Faster We Burn

grinding and sloppy kisses.
    I was pulled away from my thoughts by a low chuckle. “Son of a bitch, not again,” I thought, blanching inwardly. He busted me gawking at him like a lovesick teenager again. “Okay, pull it together,” I reminded myself. “Focus on why you’re here.” I welcomed the warm buzz from yet another shot of bourbon and the uncharacteristic confidence that came with it. Licking the last drop of amber liquid off my bottom lip, I watched with satisfaction as his eyes settled on my lips. I could do this.
    “You know, you keep winking at girls like that and one of them is bound to take it as an invitation,” I said.
    “Sweetheart, I only wink at the girls I’m interested in,” he answered smoothly, tipping his own glass to his lips.
    The desire I had been trying in vain to control unfurled inside me, making my nipples harden beneath the black lace bra I had the uncanny foresight to don that evening. The dull ache between my legs morphed into a steady throbbing that even my crossed legs could not ease.
    “Is that so?” I asked, arching my eyebrow in what I hoped was a seductive manor.
    “It’s a fact, sweetheart,” he whispered close to my ear.
    I clamped my lips together so I wouldn’t embarrass myself by moaning out loud as his warm breath rustled the hair at the nape of my neck. I resisted the urge to sweep my long dark hair out of the way to give him more access.
    “You’re pretty cocky,” I said as he signaled Joe for another round. My head was already spinning, but I figured another one couldn’t hurt.
    “Not cocky, sweetheart, confident,” he answered huskily, reaching for our drinks with one hand when Joe brought them over.
    I reached over to relieve him of my glass, but before I could retract my hand with my drink in it, he snagged my pinkie with his. Looking at our now linked hands, I watched as he slowly raised my hand to his mouth. I gripped the glass tightly as he brushed his lips across my knuckles before releasing my hand.
    Suddenly, the drink felt ten times heavier with the sudden absence of his hand. I worked to keep the glass upright in my shaky hand as I raised it to my lips. Gulping the contents, I set the glass down and took in his slightly blurred features.
    “You okay?” he asked as I swayed slightly on my barstool.
    “Absolutely. I do this all the time,” I lied.
    “I’m sure,” he mocked, softly signaling Joe for another round.
    “You can bank—” my retort was cut short when my cellphone chirped in my purse.
    “I need to use the ladies’ room,” I breathed, rising unsteadily to my feet as the floor tilted slightly beneath me. “I’ll be right back.”
    “Do you need some help?” he asked, cocking his eyebrow at me.
    “Um, I’m pretty sure I know how to pee on my own,” I answered, feeling flustered.
    He chuckled. “I meant getting to the bathroom. You looked like you were a bit unsteady there.”
    “I’m good,” I clarified before strutting away. It took all my willpower to keep my gait steady as I made my way across the scuffed wooden floors to the bathroom. Tressa and Brittni were leaning against the bathroom counter waiting for me when I entered. It was all part of the plan we had set up. They were here for the status update.
    “So, is he a serial killer?” Brittni asked as I headed for one of the stalls.
    “Hold on, I really do have to pee.”
    “He looks like he’s into you,” she added, switching on the faucet so I could pee in peace.
    “Of course he’s into her. She’s smoking hot,” Tressa interrupted. “I bet he’s already suffering from a case of blue balls,” she added laughing as I heard the smacking of flesh.
    “Do you always have to be so crude?” Brittni asked disgusted as I flushed the toilet and opened the stall door.
    “He’s not the only one,” I muttered, filling the palm of my hand with soap before sticking them under the faucet that was still running.
    “Ooh, things a little damp downstairs?”
    “Oh my god, Tressa, seriously?” Brittni said, taking another swipe at her.
    “That’s one way to say it. Put it this way, he’d slide in pretty damn easy right now if you know what I mean,” I giggled, bracing my hands on the counter as the floor beneath me continued to sway.
    “You okay, slick?” Brittni asked, really looking at me for the first time since I’d entered the bathroom.
    “Fine,” I answered, moving my eyes from the slow rolling floor.
    “She’s buzzing,” Tressa