Overstimulated

Erik's Interlude II - Doubt

Erik hung his work bag on one of the hooks located on the side of the table as the host, Edgar, informed him that the waiter would be with him momentarily. He gave a quick but courteous nod at the smaller man, ignoring the look of awe in his gaze. He was as used to men staring as he was women. He was aware of the energy he brought with him everywhere he went; sensual, mysterious, commanding. Boorish in a way that made people want to cater to him if only in an attempt to tame the insensitivity that rippled across every tight smiled he offered. It was a heady cocktail that he often used to his advantage but couldn't quite turn off completely.

Erik unbuttoned his charcoal grey suit jacket and opened the top buttons on his black dress shirt as his attentive eyes swept across the crowd noting exits and assessing potential threats. He glanced at his watch, 6:23 PM. He had texted Deisa the address to Honiko & the Bird in Century City telling her to meet him there at 6:30 after her husband, Shad, had texted him to look out for her for the next few months. He'd gotten unexpectedly deployed which explained the annoyed huff the project engineer emitted anytime she glanced at her phone. Erik decided by the ninth sigh to take her out and let her vent, chill and get a drink. He didn't like the idea of her going home to be alone and upset.

"Good afternoon," a smoky voice greeted him. He looked up from the menu in his hand, his eyes locking on his waitress' vixen green stare. Her grin held an almost feral edge as she gave him an appreciative once over. "Welcome to Honiko, handsome. My name is Breelyn and I'll be your server tonight. Have you been here before?"

Erik wanted to roll his eyes at the evident purr in her voice. 

"Nah," he said in a bored voice before diverting his attention back to his menu almost dismissively.

Breelyn blinked a few times, the coarseness of his attitude rubbing her wrongly. Erik could tell she hadn't been expecting his reaction. She adjusted her stance and tossed her auburn hair over her shoulder.

"Well, it's happy hour!" she chirped trying to regain her traction and attempted to switch over to a more professional demeanor. "All of our signature cocktails are half off as well as the okonomiyaki burger, which is to die for. It has pe- "

"The ingredients are listed right here, don't tire yourself out," he interrupted, still not meeting her eyes. He caught the way she narrowed hers out of his peripheral and his sniffed a mental laugh. "I'll have the punta seca and a dark and stormy."

"Perfect!" she clapped, her voice almost too shrill and Erik winced dramatically to make her feel bad. She cupped a hand over her mouth briefly in apology. "Did you need me to take your menus away?"

"We not allowed to eat?" he questioned, lifting his brows, feigning surprise.

"We?" Breelyn questioned before her milky complexion started to turn a bright red. "I didn't know you had a gir- I mean, no no," she rushed, growing more frantic after each word. "Of course, sorry. I-I'll be right back with your drinks, sir." She scurried away and Erik grinned evilly. He was going to love fucking with this girl tonight.

"Damn E, this place is swanky," Desia said in lieu of a greeting as Edgar fought to keep up with her a few minutes later. Erik threw the boy a "don't bother" look that had him about-facing before he stood and helped his friend out of her jacket and onto the barstool. She kissed his cheek in thanks. 

"You know I'm married right?" 

Erik laughed at the saucy wink she threw at him as she picked up the drink menu, mouth pulling down at the prices of the wine selections.

He looked around the airy space and actually noticing it's decor. It had immediately reminded him of Venice when he pulled open the heavy oak doors, with its open patio space, wood paneling, glass ceiling, and the leafy fauna artfully climbing the walls. He liked it.