Chapter 3-A kiss with a stranger

‘I must be imagining it.’ Avery concluded as the slight glint she thought she saw in the guy’s eyes vanished as fast as it came.

“Sorry, you’re just really pretty. I couldn’t help myself. 

The guy said, flashing his perfect set of dimples that would normally have Avery floored if he didn’t look so young and strangely reminded her of her cousin's brother.

“Well, thanks,” Avery replied indifferently while returning to her drink, emptying her cup, and ordering another one.

Although many people avoided her because of her cold, unapproachable demeanour, there were still many people who’d looked past her hard exterior and approached her nonetheless because of her background, so she has grown used to the flattery and immune to their bullshit.

Avery Archer was known by her not-so-favourite nickname, Apollo’s Witch, given to her by her staff and co-workers because of her nature, someone who hardly smiles... unimpressed and also unforgiving to people who crossed her or at least that’s who they thought she was; only a few people truly knew her after all. 

So she wondered which category of people the strange, cute guy belonged to. 

And somehow, she found herself wishing it were none.

“Do you mind if I sit with you?” He asked politely, and before Avery could say anything, she saw the guy’s group of friends shaking their heads and crossing their hands as if disapproving of him coming over to her.

Avery slowly turned back to the guy, whose innocent and rather charming smile remained unaltered.

His full, wavy, dark brown hair hid his bushy, thick brows that outlined his square face.

A perfect aquiline nose trends to his oval lips that made his strong, prominent, well-defined jawline.

Apart from his adorable, perfect set of dimples, his athletic build and height that was nowhere below 6 ft made him stand out amongst the party crowd but Avery was sure the fact that he was brave enough to approach her while every other person avoided her like a plague made him stand out a little bit more.

He was a guy whose face contrasted with his perfect masculine frame.

Avery was convinced she wouldn’t believe his face belonged to his body if she were looking at him from behind; although he is a handsome guy, Avery would rather refer to him as cute.

“Sure, but I think your friends want you back with them,” Avery told him, thinking the guy hadn’t noticed her friends signalling him away from her.

“Just ignore them,” the guy suggested with a warm smile, flashing his yet adorable set of dimples as he took the empty seat next to her that Roslyn had vacated.

“I’m Ian, by the way,” Ian introduced, bringing forward his hand for a handshake.

“Cute name. Well, Ian…you know who I am, so I’m not sure I need to have myself reintroduced.” Avery replied as she took his hand and she felt it again, a subtle jolt, from him… a sensation she’s never felt from anyone before; there wasn’t even friction. What’s the cause of the electricity? She wondered before flinching hard as she glanced into Ian's sea-green eyes.

“Um…not really; I haven’t been around town much. I apologise, Ian said innocently.

Now she understands why his group of friends kept acting that way. 

They all seem to know her or at least have heard of her, and for someone new to the region, it was right they warned him off, yet he still came to her.

Avery found his obliviousness intriguing and, more importantly, she wasn’t mistaken this time.

Avery could swear his eyes were crimson for a second, but now they're back to being green. It’s weird and strangely intriguing.

“I’m Avery, and your eyes... it feels like they glow,” Avery pointed out as she pulled her hands away. “Sorry, never mind that. I probably saw it wrong." Avery shrugged, not wanting to come out as a weird woman talking about glowing eyes.

“Oh, they do that…when I’m excited, Ian replied before drawing his seat closer to Avery.

“Really?”Avery's eyes widened in surprise.

“Yeah…it’s kind of like a genetic condition… I got it from my grandfather… passed through my mother. You wanna see?” Ian asked almost as if he could sense the interest in Avery’s eyes.

“Yeah…I’d love that…never knew there was a genetic condition that could cause that.” Avery smiled, fascinated by Ian’s eyes as well as his gentle effort to flirt with her.

“Really? I’d love to show you too, but I kinda need to be ‘excited’ to show you again… a kiss should do." Ian said with a playful smirk, outlining his lips.

“Nice tr,y but I’m not going to kiss you if that’s what you’re asking.” Avery snickered, finding his forwardness refreshing.

“I’m being serious. You never know until you try,” Ian said, flashing those precious dimples again that strangely had Avery feeling a twinge in her lower belly.

‘What the hell is wrong with you, Avery? You just broke up with Desmond and he’s a boy that’s obviously younger than you; Avery mentally scolded herself as Ian’s sharp, round eyes that felt like an evergreen forest were buried under a deep sea and stared intensely at her in a way that made her feel like the thigh-length brown body-hug dress she had on was gone and was just sitting there in just her matching lacy underwear.

