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𝘞𝘙𝘌𝘕 𝘑𝘈𝘔𝘌𝘚
FERNANDO MARTIN IS MANY THINGS. Entertaining is not one of them. He’s so boring, and he tries so hard to be so interesting it’s pathetic.
“…like I said before that mob wouldn’t stop charging at us. It was like they were all infested with rabies. Crazy shit.” He slurps his coffee. I don’t know what he’s talking about.
I came it his office after i’d caught up on all my work, so it’s around eight-ish. The city is just getting dark, but the sky’s still slightly blue.
The office door opens and Rhys walks in. I remain faced forward as he takes his seat next to me. I can see him fix his suit jacket-rare-as he leans back in the chair.
“Ah. Rhys. I was telling Wren about the wildlife tour I went on in the Sahara desert.” Hadn’t he said it was the Arabian? “You remember that story right?” Rhys says nothing. “Oh. Well anyways, the presentation is coming up and I have no doubt that we’ll get the ‘green light.'” He claps his hands.
“I just wanted to say that I got some great feedback about your presentation on the trip.” He smiles. “Also I just wanted to talk about what exactly will be said at the presentation next week. What were you both thinking? The main things.”
As both Rhys and myself explain the rundown of our speech, Fernando nods and sucks his teeth. We do a small demo presentation and Fernando gives us the ‘all good’.
I pick up my things as does Rhys, and we make our way to the door-before we’re stopped by Fernando.
“Why don’t you kids join us for drinks at Santiago’s, the small pub across town.” He places a hand on Rhys’s shoulder.
“‘Us’?” I question.
“Yes. Myself and the team of editors and lawyers who are my good friends. It doesn’t have anything to do with the presentation, so it’s not messing with the end result.” Seemingly unconvinced that he convinced us, he continues. “Consider it a early celebration for your success.”
Rhys’s eyes drop down onto my face, so I look up to catch his eye. He slightly tilts his head; silently asking. I shrug slightly. I won’t be drinking, but it’ll get me out of the office.
“Sure. We’ll join you.” Rhys moves away from Fernando’s grip and closer to me.
“Alright, see you in a bit, i’m heading there now.” Fernando leaves his office before us.
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I sip my lemon water as I watch people dance around the dance floor. Santiago’s is a small hole-in-the-wall bar. It’s dim, not the ordinary dark and color flashing bars that i’ve been to. Instead it has pool tables and dart boards around the place, the orange lights only in the corners of the room.
The stools are comfortable enough. The water is good. I can’t really complain. It’s also just a bit dead, which makes for a chill night. Plus Rhys is sipping straight alcohol on the side of me so, that’s a bonus.
I turn my head at the noise of clapping and cheering. Fernando’s just lost for the third time at a game of poker. He’s shit at gambling.
A light tap on my shoulder brings my attention behind me and to the bartender. This time its not the woman that was there before, it’s a man. He’s tall with large tattoos crawling up his neck, a shaggy head of platinum hair and piercings all over his face. One on his eyebrow, three in his nose, and one on his lip.
“Excuse me.” He starts. Out of the corner of my eye I see Rhys turn around too. “I was wondering if you were bored, because if so…there’s something I could show you.” I look down at his name tag: Kayne.
I look back at the mostly empty bar, anything could be more interesting. I turn back around nodding. Kayne flashes me a straight smile; a crystal shining on each one of his canines.
Rhys stiffens beside me.
“Follow me…” He waits for my name.
“Wren.”
“Wren. And Wren’s acquaintance.” Kayne turns to look at Rhys. I do too.
Rhys’s eyes are sharp. He’s looking right at Kayne, and if looks could kill, Kayne would be six feet under. His fist is clenched tightly around his cup-so hard that i’m waiting for the glass to shatter. And even though he’s sitting, he looks huge, it’s just his energy that makes him that way. Like my own personal bodyguard.
Kayne scratches the back of his neck and looks away. Rhys faces me and very slowly brings his glass to his plump lips. Then without taking his eyes off mine, he tilts his head back and drains the contents of his glass.
