“Nice,” he said just above a whisper.
Tommy shouldered his way to the bar edge and waved her over. “Hey, babe.” He gave her his sexiest smile, showing both dimples and closed his lids just enough to portray desire. “Wanna meet up after your shift, Heather?”
“Sorry. Can’t.” She smiled, though. “What can I get you?”
Turning back to Dominic and Chad, he asked, “You guys want another drink?” He got two negatives. He turned back. “Just a J.D. on the rocks.”
When she handed him the glass, she winked at Dominic who was watching her. Then she handed Tommy a Heineken. “This is for your friend… on me.”
Tommy scowled at Dominic, but handed the bottle to him. “Guess she likes boring.” He rolled his eyes and disappeared into the crowd.
Chad elbowed Dominic. “Go for it. I’ll check the band out.”
He was glad one of them would hook up. Making his way through the crowd wasn’t hard since he was so tall and a bit intimidating with his growing build. Working out was how he dealt with losing Crystal since she walked out of his place with Giovanni months ago. It helped with the anger and heartache enough to get by.
The music got louder when he reached the front half of the room. He stepped down to the main floor and walked around the most timid mosh pit he had ever seen. Men in suits should not he slamming into each other like that. It was definitely weird. When he was a few feet from the stage, he looked up at the musicians. It was a six-man band, with keyboards along with the usual instruments. They sounded good. He hoped Metal Fuckers In Hell were better, though.
Chapter Thirteen
Dominic drank his beer nervously. He stayed close the bar and smiled at Heather several times. Her buying him a drink could mean she wanted to talk to him. He bided his time. She flirted with him every other time they had met, but Gina was usually there with him. Maybe now things would be different. He hated being alone.
He checked his phone, stupidly hoping Noelle had called or at least texted. Nope. He drained the beer and set it on a clear spot on the bar counter. Another quickly handed to him when he waved a 20 in the air a bit. Heather winked at him from the other side of the taps.
After looking around for Tommy and Chad, he glanced Heather’s way again, but she was gone. His expression fell. Of course. It was too good to be true.
“Hey. Dominic isn’t it?” Heather came up behind him.
He whirled around. “You surprised me.”
“Sorry.” She lowered her eyes, but smiled. “Didn’t mean to.” She chewed on her bottom lip, nervously. “I’m on a break. Wanna go somewhere quiet and talk?”
“Sure.” He followed her through the club, then through a door marked “Private.” The hall was much quieter. There were several more doors, all closed. “Where we going?”
Heather turned back. “There’s an employee lounge back here.” She stopped at the last door and turned the handle. “Hopefully, no one’s inside.”
Dominic walked in right after her and closed the door behind them. There was silence. He scanned the room. Two couches, a table with chairs, refrigerator, sink, microwave… and a basket of condoms? That room was for a lot more than eating dinner and relaxing. Did she expect sex? That wasn’t going to happen.
“So…” Heather plopped down on an overstuffed leather couch. “Where’s Gina tonight?”
“Uh, we broke up.”
She tried not to look happy. “Sorry. Are you OK?”
“Yeah. It was my doing.”
“Oh, I won’t pry.” She urged him to sit with a wave of her hand. When he did, she smiled again. “I’ve seen you play.”
He silently groaned. Great. A groupie. Just my luck. “Really?”
“Yeah, at that charity event in May, I think.” She put her hand over his. “You’re very talented. Does your band play all the clubs?” She listened to alternative rock music for the most part and never listened to the radio. She had very little time.
Dominic almost laughed. “Um, not exactly. Guess you’ve never heard of us.” He couldn’t understand how.
“I don’t think so.” She screwed her face up, thinking. “What was the name again? Not Fuel. I know them. Is it Fire something?”
He let out a chuckle. “No, Gasoline.”
“Yeah, right. I’m not good with band names.” She smiled. Then her face fell. “Did you say Gasoline?” When he nodded, her mouth dropped. “No wonder Tommy’s so cocky. I’m sorry.” She stood up, feeling uncomfortable that she was hitting on someone so famous. “I didn’t mean to assume you’d like me. You probably thought I brought you here to suck your dick. I didn’t. I wanted to get to know you.”
