Chapter 3 - Dahlia

I looked back at my friends as the man pulled me to the other side of the bar. My stomach turned as he pulled me with him. He made sure the other man understood I was not to be touched. It was weird as I didn't know him.

In fact, he felt more of a danger than the seemingly harmless guy I was flirting with. He had a mysterious and dangerous aura about him. Yet, I couldn't deny the sudden magnetism I felt towards him. However, I was sure it had to do with his appeal. He was the most handsome man in the bar.

Staring into his dreamy blue eyes it felt like I was about to melt. His strong, muscular features were very prominent. He could possibly be the most gorgeous man I had ever met. "Excuse me," I said, turning out of his arm. "What do you think you're doing?"

Pushing his hand through his blond hair, he leaned on the bar counter as she spoke. "Well, miss. I noticed those men were going to take advantage of you. I felt he was being a bit rough and only wanted to prevent something you may regret tomorrow."

His voice was smooth as butter melting on a hot slice of bread. Feeling annoyed that I might lose the bet, I smirked at him. "I'm capable of handling myself, thank you." I spat back.

"Miss," he said, reaching out and touching my shoulder tenderly. "I felt they were going to take advantage of you. I was only trying to assist." His tone was comforting and inviting but only provoked me more.

Shrugging off his hand, I glanced back at the table. Everyone was staring at us. I had to achieve my objective. Turning back to him, I smiled softly. He would do even though he made me feel slightly uneasy. Yet, if he didn't want to, he had to understand that I didn't need saving.

Tapping his chest as I spoke, I felt my insides twisting and turning a little. His chest was firm and warm. My mind went spiraling as I tried to formulate my response. "You see my friends at the table behind me?"

He glanced around me as he replied. "Yes,"

"We have a bet, you see. I have to seduce a man, and what comes next, well…," My face heated as I tried to explain. "The idea is to get some life experience."

His lips pulled into a tender smile as I spoke. A sudden urge to kiss him flooded through me. Swaying from side to side, I tried to rid my mind of the thought. He was surely every woman's dream guy. But I couldn't shake this feeling that he was bad news.

"Alright," I added, clearing my throat. "If, you'll excuse me. Now that you've chased the other one away, I must look for another guy to seduce."

Turning to scan the bar for any reasonable men, I felt his hand close around my arm. He turned me back to him and took hold of my chin, lifting my face as she spoke. "I tell you what."

He looked over my shoulder at the girls giggling at the table, took a deep breath, and looked into my eyes. "I'll sleep with you. But not here. Not in the club."

Stepping back, I pulled out of his grip. His offer made me a little uncomfortable. I didn't know him or what his intentions were. The bartender came closer, smiling widely at him as she spoke. "Konstantin, you want another drink, hun?"

Looking at me, he raised his eyebrows as he spoke. "You want another drink before we leave?"

My head was still buzzing but I decided to have a drink with him before making up my mind. "Sure," I replied.

"What'll you have, seeing as you basically tested the entire bar list tonight?" he asked, grinning.

"I'm not sure. Surprise me," I replied, sitting down at the bar.

He slid onto the seat next to me as he spoke to the skinny woman behind the counter. "My usual and a Pina Colada for the lady."

The woman nodded and went about pouring our drinks. "Konstantin," he said, turning to me and holding out his hand.

I found this gesture a bit odd, as he wanted to shake my hand, but I obliged him. "Dahlia," I replied placing my hand in his. Instead of shaking it as in a usual greeting, he closed his hand around my fingers and lifted it to his mouth.

"Please to meet you, Dahlia," he breathed out as he kissed my hand.

I felt a fluttering in my stomach as his hot breath moved over my hand before his tender lips touched it. He appeared to be a gentleman. Taking him up on his offer might not be such a bad idea, I thought as our drinks arrived.

Taking a sip, I had to close my eyes as my tastebuds tingled. It was divine and by far the best drink I had all night. Its rich, smoothy texture perfectly complimented the sweet taste of coconut. This, mixed with the slight pineapple taste produced a new taste sensation.

Lifting the glass and staring at it. It felt like I had fallen in love with it. Making a mental note to remember the name, I caught him staring at me. Placing the glass down, I gave him a soft smile.

"So," I said, staring at the glass. "You live around here?"

"Yes and no," he replied in a light tone. "And you?"

Glancing at him, I wasn't sure if he was serious or not. Taking another sip, I turned to face him. "Actually, I don't live too far." I hoped to learn something about him before he whisked me off to where he called home.

His lips pulled up into a smile as he spoke. "I have a place not too far from here."

Assessing his smile, I had to ask. "Is this place where you take all your women?"

At this, he chuckled as he responded. "Why aren't you, Miss Smarty Pants."

"Well," I said, rolling my eyes, "I kinda am, even if I have to admit it."

This brought on a total fit of laughter. Once he stopped laughing, he sipped his whiskey before replying. "Okay, I'll bite. What's a smart woman like you doing in a bar looking for life experience then?"

My cheeks instantly burned as I felt the blush radiate across it. Looking down, I replied in a softer tone. "I have a life. But it's mostly consumed by studying and work."

"Okay then," he replied in his smooth tone as he lightly pulled me back to face him. "I could agree with that seeing as life experiences are also learning."

This time, I laughed. Even though what he said made complete sense, it was funny. I felt my nerves calm as we talked. The feeling of danger and impending doom started lifting. He wasn't only handsome but also funny.

"You almost ready to get out of that tight number you're wearing?" he asked out of the blue.

I felt sure my face was glowing as the heat I felt a little while back intensified. My stomach was in knots as I smiled at him. My words appeared to have vanished as I felt my heart skipping a beat.

"Wouldn't you like that?" I inquired teasingly.

"Well, let's go to my place, and I'll show you," he shot back at me, taking the last sip from his glass. He placed it down and slid off the chair. Standing beside me, he held out his hand again.

I drank the last bit left in my glass, took his hand, and stood up. "Let me just tell my friends I'm leaving," I said as we approached the door.

He waited as I hurried over to the table. Leaning forward, we huddled in the middle. "I'm going with Konstantin to his place," I whispered.

They all appeared quite amazed and excited but didn't reply. Anucha squeezed my arm as I turned, heading back to him.

Konstantin took my hand, rested it on his arm, and walked me out. The evening breeze was much cooler than I had anticipated. The bar was nice and warm. It had a cozy feel to it. But feeling the night air outside, I had to pull my hand free to rub my arms.

Konstantin quickly took off his jacket. "Here," he said, placing it around my shoulders and pulling me into his arm.

"Thank you," I said softly, unexpectedly overwhelmed by his caring nature. We walked to a bright red Mustang parked in the street. As he opened the door, I looked up at him, astonished. "Is this yours?" I asked.

Judging by his shiny suit and crisp white shirt, I expected he had money. But this, the car. My mind was spinning out of control. I didn't expect such a fancy car.

He grinned as he waited for me to get in before closing the door and getting in on the other side. The leather seats froze the back of my thighs as I sat down. I felt my breath catching but didn't show it.

"The seats will warm up now," he said as he started the car and pressed a button on the dash. "I know they can be cold."

"Oh, okay, I hadn't noticed," I lied, trying to hide my relief.

As promised, they heated up quite quickly. We had barely pulled out when I felt the cold subduing.

My stomach turned. I wasn't sure it was only from the alcohol I had as I felt a bit nervous. I felt like a naughty schoolgirl sneaking out of class. I was excited and scared at the same time.