Prolog

"Sorry, we're shut."

Wiping the counter, my eyes were focused on scratching off a stain of sour coffee left to claim and darken a particular and easily seen part of the table.

I sighed, scrubbing as hard as I could but I was tired. My arms were aching and all I wanted to do was curl up into a ball on my bed and sleep. But I couldn't; working a late shift was the only way I could pay the bills.

"Closed? Damn. . .is this seat taken?"

Gradually, my head lifted to meet a pair of hazel eyes. They were soft brown with specks of green and blue, merging together to make an incredibly irresistible and beautiful colour that mesmerised me. I found it hard to stop gazing into those eyes that captivated me.

My eyes slowly moved across the face. There was a man - a drunk man - a handsome drunk man. He had a body built figure and was clearly athletic. His body showed off the amount of hours spent at the gym building up such a well proportioned body.

I blinked in surprise, wondering in the back of my mind how he got in and where he has came from. Strangely, I wasn't worried. I licked my lips, wiping my hands off my apron and walking away from the counter, towards him slowly and slightly cautiously.

"What are you doing?" I asked, my eyes scanning him. He was sat on one of the chairs by the window, playing with the menu that I had neatly set on the table, ready for tomorrow.

His eyes gazed into mine before studying my face and body. I felt slightly nervously by his gaze. He was intimidating in a way and I wasn't sure whether to be cautious or not.

"You're hot."

"You're drunk."

I folded my arms, unsure of what to do. He chuckled, his voice deep and his Adams's Apple bobbing slightly. "Yes I am. . .why do you keep spinning? Stay still."

I couldn't help but chuckle a little. I rubbed my coated lips together and replied, "you're hammered. What are you doing here? Have you just came from a club?" I was hoping he would give me a sensible answer. I wasn't sure what to do with him however one thing I did know was that I wasn't scared of him.

"Mm. . .not a club. . .party - yeah, party. . Um. . . too much vodka. .too much thoughts. . ."

I nodded slowly, licking my lips once more before walking over and taking a seat opposite him, curiously watching him. He rubbed his eyes and groaned, sighing.

"You stink of alcohol," I bluntly told him, a small smile on my face as my nose wrinkled. "Gee, thanks," he muttered, glancing out the window as a car drove by.

"What were you trying not to think about?" I asked him, intrigued by his words. Shrugging, he rested back, leaning against the chair and yawning before replying, "I screwed up."

I nodded again, my eyes giving him full attention. His eyes glanced over my body again before saying, "I'm not gonna see you again, am I?"

I chuckled once more. "Not if you remember me. But it's okay. What's up?"

"Today. . ." He began, slurring slightly. "Would've been my bwother's bwirthday," he slurred a little, mispronouncing a few of his words. "I miss . . . I miss that annoying bastard. . ."

"Would've?" I steadily repeated, my voice sympathetic a little. My face softened as I began to feel a little pitiful.

"No. . .it is. .is his birthday. . .can't see him again. . ."

"Why?" I pressed on a little. His eyes were on me and stopped looking around the cafe. Sighing, he answered, "I messed up. Big time. All I do is mess up. Hates me. . .he hates me. I deserve it. . ."

"What did you do?" I asked him, even more queered now.

He shook his head and yawned, rubbing his forehead. "A lot of things, baby girl."

My cheeks reddened a little at the last two words and I almost rolled my eyes at myself for blushing so easily.

"Let me get you a drink. You need to sober up before I call you a cab." I suggested, standing up and wiping my apron. "You drink coffee?"

"Hot chocolate please. .uh. . .whip cream. . chocolate sprinkles. M-M Marshmallows. . .can I have a cookie?"

need to sober up before I call you a cab." I suggested, standing up and wiping my apron. "You drink coffee?"

"I've just baked some cake if you want some," I offered, walking to the kitchen. "Yeah, please!" He responded, watching me leave.

I grabbed what he asked for and made myself one too. Taking the cake out, I cut a few slices for us and took some cookies and pastries.

