I can't believe I came here.

I'm in a gay club, well bar, maybe both?

My daughter actually convinced me to go to a gay bar and I actually came.

And of course, I felt so out of place.

Was it a bad idea to wear a suit?

I mean, I've never gone to a club nor a bar, let alone a gay one.

During my young years, I was too busy pleasing my father and Amelia with my marriage and finishing med school to enjoy it.

Never in my life have I would think Iʼd be sitting at a gay bar feeling so out of place.

"Hey," an unfamiliar voice called to me.

Turning around to give my undivided attention.

The stranger smiled before leaning into me.

"Lemme buy you a drink," he whispered, his alcohol mixed with cigarettes breath hitting my face like a ton of bricks.

Ew.

"I'm fine, thanks," I bid. That was the third guy so far asking to buy me a drink.

It was kind of him to ask but I'm not thirsty.

The man only scowled before walking off.

"You do know that this is a gay club right?" a voice noted.

The male bartender behind the bar stand stared at me with an amused look while his hand rested on his hip.

He was about 5ʼ10, dressed in a black crop top with black cargo pants. He also had a body chain on and I could tell he had his nipples pierced by the way the crop top fabric pressed against them.

"Uh, yeah," I answered nodding my head awkwardly. The bartender guy narrowed his eyes as he shook his head.

"Ok, sorry if I sound like a creep but it's my job since I work here and I've been watching you sit here ordering nothing but ice and Sprite while turning down every guy that comes your way down," he started leaning more over the counter in my direction.

It's not my fault I don't drink alcohol.

And it's also none of my fault that they didn't catch my eye.

They just didn't give me the same vibes Ivan gave me with just one look.

"Oh, and sweetheart why are you wearing a suit in a club?" he queried his voice sounding so disappointed.

"Do I look bad?" I pouted looking down at my suit.

"Omg," the bartender gasped.

Looking up in confusion he chuckled before shaking his head.

"You're a virgin," he says making me dumbfounded.

"Uh,"

"With men! Am I right?" he declared.

My cheeks flush in embarrassment while I scratched my neck awkwardly.

"You're a late bloomer," he awed before grabbing my hand.

"The names Conner? Yours?"

"Oliver," I answered.

Conner smiled as he took me in from head to toe.

"So who's the guy?" he questions making me nervous.

How does he know?

"I work as a bartender studying people is my job," he professed as though he read my mind.

Should I tell him?

Hell, what do I have to lose telling my situation to a stranger?

I rather this than have this conversation with my daughter.

"He's my patient, no, neighbor? I don't know but there's something about him that makes me want to"

"Fuck him,"

"Yes fuck hi- what?!" Conner laughs hysterically while clutching his stomach as though he couldn't breathe.

"I'm sorry but teasing late bloomers are always fun," he chuckles.

"I mean you're not wrong but that was not a decent way to say it," Connor's face deadpanned as he shook his head at me.

"How old are you, man?" he questions.

"37," I answered earning a gasp in shock.

"Recently divorced right?" he asked looking down at my left hand.

"I can see the faint mark of the ring before you ask," he declared.

"Yeah, well anyway I've never been attracted or felt this way since, well, never about someone,"

"And I didn't think Itʼd be a man since I was married to a woman which didn't work out but now I find myself getting excited just from hearing a manʼs voice -"

"Woah who exactly is this guy?" he inquires.

I paused thinking if it'd be best to say his name. I mean Conner is a stranger and it's not like he actually knows who Ivan is.

"Ivan Mikhailov," as soon as those words slipped past my lips Conner froze in utter shock.

Or terror?

"What? Do you know him?" I questioned. Suddenly I felt a large presence behind me along with an intense stare.

"Lisichka," his voice purred.

Immediately, I turned around to meet with a very handsomely dressed Ivan.

He was dressed in a black turtle neck paired with nice pressed black-dressed pants. A gold diamond chain hung around his neck while his fingers were covered with rings and the air lingered with a luxurious yet irresistible cologne that greatly complemented his natural smell.

And of course, an expensive Cartier watch was held on his wrist.

This man literally was the epitome of expensive.

"I-Ivan," why the heck am I stuttering?

I'm a 37-year-old for heaven's sake.

Smiling widely Ivan slid himself into the seat beside me.

Looking around the club I noticed how quiet it got and to see everyone's eyes on us.

I also noticed men in black suits stationed around us.

Not thinking much I turned my attention back to Ivan.

"What are you doing here?" I questioned.

"This is a club I come frequently to," he confessed as he called Connor over.

"The usual," he grunts.

Connor quickly nodded before he began making Ivanʼs drink.

"So it was quite a surprise to see my doctor here, in a sexy suit, at that," he says.

I smiled blushing foolishly before clearing my throat.

Why does this young man make me feel like a little schoolgirl who has a stupid crush on someone?

"You think my suit sexy?" I asked. 

Ivan chuckles before his hand made its way to my face.

"Where are your glasses?" he queried.

"I didn't think that they'd be reasonable for this setting," I answered making him scoff.

"Why are you here? Doctor?" he asked his voice lowering as though daring me to lie.

"That's none of your business," I responded.

His jaw clenched while his hand on my face slid its way down to my neck.

"Connor," he called. Connor smiled nervously as he answered Ivan.

"Yes, Mr. Mikhailov,"

"How many men talked to my Lisichka?" Connor's face grimaced as he told Ivan how many men talked to me.

"Hmm? Are you here to fuck someone? Doctor?" Ivan just outright asked me.

Huh?!

"No!" I immediately answered.

"Again, I ask, Lisichka, why are you here?"

____