Jasper's fate was never his own. His comings and going were made by other people and he was but a leaf on the wind. Call it an unbreakable bond. Something so inescapable he couldn't run away from it if he tried. He wasn't bitter. Annoyed, but not bitter. Luckily, he was a well connected pirate and was able to obtain a run down liquor store when his life was detailed and dragged to southern Florida. Jasper had a certain knack for negotiations, one could say. When he made the offer for the store and it was originally rejected, Jasper changed the proprietors mind rather quickly. Well, technically, the body was found by the docks - an apparent heart attack. Within days Jasper had a contract signed and started renovations on The Grog Shop.
Currently, there is a HIRING sign in the window requesting assistance for the day shift - Inquire Within.
Currently, there is a HIRING sign in the window requesting assistance for the day shift - Inquire Within.
Theresa had just got moved into #101 of the Sunset Beach condominiums after the break-in that happened at the place she had moved to when she got to town from Florissant Missouri. Why she was there is a story of its own, as she would have preferred to have stayed in Santa Monica California where she had a good job and even made some friends. But life rolled differently, and after a man broke into her Palm Hills apartment and raped her, she knew she had to get out of there.Trouble was now she was broke and didn't have a job. It was typical that someone down on their luck to go to the bottleshop and get a six pack of ber to drink with the remnants of the wad of cash she had when she let California. She passed the Grog Shoppe on her search and noted the help wanted sign. It was something to check on the way back from ... wherever she could find some beer.
That walk was over mile one way when she found a 7-11 on the main highway that had 5-packs of .... Vesa Sur Blonde Ale. Theresa had already downed one can on her way back, and noted a light on inside the Grog Shop. Her feet were3 tired as the flats she had on weren't the best for a long walk, so she paused by the front door and gave herself a look in the window reflection. She wasn't dressed for job hunting, or did she have a resume with her, but she did have three beers in a bag in her hand. She knocked on the door to see if anyone was in there.
The Grog Shop had been opened for about a week now. So far, the shop could only be opened from dusk until 10pm when state law made it mandatory for him to close the doors. With the business only operating legally for five hours a day, the business wasn’t doing fantastic. Did he keep the light on in the shop until well after midnight? Yes. If someone came around the back of the shop and asked to buy something did he make the sale? Yes. But with a new ball busting chief of police butting his nose in everywhere, Jasper was a bit more reluctant than he normally would be. He really needed a few daytime employees so the shop could open for the full twelve hours the law allowed.
Cashflow wasn’t an issue. It never was. For he dealt in far more valuable assets than booze. But his underground business was just that, underground. It was strategically well hidden by a mastermind far smarter than Jasper. The underground business was his boss’s business and Jasper was just the middleman. You might think the underground business was drugs, which it was not. It was something far more valuable and much more difficult to come by.
It was dusk and Jasper had just arrived at The Grog Shop. He turned the lights on but hadn’t yet unlocked the doors. He had made a few sales the night before and was doing a quick inventory check before he officially opening for the few hours he could before the law closed his doors for the night. It was while he was fiddling with the beer case that he heard a knock at the door. He turned his head, stretching his neck a bit to see who was at the door over the isle of liquor bottles. His other customers knocked on the back door or called him before they showed up, so he knew it wasn’t one of them. He weaved his way from the beer coolers at the back of the store towards the front. Peering in the glass door was a woman.
Jasper made his way over to the door. He was dressed in black jeans and a black button-up shirt with the top two buttons left undone. Silver necklaces hung around his neck and his fingers were adorned with rings. His hair was black and looked like it was intentionally messy with the scruffy five o’clock shadow complimenting the windblown look. He unlocked the door and pushed it open. In the rich Irish accent, he greeted her, “Welcome to The Grog Shop.” He looked down and saw the bag from the 7-11 hanging from one of her hands and a beer in the other. He raised one of his eyebrows curiously, “And how might I be of assistance to you?” His tone wasn’t rude, only inquisitive. He held the door open but wasn’t using his body to block the door. She would be able to enter the establishment if she chose to.
