Page 56 of One Last Wish

“You mean what’srightwith him.”

“At least he’s not afraid totouch me!”

“That’s a low blow, even for you,” Darce winced, looking down at my lips. “Don’t do this, Alora.”

“Are you going to touch me?”

“You know, I can’t.”

“Fine! You can watch another man’s hands all over me instead. This was yourchoice, Darce,” I spat.

Darce was calling after me but I didn’t turn back. I made my way straight toward Charlie and fell into his open arms, crashing my lips against his. As I wrapped my arms around his neck, Charlie lifted me off the ground and spun me around. “Well, that was what I call a kiss,” he smirked against my mouth, running his hands down my back. “Did you want to get out of here?”

“Can we dance for a little bit?” I was busy scanning the crowd for Darce, desperate for him to chase after me and yank me away from Charlie. Disappointment filled me when I wasn’t worth chasing after. Darce had gone.

I spent the next few hours drinking and dancing with Evelyn, Danny and Charlie. Making the best of a shit situation, I downed a few shots. It wasn’t enough to make me forget what I was doing, but enough to numb the pain of Darce walking out on me. I couldn’t even blame him, though. I’d made out with another guy in front of him. Why would he have stayed?

Charlie hadn’t been able to keep his hands off me the last few hours. It wasn’t unwanted attention—it felt nice to have a man desire me—but his fingers were getting a little close to the inside of my thigh. Did I want this? I was confused. My mind felt more fucked than usual.

“Did you want to take this party elsewhere?” Charlie’s voice dripped with sexual promise as his fingers grazed my cheek. “As sexy as you look in this dress, I was hoping for a glimpse of you out of it.”

“I don’t do normal hookups. I’m more of a fuck outside girl. I don’t like going back to guys' places.”

“There is an alley out the back. I’m down for that if you are?” Maybe I needed to do this to get Darce out of my mind. I’d fucked plenty of guys down the back of an alley. What was so different about that now? Darce wasnevergoing to touch me the way I craved. What was I waiting for?

“Sure,” I smirked, giving Evelyn the signal that Charlie and I were leaving. She was almost dry humping Danny in the corner of the dance floor. It wouldn’t be long until they left the club, too. Evelyn had already said she’d go to Danny’s so I’d have the apartment to myself if I wanted to bring Charlie back. It wouldn’t happen, but at least I’d get a peaceful night's rest.

Following Charlie outside, he turned down a side street and led me into a dark alley.

“You are so fucking sexy,” he purred, pushing me against the wall. His lips began to travel down my neck. I tried to enjoy it, but they weren’t the soft lips I craved. Charlie’s lips were rough and moving too quickly down my body. “I’m going to fuck this pussy of yours so hard.” Charlie’s hand moved under my dress and caressed my panties.No, this was wrong! I didn’t want this.

“Wait!” I cried. I tried to push him off but he wasn’t budging. He hooked his fingers inside my panties, and I felt him brush over the top of my entrance. “No!” This time when I pushed him, he stumbled back a little.

“Alora, don’t be a cock tease!” Charlie fumed. “Danny told me you were a sure thing.”

“You disgusting asshole!”

“You’ve been all over me theentirenight. You want me, admit it!” Charlie was circling me like I was his prey. This wasn’t the version of him I’d seen in the club.

“Not anymore! Let me fucking pass!” Charlie blocked me, pushing me back as I tried to escape. “Let me go you asshole!”

“I like this feisty side of you.” He reached out, trying to free one of my breasts from my dress. I slapped his hand away. “I enjoy this game.”

“Don’t fucking touch me, you motherfucker!” I seethed, hitting at his chest. He was as solid as a rock. I couldn’t move him. Panic began to set in as he circled my waist, pulling me deeper into the dark alley. What had I done?

“I suggest you let her go.” A voice came from behind Charlie. One that I instantly recognised. As Charlie turned towards the voice, his grip on me loosened. I used that moment to spin around and knee himhardin the balls. Charlie fell like a sack of potatoes.

“Asshole!” I snarled, kicking him hard in the stomach before I rushed toward the safety of Darce.

“And I was thinkingI’dhave to be the vicious one.” Darce tilted his head, watching Charlie squirm around on the ground in agony. “I was looking forward to punching him. You ruin all my fun.”

“Don’t say a word,” I threatened, storming past him as embarrassment threatened to overwhelm me.

“Alora, wait!” Darce called me, and I couldn’t help but stop at his command. “You’re shaking.” Slipping out of his coat, he wrapped it around me before studying my face. “Did he hurt you?” My eyes began to water. Pure, burning, anger blazed in his eyes. “I’llkillhim!”

“No, it was my fault. I was leading him on. I got cold feet when he started to touch me.”

“Scum like him don’t deserve to breathe the same air as you. None of that wasyourfault.”

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