“You didn't bring me here to kill me, right?” I joke and he barks out a loud belly laugh that I wish I could bottle up and save.
“Babe, if I wanted you dead you would be dead. Now bring your fine ass over here.” He grabs my hand, lacing our fingers together. His large hands are callused around my small soft one, and my mind is reeling, sending signals to my brain, saying, ‘He is going to break your heart’.
But in my mind I’m also thinking,Is this for real?I have never felt so desired in all my life just by one look from this man.
We enter the bar and, as I assumed, it is a biker bar more or less. Jared gives a couple of head nods to some scary-looking men playing pool.
He ushers me over to a corner booth. He motions for me to slide in and I do. Instead of sitting directly across from me he scoots in next to me. With his leg touching mine and his arm resting towards the back of my seat, that’s when I start to feel hot all over. His dominance is overpowering in a way I never thought I would crave.
He makes me feel special. Like I’m the only person that matters to him in this very moment.
He smirks at me and waves the waitress over. This particular waitress looks to be fresh out of a strip joint with her boobs on display, crop top shirt, and shorts that show her ass cheeks. Literally. Her long blonde hair is set in soft waves and I instantly feel jealous when she makes direct eye contact with Jared. Her smile seems genuinely kind and Jared seems to know her well, which sends another pang through my chest.
Why am I acting like a jealous girlfriend? We just met. I shake my head to get out of my stupor.
“What can I get y’all?” she kindly asks. Wow, she even sounds pretty.
“I’ll take whatever is on draft. Babe, what do you want?” He turns towards me. But for some reason I keep looking at the waitress, waiting for this all to be a joke. Why would he think I would want to come here?
“Um…I’ll take the same,” I sputter, and she gives me a soft smile and sashays off.
“Hey, you okay?” He grabs my hand, kissing the back. I don’t want to be rude because this is obviously a place where he frequently resides.
“I’m okay, I’m just drained from class.” Which is a lie because school comes way too easily for me. I think he can tell I’m lying but he doesn’t call me out on it. Come to think of it, I’ve always been a shit liar.
“Who’s Stephanie?” I don’t hesitate, and his face stays neutral like my question is inconsequential.
“Stephanie is a whore that hangs out at the bar and sleeps with everyone. If she told you that we were together she’s lying.” I visibly swallow, because now he sounds irritated.
“Okay,” I reply, because what the hell am I supposed to say to that?
“What else do you do besides own this bar?” I ask him, changing this awkward subject and he looks the other way.
“Are you asking me if I do anything illegal?” He turns to face me and I blush.
“Listen, Erica, I like you. I know you are not used to this lifestyle, but I enjoy hanging out with you. I don’t want these women at the bar. They're not my type if that’s what you’re worried about,” he admits, and I sigh.
“Last night was one of the best nights I’ve had in a long time, and I’m not just saying that to get in your pants again.” Hesqueezes my leg and I have to close them to keep from tackling him and kissing the shit out of him in front of everyone.
“Mine, too,” I whisper, and he then leans in to kiss my lips. It’s a soft kiss at first then when his tongue brushes mine ever so delicately I whimper in his hold. His hand covers my cheek.
“Fuck, you taste so good.” He pulls back and licks his lips, looking at me with hooded eyes.
I notice our beers have been placed down. I didn’t even see her come back.
“My friend says you are trouble, in so many words.” I laugh then take a sip of my beer.
“Your friend has been misinformed.” He becomes serious again.
“I mean no disrespect. This is just a fling, I know. I’m teasing,” I rush out, afraid that I may have crossed the line.
“I don’t enjoy being judged by people who don’t know me. I know we rushed things the other night and I’m sure I may look like a player, but I’m not. Sure, more than one girl has tried to get with me and, yes, most were one-night stands, but no one has ever grabbed my attention quite like you did.” I flush crimson red.
“I don’t usually sleep with a guy I just met, and I feel cheap about doing so. But I don’t regret it.” I shrug.
“That’s because it was meant to be. That night was epic, babe.”
“It sure was.” I nudge his shoulder.