“Tempting but no, I’m not kissing you,” Avery made clear in the same playful tone before turning back to her drink, taking a sip before placing the glass back on the bar table.

“That’s too bad; I really wanted to show you again.” 

The subtle disappointment hidden in Ian’s tone tempted Avery further, and when she turned back, she felt her heart drop into the farthest pit of her stomach in fright as Ian’s face was so close, she almost ended up kissing him without actually meaning to.

Avery froze as a waft of his cool, citrussy cologne travelled down her nostrils and tied her stomach in knots, and when Ian inched a bit closer, he almost closed the distance between their lips, then she heard Rose clear her throat.

‘Shit, what the hell am I doing? I was here to wish Rosie not to get it on with some teenage boy oozing sexual masculinity, Avery thought before biting back a silent curse since Rosie suddenly interrupted the moment.

“Sorry, I don’t mean to interrupt, but…” Rosie appeared out of nowhere, giving the two a forced smile as she drew closer, and Avery instantly put some distance between her and Ian.

“No, you didn’t. Nothing was going on." Avery anxiously explained.

“Yeah…I know that. It’s as clear as day. Anyway, Desmond’s here and I think he already saw you. I’m sorry, Avy, I had no idea you two were going to break up today, so I already sent him the invitation, and I haven’t had the time to get him off the guest list,” Rosie explained as Avery’s expression changed almost instantly.

“It’s not your fault, Rosie; I’m fine… it’s not like we have to see each other or anything,” Avery assured, but that was before she caught Desmond laughing loudly with a small group since everyone at the party just hung around people they knew, talking, chatting, drinking, and eating.

Avery’s eyes grew colder as she met Desmond’s eyes, and then he smirked after Avery’s eyes landed on the girl Desmond had his hands around her waist. 

It was the same person he had caught him fucking.

“That fucking bastard.” Roslyn noticed it too.

“It’s fine…I can’t let him get to me. I’ll be okay, Rosie. I mean it.” Avery lied since people have started to gossip, wondering why they weren’t together and who Desmond was hanging with.

Avery felt her insides burning, and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

“So that’s your ex?” Avery was reminded of Ian’s presence after his words. “He looks like a douchebag, no offence,” Ian added and Roslyn couldn’t hold back her laugh; the comment, however, just surprised Avery.

“None taken; I literally said the same thing,” Rosie concurred, earning a haughty look from Avery.

“You deserve so much better,” Ian commented, forcing Avery to look into his yet captivating eyes.

“Um…I need to go find Johnny; you guys have fun… Bye,” Rosie said, winking at Avery before disappearing into the crowd.

“I mean it…you’re far too good to be with someone like him.” Ian’s elaborate compliment had warmth creeping into her face.

“If you’re still vying for that kiss, you’re not getting it.” Avery laughed softly, embarrassed by his random comments and intense gaze that made her feel like he really wanted her.

“Damn, I got caught,” Ian said with a boyish grin.

“What are you doing here, Ian? I’m sure there’s a line of ladies hoping to talk to you…I mean, you’ve got the looks,” Avery said after her eyes caught the random group of girls, each holding a glass of champagne and looking in Ian’s direction; most seem around his age, and yet he chose to flirt with a hag like her.

‘Well, people do tell me I look younger than my age.’ Avery thought to herself.

“Maybe because I chose to sit with the person who stood out the most among all the ladies. I mean... have you seen you?” Ian asked, and Avery laughed.

“That’s so cheesy,” Avery grinned.

“At least it does its job, you laughed… you’re prettier when you smile,” Ian added right before Avery caught Desmond staring in her direction as well.

“That kiss…I think you just earned it." Avery grinned, dragging Ian by the collar of his expensive-looking jacket until their lips almost touched.

She only wanted to tease him a little, to hide her embarrassment, but when she saw the tips of his ears redden, she kissed him on a whim, taking his lips for a brief moment.

Avery could feel it better this time, the electricity encased in his touch, a slight spark that had her skin tingling and more than that, his lips were warm as well as his skin.

Weird…she thought as she pulled her lips away, then she raised her eyes; she saw it…a vivid, deep, rich, vibrant red orb.

“They do glow,” Avery mumbled to herself as she continued to stare, amused by how beautiful his pupils were and watched as that colour slowly faded in them into the pool of green in his eyes.

“Yeah…that was…incredible. Can I do it again?” Ian asked, reluctant to draw away from Avery, who had a mischievous smile on her face.

Avery’s attention from Ian was, however, stolen when Desmond suddenly appeared looking terribly furious. “What the fuck?” Desmond fumed, and Avery turned in his direction.

------------