THE BEAUTIFUL MINDS

CHAPTER 23

"You've been staring at her for too long" whispered Patrick into his ears.

Ronny's cheeks flushed pink in embarrassment. "Was it that obvious?"

Patrick smirked. "Yes"

Ronny turned away as casually as possible but it was futile. The woman had already noticed.

He along with his troop had come to Canada to celebrate the end of the most sought after serial killer, 'the black beast'. The serial killer had a tie up with someone in their country. So without the help of Ronny and his men, getting hold of black beast would have been impossible.

So here he was, in the midst of nearly a thousand people and yet his eyes were attracted to this particular woman who might be in her mid-thirties.

She was fairly tall and lean with short black hair curled only at the edges. She was wearing a knee long wine red gown with long, beautiful drapes. Her velvet brown eyes kept checking out Ronny at its peripherals.

Ronny went to a nearby table and grabbed for himself a glass of beer. Then, he pretended to engage himself in a conversation with Patrick.

"Cheers to black beast!" Said Patrick.

"What?" Asked Ronny, off guard.

"Yes. Without him, meeting all these fine ladies would have been impossible" he replied, swaying his hands.

It was the ideal place for a party. There was a huge pool with crinkling blue water in the centre. And all around it was a widespread lawn. There were several round tables scattered with fine purple linen cloth covering them. Buffet services were offered at a corner. Drinks and alcohol were offered in the tables opposite to it.

Mr. Wilson, the FBI officer in charge over the black beast case swiftly walked forward and took a mic.

"I thank every one of you for accepting our invitation and gracing this occasion" he said looking around and nodding cheerfully when his eyes met Ronny's. He acknowledged it with a broad grin.

"Without your help putting an end to black beast would have been impossible" he said and then pointed to the red dress.

"Special thanks to Ashley Feathers, the forensic analyst and medical examiner. Without her intricate examinations, tracing the black beast would have remained a tough job"

The whole crowd turned to catch a glimpse of the smart woman and she blushed in response.

"What many of us don't know about her is that she is an amazing singer. Today she'll sing a special song for us" said Mr Wilson and held out the mic for her.

Ashley gracefully walked forward and gave a warm hug to Mr. Wilson. Then, she took the mic in her hands.

"Thank you Mr Wilson. That was truly overwhelming. But, honestly, my efforts are nothing when compared to all that Mr Wilson and his men had done. Hats off to them"

She said grinning at them. Then, she stroked a few strands of hair behind her ear and nervously moistened her lips.

"I have written and composed a song called "a beautiful mind". I dedicate this to Mr. Wilson and his men"

Ronny couldn't help but notice how dazzling she looked amidst the neon lights.

"Inside the darkest of places,

Inside the thickest of jungles,

Inside the deepest of oceans,

Inside the walls of hell,

There can be a beautiful mind!

There can be a beautiful mind!"

Her voice was mellifluous, soft, pleasing and yet it enunciated its presence in every corner of the place, probing its blades into every unexpected mind.

Ronny watched her, marvelled.

Ashley caught Ronny's gaze several times as she sang and smiled to herself.

Appreciations poured on her lap after she finished. But her mind had been sticking to Ronny.

As soon as she got some privacy, she sauntered to where Ronny was and pretended to get some drinks.

"Miss. Feathers?"

Ashley turned around to see Ronny's coal black eyes looking at her.

"Yes?"

"Can I give you some honest comments about your voice?"

Ashley blushed. "Yes"

Ronny gazed into her velvet brown eyes. Looking at her like she was the most adorable thing in the world.

"It's horrible"

She glared at him. "Excuse me"

Ronny smirked. "Really. I've heard crows sing better than that"

With that Ronny took his fifth glass of beer and walked away.

Ashley couldn't believe her ears. For several minutes, she stood transfixed, widely staring at the long gone figure of Ronny.

Then, tears began to cloud her eyes. How dare that ass! She swore under her breath and ran to her car before anyone could see her crying.

This was the first time she'd cried after several years. That bloody ass had hurt her pride and he was definitely going to pay.

Just then she saw him sauntering towards a grey Volvo parked at the extreme right corner of the parking lot.

The party was heading towards the climax and the parking lot was nothing but sheer quiet and empty. Of course, except for Ronny and Ashley.

Ashley's rage peaked when she spotted him. She got down from her car and slammed the door hard enough to startle him. Then, angrily walked towards him.

"Who the hell do you think you are mister?" she screamed.

"Sshhh people out there might hear you"

"Oh shut up. You don't tell me what I should do"

"I wouldn't if you had your own etiquettes"

Ashley feigned a laugh. "Etiquettes? Look who is talking about that?"

Ronny smirked.

"Don't you bloody give me that crooked smile"

Ronny's gaze changed from playfulness to passion.

Ashley turned silent. At that moment, there was an irrational, inexplicable connection between them. Something like electric impulses invading into their bodies.

Without further thought Ronny took her cheeks in his palms and kissed her violently.

Ashley didn't respond immediately. But, eventually, she did. She felt like her heart was lit. And suddenly it was burning.

Burning fiercely.

She wrapped her hands around his neck and brought him closer to her. Ronny's hands strolled down to her neck and fondled it.

Then it moved down to her strap. He pulled it up and it broke loose.

They pulled apart.

"I'm sorry" muttered Ronny in short breaths.

Ashley's cheeks flushed pink.

"I'll fix it" he muttered and tied the ends behind her neck. His hands came in contact with her flawless, sensational skin. He glided his hands down her shoulders while his lips kissed her neck.

Ashley cried in joy. She slowly walked him into her car.

And they had a wild night.