Chapter 1: Sweet To The Core
“Applejack, do I gotta?” Mac asked, fidgeting with his bowtie. His sister promptly turned her head around as they slowly walked to Ponyville’s museum, turned for a few days into an art gallery.
“‘Course ya do,” she replied, adjusting the ascot she wore and brushing down her cheap but presentable suit. “I told Rare ya were gonna be my guest in this ol’ shindig she cooked up, an’ an Apple doesn’t lie.”
“Yeah, I get why you’d go here, but why me?” Mac cursed under his breath and finally gave up on his bowtie, knowing the effort was only in vain. “I mean, ye’re her friend and all, but why are ya draggin’ me here for?”
“When’s the last time ya went inta town for somethin’ other than supplies fer the farm?” she questioned, tilting her stetson back and staring up at him.
“Uh…” Mac scratched the back of his neck. “Well, that’s just ‘cause I’ve been busy is all.”
“Reckon I jus’ made my point.” She turned, giving him a push on the shoulder. “I’m always runnin’ ‘round with the girls, ya should get yerself a day free every now an’ again too.” She put on a smile Mac knew was far from innocent. “That, an’ I thought you an’ Rare might get along pretty well, ya know?”
Mac stopped in his tracks. “Oh no, not this again.” Mac sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Don’t tell me this is just an attempt to get me hitched with some girl again.”
“Hey now,” Applejack warned, “Rarity ain’t jus’ some girl. She’s got herself a business, college educated, she’s brave, an’ one of the nicest women you’d ever meet. She complains a bit too much fer my likin’, but anyone would be lucky ta have her.”
Mac stuck his finger in Applejack’s face. “Then why don’t ya go out with her and keep me outta it?”
Applejack paused, a small tinge of blush on her freckled cheeks. “W-well... I, uh, know if someone don’t ride yer damn fool self hard, ya ain’t gonna have no-one. This kinda stuff takes time. An’ frankly, as often as yer workin’, if I don’t shove ya off the property every now an’ again, you’d be outta time ‘fore ya know it.”
“Wait… are ya actually tellin’ me to get some?” Mac asked, his jaw hanging.
“Get some? Granny’d wash yer mouth out, bein’ that crass,” the farmer scolded, nodding in recognition at a familiar face as they got in line for the art exibition. “I’m jus’ sayin’ that ya should really start ta consider wooin’ a gal, ya know? Start plantin’ yer seeds in a nice plot an’—” She paused, scratchin’ at a chin. “I meant that in one of those… ya know… metric-phorical ways, mind, not how yer thinkin’.” Applejack brushed it off. “I jus’ wanna see ya happy in the long run. Family first, sug.”
“What ‘bout if I don’t want a gal right now?” Mac asked, shouldering past her as he stomped through the crowd, which parted before his large size quickly. “I already got three of ya gals—Granny, Bloom, and especially you—to look after. Then there’s the farm, the work, the stress! I ain’t got no time or interest in a gal. Get it through yer head, Jack, and get offa my back already.”
“Ye’re as stubborn as Pa was,” Applejack replied, rolling her eyes. “An’ when, exactly, are ya gonna have time fer a gal? When the farm’s not needin’ to be worked on? We both know that ain’t happinin’.” She continued, ticking her points off on her brown fingers. “When Bloom’s grown up? That’s a long, long time from now, boy. Or maybe yer waitin’ for when we don’t have ta take care of Gran no more? Goddess willin’, that’s a good while away, too. Jus’ how long ya gonna be in this here haul for?”
“However long it takes to get ya outta my hair,” Mac muttered, sighing in relief once he caught sight of the doors to the gallery. Pocketing his bowtie and unbuttoning the top of his shirt, he asked Applejack, “Listen, let’s just stop bickerin’ so I can get through this without tearin’ out my ears. Think ya can handle that fer one night?”
“If ya can make it through one night without poutin’ like a lil’ boy, I reckon so,” she shot back, mimicking Mac’s action and unbuttoning the top of her own jacket. “Damn chest’s too tight on this thing,” she grumbled, reaching toward the doors and pushing one open.
The museum wasn’t a spot that either Apple frequented often, but both could easily notice the changes the building had overwent. Rows of pictures lined the exhibits, with a velvet rope blocking one of the rooms deeper in the museum.
“They closed off the dinosaur exhibit fer this thing? Bloom would be really upset at ‘em,” Applejack remarked, brushing her hair back. She glanced across the crowded room, noting a small arrow pointed upstairs. “An’ more paintings on the second floor, looks like.”
“What in blazes even are these… things?” Mac asked, pointing to the first painting he noticed. It was like a rainbow had gotten high off of LSD, puked all the contents of its stomach, then beat the pile of vomit with a hammer until it was smudged and blurred to ruin. “I mean, did a four-year-old make this or what?”
Applejack moved closer to the painting, observing it, and a small, worded card to its side intently. Soon, she blanched a bit. “Land’s sake, some of those city-folk are weird. This paintin’ here? Representation of the privilege the author feels over havin’ a—” She read the card. “Eyup, I read that right. Over havin’ a scrotum.” She spared an uneasy glance Mac’s way. “M-maybe he’s touched in the head or somethin’.”
Peering closer, Mac nearly hacked a cough. “Nah, he’s touched in the wallet is what he is. Look at the price tag on this thing. A painting that Apple Bloom can make with fingerpaint is worth more than our farm, doubled! Actually, wait, no… tripled!”
“The price is outlandish, I readily agree,” a cultured voice from behind them stated. “If it’s any consolation, I can almost assure you it will remain unsold throughout the entirety of the exhibition.”
Mac shot straight up and quickly turned to see who was talking to him. “M-miss Rarity!” he muttered, gulping slightly, “I, uh, didn’t mean nothin’ bad ‘bout the art piece at your exhibit or anythin’. I mean, it looks lovely, just like, um, everythin’ else here! Right, Jack?”
“It’s kinda junk, sug,” she replied, running a thumb over her nose.
Rarity took her opinion well, nodding slowly in agreement. “It’s one of his least expressive pieces, I agree. His earlier work contained far more evocative imagery and emotion.” She put her delicate fingertips to her chest. “I truly believe he’s in it simply for the money now. Which is quite problematic in my eye.” She looked between the Apples, her violet lips quirking into a friendly smile. “Wouldn’t you two agree?”
Mac’s mouth hung open as he desperately tried to process this information. Finally, a quick elbow to the side from Applejack allowed him to say, “Sure thang!”
Rarity offered a throaty chuckle, playfully winking at Mac and giving a friendly tap to his clean-shaven cheek with a hand. “And I’m grateful you decided to take a moment to yourself and come to my humble presentation, darling. Applejack was telling me how long it had been since you had a night off just the other day when we were at the spa.”
“I thought we agreed ta never talk ‘bout that place again,” Applejack responded dryly.
“So that’s why your fingernails don’t look like the hooves off a cow!” Mac laughed, patting Applejack roughly on the shoulder. “What, you got a pedicure too? And what about a—” Mac sucked in a large gulp of air when Applejack elbowed him again, though this time in the center of his stomach.
“You’re telling me,” Rarity raptly agreed. “Aloe herself said she had never seen nails that misused in all her years of owning the business. It was worth attending that soiree a few weeks back just so I could have some leverage to get Applejack to come with me to the spa.”
“It was called a ‘hoedown,’” Applejack replied, rolling her eyes. “An’ if I had know ya were gonna blackmail me over it, I wouldn’t of invited ya.”
Mac finally managed to get more air in his lungs, and no longer had to lean down. Looking from girl to girl, he noticed the sharp contrast between them. Applejack was wearing a dingy suit like his, though hers was in much better quality and repair, while Rarity was toting that appealing hourglass figure of hers in a shimmering blue dress that hugged her ample curves and made him blush just by looking at her.
