Loving a Little Lawyer

Eight dates late

I sat back in the same bar once more, this time seated at a table.

I hadn't felt up to perching in a sultry manner on a bar stool. My morning the day before had been truly bizarre, although not unpleasent. But my days since had been hectic and exhausting. Thankfully, only Mick's assistant had called after our meeting.

I had changed to more comfortable clothes this time, my soft denims, heeled boots and a plunging blouse. My hair was down and I'd curled it into a tumbling waterfall that stopped just below the peak of my breasts. I couldn't tell you what had changed, even though so much had in the past few days. But I didn't have the energy to pretend to be anything other than a 28 year old woman so starved of a love life that she'd let an older, married client, kiss her in her office on her first day as Partner.

The very thought of those surreal moments of pleasure made my cheeks burn.

I didn't have long to think, as my date walked in. James was fairly tall at 6 foot. He had a strong jaw and broad shoulders. His sandy blonde hair was short and a bit messy and his eyes were a beautiful olive green.

He strode over to my table and gave me a beautiful warm smile which seemed genuine. I had stood to greet him, expecting maybe the shake of a hand, but instead he pulled me to him and kissed my cheek.

"Wow!" he beamed, "You smell gorgeous if you don't mind me saying! You also look gorgeous too."

I was slightly taken aback by his aparent candour and enthusiasm.

We sat and ordered drinks, he insisted on paying, and I wondered if he knew who I was or not. We chatted easily for sometime and eventually his hand reached across the table to mine.

I instantly flashed back to the moment Mick's hand had touched mine in my office. I remembered how big it had seemed compared to my own and how rich his skin tone was next to my own fair complexion. James' hand was big too, but the contrast just wasn't the same.

Just as Mick entered my head, a large group came into the bar. All men in business suits, clearly just off the clock. Our fourth round of drinks had arrived and I sipped mine as I watched them, walk in. I was starting to really feel the buzz of the alcohol as the atmosphere of the room picked up.

To my disbelief, the last man through the door was Mick! His shirt was rumpled and he'd discarded his tie. He had unbuttoned his shirt at his throat and his Adam's apple bobbed as he laughed at a joke one of the other men had made.

He hadn't looked my way and I was almost certain he wouldn't recognise me dressed so casually sitting opposite James at the back of the room. I said nothing and continued to chat with James who had moved one of his legs to touch mine.

An hour or so went by, and so did two more drinks. I hadn't intended to get drunk, but I certainly was. A crowd had now built around us and I leant in to hear what James was saying. As I did so, I watched Mick walk towards us and panicked before realising we were in the path of the bathroom.

As he reached us, I could see a flick of recognition in his eye before giving me a brief nod and walking by.

I let out the breath I didn't know I had held in. James seemed ignorant of my demeanour and asked if I wanted to leave.

"Where do you want to go?" I asked innocently, thinking he meant another bar, maybe somewhere less crowded.

"I only live a few streets away," he said with a cheeky grin. "I've been wanting to get my hands on you all night."

I pulled back instantly and my head spun. The alcohol was in full force, but I knew I didn't want to go home with a stranger. "Erm, I'm not sure I'm quite ready for that. I'm really sorry, that's not really what I'm looking for." I looked up at him and saw his face change. "I should probably go!" I stuttered loudly.

I pushed my chair back and it screeched across the floor. As I went to stand, James got out of his chair and moved behind me. He'd grabbed both of my shoulders and bent down to my ear.

"I know who your daddy is. How do you think the gossip magazines would like to know about what a slut you are?" his breath was hot on my cheek as he threatened me.

I noticed he didn't smell of alcohol at all despite the numerous drinks we had had. "So why don't you just play nice and show me how greatful you are for my company and those drinks?" He ground out the last few words.

I hadn't gotten out of my seat yet and the back of the chair was between us. Fear coursed through me. Who was this man? was James even really his name?! In my absolute urge to flee, I thrust backwards and knocked the chair into him.

He buckled over and yelled "You stupid drunk b***h!" before realising several people were now looking.

He grabbed my wrist and growled out at me "Let's go!"

I began to struggle to free my arm just as Mick walked out of the toilets. He quickly took in the scene and I tried to convey my terror to him without making more of a scene.

He quickly clamped a hand on James' shoulder. "You alright there mate?" he said as James' grip loosened. He turned to see who it was and it was just enough to let me slip free. I fled out of the door, leaving my bag, money and keys on the table.

I ran in my heeled boots all the way to the door of my apartment. I was shaking and sobbing but managed to call my neighbour and friend, Lena, to open the door with my spare key. She offered to call the police and I declined, wanting nothing more than to be alone and remove my clothing.

I stripped off as I walked through the house. Locking the door behind me and texting my dad to ask for the number of his handy man to change the locks.

It was all I could manage before opening my toilet lid to vomit and crawling into my shower under the hot water where I sobbed and shook.