"You know you're gonna lose. I'm pretty fucking good at this." She smiled.

"Bring it." I sat back and waited for her guess.

"You are from..." she paused, her eyes searched the ceiling. "...Alaska."

"Hell no. Do I look like a fucking Eskimo?" I chuckled. I got this.

She dropped her head forward until her forehead almost touched the bar, laughing and her long brown hair fell down, pooling on the shiny black surface of the bar. I threw my hands up and laughed with her then slapped my palm down on the bar in front of the row of shots. "You gotta drink. " I pounded my hand on the surface as I chanted, "Drink, drink, drink. Go on now. You lost, so take your punishment." I egged her on. I wanted to watch her take the shot. I wanted to see her toss her head back, with her mouth open and her neck exposed, as her long soft hair fell down her back. I felt a tug in my loin. Come on baby, just do it already.

She flipped her hair out of her face as he straightened up from her fit of laughter and tried to settle herself.

"Okay, okay. I got this. You win first round. But I'm only doing this because I like your tattoo." She reached for the glass at the end of the three, neatly lined up in a row and held it up in a salute. "Carpe Diem."

With an impulsive I grabbed one of the shots and held it up.

"Carpe Diem." I said, and locked my eyes on her, while she tossed her head back and my fantasy was born. It was as beautiful as I had imagined. I wanted my mouth on her neck. I wanted to run my tongue up the length of the soft skin and fill my mouth with her pouty lips. Damn. I hoped she kept drinking and never guessed where I was from.

I threw back my shot, quickly, before she could catch me staring. I had to adjust myself in my jeans under the bar. She sputtered and coughed at the burn, fanning her face with her open fingered hands. It was more of a gesture than the need for air. She took the shot like an expert. My mind wandered. What else could she take like an expert? Fuck. I had to adjust myself again.

She sucked in her lower lip, "Whew. That burned. But in a good way."

She spun around and threw the used glass into the wash area, then turned back planting both hands on the bar. "Okay Jesse. You're one for three. Let's go again. I get another try."

"I thought you were good at this." I snickered. I wasn't sure if she was losing on purpose and just wanted to keep drinking with me. "Okay, guess again. Wait, do you want a hint?"

"No, no." She bounced up and down, waving me away. I watched the flesh of her titties move with her. "I don't need a hint. I can get this. I'm good at this. I've worked here for a long time....since...damn, since eleven o'clock this morning. Fuck I work too much." She giggled as the alcohol worked its way into her bloodstream.

"Uh, am I keeping you from your work?"

"Hell no. I was off half an hour ago. We're just partying together now,sugar. Just me and you."

"Well then, let's get to partying. Come on now, make another guess." She pushed off the bar and straighten up as if that would help her think.

"Okay. Here goes. You are from...wait, let me hear your accent again."

I pulled back and furrowed my brow. "What the hell? I don't have an accent, you have an accent. Shit. Ya'll."

"Come on, come on, say, the word, car."

"Ca-a-a."

She giggled.

"Say the word, bar-r-r."

"Ba-a-a." She reeled back on her heels in giggles.

"Car-r-r-r. Bar-r-r-r-." she enunciated and drew out the sound of the last letter. "There is an "r" on the end of those words. You have to be from the East coast, like New York"

"Nope," I lied. I wanted her to take another shot and show me that long tempting neck again. She looked puzzled and stared me dead in the eyes.

"You are a liar."

I rolled my eyes up and roamed around the room, like the cat that caught the mouse.

She got more vehement and slapped the bar top. "You shit head! You are from New York, aren't you?" She squealed. "You are devious."

She came around to my side of the bar in a burst and stood next to me, leaning one elbow on the bar. She reached up, feeling around on my head.

"Wait, I feel it." She poked her fingertips at my scalp again. "Yea that's it, right there. I can feel the horns growing as we speak."

I playfully slapped her hand away and as she reeled back, I slipped my arm around her waist and pulled her into me. She smelled good. Sweet and surprisingly fresh, for working in such a dive. Her long brown hair whipped around me as she teetered forward from the force of my grip. Hot silence stilled between us for a moment before she turned away from me to face the bar for her punishment drink. I ran my hand slowly up and down her back, feeling the curve of her body as it dipped in the small of her back, right above the rise of her rump. I wanted to allow my hand to continue on down her backside, over those tight fitting jeans, over her ass. I fantasized for a brief moment of pushing her head down and bending her over the bar, her ass up in the air, and mounting her right in the bar. I shook my head. Get a grip dude. It's too soon for that, but later, yea, I'll tap that ass and she'll let me put my hands all over her. I watched her eyeing the last shot glass and I could feel hard core lust building between us.

"New York huh? How did you guess?"

"I'm psychic."

I raised a brow.