Yeah, the rest of the night will go swimmingly at this rate.
“I’m sorry,” Rarity realized, looking to Mac, “Here we are, talking to one another without even letting you get a word in edgewise. How has the farm been holding up, dear?”
“It’s alright,” Mac coughed, slicking his already unruly hair back. Looks like Applejack’s best efforts to comb it to a more moderate style for formal events had failed. “Harvest was good, and we didn’t lose much on apple rot like last year. Now just gotta handle the packaging and shipping.”
“Tres bien!” Rarity replied, clapping. “It’s always good hearing of successful business ventures.”
“Can’t call it a full success yet. Ain’t like we’ve never lost a bushel shippin’ before.” Jack looked between the two, smiling a hair at Mac, then moving away from the two. “I gotta step inta the can. Be back in a sec, y’all.”
“The powder room is what you mean,” Rarity curtly replied. Applejack laughed.
“I sure ain’t gonna do no powder—”
She put a hand up, quickly silencing her. “—Okay, alright. I don’t need to know, Jack.”
Moving past them, Rarity turned, wordlessly watching her walk away, her face for the first time tonight unreadable. Finally, she came back to attention, staring up at Macintosh.
It was here that Mac realized with disdain that this was another tactical maneuver by Applejack to leave him and Rarity alone together. Sly, very sly. Mac will have to stay on his toes for the rest of the night.
Coughing into his hand, he asked, “So, uh, what’s this art gallery fer anyhow? I know ya make dresses an’ whatnot, but I didn’t know ya can paint as well.”
“It’s not so much that I paint. Rather, I see the artists, pouring their souls out onto the canvas, and I can’t help but be inspired!” She threw her hand out dramatically. “The colors! The designs! The majesty they hold!” Glancing to him, Rarity nodded. “The unity of everyone’s styles and creations in one place makes my artistic vision become a lightning rod, dear. I haven’t even seen all the exhibits and I can already feel the electricity in the air.” She crossed her arms, biting at her thumb. “I’ve tried explaining it to Jack before, but she didn’t quite understand the appeal, sadly.” Rarity glanced at him. “But I’m sure an intelligent, reflective man such as yourself sees exactly what I mean, yes?”
Mac felt like he was staring down a firing squad. He almost didn’t catch half of the words she just said, and what he did made little to no sense for him. Twiddling his thumbs and rocking on the front of his feet and then heels, he glanced around and nodded his head. “Uh, yeah, yeah, I getcha. Them paintings sure are… magical… and stuff. Real purdy too. Just… wow, amazin’.” Wiping some sweat from his brow with an arm, he said, “Hey, is the air runnin’ in this place, ‘cause I’m sweatin’ up a storm right ‘bout now?”
She tilted her head, the large, blue-gemmed earrings she wore shifting. “I believe so, yes. Are you alright, Macintosh? You seem a bit… off.”
“Yeah, yeah, never better,” Mac replied, tugging at the collar of his suit. Glancing left and right desperately, he muttered, “Goddamnit Jack, where in blazes are ya?”
“I hate to ask, but would you care to refrain from such harsh language in front of a lady?”
“Oh, I didn’t mean—” Mac hissed through his lips and licked his lips. “Listen, Miss Rarity, I’m real sore ‘bout that. I’m just a little… high strung is all. I’m not real used to all this here…” Mac waved his hand around at the finer folk dressed in their best gowns and suits discussing the finer aspects of art, talks of future auctions, and of course, dark and juicy gossip about one another, “here… uh, sophistication.”
“It is quite the change from your more… humble lifestyle. Not that there’s shame in your nature, of course, but I could imagine it taking some time to get used to.” Rarity was about to speak again, when she heard her name called from within the sea of people. Her eyes widened. “Oh, gracious. Mister Fancypants came to the showing. Sorry, Mac, I must step away for a moment. I’ll be back when I can.” She quickly walked forward, her heels clicking with every step across the wooden floor.
“Thank goodness, there is a God,” Mac sighed, rubbing a hand across his sweat drenched forehead. His suit felt hot and stuffy, the showroom overbearing and claustrophobia, and everyone in there just plain uncomfortable to him. Some of them had wallets fatter than their pockets, while others he actually knew the names of from popular movies and magazines. Overall, Mac felt as out of place as a fish in a sea of sharks. Any moment now, he could get eaten alive in a feeding frenzy. “Man, I gotta find Jack,” Mac muttered, peering high over the heads of everyone there due to his great height, “and get outta this damn place.”
It seemed like for a brief moment his prayers would be answered. Jack came out from the bathroom, using her own height to easily peer over the rest of the partygoers. She spotted him easily and quickly walked towards the man.
“Well,” she began, smiling at him, “Get yerself a number, lover boy?”
“I got myself a headache, that’s what,” Mac muttered, crossing his arms while shooting Applejack an unamused glance. “Ya left me out in the sun to fry, didn’t ya?”
“Sink or swim, sug,” Applejack replied, giving him a tap on the shoulder. “I knew if I didn’t step away, you’d never start jawin’ with her. Ain’t like yer the most vocal-a men, ‘less someone gets ya started.” She frowned a bit. “An’ I knew Rare ain’t the type ta judge someone fer their upbringin’, ya know? I knew she’d give ya a fair chance.”
“Yeah, yeah, it was wonderful. Had a swell chat ‘bout art this and fancy that.” Mac shot Jack a hard look. “Was just great seein’ how low I’m on the pickin’ order in this place by not knowin’ a damn thang she was talkin’ ‘bout.”
“It’s jus’ art,” Jack snapped back. “Ain’t like it’s hard, jus’ say what a picture is makin’ ya feel. It ain’t like yer fancy-ass mathematics: there’s more than one right answer.” She tsked, reaching forward and straightening his collar. “This ain’t no barrel-a laughs fer me either, remember that. I’m doin’ this fer yer and Rarity’s sake.”
Mac moved away from Jack with a grunt. “Why don’t ya stop doin’ it fer my sake then and care ‘bout yer friend? I’m a grown man, Jack, and yer my little sis. Accept that and stay outta my business if I say so.”
“I’m only in yer business ‘cause ya sure as hell ain’t runnin’ it good,” Jack countered, moving and following right alongside him. “An’ of course I care ‘bout Rarity—ya think I jus’ picked someone like her outta the blue? No sir. She’s always goin’ on ‘bout how she likes ‘southern charm’ this an’ ‘southern charm’ that. Why not at least give ‘er a shot?”
“Cause you didn’t give one lick ‘bout my opinion or how I thought about it,” Mac said, pointing his finger in Applejack’s freckled face. “This happens all the time, Jack. Ya stick yer nose in my business and don’t leave me alone no matter what! I can run my life without ya, thank you very much, no matter how different ya think so. I ran it just fine when you left town for the big city, and I ran it the same when ya came back. So don’t ya tell me ya know what’s better for me than what I think!” By this point Mac’s voice had risen louder, causing some of the showroom guests to look at the pair with odd curiosity.
Applejack pressed on, not noticing the stares either were getting. “Maybe yer game on workin’ by yerself ‘till ya die, but I ain’t! Ya ever think how much it worries granny, ya not havin’ anyone? Ya ever think ta yerself how much it’d hurt Ma, thinkin’ of her son workin’ his fingers ta the bone with nothin’ ta show fer it but the dirt under his nails? No!” She gave a push at his chest, clenching her fists tight against her side. “So maybe you should stop bein’ so selfish, jus’ thinkin’ it’s yer problem an’ yers alone. Family don’t work like that. I don’t goddamn work like that. An’ until ya realize it’s more than jus’ yerself in this problem, I got every right ta hem and haw at ya on it.”
