SHADOWED SOUL

Broken heart. Endless tears. Ellie had had enough. Sick and tired of mourning the loss of her last asshole boyfriend, Gerrid, who stomped on her heart all because the word faithful didn’t hold any meaning in his vocabulary.

Four months, twelve hours, and fifty two seconds had passed since her happy life ended, and the crushing of the fairy-tale she thought she lived in. Ready to get her life back, Ellie tore her eyes away from the clock on the nightstand flashing, ten p.m. and looked back to the mirrors on her closet doors, pleased by her appearance.

The leather dress she chose for tonight hugger her body in each and every way it should, low enough to show off her breasts making them swell at the top and resting just below her ass. Her waist length dirty blonde hair hung down her back, straightened thanks to the flat iron, and the smoky shadow on her eyelids defined her green eyes.

The look just as she intended declaring she needed to get laid. Nothing worked better to get over a man than meeting another to replace him. Did she look for love?  Not in the least. All she looked for, a hot man to grind himself all over her body until she screamed out in bliss. Shallow maybe, but needed.

A low whistle came behind her, drawing her attention away from the mirrors. “You’ll have no problem tonight, girl finding yourself a man,” Kenna said.

Kenna looked not too bad herself. Typical Barbie; blue-eyed, blonde hair with the perfect ten body to match. Dressed in a short plaid shirt, white blouse tied up to show her mid-section and high heels giving her more height than her usual five-foot-four stature. “A school girl?” 

“Hey, the look works,” Kenna retorted. “Trust me, men drool over the look and it’s gotten me laid a few times over.”

Kenna would know. Not a commitment type of gal, but not what you’d call a slut either. More of a playgirl―the type who enjoyed the benefits of a single life to the fullest. Ellie tried to force herself to think the same. Once she’d loved and loved hard. Now, she’d given up on the idea and wanted to be more like Kenna. Carefree. “You ready to go?” 

Kenna grabbed onto her breasts and squeezed them. “Ready.”

Ellie laughed, following Kenna to the front door of her house in south Miami. She afforded the house not because of her job at Transatlantic Bank as a financial advisor. It paid well enough, but she gained the luxurious condo from her father’s estate. Cancer a cruel and viscous disease.

“Where do you want to go tonight?”  Kenna asked, opening the front door and stepping outside.

“Nocturnal Nightclub sound good?” Ellie joined her on the front step, spun back around to lock the door. “There has to be a man looking for some action.”

Kenna chuckled. “Look at you all nympho-like.”

“I just need something to make myself feel better. I’m sick of being in the dumps over Gerrid.” Not only him, but her only family rested in her father. When he died, all ties went with him. Except for Kenna, the only family she had now. Lonely and depressed a state she longed to free herself from.

“All you need is a good hard reminder there’s plenty of good still left in the world.”

“A big hard reminder, eh?” Ellie laughed.

Kenna nodded, grinning from ear-to-ear. “An oversized one.”

Ellie trotted down the front steps with Kenna right on her heels. “What, are you going to make the men drop their pants for you to examine?”

“Don’t need to,” Kenna wiggled her brows, “I spot a man who’s been gifted a mile away.”

Somehow Ellie didn’t doubt her.

The club not a far walk from Ellie’s house, just an added bonus. The sooner she got to the club, the sooner she could get on with finding a guy. She needed an escape and everything she tried so far didn’t work.  A one-night stand had too.

As they arrived at the club, the downtown core boomed with energy. Ellie received a few looks from “parent-type” people for her choice in attire, only confirming she’d chosen right. The outfit had to get her some action.

Nocturnal Nightclub had bright lights illuminating the outside of the large square building. The bass from the music inside vibrated against Ellie’s skin even from the street. A line of people stood alongside the building, all awaiting entrance.

Ellie pouted. “Dammit, there’s a line.”  She wanted to get the show on the road, not stand in a line for half the night. Her hair would frizz and she suspected by the time she went in, she’d look more tired than anything else.

“And so here comes the strategy.” Kenna grinned.

“What strategy?”

“Do men in high places so you always get what you want.”  Kenna strode up to the bouncer, not at all put off by the glares she received from the crowd. The bouncer grinned and leaned down to kiss her cheek.

Not too hard of a task to realize these two had heated up the sheets, and judging by the burn in his eyes, he still had a thing for her. Kenna’s effect. She kept the men in her life lusting after her with their tongues practically wagging out. None of them harboured ill feelings. Most of the time, she gathered men who’d do anything for her. Ellie wondered how she managed to gain such a following and envied her for it.

After a short conversation between Kenna and the bouncer, she looked back to Ellie and waved her forward. Ellie passed the crowd, avoiding looking to the crowd, feeling bad she butt in.

Kenna took Ellie’s hand and they entered the club heading straight up the stairs. Once at the second floor, Ellie glanced out to the club. Packed was an understatement. The loud music blasted through the large space and people filled the dance-floor.

“We’ll hit the third floor.”  Kenna called back to her over the music. “All the hunks play there.” She practically dragged Ellie up the remaining stairs and through the door to the patio.

Warm air wrapped around Ellie again as she stood on the rooftop bar. Much like the other floors, bars had been scattered around to serve alcohol, tables with chairs placed throughout and a dance-floor stuffed full of intoxicated people. The views of Miami a spectacular sight with miles of skyline lit up in the dark sky.

