Approaching my dorm, my heart sank to my toes as I ran right into Bethany, Derek, Bethany’s roommate, Sharon, and none other than Kayla herself. Flabbergasted, I stared at the costumed group in horror. The universe was against me, I just knew it.
“Riley!” Kayla shrieked, and I cringed, wondering if I still had time to run. My legs were short and I didn’t know how far I could get before she caught me, but I had to give it a try, right?
She was on me before I could even turn, like she was a mind-reader and knew I wanted to sprint away. “I thought you were going to bail on me when you weren’t in your room, but I caught you!”
Her laugh was half manic, and her breath smelled sour, like rubbing alcohol. Had she already been drinking?
When I met Bethany’s confused gaze, my mouth moved, but no words sounded. I tried to communicate through eye contact my need for escape, but she didn’t understand. Dressed as a 1920’s flapper girl to match Derek’s gangster suit, she smoothed a flyaway hair from her face and smiled encouragingly.
“Hey, Riley, I didn’t know you were coming.”
“I, uh, was just… Um, you see—”
“Of course, he’s coming. He promised he would.”
Kayla linked our arms tight as a vise, and I resisted the urge to shove her off of me. I didn’t want to touch her, but she was showing too much skin for me to comfortably attempt detangling us. If it wasn’t for the black ears atop her head and the tail secured around her waist, I wouldn’t have known she was dressed as a cat. The too-short, too-tight dress hugged her body like a latex glove, and I forced my eyes away from her plunging neckline.
Sharon, dressed as an Olympic gold medalist, grimaced in Kayla’s direction before smiling kindly at me. “The more the merrier,” she said, her white teeth gleaming against her brown skin.
“Come on. I’m already late because of you, mister.” Kayla leaned in, and I flushed when her breasts pressed against my arm. “You thought you’d wiggle your way out of this, didn’t you? But I knew.”
I cringed at her hysterical giggle, certain she was under the influence of alcohol, and I grasped at the first excuse I could think of. “I don’t have a costume.”
“We’ll find you a pair of glasses to complete the nerd look you have going on. You’ll be fine.” She waved her hand dismissively.
I looked like a nerd? That sounded an awful lot like an insult, but I swallowed my offense and attempted, once more, to pull away from her. “Kayla, I—”
“Let’s go!”
Her cry left no room for argument, and I found myself dragged along by her arm in mine. Bethany appeared at my other side, biting her lip in uncertainty as her attention ping-ponged between us. Maybe she had picked up on my discomfort, but it was too late now. I didn’t want to cause problems.
“Riley, are you sure?” she managed to whisper as a passing group of skeletons distracted Kayla momentarily. “You don’t have to—”
“It’s fine.” I hated being a bother, and even worse was the notion of ruining Bethany’s night because I was indecisive and weak.
With a frown, she hesitantly commandeered my other arm and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “Just stay with me, okay?”
Relief flooded me, and I nodded with a weak smile. “Okay.”
Evening turned to night as we neared Kayla’s sorority house, and music thrummed through the ground, riling my nerves like a swarm of wasps. Anxiety crouched in the back of my brain, rubbing its hands together as it plotted my demise, and I prayed I could make it through this experience alive. My odds weren’t looking good.
Chapter Six
I didn’t like this, not one bit. The pulsing music coupled with loud voices drowned out my own thoughts. It was crowded. It was hot. The air was heavy with sweat, alcohol, and something musty that reminded me of Brian’s sheets. Why was I here, again?
Curling as small as possible on the lumpy couch in what I assumed was the living room, I clutched my plastic cup of water to my chest like a lifeline. Students gyrated on the makeshift dance floor, and my stomach twisted into knots. Why were they moving like that in public? Those types of actions seemed more suitable behind closed doors, but what did I know, really?
Bethany and Kayla flanked me, our bodies cinched to fit as many people as possible on the couch. I could barely hear Kayla, much less follow her topic of conversation, but I nodded along as her mouth moved. Pretending was easier. Plus, focusing on her mouth was more enjoyable than the sight of her breasts nearly spilling out the top of her dress.
