Chapter 1: Chapter one
Jack's P.O.V
A dark shadow casts over the sky. I was dressed in black making my way through the dusk twilight.
Hands in my pockets and with my head down.
My jacket wrapped tightly around me as the fall breeze blew by, it's quite cold for an early October.
I could feel my keys jingling in my pocket as I passed the closed coffee shop and stores.
I noticed a bar that seemed to be open and lively, hoots and hollers came from inside.
Curious, I got closer to the window to see what the fuss was about.
I walked in slowly, I'm pretty new to this town and knew no one, the smell of cheap cigarettes and alcohol filled my nostrils as mostly drunk men surrounded the stage.
I stepped through the gathered people and attempted to get a bit closer to the stage.
A young woman around the age of nineteen danced upon the stage, she had golden, long wavy hair.
Her lips were the colour of strawberries and her eyes were the colour of polished emeralds against her fair ivory skin.
The dress she wears ends at the bottom of her thighs, the colour was black you could tell she was wearing a corset because her breasts were pushed up.
She danced to the sound of piano, and her voice as she sang in the microphone was as smooth as silk.
The woman looked over the crowd gazing at the men that gathered around her until her gaze met mine.
She then seductively bit her lower coloured lip and winked, smiling with her pearl white teeth.
The song was almost over but you could tell the night was just getting started, the man who was playing piano watched her dance and twirl elegantly as if he too were in a trance.
I looked around as everyone clapped as her song came to an end.
The men dispersed as they slowly walked back to their tables and their wives.
Although you could tell they'd rather go home with the woman who was leaving the stage.
The owner seemed to be angry with her as his hands flailed into the air. The look on her face was frustration and annoyance.
He wants her to do something but she doesn't seem to want to comply, she shakes her head and walks away heading towards the door. I go find a seat at the bar, nodding at the bartender that I'm ready to order.
He poured drinks for the regulars first, five minutes went by and I felt a tap on my shoulder. Turning around I could smell the aroma of strawberries that matched the woman from before.
I turned around to face the beautiful woman, as she stood looking confident and very charming.
"Hello, there, miss," I say, with a knowing smile.
"Hello, I haven't seen you before. Would you like a drink?" She observed while waving over the bartender.
"I was waiting to order actually," I came out with, sitting up in my seat a bit.
"Alex, can you grab me my usual and anything this man would like?" She winked in my direction once more.
I looked around the bar and most of the men seem to be keeping a close eye on me.
"Yeah, I'll get scotch on the rocks, thanks," I affirmed, taking out a twenty-dollar bill and handing it to him.
"Oh you don't need to pay, I got it," she voiced, placing a hand on my leathered shoulder.
I looked where she placed her hand and smiled back at her before speaking."A woman should never have to buy a man a drink, especially a pretty little thing like you," I waved at her to sit, which she did, crossing a leg over the other.
"Well, if you insist I'll take the drink then." She gave in, as Alex, the bartender came back with our drinks.
Hers was a strawberry Daiquiri with cherries on the side of the glass, she twirled the straw around in her drink and gently placed her lips taking a slow sip.
'Very classy.' I thought to myself as I tended to my own.
"I'm surprised none of the men here haven't already bought you a drink," I mentioned as I brought the glass up to my own with a smirk.
"They do, she just refuses," Alex mumbles behind the bar.
"I don't take things from strangers." She exaggerated her breath, slowly with a sigh.
"We don't know each other so doesn't that make us strangers?"
I muffled a laugh, as I took a sip and placed down the glass the ice jiggled making a gentle cracking noise.
"My name is Alice, and you are?" She introduced slyly, holding out her petite hand out for a shake.
"Jack," I added just as sly and shook her hand.
"You have such a strong handshake," she mentions, stroking only my ego.
"Yes, well now and then you need to show some dominance," I responded, chuckling, watching her sip her drink as she made eye contact.
"Well now, there see, now we aren't strangers," she reveals, changing the subject, and scooting a bit closer; placing a cherry between her lips.
I found myself staring at her barely parted red lips as I licked my own. I shook out of it and looked back at my glass.
So far she makes a good candidate, it was like an itch waiting to be scratched, but I would have to take this slow or I will be expected.
Clearing my throat as I responded."Yeah, I guess we aren't anymore."
Alice's P.O.V
This dark and mysterious man intrigues me, and it seems he's already falling into my trap. Sometimes it takes a couple of hours to get a man to be head over heels for me, I let my hand fall off his chest as I pulled my seat close and slid my drink along with me.
"How long have you lived in Salistin?" I asked, milking my voice like honey.
"I've been here for maybe a month or so now." finishing the rest of his drink.
"This is your first time at the bar and you have been here for a month?" I questioned, as I raised an eyebrow.
Leaning my elbow on the counter, placing my chin on my hand, acting intrigued to keep his attention.
"Yes, well I don't drink all that often," he explained, while he pulled out his phone to check the time.
I giggled. "You must have good control over your alcohol then,"
I notice he is beginning to get ready to leave, so I sit up straighter and undo crossing my legs leaning in a bit as his knee accidentally brushes up against mine.
