She orders a glass of red wine. I pour it for her and when I turn back, she and the stranger are talking. My chest squeezes painfully. Don’t be silly, I scold myself. I’m here to work and the customers are here to relax and socialize.
Still, I keep one eye on the two as I serve other customers. To my relief, the sexy stranger turns away, seemingly losing interest. A smile tugs at my lips. I find myself going to him.
“Another one of those?” I ask.
He turns to me. My body melts under his heated gaze. His stare drops to my mouth, leaving me in no doubt what is on his mind. My lips suddenly feel dry and I lick them.
“Only if you’ll join me,” he says.
I glance at my watch. “In three hours.”
“I’ll wait,” he says.
He’s flirting. It’s what men naturally do. My mind knows it, but my body doesn’t get that memo. A warm liquid ache rises from the depths of my body. It’s been too long since I’ve had sex. That’s why my mind is in the gutter.
“Meantime, I’ll have a bottle of water please,” he says.
“If we’re going to have a drink, we should exchange names,” I tell him.
“That’s probably a good idea,” he says. “Name’s Ace.”
The name suits him. “I’m Lexi,” I say and strike out my hand across the counter.
Instead of shaking my hand, he envelops my hand in both of his, and arousal sparks through me awakening the kind of longings that get me in trouble. He lets go but seconds later, my hand is still buzzing from his touch.
If a simple touch like that can heat my body, what if he…? This man is dangerous. I should keep away from him. If I know what’s good for me.
I swallow hard and try to talk myself out of having a drink with the stranger. I lie to myself it means nothing. After all, I always have a drink after work. I usually sit down at one of the corner tables and sip it slowly and unwind before leaving for home.
What does it matter if he joins me? After my drink, we’ll say goodbye and part ways. I’m a responsible adult and I can rein in my lust. I can enjoy his company without sleeping with him. But I can’t help but wonder what kind of lover he is.
A considerate one I’ll bet. A man who pleasures a woman first before seeking his pleasure. I almost laugh out loud at that. Most men are the opposite of that and fantasizing that Ace is one of those few is lying to myself. Giving myself an excuse to have sex with a stranger.
The crowd that comes in at ten keeps me busy until closing time. The sexy stranger orders two more drinks. After closing time, I wipe down the counter and the surfaces.
Half-past twelve finds me at a corner table sipping my drink and ogling Ace. Away from the counter, I can look at him properly. The shirt he’s got on does nothing to hide his ripped abs and bulging biceps. He’s clearly a man who loves the gym. The hint of dark facial hair enhances his sex appeal but it's more than that. I try to analyze the hot pull of attraction that I feel for him. I’ve never felt anything like this for any other man. He has an air of self-control, making him seem in total control of everything around him. While other men would be hunting for something to say, Ace is content to sit and listen to the background music. I, on the other hand, want to talk. So far, we’ve only exchanged names and general chit chat.
“Are you from around here?” I ask him.
“Yes, but this is my first time here,” Ace says, his eyes dark. There’s something dark and dangerous about him. My insides tremble.
“I don’t live too far away from here,” I tell him, and then my face heats up at the implication of my words.
He contemplates me. “How about we continue this at my place?”
I form the words no in my mouth. Panic engulfs my chest. What if I say no and I never see him again? What if he’s the one? It’s only a drink after all?
I know he can see the conflict in my face. Another man would jump in and try to cajole me into going home with him. Not Ace. He sits watching me. Waiting for me to make up my mind. And that’s the clincher. I find it sexy as hell. He’s so confident that he just waits.
Like he knows the answer will be yes.
I grapple with indecision. Just one drink, I tell myself.
Who was I kidding, I think later as we hungrily eat each other’s mouth in the elevator? He tastes of the bourbon I served him earlier with a hint of mint. The elevator comes to a stop and he breaks the kiss and leads me to his apartment.