Page 40 of Meet Me In The Dark
Instead, I feel seen without ever seeing the man responsible for it.
“Thank you,” I whisper, not knowing what else to say.
He doesn’t answer right away. “You don’t have to thank me.” Another beat of silence, and then his mouth brushes my temple. “You were perfect.”
I don’t know what to do with this feeling.
Right before he steps away, I feel one final press of his lips against the back of my hand.
And then… he’s gone.
The door clicks shut behind him, and I’m alone.
The silence settles around me like smoke.
I sit there for a long time, too stunned to move, my heart still pounding somewhere in my throat. The blindfold is still on, and for some reason, I don’t rush to take it off.
I don’t know why.
Maybe because if I keep it on, I can pretend this feeling will last a little longer. That I’m still who I was in that moment. That I’m desired, wanted, and cared for.
Taking a deep breath, I finally find the courage to remove it.
The room is dim and softly illuminated by flickering candles in glass sconces. My eyes blink against the low light.
Empty.
Of course it is.
There’s no trace of him, only the scent of his cologne and our imprint on the sheets.
He could be anyone.
He could be a stranger I pass on the street tomorrow, and I’ll never know unless he speaks to me.I didn’t see him, but I’m pretty sure that voice has embedded itself in my bones.
I came here expecting one thing: a night of anonymous sex. To reclaim my body in a way that didn’t come with pressure or strings. To do something bold. Maybe something stupid.
But I didn’t expecthim.
I didn’t expect the way he talked me through every moment. The way he waited. The way he saw the hesitation in my body before I even admitted it to myself. The way he never pushed.
Now, here I am, legs trembling, pulse still pounding, and I’m okay. Better than okay.
I didn’t feel pain, and I didn’t feel ashamed.
I rise slowly and smooth my hands down my dress.
There’s a mirror across the room, and I catch a glimpse of myself as I pass. My eyes are a little wide, and my cheeks are still flushed.
I don’t recognize her, but I think I want to.
It’s when I step closer and see my lipstick still intact that I realize we never even kissed.
Nine
Julian
I knock twice on Nathan’s office door before letting myself in. His head snaps up, expression already set to murder. The poor bastard looks like someone kicked his puppy and stole his wallet.
