The Bar Scene

by Ginny Frost

  ****

  Terese retied her hiking boots, again. She twitched back the curtain, checking the street below her apartment. Again. Why was she so nervous about a college guy and a hike? They probably wouldn’t make it one foot out her door. They’d end up in bed for six or seven glorious hours, using up her day off. Then she’d have to throw him out.

  Again.

  Sighing, she leaned against the window frame and tugged her braid. What was she doing? Going on a picnic? She needed to talk to Alan, examine her finances, and put the application in with Drake. Not play around in the woods with some baby-faced hottie. His grin, his impulsiveness—almost like he was jailbait. But he did drink a beer at the tavern so twenty-one at least…she hoped.

  Closing her eyes, she drew in a long breath. Focus. After eight years of sitting on her ass and playing hostess of the year, the future called. She wasn’t ready. The citywide project to revitalize Iverton was her best shot, yet her application still sat on the countertop. Shuffling over, she perused the paper again.

  Her degree in Hospitality qualified her as an ideal candidate for The Center. Add to it her years of experience working at the bar/restaurant/nightclub, and she was a stellar pick for the event coordinator position. She loved the Tavern, but if it closed, she needed a job, a good one. Her bills wouldn’t wait for unemployment checks.

  But working without Alan? Never. He was the perfect balance of hard ass and father figure. He’d offered her a job when she was desperate, ignoring the fact she was too young to work in a bar. Without him, she’d never have finished her first semester at State, much less earned her degree. The bar had been home for the past eight years, but there comes a time in every woman’s life when the party is over. The last call bell echoed.

  The new conference center built by Drake Industries held dozens of possibilities. The place was a career builder with its huge, new business center, conference hall, and four-star hotel. She only needed to apply but hadn’t in the past few months.

  Here she was, fretting over a guy like some freshman, changing her outfit multiple times, including her undies, and not completing the task at hand. Her shortsightedness always screwed up her long-term plans. But she liked Drew so far. Yet she knew nothing about him. And she was going off into the woods with him alone. How could she be so stupid?

  Huffing, she flopped down on the couch, reaching for her boot laces to untie them again when the door buzzer rang. Moment of truth. Did she trust this semi-stalker on a real date, or should she ignore the doorbell and get her resume out? She gulped as sweat trickled her neck.

  In the end, the answer appeared without effort. One peek out the window where his grinning face beamed, and she dashed to the door, apprehension forgotten. What a sucker, but never turn your nose up to good sex.

  And he excelled.

  Opening the door, Terese scanned Drew from his smiling face to his well-worn hiking boots. Damn, he actually liked the outdoors. Fuck.

  “Ready?” he asked. Fake it to make it for one date? Sure. It might end with another evening of mind-blowing sex, balancing the hike nicely.

  “Let’s go.” She sauntered past him, down the steps scanning for an unfamiliar car. Her place wasn’t far from the mountains but distant enough to make both walking and hiking a rough afternoon.

  “Your carriage awaits, m’lady,” he said, scooping up her arm in his and gesturing with his free hand to the bus stop at the end of the block.

  She froze in her tracks. “The bus?” Exasperation filled her voice as she realized her mistake. She should be inside right now—job hunting, working on her resume, looking for bank loans.

  From behind her, Drew wrapped his arms around her, his mouth centimeters from her ear. “It’ll be worth it, I promise.”

  Her legs practically buckled as his breathy voice tickled her ear, reminding her exactly why she’d chosen him over her resume. Trying to recover her dignity, she wiggled away from him, strutting down the sidewalk a few steps. She glanced over her shoulder. “It better be.”

  He was next to her like a shot, his hands on the side of her face, his lips pressed to hers in a kiss that tore the floor out from under her. For such a sweet thing, his kisses were demanding, hot, sensual. Crushing her against him, he gathered up her braid and tugged it lightly. The rest of the strength drained from her limbs.

  Reveling in his deliciousness, she curled against his shoulder. “Why don’t we go back to my place?”

  His lips pressed against her ear. “Later.”

  Regret seared her enough to scooch away from him. “This hike better be spectacular.” She tried to put some stone in her expression.

  “I promise not to disappoint.”

