Next Contestant (Closed for Dryfter & I)

[play_and_ride89]

Tori Jameson
23
Bartender at Johnny's Bar

http://img.wallpaperstock.net:81/sensual-brunette-wallpapers_12725_1440x900.jpg

5'4 130 lbs 36c chest firm, round ass




Tori gave herself one final glance in the mirror at home before she left for work. Her outfit for the night looked amazing on her, as usual. The denim shorts (which half of her ass hung out of) were covered by a pair of leather chaps, and the leather vest she had on top exposed her entire back except for one string tying it in place. It also revealed quite a bit of cleavage as well. All of that paired with high heeled, knee high leather boots made her look tough yet sexy as hell. Enough to stop men in their tracks... the perfect outfit for Johnny's. With that thought in her head she ran out the door and hopped in her suv.. she didn't want to be late.

When she got to the bar and walked in the music was already pumping. Two of her fellow bartenders were already on the bar dancing and grinding on each other, putting on a hell of a show. Another coworker was behind the bar feeding out shots as fast as she could make them. Throwing her purse under the bar, Tori grinned at the girl and started taking orders. There was no dawdling around Johnny's. Once you arrived you didn't slow down til you left... but the girls made awesome money.. sometimes leaving with 400 dollars in a night.

Once most of the patrons seemed happy Tori joined her fellow bartenders, and good friends, up on the bar, where they all participated in a popular line dance, adding flair to it wherever they could to make it interesting for the people watching.

God... she loved her job.

 

[dryfter]

The place was thumping as usual. And as usual, it all blended together and faded in the back of his mind as he surveyed the crowds that were all too happy it ignore him as well.

Not that it was hard. At first glance he seemed average enough, despite the lean hardened ridge of muscles that stood out defined enough beneath his dark shirt. Where the girls dressed flirtatiously to draw attention....and hopefully money.....he dressed just as seriously.....for the same reason..

Angelo wasn't the largest bouncer there by far. Sure, he was tall, standing easily over six foot......but he lacked any of the real intimidating bulk that many of the rougher bouncers in this city had. It was hard to imagine just how he had found himself in this job to begin with.....

He had been another sucker, brought here by a friend to enjoy the alcohol and the show. Perhaps he was a little jaded, but he didn't end up falling for the girls here half as hard as Tony had. Perhaps it was knowing that all that flirting and dancing was just that....a show.....designed to lighten some poor sucker's wallet just a little more.

And then it had happened......apparently there had been a celebrity of some sorts at the bar. And while the high brow schmuck had been quick to leave, apparently an errant bodyguard had imbibed just a little too much. And when the bouncer of the place had issued a standard warning.....

The kick to the side of his head had stopped him quick enough, at least until Angelo could finish him off with a solid right cross that dropped him where he stood before the bar's other bouncers could even get there. And even then....standing over the broken face of their colleague and his attacker......he had no idea if what he'd just done was right or if it was going to land him in jail. The sudden silence around him was deafening......but not so much so as when it disappeared just as quickly.

"Man, you kicked that guy's ASS!"

"Where did you learn to do that, yo?"

"Did you train for that kind of shit or something? Where can I learn to do shit like that?"

"He didn't kick his ass, you idiot, he kicked his face! Dayum!"

He didn't like it. Didn't like it at all. Knowing that for that split second all eyes were on him. But he hadn't ended up in jail for assault. Not only had the other bouncers vouched for him diffusing a potentially dangerous situation.....but when word had reached the owner......

And that was how he came to be employed here. Fast and to the point, he had yet to be bested either. And with the job came all the perks with it....namely the women. For some reason women just loved men perceived as strong, and while he wasn't the largest of the men under employ here.....Angelo had fended off his share of advances. His dark hair and moody grey eyes had local regulars chatting him up every night as well.....though he rarely only gave them more than just a fraction of his attention.

If he had one vice....one distraction.....it was Tori. And she was a handful indeed. She was making it harder daily to watch the crowd instead of her in her daringly sexy outfits she arrived to work in daily. For a second, he allowed himself to drift towards visions of just what she might look like clothes aside.....

His body's reaction was instant enough to force his thoughts in a different direction before it became too apparent. Staring at the girls....right.....just how much of a kid was he? Still.....the thought that she had even spoken to him when she had arrived was enough to fire his blood just a little.

For now though....he'd have to content himself with keeping the fiery little brunette safe. Even though every sway of her sexy brunette body screamed FUCK ME NOW, it was his job....to make sure that it didn't happen. At least....not here in front of everyone.

 

[play_and_ride89]

Tori and the girls finished dancing and all bowed playfully. Their faces were alight with the joy of giving a good show as they all hopped down to prepare more drinks. Tori leaned across the bar, her cleavage spilling out against the vest, and asked a younger guy what he wanted. As she prepared the tray of drinks he ordered, the guys chatted, asking her questions.

"How'd you get this job?" He asked and Tori grinned.

"I needed money for college... and the two things I was good at were making drinks and shaking my ass. Perfect opportunity". With that she slid the tray to the man and winked, accepting the cash and generous tip that he gave her. She moved on to the next customer.

After about fifteen minutes the rush dulled a little and the girls worked on cleaning up behind the bar while one girl sang on top of it. Tori glanced around and her soulful eyes connected with the stormy grey ones of Angelo, one of their bouncers. Her eyes lit up and she sent him a sexy grin. He was by far her favorite bouncer. They had began working there around the same time and he was as great at his job as she was at hers.

She stacked up a few clean shotglasses and thought about the night he had gotten his job. It had been her first week there and above all else of that first week... the ass kicking he had given to the man in the bar had stood out in Tori's memory. He was absolutely lethal. She had been desperate for money when she had got the job at Johnny's. Taking online college courses cost her a bundle of money, and without much family to speak of she had had to rely on herself and her own skills.

"Hey hot stuff! Shot of Jack! Now!" A man called out, breaking through her daydreaming. Tori turned towards him and shot him a look that plainly said back off. The man hesitated and then smiled sarcastically.

"Please?" He added. That was more like it. Tori poured the shot, sans any flirtation, and accepted the guys money. No tip. Prick. She tossed the money in the register.

"Next time try smiling bitch!" The prick shouted as he walked away and Tori fumed. It was too loud for him to hear a retort if she shouted one, so she didn't. She glanced at Angelo and noticed he had saw the entire interaction. She rolled her eyes but gave him a flirty smile before going back to serving drinks.

