Naked Came the Vampire (Hypernaturals 1)

New Plans and New Lover

The bar that Helen knew about is a little Country and Western style hole-in-the-wall kind of joint. Stereotypes come from somewhere. This one is typical of the semi-rural area's around Austin, right down to its weathered plank exterior walls and neon beer signs. A bar for locals, not tourists. You have to know about it. Close to the Lake, but not THAT close.

Helen has never seen Arnold anywhere near the joint. This is not his stomping grounds. The closest he came is the Marina, and that is on the other side of the Lake. Jessica took an aquatic shortcut on 'Nightwing'. We picked our lake rendezvous location knowing that by road it is a long way around. I went all around the Lake when I was looking for Jessica, and I never saw this place, or even drove near it.

Helen had a fairly private booth in the back, away from the dance floor.

Jessica and I stopped at the bar to order a beer to take to the table. The bartender came immediately over to take our order. A young bleached blonde in standard country and western bartender clothing. Boots. Tight jeans over skinny butt. Big belt buckle with a tooled brown leather belt. Vest with no shirt. Nipples against denim: that couldn't be comfortable.

This is not a taproom or a club that carries craft beer. Like any self-respecting bar in Texas, it did have Shiner Bock in long neck bottles. The bartender popped the caps with the signature moves of long experience and a big flat steel opener that lived in a back pocket when not in use. The way she smoothly pulled it out, popped the tabs, and slid it back home into her pocket was like watching a cheerleader twirling a baton. The beer smelled very fresh too. They must turn over their beer stock often. A good sign. All that stuff you hear about beer needing to be fresh is largely true, barring a few styles that are aged in whiskey casks.

"Here y'all go". She leaned over the bar as she slid us the bottles, inhaled. Stopped. Inhaled again more deeply, leaning more closely to me. She looked at me with sudden interest beyond that of a paying customer. "Hon.... you smell fuckin' great!". She inhaled again. I felt like white lines of powder on a mirror.

Jessica leaned in while reaching up and holding my bicep. She did not squeeze. Too hard. "Oh yes: He does more than smell great, Little Bit. He is great. Fucking I mean." It was oddly possessive, especially after the comment about Helen making it a ménage à trois on the rock earlier.

'Little Bit'?

Sure she is not very big physically: about the same size as Helen but not the same shape. Helen is small, but she curves in dramatically above her hips to a tiny waistline. The bartender's frame is fairly straight up and down, not counting the aftermarket additions under her vest. 'Little Bit' a reference to her youth rather than her size? I estimated she was in her early or mid-20s somewhere. I am not that much older than the bartender.

The eyes of 'Little Bit' were slightly out of focus as she stood there inhaling of me. I did not smell any drugs of alcohol. Not coming from her anyway. The bar is another story. Austin is a 420-friendly city.

Little Bit looked Jessica over. Took in her size. Her hand on my arm. A languid, cat-like regard. She gave a nod of approval to Jessica like she passed muster. Little Bit indicated me. "Taken, huh?"

Little Bit looked back at me. "I'd be on you so damn fast Hon, but she'd pound my little ass!" She pulled back, took a few steadying gulps of air. Her eyes focused. "Let me know if y'all need anything else." She took another deep breath. Looked at Jessica directly, gave one affirmative nod, and added "Anythin'. I'm down if you are." A threesome? Sex offers are the theme of the night.

I looked over at Jessica. Seems she is attractive to a lot of women. Not only Helen.

Little Bit started up the bar to serve someone else but stopped and turned when I said to her "We are going to be over there with that young woman..." and pointed over to where Helen sat. Even from here I could see Helen trying not to fume. I found it interesting that I already know her well enough to perceive when she is agitated. To anyone else, she is probably sitting there looking slightly unapproachable. Stereotypical ice queen.