Page 3 of Stroked
“Hey, I’m gonna go up toward the stage to get a better look at the band,” I said as I leaned over to her.
She nodded and grasped Jason closer.
I grabbed my beer and glided across the floor. Even though the town was pretty diverse, this club didn’t usually attract a lot of my kind. Not that it mattered. I would never date someone I met here. If it went bad, what a mess that would be.
I made it to the edge of the small dance floor in front of the short stage. The club was aged, but still fun. The bar was long, there were plenty of tables scattered around, even some soft chairs in different spots, and just enough room to dance or get closer to the bands on the dance floor. The lighting was more like a nightclub than a bar, but the club itself had a more dive-bar feel to it. However, there was always good music and live bands.
Since Lucy started working as the entertainment manager at the club, the music had been better than I could remember any other time. She was talented, and could sing herself, but she had always wanted to be a songwriter and loved the behind-the-scenes aspect of music. After the debacle with the band a few months ago, she swore off singing in any bands. Open stage night always brought in decent bands from all over the state, but tonight, the club was buzzing.
There were no open tables, and the dance floor was packed. I stood watching and listening to the all-male rock band. They were playing original music, but it was pretty good. And they had a good aesthetic. Even though I played for the home team, as an artist, I could appreciate a purposeful look to match their genre. I was checking out their attire, as it seemed to be more than standard cheap jeans and t-shirts. Someone took time to curate this look and I was here for it. As I was scanning the men in the band, I noticed a woman standing off to the side of the stage and felt my mouth fall slightly open.
Not a college student, and not a regular here. She was also horribly overdressed for this place. She wasn’t quite as curvy as Luce, but a little more filled out than me, in all the right places. She had on a red pant suit that hugged her body with a black shirt underneath and black come-fuck-me heels.My favorite. Her hair looked like black silk as the stage lights bounced off it. She was too far away, and the lighting made it hard to tell, but her eyes were very light. Light eyes and dark hair. Like kryptonite.
Her lips matched her suit, but otherwise, she wore very little makeup from what I could tell. Though, she didn’t need it. She was looking up at the band, but not smiling, more like observing, while regularly looking at her phone. She wasn’t a groupie, and not someone who stumbled in here accidently. She must be with the band.
My suspicion seemed correct once the band took a short break and the lead singer went to the edge of the stage to speak to her. The body language wasn’t sexual, but professional, as was her demeanor. After speaking briefly, he returned to the stage and the music started again. She started moving to the bar.
I didn’t ever find dates here, but was it really anything to simply walk to the bar and try to gauge her response to men versus women? She was probably straight, but what’s the harm in checking?Did I just think that? Still, I had to check her out. Just to appease my curiosity.
I casually pushed my way back through the crowd and knocked back the rest of the beer so I could order a new one at the bar. I was still a few feet away when I saw the lady in red shaking hands with Luce. Of course, that made sense. Lucy was the one who invited the bands, and this woman was clearly associated with them. Still, a strange sensation washed over me. My heart was beating a little faster, my free hand growing clammy. I shook it to get the sweatiness to subside before I got to the bar, because Lucy saw me coming and would surely introduce me to this beauty.
Lucy was standing as I approached the bar and I saw her motion for Jaz. Once I made it to the bar, Jaz was already pushing a fresh Blue Moon to me. I leaned between Lucy and the lady in red to swap my empty bottle for a new one. I made sure to put my back to Luce to look at red lady’s reaction from the corner of my eye. She seemed to acknowledge me as her eyes did look me over, but I couldn’t read any sort of emotion on her face.Straight…damn. Probably for the best.
Lucy put her hand to my back and then spoke loudly as she leaned in toward both of us, “Hey, this is my Amy, she’s the artist friend I told you about. Amy, meet Val.”
The beautiful lady smiled politely and extended her hand out to me, so I shook it. Professional, firm grip, but soft hands. A slight tingle formed in my hand, but I didn’t allow myself to get too excited. She was stunning, but no use in torturing myself over someone I couldn’t have.
“Nice to meet you. So, are you with the band?” I asked as our hands broke free.
“I am their manager, but I represent other clients as well,” she replied with a slight accent. It was subtle, but sexy as hell.
“I hope I don’t offend you, but do I detect an accent?” I had to know.
“I am Brazilian. My parents are from there. I was born here, but English is their second language. I learned it quickly, but being raised speaking Portuguese, you typically do not sound ‘American,’ I suppose.”
“So, is Val short for something?”
She took a sip from a mixed drink, maybe cran and vodka, before answering me, “Valentina.”
Lucy chimed in, “Isn’t that so beautiful? I’d make people call me that!”
Valentina grinned and gently nodded. “Well, I appreciate that. But it is lengthy. Many people have nicknames. Did I not hear your fiancé call you Luce instead of Lucy?”
Lucy nodded and replied, “Yep, everyone really calls me Luce. But we call Amy Amy and Jason is Jason. So, who knows! Guess it’s preference.”
The conversation felt forced. Valentina was being polite but didn’t seem comfortable. Eventually, she put her drink on the bar and leaned in front of me to place her hand on Lucy’s shoulder. She had her face to me, but she didn’t have much of a choice because of how I was standing and where Lucy was sitting. Still, I couldn’t help but pretend she arched her back to push her chest toward me. The black shirt she had on under the suit was buttoned almost to the top but could have been painted on, it was so tight, and I caught a faint smell of her. I detected jasmine, and maybe a hint of vanilla. It was enchanting.
“It was nice speaking with you again, but I really should get back to the band. If I do not see you again later, thank you again for the invite on behalf of the band.” Valentina was still leaning in front of me as she spoke.
“Oh, anytime. This crowd is fantastic! If you want to do another open stage night, shoot me an email and I’ll make space for them! They’re great!” Lucy was beaming. It was the most crowded I had ever seen this place, and Lucy did it.
Valentina walked away and started to push her way through the crowd, but not before I turned to watch her. The pants hugged her perfectly. There was no shortage of ass on that woman. The blazer was a shorter cut and sat perfectly on the top of the roundness, showing the stark contrast of her small waist to her round hips. I could even see her perfectly proportioned thighs under those tight red pants. Not thick in the way people think thick nowadays, but not thin. Perfect size for earmuffs.Enough, Amy!
It was highly unlikely that woman was gay. I needed to stop. In fact, I needed to get out of here. My fancy had been tickled and I needed it stroked.
“Hey, Luce, I’m taking off. Gotta get to The Lounge,” I said, leaning into her ear so she could hear me over the music and crowd. “Congrats on tonight, you did good!”
Lucy jumped off her stool again and gave me a huge squeeze. I saw Jason walk over as I was pulling away.
