Just One Night

[Charlotte]

“Come on Charlie, live a little!” Juni puts a drink in my hand. It’s large and pink and smells like fruity gasoline.

“I don’t drink!” I scream back at her over the booming music, my eyes burning from the flashing club lights.

“Your cheating bastard husband just fucked his mistress in front of you! In front of your kids! For fuck’s sake, you deserve a drink!”

Juniper tosses her shot of tequila with a single gulp, shivering as the burn makes its way down her throat. “Hot damn!" she exclaims in appreciation before slamming her glass on the bar. "Come on, sis, woman up! Just one drink and you’ll feel better, I promise!”

Taking a sip I almost gag. It tastes worse than it smells. I have so little tolerance for alcohol that the buzz hits my head almost immediately.

“See…” Juni purrs. ‘Better right?”

“No,” I feel my eyes start to water. “What’s in this?”

“Not sure,” she shrugs. “Does it matter?”

“I guess not,” I take another drink.

Juni sets a kiss on my cheek as she hops off the bar stool. “I’m going to get myself a piece of that beefcake over there,” she points to a handsome young man in the center of the crowd. He was cute in a conventional kind of way. Definitely her type. It used to be my type too, until tonight.

“Have fun!”

Sometimes I wish I was as carefree and bold as she is. Maybe tonight I can be. Taking another drink, I build up my courage to swim out into that sea of bodies and forget myself. Unfortunately, I can’t get Andy’s last words out of my head. He shouted such horrible, ugly, untrue things for the whole neighborhood to listen to while our children were crying in my arms. That was right before he accused me of cheating on him, and told me that he didn’t believe our daughters were his.

Then that slut in the red dress sauntered past us. Andy left us standing there hurt and confused and proceeded to march her into our house where, in full view of our daughters and everyone else on the street, he immediately began to pound into her against the living room picture window. I’ll never forget the meaty slapping sound of her perfect ass hitting the glass while she moaned loud enough to make the neighborhood dogs howl.

Taking another big gulp of this foul concoction, I finally feel brave enough to approach the dance floor.

But then I look up and see something that makes me pause.

Across the bar facing my direction is a man in a gray suit without a tie, his white shirt unbuttoned to the collarbone. His large muscles are barely contained within his expensive-looking jacket and the open collar of his shirt reveals the edges of an artfully inked tattoo of what I think might be a chrysanthemum. Power and confidence roll off him in waves, affecting all those around him, and drawing me in as well. It is almost impossible not to stare at this adonis of a man, with the cheekbones and chin of a god but the eyes and smile of a devil. With more careful inspection, I notice he has just a hint of gray in his loose chestnut curls, but it doesn’t take away from the beauty of his face or the shine of his green-hazel eyes, which I notice are looking me over as well.

And then our gazes lock. He makes sure I know he appreciates what he sees with the way he is drinking me in with his eyes. It's like he wants to devour me, and it makes me shiver, but not from cold. I’ve never had a man look at me this way before.

This man is trouble. I don’t need any more trouble in my life.

Blinking, I take another long drink and then turn towards the dance floor. I think I’m ready. Maybe.

Walking into the crowd I let it take me.

[Micah]

I don’t usually mix with the patrons, but tonight I need a release.

I just discovered that my girlfriend of 4 years has been fucking my protégé, Andy, for the last three months while at the same time she helped him embezzle 1.5 million dollars. She has no idea that I know, and I have no intention of telling her. I want to see how deeply she digs her hole before it all caves in around her. Besides, I have plans for her and Andy, I just need the perfect trap.

They will get what is coming to them. Nobody double-crosses me.

Shaking off my anger, I breathe deeply as I take a seat at the bar and order my usual whiskey. Drinking it down, I look up to see a lonely angel sitting by herself, making faces at her drink.

Gods, she is beautiful. Her golden tan skin is shining brightly, even in the dim lights of the bar, and I can see she has an incredible figure, even though most of it is hidden by the counter. I imagine where my hands might fit along its curves, full and ripe, with just the right amount of softness supported by beautifully defined muscles. My fingers ache to comb through her tousled hair which is a rich shade of midnight black cascading across her shoulders and down her back in elegant waves.

But her most stunning feature is her eyes. Bright gray with just the smallest bit of blue. The eyes of an angel.

She must have feel me staring because she looks up while taking a drink, assessing me as well.  For a moment our vision crosses and when our gazes lock, my heart stops.

It should be a sin to be that beautiful.

Why is she here alone? Someone like her should never be alone.

She blinks and takes another sip of her foul drink.

I look away to say something to the bartender. When I turn my head again her stool is empty.

She’s gone.

Where did she go? Was she a dream?

Scanning the crowd, I see my angel, a spark of light in a gold sequined dress, swaying alone.

[Charlotte]

The bodies are all too close, grinding against one another, gyrating with the beat of primal drums and electronic trills. The room smells like sex, sweat, and spilled booze. Even with my sensitive senses dulled by the effects of the drink, I am almost overwhelmed to the point of feeling sick. Changing my mind, I begin to turn away when a strong hand grabs me from behind, pulling me into him. He smells of cheap aftershave and cheaper beer.

"Not so fast, hot stuff," he claws at my waist, the sequins catching on his nails. "You look like you need some company."

"Not from you" I growl as I struggle to pull away. He just grabs on tighter.

The sharp cracking of bones catches my attention as the man jumps back. Holding what is most likely a broken hand. He scowls at someone behind him.

"What the f..." he starts to scream but then changes his mind, the color draining from his face.

"Leave. Now." a voice behind me commands. The jerk scatters away, falling all over himself trying to flee.

Turning, I look up to see who my rescuer is only to find myself face-to-face with my devil from the bar. Even though he doesn't know me, he looks down at me with tenderness and concern, his hand reaching down to touch my cheek.

"Did he hurt you," his voice is soft.

"No," I can barely speak as he moves in closer.

"Do you want me to hurt him?" he asks with a smirk.

"Maybe," I admit, smiling back.

His smile grows. "Done."

He places a hand on my waist. Timidly, I reach up to place my hand on his chest.

Reaching down, he kisses my fingertips as if I am some perfect, precious thing. Feeling bold, and maybe a little bit open to danger, I slide my fingertips down his chest, feeling the hard ridges of his perfect pectorals and his washboard abs. I am about to grab his waist to bring him in closer when he spins me around, placing my back against him. Swaying to the music, our bodies align perfectly, his intoxicating scent of sandalwood and sage enveloping me, covering me like a warm blanket. Our hips begin to move together in perfect sync,

Maybe it is the alcohol, or my stinging heart, but something in me clicks into place.

I want this man.

My husband already thinks I'm cheating on him.

Fine. Then I’ll do just that.

Because for just one night, I want to forget about Andy and pretend he never existed.

I also want to let this man take me in every way, erasing all traces of my husband's hands, his kisses, and all of his false promises to love and honor me.

So when this mysterious stranger whispered in my ear,  "Let's get out of here," I didn't think twice. I took his offered hand and his offered coat.

I didn't even know his name and I didn't need to.