  ****

  Drew breathed a sigh of relief. He hadn’t realized how badly he wanted the date. The past two nights topped out at eleven, but if he hoped to hang on to Terese for the long run, the relationship needed to be more than sex. Granted, the sex was beyond anything he’d ever dreamed. He’d play the cool guy for a bit longer until she was hooked. Maybe then he’d show her the lovesick introvert he really was.

  Ten minutes from the park and the pent-up tension about the date melted away, for him at least. He glanced over at Terese who smiled quickly but couldn’t hide her discomfort. Her eyebrows furrowed, her mouth set in a straight line, and her fingers twitched. His hand slipped into hers for the rest of the trip. Her shoulders dropped, and she actually leaned into him. Cool, another point in his favor.

  The bus had been a calculated choice. He wanted to keep her guessing a little longer. Not that his beater car revealed much. But she’d called him frat boy and college guy a couple times. She obviously thought she was robbing the cradle. It’d be fun to keep the fantasy alive for a few days. Later he’d tell her the truth—he was older than she. Keeping the illusion was key until she became completely and thoroughly his.

  When they arrived at Ballston Park, Drew kept her hand in his, guiding her out of the bus. She complied, but he didn’t push his luck. Terese was no follower.

  “Have you been here before?” he asked.

  Rolling her eyes, she scoffed, “Duh.” Essentially saying, “Who in Iverton hadn’t spent a sunny Saturday at one of a dozen parks around town?” He followed her gaze up at the trees, from the red-orange oaks to the deep green of the pines. The forest opened like a theater stage, leafy curtains opening to either side of a gravel path, a tall waterfall towering center stage.

  Her smile seemed genuine though reserved. Maybe she wasn’t an outdoors person, but they would overcome that. The cool, crisp air filled his lungs, carrying the scent of old leaves and fresh moss. If he strained, he could hear the jangle of the falls the whisper of the wind through the fall leaves, and a smattering of late season tourists enjoying the view. Terese glanced at him from the corner of her eye. Her smile turned dour, though her eyes still glittered. He tried not to laugh.

  He shrugged. “I didn’t know if you’d been here. Maybe you hate waterfalls.” She socked him in the arm.

  Heading down the path, hands still clasped, something he could easily get used to, he watched the Ballston Falls come into view. The hundred-foot expanse, about a mile away, glistened and roared as thousands of gallons of water poured over the cliff. Terese’s grip tightened. He grinned.

  “So,” he began. “I thought we’d start by heading down the tourist path to the bottom. I know some great trails to climb up to the top of the falls.” She glared at him. “All legal and marked, I promise. I wouldn’t take you some place too dangerous on a first date.”

  “First date, huh?” Skepticism tainted her voice, the first real words she uttered since climbing on the bus.

  He cleared his throat. “Do you hike much? Rock climb?” Please say yes. If she said yes, then they’d have something in common.

  “No, not much.” She gazed around the park. “I’m more of a walker. You know, elevator rider. I’m good at that.” He snorted, and she finally cracked a grin.

  “So not a star at
hlete under the red dress?”

  She smirked. “You already know what’s under the red dress. Show me the hike-path thingy. We’re not climbing any sheer cliffs.”

  “Nah, a little ways up the path there.” He pointed. “Then onto another that’s a bit more of a challenge.”

  She halted, pulling her hand from his. Her pose was classic Terese, something she did in the bar all the time. One hand on her raised hip, head down as if she were peering over glasses, her eyes flashed under her bangs.

  “There better be something good at the end,” she said in mock seriousness.

  He stopped himself from cackling like a loon. Damn, she revved him up, but no way he’d skip out on the hike now. “Oh, there is.” He wiggled his eyebrow. Swinging his backpack around in front of him, he unzipped it. “I have sandwiches, real potato chips, iced tea, a bottle of Riesling, and extra water. And if you’re really good, I have Oreos.”

  She snorted. “What am I? Six?”

  He wagged a finger. “Oh, trust me. Those Oreos are going to taste pretty good when we get to the top. You’ll be begging me for some.”

  She tilted her head. “And if I don’t like Oreos?”

  He closed the bag, his expression hard. “I don’t think either of us wanna go there.”

