For The Love of Ash

by Taylor Lavati

  Maggie

  June took me to a new club in town. However, it wasn't like I knew the difference since I hadn't been to a club in nearly a year. She claimed that it wasn't a typical club with electric lights and bass-filled music. She said it was quiet and there were probably going to be less people. Sophisticated, she said. The second she pulled up to the brick building, I realized she was lying.

  "You are dead to me," I said through my clenched jaw. There was a large neon blue light with the word 'Cellar' stamped in thick masculine letters. June pulled into a spot near the front, and I saw a red carpet leading from the side of the building to the front door with black ropes about two feet up, framing the thin pathway.

  I jumped out of the car and pulled my dress down, adjusting the fabric so it covered my butt appropriately. There was a chill in the air, but it was nice compared to the warm day. There wasn't a line outside of the place, so we walked right up to the bouncer in front and flashed our IDs.

  The bouncer was a heavy-set man with a black shirt that had 'Cellar' written over his muscular chest in the same blue writing as the sign. He nodded to us and swung out his arm, as if welcoming us to this fine establishment. The lights were dimmed way down, only the blue-colored bulbs lighting up the dance floor.

  There weren't many tables, only about ten that lined the perimeter of the bar. The dance floor and DJ table took up most of the place. It was only one story and one large room, at least from what I could see. Far behind the crowd of people was a dark wooden bar. I grabbed June's arm and tugged her with me towards it.

  The bar extended the entire back wall. The brick traveled from the outside in, and it made the place seem urban. Sconces behind the bar lit up the bottles that lined the back wall. Flashes of white and blue constantly made me flinch. I felt bad for the workers who were forced to endure that night after night.

  The bartender came right over to me. I ordered us two shots of fireball. Within a minute, the blond bartender came back with our shots, and we downed them fast.

  "Six dollars," the guy said. His eyes never found mine. He kept looking up and down the bar as if he hated his job and just wanted to please everyone and get the hell out of here. I could relate. I threw a twenty on the bar and asked for two more. He nodded, took the wet money from the beer-soaked bar, and then turned around.

  "So, you're an expert at this shit?" June yelled through the loud music. Another lie of hers. I could see what she meant by the sound not being full of bass, but it was almost worse. This wasn't hip-hop music, which I thanked the gods for, but it was more electronic. I wasn't sure which was worse.

  "You knew me in high school." I grabbed the shots from the bar and told the guy to keep the change when he spun back around with a new bottle. He smiled, and I got the feeling that it was genuine. He didn't say anything, just nodded. I took mine and handed the other to June and then turned to face her.

  "I didn't know you, know you. I figured maybe it was just rumors."

  "Rumors always come from some parcel of truth," I told her. Her face fell into a solemn grimace, and I knew that I had just crushed her good mood. A Skrillex song flooded the speakers, a song I actually knew, so I pointed to the dance floor.

  "You actually want to dance?" she questioned, looking at me like she didn't recognize me. I pursed my lips.

  "I can dance!" I nodded and grabbed her hand, pulling her with me. Of course, it wasn't much of a challenge. We started swaying to the fast beat, and before I knew it, I had worked up a sweat. I was a killer dancer. Too many nights of club-hopping in college would do that to you.

  I went to college right after I graduated high school like most people. But truthfully, I didn't go for an education. I knew college was my only ticket out of my house and knew my parents would pay for it if I told them I was going for a degree they would approve of. Of course, I was more into partying than studying and was put on academic probation the first semester there and stayed until I left last fall. That was before I willingly left to come back here for Asher.

  Three songs later and I felt like I had a steady buzz going on from the drinks and the intoxicating vibe of dancing. It was easy to remember why I loved to party. A night like this was exactly what I needed to get me to relax. Even for just one night, I felt normal again. I felt twenty-three and not forty.

  Two large hands landed on my hips, and I jumped a bit in surprise. Guys always danced with me before, so I just swayed with him. June was in front of me, smiling, so I smiled back, getting used to the towering form behind me. I almost turned around to see what the guy looked like, but truthfully, I didn't want to know.

