20 Ch 20 Date Nigh (1/2)

”Dad!”

Derrick snickered as Dad fussed over me.

”It's a date, not the prom! You weren't this bad when I went to prom!”

”That's because your mother got to fuss then. Hold still.”

I tolerated his tugs on my shirt and his hand through my hair, knowing he thought Mom would do such things. I finally met with his approval, except for the one question he just had to go and ask.

”Did you grab some of the...”

I rushed out the front door, then had to go back in to grab my keys out of his hand. Derrick was busting a gut laughing. I didn't bother risking any more of my dignity with a single word.

I was glad Derrick had loosened up with my dad. When I went to put my pipe away after the smoke with Mac, the guys had respectfully parted for me. Mac was poring the third bottle into the ground. I had urged them to go to Mac. Let them blame his crying on the previous two bottles of booze if they wanted to save some sort of face, I didn't care.

By the time I was rubbing some of Auntie's salve into dad's shoulder, Mac had come around front. The big man had grabbed me into a bear hug and all I could do was hug him back while hoping he didn't bust my ribs.

No words, none needed.

Derrick got home in time to watch my final preparations for my date, asking my dad if he'd ever played some of the games on the PlayStation.

I laughed to myself as I drove down the road. I had barely played any video games myself, and that was always at a friend's house. The retelling of game night was going to be interesting. I bet I would hear two different stories of how the night went.

I pulled into the coffee shop and sat on the bike for a minute looking for her. She ended up pulling in behind me. I couldn't take my eyes off her as she got out of her car.

”Somehow I don't think you want to head out on my bike wearing that. Is it ok if we go in your car together or do you want me to drive my bike?”

Her royal blue dress was tight around her thighs. There were two straps on one shoulder, one strap that came around her neck and joined them. The straps looked connected by some sort of crystal broach. Her other shoulder was bare.

”We can take my car, I guess. You'll need to drive, I don't know where we're heading.”

I just grinned at her, then walked over to the passenger door to open it for her. The mere sight of her sparked desire in me. She was wearing the same perfume she had on the first time we met.

I drove for awhile, kept my hands on the wheel with effort.

”I had a friend tell me about this place, said some of his friends hang here. I make no promises. If it ends up not being your scene, just let me know and we'll leave, no problem, ok?”

I parked in the parking garage that Ed had recommended. There was a uniformed guard hanging out by the elevator.

”Ed says hi.”

The guy looked me over, nodded, and moved out of the way.

I grinned reassuringly to Mahina.

”Private security,” I whispered as I put my arm around her in the elevator, mostly to reassure her. Getting out, I followed the directions Ed had given me. It was an easy trail to follow considering the scents I was picking up. Before long we came to a line. Ed had told me to ignore the line and go straight to the bouncer. I recognized the guy from the gym, but wasn't sure he recognized me from the look he gave me.

”Reservation for Little Wolf.”

”We don't do reserva...”

He got pulled back from behind, literally yanked back. Mac was standing there holding a handful of the guy's shirt.

”Get your ass in here,” Mac said to me, then turned to the bouncer.

”Out of his way.”

I was grinning, trying not to laugh. What was I going to do with these guys? I guided Mahina in.

There was a short corridor where you could here the muffled bass of music further in.

”Mahina, this is Mac. Mac, Mahina.

”Charmed,” Mac growled, stalking down the corridor.

”Should I ask?”

Apparently not. Mac looked a little embarrassed as he opened the doors at the end of the corridor. We were assaulted by noise and lights.

Mac headed straight to a hall off to the side. The bouncer guarding the entrance moved quickly out of his way. The hall was lined on one side with curtained doors. Each curtain was a different color or had some symbol or another on it. Mac stopped at one that had a black curtain with a fist on it. He moved it aside.

We stepped into a small room. There was a curved couch on one end that had a narrow shelf behind it to hold drinks. There was a booth on the other end to hold real food.

This was part of a VIP area. The room opened on the other end directly onto the dance floor. The DJ was across from us on the far wall. The VIP rooms were partitioned off from the dance floor by a red velvet rope, with openings here and there so people could go in and out. A few bouncers were spaced along the velvet rope.

”Not a word,” was all Mac growled at me, then turned toward Mahina.

”There are restrooms that are easier to get to off the VIP corridor. This guy gives you any problem, just let me know.”

Mac was grinning as he left. I just shook my head.

”You plan on giving me any trouble?” Mahina asked me. She had a sly, teasing look on her face.

I gave Mahina one of those intense looks for a moment, leaning over to give her a kiss, stopping before our lips actually touched.