“You told me no excuses. Besides I wouldn’t mind it. I could use a drink or two maybe twenty.” They both laughed. “There is one problem. What the hell am I going to wear? I can’t exactly wear scrubs. It’s not like I have kept up with the latest fashion and accessories. And if you wanna go out tonight, we don’t have time for one of your runway extravaganzas. As much as you know I’ll miss that.”
“Easy. I like my runway extravaganzas thank you very much. You still have that outfit you wore to Kevin’s birthday party don’t ya?”
“You know I do, but I don’t know about that. It’s freezing outside tonight. Haven’t you noticed that?”
“It’s perfect. Do it. See ya in an hour. Be ready. Don’t worry about the kids; I can take them over to Ms. Rosa’s. GET. READY. NOW!” Taylor laughed when she picked up the bossy tone Liz had used with her.
By the time Taylor had finished showering and doing her hair she had already easily talked herself out of going. She didn’t want to go out and party. Well, maybe a little bit, but her party days were long over. Going out and having a few drinks was one thing, but truth be known, she didn’t want twenty drinks, just a couple to relax.
Taylor walked out of her room dead set on not going. This was a stupid idea. She would just stay at home and watch some TV. She didn’t need to go out to relax. Just needed some quiet time. With the twins at Ms. Rosa’s and Liz going out there was no reason Taylor couldn’t get it right there in the comfort of her home.
“Oh no you don’t! You march your ass right back in there and get ready. This is no joke, I’m not playing nor am I gonna let you back out this time. Do it now. Go on now. I’m serious.”
“I don’t think I can. Just the thought of it is, is, well, I can’t ok. I mean, I don’t wanna go and spend the entire night out. I just wanna go and have a few then come home and go to sleep. And besides I don’t feel right about this. I feel like going out and moving on is like I am… hell I don’t know.” Taylor shrugged her shoulders dropping her head to prevent Liz from seeing the tears forming.
“Like your forgetting him, like you’re moving on, that’s what you are supposed to do Tay. You are supposed to move on. I swear if you don’t go in there and get ready so help me God I will drag you out of this house with your jammies on and I won’t stop at the mall on the way! Tears won’t get you out of this one! You told me you wanted to live again. Feel whole, complete. How in the hell are you supposed to do that when you have been living like you’re the one that died?” Liz said it as if Taylor had used it as an excuse before.
Taylor stared at Liz. “Fine! Ok. Give me a few minutes. But I’m telling you right now, I’m not staying out all night. Do I need to just take my own car? Because I don’t have a problem with that you know?”
“Nice try. Take your own vehicle and you won’t show up. I know what you’re trying to pull. Give it up Tay, you’re going!” Liz’s brows moved together.
Twenty minutes later, Taylor stepped out wearing a blue turtle neck, black straight mini skirt, dark hose, and black boot heels that came up just below her knee.
“I don’t know about this. Are you sure this is ok? You don’t think I’m too slutty wearing this skirt? I don’t wanna seem easy and appear as if I am looking but I don’t want to be the laugh of the crowd ether.”
“Are you kidding, you’re hot. That’s great.” Liz smiled at Taylor briefly before turning and walking out the door. Taylor took a deep breath attempting to soothe the bundle of nerves that were building in the pit of her stomach.
*****
The minute Liz parked the car she looked over at Taylor. She was spinning her wedding band. Staring at it. Lost in it as if it were hypnotizing her. Secretly questioning, if it were ok for a widow to go out clubbing with her sister. She turned to Liz.
“I don’t wanna talk about it ok. Let’s just have a good time tonight.” Taylor smiled at Liz.
“You got it.” Liz smiled back.
When the door opened to the club the music was blaring and the cloud of cigarette smoke slapped her in the face. She immediately turned looking at Liz. Before Taylor could run, Liz grabbed her hand squeezing to the point circulation was cut off.