 

[dryfter]

All was going like normal tonight. And for that, Angelo was thankful. Unlike many of his colleagues, he didn't actually enjoy showing people the door. Still....it paid the bills....better than the other jobs he had applied for in the past too.

He risked a glance back towards the bar as he heard the music wind down. The motions detected from his outermost peripheral vision told him that the dance was winding down.....which was good.....he wasn't sure he could maintain his composure for long watching Tori shake what God gave her on the bar for every average joe to see.

"Yo Angelo....sup, man.....quiet night, eh?"

He turned to his right, just in time to catch Tori looking right at him.....before tossing him a saucy wink and turning back to her work. It must have shown on his face because the bouncer that had first grabbed his attention glanced over his shoulder....smiling a second later with a knowing grin.

"Tori, huh? Yeah...that's one fine piece of ass there, man. Don't ya fuckin hate it that owner says we can't get involved with the girls here? Me? I like Britney....would love to bend that blonde ass over the bar and show her why chicks dig black men, ya know?"

A soft chuckle. Out of all the bouncers here.....only Rodney seemed able to make him smile while he was working.

"Don't worry man, I'll keep quiet bout you checkin her out."

"I wasn't checking her out, Rodney....she just winked at me."

Smiles broadened the faces of both men, the shorter of the two of them chuckling softly moments later.

"Sure man, sure. Winked at you. Right. Tori's got all the men in the city after her, and she's gonna give it up to a bouncer. You imaginin things, yo.....but no worries. Each one of us needs our fantasies, right? Oh, and by the way....its your turn to buy when show's over, man. Later."

Angelo shook his head slightly and went back to watching the crowd.....a soft smile still contrasting against the rest of his rigid stance. He had already known it was his turn to buy rounds....it would be taken care of.

And in the end, he had been right. Tori was untouchable as long as he continued to work here, and so he had done his best to put it out of his mind.....at least while he was at work. He half wondered what she'd think of him if she knew that she was still on his mind when he left work for home too....

Not that he had any trouble getting women on his own. Even now he watched a pair of college age girls fight amongst themselves over who was going to work up the nerve to speak with him first. Too bad they never had a chance. He wasn't that hard up, and if they had to screw up their courage just to talk to him, they weren't the kind of woman he was looking for anyway.

"Next time try smiling, bitch!"

Narrowed eyes watched as the man ventured just a little too close to him with his hands full of drinks. He hadn't missed how completely Tori's good mood from a minute ago had been wrecked by this asshole. As much as it put him in a bad mood as well.....he hadn't gotten violent. And if he had learned anything about Tori.....it was that she had a tempestuously thick skin. A compliment a minute from now, and the man's slight would be all but forgotten.

It was that same manner that drove him absolutely insane watching over her. Flirting, teasing, yet always retreated.....milking each customer as hard as she could for her daily income. Mad one second, boisterous the next, sexy and alluring the next.....

Yet he had never seen anyone other than her own co-workers leave with with her at the end of the night. A large part of him hoped it stayed that way.....he wasn't sure how he'd react to some strapping stud taking Tori home. Not that he had any right to interfere......

Angelo sighed softly and went back to watching the throng of humanity as it writhed about them all......

It was going to be another long night.

 

[play_and_ride89]

Tori glanced at the clock much later that evening. One AM. The crowd was starting to dwindle a bit by then... after all it WAS Thursday... not quite the weekend yet. All of the customers seemed pretty content for the moment and Tori went to take her only break of the night. Sighing, she went over to a dark corner table and sat down, sinking into the plush leather of the barstool there. It was no La-Z-Boy but it felt like heaven to get off of her feet.

Tori watched as Angelo and Rodney, another bartender, escorted two drunks outside. The men weren't being aggressive, just acting dumb. The bouncers had had a relatively easy night as well so far. And only an hour left til last call. Hopefully it would all continue to go smooth. The girls continued to dance on the bar until last call. And between one and two is when things could get rough. The patrons still there were usually plastered and had no inhibitions about grabbing the girls and sometimes not letting go.

Angelo walked back inside and Tori smiled. He was really gorgeous. Girls hit on him regularly... his dark hair and grey eyes made sure of that. They were irresistible to a lot of women. Even Tori who had no less than fifteen men ask her out per night, was dangerously attracted to the man. His body was a lot leaner than most bodyguards but she had seen what it could do... and personally she preferred his look to that of a bodybuilder anyway.

"Tori! Time to dance!" Britney called from the bar and Tori stood up, shaking away her errant thoughts. A popular classic rock song came on and it was Tori and Britney's turns to dance. Tori climbed agilely onto the wood bar and began to move. The girls would grind againsf each other sensually and touch each other rather provocatively and get the guys blood pumping then they would get down and serve drinks to the lusty men. It was the perfect scam and worked almost every time.

 

[dryfter]

"Oh man....."

Angelo didn't miss the man's suddenly almost pained groan. The two drunks they had just escorted out could collect their keys tomorrow. For now, it was enough to just shove them both into the backseat of a cab. Giving Rodney a glance, he stiffened slightly.....following the man's gaze back to the bar.....and seeing immediately that it wasn't exactly an unwelcome pain that he was in.

It was this kind of show that he found the hardest not to watch. Gentle touches.....arching bodies scant inches from each other. Tori was at it again....this time with Britney.....and both women had the undivided attention of every man in the room.....and a few of the crazier women too. Not for the first time did he wonder if Tori actually had an interest in girls too......with her, it was so hard to tell if this was real.....or just another act to bring in some last minute dollars.

Whatever it was.....it was working. And he could barely get himself to move back into the bar as he watched the two girls grind and tease.

"Someone's getting all worked up."

Angelo's head jerked immediately towards the sound.....the pair of coeds that he had rejected earlier.

"Yo, don't be hatin just cause they do what you bitches won't."

Grinning, he felt Rodney's hand slap him on the back as he made to move past.

"Oh you don't think we got what it takes, huh?"

And just like that lips were locked....a challenge met as the two girls kissed deeply for a second before breaking away.

"They're great at faking it, but if you're looking for the real thing....."

Angelo just shook his head in wonder as he walked past them, Rodney immediately enthralled enough to give them both all the attention he had to spare. Women were just crazy sometimes.....he could only hope that he disappointed them by not rewarding their little show. It was no doubt meant as some sort of vengeance for rejecting them anyway.....letting him know what he could have had. Not that he cared.

