The car rolls to a slow stop and I groan, my body and eyelids heavy. I need to sleep.
“Justin? Get me home,” I mumble, slurring my words. The door opens and I’m being carried out of the car like a child, my arms wrapped around his neck. I tighten my legs around his mid section in fear that I’m about to fall off. A low groan comes from him that doesn’t sound like Justin at all. . .
“Alex?” I whisper, inhaling his scent. He nods, one hand on my back and the other on my thigh, holding me up.
“Keep your arms around me, I don’t want you to fall,” he murmurs down my ear. He sounds so sober, so awake.
“Oh god, did you kidnap me? Where the hell is everyone else? Where am I? Who is he?” I motion at the guy walking be-side us. He’s dark haired with pale skin, a sharp jaw line and deep green eyes. He lets out a low chuckle, his hands stuffed inside his pockets.
“The name is Caleb.”
“Caleb. What a funny name.”
“Why is it funny?” He asks me, pulling open a door and stepping to the side so Alex can get through. I cling onto him tightly, my eyelids fluttering shut every few seconds.
No Ariana. Stay awake.
“Alex, please don’t leave me alone with Caleb. He has a funny name,” I mumble down his ear. He chuckles quietly, his body vibrating against mine.
“I won’t leave you alone with Caleb, don’t worry.”
“Hey! What’s wrong with leaving her alone with me? I’m not some creep,” Caleb mutters unhappily, his dark hair falling over into his eyes. He reaches up and pushes the strands back, the muscles in his arm tensing.
“Caleb is kind of cute,” I murmur, my body becoming heavy against Alex’s. He pauses for a moment underneath me be-fore letting out a deep sigh and walking up some stairs. I’m too drunk to see where he’s taking me.
“Did she just say I’m cute? Man, I’ve still got it.” Caleb chuckles, a proud smirk on his face.
“Shut up Caleb.” Alex respond grumpily.
“Alex, be nice to Caleb.” I scold him.
“Shut up Hermosa.” Alex hits back at me. I gasp, slapping his back. My hands come undone from around his neck and I stumble backwards, almost falling from Alex’s hold. I let out a little gasp but his arms tighten around me, clutching me close.
“I’ve got you.” He murmurs, pushing open a bedroom door and stepping inside. Caleb doesn’t follow and I frown, looking over Alex’s shoulder for him.
“Where did Caleb go?” I ask, leaning back so I’m looking at Alex. His hands are on my thighs, holding me up against him.
“Forget Caleb. Do you want me to put you down? I’ll leave you to sleep here.” Alex says, motioning at his bed with a tilt of his head. I keep my arms wrapped around his neck, noticing how close our faces are. His words don’t register inside my mind and I find myself simply staring at him, inspecting his features.
“Did anyone ever tell you how beautiful you are Alex?” I breathe out, my eyes drifting over the contours of his lips. He remains quiet but I see him swallow, brown eyes darkening.
“You’re drunk,” he murmurs, letting out a sigh. I shake my head, my wild hair flying around my face.
“No I’m not.”
“Yes you are hermosa.”
“No I’m not.”
“Yes you are.”
“It doesn’t matter, I still think you’re beautiful.” I shoot back at him, sticking my tongue out. The corners of his lips twitch upwards and he almost cracks a smile. I become aware of his strong hands on my thighs, the warmth spreading through my bare skin. He doesn’t show any strain from holding me up, it’s effortless for him.
“You’re so strong Alex,” I whisper, laying my head on his chest. I can hear the thumping of his heart and it soothes me, making me feel safe.
“I can’t believe you kidnapped me,” I mutter and he chuckles, his chest vibrating against my temple.
“I didn’t kidnap you. You were alone and crying outside the club. I’m not going to leave you like that.”
I faintly remember Dimples outside the club and the way I clutched Alex tightly when he appeared. I know I should feel scared around him but I don’t. I feel safe. My breathing shallows out and I lean back again, looking up at him. His dark eyes are watching me, waiting for me to say something.
“I wish I met you when things were different.”
He raises a brow at me, intrigued – “How so?”
I know I shouldn’t speak. Drunk Ariana’s mouth doesn’t have a filter. I simply say what’s on my mind.
“I really want to kiss you right now but I can’t.”
His eyes darken further and his grip on my thighs tighten. I let out a little gasp from the way his hands feel and my eyelids flutter shut as I arch myself into him. He lets out a low sexy groan and I immediately freeze.
“We can’t do this,” I whisper, Justin’s face flashing through my mind. Alex pushes me backwards until my back meets the wall, settling himself between my legs. My body lights up with flames, every part of me heating up. I feel a shiver travel down my spine, into my legs. Alex buries his face into my hair, wanting access to my ear.
“He left you.”
His words are almost a low growl.
“I know,” I whisper, closing my eyes.
“I won’t leave you,” he murmurs, his voice causing my legs to tremble. I clench them tightly, struggling to resist him, resist his words. Alex lets out another low groan, his breathing shallow.
“Say the word hermosa,” Alex says, restraining himself from touching me any further. I desperately want him to carry on . . . I want to feel my body burn and spark with electricity.
“Say the word and I’ll give you what you want.”
“Oh god,” I respond, gritting my teeth tightly as I feel myself on the verge of breaking.
“I’m drunk Alex, I’m drunk.” I finally reveal, my words shaky. I squeeze my eyes shut tightly and feel him freeze against me. Moments pass and I’m too scared to open my eyes and look at his reaction. I’m too scared to look into those eyes and see the burning danger behind them. I’m removed from the wall and placed down onto the bed, the covers placed over me. Disappointment washes over me and I begin to hate myself. Alex remains eerily quiet, the only sounds in the room coming from my laboured breathing.
“Why did you stop?” I ask him, my voice a hushed whisper. He’s stood by the door, his face expressionless. I can see the darkness in his eyes, lit up with flames that send goosebumps travelling down my body.
“I won’t take advantage of you if you’re drunk.” Alex responds, his voice flat. I scrunch my face up in pain, confusion filling my eyes.
“Is that the only reason?” I ask, my heart thumping wildly against my chest. He turns to face me, eyes searching mine in-tently before he slowly shakes his head.
“No, you made your decision.”
And with that, he leaves me alone to sleep the alcohol off and wake up with the worlds biggest hangover.