Morning. Is not. My friend.
I'm definitely awake, judging by the pounding headache which prevented me from getting up. I rolled over and slowly open my eyes to see a bottle of water and two pain killers. I say a thank you to God for having an amazing friend like Vanessa, she's always taking care of me when I'm shit faced. I swallow them quickly and literally chug that water like my life depends on it.
I went to close my eyes again but my phone chimes with a text. I was going to ignore it but there was another chime, so I rooted around my night stand for the phone till I finally find it. I have 3 messages two from a random number and one from Nessa.
Nessa: Babes let me know when you're up. We have so much gossip to catch up on ;) plus I need to know if you're even alive.
Unknown: Hey idiot drunk you gave hot Tanner your number. Don't be a bitch. Love AAR.
Unknown: Hey gorgeous, I just wanted to let you know I had fun hanging out and I hope to see you again soon.
My head is literally spinning. The fuck? Tanner...Tanner..? So much pounding was happening I made an audible sound of annoyance. Closing my eyes attempting to picture who Tanner is, I see striking blue eye and a gleaming smile. Along with the memory of his gorgeous face comes flashbacks of all the horribly embarrassing details of last night. I let out a huge sigh and waited for the world to swallow me whole.
I debated texting Tanner back but since I'm no longer drunk I couldn't muster the confidence. All I could think about was how that kiss changed my whole view on guys. Yes I'd kissed boys, but holy tits that kiss was magic and now I'm curious.
Picking up the phone I knew there was only one way to get my nerve, "hey be-itch!" Nessa answered with an annoyingly loud and high pitched voice.
"Tell me again why I'm friends with you?" My splitting head was getting worse, all I could think about was that kiss and I don't know what I should do. Nessa knows exactly what to say to guys, being experienced and all.
"Because I'm your only friend. Now spill your guts I need to know what happened with Tanner. I saw him kiss you but after that I was doing my own kissing." She was waiting patiently as I decided how to tell her. I knew she'd laugh and I'm sure she will no matter what I'd say so I just said, "he kissed me and it was amazing. I've never felt sexy and excited like that. He wants to hang out again but I don't know what to say to him. I don't know how to do this Nessa!" I was utterly embarrassed at my lack of experience and I know I'm at the ripe age of 21 when most women know how to act and talk to a man. I clearly do not.
"Well pick a day. Pick a time. A place and say see ya there. Make sure it's soon because he'll lose interest if he has to wait for you but not too soon because you'll look desperate. Hon I know you don't really know what you're doing, but I can only tell you so much. It's not me he wants so just be yourself." I thought about it for a minute and she was right I do need to be myself, but I want to be different. Not for a guy but for myself. It's time to figure out how to be a woman in a mans world.
"Nessa, let's go out again tonight."
So here we are again. Nessa working what her mama gave her and me at the bar. Sipping' on drink number two I leaned over to see if Jess was here, unfortunately I didn't see him. The new bartender however was very attractive. His tight black tee had a name tag attached, it read Aiden. He watched me as if I was already too drunk to function, albeit I did feel slightly tipsy. I was currently trying a move I had seen Nessa do with her straw. I felt quite clumsy but was determined to beckon him with my sexy drinking ability. It wasn't working though so I soon abandoned hope he would probably demand I get a cab the was I was clumsily fumbling with it. Sighing I took my last drink and decided it's time to move away from the bar, more out of embarrassment than courage.
As I stood up I bumped into a rather hard surface; I thought for sure it must have been a statue of some kind, but when I turned around it was most certainly a person staring at me with seductive blue eyes that seemed so familiar. I opened my mouth to apologize but was then bumped from the side as an over eager college kid, who I can only assume was a frat boy by the way he was rooting at the bartender for his most expensive beer, and fell into his arms. He smelled of outdoors, like a freshly mowed lawn, or the lake or the woods. I'm not really sure but he was refreshing, all of him. He steadied me taking a tiny step back as to get a good look at me, "well gorgeous you did survive the night all right, huh?" He said with a twag that made my heart flutter.
"Um yeah I'm alive. This morning I didn't feel much alive but I'm perfect now... That is now that you're here." His smile somehow grew and made my knees a little weak, all I can think is ME-OW. He is so attractive it almost hurt to look at him.
