by Mary Abshire
She took the plastic cup from his hand and then glanced at the guys near the stairs. One of them had his attention on them.
“Let’s have a seat,” she said as she walked to the closest set of chairs. She sat in a small cushioned one while Andrew took a seat on a nearby bench. He glanced at her legs as she crossed them.
Andrew drank some of his beer before he set the tall cup on the table. Rubbing his palms together, he surveyed the area. A trio of women arrived from the staircase. He shifted his attention to Emily and reclaimed his drink. “How’s your ankle?”
She sipped on the screwdriver. “It’s fine.”
“Think you’ll be up to dancing in a bit?”
“Oh yeah, especially after a few of these.” She held up her cup before taking another swig from it.
“What kind of music is this anyway?”
“Electronic, trance, techno…”
“I like the fast beat.”
The three ladies walked by with drinks in their hands. One of them looked at Andrew and smiled, though he missed it since he was downing his beer. The man had a magnetic appeal to the opposite sex.
He leaned forward and set his cup on the table. “Do you think we’ll discover much by watching Michael from inside?”
“I don’t know. We’ll get to see who he talks to.” She drank more liquor.
“He likes women, that much we know.”
“So maybe we need to befriend one of them. You could do that,” she said.
He spread his legs as he sat back. “I could, but it might send the wrong signals. I think the women he leaves with are prostitutes.”
“Glad to see we’re on the same page.”
“So if these ladies are being paid and I start talking to them…”
“They’ll think you’re interested in sex instead of friendship,” she said, and he nodded. “I see your point. I should speak with them.”
“We could try talking to the bartenders,” he suggested.
“It’s risky. They earn their livelihood from this place. I would assume they are loyal to the person signing their paychecks.”
He snatched his cup and took to finishing the remains. Hearing voices, Emily looked behind her. A couple of African American men and one woman arrived from another staircase. The men wore football jerseys and had flashy jewelry on their hands and wrists. One man was bald while the other barely had any hair. They were chatting and laughing while the female walked next to them, swaying her wide hips. She wore a blue skirt that barely covered her crotch and her tight top accentuated her breasts, not that she needed to. She had a huge rack to begin with.
Emily twisted around and then poured more alcohol into her mouth. A thin woman with shoulder-length dark hair stepped onto the floor from the steps they’d taken earlier.
“Hey.” She jerked forward. “We’ve seen her before.”
Andrew followed her line of sight. The lady wore a snug red dress with a low neckline. She held a small black purse in her hands.
“She’s one of the ladies that left with Michael the other night,” Andrew said.
Emily set her empty cup on the table. “Yeah. I wonder if she’s going to meet him again.”
“It’s possible. But we haven’t seen him leave with the same woman before.”
“No, but we’ve only been watching him for about a week.” It seemed like a long time to her, but in the grand scheme of trying to kill a man and destroy his demon, five days hadn’t been long.
Andrew grabbed her empty cup and his. “I’ll get us more drinks.” He was gone in a matter of seconds.
She watched him head to the bar where the woman in red had stopped at. After the conversation they’d just had, she doubted he’d try to talk to the gal. So what was he doing? He stopped next to her. One of the bartenders was filling her drink while another helped Andrew. The dark-haired female walked away with a cup in her hand. She looked around as if she were searching for someone. When she lifted her hand and waved, Emily veered her gaze away. One of the black men Emily had seen earlier was standing and facing the lady. The woman in red started walking toward him.
“Interesting,” Emily said to herself.
The woman in red shook hands with the bald African American man. They chatted for a few minutes before she decided to join the group.
“The bartender told her, and I quote, ‘he will be in later,’” Andrew said as he handed a cup to her.
“The bartender told her that?”
“That’s what I heard.” He sat with his beer in hand. “I assume she asked when Michael would show up, but I could be wrong.”
“Well, she’s now sitting with two black men and a woman in the back.” She sipped on her drink. It tasted of fruit and rum. Her favorite.
Andrew slowly twisted to glance over his shoulder. “She’s a working girl.”
“I think we’ve established that already.”
“Maybe you should try to talk to her,” he said. “We’ve already agreed it’s not a good idea for me to approach a woman he knows.”
“She is the only one we’ve seen so far that we know for certain has a connection to the lawyer.”
“Just go up to her and start chatting. See what happens.” Andrew downed his beer.
The idea was the only one they had at the moment, which made it difficult to ignore. Emily tapped her finger on the cup. If she was going to start a conversation with a whore who knew Michael, then she needed a few more drinks first. She had a slight buzz, but needed a stronger one.
“I’m not quite sure how to start a conversation with a prostitute,” she said before she sipped her drink.
“Tell her she has a nice dress. Women like it when you compliment their clothes or hair.”
“That’s good. I can start with that.”
“Or you could say you’re new in town and looking for clients. I could walk up and ask how much you charge so the story sounds more believable.”
Laughter burst from her. “I’m a hooker, yeah right.” She poured more booze in her mouth. Was he crazy? Who would believe her?
