ELENORA

"Thank you all for coming tonight. This is one of the bigger turnouts we've had in a while." The host stands at the front of the room on a podium, speaking into a microphone.

"For those of you who are new; ladies, you will pick a numbered table to begin your first date of the night. Gentlemen, you may sit at any open table to begin your date. When you hear the bell, that will indicate the end of your five minutes together and you will rotate, to begin your next date."

Five minutes? For some reason, I thought it'd be a minute or less. I start to panic, racking my brain for anything I can think of to bring up about myself that would sound interesting.

"Now, five minutes may not seem like a long time, but you'd be surprised how much you can find out about someone in a short amount of time." The host smiles over the crowd. "Let the love connections begin!" He hits the bell and my sisters and Clara guide me to the tables near the front.

While they sit excitedly at the small tables waiting for someone to sit with them—I silently throw up a million prayers that I don't make a fool of myself. Well, more than I already have.

A blond man approaches and my eyes dart around as he smiles at me. My sisters are each engaged in their own conversations already.

"May I sit?" The man smiles. I nod and tuck my hair behind my ears, and clasp my hands together, but then I move them down on my lap. I don't want to appear closed off, but then again, I don't know what the hell I'm doing.

"My name is Brian." He extends his hand out for me to shake.

"Nora."

"Thank you," he responds and his face grows several shades of red. " Wait—I..." he stammers as I look at him confused before realizing he's more nervous than I am. I give him a soft smile, hoping it's reassuring.

"Sorry, I've never done anything like this before and I just got out of a four year relationship. It's been a while since I've had to do this." Brian chuckles.

"How long have you lived in New York? You have a slight accent. Southern?" I ask, hoping to steer away from past relationships. Mostly because I don't want to break down in front of a complete stranger.

He smiles. "Yes, I'm from Georgia. I've been in New York for five years; I moved here for work."

"How about you, are you from here?"

"Born and raised. I majored in Photography and Imaging at NYU." My nervousness is slowly dissipating.

"That's impressive. I have a cousin who also studied Photography there. They have a very selective program. From what he said only thirty five to forty five applicants get accepted each year."

As our conversation progresses, he appears to be more at ease and answers the questions I ask, then we hear the ding and he moves on.

Okay, this isn't so bad.

The night progresses and after a montage of men—who unlike Brian—are more than comfortable telling me all about themselves, I'm beyond ready to leave. I hardly get a word in, but I find myself more and more relaxed. 

It's probably due to all the drinks I've had. I decide to reign it in after one more drink—maybe two.

All in all, there've been some interesting men and interesting conversations, but right now, I'm sitting in front of someone who reminds me of the guy from the Clear Eyes commercials. Same voice, same glasses, only younger.

He's in the middle of explaining to me the difference between astrology and astronomy. Ironically, I like both of these things, and consider astrology a hobby. But hearing him talk about it makes me want to never hear about it ever again, not to mention slam my head against the table a couple times.

I glance around the room and Clara is talking and smiling a lot with the man sitting across from her and then I see Jackie is talking to Luca Barone. They're leaning in towards each other. It's been a while since I've seen her eyes light up the way they are right now. Luca reaches across the table and lifts her hand to his lips.

My head snaps over to Luna next to me, when I hear her ask a question. "What kind of car do you drive?"

"Excuse me?" The guy across from her is surprised and even looks a little disgusted.

"A sports car? Vintage? Current year?"

"Luna!" I hiss, feeling the second hand embarrassment.

"That's kind of a shallow question, isn't it?" The man responds.

Luna shrugs. "Tell me John, do you like spending time with feelings?" I can't believe she's behaving this way.

"Alright, and this date is over." John looks around appalled.

"But we still have a few minutes," Luna argues.

"I know enough." He stands and walks away to the other side of the room.

I'm still trying to understand what Luna is doing. She looks back at me. "What?"

"What is wrong with you?"

She lifts one of her shoulders. "You can tell a lot from the type of car someone drives."

"Right, not shallow at all."

