Tangled between the Two Billionaires

The Dead Rabbit was louder than I remembered. Laughter bounced off the brick walls, music pulsed under the conversations, and the scent of citrus and whiskey clung to the air like a memory I didn't want. I shouldn't have come. But Sophia had insisted, and when my sister insisted on something, she rarely asked twice. Especially not on our birthday. Sophia waved from across the room, already halfway through a whiskey sour, her expression gleeful and mischievous in equal measure. "You're late," she called out as I approached, sliding into the booth beside her. "I wasn't planning on coming," I admitted, taking the drink she shoved into my hand without question. "I know, which is exactly why I made the reservation." "Darn it, could I be more predictable?" I forced a smile tipping the glass to my lips, as the drink burned on the way down, and I welcomed it. She rolled her eyes playfully, "You really need to cut yourself some slack. You do know it's not illegal to have a life that doesn't revolve entirely around work, right? You never do anything for your birthday." "Correction," I said, taking a sip, "I never do anything for our birthday. You, on the other hand, make it a three-day festival." "Someone has to balance out your moody silence with glitter and tequila." "Seems like a full-time job," I responded chuckling slightly. In as much as Soph and I were twins, the only thing remotely identical about us was our names: Olivia and Sophia. Our mum, when she found out she was having twin girls, got obsessed with the idea of identical babies, even dressing us both in matching outfits. Despite her efforts, our differences stuck out like a stain on a white shirt. She held up her glass towards me, a bright smile on her face. "Happy birthday to us," I grinned in response, clinking my glass against hers. We drank, laughed about things that weren't really funny and ended up on the dance floor surrounded by strangers and music too loud to think straight. To think that I'd walked in feeling like the weight of the world was literally on my shoulders and now I was caught in Sophia's infectious energy. I turned my head slightly and that's when I saw...HIM. Tall. Still. Dark hair. Everyone else in his group were distracted, drinking, girl's dancing on their laps, laughing loudly, but he didn't seem interested in any of them. He was staring, directly at me. And didn't look away. My breath seized for a split second. The music and lights blurred around us as if we were in our own world. I should've looked away. But, I didn't, I couldn't and the longer we held each other's gaze, the heavier it became. "Earth to Liv!" Sophia's voice called, nudging my shoulder. "Sorry," I said, flustered as I snapped out of the intense moment. "I—uh—need a refill." I slipped through the crowd toward the bar, my heart racing in my chest. The warmth of his gaze still lingered on my skin. "Well, well. We've got ourselves an August visitor," Jake the bartender beamed as I exhaled slowly, settling onto one of the empty stools. "How have you been?" he asked. "Great, for the most part," I responded, "How about you? How's business?" "Can't complain. For the most part," he echoed. We both laughed. "How's Em, by the way? Haven't heard from her in a while." "She's gre— I mean, we don't see each other that much. She's busy, I'm busy—" "You know you don't have to lie to me," he said gently. "I know she's moved on. Probably having the time of her life. She told me she wasn't looking for a relationship anyway. I guess I just thought I could change her mind." I sighed. "Look, Jake... I'm sorry. But it's not really my place to talk about her reasons or what happened." "I get it. Sorry for putting you in a weird spot." "Nah, it's fine." I'd gotten used to it by now. Jake definitely wasn't the first guy who'd come to me about Emilia cutting ties after a few casual hook-ups. And while I understood her reasons for steering clear of commitment, I still couldn't figure out why she'd ghosted him, of all people. I mean, considering some of the walking red flags she'd dated, Jake seemed like a surprisingly decent option. He was tall, solidly built from years behind the bar, with scruffy auburn hair and a kind of easy, lived-in charm. Not exactly a heartthrob, but definitely not hard on the eyes either. Frankly, if Em had a "type," Jake checked more than a few boxes. My best friend? A cold-hearted assassin in heels. "Two martinis, please," a voice came, from beside me. I caught his scent first, a musky, woodsy cologne. He slid onto the stool next to me. "You look like you could use a few extra drinks," he said, passing one of the martinis over to me. Yupp, there was definitely an accent, I noted mentally. "Don't mind if I do." He smiled, extending a hand. "I'm Ethan." "Olivia." As we