“Hey, it’s an idea. I can offer some money for your services.” He finished his beer.
Emily snapped her fingers. “No, you could be my pimp. Yeah…”
His eyes widened along with his smile. “If I get to be in charge of who you have sex with, then I’m totally in for this.”
The story kept getting funnier. She wasn’t surprised he wanted to be her pimp. He had one heck of a wild imagination.
She finished her drink. “I think I’ll stick with the compliment about her dress. The other story needs work.”
“You mean, you need work. I can help with that.”
The angel deserved an A for effort. Smiling, she shook her head. “Let’s dance for a bit before he shows up.”
Andrew shot up. “I’m ready.”
With her buzz growing, she proceeded to the stairs. The music had a new tune starting with a soft female singing. The beat was steadily increasing. They reached the main floor and found more people dancing from when they’d last checked. Emily paused and Andrew slid his hand into hers. Gripping it, he tugged her into the mass of swaying bodies.
The rhythm of the song grew. Emily patted her thigh with her free hand while she wedged between bodies. Andrew stopped in a clearing and then turned to face her. Smiling, he let go of her hand and started grooving to the fast tune. He might have been from the eighties, but he fit in with the crowd perfectly.
Emily lifted her arms above her head and swayed her hips. She let go of herself and let the music flow through her. Men and women danced around her, feeling the same vigor and freedom. Andrew danced nearby. His gaze lingered over her body.
The tune changed into another and she recognized it from one she’d heard in Chicago. The fast beat and sexy voice of the female singer encouraged her to dance closer to Andrew. She mouthed the words to the song and he smiled.
One song mixed into another. Energy flowed from the beat through each and ev
ery body on the dance floor. A Hispanic man slipped in to dance with her while a young woman wormed her way in front of Andrew. When the beat slowed, Andrew glanced at her. But as soon as the tune climbed to a fast rhythm, her focus returned to dancing.
Emily grooved as the music enlivened her. One man after another danced with her. A few placed their hands on her hips. The touch from strangers bothered her, but as long as they didn’t move to feel anything else, she decided to let them stay. Feeling alive and energized, her feet and body moved in a fashion similar to those around her.
A hand on her hip spun her around. Andrew stood in front of her with perspiration above his brow. He took hold of her hands and danced in rhythm with her through the slow beats and the fast ones. He worked his way closer and put his hands on her hips. She placed her palms on his chest and felt his strong heart pumping. The angel was alive. He was real and he was hers for the taking if she wanted him. Did she want him?
The question was an easy one to answer. But could she allow herself to be just another woman to add to his list? In her current state of mind, she was likely to give in to her desires. He was too difficult to resist. Thankfully, they were in a crowd and she couldn’t let her yearnings take control. But if he ever got her alone and pushed her too far, sex would be heaven, but the price he’d pay would weigh heavily on her conscience.
Chapter Six
Andrew was in a state of bliss dancing with Emily. She had so much life, so much energy, and so much passion. He’d never met anyone like her. He couldn’t let her go. She was his breath, his reason to live. He had to have her.
The fast beat of the music gave him strength. He couldn’t stop his feet, arms, and body from moving. The tune had power that flowed through him. Everyone around him seemed to feel it too. They were in a mobile trance and he loved it. He loved it more when Emily was in his grasp.
A few ladies had snuck their way in his path. Men had pushed their way into Emily’s too. He’d kept within close contact, watching her and making sure she was safe. But he couldn’t resist her. She had an invisible lure that kept drawing him to her. He studied the way she shook her hips and body. The music empowered and freed her. She swayed like a goddess. Her movements were so raw, so irresistible. They weren’t dirty dancing, but his cock sure as hell felt the attraction to her and only her.
He couldn’t recall feeling such happiness with a woman. When she’d placed her hand over his heart and gazed into his eyes, he’d seen a heated passion dwelling inside her. She hid it well, but he’d seen a glimpse of it and he wanted more.
One song mixed into another and all held a fast and steady beat. A few tunes had female singers. Emily had recognized a couple of songs. When she’d mouthed the lyrics, he felt as if she were a siren he couldn’t resist. Nothing else existed and she was the angel sent to bring him to heaven. He’d go anywhere and do anything to please her.
Maybe he was a little drunk. Maybe he was enjoying the moment too much. Whatever the reason, he wanted to stay with her and bask in her glee.
He placed his hands on her hips and moved closer to her. She locked her hands around his neck and sang. He could barely hear her voice over the thumping music. He watched her pink lips and wished he could claim them. Each sway of her body made his cock stiffen. How could a woman have so much power and strength? How could she have such desire within her? She amazed him.
She took his hands and held them while they grooved together. Bodies closed in around them. Emily let go and continued dancing in front of him. Sweat trickled down the side of his face while his cock strained inside his pants. If he had her alone, he’d gladly accept another year to his sentence to have his way with her.