Still....at least they didn't work here. He could have pretended to care just to get laid for a change. Wouldn't be the first time.

He just wasn't in the mood. Not with such bad underlying tension beneath it all. He'd much rather just watch the two at the bar....

"Hands off, pal."

"Aw c'mon man...."

"Trust me, I'm doing you a favor. You grab that ass, Britney's gonna own your shit, you understand what I'm sayin?"

"I wasn't her I was trying for, asshole."

A deep scowl and a suddenly much more aggressive stance. He didn't like being argued with, and liked being disrespected even less.

"Even more reason to remember where you're at. I don't want to have to throw your little punk ass out because you thought you'd get some spank material for tonight."

"She your girlfriend, dude?"

Another, different voice. Thankfully the arrogant little punk he'd warned a second ago had decided to make himself scarce. Still....the question unnerved him a little.

"No, no she's not."

A few chuckles and laughter around him.

"Awesome. Don't worry man, I'm not gonna touch her.....but I'm gonna give her my number tonight. As long as I'm not fuckin with you, I'm gonna chase that ass!"

They were still laughing amongst themselves as he turned to walk away. A last comment drifting towards his departing form.

"Don't worry man, I'll let ya know how it goes!"

 

[play_and_ride89]

Tori and Britney gave the show all they had. They arched their bodies together as they grinded against each other so that their hips and more private areas rubbed together. Britney would run her hands from Tori's face down her neck and barely glance against her barely restrained tits and then Tori would dip down so that her lips trailed across Britney's collarbone and into the blondes cleavage.

It was all a show of course. None of the girls working there were lesbian bi or even cuious. They did it all for the money. Its what guys... and some girls... dug. So it's what they did. One mans hand drifted close to their bodies and the girls simultaneously drifted away from it. She heard Angelo's deep voice and smiled knowing he had their backs.

Soon the song cut off and the girls climbed down to take drink orders. It was kind of a pattern there. Dance, do drinks. The patrons would watch the show then rush the bar. It happened every time. Tori leaned up and took a guys order. As she was bending over slightly to make the drink the guy slid a piece of paper right down Tori's cleavage.

"HEY!" she shouted, slapping his hand away and yanking te paper back out. Just as she reared back to look for Angelo or another bodyguard, Angelo's big hand appeared on the groper's shoulder and he was yanking the guy away.

"Hey I was just kidding with the pretty lady,right honey?" the guy shouted and Tori rolled her eyes.

The look on her face told Angelo if he didn't get the prick away from her... SHE would. She knew being groped came with the job but she hated it anyway and it never failed to piss her off completely.

 

[dryfter]

"Helluva way to give her your number. Tell me. At what point did you think you were going to score a date by sliding that shit between her tits?"

He didn't really care if she heard his coarse language. He was pissed off, maybe not as much as she was, but still pissed off. He doubted Tori had even opened the note to see the phone number inside. With its delivery...it was far more likely she could care less about the contents.

"Hey man, hey! I'm a paying customer! I didn't do anything wrong! Didn't touch her....I'm not lookin for a fight....hell I'm not even drunk!"

"No, you're just an asshole. And we don't like assholes here. So get out."

The kid was still bitching as he got dumped out onto the street. If his pack of friends had thought to save him, they all had looked on impassively enough when his friends had moved silently to back him up in case of trouble.

"Sigh. Kids these days have no respect."

Turning, he saw the throng of eyes on him......the silence heavy in the room. It was awkward....uncomfortable.....and for a second he looked for Cammie.....the sexy little DJ that the bar had employed to keep things thumping.

"Who told ya to stop playing, Cammie....get this shit hoppin."

The short haired little brunette blushed slightly before going immediately back to work. Seconds later and the blaring music filled the little bar again.....the incident all but forgotten in the twisting, writhing crowd.

"Gah...can you believe that? I didn't even beat the kid that time, and the whole place shuts down. What's up with that? Hope I didn't cost the girls any money or they'll be pissed at me."

What had been such a good quiet evening had rapidly degenerated into a rather sour one.

Thank god he still had Tori to look at and at least attempt to bring his spirits back up.

 

[play_and_ride89]

Tori was more than grateful to Angelo for his interference. They didn't need pricks like that guy in the bar. They had plenty of DECENT customers. They wouldn't miss the money from one man. The bar had gone silent and Tori felt Angelo's embarrassment. She knew he didn't like all eyes on him so when yelled for cammie to start the music again Tori and the other girls cheered to get the attention back on them. She mentally told herself to seek Angelo out after they closed and thank him.

The rest of night passed easily and by 2:30 the bar was cleared out. The girls, and guys on staff, began cleaning up. Some washed glasses, some picked up broken bottles, some wiped down bars and tables, some mopped floors. They all pitched in to get it done fast. Noone wanted to stay longer than necessary.

Tori was behind the bar cleaning up. She glanced up and saw Angelo nearby. "Hey Angelo. Y'all wanna round of beers or shots?" she asked him softly. It was nice not to have to shout. Cammie kept the music playing but at a much lower volume. She knew the guys usually had a drink after work, as did some of the girls... her included. All of the employees there were decent friends and enjoyed spending time together and unwinding after work.

She had already popped open a beer with Britney and Emmy, another bartender and she knew the guys could probably use one by then. Plus... it was an excuse to speak to Angelo!

 

[dryfter]

He was tired. More mentally than physically...but it was always this way at the end of the night, at least the easy ones.

Angelo stopped in mid-stride just from the sound of her voice. Tori didn't talk to him half as much as he'd like, but he always just chalked it up to her work and its own physical demands.

"Hey Angelo. Y'all wanna round of beers or shots?"

He couldn't resist a double pun, though delivered with a straight face, hopefully she wouldn't suspect anything or think he was hitting on her too.

"I'll take a shot of Jameson, babe. Thanks, but the rounds on me tonight. Don't want you gettin in trouble by the owner for handing over too many free rounds. One between you and me should be good though, eh?"

Short of the double entendre of her name, he hoped she realized he was kidding. He already knew she made far more at the bar than he could ever hope to throwing society's scum out of their otherwise open doors. It was hard enough to meet her lovely eyes these days without having to remember that he can't have an interest in this woman....no matter how much he'd like to. Sure he would give up his job for her in an instant.....but could he really trust the other guys to keep her safe in a place like this?