When Kayla’s third drink emptied, she screamed at me, “Wait here,” before she stumbled toward the busy kitchen. If I was going to leave, now was my chance. But I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
Years of kowtowing had taken their toll. I was told to sit and wait. I would sit and wait.
At some point, Derek dragged Bethany onto the dance floor. I lost sight of them in the throng, and panic rose in my chest. Strangers closed in around me on the couch, laughing, pushing. A drunken girl slipped off the lap of my neighbor, nearly spilling my water all over both of us. Everyone laughed. I didn’t think it was funny.
“Riley!” Kayla magically appeared in front of me, and when she offered her hand, I took it desperately. “There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you.”
“I stayed here, just like you said,” I shouted to be heard above the music, and she shrieked with laughter.
“You’re so cute. C’mon, it’s too loud.” She waved her hand at the crowd, her fresh drink sloshing over the lip of the cup. “Let’s get out of here.”
She wanted to leave? Thank God! I’d lost Bethany, and Kayla was the only familiar face in the room. I hated the glazed look in her eye, but I would take her liquor-soaked company over this terrifying party any day.
“Come with me.” Winking, she linked our fingers and tugged me from the couch. I followed behind her, nearly blanketing her back in an effort to avoid the jostling bodies around me.
Instead of leading me to the front door, she guided me to the staircase. Distracted by the overzealous pair making out against the banister, I didn’t question our direction and climbed the stairs behind her. Couples embraced passionately on the stairwell and in the hallway, fingers wandering under skirts and below belts. I cowered into Kayla’s side, averting my eyes.
Kayla stopped at an unassuming white door and pulled a key from between her overflowing breasts. “This is my room, so no one will interrupt us.”
“Um…” What exactly would they be interrupting?
After we slipped into the room, Kayla shut and locked the door with a soft click. She bit her lip and fluttered her lashes. “This way none of those idiots in the hall get any ideas of coming in here.”
Oh, that made sense. It would be horrifying if someone burst into the room and tried to have sex while I was in here.
Gulping her drink, Kayla set the half empty cup on her vanity, then she grasped my hand in her sweaty one and led me across the small room. It was bigger than my dorm room but not excessive. Her lack of roommate must be nice.
With a guiding push, she sat me on the end of her bed before sinking into the mattress beside me. Her bare thigh rubbed against my jean-clad one, and I attempted to scooch over to allow space between us. She followed me, erasing the precious inches.
“I didn’t think this party would get so crazy.” She rested her palm on my knee. “Sorry about that. I know you don’t like crowds.”
Tugging on the hem of my shirt, I inspected the sparkly posters plastered on the walls. “Yeah, I get nervous sometimes, I guess.”
“That’s okay.” She scooted impossibly closer, her hand shifting up my leg, and my heart rate jumped a notch. “I, uh, I like shy boys.”
“H-huh?” Sweat beaded my forehead. When did the room get so hot?
“I like how nervous I make you. It’s cute.” Her hand inched higher on my leg, her body leaning into mine until she was nearly in my lap.
I couldn’t move away without falli
ng off the edge of the bed, but I considered tumbling off on purpose. Maybe then she would stop touching me. My stomach roiled as a cold sweat moistened the back of my neck. I had never been this close to a girl. I didn’t like it.
“Shh, it’s okay.” Nails scraped my jaw as my breath came in harsh chugs. Her nose skimmed my cheek, and an odd whine scraped my throat as the hand on my leg surged higher. “I know you’ve never been with a girl before. It’s okay. I like that, too.”
Been with…? Oh dear, that was what she wanted? Images of the couples outside flitted through my mind, and I found myself shaking my head. Did she bring me here to—gulp—have sex with her? I couldn’t do that! I didn’t want to do that.
“Kayla, I-I—”
“Hey, it’s alright. I’ll take care of everything. It’ll be fine.”
Her comforting words had the opposite effect. My throat cinched as hysteria lapped at the base of my brainstem. I had to get out of here, but she was too close to me. Her breath, fruity yet sharp with alcohol, fanned over my cheek. Long nails dug into my thigh. I couldn’t breathe.
