PRINCE CHARMING: A Stepbrother Secret Baby Romance(76)

“What is that?” I asked.

“It’s a Malibu bay breeze. Good beginner drink. They’re too busy to notice it isn’t for me,” he said with a wink.

“Thanks, Robert.” I took the glass. It felt nice and cool beneath my fingertips. This was so exciting. I was having my first real drink at a bar, and I wasn’t even twenty-one yet. Ash was definitely rubbing off on me. I took a sip of the fruity drink, but I could definitely taste the alcohol. I coughed, not really used to it. He smiled at me, placing his hand under his chin.

“You really are new to things. What else are you new to?” he asked.

“Not as much as you think,” I said proudly.

“How many times have you done it?”

I laughed, totally embarrassed. I wasn’t sure if the drink was already hitting me or if the city was making me feel daring. “Once. Just this past weekend.”

“Oh. Bad girl. Did it feel good?”

Something inside me told me it was weird that he asked me that question so quickly. He seemed kind of frantic to get answers. I continued sipping on my drink, not answering his question.

“May I go to the bathroom?” I asked.

“This isn’t high school or college. You don’t have to ask,” he said, leering.

I smiled timidly at him and picked up my purse, making my way through the sea of people to find the bathroom. Maybe this was a bad idea. I finally found it. A couple of girls stood outside. One was crying, and the other was comforting her. Inside, the bathroom was a bit crowded. New York City was crowded everywhere, it seemed.

I entered one of the stalls and closed the door behind me, feeling safe now that I had some kind of barricade between myself and the outside world. I pulled out my phone and texted Sarah, feeling nervous and intimidated all at once.

Amy: New York is weird.

Sarah: How so?

Amy: Met this guy at the bar. He keeps asking me weird questions. I mean, he seems legit. He’s even wearing a suit!

Sarah: Ew. What a weirdo. Ditch him?

Amy: I’ll give him a chance, I guess. Maybe I can get another drink out of it. If nothing else, it’s way better than having to hear Ash making out.

Sarah: You HEARD them?

Amy: Yeah! He did it right next door in his room!

Sarah: What a scuzzbag. Seriously, thank God you can never be with him. He’s obviously a jerk anyway.

I read her words, and it hurt to see them. I knew she was right. He was a jerk. I locked my phone and sat on the toilet, listening to women going in and out, talking and cursing. I suddenly felt so young and cold, and a part of me wanted to go back to New Rochelle. The drink was starting to go to my head, and I felt a bit more brazen. I left the bathroom, but not before I applied some pink lip gloss.

I walked back to our table and tapped Robert on the shoulder. “Wanna dance?” I asked.

“Sure,” he said in a husky voice.

I polished off my drink. He didn’t try to stop me or protest. The lights of the bar were hot, and he guided me with his big, masculine body. I leaned into him as he began to dance with me gently, pulling my body close to his. He was very handsy!

I couldn’t believe it. I had only been in the city for an hour and had already met someone new, got a free drink, and I was dancing the night away. Maybe this night wouldn’t turn out so crappy after all. He pulled me closer as I continued to dance with him. I tried to pull away for some breathing room, but his mouth was suddenly all over my neck.

“Hey... gimme some room,” I said, still trying to sound as friendly as possible. He wouldn’t relent. He tried forcing his mouth on me. I pulled my head away.

He looked aggravated. I wanted to scream for help, but there were so many people around us. So many drunk, hazy people. The smoke of the bar and the bass nearly drowned me as he pulled me forcefully towards him. I started to cry, and I tried fighting him. Robert twisted my wrist a bit and forced me forward. He was dragging me out of the bar. Panic stricken, I tried even harder to get away from him. Before I knew it, he had me out the door. I couldn’t believe how quickly he had changed. His face now looked wild, almost evil.

“You’re not going anywhere, you slut,” he growled.

“Think again,” I heard a familiar voice call out.

The guy let go of my wrist and turned around. Ash promptly punched him in the face. The guy yelled out in pain. His mouth was bleeding.

“Hey, fuck you, man,” I heard Robert yell.

“Yeah, no thanks, asshole,” Ash yelled back.

“Ash!” I gasped. “Ash…How did you find me?”

He took me by the shoulders and led me to his car, which was parked right near the bar. “I saw your profile post. I got here as soon as soon as I could. What the hell were you thinking? The city is no place to go alone—the first time, anyway.” His face looked serious and urgent.

I got in his car, so grateful for its protection, and started crying hysterically. Everything that could have happened washed over me, and I knew I was lucky. He fastened my seat belt and pulled away at a high speed. I leaned back in my seat, still not used to his crazy city driving.

“You’re high. Why are you driving?” I asked indignantly.

“I’m not driving high,” he said. “I only had a puff before you walked in. By now, that shit has passed through me. You should know I wouldn’t put you at risk. I wish I could say the same for you,” he scolded.