11. Ana
11
ANA
I sat there, dazed for a few minutes after he left. Two . Two almost cramp inducing, brain scrambling orgasms back-to-back. My legs were still shaking, my core still quivering. How did he do that? And then he just disappeared like a ghost. I shook my head, trying to get my brain to come back online. I could still smell him. His scent was all over me and it was the same scent from this morning, in my bedroom. It was spicy, yet it had a hint of sweetness to it. Expensive and him . His natural scent is what I truly recognized.
Someone walked by then, staring at me like they thought I was crazy. I immediately became conscious of my appearance. I probably did look crazy. Oh Crap . I picked up my bag and stood and walked as fast as I could without bringing attention to myself to the nearest bathroom. I pushed open the door, nearly flinging myself into the bathroom. Thankfully, I no one was in there. I walked up to the mirror hesitantly, afraid for some reason that my appearance had changed because of what I had done. I gasped when I finally saw my reflection. I pressed my fingers to my kiss-swollen lips. He kissed me . The kiss had been so intense, so overwhelming, it almost consumed me. I touched the various bite marks on my shoulder and then my hand came up to my neck, his handprint was already darkening around it. I bit my lip as the flashback of how I got each mark hit me one after another. Crap . I couldn’t go out like this. I straightened my hair and then straightened my dress. He had tried his best to fix it, but he didn't do a very good job. I looked— ravished .
I thought back to the man himself, his intense grey eyes, his dark hair was slightly curly, I had wanted to run my fingers through the curly strands but didn’t let myself, since I had still been in denial that I hadn’t wanted what happened to happen. his sharp hard jaw. His full, sexy, punishing lips. And his body God. I felt every hard muscle when he leaned into me. My heart rate picked up. Had a man that gorgeous really done all that to me? He was tall, maybe six foot five. While his all-black suit exuded an air of power and sophistication, the tattoos peeking out from beneath his collar and wrist added a touch of danger and untamed wildness to his appearance. That is, if you couldn’t already tell he was dangerous by looking into his eyes. His eye weren’t quite the dead kind of a psychopath but they were cold and calculating and radiated danger. Yet, I was captivated by them. Hello little red. I shivered, remembering his deep, rumbling voice. Good fucking girl . I blushed. That somehow was the sexiest thing anyone had ever said to me. I caught a hint of an accent. It was very faint, but it was there. Russian? Maybe. I groaned, dropping my face in my hands. I didn't even know his name.
I pulled out my scarf from my bag. Thanking myself for grabbing it at the last minute in case I got cold. I wrapped it around my neck and shoulder, covering his marks on me. For some absolutely insane reason, I felt bad doing it, but I had to; I looked like I had either been mauled or had really rough sex. Julia would freak out if she saw the marks. I finally left the bathroom and didn't even attempt to study. I just put everything back in its place and headed home.
I sighed, so much for keeping it from Julia. She walked into my room while I was changing and saw all the marks. Now I was weathering one of her famous glares. It had been a few days and most of the marks had faded, but they were enough to get Julia’s radar going haywire.
“Ana, what happened to you? Why are there marks all over you?” She seemed more pissed than she should be.
Why did it matter to her? I sighed again. I was more focused on the fact that I hadn't heard from Him in a few days. I had forced myself to focus on my midterm, using it as a distraction but now that it was over I was slightly peeved that he hadn’t tried calling or anything, but I couldn't bring myself to regret what happened. He brought me so much pleasure and it was only after I got home that I realized he had left without getting any pleasure for himself. I wanted to return the favor . I blushed at the thought. Julia, ever observant, caught the blush.
“Oh my god! You slept with someone,” She squeaked.
“No!” I rushed out.
Then calmer, I added. “I didn’t have sex with him, we just made out a little.”
She let out a breath, an expression of relief coming over her face for a second before she squashed it. Then she smiled.
“Okay, tell me more!” She said, excited now. I bit my lip. I couldn't tell her about my stalker.
“It’s just a guy from school. You wouldn't know him. We made out a little in the library and he got a little rough.” A little rough. I snorted internally. More like I got devoured.
“And…? Did you like it? Rough I mean.” She asked.
I blushed at the question, but it was actually a question I asked myself when I got home after. And yes, it seems I like it rough, actually more specifically, I liked my stalker exactly the way he was.
“I think so,” I finally replied.
She laughed. “Okay, good. Are you going to see him again?” She asked.
I shrugged. I had no response to that. I may very well never see him again.
She said nothing for a long moment and then sighed.
“Right, well the Halloween party is tomorrow night we have to pick out our, costumes,” She said.
I nearly groaned. I had forgotten about that.
The rest of the day was spent tirelessly trying on costumes, feeling the different fabrics against my skin, while Julia rambled as she examined herself in the store mirrors. It was all overloading my senses. Finally, Julia decided. This Halloween we were going as slutty bunnies . I couldn't help but think about what He would think about the costume. I sat on a bench in front of the changing room while I waited as Julia tried on a few more costumes for some other parties she was going to.
