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  “Leave me alone, guys,” he scoffed back at them continuing his task. Old habits are hard to break.

  “Hey, E l l i c o t t.” They practically spelled out his given name in unison. “Your nerd is showing, better tuck it back in!”

  He uncharacteristically flipped them off as he shut the bathroom door, shaking his head at their antics. “Why do I put up with you assholes?” He laughed along with them from behind the closed door. Before he slid his hot jeans on, he took inventory of his bare legs. His leg muscles tightly constricted as he turned one way to the other, his legs strong from years of football, precursory to running and cycling after he left high school. He generally hid his strong, prominent muscles under business shirts and suits, wanting to appear studious rather than athletic.

  Where many men flaunted their taut bodies, Eli preferred it to be secondary to his intellectual achievements and capabilities. He sometimes found people took him less seriously if they considered him a jock. His high school glory days were far behind him and that high school championship ring would not be the key to his future successes. He loved that time of his life, but knew that he needed to remain focused on the future if he was to meet his goals.

  He quickly broke the reverie, fluffed his short, gelled hair, finished dressing, and headed out the door to his impatient friends. “Geez, dude, you didn’t even have any beer in your fridge, just a half bottle of some red wine.” One of them shot the comment accusingly at him. Before Eli spoke, his friend finished the ribbing. “But, don’t worry, we took care of it for you.” They all laughed again as they made their way out to the waiting car.

  They made the short drive, singing loudly to the CD blaring from the radio. They readied themselves with some classic Billy Joel, which was about as classic as Eli’s friends would ever get. Eli thought once again about Cassie as they pulled into the filling parking lot. He wondered if she ever took the opportunity to go bar-hopping. When they piled out of the car and made their way to the entrance, Eli trailed behind, checking the email on his phone one last time before he slid it away into his pocket.

  Chapter Six

  Eli noticed Cassie as soon as he entered the bar. She sat at the end of the bar almost a straight shot from the view of the entrance. His mouth went dry and he recounted the events of the afternoon. Did he tell her he would be there that night? Oh, man, you are full of yourself! he silently chastised. She did not come here for you! Get over it! Eli remembered their conversations remained strictly professional and never veered toward a piano bar, or anything similar, not even once.

  As his friends headed toward a table on the opposite side of the room from Cassie, Eli wondered if he should approach her. Social situations left him fumbling and he knew little of the rules of etiquette, especially in a situation like this. Eli figured she was probably there with someone, and he should just leave her alone. Chances were she was not looking for him in the first place and probably would not even notice him through the crowd of people. At that moment, the bar lights dimmed to indicate the real party was beginning. People seemed less hesitant to lose inhibitions with the lights dimmed just a touch. It was a great marketing tool; the owner seemed to sell more beer that way as well.

  Eli continued to the table his friends staked out and gave himself a seat facing Cassie. She continued to intrigue him and he thought a short study of her would not be intrusive. He planned to watch her movements and reactions, but it also helped she was absolutely stunning that night. No other woman in the place held anything on Cassie. No matter the crowd was, on average, ten years younger. Cassie carried herself with the essence of youth, tempered with the wisdom of her experiences and Eli wondered if she realized that.

  Eli ordered a Guinness beer and joined in the next sing-along. His friends’ voices, loud and raucous, almost drowned out everyone around them. This night, Eli enjoyed their outlandish immaturity, and planned to stay a little longer than he originally thought.

  He watched Cassie’s mouth from across the room as she sang along laughingly with the rest of the audience. The piano player exhibited an exceptional unruly mood for the night, and it fired up the energetic crowd. As he launched into a series of Irish drinking songs, everyone yelled each word. Eli enjoyed that Cassie did not know all the words, and giggled when she had no idea what the next line was. The bouncing ball from the days of children’s TV sing-alongs held nothing on the captivation of her lips. He felt the familiar warmth spreading through his mid-section again. He wondered what she tasted like. He also wondered if she even saw him there.

