05.

FELIX.

I wasn’t wrong about the hell of a night.

And I hate that.

Brynn Addams is more than I thought she was.

When I laid my eyes on her for the first time, it didn’t take more than a glance to know she was no ordinary girl. She screamed luxury and exuded such elegance I’d never encountered in my entire life. Her poise, stance, walk, appearance. Every single detail about her from that moment told me she was one of those girls who could get everything they wanted in the world with just a snap of their fingers. Not only did she bleed that rich and powerful aura, but she was also beautiful. Angelic beauty. The kind of beauty men go to war for. Her black long hair shone brightly against the warmth of the earth, and the features that framed her face were enough to captivate even the strongest of men.

However, that Brynn Addams is completely different from the one who’s a few feet away from me.

It’s the alcohol, I can tell. She drank more than I did, and I’m now seeing a side to her I’ve never seen and I’m not sure even she knew existed.

It’s a wild, primal side. Nothing like the soft, yet arrogant side of her.

My resolve to continue to stay in my seat slowly dissolves as I watch her dance amidst the rest, jumping on her heels with her hair bouncing along with her, her hands waving in the air, and a big smile plastered on her face.

She’s free.

And she looks fucking beautiful.

A wild beauty in that short dress of hers that would make even the most powerful man weak in his knees. That dress makes her look so fucking sinful. The kind of sin that’s wrapped in purity and you just can’t decide if you’d be doing a lesser evil avoiding the temptation, or a greater one not falling into it.

This side of hers isn’t a beauty men go to war for; it’s a beauty men become fools for. Just a tilt of her head and she’d have any man she wants—absolutely fucking any—on his knees, begging to do as much as feel his touch on her skin.

She’s ethereal. Even standing amidst those sweaty bodies, she shines and stands out the most, stealing the attention off of everyone else.

Completely unfair.

I don’t keep my eyes off her as I reach for another glass and take a sip. After having six shots, Brynn finally let go of her worries and got up to dance. She didn’t ask me of course, before she hit the floor and I didn’t follow because I don’t trust myself to keep my hands to myself.

Even as I sit here and just watch her sway her hips to the beat of the music, all I can imagine is how it’d feel to fist my hand in that long hair of hers and… I don’t let my thoughts stray further than that.

I shouldn’t be imagining touching her anywhere to begin with, but fuck, she’s so freaking alluring. And I’m just a guy who also happens to be highly sexually active.

The more I watch her, the more I don’t understand and just can’t wrap my head around how and why Ash would cheat on a girl like that.

Sure, women can be tempting and you can’t help but wonder how the next one would taste after having one. But not Brynn Addams. There’s something about her that keeps your attention on her and her only. You don’t get to notice any other girl in the room. Just her.

“Fuck off.” I groan as I watch yet another fool sneakily make his way towards her. That’s like what? The tenth guy in the short time she’s hit the dance floor?

Like the rest of them, Brynn shakes her head in refutation when he tries to get close to her, but seems this one wants to prove to be yet another dickhead from tonight.

I’m already on my feet before Brynn can refuse him a second time and my strides are long and fast as I make my way towards her, pushing the few bodies in my way out.

I get to her side just as Brynn says, “Do not touch me. Go away.”

An ugly scowl covers the guy’s face as he stares her down, obviously not enjoying the language from her but before he can do anything stupid, I move between them, letting Brynn stay behind me. “You heard her.”

His gaze shifts to me and he’s either stupid or delusional if he thinks he’s scaring me with that face.

“I was here first.” Delusional, it is.

“And you’ll be leaving just as quick,” I say slowly, ensuring he hears the dare in my voice. “Now or I’ll rearrange that scowl for you.”

He has the audacity to laugh. Delusional and stupid, then. Not an excellent combination.

“And what will you do if I don’t leave?” He starts to square up, closing the space between our bodies. “I’m not scared of you. You should be scared of me. I could have you beaten and thrown out of here with just a snap of my finger.” That boastful tone annoys me. Yet I do nothing but stand still and watch him display his stupidity. Then he decides to provoke me further. “Give me the cunt.” Is he referring to… “I mean, she’s obviously asking to be played with in that slutty dress. I could almost see her nipples pushing against…” I don’t see anything after that. I don’t hear anything. I don’t think. I just act. And the action is my fist colliding with his face. I hit him so hard that he loses his feet and stagger back.

