Against my better judgement I agreed to take Nikki out I just couldn’t say no to her no matter how hard I tried. I knew it was a shit thing to do going against Victor’s orders and all that, but to be fair, Jimmy had said that they were working on getting us home by tomorrow. We could possibly only have one night left here in Florida and I thought why not make the most of it. It was a stretch to think that Victor’s enemies would be here watching us when they had Victor to deal with. It wasn’t like I was taking her out to some grand place that everyone knew.
I had found a hole in the wall bar that served liquor and had a jukebox a bar just like Nikki had once told me she wanted to be taken too. My eyes did a quick sweep of our surroundings the bar was older than Aunt Gina (not quite as old as Nana) it was well kept and there wasn’t a big clientele. Aside from us, there were just a few couples in their forties swaying to some country song that blasted from the jukebox. We were completely out of place, but I seriously doubted that anyone looking for us would think to find us here.
I held out the bar stool for Nikki watching along with everyone else in the bar as she climbed onto the stool in the lace romper she was wearing. The shorts were short enough that her tanned legs were fully on display and it was cut very low giving me just the perfect hint of her cleavage. I couldn’t wait to peel the damn thing off her. I’d start by untying that little bow in the back of her neck that held the whole thing together and slide the wide sleeves down her arms. I could tell she wasn’t wearing a bra because I couldn’t see the straps of one through the lace.
Once she was fully seated on the stool I ushered her closer to the bar, brushed her wavy hair behind her shoulder, and leaned into her. A man could get drunk on the scent of her alone at least this man could.
“What do you want to drink”? I asked her as I pulled away from her before I embarrassed myself. I placed a kiss to the top of her head and turned around to get the bartender's attention.
“I’ll have a shot of tequila and a corona.”
I smiled widely as I signaled the bartender. “A woman after my own heart.” I winked at her as the bartender stepped to us.
“Is that all it takes to get to your heart?” She asked me softly. I didn’t have time to ponder her tone and whether or not she was kidding or actually if she was seriously asking me that question.
“What can I get you?” Said the friendly bartender. What a difference from the service here to the service of the clubs in the city. This man was in his fifties and seemed genuinely happy to serve us not to mention Nikki didn’t have to flash her tits in his face to get his attention.
“Two Coronas and two shots of Patron, please.” I said.
“Coming right up.” He said before busying himself filling our order.
I turned my attention back towards Nikki. “Why Nikki you looking to nestle your way into my heart?” Surprise registered in her eyes as she met my gaze. I raised an eyebrow towards her, daring her to answer.
The bartender placed our drinks in front of us on the bar and I reached into my pocket, pulling out a twenty and laying it on the bar.
“Keep the change.” I said as I handed Nikki her shot and took my own. She reached for the saltshaker taking my free hand in hers she poured a little salt on my closed hand then did the same to her own.
“Avoiding the question?” I asked, watching her intently. I didn’t know why I wanted her to answer I was scared shitless that she’d say yes then what would I do. I wanted more than anything to be on the receiving end of her love more than I wanted my next breath, but I didn’t know what the fuck to do with that love once I had it.
“I’m giving you a pass Mikey take it.” She said as she licked the salt from her hand before tipping her head at me to do the same. I did as she had and licked the salt from my hand before clinking my shot glass to hers. We downed the shot of tequila simultaneously before taking the limes and sucking on them.
Nikki’s face scrunched up at the bitterness of the lime and she reached for her Corona taking a big gulp to wash away the foul taste from her mouth.
“I didn’t ask for a pass.” I said, reaching for my own beer. I should quit while I was ahead, but I had no sense anymore and continued to press her.
“Not verbally.” She turned to me leaning closer her index finger making a sweeping motion around my eyes. “But you said it loud and clear with those eyes of yours.” She cocked her head to the side. “Tell me something Mikey have you ever loved someone?”
Ah, shit. I couldn’t leave well enough alone now I was really fucked. I ran my fingers through my hair as I debated how to answer the question and if there was any way, I could get out of it. I took another sip of my beer trying my damnedest to stall.
“Right.” She said reaching out to pat my cheek sympathetically, making me feel like I was a poor soul that was missing out on one of the great joys of life. Amazing how one little gesture could make a man feel so small. “Don’t worry Mikey if I learned anything from this mess it’s not to give my heart away so willingly anymore, so you have nothing to worry about.”