by Laurie Ames
She'd spoken to Jackson every night since their hot escapades in the dining room. Sometimes they just talked about movies, TV, books or dinner. Sometimes they had phone sex. She would listen to him touching himself and sometimes she would let him direct her hands. Tonight was the last day in Jackson's self-imposed week of exile. He'd given her instructions for tonight, and just listening to them had left her feeling squirmy and heated on the phone.
Go to the bar. Find someone to bring you home. Don't even ask their name. Just tell them that I sent you. That I want them to make you feel good for me.
If that was dirty, it was the very best kind of dirty. The kind that felt sweet and sexy and amazing. She'd spent most of her week on the internet, exploring sexual photography and stories and videos and learning all the things she wished she'd explored so long ago. The bourbon that the bartender had made her was amazing. Whiskey was one of the many things she was discovering she'd given up for no reason.
She waved at the bartender again, ready for a second drink. The bartender was there in a flash, eyes dropping only momentarily to her low-cut neckline. She twiddled her hair in a seemingly absent-minded way and giggled girlishly before ordering another bourbon. She watched the bartender retrieve her drink, paying special attention to the muscles under his shirt. His face was attractive with nice eyes and tanned skin; perhaps she'd check him out later.
She reached for another sip of her drink, when she heard the squeal of a chair grinding on the ground beside her.
“Hello. How are you doing?" said a pleasant young man while pulling in the stool next to her.
She raised her eyes at the man and quickly realized this movie had begun. Her heart stopped and she could barely breathe.
“Fine, I guess,” she said with a surprised look on her face. She took in his lean muscles, and the clean-shaven square jaw. He was young but had a sexy deep baritone voice.
He met her gaze with the smile of one who knows he has the upper hand. He lit up a cigarette. "I'm guessing you don’t come here often?"
"Umm true, but how do you know that?"
“Oh, because I hang here a lot, I guess.” His voice was deep, sending a warm glow throughout her body. She could listen to it all day long. He had a thick rug of dirty blonde hair. He was broad-shouldered and tanned, the paragon of a field hand. She imagined him loading sheaves of hay into a wagon under a hot sun. On his wrists were bracelets in woven leather. He looked to be early 20’s, but when he turned his face, he was all boy. He was lit up with that grin boys have when they are planning something mischievous.
“I think I saw you checking me out earlier, so let me introduce myself, I’m Liam.”
“I’m Faith. I don’t hang out here a lot – but I guess I was checking out all the young men. Obvious, was it?”
“Cute name.” He grinned. “And yes, very obvious.”
Faith started to panic. OMG - Here’s a young hot stud, coming on to me. But he’s way too young. What the hell am I doing? I’m too old for him. I’ll tell him right now that I’m in a relationship. But before she could speak, Liam reached out and touched her hand. His head cocked to the side, his eyes shifting from the ground to her.
“I took one look at you and I thought you were so attractive. So much more beautiful than the typical no class ladies that frequent this place. If I hadn’t taken today off from work, I wouldn’t have had a chance to introduce myself.”
Faith’s heart fluttered. His deep baritone voice wrapped around her like a hug. “Oh, what is it you do?” She asked.
Well, I own a 3000-acre cattle ranch, but my first love is animals. Animals of all kinds. I own a very successful veterinary business. So, as you can imagine, I work hard, seven days a week.
“Oh my goodness, you’ve done well for yourself.” She replied. Right then and there, she thought she’d struck gold! “I’m having another drink, how about you?”
“Sure” he replied.
I’ll order it. What would you like?”
I’m a bourbon man, myself.”
“Me too,” said Faith enthusiastically.
“So, any plans for later this evening?” He asked.
She sat there dumbfounded, how brazen! That’s when she recalled Jackson’s words; ‘Go to the bar and find someone, just anyone to make you feel good’.
“Oh, nothing special. I’m fine here with you right now, replied Faith.”
