"Looks like you been abandoned, cher," said the man standing next to me at the bar.
"Yeah, it does. It's OK though, since she was telling me earlier how much she needed a man. Looks like she found a good one," I said, eyeing the muscular, well-dressed man in the purple and gold-fringed mask who was dancing with my best friend.
"What about you, do you need a man?"
I looked at him flirtatiously from under my lashes, "Well now, that would depend on the man, wouldn't it?"
He laughed and said, "Would you like to dance?"
Without waiting for an answer, he swept me into his arms and we began to slow dance to a tune I didn't recognize.
"This is a great song. What's it called?"
"Take My Hand by Wayne Toups," he answered. "He's pretty big around here."
He held me close but not too tight; close enough for me to see he had melted-chocolate eyes and soft brown hair. I could smell a hint of soap and some masculine fragrance I liked but couldn't identify.
After a few minutes of slowly circling the dance floor, he said, "I'm Chris, by the way."
"Nice to meet you," I smiled up at him. Even in my high heels he towered over me. "I'm Sally."
He leaned over and put his mouth close to my ear, causing me to shiver slightly.
"All you want to do is ride around Sally, ride Sally ride. Mustang Sally guess you better slow your Mustang down."
I rolled my eyes at him and he grinned sheepishly. "I guess you get that a lot, huh?"
"Actually I do drive a Mustang, so yes, I get it all the time."
"Really, what do you have?" he asked, his eyes lighting with interest.
"It's a '65 convertible with a high output 289. Cherry red."
"Sweet," he said approvingly.
"Do you drive one?" I asked.
"Used to, but now I have a motorcycle."
"Harley?" I questioned.
"No, a Ducati."
"A Duke," I said enviously, "those bikes are sexy as hell. Maybe you could take me for a ride sometime."
He grinned wickedly and said, "I would like to take you for a ride, cher." I caught his double meaning, and felt a blush rising but I didn't drop my eyes.
We smiled at each other companionably, feeling a connection made, and continued dancing. The song changed to something fast and loud and we reluctantly separated.
"Want a drink?" he offered.
I accepted the Dixie when he returned with it and we stood near the bar, watching the action on the dance floor.
"I'm hearing a little Cajun in your voice," I observed.
"Yes, I'm originally from Lafayette."
"I love that place! Been there a couple of times for the Festival International. I especially like the music and the food," I said enthusiastically.
"If you love Cajun music, you come down the street to my apartment and I'll play Jolie Blonde on the fiddle for you," he joked.
"Well, it's a lot more original than asking me up to see your etchings," I said dryly.
"And I make a mean crawfish etouffee, too," he continued.
"Mmmmm....mudbugs," I grinned.
I looked over in the corner to see that my friend Melissa and her masked stranger didn't look too much like strangers any more. She was draped across his lap and they were sharing a passionate kiss. I was pretty sure her hand was investigating the territory below his belt buckle.
"Where you from, cher?" Chris asked.
"I'm living in Houston now but I'm originally from Chicago."
"Oh, a Yankee girl," he said jokingly.
I intentionally deepened my drawl and batted my long eyelashes, "Well, my daddy's from Alabama so that only makes me half Yankee."
"Well that's all right then," he replied. His tone was serious but I could see those warm brown eyes smiling.
We chatted a while longer, discovering we had a lot in common, including a love of science fiction and classic rock music. In addition, we were both lawyers, so we spent an enjoyable half hour swapping stories about oddball cases we'd had over the years.
I noticed Mel disentangle herself from the man's embrace and head for the ladies room.
"'Scuse me," I said, "I'm going to check on my friend."
I followed her through the crowd to the bathrooms, ignoring several drunken invitations to dance, a lewd proposition, and two pinches on the butt.
"Mel, you OK? Um, how's it going?"
Face flushed, sherry-colored eyes sparkling, Melissa said, "Great. I like him a lot. He's a really good kisser."
"Yes, I can see that. You guys must be getting pretty good by now with all the practice you've been doing," I said dryly.
"He's in town with his job and has a roommate so we can't be alone at his place. Is it OK if I use our room for a while?"
Even though it was late and I was tired, I couldn't deny her. She'd been depressed lately over a disintegrating relationship and I hadn't seen her this animated in months.
"Sure, go ahead. It'll be like we were back in college. Just take the Do Not Disturb sign down when it's safe for me to come back. And BE CAREFUL."
"Sure, sure," she giggled like a teenager, gave me a big hug and rushed off.
I took a few minutes to repair my lipstick and comb my hair, critically surveying my satiny pink halter-top and black miniskirt. They still looked relatively fresh and unwrinkled, considering how long ago we'd left the condo. Then I rejoined Chris, who had ordered us another round.
"Well, it looks like I'm homeless for a while. Mel asked me to give her some quality time with her new beau and though I'm exhausted I just couldn't refuse."
"It would be my honor to keep you company, ma petite," Chris took my hand and kissed it. "Would you like to take a stroll down Bourbon Street?"
I agreed and we left the bar and began walking aimlessly, chatting and people-watching. After a half hour, my feet began to ache. When I mentioned it, he said he'd like another drink, so I started to look for a likely looking bar or restaurant. However, he motioned me toward a building a block off the main street with a sign in the window reading "Christopher Arceneaux, Attorney-at-Law".
"I live upstairs."
I gave him an arch look, "How convenient."
He laughed at me and said, "If you're not comfortable we can go back to a nice public restaurant."
"I can take care of myself," I said. "I have a second degree black belt and my boots are registered as lethal weapons." I gestured toward my stiletto-heeled black leather boots and continued, "So consider yourself duly warned, Counselor."
He smiled in acknowledgement and led the way up a narrow staircase. His apartment was small but charming, decorated in an understated masculine style.
"It's nice on the balcony, why don't you go sit out there while I get us a drink. Another beer?" he offered.
"No, I think I've had enough. I'd love iced tea if you have it or if not, water's fine," I said.
"Comin' right up, cher."
Stepping out onto the small balcony, I smiled as the smooth sax of David Sanborn came pouring from two small speakers mounted on the wall. Chris returned with two glasses of iced tea garnished with lemon and a sprig of mint. Instead of an iron table and chairs, he'd installed a swing, complete with fluffy striped cushions. He sat down next to me, idly pushing the swing with one foot as we watched the revelers who packed Bourbon Street spill down his small side street.