ECHOES OF US

CHAPTER 3

“It’s too noisy Holly”,I said as she dragged me through the sweaty crowd into the club.

“That's how it’s supposed to be, baby girl”, she shot back with a grin so wide it nearly split her face in two.

Nathan had already run off to a gay club across town claiming he wanted to find himself a “cute boyfriend” that left Holly and me here in a regular club that throbbed with music and flashing lights.

“I'll sit at the bar” I muttered, already weaving through bodies and sprinting to the counter before Holly could try to rope me into dancing.

The bartender slid my drink across the counter–a glass frosted at the rim, cold against my fingers. I barely had time to take a sip when a man leaned in, way too close, breath sticky with alcohol.

“Hey gorgeous”,he slurred, voice dripping with something I had no interest in.

I didn't look up “not interested”.

“That's fine babe. Let me buy you another drink”.

I pushed my glass slightly away, my tone polite but sharp. “Thanks, but I'm good”.

He chuckled, the sound making my skin crawl. “Aw, don't be shy. You came here for fun, right?”

Before I could answer,the bartender stepped forward –broad shoulders squaring as he planted himself between me and the drunk stranger

“She said no”,he said, voice low but carrying enough weight to slice through the music. Then, with a mocking sweetness, he added, “now why don't you take your cheap cologne and bother someone else before I personally escort you out”

The pervert grumbled something under his breath,but one glare from the bartender sent him stumbling back into the crowd.

I let out a sigh of relief, I didn't know I was holding, gripping my glass tighter.

“You okay?” The bartender asked,his tone softening as he turned back to me

“Yeah… thanks”, I muttered, finally meeting his eyes.

“My pleasure”,he said as he slipped back to his position behind the counter.

I tipped the whole glass back in one gulp, the alcohol burning its way down. With the back of my hand, I wiped the remains off my mouth.

“Ouch”, he clutched his chest dramatically.

“You're supposed to drink it slowly and savor the taste. I poured my heart into that drink”.

“Oh”, I muttered, staring at the empty glass like it had betrayed me

He chuckled. “Let me make you my favorite cocktail”. He reached for bottles with easy confidence, his hand moving like second nature. “Its on the house”. His smile was warm, disarming

As he slid he new drink toward me,he leaned in slightly. “So, what's your name?”.

“Alayna”, I answered, fingers curling around the cool glass.

“Alayna”, he repeated, like he was testing the shape of it in his mouth. “I'm James. I work here most nights”.

I nodded, taking a slow sip this time–following his rules

“So, what do you do, Alayna?”, he asked, wiping the counter, though his eyes didn't leave mine.

“I'm a journalist”, I said

His brow lifted, impressed. “Ah, no wonder you've got that sharp look. Always observing, always taking notes up here”. He tapped his temple.

A laugh slipped from me before I could stop it.

“What bought you clubbing tonight then?, looking for a story?” He teased

“My friends dragged me here”, I replied with a shrug.

“Well, I'm glad they did”, James said, voice dropping smooth as velvet. “Otherwise I wouldn't have gotten to see this beautiful face”

I rolled my eyes,hiding a smile behind my glass. “Stop flattering me”.

“I'm serious”, he said,eyes lingering for a second too long before he turned to serve someone else

Thats when I felt it–eyes on me

Across the club,past the crush of bodies swaying to the bass, a man leaned against the wall like he owned the place. Tall,broad shouldered, dressed in black that clung in the right places. His gaze didn't flicker away when I caught it. Instead,his lips curved into that promised trouble.

I looked away, but my pulse betrayed me, quickening under my skin.

“Careful”, James murmured when he returned, following my line of sight. “That one’s been staring at you for a while”.

I tilted my head, pretending nonchalance.

“Maybe I like being stared at”.

James chuckled, shaking his head before moving down the bar.

It didn't take long before the stranger made his move. He cut through the crowd with ease,stopping right beside me

“Can I buy you a drink?” His voice was low,smooth, threaded with confidence.

I let my eyes linger on him this time,taking in the sharp jawline,brown hair falling slightly into his eyes. Attractive. Strong, bold enough to approach, dumb enough not to know what he's walking into.

“I already have one” I said, lifting the glass James had made

That didn't push him away. If anything, his smile deepened, hungry and intrigued.

“Then maybe I could give you something better than a drink”. His meaning was clear

I tilted my head pretending to think,though in truth, my mind was already made up.

“Alright”, I said softly meeting his gaze.

“Let's get out of here”.

We left the club together, slipping into his car with the city lights trailing behind us. The ride was short, filled with quiet laughter and stolen glances,until we finally got to my place

The door barely clicked shut before our mouth met,hands fumbling at buttons and zippers,urgency thrumming between them. Clothes fell away as I guided him deeper inside, my lips never breaking from his.

I pushed him gently down onto the sofa,I smiled, my voice low against his ear.

“Wait here”, I murmured. “I need to grab condoms”.

He leaned with a grin,watching as I crossed the room.

At the drawer, my fingers moved with precision. I searched for the small canister hidden at the back, slipping it open with ease. Two tiny pills touched my tongue,resting at the corner of my mouth. With my other hand, I pulled a condom from the box, closing the drawer softly as if nothing were unusual.

I walked to over to him and pressed the foil packet into his palm, then straddled his lap once more. His arms circled me eagerly, drawing me close

My lip brushed his,teasing,before I kissed him deeper. Our mouths moved together, heated, urgent–until I tipped my head, releasing the hidden secret into his. My kiss grew firmer, coaxing him, urging him to swallow as my hands threaded into his hair.

When I finally pulled back, my smile was soft and tender.

“Now”, I whispered, brushing my lips against his jaw “where were we?”.

I said softly to the now unconscious man