by Jane West
“If I’m mostly like you, then why did you throw me out of your bar?”
“The others would’ve sensed you were mixed—part human.” His face was solemn.
“That doesn’t explain why you kicked me out of your bar.”
Suddenly his lips thinned like a razor. He cleared his throat nervously. “Most Zop look upon mixed as the Nephilim giants—impures or inbreeds.”
“So what if I’m not exactly like them? Nothing’s wrong with diversity.” The insult pierced like a dagger rammed through my heart. “My father’s blood was pure and good!” Anger began to rise. It all didn't seem fair. At last, I’d found a race like myself, and yet, I was revered as an outcast.
“I’m sure your father was an exceptional man. As it may be, to the imperial, it is irrelevant. A pure-blooded Zop, looks upon the spawn of angels and humans as an abomination.”
“I’m not an offspring.” I pointed to myself.
“I know it’s hard to understand our ways, but regardless of how you were brought into this world, the fact is, you are not created in the divine light. For the Zop, they perceive you tainted.”
“Do you think as they do?” My eyes tightened. I didn’t know why I suddenly cared about his opinion.
“Well...let me see. I broke up a fight that you were about to get your pretty little head sliced off and could have damn well gotten myself killed, and I’m sitting here with you in my gracious home, and I never allow anyone in my humble abode, not even a woman I’m bedding.” I felt my cheeks flush over that vision, not that I cared.
He continued, “I gave you my bed, which I missed dearly last night, and last but not least, I cooked you breakfast. I never cook, not even for a woman who has shown me great affection.” His gold eyes sparkled. “Did I answer your question?” He seemed amused while he waited for my reply.
By his starkness, a tingle spread over me it bothered me. I wanted to run rather than yield to a long forgotten emotion this stranger had aroused within me. A sensibility, I’d preferred to steer clear of. Then a thought crossed my mind. If he wasn’t interested in bedding me, then what did he want from the disgusting, impure? “So,” I asked. “Let’s stop with all this chitchat and just say what you really want.”
“I want nothing,” Gold-Eyes said, revealing only a stone face.
“Then why waste your time on telling me all this? Why didn’t you let the pure Zop have their way with the girl on the wrong side of the heavens?”
He paused. I couldn’t read his thoughts. “I don’t know. I felt responsible for you.” He shrugged.
“Responsible? Yeah right!” I scoffed. “So, why did you set me out on the sidewalk when I came to you for help?”
He ran his fingers through his somewhat messy hair and let out a deep sigh. “I know the Family probably better than you. We go back a long ways, too much history. Don’t care much for ’em either. I know how they work and how they think. Your friend is right, sending you to me.” He paused. “However, my days of fighting the Family are over. I keep to myself these days. Like I said, too much history.” His jaw twitched. It was obvious he felt the backlash of the Illuminati as much as I had.
Unanticipated, a spark of hope glimmered. Perhaps if I offered him an incentive, he might be inclined to help me. The inspiration for most was money. And by the meager furnishings of his apartment, he probably could use a few bucks. “Name your price.” I blurted out. “I can pay you for your help.” I dangled the bait. Everyone had a price.
Quickly, his face twisted into anger. “You think I’m doing all this for money?”
I shrugged without answering.
“I don’t need your money!” He snarled, jumping to his feet. “I think you’ve worn out your welcome! Don’t ever step foot in my bar again. I won’t protect you if you do.” Gold-Eyes reached over, grabbing me up in one sweep, carting me out the door and down the stairwell, halting at the sidewalk. Once again, he deposited my ass on the sidewalk. Then he put two fingers in his mouth and whistled at a taxi that was approaching.
The cabbie had no more stopped and rolled his window down when Gold-Eyes shouted, “Take this girl home, and don’t bring her back.” He then placed a wad of money in the man’s hand. The driver nodded, “Yes, sir!”
My face was beet red from shock. Okay, getting put out twice on the sidewalk was starting to become a habit. Yet this dude didn’t know me very well. I was worse than a pesky gnat. The word no to me only meant a challenge. I’d be back. I ain’t afraid of him or his kind.
