by J. A. Howell
“Harley, Nolan said we could leave a little early. Did you want to run out and go shopping for tonight?” Aggie was bounding toward me from the kitchen when I looked up. Even if I wanted to tell her I didn’t feel like going, I couldn’t. I liked Aggie. She was my friend. Something I hadn’t had in a long time thanks to Jackson.
“Sure. When are we leaving?”
“Right now, c’mon!”
“My god, Harley. Not to go all lesbian on you, but your arse in that dress. Wow. That’s definitely not a white girl booty.”
I blushed as I smoothed the tight fitting turquoise dress over my thighs and fixed the ruching that ran down over my hips. “Well, I’m not all white girl.”
“Well, I figured as much. I look practically albino next to you.”
“My dad was Brazilian.” I giggled and adjusted the peacock feather charm that hung from a leather cord and rested just above my cleavage. I still was a bit wary of such a daring neckline.
“Brazilian, huh?”
“Yep, that’s actually all I know about him. Well that and he rode a Harley.”
“Ah. So, that’s why your name is Harley?” Aggie looked practically smitten at this revelation.
“My mom met him during Mardi Gras. Said he was the most beautiful man she had ever seen.” She actually went into further detail about the man but I didn’t care to go on about him. According to her he was bronzed god with a head full of long dreads that ran down his back and an intoxicating presence that made her weak in the knees just thinking about him.
“Wait, did she at least get his name?”
“Nope. She said liked the mysteriousness of it all.” I couldn’t help the sarcastic tone my voice took on. I loved my mother, but sometimes she really was a damn hippy.
“She sounds like a rare specimen.”
“That she is.” I let out a sigh and slipped on some grey tights before putting on my brown boots and my jacket.
“Do you like my new scarf?” Aggie wrapped a silk emerald scarf around her neck, tucking it into the short black fitted pea coat she’d bought.
“It’s beautiful.”
“Nolan bought it. He’s surprisingly good at finding nice birthday gifts.” She flashed me a smile as my cheeks grew a little red. Despite the confidence I'd had in my outfit earlier, I couldn't help feeling a little self-conscious at the thought of seeing Nolan in the next few minutes.
“So who is watching the pub tonight?”
“My uncle is already over there.” Aggie gave me a knowing look, but didn’t bring the subject back to Nolan.
“Oh, before I forget. I thought you might like these.” I pulled a small box from my purse and handed it to her. She looked down at it then pulled it open. A beaming smile crossed her lips as she looked at the pair of twisted copper earrings I'd bought her.
“Harley, these are great!” She squeezed me into a hug, then went to her mirror to put them on.
“I saw them when we were out today.”
“I love them.” She gave herself one last appraisal in the mirror then took my hand. “Let’s go. Nolan will be waiting down in the bakery for us.”
I followed her down the stairs and to the front of the bakery, stopping in the doorway as I saw Nolan. Aggie pounced at him, giving him a big hug. It was obvious those two were more like siblings than friends.
“Thanks for the scarf.” She smiled up at him.
“I thought ya’d like it. Brings out yer eyes.” He planted a kiss on her forehead and let her out of his embrace as his eyes drifted to me. I couldn’t help the smile that crept over my lips at their touching exchange, but tried to wipe it away as I felt his gaze run over me. Suddenly all too aware just how much cleavage I had on display.
“You look,” he cleared his throat, “ you look very nice, Harley.”
I felt a rush of heat run over me at his veiled words. The look in his eyes and his teeth gently dragging over his bottom lip conveyed something else entirely as he stared at me.
“Thanks. So do you.” The words left my lips quietly. A hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his lips before he looked away, allowing the heat running through me to lessen some. I watched as he grabbed food from the counter and set it on the table. It appeared he too had obeyed Aggie’s orders to dress up. He was wearing a black dress shirt, left untucked with the top buttons undone, a fitted leather jacket, and dark boot-cut jeans. A braided leather necklace hung around his neck with a small, silver triquetra that sat just in the hollow of his throat. This time, I was the one biting my lip as I took him in.
