EMPTY DREAMS

I took a long, satisfying drag from my cigarette, then flicked it carelessly into the old, rusty ashtray on the table. The air in the bar was thick with smoke, swirling around the heads of each patron, like a gray cloud that had settled over us. I wasn't paying much attention to the music or the company I was keeping, but hell, it was better than being alone on a Saturday night.


A guy at the bar leaned over his chair, trying too hard to get my attention. He even had the audacity to whistle. I let out an exaggerated sigh and gave him a look sharp enough to kill. He finally got the message--or at least, I hoped he did.


Bored.


This was one of those nights when I should have just stayed home. I don't even know why I left my apartment in the first place, but I was one cheesy pick-up line away from bolting out of this dive... until the door opened, bringing in a fresh breeze--and a man.


His long black coat caught an updraft, swirling in the air as if it were alive. When the door closed behind him, the coat settled enough for me to see he was dressed head to toe in black. A Stetson sat atop his head, and cowboy boots -- he looked like something out of a country song. He didn't belong here, and that intrigued me more than I cared to admit.


He moved with a slow, deliberate stride, so confident and damn sexy I thought I'd reached nirvana in this filthy seat I was in. No man should look that good, and I hadn't even seen his face yet.


He made his way to the bar, sitting next to the slob who'd been pestering me. Then, with a smooth motion, he lifted his right leg and rested his leather boot on the bar rail.


I was close enough to catch his scent -- something sharp and masculine, like he knew exactly who he was. I scanned the room, expecting the other women to be drawn to him too, yet to my surprise no one seemed to notice his entrance, nor his essence. It was like he had stepped out of another world, one no one else had access to.


I sat there, savoring my luck. From behind, he was a sight to behold. My eyes traced his black snake-skin boots up to his coat, then to his back, where a long tail of shiny, jet-black hair caught the dim bar light.


I smiled to myself. I wouldn't approach him -- not yet. No, this one was worth savoring. I'd take my time, No sense in pouncing, I'd rather spend a little time purring.. Still, I couldn't help but wonder what his face looked like beneath that hat. If only he'd turn around, then my fantasy might be fulfilled.


One of the women at my table tried to get my attention, but it was obvious I wasn't really there. She tried again.


"Hey, you still with us?"


"Uh... huh? Oh, I'm here..." I turned my head to look at her for a moment. "Just checking out that delicious guy at the bar."


She looked past me, confused. "What guy?" She chuckled, then locked eyes with me. "You can't be serious."


I spun around to find he was gone. In his place, the same slob who'd been bothering me earlier was leaning toward me again.


"You and me, c'mon babe," he slurred, drooled, then winked.


I rolled my eyes, stood up, and bolted out of the bar. My mystery man was nowhere to be found. Standing alone in the cool night air, just me and my fantasies - and another empty dream.