  Most of the people in this town were rich assholes, and this guy was a good dancer. I didn't want to lose my partner. There was a large man behind June, his hands on the curve of her waist. He was all right looking, but his eyes were so dazed I couldn't tell if he had a lazy eye or was just wasted.

  "You miss me?" the guy behind me whispered. His voice was low and raspy, barely audible with the loud music thumping through the club. His breath skated across my collar bone and when it hit my nose, I recognized it immediately. I spun around fast and was face to face with Luke.

  His eyes smiled at me. "Come on," he chided, taking my hand in his, "dance with me, Sunny."

  "Stop calling me that," I muttered, glaring at him.

  "It's just a dance," he said, holding out his other hand for me. I looked down at it and then back up at his light gray eyes. I didn't take his hand. But I did turn around and back into him. I was becoming a softie, and I hated it. But this was my night out, and I was going to live it up. If just for one night. I just had to set boundaries.

  His hands rested on my hipbones, just sitting there. Their heat flooded into me, making my stomach somersault with lust-filled nerves. He put a small amount of pressure on me, pulling me towards him until our bodies were fused together. I felt like the club was pumping an aphrodisiac into the air. Or maybe it was just the fact that since I got custody of Asher, I hadn't even entertained the idea of sex. Until now.

  My arms snaked into the air as we rocked back and forth to the beat of the music. I didn't know where else to put my hands so I placed them over his so they weren't just awkwardly swaying beside me. As I touched him, he entwined our fingers together over my hips—a perfect fit.

  His hands were calloused and hot, yet not sweaty. I'm sure he could feel my pulse pumping hard through my body. I pushed back against his front and circled my hips. I couldn't help myself as I let the music lead me.

  I shut my eyes, his hard chest holding me up. I let my head fall to the side, giving him ultimate access to my neck and throat. My heart beat in my chest, the alcohol and adrenaline pumping lust into my hot veins so strong that I felt like I might explode with the tension inside of me.

  Goosebumps erupted over my skin as his lips pressed into my neck. I gasped as if I had been chilled to the core by his soft movements. He didn't stop. He kissed my shoulder, nibbling on my muscle playfully. I moaned but turned my head farther to the side, wanting him to explore me more. The unknown of what he was doing was driving my heart rate up.

  His lips trailed to the soft place behind my ear, and he sucked it, his full lips caressing me with gentleness. A wave of lust took me over, starting deep in my core, eliminating all of my rational thought. I hadn't felt this turned on in years. It was now a frenzy within me, and all I could think about was Luke's hard body behind me and how much I wanted to feel every muscle with my mouth. His tongue swirled against my skin. I had to fight the urge to moan and give in to his every desire.

  My hands acted as if they had a mind of their own. They rose above my head and bent behind me, finding Luke. One of my hands grabbed onto his neck, holding the back part where a sheen of sweat made it slippery. The other raked its way through his hair, tugging on the strands. It was like silk between my fingers.

  Before I could do another thing, Luke spun me around so we were chest to chest. He was breathing hard and fast, and so was I. Our ches
ts moved together, against each other. I looked up at him, trying to catch my breath, but when our eyes met, it was as if I was paralyzed.

  His usually gray eyes were darker than normal and clouded with desire. They were half open, hooded, but staring straight down at me with an intensity I'd never seen before. I pressed myself closer to him, despite the fact that we were already close, nearly wrapping my legs around him.

  I hugged my arms around his neck, pushing onto my tiptoes because he was so much taller than me. I felt every single inch of him in that moment, and it only made me want him more. It was pure lust that consumed me. I hadn't felt something so visceral ever.

  He leaned forward, his arms circling my waist and squeezing. He pressed his forehead to mine, our lips so close that I could've just moved an inch and we would have touched. I could barely breathe; he was so damn close. Looking me right in the eye, his hand skated down my back and found my ass. He grabbed it hard in a full handful.

