Chapter 86
1308words
Today was a shifty day for him and he needed some booze to calm his system. He downed the entire glass in one gulp and poured himself another shot.
As he swiveled the whiskey around in the ice, Ryan took the opportunity to really look at the bar. It wasn't his usual setting, the place was too bright and it looked expensive as well, obviously for the hotshots but he didn't have any choice. It was the only place close to the ring and if he chose to drive to his usual spot, he was likely to miss the fight which would give Theo even more reason to bash his face in.
Ryan looked towards the left, catching the eye of a busty brunette smiling his way. She was surrounded by two other girls and they looked like they were discussing something, although her lips were moving, her entire focus was on Ryan and when their gazes caught she seductively bit her lips.
"Oh, hell no," He muttered, looking away quickly and downing another shot.
His eyes darted towards another corner of the group where a group of six were hollering and cheering. He frowned when he noticed that the girl in their middle was the only female in their group.
Ryan's eyebrow raised when he saw that she had the reddest hair that he'd ever seen. She looked small and timid, squashed in their middle and he could tell that she wasn't at all comfortable.
"Fucking gits," He muttered looking away and facing his drink. But then something crossed his mind's eye and he faced them again.
He'd seen that girl before. In the large billboard that was on his street back home. She was the prima ballerina of some fancy school and was dubbed Chicago's princess a while back for her fame, looks and elegance.
He wondered what she was doing in a bar like this, surrounded by wild animals like those guys.
When one of the male threw an arm around her shoulder, shoving a glass of what looked like vodka, he couldn't really be sure, into her palms, the alarm bells rang in his head.
Ryan could hear them urging her to drink, their wild and lustful gazes running over the length of what minimal flesh she chose to expose.
What was his business?
She must've known that these guys were like this and yet, still chose to follow them out here. If that wasn't dumb then he didn't know what was.
He was prepared to turn away and finally shut them out when their eyes met. For a moment, Ryan was too stunned to even move.
Even from a distance, he knew that those emerald eyes were calling out to him. For help.
And then her lips moved, "Help me."
Shit.
Ryan looked away quickly, running his fingers through his hair. He couldn't help her, no. Ryan had sworn to stay out of aristocrat's businesses. There were people he never wanted to be intertwined with and this girl was at the top of the top but then again,
Those eyes.
That hair.
"Excuse me," His head whipped up, coming to face with the brunette who'd been ogling him a while back, "I noticed you've been sitting alone, would you mind if I join?"
Now this was what he lived for. One night stands and a good fuck. The perfect opportunity had laid on his lap, his eyes narrowed on her large chest. They looked fake but what did it matter, the girl was hot anyway.
He smiled crookedly and told her to sit when another loud guffaw from his left stole her attention. His head whipped towards that direction and he caught the redhead lifting the glass to her lips, her eyes tightly screwed shut.
Ryan had messed up a lot in his life and he was sure that this one was the biggest yet.
"Fuck this," He shot to his feet to the brunette's surprise and took long strides towards their direction.
Neither of the guys noticed him, not until he snatched the glass from the girl's hand and frowned.
"What the fuck?" One of the guys, a lanky blonde screeched, "What do you think you're doing?"
He glared at him through dark eyes and the blonde sputtered but squared his shoulders in false bravado. The other guys had shot to their feet too, each of them looking ready for a fight,
Ryan ignored all of them, his gaze fixed on the large green eyes staring up at him. Something stirred in his chest at her expression,
He had never seen someone that beautiful in his entire life.
Ryan licked his lips, "Do you want to stay here or would you like me to get you out?"
"What the heck is he rambling on about?" Another guy shoved him hard but he barely stumbled, "She's with us, okay? So take your pithy ass and scram!
Ryan narrowed his eyes at him, prepared to slam his fist into the duouchebag's face.
"Actually," The angel in front of him some softly, rising to her feet, "I think I'll go with him."
"What?!"
The redhead quickly clambered to his side, taking his free hand and intertwining their fingers. Ryan felt a hot rush shoot down his spine at their contact but pretended to remain unaffected.
The blonde who'd spoken first tried to reach out to her but Ryan tactfully blocked him,
"What do you mean you're going with him?"
The redhead smiled through her teeth and he could tell it was fake,
"I'm sorry, boys but I don't think I'll be able to dance for you today or ever," She said sweetly, "Oh, and don't ever think of asking me out to dinner again. Let's go."
Ryan nodded, giving the gobsmacked males a meaningful glare before stalking off with the girl. The moment they were a safe distance from the bar, they tore apart with lightning speed.
He watched as she chuckled, sweeping her hair behind the back of her ear. Ryan was utterly mesmerised, if he thought she looked beautiful from afar then he wasn't prepared for the stunner presently in front of him.
"Thank you," She smiled up at him, "For what you did back there."
He shrugged, unable to produce a single word.
She frowned slightly but nodded, turning towards the road. A spark of alarm hit his chest and he sputtered out,
"Do you have a ride home?"
She paused, looking over shoulder at him, "I'll order an Uber, it's fine."
He nodded, scratching the back of his head and she smiled turning fully to face him.
"Here," She stretched a hand and his gaze fell on the device on her palm, "Type in your number, I don't think I thanked you enough for what you just did."
Ryan gulped, taking the device from her hold and exhaling when their skin brushed. He could tell she felt the same way because her cheeks tinged pink.
He quickly pressed the numbers and gave it back to her. She nodded satisfactorily,
"What's your name?"
"Ryan," He answered immediately, "Ryan Thorne."
The redhead smiled brightly, her emerald eyes sparkling with the action, "I'm Aurora and I hope to see you again, Ryan Throne."
As she walked away, he couldn't help but stay fixed in that position watching her retreating form.
"Aurora," He tested the name on his tongue, loving how it rolled smoothly.
It was a befitting name for a beauty like her but he knew what would fit her better.
Flower. The prettiest of them all.
