Lost

by Jennifer Davis

  “This place is so amazing!” Meredith shouts over her shoulder. Her long dark hair falls into big curls across her black leather mini dress. Only she could pull off something that trendy, and tiny.

  “Girls, keep your phone on you and stay together, or we’ll never find each other again in this place!” Callie warns us in her motherly fashion.

  “Drinks!” I shout back to them, needing something to numb the pain of my shitbag boyfriend Jack. Ex-boyfriend Jack? The thought is too much to process right now.

  “Over here!” We follow Emma’s tall silhouette in the crowds to a massive circular bar in the middle of the room. There are two other bars in this first dance hall, one at each end of the building.

  The bar is staffed with beautiful and very toned bartenders, both male and female. The ladies have on skin-tight black dresses, the men with equally tight black T-shirts. We order a round of “houses,” Ware’s specialty martini, which carries a slight purple haze when the strobing laser lights flash onto it.

  After draining an obscenely strong house, followed by a mind-numbing shot of God knows what, my brain’s good judgment is as incapacitated as I am. I fumble for my cell phone from my clutch and take a quick breath before I slap my fingers across the screen, thinking only of how hot Lusty Max is, and how much I need some attention.

  Hi. Where are you?

  I get right to the point and hit send. Within seconds I see a response.

  Dinner. You?

  Hot dinner date?

  Business dinner, almost done.

  I’m at Ware. Have you heard of it? You should come.

  Yes. A bit young for me.

  Oh, I forgot he’s older than me, 35 maybe? What’s a decade age difference really matter when all I need is a hot mouth to kiss and warm body to grind?

  Don’t be old and boring. Come. We’ll have fun.

  I feel myself smile at the idea and give little thought to the potential consequences of him joining us, further failing to thoroughly consider what I will do if he actually shows up.

  “Jess, behind you.” Emma gestures with her martini glass, a wide, giggly smile on her face. I whirl around and see Rocky and his clan of boys behind me, and I welcome the opportunity for some confidence-boosting male attention.

  “Hey, babe, looking good!” He grabs my arm and twirls me in toward him, focusing his eyes on the sweetheart neckline of my red dress, which perfectly accentuates my pushed-up chest. I found this dress on sale during Christmas and it was too good to pass up. The ruching throughout the clingy material helps hide my insecurities.

  Rocky slides his arm around me and plants a big kiss on my cheek. I let his minty mouth linger for a moment, then I pull away, not wanting to actually swap spit. At least not just yet. I quickly slip from his arms and say hello to his friends.

  “Jess, come on, we’re all taking shots!” Rocky pulls me toward him again. I certainly don’t need another shot, but in the spirit of living in the moment, I happily oblige. Rocky and his well-to-do friends once again went all out, getting a big table in the middle of the club with table service.

  “Look over there!” Emma shouts toward me as soon as I swallow my liquid poison. My bleary eyes move toward the far corner of the room to a platform with a few girls dancing on top. It sits up above the crowd, almost like a mini balcony, hidden until they put the lights on it.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we’re celebrating a very special birthday for Miss Karen Cruze! Give it up for Karen!!!!” The DJ’s voice overlays the music for his upbeat introduction. The lights flash over and fully illuminate a skinny red head dancing around with a few of her friends. “Happy Birthday, Karen, now come on y’all give her some loooooveeee!!!”

  The crowd responds with resounding woos and cheers for the birthday girl. She looks very young, probably just turning 21, and her body moves effortlessly with the encouragement from the crowd. It’s clear she’s having the time of her life.

  “We HAVE to do that for Mere!” Emma shouts to me. I nod my head, and continue swaying to the music, forgetting once and for all about my possible forthcoming rendezvous.

  Emma works her magic, and before long it’s our turn to climb atop the VIP balcony. “Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve got another big celebration in the house tonight! Let’s all give it up for Miss Meredith Andrews! Meredith is spending her last night out as a single woman. That’s right, boys, she’s going to be officially off the market soon, so buy her a drink while you still can!”

