September 8th, 2017

6.03 pm, Key West, Florida

“Screaming won’t make this easier. Hehehe.” The man says, crazy lust exuding from his eyes.

The man looks around quickly, the alley is empty. The rain is basically a drizzle at this point.

“Damn near almost missed ya but I’m patient, see.” The man says as he refocuses on Ruthless.

Ruthless’s eyes have gone from shock to… annoyance. Her left hand grasps on the man’s blade holding hand while her right hand is above her head.

“What? No fear?” The man asks, “Were you chasing after your boyfriend?”

Ruthless uses her right hand to indicate at the man’s hand obstructing her mouth. The man looks at Ruthless and sees no fear in her eyes. Mockery, maybe? He releases his hands and backs away, looking around again even more suspiciously.

“You really must be an idiot, waiting here in the rain.” Ruthless says calmly, “And that wasn’t my boyfriend. But I’m pissed regardless, you made me miss chatting with him.”

“Who are you?” The man asks, “Some cop?”

“Let me guess, you are one of the ogglers from the restaurant. You probably overheard my travel path.” Ruthless says as she stares down the man, “And then you stupidly thought why not rape the tourist from out of town.”

“So what?” The man says after triple checking that no one else was around, “You’re all alone.”

“I’m not a cop.” Ruthless says, “And I’m not afraid of you.”

Ruthless springs into action, stepping into the man’s space. Her left hand goes for the man’s knife holding right wrist while her right hand simultaneously pulls back for a punch. As soon as she grabs the man’s knife wrist, she unleashes a powerful punch to his throat. The man drops the knife while reaching for his neck with his left hand. Ruthless follows through with a right upper kick, straight to the man’s groin. The man crumbles in pain, then Ruthless delivers a kick to his head. The impact forces the man against the wall.

“You are the shittiest attempt this year.” Ruthless says as she kicks the man’s knife away, “Being partially drunk didn’t help your case.”

Ruthless looks at her now bleeding assailant who seems passed out on the ground.

“Can’t even call the cops.” Ruthless says, turning to return to the street, “What a fucking mess.”

Suddenly, a hand easily pulls Ruthless behind a wall at the alley’s entrance. Multiple gunshots ring behind her former position. However, she is more concerned by the warm stranger she finds herself in an embrace with. She struggles to look up at the man who is over 6’4. She finally sees his face for the first time. He looks about 30, yet something about him screams safety. Maybe it’s his rock hard abs and toned chest muscle she feels through his moist shirt. Maybe it’s the 5 o’clock shadow peppering his chiseled jawline. Perhaps it’s his spicy musky scent.

“Are you alright?” Fire asks, his glistening amber eyes piercing into hers with weighty warmth.

Momentary speechlessness pervades Ruthless as she struggles to say, “Ye… yeah.”

“Wait here.” Fire says as he releases her from his embrace.

Ruthless watches as Fire approaches the alleyway in measured steps. He sticks his hand over the edge and quickly removes it, no response. He quickly peeks at the alleyway. Then, he rushes into the alleyway. Silence. Tense seconds and more silence pass. Then, he strolls out.

“He is out.” Fire says.

“Really? But the gunshots?” Ruthless asks as she makes her way to examine the scene.

Ruthless finds her would-be rapist and murderer roughly the same position and condition she had left him, with the addition of a handgun gun some distance from his body.

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“Do not turn your back on an enemy.” Fire answers.

“What?” Ruthless asks, spinning back to Fire.

“Why were you tailing me?” Fire asks, looking straight into Ruthless’s eyes.

“I wasn’t.” Ruthless asserts, “I was just running to my hotel.”

Fire examines Ruthless. He doesn’t recognize her face but while her acting was good, he had felt her racing heartbeat and sensed her body temperature spike during their embrace. She had been truly spooked but now she is calm. Quick recovery, especially for someone that looks in her 30s, but her light brown eyes betrays even more life experience. Sirens ring in the distance.

“I called the police.” Fire says, “You are safe.”

Strong. Decisive. But you aren’t getting rid of me that easy, hot stuff. Ruthless says in her head.

“If I had to speak to the cops each time some lowlife attempted to rape me, I wouldn’t have a life.” Ruthless says, then asks, “So why don’t you be a gentleman and just escort me to my hotel? It’s Hotel Key West, only a block or two away.”

Ruthless bends over right in front of her rescuer and picks up her padfolio then straightens up.

“Come on, I gotta treat you for rescuing me.” Ruthless says.

“No need.” Fire says, turning to head away.

“Pretty please.” Ruthless says, “At least make sure a lady gets to her hotel safely.”

