The Crimson Hunt

by Smith, Victoria H.

  Hey! Adam is taking me to the old dam, might be back late ;)

  I shook my head. She knew better than to head down there. The place was completely off limits, not to mention dangerous. There was no telling Piper that, though. She’d do what she wanted regardless of what I told her.

  Fine, be careful, I texted back.

  “Is everything all right?” asked Luca, gazing my way.

  “Yeah, sorry. That was completely rude.” I put my phone away. I didn’t want him to think my phone meant more to me than this moment did.

  He smiled and continued the car’s acceleration. Despite the stick shift, I didn’t feel one jerky movement. I guess there were no gearshifts in this hover craft, either.

  We turned a corner and Demitasse’s illuminated bubble sign appeared.

  Luca parked the car and shut off the engine. He opened his door and came around to my side. Like the gentlemen I assumed he was, he opened my door and held out his hand for me.

  I steadied myself and slowly slipped my hand in his. I put all thoughts out of my mind. I wanted to remain as blank as possible, so I wouldn’t collapse from the touch.

  My hand touched his, and he pulled me in toward him. I flew forward and my breath exploded from my chest when our bodies collided.

  There went the blankness. Gosh, he was strong. In the woods, I thought he picked me up with ease before. Damn, I didn’t realize he had this much strength, though.

  He cleared his throat, and I swallowed hard. Our gazes locked on each other. I was frozen, my hands clinched onto his jacket.

  “Sorry about that,” he said, his eyes shifting as he stared at me.

  I shook my head in a daze. “You’re so fine. I-I mean it’s fine.” WTF, Ariel.

  He nodded and I stepped back from him in an awkward stumble.

  As we walked into the coffeehouse, my breathing finally resumed something resembling normal.

  *

  Demitasse Café was completely made over for tonight’s performances. Bright twinkle lights covered the walls and ceiling, creating an effect similar to the night sky. The normal mosaics of the glass tables were lit up, the surface illuminated softly by a hidden glow light underneath the glass. The lighted images of the table created soft strands of color throughout the dimly-lit room. In front of the stage, the colorful cushions, which normally sat there, were gone. Nothing but dance floor was left in its place.

  I hadn’t been to a concert here yet this semester, but even for Demitasse this seemed extravagant. Portia really must be on her game this year. The place looked outstanding.

  The room was packed with students viewing tonight’s performer. Tonight—not to my surprise—the stage contained the rhythmic words of Portia. She was so good at her slam poetry. I was honored to be her friend. While she recited her rhymes, she saw me and beamed in my direction. I gave her a nod in return.

  Luca escorted us to a table nearest to the stage. “Would you like something to drink?”

  The lights in the room bounced off his greenish-grays, and it looked like there were stars in his eyes.

  Portia was way too good at her job. The room completely complemented his features. Good God, did I really need more help to aid my attraction of him?

  “No, thanks. I’m okay.” I didn’t want to risk dumping anything on myself.

  He pulled out my chair for me, and I sat down. After claiming the seat across from me, he took off his brown jacket and placed it around the back of his chair.

  Damn … I shook my head. My God. I turned into Piper with my lusty nature.

  I shifted my gaze from him to the stage. Fumbling my hands to a rested position on the table, I tried to concentrate on Portia’s words.

  My gaze crept quickly back to him, the lean, muscular definition creeping out of Luca’s shirt sleeves catching my eye. The girlish fantasies took over my brain instantly, and I sat in euphoria.

  Portia said her final word, and I accidentally let out a gasp of air. Jeez, how long have I been holding my breath trying to maintain control?

  I looked over at Luca. Bad idea. Those damn eyes of his sent back the fantasies. “When’s your friend performing?” I asked, trying to distract myself from, well, myself.

  He nodded ahead.

  I forced my gaze away from him and followed the nod.

  There, stood the same guy I saw him with in the library. He stepped out onto the stage, and not a single sound could be heard across the starlit room. He held a beautifully detailed acoustic guitar, and the light of the room hit his long, flowing locks perfectly. So much so, the shine from his hair challenged the source of the light.

