9. PROBLEMS
PANDORA
The lights are dim, and the music shudders through me. I’m warm, comfortable, excited. Around me, people laugh and scream to be heard. The scents—cigarette smoke from the patio and a myriad of perfumes, body lotions, and aftershaves—entice and play with my senses.
I love this freedom in a small, restricted space. I wish my world could be like this always—it’s making me giddy.
“Gimme another grasshopper!” I yell to Christian.
He looks up from his heart-to-heart with Shannon. “Comin’ up.”
Shannon swings to meet my gaze. “Pan, why don’t you grab a soda? Remember how sick you got last weekend?”
“Pfff, don’t worry about me—those were crème de menthe shots, not mixed into a cocktail.” The music is suggestive and utterly danceable. I suck air in through my nose, dismissing further discussion, and stare over her head toward the D.J. booth.
Around me, everyone moves to some extent, even if only with a finger tapping against a drink. Except Leon. Standing perfectly still with an arm on the glass siding of the D.J. booth, Smother’s owner surveys business with detached interest.
Clad all in black, he’s impeccably dressed, his soot-colored hair blending with his shirt at the collar. The catlike sex appeal that caused my stomach to clench the last time, affects me from across the room.
I lean against the bar, enjoying the view. Leon must sense me, because within seconds, his slanted gaze locks with mine. My sober self would be embarrassed about now, but I know no shame when I’m drunk.
For fun, I let the corners of my mouth curl up in my most seductive smile. The way he’s fully focused on me charges me with an immediate rush.
“Pandora.” Christian sets my grasshopper down next to me and rests his elbows on the counter. “If I can give you my two cents, Leon is bad news.” When I don’t react, he adds, “You don’t want to deal with him.”
“What if I do?” I’m not slurring, but my lips are numb—not a good sign. I should take Shannon’s advice and stop drinking.
The grasshopper finds my mouth, though, and I suck in the minty sweetness. Ridiculously tasty.
“Believe me, you don’t.”
Men are idiots. Now, I’m more curious than ever and devour Leon with my eyes. It doesn’t go unnoticed. He shoves off the wall and saunters around the dance floor toward us. With a brief nod to Christian and Shannon, he turns his back to them and concentrates on me.
“So. Pandora,” he says too quietly. Years of practice must have taught him the decibel level needed to be heard in a pulsating club.
I meet his eyes, and the lack of humor, of playfulness in them startles me. They’re a pale, icy blue I haven’t seen before. He’s intimidating, but nothing ruffles me when I’m in this state.
“Yep. Leon, I suppose? Mr. Smother himself?” I throw in a wink for good measure, and the shadow of a smirk grows on his lips.
With two fingers, he reaches for one of my loose curls and rubs up and down as if gauging the quality of my hair.
“You’re weird,” I tell him.
“Yeah?” A hint of surprise illuminates his irises before dissipating again.
I look away and wiggle a little to the music. At the corner of my eye, I still catch how Leon’s strange eyes float down my body to my hips. He’s just another male, of course he is, and I’m in control of the situation.
“So you’re a freshman at The University of Deepsilver, I hear. How old does that make you? Eighteen?”
I jut my chin out. “Twenty-one.”
“Right.”
“Yeah.” I nod. “My parents held me back a year, etcetera, etcetera—” Seriously. Overprotective professor-fathers can influence school boards. I’ll bet he’d have liked to hold me back two years too, not just the one. “—and hey, if you didn’t believe me, you’d throw me out of here. I’d be too young for your exclusive little club.”
Leon’s face lights up, eyes sparkling with amusement. Gleaming white teeth and pointy canines remind me of Hollywood vampires as he bares them in a grin. Damn, the guy’s a babe!
“Well, aren’t you a handful?” he says. In that instant, an old, favorite song of mine, “Hot Mess” by Cobra Starship, starts playing. My jittery energy hasn’t subsided all night, and the spot opening among the dancers is just what I need.
Shannon mutters, “Great,” while I drag her with me. She tries to squirm away when I insist on dirty dancing and maneuver us into a ridiculous back-to-back imaginary pole dance. As high school juniors, we did it in front of the mirror, so she knows how this goes.
I catch a glimpse of Christian smiling at us. Leon’s expression next to him is studiously blank. I have his full attention, though, and my gut tells me I shouldn’t be happy about that.
Note to self: ask Christian why Leon is bad news.
By the time we’re done dancing, I’m woozy. I wasn’t going to drink much tonight, but the last grasshopper did the trick.
As I meander back to the bar, I hold my head high to compensate for the sudden dizziness. I catch a swimming glimpse of my watch and make out 1:15-ish.
