Chapter 4

The crowd outside of the club was large, everyone slowly making their way inside. Evan and I made our way in front of the line. Joey, the club's doorman did a double-take at first when he saw us, noticing our unusual clubbing outfits. With a small chuckle, he waved us inside.

The beat of the music pulsed through my body, I could already feel the stress from the dinner ebbing away as I took in my familiar surroundings. The dance floor was full and lively. We made our way through the crowd until we reached the bar.

"Right, first ones on you remember," I smirked leaning against the bar and turning to face Evan.

"Oh crap, why do I feel like my wallet is about to take a serious hit?" He groaned half-heartedly. I chuckled as I turned to the barman, just as I was about to call him over a voice sounded on my other side.

"What can I get you this time Rox?" I turned around to see Ritchie, standing there placing a bottle of vodka back on the shelf.

"Six shots of tequila please."

"Ah straight to the shots tonight, long day?"

"Yeah, but it's looking up." I smiled as I slipped my hand into Evan's back pocket and pulled out his wallet.

"Hey!" Evan called out as I handed over the card, Ritchie laughed, taking it from me.

"Too slow for my ninja moves." I winked.

"Your ninja moves have nothing on me."

"Alright you two, you really want to find out who's fastest?" Ritchie handed back the card, grabbing the tequila bottle and six shot glasses. Pouring them quickly he lined them up in front of us, "How about a good old fashioned race. Whichever one of you finishes those shots first, gets drinks on me for the rest of the night. "

I and Evan exchanged a glance before turning back to Ritchie. "Okay, deal."

Straightening up, we got ready as Ritchie counted us in... "Three... Two... One... Go!"

I grabbed the first shot, throwing it back and feeling the familiar burn as the alcohol slipped down fast. I'd barely managed to swallow it when I chucked back the second then third. As I slammed the last shot glass down on to the bar, Evan was right there with me. I wasn't sure which of us had made it, it was definitely close.

"Roxy, you just got it," he smiled. Evan let out a groan as I threw my hands in the air in mock celebration. "Well done, what will it be?"

"Same again please."

"Hope you're ready Ritch, she'll drink you right out

of your wages for the month mate."

A few drinks later and Evan had wandered off. A couple of girls nearby had caught his attention and he'd decided it was his duty to go and keep them entertained. I'd stayed behind watching him as he took up his usual routine with them. At least, until someone more interesting, caught my eye.

As a group of people vacated the dance floor, moving towards the exit, I noticed a guy sat on his own in a corner at the end of the bar. He tilted a glass of drink in his hand, looking like he was deep in thought before draining it in one. As I watched him, he turned slightly and my eyes met his for just a second before he turned away once more.

I wasn't sure why, but I wanted to go over. I'd never been shy and usually, I wouldn't even give a second thought to approaching a guy. Not that I usually needed to. But with him, I couldn't miss the "Fuck off" vibe he was giving off and I couldn't help wonder if my presence might not be welcome.

Even though I'm a confident person and don't look for acceptance in others, rejection still stings. And in a way, I guess it's one of the reasons why I don't do relationships. The idea of letting someone know me. All of me, then choosing to not accept me and just throw me away, it hurts. Before I could decide for myself whether to make a move or not, Ritchie spoke up from behind me, making me jump.

"You might just be wasting your time with that one?"

"Huh?"

Turning to face him, he inclined his head towards the stranger at the end of the bar. "Been here for a few hours now, kept to himself over there. I must have seen about four women going up to him so far, he's turned every one of them away."

So I was right about the lone wolf vibe then. Still, there was something about him that kept me intrigued. Finally deciding to brave it, I stood up.

"Let's see if I have more luck than them. Two whiskeys Ritch, make them doubles." He nodded, a small smirk playing on his lips before he passed me two glasses.

"Good luck."

"I don't need luck, I'm fucking charming." I winked. Turning to walk away, hearing Ritchie's laugh fading more with every step.

I felt strangely nervous as I neared him, his gaze was fixed on the empty glass still in his hand. I dodged around the crowd of dancers and finally reached his table. He didn't look up until I placed a glass in front of him and slipped into the seat opposite, not waiting for the invitation. Predicting that it was unlikely to come.

