Chapter 1:
I stood at the bar, checked my phone for the 10th time in as many minutes. Where was she? I felt a warm breath against my ear, hands slid discreetly slightly under my shirt.
"Wanna come out back with me baby?"
"Please remove your hands, before I scream."
The man dropped his hands and peered over at my face.
"God, sorry. I thought you were someone I met here a few weeks ago. Can I buy you a drink? Earn your forgiveness?"
"Not needed, but thanks."
He finally stepped back. I hated to admit it, but it made me feel tingles deep inside. Tingles I hadn't felt in quite some time. I text Amanda again, where was she?
I sipped my water, thankful it wasn't too busy at the bar. A favorite song of mine came on and I smiled, much to my own surprise.
"Will you dance with me?"
The man from before, stood in front of me this time. His hand held out in kind gesture. I decided a dance wouldn't hurt, besides it was a great song. He led me to the dance floor, his hand held mine softly.
"I really am sorry about before. I thought this girl and I had a connection, she left me a fake number."
"Sorry about that. Girls are bitches."
He laughed, a full belly laugh that lit up his face. I grinned at him.
"I'm Derrick, you?"
"Carly."
He smiled down at me, not nearly as tall as I thought he was. Still taller than me, though. The song ended and I checked my phone again.
"Sorry, not meaning to be rude. I was supposed to meet a friend here, she's late. Or not coming or something."
"When was she supposed to be here?"
"9:30."
"It's 10:30 now."
"I know."
I sighed, running my hand through my hair.
"Girlfriend?"
"No, just a friend. She was supposed to help me with something. I should have known better, but I didn't... sorry. You don't want to hear all this."
"Maybe I do. Come, sit with me."
He offered his hand again, calling over a waitress. He ordered a coke for himself, I was surprised but I ordered one too.
"So your friend then."
"She owes me cash from something I helped her out with awhile ago. Now I need the cash, and she's no where to be found."
"I have cash."
"I couldn't possibly....no, she'll be here. I hope."
"Are you positive?"
A lone tear fell from my eye as I looked at him, he ran his thumb over the knuckles on my hand.
"I'm not sure about anything anymore. I really don't mean to be dumping this all on you. It's been a really crappy few weeks I guess."
"I'm a good listener. Talk to me Carly."
He slid closer on the bench and wrapped his arm over my shoulders. He dabbed at my cheek with a napkin and I sipped at our newly arrived sodas.
"I got kicked out of my apartment, cause the landlord's niece needed a place to stay. It wasn't that bad, cause I figured I could stay with my Aunt for awhile. I did, and slept on her couch. Until her latest boyfriend hit on me, made a move on me and she kicked me out. I've been staying at a friends' on her sofa, but I can't be there any longer. My job wasn't paying enough for me to sleep at a hotel. And now, my boss fired me this morning because I was late again. My friend owes me this money, I need to get minutes for my phone, I need a job. I...I...I can't do this anymore."
I turned into the chest of the man I just met, he wrapped his other arm around me and held me as I sobbed into his shirt.
"Derrick, I am so...so sorry."
"Hey, hey...shhh. It's okay, really. Breathe Carly, just breathe."
I took a few sips of my soda, taking a few deep breaths to appease Derrick. I looked up into his brown eyes, I thought he might kiss me.
"Carly, I can help you, if you'll let me."
"How?"
"Are you single? No boyfriend? Girlfriend?"
"I'm single. And I'm straight."
He smiled down at me.
"I'm single too. But, I am a little straight, little not."
I smiled up at him, waited for him to continue.
"I will tell you everything. But first, I want you to come home with me. And nothing needs to happen, not tonight. Not if you don't want it to."
"You mean sex."
"Yes. You're not a virgin, are you?"
"No."
"Good. Now, will you come home with me?"
He stood, offering me his hand once again. This time, I took it; not only willingly but almost excitedly. He expertly hailed a taxi, he had my one bag slung over his shoulder, the other in his hand. I slid into the taxi, he put the two bags in the trunk. Derrick spoke quickly to the driver, who expertly pulled away from the curb and into the evening traffic of our busy city. Derrick held his arm open to me and for some reason I was inclined to slide closer, leaned my head on his broad chest.
"Carly? I don't scare you, do I?"
"No...why?"
"Just, I'm a big guy. Some are scared, but I'd never hurt anyone."
"Somehow, I know that. I mean, look at what you've done for me already."
"I haven't done anything."
"Yes. You have."
I pulled my head up to look at him, his dark brown eyes peered down at me. The taxi driver began to get on the highway, away from the city.
"Where are we going?"
"Home, my place?"
"You don't live in the city?"
"I have a place in the city, but I thought you might be more comfortable at my house. It's not far from here."
"You have two places?"
"Oh, more than that. But, these are the two I spend the most time at. "
More than two homes? What was I getting myself into with him? All I knew is that he'd been nice, but what was he expecting from me.
"Derrick?"
"Carly? Ask me anything, I will tell you honestly."
"How old are you?"
He smiled.
"I am 33. How old are you?"
"25. What do you do for work? How come you have more than one place to live?"