Fiendish: A Twisted Fairytale (57 page)

I stepped closer again, and she took another step back until she was pressed against the wall. I leaned in close to her, our faces only inches apart. She closed her eyes
, bracing for uncertainty of what was to come next. I closed my eyes inhaling the sweet smell of her rose scented perfume. The only sounds filling the room was that of our breathing.

“You
’ve gotten plenty in response,” I replied, softening my voice. “Remember when we discussed intimacy, Calida, and what it meant to me? You told me you understood. I’ve opened up to you in ways I never have with another person.” 

I felt the warmth of her hand on my face,
and I saw the softening of her resolve when I looked into her beautiful green eyes.

“I do understand,” she answered quietly.

I wanted to kiss her. Her lips were so close. I wanted a taste, but I stepped away.

“I don
’t think you do.”

“Seth.”

My name sounded like a plea for help, or understanding I wasn’t sure, but it would have been very easy to give in to her. I couldn’t. I cleared my throat and took another step back. 

“You have a speech to give.”

“What?” she asked confused.

“Your maid of honor duties.
You have to make a toast to the bride and groom. We should get back to the party.” 

Her face fell for a moment, visibly unhappy about the change of topic. She buried her face in her hands for a moment taking a deep breath.

“You should probably go now. I’ll be out in a minute,” she said, her voice sounding flat. 

“Why?”
 

“Because,” she said in a huff, “being seen exiting the bathroom with you would look bad.”

“I don’t care how it looks.” 

“It
’s my family, so I do care. So please, just give me a moment.”

I thought about forcing the issue, but I decided to let her have her moment. I exited the ladies
’ room, heading back towards the ballroom. I needed a drink. The guy I’d seen her talking to outside was propped up at the bar when I approached. Signaling the bartender, I requested my drink.

“So you here for the bride or the groom?” he asked.

“Bride,” I replied, taking a sip of my brandy. 

“Yeah
, me too, but I really came here for her.” He looked over in Calida’s direction.

She w
as standing with her mother and looked very pale when she saw me with this guy.

“Who is she?” I asked.

“The bride’s sister. We used to date. I haven’t seen her in a few years, but the spark’s still there.” He motioned for the bartender to refill his drink.

I looked over the guy
, knowing exactly who this was now. 

“The spark is still there?” I asked, keeping my voice even.

“Oh yeah,” he replied enthusiastically. “I talked to her earlier, and even though she was trying to play hard to get, since we didn’t exactly part on good terms, I could see it.” He stopped to take a gulp of his drink. “I was her first, and mostly likely, her only. ‘Cus she was more than a little uptight, but you know how it goes, they never get over their first,” he finished with wink. 

My hand tightened around my glass wishing it was his throat. Clinking of a glass stopped my reply as everyone
’s attention was directed to the front of the room. Brad began his toast to the happy couple. 

“She
’s looking much hotter too,” he whispered, leaning closer to me. The stench of the gin he’d been drinking rolled off him as he spoke. 

“If
she’s so into you, why did you break up?” I asked out of curiosity on his view of the relationship.

He rolled his glass between his hands
, looking down at the liquid as it swirled around. “I wasn’t exactly always faithful,” he answered before draining the glass.

Applause sounded
, signaling the end of Brad’s speech. Calida was up next. I saw her give a nervous glance around the room. Her eyes landed on me briefly before the sound of her soft voice filled the room.

“I find most women have a hard time forgiving infidelity,” I responded, keeping my voice low.

“She’s forgiven me before. She just needed more time this go round. But, me being invited here was a sign she was ready.” 

I took another slow sip of my drink, continuing to listen to him talk. He was a man that wanted to appear more important than he really was. I knew g
uys like him in boarding school, boastful womanizers that felt the need to brag about their every conquest. He was a weaselly opportunist with an overly-inflated ego.

Applause sounded again
, signaling the end of Calida’s speech. Another one of Dorian’s bridesmaids got up to make a speech, gushing about what a wonderful couple they were. When I looked at the table where the wedding party was seated, my eyes locked with Calida’s.

“Well, man,” he said, sitting his glass down on the bar and pulling my attention away from her. “I
’m gonna go drain the pipe then work on my
reconciliation
.” 

He gave a little nod in her direction before stumbling off towards the bathroom. I rolled my neck around
, giving him a few seconds before setting my glass down to follow him. He stood in front of a urinal, propping himself up with one hand against the wall as he relieved himself.

“You aren
’t my usual type,” I said, startling him.

“Shit
, man, you almost made me get piss on my pants.” He finished his business then zipped up before turning to face me. “Now, what’d you say?”

“I said you aren
’t my usual type, but I am willing to make an exception.”

“Yeah
, dude, I don’t swing that way,” he replied, trying to side step me. 

A quick strike to the throat dropped him to his knees, coughing as he gasped for air. Helping him to his feet
, I walked him towards the handicap stall, using his hand to open the door. I didn’t want to risk anyone walking in and interrupting our conversation. Once in the stall, I dropped him, and he fell forward onto his hands and knees, attempting to talk but unable to do so. It was only a temporary paralysis of his vocal chords, but that’s all I needed.

Kneeling down, I looked him directly in the eyes. “I never got to introduce myself. I
’m Seth. The new man in Calida’s life.” 

His eyes widened, no doubt thinking back on all he had just said.

“You’re the cause of a lot of bad memories for her. Most of them she’s shared with me, but there is one I have been most curious about. You won’t be able to talk for a few minutes so just nod in response. Understand?” 