  “Ahh!” Meredith shrieks and waves her hands to the crowd like she’s just won the Miss America pageant.

  “There she is!” the DJ announces, and a spotlight above finds her in the crowd. “Everybody make some noise while we witness this single lady’s final dance!” The crowd starts cheering her on as she makes her way up to the VIP balcony, all of us toting along behind. We excitedly climb up onto the balcony platform, trying not to wobble off the steep steps. Clearly this was not designed for drunk party girls wearing high heels.

  The DJ quickly flows the beat into a remix of Beyoncé’s best, beginning with “Single Ladies.” Meredith excitedly dances around with us and flashes her ring on cue while we boisterously shout, “If you like it then you should have put a ring on it.”

  “Oh, he liked it!” Our adorable Meredith adds her own words, shouting and flashing her left hand and engagement ring around. The music seamlessly transitions to “Bootylicious” and we all can’t help but shriek again. I embrace the words and shake it like I don’t have a care in the world. And for a moment, I don’t. I simply enjoy the beauty of decades-old friendship, now old enough to dance and drink our asses off.

  “Bathroom break? I think we could really use a touch-up now!” I suggest as we disembark from the dancing platform. The girls oblige, and we all duck into the bathroom just a few feet behind us.

  God I’m drunk. I stand in front of the mirror and try for a moment to focus on my blurry reflection. I reach into Callie’s bag, which sits on the beautiful granite counters in the impeccably designed bathrooms. I use a paper towel to dab off the glow my face has acquired from dancing oh so bootyliciously. I do a quick touch-up with her powder, curl my eyelashes, and put on some red-tinted lip gloss. I give my hair a quick tousle and try to make myself look a bit more presentable.

  “Hey, where did Emma and Callie go?” I ask Meredith, who is blotting her face at the vanity.

  “They went back to the table, you can go ahead, I’m going to call Cale for a minute so he doesn’t have a shitfit and worry too much.”

  “Ok, sure, I think I need to get myself a water and sit down for a minute,” I inform her.

  “You ok?”

  “Yeah, I’ll be fine. Just probably need to slow down for a bit.”

  “Ok, see you back at the table?”

  I nod back to Mere and grab a mint from the attendant on my way out. I exit the bathroom and try to focus on the mass of people dancing and partying in front of me. The table is that way, right? I take a few steps when I feel the force of someone’s arm around my wrist. Must be Rocky again. I swallow down a wave of nausea and turn to him with a full smile. “Hey, you.”

  It takes my sloshy brain a moment to realize that it’s not Rocky, and my heart races with the realization that the one and only Mr. Lust is standing before me. Holy shit. How could I forget? Maybe the four unnecessary shots I took had something to do with it.

  “Hello, Jesssuh.” Max stands in front of me, his right arm holding my left, our bodies about eighteen inches apart. I swallow hard, completely flabbergasted by his presence. I was way too drunk to premeditate what I would do or say to him if he actually showed up.

  “Are you having fun?” I manage to shout at him above the music.

  He shakes his head, and his eyes peer down to me. He looks more delicious than ever. This is the first time I’ve seen him without a fresh shave. The flashing lights cast a glow on his slight yet swoon-worthy stubble. He’s dressed in a white button-up shirt accented with navy a
nd light blue stripes, and a dark blazer. I’ve never seen him in jeans before either. “I’ve been looking for you,” he says, meeting my eyes with his. His brow furrows a little. “I’ve been here for over an hour,” he says with a tinge of annoyance in his voice.

  Oh, shit. “I…” I look around for a moment, trying to piece this together. “I don’t have my phone. I’m sorry.” Wow. I can’t believe he’s been looking for me for that long. My normal nerves are completely crushed by my buzz. “Please forgive me?” I bite my lip and look into his eyes and I can see him swallow hard.

