“The moniker, and I’m pretty convinced you’re spoiled.”
“And a ladies' man,” he throws my words back at me, his voice snarky and playful. “That’s what you think, right?”
I roll my eyes and down the rest of my drink before pushing away from the bar. For the hundredth time tonight, he peers at me as if he’d take a bite of me if I let him. It’s overwhelming how charming he is, but even more so that I like it.
I’m sure it has more to do with my brokenness than him, but it’s nice. For once, someone looks at me as if I’m the only person in the room. I’ve missed that, the attention, the thrill of knowing someone wants you. It can be addicting, and furthermore, dangerous—for both of us.
So I step away to busy myself, to do something other than standing around staring into his bedroom eyes. Dancing will help. It’ll distract us, even if for a second.
“Where are you running off to now?” he asks, his tone laced in mockery.
“To dance. Are you coming? Or are you going to stand there like you’ve got a stick up your ass?”
He laughs and throws his head back. “I don’t dance,'' he says after a beat.
I shrug. “Suit yourself,” I say, then disappear into the crowd.
Chapter 3
Ivy
The air is hot around me, the effects of the liquor taking hold. People crowd my space, bodies dancing and swaying against one another. Lights bounce off the walls, illuminating a section at a time. When the dull fluorescent beam lands near the bar, it sweeps across Ashton’s face.
He leans back on the bar with his eyes fixed on me. I close mine for a moment, letting the bass of the music radiate through me. I can’t remember the last time I’ve gone dancing or had any kind of fun. He’s right about tonight—I need this. I need to let go, even if only for a few hours.
Tomorrow I’ll return to normal, in a life I’m drowning in. But right now, at this moment, I’m going to enjoy this. I’m going to break the rules because I’ll pay for it either way.
Time seems to move in a blur to the point I lose track of the number of songs I’ve danced to. Sweat drips from my forehead, and my throat is dry, but I don’t stop. It feels too good to walk away from this—freedom, though short-lived, it’s rejuvenating.
My back is to the bar, and I move my hips to the beat. It’s slow, seductive, and I mellow out. Surprise overcoming me at the feel of a hard body against my back. I know it’s Ashton—or Baby as he likes to be called from the smell of his cologne. It fills my senses, and my eyes close on their own accord.
His hand is on my waist, his touch subtle at first. But then I brush my ass against him, still letting the music guide me. Now his fingertips are digging into the fabric of my dress. Ashton breaths against my neck, and for a brief second, I think he’s going to kiss me.
He doesn’t.
Instead, he brings an arm around me, and I focus on the glass in his hand. “Figured you’d be thirsty by now,” he whispers into my ear.
I take the frosted tumbler from him, condensation rolling from the glass to the floor. Without hesitation, I throw it back, swallowing the contents in one go. Turning to face him, I push the empty glass into his chest. He doesn’t take it right away.
“Let’s go.” He leans in so that I can hear him over the music.
I stop dancing and glance up at him. “Why?”
“No questions. We’re doing whatever I say for the rest of the night, remember?.”
I swallow a breath, recalling that I never actually declined his request. It scares me now to think of what he might have planned. But at the same time, he was right earlier. Tomorrow I’ll go back to my life, but tonight I can be whatever I want—do whatever I want.
With my shoulders back, I release all the air in my lungs and nod, allowing Ashton to take my hand and guide me toward the exit. The line of people waiting to get in is just as long as it was when we arrived. I make a face to myself, impressed with how successful his brother’s club seems.
I’m curious about this family. I didn’t get to spend much time with Emilio, and I can't help but wonder if the men he came with are the other brothers Ashton mentioned. The club, the arrogance radiating through every member of their family that I’ve met, the secret backroom they disappeared into. There’s more to their story, and I’m dying to know what it is.
I don’t ask, though.
After tonight, I’ll never see this young man again. So it doesn’t matter what goes on in his life. We’re not friends, nor can we be. Besides, I met him on campus, and the school has strict rules about students and professors mingling outside of studies. Even if those regulations weren't in place, my personal life is one thing I’ve always kept separate from students.
We reach his bike, and he throws a leg over it, then holds the helmet out to me. Still a little nervous about the next stop on his list tonight; it takes me a moment to accept the thing. It’s heavy in my hand when I do, the weight of it representing my nerves.
“What are you waiting on?” he asks after a beat.
I sigh with my fingers splayed around the helmet. “Where are you taking me?”
“I want to show you something.”
I give him a playful frown.
“Do you trust me?”
"Strangely enough—yes. You’ve been nothing but great so far,” I admit and relax my shoulders.
“Then get your fine ass on this bike.” He starts the engine and twists the throttle.
A blush builds on my cheeks, and I quickly hide it by rapidly pulling the helmet on. Balancing myself on his shoulders, I climb behind him and wrap my arms tightly around his waist. He leans forward, releases the kickstand, and speeds away. We whip in front of a car, causing the driver to blare his horn at us.
Adrenaline floods my chest, and I tighten my hold on him. I’m thankful for the warmth, especially this time of year. It makes the ride more enjoyable. As we coast away from the club and back across the highway, I watch the scenery as it flashes by. I’ve only been in this new city a few days, having arrived with Jerry this week. So I haven't had a chance to see all the things this place has to offer.
It’s a mid-size town, notably recognized as a metropolitan area. It makes sense; otherwise, there would be no need for a new District Attorney. But here we are in a place that feels nothing like home.
We ride through a part of the city that is underdeveloped, sketchy dealings happening right before my eyes. I notice it because it’s the only area of the city that isn’t festive. There aren’t any bright lights or Christmas decorations shining through windows. Just grim blackness throughout.
Next, we pass several suburban neighborhoods, a stark difference from the landscape that’s just a few blocks away. It’s cheerful here, full of massive displays with inflatable Santas, elves, Baby Jesus, and other things. It’s beautiful and somewhat hopeful—joyous.
A moment later, the sounds of birds greet us, and the scent of saltwater fills my senses. I glance to my left, spotting a beach off in the distance. Aside from a few boardwalk storefronts that are open tonight, it’s otherwise deserted. The only thing to be seen are seagulls flying around.