CHAPTER TWELVE

As I watched Kaelen walk away, I couldn't help but feel a sense of confusion and disappointment. What had just happened? What had come over me? I felt stupid.

Kaelen was very attractive. He was tall, dark hair, darker eyes. Not full of muscles but they were there. No tattoos (that I could see anyway). I had come to Crimson to get away from the stifling walls of my cottage. I really didn't know anyone in LA. I had been here once before. Some creep in a suit wouldn't leave me alone. And then he was gone.

I had felt weird the past week. It was like there were invisible eyes boring into me. So tonight, I had to get away from that. I had hoped to find some solace in the crowded club, but instead, I found myself drawn to Kaelen.

His words still echoed in my mind, "Loneliness is a dangerous thing, Ellie. Luckily, there are ways to combat it." I couldn't help but feel like he saw right through me, like he knew my deepest desires and fears.

As I made my way back to my Cottage, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I had just met someone who was both dangerous and intriguing. I didn't know what to make of Kaelen, but I knew I wanted to see him again.

The next day, I received a text message from an unknown number. "Meet me at Crimson tonight. I have something to show you." It was Kaelen. I hesitated for a moment, but my curiosity got the better of me. I agreed to meet him.

When I arrived at Crimson, I saw Kaelen standing by the bar, nursing a drink. He looked up as I approached, and his eyes lit up. "Eleanor," he said, his voice low and seductive. "I'm glad you could make it."

As I walked towards Kaelen, I couldn't help but feel a flutter in my chest. I was dressed in a lilac-colored dress and black flats, my brown hair cascading down my shoulders and back. Kaelen, on the other hand, looked young and alluring in his simple white t-shirt, faded jeans, and sneakers. He didn't look like he could own the nightclub that was Crimson, but there was something about him that drew me in.

He ordered me a drink from the bartender, who was a stark contrast to Kaelen. The bartender was tall, muscular like a brick house, and covered in tattoos. Kaelen, however, looked young, maybe 23, and definitely too young to own the place.

When the bartender handed me my drink, "Thank you, Dimitri." Then Kaelen looked at me with his dark eyes and said, "There's a more private area we could sit, so we can talk and get to know each other better." He held out his hand, and I took it nervously.

We made our way through the crowd and up a curved staircase to a room that was tucked away. There were no doors, just huge velvet red curtains adorned with black ties holding them open.

Kaelen brought me to a table, and we sat down. I noticed that the aesthetic here was the same as in the rest of the club. Everything was red and black with accents of gold. It was a bit darker in this room, but Kaelen was right, it was much quieter.

"So, Ellie, tell me about yourself," Kaelen said, his voice low and seductive.

"Well, there's not much to tell. I'm from a small town. I don't know many people here, and I've been feeling a bit lonely," I replied, taking a sip of my drink.

"Loneliness is a dangerous thing, Ellie. Of course, I could help fix that problem." Kaelen said, his eyes never leaving mine.

I felt like he saw right through me, like he knew my deepest desires and fears. I couldn't help but feel drawn to him, like a moth to a flame.

"What do you mean?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"I mean that sometimes, all it takes is a little bit of companionship to cure that loneliness. And I think I could be that companion for you," Kaelen said, his hand reaching across the table to take mine.

I felt a jolt of electricity run through my body at his touch. I didn't know what to make of Kaelen, but I knew I wanted to see him again.

"I'd like that," I said, smiling at him.

Kaelen returned my smile and raised his glass. "To new companionship," he said, and I clinked my glass to his.

Kaelen had a glint in his eyes. The way he looked at me should have made me uncomfortable, but instead, I felt at complete ease with him. He looked at me like I was the most delicious meal he had ever seen. It flattered me. The way his eyes swept over my face, hair, neck, and body, I felt this pull towards him that I couldn't explain.

I had only just met him recently. He smelled good too. Like cinnamon and... iron. It was an odd but good combination. There was something else about Kaelen. His eyes. They were mesmerizing. They looked black, must be a trick of the lighting, but they sucked me in. I felt hypnotized by the intensity of his gaze.

"You look completely delicious in that dress."

I blushed at his comment and flirted back, "Well, you don't look so bad yourself, Kaelen."

He leaned in closer, "I'm glad you think so, Ellie."

I couldn't help but feel like he was hiding something, but I couldn't put my finger on what it was. I decided to push that thought to the back of my mind and enjoy the moment.

"So, tell me about yourself. How did you end up owning a place like Crimson?" I asked.

He hesitated for a moment before answering, "I've always had a passion for music and entertaining people. I saw an opportunity to create something special, and I took it."

His answer was vague, but I didn't push the matter. I was content just being in his presence.

As the night went on, Kaelen and I continued to talk and laugh. I felt like I had known him for years, not just a few hours. There was something about him that was both comforting and exhilarating.

As the night came to an end, he walked me to my car.

"I had a great time tonight, Ellie. I'd love to see you again," Kaelen said, his hand gently brushing against mine.

"I'd like that," I said, smiling up at him.

Kaelen leaned in and kissed me gently on the lips. It was a soft, lingering kiss that left me wanting more.

As I drove home, I couldn't help but think about him and the connection we had. I didn't know what the future held, but I was excited to find out.