My eyes locked onto the partially empty glass on the bartop, lost in a daydream. The memory of Callista's tenderness, of Dimitri's dominance, repeatedly played in my head. The way they both needed me. How they made me cum. Unaware, while lost in thought, I placed the tip of my nails between my teeth. My body recollected the intense, hot, burning, and pleasurable sting of pain. I crossed my right ankle around my left calf and caressed myself, lost in the daydream.
"Earth to, Ivy!" I felt a towel slap me in the face, Tanya.
"My bad!" I was startled before picking the empty glasses off the bar.
"Where's your head?" she continued, "You've been in a daze all day."
"I-I'm fine," I stammered.
"Look at me and say that," she pressed.
Uncontrollably, my cheeks flushed, and I fidgeted, "I'm fine."
Her small hair seized my bony wrist, forcing me to face her. My eyes diverted and dodged looking at her. No matter how bad the truth was, she was one of the few people I couldn't lie to.
"Are you blushing?" she smiled, "What happened."
"I told you nothing," I giggled while trying to run away from her.
"You got some!" she accidentally hollered while chasing me.
"Shut up!" I pleaded, "We're still open!"
"Oh, please! There's no one here!" she exclaimed, gesturing to the empty bar, "Spill."
"I-I," I stammered once more.
Her face lit up like a Christmas Tree, "That good? Or that bad?"
If it was possible, my face reddened more, "I-um-"
Tanya poked at my torso, teasing me, "That good?!"
"Maybe!" I yelled before trying to escape the interrogation.
She chased after me, "Ivy got laid! Ivy, finally go some!"
"Stop talking!" I laughed, "Leave me alone!"
"What are we celebrating?"
Our fun teasing abruptly stopped as I turned to see Eric sitting at the bar.
Tanya stopped chasing after me and retreated her excitement, "Hey, handsome. I was leaving."
Tanya exited from behind the bar, but not before slapping my ass on her way out.
"Something happened?" he asked.
My hand seized a bottle of Remy Martin XO while the other held two empty glasses, and I filled both to the brim of the brandy/cognac.
"Why can't you look at me?" he pressed.
With a deep exhale, I downed all of the contents of my glass before offering the other to Eric. He began to sip as I filled mine once more. I saw him leaning his head down to look at me. I pressed all of my emotions down with a sigh before raising my eyes to meet his.
"I'm looking at you," I concluded before taking a drink.
"Is this because of what happened at your loft the other day?" he added.
I had forgotten entirely that "No, not at all."
"You're sure?" he pressed.
"I thought you were overly affectionate from the champagne," I lied.
His head tilted back, studying me, "You seem different."
He was handsome as ever. His black shirt accentuated his muscular physique, and a chain dangled his silver hoop and cross earring on his right ear. His fresh haircut and clean, trimmed, scruffy beard accentuated his sharp jawline.
"I'm me," I drank more.
He didn't respond. Instead, his hand seized my left wrist, trapping me before him.
"You look hungry," he commented.
"Are you offering to buy me dinner?" I asked.
"No," he clarified, "Not for food."
Why was this so difficult to say to Eric?
"I don't know what you're talking about," I nervously laughed.
His grip on my wrist tightened, and I poured myself another drink. My body was beginning to relax, making it easier to face him.
"You never lie to me," he growled.
I saw anger and frustration in his eyes, "Why would it matter? It's my business who I decide to fuck!"
His glower turned to shock as he leaned back in his chair, still seizing my wrist as collateral, "You fucked that woman?"
"No," I corrected, "I fucked her husband and her."
His gaze turned ice-cold, "You fucked two people?"
"Yes," I returned his tone, "She made me cum, and so did he. Wasn't that your entire point? To have me experience this? What's wrong with you? We've known each other for over a decade."
"You think you know me," he stated, "I'm bisexual, not gay."
I froze in shock. "I've only ever seen you with men. You only ever tell me about your men."
His eyes veered to the left as he drank his liquor. Instinctively, I poured him another glass, which he inhaled.
"Why would I tell you about the women I'm with?" he asked.
"I'm your friend," I stated, "You're like a brother to me. I thought you felt the same."
"Brother?" he repeated.
"You don't feel that way?" I puzzled. My confusion grew, "I'm not good at this bantering. Just tell me why you're acting the way you are."
He remained silent, grabbing the neck of the bottle with his free hand and taking a gulp.
