Chapter 382

The pub was loud, not with Christmas music but dance music. And it was absolutely packed full. Derek lead them to three seats at the bar that had just been abandoned, empty glasses still sitting there, freshly downed.

They sat down and looked around. "I don't believe it." Gilley said. "No one has even batted an eye."

"Ssshhhh." Derek said. "He's pulled it off now let's not cause a scene, alright?"

Gilley nodded.

"He's right. No one has noticed me." Christian said, looking out into the sea of faces. The bartender came over.

"Here's the real test, mate." Derek said.

"We are about an hour from last order so if you chaps are out on the lash tonight, you need to order your fill now. Our IPA is tapped out and our Pilsner is a bit naff but the saison and the ale are real crowd pleasers if you're up for it." She said.

"Well then, ales all around. Pints. And an order of chips please." Derek said. Christian kept his head low. She nodded and told them she would return shortly.

The DJ changed the song and the crowd started to dissemble from the dance floor. Christian felt someone close to his right side, close enough to be touching his arm.

"Not much of a dancer, I see." He heard someone say. He looked over and saw a woman standing there, trying to order a drink from the bartender. She was beautiful. Her dark hair was cut into a shaggy, blunt bob with blonde added. She was petite and had a smile that lit up her entire face. Her eyes with rich, honey brown and he could see a few tattoos on her arms and collar bone. He felt something grow inside of him. Curiosity, definitely but also an attraction.

"Cat got your tongue?" She asked. American. She was American.

"I'm terrible sorry. I was just about to commend you on your patience with this pub tender. She had walked past you at least 3 times, completely ignoring you." Christian said.

"Yeah. She's a bit of a cunt. It's ok. I'll get a drink eventually." She said.

Christian looked at the woman and smiled. She was absolutely radiant and as he looked closer, significantly older than he was.

The bartender walked by again and Christian spoke up. "Excuse me, can I get a… " he looked over at her glass.

"Gin martini, extra dirty." She whispered.

"Gin martini, extra dirty." Christian repeated.

"Of course." The bartender said, with a scowl.

"My dear, you don't have to be that dramatic about it. It's a drink. An easy one at that, throw some gin and a jar of olives in a shaker and call it bloody good." Christian said. The bartender rolled her eyes.

"Oh my god that was great!" The woman next to him said, laughing.

"I'm glad you are entertained." Christian said with a smile. The bartender handed her the drink.

"Entertained and no longer thirsty. Thank you." She said. "I'm Nora." She held out her hand. Christian smiled.

"I'm Christian." He said. Derek nudged him. He gave his real name. He was caught up in the moment and wasn't thinking.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Nora said.

"Also a pleasure." Christian said. "So, what's a beautiful American like you doing at a pub in London the day after Christmas?" He asked, a little shocked at his own candor.

"One of my best friends from college decided to have a Christmas wedding. The day of! Can you believe it? So she flew us girls out for the week. Must have cost her an arm and a leg but it sounds like her new husband can afford it. I felt bad but she insisted." Nora said. "I mean, she's over thirty and waited this long to get married, why not make it as inconvenient as possible for everyone, right?"

"Ah, well, it's a lovely day to get married, in my humble opinion." Christian said. The DJ had started playing louder songs again and he had to strain to be heard.

"I guess you're right." She said. She smiled at him. "I've never been married so I guess I shouldn't talk about things I know little about. So, do you live around here?" She asked.

He stifled a laugh. Yeah. He lived close.

"Not far." He said with a smile.

"That's awesome. London is an incredible city."

She said.

"I'd love to show you around sometime. The next time you're in town, I mean." He said. She smiled again.

"Oh I would LOVE that." She said. She took out a pen and grabbed a bar napkin. Her body was beautiful. Curvy, natural. She looked over and saw him looking at her ass and smiled.

"Here's my number. I'll be in town next month. My friend is buying a house and having a house warming. She's insisting her maid of honor and myself come. She hasn't made friends yet here so we are fully invested until, even though she will likely dump us like a fuck boy when she does." Nora said sarcastically. Christian laughed. She was witty and sharp. And absolutely sexy. She wrote on the napkin and handed it to him.

"Next month. Don't forget." She said.

"I couldn't." He said. She smiled. "See ya then, drink getting master." She said as she walked away.

He looked down at the napkin. "Nora. The American with the dirty martini handicap. You seemed to like my ass. February 10th. Don't forget me." And she left her cell number. He smiled

"What was that?" Derek asked.

"Just met a new friend." Christian said, finishing his beer.

"A new friend? Really?" Gilley asked. He lowered his voice, "you're the king of England and you're picking up women like some desperate wanker."

Christian smiled. "At least I picked one up." He held up the napkin. "You guys get any numbers? No? Crickets?" Christian said.

Derek and Gilley remained quiet.

"Didn't think so." Christian said, tucking the number into his pocket and asking to final his bill.

"You're not really going to meet this girl and take her around for a tour, are you? I mean, you can't. You're the king and it will draw so much attention, you galavanting all around with some American." Derek said.

"Why not? My father did it? Erik did it? It's possible." Christian said. Gilley shook his head and Derek got up.

"Come, time to go home." He said. Christian finished his beer and got up as the DJ played the first Christmas song of night.