He nodded. “Good. She
’s really touchy on the subject of pregnancy. She’s lost a child I suspect.” He nodded again. “Miscarriage.” He shook his head no. “Abortion?” He nodded. “Her idea?” He shook his head again. 

I stood then helped him to his feet. The fact that she at one point loved him enough to let him force her into that situation got under my skin more than the fact she had allowed him to touch her in the first place. The sister was family, but this man; well his loss wouldn
’t impact her at all. I dusted off his shoulders. The door to the restroom opened, and I heard the tapping of someone’s shoes on the marble floor. 

He attempted to go for help, but I pinned him against the wall
, using my forearm to apply pressure to his neck. He made a weak attempt to struggle, but he was drunk, weak, and therefore easily subdued. I held him there until the person finished their business and left. 

“I
’ve thought about it, and knowing you exist in the world is an idea I’m not very fond of.”

A
look of desperation flashed in his eyes, and he tried to struggle more. I placed my hand directly over his heart, feeling the beat. I waited for just the right moment before giving the area two quick forceful hits with the palm of my hand. He doubled over clenching his chest. The force with which I hit him wouldn’t leave a bruise, but it was enough to throw his heart out of rhythm and send him into cardiac arrest. I would have liked for him to suffer longer, but there wasn’t time. 

He
fell to the floor, breathing heavily and clutching his chest. He crawled towards me, his hand grabbing at my leg. I kneeled down to get a better look. I wanted to watch him take his last breath. Using the sleeve of my jacket, I opened the door, taking care not to touch the handle when I closed it back. I walked over to the mirror to check my appearance then headed back to the party.

***

Finally, I was free of the people, the extra toasts, and all the things I really didn’t care about at the moment. I scanned the room, looking for Seth and/or Paul, hoping they hadn’t gotten into an argument or something, but since I didn’t see people running to break up a fight, I guessed all was well. Seth casually strolled back into the ballroom, and he seemed to have an extra swag in his walk. I headed towards him and watched as a warm smile spread across his face.

“I think I
’ve neglected to tell you how beautiful you look today,” he commented, stroking my cheek lightly. His mood seemed very relaxed considering he just had a conversation about who knows what with Paul.

“Thank you.” I chewed on my bottom lip while I debated on if I wanted to ask him about it but quickly decided now was not the time. “Where did you go?”

“Just…killing time while I waited for you to be done,” he replied with a slight laugh. He was definitely in a better mood.

“Oh. Well, you missed the cutting of the cake. Would you like me to get you a slice?”

“Is it chocolate?” he asked, his eyes holding a mischievous glimmer.

“No. I
’m afraid not,” I replied, enjoying a relaxed, playful him. 

Our talk had ended abruptly with no resolution, and then seeing him with Paul
, I wasn’t sure what I would be facing for the rest of the evening. However, he was in much better spirits which was unexpected, but I wasn’t going to question it. 

“I
’ll be right back.”

He strolled off towards the DJ booth then came back a few moments later pulling me close.

“Dance with me,” he whispered against my ear. 

He led me on
to the floor, the look in his eyes sent shivers down my spine. He held me tight as “Feeling Good” by Michael Bublé came pouring out of the speakers. He had one hand holding mine, his other on my lower back, but inching its way down to the top of my butt. He winked as he took the lead, our hips slowly swaying to the opening lyrics. His eyes locked with mine as he slowly dipped me, our lips nearly touching when our bodies met again. The smile on his face told me he was just getting started. Even with our clothes on, my body responded to his every command. Taking my hand, he gave me a little spin, and I couldn’t help but laugh. That laughter quickly died out when I watched him unbutton his jacket, walking back towards me in perfect rhythm to the beat. Slinking back into his arms, he turned me so my back was resting against him. 

Slowly, his hands slid down my body until they were resting on my hips, and we started to move, rocking to the beat. O
ur bodies moved as one, as if we were an extension of each other. My arms circled his neck, and I closed my eyes, letting go, forgetting where I was. Everything and everyone melted away. I was only aware of this man, my man, holding me, seducing me with his every sensual move. He spun me again and in one fluid movement brought my body flush with his. The heat and desire rolled off of him, and he gave me a seductive smile. I found myself wrapping my leg around his when he slowly dipped me again. I felt my face flush, but not from embarrassment, instead it was from the intense feeling of want that was building. He twirled me, letting go in the process, only this time he didn’t come get me. Seth stood with his hand out waiting. Seeing only him and feeling unbelievably sexy at that moment, I let myself get lost in the music. I moved back towards him exaggerating the pop of my hips in time with the beat. 

When I was
back in his arms, my back was once again to his chest, not needing any direction, I slowly slinked down the length of his body then up again. Turning to face him, my arms circled his neck while his were secure around my waist. I wrapped my leg around his, and there was no space between our bodies as the song came to a close. I slowly became aware of the background once again as sounds of applause and whistles worked their way into my consciousness. 

“Looks like we have an audience,” he whispered against my lips.

I could hear the humor in his voice. I closed my eyes and buried my head into his shoulder.

“Please tell me my parents aren
’t watching,” I asked quietly.

I felt his body shake with laughter.
“I’m afraid they are, and your sister looks a little unhappy.”

“Oh great,” I groaned. I started to pull away, but he held me close.

“You should probably stand in front of me for a little while longer.”

I looked back at him in confusion until he pulled me back, causing me to bump up against him.