“For fuck sakes.” His tone of voice startled me. He must’ve noticed my widening eyes because he immediately apologized, “I’m sorry.” Dragging a hand through his brownish hair, he drew in a deep breath. “Come on.”
I set the drink on the table and followed him through a maze of bodies either dancing, making out or standing around chatting. He climbed the stairs to the first floor and stopped at one of the doors. Just before he opened it, I caught sight of the red tie in his hand that I hadn’t seen him pick up. Then he draped it around the doorknob and although I frowned, I followed him inside.
“Go on.” He pointed to a door.
Through it was a modern cream and chocolate-colored bathroom. After I went through the motions of relieving myself and washing my hands, I exited to find a shirtless Alan stretched out on the bed.
I balked, my insides turning wildly chaotic as blood pumped quickly through my veins. Even though I’d mentally prepared for this moment after the girls and I had talked about it, coming face to face with the actual situation sent butterflies scattering in all directions.
“Come here, Skye.” He patted the bed. I hesitated for a moment, fidgeting with the skirt of my dress. “I’m not going to hurt you.”
Comforted by the softer tone, I sat at the edge of the bed, unsure what to do next. I might’ve masturbated a couple of times, but it didn’t actually prepare you for the real thing.
Alan rolled up onto his knees and crawled to me. I jumped when his lips landed on my bare shoulder. Laughing, he grasped my arms. “Just relax, Skye, I’ll take it slow. Promise.”
But relax was the furthest thing from my mind. My heart raced faster than a Formula One driver, my knees knocked from all the shaking my legs did and I figured I was close to hyperventilating when the air constricted in my chest.
I tried to get up but Alan’s hold on my arms tightened, keeping me in place while he sucked on my neck. Gross. One of his hands moved to cup my breast, squeezing the nipple between his thumb and forefinger. I winced at the rough touch. It seemed like my body wasn’t on board for his unromantic groping.
“Alan, stop.” I yanked at the arm he still held and pushed at his hand on my breast. “I don’t want this.”
“Stop being a tease, Skye, you know you want this.” He grabbed my other arm and climbed over me, pinning my struggling body down to the bed. His mouth tried to cover mine, I jerked my head away and his wet lips landed on my jaw. “Fuck, you’re feisty.” Laughing, his tight grip slackened a little.
I used it to my advantage. Bringing my hand up, I clenched my fist and drove it into his stomach, hard enough to startle him. The momentum had him falling to the side with a frustrated, “what the fuck.”
I was off the bed in a flash, but I wasn’t fast enough to reach the door. His arms banded around my waist from behind just as my hand landed on the knob. He flipped me around and shoved me up against the wall, knocking the wind out of me for a second.
“You’re mine tonight, Skye,” he growled, caging me with his palms on either side of my body.
Breathing hard, I shook my head. “No. This is not what I want,” I mumbled, my bottom lip trembling, my eyes already misting with unshed tears.
His eyes took on a frightening glint, one of his hands closed around my neck, squeezing hard. I struggled for air. “Fuck what you want Skye,” he goaded, releasing my neck to grab my waist. “Your brother isn’t here to save you.”
That spurred me on. “I said stop, Alan!” I screamed, my hands crashing hard into his chest.
He stumbled backward, his hand jerking forward as if trying to catch himself from falling. The immediate sound of ripping material filled the space. For one stunned moment I stared between him and the torn bodice before I realized he was gawking at my bared breast.
A strangled sob passed through my lips, and I quickly fumbled with the material, trying to cover up. Holding it over my breast, I raced out the room, swiping at the tears blinding my vision. The door slamming behind me had me pausing for just a second. Several heads turned my way, their stares curious. Mortified, I didn’t stick around.
Downstairs, I huddled in the quickest empty spot I found and held a hand over my eyes as fire swept through my sinuses and scorched my throat. A moment later, I fished my phone out of the reticule. Trembling fingers fumbled with the digits before I drew in a deep breath and forced calm into my body even if it were a temporary measure.
About to dial Dad, I remembered he would’ve left after I did for a cocktail function in honor of the new movie they’d completed. I looked at Shay’s number and immediate dread filled my body. I began trembling again. He’d be pissed if I called him and likely to kill Alan. Not that I didn’t mind right now but Shay just returned. Biting my lip, I called Grady. Griffin’s brother rarely went out and I knew he’d keep my secret.
“Hey, Skye,” he answered on the second ring.
“Grady.” I swallowed down the tears and forced calm into my voice. He’d call Griffin if he suspected I was upset. “Do you mind fetching me from Tyler’s house?”
“What are you doing there? I thought you had your prom tonight. And where’s your date?” For an introvert, he asked a lot of questions.
“Long story. Please,” I begged, a sob slipping out before I could stop it.
“Are you all right, Skye?”
“Yes,” I used the softest voice I could. “Please.”
“Okay, I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
After I cut the call, I slid along the wall until I stood just under the staircase, away from prying eyes. Yet I couldn’t get Alan’s behavior out of my head. Each time I inhaled, I gulped in memory of him squeezing my neck, of the possibility that he was close to raping me, of the idea a guy could be that callous when he didn’t get what he wanted. A shiver stole across my body, and I hugged my arms trying hard not to give into more tears. My throat still ached from his bruising hold each time I swallowed. Stupidly, I hoped there were no marks on my neck because Dad was likely to throw a fit if he saw it, let alone what Shay would do.
