Neanderthal Seeks Human(14)
No one was dancing, which was understandable as the music was low and inconspicuous; instead, they sat on large circle shaped cushions which looked like giant lily pads and conversed. There were other groups, mostly in pairs, who snuggled together while encased within booths that had been carved into the bases of the trees.
Everyone was gorgeous, every single person, in that glossy, shiny, plastic way. It was like being in a room of animated mannequins. Their mouths moved but rarely did their expressions change. I’m sure there were famous people present but I didn’t immediately recognize any faces. I began to feel a familiar comfort descend as I became an observer. No one would notice me in this room of plastic women and perfect, sinewy limbs.
“I’m good.” I finally met Elizabeth’s worried gaze and smiled as the bartender approached.
She eyed me with plain contemplation then nodded once, “Ok. But if you want to go then just say the word.”
Before we could order a bleach blond bartender with big brown eyes placed two glistening glasses of what I surmised was champagne on the bar; he gave us a crooked grin which was somehow perfectly paired with his Australian accent.,
“Ladies, these are for you. I’ve also been instructed to put anything else you order on the same tab as well. I’m David. Let me know if you need anything.”
Elizabeth recovered faster than I did; “Uh, I don’t know if we can accept these without first knowing our benefactor.”
His smile widened and his gaze moved over her silky turquoise dress in conspicuous appreciation, “I can’t divulge that.”
“Then we don’t want them.” Elizabeth began to push the glasses back to the bartender but he stopped her by leaning over the bar and leveling his lips with her ear. He whispered something which I couldn’t hear and I frowned, my attention diametrically split between their exchange and the rest of the room.
When he leaned back her gaze followed his movements with obvious suspicion. He merely smiled, the same crooked smile, and winked at her; he added before leaving, “Like I said, let me know if you need anything.”
I met her pensive expression with one of my own; “What did he say?”
“He asked me to drink the champagne. He said if I didn’t drink it he might get in trouble.” She lifted the golden liquid to her lips, her inky lashes hiding the movements of her eyes as they surreptitiously swept over the inhabitants of the bar with renewed interest.
“This is unexpected.” I said, dutifully picking up my glass.
A short laugh escaped her throat followed by an extremely uncomely snort, “Not really, we look hot.” she tipped her glass against mine and lifted it in a toast, “To looking hot and getting free stuff.”
I tapped my glass against hers and we took a sip of the champagne; Elizabeth continued her survey of the room over my shoulder when, suddenly, I saw her eyes widen as she half choked on the bubbly liquid. She set her flute down clumsily and coughed. Her hand went to her chest but her gaze was still transfixed over my shoulder.
“Janie,” she coughed, cleared her throat, then tried again, “Don’t turn-”
“Let me get you some water.” I started to walk around her but her arm reached out and held me in place.
“Don’t-” she coughed, swallowed, her voice now a horse whisper, “Don’t move- don’t. Oh, he’s here!”
“Hey.” A male voice spoke from behind me and it sounded strangely familiar. I turned just my head toward the greeting and was met by the towering form of Sir Handsome McHotpants, clothed in a black suit, open neck black shirt, and startling blue eyes directed squarely at me.
CHAPTER 4
My heart skipped two beats. I turned fully around.
Ohmygod, it’s you.
“Ohmygod, it’s you.” I realized too late that I said and thought the same thing in unison.
He gave me a whisper of a smile, his eyes moving over me with a slow deliberateness that made me shiver even as I felt a dismaying hot flush rise to my cheeks: lips, neck, shoulders, chest, stomach, hips, thighs, legs, shoes. His gaze lingered on my shoes before it traveled upward again.
Finally he said, as his blue stare met mine again, “Yep. It’s me.”
I was speechless; my usually cluttered brain was blank. I could only gape at him. Thankfully, Elizabeth spoke from behind me, “Hi, I’m Elizabeth.”
His eyes moved beyond me to where she stood. I took the opportunity to make some semblance of an attempt to gather my wits from where they lay scattered on the floor, on the bar, on the ceiling- like blood from a gunshot victim.
“Hi, I’m Quinn.” He gave her a closed lipped, socially acceptable for the situation, friendly enough smile and I tried to think of something to say as Quinn and Elizabeth shook hands over the bar.