A prompt a week - 35. Nick's Night Out - Prompt 438

I woke up with the alarm clock blaring in my ear. I didn’t even remember setting it to go off, but as I reached over to shut the damn thing off all I could see was the black and blue mark on my arm. I swatted the clock off and then stared at the mark. How on earth did I get that?

I lay there and couldn’t remember much of anything. Gingerly I climbed out of bed and stumbled to the bathroom. If it wasn’t for the fact I don’t drink I would swear I was suffering from one hell of a hangover. I turned on the water, making it as hot as my skin could stand, then climbed under it and tried to wash myself. I felt like I was covered in a layer of sweat and with the cold night, and how cool it was in my apartment this just didn’t make sense. Maybe I had gotten sick last night?

After scrubbing my skin and feeling more like myself I climbed out and made my way to the sink so I could finally shave. As I looked into the mirror I didn’t recognize the face that looked back at me. My skin looked pale and pasty. I had dark circles under my eyes and as I looked at my neck I could see what looked like hickeys. Hickeys? I hadn’t had something like that in over twenty years. What the hell had I done last night.

I shaved quickly and made my way back into my bedroom. That is when I smelled it. There was this dark rich scent, a cologne maybe, that seemed to be coming from my bed. The closer I got to it, there was also the undeniable scent of sex. After two years I’d evidently broke my dry spell, but for the life of me I couldn’t remember with who.

I spotted the clock and realized if I didn’t get my ass in gear I’d be late for work. I grabbed a dark blue dress shirt, light blue tie, and a pair of black slacks out of my closet, dressed, and rushed out of the apartment. I had just enough time to stop for a coffee and a bagel, before I had to be at work.

The morning was busy as hell. I didn’t have time to really talk to anyone, but I noticed a few people pointing and whispering. I didn’t know why, however it wasn’t making me happy at all.

When lunchtime hit I turned off my computer and began to head out for lunch. Usually I skipped lunched, yet today I felt really light headed and figured I better eat. As I was heading to the elevator, Victoria and Dennis were already waiting for it.

“I see someone had a busy night,” Dennis comment as he looked right at me.

“Busy?” I stared at him uncomprehendingly.

“Um, yeah.” Victoria looked at me and blushed.

“Nick, I haven’t seen such dark hickeys since I was in high school. Hell at your age you must be dating a vampire. She really didn’t let you go.” Dennis shook his head, smiled and winked at me.

Suddenly I felt self conscious. I hadn’t realized the marks were visible. I felt myself reaching up and trying to pull the collar higher up my neck.

Dennis laughed. “I never thought I’d live to see the day you came in like that.”

The elevator opened and I let them go ahead. I stood waiting for the next one.

I remembered I didn’t feel like going home to cook. I’d stopped at the local bar and grill to pick up food. Hmm. The longer I thought about it I vaguely remembered a man laughing and talking with me.

“Hey, you getting on?” A young man from one of the upper floors was looking at me rather angrily.

“Yeah, sorry.” I climbed on and took the elevator to the ground floor. I walked down the street to the deli. There was just something I couldn’t seem to remember.

My afternoon seemed to fly by. I now purposely avoided my coworkers, not wanting to explain the marks on my neck, not that I could. Victoria stopped by my desk for a few moments just before quitting time.

“Thanks again for going out with Rob’s friend.” Victoria blushed and her eyes went to the marks on my neck.

“Rob’s friend?”

“Yeah. You met him last night at Barney’s. I know you don’t like to be set up, but I really appreciate you going out with him. Rob has been telling me how close they were in college, but I barely get to see my husband since he got the promotion at his new job. You saved our evening. Otherwise it would have been the three of us together.” She smiled and blushed.

“Right, Rob’s friend. It was no problem.” For the life of me, I couldn’t remember the guy’s name or much of anything that had happened last night. I barely remembered going to Barney’s bar and grill.

I left the job shortly after five and already the sun was beginning to set. I loved the fall, the cooler temperatures, but I missed the sunlight. I was just about to pull out of my parking spot when my cell phone rang. I didn’t recognize the number.

“Hello,” I almost whispered into the phone.

“Good Evening, Nick. So glad you answered my call.”

The voice seemed to wash over me like honey. It was deep and rich, and the soft growl he had when he spoke rumbled all the way to my balls. I was just listening to this strange voice and already I was excited.

“I’m sorry …”

“Don’t be sorry, Nick. This is Raul. I hope you meant what you said last night when you told me we could go out again any time. I’ll pick you up from your apartment in an hour.”

I sat there shaking my head yes, before I realized he couldn’t see what I was doing. “Oh, I’m sorry. Of course. I’ll meet you at my place in an hour.”

His rich laughter made my hands shake and I nearly dropped the phone.

“I’ll see you shortly, Nick.”

I don’t think I have ever driven home from work so quickly. I walked in my door and began to strip immediately. I took another shower so I was nice and clean. I wished there was some way to hide the marks but then he must have given them to me.

I found clothing I thought would be appropriate to go anywhere in. A nice polo shirt, dark slacks, black boots. I combed my hair, put some gel into it, and looked over my colognes trying to figure out what the mysterious Raul might like on me. I finally decided on a scent my sister had created for me. It was sort of woodsy and had a slight scent of citrus to it. Just before I completely lost my nerve and changed outfits there was a knock at my door.

“Coming.”

I opened it to find the most incredible looking man standing there. He stood taller than I was, maybe six two or three. Dark brown eyes peered at me from a classic Roman face. His black hair was slightly long and curled at his shoulder. However, it was what I could see of his muscular body that took my breath away.

“Nick, so nice to see you again.” He leaned it and captured my lips for kiss.

At that moment I knew I was lost. I didn’t know who or what he was, but I knew I’d do anything for him.