Cashflow wasn’t an issue. It never was. For he dealt in far more valuable assets than booze. But his underground business was just that, underground. It was strategically well hidden by a mastermind far smarter than Jasper. The underground business was his boss’s business and Jasper was just the middleman. You might think the underground business was drugs, which it was not. It was something far more valuable and much more difficult to come by.
It was dusk and Jasper had just arrived at The Grog Shop. He turned the lights on but hadn’t yet unlocked the doors. He had made a few sales the night before and was doing a quick inventory check before he officially opening for the few hours he could before the law closed his doors for the night. It was while he was fiddling with the beer case that he heard a knock at the door. He turned his head, stretching his neck a bit to see who was at the door over the isle of liquor bottles. His other customers knocked on the back door or called him before they showed up, so he knew it wasn’t one of them. He weaved his way from the beer coolers at the back of the store towards the front. Peering in the glass door was a woman.
Jasper made his way over to the door. He was dressed in black jeans and a black button-up shirt with the top two buttons left undone. Silver necklaces hung around his neck and his fingers were adorned with rings. His hair was black and looked like it was intentionally messy with the scruffy five o’clock shadow complimenting the windblown look. He unlocked the door and pushed it open. In the rich Irish accent, he greeted her, “Welcome to The Grog Shop.” He looked down and saw the bag from the 7-11 hanging from one of her hands and a beer in the other. He raised one of his eyebrows curiously, “And how might I be of assistance to you?” His tone wasn’t rude, only inquisitive. He held the door open but wasn’t using his body to block the door. She would be able to enter the establishment if she chose to.
Bliss walked up and stood there awkwardly for a moment before walking past the blonde and through the door being held open by a very attractive man. As she walked by him, she looked him over from head to toe and smirked, ”Aren’t you just the hottest doorman ever, suga’?” Her voice was dripping with a southern twang.
Bliss wasn’t from far away, but she also wasn’t local. The distance was enough she’d chosen to get a room at the local hotel. She had come to the area looking for talented dancers at Roosters. She owned a strip club and had recently started having male dancers perform one night of the week.
By the time she got checked in at the hotel, she realized she had a cold coming on. Originally from a rural southern town, Bliss preferred whiskey and honey over drug store remedies. Her grandma had sworn by it, and now Bliss did as well.
She wasn’t a big whiskey drinker, so she was hoping she could get some recommendations. Apparently, the hot doorman was also the clerk so she browsed around a bit and waited for him to become free.
Seeing as the blonde already had a bag of booze from the 7-11 down the street, Jasper offered her a smile and closed the door to his shop. He wasn't sure what the blonde needed but since she didn't seem to be a customer there was no reason for him to continue to stand in the door.
He went to stand by the front counter and waited to see if his customer needed any assistance. Nonchalantly, he said, "If you need any assistance I might be able to offer some."
He looked down at the floor, giving her some privacy. He knew he hated being watched when he was browsing. It made him feel like he needed to hurry up or that they expected him to be a thief.
He went to stand by the front counter and waited to see if his customer needed any assistance. Nonchalantly, he said, "If you need any assistance I might be able to offer some."
He looked down at the floor, giving her some privacy. He knew he hated being watched when he was browsing. It made him feel like he needed to hurry up or that they expected him to be a thief.
Bliss gave him her million dollar smile and made her way to the counter. Her Christian Louboutin Bellarose heels clicked loudly on the floor as she dramatically swished her hips.
When she reached the counter, he would catch a whiff of her perfume—fresh-bloomed gardenias with just a hint of something sweet, like honey on a warm day.
“Oh, my gracious, sweetie, I could certainly use a bit of your expertise,” she purred, her voice smooth as velvet. She tilted her head slightly, letting the corners of her lips curl up mischievously. “But don’t you worry, darling, that’s our little secret, right? I just need a tiny bottle of whiskey to whip up some cold medicine. I don’t really care for the taste, but it does wonders for a sore throat and the sniffles.”
Bliss leaned in just a fraction closer, lowering her voice a little. “Of course, I’m sure most folks would say it’s just the whiskey making ‘em feel better,” she teased, “but you and I both know it’s got to be something a little more magical than that, don’t you think?”
She let that last sentence hang in the air with a playful smile, just enough to make him wonder if there was more to this little conversation than just whiskey.