Loud gasps erupt around us, and I wait for him to raise his head so I can get another hit.

Instead… “What the fuck, dude?!” He roars as he lifts his head with his right hand covering his nose. “You just broke my fucking nose!” His eyes are wide, mixed in disbelief and fury, but it doesn’t scare me.

“Next time, you should learn to treat a lady with respect and take a no for a fucking no.” I spit and there’s silence around us, everyone just watching and waiting for the next scene.

“Oh fuck! Man, you okay?”

“Hey!”

Two guys, looking the same size and height as the one I just hit appear and they grab onto his shoulders.

“He broke my nose ‘cause I was talking to that girl.” He complains to them like a kid and they both turn their heads at me. I keep my eyes tight, daring them to say something. They must have gotten the message cause they chose to chicken out, dragging their injured friend with them.

“I’ll find you. I fucking promise you.”

“And it won’t be just your nose I break then,” I respond before I turn to Brynn, who doesn’t look very shocked.

“You okay?”

“You didn’t have to break his nose.” She says with a hint of a smile dancing around the corners of her mouth.

I snicker. “I didn’t do it for you. He just lacked human decency and respect. A girl can wear whatever she chooses without being referred to by disrespectful names.”

I crease a brow when she starts to lean forward.

“You get one for that.”

I laugh and this time; she doesn’t hold back either. She giggles with her eyes locked on mine, and my heart skips a beat when she suddenly falls forward. My hands immediately go to her waist and she falls on my shoulder.

“Are you good?” I tilt my head back a bit to try to get a view of her face and she sighs. “I think I’ve had enough fun for one night.”

And she sure has. She’s already quite sweaty, and that dress is straining too much against her chest than I can handle now. The only reason I haven’t had my jacket covering her is because she’s Brynn Addams.

“Sure. Come on. Let’s get out of here.” I steady her stance but keep my hand on the small of her back as I guide us back to the bar.

I settle the bills and grab her purse from the chair, then we make our way towards the exit.

“I came with my car,” Brynn tells me, hardly standing on her own.

I look towards where my bike is parked and sigh. “Sure. Where’s it?”

She gives me not-so-accurate descriptions, but I manage to find the black Aston Martin parked a bit away from the rest of the cars here. I lean Brynn against the car and grab her key from the purse.

After successfully getting her into the passenger’s seat and buckling her seatbelt, I move into the driver’s seat and start the car.

“I don’t know your place,” I say to a barely conscious Brynn—she has her head against the window shield, and her eyes are shut.

She mutters something, but I don’t hear. “What?” I move over and place my ear near her mouth. “What did you say?”

“Not home.”

“Then where do you… oh alright.” I say to no one in particular cause Brynn doesn’t respond. Her lazy breaths are the only sound that comes out of her mouth now and I reposition my head so my ear is away from her mouth and I can stare at her face.

Why are her lips so wet and luscious?

I blink and hastily move back to the driver’s seat. It’s suddenly so hot so I remove my jacket and drop it in the backseat, fan my chest with my shirt a few times before grabbing the wheel.

She doesn’t do as much as flinch till we get to my place. More like mine and her ex-boyfriend’s place.

I stop the car and get out of the seat.

“We’re here,” I say as I unlock her door and wait for her to open her eyes. “Did you fall asleep?” No response. “We aren’t even close enough for me to be doing all these for you,” I grumble as I lean inside the car and undo her seatbelt. “You’re lucky I’m nicer than you are,” I say to her face and move her legs out of the car first, then lift her in my arms. Her head drops on my chest, and I lift her hands to my shoulders before shutting the car and locking it with the key.

I ignore the sudden harshness in my steady breaths, the slight shake in my hold, and the warmth that seethes through my body at such intimate contact with her, including the way her small body fits perfectly into my chest.

I don’t even dare to steal a glance at her face as I march forward.

The house is empty and silent when I enter. Ash is usually home by this time. Where did he go?

After another glance at the living room, I make my way to Ash’s room. Thankfully, it isn’t locked, or I’d have had to take her to my room, and that isn’t the smartest choice.

I kick his door locked with my feet and Brynn still doesn’t move in my arms. She must be entirely out.