  She laughed and swatted him. He grabbed her hand and tugged her close, the backpack between them. He kissed her, long, slow, and wet, until a crinkling sound caught his attention. Peering into his bag, he said, “Damn, we crushed the chips.” She giggled and pulled at his hand, taking him toward the path to the falls.

  Chapter Five

  Terese chewed her lip. Reluctantly, she followed Drew up the slope. Their date had possibilities. But not if they were scaling rock walls. So far, the climb hadn’t been bad. A straight shot to the falls led to mild incline on a new trail. Somehow, she managed to avoid the crazy rock-climbing faze that enthralled most people her age. Why sweat and grunt to get up a ten-foot wall? That’s why stairs were invented.

  But she did love the area—the crisp autumn air, the brilliant colors, the woodsy feel. And hell, the company wasn’t bad either. She trudged along behind him, admiring the view. His well-worn jeans hugged his round ass perfectly. She’d take a bite of that apple later. Her lips twitched. Yeah, alone in the woods with Drew suited her fine.

  Halfway up the trail, he veered off to a smaller, less-defined route. The path wound closer to the rock face. The steep stretch ahead reminiscent of the Misty Mountains. Goosebumps peppered her skin. On one side of the two-foot wide trail stood a sheer wall of rock, extending high above them—the surface flat and smooth as glass. The other side boasted a sheer drop. Roaring made speaking difficult due to the waterfall bubbling behind the rocks, beyond the path. The narrow track taunted her. Yep, stomach-clenching terror. Sweat beaded on her brow.

  “Uh, Drew,” she said, pausing as the trail slimmed to a foot wide. “You know where you’re going?” Her words squeaked from her tight throat.

  He stopped and glanced over his shoulder. “I’m sorry.” He twisted around in a tight circle—an acrobat’s move. His feet navigated easily on the trail, but his upper body swayed over the edge. Her breath caught as her stomach tied into a knot. If he fell, the drop into the trees and rocks would be seriously painful.

  “You okay? Not too narrow?” he asked. She swallowed hard as he smiled. “Little acrophobia?” She nodded. “You should’ve said something.”

  “Well,” she stammered, heat flooding her cheeks. “I…” She threw her hands up, forgetting she clung to the rock face with a tight hold. Her knees wobbled. She desperately tried to regain her grip on the cliff. Scrabbling, her nails dug for purchase. There was nothing. Zilch, nada to hold on to. Her nails scraped and gouged until finally, she found a tiny handhold.

  After a second, hanging like a tree frog, she nudged her chin at the drop. Then tucked into her chest and let the anxiety to spill over her. Her body shook, but she didn’t cry. No sir.

  “I thought you said you hiked. You certainly have the shoes for it.” His words were tender, not the typical guy rant she’d expected. Bar life had her witness too many self-righteous, macho idiots. Drew seemed different. He’d never berated her, not once.

  He scooted back and held out his hand. Some of the tension eased from her body. Her grip slowly lessened from white-knuckled to desperately tight. She wanted to reach for Drew but her hand refused to obey.

  “Honestly, I bought the boots because they were cute,” she said, and he laughed, genuinely laughed. Clearing her throat, feeling slightly less stupid, she continued, “But I can’t hold your hand and let go of the cliff.” Her voice pinched on the word “cliff,” and a bucket of shame splashed over her.

  “I’ve got you. I promise you won’t fall.” No sarcasm or annoyance in his voice. Terese studied him. Those luscious lips, the wild hair, the confidence dripping from him like sap. An enigma for sure. With painful slowness, she uncurled each finger from the wall. She plunged her hand into his without pausing for a breath. They stood there for a few seconds, hand and hand, gratitude spreading through her chest.

  Drew stared at her for a second as if assessing the situation. Then his thumb caressed a circle over her hand. A bolt of electricity surged through her, and like magic, the height lost its power over her. With a wink and a crook of his mouth, he led her down the remainder of the path.

  “Almost there,” he said, guiding her around a tight corner.

