Megan
It’s dark in Central Park tonight, but the city skyline illuminates the path. The light of the buildings looks beautiful reflecting off the lake where we stroll. This path has been dubbed the Loop because it circles the perimeter of the park. There is an occasional pedestrian walking a furry friend that passes by us, but we have most of the park to ourselves tonight.
We leisurely take our time, with no agreed upon destination. We chat a bit here and there, but we mostly enjoy the silence of the night together, the peace and quiet a nice change to the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s calming, even if the man next to me makes my heart race.
I must be crazy to have agreed to this. John seems nice, and he’s certainly gorgeous, but I just met him! And yet, I willingly came to a dark New York City park alone with this man. Central Park has been getting safer over the last few years, but the insanity of my decision still shocks me because this man could be a murderer for all I know. He could be the Central Park Killer.
I assure myself that I am safe. The Central Park Killer, Robert Chambers, is in jail. I can’t help but replay the news clips in my mind. He and his girlfriend left a bar that night and came to the park for some down and dirty good times. Apparently, they were into some real rough sex, but Robert took it to a whole other level that night. He strangled her to death in the bushes, leaving her dead body behind, exposed and covered in bruises. Her naked form was found by a biker the next day.
The worst part is our legal system totally failed to do the victim any justice. Even though Chambers served his time, he still got a book deal about his life behind bars. Disgusting. Where’s the justice in that?
Anyways, I digress. John is not the Central Park Killer and I want to enjoy myself tonight. It started out awful, but now, I have a handsome man at my side, and we’re taking a peaceful walk through a lovely setting in the dark. Besides, I feel oddly safe with John. I barely know him, yet I get the feeling he would never try to hurt me. He seems like a genuine person, and even though we just met, I feel like he already really cares.
As far as any other people causing trouble in the park, I don’t think I have to worry about that either. I don’t know if it’s the calm, cool, and collected way John carries himself, or if it’s just his age and physique, but he doesn’t look like the kind of person that gets harassed very often. He’s gorgeous and huge, and his suit highlights his athletic physique. I’m sure he could defend me if needed.
Not to mention, the man emits a calming energy, the kind that makes you feel like everything is right in the world. I feel contented and peaceful, even though it’s strange to be walking in the park at night with a man I just met. It seems like fate, although I don’t want to be dumb about my situation either.
Lost in my thoughts, I step into a pothole and lose my footing. I trip sideways and into John, grabbing his arm for support. He quickly steadies me, and then slips his arm around my hips, helping me stand up once more.
I feel a spark of electricity shoot through my body at his touch. I suddenly feel more alive than I ever have. His energy seems to have shifted at this exchange too. Those blue eyes are intense, almost as if they’re glowing in the darkness.
“What do you say we find a nice place to sit down?” he asks in a slightly raspy voice. “I want to enjoy my night with a lovely woman. Not to mention, I don’t want to be held accountable for any twisted ankles. I did buy the second bottle of wine after all,” he says to me with a playful wink that makes me weak in the knees. I’m going to need to sit down if he keeps looking at me like that.
“That sounds like a great idea.”
He leads me to a grassy patch beside a large oak tree. He takes off his suit jacket and spreads it out on the lawn. I sit down and then lean back a bit, taking in the few dimly sparkling stars above the city sky. After a moment, I turn to find John sitting next to me, but he hasn’t been taking in the beauty of the night sky; he’s staring at me hungrily, as if ravishing me with his eyes.
I open my mouth to make conversation, but before I can get the words out, he gently presses his lips to mine. His mouth is sensuous, mobile, and gentle as I sigh. Of my own accord, my arms slip around his strong neck, and he lowers me to the grass. It feels right to be beneath him, and I know our night has just begun.