The XOXO New Adult Collection: 16 Full Length New Adult Stories (315 page)

Making her way to the car, Karma brushed the dog hair off the front of her skirt before pulling open the door and sliding in.

“At least you got her quickly this time,” Eva said with a laugh.

Karma didn’t bother to reply; she just laid her head back on the headrest.

“You left your purse on the top of the car.”

“Of course I did.” With a groan, she opened the door and grabbed her purse.

“Nice outfit,” Eva said approvingly. “Let me guess, you asked your dad what to wear?”

“Of course,” Karma said as she turned to take in Eva’s look for the night. She scrunched up her nose. “What in the world are
you
wearing?”

“A dress.” Eva put the car in drive and took off down the road.

“Obviously, but why in the world are you wearing a polka-dot dress with a collar to a club? It looks like something from the fifties.”

“Hey, I’m not the one that has trouble getting laid. I can pick up a man perfectly fine no matter what I’m wearing.”

“Great, rub it in.” Karma threw her head back against the headrest again.

The drive into the city took well over an hour, so they chatted about school and listened to music. Karma let her mind wander. She hoped they really would find the perfect guy for her. She could picture him clearly in her mind: tall, blond, smart, with the chiseled face of a Greek god.

Eva leaned forward and turned down the radio. “Are you sure you want to go through with this? It’s okay if you don’t want to.”

“Yes, I’m sure. Stop asking, you sound like my father.”

“Just making sure, it’s kinda a big deal.” Eva flicked her blinker and pulled into one of those paid parking lots. They parked and jumped out of the car.

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

“I hope we don’t have to walk too far. These shoes are already pinching my toes,” Karma complained as they made their way to the machine to pay.

“It’s not far.”

“Good,” Karma mumbled, looking around. All she saw was a bunch of warehouses. No neon lights shouting
club
in sight. She didn’t really know her way around the D.C. area too well. Her father had an office there, but she had only been there a handful of times.

“Come on.” Eva linked her long bony arm through Karma’s and pulled her along. “Do you have your fake ID on you?”

“Of course. Do you have a condom on you? I meant to ask you to stop at the drugstore.”

Eva laughed and rummaged through her purse. “Here, take three. You never know...”

Karma grabbed the condoms and tossed them in her purse. “Thanks.”

“So, what kind of guy do you want for your first?”

Shrugging, Karma said, “No idea. I guess I’ll know him when I see him.” She didn’t need to make herself sound more pathetic by describing the man of her dreams.

“What kind of guys do you even like?”

Karma shrugged again. “I don’t really have a type, per se.”

“Everyone has a type. Geeks, beefcakes, nice guys, emo, jocks, straight-laced, pretty boys, must I go on?”

“Yeah, yeah, I just don’t know which type is my type. I guess a good-looking clean-cut guy always works.”

“Boring,” Eva said, rolling her eyes.

“Hey, you’re the one that’s pushing me into the corner. I like guys who make me laugh, are protective, and have an IQ in the triple digits.”

“Good Lord, you don’t ask for much, do you?”

“Whatever, we’re not here looking for my future husband. We’re looking for a hot guy to take me back to his place and have his way with me.”

“Now
that
we can handle, that’s what I like to hear.”

“We’ll see. I’m not holding my breath.”

“Think positive. What you put out into the universe comes back in abundance.”

“Now you sound like my loon of a mother.”

“It’s true,” Eva said simply with a shrug.

“Okay, I’ll try to think positive. Tonight the glass is a half-full sort of night.”

“That’s my girl.” Eva squeezed the hand that was laced through her elbow.

They turned down a dimly lit narrow side alley and Karma started to get concerned. It didn’t seem like a smart place to be at night, but she kept her thoughts to herself. Muffled footsteps followed behind them and Karma’s heart rate sped up. Of course there would be footsteps. They were probably going to the same place they were. It was a club, after all.

Up ahead she saw a door open, and a couple of people slipped inside.
That must be the place
. Karma had never been to an underground club before and was getting excited. Even if she didn’t get her cherry popped tonight, this could be pretty fun.

When they reached the door, Eva tapped on it four times in rapid succession, followed by a pause and two more taps. The door swung open.
Cool.