"Do this for me please. We both need this. I need my sister back Tay. I miss you. I miss all the fun that we used to have together. You know you weren't the only one who lost. We all did. It's time Taylor. It's time to let go." When the tears were visible in Liz's eyes Taylor squeezed her hand back and with butterflies doing Flip-flops in her stomach and with the not so pleasant aroma of smoke engulfing her she went in.
The last time she had been here it had been with Chase. Taylor stood there looking around remembering getting irritated because the bouncer carded her at the door and it had been raining. He wouldn't even let her step in while she dug out her ID from her purse.
Fighting the tears back and knowing that if Liz seen the tears it would only cause her more grief. Taylor quickly shook away her thoughts.
The blasting music in the air retched through her eardrums again shocking her and reminding her why she didn't come to places like this anymore. It wasn't that she did enjoy the music that was being played, but she didn't like it extremely loud.
The place was totally crowded. People dancing and having a good time. Taylor looked around quickly finding a table. Thank God as the majority of the tables had already been taken.
"Come on Tay, let's go." Liz was full of excitement when she pointed to the dance for. Taylor looked around at all the other women. Bumping and grinding on the men. Not her thing anymore she thought.
“I'll set this one out. Give me a chance to get a drink and in me first. I'll catch the next one with you. You know loosen up a little." Taylor waited for her to go on and she was glad that Liz did.
"Grab me a Morgan and Dew please." Were the only words that Liz spoke before she was gone on the dance floor dancing and enjoying herself for the first time Taylor had seen in a long time.
. "What can I get ya?" Taylor hadn't even noticed the waitress come up.
"Capt. Morgan and Mountain Dew, and a Bud Light with an iced mug please."
“Be right back." Taylor watched the waitress shimmy off to fetch the order.
Taylor stared at the way everyone was dressed. One woman was wearing light-colored jeans with intricate designs on the back pockets paired with a pink shimmery top. She looked nice. The next wearing a short black skirt, flats, and purple halter. Taylor thought and kind of chuckled at the fact that if the woman bent over she would know if the panties matched the outfit. Slut!
The waitress returned giving Taylor the drinks that she had ordered. To Taylor's surprise it wasn't long and she finished her second Bud Light. She watched Liz remain on the dance floor dancing it up and having the time of her life. I love to watch her smile and laugh.
Taylor's thoughts ran wild with much regret and sorrow. Feeling as if she had halted Liz's life altogether. A tap to her shoulder broke her concentration on Liz. She turned and looked over her shoulder to see a man sitting there. Their eyes locked. She stared at a man with short dark hair that was clean-cut on the sides and back, unruly on the top, addictive mysterious dark sexy as hell eyes that were making Taylor feel as though they were eating her up in this very moment, pale flawless skin.
Dimples in each of his cheeks and chin. Beautiful white perfect teeth. Tall stature, she was sure even though he was seated as his long legs told all. Lean but muscular build but not the bulky muscles Taylor didn't like. The nice, "yes I'm in great shape" kind of muscle.
He stayed seated at the table, that was one step above the table where Taylor sat. She watched his lips curl into a smile and she no longer heard the music, the people, anything for that matter. She only saw his mouth that she wondered what would taste like with her tongue in it. His voice was deep, smooth, yet rough. "I don't think she heard you.”
Taylor was captivated by the view hidden from with in and those deep eyes, the secrets that clearly were meant to be there, no emotio
n, just dark sexy, addictive eyes. She imagined like needing another score of Valium his eyes were causing her to feel weird, even strange but were welcomed emotions.
"Damien." He held out his hand to shake her hand. When Taylor didn't take her eyes away from him as he reached out grasping her hand, placing his to hers, he shook it. "Nice to meet you too." His chuckle brought her back from no man's land. She shook her head wondering what happened to her and just looked down.
Still holding her hand she noted that his hand was strong, large, with long slender fingers like that of the piano player but cold as if you'd only just come in from the frigid air outside. She returned her gaze to his eyes.
So many questions. One, are you real? Two, do you have a girlfriend slash wife? Three, do you want one?” Her inner Goddess began jumping up and down out of pure excitement.
