A bold and beautiful woman I’ve seen at the bar before enters but she’s not my type. I’m about to look away when I catch sight of another woman a step behind her.
The second woman causes my dick to twitch. Hands clasped in front and a slightly lowered chin indicate she’s more reserved. The tight-fitting dress with a slit all the way up her thigh doesn’t strike me as something she’s used to even though it fits her perfectly.
If it’s her first time at the bar, she could be overwhelmed or nervous. I decide on nervous, perhaps she doesn’t think she belongs here, but I’d consider myself a lucky man if she was on my arm or my dick.
But it’s the same shy nature that has me worried my intentions would be too much. I curse myself for being obsessed with her innocence.
When her friend detours toward the bar, I get my hopes up that I’ll have an easy chance to talk to the woman, but she heads to a table on the other side of the room.
Neither of the women notice me staring at them so I put my attention back on my glass and bide my time. Pouncing on her the second she walks in the door would look desperate even though the knot in my stomach indicates I am.
She’s captivating.
As her friend carries their drinks to the table, I attempt to steal a glance but the shy woman catches me. The air is sucked from my lungs when her eyes lock with mine.
She’s the one, I have no doubt. It’s like a switch flipped inside of me, and I’m certain Malachi and Bruce will feel the same. But more importantly, will she think I’m a freak when I tell her about Club Sin and my brothers? I remind myself to clarify that we’re not actually brothers, but I’m getting ahead of myself.
She rips her gaze from mine and has a tense discussion with her friend.
Staring into my empty glass, I take deep breaths. My hands are practically shaking? I’m never unsettled around women. It doesn’t even bother me when I have to negotiate a friend out of the picture. I can handle that.
I glance over my shoulder again. Worry grips me that one of the other men in the room will take notice of the two gorgeous women.
Their conversation has lightened and they’re smiling.
Her friend busts me and I wonder why my girl won’t look. The way we connected takes away the possibility she’s not interested. Is she taken already, just spending a night out with a girlfriend? Or are they playing one of those things where she has her friend tell her what I’m doing?
It doesn’t matter. I wasn’t looking for a woman tonight, that’s why I hadn’t gone to Club Sin. That’s the beauty of the situation, it happened organically. She walked into the room and I knew she was mine, ours. I have no doubt Bruce and Malachi will love her.
Now for the hard part. I’ve got to ease her into my world without scaring her.
There’s nothing casual about my stride to their table. I’m empty-handed and deliberate.
Her friend notices my approach first then the woman turns. Her eyes widen instantly when she sees me so close.
Avoiding the possible awkward moment, I say, “Mind if I join you?”
Her friend says, “We were hoping you would.”
“We?” I ask, not taking my eyes off the only woman I care about. I rest my hand on the back of the empty chair but don’t sit. She has to answer.
Looking up at me, we’re caught in the same mental dance we were moments before. The air sizzles between us and I have to figure out what’s holding her back because whatever guides her hesitation provides the answer of what will make her surrender.
Her smile takes a second to gather full steam. “Yes, we would like you to join us.”
I reposition the seat to face slightly more toward her.
Introductions should be simple but when she says her name is Tabitha, my mind goes down a rabbit hole. Her nickname could be Tabby, like a cat, a pussy cat, my pussy cat. I have to dig myself out to focus on reality. I don’t have her yet, she’s not mine, and there are a lot of things she doesn’t know about me that might end my quest.
Do I stand any chance of getting this woman to accept my lifestyle? The ache in my chest tells me I have to.
I’m done with games and flings and so are my two brothers. Women have turned us down before and it’s no big deal, but I can’t let that happen with Tabby.
She’s pulled her hands into her lap and her shoulders roll forward slightly. I direct my comment toward her friend. “I’ve seen you in here before.”
Valerie laughs at the observation. “Yeah, you look familiar.” She points at me. “It’s her first time.”
“Then it’s my lucky day to see this rare flower on the one day she appears.”
Tabby starts to speak, “I like going out but I’m chronically—”
“Horny,” Valerie says surprising both of us if I’m to gauge Tabby’s reaction. Valerie continues through her laughter, “She wanted to ask if you like giving—”
“Stop it, Valerie,” Tabby interjects, glaring at her friend but there’s a clear sense of camaraderie.
Once the shock fades, Tabby relaxes. “Ignore her,” she says to me before turning to her friend. “If you keep it up Valerie, this is the last time I let you talk me into going out.”
I seize the opportunity. “What if I talked you into your next outing?”
She waves her hands between us. “Oh no, what I was going to say before I was interrupted was that I’m chronically ill. I’m tired all the time, like barely get through my day level of tired and the doctors don’t have any leads on how to fix me. I’ve been resting all week to have enough energy to come out tonight.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, the health problems, but I’m glad you showed up.”
She glances between me and Valerie. Is she not used to flattery?
Valerie exhales hard. “Oh boy. Since she doesn’t go out much, she must have forgotten that you don’t bring up your medical run down within minutes of meeting someone. Trust me, she has many wonderful qualities.”
