Most of them ended up at the Black Angus, a restaurant specializing in charcoal-grilled beef, which was in a shared building with the Gyro Lounge. Both the bar and restaurant were close to empty as would be expected in a small town at midweek.
The food at the Black Angus was exceptional, but it's decor and ambience left a lot to be desired. The Gyro Lounge was more impressive. By the time they arrived, it seemed quite busy when their group of about thirty joined the people that were bellied up to the bar.
It was as dimly lit as anyone might expect a bar to be, but the inset lighting still sparkled on a highly polished oakwood floor. No paintings hung on the walls; instead the place was decorated with movie posters representing everything from classic romances to Star Wars to When Harry Met Sally. Music echoed through the mostly static room from a high-tech CD jukebox that definitely seemed out of the norm here. The bar, trimmed in black vinyl with matching barstools, lined a whole wall, fronted by maybe three dozen tables, occupied by about thirty people. A dance floor ended at the back wall with a small DJ cubicle at one end and bathrooms on the other, and a requisite disco ball swirled and sparkled over it.
Even unincorporated towns had one tavern or saloon, but this one seemed too sophisticated for the area. The bar was well stocked with a variety of liquors and the bartender boasted he could mix any drink with the aid of his bartender's bible. They learned that the Gyro Lounge served several small communities and hired a DJ for local weddings, hence the better-than-average surroundings.
Raina ordered a Heineken and maneuvered her way to the table where Maria, Sam, Nikki, and Don were seated. They were currently discussing music, Raina's favorite subject. She became involved in the conversation including another table of extras, and Roger and Lisa. She didn't notice Voz sitting at the table to her left when he returned from the jukebox until he joined the table talk.
Raina had gained security in sitting with the newfound friends and the imported beer, so Voz's presence didn't phase her. In fact, they got along well: she was not nervous, he was not solely focused on her, which made her feel much more comforable. An hour passed by swiftly amid talk and couples breaking off to dance. Raina found laughter came effortlessly when she and Don twisted dizzily to Chubby Checker.
Her guard was slipping unknowingly. She really enjoyed herself and let her hair down with the others, the strain of the day washing away. When a familiar but unnameable slow song began, Raina accepted an offer to dance without looking to see whom she was talking to. She turned and stood to face Voz, of course. To refuse in front of the others now would seem petty and cruel, so she met his eyes steadily and let him lead her to the dance floor to join Roger and Lisa. This time he wouldn't shake her cool, Raina would stand up to him and brush off his unwanted advances like dust off a table.
She intended to keep herself physically distant from him, like dancing with a seldom-seen old uncle at a family gathering. Voz anticipated this; he swung around her before they reached the dance floor, his arm trailed her waist and pulled her close as he backed to the dance area. His left hand joined his right, locking her close to his body. The only choice she had was to bring her hands to his shoulders. Raina tried to at least look relaxed, but it seemed impossible. His whole body radiated heat as he swayed, causing hers to follow since they were practically glued together. He put his cheek on hers. His breath was like steam on her ear, his hair softly tickled her face. Once again he was wearing her favorite men's aftershave, a musky scent that drove her absolutely wild. She began to feel a heartbeat rhythm, not sure if it was his or her own. He whispered in her ear, barely audible over the jukebox and conversation; it took awhile for her to realize that he was singing the words of the song to her. Every element was perfect, if you overlooked the fact that she was with Voz.
It wasn’t being with him that was bad, it was dream come true. That was the problem - fantasies just didn’t come true. And she had just come out of a terrible relationship. She knew that she was not ready to handle another relationship right now, especially one with a slick, womanizing rock star. No good could come of it, she would only be hurt in the end. At the moment, she wasn’t sure she could recover when the relationship ended. A few years ago, she might have been pursuaded to give it a go, ride the ride as long as it lasted. But not now.... Raina closed her eyes and wished him away, exchanging him for a dark stranger. So complete was the fantasy that she believed, pulled herself closer, was lost. They swayed on together as one song ran into another, and another. She was happy, content, until at last Voz pulled back a bit and spoke to her.
"Thank you for going to bat for us today. You won't believe how much you helped us out. You were just great. I'm glad you gave it a shot."
"Well, thanks. After I got used to it, it was fun. It will be an invaluable experience, it gave me knowledge and insight I can use at We Sell."
"I hope Del didn't bother you much. It's his way. Damn infuriating, but it works. He was impressed with you."
"Me? That's doubtful."
"Seriously. Everyone was surprised with your passion. Not me. I knew you could be a tigress."
Raina tried to give him a withering look, but apparently failed.
"Raina, please have dinner with me tomorrow. We'll go late, after our scene, just us. As buddies, friends. Unless I can change your mind about that."
"Voz, I've told you what I think. This would just be too complicated. It's not . . ."
"But that's your only excuse. For now, that is. There's fire when we kiss. Even right now, we could light this place on fire with the heat between us. Give me that chance to be all you need. When we dance, you pull closer to me. I know . . ."
"Voz, I didn't..." she started. She didn't know how to explain that she was imagining he was someone else.
As she tried to think up some rational excuse, he kissed her. Oblivious to everyone else, he kissed her as if they had been lovers for years, softly intense, with a promise of only more passion to follow.
Raina was completely embarrassed. Every eye seemed to be on them, though she couldn't bear to actually look. She wanted to pull away. It would cause a scene. She thought crazily, trying to find an escape. There was no easy way to break away from him. What could she do that wouldn't attract more attention . . .
Her breath drew suddenly, harshly, did not release. As Voz covered her with his kisses, he had moved to the right. At this moment, he had kissed behind her right ear. It was impossible for him to know, but it was a highly sensitive spot for her, like a button to push to turn on all her senses, pump them up to near blowout potential.
He felt the sudden change. Somehow, thankfully, he eased off, though her never let go of her. She agreed with a silent nod his offer to walk her back to her trailer. Anything, anything, she thought, to get out of here. She had to get away from him before she lost control.
They walked the three short blocks to where the trailers stood on a lot next to the video location. Neither spoke. Raina didn't because she didn't trust her mouth to cooperate with her mind instead of her body. Voz did not want to spoil the mood: he was afraid she'd notice how closely they walked together and how tightly she held his hand.
Raina was relieved when Nikki saw them coming and met them at the door. She rescued Raina from a possible awkward goodnight scene. Voz simply told her to rest well. But his eyes burned into her. He winked, then disappeared around a corner to the trailer he shared with Sam, two doors down.
Nikki looked at her curiously, eyebrows raised in question, just dying to know what had happened since she left the Gyro. Raina only said goodnight. She almost ran to the tiny closet that served as a bathroom. A shower, hot and relaxing, was what she needed.
The hot water and steam eased her tense muscles, but nothing could slow her mind. She despaired over how her senses had jumped to life at Voz's touch. Raina told herself that she needed to stay away from him. She was physically attracted to him - no doubt about it. But you don't need the hassle, she argued. A physical relationship was not enough for her. She needed to share mind and soul before body. Raina didn't know if she wanted to know his mind. He was persistent, though. How long could she resist? Those eyes. Not long. She'd just have to remind herself of her last failed relationship. Would that be enough?
Though mentally combating each side of the issue, she was physically drained from the day's tension and the heat of the shower. She pulled a pretty pastel blue oversized T-shirt over her head before drifting to her cot. Nikki was reading some mystery novel by book lamp. Raina knew it wouldn't bother her. If she could fall asleep before she cooled off from the shower, she'd be dead to the world. This was one time she was glad to have been stressed, because she did fall right to sleep.