FOUR

DIVA

"WASN'T THAT THE GUY from earlier this week? How did you know you'd here? Do you know him?" Moses shot off questions quicker than I could even think of the answers.

"Yes, it is, and no, I don't know him. I don't know what he's doing here. He saw me at the bar and offered to help bring the drinks back over." That was a true account of what happened, leaving out the part of how I'd internally- and physically- reacted, even after he left.

"There's something about him I don't trust. Be careful, Diva." Moses 's narrowed her eyes and skeptical frown told me all I needed to know, but delving into the subject of a man I'd only seen twice wasn't worth the emotional energy, especially not since we were having a great time.

"You never mentioned him coming into the shop," Julia interrupted. "Seriously, Julia, how could you forget to mention that man?" Julia scanned the place to see if she could catch another glimpse of him, but he was nowhere to be found. I may have looked myself.

I understood her reaction to him, but what I couldn't pinpoint was why your interest in him suddenly bothered me. I hardly knew him, yet I had unexplainable jealousy emanating from within. I'd never had this feeling about anyone before, especially someone I'd just met.

'I didn't mention it because he's not worth mentioning. I don't know him. He came into the shop to buy flowers for a 'friend,"' I said, using air quotes, "who had surgery recently, and he thought it would be a nice gesture. I told him it was misleading to her but.... what ever."

They both shot me a puzzled look. "Who are you trying to kid, girly girl? You like him; otherwise, why the hell would you remember your conversation? You can't fool us." Julia laughed. "Plus, you're a terrible liar."

I fumbled with a comeback to her absurd observation, but I had nothing. I couldn't really think of anything to say which would convince them— or may be myself— I wasn't interested, so I blurted, "I don't know what to tell you. Can you please talk about something else?"

Since Julia knew she wasn't getting any more out of me, she moved on to other topics. Shopping, food, and men were at the top of her list, which I was completely fine with.

After another hour, we were all due for a refill. It was Julia's turn to buy, so Moses and I sat back and got comfortable. She gave a little pout before heading off towards the bar, skirting around the continuously growing crowd. It was nearly 11:30, and the place was pretty much at full capacity. Luckily we didn't have to wait long for Julia to return because Lewis had still been working the bar.

Deciding it best to visit the ladies' room before any more alcohol passed my lips, I leaned over so Julia could hear me. "Do you have to go to the bathroom?"

"Nope. I'm not navigating that crowd anytime soon." I stood, a rush of dizziness making me stumble. When I righted myself, which thankfully didn't take much, I shouted over my shoulder as I walked away. "My drink better be there when I get back." I heard them both shout something after me, but I couldn't hear anything the further I walked through the crowded club. I ended up standing in line behind 10 women waiting for the same purpose, but fortunately, I was in and out in less than 10 minutes. Not too bad considering the size of the crowd.

As I rounded the corner, patiently side-stepping a group of rowdy boys, someone grabbed my hand and pulled me into a dark section of the hallway. I instantly panicked, flashbacks flooding my brain and I found it difficult to breathe... until I smelled him. His scent was positively intoxicating, scrambling not only my thoughts but my sudden rush of hormones.

As with our last close encounter, his presence made me slip deeper and deeper into some sort of daze, his hand continuing to cover mine and making me grow warmer by the second.

"I'm glad I had the chance to run into you again before I left," he mumbled, stepping closer and especially trapping me between him and the wall.

"How did you know where I was? Did you follow me to the ladies' room?" Why was I secretly hoping he would say yes?

"Not at all. I saw you walk by and found my chance. Hope you don't mind?"

I tugged my hand from his warm grip. He was too close, too delicious, too everything. And in the end it was all too much, so I said the first thought that came to mind, "I don't have anything to talk to you about, so if you'll excuse me, I have to be getting back to my friends now." immediately I clamped my mouth shut, all too aware that in my panic my words were beyond rude.

He leaned down closer, his lips so close to mine I thought he was going to kiss me. "I don't think you want to go anywhere. In fact, I think you want to stay right here. With me." He rose back up to his full height. "Tell me I'm wrong."

My eyes searched his. There I saw an intensity that made me shudder but something else that made me pause. Humour. "You're wrong," I said, my shoulders relaxing and my panic disappearing. I also tried my hardest to keep the smile trying to break free at bay.

