by LJ Baker
He went back into the bathroom for a couple of minutes then returned. I felt him standing no more than a foot from me. He squatted down on the floor to be eye level with me and stroked the side of my face with the back of his hand. He reached around to the back of the blindfold, and I thought he was about to untie it, but stopped. He didn't move his hand away, but made no move to remove it either.
For nearly a full minute, neither of us moved or spoke. When finally he moved forward and I thought he was about to leave, but instead he leaned in and kissed me softly, parting my lips slightly with his tongue. The kiss was soft and sweet, a sharp contrast to the hard, unforgiving kisses from before. After his lips separated from mine, he let out a sigh, and I heard him move toward the door, pausing for a moment before pulling it open to leave.
I sat up on the bed naked and blindfolded for a long time. Exhaustion got the better of me after a while, and I knew I had to move. I slipped the blindfold over my head and felt my way around the room for a light switch. My dress, bra and panties were draped over a chair, and the room key still laid on the floor where I dropped it.
After getting dressed, I picked up the blindfold from the bed. I ran my fingers down the silk tie, tracing the small gold pin with the initials 'S.M.'. I folded it and placed it into my purse, thinking maybe he'd want it back. I rolled my eyes. It was ridiculous. I'd never see Sam again, and we both knew it.
I looked back at the enormous hotel bed, tempted to climb in and sleep for a while, unsure if I was exhausted or if I just wanted to avoid Kat, who was sure to ask a million questions. Going over the details was not something I was looking forward to, at least not until I knew how I felt about what happened.
A small piece of me realized that he must have another key and could come back at any time. What I wasn't sure about was if that was something I wanted or not.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Opening my eyes, one at a time, I peered around the room to make sure I was alone. After everything that happened the night before, I couldn't be sure that it wasn't all an alcohol-induced dream. Part of me wished it was a dream. I still couldn't believe that I'd met a total stranger for sex.
Amazing, mind-blowing, life-changing, sex.
I pulled myself up in bed and scrubbed over my face with my hands. Oh my God, what did I do? He could have been anyone. A serial killer, a rapist, someone gathering girls for the sex slave trade, and I'd just walked right up there and handed myself over. What the hell was I thinking? I couldn't even look at my reflection in the mirror when I brushed my teeth before going to sleep. It wasn't as if I expected to see the word 'slut' written across my forehead, but that was exactly how I felt.
I knew I was being ridiculous. It wasn't that big of a deal. People had casual sex with people they hardly knew all the time. My brother and best friend, the two people I loved most in the world, did just that many times, and I'd never thought less of them for it. Coming to terms with doing it myself though, was a whole different thing.
At least I was spared the embarrassment of admitting out loud what I'd done for a little while. All those hot, naked men at Verde got Kat a little too excited, and she and my brother were going at it like animals when I got in. The only thing worse than being forced to hear my own brother having overly enthusiastic sex with my best friend, would've been going over the details of what I'd done right after. I was still trying to figure it all out in my own head and I just wasn't ready to give Kat the play by play.
Luckily, she overslept and by the time she got up, I was out for a run, leaving no time for anything other than showering and heading over to Jamie's for the bridal party to get our hair done. I knew I couldn't dodge the bullet forever, but if I could get one more day I'd be grateful.
***
Jamie was crazier than ever, worrying over every detail that could possibly go wrong. Kat and the other bridesmaids were doing their best to keep her calm and head off a full blown bridezilla attack, but if they didn't get things moving along, it was only going to be a matter of time.
I snuck outside for some air while Jamie was flipping out on the photographer because he had to change memory cards and missed her father walking into the room to see her getting ready. I knew it wouldn't be long before I had to see Gary and Sebastian after the other night's incident. I still couldn't believe I tried to throw myself at some guy I didn't even know who was clearly not interested in me. For all I knew he was involved with someone, or gay.
Oh God, what if he was gay?
He must have thought I was some desperate slut. Well, I guess after he walked in on me and Gary, what else could he think?
"Well don't you look beautiful," Matt said with a whistle, as he stood leaning against one of the white stretch limos waiting outside.
"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be over at Justin's house with the rest of the guys?" I asked and leaned up to kiss his cheek. He looked more handsome than usual all dressed up.
"Yeah, I was, but Kat called. She forgot her earrings and said if she left Jamie alone, there might not be a wedding. I figured bringing them here would be a good idea," he chuckled.
"Jamie has gone off the deep end. I'll be happy when this day is over," I said, rolling my eyes.
"Don't forget, we're meeting Dad and Greta for lunch tomorrow."
I only wished I could forget.
"Yes, Matty, I know." I tried to force a smile, but it wasn't working. I was going to that lunch and the wedding, but that didn't mean I had to be happy about it.
"You know how much this means to me, don't you, sis?" He put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me up against his side.
"Yes, but I'm not going to pretend like I understand why. I haven't been at the others, so what's the big deal about this one? You didn't even tell me about the last one at all."
"This one is different," he sighed.
"Yeah, you said that, he loves her, blah blah blah. But why do you care?" I lifted his arm off of me and moved to stand in front of him. It was not at all like my brother to make a big deal out of any sort of family gathering, especially one of our father's weddings.
