1. Path that led him to him.
I used to tell my friends that drinking never solves anything.
Look at me now.
Three days. My wedding is in three days, and I just caught my fiancée cheating. Not with one man. With anyone who would have her. She couldn't even wait until our honeymoon.
So here I am, behind the bar, trying to drown her out of my system.
"One more drink. Please."
"Sir, you've already finished ten bottles."
"Then give me another one! You're just an employee! Just give me the damn drink!"
The bartender stepped back, scared. And then I heard him.
"I'll take care of this. You can go."
I didn't see him at first because the music was too loud. But I felt him. A deep voice right behind my ear that sent a shiver down my spine.
"You don't need to drink for someone who doesn't deserve you."
He gripped my wrist — the hand that was holding my glass. His grip was firm, warm, and veiny.
"Who the hell are you? Get your hands off me!"
I hated how my voice shook. I hated how his voice alone made my skin heat up. I'm not gay. I shouldn't be turned on by a stranger's voice.
"Relax. I thought you were a cute little cat earlier," he whispered, leaning closer. "But now? You're a little fox. Fierce, angry... and hot. I like it."
I finally looked up. Even with my blurry vision, I could see it. Broad shoulders. A black suit that fit his body perfectly. Tall. Dangerously handsome.
"Just f**k off and don't come near me again!"
I stuttered. Damn it, I stuttered.
He just smirked. "Sure, little fox. But I know you'll crave my touch."
I shoved his hand away and tried to stand, but the world spun. Ten bottles. I swayed, tried to reach the exit, and then—
Darkness.
I fell into someone's chest.
When I woke up, I wasn't in the bar anymore. I was in a car, then on a bed that wasn't mine. And in front of me, watching me, was him. The man from the bar.
"Where the hell am I?! Where did you take me?!"
"In my house, foxy." He said it like it was the most normal thing in the world.
"Who gave you permission to take me?!"
He sighed and started taking off his belt. I tensed.
"Relax. I'm putting it in the cabinet behind you. You think I'm going to devour you already? What a pervert you are, little fox. I thought you were innocent."
My entire face burned.
"I'm the pervert? You're the one who kidnapped me!"
"Me? Kidnapper? Look at this handsome face. But if you insist... then I will kidnap you for real and never let you go. Do you want that?"
"Of course not! I'm leaving!"
I tried to get up, but he was already towering over me, his hands on my shoulders, pinning me gently but firmly to the bed.
"Don't leave. You're not sober. You're in no state to drive in the middle of the night. Just shut up and let me take care of you."
His shout silenced me. No one had ever talked to me like that.
"Just sleep. I'll take the couch. Wake me up if you need anything."
I don't know why I did it. Maybe because I was tired of being alone. I whispered,
"I'm Elliott Cierra Vinttle."
"I know, little grumpy fox."
Before I could ask how he knew my name, he was already walking to the couch.
I fell asleep. And then I saw it again — my fiancée's apartment. The noise coming from our room. The scene I never wanted to see.
I woke up gasping, tears on my cheeks.
He was already there, holding me like I would break.
"Little Elli, can you hear me? Look at me. You're not alone. It was just a dream."
I sobbed into his chest until I had nothing left.
Then, in the silence, I whispered something I never thought I would say.
"Can you make me forget?"