  He moaned and shut his eyes, sending a wave of heat into the depths of my stomach. I couldn't take it anymore. I wanted him so badly that my body actually ached from the restraint I was using. My heart was trying to escape my body and find a new host. I couldn't take the tension between us. I was tired of the foreplay. I just wanted Luke.

  I pulled back and tilted my head up, giving him unlimited access to my mouth. I didn't pucker or shut my eyes. I watched him. I watched him look at me, his eyes darting up from my lips to my eyes. I saw the decision in his face, but before I could react, he took my mouth, covering it with his own.

  I gasped as his eyes lifted me up. I shut my eyes as his mouth ravished me. He wasn't rough, but he was passionate. His lips were soft, like pillows of heat pressing against mine. I opened my mouth, wanting more of him.

  And he gave it to me.

  Our tongues met and sparked, fueling me. I explored him as he explored me. It was almost as if we both knew that this would soon end. I tried to memorize every moment, but it was happening so fast that I couldn't even account for my own body parts. It was just us in this moment of pure ecstasy.

  A giggle from behind us broke through my haze of lust. I realized what was happening and stepped backwards, breaking Luke's hold on me. My eyes caught with June's. She had a wide smile on her face, and when she saw me, she covered it, hiding her laugh. I looked back up at Luke, who stared at me with wide eyes. He practically had questions in his gaze, as if wondering what was going to happen next.

  With both of them looking at me, I panicked. I felt like a caged animal. Did they plan this? Was this a setup? I was so confused and disoriented. My body was still begging for more from Luke, pulsing with each intake of breath. I needed to have more, but I couldn't do it. Luke continued to stare at me, his gaze turning into a frown as my mind raced.

  I ran. I headed towards the bathroom by the end of the bar. I needed to put as much distance between myself and Luke as possible. I was such an idiot. I couldn't believe that I just made out with Luke—Asher's teacher and someone I had to see in class every other day. He wasn't a random person I would never have to deal with again. This was such a mistake.

  There wasn't a line in the bathroom, and I ran into the first stall and stood there, bracing myself against the black wall. I couldn't go back into the crowd. June and Luke would be waiting on me, and I didn't know what to say. I suddenly wanted to cry as my emotions started to simmer down. The high from the alcohol and kiss had evaporated. But I refused to let myself crumble.

  After I composed myself, I left the bathroom. I went straight for the bar, averting my head to the ground so I could try to hide. I crouched into a seat at the end of the bar, masking myself in a shadow. I was incognito.

  "What can I get you?" the bartender asked me.

  "I'll have water, please." I pulled on the black fabric that hit the top of my thighs and rolled the hem between my pointer and thumb. The bartender was gone a long time. I felt like I was being stalked and kept glancing over my shoulder with worry that Luke or June would find me.

  A man sat next to me, but his back was turned so I couldn't see his face. He chatted with an older couple sitting beside him. I tapped my fingers on the bar and waited for my drink to appear.

  "It's not safe to be out all alone," the man beside me turned and said. He smiled at me as his eyes blatantly traveled from my ankle up to my breasts. I surveyed him as well, noticing his expensive-looking suit.

  He was attractive enough, with dark brown hair and chocolate eyes; although glassy, they were almost amber. He had sharp features, severe, with a chiseled jaw. He wasn't as beautiful as Luke—fuck, I couldn't let Luke be someone I compared others to. I smiled back at him, not wanting to be rude.

  "I can take care of myself," I said in the nicest way possible, which wasn't very nice.

  "What do you say we go dance?" He leaned towards me, and his rancid, acid-like breath hit me. His words came out choppy, like he was well past his alcohol limit. He fell forward, his arm sliding off the wood bar, and almost fell right onto my lap. But he caught himself before he hit anything.

  "I'm waiting on my drink; I'm okay." I looked down the bar for the bartender who apparently forgot I existed. Then I looked into the crowd for a bouncer who could get this guy out of here.

  "Come on, sweetie. Dance with me right here then." He got up from his seat and walked around the stools towards me. He tripped on one of the legs and grabbed my chair to hold himself up. I was scared since he was so aggressive, but I knew not much could happen in a crowded place. He reached for my shoulder, but before he could make contact, he was tugged backwards.