He grunted his appreciation as the amber hued whiskey settled into place before him. It wasn't the most expensive drink in the house....but it was smooth, and it warmed his guts like few others did. All that and without any nasty taste too.....couldn't ask for much better than that.

"Cheers. Hope you all made out like bandits tonight."

With a rough smile, he raised his shotglass, knowing full well that she wouldn't let him drink alone. And for a second....as their shot glasses clinked together....he allowed himself the luxury of looking her in the eyes.

He could only hope she would think....that the smile he wore was only for her.

 

[play_and_ride89]

Tori grinned at Angelo when he said he wanted a shot of Jameson. She had to bite her tongue to keep from giving him a pun right back. She wanted nothing more than a shot of HIM. She justbwoshed that coworkers were allowed to date. But that was a no-go there.

She poured two shots of Jameson (it was lucky she liked the stuff because it got ordered got her all the time). She handed one over to Angelo and he held up his glass. She smiled softly and held hers up as well. Soon there were shots handed out all around and everyone drank.

It was customary for the guys to walk the girls out at night for safety and Tori found herself hoping Angelo would offer to walk her out that night. She wanted to talk to him one on one. Even though that probably was a horrible idea.

They finished cleaning up and Tori grabbed her purse as did the other girls. Tori's eyes automatically glanced around, looking for, and hoping to connect with Angelo's, praying he would walk with her.

 

[dryfter]

While the girls' night seemed to only get busier now that the bar was closing, his was finally winding down. Angelo was left in silence to brood just inside the door, looking out into the streets to watch the traffic dwindling almost to nothingness. He wondered not for the first time, if he would get to see her again tomorrow. He kept talking to a minimum, as exciting as it was.....so that he didn't make a complete fool of himself by revealing that he was just another guy of many who had a rather obvious interest in her. Still....

"Yo man....you bout ready to wrap up?"

Turning, he gave a rather tired smile to Rodney and nodded.....noting Brad and Isaac's presence behind him. It was the latter who stepped past his friend to give Angelo a gentle nudge in the ribs with an elbow.

"Dude....Tori's been lookin around like a lost lil puppy since we sat down together. You should walk her out to her car tonight. I know its against the rules to date and all, but we've seen you lookin at her. Avoiding her like you do is just wrong man. You should walk her out to her car tonight, cause I'm gonna be busy protecting Cammie, if ya catch my drift."

A wide lipped smile from Rodney greeted him as he glanced back to the darker skinned man.

"Don't look at me, man.....I'm walkin out with Britney tonight. And before you ask Brad's got Riza. In fact, I'm sure you'll find out that the only chick here who's not got an escort is Tori. Ya'll have fun now, ok?"

Angelo scowled, though not entirely displeased, especially when a glance at the bar had him meeting the object of his desire's gaze quite squarely.

"Bastards. All of you."

A sudden burst of raucous laughter and several hard thumps on his back, and they were off....each one eagerly waiting the woman they had assigned each other.

They were alone far too quickly for Angelo's liking. Swallowing nervously, he turned to her, doing his best to keep from dropping his gaze to the more womanly parts of her that she flaunted for a living. He refused to be seen as just another trick, sucker who only saw her as a pretty face or a desirable fuck, and knew nothing of who she really was.....or even wanted to know.

He wanted to know everything about her. Fucking rules.

"You ready to go, Tori?"

He kept his voice pleasant, devoid of the harshness he reserved for people who got out of line. The walk to her car would be a short one....

But he knew it would feel like an eternity. One that would most likely leave him sad and longing at its end.

 

[play_and_ride89]

This had setup written all over. Every other bouncer walked out of the door with another girl... leaving only Tori and Angelo together alone. Not that she was complaining. Hell, its what she wanted. But was their interest in each other that blatant? That would be bad.

As he approached his gaze stayed trained on her face... a MAJOR point in his favor. She knew her clothes were extremely provocative ... they had to be if she wanted good tips... but she didn't dress nearly as slutty in everyday life. She dressed nicely, appropriately, on a normal day. Most guys here just saw her as a piece of ass. But she was so much more than that. Shebhad dreams, ambitions.... feelings.

He asked if she was ready to go and she was surprised. His voice didn't sound nearly as gruff as it did during working hours. Did he put on a show too? To make himself seem tougher than he usually was? Oh she knew he could deliver an ass kicking without a doubt... but surely there was more to HIM than that too.

She gave him a sweet smile and nodded. "I'm ready if you are" she said in a quiet, sort of husky voice. Her desire was kicking into overdrive. Bad situation. Good for her but bad for her job. She walked to meet him, double checking that her tips were shoved deep in her wallet. She didn't want to risk a mugging.

She stepped in beside him and they headed out the door, the manager locking it behind them. As they headed out Tori turned and smiled at Angelo.

"Thanks for getting rid of that asshole earlier. I appreciated it" she told him. Her arm brushed his as she walked and she nearly groaned. That tiny contact was enough to make her wanna fall to her knees. She had a major crush. MAJOR crush.

The walk to her SUV was uneventful. Until she saw the flat tire it was sporting. She groaned in frustration. "Really?" She asked incredulously.

"I don't even have a freaking spare" she said. So much for the night ending on a good note... good thing she only loved about a 35 minute walk from the bar because no way was she going to impose herself on Angelo for a ride.

 

[dryfter]

It felt every bit as good as he'd hoped....feeling her slide right into pace beside him. She looked good.....hell she smelled good.....but that was neither her nor there. She was forbidden fruit.....tasty though she may seem. Angelo did everything he could to keep his mind on his job and not on the curvaceous woman beside him.....though not to the point where he was rude. The last thing in the world he wanted was to seem stiff and unfriendly to the point of driving her away.

She brushed against him and he stiffened slightly, knowing instantly that it had been unintentional, but exciting none the less. He was acutely aware of her at every step....her melodic voice, the fullness of her lips, and the slightly exhausted way she moved as she walked. Why? Why did he notice these things about her, and not any of the other women that frequented the club? Its not like he couldn't get laid these days.....its just that the other women who came on to him had suddenly failed to appeal to him....

"Thanks for getting rid of that asshole earlier. I appreciated it."