I pick up a napkin on the counter and grab a pen, quickly writing my number down on its thin paper.
I then fold it and place it in his pocket and he looks at me with smug confusion."If you ever," I began."You know, want a tour around town, I'd be happy to be your escort," I continued as I winked at him.
"Might take you up on that offer," Jacks' voice was flirtatious, I finally finished my drink, then smiled at him.
"Want another round?" I asked him, as I put my hand up for Alex to come back.
"Yeah I can drink one more," he agrees, with a nod.
"Hey Alex, want to make us one more drink?" I called out, as he was on the other side of the bar.
"Sure thing," he hollered, and put two thumbs up, nodding as he made his way back to the liquor.
"So, where are you from? You have a bit of an accent so you must not have originated from here," I investigated, nudging his arm playfully.
"Oh yeah, I guess you're right I'm actually from England," Jack disclosed, as he leaned in to speak the last part, and put a thick accent on the end.
"England, is that where they eat tea and crumpets all day?" I interrupted curiously, as my eyes met his deep honey brown ones.
"That's a stereotype, I'm hurt, we only have tea and crumpets at Tea Time," he joked, acting wounded and moving back.
I began to laugh, as Alex placed our next drinks in front of us.
"Thank you," Jack acknowledged, and Alex nodded with a smile.
"You're quite funny," I admitted while picking up my drink.
"Well, I do try," he joked nonchalantly.
"You try to be funny?" I questioned teasingly, raising an eyebrow.
"Well yeah how else am I supposed to make you laugh?" He laughed as he spoke.
"Touche," I agreed, moving my hair off my shoulders as it fell down my back.
"Now, enough questions about me now, It's my turn to ask you questions," he declared, as his knee was still touching mine, he was cold from the fall breeze.
"Nothing is interesting about me, though you're the new guy here. I lived here all my life," I added, exaggerating a bit.
The truth was my brother Alex and I moved here when we were four because dad got a job at the bank in the town square, and mom was a stay-at-home mother taking care of us and our older brother on her own, or at least she tried.
"Well that answers one question," he chuckles, marking off an invisible checkmark with his finger.
"Okay, next question…" he trailed off as he thought what to ask and looked at Alex then back at me, I already knew his question.
"Why is it that you and the bartender almost look identical?" he asked, shaking his head.
"That's because Alex and I are identical twins," I say more in a whisper.
He looked at Alex and back at me again and leaned in really close.
"Why are we whispering?" he whispered back, trying not to laugh.
"Because he doesn't like people knowing," I whispered again.
"-But It's kind of obvious the two of you share the same gene pool," he whispers forcefully.
"It's a long story," I say, taking another sip of my drink.
Jack's P.O.V
"Well instead of just sitting here why don't we go have a dance on the floor over there." I pointed to a spot beside the stage as someone else had taken over on it.
"You want to dance?" She asked, looking a bit skeptical.
"What?" I asked, feeling pushed back. "I love to dance." I shrugged and held out my hand, waiting for her to take it, or at least shoot me down.
She took it and I lightly helped her get back on her feet, her confidence quickly turned into nervousness as she followed me to the dance floor.
I wrapped my arm gently around her waist as the other awaited hers, smiled as we were face to face and danced and twirled her around before continuing the questions.
"Okay, next question," I begin, as she cut me off with a groan. "What is your favourite colour?" I smirked as I knew she thought it was going to be a more personal question.
"Oh, that's an easy question," she responded light-heartedly.
I snickered at her half-filled comment, and gently dipped her to the right and brought her back up again, everyone was watching us since we were the only ones dancing on the floor.
Alice's P.O.V
"I'd have to say it would be red," I replied, dancing around the room.
"Why would it be red?" Jack asked smugly.
"It's the colours of a lot of my favourite things, like cherries and the colour of love," I answer as he pulled me back in and made our way of swaying around the room.
"I always thought the colour of love was pink," he spoke thoughtfully, and spun me around again, as the song came to an end.
I stopped dancing and smiled at him before answering; "Maybe in your world." I giggled, as we let go of each other.
"I never thought of it that way," he put out as he gestured us to go back to our seats.
"Let's go outside for a minute I need some fresh air," I admitted as I fanned myself with my hands.
"I'll follow your lead then miss." He bows and gestures that I lead the way.
I turned away as my face turned pink, who was falling for who's trap again?
Jack's P.O.V
"Are you sure you won't get cold with only a dress on like that?" I asked as the bell on the door dinged as she opened it.
"I'm sure a gentleman like you would give up his jacket to make sure a little lady like me was warm," she taunted, as the cold breeze took the autumn leaves with it.
"Well, of course," I reply, tripping over my words.
The sky was a blackish grey, and the trees were all nearly bare. I looked back at Alice realizing she now had a cigarette between her lips and a lighter that doesn't seem to light.
"Here let me help." I opened my jacket and shielded her from the wind, as she leaned into my jacket until it finally lit.
"Thank you," she responded thankfully, taking a deep inhale.
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