The glass felt cold against my palm as I watched the beads of condensation sliding down, trying to overtake the other. I raised the glass to my lips, emptying its contents down my throat in one go. The burning liquid scorched down my throat causing me to scrunch my face in disgust. This was my fifth glass. Maybe sixth. Somewhere between three and four, I had lost count of how many glasses I had taken.
The smell of cheap beer and fruity air freshener filled the air of the motel bar. The bar wasn't full as it was still too early to drink to stupor. The motel was the best but then again, neither was my life. I was in no situation to make a choice. I could only take what I could get.
I had anticipated the weekend for so long but I had never thought it'd go this way. Four days ago, I hadn't imagined sitting in a bar on a Saturday evening,on a cracked vinyl stool that begged for mercy. I had never expected to drown myself in alcohol that didn't even taste good. That was just how desperate I was. Desperation would make you do things you never imagined.
I stared at the empty glass in my hand wishing that my problems went away with every drink I took. The memories of a few hours ago rushed into my head. I still couldn't wipe out the image of my friend's swollen face and busted lips out of my head.
"I don't think I can help you anymore. He came by when you were out" she had whispered over the phone,her voice trembling. "Damien visited. He hit me. He warned that I send you out of my house or else he'd—"
I hadn't let her finish. I didn't need to. I thought I was finally free from Damien but it seemed as though he wasn't ready to let me go. She had done nothing wrong but gave me a couch when I had nowhere to sleep. She had advised that I should report to the police but I had no money. To survive in this city, you need to have money.
I tightened my hold around the glass, knuckles turning white as anger and helplessness pulsed through me. I was angry at Damien for taking everything away from me. I was angry at myself for letting him take and take from me. I felt helpless knowing that I could do nothing about it. I have no idea how long I'll continue to live this way. I knew it was stupid to spend the last cash on me on drinks but I needed an escape. Being numb and oblivious was way better than facing my reality.
Noticing the bartender staring at me with a look of concern,I motioned for him to come closer with a shaky hand. He stared at me as though he wanted to ask what the problem was but I gave him a look that said that he shouldn't ask any questions. Letting out a deep sigh,he slid another drink in front of me before going back to watching the match on the television.
I stared at the glass mindlessly,the edges of the glass blurring as different thoughts swam through my head. It was as though the more I tried to stand on my feet,the more I kept falling. Damien was right. There's no way I'll be able to survive without him. At least with him, I had a roof over my head and food in my stomach, even though it meant that I'll be back to all the abuse.
"I'd say you're having a rough night"
A deep voice came from behind startling me. I swirled around so fast that I almost fell off my seat hadn't it been for the strong arms holding me in place. I had wanted to be alone as I wasn't in any mood to talk to anyone.
I followed the dark eyes that bore into mine as he sat down on the stool in front of me causing the weak furniture to creak under his weight. It suddenly felt as though the bar had gotten smaller. He looked so dark and expensive as though he didn't belong to a place like this.
Staring at him through my curtain of hair, I brought the glass to my lips before setting it back down. The man in front of me doubled and then tripled and I knew that the drink had finally caught up with me. I couldn't make out his facial features but I could make out his broad frame and strong veiny hands that laid casually on the bar counter.
"Why…" my voice cracked. I could barely hear myself over the thudding of my heart. "Why are you… talking to me?"
He let out a soft chuckle that made me smile,the sound tugging at my heartstrings like smoke. "Why wouldn't I talk to you?"
The way he had said it sent a shiver down my spine even though my mind was still muddled by the alcohol. He spoke with confidence. No hesitation. I had no idea who he was but it felt as though he knew me and had been waiting for a moment like this.
I rubbed my eyes lazily trying to focus but it felt as though the world was spinning even faster. Raising my hand to his face,I brushed his cheek with my fingertips leaning towards him, almost falling off for the second time. A hand slid over mine, firm,warm and… comforting.
"You're drunk. That's enough drink for tonight" he whispered,his breath brushing against my ear. I shivered,not from the cold but how close he was to me. I didn't hate his proximity.
A small laugh bubbled from my lips, shaky and bitter. "And why should I listen to a word you say? I don't even—"
The words tangled in my throat as he pulled me off from my stool pressing me towards his hard body. I could feel the warmth radiating from his body. My pulse fluttered like a high school girl who finally had an opportunity to talk to her crush.
"I didn't ask you," he murmured,his hot breath tickling my ear. "I'm telling you to stop drinking. There are other ways to forget your sorrows and they're far more reliable than drinking."
Then without warning,he leaned towards me, capturing my lips in a kiss that almost knocked me off my feet. He pulled back a little allowing me to breath before claiming my lips in his again, rough and hungry. He sighed contentedly as though he had been waiting all night for this. His hand around my biceps slid up my neck before threading through my hair angling my head until all I could feel was the tingling sensation of his slips on mine.
The rational part of me would have been worried that people were around but I had discarded that part through the window. It wasn't like anyone was paying attention to us as they were focused on the hockey match playing on the television. He traced the seam of my mouth with his tongue coaxing me to open up and my willpower melted away as I moaned into his mouth, responding to his urgent need with my own.
Somewhere during the heat of the moment,my hand had found its way to his hair. I was so touch deprived. I didn't care that it was a complete stranger. I arched my body against his,heat flushing my skin.
I let out a moan of pain as he bit into my lower lips sending shivers through me. He broke the kiss causing me to let out a sigh of protest. Resting his forehead on mine,he breathed hard, the warmth from his body lingering between us. He still had his hands on my hips keeping me in place. I could feel his fingers twitching against my skin as though it was difficult for him to stay away from me. I didn't want him to leave. "Don't be too greedy. This isn't the right place… and time." He whispered breathlessly, a sly smile curving his lips even though his eyes turned with the same intensity as mine. He couldn't just leave me all high and needy.
Before I could utter a word,I felt his hand dip into my purse. It was as though he had slipped something into it but I was too numb to confirm. He pressed the bag to my side,his fingers lingering on my skin and then it was gone. Something about the way he stared at me made my heart flutter. Leaning in once more,he placed a kiss on my lips. This kiss wasn't fierce and hot like the last. It was slow and tender that left me dizzy and needy. All I could do was stare at him, lips parted as I wondered if I was just dreaming.
Pulling away,he took a step back and another and then another, slowly allowing the shadows to swallow him. "Until we meet again, Miss Rivers" he called out in a low and intimate voice. My mind was still clouded from the kiss that I hadn't noticed that he called my name.
He turned around just in time for me to catch a glimpse of his tattoo. It was hidden under his shirt, peeking under the left sleeve of his shirt where he'd rolled it up a little. I couldn't make out what it was from where I stood but I was able to catch the sharp contrast of a snake's head before he disappeared into the darkness.
"Who are you?"