Defeat I Will Not Accept
It was not until Jeffery’s eyes nearly popped out of his sockets did I realize I’d returned home that morning in only a football jersey. I was sure a few questions were raised between Jeff and Dom concerning my lack of attire.
Escaping their queries only lasted until that evening. The interrogation commenced when I came down for dinner. Only seconds had passed before Jeffery started a flood of questions as we seated ourselves at the table. “What did you do last night? I dare say it must’ve been...hmmm, interesting,” Jeff inquired, sweetly. Dom remained quiet, only rolling his eyes now and then.
“Oh, out and about,” I answered lightheartedly.
“Well, I might not know the out part, but I sure can guess the about part.” Jeffery eyed me suspiciously. Dom just cleared his throat, glaring at his partner.
“Yeah, and what might that be?” I didn’t want to tell the guys what I’d gotten myself into last night.
“I sure do like your jersey. Been watching any football lately?” Jeffery asked nonchalantly.
I scoffed. “Nope, not one.”
Then ole Jeff let it rip. “Gurrrl, if you don’t spit out what mess you got yourself into last night, I’m gonna turn you over my knee and whoop yo’ ass until the damn cows fly! Forget the mofoin’ flyin’ pigs! You had Dom and me up all night worryin’ over you! For all we knows, you is lyin’ in a ditch dead.”
I held my head low and slumped my shoulders. I knew Jeffery would’ve made good on his threat. And worse, I deserved it. “Guys, I’m sorry. I was looking into a hunch of mine, and it kinda backfired.”
Jeffery eyed me suspiciously with one brow raised. “Well...from what I can tell, it looked like thangs went pretty damn good. Who’s jersey you wear-n this morning, missy?”
My cheeks felt like fire. “It’s not what you think.”
“What am I think-n then?” Jeffery challenged.
“Hmm, you know.” I rolled my eyes. “A friend loaned me his shirt. I sort of had a little scuffle last night, and my clothes had gotten a bit torn, that’s all.” I shrugged my shoulders and took a bite of my pizza, feeling the heat of four eyes on me.
Jeffery and Dom shared a cheerless glance. Dom spoke up. “That’s some scuffle. I see your bruised face. Yes?”
Damn! The makeup didn’t work. “Well, about that...I sort of fell into a...hmm door.”
Jeffery chimed in. “Uh-hmm, and that damn door just jumped right out in front of you too.” Jeff’s voice was full of cynicism.
Dom, with his wise patience, intervened. “Stevie, Jeffery and I care about you and your safety. When you stay out all night and come home the next morning...pardon for my bluntness...looking like a tom cat with your hair a mess and barely dressed, we fear you may be behaving recklessly. We are only worried. You can understand? Yes?” Dom’s voice of reason never failed to set me straight.
A deepening hue of shame struck me tenfold and I let out a defeated sigh. “You won’t like what I have to tell you. First, it’s not what you think. I don’t have a lover.” Talk about embarrassment.
“A lover is our least worries. We fear far darker things, my sweet.” Trepidation spilled over into Dom’s voice.
“I don’t mean to trouble you. It’s just I can’t go through life not knowing if I have a child. I owe that to myself and especially to her—even if I die in the process.”
“Her? Do you know for certain you have a daughter?” Dom asked.
“No. It’s just a gut fee
ling.”
“What can we do to help you?” Jeffery asked with genuine concern.
“Oh no!” My eyes widened in alarm. “I don’t want either one of you in the middle of this. I can’t have any more bloodshed at my expense. I love you both too much to let you get involved with my problems.”
“But my sweet,” Dom interjected. “We are already involved, simply by association. We are in this together.”
“Maybe so, but I’m still not going to ask for your aid. I can’t ask that of you. I think as long as you both stay neutral, the Family will leave you alone.” I tossed a tight smile.
“The friend who loaned you the shirt is he or she helping you?” Dom asked.
“Not yet, but he will.” I had a mischievous glint in my eyes.
Jeffery went pop-eyed. “Oh my god! You’ve been keeping company with that drop-dead gorgeous guy from that bar. Gurrrl, you can’t deny it! I see it written all over your face.”
“It’s not like that!” My cheeks blushed.
