several times a day – mostly on checks to pay the bills – but it wasn’t like the Power Company was on my doorstep flirting or screaming my name to get me to sign the check.
I watched as he scribbled his name on the bottom of some girl’s shirt. What would possess these girls to want him to write on their clothes with permanent marker?
I did notice one thing though; some of the girls that stepped up to bug him ranged from quite pretty to very attractive, but they all seemed to be forms without faces to him. He didn’t even really look at them. It was like he too was in business mode.
“ Hi!” shouted a male voice that snapped me out of my private thoughts.
I looked up to see a nice looking man wearing a suit jacket over a nicely pressed button-down shirt. Thick, dark hair… slight dimples in his cheeks… no wedding ring on the hand that rested on the bar.
“ Hi. What can I get you?” My eyes adjusted to this new handsome man.
“ What do you have on tap?” he asked, flashing an alluring smile at me.
I listed the ten different drafts that I had on tap and handed him a menu of available bottled beer just in case.
“ Hmm, you’ve given me too many options. What do you recommend?”
“ Well that depends,” I responded, “on whether you prefer a darker, full bodied beer or a lighter, pale ale.”
He leaned further onto the bar. “You’re not making this easy for me. Why don’t you pick one? I’m sure I’ll like anything you choose.”
I walked away smiling and grabbed a new glass along my way. I tapped one of the more popular ales and slid the glass across the bar to him.
“ Mmm, that’s good!” He grinned and winked at me. “You have excellent taste!”
His compliment made me laugh. He wasn’t the first man to tell me that.
“ My name is Mark. What’s yours?”
“ Taryn,” I replied, wondering if he was going to pay for the beer I just served him.
“ It’s a pleasure to meet you, Taryn.” Mark smiled and held out his hand to me.
I didn’t want to be rude, so I shook his hand.
“ Your hand is soft,” Mark complimented.
“ Thanks,” I said warily, attempting to end our handshake.
Before I knew it, the slick man clamped his hand around mine, trapping my hand in his. I tugged back against his grip, but he was stronger than I was. My smile quickly faded as I didn’t like the hold he had on me.
“ Did anyone ever tell you how beautiful you are?” he crooned. His free hand started petting my wrist and forearm in the same manner that you would pet a housecat. My stomach twisted in a knot.
I tried to pull my hand free but he maintained his hold.
“ Let go of my hand,” I stated calmly, in an almost teasing fashion.
“ I can’t. Not until you tell me why I’m so drawn to you,” Mark pondered, like it was my fault that he couldn’t control himself.
I tugged several times while he attempted to lamely flirt with me, but I could not break his grip.
“ Let. Go. Of. My. Hand.” I emphasized each word.
I looked over his shoulder, surprised to see Ryan standing right behind him. His beer was in one hand and the fingers of his other hand were tucked in his pocket; his narrowed eyes were fixed on mine. Next to him was one of his bodyguards.
“ Oh Taryn,” Mark flashed his best smile at me, “I can’t let you go! Since you were so good at picking out a drink for me, I think you should pick out a restaurant for me to take you to.”
“ I don’t think so,” I replied coldly, tired of his game.
“ Oh, come on, sweetie. Don’t be like that!” His tone made me wince. He trailed his presumptuous finger over my wrist.
Ryan looked at my new admirer and back at me; his face was showing his concern. I shook my head ever so slightly, hoping Ryan would heed my warning. I didn’t want any trouble.
Two young women approached Ryan and attempted to get his attention. One of them grabbed his arm. Ryan immediately raised his elbow, obviously displeased with their forward
D.R. Rosensteel
Josh Farrar
Katie Flynn
Rosa Mundi
Marie Harte
Kelly McKain
David Solomons
Bonnie Bryant
Wyborn Senna
Brian Moore