Chapter 2

While on break at work, I turned on my phone and checked the messages from my friends in the group chat.

Elizabeth: Bar later. You guys good to go?

Lana: I’m coming!

Elizabeth: Cool. How about you, @Ruelle?

I typed a reply.

Me: I can’t. I’m busy.

As soon as my shift was over, I went straight home. I showered, changed clothes, and then wait in front of Xerces’ house. His car wasn’t there, and the lights inside were off, so I knew he wasn’t home yet.

An hour had passed, and he still hadn’t come home. I was already freezing, swatting away mosquitoes.

I turned my phone on and entertained myself by scrolling through social media while waiting. Then I clicked on the story of one of Xerces’s close friends—Dash.

It was a shot taken inside a bar. I was about to swipe to the next story when my eyes snapped to something familiar. Even with the dim lighting, I recognized him. It was Xerces. He was holding a glass of liquor.

My brows shot up, and my blood instantly boiled the moment I saw a woman sitting next to him.

I didn’t waste a second and went back to my house to change into something else. I drove to the bar; fortunately, it was nearby.

The place wasn’t crowded, so I didn’t have a hard time finding him. Before I could get close, a familiar voice called my name.

“Ruelle!”

My eyes widened when I saw Elizabeth and Lana. They were at this bar too? Great.

And since Xerces and his friends were sitting just across from us, I immediately got his attention.

He was staring at me intensely while the girl beside him kept flirting with him. I smiled at him.

“I thought you were busy?” Elizabeth asked as soon as I sat down. She raised an eyebrow, looking at me as if she were interrogating me.

There were two guys at our table—their flings for the night.

“I was… earlier,” I said casually. I grabbed one of the drinks on the table and downed it in one go.

I looked straight at Xerces. He was facing our table, so I could see his face. His eyes shot to me, and I expected him to look away, just like he always does, but I was wrong. He held my gaze as he reached for the girl’s jaw and crashed his lips against hers. The girl responded without hesitation.

I didn’t look away, watching them kiss fiercely. The girl’s hand was on his chest, caressing it. His hand was on her bosom, aggressively groping it.

Just as she was about to unbutton his shirt, he grabbed her hand and stopped her. Confusion showed on her face.

“Then why are you here? You didn’t even tell us you were coming with us. Unless… you’re here for someone, are you?”

Our gaze broke the moment Elizabeth spoke again. She was already busy with the guy beside her, who was kissing her bare neck.

I smiled and nodded.

“Hey, get a fucking room!” I snapped at Lana, who was already making out with her fling.

She ignored me and continued with what she was doing.

“Who? Your new boyfriend?” asked Elizabeth.

“You already moved on?!” Lana exclaimed, nudging the guy next to her.

I still haven’t told them about Xerces, and I don’t have any plans to do so until he’s mine.

“You think he’s the only man I could have? You might want to remember who I really am.”

They chuckled.

“Oh, yeah. You’re such a flirt.”

“Just wait and see.” I drank the remaining alcohol in my glass.

A new round of drinks they’d ordered arrived, so I kept myself busy with that. As much as I wanted to grab someone to keep me company for the night, I couldn’t—especially now that I knew Xerces was watching me. Hours passed, and I’d already had quite a lot to drink.

I tensed up when I saw him stood. He might be going to the bathroom, so I got up to follow him. He went into the men’s room, so I waited outside.

I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes tightly. I was dizzy.

“What the fuck are you doing here again, woman?”

I straightened up when I heard his irritated voice. He had already come out.

“Is she your girlfriend?”

His eyebrows shot up. “What?”

“The girl you were with earlier. She isn’t, is she?”

“I don’t do girlfriends.”

“Good,” I murmured.

“What?”

I stepped closer to him. “Can I apply for the position?”

“Apply for what?”

“To be your girlfriend,” I said bluntly. “My application is always open. Just tell me if you’re interested in hiring me.”

“No,” he said firmly.

“Yes.”

Before he had a chance to respond, I pressed my lips against his. He was about to push me away, but I wrapped my arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. He didn’t respond at first, but I continued to move my lips. I pressed my body against his, my breasts pressed against his hard chest.

Maybe it was the effect of the alcohol that made him eventually kiss me back. I let out a soft moan when he held my shoulders and pushed me against the wall. Our kiss grew more aggressive, like two starving animals finally tearing into their prey.

I could taste the strong alcohol in his mouth, and I knew he could taste the same in mine. I moaned softly as his lips trailed down to my neck, gently biting it. His hands roamed around my body. He lowered the neckline of my dress and slid his hands inside.

My hands landed in his hair, curling and gripping it as he played with my peak.

“Oh God,” I moaned.

“You like that? Hmm?” His hoarse voice turned me on even more. I swear it sounds as sexy as he is.

I was about to touch him down there, but then he pulled himself away from me as if he’d finally realized what we were doing.

“Oh fuck,” he muttered frustratedly.