River of Love

Chapter 5

Chapter 5When the shift finally ended, Dakoda quickly went to the bathroom to give herself the once over before she went in search of the heavenly blonde angel that struck her fancy. Rolling up her sleeves part way, she then began to loosen the bow tie and just let it hang around her neck. She pulled her hair out of the ponytail, ran her long fingers through the jet-black tresses, and headed out. Reaching the upper deck, she peered over the groups of people everywhere until she spotted the short woman leaning against the railing and peering up at the starry filled night sky. Dakoda sidled over next to her, and softly said, “Hey.”

“Hey stranger,” Avery commented with a smile. She looked out onto the black river water before continuing, “Ummm....you do know you have yet to tell me your name.”

“Heh...I guess I do,” the tall bartender said. “Forgive my lapse of manners. Let me introduce myself. My name is Dakoda Lanning.” She bowed part way in a gentlemanly manner.

With a smile, the short blonde responded, “And my name is Avery Johnson. It’s nice to make your acquaintance Dakoda.” She extended her hand for a shake.

The bartender gently took Avery’s hand in hers, kissed the back of it as eyes briefly met, and said, “Oh, but the pleasure is all mine.”

They engaged in idle chitchat about their lives, and some light banter as the riverboat made its way back to the dock. Dakoda learned that Avery was tired of her job, and wished she could do something different with her life. “So are you just visiting Hannibal? Or do you live in the area?” Dakoda asked.

“I live an hour from here in Mexico. I just came up for the weekend with my ex-boyfriend, Mark, who apparently ditched me seeing how I’m alone tonight.”

“I’m here.” Dakoda commented in a sexy low tone as she moved closer and slightly behind the shorter woman.

Avery felt a slight chill as the fine downy hairs on her arms stood up from the closeness of the contralto voice. She knew she was very much enjoying the close proximity of their bodies. “Yes you are,” she responded softly.

“So when and why did you and Mark break up?”

“Well there was never an official break. We just agreed to be friends and casual dates if need be with no strings attached. He sees who he wants and I see who I want.” Avery turned around, her back now to the railing and Dakoda mere inches from her. She looked up into cobalt blue eyes that captured her soul.

“And what do you want?” Dakoda softly questioned as her eyes darted back and forth between Avery’s supple looking lips and her vibrant jade green eyes.

The night air became thick around them, and Avery began to find it difficult to breathe. She wanted...no she felt a gripping desire rise within her to have her lips captured in a tender embrace. Suddenly the boat jerked knocking her forward into the tall dark woman who quickly grabbed her. They looked around, realizing they had just docked as people began filing their way off the boat.

“Would you like to continue our night?” Dakoda questioned.

“Yes. Definitely,” Avery heartily answered.

Dakoda lead her for a leisurely walk along the riverfront as they continued talking about whatever came to their minds. They approached a café that was still open, so they decided to step inside for drinks and further conversation.

Avery was very interested in getting to know this intriguing tall woman, and was eager to ask more questions as they picked up their steaming drinks from the counter and took a seat at a small square table. “So did you grow up in Hannibal?” She inquired as she sipped her coffee.

“Oh, I’m not from here. I only work here in the summer time just to keep myself occupied; otherwise I’d get bored. I live in Columbia.”

“And what kind of job do you have that gives you the time to be out here?” Avery inquired curiously.

“I teach art history at the University of Missouri.”

“Wow a professor, that’s wonderful.” Avery commented.

Dakoda smiled, and asked, “What do you do?”

Waving her hand in a disgusted manner, she answered, “I work a s**t job at a bar and grill in Mexico. Sometimes I help out the bartender but most of the time I serve. It pays the bills. I live with my cousin and her husband, so I don’t have many expenses, which is nice. Maybe one day I’ll get myself out of that town and do something I can be happy with.”

“Well, you’re out of that town for this weekend, right? It’s a start.”

Avery giggled. “Yeah, that’s a good way of looking at it. So do you commute everyday? Or do you rent out a room for the summer? Cause isn’t Columbia almost two hours from here?”

“Yeah, it is. Commuting would be gruesome. I keep an apartment here, sort of as a second home when I’m here for the summers.”

“How long have you been doing this?”

“This is my second year bartending on the riverboat,” Dakoda answered. “I used to bartend in college, so I figured I’d put the experience to use when school is not in session.”