But then I'm surprised when the Clear Eyes guy moves from across me and sits in front of her. "I drive a current year Lexus."

She smiles back at me and turns her attention back to him.

Wow.

I lean back in my chair and throw back the rest of my drink, but I sit up when I find the mysterious, tall, dark friend of Luca Barone, taking the seat in front of me.

"The bell hasn't rung yet." I mentally facepalm myself, hearing the words that came out of my mouth.

The corners of his mouth lift slightly. He leans back, unbuttoning the jacket of his expensive three piece suit and crosses one of his ankles over his knee. "So, you're a rule follower, what else?" His voice is smooth; it doesn't match his hardened features. He lifts his hand in the air as if signaling for something and then out of nowhere a waiter stands next to our table.

He orders a whisky and then looks over at me. "Another drink?"

"Water."

The waiter turns to leave, but he lifts his hand again to stop the waiter.

"You're boring, too." He makes it a statement rather than a question. I look back at him, shocked and furious; the rage inside of me is overwhelming.

"Come on, one more drink isn't going to lead you to lose all sense of morals and end the night having hot, passionate, no strings attached sex, with a complete stranger." He smirks back at me. "Unless you want it to, of course."

My eyes widen at his audacity. The bell dings, but I know he's not going to move and neither is the monotone drone who's still talking to my sister.

"Let me guess." His finger traces his lips as he observes me. "A Cosmo?" I narrow my eyes. "Martini? Dry of course."

I look away, breathing in deeply, fighting to control my temper. Who does this asshole think he is?

"No? How about Sex on the Beach? Fuzzy navel?" He gnaws on his bottom lip amused with himself.

I scoff, folding my arms. "You're a poor judge of character. And clearly the elevator doesn't reach the top floor with you." I smile as I lift my empty glass to make my point. "Does this glass look like I just had a Cosmo? A Martini? Or any of the fruity foo foo drinks you seem to know all too well?" I turn to the waiter who's watching us like he's at a tennis match. "Bourbon, neat, please."

"Interesting," The infuriating man comments as he keeps staring at me. His watch gleams against the overhead lights in the room. I focus on his hand, showcasing not only the tattoos on his fingers but the rings he wears. He rubs his neatly trimmed short beard and then his fingers move over his lips contemplatively.

I try to not fidget under his hard gaze, there's no question he's trouble. There's a clear silent warning he gives off that he's not someone to mess with.

But I can't back down now.

"Is it?" I ask in return trying to appear and sound cool, calm and collected. "You seem to know all about me, even though you missed the target by a mile—which already says a lot about you, but why don't you tell me something interesting about yourself then?"

"You don't know who I am?" He questions arrogantly, and his eyes narrow. The muscles in his chiseled jawline twitch in annoyance. I decide to play into this, because honestly, I don't know him.

"Am I supposed to?" I look around disinterested but I notice some of the women are throwing daggers at me, including Vanessa and her friends while my sister's mouths are hanging open as is Clara's.

"So, you don't know me, yet something compelled you to bow down to me earlier." The cocky smile on his face is making my hand twitch in anticipation of what it will feel like to punch it off of his handsome face.

"It was a dare." I manage to sound casual. He doesn't need to know that my brain stopped working momentarily.

"A dare?"

"Yes, you know, a challenge? And I never back down from one." I twirl the end of my hair. "So, don't let that inflate your already huge ego."

He seems to think for a moment before he lifts his dark eyebrows in a disinterested manner. "You must be telling the truth—otherwise you wouldn't be talking to me the way you are." He leans back again, folding his arms, the action causing his black shirt to open more at the top where it's unbuttoned. A couple of tattoo's peek through either side of his tanned chest and up along his neck.

"Let me guess, women throw themselves at your feet, right?" The waiter sets our drinks down and returns to whatever post he's manning for the night without a glance back.

He gives another shrug of his broad shoulders as his response.

"Your friend doesn't seem to fear you." I point out, glancing at Luca who is now talking to Luna—but doesn't seem to be as engaged in the conversation—considering his eyes flicker over at Jackie in the short time I observe him.