"Is that so?" He tilted his head, his hand lifting, and the backs of his fingers brushed my cheek. "You can't deny there's an attraction between us." I gulped, aware my body's reaction was an answer enough. "We could always explore it and see what happens?" His warm breath fanned my face, tickling my mouth in the most delicious way. Then out of nowhere, he asked, "Can I kiss you?"

My eyes sprung open in surprise. I doubted he was a man who asked permission for anything and the fact he sought my consent told me he didn't want to overstep any boundaries.

It was sweet.

It was torture.

Resting my hands on his chest, my initial reaction was to push him away. Granite met my fingers. He was hard and defined. But he was also right; there was an undeniable attraction between us, something I couldn't explain. His proximity misted my brain. I never did this. Stood close. Flirted. Considered something more with a man. While there'd been that small crush on Moses, I was sure I'd only allowed it as I'd already been half-certain he was gay.

Safe. I liked to feel safe, but this man with his beautiful green eyes scream something so much more. Safety. Danger. The two were at odds with each other, burning the lines and making me react impulsively.

"Yes," I whispered, my hands gripping the material of his shirt and pulling him into me. The S hasn't left my mouth before he devoured my breath as though he needed to it to survive.

His kiss undid me. It was everything I'd read about in romance novels. It was everything I'd seen in those Mushy, lovey-dovey movies. It was real. And it was happening to me. The first thing his tongue softly stroked mine, I moaned,and I swore I felt him smirk. His skills was that of an artisan mastering his craft of seduction.

I'd completely lost myself, holding onto him and praying our moment would last forever when he broke our connection, a move which left me wanting him even more. "I've been craving this for so long," he whispered before he was back to consuming me with his perfect mouth. His statement flitted through my alcohol-fuzzy mind but quickly disappeared with each stroke of his tongue.

He taste slightly of scotch, and mixed with all his other scents, it was wonderfully overwhelming. I inched my hand towards the back of his head, snaked my fingers into his hair and gripped him closer. The rumble that erupted from his throat pushed my excitement to a whole other level, and in the next moment, he pushed me against the wall, covering my body with his, pressing his lower have into my own. I could feel him straining against his jeans, and my body took control. I reached down and ran my palm over his erection.

His body twitched. "Don't start something you won't be able to finish, women," he growled into my mouth.

I leaned away a little, the alcohol in my systems spurring me on and loosening my tongue and my inhibitions. "Whatever do you mean?" I lifted my brow and my mouth curved. While there was no way I would be taking our encounter to the next level, I was compelled to tease him. I felt bold, empowered even.

Maybe I wanted to make sure he was just as affected by me as I was by him.

"If you tease me too much, I don't think I'll be able to control myself," he groaned.

"Then maybe we should stop." Please, don't listen to me.

"Is that what you really want?" He searched my face, but before either one of us could speak again, I leaned back into him, enticing him to continue kissing me.

He became more audacious. While his beautiful mouth stole the distance between us, one hand gingerly caressed my neck, slowly slipping down near my throat, then further still until he lifted the hem of my shirt. "Every man in here has been staring at you, and it's driving me insane." He caressed my stomach, eliciting goose bumps to cover my skin.

"I think you're exaggerating a bit by every man." "Your outfit is ...too sexy." He snapped his lips closed, seeming aware he was stepping over some invisible boundary.

I found it funny he thought my outfit too sexy, yet he was revealing more of me by slightly lifting my top. But then again, we were in a corner of a hallway where we were fortunate to remain alone, away from everyone else.

His eyes took on a darker hue, his pupils dilati ng. "This is only for me. Tell me," he moaned, flicking his tongue along the side of my throat. "Tell me this is only for me." His hand moved up my side, exposing more of me. While his lips teased my skin, his free hand circled around my backside. Grabbing me firmly, he pushed himself closer, almost crushing me under his own body.

I loved it.

I wanted it to be just for him.

No one else.

Just him.

The thought didn't even make me pause, for too caught up in the movement and too turned on by his sexy demands to understand his words as anything more than heated talk.

"Tell me," he demanded again, my silence torturing him.

"Yes," I whispered. "Yes, it is all for you."

"Only me?"