“Sorry,” I apologize to Leon, sounding sloshed just by saying that. I bend to pick up the purse I’ve got haphazardly slung over the foot railing of my stool. I lose my balance, and Leon saves me from falling on my ass. He doesn’t withdraw once I’m back up, which I find extremely funny.
Leaning heavily on him, I don’t mind that his arms fold around me and press me close. Above me, he’s dragging in a long whiff of my shampoo. That, too, is hilarious.
I need air badly. Without fresh air, everything will go downhill fast. Real, live oxygen from the crisp outdoors should clear my mind.
Grasshoppers? Yeah—NO. No more crème de menthe in any shape or form.
I stumble out of Leon’s hold. I’m on a mission, and I don’t have time to inform anyone. I leave Shannon’s “Where’re you going?” unanswered, and when Leon tries to seize me, I wring free and head in what I consider a straight line toward the door with a sign that blinks “PATIO.”
He follows me. Maybe he’s planning to dole out style points while I bend over his bushes puking my guts out.
The patio proffers more smoke than oxygen, but the cold night is still invigorating. I pull in a breath.
“Not doing so good, hmm?” Leon says.
“Meh, so-so,” I gasp, before my stomach revolts. With a single hurl, all the green goodness I’ve inhaled forces its way up. People back up, yelling “Whoa!” as I paint the patio tiles.
Leon barks out an order, and within seconds, a huge glass of ice water materializes while a busboy scrubs the ground for me. A mild sensation of disgust sets in; how low can I go again?
I sniffle and try to dry my nose with the paper towel he gave me. Unfortunately, I miss on the first attempt. I don’t remember how many grasshoppers I’ve downed.
I want to leave all of this behind. Go home and sleep. I eye the exit longingly… and discover Dominic. With an arm resting on the doorjamb, he’s zoomed in on us as Leon dries some kryptonite-colored spittle from my chin. Dominic is frowning.
I mull over how he took off without a word before I woke up this morning. That was really rude, wasn’t it? And now he’s frowning at me? How dare he!
All of a sudden, I’ve got stuff to tell him. Oh yes, and this is the perfect moment to do so. My feet move forward but my stilettos aren’t cooperating, and seconds later Leon saves me from face-planting for the second time tonight. Quite the knight in shining armor that boy.
Shannon reaches for me too. Where did she come from? Her voice is muted by alcohol. My alcohol.
“Let go,” I mumble as sternly as I can, and Leon lets me wriggle free.
“You.” I point at Dominic. Suddenly, it’s important for me to appear as sober as possible. He might have seen me throw up, but I am not pathetic.
Partiers mill between us, and I use them to keep myself upright with a hand on their shoulder, back, wherever I hook on, as I advance on him.
Have you noticed how sober the sober people look when you’re not? Dominic is so sober. Fresh-faced and glowing, he’s the poster boy for healthy living.
His eyes…
He meets me halfway, concern tinting his expression, which pisses me off. He catches me by the elbows as I trip on a small something in my way. Maybe myself.
“You!” I repeat. “If you think I cared that you left last night, you’re wrong!” Glaring at him, I twist my arms in his grip, although I’m not really trying to break free.
“Pandora.” Even his voice is freaking sober. Like he just got off work, like he’s this awesome, outstanding citizen of the world that does everything right.
“You, Dominic, are my mistake,” I say loudly. “No, you’re several mistakes.” Then, I laugh.
“Come here, Pandora,” he whispers to me. How dare he whisper to me as if we share something? It was just a nothing. Two nothings.
I growl.
“I’ll take you home,” he continues.
“Is she yours?” Leon asks behind me.
Yours? Who the hell says that?
“Yeah, I’m Dominic’s pet,” I mock. “Leon, no—I’m all mine!”
Neither pays attention to me. Dominic’s hazel stare meets Leon’s blue one over my head.
“She’s a friend,” Dominic replies calmly.
I lean out to squint between them; my judgment might be skewed by the crème de menthe, but I’d say these boys exchange some serious alpha dog vibes.
All of a sudden, I’m tired, so tired, and I think of how much I want to go home. At this point, I’m lenient with who becomes my designated driver as long as I get to leave. A cab driver, Christian, Leon—
Somehow my arms slink around Dominic’s neck instead. He’s warm and tempting, and I nuzzle against his skin. Draw in the scent of his cologne. “Take me to the apartment,” I garble out.
“Shannon, I’ll drive her. Does she have a key?”
“Yeah, she keeps it on a string in here somewhere… hmm.”
My anger dissipated with the smell of him, so I let them dig through my purse without complaint. “I’ll come with,” Shannon adds.
“No, you stay with Christian,” I waggle my eyebrows at her over one of Dominic’s shoulders and get a smile out of the girl. Finally. She’s been so serious.
“Well, Destiny’s at home,” she says, pondering the options.
“Yep, I’m fine, Shannon.”