“If ya really cared ‘bout me, Jack,” Mac said, sticking his nose right against hers as he stared down at her, “then you’d trust me to make my own choices. Because I sure as hell haven’t made a wrong one yet. Yer the stubborn one, the one who don’t know when to shut her trap, the one who can’t stop worrin’ ‘bout others when there’s nothin’ to worry ‘bout. But me, I’m just content to live my life without my lil’ sis dictatin’ how I should live it.” Backing away from Applejack with a sneer on his face, Mac said, “Worry ‘bout yer own life, Jack, and leave me outta yer snoopin’. I ain’t gonna play that game no more.”
“Is there a problem here?” the cultured voice of Rarity asked, smartly stepping towards the two. She looked between Mac and Jack, unsure what to say.
“Yeah, where’s the drinks in this joint?” Mac asked. “Cause I really need one.”
Rarity blinked. “There’s a few beverages upstairs. I’ll show you.”
“Yeah, ya do that,” Applejack remarked, glaring at the giant. “I’mma go outside fer a breather.”
Following Rarity upstairs, Mac noticed the odd stares he was getting from a few of the patrons. Probably from the show him and Applejack pulled earlier. They always did have a habit of drawing in the crowds if they ever argued in public.
“Listen, Miss Rarity, I’m awfully sore ‘bout my behavior before,” Mac said once the two reached the second floor. “Me and Jack can just get a bit… heated sometimes.”
“I understand, dear. Jack can be… uncompromising, sometimes. But I can assure you that whatever it was that started it, I’m sure she meant the best. She always does.” Letting out a small laugh and a dismissive wave, Rarity shook her head. “But you’ve known her even longer than I have.You already know that of her.”
“Yeah, I know it real well,” Mac muttered angrily, rubbing his eyes with a free hand. “Just gets on my nerves sometimes. She thinks she’s the older sister sometimes and can tell me how to live my life.”
“I understand what you mean, dear.” Quirking a brow, Rarity glanced and leaned forward, smirking devilishly. “Would you like to know a secret?”
Mac blushed at the close proximity Rarity was to him. “Y-yeah?”
“Would you believe she wanted to set me up with you?” Rarity asked, pulling back after the question. She crossed her arms and took to tapping one of the hoop earrings she wore in thought. “She had the powder room break planned and everything.”
Mac’s face broke out in a full shade of red now. “Really? W-wow, Jack’s gettin’ more dastardly with each attempt now. D-dunno why she’d set me up with ya though.”
Rarity tilted her head. “Because she cannot see the forest for the trees, to utilize a saying. That’s something you should work on regarding your sister: Unless it’s staring her right in the face, she cannot understand more… subtle clues.”
“Uh, yeah, sure, I’ll be glad to tell her.” Mac looked up and let his eyes drift back and forth across the room. “Now, ya got a drink counter ‘round this place?”
She pointed at the far corner, where a table lined with champagne glasses and a large bowl of punch sat. “Tell them to put your drinks on my account, dear. And I do hope there are no hard feelings regarding Jack’s attempt at a set up between us, yes?”
“Nah, it’s fine. Makes sense why she dragged me out here though. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll get buzzed to forget the night’s troubles.” Leaving Rarity behind him, who was staring at his back with a calloused view, Mac made his way to the bar by the side of the room.
“Hey, partner, can I get some gin? I need something dry ‘bout now,” Mac asked, knocking on the bar counter.
The waiter shook his head. “Sadly, sir, we do not have any gin in stock. May I interest you in our fine range of wines instead?”
“What, is this a wine tastin’ show too?” Mac asked, disgruntled.
“Actually, it is.”
Sighing, Mac waved his hand. “Fine, fine, gimme whatever ya got that’s got the most booze in it.” Setting a glass of scarlet red wine next to Mac, he snatched it right away and poured half down his throat. “Yuck. Sour as an unripe green apple,” Mac gagged, smacking his lips at the unpleasant flavor. “People actually pay to try this stuff?”
“People pay for all kinds of things they don’t need, handsome,” a lady’s voice replied, her tone deep, soulful, with a hint of rasp to it. He turned, coming face to face with a woman that gave him pause. She was a few years older than him, with makeup and clothing that he felt would be gaudy on anyone else, yet worked for her. She fluttered her blue-rimmed lashes at him and smiled, her shaded lips matching the lashes alongside her wavy, neck-length hair and creating a beautiful contrast when compared to her dark chocolate skin. Tipping her white top-hat at him, she sauntered forward, her wide hips swaying in an almost exaggerated spectacle, as if she was putting on a show for him. She ran one of her fingers down her neck, over the choker necklace she wore and paused at her collar. Mac couldn’t help but notice her large, nearly exaggerated breasts peeking out of her low-cut halter top that, once again, might of looked strange on anyone else, but for her, seemed to fit like the elbow-length white gloves she wore.
“And honey, the boys and girls around here? Got more money than they know what to do with.”
Whatever saliva or wine that was currently in Mac’s mouth was instantly gulped down as he saw the sight before him. Taking the willpower of ten men to not look at the bouncing breast show she was putting on, he forced himself to look her in the eye. “Um, yes, I’m guessin’ so. I’m just lucky this ain’t on my tab.”
“In that case, how about you treat this lady to a drink?” She winked at him. “I’m sure your girlfriend wouldn’t mind.”
“I-I ain’t got a girlfriend,” Mac stuttered, freckled cheeks reddening. “My sis is just friends with the gal who ran this gig is all.” Mac tugged at his collar as he looked at the wine bottles with names in languages he didn’t even know of. “Whatcha wanna drink, miss…”
“Sapphire Shores. Just call me Sapphire though, handsome. As for what I want to drink…” She raised a brow, then gave an over-dramatic gesture to a blue-tinted bottle, pointing with both her hands. “Let’s try that one.” She clapped, and the bartender poured out two glasses, she took both and handed one to Mac. “You try enough different wines, and you’ll find one that fits your palate like a glove, Mr…?”
“Macintosh,” he answered, picking up the glass and swirling the wine around in it trying to attempt he knew what he was doing. “But everyone just calls me Big Mac or just Mac fer short.”
“Mac. Mac,” she called out in a low, on-key tone, holding out the ‘a’ for a moment. “Not too bad there, got a nice, simple tune to it. And I’m surprised you ain’t Rarity’s squeeze here, honey. She told me when she was making my dress the other day she had some Southern Comfort on the mind tonight.” Sapphire gave another flirtatious wink Mac’s way. “And I can’t say I’d blame her.”
Mac cough into his drink, nearly choking on his wine. Desperately keeping his hacks and wheezes to a minimum, he choked out, “Rarity ain’t really my time anyhow. She’s just… I ain’t…” Mac shrugged, wiping his mouth with the sleeve of his suit. “Just don’t work out fer me or her. Know what I’m sayin’?”
“You can’t change how you’re feeling about someone, honey. Heart wants what it wants,” she stated, taking a drink, then another. “And this heart knows she’s gonna want another one of these. How you liking it, Mac? Sweet as a midsummer’s day and twice as warm, ain’t it?”
“I prefer apple cider or some hard liquor myself, Miss Sapphire,” Mac said flatly, which was about as flat as his wine. Taking another sip and finishing his off, he poured them two new glasses. “Wine is a bit too fruity fer my tastes.”
“Strong man takes strong drinks. I can dig that.” She signaled the barkeep with an easy gesture; he poured out another drink for her, which she took gratefully. “So, tell me about yourself, Mac.”
“Ain’t much to tell,” Mac replied with a shrug. “I’m a farmer. Apples, if ya wanna be specific. Grow ‘em, harvest ‘em, then sell ‘em. Live with my granny and my two little sisters. Basically, I worked hard to get by each day and hope tomorrow turns out better than today. That’s ‘bout it.”
