ANCHOR DOWN (Pedro Pascal x OC)

CHAPTER FIVE

This wasn't a date, this wasn't a date, this wasn't...

Katie stopped repeating the self-made mantra inside her head as soon as she saw Pedro approach her through all the various people on the footway, as if a spotlight was highlighting him in the crowd. He looked incredibly handsome, therefore Katie had to concentrate to keep her mouth shut and not agape like a fish, staring at his beauty. At work he would always wear jumpers or plain t-shirts and Katie hadn't been able to imagine him wearing something like this. His shiny, impeccable white dress shirt combined with black jeans suited him so well, he looked like a model coming from a Dior photoshoot.

"Hi," he smiled when he finally reached her, without hesitation he pulled her close into a short, but warm hug.

Katie already struggled to find the right word to greet him, so she stuck with "hey.", feeling her cheeks blush brightly red at the intense stare of his deep brown eyes and the adorable smile of his.

Pedro seemed to have a plan in mind for the night, starting with dinner in a nice, plain Italian restaurant. He explained the choice of location by knowing the owner and his wife since he first came to New York many years ago. Katie enjoyed hearing some bits of his life story and was quickly able to develop and allow an affectionate feeling to wrap around her heart, painting the first impression of him in a completely different colour. He was indeed a genuinely cheerful, empathetic man with a great sense of humour.

Katie had never guessed she would open up to him so fast, seeing as men had a rather unwelcoming effect on her recently, but his playful yet trustworthy character somehow persuaded her to commit some of her deepest feelings, thoughts and desires to that man. Of course she would keep some things, the really serious stuff, for herself- that wasn't something he should be forced to deal with on a first non-date. Katie would save that for her therapist.

After dinner, Pedro insisted to take her out to a club. Katie felt fairly insecure about the change of situation- a club would mean noise, lots of people and less intimacy.

"Oh, come on!" Pedro's natural sense of motivation was admittedly powerful and there was no possible way for Katie to decline. "The night is still young! And so are we," Pedro winked, linking one of his strong arms with hers. She smiled with a sigh and let him drag her with him. He seemed determined to show her a certain bar or club in Manhattan, as he told her it was his favourite and he always visited it with friends to have a good time. He promised Katie she would love it.

And to her surprise- she did. Which wasn't due to the club itself, of course Katie loved and enjoyed Pedro's presence, who was further on fun to be with. They drank, danced, giggled and messed about- Katie was positive she hadn't had such a good time in ages. Every time his hand found its way around her waist she would jump from an non existent electric jolt going through her whole body. Although she would tell herself that she wasn't at all attracted to him, her body proved her otherwise all night long. Katie couldn't take her eyes off him, regardless of what he was saying or doing. He was a magnet and she was the metal*.

"Can you dance salsa?" The Whiskey smell in Pedro's breath was unmistakable but he seemed more sober than Katie when he stood very close to her and guided her into a dancing position.

"No!" Katie exclaimed through the upbeat Latin music that was suddenly playing, but Pedro was already moving along and didn't take that for an answer. Katie's feet were faster than her brain and she nearly tripped over her own feet, thankful for the darkness in the club. If it wasn't for Pedro holding her, she would've landed on her bum right there. The gentle, comforting feeling of being tipsy soothed her, though, so she felt like being in her comfort zone again. The ever-present smell of Pedro's cologne and the warmth of his big hand on her lower back made her particularly nervous, so she was glad her blood alcohol level was steadying her confidence. As long as their body contact wouldn't increase any further, Katie was on the safe side.

Luckily for her, the music retained it's cheerfulness so there wasn't any danger of sliding into slow dance. At least that was what Katie thought.

Wrong.

Pedro didn't waste any time, instead he tightened his grip around her so their chests were touching, flush against each other. Katie's eyes went wide at the sudden change of position and closed her eyes, desperately focusing on stabilizing her breathing rhythm. Pedro's scent was now coating her whole body, as were his arms around her frame along with the strange, unexpected feeling of sexual tension. As if her lungs weren't able to process all the air anymore, Katie suddenly felt out of breath, feeble, similar to being exhausted after a twenty mile run.

"You alright?" Pedro's whispered words against her temple made her shiver, in a particularly negative way. She felt trapped, claustrophobic, suffering from the urge to flee out of the situation instantly. Gently, as gentle as her emotions would allow it, she pulled away from Pedro.

"Yeah, I... I need the loo," she muttered, her voice apologetic regarding the disappointed frown on his face. Pedro simply nodded and removed his hands, not without brushing his fingertips along her naked arms.

Katie left for the bathroom.

When she came back, Pedro was already waiting for her with his jacket on, handing Katie her coat.

"Let's get you home."

They walked side by side through the chilly night air of New York City, the awkward tension between them was palpable. Katie bit the insides of her cheeks, racking her brain for something to say to make the tension go away.

"I had a great night. I really did," she revealed, looking up at Pedro with a smile. He chuckled, appreciatively wrapping his arm around her shoulders.

"Me too. A wonderful night."

Katie lay in bed thirty minutes later, reminiscing the past night, when a message from Pedro appeared on her phone screen.

Why can't I get you off my mind?

Katie's very first reaction was a broad smile, followed by goosebumps pleasantly covering her skin. Then, honestly not knowing what to reply to a somewhat rhetorical question like that, she decided to shut the lights and also her eyes for now. Tomorrow, she would have enough wit and confidence to find the right words.