I am curious about why she chased me… and I have no plans tonight. Fire ponders.

Fire turns to face Ruthless, who he is finding a little curious and interesting. Perhaps, it is the playful sparkle in her light brown eyes. Or the lingering feeling of her supple physique and hard nipples against him from earlier. Anyways, he concludes that she couldn’t hurt him.

“Lead the way.” Fire says.

“Don’t you know where the hotel is?” Ruthless asks.

“You are the guide.” Fire retorts.

So not a local. But he sounds like someone used to giving orders. Mmm. Ruthless thinks.

“By the way, my name is Rachel.” Ruthless says, then asks, “And you are?”

“John.” Fire responds, his favorite throwaway first name.

“Thanks for saving me, John.” Ruthless says as she hurries ahead, “Let’s run.”

The pair set off, getting to the traffic light just as the police car rounds the corner. The pair continue on as if the law enforcement presence was not their doing. They slow to an amicable silent stroll. Eventually, Ruthless shivers. Fire takes off his suit jacket and places it on her.

“Thanks.” Ruthless says while thinking, SO WARM!

The pair continue, gently bumping shoulders on occasion. The friction builds up static sparks as they probe the other’s barriers. With sunset still an hour away, they arrive at Hotel Key West.

“Your stop.” Fire says.

“Oh, come up.” Ruthless urges as she clings onto Fire’s right arm, “Complete the escort.”

Fire looks into her eyes then says with half a smile, “Fine.”

The pair enter the hotel doors. Eventually, they are in the elevator yet Ruthless still clings onto Fire’s right arm. She is still able to press her floor number, closing the elevator doors. Moments after, the pair are now standing at the door of Ruthless’s room.

“Here’s me.” Ruthless says as she relinquishes Fire’s arm.

“Then, mission accomplished.” Fire responds.

“Just come in.” Ruthless says as she taps an edge of her padfolio onto the key reader.

“There are drinks in the fridge.” Ruthless says as the lock clicks open and the door opens,

“Consider it my thank you.” Ruthless steps in and says, “It’ll only be for a few minutes.”

Fire raises a brow and follows in. The lights turn on to reveal a single bed in the centre of the room covered in dark clothes, a desk with a laptop, and two unzipped travel bags on the side.

“Ignore the mess.” Ruthless says as she walks then stoops to the mini-fridge under the desk.

“Beer or wine?” Ruthless asks.

“Wine.” Fire responds as he shuts the door.

“No wine glasses, so paper cups will have to do.” Ruthless says as she grabs the wine bottle.

“Feel free to sit anywhere.” Ruthless says as she opens the wine bottle and pours out the wine.

“Cheers.” Ruthless says as she passes a cup to Fire.

Fire accepts the cheers but remains standing.

“Why did you turn back?” Ruthless asks.

“So, you were following me.” Fire responds.

“Already told you I wasn’t.” Ruthless says, “But lucky me anyways.”

“Here for business?” Fire asks as he sips the wine.

“Along those lines.” Ruthless says as she sips her wine, “Came to pay my respects to Alena.”

“Oh.” Fire says.

“So what do you do? Some kind of security work?” Ruthless asks, leaving her cup on the table.

“Enough to smell a tail.” Fire responds, downing his wine in one gulp then dropping his cup too.

“Are your words as sharp as your senses?” Ruthless asks as she sits on the bed.

“You are comfortable with inviting strange men to your hotel room.” Fire says with a snort.

“Some would call that adventurous.” Ruthless says, eyeing Fire.

“You meant to trap me?” Fire asks, staring right back into her dilated pupils.

“You were a random person that crossed my line of sight.” Ruthless says, “And I was curious.”

Fire observes the woman. His sense of danger isn’t going off. Even the wine was ordinary.

“You might’ve rescued me, but looking comes with a price.” Ruthless teases.

“I can leave.” Fire says with a smirk.

“Is there another woman?” Ruthless asks, enraptured in Fire’s gaze.

“Would that even dissuade you?” Fire retorts, still half-smiling.

“Then must I spell it out for you?” Ruthless asks, standing up and staring into Fire’s eyes.

Fire steps into her space, looks into her eager eyes, and daringly says, “Do.”

Ruthless stands on the tip of her toes and kisses Fire’s inviting lips. Electrifying. The short kiss grows into something hotter. The spark becomes a blazing embrace as their lips meld into each other. A torrent of pent up frustrations and other emotions burst from the two strangers in the rawness of the moment. It isn’t obvious who is enjoying this impromptu and intoxicating session more as both ravish the other in passion. Clothes are soon ripped loose and nakedness ensues. What follows is one helluva night.