I scoot off my stool and gather my things. Rhys’s stare is still on me when I walk around him to meet Kayne at the end of the bar. A moment later I feel a hand secure me to the side of a body and I don’t need to look up to realize that it’s Rhys. Handsy.
“Follow me this way.” Kayne’s voice drips in silk. Snarky this one.
We follow Kayne into the basement of the bar, and a metal door waits for us at the base of the stairs. Is he a murderer? Is he not?
Kayne swipes a card on the pin pad and the thick door opens. Music and lights attack my senses. Pink, purple and blue lights dance around the room. The sound of loud, club music travels through my ears.
It’s a underground club. Kayne fits in better here.
Rhys’s hand sprawls out on my back as we step into the room. People are crowded on the dance floor-which is mostly the whole place. There’s two bar areas lining the walls when you walk in.
Kayne is no longer with us, he’s somewhere behind the bar. I take in more of the place as Rhys’s gaze burns into the side of my face. He’s watching me like i’m going to jump Kayne’s bones any moment.
I lift my head and meet dark grey eyes. “Let’s hope you know how to dance, business boy.” I tug on his cuff and squeeze through the dancing people.
A new song is mixed in and I start to enjoy the music, people around me are laughing and smiling. It’s an inviting sort of place, and i’m wondering if i’d have more fun drunk.
I don’t get to ponder the thought when two hands drag down my arms. Suddenly the music feels more intense as I face Rhys. His tie is hanging loose around his neck, three buttons undone. He left his suit jacket in the car-along with my purse. It didn’t seem like a bad area so I left it.
I tug on his tie to bring him closer as we start dancing amongst the others. The smell of subtle cologne makes it’s way up to my nose and I close my eyes. Rhys’s hands move down to my waist. I tip my head back as the beat drops; trying to soak up as much of this as possible.
Our bodies move together with the rhythm, and even with my eyes closed I picture Rhys moving above me, his dark eyes on me, the music bouncing off him. I imagine the look on his face if I were to pull down that tight face and kiss it.
My nails subconsciously move up and down his chest as his fingers graze my scalp. The sensation bringing the most satisfying sound from me. I open my eyes to see Rhys’s scalding gaze right on me. Me. In my button-up blouse and pencil skirt.
My mouth goes completely dry as he leans down. I don’t back away.
“I’m gonna get a drink. Want anything?” He asks into my ear; his breath tickling the skin there.
“No.” I say, all too gravely.
He takes his hands off me and escapes into the crowd as I make my way to the corner of the room, onto a cushion couch. A small table in front of it. I pat my damp neck and fan my face as I wait for Rhys to find me.
Not long after, a presence so intense it changes the atmosphere around me, presents itself in front of me.
“I got you a frozen raspberry martini. One virgin, one not. Depending on what you feel like.” Rhys places the drinks down on the table.
I scoot over and he takes a seat next to me. I reach for the one with alcohol, but stop myself and pick up the one without. It’s sweet, yet a little bitter. It’s perfect.
“Kayne seems to be quite the flirt.” Rhys states from beside me. I scoff and place my drink down.
“Ah.” He clicks his tongue on the roof of his mouth. “I get it.” Rhys sips his drink. “You enjoyed it.”
I look over at him, he keeps his eyes on the people dancing while he drinks. The lights casting a shadow over his devastatingly gorgeous features. His tight jaw, straight nose, attractive neck.
“You think so?” I keep my eyes on him as he shrugs and adjusts on the couch. He looks over at me.
“Could’ve fooled me.” He brings his glass to his mouth again, then places it on the table.
“Could it?” I tilt my head as he nods, followed by an ‘uh-huh’.
“I could be enjoying something else.” I challenge.
“That right?” He doesn’t take his eyes off me as his mouth kicks up in a smirk.
I move closer, not fully in charge of my own body. I fiddle with his tie in between my fingers. Rhys follows my lead and grips the back of my neck. He doesn’t do anything with it, just keeps it there.
But then his eyes dip down to my lips and suddenly I don’t want to keep things professional. At least not for tonight.
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