Chapter 14
CORDELIE
The bass of the music is pumping through my veins, and it feels so freeing and good.
It's almost as if I can forget all the shitty things that have happened in the last forty-eight hours.
You let him die, you failed. You're worthless.
I grab the shot glass in Faye's hand and gulp it down, trying desperately to drown out the voice inside my head that's been berating me incessantly since Tyler died at that party.
I've tried to reason with myself that I couldn't have done anything more to save him, but even I know that's a lie.
I didn't try hard enough. I could have done more, but as usual, I was too stuck in my head and panicked.
You killed him. It's your fault he's dead.
"Girl, are you okay?" Faye leans in and yells to be heard over the club music, and I can tell by the look she's giving me that she's once again worried.
Lately, she's always concerned about me, everyone is.
That's what I do, though, I cause other people stress until they eventually get sick of me and leave, like Noah, Josslyn, and even Sly.
No one sticks around long, and I can't even blame them.
They see right through you. They can see the weakness deep inside of you.
I force a smile onto my face, not wanting to ruin her night.
"I'm fine!" A muscular arm wraps around my waist from behind, and the smell of masculine cologne mixed with sweat assaults my senses.
At first, I panic, thinking it might be Noah, but the arm is bare, and there are no tattoos.
I don't know why that thought fixates in my inebriated mind, but it does, and I instantly picture Noah's full sleeves of demon and monster tattoos.
The ones I used to joke about when we were together, that one day I would color in while he was sleeping.
"Hey, pretty girl, you having a good night?
" A husky male voice rasps in my ear, causing a shiver to sprint down my spine as he uses his forearm to push my body into his while we dance.
The rough texture of his skin against mine, combined with the scents of the club, onslaughts my senses.
My ass rubs against his pelvis, and even in my slightly dazed condition, I can feel his arousal pressing into me.
It's on the tip of my tongue to tell him to back off and leave me alone.
I just want to dance and let loose with my friends tonight, but then I glance up at the upper balcony and catch Noah Tisdale watching me with a scowl, and my anxiety rises even more. Why won't he leave me the fuck alone?
"I'm hot!" I yell back, forcing my glance away from Noah, and attempting to put a little distance between the mystery man and me.
I twirl around, shaking my ass, and get a look at him.
He's good-looking, with dark, messy, curly hair, and eyes that I think might be a shade of green or blue; it's hard to tell with the neon lights.
He's sporting an eyebrow piercing and a lip piercing that gleams in the light.
He's tall and slim, his body built like a swimmer.
I could do worse than him to help me forget my existence for the night.
Plus, if it helps me hurt Noah the way he hurt me, it's well worth it.
You're not hurting anyone but yourself, fool. No one cares that much about you.
"Yeah, baby, you are." He winks, and a goofy smile crosses his lips, bringing my attention back to the piercing that I suddenly want to bite and yank on.
"Want to get a drink from the bar?" He yells, and I nod, needing a break from the dancing and my aching feet.
I'm regretting letting Faye talk me into these shoes and this tiny dress, which I feel like my ass is hanging out of.
I look back at Faye and catch her questioning look.
I mouth "I'll be fine" and wink at her, or at least I think I do, but now that I've stopped dancing, I'm feeling all the drinks catching up with me as I stumble in Faye's borrowed heels.
Why the fuck did I wear these? I'm like a baby giraffe stumbling about.
Mr. Piercing doesn't seem to mind, as he grabs my hand tightly and drags me toward the bar, the neon lights making my head swim.
Two drinks, he motions to the bartender, and I want to ask for water, but before I get to, the bartender turns away from us.
Shit. I probably shouldn't have any more tonight.
I'm not really great with large consumptions of alcohol, and I know I'm going to regret it in the morning.
"Here you go, pretty girl." My mind tries to play catch-up to the fact that he's handed me something pink.
In the back of my mind, a warning is going off, but I can't make out what it is. I look over my shoulder and spot Noah again. Goddammit, he’s becoming a stalker.
"Drink up, pretty girl, it will make you feel better.
It's hot as the devil's balls in here tonight.
" He downs his drink in one gulp and leans closer, and I take a stumbling step back into the bar counter.
The room spins, and my stomach lurches with discomfort.
I press the cold glass against my forehead, feeling overwhelmed and vulnerable as a wave of dizziness assails me.
His arms cage me in, and I hesitate before taking a sip of my drink, feeling the cold, refreshing liquid slide down my throat, and a strange mix of relief and dread.
I feel instantly parched, so I drink more, until there's nothing left in the plastic cup.
Yet I can't shake the warning growing louder, and sounding like blaring sirens in my mind.
I question my choices, and the danger lurking behind this guy's smile, with Noah's watchful gaze haunting me from a distance. "Want to go outside and get some air?"
Air? Do I want to get some air? My body says yes, it's too hot in here, and I can feel the sweat trickling down my back, but my mind is resistant.
Mr. Piercing leans forward, his face so close to mine that it makes me squint up at him.
His lips briefly touch mine, and I feel his piercing press against my lower lip, and I can taste his fruity drink on them.
He licks at mine, and I gasp, giving him the perfect opportunity to lean closer and slip his tongue in my mouth.
At first, I think I'm going to gag, but after a few strokes of his tongue against mine, it feels nice.
His arms wrap around my waist, pulling me closer as my chest brushes against his.
He deepens the kiss, and I start to get lightheaded from the lack of air, pushing against his arms with my hands.
"You okay?" He watches me intently, but my mind seems to be wading through quicksand.
"Bathroom! I need to go." That's what I think I say, but based on his smirk, I'm not sure.
He nods his head and threads our fingers together, moving through the thick crowd toward one of the walls and then down a corridor.
All I can focus on is how clammy our hands are, and how I want to let go.
The music is not as loud where we are, and my thoughts become less jumbled as I look around.
"Where... where are we?" I question when I don't see a lineup for the women's washroom.
"I'm friends with the owner. These are the staff bathrooms, so you won't have to wait.
" I'm processing his words as he pulls me up against a black metal door and kisses me again.
I start to get lost in the kiss, but this time it feels as if my body is exhausted and weighs a ton.
My hand drops from his arm and slumps at my side, and I swear I can see the bright neon lights still behind my closed eyelids, and hear my blood rushing in my ears.
One of his hands slides up the side of my abdomen, before reaching my breast and squeezing it, and I wheeze into his mouth with shock.
"Stooppp," I slur, my lips feeling like they're frozen, and my tongue too large for my mouth.
His fingers slip down the front of my dress and tweak my braless nipple, and I cry out from the pain.
I try to swat his hand away, but I don't even get close to hitting him, and it seems like everything is moving in slow motion.
"Come on, pretty girl, let me take care of you.
" He removes his hand from my dress, turns us around, and pushes the door open, while still half cradling, half carrying me, as my legs threaten to give out.
The automatic lights glare on and temporarily blind me, causing more distortion, and I groan with the sudden pain in my skull.
"It will be okay, baby. I'm going to make you feel so good.
You're so beautiful. Fuck, I was watching you for a while, and you're the hottest girl in here tonight. "