Well this is weird. Charlotte couldn't help but think this was not a good idea as they stood silently in the elevator. Her friend Kait had been desperately trying to hook up with some guy at the bar they had visited for after work drinks, and now they were going up to his apartment. She was just supposed to stay long enough to make sure he wasn't some serial killer, then she could make her excuses and get the hell out of there.
The guy, apparently his name was Nick, fixed his gaze on Charlotte. Just long enough to make her feel uncomfortable, all the while Kait clung to his hand like she was terrified he would escape. He was tall, very tall. The space in the elevator felt smaller and smaller as she tried to look anywhere else but at him. Finally they reached the ninth floor and stepped out. As the door opened, he looked down at the marble floor and then at the girls' shoes. 'No heels'. An accent, maybe Spanish or Italian.
Charlotte was the only one wearing heels, Kait was as usual in her old Converse sneakers. Reluctantly she slipped off her shoes. The marble was cold under her feet, a shiver through her body only adding to the sense that she shouldn't be there. Kait was oblivious as she wandered around the apartment like an excited child. She caught him looking at her again.
Nick went into the kitchen, presumably to get a drink for them. Taking her chance, Charlotte grabbed Kait's arm and pulled her within whispering distance. 'We should go'. Kait looked confused for a second, then almost came to her senses it seemed. 'One drink. We'll be out of here in 10 minutes'. At that moment, Nick came back into the room with a drink in each hand, passing Charlotte's to her first. He also produced one for himself, and motioned for them to sit. Charlotte perched on a chair in the corner of the room, with Kait practically jumping on Nick's lap on the lounge. Kait spoke too much, as she always did, pausing only to take deep sips of her drink. Some kind of mixer with vodka. Charlotte took a sip toΒ be polite, but she had already had too much and wanted to keep what little focus she had left on making sure this guy wasn't about to kill them both.
Kait ignored Charlotte's two glances at her watch and finished her drink with a flourish. Nick watched intently as Kait shakily placed the glass on the table and sat back on the lounge. Her head flopped back, and in a matter of seconds it was pretty clear she was fast asleep. The sound of Kait's snorts and snores was the only sound, although Charlotte could hear her heart pumping frantically as she realised that the 10 minute escape plan was not an option. She only had 2 now - wakeΒ her up or leave her there.
Nick stood up and collected the glass from the table. He walked up to Charlotte, towering over her, and held out his hand. She took a moment to work out what was happening, finally handing him her almost-full glass and watching cautiously as he left the room. When he was out of view, Charlotte tiptoed over to Kait, shaking her and whispering frantically to wake up.
'Oh she'll be out for a while'. She froze at his voice from behind her. Footsteps now, slow and deliberate. Charlotte stood up slowly. He was right behind her now, close enough for his breath to tickle her neck. He stepped in front of her, staring intently at her, brushing a stray strand of hair out of her face. Charlotte flinched at his touch, breath growing increasingly shallow as she realised what had happened. His fingers moved down her cheekbone and over her lips. They moved down her chin, tracing slowly down her neck and stopping at the top button of her green dress. He took a step back again, looking hungrily up and down as a hunter would its prey. His hand reached out and took hers. He lifted it to his lips, planting a gentle kiss on it. Then, he turned away and led her away.