Reckless: Damaged & Destroyed #1 Page 2

  I look down at her as she stands by my side and I try to keep my tone as light as physically possible. "Liv, times have changed and I know I'm stronger than I was, but I can't lose sight of what I've achieved—how far I've come." My eyes lock onto hers in the hope she understands the seriousness of my words. "I can't risk my career. I can't jeopardize it because fighting is the only thing in this world which keeps me sane, and I won't give that up for all the damn money or chicks in the world."

  Flashes go off in every direction the second I step out of the SUV. I stop and allow them to get what they've come for—an exclusive.

  I don't doubt for a second that my face will be plastered across every gossip column and newspaper alongside another cock-and-bull story.

  These vultures used to piss me off no end, but over time I've learned it's so much easier to just roll with it. It's simple to allow the world to believe a crazy-ass make-believe fairy tale instead of the real-life hideous demons I'm forced to live with day and night. But that doesn’t mean I like the press any better. I swear I wouldn’t piss on one of them if they were on fire, and that's the god's honest truth.

  "Rixon… Rixon…" the voices call out all around me. I nod my head, acknowledging them as I always do while I walk on by, and then another shouts, "are you nervous about your fight next weekend? Could you finally be defeated?"

  Now this grabs my attention and before Liv has a chance to intervene, I shout out my reply, " I never lose. Losing isn’t in my DNA." I smirk as I continue walking, fully aware I've just given them what they want—the start of a shit-storm.

  "Wanna tell me what the hell that was about?" Liv demands just as Craig makes an appearance next to me.

  I turn to look at him, my eyes narrowing in warning. I really don't need him to start lecturing me. "Don't I pay you to stay out of sight?" I hurl at him, ignoring Olivia's disgruntled sounds next to me. I guess I've managed to piss everyone off. I'd say that was a win.

  I half expect Craig to laugh at this fucked-up situation Liv has put me in, but one look tells me he isn’t in the laughing mood. Craig is beyond pissed. "You pay me to keep you safe. You pay me to keep you out of the shit."

  "All right, calm down. It was just a slip of the tongue." I tell him, but I know it was more than that.

  "Slip of the tongue? Don't fuck with me, Rixon. You and I both know the press will have a field day with this. You don't speak to them for a reason, and now they'll drag this out until there's nothing left."

  Craig's right. I know he is, but there's no way I'll admit it out loud. What the fuck have I just done? I've gone and done something I've never done before. I've broken my own fucking golden rule: never talk to the press.

  Let them take their pictures.

  Let them fantasize and make up their bullshit stories.

  But don’t talk to them.

  Fucking cockroaches. They're nothing but festering venom. Feed them, and they'll keep coming back for more.

  AMBER

  "We're here."

  Zara is quiet, but at least she's finally gotten some colour back in those cheeks which is good to see.

  "I don’t know if I can do this," she whispers, and I just about make out what she's said. "What if it's a disaster? What if I end up ruining my career before it's even started?"

  "Zara, stop. Just stop and look out of the window." I point in front of us so she can see for herself everything I'm seeing. "Do you see that?" We’ve come to a stop outside the venue and it's booming with people. No doubt important people who have come out to Zara's event. Photographers are out in force and everything looks super glam.

  "Uh, huh."

  "Do you see all those faces? All those people? Let me tell you something. They're here because you made this event possible. No one else, but you."

  "I guess," Zara looks at me and I can tell she's nervous, but I know she doesn’t need to be.

  "Oh, quit being so humble. There's no guessing about it. You're fabulous and super talented, and now everyone is going to see that too. They'll see everything I see in you, so hurry up and get your ass outside before I drag you out."

  "Yes, Mom."

  I stayed by Zara's side while she was outside the venue, holding her close as she took it all in, until she was hustled from me when we stepped inside. I seriously have no words for what she has achieved with this little set up. I've never seen anything more glitz and glam in my life, and considering my new profession, that's saying a lot.

  Sun Lake Hall, an old historic castle full of beauty and history is where we're currently holding residence, and although it's naturally beautiful, there's no denying Zara has worked wonders with her creativity. I'm gonna take a wild guess and say no expense was spared for this luxury endorsement either.

