This is the first story in a short story collection I am currently working on.
*****
Aspine
The first crack of lightning was preceded by an ominous rumble of thunder. A heavy downpour of rain soon followed. Simon, Aspine's tabby, let out a sorrowful meow as he scurried to safety under her bed.
"Scaredy cat." Aspine admonished gently with a slight smirk. She pulled up the soft down comforter and snuggled deeper into the soft haven of her bed.
Streaks of light danced across her bedroom wall, lighting up the darkness in zebra stripes of white wash. The rain patter across the roof played a treble beat of seductive rhythm, soothing to her ears. The splashing water drops on the pavement outside her window, made for a sultry acoustic accompaniment. She thought of him then.
The guy from the bar. The guitar player. His pale grey eyes haunted as he picked and strummed his custom Jaguar Fender. The power he possessed over the crowd, over her, spread through her very being like a drug. His music rippled through the air and landed gently on those secret aching places. Each strum like a beautiful stroke against her body, each pluck like a butterfly kiss invading her mind.
She was not sure why she was so fascinated by him, or why she had even ended up in this bar. She was not really the bar type. She had spent many an evening on her balcony, listening to the music, as snippets escaped when patrons entered and exited. Nothing had ever enticed her to come through the doors before tonight. She had seen many couples share private moments in that alley. doing things to each other that would not be talked about in the light of the next day.
Tonight had been different. It was like the music drew her in. Not just any music, but the music he was playing. She got up from her chaise on the balcony and walked down the alley to the bar, only hesitating slightly as she pushed through the double doors and entered. Aspine made her way to the bar and ordered two longnecks. After getting her beer, she looked out to see if she could find an open place to sit and enjoy the music. Quickly drinking the contents of the first beer before leaving the bar, she was now full of liquid courage.
He had been playing his heart out. It felt like his fingers were possessed the last two nights they had been playing this gig. He felt like he was possessed and then she walked into the bar. His heart had done something it had not done in a long while. It stuttered with happiness. He swore he could feel it actually swell in joy. His fingers floated across the strings. He decided to play a new song from the band's repertoire. It was called Rain Drop Kisses. Guaranteed to get everyone laid, he promised his band members as he wrote it late into the night.
In his heart, he felt he was writing for his soul mate. He hoped the song would call to her. He was tired of being alone. He wanted something tangible, something real. He nodded to the band as she found her way to the bar and just as she was turning to look for a place to sit the song started its first haunting chords. He especially liked this song because he wrote it and he gave himself a great solo piece to play. It would give him a chance to be out front and center for a few minutes. Just as he expected, the house lights dimmed and the crowd rushed to the dance floor. The lilting lyrics and seductive guitar chords calling everyone to dance like the pied piper.
In the darkness of the bar, lit by flashing strobes of light and banker lamps hovering over pool tables, the outlines of shadowed bodies filled the tables and chairs. Small crowds gathered in clumps around the bar and dining area, steadfastly avoiding the dance floor. Only a few brave souls were dancing in slow rhythmic motions. Aspine sipped on her second beer as she moved closer towards the dance floor, hoping to find an open chair near there. As she approached the dance floor, the music changed. All around the bar, seats emptied, as everyone rushed to the dance floor.
The dance floor was packed with bodies amidst the swirls of smoke, giving the place an otherworldly vibe. She felt the notes as they reached her ears, and burrowed into her mind and chest. Each note touched her, caressed her. Dancing and gyrating to the music, Aspine felt it was as if he was playing just for her. She had unknowingly danced her way right up to the front and center of the dance floor. Was she carried there by the throng of bar goers she wondered briefly?
She truly could not remember how she had arrived there, nor did she care. She was in his space and that was all that mattered at the moment. She thought maybe that she had one too many drinks and almost set her beer down on the corner of the stage. Deciding against it, she swallowed more of the amber liquid.
From where she was standing, she could see the worn out athletic shoes that ended at the bottom of his torn, jean clad legs. Following the length of his legs upward to his tattoo covered arms, Aspine admired the nice artwork. She watched his fingers caress each note, coaxing the Fender to his will. Aspine so wanted to be the instrument that his fingers played.
She continued up to his Def Leppard tee shirt clad chest. His chest muscles were clearly defined. His dirty blonde hair was shaved on the sides and pulled back into an impressive man bun on top. He had a strong jawline accented by a dimple in his chin and pale grey eyes. He was a guitar god.
Aspine watched him as he looked out at the dancing, captive audience. A sea of flesh mesmerized by the touch of his fingers. His pale grey eyes searching, beckoning. Across the ocean of bodies and dimly lit dance floor his eyes met hers and she felt a spark go through her body. He walked closer to the edge of the stage and kneeled down in front of her. His fingers played frantically across the strings. In that moment, he played just for her. Aspine placed her beer bottle on the edge of the stage so she could dance freely.
She heard the roar of the crowd loud in her ears. He played the solo like he was speaking to her in a secret language. She lifted her arms above her head and spun in a circle letting his music caress every inch of her body. He reached out and took her hand in his. He placed a soft kiss on her fingers before rising again, taking her beer with him and drinking the contents while walking back to center stage.
Aspine's eyes looked incredulously at the spot where his lips had just been. The heat from his mouth still imprinted there. She pressed her hand to her cheek as she continued to sway to the music. Shortly afterward, the last strains of the song came to an end and the band members left the stage. The dj continued much too slowly with another thumping song. The magic spell she felt was broken. The bodies on the dance floor dispersed. Before long she was one of just a few left on the dance floor. She felt barren, bereft, as she walked away slowly, once again wondering what had made her come here. She felt alone. She decided to go sit at the bar. There was a large crowd around the bar. Aspine soon realized finding a place to sit was futile.
Disappointed, Aspine decided to go home. Turning to head to the door she nearly ran into...him.
"Hello" he said in a sultry voice that held a hint of musicality. His voice sounded like a song was just simmering under each word.
"Hi back" Aspine answered in a slightly higher octave than normal.
He leaned down slightly so he could speak directly into her ear.
"I have an extra if you are interested" He said as he held up an unopened bottle of Bud. Aspine looked at the bottle briefly, considering her options, before shaking her head yes and taking it from him. Technically he owed her one.
"Thank you." she said.
"No prob. I got it for Max, but he seems to be ...preoccupied." He explained.