  “I can barely hear you,” he yells at me. “Come on.” His delicious accent cuts through the air, and I feel that magnetic draw that I’ve felt since the second our eyes first met. He slides his fingers in mine and leads me through the crowd, deeper into the building. Every second that our skin is connected sends new surges and naughty thoughts throughout me.

  He leads me from the first room through the second, dodging the crowds of late night partiers. We circle around the central bar in the second room, which looks nearly identical to the first but has more of a techno music vibe. We wind around the lines of people waiting at the bar before finally entering the third room. He’s said nothing since taking my hand and leading me away, instead only giving me brief but serious glances over his shoulder as we walk.

  A dark curtain pools around the elevated DJ booth, certainly there to cover the electronics and wiring beneath it. The placement of the speakers makes this spot quieter than anywhere else in the club, and I welcome the slight reprieve of blaring music into my ears. Lusty Max walks up to the curtain and pushes it aside, gesturing for me to walk through it.

  Filled with confusion and intrigue I follow his lead, walking inside the curtain. “Come.” Yes, please. He guides my hand to the subwoofer, and I feel smooth, long vibrations pulse through me. He places his hand atop mine, and this simple touch makes me feel the want and need for him from deep inside. This man that I’ve had too many chance meetings with is finally here. Right in front of me. And I’m single? I quickly force Jack and my hurt heart from my mind and replace it with the thrill of the desire that stands before me. It’s now or never, Jess. Makes your move!

  “I didn’t think you were coming,” I finally say, leaning in close to his ear, desperately wanting to move my teeth in for a nibble.

  He shakes his head again. “I told you, I have been looking for you. And I don’t like to be kept waiting,” he says with a teasing yet semi-serious tone, and a playful twist of his succulent mouth.

  “I know, I’m sorry. I don’t know where my phone is. I must’ve left it over with my purse at a table.”

  “So you said.”

  “Yes. I just meant, I didn’t think you would actually show up. I’m happy to see you,” I whisper the words into his ear, and his body lets off a slight quiver before his hand slides around my waist. He leans in to my ear now, and I feel his warm breath tingling on my earlobe before he even speaks.

  “Why?” He searches my eyes for a response. “Why do you want to see me?” His expression is flat, and I can’t read his thoughts. I glance down for a moment, deciding on my next move. He came here to see me, looked for me for an hour, and has lured me away from the crowd. Don’t be daft. Go for it, Jess! My inner vixen coaches me in my ear. I lean back into him, this time pressing my body fully against his. I take my index finger and thumb, and gently tug at his earlobe before rising on my toes and placing my lips so they graze the edge of his ear.

  “Because I wanted…well…you,” I whisper with my best seductress tone. He says nothing with his words but everything with his body. He tightens his hold around my waist, pressing me against him. I expect him to kiss me, but instead he pulls me closer and says, “Dance with me.” I happily oblige.

  Our bodies begin to move as “You Can Be the One” by Late Night Alumni fills our ears. I feel his erection bulging from his pants as my hips move slowly from side to side in rhythm with his. He’s certainly not trying to hide how turned on he is. Maybe he wants me to feel it. Maybe I should do something with it. My lustful thoughts continue and I mindlessly sway, mesmerized by the fantasy of what could happen with this man. Why did we meet? Why did we run into each other at the airport? Twice? And why did he really come here tonight? Are we destined to be lovers? Screw it. I can’t wait any longer wondering what this might or might not be.

  I pull my head from his shoulder and plant a soft kiss directly on his lips. As our lips meet the fire instantly ignites. His fingers latch onto my hair, pulling me in with his desperate need and desire. My hands grab his skin, wanting more and more of him inside my mouth. He moves his left hand down to my leg and his index and middle finger lightly trace my skin as he works his way to the edge of my dress’s fabric. Our tongues still tangle and grope each other, but his hand pauses momentarily, as if asking for permission, before going underneath my dress. All I can think about are his strong hands touching me down there, exploring my body even more. Never mind the hundreds of people in the room with us, the many who sit less than ten feet away from us. I need this now. I need him now.

