No Way Back (Mia's Way, #1) - By Chloe Adams Page 0,2

the uneven stones of the garden path begin. Robert catches me in his arms and suddenly, he’s kissing me. He shoves his tongue into my mouth, and I almost gag. He tastes like whiskey; I hate whiskey! I barely stop my drink from spilling and wonder what Ari does when this happens. Do men usually move so fast with her?

“Sorry,” he says and lifts his head. “I’ve wanted to do that to you since I saw you standing there, all sexy and alone.”

“You think I’m sexy?” My irritation is gone at his words. I’ve been called a lot of things, but never sexy! I’ve never had a real boyfriend, because most of them fear Daddy or are drawn in by Ari.

“Uh, huh. And you’re beautiful,” Robert says. He takes my free hand and twirls me around a few times.

I laugh. The worlds inside and outside of me are spinning, and I feel giddy.

“Short dress, that ass.” He wraps his arms around me as he talks and pulls my backside against his body. I can feel his arousal against my butt, and it’s a total turn on. “Makes me want to do all sorts of things to you.”

My heart beats hard. I’m not ready to lose my virginity to some drunk I just met, but I love the way his words make me feel. Mom told me of the special power a woman has on men, and I’ve watched her leave an entire room full of men drooling. So this is what it feels like to be as beautiful as her. I always envied her so bad.

I wriggle against him then laugh and move away. I love knowing he wants me – and I have no intention of letting him have me. I stumble again and my drink falls from my hand and lands near my feet, drenching my new shoes.

“Dammit,” I mutter.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, taking my arm.

“I dropped my drink.”

“Wait here. I’ll get you another.”

He doesn’t wait for me to agree, and I grin at his dark shape as he moves back towards the lighted area. He’s a gentleman. I’m not sure any of the guys Ari toyed with would go back for another drink.

As I wait, my eyes adjust to the darkness of the garden. What had been lumpy shapes in the poor lighting take form, and I see there’s a low hedge lining a cobblestone path lined with softly glowing bubble lamps. They look magical, like fireflies, and I’m quickly fascinated enough by them to stumble down the path. My ankle twists as my heel get stuck between stones. I don’t feel pain as my ankle flip sideways – I don’t feel anything at this point. It’s like I’ve slipped from being drunk into a dream.

I pull off my shoes and continue to walk.

I see a large fountain long before I can hear it over the blaring techno. My eyes can’t focus on whether the statue in its center is a man or a large fish. Or both? I blink, trying to make sense of it while alcohol confuses my senses.

My purse is glowing. I stare at it then realize it’s the cell inside. It’s even harder to unzip it this time, and I manage to pull free the phone. Ari has texted me like, a million times. The light of the phone is too bright for my eyes, and I can’t make out any of the fuzzy words. I put it back in my wristlet and sit on the edge of the fountain.

I love Ari to death, but I’m suddenly happy she’s not here with me. For once, I get to be the center of attention. I get the guy. Maybe this is the story I’ll tell my kids of how I met their father. At a party, where we kissed in a romantic garden and knew we’d one day be married.

I want a huge wedding. Daddy had the kind of connections that would get us famous celebrities. I want them there instead of stodgy politicians. Have I told him that? I can’t remember. Maybe when I tell him about Robert, I –

“There you are!”

Robert’s voice warbles, and he has two heads. I stand too suddenly and feel like my head is going to spin off.

“I got worried when I couldn’t find you,” Robert says and shoves a drink into my hand. He kisses me lightly and I lean into him, loving how warm he is. One of Robert’s heads separates and moves away, morphing into