Whiskey, On The Rocks

six

I turned around, my eyes rising to meet pale green. Travis tapped his card against the machine, tucking it back into his wallet before finally looking at me.

"Didn't think I'd see you in a place like this kitten." He purred, and I swallowed.

"Well I..." I fumbled. 

"Waiting for a date?"

"Oh god no." I sighed. "Running from one." Travis raised his eyebrows. "Don't even ask." I mumbled.

"No, I'm going to ask." He took our drinks as they were placed on the bar. "Come, sit with me."

I nodded, following him over to a table. Travis set the drinks down and then pulled out a chair for me, causing my cheeks to flush slightly. I sat down without a word, keeping my eyes cast down on the table as Travis sat across from me. We were silent for a moment, and then I sighed.

"I wasn't the only girl he was seeing."

"Dylan?" Travis asked, and I nodded. "Yeah, I've heard he's got a reputation."

"I should have known." I mumbled, fiddling with my fingers. "I feel like such an idiot."

"Hey." Travis' fingers softly touched beneath my chin, lifting it so that I looked at him. "You're not an idiot kitten, you're just a girl. Things happen, and they might suck, but at least you know now."

"Why do you call me kitten?" I whispered, unable to focus on anything else.

"Do you want me to stop?"

"No." I swallowed. "But I don't know why."

"Maybe I don't either." Travis murmured, dropping his hand from my chin and picking up his glass, angling it towards me. Blushing, I picked up mine and tapped it against his before taking a sip. Our eyes met and held there for a long moment, and suddenly I was very nervous. Travis had a very powerful presence. 

"Why do you look at me like that?" I asked, taking Selena's advice.

"Because I want you." Travis said simply. "But I can't have you."

"What?" My heart skipped a beat.

"I know you heard me." Travis took a sip. "I don't see the point in tiptoeing around the way people do, wondering how others feel. I'd rather just tell the truth."

He wanted me. I didn't know how to feel about that. I swallowed as I stared at him, conflicted about what to say. He was right there in front of me, saying that he wanted me so casually, and I was still sore about the guy I'd almost dated. But all of a sudden I forgot about Dylan.

"You...want me?" I breathed.

"Yes." Travis nodded. 

"But you...can't have me?"

"Exactly." His green eyes never left mine. "Because you're too full of life, and I don't want to bring you into something that will smother that."

"And what is that?" I dared to ask. Travis eyed me for a moment. "You're not going to tell me, are you." I stated bluntly after a minute.

"No." He shook his head. "I want to, but it's not safe for you."  I frowned, a silent question, and Travis sighed, sitting back in his chair. "I really can't tell you." He tacked on. "And I wish I could, but it's dangerous."

I was intrigued, watching as Travis took a slow sip of his whiskey. Then I leaned forwards slightly like we were keeping a secret, and Travis arched his eyebrow slightly.

"What if I told you I liked danger." I breathed.

"Kitten I can tell you now, you do not mean that." Travis murmured.