AJ sat in the corner of the club, already on his third shot of Tequila and second Jack and Coke. He had every intention of getting drunk out of his mind. He didn’t care about anything, not even the scantily clad women dancing on stage in front of him.
He downed the shot, wincing as the burning sensation traveled down his throat, finally settling in his stomach. He motioned to the waitress to get him another shot as he lit a cigarette.
He turned his attention to the dancer onstage. Normally he would be enjoying himself. He loved to watch these women dance, the way they moved, their confidence, the way they didn’t have a care in the world, the way they drew him into their little world. It mesmerized him.
Tonight was different, though. He couldn’t make himself have a good time. As much as he tried, he was still miserable. His body was numb, if only he could do the same to his mind. He tried to push everything aside and concentrate on what he came here to do, prove to himself that he didn’t need anyone, at least no one specific. Anyone would do.
Attention was always lavished upon him wherever he went, especially when it came to places like this. These women weren’t stupid, they knew who he was. They knew he had money and they knew exactly what to do to get it. Tonight, however, he wasn’t feeling as generous as usual. The tables were turned, HE was the one that needed something from them.
The waitress returned with his shot and gently placed it down in front of him. She looked at him for a second, noticing the exasperated look on his face.
“You look a little lost, had the same look on your face all night. You need a little cheering up,” she said sweetly, smiling at him.
He turned his attention towards her, realizing, for the first time that she was even there. He gave her a weak smile and picked up his drink, finishing it off, then motioning that he wanted another one. He threw a one hundred dollar bill on her tray.
“Keep it coming,” he commanded, turning his attention back to the dancer. “Get yourself a drink, too”.
She looked at him, half surprised, half amused. He had already consumed way too much alcohol for one human being, especially one of his small build, but far be it for her to tell him he shouldn’t drink anymore, especially since he was throwing money around like he was.
“I think I know exactly what you need,” she whispered in his ear as she leaned closer to him, picking up his empty glass. She leaned over just enough to tease him with a glimpse of cleavage, her long red hair brushing against his face.
“What’s that,” he said dryly.
“I’m off in 10 minutes. If you’ll meet me, I could...take your mind off things,” she whispered.
He picked up his almost forgotten shot and downed it, sliding the empty glass across the table. He looked up at her, contemplating her offer for a brief moment.
As he looked into her green eyes, something about them comforted him. They held a certain familiarity. He couldn’t explain it. Truth was, he didn’t want to. His mind was exhausted and he didn’t have the energy or the mental capacity to try to analyze anything right now.
“You got yourself a deal, sweetheart. Meet me out back in fifteen minutes.”
She smiled and picked up his empty shot glass and winked at him.
“Why don’t you go get me another drink,” he suggested.
He swatted her on the butt as she turned to walk away. AJ stared after her, slowly looking her up and down.
“Yeah, she’s doable,” he said to himself.
After three more shots, AJ stumbled outside to look for the waitress. He was barely able to see straight let alone walk anywhere. He leaned up against the railing leading to the stairs. His head was spinning and he was dizzy. He sat down on the steps, hoping he wouldn’t pass out. He lit a cigarette and took a long drag off of it. Next thing he knew, the door opened behind him.
“You don’t look like you could do much of anything right now,” a familiar voice said.
He turned to see who it was. He couldn’t see much of anything but a blur. He did, however, make out the long red hair.
“Oh, you’d be surprised, sweetheart. Let’s go.” He pulled himself to his feet and started to walk away.
“Hey,” she shouted after him. He turned to face her, almost losing his balance.
“Well, are you coming or not?” He asked, irritated. He was in no mood to play games.
“Why don’t you come on in here. It’ll save you from having to drive anywhere.” AJ stood there looking at her for a minute. He was beginning to think this was turning out to be more trouble than what it was worth. He considered turning around and starting his long walk home, but something made him stay put. He needed somebody right now. He couldn’t be by himself. He shrugged and started walking towards the stairs. As he reached the bottom step, he looked up to the willing body standing at the door.
“What’s you’re name anyway?”
“Does it matter?” She chuckled.
He thought for a minute. He supposed it didn’t. He had no intention of ever seeing this girl again. She was just to serve his purpose tonight. She knew that. It would be somebody different tomorrow night.
He began to slowly make his way up the stairs. She met him at the top, gently placing her hand around his waist. Her hair brushed his cheek again and he couldn’t help but nuzzle his nose against her neck. She smelled so good. He leaned forward and started to bring his lips to hers. He needed to feel her touch right now. Companionship, in any form, is what he needed right now, more than anything. She placed her finger on his lips to stop him.
