Lexi's POV

Friday nights working at the bar can be insane.  Especially since we cater to such versatility, the crowds flow in here like there's no tomorrow.  I actually enjoy the work for the most part, as it's so varied and I get to meet some incredible people.  Arden usually gives me my instructions when I arrive, confirming which area of the business he'd like me to handle.  Tonight I will be working the bar for the majority of the night, but I will be performing at about one am.  Just a simple latin/hip hop combo, it's known to get people up and moving and helps transition people from the bar downstairs, heading up to the club levels.  I don't mind, I get pretty good bonuses on nights when I dance, then I get to knock off early and head home.

The bar is always pretty packed, Fridays always offering some sports event to watch, post work drinks and of course the party goers.  The night is young but we're already run off our feet, which is amazing, the shifts always faster when we're busy.  I'm feeling great tonight, pleased with my look and ready to get my metaphorical groove on.... well I guess literally as well tonight.  I'd worn my form fitting black capris in a faux leather look, sitting low on my hips, snuggly clinging to my ass.  On top I had opted for my favorite old baggy black singlet top, the arm holes hanging low, practically leaving nothing to the imagination.  It had been torn years ago, so I'd ripped the bottom off, now leaving my midriff bare, leaving just the Guns'n'Roses emblem showing across my cleavage.  To make it a little bit more decent, I have worn my deep red dancing crop top underneath.  All in all, I felt like I looked good, I was in a fantastic mood and the music was contagious.

"Hey Olivia, I'm just going to take this tray over to the VIP tables, you all good to cover the bar on your own?" I ask, having finished preparing the third round of drinks for the VIP's.  They come in every Friday night and stay till closing.  They're some big hot shot businessman and honestly tip us like we're giving them lap dances.  One of them gets a little grabby towards the end of the night, but mostly they keep to themselves, drinking top shelf whiskey and watching whatever sports is on the big screen at the time.

"Sure thing, Lex.  You wanna check the other table's are all good while you're out there?" She asked, as if it weren't an obvious thing to do.

"Will do," I reply, uninterested in letting her soil my good mood.  I think she's forgotten who's actually in charge once Arden isn't around.  I'll give you a hint, it's not her.

Making my way around the bar, I lift the tray and make my way to the VIP's, sashaying my way through the crowd with a little extra bounce in my step.  There's a great tune on, one I can't help but do a little dance too along the way.  Seeing me making my way to the table, the men start to cheer and laugh so I throw in a curtsey for good measure, earning another cheer.  Distributing the drinks, the men drop a few large notes in front of me.

"Take a little extra tonight lass, you've always been our favorite host," the closest gentleman says, giving me a warm smile and a gentle nudge.  He's old enough to be my father, but much sweeter in how he treats me, more so than I'd ever received from my actual Dad.

"Thank you so much, Trevor" I smile, collecting the notes and slipping them in my tight pockets.

I make my way around the other few VIP seated areas, taking the odd drink order and collecting any surplus empty glasses as I go. Coming to the last area, I leave the tray of glasses on the table and step back to assess the area to make sure I haven't missed anything.

"Fuck!," I hear exclaim from behind me, a pair of hands grabbing my hips as I back right into them.  Thankfully really, as had they not grabbed me, I'm almost positive I'd have fallen over.  A strong masculine scent wafts across my senses, my eyes gently closing to relish in the delishness.

"You know, we really should stop meeting like this...," a velvety deep, raspy voice whispers in my ear, his lips so close they brush my skin.

I gasp, suddenly beginning to feel heat burning through me, radiating from where his hands brush my bare skin, right through to my tell tale cheeks, a sudden realisation of who I've yet again crashed into.  I go to step away but his hands tighten slightly, holding me close.  Instead, he trails his hands around my waist, pulling me to turn and face him.  There's barely any space between us and I find myself holding my breath as I stare into his intense blue grey eyes.