When she reached the counter, he would catch a whiff of her perfume—fresh-bloomed gardenias with just a hint of something sweet, like honey on a warm day.
“Oh, my gracious, sweetie, I could certainly use a bit of your expertise,” she purred, her voice smooth as velvet. She tilted her head slightly, letting the corners of her lips curl up mischievously. “But don’t you worry, darling, that’s our little secret, right? I just need a tiny bottle of whiskey to whip up some cold medicine. I don’t really care for the taste, but it does wonders for a sore throat and the sniffles.”
Bliss leaned in just a fraction closer, lowering her voice a little. “Of course, I’m sure most folks would say it’s just the whiskey making ‘em feel better,” she teased, “but you and I both know it’s got to be something a little more magical than that, don’t you think?”
She let that last sentence hang in the air with a playful smile, just enough to make him wonder if there was more to this little conversation than just whiskey.
She approached him like a jungle cat on the prowl for something to chew on. He eyes started lowered as she got closer, his blue eyes taking in her footwear that looked too decorative for use. He wanted to ask her why anyone would buy shoes like that but he refrained. If there was anything he had learned over his several hundred years of life was to never move a woman's taste in shoes.
He looked up from her shoes when she started talking about whiskey. She put on quite a show with her request. It felt like she was over explaining the reason for her need for the whiskey. He lifted one of his ringed hands and motioned her to follow, "This way." He showed her to a wall of 16 ounce liquor bottles. "Since you just need a small amount, I suggest one of these smaller bottles."
He reached out and motioned towards a few options, "Crown Royal actually made a honey flavored whiskey, as does Jack Daniels. They might be more complimentary to your needs." He picked up a bottle of Jim Beam Vanilla, "Or maybe you want something a little sweeter to compliment the honey."
She had hinted at magic, which was something he didn't have, unless she was after blood. He had a whole back room stocked full of bottle after bottle of blood. The liquor store was his cover for his real business - blood dealing. Trying to stay cool he asked, "Have I showed you anything magical yet?"
He looked up from her shoes when she started talking about whiskey. She put on quite a show with her request. It felt like she was over explaining the reason for her need for the whiskey. He lifted one of his ringed hands and motioned her to follow, "This way." He showed her to a wall of 16 ounce liquor bottles. "Since you just need a small amount, I suggest one of these smaller bottles."
He reached out and motioned towards a few options, "Crown Royal actually made a honey flavored whiskey, as does Jack Daniels. They might be more complimentary to your needs." He picked up a bottle of Jim Beam Vanilla, "Or maybe you want something a little sweeter to compliment the honey."
She had hinted at magic, which was something he didn't have, unless she was after blood. He had a whole back room stocked full of bottle after bottle of blood. The liquor store was his cover for his real business - blood dealing. Trying to stay cool he asked, "Have I showed you anything magical yet?"
Bliss’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned in just a touch closer, her smile widening. She took a slow breath, ”Magical, you say?” she purred, her voice soft and teasing. ”Well, sugar, I’m not so sure about magic, but you’re certainly giving me a few things to think about.” She let her gaze linger on his hand, eyes trailing down to his rings before slowly meeting his gaze again. ”But, then again, maybe you are the magic I was hoping for.”
She moved just a little bit closer, her heel clicking sharply on the floor. “I always thought that whiskey was the only thing that could put a little fire in me, but I’m beginning to think there might be other ways to keep things… interesting.”
With a flicker of something playful in her eyes, she added, “Maybe you’re the one who can show me something truly worth savoring.”
She took a deep breath and a step back, almost as if coming out of a trance, ”I think the vanilla tickles my fancy the most. I’ll take it.”
Bliss’s words were as smooth as honey, but her eyes—those told a story of something much deeper, something almost dangerous.
She moved just a little bit closer, her heel clicking sharply on the floor. “I always thought that whiskey was the only thing that could put a little fire in me, but I’m beginning to think there might be other ways to keep things… interesting.”
With a flicker of something playful in her eyes, she added, “Maybe you’re the one who can show me something truly worth savoring.”
She took a deep breath and a step back, almost as if coming out of a trance, ”I think the vanilla tickles my fancy the most. I’ll take it.”
Bliss’s words were as smooth as honey, but her eyes—those told a story of something much deeper, something almost dangerous.
