Her hand trembling slightly, she eyed the lit cigarette contemptuously as though it were a foreign object. Strangely, she found herself rather repulsed by it and therefore unable to bring her lips to it. Quickly, she reached for a nearby ashtray and ground it out without hesitation.
Smoking was a habit that Jessica had taken up only recently. She didn’t enjoy it in the least bit, but did it nevertheless whenever she found herself in a social situation. Now as Jessica suspected, it had become a psychological addiction of sorts. Part of the reason she did it was because she felt she had to. Smoking had become a big part of the bad-girl persona that she had created for herself. Both smoking and drinking now went hand in hand and were, in her opinion, essential for the upkeep of her new image.
Instead of joining the action, the moment she had entered the club she had retreated to the bar where she now sat working up the courage to make her way onto the dance floor.
Running a hand tiredly through her blonde hair, she ordered another drink and sat sipping it quietly, oblivious to the frenzy of excitement around her. She was so mystified by the thoughts and images which raced through her mind that she didn’t even notice as he sat down next to her and ordered a drink for himself. It wasn’t until she felt his imploring gaze upon her that she was distracted from her thoughts.
Wearily, she turned to face him and was more than surprised to find a pair of stunning blue eyes staring back at her. She felt her breath catch momentarily as she was completely taken aback by the sheer intensity of them. Something about them seemed so familiar, but she was unable to remember why.
“I’m Nick,” he whispered leaning forward slightly so she was able to hear him over the din.
Instinctively, she pulled back from him, suddenly uncomfortable with the close proximity of their bodies. She studied him carefully, her eyes perusing his seemingly gentle face suspiciously. Despite her attempts, she couldn’t find anything unsettling about his demeanor. “Jessica,” she whispered back quietly, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
“So, tell me Jessica,” he said with a sexy smile. “What’s a pretty girl like you doing sitting alone by the bar? Doesn’t your boyfriend mind that you aren’t dancing with him?” he asked feigning an innocent smile.
“Subtle,” she whispered her voice strangely hoarse as she eyed him with disdain. She knew his type all to well. She knew the second she turned him down he’d be off trying to work his charms on someone else. They were all looking for the same thing – a good fuck, no strings attached. “I don’t have a boyfriend,” she told him, her voice miraculously regaining its edge. And I don’t want one either, she felt like adding.
“I see,” he returned with a smug smile. “Why is that?” he asked obviously unconcerned, but curious nevertheless.
Jessica stared back at him incredulously, unable to fathom that a total stranger could be so forthright. Both fear and pain clouded her eyes momentarily as his question raced through her mind. Who the hell does he think he is? I don’t owe anyone an explanation. The truth was, that she wasn’t even sure if she had an explanation.
Suddenly, Jessica was very uncomfortable and felt the tempting urge to just get up and walk out of the club. “I have to go,” she muttered quickly as she rose awkwardly. She fished around in her purse and pulled out a few bills from her wallet, tossing them onto the counter. And then, without even so much as a glance back in his direction, she walked away from him, brushing past sweaty bodies as she hurried out of the club.
Nick watched as she walked away from him, his expression one not so much of remorse or sadness, but more of surprise. Nobody walked away from him. Most girls never had the audacity to. He was a master at the art of seduction and used to getting his way.
In spite of his rejection however, a small smile played upon his lips. It would have been nice getting to know her. Real nice, he thought slyly. Too bad, he mused before ordering another drink to nurse his bruised ego.
He downed his drink quickly, threw a fistful of bills onto the counter and turned to leave. As he did so however, he came face to face with a tall, leggy redhead. “Leaving so soon?” she purred in his ear as she leaned forwards suggestively. Nick stood there, an expression of confusion momentarily registering upon his face. “I can make it all better you know, “ she whispered seductively, an obvious indication that she had gotten an eyeful of Jessica’s sudden exit.
Nick remained silent, slightly taken aback at first by her candidness. Soon however, a knowing smile spread across his face as her proposition sunk in. “I’d like that very much,” he said huskily.
Without hesitation, he took her hand and led her onto the dance floor. In one swift motion, he pulled her towards him, holding her close. Firmly, she took her hands and placed them upon her hips as she began dancing rhythmically. Nick watched in fascination as her body moved tantalizingly to the electric beat. They danced together into the wee hours of the night, barely uttering a word, but their body language speaking volumes.
Despite the gyrating seductress in front of him however, Nick couldn’t seem to keep his mind from wandering. For some reason he couldn’t stop thinking about his earlier rejection and how Jessica had been one of the few girls that for a change, he hadn't been able to figure out.
Tiredly, Jessica stepped into her dark apartment and flicked on the light, flooding the room with brightness. Gazing forlornly around the lonely apartment however, she quickly changed her mind and turned the light back off, shrouding herself in darkness once again. Carefully, she began moving towards her bedroom, feeling her way about the silent darkness.
Despite its warm, rich colors and comfortable furniture, her apartment was anything but inviting. In fact, there was something oddly cold and strange about it that often sent chills up her spine. There were never any sounds of laughter, animated chatter or even arguments. Instead there was only pin-drop silence.
She approached her room, her exhaustion apparent as she staggered towards the adjacent bathroom. She entered it and without bothering to turn on the lights, she washed her face and quickly shed her clothes. The clothes formed a heap upon the cold tiles as she quickly changed into her silk white night gown. To tired to even bother to pick them up, she left the clothes upon the floor as she walked out of the bathroom.
Quickly, she made her way over to the bed and sank onto her soft mattress, her aching limbs instantly grateful. She struggled momentarily with her comforter as she pulled it around her slender body. Finally somewhat comfortable, a soft sigh escaped her lips. She knew from experience that despite her tiredness, it would be hours before she drifted off to sleep.
Carefully, her eyes wandered the lonely room, her gaze fixated upon her window. Outside, the moon shone brilliantly, bathing the whole city in soft moonlight. Fascinated by the moon, her mind inevitably began to wander. As with every night, she was quickly transported back to a time when things had been so different. A time not too long ago, when she had been happy. A time when life had been so simple, or so it seemed. It was a time filled with endless laughter, friends, expensive clothing, parties and soirees galore. More importantly than all that though, it had been a time filled with love. A love that had been so intoxicating that she felt she couldn’t breathe without it.