The way Dominic holds me as we exit the club feels nice right now. His arm loops my waist, holding me up.
“Can you walk to the car in those heels?”
“Let’s cab it over,” I smirk.
“Two blocks, babe. Can you do that for me?”
Babe. I like and I don’t like the nickname.
“Pffyeah! Easy.”
It wasn’t easy, but once in the car, I get some shuteye. The ride seems shorter than the first time he drove me home, and I wake up with Dominic stroking my hair.
“We’re here, Panda. I’ll come around and get you.” He accommodates me against my own headrest, because I’ve slid over and must have been sleeping on his shoulder.
I nod big so he understands that I’m agreeing. He supports me to the door and halfway lifts me up the stairs to the second floor and to our apartment.
We enter quietly so as to not wake anyone up. Still, the sight of Destiny and Mica in front of a flickering, blue TV screen makes me suppress a giggle.
We stare from the doorway for an instant. Since Dominic doesn’t know them, he’s probably less surprised than I am. The two of them wear long-sleeved jammies, and they’re fast asleep. What surprises me is how they’ve formed to each other. Mica’s white arm circles Destiny’s upper body, and the other rests around her neck. Even their legs entangle. My vision might still be blurry, but I catch Mica’s peaceful expression from her repose against Destiny’s shoulder.
“Girlfriends?” Dominic asks.
“No. We’ve all been friends since third grade.” This blows my mind. Sure, we’ve always been lovey-dovey touchy-feely, but this is new. Not even at our slumber parties—
“I see,” Dominic says noncommittally. “Come on, Pandora. Let’s get some food in you.”
“I’m not hungry—I just need to sleep.”
“No. You probably threw up everything in your stomach at Smother, and unless you want to be sick tomorrow, you’ve got to eat. I’ll make you eggs,” he decides. Hazel eyes flick to me again. “Do you have eggs?”
I snicker, thinking how smart he is to ask. Damn, my brain is so sluggish right now, and he’s so smart.
A while later, we’re both eating an omelet with cheese. It’s piping hot and delicious with the warm toast, butter, and milk to drink.
“This is the best meal I’ve ever had in my entire life,” I say with conviction, and Dominic cracks a laugh.
“That’s great, babe. I’m glad.” He gets up to gather my hair and twist it over my back. Good, because it wasn’t staying out of my meal.
After we finish every smidgen, I suck my fingers clean while he watches. Something passes through his gaze, but it disappears quickly, so I don’t ask.
“All right. I’ll tuck you into bed. Come here.” Dominic stands and grasps my arm, and I get on my feet.
Now that I’ve kicked my boots off, I can walk straight. “Ah, I’m myself again!”
I’m rewarded with a smile. He’s cute! Once in my bedroom, I hop on the bed, happy, and pat the mattress next to me. Hmm. Why does he just stand there?
“Lie down,” I command, “I’ll be back after I brush my teeth.”
“Pandora,” he starts, but I’m hurrying off to the bathroom. My stomach settles happily on the eggs, and my heart pumps faster at the thought of Dominic waiting for me.
When I come back, he’s sitting on the edge of the bed. I’m in a tiny nightgown; after all, he’s seen all of me before.
I walk up to him. “Why are you still dressed?” I ask. Sure, I’ve lost some inhibitions, but he just brought me home and fed me, so surely this is what he expects?
Dominic shakes his head slowly. “I’m not staying—”
I puff out a dry laugh. “Yeah, that I know about you.”
“No, I mean I’m leaving now. You’re hammered, Pandora, and I won’t take advantage of you again.”
Oh. He’s being noble. Argh.
Annoyed, I climb up on his lap. “Nu-huh, I’m not drunk.”
He doesn’t push me away—a good sign, I figure. Straddling him, my knees meet the mattress past his hips.
I run my fingers through his hair, which is as soft as it looks. Then, I lean down and sniff him the way Leon did with me earlier. I wrap around him, and suddenly his face rests between my breasts. Even in my slightly numb state, my nipples harden.
Hesitantly, his arms scissor me and pull me in. “Babe…” he sighs, the sound vibrating against my skin. “I’m not doing this.”
“Yeah, you are,” I say, my voice a bit unsteady.
His embrace tightens around me, and slowly, Dominic begins to rock me as if I need comfort. Back and forth, back and forth. This nearness doesn’t feel all physical. It feels more… intimate. I think he’s waiting for me to stop being stubborn. Come to my senses.
I tip his head up from my chest to make sure I don’t crack and start sobbing like a baby, because the sudden sensation that he cares overwhelms me. I cradle his face in my hands to study him, and he stares back at me calmly.
“Do you know your irises are bright green around the brown?” My question comes out quiet. Dominic’s features remain serious, but his eyes smile.
“Because they’re hazel.”
