by AJ Summer
She smoothed her hands down her skirt, removing some lint. It was with a resigned sigh that she took one last look in the mirror. She was pretty, she knew, but not overly attractive, nothing attention grabbing or special. Her dark hair and pale complexion made her seem almost ghost-like at times. Her dark green eyes were her best feature, she figured, and she had been blessed with long dark lashes making them more appealing. Other than her eyes, Mackenzie thought there was nothing striking about her features. She was average height, with an average build, she was no beauty. Of course that was why he never made an attempt to flirt with her, or even speak to her at all.
She turned on her heels and made her way back to the bar. Her eyes automatically flicked in the direction of his unoccupied chair though she needn’t have looked, she knew he hadn’t arrived. There was always an electricity in the air when he was in the room and she couldn’t feel it yet.
She took her place next to Alex behind the bar and scanned the room, checking that all the clients still had liquid in their glasses. She found a couple with empties and attempted to head in their direction when they both stood and the man threw some money on the table. She hesitated for a moment while they left before heading to their table with her silver tray. Bending slightly to collect the glasses and placing them with the cash on the tray, she felt the tiny hairs on the back of her neck lift. Discreetly she flicked her eyes in the direction of the front door just as he entered.
He took her breath away as he always did. His black hair styled to perfection. His expensive black suit made the same way. Straightening her body she turned to face him but hesitated before taking a step. Tonight he wore a white shirt and dark blue tie. He stood tall, six feet she guessed, his eyes sweeping the room, gliding past her own. She quickly looked away, ducking her head slightly as she moved back toward the bar.
He strode by her and she felt the warmth of his body behind her back as he passed. Though he was at least five or so feet from her as he did, she could still feel an electric current between his body and hers. It was always this way for her, whenever he was here. She couldn’t help it, there was something about that man.
He took his usual seat and when she rounded the bar her eyes automatically went in his direction. He caught her eye and raised his hand in a one-fingered salute, signaling his order. He came here every Friday and so that was all that was required of him to order his drink. His standard.
Alex was at the other end of the bar pouring champagne for some other clients that had just arrived, so turning on her heels once more, Mackenzie reached high to the top shelf, grabbing the Glenfiddich thirty-year-old, single malt Scotch whisky. He was the only person that ever ordered it. It wasn’t the most expensive drink they served, but still it wasn’t cheap, not by a long shot. She poured the amber liquid over some ice, the scent of the liquor filling her nostrils. She wondered what it tasted like. She’d never drank anything so expensive in all her life. She had drunk cheap Scotch whisky plenty of times and wondered what the difference was, if the expense was worth it. Though she wasn’t about to find out anytime soon.
She returned the bottle to the shelf then took her silver tray to the man that made her heart beat faster. She felt his eyes on her as she approached though she avoided them, looking past him instead. She always tried to keep her eyes from his because they were overwhelming when he set them upon her. When their eyes met, her stomach never failed to flutter.
She felt her body heat as she neared him. She tried her best to keep a steady hand when she placed the drink in front of him, but her body failed her as it always did and her hand trembled slightly before the bottom of the glass hit the table. Her eyes also betrayed her mind by flicking upwards and meeting his. As she righted herself his eyes remained locked on hers. She stood frozen for a moment, caught in his web. His dark and intense stare making tingles run down her back and also pool in her front.
“Is there anything else I can get you sir?” she asked with a slightly shaky breath, annoyed at herself for failing to remain composed in his presence.
“No,” he answered in a deep voice that vibrated through her. She knew that would be his answer, it always was.
“Very well,” she said with a slight nod.
His intense eyes remained on her face and she felt the wrath of them on her back as she turned and retreated to her post.
She breathed a sigh of relief when she made it back safely behind the bar. Her eyes again involuntarily looked in his direction. He hadn’t moved an inch. His composure was just the same and his eyes were still focused on her. She gasped at the intensity of his stare.
“Mack,” Alex said, causing her to jump.
Mackenzie turned her head in his direction. He flicked his eyes toward the table with the two business men from earlier. Her eyes followed his and she saw that they both had empty glasses. Carrying the tray she still had in her hand she made her way back out of the safety of the bar to stand in front of the two business men.
“Could I get you gentlemen another drink?”
“I’ll have another bourbon and Coke,” said the first man with barely a glance.
“I’ll have the same,” said the other one, the handsome one with the wandering eyes.
She leaned forward to grab their empty glasses, placing them on the tray.
“When do you finish your shift?” he asked, catching her off guard.
Her eyes locked onto his pale blue ones as she straightened her stance. He was attractive, there was no denying it. Blond hair, blue eyes, dimples when he smiled, nice teeth… a wedding ring.
“Not for a while yet,” she answered vaguely and turned away.
