Angel is a sixteen-year-old girl trying to escape her chaotic life in the foster care system. When she steps into a local bar one fateful night, she's looking for adventure but finds herself drawn into a dangerous world filled with bikers and dark s...
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ANGEL
he neon lights of the bar flickered like restless fireflies against the darkened sky, beckoning to those in search of an escape. I slipped inside, the thumping bass of the music wrapping around me like a comforting blanket. I was twenty-one but felt like I'd lived a thousand lives—each one marked by the scars of my past. Tonight, I needed to forget. Just for a few hours, I wanted to be someone else.
I navigated through the crowd, my heart racing with a mix of excitement and trepidation. The smoky air was thick with the scent of cheap whiskey and desperation, but it was also alive with laughter and flirtation. I found solace in the anonymity, in the ability to blend into the background and just observe.
As I settled onto a barstool, I ordered a whiskey sour, the sweetness cutting through the bitterness of my thoughts. I took a sip and let the warmth spread through me, momentarily dulling the memories that haunted my mind. The last few years had been a whirlwind—moving from one foster home to another, each one leaving me more jaded than the last. But tonight, I was determined to let go, even if just for a moment.
My gaze drifted around the room, landing on a group of guys in the corner. They exuded a raw magnetism, their presence commanding and intense. Among them stood a man with dark hair falling just above his piercing blue eyes, which seemed to hold a world of secrets. A crooked smile played on his lips as he laughed with his friends, and I felt an inexplicable pull toward him.
"What are you staring at?" the bartender asked, a knowing grin on his face.
"Nothing," I replied, quickly averting my gaze, heat rising to my cheeks.
"You're lying. You've got that look. If you're interested, go talk to him." The bartender nodded toward Alexander, who was now looking in my direction.
My heart raced as I hesitated. Talking to someone like him felt like a leap into the unknown. But there was something in his eyes, a flicker of understanding that made me curious. Maybe tonight could be different.
Summoning my courage, I stood up and walked toward the group. As I approached, Alexander's eyes locked onto mine, and the world around us faded.
"Hey," I said, trying to sound casual despite the flutter in my stomach. "I'm Angel."
"Alex," he replied, his voice smooth like the whiskey I had just drunk. "What brings you here?"
"Just looking for a break from reality," I confessed, surprised by my own honesty. "How about you?"
"Same," he said, a hint of mischief dancing in his gaze. "This place is the perfect escape."
The banter flowed easily between us, as if we had known each other for years. As the night progressed, the chemistry between us crackled like electricity. We shared stories and laughter, and the weight of our pasts seemed to lift, if only temporarily. I learned little about him; just enough to know that he was someone who sought adventure and enjoyed the thrill of the night.
"You don't seem like the type to be here," he said, studying me with a curious tilt of his head.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I shot back playfully, crossing my arms.
"Many people drown their regrets here. You look like you're ready to seize the night."
I laughed, the sound bubbling up from somewhere deep inside me. "I'm definitely up for a little adventure tonight."."
As the night wore on, the group began to thin out, their camaraderie replaced by the soft pulse of the remaining music. I felt a bittersweet sense of longing. I didn't want the night to end, and I certainly didn't want to go back to my empty room.
"Do you want to get out of here?" Alexander asked suddenly, his eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made my breath hitch. "I know a place."
"What kind of place?" I replied, my curiosity piqued.
Just a place where we can get to know each other... away from all this" He gestured toward the chaos of the bar.
I hesitated for a moment, the rational part of my brain warning me to be cautious. But the thrill of the unknown, combined with Alexander's captivating charm, was too enticing to resist. "Okay," I agreed, my heart racing with anticipation.
We stepped out into the cool night air, the sounds of the bar fading behind us. Alexander led me to a nearby alleyway illuminated by the dim glow of a flickering streetlight. The atmosphere shifted, the air thick with possibilities.
"Is this where you bring all the girls?" I teased, leaning against the brick wall, trying to keep the mood light.
"Only the special ones," he replied, a smirk tugging at his lips, his voice low and confident. There was an undeniable magnetism in his tone, a promise of excitement that made my heart race.
As we stood there, the tension between us crackled, and in that moment, everything else faded away. It was just the two of us, suspended in time. Without thinking, I leaned in closer, drawn to him like a moth to a flame.
"Angel," he said softly, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine.
Without waiting for a response, Alexander closed the distance between us, capturing my lips with his. The kiss was electric—full of hunger and longing, a fire igniting between us that left me breathless. I melted into him, our bodies fitting perfectly together as if we were two halves of a whole. The world around us ceased to exist; all that mattered was this moment, this connection.
As we pulled away, both breathless and wide-eyed, an unspoken understanding passed between us. I felt a rush of exhilaration coursing through my veins. This was freedom. This was desire.
"What was that?" I asked, a teasing lilt in my voice, still reeling from the intensity of the kiss.
"Just a taste of what's to come," Alexander replied, his grin wide and confident, radiating an air of masculinity that made me feel both safe and electrified.
I laughed softly, my heart racing. "Then I'm definitely interested in more."
As we stood together under the flickering streetlight, two souls entwined in the promise of adventure, I felt a glimmer of possibility. Whatever lay ahead—danger, excitement, or unexpected love—I was ready to face it. After all, I had just met Alexander, and with him, I felt like I could conquer the world.