  Opening his mouth, he sang.

  The notes were so enchanting I actually gasped. They were that powerful. I felt like I watched a siren deep in song. The timbre of his voice blanketed my coherence. The sound was … extraordinary.

  He reminded me so much of Luca. His power clearly resided in other places, though, with the way he captivated the room. I even thought I saw a couple of girls in the audience fighting the urge to swoon. Their bodies swayed back and forth. After composing themselves, they swayed again.

  “Would you like to dance?” asked Luca.

  Only he could break my trance of this enchanter’s tune. For a moment, I contemplated making up an excuse and running to bathroom. If he danced anything like he walked, my legs would turn to jelly, and I’d be a big ole mess on the dance floor. Only fear of being rude kept me there. I nodded my goofy look in response.

  He stood and held out his hand.

  I placed my palm in his, looking into his eyes. Again bad idea. While attempting to stand, I tripped on the leg of my chair.

  He ignored my clumsiness and escorted us to the center of the dance floor. We were directly in front of the stage. The perfect setting.

  We settled on the dance floor and Luca’s eyes stayed focused on mine. He slid his hand around my waist, guiding me into his body, while his other hand grabbed mine.

  I reached up and slipped my hand around his neck. This new contact of his skin ignited the nerves of my body. I felt like my hand was on fire, but I didn’t want the pain to stop. The sensation felt far too good. I took my concentration from my hand and focused it to the tingle of my lower back. The burning there was even better.

  The combination of his movement with me and the soothing rhythms of the music made me completely weak. If he wanted anything from me in that moment, I would have given it to him. I was putty in his strong arms.

  The music guided our movements. We moved fluidly with the rhythm. I wanted to dance closer, but didn’t want to be too forward.

  I heard the musician’s ballad climax, and I could resist the temptation no longer. I stepped closer and lay my head on his firm chest. The heartbeat underneath sent its waves into my ear. The rhythm was so smooth and steady. The beats were almost … unbroken. The gentle thumps inside were peculiarly continuous with how each beat connected to the next. The sound of it sent a power through my body even more than his touch. I thought I heard it increase at my advance, but I couldn’t be sure. I wondered if maybe he wanted me just as much as I wanted him.

  I only noticed the song had stopped when he released me. He applauded, signifying the end of the song.

  My applause joined his, but with notably less enthusiasm.

  How I got back to our table I didn’t know. The feeling of the moment still had me entranced.

  “What did you think?” he asked me, witnessing my silence.

  I took the necessary steps to process the information. You liked it, Ariel. You thought the singer was amazing. You’re glad he brought you here to see his friend. “I liked it. He was amazing. I’m glad you brought me to see your friend tonight.” Cleared that mental roadblock.

  “I am glad.” His eyes crinkled in the corners.

  Smile and nod. I gave him a smile and a goofy nod. Good enough.

  “So, this is the girl my buddy has been going on about?”

  I looked away from Luca—not easy t
o do—and turned. The star performer was now beside our table. He really was tall. At least, a few good inches above Luca, who himself was easily over six feet. And those eyes …. They were so fierce and luminous like Luca’s. His were a warm chestnut, though. That made them no less striking.

  Luca smiled, keeping his gaze on me. “Ariel, this Gemini Maylor. Gem, this is Ariel—”

  “—Richmond,” I said, realizing I never told him my last name. I shook Gemini’s hand. The feeling took me by surprise. His hand was just as smooth and flawless as Luca’s, but the shake wasn’t nearly as inviting as I thought it’d be. Everything about Luca drew me toward him, welcomed me to him, but with Gemini that feeling felt a bit absent. Letting go of his hand, I shook the feeling off. It was probably just in my head.

  “Nice to meet you, Ariel. What do you think of my set so far?”

  Was it just me, or was he still singing? “It was really great. Your music is a very powerful experience.”

  Looking as if he got the answer he sought, Gemini gave me a satisfied grin.

  “Would you like to join us?” Luca asked. Finally taking his focus off me, he gestured to our empty chair.