"Hey!" I exclaimed, "I have to pay for that now that you've put your mouth on it."
"I'll pay for it," he hissed, slamming two hundred dollar bills on the bar top, "You've never looked at me as more than that?"
He took another swig before locking onto my gaze. His deep, hiss-like breathing sent the aroma of the brandy into the air. I had thought he was gay this entire time. He had been flirty with me before, but I thought nothing of it. Now that I'm thinking back, I was naive.
Before I could react, he pulled my wrist towards him, pulling me upon the bartop on my ankles and knees. Instinct and confusion leaned me back as he closed the distance between us.
"What are you doing, Eric?" I asked.
"Whatever I please," he growled.
The handheld firm on my wrist twisted behind my back, pulling me into him. His other hand wrapped around my hips, sliding him perfectly into my splayed thigh, my feet pinned beneath them. His body was hot and harrowing against my jeans, and I could feel his erection nudging against my swollen body.
"Eric?!" I called his name. I wasn't sure what I was feeling. Was it nerves or confusion?
His lips pressed firmly upon my opened mouth. His whiskey-soaked tongue rubbed against mine with a purpose. I tried pushing my head back to no avail as he pulled me tighter against him. My lips began to tingle as a familiar warmth engulfed me. He pressed his hips into mine, shoving the denim into my swollen sex.
"Ugh!" I cried out.
In a drunken trance, Eric pulled back, "It was meant to be mine."
My eyes were puzzled, my body still pressed into him.
"Your body, your virginity," he hoarsely whispered before yanking one of my straps to the side, exposing my breast. His mouth greedily latched onto my nipple, biting down while suckling.
"Ugh!" I winced, "It hurts! Eric! Please!"
His heavy gaze locked onto mine. My body squirmed to break free, and he bit down my neck.
"Eric!" I cried.
He pressed his lips into mine, his tongue invading my mouth. Abruptly, he released my wrists and seized my head in both hands. I clasped onto both of his wrists for leverage and maneuvered my legs around him.
"Stop!" his mouth muffled my cries.
I bit down. Eric winced, pulling back while pressing his fingertips onto his tongue. There was a smear of crimson across his pads when he pulled back. His eyes looked down upon mine, and his drunken trance was gone, replaced with a look of hurt and despair. That was the last thing I ever wanted to make him feel. The wounded puppy look that overtook his expression made my roughness wither. I knew what he needed. What he needed was me.
The darkness of the empty bar surrounded us, the loud rock music playing. What was so wrong with Eric? I trust him, and he's been in my life the longest out of everyone I know. I gave it to two people I barely knew, so why was I hesitant now?
I bit my lower lip before taking a swig from the bottle. My hand seizing Eric's, I licked the blood from his fingertips. His expression turned to surprise when I pressed my lips into his. My legs wrapped tightly around his waist, and he leaned into me. His firm, rough, muscular body caged me safely within his grasp. A familiar rush of heat overtook me as I pulled him harder into me.
"Forgot my-"
Our kiss broke when Tanya saw us standing in shock.
"Oh!" she turned, "Okay, fuck my phone. I'll grab it tomorrow."
Eric moved back in retreat, his eyes pacing between us, "I should go."
Before I could object, he disappeared from the bar. I turn back to see the judgment on Tanya's face, to my dismay.
"Don't look at me like that," I warned.
"It's more confusion," she said, "I thought you just got some from that woman and her husband. Then I see you kissing Eric, whom I thought was gay, so confusion sums it up."
Spinning on my butt, I turned back behind the bar and jumped down, "Believe it or not, I didn't know either until a few seconds ago."
She blinked, waiting for a more thorough explanation.
"I don't know!" I hollered, "I don't know how I feel from last night, and now Eric's kissing me!"
"Then tell me how you feel, and maybe it'll help you sort it out," Tanya replied. She went over to the open bottle on the bartop and poured the two of us a glass, "Start."
Biting my lower lip, I took the drink and inhaled its contents for courage.
"Last night, I had sex with a woman and man I barely know," I started before taking another shot.
"Did you enjoy it at least," Tanya tried hiding the look of shock on her face.
"I did," I nodded, "Callista was very nice to me, and so was her husband."
"Husband?"
"Yes."
"And?"
"I had sex with her husband this morning before he took me home."
"It was that good that you needed it a second time?"
