Page 26 of Taunt Me (Dark Odyssey 2)

That is what the last ten years were like for me. As much as I love my family, I don’t ever want to be put in the position where I have to worry over their lives if I don’t play nice. I don’t want that ever again.

The music changes to an upbeat club mix and the people go wild. Bodies clash together and people are shamelessly grinding against each other. Sex isn’t allowed on the dance floor but what is happening around me is like a massive orgy.

It feels weird being here around so many people. I haven’t been around this many people in forever. And just like before, I think the place looks like an erotic lingerie party.

The bartender returns with my drink and gives me a smile. “Can I get you anything else?” he asks.

“No, this is great. Thanks.” I dip my head and take the glass smiling at the way he decorated the drink. He winks at me and moves away to serve the next customer.

My spirits lift a little when I see Nick, Gabe’s youngest brother. He has a blond-haired woman with him and they’re holding hands. I continue to watch as they disappear into the crowd and I scan up to the balconies.

I’m admiring the artwork of the gold mask that’s there and a smile tugs on the corner of my mouth when I see acrobats in the air on an aerial hoop.How original.

And… oh my God, there’s a couple having sex on the hoop. They’re twisted in this contorted upside down position where the man is hooked on to the hoop with his feet and the woman is practically glued to him and the two are naked having sex. The hoop must be on some rotating device because it floats away like a dream into the darkness and they disappear.

They disappear but the man who appears in my view makes my heart stop beating in my chest.

My breathing constricts and I fear that if I look away to rub my eyes and check that who I’m seeing is real he’ll disappear.

It’s Gabe.

Gabriel.

It’s him. He’s standing on the second floor balcony just peering over the side. He’s actually not that far away from me but it feels far away.

He’s standing there, arms rested on the balcony rail and he looks perfect.

Ten years looks good on him.

I shouldn’t be surprised.

Ten years on a perfect man just improves what was already there.

With his sharp haircut, high, exotic cheekbones set in a face that was chiseled by God himself, Gabe looks like a masterpiece.

I gaze up at him and I remember everything I shared with him. Every single thing.

I don’t mean to but I set my glass down and find myself standing and taking small steps toward him. It’s the magnetism of him that draws me to him, to what I can’t have. A man I wanted and never got to be with. It all ended after that one night of passion we shared.

One night of passion, then I was taken. Gone from the beautiful man I gave my heart to.

Seeing him now I remember it all starting with that last night, then I think of other things. The memories imprinted on my soul. Like us reading poetry in the meadow and him kissing me, the little boat rides we took down the river just to see the swans going to bed on the bank because the area reminded him of the post romantic poems I used to read him.

I fell so deeply in love with him I wanted nothing more than to be with him forever.

I’m staring and I walk right up to the furthest point of the dance floor. He’s about twenty feet above me. I gaze up at him and he’s looking ahead, but then he looks down.

His eyes fall on me and I know he won’t recognize me.

I’m wearing a mask and I look different. My hair is much longer and I have it down tonight, long and flowing to the center of my back.

He’s looking and I’m looking and all I do is smile.

It’s my goodbye.

It’s strange how I’m looking at him and he still feels like mine.

He straightens and his stare intensifies and I wonder if he knows it’s me.

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