He fiddled with the bottle of vanilla whiskey in his hand as she moved closer to him, her eyes on his. It had been over two hundred years since he had been a position to consent to flirting. Sadly, he seemed to be completely off his game. Where had the suave pirate gone in the last few centuries. He opened his mouth but seemed to just close it again.
He assumed she was put off by his inability to think of something cute or funny to say in that moment. He was just, honestly, shocked. No one had looked at him like she did in so long. He tried to say something that might show her he wasn’t blowing her off. “Whiskey and a hot bath. One pairs well with the other.” Jesus, he sounded like an old woman.
She picked the Jim Bean Vanilla, and he nodded, gripping the bottle a little tighter. “Feel free to look around. I will put this at the register for you.” He started to walk towards the counter but looked over his shoulder and said politely, “But I am still here if you need assistance.”
He assumed she was put off by his inability to think of something cute or funny to say in that moment. He was just, honestly, shocked. No one had looked at him like she did in so long. He tried to say something that might show her he wasn’t blowing her off. “Whiskey and a hot bath. One pairs well with the other.” Jesus, he sounded like an old woman.
She picked the Jim Bean Vanilla, and he nodded, gripping the bottle a little tighter. “Feel free to look around. I will put this at the register for you.” He started to walk towards the counter but looked over his shoulder and said politely, “But I am still here if you need assistance.”
She couldn’t help but smile as he fumbled with his words. It was endearing, in a way. There was something disarmingly charming about the way he was trying so hard to be suave and failing. She had no idea what kind of history he had, but there was something in his eyes that intrigued her, something that made her want to push just a little further.
She nodded at his advice, not missing the way his hand tightened around the bottle. “Whiskey and a hot bath, huh? I’ll keep that in mind,” she replied, a playful glint in her eyes. She let her gaze linger on him for a second longer than usual before turning toward the shelves, though her attention didn’t stray too far from him.
As she picked out a few other things to grab, she heard him make his way to the register, but his offer of assistance still hung in the air. She couldn’t help but wonder what kind of person he was behind that awkward exterior. There was a certain… old-world charm about him, even if he didn’t seem to know it himself.
“Alright, I’ll take you up on that,” she called over her shoulder with a mischievous grin. “Let’s see if you can recommend something better than vanilla.”
She nodded at his advice, not missing the way his hand tightened around the bottle. “Whiskey and a hot bath, huh? I’ll keep that in mind,” she replied, a playful glint in her eyes. She let her gaze linger on him for a second longer than usual before turning toward the shelves, though her attention didn’t stray too far from him.
As she picked out a few other things to grab, she heard him make his way to the register, but his offer of assistance still hung in the air. She couldn’t help but wonder what kind of person he was behind that awkward exterior. There was a certain… old-world charm about him, even if he didn’t seem to know it himself.
“Alright, I’ll take you up on that,” she called over her shoulder with a mischievous grin. “Let’s see if you can recommend something better than vanilla.”
He set the small bottle down by the register and then looked up as she challenged him. He didn't want to be awkward or a clown. He tried to remember who he had been in his life before. Flirting might be beyond him but liquor was not. Jasper closed his eyes for a moment, recalling how his mentor would handle this situation. Embodying the more alluring vampire he knew, he put a shrewd grin on his face and used his expertise in alcohol to do the flirting for him.
"The floral sweetness of honey complements the smooth, spiced notes of the whiskey," he said smoothly as he came out from behind the counter and went to join her in the row of bourbons, ryes, and other whiskeys. He added confidence to his stride that hadn't been there before. He heard the voice of his mentor and tried to deliver the lines as he would. "Lemon juice also compliments the combination of whiskey and honey, giving it another note of flavor."
He picked up a bottle of Knob Creek rye whiskey and eyed her like she was prey. "You can also brew a pot of chamomile tea, add a shot of whiskey, and a squeeze of lemon. It should do wonders for the snore throat of yours." Professional with a hint of something else. Perhaps it was interest, but he kept that a mystery - that's what Gandrell would do. "Have I," he let his eyes smolder a little then, using his vampiric allure, "enticed you with any of these suggestions?"
