She walked off to fix me something, so I turned on the stool, glancing around the bar. I didn't see my mysterious strangers. I didn't know why I expected them to be here at the same time I was either. I guess in my mind, everyone here remained in stasis, so to come back and not see the same people was poking cracks in my illusion. Disappointment filled me as I turned back around. Fortunately, the bartender was back with a drink. It was a different color from last time but looked scrumptious nonetheless.
"Here you go, try this. It's called an Apex."
She sat the drink down on top of a napkin and waited for me to try it. It was purple and looked pretty with the garnishes lying across it. Carefully, I picked it up and lifted it to my lips. What I thought was salt on the rim turned out to be sugar as it hit my tastebuds with sweetness before the cool liquid traveled down my throat.
"Mmm," I moaned. Her eyes dilated, flattering me even more. I wasn't attracted to females, but it was nice to be hit on by a beautiful woman , even if she did nothing for me below.
"You like?" she asked, all eager puppy-like.
"Yeah, I do, actually. It's perfect. Thanks…"
"It's Cami," she purred at my pause, leaning toward me over the bartop.
"Loren," I smiled.
"So, Loren. I know you don't swing my way, but what are you doing here all alone on a weeknight?"
"Oh, is it that obvious?" I chuckled.
"Only to me because I'm here most nights, and I'm going to school to be a psychologist. I read people's body language fairly well."
"Oh, that's interesting. I don't know what's allowed, but I'm a therapist myself."
"No shit! That's badass. So, what's your field of study?"
And that was how I spent the next hour at Climax. Cami was very energetic and friendly, and I instantly liked her. We talked about psychology and laughed at how she was an amateur therapist being a bartender, which was how she got into the field in the first place. There were some answers she dodged, and I wasn't sure why, but since I wasn't one to judge another person's need for secrets, I let it slide.
"Incoming," she proclaimed, a look of pain crossing her face.
"What? Who is it?"
"Mybrother, but please, don't hold that against me," she begged, making me laugh.
Why she thought I would hold it against her, I didn't know. She was one of the friendliest people I've ever met, and I liked that she didn't know anything about my past or who I'd been. She just knew this version of Loren, the slightly damaged, broken around the edges but perhaps fun, me. The fact she'd talked to me all night led me to believe she happened to like that version.
"Camster! What's up, sis?" an obnoxious voice shouted, and I immediately understood her previous statement. Well, you couldn't pick your family. My mom was a prime example. I wouldn't judge her based on him.
"Mason."
"Who's your friend?"
He had made it to the bar now and leaned close to me, his hot breath fanning across my cheek. Ew, gross, dude. Personal space was not a suggestion. Subtly, I leaned in the other direction, trying to get out of his, which, unfortunately, he didn't appear to notice or take the hint and just kept moving closer.
"You know she's into vags, right?" he slurred to me, "You need a real man to stuff you full," he panted. His eyes were dilated, but I could tell it wasn't from lust, but drugs. Mason's face had a ruddy hue to it, and he was sweating profusely. His hair wasn't anywhere near as gorgeous as his sister's, and he dressed like a wannabe gangster.
Mason was probably in his late twenties and had a decent body, but his breath reeked, and his conversation topics were awful. His dismissal and invalidation of his sister's sexuality were what really pissed me off though. My new friend's face fell at each of his comments, angering me even more.
Just as I was about to open my mouth and tell this bastard off for the things he was spewing, an arm dropped over me from the opposite direction. The scent of leather and ink with a touch of ginger filled me. My head was gently turned, and I was met by dynamic grey-blue eyes peeking out from the mask. His hair was short on top, a little curl on the ends, and shorn close to the sides.
"There you are, beautiful. Thank you for waiting for me. I'm sorry to have kept you, but it looks like Cami kept you company at least."
The sound of his voice wrapped around me and melted my insides as he stared into my eyes. I was speechless. All my words had left me. Nodding, I stayed entranced in his eyes, feeling that spark roar to life. This man had me feeling alive with his touch, his voice, and his eyes. My body was tingling from head to toe, and all I could think was I wanted more. Whatever he had to offer, I wanted to bathe in it.