FINDING LOVE IN DARKNESS

a

hird Street, waiting for my date, who is now fifteen minutes late. I glance back at t

d. Where the heck is this guy? I k

tes late. I am most definitely being stood up. The guy I was supposed

date with a guy from her gym named Paul. All I knew about Paul was he was tall, had blo

up on a date. The thing was, I didn't really date. Men in this city were all the same to me. Uptight, douchey assholes who throw one woman out when a newer, shinier one, comes

e his loss. I wave the bartender over and order another gin and tonic. The bartender, a big burly guy, pushes the glass in front of me

nds beside me. Startled, I whip my head around to find that the

fined nose and jaw, his hair a deep shade of brown, cut shorter on the sides but long

hroat flexes as he swallows the liquid, and I find myself mesmerized by the gesture. He must note my staring and finally meets my gaze.

ability to breathe and study my empty glass intently. I squeeze my ey

s so out of place. He looks like he should be on the

are look back over at him, afraid that if

w why I feel like I should save face to him, but

ther drink." He says, lifting his fing

say. He ignores my refusal and orders me

had." He says, a slight smile playing upon his featu

his nervous around guys. It's like he's playing silent mind games with the fixed gaze

asses to us and the guy sli

ing?" He says, swirling the whiske

omorrow. I had to stay late after work to schedule him a flight, hotel, rental car, the whole nine yards. So I guess I'm just a

ss is an as

good wor

hing about his eyes, his gaze, it's so intoxicating. I am pretty good at reading p

ved from my small hometown in Texas to the city. I was Freeman's assistant, which required me to tend to all of his personal affai

a personal life. I didn't mind it though. Choosing a life of

ormal. I clear my throat, shaking my head lightly. "I don't know really...I guess for the

sk, trying to get the

e?" He says q

ntion?" He gives me a hard gaze and then turns hi

from people, but now

that that was this guy's version of a joke.

u like you

ce is deep and controlled, the thick

re you from?" Mimicking his

know." I meet his suffocatin

nt rather than a question. He nods

ve here in

Okay

hicago?" I am rather cur

ply says. That statement only

you do

business

ess?" I ponder, tak

straightens, undoing one o

direction and find him watching me. I sit the glass do

line. I draw my brows together, his statement puzzlin

s brought you here?" I a

ou

's definitely not joking now. It's like a mask has overtaken his features. His eyes are pools of obsidian, all remn

initely ringing a frenzy in my head right now, but my limbs seem frozen. I glance over at the bartender. He's tend

ool. Did he really just say my boss's name? This definitely was not a joke and this

eep him talking, I can get the bartender's

ch into my filing cabinet of shit I need to know for work. I try to come up with a name

glances over at me and I think I can

blood rushing to my head. I know I should scream or flail my arms for help, but somethin

hy

He hired someone to follow me around for god knows how long and then when he finally catches up to me, he can't tell me why he had me followed me in the first place

e some fucking creep, then I think I will just leave." I say. I move to h

A cold sweat has broken out on my forehead.

l sc

bartender, he gives a head nod to the guy and continues wiping down

want from me?

ast not yet." Steaming breaths are coming through my nose and a whimper almos

ut of here. My car is waiting out front. I want you to

his is obviously some kind of set up. These people are being paid to keep their mouths shut. But what does Freeman have to d

e is out there on the street. Maybe someone will walk by and I can get help. But I can't f

wants to pla

tool next to me and stand up. My legs feel like jelly, but I manage to pull my black dress down around my thighs. I str

l of the city. A sleek black Escalade is parked directly in front of the b

eck. "What the..." I try to speak, but my tongue feels like it weighs a ton. My limbs feel heavy and I can'

e air. Suddenly all I feel is warmth, and a smell so in