Stop it, Harley. Don’t even think about him that way.
I shook my head and started toward the table, situating myself on the opposite side from him as I looked over the spread. Steak, mashed potatoes, and carrot cake.
“Carrot cake?” I looked up curiously.
“Mmhmm,” Nolan smirked, patting Aggie's head, “Angus makes it every year. For his little carrot top. I told him he should make gingerbr – Ow!” He rubbed his ribs tenderly after Aggie elbowed him.
“That's really sweet,” I giggled.
“Well, I don't know about ya two ladies, but I'm starving, shall we?”
“Alright, we're going to Spanky's.” Aggie's eyes lit up as we headed to the main strip of clubs and bars in Midtown.
“Spanky's?” I looked to Nolan.
“It's a pretty popular club.”
“They have test tube shots!” Aggie grabbed my hand and pulled me behind her as we neared the entrance, which was illuminated by a large neon cartoon monkey spanking itself just above the door.
“Yes, it’s quite the classy joint,” Nolan said dryly as he tugged at the dark cabbie hat he was wearing and pulled it lower over his eyes. I glanced back at him as his blue eyes flickered to me and felt another swell of heat run through me. I forced my gaze away as I followed Aggie inside. Stop looking at him like that.
We had been in the dark smoky club less than a minute when Aggie located a waitress carrying a rack of glowing concoctions in test tubes. She flagged her down and we each took two, downing one after the other.
“Let's dance!” Aggie grinned at me and I obligingly followed her to the dance floor, warmed and buzzed from the shots. I looked back to see Nolan going to the bar in the opposite direction. We found an open spot on the dance floor and started dancing as Nolan reappeared and handed us drinks.
“Not going to dance, Nolan?” Aggie teased him as she sipped on her drink.
“Mmm, no. I've not had enough ta drink just yet,” he shook his head as he took another drink from his glass. “I'll be right over there, though.” He nodded back toward the bar and his eyes went to Aggie's then mine and lingered for a moment.
“Well, forget him then,” Aggie giggled in my ear after he’d walked off. We finished our drinks and danced as 80's music echoed from the walls. I listened, keeping thoughts of Nolan at bay as I danced with her, but every now and then, I would catch a glimpse of him. The lights would run over him, catching his blue eyes for a couple of seconds as his intense gaze remained steady on me over the rim of his glass.
“We should get more shots,” I turned back to Aggie and flagged down another one of the shot girls. We both downed two more of what I found out were Kamikazes. Whatever they were, they were working and that was all I wanted. I didn’t want to worry about anything or anyone, especially Nolan. I could feel his eyes on me still, but I didn't care. The alcohol was doing a nice job of dulling my nerves and, at the moment, all I cared about was dancing.
“Oh, well, look at these fine lookin’ lasses.” A male voice caught my attention. I opened my eyes to find two guys standing next to Aggie and myself, one with light brown hair, eyeing her up and down with an appreciative grin. Aggie smiled back at him as his friend turned to me with a similar look.
“Can I dance wit ya?” He asked. I went to speak right as I felt an arm snake around my waist and saw a pink drink held in front of me.
“Ya looked like ya were thirsty, Harley.” Nolan
said in my ear as the other guy held up his hands and backed away.
“Sorry, didn’t know ya were here with someone.”
“You could tell I was thirsty from all the way across the room?” I ignored the other guy and turned to Nolan with a skeptical stare.
“Just take it, will ya? I'm not standing around holding some frilly pink drink.” He frowned at me.
“Fine, thank you,” I took it from him with a smirk and downed it as he watched in amazement.
“Christ, woman! Pace yerself.” He pulled the empty glass away, shaking his head at me.
“Oh, shush, I've only had a couple of drinks.” A giggle tumbled out as I rested my hand on his chest. He glanced down at my hand for a second before his eyes shot back up to mine. “So, Nolan, have you drank enough yet, or are you just going to stop everyone else from dancing with me all night?” Nolan let out an indignant grunt and placed the empty glass on a nearby table before he pulled me against him. His hips moved, gyrating against mine perfectly in step with the rhythm of the music. I let his movements guide mine as I stared up at him, unsure of what was more intoxicating, the drinks or him.