"What's your name?" And the smile on his lips startled her in the most uncomfortable and definitely unexpected way. As if a gentle, tender surge of electricity shot through her body and ended at her suddenly now awakened vagina.
Taylor imagined like a dormant volcano lying there silently, waiting for the pressure to build before she began to quake, trimmer, then suddenly and violently shivering with excitement as she howls into the air spilling lava up and over her opening, owning everything in her path showing no mercy.
Taylor turned her head away quickly, startled by her body's own response and mumbled. "Taylor, m, my name is Taylor." Holy shit, did I just stutter? I did. And I’m blushing, I know because my face is on fire! Way to go there volcano. Don’t clear the town before you destroy it.
“Are you okay?" Taylor didn't like the way Damien was now looking at her. She felt as if he was looking at her like she was going completely crazy.
"Yep, I'm good." Taylor had to clear voice from the high-pitched squeal that was coming out of it.
"You come here often?"
Wow, what a pick up line, Jesus. “No I don’t come here often.” Taylor thought about how many times that line had been used on her, her friends, and of course always in the movies. Hell, Chase had even used that line with her.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to irritate you. Really. It wasn’t in a pickup line, just my way of making conversation. Have a good night."
"Wait! I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude. I just haven't been out in a while and well my mind is elsewhere." Taylor didn't know what made her feel the urge to apologize. Maybe because she didn't like the way it sounded when it she had replayed in her mind. She didn't even know what caused her instant replay to begin with. But she felt as if something was so familiar about him. She wondered if she knew him from somewhere. Maybe she had treated him in the ER before.
"Let me guess, you're sitting here thinking of your sister? Kids a little? And you'd rather be a home?" Taylor quickly picked up on his confidence as if he knew he was right, but felt the need to double check his thinking with asking it.
"Exactly. Wow!" He had every right to be that confident because he had hit the nail right on the head. "Now tell me, how did you know all that? You could have gotten that off of anything that I have said thus far or plan on stating in any future conversation we have tonight."
"Call it a gift. So if you didn't want to come, why are you here?"
"Because she really needed this. I guess I really need this to, I just don't know how to enjoy it, cut loose, forget and forgive."
"Forget and forgive who?"
"Long story, one in which I have no plan on talking about and I really shouldn't have mentioned but I have this terrible habit of rambling about things that bother me on and on and on kind of like I almost did just then and now. I'm gonna shut up now." Taylor turned, putting her head down, wishing she was at home in bed, where she was comfortable instead of here rambling on at this gorgeous piece of womanly tease no doubt sent here by someone or something to stir her back to life. Teasing her with his appearance only and then her having to watch him go.
Chase was hot. Sexy as hell even. But this man in front of her was absolutely the most beautiful sight for sore eyes she had ever seen. Men like him, didn't talk to women like her or so she thought. She wasn't rich, not a size 4 anymore, just a decent plane oh Taylor.
"Well, I guess I just need to make you forget whatever or whomever then. I'll work on the forgive part, later." Taylor had no clue how she went from looking at his eyes from a distance to just mere inches apart. She it only blinked when he had said those words and then he was right there in front of her. Almost nose to nose. Mouth-to-mouth. And if she'd had the balls she would have no doubt close that ends and took were her body wanted. No needed.
"Come." He said as in war but it was more of a question in his eyes. She blinked fast trying to clear her eyes from whatever spell had come over them.
"How did you do that?" That was fast, almost freakishly fast she thought.
"Do what?" And then he narrowed his eyes at her as if he was struggling to see something? She wondered what the hell he was looking for exactly.
"Move like that." Don't be coy with me dude. I know you did. Or maybe I don't. But that was fast. Like Superman fast.
"Like what?" The look in his eyes and the scant grin on his face made her forget what she was asking. A little tickle hit her brain then the touch of his hand on her hip made her nervously tremble. She gasped a small amount of air and when his grip tightened and she felt his fingertips dig in softly.