"I don't know how to explain it, Lex. I'm just like him, ya know. Maybe if he can finally get it right, well maybe... there could be hope for me too." He looked away and frowned. Matt was not the type to talk about feelings or to be vulnerable. He always put on a dazzling smile and cracked jokes, covering up anything real.
"You are not just like him. I mean sure, you're a man-whore, but that's one small piece of you. You do not have to end up like our father. You're so much better than him, Matty. You have been there for me my whole life, when he wasn't. You'll fall in love one day and be happy. I know you will."
"Man-whore huh?"
We both broke out into laughter. He was trying to dodge the serious talk, but I knew he heard what I was saying and that was the important part.
"Oh my God, Lexi get back in here!" Becca called from the upstairs window. The exasperation in her voice told me Jamie was only getting worse. I wasn't sure I'd have better luck, but I supposed I should at least give it a try. Matt handed me the earrings and kissed my head before I headed back up the stairs to see if I could help tame the beast.
Once we finally got Jamie calmed down with a few Xanax I swiped from her mother's medicine cabinet, things went a whole lot smoother. Kat and I managed to keep her away from the alcohol in the limo on the way to the church because she was a little more calm than she needed to be already and scenes from Sixteen Candles were flashing through my mind. I probably should have only given her two Xanax.
The ceremony began without a hitch, though I was paired up with Sebastian to walk down the aisle. When it was our turn, he took my arm into his, avoiding eye contact, and down the carpet we went.
Damn, he sure did smell good.
During the ceremony he kept his attention elsewhere. Not once did he even look in my direction, despite the fact that I was finding it difficult to keep my eyes to myself. I couldn't help it, he was smoki
ng hot in that tux.
Unfortunately, Gary was all about the eye contact. I could feel his stare burning into me through the entire ceremony. The poor guy had a small flesh colored bandage over the bridge of his nose and a dark bruise under his eye. I felt guilty seeing him there like that, since it was my fault Sebastian hit him. Not that it made sense though. Sebastian had no reason to care who I was trying to drunk-fuck in the men's room, especially since he had already turned me down. He clearly had no interest. I glanced at Gary again and he was smiling, still staring me down. I just knew I would have to deal with him at some point before the end of the night.
Luckily, Jamie made it through the ceremony without any major issues and by the time they finished with the million pictures the photographer insisted we needed to take, she was getting back to her old self again. She really did look beautiful, even I had to admit that, but to spend tens of thousands of dollars on one day that would only become a bitter memory one day when the relationship fell apart, was insane. I hoped my father's wedding was not going to be an over-the-top waste of money like this one, not that it mattered much. I planned to be as intoxicated as I could be, while still standing upright.
As I stood near the bar, I already noticed Gary heading in my direction. He wasn't wasting any time, that was for sure. I took a deep breath and braced myself to apologize, then nicely tell him I was so not interested, despite the fact I stripped for him in a men's room two nights earlier.
"Hello, Kitten."
I spun around to see who the voice belonged to. It was Sebastian, a devilishly sexy grin pulled the corners of his mouth up just enough to leave a little mystery. The tux fit his muscular frame perfectly. I couldn't stop my mind from wandering and imagining how much better he would look out of it. Gary stopped in his tracks, his face fell as he looked at Sebastian standing next to me, and slunk down in the nearest seat.
"Hi," I managed to say, trying to push thoughts of him minus the tux out of my mind. After what Jamie told me he said about the other night, I was actually surprised that he approached me at all.
"You're not drinking tequila tonight I hope," he teased, but I could tell that behind the smile and light tone, he was serious.
"No, not tonight. I was thinking I'd go right for the vodka, straight up." I was joking. He didn't laugh. "Look, I am really sorry about the other night. I had too much to drink and well I don't really remember much, but I know that I should apologize, so I'm sorry."
"You shouldn't drink so much," he said flatly, the smile now gone.
"Okay, thanks, Dad. I'll keep that in mind." I started to walk away, not really interested in a lecture from some guy I didn't know, about my drinking habits, not even one as delicious as Sebastian Michelson.
"I'm sorry, please don't go," he said, and grabbed me by the wrist, preventing me from leaving.
My skin tingled under his hand. My whole body screamed to feel him touch each and every part of me. My body betrayed me wickedly with this man. I stood looking at him, waiting for a reason to stay. His lips parted slightly as if he wanted to say something, yet nothing came from his mouth.
"Why not?" I asked, still wondering why it would matter if I left, yet really wanting him to have a good reason to keep me there.
"Because I am not the jerk you must think I am." His smile returned and his eyes sparkled with flecks of teal, turquoise, and sapphire. I nearly melted into a puddle right there in front of him.
"So what kind of jerk are you then?"
He laughed, letting his eyes fall to my lips before licking over his own and biting the bottom one for a few seconds before looking back to my eyes.
"Maybe we should try this again. Hi, I'm Sebastian Michelson." He held out a hand, smiling.
A do-over huh? Not that I really deserved one, but I wasn't going to turn it down either.