Dominic didn’t know what to do. She was leaving. “Wait. Stop. I don’t think that. I’m glad you didn’t know who I was.”
“You are?”
He grinned. “Yeah. Groupies are so… I don’t really bother with them much.”
“Oh, cool.” She inched her way back, but didn’t sit down. “You’re probably used to hot, rich girls.”
He rolled his eyes. “Wow, you don’t know me.” He got to his feet. “I like my women real and beautiful like you.”
She blushed deeply. “You have a way with words.”
“Well, you are.” He sat, hoping she would relax. “Don’t be nervous. I’m just a guy.” He put out a hand and she grasped it. “Normally you’re confident and don’t take shit from anyone. I like that in a woman.”
Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to relax. “You do?”
“Yes. Sit. I do want to talk.”
Back in the club, Tommy had found what he was looking for. He didn’t get a name, but the girl was a bit shy and not remotely aggressive. He said to her, “You wanna go get a room so we can get to know each other?”
Her eyes widened. “You mean like, have sex?”
“Yes.” His eyes raked over her short black dress. It was tight in all the right places. He whispered in her ear, “I’d like to fuck this tight little body till you scream.”
She shuddered; she was terrified, yet excited. “Um…”
“Or we can just find a quiet corner here.” He kissed her neck, then her ear. “I got something in my pants that needs a warm pussy for relief.” He could feel her giving in. Before she answered, he led her back to his booth. “So… Which is it gonna be?”
“Uh… I don’t know.”
He grinned and slid into the booth and pulled her next to him. He checked the tables around them. No one was paying them any mind. As quiet as he could, he opened his pants and rolled a condom over his erection.
“Come here, babe.” He tugged her over his lap and pulled her panties aside. “I got something for you.” He moved his dick until it poked her in just the right place. “Now come down, babe.”
Her eyes opened wide. “Here?”
“Yeah, come on.” He pulled her down until she sat on him. “Feels good, right?” He lifted her and thrust up hard. “Stay like that, babe. No one can see.”
She leaned on the table in front of him and let him fuck her. He was one of her favorite rock stars, and she was overwhelmed that he wanted her. His fingers digging into her hips hurt a bit, but his strokes were wonderful.
“You’re nice and tight.” He moaned softly. He pumped several more times, then felt her trembling. “Like that, huh, babe?” His balls were tightening.
She pursed her lips and clenched her fists. “God, yes.” Her voice was low, so as not to be heard.
Chad sat down, not noticing the girl at first. “Oh shit, sorry.”
Tommy yanked her down, burying himself into her fully. “Just, uh, doin’ my thing.”
“You want me to leave?” Chad felt slightly uncomfortable, since they were in public. “Or are you guys gonna get a room?” Although he had done almost the same with Crystal once.
With a grin, Tommy replied, “No. Stay. Makes it hotter.” He eased the girl’s hips up. “Just warn me if security comes by.” He drove into her harder, knowing he was c
lose. “Babe, clench your pussy for me.” When she did, he groaned and upped the intensity.
Chad glanced at the woman. Her face contorted in pleasure. Then she cried out. He could just hear it over the music.
“Oh yeah…” Tommy held her down in his lap as his balls emptied. “Just what I needed.” When he was done, he let her go and slapped her ass. “Get up. I gotta get rid of this thing.” She did as she was told. He grabbed a few napkins from the holder on the table and wadded them around the spent condom. “Thanks, babe.”
She looked at Chad shyly. “It was good.” The music faded just as she sat down.
“There you are.” A tall, lanky man came to the table, just after Tommy closed his pants. “Why the fuck’d you run off?”
The woman at their table looked up, fear in her eyes. “Um, I um…”
“I asked her to sit with me.” Tommy glared at him, but knew the guy was at least a head over him.
“And who the fuck’re you?”
Chad stood up and folded his arms over his puffed-up chest. “Got a problem with my friend?” He stared at the angry man. “Take a walk, dude. She’s fine with us.”
