1. Ariel - The strangers 1
An ice-blue gaze catches my attention as I move around the sea of people attending the party. I can’t remember how I got here, but I remember sitting at a vanity and getting ready for tonight. I can even see myself putting on the red dress that accentuates all my curves. Men stare at me as I try to find a familiar face among all the strangers present. No one catches my eye.
My lips tingle, and I run the tips of my fingers along my sensitive flesh.
The phantom touch of a kiss lingers on my skin, but I don’t remember being kissed, yet my body seems to remember things I don’t—hands on me, touching, teasing, fingers entering me, tongues stroking mine until I cry out in pleasure. My body goes hot, my skin prickles and a low pulse starts between my legs.
A glass of champagne is in my right hand. I don’t remember picking it up. It doesn’t matter. I need the alcohol to calm my nerves and my body. I’ve never felt more aroused than now. Could it be that someone is using magic on me? How silly. Magic is not real. I probably had a long week at work and my brain went into overload. I’ll probably feel better once I leave.
My gaze sweeps across the ballroom. Many couples are dancing, their slow movements matching the gentle music.
I gulp down the champagne as my gaze lands on a pair of lilac eyes. There’s a hint of amusement in them mixed with something else. Something I can’t quite put my finger on. Desire, maybe.
Tables stacked with food and drinks are at the far end of the ballroom. I make my way there, wanting to try out the cupcakes and maybe grab another glass of champagne while I try to remember what the hell I am doing at this party. Maybe it’s a work event.
A man with deep green eyes passes by me and winks. His cologne is familiar as if I’ve worn it on my skin many times. Maybe someone I know uses this cologne: my boyfriend or an ex.
When I reach the table, I put the empty glass down, grab another one full of champagne, and quickly drink the cool, bubbly liquid.
“Rough night?” a man with a voice so seductive, his words seem to caress my skin, asks me.
“You can say that,” I reply.
He moves closer and hands me a muffin, which I graciously accept. My fingers brush against his bronze skin, and his golden eyes sparkle. Warmth spreads across my body.
“Everything alright?” he asks. He sounds concerned.
I shrug. “Yes,” I say, but I don’t sound convincing.
“Well, you don’t look fine to me.” He puts a finger under my chin, making me look at him. “Did something happen?” He leans forward. “You can trust me with the truth. I might be the only one here willing to help you.”
It won’t harm anyone if I open up and tell him what’s happening with me.
“I don’t remember how I got in here.”
He stares into my eyes for a while before saying, “Hmm… That might be a problem.”
“Oh, it is,” I agree. “I should probably go home. A good night’s rest will do me good. My lost memories will return in the morning.”
He doesn’t seem convinced.
“Do you at least remember where you live?” he wonders.
I take a bite of the muffin. “Of course. I live…” I stop speaking, as I am clueless; nothing comes to mind. I try to think of other things, like my parents or childhood, but I can’t remember anything. It’s like my memory has been wiped clean without any trace of who I am.
All I can remember for sure is my name.
Ariel.
Everything else in my brain is covered in a dark mist; no matter how hard I try, I can’t see past it. Did I hit my head, and that’s why I forgot everything? But I feel fine, though. Definitely, my brain got fried because of some work-related stress. I desperately need a vacation to a tropical island.
“Thought so,” he says. “Tell you what, you can sleep over at my place.”
I blink. I might have a problem remembering things, but even so, I know that going to a stranger’s house is a big no-no.
“I don’t even know who you are,” I point out the obvious. “You can’t possibly think I’ll go home with you.”
He dips his head and whispers, “I’m Khai. Now we are not strangers anymore.”
His lips brush against my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. I shove the rest of the muffin into my mouth, pushing down my throat the moan that almost escapes me.
I take my time chewing the muffin while I think of a way to escape Khai. He doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to leave me be. But I have to admit that his presence isn’t creeping me out. On the contrary, I feel almost…relaxed.
A couple of moments later, Blue-Eyes joins us. From up close, the color of his eyes is even more intense. He looks at me, his left eyebrow arched.
“You have some crumbs on the corner of your mouth,” he says before cleaning me with his thumb. And then, he sticks his thumb in his mouth and sucks it clean.
The pulse between my legs returns, and that familiar wild sensation of being touched, fucked, returns igniting every cell in my body. Khai’s eyes sparkle as his gaze sweeps over me. He’s undressing me with his stare. A snap of his fingers and I would, indeed, get naked for him. I’d probably ride the fuck out of his face, while I suck his cock.
And I probably need a cold shower.
I bite my bottom lip and pretend to drink from my empty glass.
Khai pats Blue-Eyes on the shoulder. “This is Killian,” he tells me. Then, to Killian, he says, “She doesn’t remember how she got here, so I invited her to crash in our place for the night.”
A deep frown appears on Killian’s face as he studies me. “You can’t remember anything at all?”