Kenna stopped at the bar, leaned over the counter, her breasts peering out of the top and the bartender didn’t hesitate to serve her.

“What can I get for you?” he asked her breasts.

Kenna squeezed her arms against her chest to squish the girls together and the bartender all but drooled on the bar. “Two Funky Cosmos and two shots of Zombooka.”

The man glanced up to her, nodded and hurried off to mix the drinks.

Ellie laughed. “I’m surprised he didn’t lick your breasts.”

“Oh you laugh, but just wait.” Kenna watched the bartender who overfilled the shots spilling the dark liquid onto the wood. Glancing down, his eyes went wide at the obvious alcohol dripping on his hands and he fumbled to clean up the mess.

The server returned with the shots first a moment later. Ellie downed the shot in haste. By the time she finished off the second shot, he placed the Funky Cosmo in front of her. “On the house, ladies.”

“Thank you.”  Kenna raised the martini to her mouth and licked the sugar off in a sultry move.

The bartender groaned.

Ellie raised the martini glass to her mouth to refrain from laughing. Good grief, to be so bold took confidence. She needed to learn a thing or two from Kenna.

The bartender leaned over the bar, coming close to Kenna. She responded by mirroring his move. “Stick around for the night and I’ll quench that thirst of yours.” His voice deepened and a grin quirked up the side of his mouth.

“Mmmm….” Kenna hummed. “I am quite thirsty.”

Barf.

After a wink, the bartender ventured off to serve other customers, but kept an eye on Kenna. Ellie glanced back to her. “You cannot be serious? The first guy you talk to is already undressing you with his eyes.”

Kenna fanned herself. “I have a gift.” She took a sip of her drink and scanned the club. “Now, let’s find you a prize for the night.”

“Hell no.”

Kenna took another sip of her martini, but she lowered the glass. Her brows furrowed. “Weren’t you just saying you wanted to get laid?”

“Yes,” Ellie retorted. “But I don’t want you to go and thrust me into the arms of some guy who is doing you a favour.”

“Oh, please.”  Kenna dismissed the remark with a wave of her hand. “Like any guy wouldn’t want to take you home tonight.”

Ellie had a hard time believing that to be true. It’d been years since she involved herself with anyone. Her self-confidence had been shaken. “Just let me find someone, all right?  If it’s not meant to be, I’m not going to push myself on anyone. I don’t want to look desperate.”

“You’re no fun.” Kenna pouted. “Well,” she waved out to the crowd, “go find yourself a hunk.”

Ellie expected a crazy night of men drooling over her. The dress alone should have had men swooning at her feet. Instead, she got a few looks from men she wouldn’t touch on her worst days. So, here she sat, at the bar, listening to the bartender and Kenna talk dirty nothings to each other.

She downed her second Cosmo and was about ready to leave when goose bumps pimpled on the back of her neck. Someone watched her. Glancing over her shoulder, a man stood against the back wall. Not just any man, a smokin’ hot man. His eyes focused on one place, her.

Hallelujah!   

“Oooo…my night is looking up,” Ellie squeaked.

Kenna didn’t respond, too busy playing googly eyes with the bartender. Ellie jabbed an elbow into her side. Kenna groaned and rubbed her ribs.  “Ow, what?” 

“I’m going to dance.”  Ellie gestured toward the man and gave Kenna a grin to show her intensions.

Kenna glanced to the man and her eyes went huge before she looked back to Ellie. “Nice pick, have fun.”

Ellie slid down off the stool, kept her eyes focused on the stranger. His face shadowed to hide any defining features, but his mere presence screamed sex. Much taller than Ellie’s five-foot-five frame around six-two she guessed, but built like a brick house. Thick around the mid-section, wide arms crossed over his broad chest, and shoulders she wanted to run her hands over.

Putting a wiggle into her step, Ellie made her way onto the dance floor. Loud techno music poured around the swaying bodies. The vibrations came strong against her feet. Her kinda music—hard and dirty.

Staying on the outside of the dance floor for her admirer to see, her gaze stayed trained on his. She found her beat and swirled her hips to the rhythm of the music. Twirling, she ran her hands along her body, did anything and everything to gain his attention.

By all appearance, the move worked.

His arms had dropped to his side and he’d stepped forward. Now, Ellie saw his eyes, sparkling blue. Crisp and clear. His black hair, cut short and styled. Chiselled features―pure sexy man.

Ellie’s heart raced. The way stared right through her made her insecurities drift away. His gaze left no room for wonderment he liked what he saw. His jaw clenched each time her hips swayed with the music. Everyone else faded away, all remaining, him and her.

Wetness pooled in her panties. His nostrils flared and his heated gaze burned deeper. He stepped forward, intent. As he reached her, he grabbed onto her lower back and thrust her forward against his hard body. Her head tilted back, angled up and he leaned down. Without a word said, he brought his other hand up to the back of her head and kissed her. A kiss not meant for strangers―not meant as a sweet hello. No, a promise he would pleasure her and Ellie sang a big thank you Jesus for bringing this man to her tonight.

Exactly what she needed. A man to control her, own her, even for a little while. No thoughts. No regrets. Just two bodies going at it until exhaustion set in.