“She’s my wife.” He pointed at her left hand.
All eyes turned to the gold band on her finger.
Tommy had not noticed that. He just wanted to get in her panties. “She’s not allowed to talk?”
“Everything OK, Mr. Fischer?” A man in a security shirt stopped at the table.
Chad turned to him. “Tommy?”
“Tommy Fischer? No way!” the husband cried out. “Hey, if you wanna talk to my wife, it’s cool. I guess if you want more, that’s up to her.”
Tommy smirked and put an arm around the wife. “You can go if you want, or you can stay for round two.”
She giggled.
Confused, Chad looked from the wife to the husband to Tommy. He was OK with Tommy fucking her? “I got it.” He told the security man.
Tommy put a hand out to the husband. “Sit if you want.”
Across the room, Dominic waved goodbye to Heather. They had talked for her entire break and got along better than expected. She wasn’t Noelle, but she made him smile. They planned to meet after her shift as well.
He turned and headed to the corner booth. Before he approached, he noticed three tall men standing in front of it. Shit. What did Tommy do now? He walked faster, but he slowed when Chad sat, and the security guy walked away.
“Sit with us.” Tommy let his eyes roam over the girl he had just fucked. Then they landed on her husband. “You want a drink?” He got a nod, so waved at the closest waitress. “Bring us a round of tequila shots.” He noticed Dominic. “You want one too, Dom?”
“Sure.” Dominic sat next to Chad. “What you guys been up to?”
Chad shrugged. “Just checking the place out.” He glanced at Tommy sideways, then back at Dominic. “Where’d you run off to?”
“Talking with Heather.” He winked at Tommy. “She likes a more subtle approach.”
Tommy groaned. “You hooked up with her?”
“Hell no!” Dominic frowned at him. “I’m not a man-whore like you. We’re going out for coffee later.” He grinned like a teenager anticipating his first date.
When the shots came, Tommy lifted his glass. “To new friends and lots of pussy.”
Dominic rolled his eyes, but drained one of the glasses. Tommy always added something raunchy to a decent toast. “So who’re your new friends?”
“I have no idea,” Tommy responded, honestly. “We just met.” He winked and licked his lips. “Names may come later.”
The lights changed on the stage. Everyone turned to see. “You guys ready for tonight’s headliner?” the announcer shouted. Most of the crowd cheered. “Let’s hear it for Metal Fuckers in Hell!” The cheers got louder.
The lead singer, Ty, stalked the stage, back and forth before lifting a mike to his lips. “We’re gonna blow your fucking minds!” The normally calm man turned wild in front of an audience. “How about a bit of ‘Perception?’ ”
A complicated guitar solo accompanied by a fast, deep drumbeat filled the room. The piece progressed to higher notes until the lead guitarist held one for several seconds. Then the rest of the band joined, and the song took on a metal tone, heavy on the double bass. Many banged their heads to the beat.
Tommy was glad James Keloha from Brass Monkey brought the band to Demonfire. The talented bunch would definitely go far. “You like ’em?” he shouted to those at the table. Several nods came his way. “Awesome!”
When the band’s set was over, the crowd at the club started to thin. Music still played, but not from the stage. Tommy had gotten the couple’s contact info and hoped that would lead to another night with the wife, at least.
Dominic watched the bar, which was sometimes visible since the club was emptying. Heather still worked her ass off, looking beautiful as ever. He was glad they met. She could help him get his mind off Noelle.
Tommy looked around. Not one girl he wanted. That was OK, though. He got laid. That was the main reason to go there. The band was the second.
“When we leaving?”
Chad turned to Tommy. “You’re driving.”
“Um… well.” Tommy had more to drink than he expected. “Chad, can you drive a stick?”
“Yeah. I can drive anything.” Chad looked at him nervously. “You need me to drive your car?” It was an expensive and powerful piece of machinery.
Tommy pat his back. “I trust you… And I’m, well, I had a few too many. I’d rather not drive.” He was careful about things like that, especially since each one of Dean’s DUI’s gave the band bad press for months. “I have a feeling Dominic is finding his own way home.”