  * * * *

  She noticed him all right; it just took her a little longer. About an hour after Eli arrived, Cassie noticed him sitting at a table with a group of guys. She quickly looked down and wondered if she should leave. How long has he been here? Good grief, leave it to me to look like a stalker! She continued berating her choice to go to the piano bar. “If he sees me, he will think I followed him here.” She vocalized her chagrin under her breath. She casually turned toward the bartender, away from frontal view.

  As she turned, she surveyed the crowd. There was no way she could gracefully exit. The sea of audience lined wall to wall, she could not “stir the people with a stick”, as her grandma used to say.

  She debated on another drink, as the shock of seeing Eli had rapidly sobered her up. However, Cassie also knew rational thought and sober mind went hand in hand. Drinking led to verbal diarrhea and impulsivity. She knew this from many personal experiences in college.

  The bartender sensed her indecision and set another martini in front of her. “Just enjoy it.” He smiled at her. “You are the most beautiful and intriguing woman I’ve seen in here in months. Please stay for one more round; as they say, it’s on the house.”

  Cassie appreciated his kindness and generosity, although, she believed he exaggerated a wee much regarding his assessment of her. She took a sip of her drink and exhaled, deciding what to do. She realized the energy of the crowd, coupled with the strength of her martini, revealed that her “Irish was showing,” and she would indeed stay put for a little while longer.

  Not long after he served her with the martini, the bartender placed a Guinness in front of her. “Hey, what are you doing, I haven’t two-fisted drinks since college!” Cassie protested as he smiled broadly. The bartender shook his head and shrugged his shoulders as if to say, “Oh, well” before he smiled and pointed behind her toward the piano.

  Eli stood there in the middle of his band of merrymaking friends. They situated themselves behind the piano player, as he broke into another medley of beer-drinking songs. As they swayed in unison, he winked at Cassie and smiled. Embarrassed at first, she broke his gaze, but quickly reconnected with his eyes when she realized the jig was up on her location.

  * * * *

  All evening, Eli kept watching Cassie, debating to speak or not speak. He slowed his intake of Guinness so as not make some rash decision to be regretted the next day. As the night progressed, he realized she was there alone. He settled into a steady view of her and enjoyed her fluid and ladylike movements. She exuded her femininity proudly, yet could obviously hold her own if anyone approached her unbecomingly.

  Even with the restrictions of beer, Eli became light-headed and punchy. His mood continued to lighten with the sight of her and he knew he must make his presence known. He assumed a direct approach might be too forward or uncomfortable, so, he used an age-old cliché as an ice-breaker. He casually passed the word through the waitress to order a Guinness for the beautiful woman in black sitting alone at the bar. He chose not to include his buddies, as they might try to serenade Cassie.

  Everything timed perfectly and Eli’s position allowed him to watch the bartender set the beer down in front of Cassie. He enjoyed the animation of her protest of the beverage, before the bartender pointed him out. His heart stopped as he waited for her to turn around, and she managed to do that painfully slowly. As her recognition of him set in on her lovely features, the priceless look of sho
ck, not to mention her beauty, floored him once again. It amazed Eli that her face displayed every emotion so eloquently, she needed no words to express her thoughts.

  * * * *

  Cassie sat in her chair, confused as to what to do next. She relaxed, knowing that Eli took their coincidental meeting so casually. It convinced her he did not believe she was some stalker. She sang along with the rest of the audience, clapping as the end neared. She watched Eli pull away from his animated friends and disappear through the back of the crowd as the piano player wound the medley down.

  She wondered if she should take this opportunity to make an anonymous exit from the building. She stared at the half glass of Guinness for a moment and made the decision to depart. As she stood, her dizziness reminded her that next to the half-full beer was a completely empty martini glass. Whoa. Cassie drew in a sharp breath. She quickly returned to sitting in her chair, thankful it was a high-back bar chair instead of a simple barstool. “Can I get some water please?” she asked the bartender as he checked on her again.