  He landed hard on the ground, his butt crashing to the floor. Suddenly, Luke was in front of me and tugging the man up by his expensive white button-up shirt. As Luke pulled on the shoulder, it ripped open, revealing the man's chest full of dark hair. The guy stood, wobbling. He could barely hold up his own weight.

  Luke slammed his fist into the guys face before I could say a thing. His nose gushed as if it had been broken, a geyser going off. I knew Luke was trying to defend me, but this guy was five minutes away from passing out. He didn't deserve to be hit.

  I ran around the man and grabbed Luke's arm. "Please, stop," I said, trying to get him to look up at me and relax. He didn't even notice that I was there, let alone that I was touching him. He leaned down and pinned the guy to the wood floor. The guy was begging to be set free, wriggling beneath Luke's firm hold.

  "Stop!" I yelled, grabbing onto Luke's shoulder. I tried to break through to him, but all he could focus on was the pervert on the ground. He stared daggers at the now almost unconscious guy. It was almost like Luke wasn't even in his body anymore. I pulled at Luke's arm again, needing to get him out of here before cops came.

  His arm reared back and shoved me. I fell backwards and landed beside the unconscious guy. Pain shot from my rib to my neck as I landed awkwardly on my side. I sat up and watched Luke. He didn't even notice what he'd done. Not a single ounce of Luke was left in his body. He was taken over by this demon that was attacking a clearly drunk man who got a little handsy.

  I refused to stick around.

  I got up from the ground and ran through the crowd that was inching closer and closer to the fight. People were murmuring, but I didn't bother to stay.

  As I ran for the exit, I tried to find June, but I didn't see her. I couldn't wait for her. I was only three miles from my house, and if I had to, I would walk. When I rounded the corner out of Cellar, I pulled my heels off, swung them over my shoulder, and started walking home.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Maggie

  Two bright lights came from behind me. I turned towards the buildings on the quiet street. I didn't want someone to stop and try to pick me up, even if they were just being nice. I kept my head down and my strides long, wanting to get home as quickly as possible. I couldn't believe that this was happening to me.

  "Maggie!" Luke yelled. His voice made me turn around. He was in a pick-up truck, driving slow beside m
e, his head hanging out the window. "Please. Talk to me," he begged.

  "Go away, Luke." I turned back towards the sidewalk and began walking again. I didn't want to fight with him. I just wanted to get home and go to bed.

  I was overwhelmed to the point of frustration, which then turned into anger. The extremes of my emotions were too much to handle as I walked down the blackened road. I couldn't sort it out now anyway between my aching feet and inebriated state.

  "Let me drive you home," he said as he continued to drive beside me. I stayed quiet. I didn't want his help. I didn't need a single thing from him. Other than for him to leave me alone. "Please, Sunny."

  "Go the fuck away." I threw my hands up in the air and almost started to cry. I looked towards the stars above me to stop the tears from spilling over. I thought my obvious anger would deter him.

  After a few minutes of hurrying down the sidewalk in silence I thought I was in the clear. I looked back to make sure that his lights were in the distance when I saw him a few steps behind me.

  This was my punishment. This was some power in the sky telling me that I shouldn't have gone out tonight. I was selfish for taking a night for myself. Luke following me down the street was what I got.

  "Maggie, listen," he said and grabbed onto my arm from behind. I flinched at his soft touch, not wanting his angry hands on me. He had yet to apologize for shoving me. It's not like he hurt me on purpose, but still. I expected an apology in the very least. "You're scared of me?"

  "Well, you did hit me," I said under my breath. I stopped and faced forward, refusing to look at him. I crossed my arms over my chest, my shoes dangling from my hands like my life felt.

  "I hit you?" He lightly touched my shoulder and turned me around so that I could see him. I wasn't able to hide anymore. I didn't want to see his face, but I looked up at him anyway, the temptation too vast. My heart lurched into my throat, and I nearly choked. There was blood on his face, spattered down his neck and then disappearing into his button-up shirt.