“I’m disappointed that I only get to know so little of you.”
“You’re getting the best of me.”I laugh.“Trust me.I’m not that interesting in my real life.”
He tilts his head to look me in the eyes again.“This is not real life?The real you?”
“You bring out the person I want to be.”
He glances over my shoulder like he recognizes someone.When his eyes land back on mine, he says, “Soon enough, I’d bring out the worst in you as well.Relationships are doomed.”He walks with me in tow, his strong hand wrapped around mine possessively.
“Do you really believe that?”
Looking over his shoulder at me, he replies, “Are you leaving in two days?”
“Yes.”
“There’s your answer.”
Right then Savi grabs hold of Olivier and they shake hands.He smirks at me, then releases Olivier to come kiss me on the cheek.“Heureux de te revoir.”
When I shake my head slightly, he repeats for me, “Good to see you again, Kandace.”
“Nice to see you again.”
Olivier squeezes my elbow and says, “I’ll be right back.”To Savi he adds, “Prends soin d'elle.”
When Olivier leaves, Savi turns to me with his smirk, “I’ll take care of her.No problem.”
Rolling my eyes, I say, “I’m fine all on my own if you need to be somewhere.”
He leans in close, so I tilt back a bit when he says in what I think he perceives as his seductive voice, “Come with me.I’ll show you my art.”
“You’re one of the artists?”
“I am.Come.”He leads me to the bar.“Drink?”
“Sparkling wine, please.”
Taking two glasses from a table, he hands me one and sips from the other.I take a sip as he says, “Turn around.”
I turn and see the giant dick pic again...I mean photograph.I quickly look away, feeling my cheeks redden.
Savi’s breath hits the side of my exposed neck.“Look, Kandace.Don’t be shy.It’s the male form.You’ve seen the male form before I assume.”
Gathering myself together, I gulp down my drink, straighten my shoulders back, and face the penis.Just to prove to him I can.“I’ll need another drink, s’il-vous-plaît.”I hand him my glass, keeping my eyes forward.
Returning to my side, he hands me a drink.“Do you want to see me for yourself?”
My glare hits him hard.“I think I just did.Merci for the drink.”I walk away.Weaving through the tables, sculptures, and people, I lift up on my tiptoes until I see Olivier in the far corner.From appearances, he looks like he’s arguing with someone.I keep going, getting closer, but stop when I see it’s the redhead from the hostel lobby, the one who slapped him.She’s crying and gripping his forearms.
He looks over his shoulder, looking around the room until he sees me.Worry consumes his expression and he pulls his arms away from her.
I debate what I should do—go over there or leave them alone.I decide to give them their privacy and wait near an interpretive sculpture of mother and child made from scrap metal and hubcaps.After two glasses within twenty minutes, I realize the night can only get better from here.
Suddenly, the entire warehouse goes pitch black and I freeze to the spot.I’m bumped as screams of excitement are heard all around me.My heart begins to race and then a blue spotlight swerves above our heads.A red joins in, followed by a flashing green light.As my eyes adjust, more lights brighten the ceiling, including tiny white lights that look like stars in the sky.I’m staring up when I feel Olivier caress me from behind.I know it’s him just by the way his fingers tighten around my waist—need wrapped in gentleness.He touches me like he can’t not touch me.His fingertips spark my body to life underneath them.
“Merci.”
“For what?”I ask, still enjoying the show above our heads and the feel of him.
