I briskly sachet toward my chosen man of the evening sitting in the back of the speakeasy, making sure to check if someone is following me. He sets his drink on the nearby coffee table while he laughs with his friends, and just as he settles back in his eclectic armchair, I touch his shoulder.
"Hey, babe!" I slide onto his lap and let my legs dangle from my short dress.
He understandably tenses. "Um. I don't know you."
"Shh..." I affectionately brush some hair from his forehead, as if I've done it before. But I anxiously shift my gaze around the room. "Do you have a significant other?"
His voice drops in suspicion. "No..."
My hand glides down his face. My thumb brushes against his cheekbone, and when my fingers reach his jaw, I feel it relax from my touch. Until I ask, "Are you attracted to me?"
"What?"
I hush him and rest my fingers on his soft lips. While I look into his eyes, the collective hum from the other guests socializing surrounds us. Even though my heart races with nervous anticipation, I try to look as captivating as possible. I don't want to beg. Yet.
I drop my fingers from his lips so he can respond, but he drops his gaze as well. Is he going to say no? Do I need to mention my stalker again?
"Well..." His eyes flick to mine. "Yes. You're very pretty."
I kiss him.
Our breath swells in unison, and after a beat of hesitation, he wraps his arms around me. I can't help but smile. We kiss slowly, lingering on each other's lips until we're desperate for air. The humming dulls until I can't hear anything—I can only feel his moist lips and gentle tongue. Longing fills my center until it overflows and dampens my panties. He softly groans when I nuzzle my ass in his crotch.
I want more.
"Please, I need to pretend we're together," I breathe. "My ex followed me here. I need someone to protect me."
With one arm, he immediately pulls my waist tight against him, and he cradles the back of my head with his free hand. I relax on his chest while he kisses me more forcefully—while he claims me in this busy bar that harbors someone who could hurt me.
Again, I softly beg him, "Please." He kisses me with so much passion that I lose all of my strength. I accept everything he gives me. He nips my bottom lip. He tugs my hair and squeezes my waist. He shows everyone that I am his and no one else can have me. I meekly whine to praise his full authority.
He rips his lips from mine and surveys the speakeasy like a predator. He growls, "Where is he?"
"Who?"
The wildness in his eyes dims. "Your ex-boyfriend..."
"Oh!" I sweetly laugh. "I made him up."
He blinks. He blinks again. Then he tilts his head. "Excuse me?"
I heartedly laugh. "I just wanted to make out with you." When I turn to his friends, their expressions span from "This girl is hilarious" to "This girl is crazy."
I turn back toward my man of the evening and stroke his jaw. Leaning to his ear, I murmur, "Do you want to come home with me?"
I watch him silently consult his friends with his eyes. One whispers "No" behind me, but my guy's hand comfortably rests on my bare thigh.
My rule is to wait for five seconds.
One Mississippi.
Two Mississippi.