The Midnight Dwellers

Chapter 2

Elora glanced around the bar and checked her phone for the time. 12:15 am. The night was still young and Elora knew that there was almost no chance of getting Lila to agree to head home before the bars closed at 2:00. She set down her drink, a spiked seltzer, and leaned her elbows against the bar. She would need something much stronger if there was any chance of hitting the dance floor with Lila.

“Could I have a margarita, please?” she asked the bartender. As soon as the drink was placed in front of her, Elora grabbed it and took a sip. She waited for the intense tang of tequila to spread over her tongue, but it never came. The drink was smooth and uniquely delicious.

“This could be dangerous,” Elora muttered, and she downed the rest of her drink. She signaled the bartender for another one which she also finished quickly. After her second margarita, Elora made her way over to Lila and Ryan on the dance floor. A delicious warmth spread over her, and she knew immediately that she was just tipsy enough to let loose. She swayed her hips to the music and reached for a hair tie to put her hair up in a ponytail. It was warm on the dance floor.

“Oh no you don’t!” Lila said and snatched their hair tie out of Elora’s hands. “Leave it down!”

“Why?” Elora whined. “It’s not like anyone cares.”

“That guy does! He’s been watching you all night,” Lila whispered and pointed in the direction of the crowded bar. Elora looked over to where her friend was pointing, and her eyes went wide. Seated at the bar was the single most attractive man Elora had ever seen. He was dressed in a crisp, expensive-looking suit and holding a glass of what looked like whiskey on the rocks. His dark hair was brushed back immaculately and his eyes, which were the most piercing shade of blue Elora had ever seen, were staring right at her. Elora felt her knees go weak and her mouth dried. She shook her head and looked away.

“He’s probably just judging my bad dance moves,” she muttered to her friends. “I’ll be back. I need some fresh air.”

Elora hurried out of the crowded bar. Once she was outside, she dragged the cool night air into her lungs and leaned against the brick wall of the building. She couldn’t get the man’s piercing blue eyes out of her head. Briefly, she closed her own eyes and tilted her head backwards against the bricks. Immediately, she felt a presence and was mildly annoyed to realize she was not alone. She snapped open her eyes only to find the handsome stranger from the bar standing next to her. Up close, he was even more dazzling and Elora could feel her heart pounding against her rib cage.

“Cigarette?” He offered, his voice had a pleasant Irish lilt.

Elora shook her head.

“I don’t smoke, thanks.”

“Good,” the stranger replied. “It’s bad for you.”

“Um. Ok. I’m going to go back inside. Have a good night.” Elora said.

“I’d like to buy you a drink,” the stranger called out to her as she began to walk into the bar.

Elora stopped in her tracks. This was probably not a good idea. A guy that attractive could easily get any girl he wanted. There was no reason he would want her, of all people.

“Sure,” she heard herself say before she could stop herself.

“Excellent.”

The man closed the distance between them and paced his hand on the small of her back. Elora felt electricity shoot up her spine at the contact and she and the stranger made their way back into the bar.

“I’ll have a glass of water and my friend here will have another margarita.” The man slid a fifty dollar bill across the bar. “Keep the change.”

Elora raised an eyebrow.

“You just paid $50 for a margarita?” she asked.

“Yes,” he replied curtly.

The two sat in silence sipping their respective drinks for several minutes before Elora asked, “What’s your name anyway?”

“Kieran. Kieran Sgail.”

Oh my god.

“Wait, Kieran Sgail? Don’t you own like…a ton of businesses in the area? I’ve heard you’re a cold asshole,” Elora blurted out before she could stop herself.

Her cheeks burned. She couldn’t believe she said that. She was clearly drunker than she intended to be. Kieran stared icily at her but his mouth turned up at the corner.

“The one and only,” he said and leaned in closer. “And you are?”

“Elora.” She could feel her heartbeat in her mouth.

“A pleasure, truly,” Kieran said as he pulled Elora’s hand towards his mouth for a kiss.

As his lips made contact with her hand, his canines grazed along her tender skin. Elora’s entire arm broke out in goosebumps and she yanked it away.

“Would you like to dance?” Elora asked.

Another small smile tugged at the corner of Kieran’s lips as he grabbed Elora’s hand in his own and led her towards the dance floor. He pulled Elora against him and swayed her to the pulsing music. As they danced, Elora could see Lila giving her an enthusiastic thumbs up from across the bar. Suddenly, Kieran leaned into Elora, and she was sure that he was about to kiss her, but instead he brushed his lips against a sensitive spot on her neck. He stiffened and pulled away, but Elora was drunk enough to feel very brave.

“Are you going to take me home?” she asked.

Kieran stepped towards her and brushed his thumb on her cheek.

“No, sweet girl. Not tonight.”

And with that, he was gone. Elora was left in the middle of the dance floor, dizzy and confused. Her body was on fire with need and the pain of rejection stung painfully. She shocked even herself when a hot tear rolled down her cheek.