She pushed off the counter and leaned back against the opposite counter, crossing her arms over her ample chest. “Nope, but I’ve had your type in here before. I’m just letting you know that it might be wise for you to help yourself out the front door, or someone else will.”
“My type, huh? And what type would that be?” I knew I was getting her riled up, but I didn’t care. I wanted to keep hearing her talk. Her voice was strangely soothing, even though her words were harsh.
Now she was the one smiling. Her tongue flicked out over her lower lip. “The type that waltzes in here, flirts with the local talent, thinks he’s going to fuck her, and then walks away without so much as leaving a name.”
“I have no problem telling you my name, sweetheart.”
“I’m not interested in your name. Nor am I interested in fucking you, so how about you finish up your drink and head on home.”
I looked down at my drink, and then back up at her. I noticed that her pinky finger was shaking slightly under her tucked arm, and her chest was heaving a bit too much for someone that was just having a semi-flirtatious conversation. Pushing a bit more, I tested her limits.
“What’s your name?”
She sighed. “Fine, I’ll play. It’s Kat.”
“Kat? Is that with a C or a K?”
“It’s with a K. Short for Katherine.” She hesitated before she turned the question back to me. “I showed you mine, now you show me yours.”
Was she flirting with me? “I’m Timber. It’s nice to meet you Kat, short for Katherine.” I gave her the full force of my smile. Clearing my throat, I ran my finger along the rim of the glass. “Seems we have one obstacle out of the way.”
She knew right away what I was implying. However, I would never just fuck her and leave. Oh no. She’s the girl that you never get your fill of. She’s the type that you take home to meet the parents. She’s the kind of sweet that you ache for with every taste. She’s the type that you want forever. Except… she didn’t need to know I wasn’t interested in a quick fuck. I didn’t know what I wanted with her; I just knew that I wanted to keep talking to her. She was making my heart feel like it was vibrating just by being near her. I saw her eyes widen with my words, then she closed them, sucking in a deep breath through her nose. When she opened them again, there was resolve there.
“All right, Timber, I think we are done here.” She looked around the bar at the other patrons she’d been ignoring since I’d sat down. “I’ve got work to do. Enjoy your drink.”
Kat walked down the bar and began serving another customer, effectively leaving me without a chance to respond. I sat, slowly sipping my drink, and observed her. She moved easily and spoke to other people with grace. It seemed they all liked her. And why wouldn’t they? The feel around her was calming. I selfishly wanted more of it. In fact, I wanted it all to myself. I wanted her to know who I was. I needed her to remember me. Something in me was pushing me to get her attention again and announce that I was the guy she hated in high school.
About fifteen minutes passed and I saw her start to walk towards the back. Having no idea what I was doing or what I was going to say, I stood up from my chair and followed her. She was halfway down the long dimly lit hallway when I caught up with her. Touching her elbow, I said, “Kat.”
She swung around, gasping. I’d startled her. “Jesus Christ, Timber.” She was clutching her chest. “For such a large man you move too stealthily. I didn’t even hear you behind me.”
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to scare you,” I said.
Kat was looking up at me, her head tipped all the way back. She was so tiny next to my taller frame. “Well, you did. You’re not even supposed to be back here. What do you need?”
I was making her nervous. Needing to come out with it, I said, “Kat, we know each other.”
“What are you talking about? I just met you.” She shook her head back and forth, her long brown hair swaying.
“Cut the shit, Kat, I can see it all over your face right now. You know exactly who I am, so why have you been pretending that you don’t?” I really didn’t know, but I was taking a wild guess.
The pulse on the side of her neck was beating rapidly and her eyes started darting around. One thing I learned while in the Army is when someone’s eyes go a certain way they are coming up with a lie. Kat just gave herself away and she didn’t even realize it.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She backed up against the wall to get some space from me. “I saw you for the first time last night, and now you have me backed into a corner. You and I don’t know each other and I think it’s time for you to leave.”