“About it?” she repeated, chuckling. “No, sir, Mac, you’re living the dream. What you have here is the salt of the earth!” Sapphire called out, in a singsong tone, reminding Mac of a preacher man at a pulpit. “Why, I’d call you the soul of the country! Backbone keepin’ the party in here active!” She swallowed another mouthful of wine. “No grapes, no drinks. No apples, no cider, no sauce, no caramel apples—” She whipped her head to the side, looking at him askance. “You like them caramel apples?”
“Uh… sure,” Mac replied, raising a brow at her speech. It sounded so familiar. Well, not her talking itself, but her voice. “Miss Sapphire, if ya don’t mind me askin’, but what are ya doin’ at this party? I mean, I was forced here by my sis tryin’ to hook me up with her friend, but what ‘bout ya?”
“Rarity invited me, plus I’ve never been one to turn down a social scene. No shame in giving a show everywhere you go, handsome, can’t disappoint my fans, after all.” She stared at the farmer. “Mac, you’re an interesting guy. I get this ‘still, deep water’ vibe from you.” Leaning forward, showcasing a healthy amount of her cleavage, she rested her head in her hand. “What if I told you I know a place outside city limits that serves some of the best whiskey in the country? Homemade sill, like drinkin’ mana from heaven.”
“Ya ain’t pullin’ my chain?” Mac asked, abandoning his wine. “Cause I could use whiskey like a dog needs water on a hot summer’s day.”
“Honest,” she said. “And as much as I love wine, a good belt is a fine thing indeed.” Sapphire stood, reaching into her pocket and giving a small shake of her keys. “What do you say, handsome? Let’s make some music together.”
Mac mulled over his options. He can either stay there, drink bland wine and appreciate the sophistication of vomit thrown across a wall that these people call art, and eventually get his ear chewed off by Jack again. Or, he can join this voluptuous lady on a trip to a bar for some much needed alcohol.
It was a pretty easy choice.
“I should warn ya, I have a terrible voice,” Mac chuckled, nodding his head in agreement.
“As do most of the artists I collaborate with, we can always autotune,” she just easily replied.
They left and walked to the end of the parking lot, Sapphire seeming to revel in the cool air. “This is one fine breeze,” she called out to Mac as they walked past rows and rows of cars. “Stars ain’t too bad out here either, no sir.”
“Yeah. Lookin’ like a fine night fer sure,” Mac agreed, staring up at the clear black sky with stars here and there twinkling in their place. “Can’t believe I was gonna spend the entire time of it cooped up in that stuffy joint.”
She smiled. “I agree,” the woman replied. “Art’s got a point. Anything with soul you better believe does, honey. But you can’t just ignore what the land’s got to say neither.”
“Yeah. Well, at least I’m finally outta there, and now—” Mac stopped in his tracks as he saw Sapphire step into her car.
Even without consulting his fairly extensive mechanical knowledge, he knew the car was a beast. A slick creature with no rough texture, no unnecessary angle on it in the slightest. As she opened the door and sat behind the driver’s wheel, she turned the key and revved the car. The sound of its pitch-perfect engine nearly made his knees buckle.
“You like it? It’s an import. This baby can hit one hundred miles per hour from a dead stop in five seconds. Purrs like a kitten doing it too,” she sang once more, hitching her voice high and low on her last word. Grinning, she cocked her head to the passenger's seat. “Come on, big guy. You can drool over the goods inside.”
“This thing must be worth a million bucks,” Mac whispered, opening the passenger door and sitting in the comfiest leather seats he’s ever felt. Looking at the dashboard and the luxurious interior, Mac realized the entire car was worth more than his entire farm and then some. Extra emphasis on the then some part.
She shifted into reverse and pulled out of the parking lane, then took off like a bullet down the sleepy roads of Ponyville.
Mac was grateful he had buckled up earlier, because she wasn’t kidding when she said this thing could hit one hundred miles in five seconds. As his teeth rattled in his skull, mac asked, “Ya think maybe it’d be a good idea to slow down a bit?”
“Honey, I didn’t spend half the royalties on my new single to get a car that goes slow!” She grinned, tapping on the brakes and making a hairpin turn. “Maybe after I get some drinks in me, I’ll even let you touch the wheel!”
“I don’t think we’re gonna live long ‘nough fer that to happen!” Mac laid back in his seat and dug his hands into the armrests so hard he was sure he was ruining the leather, but right now he had more important things to worry about. Like not getting in a wreck.
Sapphire threw her head back and laughed. “You don’t have a problem talking now, that’s for sure! Though you were awfully quiet back at the show!” She looked over at him. “Don’t freak out, just lower that windshield and feel the wind sing to you!”
“That ain’t singin’! It’s just the sound of my own death once I go flyin’ out the windshield when we crash!” Mac replied back, nearly biting down on his tongue when Sapphire completed another turn that very nearly ended in them slamming into the side of a building. “Yer crazy!”
“A killer is crazy, I’m just a free spirit,” she let out another laugh and her smile became open mouth and lovely. For a brief moment, Sapphire was even more beautiful than when Mac first saw her, as the wind created a whirlwind, blowing her hat clear off and into the back of the car, then billowing through her hair. Her eyes sparkled with zeal.
As he admired her beauty, he momentarily forgot about the impending death course she seemed to be driving through with ease as such high speeds. Heck, she only had one hand on the wheel as well. Gulping and avoiding eye contact with the window revealing the outside world, Mac asked, “Ya always like drivin’ so fast and dangerous?”
She nodded. “It gets me in a good mindset. With my calling, I need to experience a whole lotta range of emotions, understand?”
“That callin’ bein’ singing, right?” Mac asked.
“That calling being singing,” she agreed. “Some call me the princess of pop even.” Grinning, she continued. “I gotta admit, I like the sound of it.”
“I knew ya sounded familiar!” Mac said in triumph, grinning to her. “I hear ‘bout yer songs all the time on the radio. Gotta say, my lil’ sis is a big fan.”
“Always a pleasure to hear about a fan,” Sapphire replied. “Remind me and I’ll get her an autograph.” A pause. “Well, after we drink, anyway. Otherwise my signature wouldn’t look right.”
A few more minutes later, Sapphire stopped suddenly and turned into a parking lot next to a worn, ramshackle wooden sign.
Hard Nights, the sign proclaimed.
Sapphire grinned, turning off the car.
They approached the building. From inside they could hear the sound of a jukebox playing out a lonely guitar. Sapphire opened the door and held it for Mac as faint wisps of cigarette smoke rolled out into the night air.
They entered, the bar fairly empty, considering it was a weekday, and approached the counter, sitting next to a burly biker, and a bearded man. They offered single nods of acknowledgments at the two, then returned to their drinks.
Staring around the room, Mac noticed a couple of pool table near the side where a few bikers were playing at. Taking a seat next to Sapphire at the counter, Mac, nervously played with his thumbs as he looked up to the very muscular bartender that had more tattoos than teeth. “Psst, Sapphire, whatcha gonna order?” Mac asked her nervously.
“Rind, care to give me a Double-Hard lullaby?” she asked. He smiled, surprisingly pleasant despite his hard-as-rock demeanor.
“Right away, Ms. Shores.”
“How many times do I need to say it? Sapphire, if you please.”
She turned to Mac as her drink was prepared. “The Hard lullaby’s the house specialty. I think you’d enjoy it. It’s a whiskey mix, lemon, and a shot of tequila.”
“Well, might as well as give it a shot, then,” Mac agreed, nodding his head to the intimidating hulk of a man known as Rind. He nodded back and got prepared making both their drinks. Giving Sapphire a side glance, Mac said, “Truth be told, I wasn’t expectin’ a big star to go to regular bars in town like it ain’t a big deal.”
