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I don’t even know his name, yet I don’t care. All I can think about is losing myself to the night. I want to forget about the meeting and Christos. I want to forget about any sort of punishment that comes from my behavior.
“I’m Leandro, by the way.” It’s as if he reads my mind. He smirks at me, flicking his phone up, so I can see the truth for myself in his details on the car ride app. Leandro Ramiro—a sexy name for a hotter man. “I know it’s a little late for introductions, but I’d prefer to know you as something apart from ‘beautiful’ in my mind. Also, I want you to have my details in case you’re wondering or want to tell a friend you’re leaving with me.”
I’ve never had a man mention something like this before. I don’t know if I should be a bit concerned, that maybe he’s suggesting it as a way of getting me to trust him or what. But I have worse people to fear.
“Leandro, huh? I like it. And that’s sweet of you to suggest, but I’m good. You can just call me whatever you want.” I wink at him, the alcohol flowing through me, warming my skin. Another server comes by and offers us two more shots, Kitty keeping them coming like I had asked.
“You’re a brave little thing, aren’t you?” he teases, shooting the drink in one swallow. “I could be a serial killer or something.”
I hold my shot up. “So could I.”
I tip the small glass back, feeling the blue liquid burning down my throat to heat up my stomach. The lights blur around me, and laughter escapes my mouth. I can’t control it. Whatever is in these shots is hitting me harder than usual.
“Fair point. So let’s make a pact. If either of us is a serial killer, we’ll take the night off. Let’s just have some fun. What do you say?” Leandro smiles, his dark brown eyes reflecting the colorful lights. Rainbow haze falls over us, and I bob my head, giggling as I take his hand.
“I say yes. A night off sounds amazing.” I flick my attention to the VIP. It could be the last night off I ever get.
I guess I have to live in the now.
Leandro twirls me around and envelops me in his arms, tugging me back to press his lips to mine. “Good, beautiful. Let’s get out of here.”
“You know, I’ve lived in LA all my life and have never been here.” I weave between two glowing lampposts out of dozens outside the Los Angeles County Museum of Arts. Starbursts crowd in my vision, but I push through the intoxication. “It’s incredible.”
“We should come when it’s open.” Leandro follows behind me, his gaze drinking me in. I can’t tell if he’s wobbling or if it’s the entire world.
I beam him a smile and trace my fingers around one of the light poles, circling it to come up behind him. Traffic lines the street in front of LACMA, and I spot tourists snapping photos from several vehicles. The Petersen Automotive Museum across the street glows red under the metallic structure, creating quite the sight, even blurry with my foggy gaze.
“Are you asking me on a date?” I ask, sliding my arms around his waist from behind. My face rests between his shoulder blades, and I inhale a soft breath of his woodsy, citrusy scent. The cologne smells familiar, but I can’t place it.
“A second date.” Leandro turns in my arms to face me, his easy-going smile only curling up a little. His eyes sparkle in the light, the glassiness of the alcohol affecting him as much as it does me. I feel free—like my soul is about to flutter away from my body. The edges of my vision remain shadowed, making the lights almost eerie.
I caress my hands up his taut chest and to his cheeks, pulling him toward me for another kiss. “We’ll see about that. I’m not much of a dater. I can’t exactly be tied down right now.”
Leandro chuckles against my mouth, grazing his hand lower to the small of my back, pulling my hips against his. I feel the hardness of his arousal press against me, and I kiss him again.
“I’m not asking for anything serious, beautiful. I just want to take you out, feed you, and do whatever you want. You know, a good time.” Leandro hums against my lips, brushing his mouth softly to mine, inviting me to kiss him more so I don’t have to respond.
My body zings, a cooling sensation crawling from my stomach and up my arms. It also travels down my legs and to my toes. I wobble on my feet as exhaustion threatens to send me to the ground. It’s as if the intoxication of the alcohol intensifies the longer I stand here with Leandro. Or maybe I’m drunk on his affection. Either way, I’m turning into a hot mess.
I ease away first, blinking my eyes. Leandro grips the lamppost, stabilizing himself. I’m not the only one now feeling off. I can see it in his shifting eyes. He rolls his shoulders and composes himself, offering me another smile. But this one’s different. Something else lines his face. Worry, maybe.
I open my mouth to ask him what’s wrong, but my tongue numbs, feeling as if someone shot a burst of Novocain into it. My heart races, and I can’t calm down my quick breathing no matter how hard I try.
Dread crashes over me, my sudden need to get out of here intensifying. Panic tenses my muscles. I can’t focus. I can’t get myself to move from Leandro’s arms.
And then his eyes widen, the glowing of a glittering lamppost above us sparking flames over his skin. I startle and pushback, my thoughts racing as shadows and lights dance around what used to be a handsome man. What the fuck?
“Stacia, what’s wrong?” The voice sounds like Leandro but comes from a figure made of fire and darkness.
I hold my hands up. “Stay back. Something’s wrong.”
“Try to stay calm. I think we were slipped something at the bar and it’s hitting us now.” Leandro steps closer, and the fire and light disappear as he moves out from under the glowing lamppost. I gasp in relief and rush him, just needing to hold on to someone. To something. I don’t feel so great.
“I’m sorry. I’m scared. I think I’m hallucinating.” I lick my lips, touching Leandro’s face, praying to the universe that he doesn’t morph again.
“I know, beautiful. I’m tripping too. I promise I’ll get you back to your hotel, though. Just stay close to me. When we get a car, try not to say anything. Even if things look fucked up, just remember it’s not real. Focus on something. Let me see your hand.” Leandro lifts my hand, inspecting the onyx and diamond ring on my index finger. “If things start to get weird or terrifying, I want you to study this ring. Count the stones. Remind yourself what you like about it. Touch it. Just focus on it.”
I swallow and bob my head, squeezing my eyes shut. “Can you take me back to my hotel? I just want to get out of here.”
