2. The flash

Abigail Hayes

~•~

Maya and I arrived at the club an hour ago and I still hadn’t seen anyone who caught my fancy. Maya had dragged me to dance some minutes ago, but I got bored pretty quickly and left her alone on the dance floor. It was a five-star hotel with a club so I was certain the men around were rich, but they just didn’t catch my eye.

I was by the bar, sipping a glass of margarita when someone suddenly occupied the stool two stools away from mine. Instinctively, my eyes darted to the man, trying to be subtle as I checked him out.

The lights were bright so I could clearly see his cold green eyes. He didn’t have to say anything for the bartender to approach him and take his order. His brown hair was ruffled and his appearance screamed elegance, dressed in what seemed to be an expensive suit. He hadn’t spoken but I didn’t have a doubt his voice would be just as sexy as he was.

Bingo.

Subtly, I brought out my phone and pretended to make a call. I wanted to show Maya that I’d found my target for the night, just in case he turned out to be a serial killer.

I opened the camera app and pressed the volume button, my entire body freezing when I realized I had forgotten to turn off the flash.

Fuck. This was not how I expected my night to go. The only attractive man I managed to find would think I was some creepy woman. I winced and turned around slightly, afraid to fully face him.

His head slowly turned in my direction until his eyes landed on me. Without saying anything, his head dipped to my chest, then down my body. His gaze was so intense that it left goosebumps in its wake.

He did it once, twice, thrice, before he finally spoke, proving me right. “You do know I could get you arrested for that.” His voice was deep, gruff, and authoritative. I was certain he was in a position of power.

I smiled, but it came out as a grimace. “Sorry.”

“Delete it.”

I closed my eyes briefly, hating the embarrassment that came with this. I understood him though. Some people didn’t like taking pictures. Some loved their privacy.

I deleted the picture and held the phone up to his face. He nodded. “Good girl.”

I blinked, surprised by the words that just exited his mouth, and crossed my legs, needing some kind of friction in between them. His gaze darted to my crossed legs and he licked his lips as the bartender placed his drink in front of him.

“Why were you taking pictures of me?” He finally asked, even if he sounded bored. His eyes were stuck on my naked thighs. I was putting on a short black dress and it became shorter when I crossed my legs. I smirked internally, shimmying on my seat and giving him an even better show. It seemed like I hadn’t lost all hope then.

“You are attractive.” I shrugged, daring to be bold. I held out a hand to him. “I’m Abby.”

“George.” He took my hand and I had to physically restrain myself from flinching at how much affected I was by his touch.

“Why don’t you buy me a drink?” I questioned, batting my lashes as I took the lime from the top of my glass and ran my tongue around it before placing it in my mouth and chewing delicately. I saw the outline of his tongue poking his cheek and I knew he knew what I was doing. A lot of people came to the club for one-night stands and I was no different. There was no shame in sex.

He nodded to my half-full cup and I downed it in one go.

His shoulders shook gently but I didn’t see any other sign of laughter from him as he beckoned the bartender with his index finger. “Get her another glass.” He instructed him. “On my tab.”

“Okay, sir.”

I smiled as the bartender got to work. I turned back to the stranger. I merely wanted to hook up. I wasn’t interested in small talk, but, “What's a fine man like you doing here by yourself?”

“I’d rather not share my life with a stranger.” He was curt and straight to the point.

“Fair enough.”

I didn’t know what else to say. My legs bounced nervously, drawing his attention back to it. “Do you want to go upstairs with me?” It was a good thing he was straightforward because I didn’t know how else to suggest it.

“What about the drink?” It was an expensive drink and he had already paid for it. It would be a shame for it to waste.

“I’m certain there’d be wine in the room.”

“Let me tell my friend I’m leaving.”

He nodded patiently. If it weren’t for his eyes straying back to my body, I wouldn’t even think he was interested in me. His gaze seemed bored and uninterested. He looked like the kind of man that it took a lot to impress.

[Me: I’m going upstairs. You can leave without me.]

Even if she was dancing, her reply came immediately.

[Maya: found you a man already?]

[Me: took a while but yep. See you tomorrow]

[Maya: Okay, babe. Have fun]

I told her to have fun too before I put my phone back in my clutch and faced George. “I’m ready.”

Nodding, he got down from the stool and started walking out and I followed behind him. He was taller than me, over six feet, and even with the three-inch heels I was wearing, I felt dwarfed next to him.

He didn’t look back as he strolled into the hotel, going straight to the reception. I stayed by the side as he spoke with the person before he gave him the key card to whatever room he booked. I let out a breath. I thought he’d already have a room before inviting me upstairs. I knew how hard it was to stay in this hotel without a reservation.

“Shall we?” He questioned, as though asking for my consent again.

I nodded. “Yes.”

George led me into the elevator and as soon as it closed, he backed me up against the wall and his lips were on mine.