I lean on the counter so that Thane can't see our exchange. Upon sensing my presence the stranger lifts his head and the very moment our gazes collide, it's like my whole self has been pulled into an abyss.
His eyes are so beautiful, golden like the glistening first rays of dawn, like sunlit honey. They are so intense, it feels like staring into the very heart of the sun for the brilliance his eyes carries which is both terrifying and exhilaring at the same time.
His eyebrows arch up, silently asking me what the fuck I am doing right now
Right. What am doing? Crushing Thane's resolve, right.
I immediately do the first thing that comes to mind. I wink at him and flash him a mouthful of teeth but he remains impassive, his piercing eyes threatening to drill holes into my head.
Okay, this is awkward.
He should know Morse code right? I summon my already wavering confidence and bat my eye at him rapidly thrice. Right?!
He merely blinks at me, giving me the look you would give to an idiot. I lean closer towards him till my mouth is by his ear, not sure if am delusional or not but he stiffens up and then I whisper "Please just play along, okay?"
He glares at me but doesn't say anything. Am starting to think this is the worst idea I've ever cone up with, who am I kidding? It IS the worst idea ever.
I smile and turn back to Thane with a smile so bright that it hurts my cheek. He still has that look on his face though, the one that is silently questioning me.
"Hey, this is Thane, an old acquaintance, introduce yourself to him" I'd say smart move on my part since I don't actually know him. Instead of acknowledging my words, the two men just stare at each other till I can sense tension rising in the air.
Don't tell me they know each other?
Oh, I am so fucked—
"Who is he?" Thane interrupts my internal mourning, nostrils flaring. Great. He doesn't know him.
Instead of answering his question, I do something I wouldn't do if I was in the right frame of mind. I lean towards the stranger and mutter "I'm sorry" before pecking him on the lips, the way a dragonfly kisses water. It's quick and fleeting. I immediately lean back before the weight of my impulsive actions can register in him.
I am about to turn back with a smile that is not quite a smile before my mouth is covered by a hot sensation. The moment I try to protest, he slides his tongue in my mouth without hesitation
What. The. Actual. Fuck?!
My brain is unable to make out any other thing as his skillful mouth invade mine in domineering fashion. Pleasure tingles down my spine as he wraps an arm around my waist, stroking heat I never knew existed inside me. My pulse quickens and my breath becomes rough, uneven and heavy with....desire?
Doesn't matter. All my thoughts become floating, nonsensical fragments and goosebumps explode all over my skin as he slides his hand in my loose hair tugging it back for better access to my mouth.
It's all too much, my head feels light, my mind is spinning, the need for more is overriding all rational thoughts-
He suddenly wrenches his mouth apart from mine and everything in me coming to a screeching halt. A disgruntled noise I refuse to acknowledge as mine escapes me. I feel intoxicated and delirious even as I sluggishly lift my eyes to meet his and gasp as the look in his hooded eyes mirror mine.
I swallow, run my hands through my hair and spin around to look at Thane aka the thorn, sure enough he is looking back at me as if I slapped him right across the face. He glowers some more before muttering something and leaving.
I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding before the absurdity of everything I have done so far tonight comes crashing on me
Namely, kissing a stranger, no let me rephrase that, gifting a stranger with my fucking first kiss!!!!
His hands are even still on my waist, oh god, what was I thinking? Was I even thinking at all??
I wriggle out his grip and clasp my hands together, forcing an awkward-as-hell grin "Uhm...Thanks bro! Owe you one!" I say in a high pitched tone trying to sound as cherry and nonchalant as possible but he merely cocks his head to the side with an arched eyebrow and doesn't say a word. Seriously, this guy hasn't even uttered a single word since the beginning of this whole exchange.... could it be that he's mute??
Ah, what a pity though, with all that charm and gorgeousness. I guess the universe just finds ways to balance everybody out.
"How are you planning to pay me back?" Oh. He is not mute, not only is he not mute, he also has the deepest and sexiest voice I've ever heard
"I'm sorry, what?"
"I said how do you plan on repaying—"
"I heard you the first time!" I snap
"Oh, good"
Unbelievable. I inhale sharply and brace myself.
"How much?"
"Is what?" His glare is back now as he stares down at me.
I straighten up "The uh..." and clear my throat "The kiss, how much is it?". He huffs like it's most amusing thing he's ever heard, I don't blame him though, it's been too much crazy for one night.
The corner of his lips rise up to a predatory smirk
" Are you asking about the first one or the second one.....or both?"
"Excuse me, YOU kissed me the second time"
"And you assaulted me. Sexually"
My chest heaves "Didn't seem like that when you kissed me again" I blurt out. Our eyes meet. My heart beats so fast, I'm scared he will hear it.
"Just name your price"
He scoffs "You can't afford me"
"Stop being difficult and let's settle this like adults, what do you want?"
"You"
My stomach does one of it's impressive flips again as heat rushes to my face "W-What?"
He makes a sound akin to a growl that does things to my head "I don't like to repeat myself, Abigail". I search his eyes for any sign that he could be joking and find none, terror settles within me and my stomach is busy showing me how many knots it can tie with my guts
He even knows my name. What have I gotten myself into?
With that sudden realisation, I do what I should have done before
I run.