"No, I saw your driver's license when I checked your ID, duh." She rolled her eyes like I was an idiot. Hell, I was, most of the time. I bit my lower lip, my eyes fixated on her ass. I wanted to slap a firm hand on it so bad. I moved my legs apart as I sat on the bar stool so she could stand between them. Damn, having her close to me felt good. I let my leg rub against her warm thighs. The sexual tension between us practically crackled like static electricity. I leaned into her bare arm and nuzzled my nose on the soft smooth skin of her shoulder. The full tactile contact made my fucking dick twitch and I pushed my thigh against the fullness of her body. I stalled there, eyes closed and drew in a breath with my lips against the coolness of her skin.

She broke my mood and distracted my focus, dragging me back to other more civil thoughts. "That last shot is looking pretty lonely there. I already guessed where you're from, so I won. You have to take the shot."

"Are you bustin my chops, lady?" I joked.

Still wedged between my legs, she twisted around to face me and slipped her arms loosely around my neck. She tilted her head back and I lunged at her neck, dragging my teeth gently across her skin, then sucking out a kiss.

"Keep doing that and you're gonna get us both in trouble."

"I like trouble. Trouble is my middle name," I mouthed against her neck as I kept my lips connected to her skin. She rolled her head to the side and dipped her head close to mine. I felt her hot breath in my ear.

She stole a glance around the half empty bar, and whispered in my ear, "You seem like the type of guy who likes danger."

"Mmm, I am." I continued exploring her long neck. "Racing motocross for a living is kind of dangerous."

"Jesse, do you want a little adventure?" she asked in a low breathy whisper. Her teeth teased at my earlobe.

"Mmmm...yea, but here? We might get into trouble," I murmured, eyeing the bar owner almost falling asleep on the other end of the bar.

"That's how you know it's an adventure."

She pulled back and slipped her hand into her front jean pocket, retrieving a little yellow pill with the imprint of a smiley face on it. She wiggled it between her thumb and forefinger, nervously glancing around the bar, then hiding it in the palm of her hand.

"Do you like this kind of adventure?"

"Hell, why not? I'm down."

"Okay, you'll need a tequila slammer to go with it."

"What the fuck is a tequila slammer?" I was annoyed when she pulled away from me. She left me all raw and edgy feeling, like my shit was all hanging out. I wanted that feeling back. Damn it.

I swiveled around on my stool as she stepped down to the end of the bar.

"Motorcycle rider, right?"

"Yup." I nodded. She grabbed a black motorcycle helmet that was sitting at the end of the bar. It was the half helmet type. No face mask.

"Here, put it on," she directed as she disappeared around to the other side of the bar.

"What the hell is this shit?" I asked holding the helmet like, "I'm not putting this crap on my head". She slammed a bottle of tequila and a shot glass on the bar. I stared blankly wondering if she was going to make me drink out of this nasty old helmet or something. She jumped up on the bar and spun around on her behind until her legs were dangling over the edge of the bar on my side. She spread her legs open and slid over so I was sitting right in front of her, her legs open in a wide v.

"Put it on," she commanded.

I drew back with a crooked smile. "Say what?"

"Just put the helmet on and play along. You'll like it, I promise."

"Ok, but I warn you, I'm a virgin so be gentle," I mocked.

She pushed on my shoulder and spun me on my stool so I had my back to her. I put on the helmet.

"Ok, now lean back so your head is resting on the bar right between my legs."

I complied. She scooted back a little as I laid my head back between her wide open legs.

"Ok, sugar. Close your eyes and open your mouth," she said holding the soda dispenser in one hand.

I could hear the clink of the tequila bottle and the next thing I felt was wetness in my mouth. My eyes popped open and I saw the tiny yellow pill drop into my mouth along with the tequila and some Sprite. She grabbed my head, helmet and all with both of her hands and slammed my head hard on the bar.

"That's a tequila slammer," she said, as the helmet made a loud bang.

I damn near choked as the Sprite and tequila, fizzed wildly inside my mouth. I swallowed in one huge gulp, gagging, gasping and laughing all at once. She leaned over my head and kissed me upside down, running her tongue around the edge of my lips.

She let loose of me and I sat up. I damn near fell off the stool but it was all in good fun. I stood up, and pushed the stool back. I took off the funky old helmet and shoved it down the surface of the bar, out of our way. Sitting there in front of me with her legs spread wide open, I knew it wouldn't take long for the XTC to kick in and my dick and I wanted this girl naked immediately.

"My turn," she said.

She wet her lips, opened her clenched fist in front of me, revealing a little yellow pill for her in the palm of her hand. Before she could pop it in her mouth I grabbed her wrist and held her arm in place. She didn't move. Without breaking our glance, I brought her open palm up to my face. I opened my mouth and touched the tip of my tongue to the pill. It adhered to the moisture on my tongue. With a jerk I pulled on her wrist, so she would fall forward into me. She moved in my direction, and I wrapped my arm around her waist still holding her wrist, pinning her arm behind her back. It forced her to arch up and her lips parted in a reflex action. A little gasp erupted from her throat and I shoved my tongue in her mouth, pushing the little pill off the tip for her. I paused for a second and she swallowed. My goddamn cock was getting thicker inside my jeans. Damn, this girl was hot. She came at me hard, shoving her tongue in my mouth, twisting into our kisses, pulling her fist into my hair. I could have taken her right there on the top of that dirty sticky bar, but I figured we had better get her out before being thrown out.