“Uh-hmm... Chile, I knows when you’re lyin’. You like him, and I knows it!”
“Trust me when I say there is no love there. I mean nada!”
Jeffery rolled his eyes, bobbing his head in a rhythmic motion, full of attitude. “Uh-hmm... If you say so, boo.” Jeffery’s mouth tightened into a stubborn line.
I bit my lip, doubting if I should ask this, so I just blurted it out. “Jeffery, I need your advice on something.”
“Sure, boo and what might that be?” My friend slowly sipped his hot cup of java, not taking his eyes off me.
“How to seduce a man?”
Without warning, Jeffery showered us with his coffee, and Dom’s face paled. For folks who were not parents, they sure did act as such.
***
That night before I left the house, Jeffery and Dom both gave me strong instructions, or more like rules. Jeffery wanted to go with me to make sure I didn’t do anything stupid. I had to do some fast talking. I assured him my plans were mildly risky, and if I was going to get a man’s attention, I didn’t need my good friend tagging along. A third wheel was never good when you’re trying to seduce a man, and since I was green behind the ears, when it came to the men’s department, I didn’t need a wrench in the plan.
One thing I felt for certain, celestial or human, they both understood sex. So I was going back to that bar this time with my guns loaded. If I could catch Gold-Eyes’ attention, he might be more persuaded to help me find my daughter. I had to try.
When I stepped out of the cab at the bar, I heard wolf whistles by a couple of dudes passing by on foot. I instantly tugged on my short dress, questioning Jeffery’s choice of attire for tonight. He swore this would do the trick. So far, by the looks I got from those two strangers, Jeffery might be right. The dress was a bit too bold for my taste. It clung to my curves like second skin. Normally I’d never wear a garment as such, leaving so little to one’s imagination. The color, a bold red, with a plunging neckline screamed s-e-x. I thought any minute my boobs would flop out. I worried the dress might slide up and reveal my tiny thong, which rode up my ass. For the life of me, I couldn’t see why any woman in her right mind would wear such uncomfortable garb. The spike boots that came to my knees reminded me of hooker heels, which equally matched my wild hair and cherry-red lips that made me look like I’d been stung by a bee. I fit the perfect description of a lioness on the prowl. I guess in a way I was on the prowl but for another kind of hunger.
I stalled before going inside and took a long breath. I tucked my boobs in for reassurance and entered the bar. A daunting thought crossed my mind, what if this didn’t work?
I ducked in a shadowy corner and watched as customers mingled about, just like any other night. The bar was humming with chatter. Maybe I should try this another night when it wasn’t as crowded. On second thought, if I backed out now, I may never get the courage again. So I lifted my chin in defiance and straightened my tight dress and made my way through the smoke-filled nightery. “I hope I pull this off otherwise I’m going to look ridiculous.” I mumbled to myself.
As expected, it was dark, and the stench of strong perfume and whiskey wafted in the air. My hands were trembling like an alcoholic having dry heaves.
Then a bitter thought appeared. I was among my own kind, yet I had never felt more as an odd girl out, or in my case, angel. I had to pull myself together. An enchantress didn’t tremble like a coward.
My eyes combed the dim place, trying to spot my target. If he were the kind of male I sized him up to be, he should fall for the bait, me. I listened to Jeffery’s instructions on how to walk seductively. I hoped I had the swag down, even still, Jeffery put me to shame.
Unexpectedly, that mood-altering music began playing. The tunes were different this time, yet it had the same effect. I tried tuning it out. Regardless, its lure was stronger than my will. The song beckoned my sensuality. How could I refuse something that seemed as natural as breathing. “Screw it!” I spat to myself.
As I edged my way through the crowd, I spotted Gold-Eyes behind the bar, in the amidst of a conversation with a couple of very beautiful women, but once his eyes landed on me, the women were cast aside as his hunted gaze quickly adhered to me. A moment of triumph wheeled my heart. For some unsung reason, the notion of him with another woman struck a chord with me.
I flashed an enticing glance his way as I seductively swayed my hips, raking my hands through my hair, tossing it into a dishevel as I ambled my way to the dance floor. While the music infused my spirit, I discarded my inhibitions and moved into the role play of a seductress.