She smirked, adjusting the top hat she wore. “As I mentioned, while I’m a sucker for the glitz and glamor of the spotlight, honey, it ain’t a way to unwind. Something local’s your best bet. Most of the boys in dives don’t know who I am, so it’s a good way to take it easy.” Taking a peanut from a nearby bowl, she cracked it and ate. “Plus, as I’ve said earlier, inspiration needs to come from everywhere, meaning I need to visit and enjoy everywhere—how else am I going to have varied tastes, after all?”
“So, ya like keepin’ to yer roots, huh?” Mac asked, grabbing a few peanuts as well.
“A tree without roots falls prey to a single axe strike,” Sapphire agreed. “It’s in a way, why you drew my attention earlier.” Her drink came. She put it to the side in order to look at the farmer.
Mac looked at his drink and took a tepid sip. Smiling at the nice burst of flavors from the fermented drink, Mac took another sip and smacked his lips. “So, I remind ya of the country livin’ then?”
She took a sip, grimacing at its strength, but smiling as its warmth spread through her chest. “You do. The suit doesn’t really hide it that well, handsome. I can tell just by your hands you're the outdoors type.” Taking another drink, she looked at him. “There’s also something else… I don’t know what, but I look at you and…” She shrugged. “It’s hard to explain, even with all my years writing songs, I’m finding it hard to put it into words.”
Mac blushed, looking down into his drink. Tapping his finger on the ridge of his glass, Mac coughed into his hand. “Well, I thank ya for the compliments. Not every day a beautiful gal takes me out for a drive. Even one as hectic as that,” he chuckled.
“I’m glad I could offer a nice change of pace for you.” She suddenly stood, resting a foot on the barstool and gesturing proudly, dramatically ahead. “Life is about experiences! Live them as they come! Control the ship of destiny!” She plopped back down on the stool and gave a half-smile towards Mac. “I thought I did pretty well there. Expect me in a broadway play some day.”
“Heck, I’d expect ya on the big screens soon ‘nough,” Mac chuckled, finishing off half his drink already. “An’ hot damn, ya weren’t jokin’. This is damn fine whiskey this bar gots here!”
“I don’t exaggerate on drinks, Macintosh. Only everything else.” She leaned on the bar, then took a finger, running it up and down his bicep. “Like, I bet you’re the pinnacle of genetics. If I’ve seen a nicer lookin’ man, then I sure can’t remember it.”
Mac was sure if he put anymore strength on how hard he was holding his glass, it would shatter. “That’s, uh… mighty nice of ya to say, Miss Sapphire,” Mac gulped. tugging at the collar of his constricting shirt.
After a Sapphire mulled over her drink for a moment, she spoke, pondering aloud as she put a finger to her chin, “Maybe that’s it.”
“What’s that?” Mac asked.
“You’re different from some of the other boys I’ve had tag along with this old gal.” She gave a half-shrug. “By now, it’d feel a lot more superficial I think. I compliment them, and all I hear is ‘nice tits,’ or ‘your thighs are perfect.’ You though? It’s just ‘much obliged,’ ‘thanks,’ things like that.”
She took another drink. “Just a thought. I like it.”
“Well, uh, my ma taught me to only compliment a lady on her beauty and not what ya just… said,” Mac replied awkwardly. Scratching his cheek, he looked to her and said, “Fer instance, ya have real amazin’ eyes. Like two golden moons sparkling all the time.”
“Now this guy knows how to woo a lady!” Sapphire said, fanning herself with a hand. “You hearin’ this, Rind?”
“Awfully nice of him,” he agreed, looking down at a glass he was cleaning with a well used rag.
“Nice enough that I’m gonna treat him to another drink!” she announced with another grin, giving Mac a slap on the back. “Might as well enjoy the night while we can; for she fades soon enough.”
“Ya don’t have to do that. I got cash on me,” Mac assured her, a small smile on his cheeks.
“You can get next time, handsome. Let me have this one. My way of thanking you for the night and giving me an excuse to leave that party.” She sighed, closing her eyes. “Plus I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to draft you to drive me home. Or, well, at least the hotel room I’m staying at while I’m on tour.”
“You’re on tour here in Ponyville?” Mac asked, intrigued. “I didn’t know ya were doin’ one here.”
“It’s a stop on my tour. I knew I wanted to visit that art exhibition before making the drive to Manehatten, so I took today and tomorrow off to get my bearings. I’ll be back at my natural habitat on stage friday.”
“Ah, so yer here for the entire weekend then?” Mac asked with a grin.
“Indeed I am, honey. I know if I’m going to shine, I need downtime to get polished.” She took a hold of her glass and swallowed the remains, letting out a pleased sigh as she clutched the empty glass.
“Well, if ya want, I’d be glad to give ya a tour round town tomorrow if ya want,” Mac suggested, leaning back in his seat and stretching his large forearms. “Ponyville may not seem like much, but we got plenty of heart and good townsfolk to spare. Real nice place to spend a day relaxin’ in without a care in the world.”
“How could I refuse such a generous offer? I’d love to, Mac. I’ve visited the Boutique and a few of Ponyville’s main attractions, but a tour from a local? I’m sure I’ll draw inspiration from all sorts of things!” She gave an excited clap. “It’s a date, handsome.”
Mac’s eyes widened at the mention of the word ‘date.’ Snorting into his cup, Mac cough some of his whiskey out of his lungs. “Ya know, if someone had told me I’d have met the Sapphire Shores at a fancy-pancy art show and then go on a date with her the next day, I’d call them a liar.”
“And if I had been told that I’d meet a perfect gentlemen and take him out for drinks tonight, I’d do the same.” She offered a fresh glass to him in toast. “To good fortune. May it keep blowing the wind in our favor.”
Mac clinked his glass with hers and downed the rest of his drink. Shaking his head and gulping the fiery liquid back, he set his glass down with a thud and a satisfied sigh. “Hit me up with another, Rind. Feelin’ good,” Mac said, his words more freer and with a slightly slur to them.
“Can’t have just one. Or two, for that matter,” Rind agreed, turning his massive body away from Mac and pouring another, humming while doing so. He turned back and slid the drink to the farmer’s waiting hands.
“You see what I mean ‘bout this place?” Sapphire asked, laughing into her drink. “Ugly as sin, but you find yourself some goooold inside, sugar bear.”
Taking another few sips from his drink, Mac nodded in agreement. Sapphire polished off the rest of hers after a moment and glanced at her watch.
“Can you stay out and play just a little longer, handsome? Night’s still alive and kickin’.”
“I’m good fer however long ya wanna stay,” Mac replied with his best flirty smile.
“Then how about you come back with me to the hotel? They got a dart board I want to try. And there’s always the pool table…”
“We got that stuff too,” Rind objected with a whine.
“But I can’t just drift off right here. I gotta make sure I can crash and burn if I’m dead on my feet.”
“Ya sure you’re good to drive?” Mac chuckled, finishing off the rest of his drink quickly. “I mean, ya did down more of these liver killers than I did.”
She rose. “Of course I—” stumbling forward, she slipped, Mac shot one of his powerful arms out and caught her before she could fall.
“On second thought… can you drive?”
“I think I can handle that,” Mac replied with a low chuckle, helping her back to her feet. “I mean, I don’t think I can be fast and furious like yerself, but I can get us there in one piece.”
The bartender looked at Mac. “You sure?” he asked. “I don’t want you wrecking my best customer.”
“Nah, I got it,” Mac assured him. “I make apple cider back on my farm. Apple Family has some of the highest alcohol tolerance you’ll ever see in someone in yer life.”
“Alright,” he said. “You kids have a nice night.”
