I floated along the walkway, passing well-lit windows, each teeming with its own private treasures. My body felt like a walking contradiction, tired and weary, yet light and feathery with the freedom that comes after a hard fought victorious battle.
Almost two months had passed since my last opportunity to step out. As the junior member of my firm's legal team, the burden fell to me to perform all the tedious grunt work. My days had been dominated with early morning meetings, afternoons at the courthouse, dinner conferences with the other members of the firm, and finally, an unending stream of late night research. Many nights, I would crash with exhaustion on the sofa in my office, to tired to make it home.
Finally, that afternoon, the case had drawn to a successful close, with the prosecution unable to provide their burden of proof. The guys, as usual, had invited me to their victory celebration, but I simply wasn't in the mood to endure another evening of male breast-beating, cussing and down right crass behavior. I had tolerated enough of the old boys club over the past few months to last a lifetime. No, tonight, I was going to celebrate in my own way, in my own time. There would be no testosterone on the menu for me this evening. The night was mine and mine alone. I smiled at the thought.
Before I knew it, I was next to the destination of my desire, brimming with excitement. Nervous, I stole a quick peek at my reflection in the shop window, primped my shoulder-length auburn hair and meticulously applied some additional lipstick -- Cover Girl "Cinnamon Spice," my favorite shade. Confident in my appearance, I gave myself a playful wink and continued on my way.
Taking a deep breath, I pressed my slender body against the heavy mahogany door that stood sentry to a whole other world, my secret world. At that very moment I felt anything was possible. I was genuinely at peace with myself and it felt so good. I was certain something exciting was going to happen to me.
Once inside, my eyes took a moment to adjust to the dim lighting. The pounding rhythms resonating throughout the club attacked my ears. It was still early and the place was relatively barren. I thought to myself, how overeager I had been to begin my night out on the town. The longing and the ache within me had won out over my weariness. I felt I had to make the most of my fleeting moments of freedom.
With excited anticipation, I glided past the empty bar and its resident bartender, a stocky unattractive woman in her early forties. Her name was Alice, though everyone called her Al. She had been working here ever since I had made my first visit, over two years ago. A hard-drinking, tough talking woman, she wasn't someone you messed with. Personally, there wasn't one thing about her I found appealing, but for some unfathomable reason, she never seemed to go home alone. How ironic, I thought to myself.
I found an empty booth and sat facing the dance floor, my favorite spot. I was a people watcher who never tired of studying the many varied mating rituals that would eventually take place on the dance floor, later that evening. My mind raced with delicious thoughts of my own anticipated mating dance and the intense joy I found in forbidden fruit.
Al's husky voice startled me back to reality. "Long time, no see, Sheyenne," she boomed. I was beginning to think we weren't good enough for the big-time lawyer."
"Hey, Al," I smiled. "Nah, just busy. Just busy is all."
"Nice to have you back, just the same," Al growled in her intimidating way. "What can I get ya?"
"The usual, Al," I grinned. "You do remember what I drink, don't you?"
"Yea," she smirked. "I never forget a face or a drink, especially not a pretty face like yours."
"Thanks," I said politely. "That's sweet of you."
"Sweet, nothing," she bellowed. "I call em the way I see em, is all. One rye and coke comin right up."
I watched her bulky form stalk back behind the bar. Nice to be where everybody knows your name, I reflected, remembering the line from Cheers. Yea, it's nice to be back.
"There ya go, darlin," Al snarled. "Hope you find what you're lookin for."
"Me too. Me too, Al," I replied.
"You'll have no trouble in that department, Shey. You're much to pretty," Al surprised me with her flirtation.
"If a girl didn't know any better, Al, she might think you're hitting on her," I flirted back, my eyes teasing her.
"If I thought I had a chance, Shey, believe me, in a heart beat…in a heart beat," she said thoughtfully. She smiled warmly and turned away. "You enjoy yourself tonight, little lady, and don't worry, cuz I'll be keeping an eye on you."
"Thanks," I replied. "I will," somewhat dumbfounded by her candidness.
I fingered the rim of my glass, staring at the amber contents and the cloud-like images formed by the ice. I thought about what attracted me to a woman. I wondered what Al might have to offer a girl such as myself. I thought about how so many of us are guilty of judging people by their looks and not the content of their character. I felt a little ashamed about my earlier assumptions regarding Al. She really was a sweetheart under that rough exterior. Here's to you Al, I toasted, raising the glass to my thirsty lips.
Slowly, the place began to fill up. Every type of woman imaginable seemed to show up that night, young and old, slim and overweight, rough and feminine, leather chicks, bikers, middle-aged women who might have been just about anybody's mother and probably were. You name it, they were there. Many showed up in pairs, obvious couples. More often though, they entered alone. It was these unaccompanied ladies I studied closely, constantly searching for the one I might tame.
Al brought me a second drink and then a third, refusing my money each time, insisting they were on the house. I knew they were coming out of her pocket but didn't have the heart to refuse her offering. With each trip she seemed to grow bolder, going so far as to brush my hand as she placed the last drink before me. I smiled to myself, thinking how funny it must look to see a rough looking woman like Al trying to pick up someone such as myself. Still, I felt admiration for her boldness and self-confidence.
Lost in thoughts of Al's flirtatious advances, I scanned the dance floor and began to wonder if there would be a special someone for me this night. By now, more than a dozen couples were up on the floor, grinding to the rhythmic tones. I found it a constant source of entertainment to see the many mismatched couples before me. The most interesting couple consisted of a large leather-dyke and a wispy looking femme. The larger woman looked to be about 40 and was decked out in full leather regalia including the appropriate studs, chains and tattoos. The smaller lady appeared to be in her early 20's, with a very delicate aura to her. There could be no mistaking who was the top in this relationship.
I couldn't imagine what they might have in common but there they were, grinding to the music, smiles glowing, hands caressing each other, obvious lust in their eyes, each stealing kisses from the other. Again, I wondered what a girl like Al might have to offer and what I might be missing. No, I thought, some things are best left alone. Still, one had to wonder.
A deep hunger seemed to well up within me as I witnessed the swirling mass of erotic dance building its synergistic energy. Suddenly, I sensed I was being watched. At first it was just a feeling. I scanned the room, to no avail, unable to locate my huntress. I felt vulnerable, like a fawn alone in an open meadow, frozen with fear.
Peering around, I subconsciously detected a pair of dark eyes ravaging me. Still, I couldn't pinpoint the source of my discomfort. Then, out of the corner of my vision I detected a set of mysterious dark coal-like eyes glowing between the swaying bodies and flashing lights. I did a quick double take and found myself transfixed by the most exotic gaze imaginable. I sat mesmerized, unable to avert my stare, not wanting to let the object of my desire slip away.
