8 - Damsel In Distress

KYLE’S POV

“Was she going to be there at the club?” the question crossed my mind a million times while I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my tie and straightening my suit. I couldn’t shake off the mixture of excitement and trepidation that coursed through my veins in seeing her again.

Was she mad at me that I threatened to fire her? I was never going to do that and I hope she knew that. Memories of our intense relationship flooded my mind and the familiar feeling of guilt waned down on me.

I stared deeply at my reflection in the mirror, so much had happened – I had broken her completely when I muttered those heart wrenching words after the tragic incident and I never saw her again, I knew I had and I wondered if this was the universe giving me an opportunity to make it up to her, how was I even going to do that without fucking it up, because that was what I was known for – fucking things up. So maybe I didn’t need to attend, maybe she didn’t need me fucking things up for her tonight especially if she was with her boyfriend, I scrunched my face at the memory of her kissing him at the parking lot that day. So just maybe, I would be better off staying at my new home, watching a game half drunk and alone or no – I needed to go, I needed to see her, I didn’t even need to see her up close maybe from a distance and to remind myself how I solely fucked things up.

I grabbed my car keys off the counter and I drove straight to club, I was already so late but it didn’t matter. I stepped into the club, the thumping music and vibrant atmosphere enveloped me. People were littered all over the dance floor with bodies intertwined together following the rhythm of the music, out of the corner of my eye I saw a couple pressed by a corner and nearly devouring each other’s faces and a memory came to mind, of me and Aria in a similar position.

Her slender frame pressed unto mine while I memorized every curve of her body, the softness of her flesh in my hands, her magnetic eyes and the way she moaned by name in the heat of ecstasy. The way her kisses felt, like melting butter under the heat turning to yellow liquid but sweet smelling and delicious – the urgency of her need for me that always sent me dangerously over the rails, and tearing her apart in the way she wanted – is that her?

My thoughts paused dramatically when I spotted her on the dance floor dancing with a strange man and something flared in me.

From her movements, I knew she was drunk. I always knew when Aria was drunk, her wild eyes and erratic movements gave her away to me, and I made her promise to never get drunk in front of anyone else but me, why would I think that she would keep that promise over all these years.

I watched her grinding on him, and felt my jealousy grew but my joy quickly turned to shock when I noticed the man groping her inappropriately and whispering something in her ears as she grimaced in response and pulling away from him but he held her back. Anger surged within me and without a second thought, I rushed towards her just like the first time I had seen her in distress.

I rushed towards and pulled her forcefully to my chest and the strong smell of liquor hit my nose but I was focused on the sleazebag now that Aria was in my arms.

“Get away from her!” I yelled over the music, loud enough for him to hear and note the seriousness in my voice.

“Who are you?” he echoed back.

“I won’t say it again – get out now!”

The man held my stare and I refused to back down – when it came to Aria I could go to any length but the crazy man lifted his hands in surrender and backed off while Aria pulled away from me, she shot me a look I couldn’t decipher from her drunken eyes.

“Are you okay?” I asked her and she rolled her eyes.

“No twenty dollar bills to give this time?” she threw the words at me and stalked off to where the rest of the employees where and I totally forgot how stubborn she was.

I walked behind her to where my employees were gathered and they all welcomed me heartily but I didn’t care for them not with my eyes fixed on Aria as she poured herself another glass of liquor and I wanted to lunge at her to grab the glass from her hands but I managed to keep myself still, I didn’t want to raise any suspicions but I kept my eyes on her discreetly.

“Don’t bother about me, enjoy yourselves.” I said to them when I noticed them staring at me awkwardly, I didn’t want to kill their fun, in fact I’ll rather them not pay any attention to me at all because the only reason I came here was for Aria – who was now missing and not standing where she had been.

Oh Aria! Why does she always have to be a damsel in distress?

ARIA’S POV

I stalked outside the club to receive fresh air and not the one influenced by Kyle’s cologne. I was drunk out of my mind but yet only a simple touch from Kyle was driving me over the edge. The way he grabbed me, pulling me towards his chest and strong hands fastened on my waist – my mind was crowd instantly with dangerous and dirty thoughts that I couldn’t stand being close to him that long, I had to pull away, I had to run away – I have to avoid him. I quickly pulled out my phone to call Shawn, I was drunk and I needed him to come and get me before I did things I might regret by morning.

“Aria.” I heard Shawn’s voice after he picked on second ring.

“Can you come get me, I’m really drunk and I need you.” I wailed into the phone and a long sigh came in response.

“I told you I was busy Aria, I have a lot of grounds to cover.”

“It’s past fucking midnight Shawn.” I yelled into the phone, a certain anger enveloping me that I wanted to smash my phone on the floor but instead, I ended the call and throwing my phone back into my purse when I felt a familiar presence behind and my breath hitched in my throat.

“Why do you always have to be a damsel in distress for me.” I heard his voice but I was unwilling to turn around to take his stare because I knew I’d fold.

“Damsel in distress? What do you mean?” I slurred drunkenly but still facing forward.

“It’s fine, I like it. I like saving you, I like being your knight in shining armor.” he said simply, then he placed his hands on my bare shoulder. It was a simple touch that sent shivers down my spine and goosebumps rising on my skin, while is stood rooted to ground and unable to move but just reminiscing his touch on my shoulder – me pressed to his chest – his smell -

Oh God!

Just then, Kyle walked around me to stand in my front, towering above me and tipping my chin to look at him, his piercing blue eyes and the intensity they held.

“About firing you, I didn’t mean it at all Aria.” he said to me and I shook my head.

“It doesn’t matter, in fact I wish you did, you shouldn’t have moved here, you’re ruining everything.”

“You’re drunk,” he stated as a matter of fact and I nearly rolled my eyes but I said the one thing that had been stuck in my throat.

“Yes and you ruined my life, you broke my heart and you left me when I needed you the most.”

“Aria I – ” he wanted to say but the words stuck in his throat. I saw the look on his face, it was painful and clouded with regret but he cupped my face in his hands tenderly. He was about to say something when my phone began to ring in my purse breaking the tender moment that was developing between us and I pulled away from him to reach for my phone – it was Shawn calling.

I looked at Kyle one more time before taking the call, “I’m here, I’m in the parking lot, where are you?” Shawn said.

“I’ll find you.” I said and ended the call.

“Isn’t it supposed to be the other way around.” Kyle stated.

“Good bye Kyle.” I said and turned to leave but when I did, Shawn was standing right there staring at hard Kyle, a certain recognition flickering but he didn’t say anything, instead he turned to me and walk towards me to grab my hands.

“Let’s go home.” he said