Two

The bar is packed.Everyone has come out for the annual Summer Kick-Off party. I can feel the light sheen of sweat covering my body, telling me that I've been working my ass off tonight. My hands are sore from popping tops on beer bottle after beer bottle, and don't even ask about all the glasses I've washed to keep up. At this point, I think they might be permanently pruned. My tip jar is looking nice as hell though, so I'll take it.

This is my second year working at the Rusty Piranha and the summer season is always the busiest since we're a college town and most people take the summer semester off. Tonight seems more intense than last year's kick-off though and I can't help but wonder if it's because it's the last year our little college town is just that, a little college town. In the Fall, Coral Springs officially opens as the first college to accept monsters and humans.

Now isn't the time to think or worry about that, though. I need to worry about making money, so I can do anything I want this summer. My parents made me a deal when I enrolled in college here. They would cover all my expenses as long as I was attending classes, but during the summer when I take the semester off, I'm on my own. Which is why last year, as a freshman, I got my job here at Rusty's.

Looking down at the end of the bar, I see this sexy, mysterious stranger who came in a bit ago, still nursing his beer. He's quiet, which just adds to how fucking attractive he is. He's dressed in a hoodie with the whole dark and brooding thing going on, which I find myself liking. He finally put his hood down, but he's still wearing a baseball cap, his shaggy brown hair poking out the sides. "Are you ready for another beer?" I ask the new future star of all my sexy dreams.

He doesn't answer, just stares at me, looking me up and down with a confused but curious expression on his face. "What? Do I have something on my shirt?" I ask, glancing down to make sure I didn't spill anything, and I'm not rocking a huge stain.

"No," he tells me firmly after a few seconds pass. His piercing gray eyes stare into my baby blues, causing me to suck in a little breath. I feel like my soul has been set on fire and maybe even my panties, too.

Alright then. A man of few words. To some, that might be a turnoff, but to me, it's making me want to talk to him more. The mystery of him is increasing, and so is the tingling in my core as I think about him.

Trying to ignore that somehow this sexy stranger has me turned on from just a few words, I move to the person next to him, getting them a refill. Repeating this with everyone standing around the bar until they all once again have their hands filled with whatever alcohol they desire.

I've been stealing glances at my mystery man all night, and a few times I've caught him staring back at me. His face is always solemn, like he's trying to get a read on me. But do you think he's said a word to me all night? That is a big fat NOPE. He's had two beers and has sat there alone all night, just watching.

He sets his beer on the rail, so I head over. "Ready for another?"

"Yeah," he says, almost as if he's unsure of his answer.

Fuck, come on, dude.Doesn't he know bar etiquette 101 is being nice to your bartender? I mean, at the very least, give me more than one-word answers.

I grab another bottle of Busch Light, pop the top, and set it on the bar in front of him. "So, are you new to town? Starting school in the Fall? I haven't seen you around before."

"Something like that," he mumbles, picking up his beer and taking a drink.

"Not much for making friends, then?" I tease, causing him to choke on the drink he just took. He hurries to cover his mouth as he coughs.

"I'm sorry?" He quirks a brow at me when he gets his composure back.

"You're not giving me much other than one-word answers. So either you really don't want to talk to me or you're a total asshole. Which is it?"

He lets out a low chuckle that sends my belly a flutter. "Neither. I didn't want to come out tonight, but my uncle kinda forced me to get out of the house and check out the town. I guess sitting inside all day isn't a way to spend the summer."

"So you are new to town. Well, welcome to Coral Springs and the Rusty Piranha. I'm Marley," I tell him, reaching my hand across the bar top for a handshake.

He stares at my hand for a minute, like the damn thing might bite him, before clasping it in his giant hand and giving it a firm shake. "It's nice to meet you, Marley. I'm Lucius."

A shock radiates through my hand the minute we make full contact and I gasp. "That"s the 2nd time you"ve shocked me tonight."

"Shit. Sorry," he says as he pulls his hand away quickly.

"Don't be," I tell him, feeling kind of bad at the slight fear in his eyes. Did he think he hurt me? "Just a little static shock. I just wanted to give ya hell." I laugh, hoping to lighten the mood. "Well, Luci, I better tend to some of these other patrons or they'll riot. I get off at midnight. If you're still here, I'll buy ya a beer."

"I'll be here," he says confidently, and I can't help but notice the way my body reacts to his intense stare.

I move to the other side of the bar, taking orders and making drinks, but the whole time I can feel Luci's eyes on me. My hand still tingles from where we touched, but I shake it off.

* * *

I've just finished closing my register, clocking out on my phone app, and grabbing my tips from the jar. Quickly, I shove them in my bag and make my way around the bar. I snag the barstool next to Lucius, and sit down. "Well, hello again."

