Chapter 2: Wet smile

Ronan’s POV

She stared up at me like she didn’t know whether to punch me or thank me. I held her phone out, letting her take it from my hand slowly.

“Well, well,” I said, letting my eyes travel from her bare feet buried in sand to the silk dress clinging to her curves. “The nerd grew up.” 

I tried not to look down at her cleavage peeking out through her dress. She had grown up into a beautiful woman with red curls framing her heart shaped face.

Her cheeks flushed. “God, not you…”

“I'm glad you didn't forget me, Sarra.” I leaned against the rail at the edge of the patio. I had not seen her in years, ever since she left for a private art school in Paris. 

“How could I forget my bully?” She asked, frowning. 

“You used to trip over your shoelaces and carry sketchbooks everywhere. Now you look like…” I let my eyes run down her body again and didn’t bother to hide it. “Trouble.”

She hugged her arms around herself. “I’m not trouble.”

I took a sip from the flask in my pocket. “Then why do you look like you want to murder someone? Do you want a drink?”

She bit her lower lip, and I felt the strangest urge to run my thumb over her luscious pink lip, then she took it. “That's strong.” Her throat worked as she swallowed and she made a face.

“Good. Strong helps.” I replied.

She cleaned her mouth with the back of her hand and passed the flask back. “So you always drink at weddings?” 

“I always drink at family weddings,” I muttered. “It’s either that or flip a table.”

She scoffed. “You don't want to be here? Why? Elena's your sister.”

I tipped my head to the lawn where cameras flashed and guests posed like it was a movie set. “They can be a little too much.” 

Everyone knew I was the family disgrace. I was supposed to be a lawyer like everyone else in my family was. To take over the firm, but I wanted to act. So now, my parents don't really care about me.

It didn't matter the number of awards and Oscars I won. I would always be the family disgrace who partied too much, and drank too much.

Sarra rubbed her arms and shrugged. “At least you have a family.” 

It was true. Sarra had lost her parents in an accident in high school and right after their funeral, she'd left Malibu. 

“What happened? Why are you out here?” I changed the subject. 

She shook her head. 

“Don’t tell me it's nothing. You look like somebody kicked your dog.”

She pressed her lips tightly. “My best friend is marrying my boyfriend.”

I blinked. “That’s a twist.” I'd always known that Ethan was a slime ball, but my parents' minds were made up.”

She sighed. “Ex. I guess he's my ex now.”

I whistled, and shook my head. “Damn, and they say Hollywood is messy.”

Her eyes glistened, and she looked away fast, swiping at her cheek. “Hey.” I touched her arm gently. “Don’t cry. If you cry, paparazzi are going to sell it for six figures.”

She gave me a wet smile. “God, I hate this place.”

“Me too.” I looked at her, really looked at her. Paris had changed her. She wasn’t the shy kid who hid behind Elena in highschool. Her body was confident in that dress, her chin stubborn even when her eyes were broken, and her lips… soft and parted, like they were begging me to lean in.

I dragged my eyes back up before I did something stupid. Like kiss her. “Do you want me to get you out of here?”

She tilted her head. “What, run off with my highschool bully?”

“Hey, people change.” I said with a crooked smile.

She almost smiled but then her face went blank as she stared past my shoulder, and I followed her line of sight.

On the lawn and under the fairy lights, my sister was kissing Ethan. The kid beside me looked like she would faint. 

“Sarra, are you okay?” I asked quietly.

She blinked fast. “No…Not at all.”

“Say the word and we’re gone. I think the party has gotten boring.”

Her eyes snapped to mine. For a second she looked like she would refuse, but then she whispered, “Take me anywhere but here.”

I straightened, already pulling my keys from my pocket. “Say less.”

We walked back to the front of the estate through the sand path. Sarra hugged herself tighter as we passed a couple of paparazzi near the gates.

I draped an arm loosely over her shoulder as I steered her away from them. She stiffened at first, then leaned in and let me lead her. Even though I tried to shield her face, I still saw a couple of cameras clicking. 

“Great, by tomorrow, I'll be everywhere.” I muttered, as I steered her to where my car was parked.

“I hope I won't be on the news too. That's the last thing I need right now.”

“Don't worry,” I was so close to her that I could feel her hair tickling my chin. “I'm great at corrupting people.”

Sarra's cheeks flamed red, and she shoved me lightly. “Let's just get out of here.”

We reached the driveway where my matte-black Lamborghini waited. Most guests had hired drivers or limos, but I liked my freedom.

She stopped short when she saw it. “That’s your car?”

“Why? Are you disappointed?”

“It’s… flashy.” she retorted.

I unlocked it with a click. “Just like I am.”

She hesitated. I leaned against the hood, crossing my arms, as I watched her. “What’s it going to be? Are you gonna get in and let me show you a better view of the city? Since you've been away?”

She glanced back once toward the party, then she shook her head and slid into the passenger seat.

Her slit dress was high on her thighs as she sat down, and I could not drag my eyes away from how soft and smooth it looked. 

I helped her with the rest of her dress, placing them inside the car as she sat. My fingers grazed her knee, and I felt a thrill run up my spine. She was freaking gorgeous….

I closed the door and ran my hand through my hair. “This could get dangerous.”