Smoke was watching you from the doorway as you stood at the edge of the tree line like you floated there, your bare feet in the dirt, dress stitched too showy for a juke joint in mississippi, skin shinin’ like alabaster left out in moonlight.

“You best get out of here.” he said, keeping his guard up, wanting to make sure you heard him. But you just smiled, lips red as fresh-picked berries.. or blood. “It’s a free country, ain’t it?” those sultry eyes narrowing as you saw a drop of sweat drip down his face.

“Depends on who you ask.” He didn’t budge. You took a step closer. No sound. No weight. “I heard the music all the way down by the river. Thought I might dance a little.” you say as you continue stepping closer, swaying your hips to an imaginary beat.

“Ain’t many girls out here just wanderin’ by themselves in satin, and i’m sure you can hear the music stopped a long while ago.” he could tell you were analyzing him with the look in your eyes, noticing every detail.

“Just shut the damn door, ain’t no use in speakin’ to those things.” one of the people behind him said, but he couldn’t bring himself to. “Let me handle it.” smoke told them as he looked back at you.

You heard everything as you moved in a way that let the hem of your dress sway all pretty. Lips pouting, soft and practiced, never tearing your eyes away from Smoke. “Maybe I was lookin’ for company.” you say as you continue the conversation, paying no mind to the others. He looked you over again as you talked, like a man checking the wind before a storm. Your eyes gave you away. Downright demonic with that damn glint.

“You think we ain’t see you with him?” Sent to tempt. Annie said plain. “That man.” Remmick.

Your face twitched, but just a flicker, and then you laughed, like silver bells on christmas, stepping close enough for him to feel the cold peeling off your skin. “Come on.. just let me in.. it’s cold out here..” You whisper to him, eyes focused only on him.

“I let you in,” he said, “ain’t nobody walkin’ out.”