Like a Bird Read Online Free Page A

his strength with the slow movement of her hips. She placed her palms on his chest and pushed back to create a little space as she pulled her lips away and touched her nose to Gareth’s. She stared into his exposed eye and flashed him a little sideways smile. She reached toward his fly but found his hand had beat her to it. Pulling her underwear to the side she eased on top of him and Gareth wrapped his cloak around her waist.
    When Louis wandered into the room, the bright white of Kitty’s uniform caught his eye. He noticed her discreet writhing on top of a dark, cloaked figure and chuckled to himself. He glanced at his watch, 12:21 a.m. He made his way through the crowd to the bar and ordered a shot of Scotch. With one elbow propped on the bar he sipped his drink as he waited for Gareth to wrap things up.
    When Louis noticed Gareth running his hand along the back of Kitty’s hair as she rested her head on his chest, he decided it was safe to intervene. He left his empty glass on the bar and hurried over. He tapped Gareth on the shoulder. Gareth, frowning at the intrusion, glanced at Louis’s outstretched phone with the time clearly displayed in large numbers. Gareth arched his eyebrow toward Louis, who signaled to meet him at the front door.
    “Are you leaving already?” Kitty asked after witnessing the silent exchange. Gareth nodded and stroked her cheek with his thumb. He motioned to get up but she pulled him back down.
    “Wait!” she said. “I’d like to meet you again.” Gareth reached for her phone in the pocket of her dress that sat at the top of her thigh. He typed in his number and slid the phone back in her pocket. Kitty kissed him hard then climbed off Gareth and gave him her hand. He stood and followed her to the front door, where Louis was waiting.
    “I’ll see you soon,” Kitty said with her hand on Gareth’s chest. She let her hand slip away as she sashayed toward the stairs. Before she was out of sight she turned and waved.
    “I sure as hell hope you got her number,” Louis said.
    Gareth said nothing as they left the club. Outside, a long line of people still waited to get in. They walked less than a block before Louis hailed a cab for them and gave directions to the driver.
     
    - -
     
    With a drunken grin on his face, Louis turned to Gareth. “Our night has only just begun.”
    “I’m exhausted already,” Gareth admitted.
    Louis laughed. “You’re a lightweight! You’re out of practice.”
    “No, I’m old. We’re old,” Gareth said, pointing to both of them.
    “Speak for yourself old man. I haven’t hit forty yet” Louis relaxed into the seat and fell quiet.
    Gareth noticed his friend’s eyelids looked suspiciously heavy. He smirked to himself. As the cab carried them toward their next destination, Gareth noted buildings he had known now housed shops and restaurants he didn’t recognize. At a red light he watched two men on a corner shouting at each other. There was a brief scuffle before one decked the other. As the light changed, Gareth continued to watch the altercation until a grating sound coming from Louis caught his attention. He looked over to find his friend passed out, snoring.
    Well past 1:00 a.m., the cab pulled up across the street from a large, white building with dominating columns and a wide staircase. Several black limos were parked in front and well-dressed people in masks were quickly escorted to or from the waiting cars. Gareth shoved Louis awake.
    “Wake up old man. We’re here.”
    “Huh, already?” Louis croaked. He gathered himself and pulled out his wallet to pay the driver. After filling the driver’s palm with several bills, Louis and Gareth bailed out of the cab and crossed the street. As they approached the main entrance a man in a crisp black uniform and hat opened the ornate door for them. Inside the grand but empty foyer, they looked around for direction. On the left, past a curving staircase, stood another man in uniform near a plain