Chapter 2

Luke

 In a room of blondes and brunettes, she stands out. 

Her red hair is pulled into a messy bun and her green eyes remind me of springtime. The black dress…God that black dress is everything. It cinches her waist perfectly, I can imagine myself talking it off.

My eyes followed her once she walked into the room. She didn't like the champagne, I was very sure because I didn't like it either and when I was younger, I pretended to like it because others did. 

 If I had a choice, I wouldn't attend events like this because I got bored of having the same conversations every time, money, power and business. For the growth of my company, it is necessary to be present.

I wasn't going to approach her until Micheal, my best friend dared me to. If there was one thing about me, I never backed out from a dare. 

 "I don't go out with strangers." she says once we are outside

The weather is quite chilly. She pulls her hand out of mine and turns to face me, I frown, I like the feel of her little hand in mine. 

 "You're here because you want to be with me." I tell her with a grin

She scoffs. I know my magic has worked on her, she was fighting it but what's the point fighting a lost battle? 

 "Tell me your name," I push back a strand of her hair

She is the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. Her face was shaped like a heart, it was a face I was never going to forget even after we part ways tonight. In the moonlight, I can see she has light freckles across her cheeks, I like them, they add more character to her.

 "No," she pouts

 "I'm going to call you Red."

Red suits her, her feistiness and stubbornness. I pull my jacket and drape it over her shoulders, thankfully she doesn't protest. It was thrice her size but I surprisingly like the look of my clothes on her, she'll look even better in my jersey.

 "Call me Luke,"

 "Okay, Luke," she drags out my name. "Where are we going?"

 "Come with me," 

I take her hands and lead her to the garden at the back of the hall. No one is allowed back there especially while an event is going on but it was one of the most beautiful places I know. 

When I am bored of socializing during events, I sneak out to the garden to breathe and admire how beautiful it is.

 "Oh my!" she gasps as we approach the garden

I'm satisfied that she is impressed. Fairy lights hung from each flowering tree, some had artificial butterflies designed to clap their wings.

 "It's so beautiful, Luke." her eyes lit up as she took in the beauty 

It was the second time she said my name and I want to hear it more often, in a different way and setting.

 "Not as beautiful as you, Red."

I watched as her lips parted slightly and then a smile formed revealing a set of pearly white teeth and a dimple on her right cheek. 

From the moment I set my eyes on her, I knew I wanted her in my bed. The attraction I feel towards her is strong.

 "Why did you bring me here?" 

Now, we are facing each other, just us in the middle of the garden.

 "The question should be why did you come with me? Why did you come with a stranger?" 

 Her eyes searched for words. There was so much tension, I've not felt this way in years. I could feel excitement flow through every part of my body. Red excited me.

 "You asked me to." she pouts again 

So far, I like our little back and forth. She's the cutest when she pouts.

 "I want you, Red." 

I don't believe in beating around the bush. If I want something, I go for it head on. I want Red in my bed. I watch the rise and fall in her chest and it takes so much willpower to take my eyes away from them.

I close the gap in between us and with a finger, I tilt her face towards me.

 "I'm really fighting the urge to kiss you right now." I tell her. "Can I kiss you?"

Pure desire, that's what I felt. She looks like she's contemplating for a bit and then she nods shyly, safe to say my charm worked. 

 I wrap my arms around her tiny waist and pull her close. I bent to kiss her, the tips of our nose rubbing against each other. If we weren't outside, I'd have lifted her and wrapped her legs around my waist. 

 "Hey!" A voice called out. "What are you guys doing over there?"

We immediately broke off our embrace. I knew it had to be one of the security guards. They usually spend their shifts lazing about but it seemed like some decided to be serious with their job today.

 "Come with me."

 I took her hands and we ran out of the garden while the security guard yelled after us. I felt like a teenager making out where I wasn't supposed to and then I got caught by an adult. I felt so alive.

 When we were a safe distance from the guard, we stopped running.

 "That was so crazy," she breathed out 

We laughed, the sound of our laughter as one was pleasant to hear. I wasn't sure why we were laughing but everything felt funny. For the first time in a while, I didn't care about anything, about my company or making so much money. 

 I wrapped my arms around her waist again, our breaths heavy. I kiss her, I don't hold back and she doesn't. 

She tastes like champagne and probably strawberry flavored lip gloss. For someone who wasn't a fan of champagne, I enjoyed the kiss, her mouth was hot and inviting. I only like the taste of champagne off Red's mouth.