Chapter 3
As Jane made her wayto the hotel bar, she couldn”t help but feel a sense of excitement bubbling within her. The night was still young, and she was eager to see what other adventures awaited her in this tropical paradise.
Entering the bustling bar area, Jane was greeted by the lively hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses. The air was filled with an infectious energy, and she couldn”t help but smile as she took in the vibrant atmosphere.
Finding a seat at the bar, Jane greeted the bartender with a friendly smile. She ordered a refreshing cocktail, eager to sample the hotel”s signature drink and immerse herself in the spirit of the evening.
As she waited for her drink to arrive, Jane took a moment to survey the scene around her. The bar was filled with a mix of guests —a group of businessmen in suits engaged in animated conversation, likely celebrating a successful deal, while holidaymakers in light attire mingled nearby. It was the perfect setting for a night of excitement and possibility.
As she sat at the bar, Jane pondered her next move. What should she do now? Discreetly, she glanced around the room using the mirrors behind the bar to observe the other patrons. Suddenly, her gaze fell upon him—a strikingly handsome man with lips that beckoned and eyes that promised adventure. His magnetic presence drew her in, and she couldn”t help but notice that he was staring directly at her as well.
Intrigued, Jane turned abruptly to face the room, wondering if the captivating figure she had seen was merely a trick of the mirror. But as their eyes met, a silent exchange of recognition and intrigue ignited a spark within her. Lost in the moment, Jane was brought back to reality by the bartender”s voice as her drink arrived.
Taking a sip, she casually glanced in the direction of the mysterious stranger, finding him still gazing in her direction. In that instant, Jane felt a surge of electricity wash over her—a sensation unlike anything she had ever experienced before.
With her cocktail in hand, Jane raised her glass in a silent toast to the adventures that lay ahead. Tonight was shaping up to be a night to remember, and she was determined to make the most of every thrilling moment that awaited her.
Just as Jane contemplated approaching the handsome stranger, her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden arrival of a red-faced businessman in a suit, who plopped himself down on the barstool in front of her, obstructing her view. Jane attempted to discreetly peer around him, but he began speaking to her, his words initially unintelligible. She leaned back slightly, adjusting her position to face him, only to realize that he was addressing her directly.
”Mind if I join you? Business deals are so exhausting,” he said, his gaze fixed on her.
Jane glanced behind her, finding no one there. ”What was that?” she asked, slightly puzzled.
”I just closed on this really important deal and I am celebrating. Would you like to join me?” he continued, his tone tinged with a leery look as he placed a sweaty palm on her thigh.
In that moment, Jane briefly regretted her choice of attire—a slinky red dress—but she quickly reminded herself that her clothing choices did not invite unwanted advances. ”No thanks,” she replied firmly, subtly adjusting her position to remove his hand from her thigh.
Before the businessman could respond, a cool, smooth voice cut through the tension from behind her. ”There you are, sorry I”m late.”
Jane turned to see the source of the voice, locking eyes with the most striking emerald green eyes she had ever seen. It was the handsome stranger she had been eyeing across the bar, and she hadn”t even realized when he had made his way towards her. He stood tall, his presence commanding attention with broad shoulders and an undeniable aura of confidence.
Turning to the red-faced businessman with a steely glare, the stranger spoke, ”Do you mind?” He gestured to the bar stool next to Jane, his demeanor leaving no room for argument.
The businessman”s eyes darted nervously between the tall stranger and Jane, sensing the shift in dynamics. With a quick nod, he hastily vacated the seat, retreating to an empty stool at the end of the bar.
As the red-faced businessman scurried away, the atmosphere around Jane seemed to shift, the tension dissipating like a distant memory. She turned her attention back to the handsome stranger beside her, feeling a sense of relief wash over her.
”Thank you,” Jane murmured, offering the stranger a grateful smile.
He returned her smile, his emerald eyes twinkling with amusement. ”No problem at all. I couldn”t let him ruin your evening,” he replied, his voice smooth and reassuring.
Jane couldn”t help but feel a surge of appreciation for this mysterious stranger who had come to her rescue. There was something undeniably magnetic about him, something that drew her in like a moth to a flame.
”I”m Alex,” he introduced himself, extending his hand towards her.
”Jane,” she replied, accepting his hand with a warm shake. ”Nice to meet you, Alex.”
Their hands lingered for a moment longer than necessary, the touch sending a shiver down jane”s spine. There was a palpable chemistry between them, an undeniable connection that seemed to crackle in the air around them.
Jane”s throat suddenly felt dry, and she reached for her drink, taking another sip through the straw.
Alex gestured to the bartender to order a drink. ”Can I buy you a drink?” he asked Jane as she finished the last drop of her cocktail. ”Of course,” she replied, her voice laced with a hint of flirtation. ”I”ll have a Lychee martini, please.”
As Alex turned to speak to the bartender, Jane took the opportunity to study his profile more closely. His appearance was almost unreal, as if he had stepped straight out of a fitness modeling catalogue. The contours of his physique were visible even through his shirt, hinting at the strength and athleticism beneath. For a moment, Jane found herself imagining what his abs might look like and what it would feel like to run her fingers and tongue over them, but she quickly banished the thought from her mind as Alex turned back to address her.
As Alex turned back towards Jane, she couldn”t help but notice the intensity in his gaze, the warmth of his smile sending a flutter through her chest.
”Here you go,” Alex said, sliding the freshly made Lychee martini across the bar towards Jane.
”Thank you,” she replied, her voice soft as she reached for the glass.
Their fingers brushed briefly as Jane took hold of the drink, igniting a spark of electricity that seemed to pulse between them. She couldn”t deny the thrill that coursed through her at the contact, a rush of adrenaline flooding her senses.
As they clinked their glasses in a silent toast, and continued with their conversation, Jane found herself lost in Alex”s emerald eyes, drawn to the depth of emotion she saw reflected there. In that moment, she felt a sense of connection unlike anything she had ever experienced before, a feeling of being truly seen and understood.
With each passing moment, Jane felt herself falling deeper under Alex”s spell, intoxicated by his charm and the promise of what could be.