Aeson's Ox Blood

Chapter Two

Adjusting my tie in the stuffy, dim room, I tried my best to swallow down the anxiety. Dark music thumped in the entire building, my heart racing with the beat and bass. I'd almost forgotten how big this club is. How am I supposed to find one woman in the midst of a thousand? How did I even make it here in the first place?

I decided to start where I first saw her: at the bar upstairs. I was sitting on the stool when I felt eyes lingering on me. I turned, and there she was.

I made my way up the stairs, avoiding people drinking, dancing, and kissing. I passed the indoor balcony and sat down at the bar, ordering some water to not seem odd. Once it was handed to me, I turned in my seat and searched the crowds.

Upstairs, people relaxed more than they danced and acted like fools. Dark, velvet couches lined against almost every wall, the shadows in the corner getting darker. The one closest to me was where I first saw her. As a new song came on, a group of people closest to me cheered.

"What are you doing here, Ace?" A cold voice breathed next to me and I jumped, spilling some water onto myself. In the stool beside me was Danny, looking like the woman I met the first time.

Her piercings were back in her lip, nose, and ears. Her shiny black hair was pulled back into the ponytail. Danny's lips were nude, just as I recalled. Ripped black jeans formed her legs and a midnight blue tank top was clad on her torso. The rest of her colorful tattoos were free, almost glowing in the darkness. However she still looked as stunning as she did in her dress.

"Danny," I whispered in surprise, still choking on my water, even though I knew no one could hear me over the music.

Before me, she crossed her arms defensively. "You're not here to insult me again, are you, Aeson?"

Furtively I shook my head. "No, it's the exact opposite. I want to apologize for my rash behavior the other night."

Danny looked questionable at my words. "Really?" She mused, looking thoughtful for a second. "You came all this way to say you're sorry?" I opened my mouth to speak, thinking she was again teasing me. "That's pretty admirable, A."

A? What does that mean?

Her eyes were soft but guarded. Danny leaned over me and grabbed the water from me, chugging some of it down. A whiff of her perfume hit me and I resisted the dirty thoughts threatening to seize my mind. She just seemed so... sexy and relaxed here.

"I would've thought you'd pass along a message to Ben if you wanted to apologize. Never did I think that the almighty Aeson Tselios would come all this way to say sorry to this ol' gold-digger personally."

"I feared that would be improper." I said while wincing, ignoring what she implied. I hated it when people judged me for my title. "And that was completely rude, what I said. I'm sorry."

"And coming to a gritty club in downtown New York isn't improper?" Danny teased, resting her elbow on the bar countertop and leaned her head against her hand.

My ears tinged red. "Your brother said this was the best bet to find you."

Danny threw her head back and laughed. "That's cute." My face burned more. I literally had to resist hiding my face in my arms. Instead I took a large gulp from my water, diverting my eyes away from the intense siren. "I'm sorry, too. I suppose messing with you at your work was a bit overwhelming."

Danny sighed playfully. Then a smile popped up on her face directed at me. "How about I buy you a drink?" She rushed to talk over me as I opened my mouth to object, "I'm not trying to get you drunk so I can fuck you again, I promise."