CHAPTER 2: THE LAST DROP
1059 Words
"Another," I said, pushing my empty glass across the bar. "Make it stronger."
The bartender paused. "Miss, maybe you should—"
"I said another."
He poured. I drank.
Each sip burned away a memory—Adrian's cold eyes, Vivian's smug smile, the way I stood in that dining room still hoping he'd love me back.
Three years. I gave him everything. He gave me nothing.
I was nothing.
"Hey gorgeous." A hand touched my shoulder. "You look like you need company."
"Not interested."
"Come on." Another hand grabbed my waist. Three men circled me in expensive suits with predatory smiles.
"Beautiful women like you shouldn't drink alone."
"I said I'm not interested."
"You didn't say it nicely." The second man leaned in closer. "Maybe we should teach you some manners."
A deep commanding voice cut through the noise.
"I believe the lady said she's not interested."
I turned around and saw three men standing behind me—impossibly beautiful.
The one who spoke stood in the middle. Dark hair, darker eyes, sharp features, and a perfect black suit.
"The lady," he repeated, "said she's not interested."
The harasser puffed out his chest. "Listen, pal—"
"It concerns me when I see three men harassing a woman."
The second man stepped forward. Copper hair, golden eyes, and a warm but dangerous smile.
"I suggest you leave," he said with a pleasant smile.
The third man stood quietly in the back—dark hair, dark eyes, intense, like a predator ready to strike.
The harassers looked at each other, then glanced at the bouncer behind them.
"Whatever. Not worth it."
They walked away.
"Thank you," I managed to say.
Alexander stepped closer. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." I tried to stand and nearly fell. "I'm perfectly—"
Strong hands caught me—the copper-haired man.
"Whoa there," he said softly. "Too much to drink."
"I've had exactly the right amount."
The third man spoke. His voice was low and familiar. "You're hurting. The alcohol won't make it go away."
I stared at him. "How do you know that?"
He didn't answer.
"I'm Lucas," the copper-haired man said. "This is Alexander and Damien. We want to get you home safely."
"I don't have a home." The words came out on their own. "My ex-husband kicked me out."
My voice cracked and the tears I'd been holding back finally fell.
Alexander pulled me into his arms.
"Let it out," he whispered. "You're safe."
I cried into his expensive suit until I had nothing left.
"Where do you live?" Damien asked.
"I don't. I'm staying at a hotel but I don't remember which one."
Lucas and Damien exchanged a glance.
"We'll take you to our hotel," Lucas offered.
"That's not necessary—"
"It's not a question," Alexander said. "You're coming with us."
I looked into his dark eyes and something inside me shifted.
"Okay."
The hotel suite was over the top—three bedrooms, marble floors, gold fixtures, silk curtains.
"You can stay in my room," Lucas said.
He led me to the master bedroom with an enormous bed and fluffy pillows.
"I'll get you clothes." He disappeared.
I sank onto the bed, my head spinning. I was in a hotel suite with three strangers. For all I knew, they could be serial killers. But when Alexander held me, I felt something I hadn't felt in years—safe.
"Here." Lucas returned with a soft t-shirt. "It'll be big on you."
"It's perfect."
He lingered in the doorway. "Serena. I know we just met. But—"
"What?"
He shook his head. "Get some sleep."
He left. I changed into his t-shirt and climbed into bed.
Sleep didn't come.
The alcohol wore off and memories flooded back—Adrian's cold eyes, the divorce papers, the way I stood there begging for love.
Soft footsteps. The door opened and Alexander stepped inside.
"Sorry," he murmured. "I couldn't sleep."
"Me neither."
He sat on the bed. In the darkness his eyes were unreadable.
"You don't have to carry this alone."
"You don't even know me."
"I know enough." His voice was soft. "I know you gave everything to someone who didn't deserve it."
"How can you know that?"
"Because I've been watching you." His thumb traced my cheek. "From the moment you walked into that bar."
"Alexander—"
"Shh." He leaned closer. "Don't think. Just feel."
He kissed me. It wasn't like Adrian's kisses. Alexander kissed me like I was precious.
I melted into him. Years of loneliness poured out.
I didn't know when Lucas and Damien joined us. One moment it was just Alexander. The next, three pairs of hands were on my skin.
"Beautiful," Lucas murmured.
"Perfect," Damien breathed.
"Ours," Alexander said.
I should have stopped them. But for the first time in three years I felt wanted. That was enough.
Morning came too quickly. I woke up tangled in silk sheets and memories flooded back.
Oh god. What did I do?
I scrambled out of bed. My dress was crumpled on the floor. I pulled it on. I had to leave before they saw the shame on my face.
I fled through the living room. Lucas was already awake.
"Serena. You don't have to leave."
"I do." I fumbled for my purse. "Last night was a mistake. I was drunk—"
"Don't." Lucas caught my wrist. "Don't pretend it meant nothing."
"It didn't." The lie tasted bitter. "It was just one night."
Lucas's grip tightened. "You're wrong. It was everything."
I pulled away. "I have to go."
Alexander appeared in the doorway—shirtless, dark hair tousled.
"Serena. Don't leave."
"I can't." I backed toward the door. "I don't even know you."
"A beginning," Damien said from the hallway. "Not an ending."
"I can't do this." I found the door handle. "I'm sorry."
I fled. I ran through the lobby and onto the street, gasping for air.
I spent the night with three strangers—three men whose names I barely knew. And the worst part? I didn't regret it.
I hailed a cab. As it pulled away I glanced back at the hotel.
Alexander stood in the lobby window watching me. His lips moved.
We finally found you.
I shook my head. Imagination.
But I couldn't shake the feeling that my life had just changed forever.
- Writer