“Ya didn't think I could dance, did ya?” A smug grin crossed his lips as he stared down at me.
“Well, no.” Another giggle escaped as he pulled my arms around his neck and leaned in close, his lips brushing my ear as he spoke.
“It wasn't a matter of skill. I just needed a little liquid courage first.” His eyes stared into mine as he turned my face to his, “Ya look amazing. I've hardly been able ta form complete sentences with ya wearin’ that dress. Much less dance.” His voice was feral as his lips brushed mine. My mouth fell slightly agape at his sudden forwardness and he didn't miss his opportunity, pressing his lips against mine in a lingering, torrid kiss that brought back flashes of the night before. My legs turned to gelatin as I leaned against him. I stared up at him in a mixture of shock and fascination as his lips formed a crooked grin.
“I- I think I'm feeling that last drink,” I pressed my face against his shoulder to hide my blushing, though I was sure it was dark enough that he probably couldn't tell. His arms hung loosely around me as a finger gently traced up and down my spine.
“I told you to pace yourself,” he laughed. I breathed in his scent as I turned my head into the contour of his chest. I was feeling a slight head rush, but I knew it wasn’t from the drinks. I looked toward Aggie to see her dancing with the guy from earlier, both of them were laughing as the guy leaned in and kissed her. I smiled, but stopped as someone else caught my eye.
“Brody?”
“What's that?” Nolan tilted his head to hear me.
“Uh…nothing.” I forced a smile as I looked up at him. I let my gaze dart to Aggie once more, but Brody was gone. The sadness in his green eyes lingered though. I didn’t understand. Did he and Aggie? My mind wandered as I watched Aggie. Sensing something was off with me, Nolan guided me off the dance floor and found an empty spot to lean himself against the wall.
“Ey, ya alright?” He tilted my head up to his, “yer looking a little ill.”
I let the same warmth from earlier wash over me, pushing Brody from my mind as he cradled my cheek against his palm.
“I'm fine, I just needed to get out of the crowd I think.” I said as I stood on my toes and pressed my lips to his. He let out a surprised noise, but caught my bottom lip between his as his thumb gently stroked my cheek.
“Mmm, ya seem ta be recovering quickly.” His glassy eyes stared into mine and he let out soft laugh that died off as his lips returned to mine. He pulled me closer, letting his hands run over my hips and a soft moan reverberated from his throat as his tongue brushed against mine in a sensual stroke. This isn’t a good idea. I knew it, but still I couldn’t pull myself away from him.
“Maybe I shouldn’t be doing this, but I can’t help myself around ya, Harley. There’s just something about ya.” He pressed his forehead to mine as his words echoed my thoughts. “Since the first night ya came ta Finley’s I’ve felt helplessly drawn ta ya and I’ve been tryin’ ta fight it. Sorry, I know I must sound like an idjit.” He went to pull away but I pulled his lips back to mine.
“I thought you hated me when I first started.” I laughed as I looked up at him. “But then with that kiss last night, why would you want to fight it?” The words came out unfiltered in my inebriated state, but I wanted to feel his mouth on mine again. A haunted look moved through his eyes at my question and I couldn’t help but wonder what was running through his mind.
“It doesn’t matter,” Nolan’s voice was near a whisper as his fingers dragged over my hips, and his mouth found mine in another sexy, languorous kiss. I wanted to stop him. I wanted to get him to answer my question, but the feel of his lips and the electricity that sprung from his touch made it impossible. Was that what he was talking about, the pull he was trying to fight? Did he feel the mind numbing current of energy that seemed to radiate between us whenever he was close? I’d felt it last night too. You can’t do this right now. You shouldn’t. I did my best to stop myself, but even as I tried to turn away from him he reached out for me and pulled me back against him. His hands snaked their way around my waist from the back and pulled me tight against his chest. “Please don’t go.”
