The bartender slid another gin and tonic in front of the redhead, "From the guy down the bar."
She looked over her shoulder at her benefactor, and saw a burly man with a pageboy hat and scruffy beard. "What the hell?" She said with a sigh.
She grabbed her drink and sat next to the man, sticking out her hand. "Charlie."
"Benny." He said, turning to give her a warm shake. "What can I do for ya, darlin'?"
"I was going to ask you, since you're buying." She said, with a smirk.
"What, a gentleman can't buy a lady a drink?" He asked.
She snorted into her drink. "How do I know your intentions are honorable, sir?"
"You don't, but that's the beauty of it." He laughed lightly. She could tell she was getting drunk, because she actually found herself a little attracted to the man.
"So what are your intentions?" She turned on the barstool to lean against the bar.
He leaned over her, their chests touching lightly, and she could feel his warm breath, and smell the beer and whisky on his breath, "Wouldn't you like to know, girly?"
He laughed lightly, and pulled her up from the bar, and led her to the dance floor. She found herself leaning her head against his broad shoulders and looking up at the man. He definitely was what some girls would call attractive, with piercing blue eyes and a bit of stubble, leaving the impression he hadn't shaved in a couple days. She smiled lightly, the alcohol winning over any brain function, and leaned into the warmth of his arms.
After the song, Benny led her back to the bar, motioning for two more drinks. "So Miss Charlie, what brings a pretty little thing like you to a place like this?"
She laughed, then smiled sadly about the fight that had brought her to the dive. "A guy. You?"
He smiled sadly, but didn't answer. "Some things a gentleman never reveals."
"Uh huh." She said, downing her drink, as the bartender laid down another.
"So how many of those is it gonna take for me to walk you home?"
"I'm not nearly drunk enough for that, good sir." She said, laughing, and downing another drink.
Fifteen minutes later, he was helping her out the door. "My car or yours?"
"You, sir, are not driving," she said, slurring slightly.
"Okay. My place or yours?"
"Forward, aren't you?" She said, then before she could stop herself, "My place is clear across town, so."
"My place it is," he finished.
When they reached his little house, he gently moved her, so he could reach his keys in his pocket. However, she found herself chest to chest with him and before she completely knew what had happened, she reached up and kissed him, shyly at first, but he pushed into her, leaning her against the door, pinning her arms above her head with one of his hands, the other behind her back. He slid his head down, kissing her neck and jawline, releasing her hands to get his keys and unlock the door. Once he did, he turned on the lights, tossed the keys on the side table and picked her up, never once stopping the passionate kissing. Finally he got them both to the bed, and stopped for a split second, undoing his scarf and then working on her shirt.
After she was free of her shirt, she undid the buttons of his, clumsily until he folded his big hands over hers to help. They spent the night entangled with each other, full of kissing and cuddling after. They finally fell asleep in each others arms as the sun began to kiss the horizon with warm light.