OCTOBER

Strangers and Decisions

Oct 13, 2016 Part 4

Weight: 119 pounds

Ate: nothing else. 

Drank: heading to the bar

Sex: no, but I would if it helped fix everything

The funeral hosted a bar. I had no idea, but I weaved my way past a former president and ordered a champagne and orange juice as it was still early. I needed to stop the buzz in my ears. Friends with benefits. Peter’s tones still resonated inside me.

How did he still think that? Sure I told him, but the hammering in my heart or the rush from his touch… this wasn’t normal.

So while I was near the bar I clenched my fists together and wished I could hit someone or something, but then someone banged into my shoulder.

I was lucky I didn’t lose my drink. I glanced over and stared at a dark hair man, with big brown eyes and from that one split second I knew one thing. Those broad shoulders spelled out the word ‘TROUBLE.’ And yes in caps because that’s exactly who he is. I can tell as I said, “Hey, look where you’re going.”

“I was.” He said and brushed his hand quickly against my arm, supposedly checking I was still standing.

Probably. 

And the goosebumps… this wasn’t Peter and I don’t know what this reaction is. He didn’t move away and ordered a drink from the bartender behind me as I said, “So you ran into me on purpose?”

He gave me a devil may care wink and then blatantly glanced up and down my body covered in my form fitting black dress as he said, “I needed to get a closer look at the prettiest woman here.”

At least he had good taste.

I pressed my lips together and something about this sexy stranger with his slight accent and regal chin caught my eye. I held my glass higher and glanced at him up and down like he had just done with me as I asked, “Who are you?”

He sipped his drink and glanced into my eyes as he said, “No one that matters to you.”

My lips tingled. They shouldn’t. I don’t know whoever this is. I stepped an inch backward and said, “Then you better stay far away from me from now on.”

He took a step closer again and closed the gap as I said, “I never listen to beautiful women when they tell me to stay away.”

The strumming in my veins told me this man was trouble and the kind I avoided. I ignored how my lips ached to know his kiss as that would never happen. I had Peter. So I blinked and glanced into those brown hues of his and shook my head, “So you’re a criminal who doesn’t listen?”

He rolled his head back and laughed in that Italian accent of his. That’s what it was. I was normally faster at picking up languages as he said, “I’m usually called a charmer.”

In the distance I saw Peter. My heart sped up that he might catch me as I said, “I’m not looking for charming.”

He stepped away from me but I saw the gleam in his eyes as he said, “Now we both know that’s a lie. See you soon.”

“Never.” I said and hoped it was true. I needed to hate this man if I ever saw him again.

He ran his arm up and down my side and said, “Next time I might even get a kiss so I’ll look forward to it.”

I gulped my drink and tried to shake off that man. I had no idea who he was and it was better to never, ever ask or see him again.

I needed to avoid men like him and focus on Peter. Peter had everything I’d ever want. Peter walked over to me and brushed the same arm. And sure there wasn’t the same dangerous thrill that had just been there, but that was just because he was familiar. I put my glass down on a tray and he asked, “You ready to go Jennifer?”

I met his gaze and hoped he knew this was true when I said, “Always.”

“Who was that?” He asked as he looked over my head.

I turned around and the dark haired man with too hot olive skin briefly met my gaze as I said, “I don’t know.”

We walked over to John and Alice. I was in such a daze that I wasn’t sure what was said, but then I heard Peter tell Alice, “Consider our contracts canceled at the end of the term.”

I blinked. What happened? I couldn’t remember a thing. It was like I blanked on something important. Alice used to be my friend.

Alice’s face seemed crestfallen and all the color drained as she asked, “What?”

Peter continued past her in the rush and took my hand to lead me away. He acted as if he hadn’t just destroyed her old friend.

But it was probably important to help kill whatever was happening. I wanted to be Peter’s wife one day. So as I passed Alice as she stared up at me, I made my decision and said, “You were never important, Alice. No one knows why you’re here.”

Then I continued to trek away with Peter. I don’t like the words that I just said.

I’d have to figure out how to make that better. But later. Right now I had a man and a life I needed to ensure I kept, forever.

The House of Morgan