After a couple more shots, I still wasn't drunk yet, but I was getting there. I was surprised that I let my inner Irene take over, but it went a whole lot better then I expected. Apparently I'm very funny, and according to Lily, I talk like a sex expert. When did I learn to talk like that? Maybe I should let Irene take over more often. Maybe I might lose my v-card tonight. No. No. No. I'm not ready. I want my first to be special. I'm not going to have sex with him. Yet. Irene said. I shut her out of thoughts and I kept thinking.
"Hey, are you okay? Benedict asked me. Wow, he's asking how I'm feeling. That's nice of him.
"Yeah, I'm okay. You?"
"I'm good, about to go out for a smoke. Would you like to join me?" he asked, ever so politely. Me, going to smoke with him? This still isn't processing correctly. I mean, I knew that Benedict smoked in real life. And when he smoked as Sherlock, he looked smoking hot. (if you see what I did there) I mean those cheekbones blowing out smoke. Ugh.
His accent was so pretty. I love British accents. He has that deep sultry voice that can give you the chills already, but put a British accent on top of it, and it makes you want kiss him all over. It was beautiful. He could say "cheese face nuggets" and it would sound better than the words of Shakespeare.
"Sure," I responded. I got up and got my bag, and Benedict took my hand and lead me through the crowd. He took my hand! WE'RE HOLD HANDS! Maybe Lily's right. Maybe he does like me. pff no. He's just being nice. He doesn't want you to get lost in the crowd, that's all.
We arrived outside and when the cold air hit me, I could feel the alcohol taking action. My head started to feel fuzzy, but I managed to stay on my feet. I took out my pack, and offered him a smoke.
"No thanks, I've got my own." He said lighting his cigarette.
"Can I borrow your lighter?" I said sticking a smoke in my mouth.
"Here, allow me." He said, leaning in close, turning on the lighter, and lighting my smoke, without taking his eyes off mine.
"Thank you. Ahh, it's good to be able to see in proper light again." I said, trying to make conversation.
"Yeah I guess so. Still not drunk yet, i see..." He said smiling.
"Not really, but i'm getting there. I should be at least a bit sober to able to take Lily home."
"Oh no, don't worry. My driver will take you both home. You had way too much to drink."
"Oh that's sweet. But I could just catch a cab, it's no bother." I said. He cares about how i'm getting home. That's sweet.
"No, No, I insist. Trust me, it's fine." He said smiling. He has a beautiful smile. It would light up the darkest room.
"Thank you, I appreciate it."
"No problem. You look beautiful tonight." HE SAID I LOOK BEAUTIFUL. SOMEONE PINCH ME I THINK I'M DREAMING.
"Thank you, you don't look so bad yourself. I always thought you looked hot in a dress shirt. I mean look at those cheekbones. I could cut myself slapping that face." I said winking.
"Oh really? Would you like to try?" he said in a sexy tone.
"As much as I would like to, I'll pass... for now." I said smiling my prettiest, yet sexiest smile.
When we finished our smokes, we walked back inside. The club was a little bit less crowded now.
"Would you like another beer?" Benedict asked me.
"Sure." I responded.
Benedict called over the bartender. "2 beers please, and put it on my tab." he said.
"No, No. It's on me. I insist." I said. I felt bad about him paying for all my drinks. I didn't want to him to think I was a gold digger of some sorts. I mean he is famous.
"Oh, thank you." He responded. I went and paid for the beers and went back to the stool where Benedict was sitting and I handed him his beer.
"I like you, Salma. You aren't like most girls I know." he said smiling.
"Oh, I bet you say that to all the girls." I said. I mean, i'm sure he does. All the girls around us won't take their eyes of him for a second.
"I don't actually. You're the only one. You're... different." He said, seeming a bit sad.
"Different in a good way, or a bad way?" I asked hoping it's not in a bad way.
"A good way. You're more down to earth. People look at me and they only see sex and money. They never really see me, as me. They only see "Benedict Cumberbatch the actor", not Benedict Cumberbatch the person. You saw the person in me, not the actor."
"Oh. Thank you. It must be hard, having people look at you that way." I said. "But the second I met you and Tom, I knew that you both were different. You both are a lot nicer than most famous people."
"Why do you say that?" he said, looking a bit confused.
"I don't know. I have met my share of famous people in the past, and they all seem stuck up and full of themselves. But you and Tom are the complete opposite." I said, trying to flatter him a bit. It's true. The people I have met seemed so proud of themselves and you could see like to take their fans for granted.
"Why, thank you. I appreciate that. I really do like to take sometime to thank my fans. They are the reason why I do what I do."
"Yeah, I guess that's true."
"Would you like to dance?" He asked. He wants to dance with me? I can't dance.
"Oh, I'm not the dancing type." I said. It's true, i'll probably make a fool out of myself.