When I glanced up at my target, our eyes locked. The corner of my cheery lips tugged into a faint smile. I began to let the music possess my mind and body. My hips began moving back and forth, letting the music make love to me. Hypnotically, I gave myself over to its force. Like an enchantress, I taunted every eye who so dared gazed upon me.
When my eyes opened, there he stood, a glint in his eyes that was much different than before. Desire, perhaps?
My breath caught. I’d forgotten how beautiful he was. He reminded me of a king, awaiting his mistress. His golden eyes ravished over me from head to toe. I teased him back with a titillating smile. Then I reached for him, and he took my hand, gathering me into his strong arms, up close and very personal. The warmth and comfort of his firm body against mine gave me a tingling sensation and his scent sweat and oddly, a field of wild flowers, nearly set me off into a lustful tailspin.
His hand pressed against the small of my back, drawing me tighter. As his sweet breath taunted my bare neck, my heart pounded against my chest.
Then he whispered in my ear, “Do you have any idea what you’re doing to me?” His voice was thick and husky.
“Why don’t you tell me?” I softly teased, throwing my long locks of hair over my shoulders. My hands began to comb his firm chest as my eyes eagerly washed over him. Swiftly, he lifted me up onto his hip, and we began to dance. It was hot and dirty as our bodies pressed against one another. I surrendered myself, letting him carry me away into the spellbound music. His sensual touch sent chills over my body and I found myself yearning for something that had taken absence since that night with Aidan.
Before I knew what was happening, he leaned in and kissed me, devouring my lips like a man starving. I thought he was going to take me right there on the dance floor, yet, the most frightening part of all—I wanted him too.
All of a sudden, he withdrew. I opened my eyes, still under the spell, confused, murmuring, “What’s wrong?” Then I gasped by his thin lined frown. Before I could gather my senses, he’d swept me up, ushering me out the front door. It happened so fast that I conscientiously couldn’t make heads or tails of what had transpired between us, until he’d deposited me on my ass at the sidewalk, and I was gulping down the city’s air. Then I realized my fate. The spell had vanished. I knew my attempt had failed by his unyielding jaw. Crap!
“What the hell just happened in there?
” He pointed to his bar as he towered over me with his face low enough that I’d felt the ire of his breath.
I knew this wasn’t going as I’d hoped. The passion in his eyes had elapsed, and in its place came hostility.
I tried to play up to him. “I don’t know what you mean. Can’t a girl take a shine to you?” I puckered out my cherry lips. Apparently, luck wasn’t on my side. It seemed my scanty attempt of flirting only inflamed Gold-Eyes temper.
“Do you have any idea what this”—he waved his hands over my curvy body without touching me—“does to someone like me?” His jaw flinched.
“You don’t like my dress?” I fluttered my eyelashes, awkwardly. I think I hit an all-time low of making a fool of myself.
His brows creased with ire. “It doesn’t matter what I like. This isn’t you!” his tone came off as if he was parenting a child.
Despite his inflection, he was right. Nonetheless, I didn’t want to hear it. “Don’t talk to me like I’m a kid!”
“You are a child!” his curt voice lashed at me.
“Like hell I am!”
He gave a deep throaty laugh. “Yeah? Just how old are you? And don’t lie. I’ll know if you’re not being truthful.” He warned.
I got in his face and declared, “old enough to !” Before I could finish my smartass-adult comment, he jerked me up and in one sweep, opened a taxi door and threw me in the back seat. I was certain he’d gotten a good view of my lacy, red thong as my short dress climbed up my ass.
He tossed the driver, the same one from last time, a wad of cash, and gave him strict orders. “Take this half-clothed little girl home. Directly home. If she even looks as though she’s coming back here, I want you to report back to me immediately.” He commanded with authority to the driver. The cabbie simply nodded.
Then Gold-Eyes turned his angry blaze back to me. His face twisted with annoyance. “Little girl, you’ve got a lot of nerve coming up in my bar, trying to seduce me. Keep your ass at home! Go to school and behave yourself.” He then slammed the door shut.