"Hi Lexi," he smiles, his entire face lighting up as he greets me officially.  My mind is going crazy as it processes everything, the utterly handsome good looks, his rock hard abs which are practically pressing into my breasts, his fingers which are now rested against my bare midriff as he holds my waist and that overpowering, sensual smell he's radiating in my direction. 

"Zac, hey. I'm s..," he cuts me off, a grin plastered on his face.

"Wait, let me guess, your sorry?" he chuckles, the rumble in his body vibrating through me, a warmth spreading between my legs.  Oh god, he's turning me on, a feeling I haven't experienced in quite some time.  This shouldn't happen, I need to shut this down, but his presence is so addictive.  I become more aware of the fact that his hands are still on my skin as he starts drawing circles with his thumbs, a scattering of goosebumps beginning to spread up my arms. "No need to apologise Lexi, I was as much at fault as you were.  Besides, I'm beginning to enjoy crashing into you."

We stand, staring at each other for what feels likes forever, but is most likely only minutes and I almost begin to think he might kiss me.  The thing I found most interesting was, I was actually hoping he might.  I was even holding my breath in anticipation.  Just when I'm convinced he will absolutely kiss me, a voice breaks us from our trance.

"Yo Zac, where'd you get too, mate?"

Zac's POV

I can't believe my luck when it's none other than Lexi who crashes into me, her perfectly proportioned and displayed body pressing up against my own.  It's all I can do to make sure I don't get a boner as her ass wiggles up against me.  Her skin is as soft as I'd imagined and I don't know what her scent was, but fuck me I'm an addict to her being this close.

It got even harder to stay in control as I turned her to face me, again getting lost in the deep soulful brown eyes that were staring up at me.  Her skin under my fingers feels sensational and I can't help but let my thumbs travel over it a little more than I should.  Her hands grip my biceps, though I'm pretty sure she is yet to actually notice.  They feel like they belong there, like it's the most natural position in the world for us to be in.  She attempts to apologise yet again, but I won't have any of that this time.  We were both at fault and as far as I'm concerned, it's not really a tragedy anyway.  Anything that results in this gorgeous woman being in my arms can't be all bad.

I feel the tension rise between us, leading me to think maybe she feels this connection building too.  Her eyes pull me deep into their abyss as we stare silently, I notice she's holding her breath and biting down nervously on that full bottom lip of hers.  I want that lip, now but just as I decide to make a move, ignoring any warning signs I've tried to issue myself regarding the opposite sex, I hear a man's voice snapping me back to reality.

"Yo Zac, where'd you get too, mate?"

Are you bloody kidding me Simon?? Talk about perfect timing, mate.  As Lexi's eyes pull away from my own, she also takes a step back to gain space between us. 

"Ahh, well, I need to get back to work.  It was good to see you again Zac.  Please enjoy your evening gentleman." She turns and lifts up a tray of glasses from an empty table, turns back and nods before making her way back to the bar.

"Wait, hold up!  Is that the hot blonde from your apartment lot, Zac?" Simon asks, his head snapping between looking at Lexi and me, "Shit Zac, she's even more good looking up close.  You kept that pretty quiet didn't you."

"Geez, Simon.  Couldn't have timed that worse if you tried, do you realise what you just did?!" I snap at him, both frustrated at him for preventing the kiss from happening and equally pissed at myself for instantly forgetting the drama that being involved can bring to the table.

"What are you talking about... oh hold up, there's no way you were already about to make a move, fuck you dirty dog, Zac.  I knew you wanted to tap that," Simon chides, not realising that although I am experiencing an extreme physical attraction to Lexi, there's something deeper there.  I find myself wanting to get to know her, find out what makes her tick.  There's a sadness hiding deep in her eyes, I want to help her to heal from.  It's not often I feel something this strong in such a short time, I want to explore that despite knowing I should just stay away.

"Fuck you, Simon.  Stop talking about her like that.  Let's go get a drink from the bar," I suggest, knowing I'll be able to take advantage of my new vantage point at the bar.

"Alright, easy on there Zac.  You'll get your shot again, Mate," he laughed.

