Chapter 9 Wonderland #2
A part of me is relieved we were interrupted. But my lady parts are furious. I shift my legs. My clit is throbbing with a fucking vengeance. Damn.
Should I just go for it?
Alice could get with a stranger in a bar. A damned hot one. Right now, I don’t care if he’s an arsehole creep under that hood, I just want his face between my legs.
“Let’s dance,” he rasps in my ear, putting those large hands on my waist. “I want to keep touching you, but if I find myself alone with you again, I won’t be able to stop even if the whole server crew showed up.”
“What if I wouldn’t want you to?”
“This isn’t the place for that.” He pulls back, but not letting go.
“I like your laugh. These dimples…” He traces his thumb across my cheek and down my chin.
“You are a complete surprise. I want to appreciate your company while I have it.” He leans his forehead on mine.
“You have no idea how out-of-character those words are for me.”
We dance and giggle (again, mainly me), and I wish the night would never end. I feel so good making this man smile like that. He admitted he didn’t even want to be here tonight, but I make him laugh. It’s a sound that wraps around my heart, and I want more of it.
His lips find mine in between, and it’s like an electric current each time. I’m high on endorphins and wild butterflies. Lost in his embrace and intoxicating scent. How can it feel so familiar so soon?
“Do you want to come home with me?” he asks, his lips tickling my ear. His voice is so gentle, there’s a vulnerability in it that makes my heart constrict. Like he’s used to getting what he wants, but now he’s not sure what answer he’ll get.
I look up at him. My short-lived fairytale with this masked, handsome stranger must end. He’s a VVIP. A real one. I’m far from it, and I don’t think he’ll appreciate the truth.
“I wish I could say yes.”
“Then do,” he whispers. “Or can I see you another day?”
“I’m so sorry. I have to go.”
“What?” Robin sounds genuinely disappointed. His hands find my elbows, and I relish the feeling of his skin on mine once more.
“I really am sorry. Trust me, I’d come with you if I could.” I caress Robin’s arm one last time. The tingle between my thighs lingers from before. This man has ignited me from within.
“I should go.” I catch his eye and shrug. I’m doing the right thing, am I not?
“Oh,” he says, and lets go of me. I’m weirdly disappointed he doesn’t try to convince me to stay. I get the feeling this is a man who’s used to getting what he wants. Why is he giving up so quickly?
He’s respecting my ‘no’ and here I am complaining about it. Silly double morals.
It’s for the best.
Makes it easier for me to do the right thing.
“Goodbye, Robin.”
“Bye, Alice. Meeting you was … sensational,” he says, making my decision feel so wrong. He kisses my cheek and touches the small of my back as I turn to leave. My skin burns where his hand was.
I make my way through the crowd towards the exit with a heavy feeling in my gut. After getting my phone from the concierge, the bouncer pushes the large wooden door open, and the chilly night breeze hits me as I brace myself for the real world.
Heavy footsteps sound behind me, and before I can react, a warm hand finds my elbow again.
My heart soars.
“Robin!”
“Give me your number,” he says, slightly out of breath.
I’m about to shout ‘Yes!’ but stop myself.
What would come of it? I have nothing to offer this man.
“What were you about to say?” he asks.
I rub my forehead, and my mask pulls on my skin, reminding me of why I was there today.
He’s a member here. And I … I’m nothing special.
“I was about to say yes, but I don’t think it’s a good idea. My life’s a bit messy.”
“Please don’t tell me someone’s waiting for you at home,” he says and steps closer, grabbing my free hand.
“No, of course not,” I say, shaking my head.
“We all have our own kinds of mess.” He presses his lips together in a thin smile. “Please, Alice. Give me your number. I need to know there’s a chance I can hear that laugh again.”
I chew the inside of my cheek. Is there any harm?
“You don’t even have to tell me your name if you don’t want to. How’s that? Just your number.”
“Hmm.” I allow myself to lean against him, feeling the heat of his body on mine before I have to step away and out into the crisp spring night.
“Okay. I guess you won’t give me yours either, then?” I grin at him and receive a heart-melting smile in return.
“Correct,” he says, leaning closer. His breath tickles my face, sparking another rush of arousal in me.
“Okay,” I say, and slip him my phone. There’s a tingle of excitement in my lower belly as he hands it back, revealing his contact saved as ‘Robin’. He looks like he’s stifling a laugh, and I stretch up to kiss those luscious lips once more.
The kiss quickly intensifies, and his comforting arms lock around me in a tight embrace. I caress his neck with one hand and his strong arm with the other. Oh God, I wish I didn’t give a shit about anything and could just go home with him now.
A gust of wind reminds me we’re in the doorway, and I have to go before my mind stops being so annoyingly sensible.
With all my willpower, I pull away and say goodbye.
I step onto the top of the stairs and squeeze past the queue, dodging people in wild costumes taking selfies in front of the building covered in wildflowers. I marvel at the sight of it.
Wildflowers.
Almost like my tattoos.
Like me.
I shudder and breathe deeply, relishing the mix of emotions this night has brought on, before I say goodbye to this magical, fairy-tale place. Because that’s all it could ever be, and now I’m back in reality.