“It’s okay,” she repeated moments before sticky lips pressed to mine.
With eyes wide as saucers, I stiffened, muscles locking. Her lashes brushed my cheekbones as her eyes fluttered shut. She puckered against my frozen mouth, and I involuntarily grimaced. Why were her lips so sticky? Were all kisses supposed to be this wet? Seeing as this was my first, I had no prior experience to compare it to.
I had always assumed kissing was meant to feel good, but I wasn’t so sure about that now. Her lips were soft but gummy from her lip gloss, and her perfume threatened to suffocate me as it clogged my airway.
If this was kissing, I didn’t think I liked it.
The kiss lasted only a moment, but to me, it felt much longer. Thankfully, she disconnected us almost immediately, but my relief evaporated as her cross tone sliced through the air between us. “Riley, kiss me back!”
The disappointment in her voice, the dip of her mouth, and the furrow of her brow were hauntingly familiar. I had failed her again, and the instinctual guilt rose within me. After years of being trained to do as I was told, I obeyed her order as she connected us once more.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I tried to mimic the movement of her lips, but she didn’t make it easy. She angled her head one direction then another. The moment I had her rhythm down, she switched it, and I was left playing catch-up.
Maybe it took practice to enjoy kissing?
Never one to give up, I did my best to figure out this weird mishmashing of lips. If I tried my hardest, maybe I would like it the way Kayla apparently did. Judging from the subtle moan vibrating up her throat and into my mouth, she enjoyed this. Or she was in pain? Did it make me a bad person to hope for the latter?
As her kiss grew in animation and intensity, I fought to catch my breath as she thoroughly attached herself to me. Practically straddling my lap, she didn’t notice the inappropriate slide of her dress, nearly revealing her underwear. One of her hands gripped the back of my neck as the other snaked between our bodies. I yelped as her fingertips teased the front of my jeans.
Terror coursed through me at the unwanted touch. I struggled in her grasp, a sound of protest breaking our kiss, but she didn’t notice. Panting, she wiggled from my lap and knelt between my legs, her eyes hooded and glazed. The taste of her grape lip gloss coated the back of my throat. Bile flooded my mouth.
“I can’t believe this is finally happening.” She massaged my thighs as I gasped for oxygen. “Don’t worry, Riley. I’m gonna take care of everything.”
“Kayla—”
She cut me off with another slimy kiss. “Shh, don’t be nervous.”
Nervous? I wasn’t nervous. I was absolutely petrified! Where were my anti-anxiety meds when I needed them?
She fingered the button of my jeans. My brain cramped. Choking on debilitating fear, I shoved at her hands, trying to stop her.
Say no! Come on, Riley. For once in your pathetic life, say no!
I tried. I really tried. But my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth. The words strangled me, and tears stung my eyes as Kayla fumbled with my button. Her fake nails impeded her attempt to open my pants, and she grumbled under her breath.
“Don’t be nervous, Riley,” she repeated, like saying the words would somehow ease my horror.
Run! Just leave.
But I couldn’t. My limbs weren’t responding, and my brain fought against my indoctrinated instincts. I was supposed to obey. I wanted to be good. But this… Why did it feel so wrong?
Somebody, help!
With a startling crash, the bedroom door burst open, and a tall figure stormed into the room. Dark jeans. Black leather jacket. Tobacco and spices. I nearly wept in relief. Jai!
Kayla abandoned my half-open jeans with a shriek, spinning on our intruder with a glare. “Hey, we’re busy here.” She did a double-take, raking her gaze from Jai’s head to his feet, then rolled her eyes. “Ocupado, amigo.”
A dark brow arched, and the fire in his eyes flared in offense. “¡Mujer, no pongas a prueba mi paciencia!” he sneered before shifting his attention to me. His rage softened as our eyes met, and he offered his hand. “Riley, come with me.”
“We’re busy. Get out!” Kayla chucked her black cat ears at him. They ricocheted off his chest and bounced across the carpet.
He glanced at the offending headpiece apathetically before fixing his eyes on me. “Riley?”
