Calling her the girl beside him would've been too generous. On his lap was far more accurate. In fact, with the way she was clinging to him, she looked one second away from climbing inside his mouth. Just then, because I had stopped dancing without realizing it, Feyza nudged me.
"What happened? Why are you this angry?"
"It's nothing. I'm going to the bathroom."
"Want me to come with you?"
"No need. I'll be right back."
When she nodded, I stopped a waiter to ask for the restroom and headed down the hallway he pointed to. Passing the girls fixing their makeup, I walked up to the sink. After washing my hands and checking my reflection in the mirror, I pursed my lips. I needed a little color. I turned to the girl beside me who was touching up her red lipstick.
"Can I borrow your lipstick for a second?" She smiled warmly and handed it over. After applying it carefully and giving it back, she waved a hand with a grin.
"Keep it. Consider it a gift." She winked. "Good luck."
I laughed, thanked her, and took a deep breath. Now I could dive headfirst into enjoying myself. When I stepped out of the restroom and returned to the girls who were still dancing, I snatched the tall glass from Feyza's hand and downed the entire drink in one go. Feyza stared at me in shock as I grinned playfully.
"You're too slow. I thought we came here to have fun."
The four of us screamed, danced, and jumped like maniacs. Whatever had been weighing on me earlier had completely evaporated. I was so caught up in dancing that I didn't even notice how many people had drifted away until the music slowed down.
One of the guys moved closer and started dancing with me. I gave him a quick once-over. Brown hair, light eyes, about ten centimeters taller than me, cute. When I couldn't spot the girls nearby, I assumed they'd gone upstairs to rest. I smiled back at him and kept dancing. A few seconds later, he leaned close enough for me to hear him over the music.
"I haven't seen you here before."
I leaned in toward his ear too.
"It's my first time. But you definitely come here a lot, judging by how you seem to know everyone."
"More or less. Even if I didn't come often, I'd still remember you."
"Why?"
"I haven't seen anyone else enjoy themselves as much as you do."
When the music slowed further and we didn't need to stand so close to hear each other, I smiled up at him. He leaned in again.
"My name's Can. What's yours?"
I was just about to answer when an arm wrapped around my waist and a harsh male voice growled behind me:
"Back off, Karakurt."
I didn't need to look to know exactly whose body I had just been yanked against. I'd recognize that terrifying tone anywhere.
"What's your problem, Dinçer?" Can didn't look nearly as cheerful as he had moments ago, but he was still calmer than Kerem.
"You heard me. Stay away from this girl."
Can shot me an amused glance before turning to Kerem with a meaningful smirk.
"If she's this important to you, you shouldn't leave your girlfriend alone."
I had to intervene.
"We're not dating."
The grip around my waist tightened. When I looked up at him, it was obvious he did not want me involved in this.
Great. Now I was stuck between two grown men engaged in a testosterone war.
Can laughed at the scene and pointed at me.
"Looks like she doesn't agree with you, Dinçer."
If one more person referred to me by my gender instead of my name, I was going to throw the first punch myself.
"Want me to explain my thoughts to you a little more… practically, Karakurt?" Kerem said.
When Can smirked and nodded, two guys built like bulls appeared at his sides out of nowhere. I stared at them in shock, but Kerem didn't look surprised in the slightest. He was still wearing that arrogant smile.
"I think my explanation will be much more thorough. What do you say?"
"I say think again."
Right then, I felt movement beside me. On my left stood Bora, next to him Demir, and next to Kerem was Rüzgar. I had no idea how they'd noticed there was a problem and come downstairs so fast, but the way they all stood, serious, solid, unblinking, made it very clear that I would never want to be in Can's position.
There was something about the energy Kerem and the others carried that boosted even my confidence, despite the fact that I had literally nothing to do with the situation. I straightened my spine, glared at the oversized tadpoles across from us, and apparently it worked, because Can's expression tightened as he looked back at Kerem.
"We'll meet again, Dinçer."
He turned and walked off. The moment he disappeared from view, I dropped the tough act and hopped excitedly in place, clapping my hands.
"Oh my God! I've never felt this cool in my life! I wish they hadn't run away, we could've had a little more fun!"
They all laughed and closed in around me as I giggled. Bora ruffled my hair.
"Yeah, you were super cool, sugarflake."
Demir pointed at me with a grin similar to Bora's.
"Someone definitely had too much to drink."
"Oh, come on! Didn't you think it was exciting?" Then I grabbed Rüzgar's arm enthusiastically. "Teach me how to glare like you! I want to look scary too. Please?"
He laughed and shook his head hopelessly. Kerem rolled his eyes and looked at the others.
"You guys go on and enjoy your night. I'll take this little one home."
As he hooked his arm through mine and supported me toward the exit, Nil walked over with a sly grin. She handed Kerem my bag and jacket and winked.
"I know you'll take good care of her, but call me if you need anything."
Kerem nodded and took them from her.
Once we left the club and reached the parking lot, he helped me into the car, then got in on his side and tossed everything onto the back seat.
"As if your outfit wasn't causing enough trouble, now you're drunk too. Unbelievable."
"I'm not drunk." He raised a brow in pure disbelief, so I added, "Okay… maybe a little tipsy. Just a little!"
He sighed and started the car. "Who knows how many coffees we'll need this time."
Laughing, I scooted closer and nudged his arm. "But we scared them pretty good, didn't we? I wasn't as impressive as you guys, but still… I did pretty well, right?"
He laughed, grabbed my shoulders, and gently pushed me back into my seat.
"Yeah, you were absolutely terrifying, little one."
Then he leaned over and fastened my seatbelt. As he pulled back, the soft scent of his cologne hit me, and I murmured under my breath:
"Nice perfume…"
He didn't pull away. Instead, he turned his face toward mine, so close that I lost track of whether it was the alcohol or the magnetic aura he'd had all night, but I wanted him to kiss me. Badly. When his gaze dropped from my eyes to my lips, I held my breath.
A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. He brought his eyes back to mine, still just as intense.
"You're drunk right now. And when I finally do what you're thinking about, I want you to remember every second of it, sunshine."