Making our way up to the bar, I see that already familiar glow of blonde locks as she moves quickly behind the bar, smiling and laughing with other patrons as she goes.  I attempt to signal to her that we'd like to buy a drink, but before she can tear herself away, the other bar maid pops over to us.  She's probably pretty enough, though not my particular taste.  She's heavily made up, way too much if you ask me.  Her hair is pulled into a messy bun and looks like it's been bleached about ten times too much, it's far from a desirable look, like that which Lexi carries is.  The barmaid leans over the bar at me, pushing her over inflated breasts toward me, asking what we'd like to order.  Simon, who's enjoying the view with no shame, leans in to her to place our drinks order .  She looks disappointed at the fact that I can't tear my eyes away from watching Lexi, but shakes it away and instantly turns her full attention to Simon, clearly eager to score one way or another tonight.

I grab the beer she's placed on the bar, taking a long swig of it.  Lexi is still busying herself with customers while this other maid is flirting up a storm with Simon.  Lex could sure use some help,but she seems to be juggling the workload like a pro.  Lex, hmm hope she doesn't mind me calling her that.  It rolls off the tongue rather nicely.  She looks over to me and smiles, then nodding in the direction of the other barmaid, she simply rolls her eyes.  A simple motion, but one that made me feel fucking great.  We met yesterday, yet we already have secret jokes. 

Watching her is enticing, the way she moves behind the bar is enthralling and captivating.  Her movements are fluid, like she's floating above the ground and I find myself drawn into her.  I begin to make my way down the bar towards her, accepting that Simon has his target in sight now.  Almost reaching her service area, a hand grabs my shoulder preventing me from moving forward.

"Zac, is that you?" I turn to find another old school friend, Jonathon, standing behind me.

"Jon, geez is that really you?  I thought you were somewhere out in the great wide world, man?"

"Ha, yea I was.  Australia, to be precise but I returned home last year to get married.  Shit, before I forget, this is my wife Penny.  Penny babe, this is a good friend of mine from way back, school years even, Zac Fisher." he introduced us, she seemed quiet and sweet as she shook my hand before returning to clasping his arm, "What about you, Zac?  Last I heard, you were living in Galway, living the high life as a single lad."

I snorted at that last part, if working long shifts and dealing with an improper, pretentious bitch was the high life, than I guess that sums it up nicely.

"Work has transferred me back here, it's a long story mate.  Good to be home though."

"What brings you to The Celtic Knot tonight? Are you alone?" he asks, searching the room for anyone he suspected may have accompanied me.

"Simon," I sighed, knowing that Jonathon will be familiar with his antics.

"Ahhh," he simply nodded in response, "Did you want to join us for a drink?"

"Thanks man, but I think I'm going to head off shortly.  I just need to catch up with someone first."

"No worries, another time.  Give me a call and we'll get the boys together for a catch up." He smiled, looking genuinely pleased to have a reason for a boys night.

"Fuck yeah, Jon.  We'll do that soon.  Nice to meet you Penny."

I say my goodbyes, returning my attention to the bar which looks to have now died down.  I look up and down the length of the bar, but can't see any sign of my blonde beauty so I'm forced to speak to an older brunette that has shown up to serve me.

"Hi, sorry I was looking for a friend of mine, she was working a few minutes ago.  Lexi.  Would you be able to tell me when she'll be back at the bar?"

"She won't be back at the bar tonight, sir."

"Has she finished her shift?" I press for more information, worried she may choose to not disclose any more details, but thankfully she doesn't seem too concerned with common courtesy for the other staff because she continues.

"Yeah, this shift ended.  She had another shift to start at one, the girl will be hitting the stage soon."

Shift on stage? What kind of bloody stage operates at one am?  Wait! No, that can't be right?

"Sorry to bother you, but can I just ask you one more question?"

"Fine, what is it?" she spat back, clearly disinterested in her position, or this conversation regarding her colleague.

"I was just wondering what you meant, are you saying that Lexi is a stripper?"