Chapter 3- First kiss

Alex sat on the leather sofa in his private suite above the pub, the dim lighting casting shadows across the room. His long fingers drummed idly on the armrest as he swirled a glass of whiskey in his other hand. The sound of the ice clinking against the glass echoed in the stillness.

Earl stood at attention nearby, awaiting his next order.

"Bring me a new set of clothes," Alex said coolly, his gaze fixed on the swirling amber liquid in his glass.

Earl gave a slight nod. "Yes, sir."

Alex’s eyes darkened. "And one more thing."

Earl paused at the door. "Sir?"

"The waitress from earlier." His tone sharpened. "The one who delivered the food."

A slow and devilish smile curled Alex’s lips. "Have the manager send her to deliver the wine. No one else."

Earl hesitated. "Shall I inform the manager of the reason?"

Alex’s gaze lifted, his dark eyes gleaming with a dangerous light. "He knows better than to ask questions."

Earl bowed slightly. "Understood."

Alex took a slow sip of his whiskey as Earl disappeared from the room. His expression remained impassive, but his gaze sharpened toward the closed door.

She had defied him earlier—her eyes burning with fire, her sharp tongue daring him to react. Most women would have cowered under his gaze. But not her.

Interesting.

The thought alone was enough to unnerve him. Alex wasn’t the type to dwell on women—or anyone, for that matter. He had no patience for emotional entanglements or games. Women were a brief distraction at best. Forgettable. Disposable.

Yet, somehow, she wasn’t.

Alex set his glass down and headed toward the adjoining bathroom. He shrugged off his shirt and tossed it onto the marble counter. His fingers undid his belt with a swift motion, the soft rustle of fabric the only sound as he stripped down.

The bathroom was large, almost cold in its polished perfection. Frosted glass framed the walk-in shower, and the white marble floors gleamed under the soft lighting.

Alex stepped into the shower, turning the handle. Hot water cascaded down his body, steam rising in the air. His head tilted back as the water slid over the sharp planes of his chest and down his back, soothing the tension gathered in his muscles.

His thoughts wandered back to the woman. Her flushed face, the fire in her eyes, the way her lips parted when she spoke.

She was a contradiction—soft yet sharp, fragile yet brimming with defiance. And that defiance was beginning to stir something within him.

His lips curled faintly as the water slid over his face.

Strange.

After a long moment, he shut off the water and stepped out of the shower. He reached for a towel, wrapping it low around his hips as he walked toward the wardrobe.

Moments later, Earl entered with a crisp black shirt and slacks folded neatly over his arm. He placed them carefully on the bed.

"The manager has been informed," Earl said. "She’ll be here shortly."

Alex’s gaze remained impassive. "Good."

Earl gave a slight bow before exiting the room.

Alex took his time dressing, buttoning his shirt slowly. He left the top two buttons undone, the smooth lines of his solid chest visible beneath the dark fabric. After sliding on his watch, he settled back into the leather chair and poured himself another glass of whiskey.

A soft knock sounded at the door.

"Come in," Alex said calmly.

The door creaked open, and there she was.

Eve stepped inside, her posture stiff, her hand clutching the bottle of wine. Her eyes darted around the room before settling on Alex.

Her gaze sharpened when she saw him. He was seated with one arm draped over the back of the sofa, his long legs stretched out in a lazy sprawl.

Her eyes widened slightly at the sight of his damp hair and the hint of bare skin beneath his open collar.

"It's you?" Eve’s tone was sharp as she walked toward the small bar table.

Alex’s eyes glinted. "Pour the wine."

Eve set the bottle down with a sharp clink. "You have hands. Do it yourself."

Alex’s smile deepened. "Are you refusing to do your job?"

"I didn’t sign up to be your personal servant."

His gaze darkened. "Did you not hear me?"

Eve’s jaw tightened. "Maybe you’re not used to hearing no. And just for you to know, I am a waitress in this pub. Tending to your personal needs is not a part of my job description, sir."

A dangerous edge sharpened his smile. Sharp tongue.

But Eve still conceded to his request and grabbed the bottle, twisted the cork free with a sharp pop. She poured the dark red liquid into the glass in front of him, the sound of the liquid filling the silence between them.

She placed the bottle down and turned toward the door. "Happy now?"

Alex’s hand shot out, his fingers curling around her wrist before she could walk away.

Eve immediately tensed. "What are you doing?"

Alex’s gaze darkened. "You didn’t finish."

"I poured the wine."

"You didn’t hand it to me."

Eve’s eyes flashed with irritation and defiance. The nerve of this man! He was too infuriating.

"You can reach for it yourself."

Alex’s grip tightened just enough to make her breath quicken. His other hand reached for the glass, lifting it to his lips as his eyes remained fixed on hers. He took a slow sip, then set the glass down.

"Sit."

Eve’s eyes narrowed. "No."

Alex’s thumb brushed the inside of her wrist. "You’re trembling."

"I’m not—"

Her knee jerked upward toward his shin, but Alex anticipated it. His hand shot out, catching her leg just before impact. He stood, his height casting a shadow over her as he pinned her gaze with his own.

"You're tempting me," Alex murmured. His hand slid up her arm, his thumb brushing the pulse at her throat.

Eve’s breath shuddered. "Let me go."

Alex’s eyes darkened as his hand trailed down the curve of her jaw. "Not yet."

"You—"

Before she could finish, his mouth captured hers.

Eve’s eyes widened in shock as his lips pressed against hers—rough and demanding. Her hands shoved at his chest, but the heat of his body beneath her palms made her head spin.

His mouth claimed hers with a dominance that made her pulse roar in her ears. His hand slid behind her neck, holding her in place as his tongue teased the seam of her lips.

A treacherous heat spread through her veins. Her body betrayed her even as her mind screamed at her to stop.

She wrenched free with a sharp gasp, shoving him hard enough to put space between them.

"Let me go!" Her voice shook.

Alex’s dark gaze remained fixed on her flushed face, his lips still slightly parted.

What the hell is wrong with him?

"You have quite a temper," he murmured.

"You’re a psychopath!"

Alex’s smile deepened. "And yet you’re still standing here."

Eve’s glare sharpened. She raised her hand and slapped him across the face.

The sharp sound echoed in the room.

Alex’s head tilted slightly from the impact, but his gaze never wavered. A faint red mark bloomed across his cheek, yet his expression remained eerily calm.

He should have been angry. But he wasn’t.

Slowly, his lips curled into a dark smile.