eyes and spun around, only to be gazing into a pair of the most mesmerizing green ones I’d ever seen in my life. I looked up into the smiling face of the man I’d been lusting after, since the very first day I saw him.
Luke held me against his chest, running his fingers up the line of my spine. We stood there in the middle of the dance floor, just staring at each other under the flashing lights. He was dressed impeccably, wearing a dark suit and a gray shirt, with the top button undone and his neck tie a little loose. I slid a hand up his chest, feeling the hard muscles underneath and groaned, thankful that with the music, my sound of appreciation couldn’t be heard.
Luke blinked at me slowly, giving me a playful look. Then he smiled wide, exposing nearly every single one of his teeth, right before he dipped low. His fingers raked through my hair and then dropped down to wrap around the base of my neck. The way he touched me, did something to me. As unfamiliar as his hands were, they seemed like they belonged on me. Luke touched me like he knew everything about my body, even though it was unexplored territory. This man would possess me, I knew. I’d spent weeks wondering what all of this would feel like and now I was in his arms, pressed against Luke’s warm chest. Luke dipped his head low, pressing a kiss to my forehead. I relaxed in his grip, appreciating the feeling of his warm lips against my skin. Then he brushed them to my nose and lingered a while, just breathing.