"The floral sweetness of honey complements the smooth, spiced notes of the whiskey," he said smoothly as he came out from behind the counter and went to join her in the row of bourbons, ryes, and other whiskeys. He added confidence to his stride that hadn't been there before. He heard the voice of his mentor and tried to deliver the lines as he would. "Lemon juice also compliments the combination of whiskey and honey, giving it another note of flavor."
He picked up a bottle of Knob Creek rye whiskey and eyed her like she was prey. "You can also brew a pot of chamomile tea, add a shot of whiskey, and a squeeze of lemon. It should do wonders for the snore throat of yours." Professional with a hint of something else. Perhaps it was interest, but he kept that a mystery - that's what Gandrell would do. "Have I," he let his eyes smolder a little then, using his vampiric allure, "enticed you with any of these suggestions?"
Bliss arched a brow, suppressing the smile threatening to form. She hadn’t expected him to rise to the challenge, but there he was, smooth, confident, and exuding a charm that hadn’t been there before.
She let her gaze glance over the bottle in his hand before returning to his eyes, which now held a dangerous sort of heat. It sent a thrill down her spine which caused her to shiver.
“I don’t know, darling,” she mused, tilting her head as if considering his words carefully. “You make a compelling case. But is it the whiskey that’s enticing… or the way you describe it?” She bit her lip to punctuate her question.
She took a slow step closer. Not enough to be bold, but enough to see if he’d hold his ground. ”If I try one of your suggestions, will that satisfy your need to impress me, and my need to be impressed by you? Or do you have more tricks up your sleeve?”
Her voice was light, teasing, but there was no denying the interest in her gaze. She had come for something to soothe her throat, but she found herself far more curious about the man before her.
She let her gaze glance over the bottle in his hand before returning to his eyes, which now held a dangerous sort of heat. It sent a thrill down her spine which caused her to shiver.
“I don’t know, darling,” she mused, tilting her head as if considering his words carefully. “You make a compelling case. But is it the whiskey that’s enticing… or the way you describe it?” She bit her lip to punctuate her question.
She took a slow step closer. Not enough to be bold, but enough to see if he’d hold his ground. ”If I try one of your suggestions, will that satisfy your need to impress me, and my need to be impressed by you? Or do you have more tricks up your sleeve?”
Her voice was light, teasing, but there was no denying the interest in her gaze. She had come for something to soothe her throat, but she found herself far more curious about the man before her.
It was her bite to her lip that let him know he had found the right balance of fun, interesting facts and the allure. He let a smile split his lips at her question. “You came looking for whiskey, I assume there was a slight desire for it. Whether the desire for the whiskey is still as strong? That is a question only you can answer.” His blue eyes showed only the conviction of his words. He knew he was giving her good advice, if it was really whiskey and a remedy for a sore throat she was after.
He didn’t back away when she took a step towards him. What he did do was place the bottle of Knob Creek back on the shelf. He had used the bottle as a barrier. Something for his hands to hold so they didn’t give away his nervousness. But he had a handle on himself now and he didn’t need the prop. He rested his forearm along the top shelf, in front of the meticulously lined bottles, and leaned on the sturdy wooden shelf as he looked at her. “Tricks? Do you find my suggestions deceptive into luring you into a trap?” His tone, like hers, was teasing and light, a possible flirtation or just a very good sales technique.
“As for satisfying my need to impress you,” he leaned in closer to her, closing even more of the distance, “how impressive am I?” He was a guy and needed a little ego stroking, if nothing more. “And the only way I feel I might continue to impress you is either with my magnificent tea making abilities or my skill at mixing the perfect whiskey, honey, and lemon cocktail for you.” The ball was in her court with his last remark. It gave her an opening to invite him to leave the shop with her or for her to pick her bottle of whiskey and scamper on home alone.
He didn’t back away when she took a step towards him. What he did do was place the bottle of Knob Creek back on the shelf. He had used the bottle as a barrier. Something for his hands to hold so they didn’t give away his nervousness. But he had a handle on himself now and he didn’t need the prop. He rested his forearm along the top shelf, in front of the meticulously lined bottles, and leaned on the sturdy wooden shelf as he looked at her. “Tricks? Do you find my suggestions deceptive into luring you into a trap?” His tone, like hers, was teasing and light, a possible flirtation or just a very good sales technique.