“Already have so far,” Sapphire replied with a wink over her shoulder. She took Mac’s arm. “How about you escort the lady to her car?”
“Very well, Miss Sapphire,” Mac replied, helping her to her hotrod. Opening the door for her, he assisted in getting her down gently in the cushioned leather seats. Swinging over to the car’s other side, Mac buckled up and turned the ignition on. The purr of the powerful machine was a sensation Mac thought he’d never know other than when riding a beat up tractor or even more beat up truck. “So, you remember where yer hotel is at?”
“Just off the main strip, kinda… kinda near a bakery,” she remarked, glancing out the window.
“Sugarcube Corner?” Mac guessed, guiding the car at a much slower speed than she was doing down the road.
“Yeah, that’s the place. Where honey flows like a river down a smiling face,” she said, giving her fingers a snap, bouncing to an unheard beat.
“Ya sure do have a nice way of puttin’ things,” Mac laughed, drifting down another corner. Cruising slowly down the quiet streets, Mac finally saw Sugarcube Corner in sight after about a quarter of an hour. Circling around it and arriving on the main strip of Ponyville, he asked, “Okay, just point out the joint, and I’ll pull us up.”
It took her a few moments, but she finally noticed the corner of the building she was staying at and gave a tap at her window with a finger. “Right there, the brick one, hon. Dunwich Estates.”
“Hot damn,” Mac muttered, pulling up to the grand hotel. Five stars and all the trimmings of luxury to boot, Dunwich Estates was certainly a sight for poor eyes. Since Ponyville didn’t have much of a rich sector for its fabulously wealthy residents, Dunwich was the place the people with the big bucks stayed at or vacationed to while visiting the small town. One room in there would make even the biggest homes in Ponyville seem inadequate by comparison. “This sure is some fancy livin’ ya gots here.”
“If you’ve got the money, why not spend a bit for a treat or two? No point hording it ‘til you’re dead!” She exclaimed with a chuckle.
“Yeah, yeah, I can certainly see that.” Stopping near the entrance, a chauffeur was already ready for the pair. Getting out of the car and helping Sapphire out as well, Mac entered the hotel as the man took Sapphire’s car away. “Sure hope those elevators aren’t out,” Mac mumbled, holding Sapphire firmly by the shoulder.
“You’re a strong man, I’m sure you could carry me no problem if they were,” she replied back. “And if you want to play some pool, I got a table in my room on the third floor.”
“Damn, they really do have everythin’ in this place,” Mac said, walking them towards the elevators. Hitting the up arrow, he waited for the doors to open, while Sapphire leaned against him with her head on his shoulder. Mac didn’t know whether his cheeks were blushing from her or the whiskey he drank earlier. Entering it, he hit the third floor button.
As the elevator rose up she glanced down at his waist, then grabbed his hand. Lifting up a finger, she remarked to him, “They’re thick as molasses.” She wrapped her own fingers around one of his to demonstrate. “Hon, you got hands as big as dinnerplates.”
“Gotta be if yer gonna pick apples all day long,” Mac remarked, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. “Plus, those apples end up on my dinnerplate sooner or later, so everythin’ works out in the end.”
Sapphire grew a bit more adventurous, reaching up to stroke his jawline with the back of her hand. “You do well keeping up here nice and smooth too,” she stated.
“That’s just my sis naggin’ me,” Mac chuckled, cheeks blushing redder on the areas she touched. “If I get anythin’ past a nine o’clock shadow, she threatens me with a razor in the dead of night.”
“I like it. It’s a nice contrast to your hair,” she whispered, doing her best to stand as tall as she could to speak directly into his ear. She took a piece of his locks and gave it a small tug, rolling it in her fingers.
Mac gulped, feeling sweat roll down his neck. She was quite close, to the point he was pretty sure his arm was wedged in between her cleavage. And then there was her hot breath running down his neck and her lips so close to his ear…
The elevator doors opened, and Mac almost breathed a sigh of relief. “Hey, looks like we’re here,” Mac pointed out eagerly.
“Almost a shame, handsome. Sometimes the journey’s better than the destination.” She walked ahead, sashaying her hips and glancing behind her to make sure Mac was watching. When she walked almost the the end of an ornate hallway she reached into her purse and pulled out a key card, swiping it over a mechanical lock. On hearing a click, she opened the door and gestured Mac to enter.
Entering her room, Mac did a low whistled. Marble floors, fancy paintings worth small fortunes hanging from the walls, foreign carpets making the floor plush to the feet, and a living room decked out in furniture so exotic that Mac was afraid of sitting in a single chair in fear of breaking it. “Wow… fancy digs ya got here.”
“It’s a decent setup,” she agreed with a smile. Moving towards a door, she opened it, revealing a kitchen. Disappearing for only a moment, she came back with a large bottle of vodka. “I figure if I’m halfway to drunk, why not get all the way to town? Hop aboard that express train, and ride those rails.”
“Can’t say no to that, now can I?” Mac laughed. Sapphire opened the bottle and drank straight from it. “Ain’t gonna use no glasses, are ya?”
“And worry about washing them later? Of course not.” She offered the bottle towards Mac, quirking her brow.
Mac held the bottle in his hand, shrugged, and took several large gulps of the booze that felt like fire traveling down his throat. Panting a bit after guzzling down a good amount, he muttered, “Dang… much stronger than apple cider, that’s fer sure.”
“They know how to make drinks in the north. It’s the only thing that keeps them warm on cold nights.” She paused, offering a crooked little smile Mac’s direction. “And games.” She moved through the room, stopping in the lounge area, where she trailed her hand across a walnut pool table. “Speaking of games…”
“Wow, ya weren’t kiddin’ ‘bout that pool table,” Mac said in awe, following her. The table was finely made, with pool balls in a perfect triangle at the end of the table. They looked like they were made out of pure ivory too.
Sapphire smirked once more, taking to chalking up a nearby pool cue. “You play?”
“Somewhat.” Mac shrugged, picking up a cue as well. Peering closely at the tip, he asked, “Do you?”
“Somewhat,” she replied just as easy. “How about a game to spice up our game?” the woman offered, placing the cue ball on the table.
“Spice up how?” Mac asked, leaning on his stick as the effects of his hastily drunk vodka took their effects.
“We take turns making shots. When one of us misses getting a ball in a pocket…” She slyly smirked, removing a glove. “Follow my beat?”
It took Mac several seconds for this information to process, due to the slowing rates of alcohol on mental functions and his own obliviousness. Blushing furiously, he muttered, “W-wait, seriously… th-that?”
“Would make the game have some spice to it, wouldn’t it?” Sapphire cracked an even wider grin, walking to Mac and taking another hard drink from the vodka. “What you say?”
“Uh… I-I… dunno,” Mac sputtered, taking quick glances around the room everywhere but her. “I mean… I’ve never really done strip pool before…”
“Then it’ll be a new experience for both of us!” Sapphire chuckled.
“Are ya sure… with me?” Mac asked nervously. “I mean, I ain’t no superstar like yourself.”
“Why not?” Sapphire replied. “‘Superstars’ would want coke or PCP as a side dish to this. With a man like you? I can just treat it like a kind of skinny dipping. I’m sure you’ve done that kinda thing before.”
“Well, I guess…” Mac gulped as his cheeks blushed brightly. “Though that would usually end in—”
“A nice, home-cooked dinner?” she guessed, a sly smile on her lips.
Mac smiled as well. “Yeah, something like that.” Holding the pool cue in his hands, he shrugged. “Well, I’m guessin’ one game won’t kill me…”
“That’s the spirit!” Sapphire held out a fist. “Rock, paper, scissors for who shoots first?”