"You're a bartender, not a stripper or a whore. It never ceases to amaze me, the number of people who think its acceptable behavior to tuck their tips into the girl's bra cups or thongs. Showing or not, they aren't g-strings at some strip club."

He scowled slightly at the memory. At least there hadn't been any more harm done than just bitching as he'd shown the punk the door.

"Though I sometimes wonder if some of the other girls don't get the lines blurred a little."

He stopped suddenly, realizing how that might sound and coughing slightly....suddenly feeling awkward.

"I didn't mean....I'm not calling them whores or any such thing at all, Tori. I simply meant that some of them seem uncomfortable sometimes with how they make their money. That's all. Sometimes they need to be reminded that their entertainers....nothing more."

How stupid of him. He had her to himself and all he could talk about was work? Stupid.

And then they arrived at her car. He could tell something wasn't right at a glance....no....something was very wrong.

"I don't even have a freaking spare."

He bent low to examine the flat....frowning softly. He had no idea where she lived, he had no right following her to that capacity, and it would have been way too suggestive of a thing to ask. But still....

"Then we'd better....hey.....you're not planning to walk home are you?"

Thankfully he saw her stop just as quickly as she had turned from him....

"That wouldn't be very smart, hun....especially when this tire's been slashed."

That got her attention.

"See here?"

He ran his fingers along the edges of the tire, suddenly perfectly comfortable with how close she was getting.

"Most assholes who are pissed off just punch a knife or another sharp object through the outer wall of the tire. But this guy's a real special little freak. He punctured the tire from the inside wall....so you couldn't notice it right away....prolly think its just a flat."

"Not bad, jackass. Wasn't planning on you to be here too. What's it take to get rid of you?"

"Get in the car, Tori."

He didn't even have to turn while straightening to know who he was going to see when he turned around. And sure enough....he had his punk friends with him too....all smiling maliciously and nervously brandishing their own makeshift weapons as they stepped out of the shadows.

"Now."

She would hopefully be safe from any immediate violence there.....as long as she kept her head down. But if he lost this fight....and it certainly looked like the coward wasn't about to take him on alone....

All this over a fucking phone number. Really. It was enough to piss a guy off.

------------------------------------------------------

"Heh, they seem to be getting along well, doncha think?"

The blonde on his arm smiled nervously, glancing up at him with eyes that had lost their own naivety a long time ago.

"Yeah, well....let's just hope they don't do anything stupid, Rodney. You'll be out a best friend if the two of them hit it off too hard."

A soft chuckle and a squeeze of her arm as it wrapped around his.

"Best friend? That white boy? I don't think so. Still, he's a helluva fighter, gotta give him that.......hey.....what the fuck?"

Squinting slightly, there were clearly more shadows creeping amongst the few vehicles left than what he'd felt comfortable with.....especially when the displayed movement that clearly was not just a trick of the poor lighting.

"Time for you to head home, Brit.....you're not gonna wanna watch this anyway."

"What? Is something wrong? What's going on, Rodney?"

"Get yerself home, girl. I'll see ya tomorrow for sure."

He was already moving.....and picking up speed with every step.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

The window shattered as he narrowly avoided a tire iron. Fingers entangled in hair as he heard Tori respond to the up close violence. Dragging the youth down, his knee snapped up simultaneously as the boy's face exploded in blood.

"Fuck you, man! Just fuckin go down!"

Their attack hadn't been ineffective. Especially considering there were six of them and only one of him. He could feel his lower lip already beginning to swell where it had been split....and another nasty bruise forming on his cheek. His ribs hurt where he had been kicked once....but all in all, he'd given a helluva lot better than he'd gotten. Two of them were down now, and the other four didn't seem nearly as anxious to get in close to him.

The horrible sound of crunching bone had all three of them spinning in their tracks as the attack seemed to come from the shadows around them.....not a single soul other than Angelo having detected the dangerously irate Rodney closing in.

"You call this shit a gang? You pansy assed little bitches jumpin my homie? FUCK YOU. YOU ALL BETTER START RUNNING."

The man he had just punched scrambled frantically away, spitting out teeth at the same time. It wasn't fast enough to avoid a sound kick to the ass that sent him flying to one side.

"Yo man, how's Tori....she doin alright? You don't look so good. Motherfucker had a knife. Wasn't about to let him get any closer."

Angelo nodded silently, grunting as he sidestepped the one idiot scared stupid enough to actually charge him....driving the ridge of his hand up and under the man's chin.....clotheslining him effectively without delivering a fatal adam's apple crushing blow. Still....the sound of him landing on the concrete via the back of his head wasn't very pleasant either.

-------------------------------------------------------------

"You can come out now. Sorry about your window."

The night air filled with sirens as the stood over the few that hadn't escaped.

"Good ol' Britney. Figured she'd get scared and call the cops. Not that I mind at all, mind you. I'm gonna scram before I get caught up in this mess.....hopefully see you tomorrow cause I ain't got the cash to post your bail, bitch."

A wide grin and a cheeky wave, and he disappeared as quickly as he had come.....leaving them both alone together once more. Sturdy fingers closed about her arm as he helped her from her own vehicle.

"Are you alright, Tori?"

 

[play_and_ride89]

Tori had been about to head down the road when Angelo stopped her. She turned to him about to tell him she'd be fine when his next words stopped her in her tracks. Slashed? Her tire had been slashed? She immediately took a step closer, a chill skittering up her spine. Why would someone slash her tire? Agelo pointed out how it had been done and made to look like a regular flat.

Then she heard the other voice behind. She spun around and her eyes widened as she gasped. It was the prick from in the bar. And he was definitely not alone. Terror engulfed her body as she realized what was happening. They were gonna jump her... and Angelo was now going to take the brunt of that anger.

Get in the car, Tori. Angelo's voice was low and intense, dangerous sounding. Tori was torn. She couldn't leave him to fight six men off alone. Especially over her. She backed up a step bur hesitated. She didn't know what to do.

Now.

That sent her scrambling for her SUV door. She was scared to death and couldn't even find her cell phone to dial 911. Her hands shook violently as she dug around for it. Suddenly, everything happened at once and her world literally shattered... or maybe it was just the window. Glass rained down on her hands and face and she screamed at the sickening thud of flesh and bone meeting.

She finally managed to find her cell and punched in 911.

"911 what's your emergency?"

"I'm a bartender at Johnny's Bar on 56th street. A bouncer was walking me out and sox people just jumped him. He's alone against all six of them!" Tori shrieked.

