Chapter 2: Ellie

The spot he'd occupied was now taken over by a group of rowdy partygoers. His absence felt oddly conspicuous. How could someone with such a commanding presence simply vanish?

Shaking off the peculiar sense of loss, I turned my focus back to Lila, her infectious energy pulling me back into the dance. Still, somewhere at the back of my mind, the question lingered: Who was he?

The beat was infectious, coursing through my veins and making me feel alive. For a few fleeting moments, I let go of my inhibitions, and my worries about the family business, and simply reveled in the ecstatic frenzy around me. Lila's laughter mixed with the sounds of other party-goers, creating a symphony of carefree joy. I was in the moment, my feet moving of their own accord, each step in sync with the pulsing rhythm of the song.

Just as I was getting into the groove, I felt an unfamiliar pair of hands latch onto my hips from behind. Startled, I was abruptly spun around to face the intruder. My eyes locked onto a smug, entitled smirk belonging to a guy who looked like he'd watched too many pick-up artist videos on YouTube.

"Hey, gorgeous," he drawled, his voice dripping with false confidence. "How 'bout we get to know each other a bit better?"

“Uh, I’m good.”

I tried to step back, distancing myself from his invasive grip, but he only tightened his hold. "What do you say, babe? Let's make this night unforgettable."

My disgust was evident. "Hands off, Romeo." I pushed him away, but he only laughed, seemingly taking it as a challenge.

Rather than engage with him, I decided to extricate myself from the situation. I navigated through the throng of dancers, making my way to our booth, hoping for a brief break from the suddenly suffocating atmosphere.

But the universe seemed to have other plans.

He followed me, that same arrogant smirk playing on his lips. "What's the matter, princess? Think you're too good for me?"

I met his gaze, undeterred. "I think I made myself clear. I'm not interested."

He leaned in, his breath reeking of alcohol. "You might want to watch that attitude of yours."

The audacity of this guy! "Listen, you clearly have the wrong impression. I came here to have a good time, not to fend off creeps like you."

He scoffed, moving even closer. "Oh, so now I'm a creep? After the little dance you put on? Don't play hard to get."

Alarm bells rang in my head. This was escalating, and fast. My heart raced, and I felt trapped, my back against the booth's cushioned seating.

And just as the panic began to set in, a familiar figure appeared by my side, the man from across the bar with the deep blue, almost steel-like eyes.

"Is there a problem here?" His voice was cool and controlled, yet there was an unmistakable edge to it.

The creep, taken aback by the unexpected intervention, sized up the newcomer. "Who the hell are you?"

The man arched an eyebrow, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Someone who doesn't appreciate men harassing women. She said she's not interested. I suggest you respect her wishes." Even in the middle of the drama, I couldn’t help but notice that his voice -low, deep, controlled- was just as sexy as the rest of him. 

There was a tense silence, the two men locked in a wordless standoff. And then, just as abruptly as it started, the creep backed down, muttering something under his breath before disappearing into the crowd.

I let out a relieved sigh, turning to face my unexpected savior. "Thank you," I said, gratitude evident in my voice.

He shrugged, his gaze inscrutable. "No one should have to deal with that. Are you okay?"

I nodded, though the adrenaline still coursed through my veins. "Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks to you."

He extended a hand, the corners of his mouth curling into a rare genuine smile. "Alex."

"Ellie," I replied, taking his hand.

We shook, a small smile forming on his lips. As jostled as I’d been by the encounter, there was no denying how Alex made me feel, warm and tight between my thighs. I couldn’t remember the last time a man made me feel this way so quickly – if ever. 

The incident, though brief, had left me with an uncomfortable buzz of anxiety, making the pulsing music and the raucous laughter around me seem distant and muffled. In most cases, I'd be quick to seek refuge alone, nursing my drink alone in a quiet corner. But as Alex stood there, his steel-blue gaze filled with genuine concern, I felt strangely grounded.

"Are you sure you're alright?" His voice was soft, devoid of any pretense.

I managed a weak smile. "Been better, to be honest. Not my finest moment, and definitely not how I planned this night to go."

He tilted his head slightly, as if contemplating something. "Would you like some company while you collect yourself? No pressure."

It was just what I wanted, in fact. 

I chuckled, surprised by how intuitive he seemed. "How do you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Read people like an open book." I shook my head in wonderment. "But yes, I'd appreciate the company."

He slid into the seat next to me, and a new tension took hold, but it was different – exciting, electric. The man was undeniably handsome, and the proximity made my heart race in an entirely different manner. I caught a whiff of his cologne, subtle and masculine, and it took all my self-control not to get lost in it.

Trying to lighten the mood, Alex gestured towards the dance floor, where Lila and the other girls were still in full party mode. "So, this bachelorette party... I assume there's an embarrassing story or two hidden behind those matching outfits?"

I laughed, grateful for the distraction. "You have no idea. And I'm not about to spill our secrets!"

His eyes sparkled with mischief. "A shame. I could've offered some of my own in exchange."

Now genuinely curious, I prodded, "Like what? What's a guy like you doing in a place like this, anyway?"

His gaze drifted to the opulent surroundings of the club. "Truth be told, I'm considering buying the place."

I blinked, taken aback. "You're... what? Just like that?"

He shrugged, the weight of his statement seemingly lost on him. "It's a potential investment. Still weighing the pros and cons."

I tried to wrap my head around the casual manner in which he spoke of such a significant decision. "Well, if you buy it, promise me you'll enforce a strict 'no creeps' policy."

Alex laughed, the sound rich and infectious. "Deal."