“I hope it’s okay to ask, but I booked a room at the hotel across the street. You know how it is, don’t want to drink and drive. So much quieter there. Would you consider joining me for a few drinks? I’d love to know more about you.”
“I really shouldn’t, but what the hell, why not?” Faith nodded. “Sounds wonderful Liam.”
“Tell you what, I’m just going to go the men’s room. When I get back, we can head out. Don’t let anybody take my seat while I’m gone,” he chuckled.
Faith watched him walk away as she checked out his butt. Her heart completely stopped. From behind, he filled out those jeans like a god.
She waved at the bartender for the bill. He was there in a flash. There was a deep frown on his face.
“You seem like a nice lady. Can I ask you something?” probed the bartender.
“Sure of course,” Faith replied.
“That guy you are talking to, what’s his name tonight?”
She had a quizzical look on her face. “Liam, he said his name is Liam.”
Oh, that’s a new one, usually it’s Sean or Brock. I’ve known him for many years. Just letting you know his real name is Clark.
“Clark, Oh my goodness!” She winced.
He saw the shock register on her face. “How old do you think he is?”
“Early to mid 20’s?” she replied.
“Well, he’s 19, don’t get fooled by the deep baritone voice. He’s just a punk kid. So what occupation was he tonight? A lawyer or doctor?”
“He’s a rancher and has a successful veterinarian practice. Owns a cattle ranch with thousands of acres of land.”
“Oh, that’s so funny. He actually works down at the dairy farm shoveling hay and grain all day. The closest he gets to being a vet is masturbating the bulls and inseminating the cows.”
“You must be kidding, right? Why does he lie like that?” she asked feeling foolish.
“He does that all the time here. He builds himself up to look charismatic, that way it’s easy to get laid. He’s a con man.”
Her facial expression fell faster than a rock on a pond. Her heart sunk into her stomach.
“Good luck,” he said and left to serve another customer.
She sat there feeling like a used rag, just looking straight ahead, and dreading what might come next. She heard his stool squeak as he pulled in beside her.
“Thanks Faith for paying the drink bill, but I was going to get it you know.”
Faith could tell he had no intention of paying the bill, the men’s room was a convenient diversion. “Oh really, somehow I doubt that Liam, or Sean, or Satan whatever your real name is. How old are you by the way?
“Old enough to fuck you really good, isn’t that what you really want?”
“Would you mind moving away from me? You disgust me!”
“Okay Beoutch! So now I’m not good enough for you!” He shouted. “Women like you like to tease but it’s all an act. I knew you were a phony.”
There was dead silence, half the bar was staring at them. Faith sat there, unsure what to do, shaking like a leaf. Suddenly the bartender returned and stood between the two of them.
“Clark, leave this lady alone,” said the bartender. “I want you outta here!”
“But what about my side of the story?”
“I’m not telling you again, get the hell out or I’ll throw you out. And you are banned for two months. Now leave!”
He left, not saying a word to Faith. She was relieved. This wasn’t the way things were supposed to go, not at all. Now she knew why she didn’t like these kinds of places
. All she wanted is to meet a charming man and get laid. That should be a simple thing.
“You okay?” asked the bartender.
“I’m fine now, thanks to you.”
“Can I get you a drink on the house?” asked the bartender, obviously concerned.
“Sure, why not,” she replied.
He returned with a bourbon and smiled at her. “I’m Leo, by the way.”
“Hi, I’m Faith.
"You look like you're still waiting for someone," he said as he rimmed the glass.
"I suppose I am."
“Did someone stand you up?”
“No, nothing like that,” she said, and then figured – why not just tell him. Maybe he'd have a suggestion on who was a safe bet to fulfil her mission. Jackson had told her that she'd be rewarded if she completed it; the threat had been implicit. “I'm not waiting for a specific person so much as I'm waiting for a certain type."
