PALPITATIONS
by Gorecki
uploaded: 09.08.2009
Rated R
AN: Yes, after close to 6 years, the errant author has decided she does not like leaving things hanging – and will stick by her 2009 resolution to (1) begin with the end in mind and (2) follow-through until the completion of every single worthwhile endeavor.
So my dear readers, thank you for the near-never-ending patience, your kind reviews, and your continuing support. Enjoy!
---
The university crowd started pouring in slowly after Darien and Serena arrived. Bistro was a hit! At about 10pm, the restaurant/lounge felt more like a sardine can than anything else. Bob Marley was playing in the background, and Andrew promised the crowd a couple of sets of band performances starting from 10:30pm.
Serena parked herself by the side of the stage, nursing a glass of very light rum-coke. It was personally mixed by Andrew, who seemed to have taken a paternal interest in her. She has been tasked to introduce the band when they come in, Andrew winking at her after jibing how he remembered Serena's gig-going days. He had the spiel ready, and was scribbling it down in the bar for Serena to read off. She waited for him by the stage; the arrangement suited her fine, as she was not really big on mingling, and preferred to people-watch. However, Serena did not have to be smart to suspect that the handsome bistro owner did not really need help. He was merely pulling all stops to keep her away from Darien, at least for tonight. 'Now, why would that be…'
"If looks could kill, CJ would be ash on the ground," she thought, as Andrew scowled at Darien yet again. CJ was deep in conversation with a couple of guys she didn't really recognize. Once in a while, he would look around, stare at her until she had to look at him, and smile at her once she did. Then, he'd just dive right back into conversation with them. It was unnerving. And what was stranger is that Andrew seemed to be doing the same to Darien, except he scowled
"Hmmm." It was difficult not to speculate, since the two men were close friends. "Perhaps Darien shagged the same girl Andrew was shagging last night?" And suddenly, images of Andrew in rapture flashed into her head. It wasn't just images, it was more like a slideshow presentation in steroids *Blush* 'Gosh, let me not think about that…'
To divert her thoughts, Serena pondered the prospects of playing with fire. Oh yes, there was no escaping it. Whatever game Darien had in mind, playing along with it will definitely be dangerous – and even if she decided not to play along, her peace of mind (and her rampant imagination) has already been stirred. 'God knows, knowing that someone like Darien wants you, is like being proclaimed demi-goddess…'
"…Even more so if you let him worship you," the devil in Serena's head supplied. Her breath caught with images of a sweaty Darien, smiling between her legs, licking off her wetness from his impertinent lips, making her blush an even deeper shade of red.
"Serena, you're pink!" Andrew exclaimed jokingly as he leaned on the stage beside her. She jumped, not expecting anyone to intrude on her naughty thoughts.
She smiled at him in embarrassment. Opting for a tactical excuse, she pointed to the drink she had in hand. "What in the world did you mix in with my drink, 'Drew? This is lethal stuff!"
Andrew laughed at that, incredulity stamped all over his face. "There's barely enough rum there to get a rat drunk. What are you talking about, Serena?"
She sobered in embarrassment and annoyance. Yeap, he's parental, indeed. Barely any alcohol! "Must be my natural blood alcohol then."
"Uh huh." He smiled back at her teasingly.
Serena felt rough calloused hands settle over her eyes, putting her in a blinded darkness. She couldn't help but shiver with déjà vu when her whispered name reverberated in her right ear, and into her heart.
'Adam!' her mind screamed.
Pulling the hands away forcefully, she whirled only to meet with heartbreaking brown eyes and a smile that she remembered all too well.
"You bastard!" she greeted back in an ironically familiar tone. Adam shrugged and pulled her in for a casual hug. "I missed you too," he chuckled into her hair. He held the hug longer than was friendly.
Self-consciously pulling away, Serena noted Andrew eyeing them with a look of confusion.
"You know each other?" the blonde bar-owner inquired.
Adam put an arm around Serena's shoulders in a possessive manner and just rubbed her head affectionately, to her annoyance. Serena scowled at his childishness, but turned to respond to Andrew. "Yes, I know this lunatic," shaking her head as she said so.
"Good, cause I think it's about time to introduce the band, and he's a part of it." Andrew halted, obviously surprised by the familiarity between the two. In fact, it seemed that Adam, the lead singer of "Finding Emo," was on intimate terms with little Serena.
"Are you okay to introduce?" he inquired, interrupting Adam's nuzzling of Serena's ears – and earning a relieved sigh from her. She looked to be struggling in dislodging him from mauling her in public.
"Adam!" she berated. "Go and get ready, god damnit!"
He licked his lips and smiled. "I always loved your potty mouth!"
Serena scowled even deeper, and motioned him dismissively. "Go!"
Sighing in mock defeat, he walked off with a heavy sigh. "Alright, baby." Soon he was chatting up with his band mates, while testing their instruments and equipment.
When he was out of earshot, Andrew commented carefully. "You guys are awfully close."
