As the end of the night approaches seeing the bar is packed with familiar faces as opposed to the usual eclectic slew of strangers made for a refreshing change. As did being able to freely roam the bar in the company of the assembled crowd without the stress and demands of the usually associated with a Friday crowd.
I could grow to like the lifestyle.
To assume the bar was busy might have been a delusion of grandeur, the gathered party of 40 or so guests were all here to celebrate my 35th birthday. My brother Steve had organised the event although from one of two comments already passed by attendees and Shauna herself, I deducted that the flame haired little Irish Bar Maid had been the real tour de force in organising matters.
Not least as Steve's idea of buffet would probably constitute half a dozen cut up Sausage Rolls and a round of slightly stale sandwiches held at room temperature for an hour too long, as opposed to the well catered finger food that lay across 3 tables just off the bar.
Steve had played a part in convincing me to close up for the night. January takings we're always down given the post-holiday season slump. The third Friday of the month was far too shy of next pay packets for the majority. I'd been easily convinced in all honesty, even if the thought of beers and a curry with my brother wasn't the most inspirational way to celebrate. I was sure we could find entertainment somewhere within the City during a rare night off.
Under a pretence that he'd left a gift at the bar I'd grown marginally suspicious as we'd entered the bar a little after 8pm. Only to be greeted by a raucous collective shout of "Surprise".
'Who has a surprise 35th birthday?' had been my initial thought, the celebration had grown on me though, possibly assisted by the quantity of my own alcohol that was slowly being consumed.
As I look around, old friends and new mingled with one another creating a convivial atmosphere, all offset by a great playlist of classic dance tunes that a DJ connected to the bars own Sound System provided. The music a refreshing change from the usual guitar heavy music that I wasn't opposed to but held nowhere near as many memories from my younger days.
I look over not for the first time at the stunning DJ. didn't know, who she was I didn't know where she'd come from. What I did know is that she was visually breath taking. Her slender body swaying to her own soundtrack, I'd only seen her from the waist up, but I was captivated by the exotic looking brunette.
"Having fun Bruv?" I hear Steve enquire as he deftly approaches me from behind.
"I am... I am..." my attention distracted by the dark blonde-haired girl in a short black dress passes my line of sight not the first time without saying anything directly, she glances back with a knowing smile on every occasion none the less. I've never seen the male whose arm seems to permanently sit in the small of her back. I assume that he is her boyfriend.
"Who invited the Sales Rep from the Brewery?" I state leaning back into Steve so that he can hear over the music.
"Might have been me," Shauna offers passing at the exact same moment without stopping as she collects empty bottles and glasses, diligently working despite the relaxed nature of the evening.
"Why?" Stevie enquires over my shoulder as we both set eyes on her.
"Surprised to see her that's all.... Given the last time I saw her she had her skirt around her waist and was clutching the office desk crying out my name while willingly letting me take her in exchange for increasing our order of flavoured Vodkas." I bluntly answer as my mind casts back to the deliberately prolonged fuck I'd given her.
"That's why we've three fucking crates of Blood Orange infused Vodka behind the fucking bar." Steve chuckles.
"Short on her target apparently... worried she'd lose her job... I was naturally understanding."
"As she was obliging," Steve offers on a dark yet unbelieving chuckle.
"Stupid little fuck cow obviously doesn't appreciate how a sale or return contract works...but she knows how to suck and fuck her way through a negotiation... her fellas a lucky man."
I hear the DJ set come to an end as the lithe beauty takes a microphone and thanks the gentle ripple of applause she garners, that is genuinely no true reflection of her talent or the entertainment she's provided over the last few hours.
"Or he's unlucky... if she's putting out for every fucker that owns a bar around here." Steve offers, it takes me a moment to understand what he refers to given my fresh distraction by the DJ who has started to pack away already.
"Taking more pricks than a dartboard" I darkly chuckle my response. My eyes still on the DJ "Should I ask or just assume who booked the talent?"
"The talent?" Steve offers, it now apparently being my turn to confuse him.
"The stunning little brunette who's been spinning tunes all evening," I state still not looking back as she places a laptop into a shoulder bag and makes her way from behind the impromptu DJ Booth erected behind a number of pallets Steve must have brought up from the basement.
