I’m waiting for him now, standing in the exact spot where he had me pressed against the wall, his mouth fused with mine. Memories flooded me, one after the other, and I knew the flush in my cheeks wasn’t caused by the hot air swirling in the building.
I can’t believe how uninhibited I acted, but then again . . . it was exactly what I wanted to do. Let go, be free, be normal. This is what twenty-one-year-old girls do. They go out to concerts at nightclubs and dance. They let their dates put their hands on them and kiss them. They might even make out in dark corners and get lost in the taste of a man’s lips and tongue.
A smile curls my lips and I touch them, brush my fingertips over my swollen mouth. Giddiness rises in me and I wonder if I should invite Ethan inside when he takes me home. I don’t know if I’m ready for all that, but I’m close. So incredibly close . . .
“Hey beautiful.”
I jerk my head up at the unfamiliar male voice, glancing around when I see no one. My heart trips over itself as it starts to race and a man steps out of the shadows. The same man that winked at me when Ethan and I first got here.
Uneasiness slips down my spine as I watch him warily.
The smile never leaves his face. “Not going to say hi?”
I lift my chin, hoping he doesn’t see the fear that’s starting to eat me up inside. “I don’t even know you.”
“Doesn’t mean you can’t say hello to a stranger.” He steps closer and I press myself against the wall as discreetly as possible, wishing Ethan were here. But he’s nowhere to be found. “What’s your name? Don’t think I’ve seen you around here before.”
I say nothing, contemplating my next move. I could dart around him and make my escape, but what if he stopped me? Now that he’s closer, I can see the redness rimming his eyes, the slightly slack look to his jaw and mouth. He’s drunk. And eyeing me like I’m the best thing he’s seen in a long time.
“Want me to get you a drink? You look a little lonely.” He slurs his words, stumbles over his own feet and chuckles. “Whoops.”
I seriously need to get out of here. “I’m waiting for someone.”
“Who?” He frowns. “The four-eyed dork you came in here with? I could take that guy.”
I doubt it. Ethan’s got a few inches on this creep, plus he’s not drunk.
“Besides,” the man continues as he draws even closer, “he’s not here. So I’m guessing you’re fair game.”
He talks about me like I have no say in this. Deciding to make a break for it, I push away from the wall, skirting around him, ready to make my dash to freedom, but he’s quicker than I thought. He grabs hold of my arm and pulls me close to him, his alcohol-laced breath in my face as he speaks.
“Don’t move too fast there, pretty girl. You’re not going anywhere.”
Terror nearly freezes my heart. “Let me go.” I try to jerk out of his hold, frustrated that I keep finding myself in this type of situation. Like I ask for it or something. Am I a magnet for creeps or what?
Ethan’s not a creep.
He’s about the only non-creep I know. But he’s going to be regulated to creep status if he doesn’t show up and soon.
“Come with me to the bar.” He’s completely unfazed. Like he doesn’t notice how I’m desperately trying to break free of his hold. “I’ll buy you a drink.”
“I don’t want a drink,” I start, but the guy lets go of my arm in an instant and drops to the ground with a resounding thud, landing at my feet.
I scream. I can’t help myself. It happened so fast, with barely a sound, and I glance up to see Ethan standing in front of me, his expression one of pure rage, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. The man lies on the ground, clutching his face, and I gape at Ethan, unsure exactly where he hit the guy.
“Keep your hands off her,” Ethan says, giving the guy a kick in the legs. The man groans and rolls to his side, his hands falling from his face as he glares up at Ethan.
“Didn’t have to hit me, dude,” he wails, the sensitive skin beneath his eye already starting to swell.
“Then you should’ve respected the lady’s wishes. She told you to let go.” Ethan grabs my arm, his touch much gentler than my assailant’s, his voice low and full of concern. “Are you all right?”
I nod, unable to speak. I’m in shock. I can’t believe Ethan just ran to my defense again. Popped the guy in the face without hesitation, and did it so quickly, so quietly, I still can’t believe it happened.
“You want to go?” His thumb streaks across the bare skin of my arm and I shiver, offering him another nod. “Then let’s get out of here.”
Better words were never spoken.
Shock hits me full force during the ride, when we’re almost home. I start to shiver uncontrollably and I wrap myself up in my hoodie, but it’s no use. It doesn’t ward off the cold or the worry or the fear.