Serena had to wince apologetically at that. "Yes, I dated him a while back. A year plus. Lost sanity for a while." She chuckled at herself, trying to use humour as an escape route. "Give me the sign."
Andrew passed her the spiel. "In 5 minutes, just let them finish testing."
She looked over the spiel and smiled. "I don't really need this. I pretty much know 'Finding Emo.' May I?"
"Sure" Andrew replied instantly "Hell, why not!"
---
As Serena was introducing the band, giving a funny anecdote about how they all met, how they all secretly loved Finding Nemo and how they got started, then moving on to their key musical inspirations – Darien was observing the way Adam looked at Serena from afar. He always assumed that Serena never dated, and never had a boyfriend, but here was living, breathing, and even singing proof that she did. And damn if that didn't annoy him to distraction.
"…and to play for us tonight…Finding Emo!"
Everyone in the bistro clapped and chuckled at their name. It was a usual reaction to the band name. Several in the crowd were watching avidly as the lead singer rearranged his mic and repositioned his guitar in preparation for a set. The rest continued on with hushed conversations.
"Hi, my name is Adam," the lead singer introduced, as the starting drum beats to their first song played in the background. A couple of ladies sighed at the sound of his voice. "Humbled to be the first band to play here." He gave a small salute to Andrew. "For our first song, it seems fitting that it's about wanting, and falling in love with an ivory tower, and doing all you can to make them fall in love with you…"
A few more ladies sighed at his dreamy description. The haunting piano tune of Aqua Lung's "Strange and Beautiful" started playing, enthralling the listening audience. Then, Adam sang the first few lines, and the next, and they all started falling.
I've been watching your world from afar,
I've been trying to be where you are,
And I've been secretly falling apart,
I'll see.
To me, you're strange and you're beautiful,
You'd be so perfect with me but you just can't see,
You turn every head but you don't see me.
Serena slowly made her way out of the bar, the haunting song subtly fading behind her. "Damned memories"
Darien followed her discretely, observing her and deeply curious. That Adam guy was obviously into her. He was blunt as a hard on.
Outside the bistro, she could feel the chill in the air. Adam was still stinging, and she could still hear the song despite the distance from the stage. At least it was muffled. And she could somewhat breathe again.
I'll put a spell on you,
You'll fall asleep
and I'll put a spell on you.
And when I wake you,
I'll be the first thing you see,
And you'll realise
that you love me…
She could feel Darien approach her from behind, carefully breaching the air of containment she wrapped around her self. "You never cease being bloodly interesting, MH."
Turning to acknowledge his presence, she smiled a rueful smile. Somehow, that damnable nickname reassured her. Meatball Head. So innocent, so young, and so naïve. "Are you my new stalker?" she teased.
"You've been stalked before?" he asked, incredulous.
"Hazards of being downright gorgeous," she retorted back in a melodramatic tone, punctuated by a wry smile.
Darien had to chuckle at that. He approached her and pretended to appraise her face, lifting her chin up with her hand. "When one thinks about it," he turned her head one side to another and sighed, "that, you are."
"Then don't think!" Flushed pink with self-consciousness, she replied all too quickly.
The light dancing in her eyes drew him in. He was so close now. Close enough to smell the soap off her skin. Just a few more inches before he could claim her lips. 'Yes, don't think.' His mind agreed.
Serena could only gasp and hold on to the side of Darien's shirt as he drew her into his embrace. One hand behind her neck, grasping skin and hair, the other on her side, pulling her body against his. His lips were rough on her, until he gained more control and started playing with her lips gently. It was a good kiss. An expert kiss. One that was meant to dominate, and then travel downwards to the pit of her stomach. She knew these kisses all too well.
Gently pushing on Darien's chest, she eased off the kiss and his tight embrace. Eliciting a frustrated growl, he insisted on holding her close to him.
She wanted to destabilize him from his unnerving confidence. "I know about the bet, CJ." Serena started, studying Darien's dark eyes for a reaction with fear and fascination.
"I never meant to hide that I wanted you" he responded plainly, guiltlessly, unfazed.
"You could have just spoken with me and extended me an invitation…"
He tucked stray golden hair behind her right ear, "And lose the chance to secure a more interesting protracted courtship?"
Serena laughed at that, somewhat relaxing in Darien's cocky arms. He drew her in much closer as soon as he felt her relax. "You intend to court?" she turned her head up to look at him, and she had to giggle at that foreign notion. She was never the flowers and chocolates kind of girl.
"More or less." He was staring at her lips in that dark way again, and Serena couldn't help but respond to his desire. She closed the distance and kissed him, slowly, playfully, feeling elation at the intensity of his response. Tongues tangoing, teeth nipping bottom lip, hand playing at the nape of his check. Bodies so close that any evidence of arousal could not be missed. He was being pushed at the edge of sanity, and he couldn't help himself from taking more.
She recovered first, the final noted of her favorite song like a loud knell on her ears. The band would have a few more songs, then Adam would come looking for her.
