Love In The City

    Gabby POV     Alone is what I felt sitting at a corner table in the club. I can’t even believe I agreed to come here. If I didn’t feel so grateful to Melinda for taking me in, I would have gone home already. The bad thing about sitting alone meant it left me with my thoughts.    I had wasted over one year with Carlos. Finding out he had a wife and kids in Mexico was devastating. It didn’t help to live in a small town, where everyone knew everyone’s business. I was barely out of college and already labeled the town w***e. I shivered, thinking about when the small petite woman showed up on his doorstep, with a small child in her arms.    I assumed it was a family member, but the look on Carlo’s face as he came down the stairs said it all. I didn’t understand a lot of Spanish but could speak it enough to know he tried to tell her I was the cleaning lady.    It didn’t take long to spread through our little town, and some took pity on me, which I hated, and those who called me everything from homewrecker to w***e. My father’s company suffered, and though he didn’t say it, I know he secretly wished I had gone away for college.    I was thankful when Melinda called. She had grown up with me in Allen, Kansas, but right before we graduated High School, she found out where her real dad lived and moved to San Francisco. She was attending the University and offered me a place to stay with her.    I desperately needed a new start, and she thought a night on the town was a great way to help me get over Carlos. I’d never lived on my own before and admit the big city scared me. Even the nightclubs were scary. They were much bigger here than any we had in the cities in Kansas.    Melinda hadn’t gotten back yet, and I thought of going to look for her when I noticed a man walking towards me.   “What’s a beautiful young lady like you sitting alone for?” He asked as he sat down next to me at the table.    “I’m not alone. I’m waiting for a friend to get back.” I got a good look at him now and admitted he was very good looking. He had dark hair that lay messily on his head, but sexy, and his eyes were a chocolate brown.    “My name is Raul. What is your name, beautiful?”    “Gabby, nice to meet you.” His name was very sexy, and I was thankful for the darkness of the room that he couldn’t see my blush.    “Would you like to dance?”    “I think I will just wait for my friend,” I said. But he grabbed my hand, sending little shivers down my spine, and led me to the dance floor, anyway.    I hoped a slow song would come on because I didn’t really know how to dance. You had to drive awhile to get to a good dance club back home, and though a few times in college, I went out with friends, it wasn’t enough to learn anything. Besides, the way they danced here was much more sensual and sophisticated than back home.    Just as the song switched to a slow one, he rested his hands on my waist. We swayed to the music, and I laid my head on his shoulder, inhaling his cologne. I guess it would not hurt me to dance at a club, and it felt nice.    When the song was over, he grabbed my hand and led me to the bar. I glanced around, looking for Melinda one more time, but she was nowhere in sight.    “What do you usually drink?”    “I’ll take a shot of Tequila and a beer.” I figured it would be a long night, and though I didn’t drink alcohol much, it would help me relax more. He ordered our drinks, and we carried them back to our little table. Melinda was sitting there with another girl and a guy.    “We lost our table, shall we look for another?” he said.    “Actually, this is my friend,” I sat down at the table and motioned to Melinda. She eyed him cautiously, but I didn’t miss the annoyed look on her face. I thought she wanted me to have fun. She was the one who told me the best way to get over a man was to find a new one.    “I have seen you somewhere before,” Melinda said.    “Perhaps here, I come here sometimes.”  I realized I didn’t even know his name.    “Gabby, this is my boyfriend Jeff, and his sister Carly, I’m sorry I didn’t catch your name,” Melinda said.    “I didn’t give it, but it is Raul.” He motioned to the cocktail waitress, and she sauntered over. I noticed she put a little emphasis on her walk as she eyed Raul up and down.    “Nice to see you again sexy, what will it be?” She said.    “A round for everyone of whatever they like, and two more shots of tequilas right here.” He pointed in front of us, and the waitress took the orders of everyone else. She winked at Raul, then walked off.    “Seems they know you around here,” Melinda said. He only shrugged.    “Melinda tells me you just got here today,” Jeff said, startling me.    “Yes, I haven’t even finished unpacking yet when she got this bright idea to come here tonight,” I rolled my eyes.    “Looks like you are having fun,” She glanced at Raul, making me blush a bit.    Raul took his phone out of his pocket, and I could see the lights on the screen flickering.    “Sorry, I need to take this,” He said, excusing himself from the table.    “Where did you meet this one?” Melinda was blunt, and I wondered why she didn’t like him.    “He just came up and introduced himself. Do you know him or something?” I shrugged.    “No, at least I don’t think so, but he looks familiar.” She said.    “He said he comes here often, so that’s probably why,” Jeff said. I liked him already and was glad he and Melinda were together.    The waitress returned, and Jeff ordered another round for our table; I had already had a few beers and shots and needed to slow down. “I’ll just take a coke this time.”   “How about we all do one shot together, then you can have your coke?” Raul said, returning from his phone call.   “Okay, but please just bring the coke with the drinks as well,” I said.   “How about a toast?” Jeff asked.   “That’s an excellent idea. It’s Gabby’s first night here, and I say we toast to new beginnings.” Melinda said.   Raul put his hand on my thigh, and I almost dropped my shot glass at the gesture.   “To new beginnings and friends,” We all toasted. The alcohol went down smoothly and didn’t burn as much as the last one did.   Carly had already gone out on the dance floor when Jeff took Melinda to dance, leaving me alone with Raul.   “So tell me how come I have never seen you here before?” He asked.   “I just moved here from Kansas.”   “Oh, that’s a long way from here. What brings you here?”     I didn’t want to tell him I had fled my hometown because I was dating a married man, or that my family despised me now. They were sure I should have known, but honestly, how could I? The woman didn’t even live in our Country until she showed up that day.    “I just finished college and moved to the city. Melinda invited me here, so I took her up on the offer.”   “What did you study in college?” He took a drink of his beer and sat it back on the table before settling his eyes back on me.    “I have an Associate’s degree as an Administrative Assistant, but I may go back for my Bachelor's degree once I get settled in here.”    “That’s a good idea; it’s competitive here in the big city.” He pulled me up again and led me to the dance floor, but it was easier this time. A few drinks would do that. I even loosened up some, allowing him to pull me closer.    He rested his hands on my butt, and I wrapped my hands around his neck again, savoring the smell of his cologne. It smelled very masculine and suited him well. An upbeat song came on, and I froze a bit.   “Just follow my lead,” He said, noticing my hesitance.   He moved his hips against mine, using his hands to guide my hips with the music. After a few moments, I could follow. My face flushed at the feel of his body on mine. He twirled me around and rested his left hand on my hip, grabbing my hand in his right. I followed his movement, hoping I was doing this right. I had never really danced to Latin music before. Carlos never took me dancing.    As the beat slowed down a bit, he yanked me to him, almost making me lose my balance. A sexy smirk lit up his face, making me wonder what I got myself into. As we danced, I could feel his lower regions thrusting against me, and I admit I never knew dancing could be this sexy. He leaned me back in his arms and ran his free hand down my chest in a teasing touch that made me blush, but as soon as he reached my stomach, he yanked me back to him.  I glanced around, wondering if anyone else had seen, but they all seemed in their own world with dance partners.   “Are you enjoying the dance?” His voice was husky, and I had to catch my breath before speaking.   “Yes, I have never danced like this before, though.”   “There is so much I could teach you, Gabby,” He whispered in my ear, giving me goosebumps.    He pulled my chin up, and I found it hard to look into his eyes. He was so close to my lips if only a few more inches. I moved in closer without even knowing it until his lips touched mine. They were soft at first as he slowly moved his tongue over my lips, teasing me, making me want more. In the back of my mind, I heard a small voice protest, but I was so far gone now, I couldn’t stop, and I pulled him to me. He looked surprised but recovered smoothly as his lips frantically moved on mine. I never had in my twenty-two years of life experienced a kiss so good. Maybe moving to San Francisco was a good idea.    “I really wish we were somewhere else,” He whispered, making me moan. His voice was sexy, and it did things to me.    “Like where would we be?” I was getting bolder and wasn’t sure the alcohol was entirely at blame. Raul had made me feel like no other man before, and we just met.   “I have a room we could go to.” I decided to just live for the moment for the first time and do something I had never done before. I knew that little voice kept telling me to stop, but I just gave in to temptation, and to Raul. ****    The next day I woke and realized I was not in my room. Hell, I wasn’t even in Melinda’s apartment, but I then remembered last night's events. I had let Raul bring me back to his hotel room, and we spent hours making love repeatedly. He was good, and I had never had a man as attentive as he was. Maybe things were really bigger and better in the city.    I looked around the room for Raul, but he was nowhere in sight. Perhaps he went to get breakfast or coffee even. My clothes lay scattered around the room, and I picked them up and headed to the shower. I was sure he would return by the time I am done.    When I got down from showering and getting dressed, I went back out to the room, and it was then I noticed the note on the bedside table.    You will find the address on the book on the table; I have already turned in the keys. Feel free to stay until check-out time, which is noon, and Thanks for last night. Signed Raul.   He didn’t even leave a number; I was now embarrassed and couldn’t believe I had been so stupid as to sleep with him. That jerk didn’t even offer me a ride home. It was clear he has no intention of ever seeing me again. I can’t blame the alcohol for my poor judgment because I wasn’t even all that drunk and remembered everything.   My first night in the big city, and I have already had a one-night stand. I was so attracted to him and couldn’t believe what I had done if my parents were ashamed before; they really would be now. At least we used condoms.    I knew Melinda would understand she was much more sophisticated than me, but I just felt like crying. I was stupid to think he would want me after I slept with him on the first night. Back home, girls like that weren’t dating material.   Glancing around the room, I wondered if coming to San Francisco was a good idea, after all.  I had a job interview coming up, so at least everything didn’t look so daunting.    I sighed and sat down on the bed. Picking up the room phone, I called for a taxi. The letter he left was lying on the desk, and I picked it up.  Though I wasn’t sure why I folded up the little note and stuck it in my purse. Perhaps it could serve as a reminder of the mistake I made.