Love & Lights Ch. 01

Hello loves, this is my first story & I'm just seeing how it goes. There are a lot of music references. I live in music, not silence & thought it'd be fitting for Cassie. I recommend these songs as well, they're the lyrics in the story. Sparks by Coldplay, T-Shirt by Destiny's Child, Lotus Flower Bomb by Wale (this actually is what I listen to every morning to start my day. * Are for thoughts and it's pretty obvious to see who's thinking what. Enjoy!

~Sasha

*

"I'll take a Bourbon. Straight." The request was a smooth baritone that promised utter delight.

"Coming right u..." the light cocoa toned beauty broke off as she ogled the gorgeous, no exquisite specimen of a man at her bar. His attention had shifted to the dance floor of the club, the slender beauties with legs, hips and tits were gyrating on display. Thank god he didn't notice her standing there with her mouth gaping open.

"Thanks..."

"Cassie, my name is Castalia Roman," she offered as she'd tried to inconspicuously place his drink in front of him "and no problem."

"I'm Jonah, nice to meet you. Would you like to dance?" He asked before taking a sip. His accent made her hot, she was sure that she was flushed.

"Honestly, I'd love to but I'm working...rain check?" Cassie didn't realize the accuracy of her words.

"Sure." Through the spectrum of colors on his face, his blue eyes conveyed a little bit of disappointment. He should have realized that she was working! Of course she couldn't dance. No matter, later she would be all his. She watched him wistfully as he disappeared into the mass of gyrating bodies.

...

♫ "Did I drive you away? I know what you'll say, you say, 'Oh, sing one we know', But I promise you this, I'll always look out for you, That's what I'll do. My heart is yours, It's you that I hold on to, that's what I do, and I know I was wrong, But I won't let you down, Oh yeah, yeah, yes I will" ♫

Ears full of Coldplay & head in the clouds, Cassie stepped out of the club. She was pelted to reality by cold raindrops on her head.

"Ugh! Just my luck." She thought, "Good thing I love the rain and home isn't far."

"Cassie!" Hearing her name loud and clear in the midst of the thunder and music, she started.

Jonah stepped in front of her path, making her stop short.

"Jonah...are you stalking me!?" Cassie questioned dubiously as she pulled out her ear buds.

"Well sweetheart, I was just heading home when I noticed you walking out here in the rain. I thought you might like a ride." He said while staring intensely into her deep brown eyes. Her heart fluttered at the term 'Sweetheart'

"Oh," She officially felt like a Class A douche. "Thank you for the offer but my apartment isn't far. I'll walk."

"Well if I can't give you a ride, at least spare me a dance. You did say rain check." Justin admonished with a sly grin.

"I didn't mean literally!" *He must be insane wanting to dance in this weather!!* Oh, alright" one glance into his intense blue eyes & she knew she was a goner

♫ "Did I drive you away? I know what you'll say, You say, 'Oh, sing one we know', But I promise you this, I'll always look out for you, That's what I'll do.

And I saw sparks, Yeah I saw sparks, And I saw sparks, Yeah I saw sparks, Sing it out. La, la, la, la, oh La, la, la, la, oh La, la, la, la, oh" ♫

"Come have a drink with me." he said, gesturing to the neon lit 24/7 diner across the street.

She was freezing! *I could definitely use a cup of chamomile* " Alright." She replied with a tentative grin.

"Why did you decide to be a bartender?" Justin asked once they were in the warm restaurant

"What do you mean?" Cassie asked.

Justin chuckled, "Well as a grown woman, it's peculiar to choos--"

"Wait a second. Just how old do you think I am?" *Shit, dangerous territory.*

" Well-I-uh-"

"How. Old."

" 28?"

Cassie sighed, "I'm twenty-two. To answer your question, I bartender to pay off school expenses. I mean bartending itself is ok- pay but the tips are where the money is really at. And it doesn't hurt that I really love it."

"Oh I see. Well, I guess it's my turn. I'm 31, an IT Tech - Geek stuff-& my last name is Thatcher." Thatcher, she was pretty sure she'd heard that name before. *Whatever, it's just a name* She shrugged it off as an elderly woman approached their booth. "Whore!" the old woman spat at her. As she walked away she glanced at Cassie's shirt, shaking her head in disgust.

