Necoma sighed and looked around the empty bar. Sounds of celebration drifted in from the streets. "I'm starting to really dislike Mardi Gras." She glanced over at Alyssa when she heard a gasp. "What?"
"That's blasphemous, Nicki. Don't let anyone else in the city hear you." She climbed up on the bar. "I wanna dance. Dance with me, Nicki." She motioned her friend up.
"This isn't Coyote Ugly. Get down."
She pouted before jumping down. She grabbed Nicki's hand and pulled her to an area clear of tables. "Dance with me."
"I don't think so. Why don't you go to Clouteel's?"
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. I'll close up early and blame it on Amy."
Alyssa grabbed her purse and headed for the door. "Later." She was brought up short by a man opening the door. "Oops. Sorry." She brushed past him. Stopping short outside, she turned to glance back at him. She craned her neck to watch him walk further inside. "Nice," she muttered before starting down the sidewalk.
Vin Diesel looked around the empty room. Glancing behind the bar, he noticed someone with her head in the cooler. His gaze skimmed down her jean-clad legs. "Are you closed?" A loud bang sounded from inside the cooler, along with curses. He smiled as the rest of the girl was revealed. "Sorry."
"No problem. I bang my head all the time," Nicki said sarcastically. She rubbed her head as she looked up. She felt her mouth drop open.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah. What can I get for you?" She lowered her gaze to see that everything was stocked.
"A beer." Vin sat on the closest stool. "Are you closed?"
"Sorta. Every body's on Bourbon Street, so the bars that way get more action." She placed a bottle in front of him. "Is this your first Mardi Gras?"
"Yeah."
"How do you like it so far?"
He smiled. "It's alright. A lot of drunken people."
"Mardi Gras at its finest." She leaned against the bar. "I'm Nicki."
"So, Nicki. What are doing after work?"
"More than likely going home and going to bed."
"You mean, you're not going to join the masses in getting inebriated and flashing your tits at perfect strangers for beads?"
She shook her head. "I'll leave that for the hordes of well-endowed tourists to do that. Been there, done that," she said under her breath.
*****
"How are you going to find Orlando in this crowd?" Beth yelled.
"I told him what we were wearing and that we'll be by the DJ," Amy yelled back. She looked over at her roommate. "That actually looks good."
"Right." She tugged on the plunging neckline. "It's hotter than hell in here."
"We'll go outside as soon as he gets here. There he is." She stood on her toes and waved. She turned around and placed a kiss on Beth's cheek. "Later," she said as she slipped into the crowd.
"Amy. Dammit." She sighed. She pushed her way through the crowd, slapping at a few guys who grabbed at her tits. "Hands off buddy."
Finally she made it to the open French doors. She stepped out into the cool night air and shivered slightly. A cape settled over her shoulders. Startled she looked over to see a man standing next to her. He bowed low, taking her hand.
"A lady should not be allowed to catch a cold." His lips grazed the back of her wrist. His brown eyes met hers. "Would you care for a walk in the garden?"
Beth smiled. "A lady should never be alone without a chaperon, especially with a pirate."
"You guessed." He gazed down at his costume.
"It's a fantasy of mine, to be ravished by an infamous swash buckler."
"Milady, be prepare to be consumed." He led her down to the garden. "Does my lady have a name?"
"Elizabeth. And yours?"
"John."
*****
Vin tossed back the shot and set the glass on the bar with the others. Nicki followed suit. He laughed. "You're actually meeting me shot for shot."
"This ain't nothin'. You should drink with Amy."
"And why's that?"
"She would probably put you under the table. Might even join ya," she mumbled.
"What was that?"
She shook her head. "We better get out of here before we drink anymore. Asher'll come in in the morning an' have a shit fit."
Pulling out his wallet, he tossed several bills on the bar. "That should take care of the damage."
She opened the register and slipped them inside. Stepping on the stool, she hopped up onto the bar. She twisted around. Before she could jump down, he moved between her thighs. She placed her hands on his shoulders. "I can't get down if you're standin' in my way."
He reached an arm around her waist while his fingers tangled in her hair at the nape of her neck. "Your accent is sexier than hell."
"It's not as thick as those from the bayous." She sucked in a breath when he stopped inches from her mouth. It whooshed out of her lungs as his cheeks grazed hers. He inhaled.