Authors Note: This is my first attempt at the "Erotic Horror" section of Literotica. It was an idea I had been toying around with for a while but could not find a fitting category at the time. I think this story brings up two good points. 1) The past always catches up to you and 2) No matter how messed up you think you are, there is truly someone out there for each of us.
As always your votes and feedback are greatly appreciated and welcomed.
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Liam heartily gulped the last of his ale as the gathering of regulars in the tavern started the thin.
“Ye are tryin’ tae kill me, lass.” He slurred as the barmaid tried to fill his tankard again. “Just take me damned money an’ let’s call it a night.”
The somber faced lady nodded and took the coins, though still she stayed near as if this was a nightly ritual and the drunkard changed his mind often. Clearly she cared not for the young man, as few did in these parts.
“May the devil cut off yer head an’ make a days work of yer neck.” She muttered under her breath in her thick Irish tongue.
The Irishman, though uncommonly easy on the eyes, once again appeared to be leaving alone. It was very rare that anyone accompanied him. A handful of ladies sat with their intended and never gave the handsome sable haired man more than a glance.
"Strange." He had heard them call him more than once.
Liam gathered his few belongings from the bar top and slowly he rose, staggering to the side a bit. The walk home would be slow and challenging, he knew this considering he felt like a slobbering fool and was not even to the entrance of the establishment.
Before the intoxicated man could reach the door entirely, a figure in the far corner of the room caught his eye. It was a woman sitting alone in a shrouding of partial darkness and shadow. She wore a deep hooded cloak of rich midnight velvet, and had no tankard or meal on the table in front of her.
Liam thought it odd indeed. In his drunken state he roused rare courage and slowly made his way towards the lone figure.
“Excuse me, lass. Why do ye sit alone here?” He asked her politely while trying not to slur.
The woman gave him no answer. Raising her head she glanced up at him, only offering a half smile in response.
Liam backed away slightly. There was something familiar about this woman, though he could not quite place her. The slight curve of her one sided smile struck a chord of discomfort deep within his belly. For a moment he could have almost mistaken this alcohol induced emotion as fear.
The eyes that met his own were like that of fiery emeralds in the sun, large and rounded with a feline quality. The few curly, ebony tendrils of hair that spilled against her pallid cheekbones were as dark and lustrous as the velvet cloak she wore.
This stranger was one of the most intriguing women he had ever had the pleasure of casting an eye upon. Even so Liam was growing increasingly uneasy.
“May I buy ye a drink, fair lady?” He offered, expecting fully to be shot down by the raven haired beauty.
“Aye. I would like that.” She said softly. “Forgive me fer being rude. Please, join me.” Two pale hands rose as her long, slender fingers pushed back the hood and it fell against her shoulders.
The barmaid rolled her eyes as Liam motioned for her and ordered two more ales.
“I am Liam. Thank ye fer letting me join ye this eve.” He reached for her hand in a gentlemanly fashion, pressing a feathered kiss against the back of it. “It is nae usual fer me tae approach a woman. I am a lil’ shy, lass. I fear that mi’ bravery is only the result of far too much ale.” The handsome young man chuckled lightly and shot her a nervous smile.
“I am nae offended, in fact I had been admiring you. I am glad ye gathered ‘nough courage tae approach. Ye can call me Maura.” She beamed at him with those radiant eyes.
With that brief introduction, the two proceeded to talk for hours. Liam gradually became more comfortable around Maura. Her beauty was almost hypnotic. The young Irishman found himself fascinated merely by the slender, graceful curve of her ivory neck. There was an unexpected stirring in his loins that began to flower into a brimming lust. Yet still, Liam was careful not to even touch her hand.
This woman was so different and special from all the other women he had met in past years. Besides being beautiful, she was kind and intelligent. He did not want to hurt her in any way, not now or in the future.
“Maura, you look familiar. Have ye been in this tavern before?” He finally got up enough courage to ask.
“Aye. I came tae this tavern only once before this night, though t’has been a long while back. I dunnae normally venture out tae such places.”
Liam simply nodded. It was possible that he could have been in one of his drunken stupors the particular night in question, admiring her though choosing to keep to himself. This was the only explanation for the feeling of deja vu that still hung over him like a thick cloud.
Only the two remained in the tavern now as the barmaid cleaned the tables and swept the floor around them. The ill tempered young woman, who Liam only knew as “Kate”, gave him a cold stare.
