Makes it easier for me to do the right thing.
“Goodbye, Robin.”
“Bye, Alice. Meeting you was … sensational,” he says, making my decision feel so wrong. He kisses my cheek and touches the small of my back as I turn to leave. My skin burns where his hand was.
I make my way through the crowd towards the exit with a heavy feeling in my gut. After getting my phone from the concierge, the bouncer pushes the large wooden door open, and the chilly night breeze hits me as I brace myself for the real world.
Heavy footsteps sound behind me, and before I can react, a warm hand finds my elbow again.
My heart soars.
“Robin!”
“Give me your number,” he says, slightly out of breath.
I’m about to shout ‘Yes!’ but stop myself.
What would come of it? I have nothing to offer this man.
“What were you about to say?” he asks.
I rub my forehead, and my mask pulls on my skin, reminding me of why I was there today.
He’s a member here. And I … I’m nothing special.
“I was about to sayyes, but I don’t think it’s a good idea. My life’s a bit messy.”
“Please don’t tell me someone’s waiting for you at home,” he says and steps closer, grabbing my free hand.
“No, of course not,” I say, shaking my head.
“We all have our own kinds of mess.” He presses his lips together in a thin smile. “Please, Alice. Give me your number. I need to know there’s a chance I can hear that laugh again.”
I chew the inside of my cheek. Is there any harm?
“You don’t even have to tell me your name if you don’t want to. How’s that? Just your number.”
“Hmm.” I allow myself to lean against him, feeling the heat of his body on mine before I have to step away and out into the crisp spring night.
“Okay. I guess you won’t give me yours either, then?” I grin at him and receive a heart-melting smile in return.
“Correct,” he says, leaning closer. His breath tickles my face, sparking another rush of arousal in me.
“Okay,” I say, and slip him my phone. There’s a tingle of excitement in my lower belly as he hands it back, revealing his contact saved as ‘Robin’. He looks like he’s stifling a laugh, and I stretch up to kiss those luscious lips once more.
The kiss quickly intensifies, and his comforting arms lock around me in a tight embrace. I caress his neck with one hand and his strong arm with the other. Oh God, I wish I didn’t give a shit about anything and could just go home with him now.
A gust of wind reminds me we’re in the doorway, and I have to go before my mind stops being so annoyingly sensible.
With all my willpower, I pull away and say goodbye.
I step onto the top of the stairs and squeeze past the queue, dodging people in wild costumes taking selfies in front of the building covered in wildflowers. I marvel at the sight of it.
Wildflowers.
Almost like my tattoos.
Like me.