She didn’t need to encourage him. Though she enjoyed the attention and he was just the type of guy she would normally go for, she couldn’t allow it to happen. She’d seen him here before, he had flirted with her then too, so he was a semi-regular, probably worked in the area. That was reason enough not to encourage him. She didn’t want to sleep with someone that would perhaps come back for more, not if he were a married man. If he was single, well that would be another story.
When she reached the bar Alex was already pouring the drinks for the men, obviously having heard their order as there table was close by. She watched as he placed the drinks on her tray.
“Thanks,” she said to him with a smile.
Alex gave her a wink and a grin back before she lifted the tray and turned toward the men. She felt his eyes on her, the man in the corner, the dark-haired, dark-eyed, brooding Friday-nighter. Her head turned in his direction and she caught his eye. It caused her to wobble slightly, she almost lost her footing. She felt her cheeks flush as she put her other hand out to steady the tray. Her hackles rose because he had such a huge effect on her, just his intense gaze was enough to make her lose all professionalism. She prided herself on doing her job well. She rarely lost her steady composure, spilt a drink or lost her footing. Except for Friday nights when he was here. He was her undoing, he unnerved her, he was her weakness. It suddenly made her angry.
“Are you right there love?” asked the attractive blond man seated in front of her.
“Yes, thank you sir,” she replied, placing his drink in front of him. She turned toward the other man and positioned his glass on the table.
“Are you sure about that?” The blond man spoke and Mackenzie’s eyes met his as she straightened.
She could feel his attraction to her through those eyes. It only angered her more. His hand reached out and grabbed hold of her wrist.
“You look a little… flushed.”
His voice was laced with intent. She stared daggers at him. What about his wife? She was probably waiting for him at home. How dare he make a play for me!
His hand let go of her wrist and his fingers trailed slowly upwards. She couldn’t deny it felt nice to be touched, she was attracted to him. She closed her eyes at the feel but then the hackles on her back rose again. Blinking slowly she again reminded herself he was a married man and also not th
e man in the corner of the room, the one she really wanted.
“I’m fine, thank you sir,” she said, moving her arm from under his touch.
Turning away, her eyes caught on the brooding man seated in the corner, and she halted her steps. She had felt his eyes on her that whole time. He had watched the entire exchange, but his expression gave nothing away. His face remained stoic, void of emotion, and she couldn’t help but wonder what he was thinking.
She pulled her eyes off him and turned her attention back to the bar, focusing on her destination, careful not to glance at anyone, neither the men at the table, the intense one in the corner, or Alex’s concerned stare from behind the bar.
“Are you okay?” Alex asked when she took her position back beside him. “I saw that guy’s hands on you. Did he upset you?”
“No, not at all,” she reassured her friend. It’s not him I’m worried about.
Her eyes again moved to the man in the corner. His eyes had finally left her and were now concentrating on getting a cigarette out of a packet. This was one of the few remaining places in the city that still allowed smoking indoors. It was one rule that she didn’t see changing anytime soon. There were many smokers that frequented here for that reason.
She watched as the man pushed the cigarette between his lips and she watched as he lit it. Taking a long drag as he flicked the silver case of the lighter shut with a loud clink that could be heard across the quiet room. His eyes again made their way to hers. This time she didn’t look away. There was something different about the way he was looking at her tonight. She didn’t believe he had ever taken so much notice of her at any time prior. It intrigued her.
He intrigued her. He always had. Every Friday night at half past nine, he would come into the bar and sit in that same lounge chair. He would order the same drink, scotch on the rocks, with a lift of a single finger. Alex had been the one to actually tell her what his order was on that very first Friday, he had never actually ordered the drink from her with words. She would serve him his beverage then he would sit back and observe. Quietly he would people watch. Every week from the same spot. Occasionally lifting his finger to order another drink.
Then someone would catch his eye. An attractive blonde with impeccable clothes, a leggy brunette in a tailored suit, he didn’t seem to have a particular type. The women would smile and flutter their eyes at him, he would give them the once over and eventually he would motion them toward him. And they always went. Mackenzie had never seen a woman ignore his gaze or deny his motion, the crook of his finger or a slight nod of his head, even on a couple of occasions a snap of his fingers, that would be all that it took before they would move to him and take a seat at his table.
They would never stay long after that. He didn’t buy her a drink, he would barely speak to her, before he would lean over to touch her in some small way. A hand on her thigh, a finger under her chin, maybe he would tuck her hair behind her ear, he would speak to her in a low and sexy voice. Mackenzie was never close enough to hear what was said, what was exchanged between the two, but whatever it was, it worked. Moments later they would stand, he would throw cash on the table and guide the woman out the front door by the small of her back. Every time.
Mackenzie couldn’t deny that she had watched him. She tried to do it discreetly but week after week, month after month, it had gotten harder to do. She knew that he knew she was watching his exchanges with these women. She couldn’t help but openly watch once he beckoned them over. It was too hard to look away any more.
