Night School

‘Eloise. I always thought she was old. Or at least, you know, older.’


Sylvain smiled. ‘Yes, I think she wants people to think she’s older. If they knew she was so young, nobody would take her seriously. She was at school here six years ago.’ He gave the librarian an appraising glance. ‘Very sexy, Eloise.’

Allie punched his arm lightly. ‘Hey! Watch it. Remember who your date is.’

His smile was wicked. ‘I could never forget. And in fact, I think it’s time for my date to dance with me again. Come on now, bottoms up.’ He finished his own drink then waited until she’d emptied her glass before holding out his hand.

As they headed back to the dance floor she felt a little unsteady on her feet, and reached for Sylvain’s arm to steady herself. At that moment, Carter stepped in front of them. Their eyes met and, remembering that morning’s English class, Allie felt a spark of electricity. Then she noticed he had his arm around a small girl in a blue taffeta dress. She was pretty, with long, curly blonde hair. Before Allie could say anything to him, he turned away very deliberately and smiled down at his date, whispering something in her ear that made her giggle.

Allie flushed and must have tensed because Sylvain looked over to see what had caught her attention. When he saw Carter, his eyes narrowed, and his arm tightened around her waist.

‘Is everything OK?’ he asked her coolly.

Forcing a smile she pulled him onto the dance floor.

‘Everything is perfect.’ But she noticed she’d slurred the last word, and she frowned with concentration as she tried to figure out why.

Bloody hell – am I drunk? Already?

‘You look,’ he said as they took their first steps onto the dance floor, ‘like an angel.’

Carter was right there at the edge of the dance floor, Allie was sure of it. He was probably watching them. With his date.

Fine, then. She’d give him something to watch.

She pulled Sylvain closer. ‘I don’t feel like one.’

He threw his head back and laughed as they picked up speed. This time the dance steps were easier, and at first Allie relaxed into the movement and the music and let Sylvain decide where they went on the floor. Her head felt light and pleasantly dizzy. She gave into the feeling with a soft sigh, leaning back against his arm and letting him support her completely. She felt the air rush around them.

He pulled her closer until his lips were against her ear; as he nibbled sharply at her earlobe she gasped and would have tripped were he not holding her so tightly.

After that, he was silent for so long that she glanced up at him worriedly.

‘Is everything OK?’

‘I’m sorry,’ he said, his voice taut. ‘You are irresistible.’ His expression was so intense it made her nervous.

He swirled them to the edge of the dance floor and led her hurriedly out of the room. Feeling a bit woozy, Allie clung to his hand as he rushed out into the dark night, past a small crowd gathered near the back door, then around the corner to a quiet empty spot, out of view.

She tried to talk without slurring her words. ‘Where are we …?’

He shoved her roughly against the wall, and she cried out at the impact, although she felt it as if through a cushion of cotton wool.

‘Stop! Sylvain, you’re hurting me.’

His eyes were luminous in the moonlight and she saw something like ferocity in them.

‘Not one more second.’ He kissed her so hard that her head hit the wall and she bit her tongue. Tears filled her eyes from the blow. She struggled to get away, her fists pounding at his chest, but it was all a bit hazy and after a second she couldn’t quite remember why she was fighting.

A vague memory of Carter’s warning filtered through her confusion: Don’t trust Sylvain. He’s a liar.

Then Sylvain tilted up her chin and kissed her neck. For a second she liked it, but then he nipped at the skin so hard it hurt and she gasped, her body moving involuntarily against his as she tried to get away. But she couldn’t move – he was pressed hard against her. His hands moved up from her waist to her breasts and she started to panic in earnest. A tear ran down her cheek as she shoved against his chest but it seemed to have no effect on him.

‘You want me,’ he whispered. His left hand moved up to her throat, holding her so tightly she found it hard to breathe.

‘Stop!’ Her voice was just a whisper.

She clawed at his wrists but he was too strong.

‘Say it,’ he said again, pressing harder. ‘Tell me that you want me.’

‘Ask yourself a question, Sylvain. If you force somebody to want you, do they really want you?’ Carter’s voice came from right behind Sylvain.

Sylvain’s hold loosened enough for Allie to breathe but he didn’t let go as he turned to face Carter. As she breathed in, his smile was feral.

‘Oh do go away, Carter.’

Carter stood his ground. ‘What are you trying to force her to say, Sylvain? Spell it out for me. Like I’m simple.’