Dedication
"For those who believe in love and know how scary it can be, don't run away, face the barriers if there's someone reaching out to you from the other side."
⁂
KATE
Lisa pinched my arm and tilted her head towards the tall, muscular guy who had just entered the bar.
"You didn't go out with Mitchel last night? You're quick," I teased her, raising an eyebrow.
"Five minutes, that's all I have to say in my defense," she laughed, and I joined in.
We were getting drunk at some random bar in Manhattan, celebrating the end of classes. Earlier, we had taken the final test, which would select one student from my class to join one of the country's biggest companies, Ryan Enterprises. It's the first time Ryan has offered a program in partnership with our university.
Although Columbia had partnerships with several other important companies in the market, this position offers the opportunity to work directly with the CEO. It would be amazing, not only because of the possibility of using this experience to build our final project, which we would have to present but also because I couldn't imagine a better way to start my career. For me, it represents an important step toward the future. The results will be out in a week.
When I mentioned we were getting drunk, I forgot to mention that my friends were more so than me.
"Where are we celebrating tonight?" Brad asked, raising his glass with a loose smile, then taking another sip of his beer. We had barely arrived, and he was already drunk. How did he still manage to surprise me?
"Yes! Where are we going, after all?" Lisa drummed her fingers on the bar counter, displaying her usual impatience.
"Edge club?" Sarah suggested excitedly, letting out a squeal. Was she already drunk too? She used to be the most reserved, even worse than me when it came to socializing.
"I think that's a great idea," Matt agreed. "The place is always crowded." He winked at Brad.
"Great!" Brad concurred. They turned to me, awaiting confirmation.
"Kate?" Lisa gave me that look.
"Sure, it's fine by me. Actually, I'm so tired after all the stress from the test that..."
"No. Absolutely not. Don't you dare. Even Sarah is excited." She scowled at me, while Sarah narrowed her eyes at her, indignant. "Don't worry, guys, I'll take care of her. Let's meet at ten in front of the nightclub. Don't be late." She warned.
After saying our goodbyes, she grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the bar, towards her car. We got in, and Lisa stared at me, narrowing her eyes. I sighed, showing my best-tired face. I was truly exhausted after spending the last few weeks studying like crazy.
"Don't even think about it, Collins! We both know you've spent the past few weeks cooped up at home studying for this test and how hard you've worked, okay? But now that it's over, you're going out and having fun."
"Fine, Lisa." I gave up because I knew it was useless to argue with her. It was always a lost battle.
I dozed off during the short ride back to the apartment I shared with Lisa. We had been living together for about two and a half years. I moved into her apartment shortly after starting at the university. She sort of invited me, mostly because when I say you can't say no to Lisa, it's absolutely true. So, since I was paying a somewhat exorbitant rent, I accepted.
Lisa became my best friend; I had never had one before I met her. She made me feel less lost and alone in a strange city since I moved to New York three and a half years ago. I had never been out of Texas, so it was quite a change. But I couldn't imagine a better place than New York to start a promising career.
When we arrived home, Lisa went to her room, and I knew she wouldn't come out for another two or three hours after she finished getting ready. I went to the fridge and looked for something to eat. I grabbed an apple and a bottle of water and collapsed on the couch in front of the TV, ready to watch any mindless program that was on.
Was my life always boring, or was it getting worse now? Maybe it was just my paranoia, thinking that I was the only twenty-one-year-old woman who had never had a real relationship. It doesn't matter, Kate. Dating isn't important. I had already mentalized this mantra and absorbed it. I always thought relationships weren't for me, or that I would never find someone who made me want to be in one. Maybe I had too high expectations, and maybe it was the fault of the romances I read to pass the time and escape a bit from reality.
*
"Kate!" I opened my eyes, finding Lisa with an annoyed expression.
"What?" I blinked, adjusting myself on the couch.
"What do you mean, 'what'? You were supposed to be ready, but you were sleeping. It's almost nine!"
