The smoky air fills my nose and smells like sweet tobacco and spicy deception. The combination was so good that I took another deep breath before turning my head to the room.
Music beat slowly with a dragging rhythm that set the calm mood perfectly. Women in short skirts with even shorter morals twirled their daringly short hair between dirty fingers. They speak in shallow whispers, exciting the men around them for a treat as they sip contraband liquor from spotted cups. The men all keep to a straight face to the women but we know how they feel. The desire perspires from their skin so that it coats the air. Thugs, criminals, and prostitutes dwell in the small room with only one door guarded fiercely by a tall man no one wants to mess with.
They are my family. And this speakeasy, my home. I know all of the people in the room by name and don't have the faintest idea why or how I know them.
I look down at myself and see the tightest and shortest red dress I have ever worn. My legs are covered in fishnet stockings and ice pick heels hugged my feet. I brushed my short brown hair behind my ear, worn shorter than I would normally wear it. I fit in with the other flappers with my dress; I was one of them.
I rose from my stool at the bar and as I took a few steps, my arm was grabbed and I fell into someone's lap. A girly squeal escaped my lips before I could stop it and my arms wound around the neck of the owner in an instinctive move.
"Cherry, baby. When you gon' let me taste how sweet you are?"
Cherry? Who was Cherry?
The man under me was old enough to be my father as he smiled at me and ran his hands over my waist. Something in his eyes made me feel comfortable and not mind his not-so-secret come on.
"Now Eddie, you know the rules. I'm an independent woman and its Lady's Choice. You're just too sweet for me and I don't think my teeth can take it."
He laughed a full robust laugh that warmed his face and put a twinkle in his chestnut eyes. In a whispering voice he said, "So who does this lady have her eyes set on?"
As soon as he said it, the guard at the door stepped aside and made my way for another member. The crowd quieted it's already secretive murmur to see who it is.
The black fedora covered his eyes in shade and his well fit pinstripe suit had the collar up to cover his face, but everyone knew who it was. One girl strolled up in her black skirt, swishing her hips and smiling brighter than the fire burning in the hearth. Ginger strode next to him and curled her body into his.
"Nathaniel, it's been a while since you've come to the Gatsby. Looking for a little companionship?" She ran her brightly painted fingertips over his chest and his smile peered over the upturned collar. "Maybe I am. But you're a little too spicy for me, Ginger." His eyes wandered a bit as he tilted his head and scanned the room. When they rested on me, my heart skipped a beat and arms around Eddie tightened. Nathaniel said, "I'm looking for something a little sweeter." Before patting her cheek and walking over to the bar.
I felt Eddie's breath on my ear as he said, "Easy, Cherry. You need to play 'hard to get' a little harder. The men pay for the hunt as much as the prize at the end."
I composed myself and smiled at Eddie. "You don't need to worry about me, sugar. You know better than anyone here that I'm the sneakiest prey in the jungle."
He kissed my cheek and said, "Oh, I know. But that man right there is one of the best hunters in the jungle I know. He chooses his prey wisely. Be careful with that one." He patted my bottom companionably and I stood up from his lap. He grabbed his scarf and hat before saying goodbye and leaving through the back door.
Nathaniel took off his hat and rested it on the bar next to a glass of beer. His dark hair was combed just right, letting it curl behind his ears with a few strands falling over his eyes. Those eyes were deep blue pools, hypnotic to stare and wonderment to my own. I was staring at him. He smiled and I cleared my throat before he tipped his head back. The signal for me to come over.
I hesitated for a minute. Nathaniel is desired deeply among all of the flapper girls here at the Gatsby and he never asks for one. He has been a game between us girls who will get him first. It would make everyone jealous if they knew that I've been the winner for a few weeks, but every time we're together it's new, fresh, exciting- and completely secret. And falling in love with him was the most dangerous thing in the world for me to do.
Nathaniel is dangerous. I don't know much about him but I know he must be dangerous. He carries himself in a cocky manner and has been known to associate himself with the most dangerous and slickest of characters. It's still a mystery how he knew about our elite gathering.
I put on my best smile and walked my best walk towards him. My desire for him deeply concealed and channeled to work him as we were meant to. My body knew what he could give me and waited patiently. Like the prey of a deadly animal. "Evenin', stranger. Buy me a drink?"
He signaled to the tender and said, "Whatever the lady wants." Without moving my eyes from his I asked for a brandy. "That drink has a strong kick for such a little lady. Sure you can handle that?"