"He doesn't need to; he's my cousin," He responds. We sit in awkward silence before he speaks again. "My name is Federico, but most call me Rico."

"Well, Freddy." Purposefully ignoring the nickname. "Why are you here? You don't strike me as the type looking for a love connection, let alone anything long term. You can have any woman you want and you pick a speed dating venue?" I lean forward, raising an eyebrow.

"It's Federico, not Frederico, but don't worry it's easy to confuse." He lifts his glass of whiskey to his lips then sips it, keeping his eyes on me. "And call it...moral support."

Maybe it's the drinks but I find it the most hilarious thing and burst out laughing. He narrows his eyes at me before he looks around as my loud laugh earns more than a few curious glances.

I settle down and wipe my eyes and then throw back my drink. "Ah, that's a good one, I needed that." I reach for a waiter walking by and grab his arm. "Excuse me, could I get another bourbon?" The waiter nods and leaves to retrieve my drink.

The bell dings and I assume this will be the end of our strange yet somewhat interesting exchange, however, one look from him and the man who was making his way to my table, turns away.

Rico observes me. "Why is that so hard to believe?"

"Freddy, Freddy, Freddy," I sigh, looking at the handsome and somewhat intimidating man in front of me. "You men. You're all the same. You say one thing but mean something completely different, don't you? Initially, just like in all dating scenarios, everyone puts their best foot forward, wanting to hook the other person in before their true character undoubtedly rears its ugly face."

I lean forward as I continue. "We both know the real reason why you're here, tonight and it has nothing to do with moral support. And as much as you want to give off this tough guy— I'm better than you aura—I can see the pain in your eyes. You're hiding something."

He doesn't say anything as we sit there for a few moments, staring at each other. I must be getting tipsy because his dark eyes appear to lose their fierceness and soften. I close my eyes, shaking my head and when I open them again, the cold, indifferent look to them is back.

He cocks his head to the side as he continues to watch me. "Someone did a number on you, didn't they, ragazza? What's your name?" (girl)

"Does it matter?" The bell dings again. "Welp, looks like I'm saved by the bell. See ya." I dismiss him with a wave of my hand.

But he doesn't move, and as we continue staring at each other I feel like I'm being pulled into a darkness I won't be able to come back from. The smoldering heat not only coming from his eyes but his presence is suffocating.

I pick up my glass, if he's not leaving then I will. I salute him, before I toss my drink back and slam the glass down. "Okay. Arriverderci." (Bye)

Did you just fucking salute?  Whatever. I sway when I stand too quickly and gasp. Not from how fast he shot out of his seat but from the warm sensation the contact of his hand wrapped around my arm gives me while the other hand holds my waist firmly, helping me stand steady.

I stare back at him, his dark eyes are boring into mine. I push against him, self conscious being so close to him and mutter a quiet, 'Thank you'. I walk across the room and head out into the hallway.

I wander down the hall but can't find a bathroom. What kind of hotel doesn't have public restrooms? And where the hell is the staff so I can ask them?

I try some of the doors lined along the corridor but they're all locked when finally one opens, but the room is pitch black when the door closes behind me. I move my hands along the wall, trying to find a light switch, unsuccessfully.

Great.

My eyes have always had a hard time adjusting to darkness, so much so that I make it a point to always be in my seat for the previews at the movie theaters, but also before the lights are dimmed.

I start to panic when I can't find the damn door again, but then it opens and I back up, shielding my eyes from the brightness shining in, a silhouette of a man stands in the doorway.

The music and conversations from the hallway float into the room.

"Thank goodness. I was looking for a bathroom when—." The door shuts and the next thing I know, hands are on my face, and a mouth comes crashing down on mine.

I gasp in surprise and also fear.

I try to fight them off, pushing and shoving but I realize I'm now pinned against a wall or the door; their body is pressed flushed with mine. As their mouth continues to move over mine I start to yield under the kiss. Even though the kiss is rough it begins to change and there's a tenderness that surprises me.