He glances over at me. "Hey."

"You really aren't talkative, are you?" I ask as Kenna sets my drink down in front of me. The benefit of working here is that we all know the other's drink of choice and for me, that's Carbliss. I mouth a thank you to Kenna, but she just shoots me a wink and mouths back, he's hot.

Yeah, Kenna, I know; too bad he's antisocial and I'm giving him everything I got.

"So, are you going to CSU in the fall? Is that why you're here now, or are you moving here?" I try again. Really, no man is worth this much effort, but for some reason, I can't stop myself from wanting to know more about this guy.

"Not sure yet. Just here for the summer as of right now," he responds, staring out across the bar.

I can't help it. I bark out a laugh and raise my hand, motioning Kenna back over.

"Can you get me and Mister Won't Shut Up over here a shot of Apple Pie?"

"Of course, babe," she giggles, grabbing the jug of Apple Pie and pouring two shot glasses full.

"To us and this ravishing conversation!" I raise my glass in the air. Luci does the same as we clink them together and throw the sweet liquid back.

We sit there in tense silence, sipping our drinks. I just can't figure this guy out. I'm not a bad looking girl with my blonde hair and blue eyes and I'd like to think I have a pretty kick ass personality. Usually, I have no issues holding a conversation and making new friends, but Lucius is one tough nut to crack.

Being close to him just makes the fire in my core and belly more intense. It's like the universe is telling me to talk to him, to keep trying, but man, this guy isn't making it easy. Deciding to burn off some of this energy I feel crawling under my skin, I stand from my stool and grab my drink. "Well, Luci, it"s been fun. You win the award for most mysterious man tonight. I'm headed outside to the bonfire to dance." As much as I"d like to talk to this guy, I'm not going to just sit here all night and look like a fool by being the only one to put in any effort. He's made it clear that he's just not into me, sadly.

I throw my hand up in a wave and turn, headed to the beachfront part of the property where the DJ and bonfire are.

Just as I'm about to walk out of the patio door, someone grabs my elbow, spinning me around. My back is pushed roughly against the wall beside the door and I look up into those dark, steel gray eyes. Lucius.

I look at him and worry my bottom lip. Fuck, he is tall. He's so close, I can smell his rosewood, earthy smell permeating my nose, making a shudder roll through my body.

"Hi, again," I murmur in a hushed tone. My heart feels like it could beat out of my chest and my stomach feels like a kaleidoscope of butterflies has taken up residency in it.

He doesn't say a word, just stares down at me, his eyes flicking back and forth, studying my face. His hand reaches out and tucks a piece of hair behind my ear that has fallen from one of my space buns. A gasp leaves me, and the next minute, his lips are on mine and his tongue pushes into my mouth.

A whimper escapes my lips as I open, swirling my tongue around his. He tastes like sin and beer, making me want more than just this one taste. I run a hand up Luci's arm to his shoulder and touch the side of his neck. Just as fast as he kissed me, he pushes me back and runs away like his ass is on fire.

I stand there staring after him, holding a hand to my swollen lips, feeling as if I was stung by a swarm of bees. Who just kisses a girl senselessly like that and then runs away?

Pushing through the crowd, I try to find him. I need to ask him what the hell his problem is. I mean, he barely speaks to me, then when I leave his side because he's been a one-word asshole all night, he kisses me and then runs off like Cinderella.

I don't see him anywhere and now my night is shot, so I shout goodbye to Kenna and leave the bar to head home. When I started my shift today, the bar was already busy, so I had to park down the block. I sigh and head that way. Before I know it, I'm staring at my pale yellow moped scooter. Digging the key from my bag, I get on and turn the ignition. I push the kickstand up with my foot and drive out onto the open road, cruising to my apartment.

Screw Luci and his sexy body and piercing eyes. I'm not going to let him start my summer off on the wrong foot. It's my favorite time of year, and I plan on spending it at the beach with my friends relaxing before the fall semester starts and life gets busy again. Pulling up in front of my little duplex, I park and head inside. I just want to count my tips and go to bed, ready to start fresh tomorrow.

I go to my bedroom, change into my pajamas, and sit on my bed where I dropped my bag. Pulling the wad of cash out, I separate it into piles of the same denomination and then pick it up, counting as I go. Five hundred and three dollars, not too bad for the crowd we had tonight. I slide the money back into my bag and make a mental note that I need to go to the bank on Monday to deposit it.

I set my bag on my nightstand, pull my blanket up, and close my eyes. Sleep claims me soon after and I dream of a shaggy-haired, muscled man who kisses like the devil and has my core dampening even in my sleep.