Tabby appears put off by her friend’s statement and opens her mouth to speak but I don’t give her a chance.
“Anything she wants to talk about is fine. It’s important for me to know that she needs to take it easy.” I turn my focus back to Tabby. “So when I ask her to go on a date, I can plan appropriately.”
“I’m not looking for a relationship.”
“All I offered was a date, Tabby,” I say playfully.
She catches my tone and says, “No one calls me Tabby.”
“Can I…Tabby?” My voice is lower and I’m no longer making an effort to include her friend.
Tabby’s expression softens and I can’t wait to share her with my brothers.
She laughs and surprises me. “As long as you learn my favorite places to be scratched and feed me lots of treats.”
Fuck. The banter catches me off guard and makes me want her even more.
Valerie slaps her hand over her mouth as she spews her drink. Then says, “That’s my cue.”
She scrambles to get up from her chair and take a seat at the empty table behind us.
We’re silent for a moment while I move my chair closer to Tabby.
Her voice is low as if she embarrassed herself. “I’m sorry. That was crass. It just always seems like cats have the best life and when I was a kid, I wanted to be one. But I don’t know why I’m telling you that. Childhood fantasies about being an animal are probably not first date topics either.”
“As I said, you can talk about anything you want, especially if you want to tell me your fantasies.”
Her expression is pensive and she rubs a hand over her neck.
I caress her arm. “I’ll scratch you anywhere you like.”
The moment is broken by activity at Valerie’s table. A man has taken a seat with her and Tabby studies the situation intently.
He’s one of the regulars and Valerie is exactly his type. If the two women drove together, this presents a welcomed opportunity.
I turn back to Tabby and strike up small talk in case I came on too strong. I give her lots of opportunities to talk about herself. I want to know everything, whether it’s normal conversation or not. I find it hard to believe that she doesn’t date much, but after prying about what much means, she confesses, “By much I mean never. I wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for Valerie.”
Something else is on her mind but she decides not to add it so I let it go.
“Would you consider hanging out with me tonight?”
A slow blink and a deep breath buy her time. “I’m not going to stay out late, and she’s my ride so—”
“I’ll be your ride.” The innuendo hangs in the air.
She smiles and her eyes glimmer. “We’ll see.”
I cradle her hand in mine, hovering it over the table for a second before bringing it to my lips for a kiss.
I get more than the touch of her skin. The contact offers intimacy and hints at willingness. I savor the warmth of her silky skin. I note that her fingers are soft. She shouldn’t have to work hard and I want to make sure she works even less. With her health problems, relaxation might be exactly what she needs.
It will be hard to remember that she has limitations when she looks so perfect.
“Want to go somewhere more private? I’ll take you home the second you want to go. Gentleman’s promise.”
“I didn’t plan on staying out tonight.”
That’s dangerously close to a blow off. “Is someone at home expecting you?”
“Only my cat.”
“Will your cat notice you’re gone?”
“She loves snuggling up every night. And admitting I have a bedtime ritual with my cat is probably another no-go on a first date.”
“I wouldn’t want to disappoint your…kitty. I’m sure your snuggles are the best.”
She lowers her head into her hands. “I can’t do this. I’m sorry. I should let you move on to someone that you deserve.”
Louder she says, “Valerie I’m heading home. I’ll get a ride so no one has to stop having fun.”
Valerie insists that she’ll take Tabby and I’m impressed with their friendship, but I’m not ready to give up. Valerie makes plans with the man she met and I take advantage of the delay.
“Tabby, if you leave, my fun will be over. There’s only one woman here who interests me.”
“Ha!” She gathers herself but keeps it light. “Trust me, all I do is work then go home, eat dinner while I’m watching TV, then go to bed with the aforementioned kitty.”
“Then let me drive you home so I can have a few more minutes of fun before I cash it in too.”
Her tone loses its playfulness. “That’s really sweet but I’m not joking. I don’t have energy for anything, the tiredness, the brain fog, the pain…I’m doing everything I can to keep my job because it’s all I have, and if I can’t pay for my house, I’ll have to live on the streets and that’s almost the only thing that could make my life worse.”
“Valerie would never let you live on the streets.”
Tabby flinches. “True, but I don’t want to be that needy. I have some pride left.”
She might be the perfect woman. She needs to be kept, and I know just the men to keep her.
“Okay, I respect your need to get home to rest with your kitty but will you humor me and let me see your phone?”
She narrows her eyes but reaches for her purse nonetheless. Retrieving her phone she asks, “Why? Do you want proof that I have no life? All of my pictures are of Grizabella.”
“Grizabella?”
“My cat.”
She opens the photo album and angles it to me. No exaggeration.
I lift the device from her hand and she doesn’t resist. “I want you to have my number. I leave myself in your more than competent hands and trust that you’ll call me the next time you’re ready to relax.”
“You mean go on a date?”
“Sure, but the focus of the date will be to relax.”
I type my name and number in, save them, and return her phone without calling myself.