There's a hint of alcohol to him and more than anything I taste the danger within the kiss but soon I find myself kissing him back. His hands still hold my face firmly, but then they begin to move down to my neck and into my hair; the grip is strong but not painful.

This is wrong, yet I don't want to stop for some unknown reason.

The quiet room is filled with the sounds of our kissing and heavy breathing. I hear myself moan, but I'm amazed—whoever this man is, trembles against me in response—no man has ever shuddered when I've kissed them.

My hands move against the wall behind me and then my hand wraps around what I hope is a door handle. I shove him away and rush out the door.

I run down the hall not looking back.

Your first night out in months and you're making out in dark places, with God knows who, while shit faced. What are you doing, Nora?

________________

My racing heart and heavy breathing are slowing down as I approach the entrance to the large room. The host' voice carries through the speakers. "That concludes the speed dating portion of the night. The rest of the evening is for mingling, dancing and making that love connection you all felt tonight."

Even though I'm still recovering from the encounter I had, I roll my eyes at the cheesy-ness of his words as I walk back in.

I take a few deep breaths and smooth down my hair. I never found the damn bathroom. Maybe there's one in here and I missed it.

As I look around I notice Luca walking toward Jackie with purpose. He leads her to the center of the dance floor and begins slow dancing with her. Her face lights up, smiling at him as they talk and move across the room.

Soon, other men feeling brave or wanting to follow behind Luca, begin pairing off with ladies in the room, too.

Luna is surprisingly still with Mr. monotone. I should have paid better attention to know what his name is.

"See, it wasn't that bad was it?" Clara hugs my side.

"It was worse," I reply as we begin walking with our arms linked and she chuckles.

I scan the room, and find Rico at the bar, chatting it up with three women; all giggling and laughing at whatever idiotic things he's saying to them. His gaze shifts to me and he lifts his drink in acknowledgment. I make it a point for him to see me roll my eyes.

I continue looking around the room, for what I couldn't tell you. No one is looking back at me like I'm expecting. My mind wanders back to the mysterious man who surprised me with a make-out session. He could be any of the men in here and I wouldn't have a damn clue as to who it is.

"Are you okay?" Clara asks.

"Huh?"

"You look flushed." Clara places her hand on my face.

"Oh yeah, I think I've had too much to drink though."

"Come on, let's get some air." She leads me to an open door that takes us out into a large terrace overlooking the New York night skyline. A few people who have paired off are talking quietly and some are even kissing.

Yolo right? Who am I to judge? Especially after what I did in that dark room.

"So what's he like?"

"Who?" I'm brought out of my rambling thoughts.

"The tall, dark, gorgeous friend of Luca Barone, you were chatting it up with." Clara grins back at me.

"Oh, him." I scrunch my nose. "Exactly how he looks; handsome, arrogant, cold and surprisingly nosey."

"He seemed to enjoy your company." She gives me a knowing smile as we lean over the balcony. "He didn't leave when the host rang the bell, what? Two? Three times?"

I snort. "I doubt he was there because of attraction, more like morbid curiosity."

Clara shakes her head at my self deprecating humor. "Jackie and Luca seem to have made a connection, don't you think?"

"It appears so. I just want her to be happy. She deserves it." I sigh looking at the city lights.

"So do you, girl." Clara wraps her arm around me.

"What about you, did anyone catch your eye?"

"Nah, I think I'm ruined for life after Paris." She smiles. "Come on, let's go dance it up. It's still early and you're wearing my lucky shoes. We can show off our killer dance moves that are sure to bring the men to the yard."

I laugh knowing the dance moves she's referring to—have the opposite effect on men—at least at the clubs they do. "Your shoes must be broken then or maybe my Nonno's right, it's me. I'm broken."

"Stop it. Don't you start believing that shit."

We head back towards the doors, when I hear the familiar, smooth, velvety voice I sat captive to for exactly fifteen minutes and twenty seconds, approaching. I yank Clara's arm back and press myself up against the exterior of the building.