"Only you," I responded, my breath barely escaping my mouth.

The longer we were tangled together, the more I felt the effect of the drinks I'd consumed earlier. I threw all caution to the wind and asked, "What do you want to do to me?" I couldn't believe my own ears.

His lips made their way towards the sensitive spot underneath my earlobe. when he spoke in his seductive low timbre, I thought I'd combust right then and there. "If we were alone, I'd rip your clothes off and feast on your body. I'd lick and suck you everywhere, especially here." His hand instantly went to the heat between my thighs. I groaned and slumped forward. Thankfully, he was there to make sure I wouldn't fall over. "Is that what you want? Is that what you'd like me to do to you?"

wow!

I couldn't concentrate on what he was asking because his hand danced over my core,rubbing me in ways which should have been illegal. "Don't stop'" I pleaded, snagging his lower lip and returning my own brand of sweet Agony.

"You're going to undo me," he proclaimed. His words were confusing, their meaning completely lost on me but I didn't care. All I wanted was for him to devour me.

After several minutes, he pulled away, air imminent for the both of us. "Do you even realise how fucked I am because of you?" I scrunched up my nose at his old question, although my intrigue sparked to life.

Before I could answer, however, he withdrew from me completely. His lips left mine. His fingers had offered a trail of heat my body instantly missed. The look in his eye even changed, reverted back to a man seemingly unaffected.

What on earth was that about? I took a deep breath. I'd been entirely caught up in a way he made me feel, which had left no room for reason. That being said, distance was good. Safe. Sensible.

Despite my body crying out for his touch, by head battled. Stopping was the right thing to do, but I didn't stop my next thought. I would love for you to be my first.

"First what?" he asked, tipping his head to the side.

Shit, shit, shit!

I froze and shook my head. "Nothing, forget about it," I responded quietly, desperately hoping he'd my words and just move on.

"Tell me what you meant." He scrutinized me with his piercing green eyes, doing his best to figure me out.

"I said nothing. I mean...I... I don't know what I'm saying. I'm a little out of sorts right now." I'd attempted to straighten my clothes as he continued to peer down at me. Even with my wedge sandals on, I was still significantly shorter. I had to change the subject and do it quickly before he probed me any further. "I have to return to my friends before send they me out an APB on my ***. I've been gone forever."

"It's only been 20 minutes; you'll be fine." His stare was hard and unwavering.

The intensity left me squirming. Smoothing down my shirt even more, I proceeded to walk around him, and as I hurried away, I heard him shout, "You shouldn't wear something so sexy next time."

Snorting in disbelief, I stopped short. I wheeled around to face him again, almost tripping over my own feet in the process. "Is that right?" I laughed. "Thanks for the wardrobe advice, but I think I can handle those choices in my life. I wouldn't be too worried though, you'll never see me again anyway." Both amused and incredulous at this guy, I shook my head. Thank God he'd stopped. I found myself being very careless around him, which was so not me.

"We'll see about that."

I heard his work as I turned away from him. Yeah, we will see about that, I mumbled to myself all the way back to join my friends. When I finally reached them, I saw three guys crowding around my best friend and a couple of women trying to swoop in on Moses.

Julia was in her glory, as usual, but I felt bad for Moses, who looked uncomfortable. He tried to be polite, but the women weren't picking up on the hints he wasn't interested. He tried to avoid all physical contact with them, even going so far as shrugging away from them as they tried to possessively grab his upper arm.

I had to save him. "Honey, there you are. I've been looking everywhere for you." Shoving past the brazen women, I sat right down on Moses 's lap, wrapping my arms around his neck. He tried to contain his laughter as I leaned in to Whisper in his ear. " I thought you could use the help."

"Thanks." It was all he needed to say. Even though I was trying to have a friend, I couldn't help but search crowd around me, hoping to catch a glimpse of the sexy stranger I was entangled with not five minutes before.

My eyes locked with his almost instantly, the snarl on his face puzzling. What the hell is his problem? It was then I caught him glancing at me to Moses then back again. He didn't know me well enough to appear to be that pissed off. Even a few moments of intimacy didn't give him the right to lay some sort of absurd claim on me.

I grabbed my watered-down drink from the table and tried to ignore him, brooding glances and all.

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