"Liquid Marijuana," she says. "Blue Curacao, Malibu rum, Watermelon liqueur, Captain Morgan, pineapple juice, and Sprite. I hope you're not allergic to any of that."
"Not that I'm aware of," I say with a smile. I hold the drink up to my nose and sniff. It smells good. "I'm not much of a cocktail guy."
"If you don't like it, third time will be the charm. I'll make sure you have something enjoyable tonight." Someone sits a few seats away and she nods toward them. "I'll be right back. Give it a shot."
I raise the glass to my lips and take a tentative sip. The taste explodes in my mouth and I pull back, licking my lips. It's fruity, sweet, and I can still taste the alcohol in it. I gulp down more, making sure I pace myself. This is dangerously delicious.
I'm halfway done with the glass when the bartender comes back. She's smiling and I return it easily. "So, I did a good job?"
"Very good," I say. She beams at that and I stifle a laugh at the way she bounces on her toes. I don't think she's much older than myself. Maybe late twenties.
"Don't give her too many compliments," the other bartender says behind her shoulder. He's an older man, definitely more my style, with a salty beard and stormy, gray eyes. My dick immediately takes interest. "She has a praise kink."
"Shut up, Ben." The words are playful and the woman tries to smack him with the towel she has in her hand. He catches the towel in one hand and in the smoothest movements I've seen in my life, spins her and pins her body to the bar in front of me. His eyes bore into hers and then flick to mine and fuck if I don't want to reach down and palm my dick right now.
"Brats don't get their rewards, do they, Princess?"
I can't tear my eyes away. The way the girl— I don't even know her name— lets out a breath audible enough for me to hear and Ben's hand wrapped around her body to hold her close. I've never been one into voyeurism nor am I into straight couples, but… Damn.
The moment is over in ten seconds, but Ben shoots me a wink and they go back to making drinks like nothing happened. I take another sip of the cocktail to try and cool my own body temperature rising. "Friend of yours?" I ask after a second.
She laughs, grabbing Ben's attention once again. He's hot in the granddad type of way. He's easily in his fifties and while his clothes are covering all the good bits, the fabric stretches across his arms and chest. "Ben is a friend. We've messed around a few times before, but it's nothing like that. You, on the other hand, are going to have no trouble leaving here with someone else if you want."
"That's the plan." I try to make it sound saucy and not like I'm desperately needing a place to stay. I finish off the drink and slide the empty glass toward her. "I'll be back for a second one, I'm sure."
"I'll make you something different. See if you like it. Enjoy your night."
I thank her once more and continue my walk around. I'm more relaxed now. And warm. The place is a lot bigger than it looks on the outside. Everyone in the main room is paired up with someone already and no one catches my eye. The thought of the guy from earlier, with the pacifier, pops back up into my mind as I pass the hallway they disappeared down.
The hallway doesn't give much away. It's plain off-white walls and a rug that spans the length. The floor underneath is the same floor in the main room, a concrete color with a clear coat of resin or something overtop. Probably for easy cleaning. The rug is a beige color. Either side of the hallway has private rooms labeled. There's three on each side. The fourth door on the right is brightly decorated. It's painted in a rainbow of colors and has clouds and pictures of dogs playing. It's cute.
I can hear laughter and conversations on the other side of the door. Why am I here? I ask myself that as I continue to stand in front of the door. The door opens suddenly and I jump back, startling the man that opened it.
"Sorry." I mumble the word and give him enough space to walk out. He's followed by another man. This guy is dressed in a footie pajama set with polar bears wearing Santa hats all over it. He smiles at me and his face looks so carefree and… happy. I catch a glimpse of the room before the door shuts again. It looks—
I step forward and open the door. The noise level rises drastically and there's holiday music playing. The song about wanting a hippo for Christmas. I recognize it because it was Jayden's, my younger brother, favorite song. I don't know if it still is. He's sixteen now, so I'm sure he's outgrown it. The room is sectioned off into different stations and there are people at each spot.
There are varying degrees of age play going on in this room. Some are in more casual clothes, shorts and a t-shirt, while others have footie pajamas or have pacifiers in their mouths. I spot one girl curled up in the lap of another woman sipping from a bottle.
It's overwhelming, but I don't find myself wanting to move. I spot a group of older adults, ones that aren't dressed in play clothes, and assume they are the Mommies and Daddies, sitting in the further right-hand corner. Squeals and laughter catch my attention and I move to look at the block station. There's a group of four either on their knees or standing up, building a tower several feet tall. One has a toy dragon that they're flying around and the others, it looks like, are trying to keep it safe.
"Hey." A deep voice says close to me. I turn away from the group playing to see who approached me. When I look up, holy shit. The man is gorgeous and fit. My whole body is immediately at attention. "Are you here with someone?"
The man is bald but his beard is thick and not a hint of gray in it. It's only an inch long, maybe two. His shirt is stretched across his chest and I clock the muscles on his arms and the abs under his shirt. I open my mouth to say something, but have no idea what. My curiosity got the better of me? I was drawn to the sounds of being carefree? That I kind of wish I could have some time where I don't have to constantly be worried about my next meal or if I'll freeze at night?
"Are you okay?" The man's voice goes softer and he leans against the wall two feet away, crossing his arms over his chest. I feel small next to him, a feeling I'm not familiar with as the oldest sibling and being six foot even. "If you want to play, you can, but Honey, you'll have to talk to someone. Going nonverbal before you've set boundaries with anyone isn't safe."
Honey.
The way he says it, talking to me, melts something inside me. I look up at the man, chewing my bottom lip. "I'm not… I was just looking around."
He gives me a gentle smile, probably happy I was able to say some words. Why am I having trouble thinking around this guy? Sure, I'm a bit out of my element in this room, but I know how to talk. This guy is just… intimidating. Yeah, I think that's the feeling I have low in my gut.
"Are you interested in trying?" He asks. "If you are, that's completely fine."
"Oh, um, no thank you." I glance around the room again. Everything is cheery and happy here. I remind myself of my goal coming here. To spend a few hours hanging out somewhere warm and possibly find someone to go home with for the night.
"Can I ask what your name is?"
