Total Surrender

6 - FLIRTY

Walking to the bar, Venus debated what drink to order. She wanted something fruity and sweet with a moderate amount of alcohol to start. She was not a drinker of alcohol, but she needed a shot to her system to boost her confidence enough to venture onto the dance floor.

She glanced to the side, deliberating whether or not she’d lost her mind, thinking, even for a moment, that Walter would look at her and instantly regret how he’d treated her throughout their marriage and then discarded her like a piece of trash. Despite the fact the bouncer had found her appealing, she wasn’t deluded into thinking all the guys here tonight would feel similarly towards her.

Catching the bartender’s attention, which was a feat considering the number of persons that were currently at the bar, she gave him her drink order. He nodded his acknowledgement and smiled at her, his eyes twinkling. Either she did indeed look smoking hot or the staff of the club was trained to make everyone feel that way. For it was the second overt gesture of welcome she’d received since arriving at this place, so she smiled back. She bestowed upon him a genuine smile. A smile that said thank you for being friendly, I appreciate it. He winked at her and then began making her requested drink. She’d chosen something light, to begin with. She truly wasn’t much of a drinker. Walter tended to overindulge and she’d felt she needed to balance him out. Besides, she couldn’t help that she was a complete lightweight when it came to alcohol.

Drink prepared, the bartender slid it over the bar to her.

“On the house, sweetheart,” he said when she retrieved the required amount of money from her cute little clutch that was presently being strangled by her death grip. She’d wanted to drape it cross-body so she didn’t have to worry about dropping it or laying it down and forgetting about it, but her friends had vetoed that idea. They’d described it as tacky and unsophisticated.

She lifted her surprised gaze to him. “Is the first drink on the house or something? Is it like a policy of the club?”

“Nope. It’s on me,” he said with a smile. “A pretty lady like you should not be buying her drinks.” He winked again before heading down to attend to another customer.

Wow. The night had just started but she would call it a smashing success. She’d already been hit on by two guys… TWO freaking hunky GUYS!

Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea to come here tonight. Venus felt her confidence level steadily rising. The bouncer had been a hottie and so was the bartender. There appeared to be a common thread at the club. Based on what she’d noticed so far, despite the fact she hadn’t ventured far into the club, was that the men who worked there weren’t ugly or regular looking. They were guys who were ripped and built and looked like they could handle themselves in a fight. They also looked like s*x on legs... those ruggedly handsome types. And the women were beautiful… gorgeous and elegant looking. There would be no snubbing of the waitresses here because they looked like classy women who just happened to be serving drinks. The club placed a lot of value on looks and appearances – from those working here to those allowed admittance.

On any other night, Venus would have felt completely out of place, it wouldn’t have even been funny. But tonight she was feeling herself and nothing could dampen her mood.

She turned around, casually bracing on the bar as she brought the glass to her mouth for the first sip of her chosen beverage. People watching, she noticed she was also the object of several stares. Straightening her posture, she tried not to fidget. She needed to give off confidence vibes.

After downing her drink, she decided she needed something stronger. It was high time she lived a little. Even if she got drunk, she was taking a taxi home. She would not be driving, so there was no reason to limit her drinks. She decided she’d had enough of living a tame sheltered life. It was absurd, for her – a grown-ass woman, to still be concerned with what her ex-husband would approve of or not. She needed to move on with her life. How did the song by Halsey go? If she needed to get over someone, the best way was to get under someone else. She didn’t have to remain celibate. What was she trying to prove? And why? God knew her heart. She didn’t have to prove anything to anyone but herself, and she knew she was better off without Walter. She didn’t need or want his approval. She hadn’t come in here so he’d drop to his knees and beg her to come back. It was an appealing image if for no other reason she could kick him in the face and tell him, to kiss her black ass. But it wasn’t her purpose for being there.

An ache infiltrated her upper body. No, she didn’t want him begging to come back into her life, but she did want him to acknowledge he was not only wrong for the way he treated her, but also for the things he’d said about her. That she wasn’t a mousy, dispassionate, cold woman. She could be beautiful. She could be desirable. And it wasn’t just the fire makeup, courtesy of her friends’ masterful skill, or the skin-tight dress that outlined all her curves and made it difficult for her to not only walk but breathe comfortably. Before her divorce, she would have never dared to wear such a dress. It just wasn’t her style, even though her friends were forever ragging on her for hiding what they called her ‘hot girl body’. No. It was more than that. It was her winning personality and optimistic outlook on life. Traits she fervently wished he regretted walking away from.

She was about to turn and place her glass back on the bar and then order something stronger when she saw him from the corner of her eye.

Oh crap, oh crap! Oh crap.

She began to immediately panic internally at the mere sight of her ex-husband.

For all her false bravado and forethought, she didn’t know how to deal with this potential situation. So she froze, not wanting to turn too quickly and inadvertently give the appearance she was hiding in case he’d already seen her. She didn’t want to cower. Instead, she returned her attention to the dance floor she’d considered venturing onto, all the while praying he hadn’t seen her.

Maybe he was leaving. Unfortunately, her hope was shattered when laughter sounded close to her. Too damn close for her comfort.

Crap.

“What the hell are you doing here, Venus?” Walter asked amusement and disbelief thick in his voice.