Free In the Dark by Alana Sapphire Page A

only man I want to dance with anyway.
    Gregory leads me to the dance floor, and after only a few seconds his intentions become clear. His hand keeps ‘slipping’ down to my ass, and he’s incessantly licking his lips. He’s also holding me a little too tightly for my comfort. I take a good look at him. Other than the fact that he’s married, he’s nowhere near my type. He’s tall and skinny, even more than Jimmy. His hair is jet black and greasy, and his nose is a little crooked. With a polite smile, I step back.
    “Thank you, Mr. Johnson. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to check in with the caterer.” I turn and leave him standing on the dance floor, shuddering in disgust as I walk away.

**Rick**
     
    I’m itching to march over there and punch Johnson in his already crooked nose. I can’t stand the way he’s trying to grope her. Remembering where we are, I clench my fists at my sides. I attempt to have a conversation with a few people standing around, but I can’t keep my attention away from her. Johnson better not get any other ideas. Finally, she steps back and walks away from the asshole. That’s my girl. Wait…what? My girl? When did she become my girl? That’s when it hits me. I want her to be mine. She is mine. I don’t want to hide anymore. Hiding means having to suffer through situations like this. She’s mine and it’s time I accepted it. It’s time everyone knows it. I need to talk to her. I eagerly search the crowd but find no trace of her.
    “Rick!”
    I turn to the voice, trying to smile. “Walter! How’s the party?”
    “Great! But I want to talk to you about something.”
    “Sure.”
    He leads me to a quiet corner, and gives me a stern stare. “You’ve got eyes on my Kelly, don’t you?”
    “What?”
    “I’m old but I’m no fool, McAllister. Trips to my office for no reason, calling her up to yours. I saw the way you were looking at Johnson just now.”
    His Kelly? Who does he think he is? “Walter, look –”
    “Let me finish. You’re a good man, Rick. She’s a nice girl. All I’m saying is…don’t hurt her.”
    He surprised me, but I realize Walter’s only looking out for Kelly.
    “I hope everyone is not as astute as you are old man,” I reply, patting his shoulder.
    “I mean it, Rick.”
    “I’ll try my best.”
    “Don’t try,” he warns. “Do it.”
    I nod, shaking Walter’s hand. Now, I just have to find her. I spot her friend Rosalinda, and head in her direction.
    “Miss Sanchez?”
    She turns and fixes an alluring smile on her lips. “Yes, Mr. McAllister?”
    I notice she pushes her chest out as she places her hand on her hip. Even before Kelly, I wouldn’t have looked at her twice.
    “Have you seen Kelly?” I ask.
    Shock registers on her face. “Kelly?” Her brows furrow in confusion, then as if something clicks in her mind, she smiles. “No I haven’t.”
    “Thank you.” I nod and walk away.
    Where the hell is she?
     

**Kelly**
     
    My phone vibrates in my clutch, and I pull it out. A text message.
    2123000000: I KNOW.
    What the hell? It’s the same number from before, same message. It can’t possibly be a mistake. This has to be about Rick. Fuck. I need to find him.
    “Kelly.”
    The voice stops me in the corridor, and I turn around. “Oh. Hey, Jimmy. You having a good time?” I ask, clearly distracted.
    “Yeah,” he staggers in my direction. “You could make it a whole lot better, though.” He smiles, his gaze roving my body.
    “Jimmy, don’t you ever give up?”
    His smile fades. “You didn’t have a problem giving it up to him .”
    “You’re drunk. You should call a cab and go home.”
    “Not until I get what I want.”
    He grabs my hand, dragging me down the corridor.
    “Jimmy, let go of me!”
    Ignoring my protest, he opens a door, and pushes me through it. I trip on the hem of my dress, and almost fly head-first over the balcony. Cringing, I stare at the garden below. Before I can recover, Jimmy is behind me,