Toxic Impulse ⁕

nine.

"Cheers, to our new found... arrangement." Astraea winked, and their hard glasses clashed.

Hale took a gulp of his dark lager while Astraea downed a bit more of her light ale. They placed their glasses back down on the countertop of the bar as their eyes met one another's.

Astraea grew the urge to feel his lips as her eyes averted towards them. Before she could lean in, he instead moved his lips to speak.

"So, Raestra is yours?" he asked, though it was more in rhetorical form. Astraea nodded anyway. "How is it, owning something so grand in D.C?" He eyed her curiously, staring at her face in admiration.

"It's amazing," she simply stated. "Tell me about your business," she quickly said, tossing the focus of subject onto him.

He grinned, not noticing the sudden change in direction. He leaned his elbows onto the countertop, obliviously staring at the space in front of him.

"It was difficult at first, almost seemed impossible. But I finally made it happen. I aimed to have it done by 26, but I'll take 30 as achievement enough" he said, smiling. There was blatant passion in his voice when he spoke about his business. He went on explaining the few setbacks he had after switching majors late in college.

Astraea nodded. "Interesting. It also explains your usual attire," she said chuckling.

He laughed, and grabbed his glass once again. Astraea eyed him as she watched his lips press against the rim of the glass. She watched his Adams apple roll against his throat as he swallowed. When he pulled the glass away, droplets of liquid glistened against his lower lip.

Without a thought, she leaned towards him, tasting the malt liquor along his lips before he had the chance to swipe it off with his tongue. She felt her bottom start to lean off the stool, in response, she pressed her hands against his chest for support.

With one hand, he reached down and grabbed one of the legs of her stool, pulling her closer. They kissed slow and passionate, without regard of their surroundings and the possible uncomfortable stares. As she slithered her tongue inside his warm mouth, an interruption pulled their lips apart.

"Astraea Vincente. You never did care much for privacy," the voice said. Astraea immediately turned to the familiarity of this voice. Her shining orbs came face to face with a medium height woman, with appreciable sensual curves and a slight thickness blessing her thighs. An all-white skin tight dress wrapped around her figure tightly, while horizontal strings over the middle of her chest covered her blessed mounds.

"Royal," Astraea breathed, eyeing the figure before her with pure seduction.

Royal's deep russet eyes traced over Astraea's form, as if she were mentally undressing her. Her long auburn straight hair fell perfectly past her breasts, slightly moving whenever Royal shifted her head. When her eyes peered at Hale, who sat there with a look of wonder, she smirked as she gazed over him.

"Mmm, he's a nice one," Royal purred. She raised her arm towards Hale, using her manicured nail to faintly trace down his arm. "And no stranger to the gym."

Her eyes darted towards Astraea. "Officially jealous," she began, meeting Hale's eyes, "of both of you." Faint rushes of red flashed against his cheeks. It went unnoticeable from Royal, but not from a smirking Astraea.

Royal stepped towards Astraea, reaching her arms around her petite frame. When she did, Astraea received a trace of warm amber, spicy cinnamon and a hint of musk, instantly illuminating a familiar time. She felt the softness of Royal's lips touch her cheek as Royal slowly pecked her. She could feel a gentle squeeze from Royal before she pulled away. Astraea stole a glance at her glossed lips and resisted the urge to explore them.