Page 7 of Only In the Dark

I close my eyes so I don’t have to see his gaze and continue to get lost in the music. I’m still clothed, and I’m not sure if he wants me to strip down since he only said to dance. So that’s what I’m doing. I’m not ashamed of stripping, it’s paid for my comfortable lifestyle.

The song ends, and I don’t know what to do, but I continue. My head is all over the place. And without a word, Dominick stands and walks out the door. What the fuck? That is one frustrating man. I know men. They want one thing. Sex. But with Dominick, maybe he’s just using me for the favor he wants. If it’s something else, I don’t know what it is.

Relief washes over me, and I get a moment to myself, I sit on the couch and look at the stack of money next to me. I should leave it and let him know how much I don’t need him or his money. And tomorrow still lingers over my head.

Snatching the money from the cushion, I leave the room to find Aldus, telling him I am leaving for the rest of my shift. He raises his finger to respond, but I am already heading toward the back door.

The cool air kisses my skin. And I realize I need to get a ride back to my building. I pull my phone from my purse to call an uber. And I’m still in my stripper clothes, but with a long coat, I am able to cover up. And I see the lights come on from a black SUV, and it pulls up to where I’m standing. The window rolls down, and I see him.

“Need a lift?”

“I’m starting to think you are stalking me.”

“I was just leaving and saw you come out. I assume you are heading home.”

“I am.”

“Get in. Your place is on the way,” he says, his voice holding the command.

I hesitant for a moment, contemplating my options, knowing I don’t have any. “Fine.”

He opens his door, then slides over for me to slide in from his side.

“Thank you,” I say without meeting his eyes. “Why did you run off without saying anything?”

“If I’m honest. I didn’t know what to say. You just…”

“What?”

“You just make me feel something. I’m not sure what it is about you. But I hate feelings.”

I sigh. Now he’s confusing me even more. Is he showing me he actually does have a heart? Or does he have a one-track mind like the rest of the men? No. There was something deeper, when I look into his eyes.

My place isn’t far from the club. But it wasn’t within walking distance like the jail was. We arrive at my place, and the silence is awkward.

“Do you want to come in for a drink?” I don’t know why those words escape my lips. Again, I word vomit and say shit before thinking it through.

“One drink?” he asks with a smile.

“One drink,” I confirm and exit the vehicle.

He walks next to me as we head to the elevator. And I push the button for the top floor. He shoves his hands in his suit pants pocket, and when the elevator dings, we walk to my condo. Inserting the key, I push the door, and we enter. Flipping the light on, it illuminates the whole living space and kitchen.

Dominick notices the view right away and heads toward the floor to ceiling windows that spread the length of my living room. “Now, this is a view.”

I pour a drink for each of us and then walk to stand beside him, handing him a glass.

“It’s the reason I got it. Of course, I’m hardly ever here to enjoy it.”

“That’s a shame,” he says.

“I gotta make money so I can stay here. I like that no one else has lived here, since the building is new. And the view, it was impossible to pass up. Another?” I ask about his empty glass.

“I thought you said one drink,” he smiles.

“One more won’t hurt.”

He hands me his glass, and I refill his and mine. Handing him one, I hold my drink and reach into my handbag for the wad of cash. I know full well it’s all one-hundred-dollar bills. I hold the money out toward him. “You should take this back.”

---