Luca takes a swig from his beer. "This night turned out better than I imagined, all things considered." He's sporting a wide grin and I wonder if it has anything to do with Jackie.

"Aren't you glad you came, Rico? You thought it was better to wait but it turns out everything worked out for the best, no?"

Rico scoffs. "You're only saying that because you talked to the only sensible and sane woman in the room." He lights up a cigarette and inhales deeply before blowing out into the night sky.

Well, now I know, it would never have worked out; I hate the smell of cigarette smoke.

Wait, what are you saying, Nora?

"Yes, Jaqueline is beautiful and sweet. But then again they all seem nice," Luca comments bringing my attention back to focus. "Granted, I only talked to her other sister named Luna. She seems fun, a little too young for me, but better than most of the trashy puttane here, who obviously only want one thing." My eyes narrow hearing Luca talk about women, the way he is. (whores)

"Speak for yourself, amico," Rico says, arrogantly. (friend)

I knew it! That lying son of a bitch.

"Don't act like that's all you're here for, too. You had a long conversation with the older sister, Elenora," Luca states.

"Elenora." Pinochio the liar, repeats my name.

A slight shiver runs through me as my name rolls through his lips. He takes a long pull of his cigarette before he chuckles. The sound is cold. "I don't know what I was expecting. But she's no different than the rest, except she's dull, with a personality of a wet mop—a fucking emotional train wreck. I'd have to be completely fucked up and desperate to spend a night with her if it comes down to it."

Clara gasps next to me and I zap out of the slight, alcohol induced fog I've been in. I take a few deep breaths to calm myself. I don't understand why I feel hurt, embarrassed and humiliated. He doesn't even know me.

"She's going through a hard time, fresh out of a two year relationship to a complete asshole, from what Jaqueline mentioned," Luca responds.

"Shocking." Rico takes another drag then drops the cigarette, snuffing it out with his shoe and shoves his hands in his pocket.

A ringtone blaring out: "Who's phone is ringing? Mine! Mine!" goes off and I realize it's my phone. I remember thinking the ringtone was hilarious, but now it just adds to the humiliation of this nightmare I'm in.

I snap out of the ever-consuming black hole of mortification and hatred I find myself in and look down at my phone in my hand.

Jackie is calling.

"Hey Jackie," I answer, looking up. Both the devil incarnate and Luca are staring at me now. Luca's face registers a look of embarrassment and even pity, which only makes me feel worse.

"Yeah, I'm still here. I just stepped out onto the terrace with Clara to get some fresh air." I keep my voice steady and throw all the hatred I can muster in the glare I give the spawn of satan. There's nothing in his eyes, no remorse, no guilt, nothing. I shouldn't be surprised but my vision begins to blur.

"Okay, we'll head back in." I hang up and inform Clara we're leaving but not before the damn tears I was struggling to keep in fall.

Clara looks back at Lucifer with disgust in her eyes. "Listen, asshole—"

"Clara." I stop her from continuing and walk away. I don't want to continue looking as weak as I feel.

Clara catches up to me. "Fuck him, Nora." I keep quiet, wanting to get out of here.

"It could be worse, you know?"

I whirl around to face her. "How?" I throw my hands up in the air. "How could it be any worse?"

"Imagine if he liked you? Then what would you do?"

The corner of my mouth lifts in a half smile and then I begin chuckling. I wrap my arms around her. "I love you Clara. Thank you."

We continue walking when a hand comes down on my shoulder. "Signorina Borelli." Luca stops me. "I would like to apologize for the things you and your friend heard." He nods at Clara giving us a small smile, but I can see he's anxious.

"Thank you, Signor Barone, but you should not be the one apologizing."

Jackie and Luna approach us and his eyes meet Jackie's and they smile at each other.

He turns back to me. "Please call me Luca." Then he addresses my sisters. "Ladies, I hope you enjoyed yourselves tonight." Luna smiles, nodding her head, giggling. "Signorina Borelli." Luca focuses on Jackie. "May I have a moment before you leave?"

