Page 54 of Tension

Vel.

He sat in a booth near the back, bathed in amber light. He wasn’t alone. The woman he was with was laughing at something he said, her body leaning into his, her hand brushing his arm. Breasts out for all to see, poked right in his face.

I looked away, suddenly burning up. I didn't need this right now.

Fuck him.

As I headed to the bar, I caught a glimpse of someone in scrubs near the far exit.

They disappeared into the crowd before I could be sure. I thought maybe one of my coworkers was here.

I sank onto a stool and ordered a drink I needed badly.

I looked back at the booth, and Vel’s eyes were on me.

I waved and turned back around.

I wouldn’t let him see how much this bothered me. Hell, I should have expected it. I knew who Vel was when I first met him.

He was obviously still in his hoe era, and it wasn’t my job to change that.

My phone vibrated.

Vel:

Come here.

Chris:

No, I won't bother you. Enjoy your company.

I rolled my eyes, dragging a slow sip from my glass. I would finish this drink and go home…

But I didn't want to go home.

It was in moments like this that I felt just how alone I really was. I didn't have family I could call. I could drive to Bloomfield to stay with Jas or Nia, but I was too tired. Mentally and physically.

Maybe I would check into a hotel.

“Let me buy you a drink, beautiful,” a man said, sliding onto the stool beside me.

I nodded. “Sure.”

“I’m Greg.”

“Chrystal,” I lied, shaking his hand.

Greg was talking while I pretended to listen, nursing my second drink. I could feel Vel looking at me, but now it felt like he was right behind me.

That was confirmed when Greg suddenly stiffened.

Vel sat beside me, his presence immediate and overwhelming, his legs boxing me in.

He licked from the V collar of my scrub top right at my breast, over my chest, and up to my ear, causing a tingling sensation to run through me.

My body didn’t even pull away.

“Do you know this man, Chrystal?” Greg asked, and I shook my head no.