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I begin to pace in the kitchen of my apartment. Is it cold enough for a jacket? Do Ineeda jacket? I stare at my coat hooks, filled with jackets of varying styles.
A leather one would make me look cool, but this black suede one matches my boots. But is all black too much?
Am I only catering to his aesthetic to impress him?
“Ugh!” I yell, my head falling back. “Get agrip, Talia,” I mumble to myself. Heading to the cupboard, I take out tequila and a shot glass. Omitting the shot glass, I unscrew the top and take a heavy swig, letting the liquid burn and soothe my insides at the same time.
I shouldn’t need to pep talk myself on a date. I refuse to. I won’t.
The doorbell rings and my heart leaps.
Inhaling a shaky breath, I hit the intercom button. “I’ll be down in a second.”
A moment later, my phone buzzes in its spot on the counter, beside my wallet and keys. I debate not answering. Pulling on the suede jacket, I give myself time to think about it, caving when it keeps buzzing.
“Did you not hear me?”
“Oh, I heard you. Aren’t you going to let me up?”
“No.” I shrug on the jacket, gathering my wallet and keys.
“And here I thought you’d play the part of a gracious host,” he says. I hate that I can hear the smirk in his voice and know the exact face he’s making.
“In your dreams.”
“You already are,” he says, tone slipping into sultry.
I hang up.
I say goodbye to Nico before walking out the door. The elevator ride down to the lobby feels both too long and too short. Not fast enough to reach him, but not slow enough to let me fully compose myself.
I can’t believe I’m doing this.
When the doors open, I walk across the small lobby to find Kay leaning outside the locked glass door, his gaze elsewhere, giving me a chance to openly admire the way his tattoos stand out against his skin, accented by the black button up he’s wearing, sleeves rolled up, top button casually undone. It’s tucked into an expensive looking belt, and a pair of slacks that hug his legs, and other areas, nicely. He lookstoofine.
We’re both wearing all black.
When I open the door, his head turns toward me, loose strands of dark hair falling across his forehead in a delicious way.
Did I just use the word “delicious” to describe Kay?
I brush aside the thought, cringing inwardly.
“Where are we headed?” I ask, as aloof as I can be.
Kay smiles, amused, as if he sees through my front now.
Maybe he always has.
“You look lovely, Talia.” Pushing himself off the wall, he takes a step toward me, reaching out. My stomach leaps in anticipation for the heat of his touch, but his fingers only trace the collar of my jacket. “This looks nice on you.” His hand returns to his pocket, and I’m left feeling unsatisfied. He offers me his arm, and after a moment of hesitance, I snake my arm through it, relishing the way his muscles feel underneath my hand, in being offered the touch.
“You didn’t answer my question,” I say as he leads me down the sidewalk.
“I have a restaurant in mind.” Kay leads me to his car and opens the passenger door for me. I’ve never been in his car, let alone ever thought I would be. He notices my hesitation in getting in. “You can still run. But once you’re in, I’m keeping you for the evening.”
His words are dangerous. A challenge met with a challenge.
It arouses the hell out of me.
