15. Mystery Movie
15
Mystery Movie
That night, I sat on my bed with Jinx to plan my big date.
I added black heart and spider emojis to Victor’s contact display name. Texting was so unromantic, but cold-calling set people on edge. I wanted his voice to rip up my insides with desire and soothe them into sated submission.
I groaned and flopped onto the bed. Jinx yelped. What was wrong with me? I snuggled my cat and sighed over my spider man.
What should I send him? A sexy selfie? Something from the party he never got to see?
I opened the camera app by accident instead of the gallery and smiled at me and Jinx. With my winged liner, smudged lipstick, and gorgeous black cat, I was a sight to be seen.
I snapped a few pictures and kissed my cat’s cheek. Jinx pressed his cold nose to mine in appreciation, then wriggled around to nap on my arm. The steady rumble of his purring soothed my anxiety about texting Victor.
He wanted to see me. I selected a few party and personal photos to send him.
Me: Hey, Mr. Sterling. Sorry you couldn’t make it to the party. Consider these pics VIP rewards ;)
I barely had time to switch tabs before my phone pinged again. He’d liked my photos.
Victor: I love a private party. So, when are we having ours? I’m off Thursday.
I laughed and scratched Jinx’s spine. This guy knew what to say to everything. My photos hadn’t even been that suggestive and there he was scheduling sexy times.
Me: Works for me. Dinner and a movie?
Victor: Dinner *at* the movies. My treat.
Well, at least I didn’t have to wonder about splitting the tab. But was it a bad sign he didn’t want to talk at dinner first?
Jinx lifted his head and blinked at me.
He was probably right. I was overthinking this. It was nothing more than a nice gesture, and I was fine with hooking up, right? No problems here. I texted my date back.
Me: Taking full advantage of your discount, I see :P
Victor: You should have the chance to sample everything. Especially if you plan on spending a lot more lunch breaks at the theater.
Ah, so he did want to spend more time together. At the very least, he planned on feeding me. All green flags so far.
Me: Are we also sampling movies?
Victor: If you like. Although there is one in particular I was thinking might be fun. The showing is at 5:30. I’d like to keep the actual title a mystery.
What was with him and obscurity?
Me: How am I supposed to decide if I want to see it?
Victor: It’s more thrilling than scary. Kinda funny, actually.
Hmm… Were there any new movies that fit the bill?
Me: I could just look up the listing.
Victor: Trust me. It’s a top-tier Halloween movie.
Trust? A stranger? Although I did know his name now. Another text popped on my screen.
Victor: Also, you and your cat are really pretty.
I cackled, then kissed my cat’s head. Jinx blinked and purred louder.
Me: Okay, maybe you do have good taste. For now, Jinx approves. I’ll see you at 5:30
It wasn’t that he called me pretty. That was the baseline flirting, although complimenting my cat was extra endearing.
For some reason, he wanted to surprise me. So far, all his surprises made me happy. Maybe he was onto something.
Somehow, I managed to make it to Thursday night without spontaneously combusting. I applied extra deodorant, slathered myself in blackberry-scented lotion, and applied some kiss-friendly lipstick in case things went well. My eye liner was on point. Hopefully, this date would be too.
The thick platforms on my boots rippled with anticipation with each step towards the theater lobby. He was waiting for me, leaning on the railing. Ribbons from the lace-ups on either side of my gray plaid dress brushed my arms and thighs as I hurried closer. He wore a gray button-down shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and a black tank top underneath. A thin silver cross hung from a chain loosely draped around his neck. He looked up to admire the widow. The long stretch of his exposed skin tempted me to nibble on his collar bone.
At the sound of my footsteps, he glanced over and smiled.
My insides rattled and soared. I wanted to leap into his arms and take him right on the staircase. The widow would approve, right? She was all about taking virile men.
His gaze dropped to my bouncing boobs, but once his brain restarted, he stood up straighter and unclipped the band ‘fence’ separating us.
“You look lovely,” he said.
“You do too. Are you allowed to mess with work stuff off-duty?” I teased.
He leaned in close, grazing my skirt as he re-clipped the band. “No one's going to stop me. I only let my dates tell me what to do.”
Fuck that rumbling voice. It went straight to my pussy. I raked my nails across his side and smiled. “Where are we going?”
He gestured to the staircase and bowed slightly. “Theater number thirteen.”
I arched my brow. “Mm, lucky.”
“I like to think so,” he purred.
I laughed and shook my head. Was he being cheeky? Either way, it worked for me. I grabbed the rail and propelled myself up the stairs. Hopefully, he enjoyed the view from behind. “Don’t touch the backs of my legs again,” I warned, in reference to the first time we’d met.
He smirked and climbed after me. “Are you ticklish?”
“No.” I twisted around to guard myself. Bad idea to call attention to it. “But there are better places to touch that won’t get you kicked in the face.”
“Thank you for telling me.” He eyed my legs like he wanted to break every fishnet down the center of my tights with his teeth.
Rubbing my thighs together, I considered foregoing the film to fuck him in a supply closet or something. But then we’d miss the surprise. One he made just for me.
He braced himself on the railings and rocked between two steps. Flexing his forearms, he assessed me, his eyes gleaming with intrigue.
Part of me wanted to push him with my foot, dare him to hike my leg around his shoulder—or hip. But a stronger part wanted to crawl into the rafters with him, past the widow’s domain, to the puzzle pieces of his identity. Who was Victor Sterling? And what movie had he picked out for me?
If he went to all the trouble of setting up a mystery, I had to see it through. I flashed him a smile, then dutifully marched to the upper level.
The title card for theater thirteen was blank.
“Taking this mystery thing to the next level, huh?” I asked.
He held open the door and wagged his brows. “Enter at your own risk.”
More ominous charm.
“I can handle it. Plus, my sister knows where I am—and who I’m with, so should anything happen to me…” I walked backwards and wiggled my finger at him. Shadows enveloped us as the door creaked shut behind him.
A dim glow lingered in his eyes. “I have a feeling you’d haunt me.”
Something about the resigned, quiet admiration in his voice indicated I already had. I was an emotional imprint, lingering around him. Did he dream of me? Or did my style emanate some kind of nightmare ex-lover territory?
My heart pounded.
What if he had dreams like I’d had of him…dining in on me?
“We have our choice of seats,” he said, dragging his fingers along the divider.
Besides us, the theater was empty. I smiled in bewilderment and he bit down on his smirk. Maybe we had a chance of turning one fantasy into a reality.