Karma’s breath caught in her throat and she froze where she stood staring at tall, dark, and delicious. Seriously, it felt like time had stood still. The sort of moment she’d read about in romance novels.

A tall, muscular bouncer covered in tattoos, with inky black hair that looked a little too shaggy, a strong jawline, and the palest blue eyes Karma had ever seen gave them a once-over. He exuded self-confidence, masculinity, and perhaps a hint of danger.

“IDs.” His voice was deep and sent a shiver down her spine. She had a feeling he would never be caught in a situation he could not control. She envied him for that.

With a quick cursory glance at the front and back he handed them back. “Have fun,” he grunted.

“You too,” Karma said. She forced a smile and grabbed her ID from his huge hand. She was surprised to realize her fingers were trembling.

“Would it kill him to smile? Why do jerks have to be so freaking hot?” Karma mumbled as she walked away.

“Heard that,” the bouncer said in a deep, smooth voice.

Eva nudged her with her elbow, her eyes wide.

Karma shrugged and turned back, waving while flashing him a smile before they pushed through the large double doors. He really should lighten up.

They walked through a long, narrow, dimly lit hallway and then through yet another side door. Techno music hit her immediately, throbbing throughout her body making her want to move to the music. Karma wasn’t exactly the best dancer, but she didn’t care. It was fun to lose herself in the music.

A long line snaked around black velvet ropes to keep the mob of people in order. How had Karma not heard about this place before? Obviously, Eva was way more hip than Karma had given her credit for. And she’d been holding out on her.
Not cool.

They waited in line for at least twenty-five minutes, slowly inching forward. Karma and Eva scanned the crowds, looking for anyone who might possibly catch Karma’s eye. There were a lot of Goth kids. For some reason, she couldn’t see her first sexual encounter being with a guy who wore more eyeliner than she did. Karma turned to talk to Eva, but she was already flirting with a guy in leather pants, chains around his neck, and a lip piercing. That girl moved fast.

When they finally stepped through the door, it was as if they walked into another world. Black strobe lights circled the room. Dry ice caused smoke to swirl around them. Karma took in the bodies pressed together on the dance floor, and smiled to herself as her eyes adjusted to the lights. So many scents filled Karma’s nose it was almost overwhelming—perfumes, colognes, sweat, alcohol, and smoke. Oh yeah, tonight was going to be fun.

Eva grabbed her by the hand and pulled her out on to the dance floor.

––––––––

“I
need a drink,” Karma yelled over the music into Eva’s ear. A bead of sweat rolled down the side of her face; she wiped it away. The club was warm with all the bodies pulsing together. So far, no luck finding a potential one-night stand—maybe she really was too picky. Or maybe she should just buy a chastity belt and accept her fate.

Eva nodded and pulled Karma off the dance floor, and they shoved their way toward the bar. They had to squeeze to get a spot. The bartender was all over the place, so they had to wait a few moments before they got her attention. “Vodka with cranberry please,” Karma yelled.

The bartender, a tall, slender woman, looked toward Eva with a raised eyebrow.

“Just a coke for me, I’m driving.”

Karma rolled her eyes. “You could have one drink. I’m sure we’ll be here for a while.”

Eva shrugged and turned around leaning against the bar. “I don’t like to drink at all when I drive, it’s not worth the risk. What about that guy out there with the short blonde?”

“Practically every guy out there is with a blonde. You are going to have to be more specific than that.”

“Straight ahead, you can’t miss him. He’s the tall one with short dark hair, leather pants and vest.”

“You lost me at leather pants.” Karma picked up the drink the bartender had set down, and Eva handed the woman money.

“Fine. What about the guy with glasses four down sitting at the bar? Is he straight-laced enough for you?”

Karma let her eyes wander down the row. He was wearing a white button-down shirt and his eyes were cast down at his drink so she couldn’t get a really good look. But so far he was the only option. “Not bad, he could work. He’s definitely cherry-popping material.”

“Well, go talk to him. I’m going to find that hottie I was talking to earlier. Text me if you need me.” Eva didn’t wait for her to respond before she blended in with the dance floor. Karma stared in disbelief.
A little help would have been nice.