He lifted an eyebrow as he poured another whiskey into her glass. "Are you looking for suggestions on who might be your type?" His tone was neutral, and it made her look at him a little bit more closely. He wasn't particularly tall. She'd put him somewhere in his early thirties. He had strong cheekbones and a jaw that was super manly, but his smile revealed a soft warm character. His skin was a very light brown, and his blond hair was pulled back from his face into a French braid. His eyes were a warm shade of emerald green that she adored quite a lot.
"Promise not to laugh," she said, realizing she was flirting.
"No," he said.
"I am here on an assignment," she said, leaning over the bar a little to make it seem more conspiratorial. "From a guy I'm kind of seeing."
"The plot thickens," he said, leaning forward to match her. She'd chosen a bright blue sweater with a subtle vee neck, and she suspected that from his angle, he could catch a good peek at her breasts in their red pushup bra. Well, let him look. Maybe her tits didn't stand up on their own anymore, but they were still firm enough, and their tips were tight and small.
"The type of person I’m supposed to find is someone who will bring me home and make me feel good,” she whispered in a sexy soft tone. “I'm supposed to tell them that it's just for tonight, just to see how it feels. I'm not even supposed to find out his last name. But – in case you hadn't guessed – it's been a while since I was out and about like this, and I'd love any suggestions on who might be, umm, amenable to such a suggestion."
He made a pretend show of glancing around the bar, eyeing one patron after another, shaking his head delicately after one person or another caught his eye. "Nope," he said, after a little bit. "Nope, there's no one here who would do."
"No one at all?" Faith asked. She let her lower lip drop out just a little bit. She was pretty sure that a full pout would look ridiculous on her, but she'd always been able to do incredibly sad eyes. "Oh no. I don't know what I'll do."
"It is a dilemma," he said. The gaze he gave back to her was half laughter and half heat. He'd caught onto her game, and he was playing along. Oh, this was delicious, the most delicious thing ever. "I'm guessing that this is all playing into some sort of punishment or reward scenario?"
"The thread was implicit, but yes, I believe so."
He full on grinned. "Well, then, I guess the question is whether or not you want the punishment."
Her skin shivered, and each and every arm hair stood up to attention. She felt the first swirl of warmth in her body, and she shifted on her feet, pressing her thighs together to release just a little bit of pressure. "I want his reward," she said, carefully not entirely answering the question.
"And what do you want from me?" He asked, pushing her drink across the bar.
"Depends on what you want to give me," Faith said. "I'm open to possibilities."
"It just so happens, I’m available," he said, reaching out to place an arm around her shoulder. "I live in the apartment upstairs. If you want, I'll show you up. I'm off in half an hour."
"I'll wait," she said, "if that's okay?" It didn't feel like the spirit of the deal to be alone in his apartment, waiting.
His smile turned into a huge grin. "Yes, more than okay," he murmured. "Oh, and by the way, you are absolutely beautiful.”
She placed her hands around her whiskey glass and went to a corner booth to wait.
Chapter Four
It was closer to 45 minutes before Leo passed off the bar to a pretty redhead girl who barely looked old enough to drink what she was serving. Faith couldn't help noticing that business in the bar picked up around the same time. People smiled at the girl, and she smiled back, and it seemed like everyone was happy.
It felt good to see that, somehow. Something she'd never had herself. She liked seeing this other girl laughing and flirting, free and happy. Or at least putting on a good act.
Leo slid into her booth with two fingers of amber neat in a highball glass. "I thought we should talk a little bit, before we head up."
"All right," Faith said. "What do you want to know?"
"Are you looking for anything more from me than just one night?"
Faith started to shake her head no, and then considered. "I don't think so," she said. "At least not right now. But Jackson – my--" she wasn't sure what word to use to describe their budding relationship. Was it even a relationship?
Leo smiled, and filled in the blank for her. "The man who sent you on this mission?"
"Yes, him," Faith agreed. "We haven't discussed being exclusive or anything. We're very new together. So, if we enjoy each other, you and me? Maybe there could be more?" She thought her cheeks might actually burst into flames, but she pushed herself on anyway. "Maybe you could meet him, yourself."