  “Anything for you, doll.” He winked in return.

  Cassie felt a hand upon her back. Before it startled her, she heard Eli’s melodic masculine voice. “Hey, don’t I know you?”

  Cassie looked at Eli and smiled. “I believe you do, but you failed to disclose to me that you were such a talented singer.”

  Eli laughed at her obvious sarcasm. “I won’t quit my day job, really.” He nodded toward the half-empty glass beside her. “Not a Guinness fan?”

  Cassie shook her head before she explained. “I love Guinness, but, having had a few martinis, the combination didn’t love me in return.” At that moment, the bartender placed a glass of ice water in front of Cassie and asked if she needed anything else. She declined, hoping the water would clear her foggy mind.

  “I actually only had a couple myself, just in case those ruffians get out of control.” Eli pointed toward his crew of friends.

  “Would you like to finish mine?” Cassie asked him earnestly, not wanting to waste the beer. Or, was it that she wanted him to join her for a few moments? Cassie tried not to believe the latter notion.

  “I would love to help you out with that,” Eli replied with an earnest smile. Eli pulled a bar chair up next to Cassie’s and asked her if she would like something to eat to clear her mind.

  “Actually, food does sound very good right now, I don’t think I ate much after I took Joshua to lunch today.” It relieved Cassie that Eli made such a sensible suggestion.

  Eli asked the bartender for a menu and he obliged quickly. “The bar restaurant serves till 3am, so, pretty much anything you see here is a possibility.”

  Cassie scanned the items, embarrassed at what sounded the best to her. Eli sensed her hesitance and mistook it for disinterest. “Not really see anything you like?” he asked her politely, with a touch of concern.

  Cassie’s mind went directly to the gutter with his innocent question. I’d like to see you served up in a dessert cup. Her imagination entertained the thought, but Cassie kept that revelation to herself.

  “Umm, actually, fried pickles sound wonderful.” Cassie relented almost ashamedly.

  Eli’s eyes lit up at her disclosure. “They have the best in town, and I’ve tried them everywhere.” He proclaimed the revelation proudly. He leaned in mysteriously toward Cassie and added a sincere promise. “I won’t tell your trainer.”

  Cassie sat perplexed for a moment. “Trainer?” she repeated, almost dumbfounded.

  Eli blushed quickly, realizing what he said. “I just meant you are in such great shape, you must have a personal trainer, as in hard-core exercise.” Cassie blushed in return. They sat realizing that they were two adults blushing at an innocent impression.

  I need to get out more. Cassie chastised her inexperience. I do not know how to behave around an adult male.

  * * * *

  Eli rebuked himself for such an inappropriate comment. He had actually admitted to checking her out, head to toe. She must believe he was some kind of Neanderthal. “Look, I wasn’t trying to be rude, can we begin again?”

  Cassie giggled and nodded in approval. “Okay, but you didn’t say anything too terrible.”

  Eli began again describing the menu items. “The fried pickles here are the absolute best and guaranteed to restore your equilibrium.”

  Cassie took on a serious expression. “Thank you, sir, for that eloquent recommendation. I say we go for it.”

  Eli summoned the bartender once again and ordered the large serving of fried pickles. Without prompting, the bartender brought two more waters over as well.

  “He is very attentive for such a busy man,” Cassie observed appreciatively.

  “Yes, he has always taken good care of us when we come here to unwind,” Eli replied.

  Eli absentmindedly picked up Cassie’s glass of Guinness and took a long sip. Cassie watched his mouth and throat as they moved in synchrony to swallow. Cassie almost visibly gulped, imagining how intimately he could use that gorgeous mouth. How she also longed to rake her tongue along his smooth neck.

  They sat in silence for a few moments, taking in the crowd. Eli broke the reverie. “Look, I know it’s odd we ran into each other here tonight, but we are not doing anything wrong.”