They commenced the time honored game of decision making, with Mac coming up the loser with his scissors to her rock. Nodding to her, he went to the other side of the table and leaned on his cue in wait for her to shoot.
She tucked the cue behind her back, sticking the tip through her fingers. Then, for good measure, pulled the stick in and out for a moment, winking at Mac. She finally shot, cracking the cue ball against the triangle of balls in the center, sending the mass flying and landing a stripe into the corner pocket.
“Guess you’re stripes and I’m colors then,” Mac commented.
“Guess so,” she agreed. Quirking a brow, she looked over the man. “And I made a shot too…”
Mac sighed, then stripped off his jacket and threw it on a chair on the side of the room. “Well, that ain’t too bad.”
“I like what I see too.” She lined up another shot and hit, frowning as it glanced against a stripe, rolling it only a bit on the velvet.
Sapphire kicked off her shoes, tossing them to the side. “I play barefoot better anyway, handsome.”
Mac slowly walked to where the cue ball lay, taking his sweet time eying any potential shots to make. Catching sight of a free color right next to a pocket, he smiled and lined up his strike. “Well, you’re gonna be much more than barefoot in no time soon.”
The hit was straight and true, the color falling in the pocket with the cue ball resting in place.
“Someone plays,” Sapphire commented, running a hand across the brim of her tophat, then throwing it onto a chair, where it landed without a noise. She ran her hand through her hair and grinned.
“Here and there, but I ain’t as good as when I’m sober.” Mac shared a smile with her.
She sauntered to the table and without taking her eyes off of Mac, she shot, landing a stripe in.
“Looks like another one for me.”
Mac kicked off his shoes with a relieved sigh. “I told AJ those damn things were cuttin’ into my heels.”
“Glad I’m helping you out. Let’s see if I can give you another hand.” She lined herself up and shot, sinking another ball into a pocket. She turned and leaned on her pool cue, smirking expectantly at Mac.
Sharing a smile with her, Mac unbuckled his belt and let it fall to the floor. “Hope that’s good ‘nough for ya.”
“I think it will be. After a few more shots.” Sapphire lined up another and missed, the cue ball bouncing fruitlessly across the table.
“Looks like someone’s lucky streak is runnin’ dry,” Mac noted, chalking up his pool cue’s point as he walked over to where the cue ball lay. Twisting the pool cue in his hand as he leaned across the table, Mac sunk in two colored balls in close proximity to each other in one pocket. “Does that count as a double for me?”
Sapphire shrugged. “I’ll let that slide, handsome. Consider yourself lucky.” She reached to her elbow length gloves, taking off first one, then the other. Then, with a slight shake of her ample hips, she rolled down her knee-high stockings into two balls, throwing them beside her hat. “Fair enough, or are you wanting more of a show?”
“Dependin’ on whether I win or not?” Mac asked.
“We’ll see what happens, handsome.” She pointed. “Take your shot.”
Mac made his way to the other side of the table, but noticed the placement of the cue ball and the next ball he wanted to sink in put him in an awkward shooting position. He fixed this by shooting behind his back, defly catching the colored ball right on center and hitting it straight in the hole.
Sapphire reached up, taking off her necklace and placing it beside her hat. “Prize is getting close,” she commented, looking over the man. “That goes for both of us.”
“Yeah, but I’m a wee bit closer.” Mac winked at her as he lined up his next shot, only for the colored ball to spin out of the pocket it was meant to go into. Mac scratched his head while muttering, “What in tarnation…?”
“I think you missed, honey.” She sauntered to the table again. “Let me show you how it’s done.”
So saying, she lined up a shot and fired, her brow quirking in irritation as the cueball sank into a pocket.
“Now, was that the showin’ part, or were ya just practicin’?” Mac asked in a laugh, retrieving the cue ball and going to the other side of the table to place it in the most convenient position.
“Yeah, yeah,” she sighed out, reaching behind her, then pausing, instead turning her back to Mac. “Unzip me.”
“Wait, I, um… didn’t even make another ball in,” Mac sputtered nervously.
“Well, maybe I’m getting a little hot. You want me to be comfortable, don’t you?”
“Well, yeah, but…” Mac gulped as his eyes focused on the zipper running down the back of her dress. “That… would be cheatin’, right?”
“Cheating?” Sapphire repeated. She turned, putting a hand on his chest, then tracing it down his buttons. “It’s only cheating if it gives you an advantage.” So saying, she undid the top few buttons of his shirt, then started to make a path downward. “The way I’m seeing it, we’re staying on even ground this way.” She finished, and gave a small pull at his now open shirt.
Mac took in a large breath, his fingers fubbling with her zipper. “E-even, huh?” The zipper slowly trailed down, revealing only the smooth, naked flesh of her back which felt like heaven to his fingertips. “I gotta h-hand it to ya for playin’ fair then.”
She turned, slowly, her smile wide as she held her clothes against her chest. Sapphire then let her top drop down to her feet and ran her fingertips down her neck, over her exposed breasts, each ebony nipple stirring slightly at the exposure to the air, then to her side, where she rested a well-manicured hand against her hip. Sauntering over to the pool table, Sapphire leaned forward, resting her hand on the table’s mahogany sides as she stared at Mac.
“I think it’s your shot, handsome,” she said. “Don’t tell me you don’t know how to use that stick in your hand.”
Mac stared at his pool cue, then back at her, then back at the cue again as his alcohol addled mind attempted to make sense of the situation. It was a horribly vain effort in the long run.
“Uh…. ya sure you ain’t gonna get cold?” Mac nervously muttered, fumbling with his cue as he tried to remember where he last placed the cue ball. Finding it, he quickly forgot what ball he was aiming at in the first time. More pressing matters were on his mind.
“Not if we take care of it soon,” Sapphire replied, putting her palm to her chin. “I’m sure you can warm me up.”
Mac was thrown off by this comment considerably, completely missing his shot and only succeeding in knocking in one of Sapphire’s balls in the pocket instead.
“Looks like you missed,” she called out in a sing song voice. “I think I get my reward now, handsome.”
Gulping hard, Mac stared down at his pants, hanging down low and in dire need of a belt. “Wait… you want these off?”
She lowered herself a bit on the table’s edge, resting an arm under her large breasts, and the other bracing the side of her head. “What else have you got to lose at this point? Already took the shirt off your back.”
Staring back down at his pants, Mac fumbled with the zipper, trying desperately to get it and the top button free. Unfortunately for him, booze was not the best helper for hand-eye coordination. He finally heard a good natured sigh and Sapphire walked towards him.
“Honey, like this.” Leaning into him, her bare breasts resting against his stomach, she used one hand to undo his button, then lowered his zipper. “Now, do you need a hand taking them off too?”
“Y-yes ma’am,” Mac nervously muttered.
Sapphire slowly sank to her knees in front of him, trailing her hands down his body to his hips. Tugging slightly, she pulled his pants free and dropped them to his ankles, then, smirking, she put her hands back to his briefs, running a finger under the elastic.
“D-don’t I only give up o-one article of clothing?” Mac reminded her, knees almost shaking.
“Maybe I’m cheating,” she said. Before he could protest, she lowered his underwear and his member came into view.
They didn’t call him ‘Big’ Mac for nothing.
“I don’t know how you can even walk around with this,” she marveled.
Big Mac could barely hold himself together, and his face was flushing as he felt the cool air run down the length of his shaft. He felt it throb in Sapphire’s dainty fingers, already hardening from her delicate touch. Trying to clear his throat but only succeeding in nearly choking on his spit, Mac muttered, “I-I manage.”
She took her hand to the base of his shaft and began stroking it, then she took the tip and as much as she could of him into her mouth, wincing a bit at its length. She began to bob her head back in forth, pausing for only a moment to kiss the tip and use her free hand to juggle his sack playfully in her palm.
