Black Temptation

Chapter 14

"Harry, my man! Where have you been boy? We've missed you at those poker games."

They embrace in a rather manly hug and release with smiles stretching to the ends of their ears. His deep browns eye me.

"And who is the lovely lady?" He clutches his darkened skin, his smile gradually evaporating at the words.

"McKenzie, this is Harley Bennett, but we just call him Harley."

I smile an awkward little thing. Being around new people never gets easier, even with being surrounded by the most ruthless killers.

"Hmm, McKenzie..." He takes my hand, stroking it as Harry did only moments before we entered. He kisses it softer and I can feel Harry tense up beside me. Not advancing, just observing.

This makes me even more flustered as he releases my hand. Harry lets out a deep breath and Harley smirks at him.

Coffee bean like eyes hit me once more and I subconsciously tread back a little due to the similarity in eyes he and Peters hold.

"McKenzie, I have a sister named McKenzie. She's a real snicker licker... I mean she likes that kind of pass time... I mean... of eating ice cream."

He buries his hands in his head as we just laugh/giggle/awkwardly snort it off.

"Please forgive me, I have an untamable tongue." Harley almost sobs. "Well, I have to get going but seriously dog, Jackson and I need you at those games. We are getting our asses whopped by Sawyer and Finn."

"I will man," Harry pats his hand on Harley's thick muscles, covered in a plum blazer with a checkered hanky. "Take care."

They embrace in another warm hug full of man grunts.

"I bid you a fine farewell, McKenzie." A bowing Harley says as his hand does a corkscrew in the air. He leaves with Harry stabbing me with a unreadable look.

"Well, he's nice." I say, avoiding eye contact.

"Heh, a little too touchy." Harry remarks, looking forward.

"Takes one to know one." My insides smile as his head jerks in my direction again. He starts to say something and then,

"Styles." A damaging low voice echoes. Harry's priorities change and he speaks back.

"Macklemore." He says.

"We've been awaiting your attendance. Follow."

This Macklemore dude grabs some waitress whispering into her and she eyes Harry with the deadliest stare, yet we don't confront her because Macklemore continues walking. We follow upstairs, the place is brightened with a beautifully lit view of the landscape. Chandeliers hang from the ceiling as pearl linen drapes each and every table. Arrangements of red roses steal my breath and capture it in the crystal jewels dangling from their petals.  A soft music is engulfing the room by piano, the player dressed in white and effortlessly hitting each note in the piece.

I feel like a star, only the elite of the elite pay to get up here.

And that was definitely not Harry...?

We are led to a table, rounded with golden vintage wood seats and sit, he returning to the front of us.

"Good Afternoon. I am Rolin Macklemore, your managing waiter for this evening. You come to me for all the problems you have if you cannot contact your waiter or waitress. Mr. Styles, a regular, shouldn't but if you miss, should need anything, just ring that little bell and I am in here in a second. I'll have your menu's out right away. Welcome to Heaven On Earth."