"Lexi James." I smiled back and took his hand into mine. His skin was surprisingly rough against mine. I thought he was some sort of CEO or something, yet his skin was tough and callused like someone who did manual labor.
"Wonderful to meet you, Ms. James," he purred and rubbed his thumb over the top of my hand, tingling the flesh beneath. My breath caught in my chest, leaving me at a sudden loss of the ability to speak, which of course, only deepened his smile. "Tell me Ms. James, how is it you spend your days?" he asked, releasing my hand.
My skin instantly missed the feel of him, but my brain began higher-order functioning once again, clearing out the fog that seemed to roll in whenever he touched me.
"I'm a freelance journalist for the Ledger. What about you, Mr. Michelson? What do you do over in Europe?"
"The same thing I do here. I run a medical technology and research facility. We have labs in Europe as well as here. I guess you don't remember that from the other night?" he asked, raising one eyebrow.
"I do not. I thought we were starting over anyway?" I tried not to let my embarrassment from that evening seep through.
"Indeed," he smiled, making a hat-tipping gesture in apology.
"Besides, wouldn't I have told you what I did the other night as well?"
"Well, you were a bit unclear about that," he said, stifling a giggle.
"What does that mean?" I knew I shouldn't even ask, but not knowing what I did or said had gotten the better of me.
He thought for a moment, as if trying to find the right way to answer.
"You said that you...'write shit', for a living." This time he could not hold back the laugh.
"Oh." Well, it was the truth at least. I did write shit for a living.
"They are serving dinner. Maybe we should eat." He motioned over to the tables.
"I'm not really hungry, thanks."
He frowned. Maybe the poor guy was starving and didn't want to be rude.
"But, uh, you go if you're hungry," I said, trying to give him an easy out of standing there with me.
"Only if you'll join me." He offered me his arm, ready to head over to the tables.
For one brief moment, I thought about telling him no. I couldn't deny it, I was crazy attracted to Sebastian, but he had already made it clear he was not interested in me that way, so why torture myself being in his company when it only made me want him more? I just wasn't strong enough to walk away. Just the thought of my arm entwined in his was enough to make me agree, so I looped my arm in his and followed.
***
Once at the table, he poured water into the glass in front of me, and pushed the champagne that sat untouched away. I should have been irritated at that, but after the way I'd acted Thursday, I really couldn't blame him. I stabbed at a roasted potato on the plate and popped it in my mouth. He smiled and went to work on his own meal.
"How's it going over here?" Kat asked, sliding herself into the seat next to me and stealing a carrot off my plate. She looked over at Sebastian with a sexy little smile on her face and I knew she was thinking dirty thoughts. I was pretty sure he knew too, because he shifted uncomfortably in his seat and cleared his throat.
"So, Katarina, I hear that you are dating Lexi's brother Matt," he said, calling attention to her boyfriend which stopped her from looking at him like the big bad wolf checking out Little Red.
"Yes, Sebastian. I heard you were gay. Is that really true?" She batted her long eyelashes innocently.
Poor Sebastian nearly choked on his prime rib.
"You have been misinformed, Ms. Kaverin. I most certainly am not gay," Sebastian stressed, quickly gaining back his composure.
Well, that's good to know.
"Hey Bas, how's the food?" Justin asked, slapping Sebastian on the back and taking the seat next to him. He eyed me sympathetically, probably because of what Sebastian told him about the other night.
"Very good. How's yours Lexi?" he asked, his eyes prompting me to eat.
I cut a small piece and forked it into my mouth, chewed a few times and shook my head in agreement. He watched me until I forked another cube into my mouth, smiled, then turned back to Justin for a detailed
conversation about the honeymoon. Kat was giving me a strange look.
"What the hell is with you two?" she asked in a loud whisper.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." I looked at her innocently, forking another piece of meat into my mouth.
Kat sucked her top lip into her mouth the way she always did when she was thinking hard about something. I noticed Gary over her shoulder sitting at the next table and glancing in our direction. He seemed to be looking from me to Sebastian and back to me. I just hoped he wasn't about to come over here. I knew I needed to apologize, but that was probably best done outside the company of the guy who beat his face bloody.
Kat suddenly got up, walked over to Matt, and sat on his lap, talking into his ear. Great, she was telling on me. It was about time for that champagne sitting next to my water and maybe a few shots of tequila. I felt a hand slide up my shoulder behind me.
"Care to dance?" Gary asked, looking like he might throw up.
I glanced over at Sebastian, who was glaring at Gary, and gripping his knife with hostility. Gary was seriously lacking in life skills because he didn't know when to back down. I took pity on the poor guy and figured it was best to keep him away from Sebastian, at least while he had a weapon. I let him lead me out on to the dance floor and wrap his arms, a little too tightly, around my waist.
"Listen, Gary, I'm really sorry about the other night--" I started to apologize but he cut me off.
"I'm not. Sorry that is," he said looking up at me, because in those heels, he was about two inches shorter than me.
"Okay, well, nonetheless, I am sorry. I got really drunk and I don't even remember most of what happened. I'm sure whatever it was, it was my fault." He let me finish speaking this time, mulling over what I said thoughtfully.