Chapter 03

“Ash gave you his number?!” Skye almost screamed as we threaded on the road leading to New Falls gate.

“Yeah,” I nodded like a child and her eyes further widened.

“Are you kidding me right now?!”

“I’m not lying!”

“I know! It’s just crazy. I mean do you even know who that guy is?!”

“Oh please,” I rolled my eyes. “Isn’t he like the famous number one guy of New Falls blah blah blah,”

“You idiot! His fame is beyond that. Ash Luxton is like one of the underground kings of New Orleans. It’s hard to come in contact with that guy let alone give you his number!”

“I guess I’m lucky,” I smiled, recalling those amber eyes of his.

“Lucky? That guy is bad news, Autumn.”

I sported a quizzical look.

“He’s into gang shit and stuff, I know I love bad boys but Ash, Nah that’s where I cross the line. You get entangled in his life and you could literally be buying yourself an exclusive ticket to heaven. Besides, he has a girlfriend, Ariel,”

I gasped, that wannabe queen of New Falls was his? Why did it hurt so much learning this fact?!

“Yup, so unless you want to incite trouble into your life, call him.” She added and I gulped down my saliva hoping the regrets I felt would diminish too. I could remember his honey scent, those lips that I badly craved for. Skye was right, it’s crazy! How could I be tripping for one of the dangerous men in the city? And what was even more annoying was that I couldn’t stop thinking about him!

“Autumn,” Skye’s voice jolted me from my world of thoughts. “You’ll find another guy okay? Ash is just not the one for you.”

She was wrong! It’s been three days now, Skye had gone to her parents' home for the weekend and I was left alone in the apartment thinking about the one who’s not meant for me. Hopefully with my part time work at Claire’s restaurant, my Friday could be much better. And once again, I was wrong. Dressed in my white shirt and black skirt that fitted tightly to my body as a waiter, all I did was attend to rich boring customers. Yeah, from the gold adornments in the restaurant anyone could easily phantom this was a place meant for the higher class. I had told my dad I wanted a part time job just to experience what it felt like working but so far so good, it’s been boring. Maybe I should consider resigning and work at a bar just like Skye. She says it’s a lot more fun there.

“Autumn, could you please attend to the customer at table six? I need to use the restroom quickly.” One of my colleagues said and I nodded. I carried my notepad, staring at the empty paper till I arrived at the table.

“Welcome to Claire’s restaurant, how may I—“

“Green eyes,” my breaths left me in a swift manner as those amber eyes locked on me. There he was, dressed in a fitting black shirt with four of its buttons left unchecked so it revealed that tattoo and a necklace with a silver claw. Silver was our weakness but thanks to my enchanted gold chain, my wolf nature was basically canceled out. Yet I didn’t care much about that. My heart was a racing mess and my thoughts were a train wreck unable to find my tongue.

“You work here,” he smiled.

Focus, Autumn! I mentally slapped myself just to maintain composure.

“Yes I do, how may I take your orders Sir?” I cleared my throat and his smile deepened.

“Rico, some space please.” He told his friend seated beside him who simply nodded before taking another table.

“Sit.” He pointed to the chair opposite his.

“I’m on duty blonde guy,”

“Blonde guy?” He laughed. “I’m pretty sure you’ve heard my name around.”

“I think I like it better when he tells me himself,”

“Ash Luxton.” He muttered. “Now Sit,” he ordered in that fine tone that made my skin shudder in excitement but of course I couldn’t show it. I had to play tough.

“Like I said—“

“I know Claire, she won’t mind.” He cut me off.

“I can’t, I’m on duty like I said.“

“Rico, send everyone out. Green eyes and I need our space.” He ordered icily, I frowned while Rico sharply announced to everyone present. They didn’t even argue regardless of their class, they simply went outside. Skye was right! This guy is the king here! I should be terrified but it gave me goosebumps instead.

“Sit.” Everything about his countenance screamed I shouldn’t dare disobey but I wasn’t going to be intimidated by a mere human!

“I don’t take orders from you.” I retorted and he approached me that we were only inches apart, his height easily towered over me and I felt those exciting sparks course through me again but not this time. I won’t succumb to these annoying feelings.

“Feisty huh,” he took the notepad in my hands and tossed it to the table. I was about to take the pad but he held my wrist and I was struck breathless once again, our eyes bonded for what felt like eternity.

“Let go,” It took all I had to say those words that came out softly. Maybe it was just my delusion but it felt like his touch unlocked a certain part in me. A part I never thought existed.

“You never called,” he slowly let go of my wrist but his eyes were gleaming so much like I was a meal to be ravished.

“I don’t call strangers.” I whispered enough for him to hear, he hummed with a smirk.

“Mama’s girl, I mean no harm.”

My eyes fell to his lips, I so badly wanted to touch them and I felt I could lose control of myself if I didn’t stop.

“Everything about you screams harm. I mean those eyes of yours can be dangerously enchanting.”

“Maybe these features were created just for you.” He held my chin dearly and surprisingly, I didn’t resist.

“Isn’t that what you tell the other girls?”

“I don’t even put in as much effort as I’m doing with you. You’re quite different, Green eyes.”

“Or you could just say you want to get in between my legs,” I slowly took his hand off me.

“I won’t deny that but there’s something else about you I can’t pinpoint, it keeps drawing me,” his breaths graced my cheeks as he stared deep into my eyes as if he was looking for something.

“These lines won’t work on me Ash,”

He curled his arm around my waist, closing the gap between us finally. His sturdy chest rubbed against mine and I could feel that tidal rush of adrenaline pumping all over.

“Yet you won’t resist,” he remarked with an obvious smile but I was too breathless to say anything, his lips were so close that if I wasn’t careful, I could be tempted to taste them. He was a mere human for goodness sake yet he dominated this much! And the crazy part was that I thoroughly enjoyed every bit.

“I want you, Autumn Ivanka. Every part of my body just keeps telling me that you belong to me alone.”

My skin shuddered, the feeling was deeply mutual.

“Such a shame I feel quite the opposite.” I whispered. He pulled away from me with his proud smile still intact.

“Your eyes aren’t doing a good job supporting your lie. I’m coming to pick you up by six pm.” He quoted as he handed me my notepad.

“I never said I agreed to go out with you,”

“Then leave work early if it’s a no,” he winked. “See you tonight,” he chuckled before leaving and I just stood there with realization finally dawning on me.

I had just agreed to a date with Ash Luxton!