“As for satisfying my need to impress you,” he leaned in closer to her, closing even more of the distance, “how impressive am I?” He was a guy and needed a little ego stroking, if nothing more. “And the only way I feel I might continue to impress you is either with my magnificent tea making abilities or my skill at mixing the perfect whiskey, honey, and lemon cocktail for you.” The ball was in her court with his last remark. It gave her an opening to invite him to leave the shop with her or for her to pick her bottle of whiskey and scamper on home alone.
Bliss watched him, taking in the way he leaned against the shelf. His confidence had settled in, and she liked that. She enjoyed watching him find his footing in this dance between them.
She smirked, amusement in her eyes. “A trap?” she echoed, tilting her head, “If it is, it’s a clever one. Subtle. Effective.” Her voice dropped just slightly, laced with the same teasing edge he’d given her. “Though I have to wonder… if I were to walk into it, would you spring it shut? Or just keep laying down the bait?”
She could feel the heat of him now, the air between them charged in a way that had nothing to do with whiskey. His question lingered. She let the silence stretch just a little longer before she replied, “How impressive are you? That depends,” she said finally, her voice light but deliberate. “You’ve certainly got my attention, but real impressiveness takes a little more.” She let the words hang between them before adding, “Lucky for you, I have a thing for well-made drinks.”
Bliss reached out, skimming her fingers along the shelf beside him. Her fingers never quite touched him, but they came close enough to make a point. “So tell me, are you going to show me these magnificent skills of yours? Or was that just another clever sales pitch?”
She let her fingers just barely graze over his forearm before she took a step back, ”I’m in room 302 at the Sunset Beach Hotel. Come impress me.”
She smirked, amusement in her eyes. “A trap?” she echoed, tilting her head, “If it is, it’s a clever one. Subtle. Effective.” Her voice dropped just slightly, laced with the same teasing edge he’d given her. “Though I have to wonder… if I were to walk into it, would you spring it shut? Or just keep laying down the bait?”
She could feel the heat of him now, the air between them charged in a way that had nothing to do with whiskey. His question lingered. She let the silence stretch just a little longer before she replied, “How impressive are you? That depends,” she said finally, her voice light but deliberate. “You’ve certainly got my attention, but real impressiveness takes a little more.” She let the words hang between them before adding, “Lucky for you, I have a thing for well-made drinks.”
Bliss reached out, skimming her fingers along the shelf beside him. Her fingers never quite touched him, but they came close enough to make a point. “So tell me, are you going to show me these magnificent skills of yours? Or was that just another clever sales pitch?”
She let her fingers just barely graze over his forearm before she took a step back, ”I’m in room 302 at the Sunset Beach Hotel. Come impress me.”
He listened to her playful question about him trapping her. He cocked his head a little and said honestly, “Trapping woman isn’t appealing to me.” He let his eyes roam down her body and the back up to her face. “I am too arrogant a creature to force a lady to do anything. It is more fun to use myself as the bait.”
His offer to brew her tea or make her a drink seemed to have appealed to her. He watched her and admired how she played back so eloquently. His eyes shifted to watch her hand as she ran her fingers on the same shelf that his arm rested on. His eyes flickered back to hers as his smile grew a little more pronounced. “The shop closes at ten. I can continue you to entertain you here and then take you someplace afterwards where I can perform for you.”
He felt her touch on the arm of his leather jacket and looked over. His mouth opened slightly, his tongue poking out slightly between his teeth as he gently bit it. “302?” He took a step towards her, leaving zero distance between them. His lips were nearly touching hers as he looked at her cunningly, “If this your way of getting me to buy you whiskey?”
His offer to brew her tea or make her a drink seemed to have appealed to her. He watched her and admired how she played back so eloquently. His eyes shifted to watch her hand as she ran her fingers on the same shelf that his arm rested on. His eyes flickered back to hers as his smile grew a little more pronounced. “The shop closes at ten. I can continue you to entertain you here and then take you someplace afterwards where I can perform for you.”
He felt her touch on the arm of his leather jacket and looked over. His mouth opened slightly, his tongue poking out slightly between his teeth as he gently bit it. “302?” He took a step towards her, leaving zero distance between them. His lips were nearly touching hers as he looked at her cunningly, “If this your way of getting me to buy you whiskey?”
