The Velvet Room
Roan, WV
November
Sheva's smile widened, a bloom of joy washing over. "That means a lot coming from you." She whispered, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone, as if they were sharing a secret. "You're my hero."
Dean raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "I'm... I'm afraid you have me confused with someone else. I'm no hero, I'm just Dean." He went to take sip of his drink, but it was empty.
"I know who you are! Don't you remember me?"
Dean had to think. He hesitated, searching her eyes for a hint or clue. Her name did sound familiar. But the location differed.
"Did we?" He held his hands out in a sexually elicit way.
"No... We met a while back. Convent fire. Woman burned herself. Dead bodies? Ring a bell? You were undercover. You and your Dad!"
The word "Dad." broke his composure. It's only been a few months since he had past away. He couldn't show he was sad about it though.
"Oh shit..." He leaned back in his chair, a mix of relief washed over him then. Now he remembered.
"Well, It's been over a year now... and here I am... and here you are..."
"I see that. You went from a Nun, to stripper... I knew you were too hot to be at that Convent." He pointed out.
"Too hot for the Convent? What?" Sheva turned red. She still didn't know how to take him.
The tension was obvious, then it went mushy.
He leaned back on his barstool, a mix of relief and embarrassment washing over him as the weight of their previous encounter settled between them. "I just did what I had to do." "Your friend was long gone."
"I know." She replied, her voice steady.
Dean shook his head. "I didn't think about it. I just acted. I couldn't let you die in there."
Sheva reached across the table, her hand warm against his. "You saved me, Dean. I don't know if I'll ever be able to repay you for that."
"Now I get it." Dean agreed.
The weight of his words hung between them, heavy. "It's hard." Sheva admitted. "Every time I close my eyes, I see the flames, hear the screams. Sometimes, I can still feel the heat."
Dean's thumb brushed over Sheva's knuckles, a reassuring gesture that conveyed his understanding. "Is that why you kept staring at me?"
"That... and because you're so handsome!" Sheva flirted.
"Got it." Without thinking, he reached out, brushing a stray hair behind her ear. "Do you maybe wanna get out of this place?"
Sheva's heart raced at his touch. "Where to?"
"Anywhere but here" he said, his voice low and inviting.
"Maybe some place we can talk more privately. That is if you trust me enough."
"Believe me I hitch hiked from
New York, to West Virginia with a complete stranger. I think I will be fine. I just need my dress!" Sheva exclaimed, realizing she was still pretty naked.
"I'll get it. You stay here." Dean said, already moving toward the group of men who had her dress. "I'll be right back."
With a confident stride, he approached the young men. "The lady would like her dress back. Let's keep this civil. Give me the dress, and she can get out of here safely. We don't want her catching her death, right?"
The men, perhaps sensing Dean's dominance, shook their heads in agreement.
"Good. I don't want any trouble. Just want to get her home safe." He said, holding out his knife as a warning. They nodded, understanding the unspoken threat.
The geeky redhead stepped forward and handed over the dress. Dean took it and turned back to Sheva. She slipped it on, and they escaped through the back door, leaving the club's noise behind them.
As they walked side by side, the cool night air nipped at Sheva's skin, and Dean noticed her shiver. He draped his leather jacket over her shoulders, a kind gesture.
"Such a gentleman," she teased, her voice light and playful.
"Yeah, yeah, just keeping up appearances," Dean joked, a smirk creeping onto his lips.
"I should have brought a coat," she said, her teeth chattering slightly. "I didn't think it would be this cold."
"I should have offered you mine earlier!" Dean replied, wishing he had been more considerate, as he led her out of the club like a bodyguard.
"Next time, I'll make sure you're prepared." He added
"Next time?" Sheva raised an eyebrow, a playful smile forming. "Are you asking me out?"
"Maybe," Dean said, a hint of mischief in his voice. "But only if you promise to keep your dress on."
"Deal." Sheva laughed, as he led her safely to the dimly lit parking lot.
"Your chariot awaits, milady." Dean joked, with a mock bow.