"Don't worry, neither do I." he said smiling and taking my hand AGAIN. We went and joined Tom and Lily on the dance floor and we started dancing all together. wow. Letting Irene take over us good. This is good. He said he liked me. What does that mean? As a friend? Or more? I can't believe those words came out of my mouth! I'm like a different person! That wasn't me out there! It is you, the you that you were hiding. The fun Salma. The Salma I like. I can tell he likes it too. My inner Irene said. She's right. I seem... Sexier this way. I like it.
Tom and lily went back for more drinks, and Benedict and I were dancing. We lost each other in the crowd, so I took the moment and closed my eyes, and I let the music take me and my alcohol filled brain. It was nice, but then I felt someone take hold of my hips. I thought it was Benedict, and I took his hands and danced with him, but it wasn't. The mans hands were hairy. There wasn't that many people anymore when I opened my eyes again. I tried to get him off me, but he grip kept getting tighter. He wasn't letting go.
I tried pushing him off me, and when I finally of him off me, he grabbed me again and pushed me onto the bar. I tried pushing away, but he wouldn't budge.
"Hello sweetie. You looking fine tonight. Wanna have some fun?" the man said. He was big and buff. He smelled like vodka and vomit. He obviously had too much to drink.
"NO. GET OFF ME". I screamed trying to get him off me. I tried scratching his hands until they bled, but he didn't seem to care.
"Oh come on sweetie don't ruin the fun!" the man said, coming closer. I kept pushing him away, and I could feel the tears coming out of my eyes. I didn't know what to do. "Oh come on, don't cry. We're going to have-"
"GET OFF HER." said a loud and booming voice interrupting the scary big man. It was Benedict. He took him by the shoulder, and turned him around, getting his hands off me.
"Or what?" The man screamed. He was bigger than Benedict. And stronger, too.
"OR THIS." he said punching him hard in the face. He knocked the man out cold. Benedict ran over to me and held me in his arms. I couldn't stop myself from crying.
"I was so scared. He hurt me. I thought he was you, but when I felt his hands, it wasn't. His hands are hairy, yours aren't. I'm sorry." I said sobbing.
"Hush now. I'm here. Nothing is going to happen to you. You're safe now." He said reassuringly. I was shaking. Benedict calmed me down by stroking my back and saying "shhh you're okay" over and over again until I was calm. I didn't want to let go of him. He smelt so good. Like expensive body wash and cigarettes. The combination is intoxicating.
"Are you okay?" He asked letting go of me.
"Better now. Thank you for saving me. I thought - I thought..." I started crying again and he picked me up into his arms and told Tom and Lily that we were going home. Benedict explained what happened, and they said okay.
"It's okay. I'm going to take you home now." He said still carrying me. When we arrived outside, I saw his driver waiting. I didn't want to go home. I wanted to be with him. I didn't want him to leave.
"No. I want to stay with you."
"Are you sure?" He asked kindly. I nodded in response. "Okay. I'll let lily know you're going to be with me."
"Okay." I said. He took out his phone and sent lily a text and he put his phone away after. He sat me down, but I leaned close and I put my head on his lap.
"Thank you. I don't know what I would have done without you." I said slowing dozing off into a deep sleep. I heard him say "you're welcome and I'm glad you're safe" before falling asleep.
I wake up the next morning in a bed of white. White pillows, white sheets, white comforters, white everything. Where was I? What happened last night? I have a terrible headache. I'm wearing pajamas. Did I change? Did Benedict change for me? I heard a knock on the door.
"Salma, may I come in?" It was Benedict.
"Yeah come in."
"Good morning. Feeling better?"
"Good morning. Yeah, i'm doing okay. What happened last night? Where am i?"
"Someone tried to hurt you at the club. I wanted to take you home, but you said you wanted to stay with me, so I took to my home and my maid undressed you and put you in pajamas, and she washed your clothes. I tucked you into my bed and I slept on the couch."
"Oh yeah. Everything is coming back to me. Thank you for everything again. I really appreciate it. I don't know what I would have done without you. It was really kind. You didn't have to sleep on the couch! I should have slept on the couch and you in your bed. I feel bad now." he let me sleep in his bed.
"Don't feel bad! Trust me its fine. You were tired and hurt. It was my pleasure. And you're welcome. I don't know what I would have done if something happened to you. I would never forgive myself."I was taken aback by what he said. He would never forgive himself, why?
"Well I appreciate your hospitality. You're very sweet." I responded.
"You are very welcome. Breakfast is ready and Doctor Who is going to be on the telly soon and I was wondering if you wanted to watch with me."
"Oh, um. Sure. Which episode?
"The Angels Take Manhattan."
"Oh god."
"What's wrong?" Benedict asked.
"Well, the last time I saw that episode, I was crying like a newborn baby. It's quite embarrassing."
"Don't worry, I cried too."
"Really?" Benedict cried watching Doctor Who? Imagine that...
"Yeah! I loved Amy and Rory. I hated seeing them die. I actually yelled at Moffat because of it."
"I would have done more than yell!"
"Come on, get dressed. You can take a shower if you'd like. I'll let you know when it starts." Benedict said laughing.