The tune mixed with another and then another. Andrew lost track of time. As more perspiration rolled down his face, he decided to take a break. He hated to interrupt Emily, but he wasn’t about to leave her on the dance floor for a second. The male vultures would swoop in and steal her from him. He clutched her hand and tugged her through the mass of bodies to the staircase. Without stopping, he ascended the steps with her at his side. They paused at the top near the two security guards.
“I need some water,” she said, breathing heavy and still grasping his hand.
“I’ll get it.”
“I’ll find a place to sit,” she said before she let go of him.
“Right.” He disliked leaving her, but at least she was safer away from the dance floor.
He strode around groups of people sitting in chairs and chatting. Men and women alike were smiling, drinking, and having a good time. How many times had he gone out with friends, met ladies at clubs, and done the same thing? Too many. He had enjoyed the old days, but now he liked giving his attention to just one. He dug into his back pocket as he reached the bar in the back.
“What can I get for you?” the bartender asked.
“Two bottles of water please,” he said as placed a bill on the counter.
While the bartender worked on getting his change, Andrew looked behind him. He scanned for Emily, but he couldn’t find her among the crowd. Most of the seats appeared taken.
“Here you go,” the bartender said.
Andrew stuffed the money in his back pocket before he grabbed the two bottles. He left a few dollars on the counter for the server.
He walked between the groups, scanning for Emily. Each time a woman saw him looking in her direction, she’d smile and watch him. Worry pricked him when he couldn’t locate Emily. He gripped the bottles tighter and the moisture from them trickled down his wrist and under his sleeve. When he reached the front near the balcony, his heart gained extra beats. He twisted and finally saw her as she waved at him. In an instant, relief coursed through him. He headed straight for her.
She rose from a cushioned chair. “This is the only seat I could find. We’ll have to share.”
He handed her a bottle. “I almost didn’t see you.”
“Trust me, I wouldn’t have left you.” She twisted the cap and then pressed the bottle to her lips.
A group of young men and women sat nearby. One man had a scarf around his neck. Another wore a hat. Both sat with their legs tightly crossed. Friends in their circle laughed loudly. Andrew removed his cap and lifted it. Before he took a drink, he spotted the demon sitting at a table in the back. The woman in red and the two black men were sitting with him.
Emily placed her hand on his forearm. “Sit.”
“Did you—”
“Yes, now sit please.”
He moved to the side and sat, making sure she had enough room to join him.
“My ass is not that fat,” she said as she took half the space he’d left her. “Scoot closer.”
He did and brushed his leg against hers. She didn’t seem to mind. While she drank more water, he gazed in the demon’s direction. He faced the woman in red and was talking to her.
“You’re always telling me not to stare and now you’re doing it,” Emily said.
She’d caught him and he wouldn’t deny it. He looked away from the demon before he downed half his water.
“I had a lot of fun,” she said.
“Me too. Now I know you can kick ass on and off a dance floor.”
She grinned. “You’re pretty good too.”
He twisted the cap on his bottle. “What do you think they’re talking about?”
“Your dance moves.”
“Huh?”
“Yeah, they’ve been watching. The woman in red thinks you’re hot.”
A chuckle slipped from him. Her teasing comment surprised him. “I think the two guys she’s with at the table wanted to join you.”
She curled her nose. “They don’t look like the dancing type.”
“You don’t think so?”
“No.”
“So what are they interested in?”
“My guess would be drugs and sex, but they prefer women with big tits and ass. I’m lacking in both those departments.”
He glanced at the bit of cleavag
e she was revealing. The curves of her plump breasts made him crave to see more. “I’d say you’ve got a nice rack and your ass looked fine to me. They’re missing out.” And he was overjoyed they would. He didn’t want any other man appraising her goods.
“Really? My rack looks okay?”
“Better than okay. I think you should go up to them and offer your services.”
She inhaled a deep breath. “And what services do I have to offer?”
“You know, the kinky kind.”
“Refresh my memory.”
“You recently moved to New York because you heard you could make more money working here. You like to tie men up before you fuck them. You really know how to please a man.” He removed the cap from his bottle before he drank more water.
“You just said fuck.”
He swallowed. “I did.”
“Are you drunk?”
“Haven’t been for a while.”
“I tie men up?”
“You do.”
She shook her head as she stared at him. “What kind of dirty thoughts go on in that mind of yours?”
“You don’t want to know.” He loved gazing at her blue eyes.
“Am I in any of them?”
He took a deep breath while he considered his response. He didn’t want to lie to her, but he also didn’t want her to know how much he thought about her. If he told her, she might run away. Then again, she seemed to like him. Maybe she’d consider doing the love tango in bed with him, or wherever she wanted.
She raised her hand. “You know what, don’t tell me. It’s better I don’t know.”
Emily shifted her attention behind him. Andrew glanced at the demon. The woman in red had left her seat. She was now standing and talking to the demon.
“Shit, she’s leaving,” Emily said.
“Do we follow?”
“Not you. Just me.” She finished her water.
“Are you going to start a conversation with her?”
She nodded as she swallowed.
The woman in red shook the demon’s hand. She waved to the two other men before she started walking away from the table.