Chapter 3. Blaze

Her soft lips enchanted me and I whined when she pulled away. I got lost in her hazel eyes, which glowed under the dimly lit room. I drank her beauty. Her silk silver gown clung to her skin, enhancing her wide hips and the slit on her chest exposed her perky breasts. Damn. Fuck the blonde reporter. I'm having this sexy queen. 

She wiped her lips, smearing lipgloss all over her mouth. "Gosh. That was not supposed to happen."

I was taken aback. Women never refused me. They fell for my charms and fell hard. But her rejection turned me on the more. I loved when ladies played hard to get. The chase made me nuts. "Are you calling me a bad, kisser?" I asked.

Her cheeks turned pink as she averted her head. The bartender returned with her order. She took a swig, rumpled her face and let out a sharp breath. "So? Do you like it or what?"

"You don't get it, do you?" Her gaze met mine. It was innocent and pure. She took two more shots. I couldn't tell if she was trying to wash away our kiss but I was hooked. "The kiss doesn't matter. It's my job that I care about," she slurred. The alcohol was taking effect on her already.

"So, you came here to work." I felt a wave of calmness in my veins. I was getting drunk as well. Staring at her made me take more drinks.

She burped. "No silly. I came to celebrate a new job that I've been expecting for a while now." She giggled and took another shot. "Woah, this is bloody good."

I fixed my eyes on her lips, desiring to smash into them again. Without another thought, I claimed her lips, savoring the taste of cinnamon in her drink. A moan rumbled from her throat and I had a painful hard-on. Slowly she withdrew and locked her gaze on mine. A smile expanded her cheeks, revealing her white pearls. Then she gagged and muffled a laugh on her palm. I groaned. She was wasted and I didn't want to take advantage of that. I wanted her to be conscious when I did things to her, I needed her to look at me and tell me how good I made her feel. 

"What's your name?" I inquired. She stepped down from her stool. Her eyes wide, a mix of shock and disappointment etched on her face. 

"Shit, we did it again?" 

I chuckled. "What's wrong with that?" She turned to leave but I grabbed her. "Where are you going? Stay? I won't kiss you again, I promise. Since you hate me so much."

Our glance at each other lingered a while until she peeled my hands off her arm. "This never happened. It was a mistake. I'm sorry." Her face drooped as she staggered again, clenching her purse to her chest.

Confusion sprouted in my mind.What did I do? The loud music which I zoned out, returned with high intensity. I felt like I would go deaf if I stayed longer. Scouring the club, I searched for her. The silk dress and brunette but she was no where to be seen. I sighed. Usually, I'm never hooked to a woman. I'm in for the fun, no emotions attached. Yet, this strange woman. This random stranger had captivated me with a single kiss. Or two kisses? 

I took out my phone and five messages popped on my screen. It was from the blonde girl. She couldn't make it because she had a cold. Screw her anyway. I didn't want her anymore. I needed the sexy brunette.

The club was boring, so, I left, without a woman to accompany me. Tonight, I only craved one woman. My driver pulled up in my white Rolls Royce and notified me. "No special company tonight, sir," my driver struck a conversation.

I gaped at him through the center mirror. "Andrew. What did I say about talking to me when you're not spoken to?" I snapped.

"I'm sorry sir. You actually said when you're speaking to someone—"

"Why ask questions when you can't help?" 

He didn't respond. 

"Do you have a woman for me? Huh?" I peered out the window to the busy night of Illinois. Street lights glinted and a hushed crowd went by. 

"I—don't have a woman sir."

"So? Why are you bugging me?" I prompted

He gulped. A part of me felt bad for being harsh on him tonight. Usually, I am nice to my workers, they feel comfortable around me but the rejection from this lady did things to me. I was mad. My mind became a blur. 

It was my childhood all over again, when I was a nobody and people including my own father rejected me. 

I needed her. To teach her who I was and make her eat her words. Different fast cars sped past and something caught my eye in a dark alley with a flickering street light. "Stop the car," I ordered.

My driver stepped on the brake and we jerked. "Reverse. Do it now." Our tyres screeched when he reversed with speed. I glimpsed at her again and a wide grin broke out on my lips. There she was again. My mystery girl. 

Right behind her, were five guys trying to sneak up on her. I balled my hand into a fist and gritted my teeth. Opening the door, I dashed out toward her. 

"Hi sexy, anything for the boys," they said, snickering.

I watched her chest heave up and down. "Please, don't hurt me," she pleaded but they crept closer.

"What do you take us for? Animals?" They laughed again. The lady tripped and fell on her ass. My heart tightened when I heard her groan.

"Why don't you pick up someone your own size?" I chimed.

Their attention darted to me. "And if its not batman? No mask, tonight?" They asked. Then one of them whispered. "Isn't that Blaze? Blaze Nightingale?" 

"Oh good. You do know who I am. Now, scurry on out of here and let my woman be." 

"How much can you pay to have her?" A lean one with a bandana on his head, spoke. I assumed he was their leader.

"A couple fists will be enough," I answered. My mischievous smirk on full display. It's funny people think because I am rich, I would be weak and easy to intimidate. 

They guffawed. "We don't want to hurt you. Sir?" He said using air quotes. I skittered my eyes to the lady, she shook her head, probably afraid I would get hurt from trying to save her. 

I lunged forward and threw a punch at their leader. He tottered back. Wiping his lips, he gasped at the sight of blood. "Want some more of this." I jumped at him when a shot blasted around me. 

"Blaze," the lady screamed. The guys scattered in different directions and I fell. A sharp pain erupted from my side. At impulse I placed a hand on my stomach and registered a sleek liquid. I was shot.