My phone buzzed, and I frowned, pulling it out of my back jean pocket. No one ever texted me. It was a text from an unknown number.
Unknown: I miss you little red.
My heart stopped—Or at least that’s what it felt like.
I stared at the text for a long moment, unsure of what to say. Did I miss him? Yes, I did. But I didn’t want him to know that. He was a stranger, after all. I bit my lip.
Unknown: Answer me, little red.
I blushed. He had said the same exact thing the other day.
Me: How can you miss me? You don't even know me.
Send . My palms were getting sweaty.
Little red. I knew why he called me that. I’d been called many variations of that before, because of my love for the color red. But it felt sexual when he said it.
His response came immediately.
Unknown: Trust me, I know more than you think, Anastasia.
I frowned. In my orgasm induced daze, I hadn’t noticed that he used my name a few days ago. In fact, I thought I had imagined it.
Well, he wouldn’t be a very good stalker if he didn't know my name at least, but what else did he know about me?
Me: Well, I don't miss you. Sorry.
I don’t know why I lied. Or why I was trying to provoke him.
Unknown: You can lie to me all you want, little red, but I know your pussy is begging for my touch again.
I turned as bright as a tomato.
Unknown: Where are you right now?
Me: Shouldn’t you know that already? You are a stalker, after all.
I bit my lip.
Unknown: I do know where you are. What I meant was. What are you doing at a Halloween costume store? You don’t strike me as one who likes parties.
Crap . He did know where I was. I looked around but didn’t see anyone who looked like him.
Me: My roommate is dragging me out to a party in two days. I would rather not go, but I promised.
Unknown: You shouldn't do things you don’t want to.
I rolled my eyes.
Me: I’d rather not be lectured by a stalker, thanks!
Unknown: Anastasia.
My body tingled. I could tell his tone was scolding and somehow, I knew I was going to pay for that if he ever caught me again.
Unknown: You shouldn’t go out tonight. It’s not safe.
I frowned.
Me: I can take care of myself, thanks.
As if he had summoned that danger, he spoke off. I felt a chill slither down my back as a man wearing a ski mask step from around a corner. My heart raced, pounding against my chest like a wild animal trapped in a cage. The icy grip of fear tightened around my throat as his eyes, cold and dead, locked onto mine. Instinct kicked in, urging me to run, but my legs felt heavy, as if rooted to the spot. It seems that I was the " freeze " type in the Fight, Flight, or Freeze response.
With trembling hands, I fumbled for my phone, desperate to call for help. But before I could even reach for it, the man lunged forward, his movements swift and professional, like he had done this a million times. Somehow, I dodged his outstretched hand by scooting across the bench, but that wasn’t enough to get away from him. He walked over and leaned down to speak close to my ear. The smell of stale alcohol and sweat surrounded me, and I stopped myself from gagging.
“Come with me or I’ll kill your friend” He said, jerking his head toward Julia’s changing room.
My phone buzzed, but I didn't dare check the text as the glint of silver in his hand caught my eye. A knife. Oh god! No, don’t panic. Stay calm Ana . Allowing the adrenaline to drown out the fear, I swung my bag at him, the weight of it crashing against his shoulder with a satisfying thud.
He stumbled back, momentarily stunned. My legs finally began to work again, and I propelled forward, running away and out of the store. I darted through the maze-like streets, my breath coming in ragged gasps. The sound of his footsteps echoed behind me, growing louder and more menacing.
Panic fueled my determination, pushing me to run faster, because something told me if he caught me, things would get really bad. Every corner I turned, I prayed for a way out, for a sign that there was anyone still on the streets. My lungs were burning, and my legs felt like jelly.
Finally, a glimmer of hope appeared in the distance–a dimly lit storefront with an ‘ open’ neon sign. Summoning the last reserves of my energy, I sprinted towards it, my heart pounding in my chest. But before I could reach it. I got hit in the back by what felt like a 200-pound sack of rocks; I fell face first, my skull cracking on the pavement. Spots danced along my vision, but I couldn't let myself pass out.
Suddenly, the sound of more footsteps echoed through the air and that’s when I thought I was well and truly fucked. But the weight on top of me suddenly vanished. I somehow managed to flip myself to my front, my head was throbbing and my ears were ringing. I gasped when my eyes finally focused and I saw another man, standing above my attacker who was now sitting on the ground, his ski mask pulled up, revealing his face.
I examined my attacker and then turned my gaze to the man who might be saving me? I wasn’t sure. That’s when I noticed the gun pointed at my attacker. I opened my mouth to say something, but before I could, the ringing in my ears went absolutely silent as a loud bang rang out. I looked at the man who attacked me and saw a small bloody hole appear right between his eyes as he fell to the ground. He just.. killed him. I screamed, finally finding my voice. The stranger looked at me but made no move to approach me. He stood there calmly, watching me scream. Once I stopped screaming, mainly because my throat was raw. He let out a long sigh and then crouched.
“Are you okay?” He asked in a thick Russian accent.
I nodded, and then promptly passed out.