24. Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Four
Beau Drewitt
A Set of Watchful Eyes That Never Leave The Speakeasy
The bar is super loud tonight. The poured glasses around me clink, laughter spills from the patrons, yet nobody is on karaoke.
The music through the surround speakers bangs loud enough to feel in my ribs.
My hands know what to do without me thinking about it, so I continue to pour, shake, slide, and smile.
My head is somewhere else. Somewhere it shouldn’t be after receiving that photo of Elowen. I’m falling for her and it’s consuming my every thought. It’s just her.
I feel it again. That faint, very ominous sensation covering my frame.
Like eyes on me. This constant “being watched” feeling causes me to glance toward the mirrors behind me.
I catch reflections of strangers, regulars, shadows layered over each other.
Nothing out of place. Still, my shoulders stay tense like I’m back on the battlefield hoping I can avoid gunfire or notice a soldier before they have me in their sights.
I wipe my hands on a bar towel and check my phone.
Nothing from Elowen. I tilt it, refresh like that will change anything.
She still hasn’t continued our conversation.
I know she said she’s taking the day to be with Imani.
I know she deserves the quiet, and she’s been odd the past forty-eight hours.
Hesitant and then not again. Maybe, that will reset her.
Give me time to figure out whatever the fuck I’m going to do.
The phone silence doesn’t stop my brain from wanting nor needing her.
I slide the phone back into my pocket and immediately think I might miss a message.
I miss her. As crazy as that sounds. Miss the way she fills space just by existing in it.
The bar feels almost smaller without that photo of her propped up next to me as I pour more drinks.
What made her decide to send that? Was she testing me?
Did Imani put her up to it? I can’t read her mind if she isn’t close and this guessing game just isn’t working for me.
I’ve gotten off thinking about her the past two nights. The texting is fine, but I want her. I want to be inside of her, to hold her as she comes undone beneath me. My body yearns to be the sweet release that would relax every fiber of her being.
I start to pour a Negroni for Thomas before he sits down, quickly realizing that he would never drink that intentionally. “I know that ain’t for me, son.” he says.
Kai slides onto the bar stool next to him. “Just give it to me, Beau. No reason to let good liquor go to waste. Thomas here just sticks to what he knows.” I pour the Negroni for Kai, but right as I slide the drink across the counter, a petite blonde strolls to the right of him.
“That’s my fucking drink. Thank you.” She insists. She snatches the glass and throws a shaded look over her shoulder to all three of us.
“I don’t know how that was my fault. You’re the one who forgot she ordered it.” Thomas points to me then lets out a low-bellied laugh.
“I just wanted another drink, Beau. Your head is so deep in the gutter it needs a snorkel. Looks like you’re the one who needs some alcohol before you start free pouring your fantasies instead of liquor.
” Kai has already had a few drinks, but I don’t have the mental capacity to tell him no right now.
I slide a can of beer across the bar top to him this time.
He’s right. The only thing that would keep my head straight right now is her.
Elowen Briar is perfect. Perfect is a dangerous word, but Elowen fits it anyway, like she’s built out of every quiet want I’ve never said out loud.
Never been the type to have a type. Never been the type to want someone around for longer than a night.
Yet, here I am, behind my bar mixing up drinks, forgetting who’s ordered, and trying my best to keep my composure until I can go take care of myself. I just want to see her again.
“Kai, I might close up a little earlier tonight. I have some budgeting that needs done. Plus, something has been eating at me lately.” I rub the back of my neck with my hand, hoping he doesn’t question my security breach concerns.
I’ve just been on edge. Why would someone be watching me?
I have no idea, but at least I can think about Elowen to ease my non-existent soul.
“You’ve been dying to eat me lately?” Kai slurs his words.
“Oh my God. No. I’m closing up early. End of discussion.” I end the conversation on a sour note. I start wiping down the counter and finally decide to prop my phone back up under the bar with that photo of Elowen on my screen.
A photo meant just for me. Meant for no one else.
The loft I call home is boring, per usual. I throw my jacket across the island, making my way to the futon. The same routine I’ve had for days.
One new message:
From: Elowen Briar (Damsel in Distress):
I fell asleep as soon as I laid down on the couch. Back to work tomorrow. Hope your day went well. Your regularly scheduled programming of dad-joke torture continues. You got one day off, at least.
To: Elowen Briar (Damsel in Distress):
It was an okay day. I don’t mind the dad jokes, Elowen.
She opens the message and the bubble appears and disappears. Before I can restrain myself, I send another text.
To: Elowen Briar (Damsel in Distress):
Any day, any time, I am very open to photos of you, especially the kind that remind me how impossible it is not to miss you.
She leaves me on read for what seems like an eternity. Was it too much? Is that treading too close? I wasn’t asking for photos of her naked, but oh god what if that’s how she takes it?
My phone dings as a photo of Elowen appears. She’s standing in front of a full body mirror with a red and black fleece lounge set. She carries a light smile without showing her teeth letting one hand hold her phone while the other lays against her thigh.
Oh my god. I’d love to bend her over right in front of that fucking mirror.
To watch her face go through the phases of bliss, pleasure, and release.
I adjust my hard cock beneath my jeans, trying to avoid getting off to the image or mere thought of her again.
My piercings haven’t seen this much personable action… well ever.
To: Elowen Briar (Damsel in Distress):
You’re breathtaking. I love the red. It’s my favorite color.
Sure I’m omitting the sexual thoughts I’ve been having, but I’m not lying.
She’s beautiful. I attempt to muster other words and can’t.
I don’t want to use her or make her think I’m capable of more than this.
Yet, the idea of seeing her everyday runs through my mind more than any other thought.
She doesn't know what I am. She would never picture a life with someone like me.
She would never want to picture a life with someone like me.
From: Elowen Briar (Damsel in Distress):
I’m glad you think so <3
I’ll have to remember that. The red streaks in your hair kind of gave you away though lmao. :)
Of course. I don’t think so. I know so. I’d fuck the doubt right out of her.
I would make her come so many times that she would never question just how beautiful she is ever again.
Even if I can’t have her. Even if I can only have her presence every once and a while, I will make it my sole mission to help her see just how fucking worthy she is of every pair of eyes on this godforsaken planet.
Elowen Briar deserves to be loved and seen for who she is, no matter if I don’t fully know her yet or not.
To: Elowen Briar (Damsel in Distress):
I know so.
I hope work goes smoothly tomorrow for you. I have some new releases coming in that I think you might like, by the way. Not that I peeked at the transactions to see what you grabbed last time…