"All done on laptops these days Bruv don't go showing your age... no one spins records" I feel Steve's hand mockingly slap the back of my left shoulder, but he fails to distract me. "And I booked her... Her names Sapphie... I've seen her on Facebook."
"I'll bet you have," I offer casually as she cuts a path across the room, a black leather button through halter neck waistcoat covers her upper body but cuts low enough to reveal an impressive amount of cleavage, a short red and black pleated tartan skirt sits on her waist, exposing long toned legs that are clad in two tone nylon hosiery that gives an illusion of stockings, her lower legs sit within exquisite black leather knee boots.
I realise I've left my gaze on her for a little too long as her slightly olive skin flushes nervously as she approaches.
"Hey..." the brunette offers, "...I'm Saph you must be the Birthday Boy."
Clearing my throat I gather my composure, "That's what the badge says... not that I'm cliche enough for..."
She's caught me off guard, her looks her physique completely disarming leaving me muttering on about imaginary badges like a fucking idiot.
"You've had a good night?" She enquires not seeming to be perturbed by my lack of composure.
"I have," I offer, "Your set helped... old school my favourite... someone made sure you were well informed."
"They did," I note her flash a smoke towards Steve who I've slowly become oblivious of.
"You'll stay for a drink I hope," I continue.
"Thanks, but I can't hang around I'm afraid..." the pretty little brunette offered, "...Your party was just a warmup for me I'm booked to perform a set at some club called Servitu.... I've heard so much about the place I can't wait to experience it... I'm on just after midnight."
I look from her to my brother, raising a brow. Servitu was the rebranded premises formerly known as 'The Dark Star'. From Steve I look immediately over to Shauna, already diligently cleaning down the bar, I'm all too aware of the reputation the Club that she used to hostess at holds. It's a little surprising that still, after several years in the City, I've yet to visit the infamous location.
"Good luck with that," Steve offers from behind me.
I see her eyes fall to Steve now, not dismissively so but she certainly seeks his attention now over mine. A little vein in my temple pulses briefly before I hear her meekly state, "Um yeah ...can I get my payment?"
I smirk, more in relief than anything else, "Pay her Stevie ...and make sure you tip well... that set as I say was outstanding."
"Yeah uh..." Stevie stammers his way through the interaction, "Yeah uh let's go... let's go through to the office.... We'll grab you a drink on the way."
"Enjoy the rest of your evening," she offers on a sincere smile, I catch a sparkle in her light brown eyes just before she places a delicate hand on my left shoulder and leans forward and softly kisses my right cheek. "Happy Birthday you."
As Steve turns to lead the way, she passes me just as the main lights in the bar illuminate. A sure sign for all it is time to make their way home.
Under the brighter lights I'm only afforded a much better view of Sapphie's legs as Steve leads her away. Glancing up from the red souled spike heel boots, over toned nylon encased thighs to the cusp of her pert little ass that the pleated skirt just about covers. I feel the grin pass my lips.
Moments later a firm hand grips my hand and shakes it, "Thanks for inviting us... sorry we haven't really had chance to speak."
His words snap my attention from Steve and the beautiful little DJ. As I look him in the eye, I realise I've no idea who he is, despite the knowledge I've seen him across the night. It's only as I look to his left and recognise the angular yet attractive face of Leah the Brewery Rep that I place his face.
"Yeah, um Alan, Alex... Al..." I offer trying to genuinely claw a name from my memory.
"Aled," he states a little bluntly as I turn to face his pretty fiancΓ©e, in my mind hearing her little wanton gasps as I picture her again stretched across the office desk. I can still recall the taste of her perfect shaved pussy as she'd lay across the desk groaning as I had feasted.
"Sorry to talk shop but are you dropping by soon Leah?" I note her unease as I immediately choose to all but ignore him. "I need to review all our Spirits so there's potential for a big order by month end if you're interested."
I'm not sure if Leah Cooper reads between the lines on my intimation, and I'm not subtle enough to hide the wink I offer her, despite the presence of her well-built other half.
"Yeah um..." clearly flustered I catch her glance from me to him and back to me "...uh Tuesday... how's Tuesday morning?"
"Afternoon works better..." I offer with sincerity controlling the interaction even best part of four days in advance, "... I'll look forward to it."