"Ma'am remain calm... police are on their way... stay on the line".

"Well tell em to fucking hurry!"

With that Tori hit speaker phone and threw the phone onto the seat beside her. She was digging for something... anything she could see use as a weapon. But then she heard furious shouting and spun to see Rodney entering the fray like a bat out of hell. Relief screamed through her veins.

The two men effectively cleaned house and had all men either running or knocked out within seconds. Tori sank back against her seat in shock at what had just happened. She heard sirens in the distance and the dispatch lady asking questions but she didn't move. Little did she knew Britney had called the cops as well. Rodney disappeared then and Angelo turned to face her. He had bruises forming all along his face and his lip was streaming blood. Tears welled in her eyes as he looked at her and she covered her mouth to try to stifle the crying jag she felt coming on. She didn't want to appear weak.

She effectively stifled the sobs and started to slide out of the car. Angelo's strong hand wrapped around her arm and he helped her out. He asked if she was OK and she nodded. She wasn't aware of the blood streaming down her face from small knicks and cuts from the glass... she was gazing at his battered face.

"Oh Angelo... your face" she whispered softly as she reached up with an extremely gentle hand brushed some blood from his cheek. She was still shaking as if it was -30 degrees outside and tears were still pooled in her eyes.

"Oh God... I'm so sorry" she whispered hoarsely as her hand clung to his strong arm.

 

[dryfter]

He hadn't even heard the cellphone clatter to the ground. And now that it was all over and he had noticed it....he didn't really care. So it had been Tori who called the cops. Good girl. Level head despite a bad situation.

When they finally arrived, they couldn't find him any happier despite his cuts and bruises. Though it was hard to get his pulse to slow down with her holding on to him like that. He wondered if she'd still be willing to make such contact with him if she knew how acutely he felt her warmth breasts mashed against him. And while he knew it was potentially very bad.....he couldn't bring himself to peel her away.....not when he found it as perfectly enjoyable as he did.

"Oh Angelo... your face."

An exploratory run of his tongue was all it took to survey the damage. His lip had been busted pretty good if the immediate sting from contact were to tell him anything at all. The bruise on his cheek was nothing more than a deep ache....nothing to be worried about.

"Oh God... I'm so sorry."

"Sorry for what?"

He frowned as he looked down at her. It wasn't what he saw in her eyes, or her concern that bothered him.....

His other arm came around....pulling her in close even though he knew he shouldn't. She was shaking like a leaf in the wind. He'd never seen her this scared before.

"If I hadn't been here, lord only knows what might have happened. Eh, its a split lip...couple of bruises....maybe a dislocated rib or two. Just kidding. They're bruised, nothing more."

His wry attempt at humor couldn't have had worse timing....or been in poorer taste. He was instantly sorry for even kidding about deeper injuries.

"This is nothing compared to what might have happened if those assholes had caught you alone. Ever stop to think about that? That's why guys like me take care of girls like you long enough to see you home."

Then we go home and pretend none of it ever meant anything to us on a personal level. Come back into work the next day. Pretend that nothing ever happened and everything's just a-ok again.

For once, Angelo wisely kept his mouth shut.....choosing to simply hold and comfort Tori as he awaited the oncoming sirens. There would be a lot of explaining to do.

"What.....the hell.....happened here?"

The first policeman on the scene gingerly stepped over bodies....his firearm out as if still expecting assailants.

"Attempted rape. Asskicking. In that order."

His backup came just as quickly, a younger man just as awestruck by the unconscious laying around.

"Are you saying that these men attacked you with intent to rape?!"

"Not me, stupid. Her. And that's what it looked like to me. Dude tried passing her his number earlier in the bar, and got pissed when he got rejected. You do the math from there."

A lone finger pointed at blondie, face down and snoring away....albeit with a few less teeth.

"Then who the hell are you? The call said something about a bouncer. You must be him?"

A silent nod as he dabbed at the split in his lip with a fingertip.....noting curiously the dots of crimson it came back with.

"Sorry to have made such a mess, but that's what I get paid for. You'll be able to take it from here, won't you? I'll be happy to come by tomorrow morning and give a full recount if you'd like....but for now, I have to make sure Tori gets home safely. As you can see, she's under a little duress with all that's happened."

Both men nodded silently, the call for an ambulance already placed as more and more uniformed men flooded the scene.

"Right....well....if I could just get your contact information here, sir?"

A few scribbled notes and they were walking in the opposite direction.....Angelo completely ignoring the paramedics that insisted he "be examined". He didn't have the money for that shit....and it was only a split lip and a few bruises anyway.

Long minutes passed in silence.....yet he was grateful for her presence.....and her constant touch. It helped to calm him after the chaos he had just been through.

"Well then....your ride's not going anywhere for the time being. If it's not too out of line, I'd like to offer you a ride home...."

 

[play_and_ride89]

Sorry for what?

Tori gaped at him. "For what? For you getting hurt! Over me... that... that shouldn't have happened".

Then his strong arms were pulling her tight against his body. Rules be damned. She needed this right now. Her hands fisted in his shirt and she buried her face against his chest. His words made her gasp in horror but then he assured her he was kidding about the ribs. Only bruised. She immediately tried to pull away so as not to hurt him but he kept her pulled close. She stopped resisting... if it wasn't hurting him then she was content to be wrapped in his arms.

"This is nothing compared to what might havens happened if those assholes had caught you alone. Ever stop to think about that? That's why guys like me take care of girls like you long enough to see you home."

Tori shuddered. Those men would have raped her. She was sure of it. And so was Angelo. She heard the sirens screaming to a stop and suddenly they were blinded by red white and blue lights. An officer came dashing up asking questions which Angelo fielded easily.

Sooner than she would think... and with her having no recollection of what had been said, they were walking away with his arm still wrapped tightly around her shoulders. She was still shaking when he asked if he could give her a ride. Too shaken up to resist she gave him a grateful smile and nodded. They walked to his car then and he helped her in. He climbed in the drivers seat moments later. In no time she gave him directions and they were on their way. As he drove, Tori instinctively reached out and grasped his hand in hers. She wasn't ready to lose that contact yet. She didn't question why... or the sanity of the move. She just needed it desperately.

She lived very close to the bar and soon he had pulled up to her apartment. She hesitated in te passenger seat. She didn't want to admit it but she was nervous to be alone. Why she didnt know. Angelo and Rodney had taken care of her attackers ... but still.