I chuckled, and she widened her eyes at me but stopped when she furrowed her brow. Then she grabbed me by the arm and led me to my room.
"I hope you're fast."
"Yes, ma'am," I saluted, mocking her.
An hour later, I walked out of my room. Freshly showered, wearing a slightly tight black dress, but still able to breathe. I laughed to myself. Lisa appeared in the living room shortly after.
"You see, not all women need five or six hours to get ready," I said.
She was wearing a short red dress with thin straps that fit her perfectly, matching her dark hair, her smile, and her pair of black eyes. She also had her hair in a ponytail and silver heels.
"You look beautiful," I approached her, standing in front of her.
"So do you. But... you need to know when to stop being so basic, Kate," she analyzed me and took out a lipstick from her purse, an extremely red lipstick.
"Put it on," she ordered, and I rolled my eyes at her, but once again, I knew I had no choice. "It'll match your eyes."
"Okay," I surrendered. It's not that I didn't like makeup, designer clothes, fancy lingerie, and expensive shoes—I actually loved them—but lately, my enthusiasm had disappeared.
KATEWe arrived at the club around ten thirty, Brad and Matt were waiting outside, but Sarah wasn't with them. Matt mentioned that she had sent a message saying there was an unforeseen circumstance, and she couldn't make it. I was curious and worried, not knowing what had happened. I tried to convince Lisa and the guys that we should go back home, but it was useless.We entered the club, and it didn't take long for me to feel out of place. It had been a while since I had been in a place like this. I think I spent most of my time buried in books, and the university had taken up most of my time in recent years.The club was packed, and the music was deafening. Some people were dancing on the dance floor like crazy. I watched the guys head towards the bar as soon as we entered."Shall we dance?" Lisa pleaded, holding my hands."Maybe later," I indicated the bar, letting her know I would be there. I definitely won't embarrass myself. I think I can only dance without looking ridiculous aft
KATE"What is your name, beautiful?" He was intimidating. My thoughts were in disarray, and a warning signal sounded in my head, my brain deciding that the best thing was to run away. I turned around, trying to spot Lisa. Maybe I'm just unaccustomed to that kind of environment, the people who frequent it, and how they are so direct with their indecent flirting. Aargh. Indecent flirting? Seriously, Kate? What era are you living in?"Your friend must be having fun somewhere with the guy she was dancing with. Can you give me some attention?""Are you some kind of stalker?" I asked without looking at him, trying to make things easier for myself."What?"Suddenly, my question seemed completely foolish. How embarrassing. I looked at him, and he was still smiling. So sexy. There was something about him that stirred me in a crazy way. I promise never to drink again."Like stalking me," I tried to explain after realizing I had been staring at him for too long."At some point, while admiring y
KATE"Do you think I danced for you?""We both know it was for me.""Okay, I'll let you think that. I don't want to hurt your ego. But I have to go."Running away seemed like the only option before I did something foolish."Are you serious?""Yes.""Is there really no way to convince you to come with me?"Leave, Kate, before you change your mind. You know you want to."No.""I don't understand." He looked at me, appearing confused."I want." Damn it! Those words shouldn't have escaped my mind. Damn tongue. "Forget it. It's just that I don't usually do this. So it's a shame." Stop! You're starting to embarrass yourself, Collins."Are you saying you don't usually sleep with someone you just met?" His expression was pure amusement."More or less.""I like that."I wanted to wipe that smug smile off his face."Like what?""Knowing that you don't usually sleep with just any guy you meet. But I'm not just any guy.""You seem like the type of guy who sleeps with a different woman every night
