Read Stolen on Inkitt.
Chapter 1
This, like so many other attempts, was not right. Not that I had any qualms about casual sex. That was all I had lately.
“Sorry I can’t stay,” I told him.
Spoiler alert – I was not sorry. He was not the one running this show.
Moving off the bed, unnecessarily, to grab the bra that sat on the floor at my feet. I stood, keeping my back to him. I didn’t have to turn around to know how delicious his naked body looked stretched across the bed. He was covered in lean muscle. His dark skin was as smooth and rich as his voice that still held a hint of NOLA.
“Early morning meeting, right?”
The bitter undercurrents were not lost on me. But I made no promises. Never led him to believe this was more than what it was. Clearly he understood on some level – he was single. From what he had told me back at the club, had been for a while.
You pick up a girl who allowed you to by her drink and dance quite inappropriately after a minimal exchange. Upon discovering your apartment is only a stone’s throw away, insists you take her there. This obviously was not the beginning of a meaningful relationship. No China patterns in our future.
His hands were back on my hips the moment my ass hit the edge of the bed. Ignoring his fingers as they ran along my inner thigh. As beautiful as he was, as good as he was in bed, he was not worth losing control.
Would round two be worth it? Most likely. But I wasn’t wiling to stay and find out. Honestly, another round would put me in danger of falling asleep.
Tonight was not the night to break one of my rules.
When I decided to search for what I needed while refusing to allow any attachments to, well, attach themselves. Ground rules were needed.
1. Never falling asleep was a no-brainer. It usual led to the prospect of breakfast and emotional intimacy. That was a huge no-go for me.
2. Never at my place. With that in mind, I always sent the address to my best friend. You know, just in case.
That was a rule we both stuck to, religiously.
3. Never go anywhere with more than a solid buzz.
4. And never, ever allow them to take control of any situation.
Instead of indulging him, I choose to finish adjusting my bra and grab my dress from the foot of the bed. Couldn’t walk home naked and flopping about. No matter how small, some outfits required a bra. Or the promise of a wet t-shirt contest. It was way too cold to douse myself in water for the entertainment and arousal of others.
Shimming my dress over my head I heard the sheets rustle behind me.
“I can show myself out,” I said conversationally not wanting him to get up. Dreading the awkward goodbyes at the door. Me dressed, him naked and hopeful.
The ‘so, can I get your number?’ Or ‘that was fun. When can I see you again?’
This was the city, there was no lack of fun. His personal entertainment and companionship absolutely didn’t hinge on me.
I’m sure this guy looked in the mirror – a lot. I certainly would if I looked like him. Swimmer’s body, creamy mocha skin, green eyes. Southern charm oozing from every pore.
From the one picture on his nightstand, his mother was a dark-skinned African bombshell. His father, a blue-eyed, blond army lieutenant. Together they bred the most beautiful children. Two boys and two girls. Each one absolutely gorgeous.
Why he singled me out in the club was still a mystery. Petite build. Nondescript brown hair that fell nearly to my waist without any unique attributes. Averagely pale skin. I did like my eyes. They were my dad’s – Coke bottle green.
I blame my friend, Bethany. She was the one guys, and sometimes girls, crossed the room to get to. Tonight she had been otherwise occupied when this guy approached.
Turning, hoping he wasn’t preparing to walk me to the door, the sheet began to fall away, exposing his left leg and hip. Teasing at the edge of his not-so-subtle groin.
Not even tempted. Really, I did enjoy myself. The broken lamp next to me on the floor was proof. I offered to replace it. Shaking his head, he said it would be a good conversation starter.
But one broken lamp wasn’t what I needed. Broken glass didn’t keep the darkness at bay. And this guy had done all he could to provide a short burst of light.
Tucking my arms into my body, pulling my coat in tighter, listening to the heels of my boots echo down the street. At this hour, there wasn’t much activity. Mostly cabs, a few city buses, and those heading to work for the before-dawn-shift.
Sunrise was only a few hours away. One of my favorite times. The air at its most pure. Even in the heart of the city there was a freshness, a rejuvenating quality to the atmosphere. It hung with a lightness it lacked when people and automobiles overwhelmed the city surfaces contaminating every breath.
During the day I usually didn’t mind how the heavy air. Barely even noticed it. Not until I found myself walking through the crisp, untouched air of the night. My skin tingled even though I was warm and protected from the last remnants of winter.
Maybe it was the anticipation of spring that had my senses reeling. True, the last few hours gave me a boost of satisfied energy. Not enough to cause the stamina coursing through me though. That was attributed to not being confined within four walls.
I felt like I could walk the entire city. Conquer the stairs of the tallest skyscraper. If I was testosterone laden I might feel like I could take on Goliath. In a completely non-beatified kind of way.
This feeling was always so difficult to explain. There was something about this time of day. It wasn’t really night anymore but not yet early morning hours. A magical time of in between. One where I allowed all my senses to roam free. Nothing to overwhelm them. As if they were their own separate entities.
Shaking my head, Alijah would have told me I was letting my fanciful imagination overrun my mind. Something he used to tease me about relentlessly until I was a teenager. Tease but never discourage.
That part of my imagination had long since been diminished. All that remained was a tiny spark that refused to be extinguished. Rarely did I ever let it see the light.
Rounding the corner, my shoes on the sidewalk remained the only sound.
This was my life. More satisfying than it sounded. I finally found that golden line of balance. Or was it compromise? Either way, my life was finally mostly on my own terms.
There was just that small little sliver of darkness I couldn’t shake. The reason I spent the weekends with Bethany trolling the clubs whenever I could.
Still, I couldn’t let that dark shadow impugned all my victories.
With each step I walked further away, widening the separation between me and the past – recent and distant.
If only it hadn’t taken me nearly six years to regain the control he stole in only four. At this point, I could only blame Baylor for so much.