"You uh... you want to come up for a little while? I mean... I know its late and stuff but..." she trailed off lamely and shrugged, sending him an apologetic look.

 

[dryfter]

"For what? For you getting hurt! Over me... that... that shouldn't have happened."

He shrugged impassively, "Part of the job, hun."

Several long and silent minutes passed before they had wound their way back to the darkened alley behind the bar where he was allowed to park. Angelo only hoped that she wasn't expecting anything to fancy or exotic when it came to his transportation. The soft double beep from his remote key unlocked the doors....and again it was a struggle to keep his eyes in decent places as he opened the door for her and watched her pile in.

"You'll be alright now. Try not to dwell on it too much, Tori."

And yet, the second he had settled into place in the driver's seat....her touch returned.....as if she was as hungry for it as he was. There was no way he could push her away now.....if he even could have at all.

Reaching over, he brushed away that stray lock of her hair that always seemed to fall down into her doe-like eyes. He'd always found that to only heighten her sex appeal to him.....but for now it was meant as solely a comforting gesture.

"We'll get you home.....you'll get some sleep and some much needed rest. Hopefully you don't work tomorrow....that'll net you some extra R+R time....though I can't imagine your phone will ever stop ringing once the girls back at the bar hear about this."

Tires slowly began spinning and they were off. Thankfully she didn't live too far away from Johnny's....but it would have made for a hell of a walk. He was getting more and more thankful that he had stopped her from undergoing such a risky venture.

The touch of her hand as it slid neatly into his own made his breath catch.....and for a second, he glanced down at the contact, and then to her. Yet she didn't seem to notice the askance in his eyes.....and he was loathe to deny her anything that seemed to bring them both comfort at the moment.

"We're here."

It hadn't been hard to find an parking spot despite the late hour. Her apartment complex looming before them.

"Are you gonna be alright?"

She paused for a moment, hesitation clearly written on her face.

"You uh... you want to come up for a little while? I mean... I know its late and stuff but..."

Grey eyes widened at the suggestion as every alarm he had internally went off. This was a bad idea. He shouldn't be getting attached to this woman....especially not when she was as vulnerable as she seemed to be right now.

"You have anything to drink?"

The irony of the statement wasn't lost on him. Asking a bartender if she had any alcohol on the premises was silly at best, and he already knew the answer. Yet it had served to diffuse some of the tension as she finally looked up at him to see if he was serious.

"Could use something....ok, maybe a few somethings....maybe if I drink enough my ribs'll stop hurting. What do you think?"

A warm smile, one of the few genuine ones he saved just for her. Slowly, he got out, keeping a wary eye on their surroundings out of habit. She was still under his protection....and now he had even more reason to keep her safe.

The door opened for her seconds later, and he watched her get out as easily as she had slid in.....swallowing hard at just how much she nearly revealed to him. It was a lot different than viewing her from a distance as he had all night.

"Lead on."

 

[play_and_ride89]

Tori felt relief flood through her body when he asked if she had anything to drink. Relief that he wasn't leaving. Relief that he wasn't eager to leave. Relief that she had some more time with him. And amidst it all was that nagging thought that this was a bad idea. Their jobs were on the line. But they had a perfectly reasonable excuse.

He mentioned alcohol to dull the pain in his ribs and she grimaced. She knew it had to hurt pretty bad. "I think that's a good idea" she told him softly. Soon he was out and opening her door for her like a true gentleman... not many of those left around, she thought. He told her to lead on.

She dug her keys from her purse and they entered the lobby of her building. No security. It wasn't a bad part of town... but not wonderful either. Tori lead the way to the second floor and to her apartment.

"Its not much" she explained as she opened her door. The door led into a small, but clean living room/kitchen combo. It was decorated in tasteful tans, burgundys, and blues. Definitely not wild like one would expect from a bartender at Johnny's. There were only three other rooms in the apartment. Her bedroom, a spare, and a bathroom. She showed him each one, saving g hers for last.

"Again... nothing spectacular" she said smiling. Her bedroom was painted a chocolate brown color with a turquoise colored bedspread and accents, warm and feminine looking. They walked back into the kitchen then.

"Liquors in there... help yourself to that and any chaser you would like... I'm gonna go change" she said with a soft smile.

She headed into her bedroom and grabbed a pair of comfortable grey cotton sweatpants and a white camisole ... definitely not seductive... but she needed comfort that night. After changing I to them... sans underwear and bra, she headed back out.

"Are you hungry?" She asked as she walked back out to the living area, her long hair flowing around her shoulders and face free of makeup yet still perfect looking. "I could cook us something " she offered.

 

[dryfter]

"Its not much."

He had followed her silently, trying his best to not concentrate too much on the soft feminine sway of her hips and ass as she walked. It was becoming increasingly hard to do....despite the fact that he knew it was most likely just a friendly drink. Nothing could possibly come of this. He barely paid the lobby any attention, instead following her down a corridor of doors before stopping at one in particular as she inserted a key.

"Again... nothing spectacular."

At least he could say that this was the happiest he'd seen her since the attack. Tori was smiling again, and for that he was thankful. She offered her liquor cabinet to him, yet he refrained...finding it poor manners to help himself to her alcohol despite her offering. And so he waited for her patiently, not really surprised at all as she immediately moved to what had to be her bedroom....to change and get out of her "work clothes."

When she emerged, Angelo could feel a sudden lump in his throat. The woman who had been the lustful desire of many a man in the year that they had known each other......had come out in a simple camisole and a pair of sweat pants that would have most likely have gotten her ridiculed by any of the girls she worked with if they had known. And yet, the look worked for her....and he found himself staring despite his best intentions.....relaxing somewhat seeing her not quite dressed to kill anymore. And yet.....he could almost swear if he looked hard enough.....that he could see the soft peaks of her nipples raising the fabric of that camisole just slightly. Not arousal....but obvious lack of a certain undergarment. Not that he'd let her catch him blatantly looking at her like that....not when he'd avoided it like death all evening long. He wasn't about to slip out now and have her think of him as just another creep.

If she had noticed his lack of drink yet, it hadn't shown.....as she inquired if he was hungry. For some reason, he hadn't pictured her as a cook......though he'd certainly fantasized about her in other ways he'd never admit. Hell yeah he was hungry....Angelo just wasn't sure if it was for food......

