A random drabble I keep working on that will have random chapter lengths and random uploading dates. Enjoy!
Another boring bar, another boring town, filled by even more boring people. The men who sat beside him only wanted business with him, investments, money, popularity. The women who had shown him any interest just wanted to fuck, and even if that's all he wanted to, they were not worth the venture. He needed more from life than this. He was getting bored with his life, as lavish as it might look on the outside looking in.
Away in another city, fixing the remnants of his uncle's mess once more. When he inherited the hotel business, it was doing great. Profits soared; rooms were always fully booked. He didn't have to intervene too much. Until now. Now he was traveling from city to city, in an attempt to figure out exactly what was going wrong. He didn't seem to be getting very far with that task, each city seemed to need something different.
The lone hotelier sipped at his bourbon, a sigh billowing from his lips as his eyes roamed the room again. His fingers tapped against the glass, boredom surging through him. It definitely wasn't the best bar in town, and had he looked further could probably have found better, but at least they carried his brand of poison.
The Eddison style lights tried to give the place more of an edgy vibe, but in reality, it was just another dive bar in disguise. Sticky floors, a promise of home-cooked food, he was pretty sure he was only thrown in the microwave for five minutes for five minutes before it was served, judged from the looks of others' dishes. It was no wonder he'd forgone an actual meal himself.
"Look, you'll see the results yourself. Customers love the feel of our towels, and if you put them in your hotels…" the man next to him droned on, and on, and on.
Derek had only wanted to grab a drink before bed. Maybe take someone back to bed with him. Both tasks were apparently going to be a no go. They wouldn't stop talking, and no-one around seemed worth a fancy to him. It was time for him to take his leave.
And just as he was ready to leave, a soft laugh wormed its way to his attention. His eyes darted to the source of the melody. A small smirk graced his lips when he got sight of her. His eyes roamed over her whole form, taking her all in, committing her to memory.
The woman that stood at the bar, who must have only graced the bar with her presence. He would have noticed her instantly otherwise. She was breathtaking. He looked her over. The way her dark blonde curls fell down her back effortlessly. The black dress that hugged her slight curves stopped dangerously high on her firm, upper thigh. That round, grabbable ass.
He caught her expression, the way she laughed so freely. It wasn't just her image that attracted her to him. There was something different about her. The way her eyes sparkled when she laughed. The smile on her face, as though she were hiding a secret. He wanted to know that secret, every last word.
And then her tongue darted out over her bottom lip, and it was a struggle to keep himself together.
He had to know more about her.
He stood, excusing himself, no care for manners.
He left his empty glass behind and walked over to the bar, almost across from where she stood, surrounded by a few friends. He flagged down the bartender.
"Re-fill on the bourbon; and I'll pay for another of whatever she's drinking," he motioned toward the woman.
"Ha, good luck with that one," the young bartender scoffed, and turned to make the drinks.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Derek quirked an eyebrow. He leant against the bar with one arm.
"She's in her most weeks, never one to respond to the attention," he shrugged. He passed over the bourbon, a wistful look in his gaze as he looked over to the nameless woman again with a sigh. "God loves a trier."
Derek shrugged, ignoring the surge of anger that stirred inside him. He sipped at his drink as he watched the bartender take the other glass over. A few words were exchanged before her wide, emerald eyes landed on him with a polite smile. She rose the drink to him in thanks, and he copied her gesture.
He continued to watch, her expression unreadable as she looked him over before tilting her head to the side slightly. Her full lip caught between her teeth for a second. She took a sip of her drink with a smirk teasing her lips. He smirked back at her. Something flashed in her eyes before she turned and spoke to her friend, who glanced at him, and then gave her a nod of approval.
To his delight, she walked over, and he was instantly mesmerised by the graceful, yet strong, movements of her legs. His gaze flickered back up to her face as she stood in front of him, drink in hand.
"I wanted to say thank you for the drink," she paused.
"Derek," hie said, his voice deeper than usual.
"Derek," his name rolled off her tongue, and it sent a shiver of delight through his bones. "Thank you, Derek."
"You're welcome." He moved closer to her, drawn in by her perfume. "Do I get to know your name?"
"Meredith," she said, and he could sense a degree of breathlessness, a flush colouring the cheeks above her sculpted jaw.
"Pleasure to meet you, Meredith," he flashed her a grin.
Meredith. He was sure she was about to change his life.