She also couldn’t deny that she wished it was her. Nearly every week she had felt that pang of jealousy. Not just at the fact the women he left with were going with him, but also at the fact she wasn’t good enough. She wasn’t even close to being in the same league as those women were. Classic beauties, with expensive clothes, perfect bodies, women that possessed a composure that Mackenzie didn’t. She was both jealous of the women they were and the man they were obviously going to share a bed with when they left.
Glancing around the room she wondered who he would go with tonight. She smirked when she realized his pickings were slim. His choices were limited to one of two women. They were seated together, talking quietly to one another. Either one would do him, he didn’t seem to have a preference, as long as they were beautiful and these two both were. She watched as the blonde one looked over at him, her brunette friend’s eyes soon followed. Mackenzie too looked in the man’s direction. She swallowed when she saw that he wasn’t paying the women any attention. No, his eyes were solely trained on her.
She watched as he took another drag of his cigarette, his dark, almost black, eyes fixated on her. A chill went through her body when one side of his mouth curled into a sinister smile. He lifted his glass of scotch with his other hand and saluted her with it. Oh yes, this mysterious man was dangerous, and for some reason I was his next target. She didn’t know why, but she knew it were true.
She nervously looked away from him and she thought maybe she heard him chuckle. Chuckle? The guy doesn’t chuckle. I couldn’t have heard him from here anyway. I must have imagined it. Just the thought of the possibility of hearing him laugh made her smile. Oh, what a sight that would be! I bet he has a deep and beautiful laugh.
Mackenzie returned her attention to her job. She grabbed a heavy rack of empty and dirty glasses and carried them out to the small kitchen behind the bar. Alex followed her with a rack of his own. Heaving them to the table she turned toward him.
“What are you smirking at?” he asked.
“Oh nothing,” she hummed, turning away.
She left Alex in the kitchen stacking the dishwasher and returned to her post behind the bar. The blond flirty man from earlier was waiting on her. With a smile still playing on her lips it brightened when he gave her a flashy one back. Even though the smile she held was not intended for him, and he didn’t need encouraging, she couldn’t help but feel pleased that a man was attracted to her and even more pleased that she knew he was watching this exchange. She wondered if perhaps he felt even a smidgen of the jealousy she did when he made a play for the women he took home. Probably not, but it’s nice to imagine anyway.
“So,” the blond man started, leaning on his arms against the bar, his eyes dropped lower, “Mackenzie,” he said reading her name tag. Looking back to her eyes, he continued, “When does your shift end?”
“Oh, not for hours yet,” she replied, turning up the flirty voice and smile for his benefit and not the man in front of her.
She wanted the blond man to leave, she didn’t want to encourage him but at the same time she couldn’t stop herself from attempting to rile the man in the corner up. The man that was watching her every move tonight.
“Well, my friend and I are leaving now, but we will still be in the city for a few more hours. What time can I pick you up?”
Mackenzie came to her senses at his words, she blinked rapidly in his direction. She hadn’t agreed to anything. How dare he!
“You can’t. I don’t think your wife would like that. Do you?” she snapped, her eyes blazing at him in anger.
“What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her,” he replied smugly.
He tossed some cash on top of the bar and when Mackenzie went to grab it he took hold of her hand. She gasped at the unexpected contact. He slid his business card into her palm.
“Call me later,” he said with a wink, letting her hand go.
“Not likely,” she mumbled under her breath when he walked away.
She tossed the card in the bin and started counting the cash to put it in the till. There was a one hundred dollar tip. It made her feel ill, like he was expecting something from her for the payment. She placed it in the tip jar to be divided between her and Alex at home time. She knew Alex would be pleased at such a high amount. She was about to tell Alex about it as he came from the kitchen behind her, but her eyes were again drawn to a set of dark ones. This time they were closer to her than they had been before. She gasped at
his nearness, he was standing directly in front of her, with only the bar separating them. She hadn’t even realized he’d left his chair.
He never leaves his chair.
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A man with no name.
Mysterious.
Dangerous.
Brooding.
Sexy.
Once a week he frequents the bar where Mackenzie works. He orders the same drink, scotch on the rocks, and he sits back on the same lounge chair, quietly watching … waiting …
He has money - that much is obvious. He wears his tailored suits well. He smells divine, of expensive cologne, and orders his scotch from the top shelf.
He drinks alone, but he never leaves that way. With a snap of his fingers, a flick of his eyes, a glimmer of a smile, he gets the attention of the most attractive women in the bar.
This time his focus is on Mackenzie. Instead of feeling nervous Mackenzie is enthralled, intrigued … and aroused.
WARNING: This novella contains explicit sex scenes (including BDSM) and is for mature 18+ readers only.
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