#Chapter 2 The man at the bar

Tessa’s POV

This man was insanely attractive, and he had to have been in his mid-twenties. He was tall and had a broad figure. My heart was pounding heavily in my chest, and I forgot where I was for a moment.

He was staring at me with such a ravenous look in his eyes and it felt like I was on his menu.

“Tessa, come on!” Ruby urged, pulling me along with her. “Only a little further.”

Ruby obviously didn’t notice this man, but I reluctantly turned away and went with her into the bar.

His eyes were otherworldly; I couldn’t get them out of my head long after seeing him. Not to mention how he looked at me made my heart skip a beat.

It was as if he was looking at more than just my face.

He was staring into my mind, heart, and soul.

“Surprise!” Tessa said, motioning around as soon as we stepped into the bar.

I frowned as I looked around; this wasn’t just a normal bar. I saw incredibly hot men walking around with their shirts off, serving tables.

There were other men dancing on a stage and flirting with women.

“You took me to a callboy bar?” I asked.

“You need to loosen up and have a good time. Forget about that loser Brian. There are so many better guys out there for you.”

“I don’t think I’m going to find him at a bar like this,” I said, shaking my head at her.

She laughed and grabbed my arm, pulling me toward the bar stools where we sat down.

“Two tequila shots please,” she asked the bartender. “And a water for me.”

“I don’t want to take any shots,” I said to her.

“We came to a bar; you must drink. I’m going to make sure you forget about Brian. At least for tonight.”

“I’d rather not get drunk,” I said sheepishly.

“I’ll be the responsible one and drink water tonight. I got both those shots for you,” she explained.

The bartender put the shots in front of us along with Ruby’s water.

She smiled and motioned for me to take a shot.

“Humor me.”

I knew she was right; I needed to loosen up and have a few drinks. I didn’t often drink because Brian didn’t like how I looked drunk.

I took a shot and winced as it stung my throat.

Ruby laughed.

“Atta girl,” she said, nudging me with her shoulder.

The last time I had a drink was when I was with my father on the farm. We would often drink together during our evening chores.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do…” I said, staring down at my hands. “I can’t go home, and all of my things are there.”

“Don’t even worry about that, Tessa. You know you can live with me. I’ll swing by your place in the morning and get your stuff. You don’t have to worry about a thing.”

I was thankful to have her at that moment.

My heart ached so much at the thought of Brian’s betrayal. It was obvious now that it was never me that he wanted.

I had done everything for him.

I went to the brunches with his friends, I wore the clothing he liked, and I ate the foods he suggested. I worked out daily so I would be fit enough for him. I even took the classes he wanted me to take.

I completely changed myself for him and it was for nothing.

But now I realize he was just trying to turn me into her.

“You keep drinking, I’m going to get you a guy,” Ruby said as I took the second shot.

“Ruby, no…I—”

It was too late; she was already gone.

I sighed just as the bartender placed a couple more shots in front of me. She must have ordered them before she left.

My head was already whirling from the other two, but I took another shot anyways.

Soon, a platinum credit card was placed on the bar countertop, causing me to freeze. My eyes trailed up until they met the same eyes I couldn’t get out of my head.

It was the man from outside.

Ruby must have noticed our encounter after all and found him somewhere in the bar.

He worked here as a callboy.

“Put her drinks on that card,” he said to the bartender in a firm tone like he was the one in charge.

He kept his eyes locked on mine, even when he spoke to the bartender. It was as if I was hooked in a trance.

“You didn’t have to do that,” I found myself saying.

“Gave me an excuse to talk to you.”

His voice was much deeper than I imagined.

“You wanted to talk to me?” I asked, my heart racing in my chest.

Before he could answer, the bartender returned with his card and receipt.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a $50 bill, slapping it on the counter as a tip to the bartender.

I took the last shot of tequila and slid off the barstool.

“Let’s just get out of here,” I said to him, trying not to fall over.

“Where would you like to go?”

“The hotel,” I said to him, furrowing my brows together.

He must have been new to this callboy stuff.

“And why would you want to go to a hotel?” His tone was low and incredibly sexy; it sent a warmth throughout my body.

“To obviously have sex.”

What was wrong with him?

His eyes had darkened and maybe my eyes were deceiving me, but they almost looked red. He stood back and scanned my body for only a moment before that ravenous look returned to his eyes.

“If that’s what you wish,” he said as he offered me his hand.

Taking his hand, I went with him outside, not seeing Ruby in sight. I made a mental note to send her a text later.

Parked nearby was a black Bentley that he walked towards. I paused once he reached the car and opened the passenger side.

After a pause, I finally slid into the passenger side of the car, and we had to drive for about 20 minutes until we reached an incredibly expensive-looking Villa.

“This isn’t a hotel,” I pointed out. “It looks more like a resort.”

He smirked and got out of the car.

“Hotels are disgusting, and I’d prefer to have sex at my home,” he said as he went toward the main entrance.

“You live here?” I gasped, scrambling out of the car.

He didn’t bother responding.

Once we got inside, I was amazed by how huge and gorgeous the Villa was.

“Do you have a restroom I can use?” I asked. “I’d like to wash up beforehand.”

He motioned down the hallway.

“Down that hall to the right,” he said as he took my coat.

I nodded my thanks to him and made my way to the bathroom. I just needed a minute to gather my thoughts. I was still incredibly dizzy from the alcohol and his looks were so intimidating.

It’s been a while since I’ve been with anyone other than Brian and I didn’t want to make a fool out of myself.

I didn’t realize callboys made so much money that they could afford luxurious houses and cars like that.

I should probably text Ruby and let her know that I made it here safely and expect me back at her place late. But just as I pulled my phone out of my pocket, the bathroom door swung open, and he was leaning against the frame.

Swinging around to face him, I swallowed a lump that had formed in my throat. He gave me a devilishly sexy grin and I couldn’t help but want him even more in that moment.

“I can smell you from outside the door,” he breathed hungrily.

I had no idea what that meant, but it definitely turned me on.

He rushed toward me, wrapping his arms around my waist, he lifted me onto the sink, kissing me so deeply that he took my breath away.

The sink turned on and I felt the water soaking into the back of my blouse and dripping onto the counter.

I wrapped my legs around him and pressed myself further into him, allowing his kiss to deepen and his tongue to explore my mouth.

He finally pulled away from me and I saw that his eyes had turned red. I wasn’t afraid though; in fact, I was mesmerized by him.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” He asked in a husky whisper. “We’ve only just met.”

I looked him over for a moment longer.

I wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol that gave me this boost of confidence, or because he made me incredibly hot for him, but I answered his question by taking off my shirt and throwing it to the ground.

His eyes grew even redder; it was surreal, but he began to kiss my neck without hesitation, sending goosebumps across my body.

I felt a little stinging at first, but then, on top of the alcohol, there was a new layer of beautiful dizziness.