Chapter One: Taken by Deception
My arms lazily reached into the wide expanse of bed. My motions languid as I stretched out my muscles from the tightness of sleep. The headache I suffered from the night before was still threatening, its pull a throbbing reminder of drinking beyond my meagre tolerance levels. I shook the heaviness from my shoulders and struggled out of bed.
I downed two analgesics to dull the pain, startled by the image in the mirror. Messed hair, smudged eye liner, and puffy lips reflected back at me. I looked like I had partied hard and drank harder. I blotted away the residual make-up and splashed cold water on my face attempting to remedy the atrocities committed against my skin last night.
As I sat on the toilet, I remembered the man. Sandy blonde hair with a slight wave, green eyes, and a muscular build on his 6'4" frame. We had shared a dance or ten. My petite 5'1" form complemented the way his body undulated to the music. His hands skimmed the indent of my waist, settling on the curve of my hips, before gliding up the swell of my breasts as we gyrated synchronously to the throbbing beat. His hands firm on my body, pulling me to him, capturing me to the heat of his physique, and keeping me always within his reach. He needn't have been so claiming. I happily remained close to his heady scent.
His presence was enthralling yet familiar, though I hadn't known him beyond last night. I could still detect the lingering aroma of the soap on his body that I inhaled when my cheek pressed against the unyielding hardness of his chest, and my arms wrapped around his waist, drawn to his intensity. I didn't object when he twirled me around, my back pressed to his front as he held my hips tight against his pelvis and dictated the rhythm of our syncopated swaying. The bulge of his excitement pressed against the thin clinging fabric of my dress; I grinded against him suggestively as I tossed my head back and forth, my long black hair whipping against his chest. I could feel the fruit of my exertions bloom under my movements.
My eyes closed as the water of the shower cascaded over my body and rinsed the foaming lather away. My hand drifted to my mound, my fingers barely penetrating my folds, teasing out the slipperiness of my arousal as I thought about Gabe. That's what he introduced himself as. When Gabe approached me, he carried a natural confidence. He wasn't coy, nor was he boastful or cocky. He simply stated matter-of-factly that he appreciated the way my black bodycon dress accentuated my petite silhouette.
"Watching you dance is mesmerizing," he leaned down and murmured in my ear. "This," he ran his finger on the top elasticized hem of the strapless dress, "is very captivating. Flawless skin, gorgeous, mesmerizing brown eyes, small, pert breasts. Just beautiful. Partner with me on the floor. Show me your moves little one."
He had called me little one. I tilted my head and glanced at him, searching his eyes and wondering if there was something beyond the moniker he wished to communicate. Perhaps, a silent conveyance of a shared set of interests? His lips curled upwards before giving me a slight nod of the head.
I felt the instant attraction, the spark of potential between our bodies as they melded in their tentative touches to the beat. The barest touch of his hands ignited my interest. His flattery cemented my fascination. My roving hands explored my own body as I performed for his rapacious eyes. He wasn't just handsome. He was intentional, naturally charismatic, and sensual in his movements.
His hand guided me by the small of my back to the bar, where he ordered my preferred beverage, without my prompting.
"I'm Amelia," I extended my hand.
"Gabe," he kissed the top of my hand.
He was smooth, confident, with just a touch of arrogance. He was exactly my type.
I learned Gabe was in tech. He had created a few apps, funded a few start-ups, and was head of one himself. He was well put together, that much I ascertained. I noted the manicured nails, his clean-shaven skin, the general state of being well groomed. Black dress pants were paired with a tight grey t-shirt that barely contained the muscles of his well-maintained body. I hadn't ever met any tech guys that looked like Gabe and I unthinkingly reached up to touch his bicep. He flexed it for me before laughing. I stammered out an apology.
"I don't mind Amelia. Touch me all you want." Gabe goaded me.
And I did. I ran my hands over his chest, feeling the hardness of his body, my fingertips barely skimming over the cotton material of his shirt before grazing down the skin of his arms and finally resting on his hips.
I looked up at him slyly. "You're very nice to touch," I giggled. I couldn't think of anything more articulate to say in the moment. He was intoxicating and his interest in me was flattering me into an embarrassing mental moronic stupor. I stared up at him. His eyes, a deep, unblinking abyss. I felt his lips on me before I realized he had leaned down to kiss me, dipping me back. He withdrew and I was left breathless as he lightly bit my bottom lip, pulling his mouth reluctantly away.
I sucked my bottom lip, savouring his residual taste.
"Tell me about yourself Amelia," Gabe entreated but I grabbed his hand and returned to the dance floor, electing instead to press my body against his.