Her heart could not bear any more of this torment. She needed to soothe the burning, ease the pain sawing up and down her nerve endings. She did not want to do what was necessary to save herself from this. She had thought she could wait it out, had tried to endure the clawing need rising from her gut. But she was weak. Weaker than her conscience had tried to pretend she was. Rising from the wet sheets of her bed, soaked from the sweat that had rolled off of her in waves as she had resisted her urges, she headed towards the bathroom of her small apartment. Even as she climbed into the shower, her feet still dragged in protest at every move she made. Cold water hit her skin like needle points, washing away the salt of tears and sweat. For a moment, the water numbed the ache inside her.
After her shower, she stood in front of the mirror and stared at herself. There were hollows under her green eyes, causing her pale face to seem almost white. She rimmed her eyes in black eyeliner, applying mascara and shadow to give her dull eyes some depth. Rouge and lipstick followed, feigning a healthy glow. She gathered her damp hair into a long plait, a few dark hairs escaped at her temples which curled dry against her hot cheek. The more energy she exerted in preparing herself, the fainter she became. A black dress would suit tonight's agenda, exposing enough flesh to tempt but not to bring all attention on her. Black boots that zipped to her knees completed the ensemble. She checked the time, dance clubs and bars were still open but it was nearing last call and the lonely souls still left in them would start seeking each other out, looking for someone to spend the night with.
She scarcely saw anything out of her peripheral vision as she left her home and hurried to the club two blocks over. It was lit up like a neon Christmas tree and the reverb from the electronica that played inside could be heard even with its doors closed. Entering from the side door, she gave a preliminary scan to weed out the potentials from the crowd. There were still diehards gyrating in the middle of the dance floor, but most were cloistered around the bar, making final attempts to entice their person of choice into coming home with them. She could taste the sexual tension on her tongue, pheromones leaking from the skins of the dancers. Her eyes narrowed in on a man leaning against the bar, young and very drunk. His eyes were half-mooned from his intoxication and he was not even attempting to hit on any of the young things milling around the dance floor. He would be easy enough to pick up.
Her heart was pounding in anticipation, she tried to walk seductively towards the young man but she wasn't sure if it turned out that way. So great was her need, she thought it must have looked like she was stalking him. Once she arrived next to him, she quickly slid onto the barstool and ordered a drink. He didn't take notice of her until her glass was clinked down in front of her. He took a long look at her, from head to toe before giving a befuddled smile. Before he had a chance to speak, she leaned close to him and asked, "Alone?"
"Not anymore. My name's Andy. And who might you be?"
"Lilly."
Andy smiled again, "Beautiful name. So are you from around.." Lilly interrupted him by suddenly laying her lips to his. Surprised by her response, Andy involuntarily shifted away from her, breaking the kiss. His eyes shone with confusion and intoxication.
"Let's not complicate this with chatter, Andy. I need you, I need your body in my bed. Tonight. Would you like that?" Lilly asked matter of factly.
