Page 31 of Beyond the Horizon

Reality comes rushing back in as Lola’s anger rings through the air. He steps back, dropping my arm as a burst of air fills the space between us. I shiver, despite the lingering heat from a scorching day. Without him I feel cold.

He wants me…?

“What the hell is your problem?” she yells.

My eyes snap up to meet his and he’s scowling again. “She’s a siren…” he mutters.

What?

“What?” Lola snatches the word from my head, storming over to us both. “Speak up, Malakai! You’ve never been one to mince your words, so tell me what the hell that was all about!”

God she’s angry. She has every right to be because a moment longer and I would have wrapped myself around Malakai and ordered him to fuck me. I’m such a bitch. He’s hers, not mine, I remind myself. My teeth start to chatter in earnest. I feel so cold without him.

“I can’t do this,” he mumbles, shaking his head. I notice how his fists are clenched, how his body shakes just as violently as mine.

What’s happening? I don’t understand. My head spins with his words.

“Because every time you do I can feel your tits brushing against my chest and it’s taking everything in me not to rip that dress from your body and fuck you here right in front of everyone. That’s why.”

Did he say those words, or did I imagine them because I want him so much? Is any of this real?

“Are you okay?” Lola asks me, touching me gently on my arm right above the spot he held me so tightly. Why is she asking ifI’mokay? I was practically dry humping her boyfriend.

“I’m fine.”

But I’m not. I’m not fine.

“You don’t look fine, you look…” her voice trails off as she really looks at me. This expression I wear isn’t from fear. It’s lust, want, need, guilt, but not fear. I’m not afraid of what Malakai will do to me, I’m afraid what will happen if he doesn’t.

Malakai clears his throat, crossing his arms. “I was reminding Connie that she has a curfew and needs to go home,” he says, his voice steadier than he looks.

“Don’t you bullshit me, Malakai. You were about to lose your shit in there with Jack. He’s a kid. They’re just kids.” She looks between us, frowning now.

“I’m well aware of that fact, Lola,” he retorts, refusing to look at me. “She needs to go home. This is no place for her.”

“What are you insinuating? This is hardly some seedy club, Malakai. She’s not in any danger.”

“Could’ve fooled me…” Jack appears by my side, Alice and Georgia in tow. He seems to have sobered up a little and I’m pretty sure he’s puked given the stain down his top. I wince when I look at him. “I’ll take Connie home,” he insists, whilst Alice and Georgia look at me wide-eyed. What must this look like? What must they think?

“The hell you will! You can barely stand upright. I’ll do it. Come on, Connie.” Malakai growls stepping forward.

“No. I’ll be fine.” I shake my head. I need to get away. I need to go because if he comes any closer I don’t know what will happen. I feel… I feel so wound up.

“I’ll take her,” Lola offers before I can move away. “You can get rid of the punters and lock-up whilst I drive these four home.” Chucking the keys at Malakai and grabbing my hand, she pulls me away. Jack, Alice and Georgia follow. When I look over my shoulder at Malakai he’s staring after me, his face blank, expressionless, as if nothing happened. All the heat and fire I felt between us extinguished with one look.

My heart plummets.

* * *

When Lola pulls upoutside my house having already dropped off home a very green-looking Jack, followed by Alice and Georgia, she puts the car in park and turns to face me, chewing on her lip.

“I’m sorry about Malakai. I’m not sure what got into him. I think, maybe, he’s been alone too long… He’s not good with people.”

“It should be me who’s apologising to you, Lola. I’m so sorry about tonight… It won’t happen again,” I mutter, guilt making my stomach turn. He’d held me close. He’d run his lips against my skin. Hadn’t she seen that? And yet, she doesn’t mention it. So maybe she didn’t.

“Do what again? Dance, smile? You’ve every right to have fun with your friends, Connie. Malakai stepped out of line. I’ll speak to him.”

“It’s fine. I don’t need you to.” More to the point, I don’twanther too. This is between Malakai and me. Despite the way he’d looked at me when we’d left just now, I know what I heard. I know what he’d said to me. I didn’t imagine it.

---