  Now, I'm not a vodka girl—the stuff doesn’t agree with me at all—but I'd be lying if I said this fancy get-up wouldn’t tempt me. Hell, I'm sure it would tempt the strongest of people.

  As we step further into the castle, the extravagance grows larger. Gold-leaf vodka bottles adorn every available surface, and crystals are scattered all over the place. Gold goodie bags are placed on the high tables and I quickly make a mental note to grab one before they all disappear.

  "You like?"

  Zara sneaks up behind me and I jump as she catches me off guard. She knows I don't like people sneaking up on me, but I can't really give her a mouthful on such an important night; so long as she doesn’t do it again.

  "Babe, this is fantastic." I beam back at her and the love and pride I feel in my heart is so strong I feel like I could burst. "I'm so, so, proud of you."

  "Thank you."

  Zara doesn’t get a chance to say anything else before she's called away by someone, but I let her go, mindful that this is her night—now it's Zara's time to shine.

  "What's a pretty girl like you doing in here all alone?"

  A deep voice sounds above me, and a shiver runs down my spine at the sound. I chance a quick glance up at the stranger and all sense of reason escapes me. His crystal blue eyes pierce into my soul and captivate me, and I'm rendered speechless.

  Where the hell was Zara when I needed her? Oh, yeah, she's off being fucking event organizer of the year—a total power house of a business woman, that's where.

  "So, do you have a name?"

  RIXON

  Oliva was driving me in-fucking-sane.

  She knows she's fucked-up and now she's trying to climb so far up my ass, it's fucking embarrassing. I know deep down she wouldn’t have meant any harm, but I'm still furious, and right now I can't stand to be around her—something I have never experienced before.

  Liv has been with me right from the start and we hit it off straight away; and in more ways than one. Hell, it was fun while it lasted, but the second I realized Liv's intentions and feelings were bordering on more than just casual fun, I knew I had to draw the line. I had no choice but to pull away. Liv was amazing at her job and she's always been one to get things done without moaning her tits off about it. She's probably the best in her field and there's no way I could lose her.

  I've never been one to mix business with pleasure. It’s a dangerous game to play and thankfully it looks like I drew that line way before she fell too deep.

  But now, even though I wouldn’t be without her professionally, I just can’t bring myself to be around her right now. Fuck, I shouldn’t even be at this stupid event anyway. Alcohol and I shouldn’t be put together. Endorsement or not, regardless of what Olivia says.

  That's why I made a run for it as soon as someone else came along and grabbed her attention. I had no idea where I was headed but I'd already come to the conclusion some chick had organized this, so all I needed to do was follow the mother-fucking fairy lights, right?

  I wasn’t wrong either. I followed them and found myself in a room full of gold-leaf vodka bottles and crystals. Tall tables were scattered here and there, and I had to admit it looked pretty good.

  I walk over toward one of the tables, ho
ping to enjoy some much-needed alone time before people come in and turn things crazy—and that’s when I see her. Stood all alone, a few feet in front of me is the most perfect body my eyes have ever witnessed, and they've witnessed a hell of a lot of hot bodies.

  I don’t even know what her face looks like, but my cock doesn’t care. Just the sight of her perfectly shaped ass in her tight dress is enough to have my cock twitching to life.

  Should I go over? Introduce myself?

  Too fucking right, I should. I'm the man of the hour, the reason why she's here, and if she's lucky she could end up being the perfect distraction for me.

  Without giving it anymore thought, my feet move in her direction, getting closer by the second until her sweet, fruity scent invades my senses, forcing my need to know more to get the better of me.

  "What's a pretty girl like you doing in here all alone?" I ask and as usual my words have the desired effect. Her breathing catches and her body stiffens, and my eyes are close enough to catch the trail of goose bumps as they appear on her exposed flesh. Chicks—like fucking putty every time.

  When she turns to look at me her eyes widen. Her pupils dilate and her green eyes glisten beautifully, and her mouth opens a little before she bites down on her bottom lip and that's when I know I need to have her—to make her mine.

