Built for Sin

Elizabeth's POV

The man sitting at the bar was strange but yet so appealing. There was something about him that made me want to know more and I didn't even know his name. I had caught him looking at me and it made me smile, the smile he gave in return made butterflies assault my stomach. I finished up serving my current tables, cashed them out and gave them a warm 'see you next time'. I walked behind the counter and grabbed a rag, rinsing it and spraying it down with disinfectant.

"So are you going to tell me your name, or do I have to guess?" His voice was smooth and I felt a shiver dance along my spine. My hand went to my face immediately, moving my hair behind my ear. I could feel the flush on my cheeks and my hands were shaking. I looked up to meet his deep blue eyes, getting lost for a moment before a harsh voice cut into me and made me jump.

"Lizzy!" I sighed and set my rag down on the counter, the stranger sitting at the counter smirked at me. I had intended to make him guess my name but that was out of the question now. I excused myself and headed into the back office where my boss often retired to study the tapes and watch videos on his phone. I knocked on the partially closed office door before opening it. Daniel sat behind the desk, his eyes glued to the screen of the laptop sitting before him. I cleared my throat and he slammed the laptop closed. "What the hell do you think you are doing out there?" His eyes seem to glow with anger and I looked down at my black Converse. "Answer me!" I jumped and continued to look down.

"Doing my job, sir and making small talk with customers." I bit down on my trembling lip and closed my eyes, waiting for the abuse. Not many people knew this, but Daniel Hatfield had a very short temper and a twitching palm. I heard the chair roll back and felt the air in the small office 'woosh' as he moved around the desk. I felt him against my back, a hand on my side. I held my breath and stiffened immediately.

"No, you are out there flirting with a customer. I've been watching you stupid slut." His hand traveled up my side and across my shoulders, his fingers brushing the back of my neck. I balled my fists at my sides and shook my head, pulling away from his touch. "Do you think I'm blind? Where do you think you are going?" He grabbed my wrist and pulled my back to him and chuckled. Tears stung my eyes and I tried pulling away again.

"I was only talking to him, he's new in town and I was making him feel welcome. Let go of my arm please. You are starting to hurt me," my voice was thick with tears, trying to swallow them back as I pulled at his hold. I felt his fingers release the hold on my arm but his hands snaked around my waist, pulling me against the front of him. "You better watch yourself girl, you have no idea who you are messing with." He voice was low and menacing. I ripped myself from his hold, turned on my heel and slapped him in the face. His hand going up to the cheek I had just assaulted.

"You little b***h," hissed from his gritted teeth and then it came, his rough hand across my tear stricken face. The force knocked me back and I had to catch myself on the corner of Daniels' deck. "You've been warned, now get the hell out of my office." I turned quick on my heels and practically ran out of the office and into the bathrooms down the hall. I locked the door behind me and slid down the door, the tears coming in steady streams down my reddened cheeks. I broke out in muffled sobs as I covered my mouth with a hand, the other resting against my cheek which still stung from being backhanded. This wasn't the first time he'd been angry with me but this was the first time he'd ever raised a hand.

I don't know how long I was in the bathroom but a soft knock echoed on the door and my heart started to race. My ears listened closely as I found my voice, "I'll be out in a minute!". I gathered myself off the floor and took a deep breathe, looking into the mirror that was glued above the small pedestal sink. My eyes were red from crying and my cheeks were stained black with the mascara I had been wearing. I grabbed a few sheets of paper towel, wet them under the warm water and wiped my face. I splashed a bit of cool water on my face, hoping to clear the flush on my cheeks. I looked at myself in the mirror, drying my face off. I was lost in my reflection and sighed softly. I tossed the paper towels in the waste basket and unlocked the door.

I opened the door and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear as I exited. My eyes were on the floor and didn't realize someone was standing in the hallway; and I ran right into them. I picked my eyes up to find a familiar set of deep blue irises looking back at me. I felt a flush prick my cheeks and I immediately started to babble, "I am so sorry, are you okay?" I felt a pair of strong, soft hands grab my forearms and give me a comforting squeeze. I had been looking down at my feet, but looked back up when a finger guided my gaze up to him.

His gaze locked with mine and I couldn't help but melt into his touch. The door jingling up front caught my attention and snapped me out of the daze that his mere presence put me in. I realized the entire ordeal I had just went through with Daniel and pulled away from his grasp. "I'm sorry; but I should go, I have a customer up front.." I dodged his attempt to grab my arm and jogged past him, greeting the small party that walked in. I wish he would just leave or never showed up here in the first place I thought, kicking myself mentally for letting this happen. I didn't understand why I was so attracted to this stranger, I didn't even know his name. Just forget about him, Lizzy. It's for the best.