A Touch of Darkness

Chapter 3

The bar was loud as people mindlessly chatted.  Stale beer and sweat was thick, nearly making me want to choose a different location.

Finding a corner barstool that kept me out of the crowds.  A few overly intoxicated men already tried to get me on the dance floor but I shrugged them off with a cold shoulder.

"Can I get you a drink?" The bar tender came up in front of me.

"The bees knees" Smiling up at him.  

His eyes looking me over before shaking his head quickly.  "That's one drink I don't think I've heard of?" Scratching the back of his reddish hair.  He wasn't the worst looking.  Nothing compared to Damien.  

Dammit. I came here to avoid him, not think about him!

"Gin, honey, lemon juice"

The drink had no affect on me, honestly tasted horrible but it was a small memory I had back in my days before Claude.  My mother's favorite.

I sipped the drink as I scanned the area.  My insides burned for fuel but they all seemed bland.  No one truly catching my eye.

"Thought you were meeting some friends?"

My stomach dropped.  As my body resisted to lean toward the familiar sweet blood that now came up to my right.

Meeting his eyes swiftly before looking down at my drink and downing it quickly.  Wishing for some type of relief.  "Another one please" Sitting the empty glass in front of me.  The bartender nodding in my direction.

"Easy there" Chuckling as tried to lean away from his smothering scent.

"Don't worry about me" Biting out, harsher than I wanted.  But he needed the rudeness apparently.

His eyes casted down as he sat beside me.  The heat coming off of him felt like an oven.  I swear can almost smell the sunlight that came off of him.  Sunlight was something he was in often.  His perfect olive skin tone kissed my many years playing outside as a child.

"Thought you were going to be with your friends?"

The bartender sat my drink in front of me as I mouthed a thank you.

Taking a large sip.  

"I'll have a 7&7, and keep em' coming" He politely asked.  "And I'll cover her drinks"

My heading shooting to him.  I don't need him buying my wasteful drinks.

"Change of plans"

He nervously nodded combing his hand through his hair, his features fully shown.  Even in this dim bar.

I remained silent.  Hoping he would get the message.  I'd have to dazzle him and convince him to go back to book shop if he kept this up. 

"I didn't mean to follow you I swear" He rushed out quickly.

Turning slightly toward him.  Careful to keep our legs from touching.

"I-I just wanted to make sure y-you got here safely" He sputtered.

Choking back a laugh, I couldn't help it.  He's worried about my safety?!

Taken off guard from my outburst he wasn't ready for.

"Trust me.  I can handle myself" Smirking down at my almost empty drink.

He shrugged off his black leather jacket, his muscular arms begging to rip the seams of his shirt.