“The whole street isn’t like this. It changes to bars and restaurants before you enter the residential area. Hold my hand so you don’t get lost in the crowd,” he said. “Have you ever been in a strip club?”
“Not one with girls dancing, but I’ve gone to male ones.”
“We’re going to keep it that way,” he said.
Music streamed through invisible speakers filling the hot, humid air. Bodies were swaying with the beat as they meandered down the street. The brick facades were lined with black iron balconies packed to capacity. The strip clubs gave way to vibrant bars packed with people.
“Want to get a drink?”
“I’d love something sweet.”
“I’ve got just the thing. It’s called a Hand Grenade, and it’s a New Orleans specialty.” He began to pull me down the street.
“What’s in it?” I asked.
“It’s a secret, but it’s filled with a bunch of different things. It’s sweet, but it’s strong too.”
A line of people formed near a small window to order a Hand Grenade to go. Kayden ordered one for each of us, and the bartender placed two giant green plastic drink glasses on the counter. The container was made of neon green plastic, and a grenade shape was at the bottom. I had seen many people on the streets carrying them as they walked. Kayden handed me the drink, and my first sip was an explosion of fruity flavor across my palate. I swallowed a few refreshing gulps before taking a breath.
“Slow down a bit. There’s a lot of liquor in the drink,” he stated as I removed the straw from my lips.
“It doesn’t taste like there is any alcohol at all in it,” I said.
“They’re easy to drink and go down smooth. Have you eaten today?” he asked.
“I haven’t had much to eat, and I’m hungry,” I said.
“Let’s get you something before you drink too much more,” he said.
We sat on the stairs of the building next door and people watched while we finished our drinks. A drag queen directed traffic at the busy intersection, and the crowd followed his guidance, although some seemed confused. My legs began to tingle and feel like jelly. I needed to eat before I got drunk.
We crossed the street to Yo Mama’s and entered the dimly lit doorway and went into the intimate dining room.
“There’s an upstairs dining area. Let’s go up there to eat for more privacy,” he said.
The upstairs was furnished with tables and a separate bar area. All of the seats at the bar were empty, and Kayden picked two in the middle for us to sit.
“We can sit closer at the bar.” Kayden pulled out a chair for me, and I collapsed into it. My chair began to move, and my body lurched to the side when it came to an abrupt stop. Kayden had moved my chair close enough to his that our bodies touched.
The bartender arrived a moment later to take our orders. Kayden ordered Jack and Coke, and I followed suit. My body was still vibrating from the nervousness and excitement of earlier in the day, and I thought one more drink would help calm me.
“Want to split a burger?” I asked Kayden. I didn’t want to overeat, but I was starving.
“Sure, how about a burger and salad?”
“That would be fantastic. I’ll eat any type of burger,” I told him as I stroked his arm.
“It won’t taste as good as you did. I can’t get the memory of your taste out of my mind. I need another one.”
“Later, Kayden,” I said with a twinkle in my eye.
“Later? I want one now,” he said as his hand moved up my thigh.
I flinched when his hand reached my shorts. He reached a finger inside my panties and found my wetness. He left it there for a moment while I looked around the restaurant to see who was near. No one seemed to be paying attention to us, but my heart began to pound. He removed his finger from my panties, bringing it to his lips. Smiling, he placed his finger in his mouth and sucked on it with closed eyes.
“Kiss me.”
“What?” I asked.
