This is my favorite bar. The bartender, Kai, makes the best Old Fashioned in town. So, I happily bounce up to the door in my usual little black dress and heels. As I walk thru the door, Kai smiles at me and holds up the black cherry jar, and I smirk in response. Apparently, he's been playing around with my favorite drink and wants to spice it up. So, I sit down and smile at him as he puts my glass before me, then leans forward on his elbows, watching intently.
I look down at the dark amber liquid and pick up the glass. I swirl the ice cube around the glass, then take a sip while looking at Kai.
"Kai. You may have found a way to make me love you more than I already did." I grin at him. The black cherry provides just a hint of sweetness that leaves my tongue begging for another sip.
"Shh! If my boyfriend hears you, he'll get jealous." Kai responds with a massive smile, quite proud of himself.
I laugh and take another slow sip. So very fucking good.
"It seems busy but not crazy. A bit unusual for a Friday night." I say, looking around with my drink in my hand. I take another sip.
"It should pick up soon enough. A new restaurant and lounge opened up about a block away." Kai responds before heading down the bar to help another patron.
I scroll through my phone while slowly sipping on my drink. When finished, I slide my glass toward the inside of the bar. Kai immediately places another in front of me, and I look up, confused.
"I haven't even ordered another one. I guess you know me too well." I say, smiling at him.
"Actually, you can thank Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome down there." Kai responds, nodding toward a knockout stranger at the end of the bar to my right.
"Oh really, now?" I say as I make direct contact with my new friend and give him a sly smirk, then take a generous sip.
A familiar voice to my left orders, "What she's having," and Kai nods in his direction. My benefactor smiles at me, winking. I smile as well, maintaining eye contact.
"If you're not careful, you're going to kill someone with that smirk one day, Faro." Kai chastises as he walks away.
I continue to watch the stranger. He's tall with dark hair, a killer smile, and dark eyes. He subtly licks his lower lip and bites his lower lip as I watch him, then looks back to his phone. I glance to my left to see Kai chatting with another customer.
I slide off my bar chair, grab my purse and drink, then head to the seat next to Mr. Sex Appeal. I don't say a word as I sit, continue sipping my beverage, and open Twitter.
About 5 minutes pass before he finally starts the conversation.
"My name is Josh. I'm 6'1. I love pasta, and..." he pauses before whispering, "I have a corgi." He finishes with a broad smile as he offers me his hand.
I look down at his hand before making eye contact and shaking it firmly. He tries to pull it towards his lips gently, but I gracefully pull my hand away.
"I'm Faro. 5'5". I love dogs. I'll try anything twice." I reply with a grin and a sip of my drink.
"Try anything twice, huh? Is that to ensure your initial perception is accurate, or do you just like pain?" he chuckles.
"Yes." I answer, looking at him through my eyelashes. He narrows his eyes slightly, trying to decipher what I meant. Then, he turns in his chair to face me, staring. Without missing a beat, I dip my finger into my drink, circle the rim slowly, then bring it to my lips.
"You are trouble, Faro. I can see it in your eyes. The question is... what kind of trouble are you?" Josh says quietly, gently running his left index finger down my arm.
I smile and look at him, almost forgetting where I am. I straighten in my chair. I can feel eyes on me, but I don't search for them. I know to whom they belong.
"Me? Trouble?!" I ask, faking an incredulous glare. "I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about." I retort in a feigned offense.
Josh laughs, sips his drink, and continues, "Yes. Trouble. I'm certain you know
exactly
what I'm talking about. I had you pegged from the moment you walked in here, all curls, smiles, and thighs." He finishes as he reaches for my hand again. I let him take it this time, knowing the trap is set.
Within seconds, I feel His presence approach. I always know when it's Him.
"One shouldn't touch toys that don't belong to them." His husky voice interjects from my left.
I turn my head to see Him standing there, eyebrows ever so slightly pushed together, eyes somewhat squinted, lips slightly upturned into a thin smile. Seemingly annoyed, but that couldn't be further from the truth. He rests His left arm on the back of my chair while His right-hand rests on my knee and squeezes gently.
I turn to Josh, who is looking at me quizzically. I bite my lower lip. Josh looks at Him and replies, "She isn't a toy and certainly doesn't
belong
to anyone."
I begin to turn my head to Him, but His voice stops me. "Continue to look him in the eye, Kitten." Then His hand slides up my leg and squeezes my inner thigh before continuing north.