  "Do you have a name?" I ask, and I've never needed to know the answer more than anything else in my life.

  AMBER

  My heart beats frantically in my chest and I can hear the thud of my blood beating against my ear drums. I hope this exotic creature of a man stood before me can't hear it. How embarrassing would that be? Not to mention how desperate I'd look, and he'd be well within his rights to turn on his heels and back the fuck up from me.

  I'm surprised when he doesn’t. Instead his eyes fix on mine and a predatory grin takes over his lips, warning me I should be avoiding him at all costs. He's definitely a guy who I shouldn’t be getting involved with—but I can't pull myself away from his gaze.

  I'm aware he asked me a question, but my mouth is refusing to carry out the simplest of tasks. It's frozen in place, just like the rest of my body.

  "Well?" he asks again, more gently this time, but I can still decipher an urgency in his tone. I jump and break out of my trance when his hand falls and rests on my arm. A spark shoots up my arm and my eyes grow wide, shocked and scared by my reaction to his touch. Did he feel it too? His furrowed brow tells me he did. Shit, where is Zara when I need her? I could really do with her help of an escape right about now, but she's off doing her thing while I'm trapped here with some exotic god. His eyes are still searching mine and it looks like all six foot four of him isn’t going anywhere until I give him an answer.

  "Amber," I say breathlessly, and now I feel slightly vulnerable and a little exposed. This beautiful beast of a stranger now knows more about me than I do him which is always a disastrous disadvantage.

  "The name's Lawson," he smirks back at me and my body turns to mush—a big wet pool of desire.

  "Um… nice to meet you," I mumble, and I instantly feel the heat rushing to my cheeks.

  "Oh, believe me the pleasure is all mine," he breathes and before I have a chance to realize what's about to happen, my back slams back into one of the tall tables as he presses his tall, muscular body against mine before leaning in and kissing my cheek.

  He smells absolutely incredible: all fresh mint and manly, and for a wild crazy moment I'm consumed by him. I'm totally mesmerized by this beauty of a beast pressed against me.

  I'm quickly snapped out of my trance at the sound of his low chuckle, his smile big and mischievous. None of which are helping me to compose myself.

  I'm conscious of my erratic breathing, but I wouldn’t be able to stop it. It’s quickly becoming clear I have no control over my own actions when Lawson is this close to me. This is fucking crazy. What the hell is happening here? How can someone I don’t know—a total stranger—have such an effect on me? I don’t even like men. I swore off them a long time ago, But Lawson… there's something enchanting about him. In all the five minutes he's been stood in front of me, he's wiped me of any cognitive thought and my will power is at an all-time low.

  "A girl like you shouldn’t be all alone." He whispers, pulling his face back. He looks right into my eyes, searching for something, but I don't know what.

  Christ! One thing is becoming clear to me. Yes, I may not know him, but I can already tell he's gonna be a whole lot of trouble.

  RIXON

  Auburn hair? Check.

  Fuck, redheads are renowned for being killer in bed and I've yet to stumble across one who's let me down.

  Come to bed eyes? Check.

  I knew Amber would have them before she even turned her head, and damn, those green beauties didn’t disappoint. So much so I'm finding it hard to keep my eyes off hers.

  Usually I'd be quick to throw her a line, test the waters, and use my charm to get her into bed, but I can't bring myself to do it to her. Something is holding me back, telling me not to rush this one.

  I've known her for all of five goddamn minutes, but I can already tell Amber isn’t like the usual chicks who come my way—cock hungry and eager to get a piece of the bad boy Rixon Smith. Usually I'm more than happy to oblige—but not this time.

  Maybe it's because she has no idea who I am. If it was anyone else, I'd be highly offended, especially as this is my event. But I'm surprised to find I'm not offended at all. Actually, it makes for a refreshing change and gives Amber a lovely glimmer of innocence. An innocence I'd love to explore. The only problem is I haven’t a clue where to start with her—another first for me.

  I mean what the fuck do you say to someone when you're only used to speaking with your cock?