  “We better be,” she snarked but pulled in a sharp breath as they rounded the bend. Beyond the tiny trail stood a small cave. A bridal veil of bright red and gold vines camouflaged most of the entrance, allowing pinpoints of bright sunlight to dapple through the leaves. The scent of damp earth and brittle leaves hung in the air. Terese feared she might fall in love with this beauty inside the horror. Behind the vines, a large opening revealed the roaring waterfall. But it was the shelf of rock dropping into nothingness that demanded her focus.

  Drew stepped through the opening, turned, and swept his free arm out with a flourish. “Ta-da.”

  “Nope.”

  She dropped his hand. Stepping back, she clutched at the wall. Not good. Her breath surged in gasping pants. She needed to leave.

  Now.

  His grin fell. “No. Wait…Terese.” He lunged forward and grabbed her arm. Her stomach clenched. Panic gripped her tight. What the hell was she doing, venturing into a cave in the middle of a cliff? “Come forward and turn around in the cave. It’ll be easier for you. Okay?” His kind voice soothing. She gazed into those deep, dark eyes, and her stomach calmed.

  He led her forward. Behind the row of vines, the cave opened. The walls fell away. About ten feet ahead, water splashed over the top of the cliff. Flame-colored ivy decorated the opening on that side too, like lacey curtains outlining a picture window. Sunlight sparkled off the sheets of water, throwing tiny rainbows in the misty air.

  It was breathtaking.

  Terese gulped, feeling foolish. A nervous giggle escaped her lips.

  “Sorry, I…”

  “Thought I was dragging you into a cave in the woods for illicit purposes?” He winked. “Only if you consent…” He leaned forward and placed the tiniest, sweetest kiss on her lips. God, she wanted to gobble him up. “Hungry?”

  Another nervous laugh escaped her lips as her stomach grumbled, the butterflies gone. “Yes, actually.”

  Drew removed his pack and laid out an amazing spread of food. Terese stood impressed—good food and even a cute little blanket to sit on. He even remembered a corkscrew for the wine. The hug-smushed chips were the sole sour note.

  ****

  Drew leaned back and watched the water spill over the cliff. Perfect, even better than he hoped. Except for Terese’s panic attack about heights. She seemed okay now, lying back on her elbows, enjoying the view. Tipping back her Dixie Cup of wine, she reached for the bottle.

  Drew wagged a finger. “Two’s plenty, considering the climb down. I believe both of us would pr
efer you steady on your feet.”

  She stuck her tongue out. Laughter bubbled up from his gut. He never knew what she was going to do.

  “Maybe,” she said, eyeing her empty cup. “Maybe we should hang out until we sober up.” Her eyes met his, sparks flying.

  “Hmmm, and how long will that take? If I’d known you were such a lightweight, I’d have taken advantage of you from the start.”

  She raised one eyebrow. “Oh, but didn’t you?” A smile tugged at the edges of her lips.

  He shrugged. “I didn’t do anything you didn’t want me to.”

  “Oh, is that so?” The mock anger in her voice sharp. Man, she better be teasing. He should do the right thing, come clean about who he really was. Not some college kid, or some player but boring accountant ready for a change. But gazing into those beautiful blue eyes, he wasn’t ready to give up the game yet.

  Sitting up, he held his hand out to her. “C’mere.” He purposely slurred his words. “I’ll give ya a cookie for being a good girl.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “I don’t wanna cookie. I want something else.” She grabbed his outstretched hand and dragged him over. As she kissed him deeply, her hands roamed down his arms, then his chest, halting at his crotch. She cupped his growing erection. “I want dessert,” she whispered.

  Still kissing him, she unzipped his pants painfully slow and then buried her hand inside. A moan escaped his lips as she ran her hand up and down his shaft. She rolled him onto his back, kissing him passionately, all tongue and teeth. He panted, unable to catch his breath. Unpredictable and amazing.

  She broke the kiss roughly and gazed down at him, her eyes sparkling and wild. “I’m still hungry.” A sly smile crawled over her lips, and she squeezed his cock.

  “Oh, Terese,” he whispered, guessing her plan. He tried to contain his excitement, but she gripped him tight. No hiding exactly how much he wanted it, wanted her.

  Her hand still stroking, she slid down his body, the smile never leaving her lips. “You ready?” she asked, her voice husky and low. He could only nod.