A Night Out: Breaking the Ice

[OD****]

The night had been a blur of music, neon lights, and the buzz of cheap cocktails. The city streets hummed with leftover energy as bars emptied and people spilled into the night. You leaned against the brick wall outside your favorite spot, the cool air biting against the heat of your skin. The night had been fun, sure, but something still felt… unfinished.

That’s when you saw her.

She stood under the glow of a flickering streetlamp, her blonde hair catching the light in a way that made you stop and stare. It was Claire from work. Claire, the coworker who always seemed like she was a little too into your jokes during meetings. The one who gave you a smile just a shade too sly. But you’d always dismissed it as her being friendly—because picking up on vibes? Not exactly your strong suit.

Tonight, though, there was no mistaking it. The way she tilted her head when she spotted you, the slow curve of her lips as she walked over—it was a look that screamed trouble. And, honestly, you were here for it.

“Hey,” she said, her voice carrying just enough sweetness to be dangerous. “Fancy seeing you out here. Didn’t think you were the nightlife type.”

“I could say the same about you,” you shot back, your attempt at playing it cool barely masking the way your pulse picked up. “Didn’t think you even knew this part of town.”

“Oh, I know more than you think.” She stepped closer, her eyes flicking over you in a way that made your skin heat. “But let’s skip the small talk. You know, I’ve always wondered if you’re as fun outside the office as you seem during team meetings.”

You chuckled, rubbing the back of your neck. “I guess there’s only one way to find out.”

She smirked, leaning in just enough that you caught the faint scent of her perfume—something sharp, intoxicating. “Speaking of fun,” she said, her voice dropping just a touch, “can I tell you something wild? Something I’ve been dying to get off my chest?”

“Sure,” you said, trying not to sound too eager.

She glanced around, then lowered her voice like she was sharing a scandalous secret. “You know my ex-boyfriend? The one I’ve mentioned before?”

You nodded, vaguely remembering a passing complaint in the office kitchen.

“Well,” she said, her grin wicked, “I used to *** on him. Not in a hot, kinky way either. More like… he ***ed me off, so I ***ed on him.”

You blinked, caught somewhere between shock and fascination. “That’s… definitely one way to settle a grudge.”

“Oh, you don’t even know,” she said, laughing as she leaned against the wall beside you. “I hated his guts. He deserved every second of it.”

You couldn’t help but laugh, the absurdity of the moment breaking any lingering tension. “Remind me never to get on your bad side.”

She tilted her head, her gaze playful but intent. “You’d have to try really hard for that to happen.”

Your eyes met, the air between you shifting. The laughter faded, replaced by something heavier, charged. You noticed the way the light caught her cheekbones, the mischievous glint in her eyes. It struck you then, something you’d never quite put together before.

“You know,” you said, a slow smile spreading across your face, “you kind of remind me of Harley Quinn.”

Her eyebrows lifted. “Harley Quinn?”

“Yeah,” you said, leaning in a little. “The attitude, the unpredictability, the whole ‘I might destroy you but you’ll probably enjoy it’ vibe.”

She laughed, the sound rich and genuine. “Harley Quinn, huh? I’ll take that. So what does that make you? My Joker?”

“I was thinking more like your very intrigued coworker.”

She grinned, stepping closer, so close now that her breath warmed your neck. “Well then, intrigued coworker, how about we see where this night goes?”

Before you could respond, she grabbed your tie—when had she even noticed you were wearing one?—and pulled you down to meet her lips. The kiss was fierce, unapologetic, leaving no room for doubt about her intentions. Her hands slipped under your jacket, pulling you closer as the world around you blurred into irrelevance.

“Your place or mine?” she murmured against your lips.

“Yours,” you managed, your voice rough with anticipation. “But only if you promise not to try any Harley Quinn stunts on me.”

She laughed, her teeth grazing your jaw as she whispered, “No promises.”