Under My Skin

Nine

That gig. Holy shit, that gig.

I was on, loving life, swaying my hips to save my life.

Poet and didn't even know it, all that Jazz.

When I slinked into the dressing room with my newfound gusto, I went straight for that dress I'd bought 2 years ago when I was on the right side of a few martinis. I'd never had the gumption to wear it until now, and after Tyrone's little pep talk, now felt like the right time.

The little black dress was covered with sequins, shimmering at any minuscule light source. The scrawling pattern on the almost-sheer fabric hinted at the nude boning within. When I stepped into the garment, tingles radiated through my body. The thing fit like a glove, stopping just at the knee.

I paired them with my tallest black pumps. And would you believe I was having the hair day of the century? My auburn curls needed little persuading to ripple down to my shoulders in thick, lustrous waves. I tucked my grannie's "lucky" barrette into my curls and admired my reflection. P

Not half bad, Ella. Not half bad!

"I am fierce. I am on fire. I am desire," I chanted to myself, giving my image the business. I repeated it, mumbling at first. But as I took myself in I said it with purpose, not caring if someone walked past the shoebox room.

"On in five, Ella," Adrian manages between my mantra.

"Thank you. I'll be out in a minute." I apply my hooker-red lipstick on my top lip.

"Oh, and Ella?" my guitarist continued, causing me to almost jump out of my seat.

"Yeah?"

"You are fierce." After flashing his cheeky smile, his heavy footfalls echoed down the hall.

I couldn't pull that Cheshire grin off my face. I'd even earned an applause from my band mates as I sashayed down to the stage. The mood was palpable, every single audience member gagging for whatever I gave them.

Before we started the set, Adrian went so far as to pull me into a bear hug, whispering into my ear, "I fuckin' told you that you're fierce."

There's no one I've ever known who inserts so much admiration in a swear word. I smiled as a, "awwww," escaped my lips.

That got us a couple of wolf whistles.

They're in a similar mood. Hell to the fucking yes!

I couldn't help but look for Eric before I introduced the boys and I.

He sat in the very chair I first saw him in with hands "innocently" placed on his thigh. He looked almost casual in his pressed navy slack and vest, his blazer draped over the arm of the lounger.

I couldn't help but nibble at my lip. "Well, uh ...," I muttered, snapping out of his trance.

"Good evening, ladies and gentleman. Thank you for choosing to spend your evening with me and my boys." I winked.

Who am I? I giggled at the ham of it all.

As soon as the strings were plucked I got that all too familiar tingle that had become a permanent resident over the past couple of days.

"If the fish swam out of the ocean," I sang, slender fingers wrapping around the dynamic microphone. My hip bounced to the beat, making sweet love to that song. His ice-coloured eyes locked onto me the whole time. Eric crossed his legs halfway through the song. I took that as a good sign.

My right hand made its way down the stand, painfully slow. "I want to be next to you," I purred, my head lulling back.

I poured my heart into one song after another, hitting my stride. People filed in after each song, cheering me on, eating what I served. It's nights like this that solidify my dreams. This is why I'm here.

We finished the night on a high. An arrangement of "Somebody to Love," swinging in all the right places.

But, there always has to be that one little dick, fucking it up for the rest of us.

"I'll give you something to love, baby," someone yelled at the end.

Are you kidding me?

It was that prick from the other night, grabbing his crotch. The fucking front heckler.

Alright for a fat chick, eh?

"Ha." I knew better than to antagonise someone like that, but I couldn't let it slide. "Oh sweetheart." I batted my eyelashes. "That'll have to be a hard pass."

His mate snorted, poking the yokel in the shoulder. "Look at the picky, fat bitch."

A collective gasp and stunned silence followed his comment.

The guy waved his hand down his torso. "A girl like you shouldn't look a prize horse in the face."

My mouth sat agape. What in the actual frig?

"What did you say?" Eric's voice filled the room, his form immediately upright.

Awww, shit.

I knew it wasn't going to end well, but I have to admit that my primitive urges hummed. I'd never had a man defend my honour before, and having Eric do it just added to the panty-moistening effect.

"Why don't you mind your own business, BFG," the guy retorted, but he curled within himself as the words came out, his friend choosing to scurry a couple of stools away from him.

"Why don't you apologise?" The tone remained the same, but no one was fooled. With his fists clenched and his vest unbuttoned ... this guy was about to get hit.

I'm a bit ashamed to say, but it took me a second to snap out of the trance I was having. "It's alright, Eric," I soothed. As nice as it was to have him going all caveman over me, I'd like for him to be able to come back someday. And the Ten and Sixth had a strictly no fisty cuffs policy. "He's not worth that time."

Why did I have to open my big, fat mouth? I knew antagonising the hillbilly bogan would lead to no good.

A single vein on his temple rippled a bit, but my Nordic knight stared at him before walking up to the stage. "You were amazing, Ella."

I stood on my tippies, even in the five-inch heels and kissed him on the cheek. "I know."

"Ahhh, that explains it. He's into fat chicks." The heckler scoffed.

Eric was moving before another beat. He was on that guy like shit on Velcro.

My hands immediately clamped down, but he broke free. "Stop, Eric!"

His fist connected with the guy's jaw, blood spraying across the carpet.

Lucky it's red.

Tyrone came marching in then, grabbing Eric by the arm before he landed his second punch. "Come with me, mate."

The weasel heckler didn't once revert from the fetal position. That was until Eric had Tyrone wrapped around him.

Eric's brow furrowed, making sure the dick got the message. "Learn!" was all he said.

I hold my hand up. "I'll go with him."

Patting myself down, I give a nod to my band and head straight for Eric. "Let's go. I think you need some fresh air."