His breath tickled my neck and I knew I wouldn’t. I couldn’t. I let my body relax against his, closing my eyes and savoring the warmth of his lips as they trailed over the back of my neck. I heard a little snicker as his lips brushed against my ear.
“Mmm, ya know ya tortured me this morning. With all that wigglin’ ya did.” His voice was gravelly but teasing. I couldn’t hold back an embarrassed giggle.
“There was a crazed spider jumping at my face!”
“Oh? I never found one when I went ta kill it fer ya.” His lips softly kissed my shoulder, “after last night, ya could have just said if ya wanted more.”
“Nolan!” I did my best to sound appalled but it came out in more of a whimper. I moved my hips and pressed back into him as he let out a satisfied groan against the delicate skin of my neck.
“Mmmph, I knew it was just a ploy.” His low voice was muffled against my skin as he pushed his hips forward in response. I shivered and moved mine fluidly with his as I tilted my head to the side. Nolan pushed my hair away from my skin and his stubble brushed against my back as his breath sent goose bumps trickling down my spine. “Christ, Harley.”
His voice was strained and my body clenched as his hands ran down my thighs, letting his fingernails slowly grate their way back up. My own breathing felt labored at the sound of him moaning my name, at the feeling of him touching me this way. My mind raced back to earlier rationalizations. You can't do this, Harley, you've got bigger fish to fry. He's your boss. I tried to clear the fog that Nolan's embrace created. I needed to. I opened my eyes and took in a deep breath, trying to fight against the haze. As much as I wanted to get lost in whatever this was, I couldn’t.
“Jackson?” Every fiber of my body froze as my eyes connected with a pair of pale grey ones.
“Harley? Yer tremblin.” Nolan turned me back around to him, his eyes filled with concern. I looked back over my shoulder, but saw no one.
“Sorry. I thought I saw someone. It's nothing.”
“Ya sure? Yer shakin’ like a leaf.” He frowned at me. “Maybe we should go.” I could only nod in agreement as he led me back toward Aggie and whispered in her ear. She smiled at me and said goodbye to the guy she had been dancing with before we left and hailed a cab.
“I'm sorry, Aggie,” I said quietly as we climbed into the backseat.
“What for? I had a great time. Got a couple numbers too,” she smirked. I forced a smile back at her then turned my attention out the window, my eyes searching. It couldn't have been Jackson, could it? The thought made me sick. With everything else going on, I didn't need to worry about him showing up. With all the places I could have run off to, Midtown would most likely not be the first place he’d look. Still, I c
ould have sworn that was him. As the cab neared Finley's I looked back to Nolan. He had been watching me the whole ride, his eyebrows pressed together with concern.
“I can take ya the rest of the way home, make sure everythin's okay.” He offered and I nodded, sliding out of the cab behind Aggie.
“Thanks you two. I had a good time tonight.” She smiled and pulled us both into a hug, before turning for the bakery and leaving us standing outside alone. Despite her cheerful demeanor, I still felt like I had put a damper on the evening. I let out a sigh before turning back to Nolan.
“Come on, let's go inside for a moment, eh?” His voice was soft and soothing as he gently grasped my hand in his. I let him lead me inside, my eyes staring off as I followed him. “I'm still pretty buzzed. Ya mind if I make a pot of coffee ta sober up a bit first?” He looked back at me, noticing my distant gaze but not saying anything more.
I shrugged, no longer feeling very buzzed myself. He moved behind the bar and set up the coffee pot as I wandered across the room to the pool tables, my fingers absentmindedly running over the green felt.
“Yer awfully quiet, Harley,” Nolan came up behind me a couple minutes later, his fingers lightly tracing down my arm.
“Sorry, just had a bad memory. I'll be okay.” I didn't try to mask the worry on my face. Too many scenarios were playing through my mind to pretend. Fear gnawed at my insides, at the thought of coming face to face with Jackson again.
“I hate seein’ ya like this, is there anything I can do fer ya?” He lifted my face to his with one hand as a sweet, lopsided smile crossed his lips, “I'll beat up anyone ya want. Just say the word.”