I took a sip of my drink as I faced him, realising just how handsome he was up close. How his light brown hair was styled but not overly so and just like Evan he sported light stubble which defined his chiselled jawline. He was dressed in simple casual clothes, dark jeans and a plain black t-shirt that framed his muscular arms and shoulders.

One of his eyebrows was slightly raised as he eyed me curiously. I met his gaze with my own, displaying confidence that was not present within me at this moment. Sitting my glass down on the table I straightened up, giving him a small smile.

He tilted his head slightly as if trying to figure me out. Suddenly he released the glass in his hand instead, taking hold of the new one. Picking it up and lifting it to his lips. My eyes never left him and I felt my breath hitch slightly at the intensity of his gaze. When he put the glass down, I couldn't miss the light chuckle he let out as a smile lingered on his lips.

"Okay, so you buy me a drink, yet you don't tell me your name. Interesting approach." His voice was deep yet smooth, a classy British accent. Slightly formal without being too proper. It was the kind of voice you could happily get lost in.

"I'll let you in on a secret, I didn't buy the drink." He looked a little surprised at my confession.

"No? So who do I have to thank for this then, some random guy?" His time was one of amusement and intrigue.

"In a manner of speaking," I replied. He waited for me to elaborate, leaning back a little. It was my turn to laugh this time as I continued, " The barman is buying my drinks tonight."

"Wow, how did you manage to swing that one?"

"I have skills, and I like to win."

"I don't doubt it. So why did you decide to come over here and neglect to introduce yourself this evening?"

"You gotta let that go, dude." I shrugged with a grin. "But hey what can I say, I found your whole 'leave me alone' vibe so inviting."

This time it was more than a chuckle as he let out a loud laugh. It immediately soothed the knots that had formed in my stomach with nerves. I felt more at ease and comfortable.

"I'm glad you thought so." He shook his head slightly with a grin of his own then looked back at me. "So, do I get to know your name yet?"

"Whatever happened to a mystery?" I pouted, earning a shrug. "Roxy."

"Pleasure is all mine, Roxy." He smiled. "I'm Sean."

"Right now that's out of the way." I picked up my drink. I downed the last of the contents, standing up as I put the glass back down. "Time to dance."

I tilted my head towards the centre of the room as I took a step closer. He looked like he was about to say no but there was no way I was going to back down now. I stared him down determinedly. Barely three seconds passed when he rolled his eyes, laughed and finished his drink before standing up and allowing me to lead him out on to the dance floor.

Finding a small space among the sea of dancers, I let myself move in time with the music. My body didn't touch Sean but was still close enough to feel the heat emitting from him. It was like standing by an open fire, that tingling sensation that skates over your skin leaving goosebumps. It made my blood race through me, whilst my heart jumped in my chest and I longed to feel his touch.

My eyes rested on his face, his own looking right back at me. I could detect the colour now that I was this close, warm brown with an amber glow. They didn't waver from my own as we stood there. My breathing was quickening and I didn't even realise that I was barely moving anymore, lost in this man who was now only an inch away from me.

A sudden force from behind knocked me forward with a jolt, bumping straight into Sean who caught me before I could fall to the ground. Pulling me in close he held me against his firm chest. My hands closed around his strong shoulders as I clung to him to keep upright. Shockwaves emitted from the contact of his hands, where they were holding my waist.

Our faces were almost touching and at that moment every part of my body screamed at me to close that sliver of space and kiss him. To allow myself to feel his lips move against my own. His eyes flicked to my lips as his mouth parted ever so slightly, his breathing quickened the same as mine.

My hand travelled along his shoulder, resting against his neck. I tilted my face up to meet his, closing the space, my eyes flickered closed. Just as a buzzing started up followed by a loud ringing sound coming from his jeans pocket. As if awakening from a dream, the moment was over. His grip loosened before releasing altogether. Pulling his phone from his pocket, he glanced at the screen and immediately looked awkward.

"I'm sorry I have to go. It was great meeting you." Without another word he cut a path through the crowd disappearing towards the exit, leaving me standing there. My heart still racing and the ghost of his electric touch lingering on my skin.