Flirt with the Bartender

As I sit back and drink my boilermaker, I watch the bartender. As I watch him move, busily tending to the needs of the other patrons, I can't deny the allure he holds. He returns, as if summoned by my gaze and says "I'm Jack," extending a hand for me to shake. He is undoubtedly handsome, with piercing eyes that seem to hold a secret all their own.

I take it, giving it a firm grasp. "Bells," I reply, a small smile playing on my lips. "Full name Jezebel James, but my friends call me Bells." I throw him a dazzling smile. This is a game I play well. In a sense, my life depends on it as much as bread or water. He nods, taking in the information, then tilts his head to the side.

"And why are you so interested in the recent suicides in our town?" My thoughts began to drift to what it might be like to be in his arms, the strong, confident way he moved making me crave the security of his embrace. I take a sip of boilermaker before responding.

"Well, Jack," I say, laying my cards on the table, "the numbers are just too high for a town this size. It doesn't make any damn sense." I feel myself getting angry. "I came here to find out if there's any underlying cause. Something that could explain why so many people have taken their own lives."

He runs a hand through his hair, giving a deep sigh. "This town has had its fair share of hardship, that's for sure. But I can't say that I've noticed anything unusual. Just the usual ups and downs of life, I guess." I simmer down. This isn't his fault. This is his hometown. I'm just a visitor, an interloper drawn to the flames.

"So you haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary? Any patterns or circumstances that would make someone snap?" I ask, leaning in a bit closer to him. As I sit at the bar, sipping my drink, I can't help but let my mind wander, drawn to his magnetic presence

"Not really, Bells. But I do know a lot of people around here. I hear a lot of gossip." Jack's eyes flicker, as if he's considering something. A wave of desire courses through me, and I find myself imagining the things I'd like to do to him. He'd probably enjoy them.

I raise an eyebrow, playing along. "You know, a little local gossip is always entertaining." A small, wicked smile formed on my lips as I pictured us together, exploring each other's bodies in the dim, secluded corners of the bar. He chuckles, sliding another boilermaker my way just as I finish the one I'm drinking.

"Well, if you're looking for more, I'm sure I could oblige." He eyes me, looking for signs of intoxication. "For a little thing, you sure can hold your liquor. So what is it that you do for a living that has you investigating something so grim?" I see concern in his eyes. He wants to protect me. That's funny.

I look up into his deep eyes, feeling a tinge of guilt for the lies I'm about to spin. "Just an insurance adjustor doing some work for the company that insures the university." I wave a hand, "Boring as hell, if I'm honest. He grins and the rough country music blares, drowning out any other thoughts.

For this brief moment, I forget about the tragedy that brought me here. "A modern-day crusader, then," he says, winking. "That's sexy as hell, if you ask me." I envision his strong hands wrapped in my hair, guiding me in a dance that leaves us both breathless.

I allow myself to dream, to revel in the pure, unadulterated fantasy of being with this man. I feel my face flush and the familiar warmth between my legs. "What about you," I change the subject. "How did a handsome fellow like you come to bartend in this fine establishment?"

The bartender's smile widens. "Well, Bells, the truth is, I used to have dreams of leaving this town. But it's got a way of getting under your skin. Now, it's hard to imagine anywhere I'd rather be." I can't help but feel a connection growing between us.

There's a sense of comfort and familiarity, a contrast to the unease that has been gnawing at me. A shiver runs down my spine as his fingers graze the back of my hand. The room around us fades, replaced by the sensation that we are the only two people in the room.

I lean into the bartender, the warmth of his breath against my ear as he whispers, "You should come find me when I get off in an hour. I'd like to hear more about you and maybe get to know you better. I could show you around town. It's got some secrets hidden, just waiting to be discovered."

Amidst the heated fantasies, I am reminded of my purpose here in this town, like a bucket of cold water dumped over my head. There are questions to be answered, lives to be saved, and others to be avenged. The look in his eyes tells me that he thinks he's said something wrong.

But for now, I allowed my mind to indulge in the alluring thoughts, savoring the forbidden fruit that was the enigmatic Jack. He takes a step back, offering me a handkerchief to blot the sweat from my brow. As I wipe my forehead, our eyes meet, and I can't help but feel a flicker of desire for this man.

"So, tell me, Bells," he asks, his eyes soulful, "have you found what you were looking for?" I take a deep breath, unsure of how much I can trust this man who seems to captivate me with every word. But as I look into his eyes, I can't help but feel a glimmer of hope that, maybe, in this little town, I'll find what I need.