Then... wow. I feel it.
You know. IT.
As my eyes widen, he grins. “Just so you know, my wallet and phone are in my back pocket.” No, honey, I know you’re happy to see me.
But then, in one of the great cosmic ironies of life, Weylyn felt a vibration that stopped him short. He pulled out his phone, looked at the screen and grimaced. “Aaargh. Why did this guy have to bother me now, of all times? I’m afraid I need to cut our dance short.” Shaking his head, he sighed, looking legitimately dejected. “Goddamn. This is the last shyte I need.”
“Something wrong?” I asked.
“Work. Orin and I are working a kitchen remodel, and our fucking plumber broke a pipe and flooded the place.”
I was so disappointed, I pulled a pout and ran my hand down his shirt, stopping only when I got to his belt. “Well... Guess you can’t leave anything wet. Can you?”
I felt a tremor roll through his body, which told me he got the picture. “I gotta step out into the boreen, and make a call. Can’t hear for shit in this place.”
“Who are you calling ‘boring’?”
“Boreen, darling. You know. The lane out there.”
“Ah, right,” I said. I thought they spoke English here. I got on tiptoes to whisper in his ear. “Do come back soon.”
“Keep it purring, kitten. And steer clear of these other flute whackers ‘til I get back, eh?” He gave me an unsatisfying peck on the cheek, and headed for the exit, weaving and shouldering through the crowded floor. I noticed I wasn’t the only filly in the stable who watched him go.
“Well, that blows,” I said to no one in particular. I began dancing by myself, but it just wasn’t the same. With Weylyn, I couldn’t stop myself from getting all touchy-rubby-grindy. It was so hot. I couldn’t wait to fan the flames again as soon as I could get my hands on him. I might even dance with him, too.
But then, I bumped right into someone. Doing a quick about-face, I found a spindly, pale man with an unsettling leer on his ugly mug. His dark hair appeared greasy under the dance floor lights.
“Hello, Miss.” His voice rasped from a mouth full of furry yellow choppers. “Your friends over there wanted me to give you a little something to, ah, cool you off.” He said as he offered me a bottle of water.
“Uh…” I doubted he’d ever met my gang of fellas in the corner, and I absolutely knew I shouldn’t accept his gesture. I was about to blow the worm off, when I glanced into his eyes. Instantly, I found myself riveted, unable to look away. Before I knew it, a strange, reckless curiosity had taken hold inside me. What’s the worst that could happen? I heard my inner devil whisper. I’m not alone. I had three big lugs to protect me, even if there was some wild date-rapey drug in the water bottle. If pink elephants went on parade, Orin could ride in on his white charger, and save his princess, right?
Part of me tried to resist the irresponsible urge clouding my reason, but it almost felt like I was hypnotized.
I can’t explain why I accepted the water bottle, opened it, and took a swig. But, I did. “Thanks, I guess.” Is it just me, or did this cap take one less twist than usual to come off? Like the seal was already broken?
Fuck it. Too late to wonder now.
“You’re welcome,” the pale man said with an eerie smile. “Now, dear girl, how about a little dance?”
I took a deep breath, and recoiled. This guy smelled like tar, and the smoke off a burnt match. If he started sweating, the body odor alone could flatten me. “Mm, thanks for the water, but I’m waiting for my friend to come back.”
“Five minutes. Just one dance.” The man reached forward, wanting to pull me in close.
“Uhhhh, no!” I stepped back, but he moved forward aggressively. “Hey, back off, dude. How about ‘no’ means ‘no’.”
“One dance,” he wheedled, stepping into my personal space, and grabbing at me. I was just about to smack him, when Keegan’s voice boomed from behind me. “I believe the lass said ‘no’.” As he stomped up next to me, I wondered if the floor actually shook, or if it was just the natural pulse of a dance floor.
Uh oh. I smelled the reek of testosterone.
Mr. Spindle-creep cocked his head. “I wasn’t talking to you, gingerknob. Step off.” Despite his lightweight frame, he put a sinister bite in his tone. In fact, I noticed something dangerous in his voice, almost a reptile hiss.
“She said ‘NO’, you tosser,” Keegan rumbled. “Learn to take a hint before there are wigs on the green.” Keegan placed his hand on my shoulder. “Let’s go back to the table.”
“She can speak for herself, meathead.” The blade thin masher turned to me. “If he’s pressuring you…”
“No one is pressuring me, besides you,” I told him coldly.
He looked Keegan up and down. “Who are you, friend? The chucker-out?” The human fencepost wore an absurdly disrespectful expression. He’s giving away a hundred pounds, if it came to a scrap. Is he that stupid?
“I don’t think you heard me,” Keegan growled. “So read me crystal fucking clear. Quit twistin’ hay, and leave her the fuck alone...” Keegan rolled his neck from side to side, and put his watch in his pocket. “Leg it, cubbie, or we’re gonna have a problem.”
Keegan was puffed up like a steroid pumping WWF villain. ‘Are you ready to rumble’ rolled through my mind, but I didn’t hear that bell ring for the main event. “Keegan? Uh...” I had no words for this kind of macho bullshit, so I just shook my head.
“What’s the problem with this poncey pipe cleaner?” Orin said, and
