Chapter 5
Sydney
“Okay, I’ll run to the ladies’ room real quick and be right back. The auction should begin soon.” Isabell said.
“Yeah, sure, let me know when we need to go.”
Isabell danced away, and I turned to face the stage. The DJ was hard at work, getting the crowd excited. I assumed this was supposed to relax the guests and get them a little drunk before the auction. By this point in the night the men would be careless and emotional enough to really get into the bidding process.
Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of me, blocking my view.
“Would you mind?” I asked annoyed, I needed to see what was going on. I was looking for Ava to give us some sort of sign.
But when I raised my eyes to look at the man, all my frustration disappeared. I caught his eyes, deep blue like I’d never seen before, and then his smile, bright and warm in this sea of fakeness. He did step aside, claiming the seat next to me.
Good lord he was sexy. His muscles bulged under his suit. His dark hair against tan skin, like he’d been in the sun.
I had forgotten about the stage and the dance floor. The man kept looking at me and smiling, and I couldn’t help but smile back. It was sincere and so simple, that I turned away from the room and towards him, my elbow on the bar, as if I was the bartender.
“May I help you?”
“You might.”
It was at that moment that I decided that whatever happened after this, the night wouldn’t be wasted. Just this small interaction with this absolute hottie was better than anything I’d had in month. I already imagined going out with him.
Going on a romantic picnic somewhere in the country, away from the busy city, from all the noise and the troubles. We could spend a nice weekend at a resort or on the beach, if the weather allowed…
A girl could dream, couldn’t she?
I wasn’t sure why he was here. His suit was fresh, but it would’ve looked more at home at a business meeting than at a nightclub. I caught a glance at his watch, and it was an expensive one, but not ostentatious, and he didn’t make a point of showing it to anyone.
Was he here for the auction? It didn’t seem like it. He certainly didn’t look like the type to bid on a girl, he could have anyone in here.
And then, like it always happened with me, I began convincing myself not to get my hopes up. How many times have I fallen for a nice guy who had turned out to be just another asshole? Now, I fully expected him to deliver some cheesy pickup line. What’s a fine girl like you doing in a place like this? The oldest one in the book.
Yet, he didn’t. He was still smiling at me, as if I was the one who had called for him, and he was all ears.
It took me another moment to finally shake the spell, and I said, “So, Mr. Blue. You want to buy me a drink or something?”
He only narrowed my eyes, looking straight into mine. I felt like we were talking without saying a word. He was drumming my fingers on the bar, thinking.
“Mr. Blue?”
I laughed. “Yes, Mr. Blue in the club with a drink. Probably a good start to a murder mystery don’t you think?”
“Interesting.” He was silent for another moment and my palms started sweating. What the hell was I talking about?
Finally, he said, “I don’t think so. Do you want to buy me a drink?”
Ha! Ballsy. I bit my lip. What was my play here? If this was some trick, I had to admit I was falling for it. I was intrigued.
I laughed. “Okay, I’ll buy this round. What’s your poison?”
“Whiskey rocks. A finger.”
“Just one?” I uttered out of nowhere, feeling my cheeks turn red.
“Let’s start with one,” he winked. I wasn’t sure if he was playing along with the dirty subtext or didn’t catch it. Either way, I waved the bartender over and recited the order. When it was delivered, I handed him the glass.
“Your whiskey on the rocks, sir.”
I took my own glass, there was still some wine in it, and we toasted.
“I’ve never served drinks before. How did I do?”
He licked his lips, swallowed his first sip, then responded. “Pretty good. Minus the fingers comment.”
I laughed out loud, and he joined me. “Well, thank you for your feedback!”
“You’re welcome.” He winked at me and I felt like my skin was on fire. What was I doing? Having a drink with some random millionaire, him not knowing that I was nobody special.
“I’m Owen, Owen Hayes, and you are?”
I offered him my hand to shake it, but instead he brought it to his lips and kissed it lightly. A shiver went through my body. “Sydney.”
First name only seemed safer for some reason. I wasn’t sure what the rules were.
“Another round,” he said to the bartender. “And refill whatever the lady is having.”
“So,” he said, “what are you doing in this dump?”
I rolled my eyes. “Ugh! You were doing so well! Now we’re back to square one!”
He laughed and I wanted to leave more than ever. I wanted to leave with Owen. Let him do things to me. Break my out of this funk I had been in. We could get out of here and get drinks like normal people, without auctions and shady nightclubs…
But I had to stay on target. For Declan.
And that was exactly what I was going to do. No matter how sexy Owen was, this wasn’t the place to think about myself. Unless…
“The better question is – what are you doing in this dump? You don’t look like these other guys.”
“Oh, I’m just meeting an old friend. Well, not a friend, really. Just someone I know.”
Yup, there you go, mystery solved, I thought. He’s here on business.
“Well I need more than that,” I said, putting my glass on the bar.
He looked at me, then said, with a smile, “It’s someone I have a proposition for.”
“Ooh. And what kind of proposition would that be?” I picked the glass back up.
“Something that would help me in the long run, but right now I would rather be talking to you.”
Oh shit. I couldn’t breathe. I just wanted him, and now.
“Do you like it here?” I asked as I felt a blush creeping up my skin.
“Not really. It’s a little overwhelming.”
“Yeah. Then why are you still here?” I had to figure out if he was going to be participating in the auction or not.
“Do you want me to stay?” he said.
Yes. But I couldn’t bring myself to say it.
He grinned. I took notice of his lips, pink and full. I thought he was probably amazing in bed. I wanted to test that theory.
But then I saw Isabell across the room, waving at me, calling me to come over. She was heading for the curtained-off area where we had first met. I saw Ava and other girls were already there.
This was the worst time. What if I didn’t go? Maybe I could just stay with Owen and maybe even leave with him?
But I was only biding my time. I was on a mission.
“Is everything okay? You look distracted.”
“Yeah, um, it’s just that my friend is taking her time at the restroom. I’m worried she might be in trouble. I better go check.”
He was immediately concerned. His posture changed. He was ready to spring into action. “Do you want me to come with you? I know most of these guys, if they’re out of line, I can take care of them.”
I was impressed, but couldn’t say yes as much as I wanted to.
“No, thanks. I’ll be fine. Can you wait here?”
“If you’re sure. I hope your friend is okay.”
I smiled and hopped off the stool and headed towards the crowd of girls, ready to tell Ava and Isabell that I’d changed my mind.
Owen was my new goal.