“You weigh quite a lot for a slim girl.” My voice is strained towards the end as I drop her on his bed. I leave her car key on the bedside and start to move back, then I notice her head is positioned wrongly. She’ll have a sour neck by tomorrow if she sleeps like that for long.

I place one leg on the bed, then push forward and grab her head. I tilt it in the right direction and smile when she moans, still asleep.

“Peaceful,” I mumble as I stare at her resting face and as I attempt to push back the strand of hair falling over her face, the door opens. My head turns and I meet suspicious blue eyes. “What are you doing?”

“Hey. Ash, I—“

He doesn’t let me speak, and I can tell he’s angry when he barks. “Out. Now.”

He walks out of the room just as fast as he appeared and I follow suit, gently closing the door behind me.

Ash has his arms crossed to his chest and a not-so-friendly expression that tells me he has so many questions as I join him.

“Hey.”

“What was that? What were you doing? Why were you with her and what the fuck did you do to her?” His nose flares and if this were one of those cartoons, he’d have smoke coming out of his nostrils with how enraged he looks. I don’t think he’s ever been this angry—directed at me.

“She got a bit drunk, and that’s why she’s asleep.”

He looks taken aback now. “Drunk? Brynn doesn’t drink. “

Now I’m the one taken aback. She doesn’t? But she had that cup with her before those shots. Was that her first time drinking?

“She doesn’t?”

“No, she fucking doesn’t. And you made her drink? The fuck? Why was she even with you to begin with?”

I rub my face to stay calm before I answer. “No, I didn’t force her to do anything.” I did order the drink, but I asked and she said she was okay with them. “She drank herself and she was at my usual club. I just took care of her, nothing more.”

He doesn’t look convinced, and I chuckle. “Seriously, Ash, what could I have done to her? I know she’s your ex…” I pause when he raises a brow. “… girlfriend. I didn’t do anything. I swear.”

“Good.” He breathes, uncrossing his arms, but his face still doesn’t soften. “Cause I’ve seen the way you look at her.”

“Excuse me?”

He smirks and steps closer. “You think I haven’t noticed? You staring at my girlfriend’s ass?”

“She has a good ass.” I shrug. “Can’t blame me for admiring it, bro.” I put a smile on. “You know I admire all the ladies’ pleasant features.”

He jabs his finger in the air as if it’s my chest. “Not my lady. Not Brynn, Felix. Never Brynn. You don’t get to stare. You don’t get to admire. You don’t get to do anything. You stay away from her.”

“If you wanted her to yourself this much, then why did you cheat?” I don’t know where those words come from. They just fall. And it seems Ash is surprised too. He lets out a laugh, and it’s not a pleasant one. “Were you getting ideas?”

“What?”

He closes the distance between us, leaving just enough to breathe, and I tip my chin to not appear less intimidating. “You thought I cheated. She’s my ex-girlfriend now, and you might have a chance. Is that what this is?”

“No,” I state firmly. “I just…”

He cuts me off. “Yes, Felix. It’s a no. An absolutely fucking no. It’s impossible. It’s never happening. Brynn. My Brynn will never go for you. You’re the last guy on earth she’d have anything to do with.”

“Ash…” I warn, but he doesn’t stop. Instead, he finally jabs the finger into my chest and lowers his voice. “You’re filthy. Impulsive. Immoral and poor. You stand against everything she stands for.”

My jaw ticks and my hands fist by my sides, my fingernails digging into my palms. I’m using every last bit of my strength to hold back and not throw my fist in my best friend’s face right now.

“You and her don’t belong in the same world, Felix. Her world is higher than yours. Her statue…” he pauses, removes his finger from my chest, and laughs. “Is something you can only dream of.”

“Think about that next time you’re in her vicinity.” He pats my cheek, then walks away.

I hear his door shut, and my body shakes with anger. My fingernails don’t stop digging into my palms and soon, I’d be drawing my blood.

I’ve never felt this much anger in a while.

Ash knows me. And he knew the right words to say. Pushed the right buttons.

And it isn’t because of how impossible he made me being with Brynn sound.

It’s how low his words make me seem.

My inside boils because of how true those words are. Every. Single. One.

And that rage. This rage that I feel truly makes me as impulsive as he said.

I don’t like my next thought.

And I don’t think it’s one Ash would enjoy either.