Great.
Karma downed her drink and yelled for another. One more drink and then she would have the courage to talk to him. She peeked over again. The guy was still sitting there staring into his glass. It appeared as if he were alone. Maybe it wouldn’t be as bad as she thought. It’s not like she was shy or anything. She just wasn’t sure how to approach the subject. Did she just blurt it out or see if he suggested going back to his place? Why hadn’t she talked this over with Eva? The bartender slid her drink across the counter, and Karma grabbed the cool glass, enjoying the sensation. It felt really good in the heat.

“Thanks,” Karma mumbled and handed the woman money. When she gave her change back Karma dropped it into the tip jar.

With the second drink, she took her time, rather than chugging it down like the last one. Maybe part of her was hoping the guy would get up and leave. That way, she wouldn’t have to go through with it. But when she finished he was still sitting there. Karma sighed, ran her hands down her skirt, and pushed through the crowd toward the stranger. She could do this. After all wasn’t that what people did at clubs, hook up?

Positive thoughts
;
tonight would be the night.

People sat on either side of him so Karma edged her way through until she was squished between him and a twiggy dark-haired girl. The girl gave her a dirty look, but Karma ignored her, turning to face the guy.

“Hey,” Karma said. He really was rather cute. Light brown hair that fell into his eyes, aquiline nose, but the glasses were what really drove her crazy. Seriously, was there anything sexier than a hot geek? No, there wasn’t.

The guy didn’t even look up from his drink. She nudged him. “I said hey. That’s your cue to turn and show how smooth you are with the ladies.”

He didn’t even glance up. “Not interested.”

“Not interested?” Karma huffed. “You didn’t even look at me.”

“I’m not here to hook up.” Now his eyes met hers, never leaving her face. What good was a push-up bra if he didn’t even look down?

“If you’re not here to hook up what the hell are you here for? It doesn’t look like it’s for the music.”

He shrugged and looked back down at his drink. “My fiancée and I used to come here a lot.”

Seriously? His ex? “Oh, so you’re here to wallow in self-pity because she broke your heart?”

“She died.” He took a swig of his drink and slammed the glass back down on the bar.

Karma felt like someone punched her in the stomach. How could she be such a bitch? “Oh, wow, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t expecting that.”

“No one was. We were supposed to get married next week.”

“I don’t know what to say,” Karma said softly. She doubted he even heard her over the music. He raised his hand, and the bartender brought him another drink.

“Are you driving?” Karma asked, concerned.

“Nah. I’ll grab a taxi home.”

“Oh, okay. Sorry I bothered you. My comment was out of line.”

He didn’t respond. She stood there awkwardly for about ten minutes before texting Eva.

Not available.

Gay?

Nope. His girl recently died.

Ouch.

Yeah, that’s what I said.

That sucks.

I think he wants to be alone. He hasn’t said a word in ten minutes. Where are you?

Meet me in the bathroom.

K

“Damn, girl, you really do have bad luck with guys.” Eva dried her hands with a paper towel.

“I think this time it’s the guy who had bad luck. I can’t even imagine.” Karma leaned in and applied more lip gloss. She kept seeing the guy’s sad eyes in her mind. She felt like such a slug for making that comment, even though she didn’t know, but still. Talk about insensitive.

“Me either. Especially so young, that’s rough.”

“They were going to get married next week.”

“That’s ultra depressing.”

They stood there in silence for a few moments letting the information sink in. It’s sobering to be reminded that at any moment, life can be taken from you without notice. Or even with notice. Karma didn’t know which would be worse.

“We should get back out there,” Eva said.

“Did you find your guy?” Karma asked.

“Not yet. This place is a madhouse. But there is plenty of eye candy while I search for him.”

“Yeah, it’s really packed. You might not be able to find him.”

“Well, let’s go find the next poor sod you can try to take advantage of.” Eva was always mixing up phrases from other countries. She’d traveled extensively as a child, since her dad was a Foreign Service officer.

“I don’t know. I feel weird now. It seems so silly after talking to that guy. I mean he’s dealing with the loss of the woman he loved. I’m whining about being a virgin. Kinda puts it in perspective. You know?”