One night was all it took: Season 3 "One second was all it took"

Shark

Jack's sitting on the corner bar stool. Another night without Bill. He looks angrier than usual. I am arguing whether I should step toward him or not.

"I am incredibly happy for you Lacey!" he says, waving his hand to have me come over by him. "I told you I would go to your wedding, and I am going! Damn it! I don't care what the doctors say! When is this wedding?"

The wrinkles on his face paint sadness. He truly does not think he will be alive for my wedding. What he does not realize is I believe he has plenty of life left in him. He is not going anywhere, anytime soon.

It has been a slow night. We have not had much of anything for business tonight. I have even sent everyone but Rya and Derek home.

"Jack!" I argue and lean against the counter. "Your doctor said you're as healthy as an ox! Why would you not make it until my wedding?"

He stares at the TV angrily and sips from his beer bottle. He sets the bottle down and folds his hands together, leaning forward, and looking at me directly.

"Little lady. I am old as shit. I might not be here tomorrow. I have no idea how long I have. That doctor may have said that I was healthy but so was John! And he died sitting up."

Rya walks past us with a tray of empty glasses. She flashes a smile as she steps around the bar counter, carefully maneuvering her tray.

"Jack. With the way you are going, you will outlive most of us." She argues, quickly placing the empty glasses into the sink. "I could see you living to one hundred and thirty."

"Ha!" Jack yells while picking up his beer bottle like it is his lifeline.

"You can bet your ass I will refuse to live to that age. No one needs to live that long. We all have an end date for a reason, and that old just seems like cheating life."

I hear the smack of his lips against the bottle as he quickly takes a drink.

"You know something!" He continues saying. "When I was a youngster the average survival rate was sixty-five at most. And many people were dead in their mid-forties. Nowadays you kids are doing hip hop and skip pop or whatever it is called. You do that stuff up to the age of sixty. My heart would give out at that rate."

"It's called hip hop," I say while fighting off the laugh trying to pour out of me. "You said it right the first time." I set down the container of straws and turned off the TV. "Okay. Time to call it a night. No one is here and no one is coming. We've had a slow night, and I am going home."

"So go home, boss lady," Rya says as she pushes through the kitchen door with a smirk. "I have a group coming in at ten and it's only nine-thirty! You are crazed to think we are closing with five hours to go. But we do not need you. Go have 'alone time' with your soon-to-be wife."

She sets down the trays with a look of annoyance on her face. It's obvious she's not thrilled with the wedding, but she also has to learn it's part of life.

Glancing out toward the tables, I see Derek wiping tables down, not even breaking the slightest sweat.

"Go home sweetheart," Jack says and smiles. "I need that wedding sooner than later. Let me know the date. I am not dying until I get to walk you down that aisle."

Rya's eyes grow wide again. Her cheeks are raised, and her mouth is open enough to show her teeth.

"Awe!" She says and slides a finger underneath her eye to catch the tear streaming down. "Jack and Bill, both can walk you down the aisle! Why didn't I think about that? Oh my god! That would be the greatest thing I could ever see!"

She drops the tray. Thankfully, it was empty. "Go get a date set for that damn wedding Lace! I need this faster than I thought!"

I playfully scoff, roll my eyes, and smile. "You guys! She is not setting a date just yet. I will give you good news. She's already said she wants the wedding soon..." I pause and glance up at the ceiling. "Very soon!"

Derek looks up from the table he is wiping down. "Good. Now go get us a wedding date..." He pauses. "An actual date...not like a date for me...a specific...damn it!"

"We got you!" Rya says with a smile and leans her upper body against the bar. "He means a set day and time."

She winks at Derek, gesturing that she understood him. And he smiles while continuing to wipe down the table.

"Bye, guys!" I say loudly as I exit through the back door, quickly rushing to my car. My hands slide down the seatbelt as I strap myself in.

My 'family' of people that support me is amazing. I could not ask for better people in my life, and I do not know how I got so lucky.

My mind wanders to all the good things that have come over this past week as I drive down the road, quickly reaching my street.

There is an excitement that flows through me as I pull into the driveway and see Natalia's smiling face staring at me from the kitchen window.

I quickly parked the car and removed my seatbelt. A part of me grows even more excited as I reach the front door of our house.

I open the door to Natalia...standing naked.

"Hey, gorgeous." She says, seductively staring at me like I am her dinner being delivered.

I raise an eyebrow, giving off a confused look. "Weren't you just?" I point back toward the car. "I just saw you clothed in the window."

"Yep," She smiles and pulls me toward her. "And I have been waiting for you in a robe, with nothing on underneath it."

She gently slides her finger against my forehead and runs it toward my ear, pushing my hair back. "Are you going to wait, or do you want me to tear your clothes off right here, right now?"

Her seductive eyes grow thinner as the clear hunger inside of her claws its way out with every word that comes from her mouth.

I chew on the side of my bottom lip and drop my purse onto the floor. Softly, I press my fingers against the door and close it. My shoes slide off my feet with ease and I quickly unbutton my pants.

"Right here..." I softly say, sliding my fingers into my pants, pulling them down, along with my panties. "Right now."

I stare at her naked body like it is an invitation to the best seat in the house. I kick my pants off, slowly beginning to force her to walk backward toward the spare room.

Holding my hands on her shoulders, I slowly guided her. Her smile is glued to her face with every sensual step backward.

Just the simple feeling of her naked body is driving me into a seductive rage, warming my body.

She reaches behind her and pushes the door open. The cool draft runs out of the room, causing a shiver as the cool breeze hits.

"What do you want to do to me?" She gently whispers into my ear, exhaling with a seductive sound in her tone.

I slowly guide her onto the bed, forcing her to sit and wait while I take a deep breath. Every part of me wants to dive into her like a shark.