Inside, we sat at a table off to the side of the dance floor. There were more waitresses here and they came around more frequently so it was easy to order drinks. I asked for something lighter this time, since although didn’t mind beer, it was way too filling and I wouldn’t be able to keep drinking much more. Fin ordered me a Malibu and Diet and promised that this was the quintessential girl drink.
After tasting it, I had to agree.
This bar was celebrating a grand opening, so it was also packed. Most of the bars along Third Street were dive bars with cheap drinks, but this one had more of a club type feel. There were neon colored beads draping every table and temporary tattoos with the bars logo littering every available space.
It was even louder in this bar than the last so talking was practically impossible. Fin said he would dance; he just needed a little more liquid courage before I could pull him on the dance floor. I was having fun watching everyone else and enjoying my drink anyway, so I didn’t mind waiting.
The music was sexy and so loud the beat of the bass thrummed inside my chest. I looked up at Fin to find him watching me again, his eyes heated and excited, suddenly I couldn’t wait to be out on the dance floor with him, pressing my body against his again.
He caught the desire in my look because he immediately leaned forward and swept me away in another kiss. His hands roamed a little freely this time and when he grazed the underside of my breast with his thumb I moaned in his ear.
He pulled back but only to take a shaky sip of his own drink. He ran a hand through his hair and that muscle was ticking in his jaw again. I was hoping it was because he was as unsettled and desperate as I was.
I liked that.
I liked that I had that kind of power over him.
He reached forward and laid his hand on my thigh again, like he couldn’t bear not to touch me. I loved that. I loved the way he made me feel and that I made him feel. He was going to steal my heart completely.
In the cafeteria the other week he promised me he would win this game and it wasn’t until this moment that I realized I never had a chance. I was an amateur even at this. He held all the right cards.
Knowing that, I knew I had to grapple back some of my control. There was life after this date; there would always be consequences to face tomorrow. And, if I was really honest with myself, I didn’t want to be the only one falling; the only one who’s heart was getting tangled in something that seemed irretrievable.
I threaded my fingers through the hand Fin had on my thigh and brought it up to the top of the table. I shivered at the feel of his huge, calloused palm pressed against mine and I loved how willingly he just gave it to me, just let me do what I wanted.
I gave him a saucy smile and then reached for one of the temporary tattoos scattered across the table top. He eyed me carefully but didn’t object. I held his hand with both of mine, so his palm faced up. Lifting it, I met him halfway and licked a sensual path along the inside of his wrist. I felt his whole body tense with anticipation and I couldn’t hide my triumphant smile.
I peeled the plastic covering off the small square tattoo and looked up to waggle my eyebrows at him.
In a rough growl he voiced his one objection, “I don’t think those are very manly.”
“You’ll like it, I promise.”
He let out a breath and said quickly, “Ok.”
With his permission I pressed the tattoo to his wrist and held it in place. With my other hand I reached into my almost empty drink and pulled out a piece of ice. Slowly I rubbed the ice over the tattoo and down his forearm. I never looked up at him, but I felt his eyes on me the entire time, felt the tension in his body as though he was just one sEcond away from pulling me on his lap and fulfilling all his sexy promises. Finally, I was satisfied that the tattoo wouldn’t come off with the paper and I removed the now soggy backing and discarded it on the tabletop. On his wrist was the perfect image of the bar’s logo, little droplets of water still running down his arm and pooling at the pushed up sleeve of his cardigan. Satisfied with my work I lifted his hand again and pressed a kiss to the new tattoo.
I lifted my eyes to meet Fin’s and watched as he slowly swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing with the effort.
“Are you trying to kill me?” he rasped out.
I shook my head slowly and then stood up and tugged on his hand, “Let’s dance.”
He just nodded, seeming unable to say anything else. Feeling more powerful than I probably ever had in my entire life, I led Fin to the dance floor and pressed my body flush against his.
The music was fast but sensual and we moved together easily. Fin’s hands were everywhere on my body. He turned me around so that my back was against his chest and his hands moved over my stomach possessively, before long he turned me around again and we danced front to front, my arms around his neck, his hands gripping my hips tightly.
Fin was claiming me again, with every single touch, both light and hard. He was owning me, making me his and I was allowing him to.
I couldn’t have stopped him.
He was too consuming.
So instead, I gave up what little fight I had left and just danced.
We stayed there for the rest of the night, hungry for each other’s touch, desperate to stay connected in every way. He had plenty more kisses for me, and his hands never let go.
By the time bar closed we were sweaty and exhausted and drunk off each other. We walked back to his Jeep stealing kisses and holding hands. The ride to my apartment was taken in silence with too much to be said to say anything in all.