She smiles and nods. He holds his hand out for her and she takes it as he leads her a few feet away from us.

"I'm going to use the bathroom before we go, I'll meet you guys outside." I stop a waiter asking him to direct me to the nearest bathroom. Of course, it's the complete opposite direction I went earlier.

As I dry off my hands, a text comes in from Clara telling me they are outside in the car waiting. I hurry out of the bathroom and turn a corner when I'm pulled into an empty, dark room.

Not again.

A large hand covers my mouth to keep me from screaming out for help. I look around but can't see anything with my eyes still adjusting to the darkness.

Hands holding on to me turn me around and then I'm pinned against a corner, a hand still covers my mouth, muffling my screams. My heart is hammering in my chest painfully. I push against whoever is holding me but it's no use as they use their body and strength to keep me from escaping.

This is different than earlier. Fear and panic are rising within me.

"I never apologize. Never."

It's Rico.

The fear and panic I felt only seconds ago vanishes and is replaced by rage. I begin thrashing wildly in his hold. The last few months of training, I've gone through kicks in.

I use the wall behind me as leverage and push against him, creating as much space as I can, before I knee and kick him fast and hard. I make enough contact that his hold on me loosens and he groans. I shove him away and wretch the door open, running out into the hall.

I don't look back as I keep running, hoping my heels or my ankles don't break in the process but a viselike grip on my wrist pulls me back. I slam against Rico's tall muscular frame. His black, medium length, shaggy hair is a mess and his face is furious as he glares down at me with his eyes that almost look black.

"Let me go!" I seethe.

"It's good to see you have a little fire in you, Elenora," He says mockingly through his heavy breathing. I try to wriggle out of his hold, but that only makes him tighten his arms around me.

I glare at him. "It's not enough for you to insult me, now you have put your hands on me? You're even worse than I thought." I spit on his face, causing him to let me go. He lifts his hand to his face wiping the spittle from his cheek. I move to get as far from him as possible, but I find myself being pushed up against the wall as his hands tighten on my shoulders, keeping me in place.

"You're lucky we're in a public place and I don't want to make a scene or a mess." His warm breath fans over my face as he leans down to talk to me. "You have no idea what I'm capable of."

"This is your idea of an apology?" I manage to scoff and even roll my eyes.

"Apologize? You think I want to apologize?" His eyes move back and forth between mine.

"You said—"

"I said I will never apologize. Why would I start now?"

"You arrogant, son of a bitch! Let me go!"

"Lower your fucking voice!" His hand comes around my throat, but he doesn't squeeze.

"Don't tell me what to do! Let me go! You fucking liar." I try again to wriggle out of his hold. "Let me go or I will scream."

"Not until you agree to let me take you out to dinner." His dark eyes observe me.

What did he say?

I look back at him for a moment and begin laughing. He has no choice but to let me go when I start choking on my own spit from laughing so hard.

I straighten back up still chuckling and coughing. "Are you fucking serious?"

"Do I look like I'm kidding?" He folds his arms. Red marks are starting to form on his neck from hitting and scratching him earlier.

"You're a psychopath."

"I've been called worse," He smirks at me.

Laughter reaches my ears and I see Vanessa and her friends heading towards us. They slow down when they see us.

I focus my attention back on Rico as I step up to him. "I'd have to be fucking desperate or completely fucked up to go out with you, Federico. And I'm neither." I throw his own words back at him. "But don't worry, I know someone who is and is perfect for you." I smile as he glares back at me.

"Vanessa, have you met Federico, yet?" I motion her over to us. Vanessa and her friends walk over to us cautiously and she shakes her head at me. "No? Well, you two have a lot in common. Trust me. A match made in heaven or hell, either one works."

"Elenora," Rico says my name low as I begin to back away, smiling back at both of their scowling faces.

"No need to thank me." I wink back at him. "Don't forget to send me a wedding invite!" I call out, as I turn away chuckling, with both my hands up, waving my middle fingers back at them.

***