Chapter One: The Stranger
“Start me off, with a round of shots,” and quickly the bartender rushed to get my drinks.
“Make it three!” I shouted to his back, now kicking off my shoes and placing my jacket on the other seat beside me.
Quickly, I finished my drinks and ordered a second round, halfway through, and I could feel the alcohol kicking in.
The painful knot I've carried inside my gut begins to dissolve, and determined to really get drunk and wasted tonight, I winked at the bartender, ordering some more shots.
By my fourth round, I could barely feel anything. My legs felt like jelly under me, and I was enjoying the numbness.
Loving the feeling too, because tonight, I have no plans of feeling any of the pain rushing inside me.
I want to let go, so the whiskey can wash over me, cleansing and completely erasing the gruesome details from my mind.
It's better this way, that I'm drunk. At least I know from experience that it's better to drink away the ache in my heart, rather than re-live it all over by thinking about it.
Ordering my fifth, but rather, the bartender sets a glass of water in front of me.
Before I could argue with him, he put up his hands,
“You need some good fluids in you Miss, you'll get your drinks right after that.”
Emptying the glass in four gulps, I can't wait for my drinks to come.
I was giddy like a preschooler who had just got her favorite candy, so immediately I saw him coming with my drinks I did a happy dance on my seat.
“It sure looks a lucky day for you, Miss, that gent over there offered to pay up your tab.”
Then he set the drinks down and quickly left. I looked in the direction where he pointed, but I didn't see anybody because I was tipsy.
But I looked closely again, and then I saw him, sitting in the dark corner.
I could not make out much of what he looked like, only his broad shoulders.
And from the way he sits, I know he's clearly watching me with a scowl on his face.
Now I decided to piss him off some more. I faced his direction and took all three shots without looking away.
He drew his chair back and rose to his full height.
The way he stood spoke volumes. Slowly but surely he was trying to intimidate me with his huge body.
And there was something in his eyes, the way he looked at me told me so.
From the moment I pushed those glasses away from me, those magnetic gray eyes have followed my every move.
But I couldn't care less, for all I care, the president can come watch me right now, and I won't bat an eyelid his way.
He walked over to where I was sitting, and just stood there. Towering above me without saying a word, just watching me.
Maybe if I wasn't drunk, I'd be highly offended by how this stranger was staring at me.
But I'm drunk now, and oddly, looking at him looking at me was fascinating somehow.
Under the bright light coming from the bar, his scowling face is actually…beautiful, jet-black hair, sharp cheekbones and those storm-gray eyes, could actually drown me in their depths.
When the bartender returned with a few more shots for me, I reached out to grab one, but he pushed the glass out of my reach.
Looking at him, and there's a smirk on his face.
"Don't you dare try to stop me. I came here to get drunk, and you can't stop that from happening. “
He still hasn't said anything yet, just smiling and staring at me like I was amusing him.
I'll wipe that stupid smile off his damn face with my bare hands. I've met his kind before, I know how they act. I'll teach him a lesson tonight.
I ordered a drink for him and watched him take a sip. Tonight is my night, and I'll have it go however I want it to go.
Watching him with that stupid smirk as he finished. What does he think he's doing? He wants to beat me at my own game, but I'm not going to let that happen.
The bartender brought some more drinks for him and left. Now he's looking at me with those stormy eyes, I look away instead.
Grabbing one of his drinks and chugging it down. The last thing I want is to let him be in control of my senses.
Just being near him, and my alcohol clouded mind imagining what it would feel like to be under him, I could literally feel the heat creeping between my legs, so I pressed my thighs together to regain control.
He's different from all the guys I've met. I tried to mess with him, but he's the one messing me up.
He's like a big magnet that pulls everything close, and I'm like a helpless tiny metal getting drawn to him. And especially those lips, I'm wondering what they taste like.
He caught me staring, so I cleared my throat while adjusting uncomfortably in my seat. I need a distraction fast.
“This is my song, let's dance!” Grabbing his hands and dragging him to the dance floor. I need to be in control tonight, not him.
After several minutes of dancing to the catchy music the DJ was playing, I made sure to tease him, making him want me.
Grinding seductively on him, the music is intense now and so is the dancing. One look on his face and I know I have him right where I want him. Perfect.
After some more dancing, I was exhausted. I took his hand, leading him away from the dance floor, when suddenly the music changed into something slow.
He dragged me back softly but firmly. I landed right in his arms and a gasp was all I could utter.
“This is my song, let's dance,” was all he said and once again, I felt like jelly. Staring at those bottomless eyes, I knew I was lost now.
His grip on my waist was sure and solid. His warm strong arms told me I could lose myself in them.
Suddenly, all the weight I've carried tonight began to fall off.
I looked up and sure enough those eyes were fixed down on me, looking, searching… waiting. My gaze drifted down and all I can see now are those lips that have tormented me all night.
A smirk was starting to form, so I wiped them off with mine.
“I'm assuming you have a room booked already?”
His warm mouth on mine was all the answer I needed.