  “No, I got to be getting back up there. Can’t leave my adoring fans waiting.” He placed his hand to his chest and sighed in sarcasm. At least, I think it was sarcasm. “I saw you both up there and just wanted to give you a shout out.”

  I blinked. I seriously just spaced out. Gosh, Gemini’s words were mesmerizing. I felt like a child being enchanted by the Pied Piper.

  “See you both around, then. It was nice meeting you, Ariel.” Gemini kissed my hand, then gestured toward Luca. “You can quit going on about her, kid. I get it now.” He chuckled and sauntered away.

  My heart leaped. I had to have turned about three shades of red in that moment. What had Luca been saying about me? Judging by Gemini’s words, good things, I assumed.

  Luca didn’t look a bit fazed by his friend’s comment. He glanced at me with a casual look. “Gemini has always had a way with women.”

  That was an understatement. Every word Gemini spoke made me feel bashful. And now, as he walked back up to the stage, the girls he passed leaned toward him as he strode by. Like he actually pulled them with him. They all looked about two seconds away from ripping off their bras and throwing them to him. Being around him felt like being in the presence of a rock star.

  “Hey, Richmond!”

  I gazed up to see Blaine’s hazel eyes. He’d opted out of his usual hoodie today, looking quite nice in his plaid button up.

  “Hey, Blaine. What are you doing here?” Since Piper wasn’t in the vicinity I didn’t see why he’d bother.

  “Oh, Portia asked me to drop off her notes from Trig. I saw you over here and thought I’d say hi. Is, umm, Piper, uh ….”

  The poor boy couldn’t even finish his sentence. Just the thought of Piper had him scanning the room like a hawk.

  “No, she’s out tonight.” I felt it best not to tell with whom. Realizing how rude I was being, I turned to Luca. He waited patiently beside me. “Oh, I’m sorry. Luca, this is Blaine Duncan. Blaine, this is—”

  “We’ve met.” Blaine nodded in Luca’s direction.

  Luca returned the nod, but his features hardened a bit. I looked at Blaine and could see why. He was clearly giving Luca a weird look. The expression was very reminiscent of Piper’s the day she saw all that mud caked on my ass in Zoology.

  Blaine eyed me.

  I squinted at him. Okaaay. Apparently he wanted to talk about something. I guessed I’d play along. I was going to kill him if he ruined this for me, though. “Luca, I think I’ll have that drink if you don’t mind. I guess all that dancing made me thirsty.”

  “Yes, of course.” He rose from his chair.

  “I would like—”

  “Chai tea? I could not help but notice what you drank that day I saw you here.” He smiled.

  My cheeks warmed. “Uh, yeah.” My laugh fought the giggles.

  Blaine looked like he was going to hurl.

  I kicked him under the table.

  He bit his lip, trying to fight a wince.

  “I will be right back.” Luca left, heading toward the counter.

  Blaine didn’t waste any time before he sat down in Luca’s seat. “So, you’re seeing Grinaldi?” He arched an eyebrow.

  “Yeah, is that a problem?” I arched mine in return.

  “No, not at all.”

  “What’s this about, Blaine? If you want to know something about Piper, I’m not—”

  “This has nothing to do with Piper … unless she asked about me.” His face became hopeful.

  I kicked him again. This time he didn’t hide his wince. “What is this about, then?”

  Blaine turned around, watching Luca for a moment. He turned back. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay over here, is all,” he said, bringing his voice down.

  “Why wouldn’t I be okay, and how do you know Luca?” I asked, getting more and more pissed off as he sat in Luca’s seat.

  “We have a class together; us and Lila.”

  At the sound of Lila’s name, I wanted to go into a blind rage. I casually composed myself and forced my ears to listen. Raising my eyebrows, I indicated I wanted him to get on with the point.

  “It’s just that in class Lila and Luca are lab partners.”

  “So?” He was really starting to work my nerves now.

  “So, it’s just that Lila is really into him,” he said with a look of concern.

  “What do you mean? Does he look like he feels the same way?” I grew worried I was being played again.

  “No, no, not at all. But she’s really into him. Like really into him. I know you two have beef between you, and I just wanted to warn you.”