  I reach my right hand on top of his and lace my fingers in his. My body quivers with anticipation as I guide his hand beneath the fabric of my dress, feeling his light touch as he nears my cavern. As his fingers reach the edge of my lace panties I release his hand, allowing him to begin his own guided exploration down below. He slides his index finger just barely underneath the edge of the lace, and I let out a slight groan into his mouth.

  He spends a moment researching my panty lines with his fingers, understanding the territory that lies below. He pulls his lips from mine for a moment, hikes my dress up and silently guides me to turn around. We shift back further into our secret territory, so we now stand just behind the velvet curtains to give us a bit more privacy. There is a three-inch gap between the curtains which allows me to see the crowds passing by. Knowing that an audience could catch us at any moment further fuels the naughtiness of this already forbidden act.

  Mr. Lust pulls me back toward his body, but this time I’m left facing the opening of the curtain, my back now pressing against the front of his body. “Shh, don’t say anything or we’ll be caught.” His words drift into my ear while he nibbles his way down my neck. My weight rests against him, and I lay my arms to the sides of his body then against the wall to steady my balance. His right hand slides down the front of my body, and it’s as though a shock has moved through me. His hand moves slowly in teasing fashion while I ache for it to return to my panties.

  Finally his hand returns there, and my pelvis shifts upward to facilitate his exploration. I lift my right hand from the wall and eagerly touch the right side of his body. I feel his strength through his shirt: strong, hard muscles sit beneath the smooth cotton fabric. I loop my fingers in between two buttons near his lower abs and stroke his smooth skin. For a moment I let them meander across his stomach, finding his solid V muscles, the ones that sit just where the abs meet the hips. He now groans into my ear as my fingers slide into the waist of his pants. Finally, he shifts my panties over to the side, allowing room for him to work his magic. His index finger moves across the smooth skin now freed from my panties, and lands between the slight strip of womanhood that remains below. He wiggles his hand toward the right, finding my erect clitoris, and begins circling it with his hand. I wiggle my hips to align with the movement of his hand. The pleasure is building and I feel my panties becoming more and more wet as he goes. He keeps his index finger on my magic spot, and slides his middle finger just below it, tiptoeing around the opening that desperately waits for him to enter it. I crave a taste of his Italian sausage trapped inside his pants and continue moving my hand further inside. I fumble for his belt and begin tugging at the cool leather, trying to release his waiting prize. He encircles me with his finger one last time and places his lips on my neck, giving a slight sucking motion as his fingers finally reach inside of me.

  His first finger slips in easily thank
s to my arousal. He slides it in and out a few times and then adds another finger, and another, until three of his strong fingers pull me closer and closer to my climax. I return to my own exploration of him, momentarily distracted by the overwhelming pleasure he’s giving me. I tug furiously at this belt and manage to undo it in spite of my clumsy drunk fingers. I continue working at his pants, and upon realizing they’re buttons I simply tug harder to expand the opening. Finally, they pop open and I can caress the exterior of his manhood, only separated by the thin layer of his boxer briefs. I move quickly, desperate to feel what lies beneath, so I gently slide my hand below the final barrier. Lust groans more loudly into my ear as my hand feels the rigid prize that I’ve been lusting over.

  His length is excessive, longer than anything I’ve ever felt before, but the girth is almost more impressive. I circle my fingers around his shaft in an open, u-shaped circle, unable to close the loop of my fingers as his delicious throbbing manhood is too thick to allow it. I move my hand up and down his tremendous length, slowly at first and then more and more quickly. He continues to play inside of me, pushing his fingers further into me while using his thumb to simultaneously delight the top of my peach. He inches deeper and deeper and finally the edge of his overly expensive watch rests against me. The cool steel of the watch band slides just across my clitoris and I feel the start of ecstasy. I have to have him. All of him. Now. I’ve dreamt about it, lusted over it, and now the opportunity has finally presented itself. And I’ll be damned if I don’t take advantage.