The Jaguar

written by Felicia York

She painted herself in the colors she thought they wanted to see. Eyes gold, cheeks pink, lips red and in the night, she prowled. Heels high, clothes tight, her perfumed permeated the air around her - a mixture of sweet flowers pungent with an intense desire she could not cover. The hunger rumbled inside of her as the loneliness settled in her bones for the night. She grazed the streets, her eyes peering into the darkness, searching. She sought solace in the murky nightclub as she placed the drink to her lips. Its cool liquid warmed her throat as it traveled to her belly. She sighed. The ladies were out that night. Prized mustangs who bucked against each other, their muscular thighs and butts grooving to the bass-heavy hip-hop beats. They whipped their hair, they win’ed their waists, they licked their lips and she felt like she couldn't compete. She sipped some more sizing up the gentlemen around her. She caught his eye, wanting to feel like he only saw her in the crowd. He smiled and winked at her. She sashayed to his side, her heart thumping in her chest. He picked her. She could rest until the next sun rose and set and dusk was once again at her heels again.