  “I know, I really don’t go out often at all. I just needed a break, you know?” She paused for a moment before she continued. “It’s just completely bizarre you happen to be here as well.”

  Eli rubbed his chin thoughtfully before replying. “Maybe fortuitous grace instead of bizarre?”

  Cassie liked his thought process. “I think I could accept that.”

  Eli’s friends carried on at their table, seemingly unaware that Eli had yet to return to them. Cassie’s order arrived and they shared the hot appetizer with unapologetic hunger. The bartender kept their water glasses filled and they tipped accordingly. They laughed as they watched the people in the crowd become intoxicated and silly.

  As they watched certain crowd members speak animatedly, Eli made up words to go with their moving mouths. They observed a young couple escalate from quiet dissension to a full-blown argument. Their anger made them oblivious to anyone watching. As the young woman gestured her hands wildly, Eli interpreted. “How could you become a male stripper? I knew it was you behind that mask!” When the young man leaned in with a frustrated expression, Eli added fuel for Cassie’s laughter. “But, darling, I did it for you; you said you always wanted to date a superhero!” Eli continued the dramatic improvisation, when the young woman crossed her arms indignantly. “Your package isn’t impressive enough under those tights to be a superhero.”

  His quick wit and amazing sense of humor kept Cassie laughing almost to tears.

  Chapter Seven

  Cassie found it incredibly easy to talk to Eli. As always happened during good times, the minutes passed quickly and it was shortly after midnight when Cassie finally consulted her watch. Cassie didn’t want the evening to end and Eli wasn’t showing any signs of leaving either. It was fairly obvious they were each other’s best social interactions in too long of a stretch.

  “I really want to keep talking with you, Cassie. Do you have to leave soon?” Eli almost implored.

  After thinking, she realized Joshua was with a friend for the night and she had nothing stopping her. “I don’t have to leave, Eli, not for a while anyway.” She lowered her voice before she continued. “I’m really enjoying your company too.”

  Although the raging sexual chemistry ran rampant between them, their conversations took precedence over their physical needs. Cassie’s mind needed just as much attention as her body and she relished the stimulating conversation. Eli talked with her, not down to her, and his ideas were phenomenal.

  * * * *

  Eli enjoyed speaking with a woman who knew about life, experienced a family, and valued her self-worth. He found her more attractive than any woman he ever encountered.

  Eli expected he could make a split from hi
s friends. He knew them well enough that they would give him a hard time, but let him off easily. It was then Eli remembered he rode with them to the piano bar. “Oh, Cassie, I rode with these hooligans and left my own car at home. Would you give me a ride back to my place?” A few moments passed without Cassie saying anything. Eli sensed her uncertainty, “Look, you don’t have to if you aren’t comfortable with it; I honestly thought I would be leaving with them.” Eli felt awkward that he asked Cassie for a ride home. It felt like some type of cheesy come on. He had his share of one-night stands, just not in the past few years. As much as he enjoyed sex, he preferred to know more about his partner than her name and phone number. Eli certainly did not intend to hit Cassie up for sex—at least not that night.

  * * * *

  Cassie’s mind reeled into fast rewind mode as she replayed the evening. She knew he did not intend to pick her up, he did not even know she would be there. Yet, normally she did not take home strangers from any bar. Eli essentially was still a stranger.

  Cassie thought hard for a moment. Her intuition told her Eli would keep his advances to himself. However, she had begun to distrust her own raging primal needs. Everything had happened so magically so far, she feared too much more openness might ruin everything.

  Cassie finally relented. “Yes, I will give you a ride. I’m just not used to this and alarms automatically go off in my head.” Everything Cassie said was true, she just left out the snippet about her aching center of need pulsing rapidly between her thighs.

  “I’ll be a gentleman through and through, promise.” Eli held up his hand as if he was in a court of law.