My Sweet Punishment by Amelia Brooks (best book club books of all time .TXT) 📕

       The man reluctantly pulled his lips away from mine and looked in the direction where Mike was standing.

     “Do you see anyone else here besides my charming companion and me?” The man said it coldly. I tensed, but he only tightened his grip on my waist.

       “No... I don’t. I’m sorry again for interrupting you,” and Mike hurried out of the gazebo.

       We sat in the same position for a few more minutes. I was dumbfounded by what had happened, trying to catch my breath. Adrenaline was bubbling up inside me, and I slapped the man’s face without knowing what I was doing.

      Our proximity and the light from the moon, falling on half of his face, finally gave me a chance to take a closer look at the man. The first thing I saw was his eyes. I can’t say exactly what color they were. I might be wrong, but they seemed darker to me now than the night itself. And they looked at you as if they saw through you, mockingly burning your soul. Like the devil himself. The man had long eyelashes and thick eyebrows. I was staring into those extraordinarily beautiful eyes and forgot what position I was in and that I had just hit him.

      Even after that, he looked surprisingly calm. But this calmness was deceptive, as was the beauty of his eyes, which made me shiver. I thought he was going to hit me back or push me away. But he only opened his arms, allowing me to stand up.

     Taking advantage of the moment, I quickly got up and went like a shot out of the gazebo. And even if Mike was still standing there, I didn’t care. I’m afraid, the man who stayed in the gazebo could have been a lot more dangerous to me if he’d wanted to be. I hope the stranger didn’t get a good look at me. I don’t know why, but I don’t want to see him again. And those eyes and lips… I remembered the kiss. My lips were burning.

      In fact, the man saved me and I repaid him with a slap in the face.

      What have I done? I hope he doesn’t want to take it out on me. That’s it, Mia! This is the last time you're going out with Olivia.

      I don’t know how I did it, but I finally found a way out of the estate. Probably, side one. I quickly called a taxi. I won’t wait for Olivia. I don’t think she’ll be bored. Most likely that she has finally found her Henry Collins, and forgot about me happily, entertaining him.