“Yeah, but—” My gaze sinks to his mouth. I don’t care what he’ll think of me. He’s so tempting.
Dominic must catch my determination, because when he replies, he tinges my name with warning. “Pandora. Let’s not.”
“Why don’t you get up and leave, then?” I blurt out, immediately regretting it, because he better not take off or I’ll have a full-on meltdown.
He chuckles as if he hears my thoughts. “Yeah, why don’t I?”
The first nibble I steal of his lips sends a jolt to my abdomen. A deep rumble comes from Dominic, and I can’t tell if it’s from pleasure or frustration. All I know is that it’s sexy as hell.
The tip of my tongue slinks out to lick him. I suckle the plump flesh into my mouth, and Dominic responds, his tongue rotating in a lazy dance with mine. I become aware of him, hard and ready under me, and my stomach drops hotly at the sensation.
Finally, he breaks the kiss. “You should get under the blankets, babe. You’re shivering.”
My response doesn’t mean I’m cold—the goose bumps stem from him, not the temperature—but I have no problem obeying as long as he joins me between the sheets.
“Take your clothes off, Dominic.”
“Babe, you should get some rest,” he says, ignoring my command, strong hands fighting to cover me while keeping himself outside.
“Please sleep here?” My voice has never been sweeter. I put years of experience into my coercion, lowered lashes and subtle smile included.
For a moment, he wavers, so I hurry on. “Everyone needs rest.”
He rakes through his hair with a hand, still unsure. “Pandora, I meant what I said. I can’t.”
“Not even for a little siesta?” I try out the pout that makes my dad melt. It might work on others too, I think to myself. Dominic squeezes his eyes shut.
Come on, say yes.
“Babe, you’re so…! Okay. If all you want is to sleep—fine, I’ll stay.”
“Yes, just sleep.” I grin wide. We’ll see how long he lasts once he’s naked under my covers.
An hour later, I’m exhausted. My eyes keep sliding shut, and the man has been true to his word. He’s not giving in, goddammit. He’s so tempting. His smell?
I cuddle up against him, my face nestled into the hollow of his neck. We hush-murmur about the prettiest light bulbs and about the place where he grew up. I giggle at how he’s an island boy, and I’m sad for him over his mother. Sleep-sluggish, he shrugs his shoulders, like he’s not bothered by her. “I don’t remember her like a mom. But she upsets my grandmother whenever she pops out of the woodwork.”
He seems genuine and unconcerned, relaxed as he talks about her. My family is so different, so all I can do is believe him.
Dominic’s arms circle me and hold me as if we always nap like this. It’s natural, safe. It awakens a softness in me that makes me need him more.
“Can you take your tee off?” I whisper.
“Not sure that’s a good idea.”
I slink a hand up under his shirt, finding smooth, warm skin and hard muscle.
“Ah… don’t.” Dominic whispers in response, and it’s so hot, I couldn’t stop if I tried.
“Can’t we be skin to skin at least?” My voice sounds innocent, like I’m not concocting cunning plans in my head. “Girl-scout honor, I won’t take advantage of you.”
“Oh, you dirty-talking minx. Thanks for planting that image in my head,” he groans.
Dominic believes me, though, because he sits up in bed, scrunches the back of his T-shirt into a fist and wrings it over his head.
I’m doing a happy-dance inside. Since I’m being Blunt Pandora, I continue, “Cool, and now, the boxers.”
Dominic turns and stares at me. “Um, no.”
“Why not?” I bat my eyelashes at him.
He gives a slow, lopsided smile again, and it’s hard to tell if he’s embarrassed or entertained by my insistence. “Need to keep things under wraps, here,” he says.
I like his mouth.
“I like your mouth.”
“Will you stop already? You’re killing me.”
“I aaaam?” I drag the last word out and let the pitch climb. I crawl over and pull him down with me. He instantly grabs me, kisses me, and I giggle under the covers he flings haphazardly around us.
“Pandora.”
“Yes.” I’m clinging to him, and bare skin has never felt this good. He’s so delicious, I hook a leg over his thigh too.
“Like this.” Dominic pulls away enough to fall on his back. Then, he tugs me in over him, leaving my chin to rest on his chest and my knee draping his thighs.
I wait, hoping, but all I get are his fingers interlacing at the small of my back. “What are you doing?” I ask.
“There,” he says, locking me in place. “Goodnight.”
And once I’m done begging, tempting—hissing with disappointment—his breathing slows down at my side and I begin to relax.
Dominic’s presence soothes me. I’m not alone when he’s here. Between him and the alcohol still poisoning my blood, sleep rolls in.
The last thing I do before I surrender is to press my lips to his neck. With my eyes closed, I whisper what I think. Low, so low he can’t hear me, I tell him how perfect he is. How I’m not. What a terrible person I am.