Short Story Collection: Love

A ricochet of whispers passed through the crowd like a Mexican wave as Elle stepped into the taproom that night. Smiling to herself, she strode confidently over to the bar, resting herself against it in a way which she knew would accentuate the curves of her body and attract attention. And now all she had to do was wait.

Elle had a power over people, particularly men, and she knew it; she wielded it at will, enjoying watching them squirm. Glancing across the room with a deceptively lazy gaze, she scouted the crowd with a hungry, surveying eye, searching for her next prey.

What she wanted of the evening she hadn’t decided yet. Usually, she found it easier to ascertain her victim before she decided what games she would play with him. Until she could see the look in his eyes, she couldn’t know what he wanted from her, although she’d never had someone say no yet.

Would it end at a conversation over a drink? Or would she try him out for a kiss? Or perhaps something more than a kiss? That all depended upon how good a game player he was.

Her radar locked onto a man inconspicuously sat in the corner, who’s eyes had not drifted from her from the moment she walked into the room. His dark eyes were wild and hungry. She swiftly appraised him; the half-drunk pint beside his hand was the only one upon the table, signifying he was alone. His grey-green eyes swept over every inch of her body, making her feel almost naked before him, which sent a thrill up Elle’s spine.

Yes, she thought. He’ll do nicely.

There was no need for Elle to move closer to this handsome stranger. Making direct eye contact, she wet her lips slowly and seductively, luring him from his seat and across the bar until he stood beside her. As he got closer, she physically felt the atmosphere he gave off; all masculinity, darkness and danger. Instantly, Elle knew he wasn’t like other men she had come into contact with. No, he was vastly more complicated. He would be a little more difficult to decipher.

“Hi, I’m Elle.” She purred, a seductive smile tugging at her lips. Her voice barely rose above a whisper, knowing that a low voice was the best way to draw someone closer to her.

“Jack. What’s yours?” He asked, gesturing to his pint glass. A man of few words, Elle remarked, and with the kind of deep and gravelly voice that could make a girl’s toes curl. Elle smiled her deadly smile again; this would definitely be fun.

At the end of the evening, Elle turned to Jack. This was usually the point that she would kiss her target and see whether he was worth the effort of proceeding.

Elle began to lay on her usual moves; glancing down at Jack’s mouth as she bit her lip before taking a step forward that would press her small body up against his chest. “So…” she began.

But as she took her step forward, Jack took a step back, turned around and began to walk away.

“Hey!” She called, a hint of disbelief and outrage creeping into her usually measured, sweet tone. “Where are you going?” How could he just walk away?

Jack turned slightly, casting his voice over his shoulder. “My place.”

Elle was rendered speechless with fury. This was unbelievable; no man had ever been able to resist her.

“You can come too.” He paused, a wicked gleam in his eyes. “If you’d like.”

For a moment, Elle couldn’t believe what she’d heard. This was not what usually happened.

Jack took a step towards Elle, a dark smile spreading across his face as an element of mockery crept into his features. “If you dare.”

Well that was a challenge, and there was no way Elle was going to refuse a challenge. And besides, when he looked at her like that, she felt a rush of heat flood through her skin. She smiled at him, the playful glint reappearing in her eyes, and he knew her answer without her voicing it. Offering her his arm, Elle quickly caught up to him and tucked her arm under his, before they both strode off into the cold, dark night.

The street they walked down towards his apartment was quiet, but Elle hardly noticed. Her heart was still fluttering in her chest and she was excited of what lay ahead with this intriguingly dominant man. It was clear that Jack knew exactly what he wanted, and wasn’t afraid to ask for it, which Elle found undeniably sexy. For the first time, she didn’t have to lead, and that was surprisingly freeing.

Swiftly breaking her away from her thoughts, Jack took hold of Elle’s arm and used it to push her up against a wall. His lips were on hers in an instant, and Elle was taken aback by the head rush that overtook her. No first kiss had ever confounded her so much; it was so good that it took her a few moments before she could even wrap her arms around him and kiss him back.

They broke apart, Jack’s strong hands pressed on the wall either side of Elle’s head. The look in his eyes was a mixture of satisfaction, as Elle was holding a hand to her chest in an effort to stop her heart from pounding, and lust. For the first time, Elle felt like a delicate female. She was no longer the predator; with Jack she was the prey.

“My place?” He asked.

Elle nodded, at a loss for words. But she smiled; for the first time, she didn’t mind being speechless.