Into the Darkness

“Yes, she was. She wasn’t allowed to enter the club so she made a big scene and Lex of course had to calm her down. It’s not the best publicity for the club since the paparazzi swarm that place.”

Adriana continued to explain what happened, how Samantha was already drunk and how she was having massive custody issues with Rodney, her ex, regarding their daughter. Adriana had only heard about her through the grapevine after ceasing contact with her after she and Lex split up. A part of me felt sorry for Sam after hearing what she was going through, but it wasn’t my place to get involved.

Eric came back to the table, excitedly talking about a date he was having with this guy tomorrow night and what he should wear. I pointed out that since it was the movies he might want to leave his Versace suit hung up in the closet. He pouted as usual. Any excuse to wear that suit. We said goodbye to each other. Adriana and I had planned to have dinner on Tuesday night, just the two of us to catch up on old times.

Back at my apartment, I plonked myself on the couch and tried to piece the puzzle together. I didn’t fuck Lex last night but who knows, maybe I gave him head or something. Shit. I was mad as hell with Lex. No good could come of being around him. I needed to focus on the positive and that was Julian. All this was doing my head in massively. I grabbed my copy of Fifty Shades of Grey off the shelf and snuggled on my couch with my newest book boyfriend, Christian Grey. He would make it better. Failing that, he’d spank me into oblivion.

…

It was seven on the dot when I knocked on Julian’s door dressed in my off-the-shoulder black dress. His grin was infectious when he answered. I couldn’t help but smile.

“Geez, Alfred is slacking off. Batman has to answer the door himself?”

He grabbed me, pulling my body into his, and kissed me on the lips. I felt his desire as his tongue softly teased mine. I pulled away momentarily, a reaction of guilt, then played it off as a joke.

“If that’s how you’ll greet me every time, you might as well fire Alfred,” I joked.

“Come inside, Gorgeous.”

As I walked into his apartment it still took m

e by surprise how much it actually looked like the batcave in the movies. The walls were dark but still had this warm feel. We stood in his living room which was very much like mine, not too large. A brown leather sofa sat in front of a massive flat screen TV. What is it with men and their obsession with size? Opposite to that were rows and rows of bookshelves. They were crammed with so many books, which was expected considering he wrote for a living. He grabbed my hand and led me to the kitchen, where I was surprised to see the dining table set up with the plates and cutlery perfectly positioned as well and two candelabras sitting in the middle of the table, the flames burning brightly.

“Oh wow, Julian, this is beautiful,” I said in awe. A romantic gesture, but that was Julian, such a romantic guy.

He motioned for me to take a seat, then he poured some wine into a glass. I wasn’t sure if I could handle any more alcohol but I didn’t want to offend him. I took a sip as he served the first course. We chatted about the charity ball which led to a conversation about his work with Hungarian orphans. I watched him as he passionately told the story about his journey and how much work he had done to help the children. The emotions were getting the better of him as he choked up slightly. I leaned in and placed my hand on top of his. Here before me was a man who had a huge heart. He had so much compassion, understanding. He wouldn’t leave me alone and hurt. It always came back to this. Why was I constantly comparing him to Lex? When we finished our meal, he cleared the table while I wandered back to the living room.

“Are you ready for your surprise now?” His eyes danced as if a piece of forbidden fruit was being dangled before him. I eagerly waited in anticipation as he walked out of the kitchen with a small plate of…wait, is that? Yes, red velvet cupcakes with butter cream frosting.

“How did you know these were my favorite?” My curiosity piqued and my mouth was drooling.

“A little birdie told me: Bakers in Brooklyn.”

What! That was my favorite place in the whole world! They made the most scrumptious desserts and these red velvet cupcakes were my weakness—next to Louboutins, of course.

“That’s funny, Bakers like your surname,” I pointed out.

“Yes, like my surname and my auntie’s.” He grinned.

It took a moment for the shoe to drop. Holy shit! “Your Aunty owns Bakers in Brooklyn? Julian, I could marry you right now!” I leaned over and positioned my body so I was straddling him. Grabbing the cupcake, I took a bite, closing my eyes and immersing myself in the different flavors. As I licked my lips, I felt Julian’s hands on my hips. He slowly grinded himself against me. I didn’t know what felt better, the taste of him or the cupcake. Then he slowly pulled my dress above my thighs. His kisses moved to my neck as he cupped my ass which made me moan, my eyes closed. Then the image of Lex plunging his fingers inside me flashed before me, breaking me from the moment as I started to remember last night.

Oh fuck, I couldn’t have let him do that to me.

The sound of my cell vibrating in my purse interrupted us, a distraction that couldn’t have been any more welcome. Julian pulled away like a gentleman and asked me if I needed to get that. I came up with an excuse about waiting on an important text from a client. I just needed to dissect the image, how every part of me had begged for Lex to fuck me hard against the cold refrigerator door, but now was not the time. The ring almost jumped off my finger and punched me in the face reminding where I was, who I was with, and most importantly that I had said yes.

I pulled myself off Julian, guilty for my wandering thoughts. Could he sense it? His facial expression seemed normal. I was just paranoid. I obviously didn’t have ‘I got fingered by my ex last night’ tattooed on my forehead. I grabbed my cell. I didn’t recognize the number that had come through but after reading the text my heart stopped. How did he get my number? One name, I thought to myself: ERIC. OK, just breathe. So he had my number, it didn’t mean I had to respond.

Good evening, Charlotte,

I want a chance to explain to you what happened last night. Please, it’s not what you think. Just let me explain.

Lex

Julian took a call that came through on his cell and walked to the kitchen to answer. I sat there numb for ten minutes wondering what I would say. I couldn’t come up with anything so I sent him a text asking him to explain.

I haven’t seen Samantha in 6 years, not since I left her. Adriana told me she is going through a nasty divorce and her ex is fighting for custody. She was drunk last night and wanted entry into the club but I refused and so she made a scene.

I didn’t know what to believe. He told me he wouldn’t lie to me, yet this whole situation was one big clusterfuck. Part of me wanted to believe it was true but it still hurt like hell. I asked him to check in the mirror to see if his nose was getting bigger. He responded quickly and turned it around as usual. Typical Lex.