The Vampire Playboy - Blood and Lust

Chapter 12

My palms began to sweat and my mouth felt dry as I waited at the side of the stage for my turn and I was pretty sure if I thought about what I was about to do I’d turn green and vomit. My stomach felt uneasy. Sophie came over and handed me a glass of water, which I thanked her for. She gave me a sympathetic smile as she walked away. She would know how much I’d hate doing anything like this. I saw Carmella walk onto the stage and take the mic. Oh s**t.

“Welcome to O’Malley’s everyone, I hope you’re all having a good time. I want to welcome to the stage the new girl, also known as Olivia. Let’s hope her singing is better than her bartending.” she cackled, which caused the crowd to erupt into laughs and applause.

I nervously walked onto the stage and took the mic. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

“Thanks for that, Carmella, I thought I’d do something a little bit different for my songs tonight. Anyway, they go out to my new friend.” Oh f**k, did I just say that? Why did I say that?

The music started to Shania Twain's. That don't impress me much. I took a deep breath and began to belt out the lyrics. The bar erupted, and people began to sing along and dance on the dance floor. I couldn't think about what I was doing right now, but knew I had to just own it and act like I wasn't like jelly inside. So I swayed my body in time with the beat and moved from side to side.

"Now don't get me wrong, I think you're alright, but that won't keep me wrong in the middle of the night, that don't impress me much". I stole a glance to my right at Charlie and quickly lowered my gaze to the front. I couldn't tell if he was amused or angry.

By the time the song finished to a round of applause, I was slightly breathless. I took another breath and held it, waiting for my next song to begin. I knew this one would either be loved or hated by the crowd and I had to just throw myself into it, to be convincing. I could see Carmella standing at the bar and she didn't look happy that my first song went down well or that I hadn't fled from the stage and made my mind up that moment that I was going to throw my all into this song.

The music began and I started tapping my hand onto my thigh and bobbing my head from side to side, then turned to look right at Charlie just as the words came out of my mouth. His eyes locked onto mine.

"Right now, he's probably slow dancing with a bleached-blonde tramp and she's probably getting frisky", then I turned and began strutting to the other side of the stage and back into the middle before belting out the chorus.

" Oh and he don't know". I threw my head back, planted my feet apart and leaned forward as I let rip. I heard people begin to whoop and squeal as I continued to the end of the song, which was met with a round of screams and cheers. I felt my face turn scarlet to the point that the tips of my ears burned. I laughed out of nervousness.

"Give it up for Olivia" the DJ shouted as I began to walk off the stage and I mock bowed and made my way to the bar to begin taking orders again.

All I wanted to do was run to the bathroom and throw up. My legs were like jelly and I was surprised I'd managed to walk without falling over. Sadie winked at me as I reached where she was and Sophie rushed over.

"Holy crap you absolutely smashed that! You didn't tell me you sang"

I laughed, "That's because I don't."

"Well, you should. I thought Charlie was going to combust next to me, he sat poker straight the whole time. Oh and by the way, I've got no idea what's going on, but the two of them seem to have decided that Owen is their new bestie. And Noah, he couldn't take his eyes off of you, he kept saying how good you were. You couldn't have picked two better songs, oh and your little dig at Charlie." She laughed maniacally.

"I was really petty. Look, I've somehow pissed off Carmella, so I had better get back to work. I'll try to catch you and Owen soon."

I began making the rounds and taking orders. Just about every customer told me how good it had been and sang my praises, this was so not winning me favour with Carmella.

When it was time to take my break I was beyond grateful. The bar was packed and had become stiflingly hot. I grabbed a bottle of water and motioned to Sophie I'd be back in 5 minutes whilst I made my way outside. I gulped in the fresh air as I twisted and opened my water. I drank down the cool liquid and let out a sigh and took in a breath of the cool air. It had only been a few hours but I needed a break from the smell of sweat and stale beer that was O'Malley's.

"Nice performance", the smooth Irish voice came from behind.

I turned to find Charlie there standing in all of his hot glory and groaned.

"What is it with you? Did you get the hint? Have you never had a girl reject you before?"

He laughed, "Actually no, you're the first."

My eyebrows met in the middle as I frowned. Why wasn't I surprised by that statement?

"Anyway good talking to you, I think my break is over." I tried to push past him but he gently caught my arm. I looked down at his hand on my arm as it felt like bolts of lightning were shooting from his hand across my skin. I could feel my eyes widen. I looked up to find Charlie's gaze was fixed onto where our skin met, yet he didn't lessen the light grip nor did he move to take away his hand.

"You feel that too!"

His eyes shot up and his mouth opened, but he said nothing in reply. He looked like he was scared.

I pulled my arm free. And turned to walk away.

"I….you felt that?"

I stopped and lowered my lashes, "Yes, every time you've touched me. I've….I've never felt anything like it before."

He took a deep breath and then exhaled loudly.

"I didn't plan this, I didn't expect this to happen."

"You're talking in riddles Charlie, I've got no idea what you're talking about."

He scrubbed his hands on his face and through his hair.

"F**k it" he muttered.

Before I could react, he pulled me forward, tangled his fingers in my hair and brought his lips to mine. I froze, letting his lips explore mine. I parted them just a little, he tasted of mint, my lips reacted as he took my bottom lip in his and explored my tongue with his. I gasped at the intensity and hunger of his kiss. I didn't know you could be kissed like this, that a kiss could absolutely engulf and consume you in such a way. I could feel the muscles

We parted, both of us breathing heavily. I was tingling all over, including in places I'd never felt a tingle. Charlie smiled but behind his smile, I could see sadness in his eyes.

"I wish I didn't have to do this." He sighed.

I looked at him confused. Did he regret it again? Why was he such a head f**k? Why did he kiss me?

I opened my mouth to say something but got the overwhelming urge to look up at Charlie. I felt like his eyes had stripped me bare and were looking directly inside my head.

"I'm sorry" he whispered.

I wanted to open my mouth to ask what he meant by that, but I couldn’t. It was like I'd lost control of my body. A warm heat spread from the tip of my head to the tip of my toes and my head began to feel cloudy and hazy, everything seemed to be a blur.

I was suddenly confused as to what I was doing or what I had been doing. I knew I had gone outside on my break, but how had I lost the last 10 minutes?

I returned inside and found Sophie as she was coming out of the bathroom.

"Hey, sorry I took so long, I'm feeling a bit weird," I said to her.

"Did you and Charlie have a run-in?"

"Charlie? No, I haven't spoken to him at all tonight, which suits me just fine. I'd be happy if I never spoke to him again. In fact, even better if I never saw him again."

"Really? I thought you had this whole love and hate thing going on and I thought he followed you outside."

"I did, but now it's like, poof it's gone, I've got him out of my system. He wasn't outside when I was or at least I didn't see him. Erugh, I can't wait for this shift to be done, my head is fired and I'm exhausted."