33 - OLD FLAMES

*ARIA’S POV*

I woke up in the hazy embrace of an unfamiliar room, my mind groggy and disoriented. My head throbbed as my eyes fluttered open and I fought to make sense of my surrounding. Soft morning sunlight filtered through delicate curtains, casting a warm glow on the soft white painted walls. But as I glanced around, confusion clouded my thoughts, tangling me in a web of uncertainty. I looked at my self and I was clad in a nothing but a loose white shirt that clung to my body, it had a very familiar scent to it and I when I properly came to – it unmistakably smelled of Kyle.

How did I end up here, clothed in his scent, in a strange room with no recollection how I got here.

I pushed the covers aside, my feet coming in contact with the soft plush carpet that covered the floor. There was a balcony to my right and that was when I noticed a distant silhouette of a man – no not just any man – it was Kyle, and just then like a torrential downpour, the memories came rushing in.

Mr. Venzo – the dinner – and it became foggy from there but there were fragments slipping and I could remember myself being in a sort of a daze and wanting nothing more but to be sexually pleased.

*Oh no!

“You’re up?” Kyle’s voice suddenly startled me and I turned around to him watching me from where he stood at the entrance to the balcony – shirtless with his muscles glistening in the sunlight.

“How are you here – what happened?” I turned around to face but strictly keeping my eyes on his face.

Kyle sighed before speaking “Turns out Mr. Venza is a pimp and – I’m sorry Aria I should never have sent you out here all alone and I take full responsibility”

My eyes watched but I needed to know more “What happened after that?”

“You don’t remember?” he asked and I paused before I gave a definite answer, my mind reeling.

*Just this once Kyle – don’t you want to continue what your started at the elevator yesterday

*I want you here

*Touch yourself for me princess

The memories were coming in a perfect sync, and suddenly I remembered how I pleased with Kyle watching me but refusing to touch me and suddenly a blanket of mortification wrapped itself around.

“Oh no”

Then he smirked “I guess you have to accept the fact that I’m indeed your savior” he folded his hands across his chest

“Don’t get cocky” I flopped back on the bed, not wanting to look at his face and admit that he was indeed right and I had also embarrassed myself again for the second time.

“Are you okay?” I heard him ask, his voice laced with concern and I nodded, Kyle got there in time and that was all that mattered.

“So what’s going happen now, with the deal and everything?” I asked as Kyle walked further inside, placing himself on the table just opposite me.

“You don’t have to worry about that, I’ll take care of it” he said with a dismissive tone but he kept his eyes on me still and I held his stare.

“You have one more night in Florida, what do you have in mind?” he asked and I stayed pensive for a second before I shrugged because I had no idea or anything planned. The deal was to fly to Florida, sign the contract the next day and be on my merry way back to LA on the third day and so far, it was just the second day and somehow, I was stuck with Kyle in a hotel room and no plans.

“We could relive our college days you know – we could go to the beach, get tanned and then hit the club after and get incredibly drunk” Kyle suggested and while it sounded like a good idea, I wasn’t sure it was a great idea to be intoxicated in the same space with Kyle again.

“And I could call up Ken and Diana – ”

“Ken and Diana are in Florida” I said in shock suddenly remembering both of them. Ken and Diana were like the other couple friends we hung out with. Ken was Kyle’s high school mate who also attended NYU but Diana went to Brown, and every time we hung out together but it wasn’t all roses and fun.

“I just send him a quick text and they’re both down to hang out” Kyle said to me looking up from his phone.

“Are you sure – ” my eyes were wary but Kyle waved it off

“It’s in the past Aria, I’m sure we’ve all moved on”

“Have you?” I shot him a look and he stayed silent but his eyes were telling, Kyle definitely hadn’t moved on, I didn’t think I had moved on either from everything that had gone down at that summer vacation.

“Fine, set it up” I raised my hands in surrender and Kyle typed away on his phone before he looked at me.

“The beach – in two hours” he said and my heart pounded in anticipation.

I took a shower quickly and changed my clothes to a really short sundress that stopped just above my thighs but Kyle had flown to Florida without any luggage and he had to shop quickly but he got ready in some shorts and a t shirt, his hair curled around his head and his eyes covered with some dark shades.

By the time we got to the location, Ken and Diana were already waiting for us with large smiles plastered on their faces as they approached us with outstretched hands.

“Oh my God – it’s been so many years” Diana cooed, gathering me in my hands and I took in her fresh floral scent.

“I know, how have you been?” I cooed back while the boys exchanged handshakes and hugs and Ken moved over to me, pulling me into his embrace and he whispered in my ears.

“I’m so glad to see Aria, I have missed you so much” he said with the familiar glint in his eyes but I ignored it and offered a polite smile instead but still he didn’t seem fazed.

“So what’s the deal with you guys” Diana went on, she had always been a talker and it was obvious that had become even more of a talker

“Are you guys dating, engaged, married or just fucking? Which is it?” I shared a look with Kyle with an awkwardness rising in the air, I couldn’t miss Diana peeking at my finger to find a ring and ultimately disappointing her nosiness when she didn’t find any.

“With what happened at that vacation, I’m not expecting any of us to be in good terms with each other” she went on.

“It’s in the past” I offered

“Is it really?” she was fishing and I didn’t want to take her bait, I nodded

“Let’s just have a good time babe” Ken said instead and I when I looked at her finger now, I could see the bright diamond ring glistening on it, but I wasn’t one to pry – not yet at least.

“And then maybe you’ll finally get over your feelings for Aria”