I was very suddenly aware of the girl behind him tugging his harm, "Tanner I thought you were gonna buy me a drink." She said pointedly, as if annoyed by my presence much like I with her. He turned his head towards her, "Brittany knock it off I'll get to it in a minute." Trying to sound as light as possibly but with a hint of aggravation. My eyes went between the two of them as they exchanged a look with obvious meaning behind it but my fuzzy brain couldn't decipher it. I gave up and kind of side stepped him wishing to get past this awkwardness. Though I didn't get very far he reached for my hand and pulled me back, "where are you going?" Blue orbs penetrate my soul and I can't even think of a smooth way out of this so I decided to be honest, "you seem to be with someone already..." I felt slightly vulnerable admitting defeat to him, looking back at her waiting by the bar as I said that. She had a pretty face, short bob hair cut, thin waist. I'm sure she fit perfectly under his arm.
"Uh no. I mean she's a friend, but we're not together." He pulled me a bit closer and I sort of longed for his arms to be around me, which is weird considering I've never wanted that before. He reached up to tuck a loose strand behind my ear and pulled me to his face. My eyes instantly closed waiting for what I thought would be a deep passions kiss, but nothing happened. I opened them again and he was still there oh so close.
"Why didn't you answer my text?" His eyes looked slightly hurt but they searched my soul for answers and I knew he could probably read me like an open book so again I chose honesty.
"Well honestly I just didn't know what to say... I mean I didn't think you even knew who you sent that to because..." The words died in my mouth as I realized what I was about to say was too embarrassing.
"Because what?" He asked looking from my eyes to my mouth, I could feel his minty breath hot on my face.
"Because well look at you and then look at me." At that his eyes shot up to mine, my breath was a bit staggered now that I'm extremely exposed, all of my thoughts laying out for him to ridicule. Only his expressive eye showed anger and maybe a flash of disbelief? He opened his mouth and closed it trying to pick the right words, with his hand still behind my head he pulled me the rest of the way to him.
If he hadn't been holding on to me I may have fell over from the force. The pure shock I felt was intoxicating, who needs alcohol? His lips were perfectly sweet and needy. He had all the control, I don't even know how to fight him for it. It was like he was trying to tell me how he objected to my statement but I couldn't even think. His free hand was now on the small of my back slowly sliding down to my bum. It excited me even farther, I never thought being groped could feel so good. Gently his hand gripped me and pulled me closer.
We'd somehow ended up at the edge of the dance floor now swaying slightly, but we couldn't hear the music as we kissed in our own bubble. Tanner pulled away and rested his forehead on mine. I was practically panting while his breath was completely even and stable. "I haven't been able to think about anything else since we met yesterday." His airy voice made it seem like it was a thought he didn't mean to say but when I opened my eyes he had clearly meant every word. The intensity of his stare made me feel slightly squirmy. I glanced away only to connect with Nessa's waving arms. Throwing a thumbs up of encouragement to my embarrassment.
"I don't get how you don't see it." Tanner brought my attention back to him, I was confuse, trying to remember what we were talking about. "Don't see what?" My own voice was shaking and weak much like my knees.
The night had just started to peak, the dance floor was slowly becoming crowded. He glanced around and led us to a more secluded area. He released my waist only stepping back to look me up and down. I felt a blush creep into my cheeks as he examined me. My spiked booties were black and had two inch wedges. My skin tight mini skirt was leather, and my light wash chambray blouse was open quite a few buttons. His eyes danced with appreciation and I took the moment to do the same and check him out as well.
Tanner's hair was in a stylish fax hawk that had a messy look to it that made me want to run my fingers through it. His blue and black plaid shirt was also open a few buttons, it showed me a hint of his perfectly chiseled and smooth chest. His jeans hugged him in that famous country boy way that made me swoon as he lean back against the wall looking like a Levi add.
"What did you mean I don't see it? See what?" I asked him as he reached for me, pulling me closer settling his head into my neck. "How beautiful you are." He whispered, feeling his breath down my neck gave me a shiver. I leaned into him while his arms tightened around me as if to say, I've got you. "Well I guess it's a good thing you do." Giving a quiet laugh trying to fill the silence. The warmth radiating off him made me feel so at home like the world had somehow lead me here to his arms on purpose.
"What are you thinking about?" My voice was a surprise to myself it was kind of sultry and low. He looked down at my face then to my cleavage and I felt his arms flex around my waist. Lusty eyes met mine again and my body flash with red hot intensity. "I don't know that it's proper to say what I'm thinking..."