O

o thin air. Tears streamed down my face as I walked aimlessly, lost in thought and oblivious to my surroundings. T

nning off, giggling. Their laughter snapped me back to reality, and I noticed th

sign. I knew I didn't belong here, but I couldn't bring myself t

ispered to myse

entrance, my eyes fixed on the bar inside. I felt gazes

in my hands. Though the stares had subsid

distress?" the bartender asked, slid

ress?" I

owing smile. "I take it this wasn'

eat. "Something

erhaps?" he

ronger than that." I needed to feel happy

" the bartender asked, co

concern, but pity was the last thing I needed right now. I craved distraction,

iliar, but the strong smell of alcohol that assaulted my senses told me i

ain that had overwhelmed me earlier began to fade, but even in my i

articular. The bartender glanced at

t to spite him, right?" I turned t

y," he rep

snapped. He chuckled, saying, "Ye

o do anything against my morals without judging myself. After all, if Levi cou

id beside me. I turned to see a man sliding a

verything about him seemed surreal. His eyebrows were perfectly arched, complementing his hunter-like gaze. His jawline

t raced, its loud thumping audible only to me. I downed a fe

h for you?" he asked,

I'm fine, it's fine," I managed

eel his gaze unraveling every part of me, and the thrill of bein

ing closer. The scent of cedarwood

replied h

an," he said. His eyes bore into mine,

ached to be touched by this complete stranger who had me completely under his spell. I took deep breaths to calm myself, but when we m

why I was here. All I knew was that I wanted this man. I pulled him to me, locking

shly, biting each other's lips, the taste of alcohol mingling between us. He grabbed me, lifting me effortlessly.

ld me by the shoulder, pinning me to the wall, pulling my hair back – it was intoxica

he asked, a slow smile s

is head, pulling him in for another deep kiss. He

carried me upstairs. My lips neve

*

fully dressed in my designer dress from last night. I watched my green-eyed beau

things to do today. I stepped out of the room as qu

ed, he hadn't come home. I began packing my things – I couldn't stay there an

" I said in

or now, we can talk later," Bec

king up all my st

y," she said,

der what the future held for me. One thing was