once were, and I can’t help but bask in his warning.
This is wrong. I should stop whatever insane idea I have swarming in my head right now. But I know I won’t. The need to get a taste of him is too strong, and I can’t and won’t leave until I get what I want.
Hazel
One week later…
Walking out of the pizza place, I wave goodbye to my friends—a last meet up before we all head off in a couple weeks. Everyone is going in different directions, and it sucks not knowing at least one person in college. I’ve chatted a bit here and there with my roommate, and she seems friendly enough, but who’s to say we’ll get along living in such close quarters?
I head toward my car just as the neon sign turns off. Wow, how long were we in there for? I check the time. It’s almost midnight. Shit, I should text my dad so he doesn’t worry. My fingers dig into my purse for my phone when a familiar car drives past. Only one person I know drives a luxury SUV, suped-up to the nines. Gabriel. I wonder where he’s going. Or where he’s coming from. Jealousy pings in my chest at the thought of him with a woman. My thoughts go back to the pool last week and how I confessed my intentions about college boys. I’m not a virgin by any means. My tactic was simply to lure him in with my innocence. The last thing I expected was the response he gave.
In the days that passed, I prayed he would follow through with his offer: sneak into my bedroom, find me in the dark, and ravish every single part of me. But he never did.
My eyes never leave Gabriel’s car as the light turns green, and he heads north toward the city.
I shouldn’t…
It’s late. I’m sure my dad is wondering where I’m at. What would I even do if I found him with another woman? Hi, I’m his best friend’s daughter. I’m stalking him because I’m obsessed with older men. And yeah, can you not have sex with him? ’Cause I’m trying to pursue him.
Sounds real rational, Hazel.
Too bad my curiosity outweighs my common sense. Getting in my car, I turn the ignition over and follow him. He drives well into the city, passing block after block of the busy nightlife until we come to a patch of abandoned, brick industrial structures. He finally parks in front of an unmarked building. No business signs or vibrant lighting indicate where we are. I glance around, wondering why we stopped. A man appears out of the alleyway, and Gabriel gets out, handing him his keys. I watch as he disappears down the dark alley and inside an unmarked door.
I’m about as dead as that cat because my curiosity tonight clearly has no bounds. Parking on the other side of the street, I get out and jog toward the door Gabriel disappeared through. Not even attempting to knock, I open the door and step inside. My eyes widen as I take in my surroundings. Dance music and flashing neon lights grab my attention first. This place is some sort of club—a secretive one considering the seclusion and zero signs outside. I walk in further, my eyes adjusting to the low-lit room. An extensive bar lines the back wall while occupied tables surround a full dancefloor. When I spy a half-naked woman dancing on a table, my mouth falls open.
“Excuse me, can I help you?”
A woman dressed in a black lace lingerie attire approaches me with a sneer.
“I’m just here meeting a friend,” I lie, trying to keep my cool. Pushing my chest out, I stand straighter, hoping I appear older and she doesn’t kick me out.
“I’m sure you are, sweetheart. Can you tell me the name of the guest?”
Shit.
“Do you harass all your patrons like this? I’m perfectly fine. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to find my friend.” My weak attempt at acting rich and worthy of this club fails when she grabs my bicep as I walk past.
“I need to see your card or guest pass, or I’m going to have to ask you to—”
“She’s with me.”
Gabriel’s deep voice seeps into my veins. I don’t know whether to be scared or relieved.
“My apologies, Mr. Walker. Enjoy your evening.”
The woman walks away without another word, and my eyes stay trained on her back, refusing to make eye contact with the fierce man behind me.
“To what