Pausing for a moment, she pulled her head back to catch her breath, and continued stroking him with her hand. “Quite a lot of man,” she stated. “Quite a lot indeed.” Taking another breath of air, she returned to the task at hand, swallowing as much as she could of his member, and tugging at his base with her hand, a bit more urgently than before.
Mac grunted once her warm lips circled around the head of his cock. Instantly he felt it twinge in pleasure in Sapphire’s hand, throbbing more and more as her hand slid up and down his shaft. Her fingers on her other hand in the meantime fondled his balls while she lifted up his member so her tongue slid up and down it like a lollipop. The moans and the way she kissed the head of his shaft certainly made it seem she was sucking on a lollipop. Although her deepthroating his cock all the way down her throat was certainly not how you enjoyed a sugary delight.
She pulled back once more, taking in a few breaths of air. “You’re a workout, handsome.”
“G-glad ya e-enjoy,” Mac stuttered. He was beginning to pant now, wiping traces of saliva from his lip. It felt like his dick wanted to leap from Sapphire’s hands and be enveloped in her sweet lips again, to feel her tongue wrap around his shaft like a snake and pleasure him in ways he didn’t know someone could even reach before. “You’re… s-sure eager ‘bout this.”
She paused, glancing up at him. “I put passion in everything I touch. Part of my charm. At least, that’s what the critics say.” Sapphire winked, then lifted his cock up and slowly licked the underside, from the base of his balls all the way to the tip.
He could barely keep himself on his feet as she pleasured his balls with that irresistible tongue of hers. When she took one of his nuts in her mouth and lightly applied pleasure to it with her teeth while looking up and smiling at him, Mac thought he’d blow a load right then and there. He tried to keep control of himself though, knowing that you only pick a fruit when it reached its perfect level of ripeness. But boy howdy was Sapphire eager to pick his fruit like it was no one’s business.
“I-I can’t h-h-hold on much… l-long,” Mac grunted, holding on hard to his sides as he leaned down forward slightly.
She stopped and looked up at him, running her thumb over the tip of his dick. “Well, we can’t let you get full on appetizers. Gotta save some room for the meal.” Saying, she stood and took a few slow, alluring steps towards the pool table. Hopping up, she sat at the end, wordlessly waiting for him with a sly smirk.
It took several seconds for Mac’s mind to understand somewhat coherently what she was implying. “W-wait, on the table? I mean, uh… I don’t think I got any protection on me. I wasn’t really intendin’ to get anythin’ at that art show.”
“Always plan ahead. I have some condoms in my purse. Might be a hair snug for you, but I think you’ll manage,” she replied, nodding towards the chair littered with the rest of her stuff.
Mac made his way there and dug past a pile of makeup and other useless junk girls keep in their purse for some unknown reason and pulled out a box of condoms. “Wow, you ain’t lyin’.” Opening up the box and pulling one out, he attempted to fit it onto his quivering member. He was beginning to grow frustrated, the condom not exactly his size and his own excitement from before giving him poor hand-eye coordination.
Sighing good-naturedly, Sapphire hopped off of the table and knelt down to him again, taking the condom from him. One good push later, she got the condom to fit around Mac’s shaft. She then moved over to the pool table again and hopped back onto her perch.
“Now, where were we?” she questioned.
Nervously, Mac stepped forward so that he was leaning over Sapphire. Looking down, he noticed the lips of her pussy were wet, and he immediately hardened just looking at it. As his eyes scanned her curvaceous body, they fell upon her rather large and voluptuous breasts. Slowly, he reached out with a hand and grasped her right tit, squeezing slightly as he cupped it in his palm. “Uh, sorry, I’m not the best expert on this.”
Sapphie took his other hand and brought it to her other breast. “Then we just need to get you some experience, handsome.” So saying, she used her hand to take him by the neck and lean his face down. Leaning forward, she gave a sloppy, wet kiss to his chin. Mac could smell the alcohol on her breath as she let a small, girlish giggle out through her nose.
“You’re somethin’ else, ya know that?” he said. He adjusted his lower end to line up with her just right, the tip of his cock resting right on the entrance to her vagina. He could feel the heat and wetness press up against him, but so far only his tip has penetrated her. “Ya always take strangers back to yer pad like this?”
“Just the ones that catch my eye.” She brought her hand up to his chest and ran her fingers along his hard pecs. “You’re on a short list.”
Giving way to impulsion rather than ride out his teasing for much longer, Mac penetrated fully inside her, slowly sliding every inch of his shaft inside her pussy. He felt her tight walls envelop his cock to the base, Sapphire moaning into his ear once he was fully inside her. “H-how’s that?” Mac breathed, holding her so close to him her huge breasts squeezed against his chest.
She shut her eyes and hummed, letting out a small, barely perceivable nod pass by. “G-good. Good.”
With that being all the motivation he needed, Mac pulled out of Sapphire slowly, and once reaching the head of his cock pulled right back into her. He continued to do this, repeating the process with more ferocity as his dick pounded into her tight pussy over and over again, increasing in speed. His balls could be heard slapping against her ass with each thrust, along with the sounds of Sapphire’s loud moans filling the room.
Reaching up, Sapphire dug her nails into his back, and wrapped her ankles around him, clenching tightly and letting out a needful pant time he entered her. Bringing her hand down, she brought it to her breast and cupped the flesh, then pushed it towards Mac’s face, her eyes shut and her teeth clenched as she rode the waves of pleasure that kept invading her body.
Mac sucked on her nipple, swirling his tongue around its squishy surface. His constant pounding inside her grew to a rapid pace as he felt his end start to hit him head on. He didn’t care, for now he was dead set on finishing with a spectacular performance. And looks like Sapphire wanted the same thing as well. He could feel her tighten and quiver around his length, her own ride reaching its end in a finish that approached quicker with each thrust. While every pounding inside her sent a shockwave of bliss up his side to ricochet off his brain and make his entire body feel like heaven, he knew he wouldn’t finish until she did.
And with that, release. Sapphire clenched even tighter around him, the hand at his back digging down hard enough to draw blood from the nails, and her vaginal walls almost painful to him through the haze of pleasure at how tight it became. Her breathing evened a bit as her climax arrived; she leaned back and stared at Mac with her dangerous, alluring eyes, watching his reddening face and his clenched lips as he approached his limits too.
With one final push to insert the entire length of his dick into her pussy, his legs nearly convulsed as he felt his release rock his hips. Cum filled the inside of his condom, covering his length in warm, sticky whiteness. After so many loads being released, Mac pulled out just as his condom fell off with a plop, his entire member covered in his own jizz.
Panting hard as he felt sweat slick down his back, Mac smiled to Sapphire and whispered, “Damn… damn, ya sure do know how to rock a rodeo, huh?”
“I know how to… how to please a crowd,” she answered, just as out of breath as he was. She leaned back onto the table, spread eagle. “And what happened to the whole ‘not an expert’ business you were telling me? You were fiiiine.”
“I’ve just never been with a star is all,” Mac admitted, chuckling lightly under his breath. “I was afraid ya would’ve been with someone better than me, like some rock star or big shot actor.”
“There are no jobs when you get under the sheets, handsome.” She paused, looking at where they were. “Or, uh, on the table.” Rising, she put a hand around his waist. “Stay with me tonight.”
“Well, ya were the only who drove me in the first place, so I ain’t got a ride back home tonight anyhow.” Grinning mischievously, Mac grabbed her by the sides and picked up up in his arms, placing a quick kiss on her lips. “Hope ya don’t mind sharin’ a bed.”
She let a small laugh out at his kiss, then winked once more. “Don’t worry, I doubt we’ll be usin’ the bed for sleeping, anyhow.”