"Why would she call me that?" Cassie was shocked and bewildered.

Jonah barely hid a smirk as he pointedly stared at her shirt. Looking down, Cassie noticed that her white blouse was soaking wet & clinging to her skin. Even worse, it was transparent & her lacy purple bra was proudly on display.

"Why didn't you say something?!" she cried, as she furtively tried to hide her front by turning on her stool towards the table.

"I didn't think it was a big deal," he nonchalantly replied before sipping his tea "And frankly I'm a big fan of purple." he whispered.

"Not a big deal...tell that to the old woman who called me a whore." She grumbled. "I'm going to go dry this in the ladies." she needed to clear her head. Jonah whispering to her had been so sensual, that she was pretty sure she'd creamed her panties. Cassie sighed then, turned on the hand dryer & held her shirt under it. When she got back she gave Justin the evil eye. Looking at her wide-eyed and innocent (even though she knew he was anything but), he smiled.

The few stragglers passing the diner couldn't help but to stare at the couple. Other couples wished well on the couple inside, obviously taken with each other. The engaged 'pretty little women' stared in & contemplated the true meaning behind their relationships. In truth they envied the beautiful couple, but it wasn't malicious envy. Just a desire, yearning to have what the couple has.

"So are you new in town? I've never seen you at my bar before."

"I've just come to the U.S last week, and Florida yesterday. I'm from the Netherlands"

*I wonder why he's here. Would it be cheesy to offer a tour? Definitely.*

"So what brings you to 'The Sunshine State'?" she asked.

"I'm on holiday. I thought some time in the U.S would do me some good."

"Well if you're ever back in Miami, give me a call. Unfortunately I have to go, long night and all. Thanks for the tea." Cassie said as she slipped him her card.

Cassie gave him a sweet smile as she left. *If he really wants to see me he'll find me.*

♫"At Night, When You're Far And I'm Alone I Feel The Fabric From Your T-Shirt Flow With My Body I Can Still Hear Your Baritone In My Ear Telling Me You'll Take It Slow And I Was In The Mirror Playing A Role Like You Were Here, I Couldn't Turn Me On So I Fell Asleep With The Music On Woke Up Again Hearing The Same Old Song, Playing Outside I Hear The Rain On My Windowpane Hold Up A Minute, Thought I Heard Your Name My Mind, Playing Tricks On Me Again I Hear Knocks On The Door, Is That Baby Home Why Couldn't It Be Reality? Look At The Clock It Says 4:03 At Nine, He'll Be Arriving On A Plane Then We'll Be Making Love And Hearing The Song Again"♫

Preparing her tub for a much needed therapeutic bath, Castalia's past tormented her. Before sinking under the warm caress of bubbles, she admired her handiwork. Took in the whipped cream & vanilla scented candles, rose water to put in her curly hair, honey face mask prep kit, mani- pedi prep kit, and lastly the Chamomile tea that was on the edge of the tub. Cassie took a sip and reveled in the scorch of the warm smooth liquid flowing down her raw throat.

"Today was a wonderful day. Made some decent money, met a nice guy, had a good time at work, and a nice night. Wonder if we could date..." With that thought she collapsed onto her bed, the soft down of the feathers cascading over her spent body.

The Next Day

♫ "Flower bomb, let me guess your favorite fragrance And you got that bomb, huh, I'm tryna detonate you No disrespecting baby, just tryna make you smile Try to keep my spirits up, that's why I lays it down Try to keep your spirits up, lil vodka whatever Took you forever to get dressed, I acknowledge your effort" ♫

The sweet sound of the piano blared across Cassie's large, en suite master room. The words of Wale seeming to reverberate over & through her dresser, pictures, and her walk in closet so gluttonous with clothes and shoes that the door refused to shut. She threw her feet onto the glossy pine floor, trekked across to her dresser & turned up her morning pep talk.

"Shit!" she stepped on a Bratz Doll belonging to her niece.

Thuddd!!!

Cassie sighed and leaned her head against the wall she just walked into. *I really need to start keeping my eyes open in the morning*

In the shower, Cassie thought about Jonah then decided she had more important things to do today than daydream about a handsome stranger. Drying off, she ran a mental list of what she needed to do.

Mail, Food, Shoes & Clothes, Spa (wax appointment, ouch!), Call Mama, Have lunch with the girls