we go out in the city because there is no way I can be cooped up for too long after such an awesome day.
I want to dance, party and have fun.
So we make our way back to the bar we were at the night before. After a few drinks, I step outside for some fresh air, adrenaline still high and pumping. I tilt my head back, and the wind tickles my skin as I breathe in the cool night air. We head back home tomorrow morning, so I’m taking a moment to relish how good this all feels. My tight black dress is a little too clingy, but at least it isn’t flapping around in the breeze.
“Hello there.”
I turn at the sound of a husky male voice and see a young man approaching me. He’s wearing a black shirt and a pair of faded denim jeans. He’s got a bit of a swagger, which tells me he’s drunk, or close to. His blond hair is messy atop his head and he’s got piercing grey eyes.
“Evening,” I say, turning back to the street and trying to give him the hint that I don’t want his company.
“What’s a pretty girl like you doing out here alone?”
“Whale watching,” I mutter.
He laughs loudly and steps up beside me. “Well you certainly won’t find any out here, they’re all inside.”
Ugh, what a jerk.
“You’re certainly not a whale,” he murmurs. “You’re fucking hot.”
Some men just have no class.
“And you’re annoying me. Go away.”
“Whoa,” he says, putting his hands up. “I’m only teasing. Take a chill pill.”
“No,” I say, glaring at him. “I asked you to leave me alone and you clearly refuse. And apparently you also think that calling women fat is a way to get into another woman’s pants. Let me guess, you have a penis the size of a tube of lipstick, so therefore you have to get drunk and drop pathetic pickup lines to get any woman to consider you? How close am I?”
His face scrunches up and he grumbles. “Got more than a fuckin’ lipstick.”
“And if you step any closer, I’ll chop that little thing right off and toss it into the traffic.”
“Jesus,” he grunts. “You’re a total cunt.”
“There a problem here?”
We both turn and my eyes widen to see Tazen approaching. I gape at how amazing he looks tonight. He’s wearing a pair of black jeans and a tight grey sweater that he has rolled up to the elbows. His hair is messy, his eyes are bright and he looks breathtaking. His gaze, however, is murderous as he stands next to my drunken buddy.
“Don’t even try it on with this bitch, dude,” the drunk man grunts. “She’s batshit crazy.”
Tazen steps up to him, intimidating as all hell. “What did you fucking call her?”
The guy’s eyes widen and dart between Tazen and me. “I, ah…”
“Get the fuck out of here before I knock you out.”
The guy nods and rushes off, clearly knowing what’s good for him. No one in their right mind would take on Tazen. He’s a big guy.
“Ah,” I say, watching the guy go. “Thanks.”
“He hurt you?”
My eyes flick to his. “No, I’m fine. Believe it or not I can look after myself.”
He steps up beside me. “Never said you couldn’t.”
I nod, swallowing.
“You want a drink?”
I turn to him, studying his stunning face. “Why do you want to have a drink with me, when I’m mostly an ass to you?”
He stares at me for a long, intense moment, then he grins. “Do you question everything?”
I narrow my eyes. “Mostly.”
His lip twitches. “One drink, angel.”
“Fine,” I say. “One drink.”
He smiles and nods towards a small garden space at the front of the bar. “Go sit down. I’ll be back.”
I nod and walk over, flopping down onto a free chair. I wonder why the hell I am agreeing to a drink with this man after he has done nothing but taunt me, but he seems genuine and one drink won’t kill me—especially after he let me have such an amazing experience on the track today.
Tazen returns a minute later and hands me a beer. I take it, grateful it doesn’t contain vodka, or tequila, or anything else that will send me spiraling into an embarrassing drunk before I’m ready.
“So, Quinn, tell me something about you.”
I take a sip of the ice-cold beer. “Nothing to tell.”
He leans back in the chair, crossing his ankles. “We all have stories, angel.”
I meet his gaze. “And sometimes we don’t want to tell them.”
He nods. “Can understand