Chapter 4

• *Alejandro*
• The waitress left to get our drink and I made small talk with Lucas and Williams as we waited for her to get back. They wanted to know what I'd been up to since I left Florida and I gave them a rounded-up version of all the businesses I'd established over the years and where I'd established them. I asked how Lucas was doing and he murmured that he was fine. My eyes met Williams and we shared a frown at Lucas's tone.
• I cleared my throat.
• "You don't exactly sound like you're fine, Lucas," I pointed out, knowing better than to call him son. I wasn't in the mood for a lecture on how and why I had lost the right to call him that. Yes, I knew that I hadn't exactly been the most available while he'd been growing up and I'd definitely missed out on a lot of things because I'd been so far away from him. It was something I was going to continue regretting for as long as I lived.
• Even if I wasn't sure I would do things differently if given a second chance.
• His face drew tight over his cheekbones as he clenched his jaws before releasing a deep breath through his nose. "My girlfriend broke up with me a few days ago," He admitted softly, tapping his knuckles against the table. Ahh, I thought silently. He was having girl problems. I sent a silent look of help to Williams, not sure how I was supposed to handle the topic of women with him.
• My life was already complicated as it was.
• "Well, shit," Williams said, watching as Lucas ran a hand through his hair. "What happened?" He asked. Lucas shot his gaze to mine and then instantly looked away. My heart dropped as I got the message that he couldn't talk about it in front of me. Was he that uncomfortable with me? Did he think I was going to blame him for his failed relationship? Pressing my lips together before I got pissed, I stood up and excused myself, making an excuse about needing to use the bathroom.
• I dusted invisible dirt off my shirt before heading in the direction of the bathroom. Cursing beneath my breath, I'd just taken a turn down the bathroom hallway when I bumped into someone, pouring the drink they'd been holding all over them. The soft body pressed against mine for a split second let me know that it was a woman. "Shit," She cursed, taking a few steps back and looking down at her dress.
• Fuck.
• "I'm sorry," I said, instinctively reaching out and then pulling my hand back awkwardly when I realized there was nothing I could really do. The woman finally looked up at me and then we both paused. But for different reasons, I'm sure. I wasn't sure why she suddenly stood still but I paused because I wasn't looking at an older woman like I'd first assumed. I was staring at a younger girl looking to be not more than twenty years of age.
• And she was fucking hot.
• She had on a short gold dress which showed off her long trim legs, hugging each of her curves perfectly. Her brown hair had been styled perfectly with two strands falling freely. I studied her face, my eyes moving over her big sexy green eyes and pouty mouth. She had a little bend in her nose that seemed to compliment her features perfectly. Against my will, my gaze dipped beneath her mouth.
• Holy hell.
• Her dress had a low neckline. Her cleavage was on display, her breast bouncing slightly when she took a step away from me. I felt all the blood in my body rush south. Images of what it would be like to have my mouth all over her body began flooding my mind. I inwardly groaned, pushing all thoughts of taking her away from my head. If not for anything else then for one obvious reason.
• She was very young for me.
• She recovered in that moment, shaking her head slightly from side to side. I handed her one of my company's napkins which I always carried around, complete with my initials on it so she could dab at her chest. "It's fine," She said shakily, letting out a nervous laugh. I noticed that she couldn't meet my eyes and it took a while for me to realize why.
• She knew who I was.
• I heard her inhale a steadying breath and suddenly she looked more composed than she had been a few minutes ago. She tried to hand me back the napkin but I raised my hand to stop her. "You can keep it, it's fine." I said softly. The corners of her lips lifted in a small smile as she dabbed more between her boobs. I forced myself to tear my gaze away from her cleavage.
• I didn't want her to think I was a pervert.
• Her eyelids lifted and she looked at me from beneath her lashes, somehow managing to look hotter than all the girls out there in the bar. "Thank you," She said softly, keeping her gaze locked with mine for a second longer than necessary before sidestepping and heading towards the bar.
• "What's your name?" I couldn't help but ask, turning to get a look at her because I just couldn't help it. Her gaze flitted away from mine and she looked like she was deciding against giving me an answer. I held back the feeling of surprise that surged through me. She knew who I was but she was still hesitant? I parted my lips to let her know she didn't have to tell me if she wasn't comfortable.
• "Anna," She blurted before I could get a word out, taking the curve down the hallway and disappearing from my line of sight. "Anna," I said out loud, testing her name on my tongue. I hope I don't see you again Anna, I thought silently.
• Because you might very well be my ruin.
• I continued my walk to the bathroom, fixing my hair and immediately stepping out since I had been away from Lucas and Williams for long enough. They stared at me as I lowered myself down to my seat but neither asked where I'd been for so long. I poured some vodka into my glass and downed half the content in one go. I made small talk with the guys for a few more minutes before Lucas pushed his seat back with his legs, saying he had somewhere to be.
• Williams and I said our goodbyes to him and watched him exit the bar. We carried on conversation for about thirty more minutes, simply catching up, laughing around and making silly jokes. I was taking down my drink when a familiar gold dress caught my eyes from beside the bartender. Williams followed my line of sight, shaking his head in disapproval. I could already hear the thoughts in his head without him voicing them.
• Stay away from her. She's too young for you.
• I snorted a light laugh at the expression on his face as I stood up from my seat as if drawn by an invisible string, assuring him that I was going to be fine and may not come back. It didn't take long and I was standing beside Anna. She turned to look at me, a look of surprise on her face. I moved to stand behind her, her back lightly brushing my chest as I leaned in to whisper in her ears. "Let me buy you a drink for the incident in the bathroom hallway."
• She twisted by the waist to shoot me a mischievous smile, surprising me when she leaned her head against my chest to whisper back.
• "I'll only accept if you accompany me."