She wasn't imagining it; interest flared in his eyes, and for one moment, his lip was caught in his teeth. If she slid her foot into his lap, she was quite sure she'd feel an erection pulsing against the sole of her foot. Fascinating. Tempting. She wondered if Jackson would have the same reaction.
"Do you have condoms?" He paused, then backtracked. "Are you looking for that sort of sex? Or something different?"
"That was definitely what I had in mind, and yes, I do."
"Is there any – specific experience you have in mind?"
Faith had to laugh. "Do you negotiate all of your random encounters so carefully?"
"Yes," he said, his voice completely serious. Her heart swelled softly at the gentle expression on his face. "When a beautiful woman asks me to make her feel good, I want to make sure I'm up to the task."
She couldn't stand the tension anymore. She was ready to be bold. She slid her foot out of her high heel shoe and found his inner thigh, tracing up the seam of his jeans. He dropped his thighs open, letting her press close to him. He glanced down at her foot and she saw that same flare of interest in his eyes. Oh, delicious, just delicious. "I wouldn't have said yes if I didn't think you were..." She increased the pressure with the balls of her foot, and he let out a small murmur. "Up to it." God, she sounded like the badly dubbed audio to a porn video, but she didn't care. For the first time in years, she felt a yearning deep inside of her that was begging to be filled. She didn't want to wait, be careful or be patient.
"Let's go upstairs," he said. His voice was rough. He stood slowly, adjusting his jeans without bothering to be subtle. The door to the back of the bar was just a few steps away from her booth anyway, so it was just a show for her. She slid back into her heels and let him lead her through the door and up to his little apartment.
It was a small one bedroom, as dingy and worn as the bar downstairs, but with the same feeling of care. It wasn't dirty, just cluttered and used. Lived in. Her own house had begun to feel sterile in the past week, and she had started to put together plans to redo it in various ways. It would be a lovely project. Having a home of her own for the first time in her life was its own kind of strange intoxication.
Leo closed the door behind her, then turned to face her. There were a few beats of her heart where she wondered what would
happen next. Would he push towards her, rough and hard, or move more softly? Would he continue the conversation from downstairs or would he – she hadn't any preconceived notion of what she wanted in the scenarios to come. She had spent plenty of time this past week watching porn and reading erotica, stoking the flames of her inner passions. But when she thought of her body being touched, her mind focused on how it would feel, less on what he would do.
Before the pause became awkward, Leo reached out and took her hand in his. His fingers caressed her palm, sending a slight shiver up her arm. He turned her hand slightly so that her palm turned up, then drew her close enough to press a light, delicate kiss on the heel of her hand. A whisper of breath slipped between her lips, and he glanced up at her and smiled. He wove his fingers through hers and then led her through the small apartment towards the bedroom.
Faith kept waiting for the moment where they pounce on each other, but it didn't happen. Leo was entirely different than any man she'd ever known – although, she had to admit, even to herself, that the list was short and not particularly involved. As they came into the room, he used his grip on her hand to draw her in, slow and steady, and pressed another kiss, this time to the pulse of her wrist.
"You know," he said, his voice still conversational as he traced a slow path up the inside of her arm, "You get a lot of propositions when you're tending bar. I've never accepted one before." His free hand came to her waist, splaying down below her ribs, then moving up slowly to cup her breast in its thick padded bra.
"Why did you accept this one?" She asked.
He skipped from the crook of her elbow up to her neck, stepping in close to her. She could feel the heat of his erection against her body, and tingling warmth was spreading out from every point of contact. "You're beautifully different. You're intriguing. I just had to say yes."
"Good reasons," she said. Then his mouth closed over her lower ear lobe, and all conversation halted as his teeth grazed her flesh. He pulled her backwards until he sat down on his mattress, then pulled her in to straddle him. Her hips ached for just a moment, but then his hands clutched at her ass and she found she didn't mind.