  Blaine’s presence suddenly boosted my mood. I had something she desired. I couldn’t help but bask in the moment.

  Blaine stood when he saw Luca coming back from the counter. “Ariel?”

  I winced. I didn’t think I’d ever heard him use my first name.

  “Just be careful with him. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

  What did he mean by that? I could easily take out the underfed Lila Nix. I guessed he was underestimating me. Or did he mean something more? “Thanks, Blaine.” I gave him an annoyed smile.

  Luca came up behind Blaine. After setting down my tea, he retook his seat.

  “Grinaldi.” Blaine nodded.

  “Blaine,” said Luca, returning the gesture.

  Blaine slipped away into the crowd of Gemini-swooning females.

  “Is there a problem?” Luca asked, though he didn’t seem at all bothered by Blaine’s unexpected appearance.

  “Nope, not at all. That’s just Blaine.” I gave a crooked smile. Grabbing my cup, I forgot myself and indulged in a sip.

  Luca watched me, his gaze hard.

  Note to self: brown tea + white shirt + GQ model = bad idea. I placed my cup on the table’s surface and wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans.

  He continued to watch me. His stare was so deep it could be mistaken for analyzing.

  Gosh, he stared hard. Like his eyes were trying to unearth some secret he wanted to know from mine. Since I wasn’t skilled in the art of mind reading, I figured I should make an attempt at formulating some sentences. “So, who is ‘I am Luca?’” I mimicked him. Nice, Ariel, real nice. Making fun of him will definitely score you points.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, what do you do in your spare time? Besides helping girls save cute, baby deer in the middle of vacant woods, of course.” I laughed. It was getting easier to be more natural with him. I liked that.

  He laughed, too, breaking his analysis. “School and work takes up the majority of my time.”

  Something told me there had to be more to him than that. No one who looked like that graced the world with their beauty in such a mundane way.

  “What about you?” he asked.

  “I guess the same as you. Jus
t work and school.”

  “So why did you find my answer odd?”

  Was he skilled in the art of mind reading? “What do you mean?” I laughed in nervousness.

  He smiled and rested his finger to his delicious lips. “You looked a little underwhelmed by my answer, is all.”

  By God, he got me. “I just thought that … I guess I didn’t know what I thought.” Oy vey.

  He laughed gently.

  I felt a vibration and crossed my legs under the table. I really needed to calm down. He wasn’t that hot. Well, yes he was, but still. My hormones were making me act completely ridiculous. I felt the vibration again, but realized my cell phone was in my lap. I must have grabbed it from my bag earlier. After that dance, anything was possible. “I’m going to the ladies room. I’ll be right back.”

  He nodded, and I left our table and went to the bathroom.

  I pushed the Gals door in. After moving aside the stocked basket of toiletry items on the marble counter, I sat on it.

  Hey! Hey! Hey! How’s it going? The text was from Piper again. Three whole explanation marks. She must be having a good time.

  Fine, what do you need? I texted back with impatience.

  Her response was immediate. Nothing, just making sure your “sensual touches” were being fulfilled. ;)

  Ugh! What the hell was her problem? You really bothered me about that? I left the table so I could go txt!

  Another quick response. She must be watching her phone to toy with me. No one told you to do all that. And here I was trying to be a good friend. This is you’re emergency exit txt dummy.

  No one told you to do that.

  Well I did. Anyway, I’m having a good time ;)

  I wanted to throw my phone at the wall. I didn’t ask. I can’t believe you’re being so immature. I’m trying to have a good night. I don’t have time for this. Don’t bother me again.

  Fine, bitch, see if I help you again!

  Piper, is everything ok? She never talked to me that way.

  Yeah, I’m fine. Go fuck off!

  I put my phone back in my purse and hopped off the counter. Gazing at the reflection of my face, I rubbed at my cheeks, but the action was no use. I was still beet-red from my frustration with her. Exhaling, I counted backwards from ten. Finally relief. That seemed to do the trick. I pushed open the backwards Gals door and walked back to the table. After sitting down, I threw my purse to the floor and crossed my legs.