KATEWe left the club through the back, but I didn't ask Nathan why or how he managed to get us out. He opened the car door for me—a sleek black sports model, surely a recent release. Thanks to my father's work, I had good knowledge of cars. I was curious to know more about him, and he noticed my restlessness. Now, with the car's lighting, I could see his face better."Are you okay?" he asked, offering me a shy smile, emphasizing his extremely defined chin."Just curious," I replied."About what?" He fastened his seatbelt, and I did the same."About you.""What do you want to know?""First, are you really about to drive? Then, if it's not too impolite, we can start with your age."He smiled as if I had said something funny."What's so funny?""Nothing. I'm just wondering if you also want me to introduce you to my parents afterward.""Do you want me to get out of the car?" I squinted my eyes at him, containing my laughter."Sorry. I didn't drink much; I wouldn't be taking you to my pla
KATEImpatiently, he lifted me, placing my legs around his hips effortlessly. I gazed into his large blue eyes, gripping his neck as he carried me to the bed. Laying me on the bed, he climbed on top of me, supporting himself with his arms to avoid crushing me due to his size."Are you okay?" I couldn't form a word. I was trying to relax. I'm wondering if I should tell him or just let it happen. Damn it. "Is something wrong?" My expression was surely giving me away."I... " Would he find it strange? Of course, he would. I could just let him go on without telling him. But I had to say it."You don't want to?""I... I'm... It's my... I never..." Saying that felt so pathetic, no matter how I tried to say it."Never?" He frowned. I closed my eyes, squeezing them tightly, wishing to disappear.Ten out of ten for embarrassing yourself, Katherine. My face must have been redder than a tomato. I tried to breathe. When I opened my eyes, he was looking at me with wide eyes."Shit. No?" He shoo
KATEI felt his warm breath down there, reaching my naked skin. Shivers spread throughout my body. Staring at me, he smiled. And that felt like some kind of warning. Oh, shit.His fingers parted me, and then I felt his lips brushing against my clit. A loud moan escaped me, and I tried to involuntarily close my legs, but he held them firmly. His tongue hit me for the first time, slowly. Damn it, there was no sensation in my life that could be compared to that.I tried to control myself, but soon his tongue became insistent. I lost my mind quickly, moaning with pleasure from his hot and wet moves. His mouth was like heaven and hell at the same time. I grabbed the sheet, pulling it with force. His tongue slid over my length, and he sucked my clit at the end of each stroke, making me arch my back. Soon his fingers also joined his tongue, which gave me no respite. I couldn't take it anymore; I just wanted relief from this delicious torture. He was just playing with his finger at my entran
KATEWhen I opened my eyes, he was clinging to my body. I was sweaty from the heat. I wanted to know what time it was, but I had no idea where my phone was. I noticed a clock on his arm; it was almost three in the morning, and I was so thirsty. I thought about getting up to get some water, but it would be a difficult task with him holding onto me.His head was on my chest, his arms around my waist, and his legs tangled with mine. I tried to get up without waking him, and somehow I managed to do it. I spotted his shirt on the floor and put it on. I left in search of water.There was a counter dividing the small kitchen area from the large living room. After drinking water, I returned to the bedroom.I was surprised to see him sitting on the bed, working on a laptop. He seemed focused. So handsome and hot. He was indeed a big man; the sheet only covered his hips, and his hair was disheveled.I bit my lip, imagining what had happened on that bed hours ago. I was lucky. His gaze met mine,
KATEThe taxi stopped in front of my apartment. I just needed my bed. I entered after paying the driver, and it was still raining, and I guessed it wouldn't stop anytime soon. I climbed the stairs to the door and opened it, hoping not to find anyone in the living room. I was lucky.I entered my room, closing the door behind me and leaning against it. I took a deep breath. I just wanted some peace and tranquillity, but it was impossible with him on my mind.I undressed from my dress and shoes and lay down. I wanted to sleep the rest of Saturday. I curled up and covered myself with the sheet. I tried to push all the memories away, squeezing my eyes shut. But his face was vivid in my mind—his mouth, his hands. Damn it. I felt like kissing him, feeling his strong touch. His firm hands on my body.Why the hell did I desire to be with someone I had spent just one night with? Someone I had just met? I wanted to forget him, but at the same time, I wanted to be with him. To sleep with him.Dam