Page 18 of Pain and Possession

"This place has the best baked goods; I know it's a weird choice for dinner, but I remembered you have a sweet tooth."

He is a nice guy and I mean the smile I answer him with. I hope this works, I want someone to lean on. Someone to be with at night. I had never realized how nice that was before Noè, how I feel so... lonely.My head grows blissfully fuzzy after we order and take our seats on one of the smaller floor couches in the back of the restaurant. There's a tray located directly in the middle. A place off to the side of the couch for your shoes.The earthy hues give it a warm, homey feeling.It matches the haze building in my mind and across my skin.

"Are you promoting this place?" I ask, as I sip on my hot tea. He's sat beside me instead of the other side, which is fine. Weed always makes me feel warm and cuddly. Lane and I have a standing pot movie night, comprising of binge eating and cuddles.

"Yeah actually, it's pretty different from my normal scene but I like to try new things." The look he gives me makes me giggle although I'm not sure it was meant to be funny. He thanks the waitress after she drops off our food taking an extra minute to stare at her ass.

If I wasn't high, I might have been annoyed by that.

Right now, I'm climbing the ladder to exactly where I want to be. I don't waste any time moving in on my cinnamon rolls as he gives me the full brochure rundown of the place. I honestly couldn't care less, I'm high as fuck and his voice is like velvet. He tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear as I smile sheepishly.

"Do you still do karaoke?” He asks, ruining whatever moment we might've been having. I laugh trying to shake off the uncomfortable memory, "I don't think you can consider that karaoke, I was so trashed I didn't even know my name. Let alone the lyrics toDon't Stop Believin'."

He laughs, taking my cup from my hand and inching so close his warm chest presses into my side, "You sounded good I swear! I would tell you if you sucked."

"Yeah, really? You'd tell me if I sang like shit?"

"I might not put it like that but yeah definitely. I'd probably get you high first, so you didn't punch me afterwards." I laugh, feeling so light I could float away. My thoughts miles away from real world bullshit until he catches me off guard slamming his lips into mine. I stay still for a moment, unnerved by his sudden aggression. Especially in the quiet, packed lounge. His lips moving sloppily against mine.A strange feeling bubbles up in my chest as he slips his tongue inside my mouth, his hand gripping the back of my neck.

A weird familiar panic.

I push him away, "Sorry, I need to use the restroom." After awkwardly climbing over him and damn near spilling our drinks I make a dash for the bathroom.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

His hands felt wrong on my body. I'm the exact opposite of turned on, although I have always had a little thing for him. My high continues to climb as I sit on the toilet even though I was done peeing a while ago.

You can't hide in here forever.

I reach into my bag pulling out the phone Noè got me. To do what? I have no clue. I groan and stand, finishing up in the bathroom quickly before making my way back into the restaurant.My heart sinks when I see our table empty. The food sits abandoned, after taking a moment to peek out of the restaurant window I can confirm that I've been ditched.

Asshole.

I sit back down at the table unsure of what to do, it looks more pathetic if I just leave so I opt to stay. I'm high and honestly kind of grateful I don't have to face him again after my sudden and awkward departure. My apartment is a solid half an hour walk from here, I'm in no rush to ruin my high.My cheeks flush as the waitress approaches with the bill, asking if he'll need a to go box.

God this is embarrassing.

Fucking twat didn't even have the courtesy to pay his half of the bill. The bell to the door rings again and I can't help but snap my head in that direction, half expecting it to be Trent.

Boy I couldn't be more wrong.

All the feelings I've been chasing tonight come crashing into me like a dump truck as soon as my eyes land on Noè. Strolling in like he owns the place.

Hell, he might.

I sink as low as I can into my seat, making the neighboring table look at me like I'm a crazy person. Praying to whatever higher power he doesn't notice me. This is one of the last places I'd expect a man like Noè Arcuri to hang out, but then again I guess I don't really know him at all. I close my eyes, willing the universe to swallow me whole.My high brain imagining a large hole opening up and dropping me down like the opening scene inAlice in Wonderland.

"Are you hiding from me doll?" His voice jars me from my wishful thinking, sending heat wrapped around a taunt line from my chest to the annoying space between my legs.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

"No." I answer a little too quickly, making him smirk as he sits down beside me. He's dressed in black dress pants and a black button down just like the first night I saw him.

"Leave, I'm on a date." I mutter, trying not to look at him as I wiggle my way back up to a normal sitting position. Swatting at his hand as he jerks the hem of my dress down.

"No, you aren't." My heart skips a beat at the chilling tone in his voice. The same tone he used in the restaurant as he forced himself between my legs. I feel arousal soak into my underwear as I clench my thighs together.

Too little, too late vagina.

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