shook hands, I took him in more fully. His dark hair slightly tousled, like he'd run his fingers through it one too many times. A faint shadow of a beard traced his jawline, giving his clean-cut features just the right amount of rough. But, it was his eyes, hazel and unreadable, that held me. The kind of eyes that made you feel seen even if you didn't want to be. "You know," he said," I could strike a few poses if you want a photo as I happen to work as a model, part time." I laughed, "Well, I'll keep that in mind. But, I have to warn you, I tend to keep trophies of men who pose for me. So, don't be surprised if you wake up framed on my wall next to a taxidermied raccoon." He laughed in response, "That's a first. Pretty and witty. A dangerous combo." "You're not too bad on the eyes yourself." "Touche". He raised a brow. "So, what brings you here?" "Celebrating my birthday. Well our birthday," I responded, motioning towards Sophia who was now wandering off with a guy. "Oh I see. Twins, even more fascinating." "Is that some sort of fetish marked off on your list," I teased, taking a sip from my glass. His eyes darkened, a small smirk playing on his lips," There's more than one fetish you'd be ticking off my list." I swallowed hard, almost holding my breath as I felt heat crawl up my neck. "Bartender, your strongest drink," I called, placing my empty glass down. "One for me and one for the noble gent here." "Trying to get me drunk?" "Don't worry. I have no plans to rob you and leave you chained to a radiator in a stolen van," I said with a wink. He laughed, clearly impressed. "You say that like you've done it before." I smirked. "I don't kiss and tell." We clinked glasses, eyes locked. And just like that, the drinking spree began. *** An hour of laughter, lingering touches, and too many drinks led us to the dance floor. The music pulsed through our bodies, and somehow, we were perfectly in sync as his hands found my waist, firm and possessive, guiding me as our hips rolled together in slow, teasing rhythm. I let myself melt into him, head tipping back slightly as I caught the way he looked at me, like he wanted to devour me and was somehow savoring the wait. His breath was warm against my cheek, his lips brushing just close enough to make me ache for the next touch. He spun me once more, then pulled me against him. We stood chest to chest, his heartbeat pounding in sync with mine. The bass of the music faded into the background, all I could hear was the rush in my ears and the heavy rhythm of our breaths. His fingers slipped up the small of my back, and when his hand gently curled behind my neck, I swore my knees almost gave out. He leaned in, eyes locked on mine hungry and unblinking, I couldn't think or speak. His hand touched my jaw, as he titled my face gently, his lips hovering just above mine. Our lips met as his mouth crashed unto mine. It was soft at first, gentle and then it deepened as he took charge. He let out a soft groan, pulling me harder against him. He wanted more, I wanted more. Holy s**t, Liv! What are you doing? The faint voice of reason echoed in my head, snapping me back to reality. My eyes snapped opened, breaking away from the kiss. "I- I-" I stammered, still feeling intoxicated from the taste of his lips. He looked confused but not offended, as he tried to reach for my hand. "Are you okay?" "Yes.... uhmmm, I should probably get back to my sister. I'm sorry" I managed to say, my breath shallow and heart racing. Before he could respond, I turned around disappearing into the crowd. As soon as I came out from the crowd, I spotted Sophia standing by the bar, as if she had been waiting for me. "What's that look on your face? Are you okay?" she asked when I rejoined her. "Yeah, I'm- I'm just a little flustered from the dancing and drinking." She eyed me suspiciously, her eyes watchful like a hawk's. "Seriously, it was nothing." She raised both hands in surrender. "Okay. I won't push. For now. Ready to call it a night?" I could still feel my heart hammering in my chest, remembering the look of disappointment on Ethan's face, and I couldn't decide whether I regretted the kiss or the fact that I'd pulled away. "Yes yes, please". *** By the time we left, the night had turned cold and damp. We hugged on the curb, promising to call each other the next day, even though we both knew we wouldn't. Not right away, at least. At home, I peeled off my clothes and climbed into bed, my face still warm from the booze and brain still buzzing. I was just drifting off when my phone vibrated on the nightstand. Unknown Number. I hesitated, then picked up. "Hello?" There was a pause. Then a voice I hadn't heard in years. One that still lived somewhere buried in the corners of my memory. "Olivia?" I sprang up, my blood running cold. It was Adam, my first love.