Bliss smiled seductively as she listened to him speak. Oh, he had definitely found his confidence. He was not cocky or arrogant, but he was now certain of himself.
She raised a brow as she said, ”I think that’s the best bait. You seem to have one on the line now. Just be careful reeling it in.” She watched him look her up and down, and then met his eyes when they returned to her face. ”Apparently, my bait works just as well as yours.”
When he bit the end of his tongue she found herself wondering if he were a good kisser, or what else he might be good at doing with his tongue. With him taking away all the distance between them, she decided to find out about his kissing skills.
Bliss leaned in slightly before closing her eyes and touching her lips to his. It was just a light kiss, but enough to tell her the man may have started out rusty, but he had plenty to offer.
She raised a brow as she said, ”I think that’s the best bait. You seem to have one on the line now. Just be careful reeling it in.” She watched him look her up and down, and then met his eyes when they returned to her face. ”Apparently, my bait works just as well as yours.”
When he bit the end of his tongue she found herself wondering if he were a good kisser, or what else he might be good at doing with his tongue. With him taking away all the distance between them, she decided to find out about his kissing skills.
Bliss leaned in slightly before closing her eyes and touching her lips to his. It was just a light kiss, but enough to tell her the man may have started out rusty, but he had plenty to offer.
He had expected a snarky remark to his accusation of her just trying to get a bottle of whiskey that when she moved in to kiss him, he froze for a second. His blue eyes closed as her soft lips brushed against his. What he knew of his lips were that they were pale beneath the short mustache and stubble. They were also as smooth as polished stone and just as chilly. When her lips touched his he reacted instinctively and kissed her back lightly.
He pulled back shortly after the kiss began. His eyes opened and looked into hers as his tongue ran over his lower lip. He tasted her and it was a sensation he hadn't experienced in two lifetimes. "302." He repeated, but there was no question in his tone this time. He checked the clock on the wall and saw he had about an hour before he could close up.
His gaze rested on her face as he made a suggestion to her. "How about you head to your hotel room. Order some chamomile tea and lemon from the kitchen and I'll be over shortly?" He took one short step away from her and motioned to the shelves of spirits. "All you have to do is pick your whiskey and I'll see you soon."
He pulled back shortly after the kiss began. His eyes opened and looked into hers as his tongue ran over his lower lip. He tasted her and it was a sensation he hadn't experienced in two lifetimes. "302." He repeated, but there was no question in his tone this time. He checked the clock on the wall and saw he had about an hour before he could close up.
His gaze rested on her face as he made a suggestion to her. "How about you head to your hotel room. Order some chamomile tea and lemon from the kitchen and I'll be over shortly?" He took one short step away from her and motioned to the shelves of spirits. "All you have to do is pick your whiskey and I'll see you soon."
Bliss tan a fingertip across his lip as she sighed, “Perhaps we should have exchanged names before kisses.” She extended a very soft, well manicured hand, ”Bliss Evans.”
She glanced at the shelves of whiskey. Ah, yes. Her initial reason for coming in was almost forgotten. Glancing at him once more, ”302,” she agreed.
She picked up a bottle of Standard Proof Ginger Root Rye and walked to the counter to pay for it, ”I’ll take this, please.” It was a type she’d tried before. ”I’ll take this with me. If you show up, it should be because the bait worked and not because you’re delivering whiskey.”
After paying, her heels clicked noisily on the floor as she walked towards the door. She turned back towards him one last time and smiled before she exited and vanished into the night.
She glanced at the shelves of whiskey. Ah, yes. Her initial reason for coming in was almost forgotten. Glancing at him once more, ”302,” she agreed.
She picked up a bottle of Standard Proof Ginger Root Rye and walked to the counter to pay for it, ”I’ll take this, please.” It was a type she’d tried before. ”I’ll take this with me. If you show up, it should be because the bait worked and not because you’re delivering whiskey.”
After paying, her heels clicked noisily on the floor as she walked towards the door. She turned back towards him one last time and smiled before she exited and vanished into the night.
Moderators: TheCaffeineQueen Eros_Calls