Page 23 of 12 Days

Chapter 10

Theo

"What're you drinking?"

"What?" Alyssa smiles nervously at me as she leans closer.

By choosing the end of the bar that was closer to the speakers, I ensured that she would have to get very close to me to hear me. Instead of raising my voice, I lean in close to her, my lips practically touching her ear. "What's your poison?"

I can see her shake just a bit as the goosebumps cover her perfect skin. She shoots me a sly smile. "I don't know, I don’t drink too often. Surprise me?"

I couldn’t have kept the smile off my face if I tried, and I honestly wouldn’t want to anyway. God, I can stare at her smile for the rest of the night and think it would be an evening well spent.

Leaning over the bar, I signal the bartender for our drinks.

I look back at Alyssa, who is subtly dancing in place to the music, while trying hard not to let it show. I see her sneaking curious looks at the women who are dancing in cages, suspended from the ceiling, and on the stages throughout the room. I smile again at how nervous she is.

"Not quite your usual hangout, huh?"

She looks back at me quickly, and I can tell by the deep shade of crimson her face turns that she clearly thought I was still looking away from her. She got caught, and she knows it. But, behind that embarrassment I can see something else, too.

It’s not just excitement from the place, from getting caught looking at the women; that was what I expect to see. No, this was something more.

There is a side of her she probably hasn't met yet, a side she might see as a total stranger. A side that has...desires. A side I very much want to see more of tonight.

The bartender finishes the drinks, and I pick up the two blue concoctions in large, hurricane glasses.

"On the tab, sir?" he asks.

I nod.

Alyssa, recovering a bit, takes the drink and gulps greedily, glad to have something else to focus on. She downs a third of it before coming back up for air. I admire a woman who can hold her breath–and her liquor.

"This is delicious! What is it?"

"Blue Hawaiian. I think it tastes kind of like a Piña Colada." I watch in amazement as she gulps the rest of the drink down without another pause. "I take it you don't like it?"

She laughs and touches my arm. Her hand feels like electricity, even through the fabric of my suit jacket. What is going on with me?

I was attracted to this girl from the moment I saw her, shouting at us in the boardroom, and then fingering herself madly while she had no idea that we watched, but this is different. I feel like I've known her for much longer than that. Man, was that only two days ago?

I shake my head to clear my thoughts, realizing that she is talking to me. "What's that?"

"I asked if I could I have another one."

"Sure," I say, smiling at her. I signal the bartender to make us two more and drain the rest of mine quickly. Turning back to her, I say, "So, you still haven't answered my question."

I immediately regret speaking as I realize that she is now closing her eyes, tilting her head down, putting her hands up in the air, and swaying those luscious hips of hers to the rhythm of the music.

She looks up at me, and now it is my turn to look away, embarrassed at being caught. I take another sip from my glass and pretend to look at the lovely Ebony who is hanging upside down with her legs wrapped around the pole at the end of the stage.

Every guy here wants to be that pole, but I was happy just standing next to the fully clothed woman I came here with. All of the women here are amazing, yet somehow, they can’t hold a candle to Alyssa.

What is wrong with me? Why did I look away? I wanted her to know that I was looking! I am acting like a frightened school boy around her. Get a hold of yourself, Theo!

“What did you say?” Alyssa asks.

She had stopped dancing as soon as I had opened my mouth.

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