"Let's get the fuck out of here," I said breathless.

"I thought you'd never ask," she said, and bolted off the bar to the back side where she snagged her purse out from under the bar. We split in a flash and headed over to my motel room next door.

Chapter Seven.

Niki The sharp ripping sound coming from the oversized tape dispenser pierced the air in my bedroom. Packing boxes were stacked in the corners, near the pale pink walls. Turquoise blue contrasted with black accents on the fabric of my bedspread and curtains to create a fresh modern design. Clothes from the closet with hangers still on them were laid over the back of my study desk chair. Shampoos and other toiletries from my bathroom were piled on top of my dresser, waiting for Kat to put them in a box. I looked at the teetering pile of toiletries, looked over at Kat sitting on the bed, then looked back at the pile and exhaled, knowing the box wouldn't get filled anytime soon. I walked over to another one I had begun to fill and bent over to pick up a soft plush item from the floor.

"Why are you taking that old thing?" Kat's head popped up from her iPhone screen. She frowned and looked perturbed with me. I knelt down and placed a large white teddy bear with a red ribbon around its neck, into the cardboard moving box on top of pairs of my endless collection of shoes. I closed the lid and sealing it with tape.

"It's a keepsake and besides, I need him to cuddle with him in bed at night when I can't get a date."

Kat looked up again, just long enough to roll her eyes. "The shoes you need, because we wear the same size, but the bear is kid stuff. You're going to be a lawyer for Christ's sake. Lawyers don't sleep with teddy bears. Just leave it."

Kat sat with her back propped up against the headboard of my bed and her legs bent at the knees, barking out orders, while posting an update to her status on Facebook. I was moving out of my dad's house and starting a new chapter in my life by renting an apartment with my best friend since high school, Kat.

"Hey, did he ever call you?" Kat asked, as she finally looked up from her phone.

"Who?"

"Trevor. The hot guy from Vegas."

"Trevor? Oh...that guy. Nah, never heard from him. But then again, he said he will call when he gets into town one day. Maybe I will hear from him one day."

"Cool. I liked him."

"Yea, I guess he was kind of cute."

"He was hot and ten times more fun than boring Jason. When are you going to tell him?"

"Tell him what?"

"That you are breaking up with him, dummy. You are still breaking up with him, right?"

"One thing at a time, hun. It was hard enough letting my dad know that I'm moving out of his royal empire."

I had lived at home my entire college career, with my dad and his ridiculously much too young second wife. Her name was Cinnamon. Yea, that's right, she had a stripper name. Twenty years younger than my dad, with a rockin' hot body and a stripper name.

When they married in Vegas six years ago, there was no way in hell I was ever going to call her mom. The name mom, deserved respect and I didn't have any for...Cinnamon. I cringed at the thought of saying her name out loud in parental situations. Like when I had to introduce her to my high school teacher senior year, at Open House night. "Hello Mrs. Hubert, this is my...er step-mom, Cinnamon." How humiliating.

I never blamed dad for wanting to remarry after mom's death. He was still a young man and I wanted him to be happy, just be happy. Do whatever it would take, follow your heart and be happy. That's what mom would have wanted.

I thought it would be hard leaving the house where mom had lived with us, when she was alive, but ever since Cinnamon arrived, her presence changed the vibe in the house. It was like mom's essence had been overshadowed by Cinnamon's personality. At first, I was angry at Cinnamon for invading my mother's house. I had her memories ingrained in the rooms where we all lived and interacted with warmth and love for each other. I was angry at dad too, but I didn't want to show it for fear of losing his adoration of me again, so I blamed Cinnamon and took it out on her. That was easier to do.

That was my senior year in high school. I was younger, more impulsive and full of drama, but I'm older now and especially since graduating from college, I felt ready to let go of all the old anger. I was tired of carrying around the pain and the hurt. It was weighing me down and now I was ready for some changes in my life.

"Kat, you know...that plan about me being a lawyer...going to law school and all-" I grabbed another folded box and assembled it for more shoes. I sat down cross legged on the floor at the foot of the bed and wrote the word, "bedroom" neatly on the outside of the box with a large black Sharpie marker. Kat barely heard me. She was consumed with her social networking on her phone.

"Hey, hey, check this out." She jumped up to her knees and crawled to the foot of the bed, laying out flat on her stomach, dangling her phone screen over the edge of the bed to show me a post on Facebook. "Lisa and Carley just posted that they are going to the Roxy on Saturday. We should go."

"Kat, did you even hear what I just said?" I waved the pen in the air as I spoke.