The Puppet Assassin [TTR sequel]

The Puppet Assassin - Ch 12 [her -|- luke]

"Wear something sexy, Red."

I heard Liam hiss before he closed the doors and they backed down the driveway.

** **

The pub was energetic. The thing I loved most about The Griffin was that it attracted young and old and all in between. The music was usually live and promoting the local hopefuls who gave their all in trying to impress. Tonight it was loud, brisk and definitely enjoyable. I took my coat off, fluffed the rain from my hair and headed over to the bar. I took a spot next to a blonde who was wiggling her ass to the beat. I caught Ollie's eye and raised a finger to signal one Guinness, my usual. He nodded and got to work building it. I turned to the blonde.

"Just starting you're night?" I asked over the music, grinning pleasantly.

She turned her soft brown eyes to look me up and down. She smiled slowly. "If you like, it can end back at my apartment."

Ugh, oh that was disgusting. Her teeth were a revolting yellowy colour. I prayed for an excuse to walk away without being completely rude.

For once my luck kicked in and a petite hand slipped over my shoulder. "Buy me a drink, studley, and we'll be the best of friends."

I turned to take in a slim, toned body encased in a tight, ivory singlet and navy blue tights. Her heels brought her clear blue eyes to level with my chin. But what appealed to me most was her bright, white-toothed smile. My breath caught in my throat.

"Another one for the lady?" Ollie questioned as he placed my Guinness down on the bar in front of me. I nodded, unable to speak.

The temptress' smile spread even wider and she ruffled my hair before pulling her hands back and dropping onto the stool beside me. "Beer's gonna put me to sleep. Oh barkeep!" she called out loudly. "Add a bit of energy to mine. Cheers!"

Her accent was Australian though it wasn't obvious and could almost be mistaken for an English one. The natural huskiness in her tone made my gut clench.

I heard a familiar laugh but didn't turn around, even though I knew Liam and Kayli were approaching, most likely with Kay's friend tagging along. I couldn't take my eyes of this girl. I no longer wanted to share a drink with friends. I wanted a hotel room and her.

"You couldn't wait for us could you?" I heard Kayli ask.

I opened my mouth, ready to retort by saying that they were late but the starlet next to me turned first, her blonde hair swaying around her fine-boned face.

"I couldn't be bothered waiting while you two lovebirds argued over some trivial thing."

This was the friend? I looked back at Kayli and Liam and confirmed that she was the only one with them.

"I'm guessing you're B?" I asked, finally getting my voice back. I also managed to take in her angelic face without passing out, though the air did seem to be a little thinner.

"Bianca. I'm surprised Kayli hasn't told you everything about me." She narrowed her eyes at Kay. "But then again, she did ditch me in Vietnam without even a note."

Kay rolled her eyes. "We've already been over this. I have a good excuse and that is this fine specimen beside me."

"Oh, Red, please stop," I said exaggeratedly before taking a large gulp of my beer. My entire body was practically throbbing just knowing that the finest female specimen on the planet was sitting next to me.

"Oh, of course she meant you," Bianca said in a low, seductive voice. I nearly groaned aloud and concentrated on the image of the rotting teeth to calm myself down. Her drink arrived and she downed nearly half of it before jumping up.

"Let's go see if the band takes requests," she told Kayli and then tugged her top down so that more cleavage showed before winking at me and dragging Kay along to the stage. I clasped my hands around my glass tightly so that I didn't reach out and stop her.

"She's way out of your league," Liam said with mock scorn on his face. He was probably still hurting after I'd taken Kayli's compliment from him.

"Then I guess I'm gonna have to work my way into hers." I tried to smile confidently but I was watching her as she leant forward, obviously flirting with the vocalist. I finished off my Guinness and slammed it down onto the bar. I'd just met her and I already wanted her. Of course, I couldn't have her, I couldn't have anyone unless I was prepared to be put under the spotlight and have every aspect of our relationship analysed, but that didn't mean I was unaffected by her. And it definitely didn't mean that someone else could have her.

"Are you going to go dance?" Liam asked with a sneer. He obviously could tell that I was struggling to remain by the bar.

"No." I relaxed slightly as she turned back to the bar, as if finally feeling my heated stare, and smiled before laughing. I could nearly hear it and made my decision. I eased back onto a stool, relaxing fully. "No, she's going to come to me."

I knew why I wanted her. It wasn't just her fabulous appearance. She exuded freedom and I'd been hunting freedom for a long time.