"Why don't you just sit down for a few minutes. You've had a long night. You know I don't drink alone."

He had half a mind to cook for her.....made a mental note to do just that if she actually went through with her plan to make him a supper tonight.....especially dressed the way she was. Sure the sweatpants stole away some of the perfect contours of her legs and hips from sight......but that very theft was what made them so hot in his eyes. He knew what she was hiding in here....he saw her every day.....just never like this. It almost made her look.....attainable.

"You gonna be ok, Tori?"

 

[play_and_ride89]

Tori was trying to keep herself busy. To keep her mind off of what had happened. Suddenly she gasped. "Oh my God where are my manners .. let me help you clean up your face" she said softly. She had just realized she hadn't even offered. Could she have been more rude?!

She hurried to get the supplies from her first aid kit. Mostly just alcohol pads to wipe off the blood and dirt... she sat him down and gently cleaned his bloody lip. It was exquisite torture being that close to him but she loved it. Her chest was in his face as she cleaned his wound but she tried not to be blatant about it.

"Why don't you just sit down for a few minutes. You've had a long night. You know I don't drink alone."

Tori gave him a wry smile. "If I sit down I'm afraid I will have a nervous breakdown " she said completely honestly. She noticed hen that he didn't have a drink and went to make them each one. She grabbed her Jameson and poured them each a few fingers of the liquid.

She walked over and handed him his glass. She perched on the arm of her couch and looked at him when he asked if she was OK. She sighed and swirled the alcohol in her glass.

"Physically I'm fine. I think I'm just kinda freaked. Thanks for coming up with me" she said smiling weakly. "Thanks for EVERYTHING".

She stood up again. She was restless as hell.

"Really Angelo... are you hungry?" She asked softly. "Its the least I can do."

 

[dryfter]

"Physically I'm fine. I think I'm just kinda freaked. Thanks for coming up with me."

Angelo nodded, watching as she played with her own drink. She was definately nervous.....but she was calming slowly. He half wondered when she would begin to regret the implications of him being here.

"Not a problem, Tori. I knew you were pretty rattled yet, and to be honest.....I could use the chance to sit down."

A soft chuckle as she ran a worried eye over him. He was pretty sure he looked like shit. She had to be aware of just how close her chest was to his face as she looked him over good....recoiling ever so softly each time the touch of alcohol soaked cloth brought a hiss of pain from between tightly clenched teeth. Throught it all, he couldn't help but think......I was right.....she isn't wearing a bra. How can she be so relaxed around me?

And yet the evidence was practically on display....a nice little distraction from the necessary tormenting she was doing. At least it helped when she finally moved aside and started putting her first aid kit away....allowing him to take the shot that had been poured for him. It didn't burn his face half as badly as it could have as his tongue ran outward in silent inspection once more.

"Really Angelo... are you hungry? Its the least I can do."

There was something in her voice.....and it mirrored in her eyes when he turned at the sound of it to look at her directly. Something that made him frown softly, though his face softened just a touch.

"You know this isn't your fault, Tori...."

He rose then from the chair....moving slowly towards her, holding her gaze once more as he drew near. She hadn't changed that much from when the attack had first ended.....and he knew she wouldn't struggle now either.....as he gently reached for her hand....to pull her towards him in a firm embrace.

"Yeah, I can eat something, sweetie. But let's just make sure you're gonna be ok, first....alright?"

 

[play_and_ride89]

"You know this isn't your fault, Tori..."

Tori sighed softly. Then Angelo was standing and walking towards, his body oddly graceful for being so large. His hand reached out and took hers in his and he gently pulled her close and into his strong embrace. She willingly went into his arms, no matter the fact that it wasn't a good idea. She laid her head against his strong chest and took a deep breath. He smelled amazing. He felt amazing. Everything about him was amazing to her.

Yeah, I can eat something, sweetie. But let's just make sure you're gonna be ok, first....alright?"

Tori smiled against his chest. Her arms were wrapped around his lean waist and she didn't want to let go. It felt too right.

"You feel it too... don't you Angelo?" she asked ina voice that was almost a whisper. This was.more than just a comforting embrace to her and she was almost certain it was more to him too. She leaned her head back to gaze up into his eyes.

"Is it just me that feels this chemistry?" She asked hesitantly.

 

[dryfter]

"You feel it too... don't you Angelo?"

He stiffened just a little at the words, knowing full well what she meant, just as he knew that she was spot on with her odd assessment. It just felt good to hold her, to know that she looked to him when she was scared or troubled. And truth be told....he wouldn't want it any other way.

"Is it just me that feels this chemistry?"

If by chemistry, she meant how her hardening nipples pressing against his own chest.....or how he couldn't possibly hide his own swelling arousal despite his thankfulness that she hadn't pressed herself against that part of him yet.....or even if all she meant was how well the seemed to mesh as an intimate and supportive couple.....

He had to agree with her. And he couldn't allow her to think she was the only one who felt a soft spark between them. God, how he just wanted to lean down and kiss those full, pouty lips. But if he was wrong.....if he went to far....not only would she slap the shit out of him, but their working relationship would be shot too.

"To hell with it...."

His words were mumbled softly, though she no doubt heard them.....seconds before his lips gently closed about her own......

 

[play_and_ride89]

He didnt say anything and Tori's heart stuttered in her chest. Shit. Had she made a huge judgement of error? Maybe he didn't feel the insane attraction that she did. Maybe she was the only one who was dumb enough to be attracted to a coworker when it could potentially cause her to lose her job.

"To hell with it...."

Her eyes jerked up to his just as his mouth began to descend upon hers and her pulse began to race. He was going to kiss her. He felt it too! Then his lips were on hers. The kiss was tentative, a testing of the waters for both of them... but then it deepened when they realized it was what they both wanted.

Their lips formed together perfectly, hers soft and pliant, eager to accept his. Her arms were still around his waist and she slowly slid her hands up his back and around his neck. The new position brought her body flush against his, her perky, bra-less breasts crushing against his hard chest as she traced his lips with her tongue.

She wanted more... more of his mouth, more of his body... just more of him period.

She could feel his heartbeat racing against her chest, the muscles of his arms wrapped around her body. Every time she breathed in she inhaled a scent that was purely male and purely him. It made her want to melt in a puddle.

She didn't want more of him... she neededmore.