“I am.” Dominic waved at Heather who was cleaning the counter top in front of her. “I’ll catch a cab from wherever we’re going.” He handed Chad his car keys. “Take the Jeep to your place. I’ll come get it tomorrow.”
Just about a half an hour later, Chad and Tommy left. Tommy was able to walk, but he was definitely impaired. When Tommy got into the passenger seat, he turned the radio up a bit and plugged in his iPod. Chad adjusted the driver’s seat so he could get in, and then a bit more until he was comfortable.
“Sorry, but I had to move everything. I’m kinda tall.”
Tommy nodded at Chad. “No worries. I got my settings programmed.” He flipped through the songs on the iPod until he got to Disturbed. “Hope you like ‘Down With The Sickness.’ ” Tommy selected that song.
Then he leaned back. The familiar drumbeat started. He nodded his head to the rhythm. The guitar joined, and he mimicked the words and sounds that came from the vocalist during the intro. Then when the song started in earnest, his head banged faster with it. He knew the song well.
It was one of Chad’s favorites as well, an oldie but goodie. Well, at least in his eyes. He sang the words with Tommy as they drove towards the Holland Tunnel. He watched the RPM gauge carefully, not wanting to do damage to the transmission. It had been a few years since he drove a manual, but it was like riding a bike. His hand rested on the gearshift in anticipation. It was thrilling, for sure.
Tommy was slowly falling asleep, but still singing. He had been worried at first Chad would grind the gears or wait too long to shift. However, he shifted smoothly, hardly even noticeable. As the music changed to “Stupify,” his mind faded into oblivion.
Dominic sat at the bar while they served last call. He had a soda in front of him, wanting to be clear-headed. One by one, the patrons moved to the other two open bars, and Heather cleaned that part of the counter.
“OK, I’m ready.” Heather came around to him. “Where do you want to go?”
Dominic smiled. “There’s a place on Broadway we can try. Don’t know if they’re open.”
“Let’s go.”
They walked arm in arm down West 4th Street towards Broadway. The first coffee shop was closed, and so were the next four. At three a.m., not much was open b
ut bars and a few restaurants. Dominic checked his phone for somewhere quiet to hang out. He found nothing close. They started to walk back to the club.
“Let’s just go to my place,” Heather suggested. “I live in Battery Park.”
Dominic tilted his head. “You sure? You don’t really know me.”
“Yeah, but for some reason, I doubt you’re a serial killer.” She laughed. “That would probably put a damper on your music career.”
Laughing, Dominic replied, “Good logic. Where’s your car?”
“Car? I don’t have a car. I don’t even know how to drive.”
He stared at her. “Really?”
“Where would I park anyway? You have any idea how expensive lots are here?”
He had been well off for so long, he didn’t think twice about paying 20 or 30 dollars to park for a few hours. “Sorry. I’m from Jersey. We drive.”
“I bet you have a whole garage full of cars.”
Dominic looked away, not wanting to talk about his possessions or money. “Does it bother you I’m… Well, that I’m…”
“Rich?” She had to save him from embarrassment. “I don’t care. As long as you don’t flaunt it in my face.”
He smiled. “I don’t really do that. Other than one nice car, I live pretty normal. I take care of my family, mostly.”
“You have kids?” She knew he was at least in his mid-30s, so that made sense.
He froze, but his eyes welled up with tears.
She quickly realized she hit a nerve. “I’m sorry. You don’t have to answer. It’s just when you said family…”
“My parents and my, uh… ex’s parents.” He couldn’t explain them any other way. “I make sure they have everything they need.” He looked up. They had reached 7th Avenue.
Heather pulled him towards the train station nearby. “You’re sweet to do that.” She was very impressed by him.
The ride to her place was short, but Dominic had not been on a subway train in almost 17 years. No matter what he did, he saw Claire staring out the window as they crossed the Manhattan Bridge. They would ride every time they came into the city. He loved watching the look of awe in her eyes as she watched the skyline.
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