It's Always the Quiet Ones [ON HOLD]

Chapter 1 - First Sight

The lights of the honky-tonk were dim, but the music was loud. Lana's gaze scanned the room as she waited for the bartender to place their shots of tequila in front of them.  Kinsey had dragged her to two other bars before this one, but Lana's mood had not improved, and she didn't anticipate that it would. How could she have been so stupid? After the most manipulative and toxic relationship in high school, she'd thought she'd finally found a good guy when she'd met Jason. She'd taken a chance on him, only to find him as untrustworthy as her first serious boyfriend was.

"Girl, we need to get you a little more drunk," Kinsey scolded. "You aren't having a good enough time."

Lana rolled her eyes and looked at her pretty friend. Kinsey didn't know what it felt like to have your trust so misplaced. She'd always played the field. With her long black hair and her sparkling grey eyes, most men found her captivating, but Kinsey never seemed to want a commitment.

"He was an asshole, Lana. He doesn't deserve this much grieving."

"I just caught him this afternoon!" Lana yelled, sudden anger filling her. "Kinsey, he was in our bed - in the home we share - with another woman!"

Kinsey's eyes widened and she threw her hands skyward in surrender. "He still doesn't deserve it, Lana. You can do so much better than him."

At that moment, the bartender finally arrived with their tequila shots. Kinsey held one toward Lana and winked.

"The best way to get over one man is to get under another," she laughed. "Isn't that what they always say?"

Reluctantly taking the shot glass from her best friend, Lana tossed back the drink before reaching for the second one in front of her.

"So, you're saying I should slut it up tonight?" she asked skeptically.

"That's exactly what I'm saying," Kinsey laughed before hurriedly finishing her two drinks. "Let's dance!" she yelled excitedly, grabbing Lana's hand and pulling her toward the tiny dance floor in the corner.

Lana allowed Kinsey to lead her without struggling in return. She closed her eyes the moment they found an available spot in the middle of the floor, just listening to the music playing in the bar. Beginning to feel the effects of the alcohol, she sighed in relief as the tension left her muscles. She knew Kinsey's plan was to get her wasted, and while the idea had merit, she didn't want to give into that plan. She still had to go home tonight to face Jason. He was too stubborn to have vacated the premises. Even now, Lana was certain that he was waiting for her in their home. He would have some excuse for his behavior, but it would fall on deaf ears. That was one lesson she'd learned the hard way in high school.

Throwing her hands into the air, Lana began to swivel her hips seductively, ignorant of the attention she was drawing from the male population of the bar. Lost in her own world, she danced away her frustrations, refusing to think of Jason for even a second. She'd wasted three years on the bastard, and she wouldn't waste a moment more. Song after song played as Lana was lost in her own little world, only aware of the music surrounding her.

"Oh. My. God." Kinsey's sudden exclamation drew Lana from her wandering thoughts, and she turned with an inquisitive expression to view her best friend. Kinsey's jaw hung open as she openly gaped at a group of men positioned around the billiards tables on the other end of the bar. Following Kinsey's line of sight, Lana laughed when she noticed the muscular men, all of whom were wearing navy fire department t-shirts. Hanover wasn't the largest town in the world, but their firemen were like local celebrities. Kinsey had their annual calendar displayed in her office at work, and Lana knew all about Kinsey's obsession with Mr. November.

Laughing, Lana looked at Kinsey. "Well, go on then," she encouraged. Lana had to admit, even from across the room, the men looked enticing. If Kinsey was able to pull one of them, she'd be talking about it all year.

"Are you sure?" Kinsey asked, suddenly shy, a personality trait Lana had never before seen on her.

"Yeah, Kins," she giggled. "Go get a hunky hero!"

Kinsey's eyes sparkled as she approached the firemen. Her hips swayed and Lana could see that Kinsey had turned on her signature charm. Lana watched Kinsey flip her hair as a broad-shouldered brunette man scanned her from head to toe. Satisfied that Kinsey would be successful and didn't need a wingman, Lana left the dance floor and headed once again to the bar.

"What can I get for you?" The middle aged woman behind the bar had aged well, and she had bad-ass written all over her, but Lana sensed something soft about the woman that she couldn't name.

"Another shot of tequila, please." She held out cash to the bartender, who quickly began pouring the shot.

"Guy trouble?" she asked wisely.

"Yeah, but we're not thinking about him tonight," Lana smirked.

"Good girl," the bartender replied. "Name's Rhonda," she advised. "Expert in heartbreaks and assholes. We'll keep you from thinking about him. Just let me know when you need another." She winked knowingly at Lana and headed to a group of college kids at the other end of the bar.

Lana quickly drank the shot before turning to scan the room for Kinsey. She grinned when she saw Kinsey involved in a very friendly conversation with one of the firefighters. She glanced at her watch and groaned. It was only 11:30, but she might as well head home to end her relationship officially. Kinsey looked to be in good hands, and Lana would hate to ruin her night. She decided she'd catch a cab and text Kinsey on her way home. Reaching in her pocket to grab her cell phone, she glanced back toward Kinsey one last time, but instead of her gaze coming to rest on her best friend, Lana's eyes became entranced by the intense stare of a tall blonde man only two feet from Kinsey.

Time seemed to stop as he continued to stare at her, an expression of awe on his face. He was too far from her for Lana to know what color his eyes were, but she was frozen by the soul-searing countenance he wore. Her heart was thumping wildly, and she gasped suddenly, only then realizing that she had been holding her breath. She hadn't had that much to drink - three shots in as many hours - so she knew she couldn't blame the alcohol. She'd never been a lightweight. So why was her body reacting in such a way to a total stranger? She gasped when, never breaking eye contact, he began to walk deliberately across the bar in her direction.

Suddenly feeling panicked, fearful of the unexpected rush of emotions she was experiencing and her confusing lack of body control, Lana tried to convince herself to run from the bar. Her brain kept chanting that her life was about to change forever if she didn't escape, but her feet weren't listening to the instructions she was sending them to move.

All too soon, the gorgeous blonde was standing in front of her, his navy shirt clinging to the lean muscles of his abs, his cornflower blue eyes electric with an emotion she'd never before seen. Her breathing was shallow, and an involuntary sigh escaped her mouth as she inhaled his masculine, woodsy scent.

"Hi," he murmured, a hint of a dimple exposed by his gentle smile.

"Hi," she whispered in return.

Before she could say another word, the stranger lifted a hand and traced her cheek softly with his fingers, as if trying to prove to himself that she was real. Sparks shot through her when his other hand reached around her waist and pulled her to him. Without a moment to respond, his lips crashed against hers. She melted immediately into his warm embrace and moaned softly.

The kiss was passionate and explosive. His tongue begged her for entrance, and she opened her mouth, allowing his tongue to war with hers for dominance. Never had she been kissed like this. Never had she felt these tingles. She was so lost in the wonderment of his kiss, she hadn't realized that she was responding so strangely to an absolute stranger; but if she had realized it, Lana might not have cared. For in this moment, Lana thought she may just believe in love at first sight.