Influenced

Chapter 5 -- Blind Date Meet Dead Body

Jenner sat impatiently at the bar, dim lights glinting off empty beer glasses as music pounded in his ears. He checked the time, she was late, and started to consider his options. He could get up and leave or stay for another drink, perhaps if he was patient she'd show up eventually? He decided on the latter, then raised a hand to get the bartender's attention.

"Racking up quite the tab tonight J." The bartender cocked a brow.

"Yeah, I'm good for it though Nate, it's fucking payday!" with a wink Jenner accepted his new pint and Nate slipped away without another word.

"Jenner?" The small voice of a woman was barely perceptible from behind him and he spun around so quickly she leapt into the air. Her blond curls were shiny and voluminous, pouty red lips sent Jenner's heart racing and the dress that clung to her curves was the same shade of crimson.

"Oh, hi!" Jenner smiled and offered her the stool beside him.

"I'm so glad to finally meet you." Jenner had to lean in to hear her speak as she climbed into the tall seat. "You look exactly how I imagined you."

"Oh really?" Jenner smiled, "you're much sexier than I imagined."

The woman blushed and Jenner felt himself growing excited,. "I hope that's not too disappointing."

"How could I ever be disappointed by that?" Jenner blinked and took in the sight of his date a little more thoroughly. Her plump cleavage sent fire through his veins but he tried not to let his stare linger for too long.

"Well, I don't know. I guess some guys are intimidated by me?"

"Don't worry about it." Jenner grinned while Nate returned with crossed arms and Jenner looked down at Gloria. "Would you like a drink?"

"Sure," the woman said and Jenner couldn't help but notice her perfect white teeth. "I'll have what ever you're having."

Jenner nodded to Nate, who poured another pint of frothy beer and winked back at his favourite regular. "I have a bit of an embarrassing confession to make," Jenner said as the woman sipped her drink.

" Sorry?" She asked, leaning into him. "What did you say?"

"I said I'm a little embarrassed!"

"What? Why?"

"Well, we've been emailing back and forth for a while now and I still don't know your name!"

The woman covered her mouth as she giggled and leaned a little closer, her lips brushed Jenner's ear as she spoke in a soft tone. "Gloria."

"It's nice to finally meet you Gloria." Electricity spread through Jenner's body, starting at the place her lips had touched him, and he couldn't help but grin.

"It's nice to meet you too!"

The two sat and sipped their drinks for a little longer, smiling at each other and trying to make small talk over the sound of the music. "Your emails were so...intelligent and well written. It's rare that fan-mail is so properly edited."

"Thanks." Gloria licked beer off of her lower lip and Jenner couldn't help but feel a stirring in his pants. "But I'd consider my emails more than just 'fan-mail'."

"What?" Jenner cupped a hand around his ear, straining to hear Gloria properly.

"I said --" Gloria started but cut herself off. "It's really loud here!"

"You're right." Jenner nodded, downing the rest of his beer in anticipation for what would come next.

"Wanna get out of here?" Gloria asked and Jenner's heart leapt. "Maybe go for a walk or something?"