15. Encounter pt 2

"Hey, why don't you let go of this lady right here," Zack cut straight to the chase. "It doesn't look like she wants to be in your company right now. Right?" Zack looked at Rose, waiting for her to say something, but she just looked at him weirdly.

"Huh," Jacob snorted. "And who are you?" he said voicing out his hostility, his face no longer expressing kindness. "I believe this is none of your business. So why don't you mind your business and just let us be? The lady and I are just having a date."

Zack looked at Jacob who didn't seem ready to let go, then at Rose who now had a smirk on her face, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Just watching the show that was no longer about her and waiting to see how it will unfold.

'You chose to interfere. Let's see how you go through with it'. Her eyes spoke.

"Come on man, let's not do this," Zack placed his hand on the man's shoulder before leaning right next to his ear and whispering. "I saw when and what you slipped into that drink. If I'm lying you can prove me wrong by drinking it," Zack said, making the man's body go rigid. "Now unless you want me to make it known to everyone here and have this drink tested. You look like someone who came from a high place, so your reputation must matter a lot, right?" Zack leaned back and looked the man in the eye, speaking clearly and loud enough for the man to hear this time. "So why don't you let go of her? Respectfully."

"And who are you?" Jacob clenched his fist, as if ready to fight. "The guts of you to come here like this."

"I am someone you don't want to mess with.not today or ever," Zack replied sternly.

Jacob gritted his teeth, angry at Zack and ready to throw fists, but then, he weighed his options and decided that things wouldn't do him good in the long run.

Letting go of Rose's arm, Jacob grabbed the drink that he had originally meant for her to drink and left hurriedly.

Zack sighed in relief when he could no longer see the man's back, before his gaze turned back to Rose who was still watching him.

"You don't expect me to thank you now, do you? I don't really like being a damsel in distress and stuff," Rose said looking Zack with an amused expression.

"I just saved you from getting charged on assault," Zack raised his eyebrow towards the metal she was holding. "So I believe my thanks are still in order."

"Hmph," Rose snorted. "You didn't come here for just that, did you?"

Zack looked at Rose and her fixed gaze told him she definitely didn't appreciate him interfering with her prey.

"What could I possibly want from you?" Zack queried.

"Don't you want to hang out? I could use some company and it looks like you are alone at the moment." Rose asked in a soft voice, and her eyes were no longer conveying mischief. Just pure desire to hang out. Zack felt himself shiver as no one had ever asked to hang out with him while making it sound and look like they were doing him a favor.

Zack contemplated for only a few seconds. Should he stay in this bar, bored and alone, go back to his room just to get consumed by awful memories or hang out with this beautiful woman?

What will be so bad about it anyway?

At most, it would end up being a fling. Zack thought innocently before letting out a smile.

"I don't mind lending you some of my time," he answered.

"And I promise every second will be worth it!" Rose said excitedly, grabbing his hand. "Let's go!"

*

Zack could not remember the last time he had fun like that. Wether it was with someone or by himself.

Even though she was a stranger he didn't bother to know the name of, Zack found himself being lost in time and surroundings as he spent each second with Rose.

First she took him to the nearest club, going straight for the dance floor.

Amidst the other dancing bodies and flashing lights, and as Rose started moving her body to the rhythm of the music, Zack found himself unable to keep up. It was not just because he hasn't danced in a long while that his moves felt stiff, but also because he just wanted to sit their and watch his partner dance.

"You are so funny!" Rose laughed over the loud music. "When was the last time you danced?"

"I don't know? I was too busy trying to survive?" Zack shrugged while moving his legs and shoulders awkwardly.

"Come on, we need something to loosen you up. And I have just the perfect idea."

Grabbing his arm, Zack once again saw himself being pulled from one place to another, and he didn't mind as he let, and they stopped in front of the bar with Rose ordering them some drinks.

After five glasses each, Rose decided it was time to go back to the dance floor.

"Remember, dancing is just letting loose. There are no rules to it. You just let your body decide how best to move with the beats!" Rose told him as she started to dance, her moves seeming a bit tips but confident at the same time.

And true to her words, this time, as Zack let himself be carried away by the beats, he found every inch of his body cooperating and soon enough, he had let go of all worries that tied him down.

The two must have danced for minutes, or even an hour as they danced until they no longer could. Out of breath, they found themselves sitting back at the bar gulping down more drinks.

"You are really handsome," Rose said tipsily, but managed to make Zack's cheeks flush.

"Oh my god! Did you just blush!" Rose laughed, pointing to his face. "You look so innocent right now. But it makes me want to have you more," Rose said the last part looking at him with a warm gaze.

Zack gaped as he found himself feeling something weird and sweet in his stomach.

"How could you be so straightforward with your feelings?" Zack shook his head in amusement.

"Then, how could I not?" Rose smiled. "It's not everyday I get to meet someone like yourself."

"Someone like me?"

"Yup," Rose popped the 'p' "I could totally take you to my room right now and..."

Before Rose could complete her sentence, Zack quickly pressed his palm against her mouth preventing her from finishing.

He looked around them embarrassed, but found that no one was paying attention to them, which made him sigh in relief.

But as soon as he looked back at Rose and their eyes met, Zack didn't have enough time to interpret the meaning behind her sparkling eyes, full of mischief. That was until she licked his palm and Zack found himself retracting his hand on instinct, making Rose laugh.

"Hey, I was just joking," Rose stated.

Zack surprised himself when he found himself getting disappointed and it was obvious to Rose.

"I was joking. I don't want to take you to my bed just yet," Rose scooted closer to him, and Zack's eyes followed every movement.

"Aren't you drunk?" Zack asked as Rose started to lean in and he found himself instinctively drawn towards her. "Would you not regret this?"

"You talk too much," Rose placed her forefinger on his lips. Slowly, her gaze moved from his eyes down to his lips as she traced his bottom lip with her thumb. "We are old enough to take responsibility for our actions. Don't you think?"

At that moment Zack could neither hear the loud music or be bothered about the people around them. All he could see was Rose, and he knew what he wanted to do.

Removing her hand from his face, Zack closed the inches between them by placing his lips against hers. Sparks flew as they started moving their lips sensually against each other. Starting slowly at first before going all in. Wrapping their arms against the other's bodies, closing whatever little distance left between them and giving more access to each other's mouth, pulling away only for a split second to catch their breaths before going in all over again.