  "I'm not by myself." Amber finally answers me and I'd almost forgotten I'd asked her anything.

  Of course she's not by herself. Hell, a chick like her would never be by herself. It was stupid of me to even think it. "He must be a crazy guy leaving a beautiful woman like you all alone." I smile, but there's a hint of warning in my words because any guy would be stupid leave someone like Amber alone, just waiting for a predator like me to come along and take her away. If Amber knew who I was, then she'd be familiar with my womanizing ways and she'd know to stay as far away from me as possible. But fortunately for me she hasn’t a clue.

  I raise my eyebrows in confusion when Amber laughs. It's a sweet laugh, contagious, and small dimples appear in her cheeks, which only adds to her appeal. I feel my cock twitching again.

  "Is something funny?" I enquire, desperate to stay close to her for as long as possible.

  She stops laughing and her face turns somber as she looks up at me through her lashes. "There's no guy. Trust me. I can't stand them." Her face falls and her cheeks flush when she realizes she has probably disclosed too much to the tall dark stranger, and I can tell she's desperate to get away. She'll have a job on her hands, because there is no way I'm done with her yet.

  "Would that be men, or just people in general?" Surely, she can't mean men? And I'm not your average guy. I'm Rixon fucking Smith—the legend. If I wasn’t certain before, I am now. Amber doesn’t know who I am at all. Maybe she would be different if she did, but then again, I've already established she's different to any other chick I've ever met before.

  Amber's shoulders fall as she contemplates confiding in a stranger, and then she shakes her head, her mind made up. "It was lovely to meet you Lawson, but I have to go. I'm sorry."

  She barges past me. Only she's not fast enough, as my arm reaches out just in time to pull her back toward me. Her flushed cheeks and hazy eyes tell me exactly what I want to know. She doesn’t want to leave. She's just embarrassed.

  "Why run?" I ask, taking myself by surprise. Chicks come and go. I personally know there are plenty of them to go around, but something about her has caught and anchored my attention. Something which is totally unheard of for the notorious Rixon Smith.

  "I
'm not running." Amber snaps back. Her tone has changed, and I can hear the determination running thick as she tries to convince herself she's telling the truth. Her emerald eyes narrow as she takes me in. Oh, so Amber has a feisty side too? Now that just makes my cock twitch even more.

  "Really? Well you could have fooled me," I laugh. "Why don’t you stay a while? Have a drink with me?" Fuck. What is happening to me? I sound like a desperate teenager. Have a fucking drink with me? I don't ask for chicks to spend time with me, and I don't fucking drink. Obviously, she's seeped under my skin much deeper than I initially thought.

  Her eyes linger on mine for a fraction longer than necessary before she bites down on that bottom lip again, and a wild sensation to bite it myself washes over me. "I can't. I have to go." She replies, only this time she refuses to meet my eyes. Before I can move, she's out of my grasp, and out of the room—and probably out of my life forever.

  RIXON

  "Are you still pissed at me?"

  I close the door to my luxury apartment and turn around to face Olivia. Am I still pissed? Fuck, yeah. But do I want to dwell on it? Hell, no.

  The endorsement event turned out to be a huge hit, or so Liv keeps telling me. Apparently, people were mingling and having a great time. Unlike me. I stayed hidden in the shadows, brooding over a chick I didn’t even know, and no matter how hard I try I just can't seem to shift the image of her from my mind. It's like she's been tattooed there permanently, and I'm forced to be tortured by her beauty. A beauty I'll never have.

  "Nah," I finally reply when Liv jabs me in the ribs as a last attempt to capture my attention.

  "You sure? You hardly said a word all night."

  "All right. I was a little uncomfortable, is all." I tell her and it's not really a lie, but then if Liv knew the real reason she'd be on my case and I'd never hear the end of it. "I thought you'd understand that." Truthfully, I still can’t get Amber out of my head. Her lips, her ass, not to mention her pert fucking breasts. The things I wanted to do with her and that fine ass body in that room drove me all kinds of crazy, but what did she do? She fucking turned and ran. No one has ever run from me before—another fucking first.