"It's just a dance." His words were smooth and comforting. His eyes looked in to hers as if he was reading her every thought. The slow shift of their bodies as he began to sway her back and forth, only made her bundle of nerves grow further, twisting and turning deep inside her stomach.
Suddenly the thought of everything else in the world had cleared her mind. She was calm, stress free. The nerves quickly faded. The knot that had taken up residence in her chest was gone. Her eyes no longer burned from fighting back tears. The urge to smile was strong and suddenly took over. She had life in her body again.
She began laughing loudly. Something she hadn't done in a long time.
She was having fun. Another thing that didn't occur often. That in itself a very rare occurrence.
She was her old self again and enjoyed just being her again. She wanted to keep dancing with this man. Damien. Her new addiction. Her version of Valium.
The music faded from her hearing and it was like it was just Damien and her. Dancing. Nothing around them mattered. She felt free, released and energized.
For the next hour they didn't stop dancing. She couldn't tell you what the music was like because she didn't hear it. She couldn't tell you what everyone was doing because she didn't see them. She didn't know what was done during that short hour because she never took her eyes away from him.
She didn’t know who won the tonsil hockey match. Had no clue what color panties the woman wore. Didn't know how many people came and went. She just knew that she felt alive again in his arms and she never wanted to leave them.
Dark, piercing, yet soft and brilliantly seductive eyes stayed locked with hers. They had complete and total control over her. Not that she minded it all one bit. Amazingly sexy and attractive, she could have stared at them all night, and more than likely would have, had Liz not interrupted them with her perfectly bad timing.
"Tay,. Who do we have here?" Oh no. Here goes. I knew it. God just let me die now. Please? Not literally but she sure in the hell wanted to curl up and hide.
His eyes smiled in to hers and she almost felt them before he turned. "You must be Liz, I’m Damien." His hand left her hip and held out for Liz to shake and Taylor immediately felt disappointment that and from the loss of his touch. Apparently a touch that didn't have the same effect on Liz because she didn't have any problem at all turning back to Taylor.
"You would be correct. Nice to meet you Damien. Glad my little sister thinks so much of me as to talk about me. Hopefully all good. Taylor, would you accompany me to the ladies room please?" Damn you! Why now was all that came to
her mind. Her body couldn't move away from his no matter how hard she tried. Paralyzed, but by what she thought. Why couldn't she move? What was it about being this close to him that kept her there?
Was it her body's way of telling her it needed his touch? Was it her mind's way of telling her don't go your alive? Or her inner Goddess working her magic? She replayed their brief introduction and then thought about it, she didn't remember talking about Liz. But then she didn't remember what songs they danced to either, didn't know if she stepped on his toes, didn't know anything. Just that she wanted him.
"Taylor, come on. This won't take long. Promise." Liz grinned at Taylor, but Taylor could tell she was for it. And just like that she moved. Easily. Why hadn’t she been able to do that seconds ago?
The bathroom door opened and closed and then the interrogation started similar to how she knew it would.
"Spill it!" Her eyes were huge. All questions. Full of excitement like she was her next big romance novel, with a plot that was sure to end with again, happily ever after.
"What?" She knew damn well what or who I should say. Her inner Goddess was laughing outrageously hard at the expression on Liz’s face. Taylor quickly looked around making sure the coast was clear. It was bad enough she had to have this conversation with her sister, who actually was her best friend, so she didn't understand why she was uncomfortable with it to begin with.
"That brilliantly designed piece of work you are dancing with, that's what!"
"Damien. He told you that already. It isn't very nice not to pay attention to someone when they are introducing themselves. You know that. English 101, should have paid more attention to Mr. Gall." Now Taylor wondered why she was dodging what Liz wanted to hear. She knew why, the mysterious keeping devil on her shoulder made her do it. This was her bit of excitement and she didn't want to lose it by hearing the what-ifs, do this, or do that. Or at least not yet anyways.
"Taylor, are you purposely doing this or did you order a drink called dummy up quick because if you did, it's kicked in?"
Swept Away: The First Bloodline Page 2