“Not here,” she whispered. “Come on.” She opened the door and led him inside.
After Cassidy checked into the hotel and got to her room, she sat down on the bed, exhausted. There was nothing she wanted more then to take a nice hot bath, curl up in bed and go to sleep. She just wanted the morning to come so she could get home.
As much as she tried, she was unable to think of anything but Alex. As much as it scared her, and as much as it sounded crazy for the amount of time they had known each other, she loved him with all her heart and it was killing her to walk away from him.
“I wish I knew what to do,” she whispered. “I wish I could trust him”.
The more she thought about it, the more upset she got as she began to cry. “Why did I ever let myself get involved with him? I knew it would be nothing but heartache,” she sobbed.
Sick and tired of shedding so many tears, she tried to pull herself together. She went into the bathroom and started the hot bath water. She undressed and slowly slid into the tub. She began to relax a little as the hot water surrounded her. She closed her eyes and tried to clear her mind.
An hour later, she got out of the bathtub and laid down on the bed. The bath relaxed her, but she was still exhausted. Her problems were still there, she had only managed to suppress them for the time being. That was fine with her, though, she would deal with them later. She wasn’t sure how much later, just not now. She wanted to go home. She wanted to go back to where she felt safe and loved.
Noticing the room was a bit stuffy, she went over to the balcony and opened the door slightly, letting some air in. She stood on the balcony for a minute, looking at the scenery below. She was thankful she was only on the second floor, she wasn’t much of one for heights. It took everything she had to step on an airplane every time she went out of town. She lay back down on the bed. Before she knew it, she drifted off to sleep.
A couple hours later she was awakened by a heavy feeling on her chest, almost like someone was lying on top of her. She opened her eyes and found herself looking into the face of a stranger. She couldn’t see a face, all she could see was a pair of eyes and the moonlight shining off a blade.

As the pretty redhead led him into a back dressing room, all AJ could think about was ripping her clothes off. He wanted her so bad right now. He hungered for the closeness and touch of another human being. He didn’t know any other way to go about getting it other than sex.
When they got to their destination, she closed the door behind them and opened one of the drawers to the dresser. She pulled out a small package and held it up for AJ to see. Just the crinkle of the condom wrapper flooded AJ’s head with memories. It made him think of Cassidy..the woman he loved...the woman that left him.
He felt his anger start to build up inside of him. He tried to shake the feelings, but he needed to do something to release his tension. He focused best he could on the present situation and the pretty redhead in front of him. “Prepared, I see.”
“Gotta be safe,” she said to him as she smiled and slowly walked over to him.
Without any words, she started kissing his neck. He closed his eyes and ran his fingers through her hair. He aggressively pushed her up against the wall, pressing his hard body against hers. He leaned forward and thrust his tongue into her mouth as he tugged at her shirt.
“We like it rough, do we?” She growled as she lifted his shirt over his head. She spun him around so he was the one pressed against the wall. He watched as her tongue traced a hot trail down his chest to his stomach. He shuddered at her touch. She bent down in front of him and slid his pants and boxers to the floor. He grabbed a handful of her hair and thrust himself into her willing mouth.
“Oh yeah,” he gasped as her mouth wildly slid up and down his hard shaft. “That’s it, baby.”
He didn’t look down at her, he kept his eyes closed and his head leaned back. He fingers were still entangled in her long hair. Suddenly, she stood up and kissed him passionately on the lips. She stopped and looked him in the eye.
“Fuck me, AJ,” she demanded.
He turned her around so she was pinned against the wall, him being in the dominant position. As he looked into her eyes, he had to do a double take. Her green eyes were so familiar. Now he knew why he found her eyes so comforting. They were the same piercing, beautiful shade of green as Cassidy’s.
He almost stopped everything. Came so close to putting his clothes back on and walking out the door. He didn’t let himself, though. He needed to prove that he would be fine without Cassidy. She didn’t want him, he would move on. He could do it.
He pulled away from his companion and turned her around. Her hands gripped both sides of the dresser as she pleaded for him to enter her. He reached over and slowly put the condom on.
“Come on, AJ. Do it now,” she demanded.
Without further hesitation, he lifted up her short skirt and forcefully thrust himself into her from behind, grasping her hips as she screamed his name.


Chapter 22
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