Colton. I breathe a laugh and he raises his eyebrow in question. I bite my lip. Yeah, I’m drunk alright. What’s so funny ?
I shake my head. Absolutely nothing.
He puts his eyes back on the road. Silence engulfs us. Strangely, even though it annoys me, I’m comfortable around him. I’m not scared like maybe I should be. I mean, there was that kiss in his office, and I can’t help wondering if this is more than me breaking his rules.
You kissed me, I mutter, and wait for his reaction. As I look, I see the guilt in his eyes.
Yeah. He changes gear. I did.
Why ?
He doesn’t say anything for a long minute, until finally, he says. Because I really wanted to.
My insides flair, but I ignore it and frown at him. If you think you’re getting something from me tonight, think again. I’m not that type of girl.
And what type of girl are you exactly, Layla ? he asks, an edge in his tone. I refuse to acknowledge the joyful thrill of him saying my name, which I should further question how he knows.
I clench my teeth together deciding he’s infuriating. Not the type you’ve already judged me as, Colton.
We glare at each other and he eventually moves his eyes back to the road. It seems like he doesn’t know what to say back. Good.
How old are you ? I question nosily. I’m stuck with him, I might as well get something out of him.
He shifts in his seat uncomfortably. Why do you want to know ?
You just don’t look old enough to own a club, I say with a shrug, because he doesn’t. He looks like he should be on a big yacht partying with supermodels.
Twenty-two.
I stare at him in secret, wondering why he looked uncomfortable revealing his age. Twenty-two. A five-year difference between us. Not that it matters. It’s not like anything is going to happen between us.
It takes a long time getting to his house. We drive along some country road in the middle of nowhere. It’s dark and I can’t see anything but shadows of trees the car lights up as we pass.
Where’s your house ? my voice shakes as I ask, and I hate the fact that I’m showing my nerves.
We’re almost there.
What am I doing ? Why aren’t I shouting or trying to get away ? Because you trust him. I frown. How can I trust a stranger so easily ? Especially him.
Finally, we turn a corner and drive through a set of black gates that seem to appear out of nowhere. I shudder as we drive up another road, until finally, through the tall trees, I see a house that takes my breath away.
I expected his house to be fancy and big, but I didn’t expect it to be anything like what I’m seeing. The moonlight hits a mansion surrounded by trees. Although the house itself is impressively lit up, it still looks dark and mysterious. A bit like the man sitting next to me.
As he pulls the car around the stone drive, I raise my eyebrow at the large fountain in the front of the house. It’s a large, black wolf spouting water out of its mouth, which is odd considering the conventional fountain has baby angel’s or naked woman. As I look around, I realize even though it has a dark, elegant beauty, there’s something about it that seems, I don’t know, sad. Lonely.
We eventually stop outside a large garage and Colton gets out first. He comes to my side of the car and opens the door for me. He holds out his hand for me to take, and all I can do is stare at him, not knowing what to do. No one has ever opened the car door for me or attempted to help me out.
Awkwardly, I get out by myself, shivering from both nervousness and the cold as the wind cuts into my skin once again.
He slams the door behind me, and when I glance at him, he’s smirking. Maybe because I refused his help. I observe my surroundings, realizing I’m a stupid girl for allowing him to take me here. It’s in the middle of nowhere. I might as well be smack in the middle of a forest.
It isn’t that I think he’s going to hurt me or anything. It’s because I’m scared what this is. He’s not exactly being forthcoming, and there’s still that tension between us.
I follow him cautiously to the door. He steps forward and unlocks it, pushing it open. Taking a step back, he nods for me to go in first and I move forward, stepping over the threshold. It’s warm inside. Dimly lit, making the mahogany dark creams and maroons seem darker. Expensive artwork hangs on the wall, and aside from his smell, there’s also a hint of lilies.
I like that smell. It calms me a little.
Are you going in, or are you going to stand here all night ? he says behind me, snapping me out of my daze.
Scoffing, I step forward, my heels clicking on the tiles. He steps in behind me and closes the door. He then leads me inside a formal living room. One that doesn’t look lived in. It’s not like mine at home with Ray’s beer cans, pizza boxes and junk food wrappers everywhere-the aftermath of a Call of Duty night with his pals.
I feel out of place. Like I don’t belong. I regret wearing this dress that’s for sure. I turn to look at him, seeing him staring at me with curiosity. Studying me. I swallow down a lump in my throat, my stomach fluttering as I put my arms around my body.
Are you scared of me ? he asks, and I shake my head, even though it’s a lie. I’m scared of him. What he did to those guys. I didn’t imagine that. I know I didn’t. He slowly takes a step closer to me. Are you sure ?
His eyes hold me captive, willing me to tell the truth, but I won’t admit it. I’m uncomfortable.
He nods. Right.
I dampen my lips. I know you’re pissed I snuck into your club with my friends. It won’t happen again. If you let me phone a cab or something, I’ll be on my way and out of your life.
I’m proud of my speech, but he clearly isn’t. Do you think I’m going to hurt you ?
No. Yes. I don’t know. At times I think he isn’t, but then he gets this look. Like, I don’t know, he hates me. I’m hoping he’s a decent guy. He kissed me, and it was explosive, but he could be a murderer. As a matter of fact, he was for about five seconds.
I want to go home.
It’s too late for you to be travelling home alone. Stay, and I’ll take you home in the morning myself.
Keeping me hostage in your house isn’t scoring you points.
There’s points to be scored ? he asks with amusement in his tone. He’s teasing me.
No, I say, my face burning when he reaches up to loosen his tie. I watch as he slips the fabric from around his neck and undoes the top button of his shirt.
I sigh, coming to conclusion that I’m not getting out of this. I’ll stay on one condition. No funny business.
Do you honestly think I’d take advantage of you ? he asks.