"No, he and I weren't together last night, just Callista and I. He started fucking her while she was fucking me."
"Wow, okay."
"I'm not sure how it happened, but it did. I came to work feeling good and was about to talk to you about this before Eric came in."
"You enjoyed it?"
"Yes," I nodded, "I wish I had some weed to smoke."
Tanya took a joint out of her pocket and offered it to me.
"I love you," I sighed in relief.
The sweet, smooth inhale made all of my problems less harmful. I took another puff before handing it back to Tanya.
"How do you feel about them?" she asked.
"Nothing of note," I admitted, "It felt right."
I pressed my tongue to the inside of my liquor-soaked cheek. We both took a shot and another.
"I don't understand why he was angry," I finally spoke.
Tanya took a puff, "Who?"
"Eric," I clarified before taking another hit, "He came in with a fire I'd never seen before. I've known him for a long time, too."
"I was shocked to see him devouring your face," she chuckled.
I choked on the smoke in my lungs, gasping for air as she continued to laugh at me.
"Bitch," I managed through gasps, "I didn't have a clue until he kissed me."
"He kissed you? Why did he suddenly kiss you?" she questioned.
"I don't know. He looked upset when he found out I had been with Callista and Dimitri."
"Dimitri?" she repeated.
"Callista's husband," I said, "He became someone else when he found that out."
Tanya sat there contemplating, "Is there a possibility he's jealous?"
I took a puff, "The thought did cross my mind."
"I know it's a lot to take in," she added, "It won't be clear until you talk to Eric."
"How come?" I asked.
"It's clear between you and Callista," she puffed. It's Eric where the line blurs."
"Blurs?" I scoffed, "More like that's where it turns into a circle."
"What?" she jerked in confusion.
"I don't know," I laughed, "I'm stoned."
We both started laughing.
"Are you still open?" a soft voice broke our laughter.
Turning my head towards the entrance, I saw Callista before me. I blinked a few times to ensure it wasn't a hallucination from being drunk and stoned.
"Callista?" I said.
She gave a seductive smile.
"Yes," Tanya interjected. I'm heading home. Goodnight, girl." She pecked me on the cheek. Bye."
"Bye," I kissed her back.
"Nice meeting you," Tanya said to Callista.
"Likewise," she smirked.
As Tanya left the bar, my mouth dropped, unsure what to say.
"Wine?"
"No," she rejected, "Something stronger."
I seized the half-empty bottle of Remy off the bartop, "How about this?"
She glanced, "Why not?"
After I filled our glasses, we both drank. My eyes locked onto her body, an unseen force. She was so gorgeous.
"Hello, Ivy," Callista seductively greeted.
My cheeks flushed red as I diverted my eyes, searching the bartop for an answer, "Hi."
"Did I hurt you?" she asked.
Confused, My head shook, "No, why would you think that?"
"You can't look at me," she stated the obvious.
It's not because of last night. It's because of this morning. Part of me wanted to tell her what happened, and then part felt like I had crossed the line somehow. With a deep breath, I gathered all the confidence I could muster and looked her in the eyes.
"I'm stoned and drunk," I confessed.
A brief look of surprise flashed across her face, then disappeared.
"Did you enjoy last night?" she purred while taking another drink.
"Of course," I blushed more, "I'm sorry, I don't know how to do this."
"Do what?" she asked.
"I've never had sex with someone before," I said, "I don't know how to react the day after. I feel awkward, but at the same time, I want you."
"You want me right now?" she giggled.
"Sorry," I shook my head, "I'm drunk, so there's no filter."
She gave another giggle, "You're apologizing for wanting me?"
"No," I sighed, "I have no clue."
We both shared a brief laugh.
"Are you busy tonight?" she asked.
"No," I answered, "Why?"
She was silent. I raised my head to see a hunger in her eyes, and I knew what she wanted.
"Oh," I nervously laughed, "How about you come to my place tonight?"
"Your place?" she repeated.
"Yes, unless you don't do that with the women you fuck," I said.
Her hand froze, her once seductive gaze now narrowed. I was testing her, and she knew it.
"Alright," she agreed.
I choked on my shot, "Really?"
"Yes," she answered before taking the rest of her drink, "Dominic is outside. Let's not keep him waiting."
I watched as she walked away. The perfect swivel in her hips made me go insane. I followed after her, locking the bar behind me.