I stood on shaky legs, reaching for his outstretched hand, but Kayla rounded on me next. “Sit down!”
Flinching at her harsh tone, I stumbled back a step, lost my balance, and fell onto the bed. Jai swelled, the air crackling with intensity, and Kayla’s bravado disintegrated under his glower. She cowered as he loomed over her, his face twisting into something feral. The light overhead flickered.
“Speak to him like that again and, female or not, I will fuck you up,” he spat through gritted teeth as the bulbs in the room buzzed, the light blinking off and on erratically.
“Jairus, that’s enough!” A melodic voice cracked through the air like a whip, ending the illogical lightshow.
Wait a second… I knew that voice.
Craning my head around Kayla and Jai’s standoff, I balked at the uncharacteristic frown on Noel’s full lips. He scrutinized the room, assessing me quickly before returning to Jai.
“Take care of Riley. Leave her to me,” he hissed quietly, as if he didn’t want me to hear.
After a moment of glaring at each other, Jai grunted in grudging agreement, and Noel relaxed. Jai stepped away from the now-gaping Kayla, and Noel took his place instantly. He smiled, the kind expression disarming and out of place given the situation.
“Hello, darling,” he cooed in a soothing voice. “Relax. Nothing’s wrong. You’ve had too much to drink. You’re tired. It’s time to lie down.”
Like warm honey, his words dripped over my skin, sparking goose bumps. Kayla blinked lazily as her eyes glossed. Her aggressive stance loosened, and she touched her temple, frowning.
“I, uh. I had too much to drink?”
Noel nodded, his lips stretching in a sultry smile. “Mhm. You need to sleep it off. And when you wake, you’ll realize this was all just a dream.”
“I need to sleep it off,” she echoed, her voice monotone. “This was a dream.”
Jai cut off my view, shattering the trance Noel cast over the room, and I gasped. Leaning away from him, I cringed as his hand reached for me. I didn’t truly believe he would hurt me, but my nerves were shot and my brain wasn’t working correctly.
Hands spread in surrender, he crouched at the end of the bed. “It’s okay, Riles. Everything’s okay now.” His tone held the same numbing calm as Noel’s, and the panic quivering through my blood eased. “It’s time to go.”
Palm up, he waited as Noel continued to purr reassurances in Kayla’s ear. With trembling fingers, I cautiously took Jai’s hand, his callouses grazing my skin. I pr
ayed he didn’t notice the sweat slicking my palm as his large hand enveloped mine. When he squeezed it in comfort, a strangely delightful tingle shot up my arm. If he sensed it, too, he didn’t react.
Leading me from the room, Jai ignored Noel and Kayla, his alert stare checking our surroundings as we entered the hallway. As if a protective bubble burst, the sounds and smells of the party swamped me the moment we crossed the threshold. I fought the urge to cover my ears. Music blared, and raucous laughter brayed. Stale sweat and alcohol assaulted my nose. I tasted Kayla’s artificial grape lip gloss.
“Lock the door behind us, child.” Noel exited the room as Kayla nodded, obeying like a drunk robot.
The door shut; the lock slid home. Then we were moving.
Jai shoved through the crowd, his grip on my sweaty hand borderline painful. The heat of Noel’s body seared my back as they sandwiched me between them. We struggled through the vast ocean of intoxicated college students, and I was grateful for Jai’s firm grip and Noel’s hand on my hip. Without these, I would have collapsed under the weight of my anxiety.
Within moments, we were stuck in the midst of the dance floor, and Jai cursed. I swore I heard a rasped, “Move,” and against all odds, the mass parted like the Red Sea. A thin trail opened, and we rushed through it.
The moment we staggered out the front door, the severity of the encounter hit me like a load of bricks. My body shook violently as the nerves worked through my system. The sidewalk undulated under my feet. My vision blurred. Was I having a seizure?
Jai released my hand, and I stumbled under my own weight as my rescuers faced each other. The air vibrated with malice.
“What in hellfire were you thinking?” Noel’s eyes flashed, the light hue darkening to purple as he shoved Jai’s shoulder.
Revelations: Fire & Brimstone Scroll 1 Page 7
