Novel Treatments / the stranger part II

the stranger part II

still clenching my empty glass, i nervously look down at my hands
what could he possibly want? to tell me to stop fucking staring at him?
a quick glance up at his face tells me he doesn’t look angry
Jesus he’s taking forever,what the hell does he want?

he arrives just as the drinks do and takes them from the bartender
eyeing us both curiously the bartender reaches to retrieve the empty glass from my now white knuckled grasp
once alone, he flashes me a seemingly shy half grin “hi, i’m Jake. i believe this is yours”
strong callused fingers graze mine as he hands me my glass

all eyes are on us as he gestures toward the empty seat opposite mine
my fingers still tingling from his touch tell me this is a bad idea
any guy that has this effect on me cannot be good
but unable to tear myself away from his piercing gaze, i simply nod my response
i think he must notice i’m a little spooked as he slowly takes the empty seat
my heart begins to beat a little faster
this is playing with fire

we sit in silence and i think maybe this is just his way of ensuring neither of our aforementioned counterparts bother us
looking up casually from my drink i notice that he is older than i’d first thought
about ten years my senior i’d guess…early forties perhaps

his skin is bronzed from too much sun and peppered with small dark hairs
this is in sharp contrast to my pale freckled skin
to the world we must look like good and evil sharing a drink
he dark and brooding and i with a blonde halo of curls reflecting the light
the thought gives me a chuckle that swiftly brings his head up with a questioning look

my brief explanation is rewarded with a sly smile
“so you think i’m the devil eh? i think even he’d avoid this place for fear of that thing at the end of the bar.” he remarks with a glance toward Candy
i follow his gaze and a small giggle escapes
feeling his eyes on me i look back to find him eyeing me expectantly
my mind goes blank…shit, he’s got me flustered
i can think of no witty comeback

i glance down at my watch and feign a yawn “this place closes in about 15 minutes” i say as i start to rise
in one swift movement he’s on his feet “it was nice to meet you…i’m sorry, i don’t think i got your name”
“Elizabeth” i blurt out nervously
“well then, it has been a pleasure Lizzy” he smiles, daring me to comment on the nickname
“i’ll walk you out ” he states matter of factly
we pause briefly at the collective sound of people shifting to watch as we leave

the air is bitter cold as we step outside
he is walking so close that i can feel the heat radiating from his body
i start at the abrupt movement as he steps in front blocking my path
at my attempt to step past he grasps both of my shoulders and leans me against the wall

“what the hell are you…”
he leans into me, pinning me between his rigid body and the cold brick
he gently probes his tongue between my teeth
i am caught between this dreamy warm feeling and the voice of reason
reason wins out as i put my hands on his chest and gently push until he rocks back on his heels

i gasp to catch my breath
sucking in the cold air like sharp needles pricking my lungs
“i don’t even know you!” i yell a little too loudly
“who the hell do you think you…”
damn i wish he’d stop doing that!

this time he slides his hand up the length of my back bringing it to rest cradling the back of my head
my body arches instinctively against his
the warmth of his lips sends sizzling little tingles of electricity through my body

what am i thinking? i shove him hard this time sending him stumbling backwards
the door opens and out traipse the rest of the patrons as the bar closes
i feel my face turn several shades of red at being caught in this position

Candy pipes up informing Jake that she for one would not put up a fight and that perhaps he could even learn a thing or two from an older woman
i nearly burst out in laughter at the look on his face…until, with his eyes never leaving mine, he replies that he appreciates the offer but believes he has already found what he is looking for

in an attempt to not be left out, Mr. Wonderful adds that maybe a thing or two can be learned from himself as to how to make a woman actually desire being kissed
as absurd as that sounded i still cannot laugh as i am still staring at Jake with my mouth agape like an idiot
we stand unmoving until everyone has gone

“come back to my motel with me for a nightcap. nothing more unless you want, i promise” he looks at me intensely
“are you insane?” i ask completely baffled
he comes closer leaning in to talk quietly in my ear
“you said you don’t know me. so come and talk with me over one drink. it is a public place with other people nearby. if you feel threatened a scream will be easily heard. but honestly Lizzy, i’m not going to hurt you. come have just one drink…please”
God he’s practically begging
as he steps back i notice a lonliness in his eyes that makes me feel sad for him
he’s just lonely…and i know lonely
“o.k. one drink. but only because other people will be close by” i say in resignation. not mentioning that i know the man that works the front desk.
i look around and notice that my car and the bartender’s are the only ones left
“let me get my jacket out of my car if we’re walking, it’s freezing out here” i quickly sidestep him and head toward my car

we walk the four blocks in silence, but a comfortable one…like we’ve known each other forever
as i shiver from the cold he puts his arm around my shoulders and pulls me close
odd that i would normally pull away, but find myself snuggling closer to his warmth
part of me is drawn to this tall dark stranger and i fear that i wouldn’t be able to pull away if i wanted to…

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