"Darius," I replied, matching his commanding tone. He looked down at me and I looked right back up, not scared by his face. Actually, it was a really nice face; there was no reason to be scared of it.
Unless he saw a dead rat. Then he’d look scary. Or was it a dead cat?
"See, it's a beautiful day, and we are on a boat cruise. You can't be working. It's called taking a break, or a kitkat, okay?"
He sighed in resignation.
So I thought of something. "I'll give you your phone back if you don't take it out for the rest of the night."
"Deal," he said, placing his palm out. I watched him, curiously thinking, would he behave? I shrugged and placed the phone back in his hand and he kept it in his pocket. He held his hands up, palms faced toward me.
"Good, let's go," I said, turning around and heading back toward the loud music. I grabbed a glass from the waiter and turned around.
I didn't realise how close he was following me and ended up sloshing the liquid all over him.
"Oh no!"
His shirt was stained by the brandy and I frowned. "What a waste of good alcohol," I said, and he replied, "It's okay. I have more suits."
I looked up to meet his eyes. "Oh right, poor shirt."
No, the shirt was not poor at all. I can't believe I wasted good quality brandy on him. He took out his handkerchief and wiped his face.
"Sorry."
"It's fine," he said, shrugging.
"I was talking to the alcohol."
He smiled, putting his handkerchief back in his pocket and looking down at me. "How much did you have to drink?"
"Not much," I said, realizing that he missed a spot on his face. A drop of brandy remained on his lips. Before I could double-guess what I was doing, I tiptoed and wrapped my arms around his neck, or tried to in my half-drunken state. Only now I realised that even in my heels I was short. I pulled his lips to mine.
I could taste the strong essence of the brandy on my lips. Then I realised what I was doing and pulled away but Darius wrapped one hand around my waist, holding me in place while his other hand was in my hair pulling at something.
I shivered, feeling my stomach churn. Was I seasick?
We pulled apart and I didn't feel so cold anymore. "Don't put your hair up," he said and that was when I realised that he took away the clip holding my hair and now it was in a messy tangle. That took me a long time to do. That bun was my finest bun!
"You ruined my hair."
"You ruined my suit, so I guess that makes us even."
I huffed. I guess he has a point. Maybe I can buy him a new suit, like how he bought me a – I leaned back up, placing a quick kiss on his lips.
"What was that for?" he asked and I realised that I had never made the first move. Until now.
"For getting me the dog, even though you said no."
His eyebrows knotted and he looked confused. "What dog?"
"The dog from earlier, the husky?"
"I didn't buy it," he said and my jaw dropped.
"But I saw a sold sign!"
"Someone else could have bought it," he said with a shrug of his shoulders. I felt sad, and to think I kissed him.
"I want my kiss back."
"Fine."
"Fine," I snapped and realised what he said. Fine? He was willing to give it back? He leaned forward and I leaned back. "What are you doing?"
"I'm giving your kiss back."
"Nah, I don't want it anymore. Give it to Adrian." I shook my head and placed my hands on his chest, trying to push him away.
"No refunds."
His hair fell across his forehead, framing his emerald eyes, as I stared at him. Was he serious? He was serious.
"I need to pee," I blurted out just as his lips touched mine. He pulled back, raising an eyebrow. I gave him a sheepish smile as he let go. What the heck was that?
Did I want him to kiss me?
Yes.
Then why did I have to yell that out?
"Rain check. Go."
I nodded, turning around and heading through the crowd. Do I need to pee?
Yes, that's why.
I rushed into the bathroom, my heart hammering in my chest. I washed my hands and looked in the mirror, wincing as I caught my reflection. My lipstick smudged and my hair a bird’s nest.
So attractive. I washed my face and wiped the lipstick off. I pat my face dry with tissues and ran a hand through my hair as I walked out.
"There you are!"
I looked up to see Adrian and waved, walking up to him. I looked at the glass in his hands.
"For me? Thank you." I grabbed it before he could say anything and drained every last drop as he laughed and shook his head.
"Haven't you had too much?"
I shook my head. Since when did the lines on his suit move?
"No. Let's get some more," I said, waiting for the buzzy feeling to pass. I grabbed his hand and looked around for Darius before rushing to the bar.
Everything was bright and out of focus and I pushed the cup away. Cocktails were the best. I bounced up and down on my seat, waiting for Adrian to finish his drink.
"I can't do it anymore," he moaned, shaking his head in surrender.
I rolled my eyes. "Coward," I called him as he stood up and walked with me toward the dance floor.
I wanted to dance, did you want to dance? I bounced up and down with a huge grin on my face as I turned around.
"You are wasted," said Adrian, laughing as I grabbed his hand.