Chapter three: The offer

I needed to act uninterested, that was the beginner's lesson in lady 101.

So, I scoffed barely sparing him a glance as I swirled the ice in my glass. “And you look like you have a habit of handing them out.”

A slow smirk curled at the corner of his lips. “Guilty. But I only offer them to women who catch my attention.”

I finally turned my full attention to him, arching a brow. “And I caught your attention?”

“From the moment I walked in,” he admitted shamelessly, letting his gaze linger, on my lips, on the bare skin of my shoulder, before flicking back to my eyes.

He looked like he wanted to fuck him dirty, and with my state of mind, I would let him do whatever he wants to me.

“Now tell me, what’s a woman like you doing alone on a night like this?”

I exhaled sharply, debating whether I wanted to entertain this conversation.

But then fuck it! What was the chance that a hot as fuck man would be interested in little old me, and it was easy to talk to him

“It’s my birthday.” I said in a matter of fact eat

His brows lifted slightly and I noticed the pity in his whole expression “And you’re spending it alone?”

I let out a bitter sad laugh. “Well, I was supposed to spend it with my boyfriend. Until I walked in on him screwing my best girlfriend.”

His expression darkened “Your best friend?”

“Best girlfriend,” I corrected, downing the last of my drink. “So, yeah, happy birthday to me.”

He studied me for a long moment, and then, without breaking eye contact, he reached for my hand.And then his soft warm lips brushed over my knuckles.

The gesture was simple but it was enough to send shivers rolled through me.

“I'm Ethan.” He simply said, no surname no middle name nothing, just Ethan it gave me a boy next door vibes making me feel comfortable.

“Sophia.” Was my simple reply.

“Sophia,” he murmured, tasting my name. “If I had you, I would never be stupid enough to want anyone else.”

Heat coiled low in my stomach, as my face blushed red.

I should have laughed it off. Should have ignored the way my skin burned under his touch. But the alcohol, the pain, and the undeniable pull between us made it impossible.

So I let him stay.

And just like that, we talked. And Ethan was something else, funny, charming, he managed to ease the pain.

He lifted his glass, taking a slow sip, his piercing gaze never leaving mine. Then, with a smirk playing on his lips, he tilted his head slightly.

“So, how many more drinks will it take before you let me take you home?”

I let out a sharp laugh, shaking my head. “I don’t need any more drinks for that.”

I didn't even know why I said that, but I didn't regret it

His smirk deepened. “Good to know.”

His words felt like a challenge, what if he asked him to go home with him? It wasn’t a question. It wasn’t even a decision, I just knew I didn’t want the night to end.

I should have been offended, maybe even rolled my eyes and walked away. But instead, I found myself gripping my glass a little tighter, my pulse quickening, I wondered if he noticed.

His fingers traced the rim of his glass as he leaned in, lowering his voice just enough to send a shiver down my spine. “Then let me help you forget your douchebag boyfriend.”

Forget.

It was tempting. Too tempting.

I could let this man, this ridiculously confident stranger, that I'm obviously attracted to distract me for a night.

Just one night where I wasn’t the girl who got betrayed, who felt small and replaceable.

I stared at him, my heart pounding, the club fading into background noise.

Then, slowly, I exhaled.

“Okay.”

His smirk turned wicked.

I was going to get fucked by this handsome stranger.

“Lead the way Ethan