Settling The Score

Part 12

I lost all trace of time and place as his intoxicating scent wrapped around me.
A scent unique to only him, a mixture of allspice and something mouth-wateringly musky.

I'm quite sure if he wasn't pressed so close against me, my legs would have given in. He leaned in closer, his lips near inches away from mine.

My eyes closed out of their own accord. Just a few more seconds...

His deep laugh echoed through the room, instantly snapping me back to reality.

"Now, now Leslie. And here I thought you were the only girl unaffected by all my charm," he bellowed, his smirk near insufferable.

Slowly, ice began creeping up my veins by what had just happened.

What the hell?

No no no no no.

I was very much the only girl unaffected by this egotistical jerk. Only, I wasn't that unaffected, was I?

Taking my shocked silence as cue, as I rummaged through my thoughts, he leaned in a bit closer to whisper in my ear, "I told you I'd get back at you Carter, and trust me I'm just getting started."

He gave me one more infuriatingly smug look before slipping out the door.

That asshole! Who the hell does he think he is treating me like I'm one of his little groupies?!

I was enraged. No, enraged was putting it extremely mildly.

It was all my fault and I knew it. I knew precisely what he was, who he was, and still, I went with him tonight, saw another side of him, one I was so pleasantly surprised by that I followed him to this stupid party.

But the guy that just stood in front of me? That wasn't the guy I saw earlier this evening, the one who looked at the stars like they were miraculous, who made me laugh like I hadn't in ages.

It was like he was a different person, like he wanted to throw me off, show me that he has me right where he wants me. 

Was it all for show then? Everything that happened tonight? Everything he said...

I slumped back against the sink, trying to steady myself. 

You know what, it doesn't even matter. I knew what I was getting myself into. Let him believe what he wanted to believe. But, if he thinks he's won, well, I'd teach him why messing with Leslie Carter was a very, very bad idea. 

Screw him. He thinks he'll make me fall in love with him? Well, two can play at that game.

I knew how to switch off my feelings. And whatever allure I felt towards him, well, I could switch that off too, shove it far, far down with everything else I was so used to hiding from the world. And more importantly, from myself.

Needing some fresh air, I headed back downstairs. I found Bethany and Jenna still in the kitchen. Jenna seemed noticeably more sober, so we went to go stand in the entrance, getting a good view of the still grinding dancers.

In a far corner, I spotted Mason talking to some poor, unsuspecting girl. 

Perfect.

"I'll be right back," I said to Bethany and Jenna, a wicked smile on my lips.

Putting up the best prance I could muster, I stomped towards Mason. 

I slapped him as hard as I could, courtesy of the payback I owed him, before starting my ramble.

"I just finished talking to Ashley, Mason!" I shrieked, making sure my voice was uncharacteristically high. 

"Yeah, that's right! And she told me all about the-," I leaned closer, whispering loud enough for anyone in the vicinity to hear, "- the STD's you gave her! She wouldn't go into detail but, you pig!" I slapped him again. "And here she was thinking you were faithful to her!"