She pulled away from Darien, and motioned him to the car park.
"Come on," she called out as she pulled him along. He raised inquiring brows at her. "Bring me home."
He grinned, hugging her from behind and sniffing her hair. "Mine or yours?" A casual question.
She thwacked his head for that, arm reaching out over her head to find his. "Mine, you dolt!" She was laughing as he rubbed his head for relief. Darien was confused. From being a passionate little goddess, then now back to being playful MH again. She was a tease.
"Am I encroaching on someone else's?" he asked seriously.
"Nice choice of words, CJ," she commented as he pressed the remote to unlock his car, and she hopped into the passenger seat. "I am not property, and I am not anyone's."
"Good," Darien smiled smugly as he started his car. "I don't need to have that singing dude assassinated!"
Serena laughed as they sped away from the bistro. There would be much explaining to do for their sudden disappearance, but damn if she had to talk to Adam right now. And damn if Darien didn't make her feel young and new again. He enjoyed her wit and barbs, and she enjoyed his unflappable confidence and bold masculine appeal. He made her feel like a goddess, without crowding her. He was just what the doctor ordered to help her forget those damned memories.
"So, what's the story?" he inquired.
'Okay, maybe not!' her brain corrected.
"None of your business, CJ."
"Darien, darling" he corrected darkly. Why did he suddenly feel like he was being used. She was playing, and he hasn't been briefed about the game.
He let the silence hang in the air before breaking it again.
"So, it's okay for you to make out with me, but it's not okay to talk about what's obvious?"
Serena flustered at that. It made her feel like a tramp. But he really had no right. Kissing did not give you rights, goddamnit! "Why don't you go and do your own research?" she taunted, keeping her voice even.
"That's my block, by the way" she quickly motioned, thanking the heavens that she lived fairly near the university and the bistro. "Just turn in and stop in front of the Toyota."
Darien recognized the car she drove from the party, and noted that she lived on a house, and not in the student dorms. She obviously didn't drive today, and chose to walk the 10-minute stroll to bistro. She was a strange one, this Serena. Perhaps he did need to do a little more research on his little minx.
Quickly stopping the car, unlatching his seatbelt, stepping out of the car, then walking to Serena's side, she barely had time to gather her wits and dislodge her seatbelt before Darien was opening the door for her with chivalrous aplomb.
He gently guided her out, touching her more than what was necessary, and made her wait as he collected her huge review books from the backseat.
"A girl could get spoiled like this, you know," she teased, tickled by his alpha male crossed with romance movie hero treatment. She was sure all the girls he dated fell easily headlong in love (and in bed) with him.
"Let me spoil you then," he offered candidly, the hues in his eyes communicating his seriousness. Quickly taking advantage, he filled her arms with books, and hugged her close. "A date. Tomorrow night. I'll pick you up." Those were statements. Not questions.
"You move too fast and too suavely for my peace of mind." She retorted, obviously flustered, but still keeping her wits about her.
"Live dangerously," he teased, holding her tighly, then pulling away to give her a quick, chaste, and smacking kiss on her lips.
"Tomorrow then," he asserted, "Wear a dress. A short white one." he chuckled to himself, opening the driver door and settling down to drive without waiting for her response.
She was staring at him dumbly in affront.
'Good.' He thought smugly.
Belting up, then slightly revving the engine, he rolled down the window closest to her. "7 pm" he called out, before winking and speeding away.
Serena shook her head in disbelief. "Why am I surrounded by such cocky bastards?" She sighed. Whether it was dreamy or frustrated, she wasn't really sure.
Darien was a gamesmaster. She was but a twittering, burned-once-twice-shy fool compared to him.
---
She entered her house with a sigh. Mina and Ami were still in the bistro, so it was just silence that greeted her. After setting aside her books, a quick wash and brushing her teeth, she settled herself in bed and noted her things to do and pending items for the next day. She was a good student, and she was always organized and prepared. Once that was done, her mind could not help replaying the image of Adam.
She thought about his return and the complexities of his possible expectations. They were seeing each other for slightly more than a year, before she just upped and left him, with a note. She didn't want to break him, but being with him just reminded her of her failings. Naively believing in true love that gave everything and asked for nothing back. The dream of another dark-haired man who took her naivete with him, leaving a jaded, defensive little girl in the wake of his desires. She also naively believed that the best way to get over some was to get under another. She became the monster who hurt her, using another, and then discarding them when the skeletons in the closet became too much for her to handle. Yes, Adam brought too many damaging memories. Memories she has frantically swept under the carpet.
Despite these dark thoughts, she fell asleep and dreamt of midnight blue eyes, dark hair between her thighs, playfully naughty kisses, and a cocky masculine chuckle that exuded unadulterated sex appeal.
When she woke up the next morning, she wanted to hit her head. Oh dear gods, she was in trouble. But what delicious trouble it was.
---
Hope this was worth it. Will work on updating every two weeks, so that this story is finished before year-end. Fingers crossed.