When I came back out, he was surprisingly calm, watching the dark outside world. I placed the food down before going and locking all of the doors, closing the blinds and ensuring the place was safe and secure.

I sat back down opposite him and sipped some of my hot chocolate. He thanked me quietly, drinking as well but his eyes intently gazed at me.

"I. .I messed up too," I admitted, sighing to myself. I pulled a strand of my long hair behind my ear and bit my bottom lip, my eyes gazing into his.

"What you?" He asked in a soft trange tone. "What could you have possibly done?"

"I. . ." Hesitating, I realised that I would never see this guy again so I confessed, wanting to get all of my feelings out. "I stole my best friend's boyfriend and. . .besides that, I think I've made a huge mistake."

"I thought I liked him but. . .he's changed."

His hazel eyes continued to give me their full attention. He placed his mug down and took a bite of his croissant, chewing and swallowing before questioning me, "how so?"

My hands grew warmer and warmer and I felt my cheeks reddening in nervousness. I blinked a few times as my nose tingled and a lump rose in my throat. "I literally have no one to talk to about this. No one. . .I just don't know what to do anymore." I sniffed and wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, trying my hardest to stay strong. I hated being weak in front of anyone.

"I don't want to go home. I don't want to see him."

"Why," The stranger pressed on, his face serious and he was beginning to get more sober.

I exhaled slowly before meeting his eyes again and finally saying out loud, "he cheated on me. . .with a minor."

His jaw dropped.

My eyes seriously stared at him.

I moved my hair and sighed, sipping my drink, the warm liquid running down my throat.

There was silence where the rain continued to parted down loudly, thunder clapping, leaving a zigzagged cur across the midnight sky.

My eyes moved back to his and his hand reached over the table, holding mine which surprised me. "You should go to the police. I can help you but. . .I don't want a precious flower like you to be caught up into my dark world. The police are shit but one thing is for sure: they'll take your case seriously. Take some pictures of whatever is on his computer and the browser history, and back them up. Don't let him see. I don't want you to go back to him but you have to. And be strong, bella."

I smiled a little at his kind advice. "You should speak to your brother," I advised softly, his eyes twinkling in the light. "We only get one life and no matter what, you guys are family. Family over everything. I don't have any parents but I wish I could see them one last time. I never got to say everything I needed to say to them. No matter what the problems are, always fight to be with the people you love."

He smiled a little too, as my eyes got lost in his hypnotising ones. "I think I love you." I chuckled gently, shaking my head as his thumb rubbed over my hand. "You're silly."

There was a moment of silence where all that was heard was the sound of rainfall and thunder.

His eyes flickered to mine once more and he licked his lips before asking, "can I ask you something?"

I nodded, curious.

"We both want to forget about our mess up lives, right?"

I nodded slowly, unsure of what he was going to say next.

"I have the perfect remedy."

"I'm not doing drugs."

He rolled his eyes and laughed a little, finally sober. "No. This storm is gonna be here for a while. Not those kind of drugs but I have the perfect drug for us." I raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"Wanna have sex, mi amore?"

~

Laying on some old blankets found in the storage cupboard on the floor, I no longer felt cold.

My body was sweaty, warm and tired but I didn't care. All I cared about was him.

His arms were around me, the feeling of protectiveness and security in me, and our bodies were tangled together.

My head was against his chest, swirling circles on his hard abs. His hand played with my butt a little on under the blankets but I didn't even care.

He kissed my hot forehead, sighing gently. I snuggled against him, not wanting this moment to ever stop.

"Is it possible to fall in love with someone in a few hours?" He asked, breaking the comfortable silence. I sighed too, closing my eyes in happiness.

"Maybe," I replied quietly, "we could beat the Guinness World Record." He chuckled, his deep voice rumbling in his chest a little which I could feel against my head.

"The storm's stopped," I mumbled, enjoying his embrace.

"Looks like I'll have to go," he responded quietly, his hand going up and down my bare waist.

"Looks like it," I muttered, not wanting him to leave at all.

He lifted my chin so I was looking up into his irresistible eyes.

"But for now."

He leaned in and kissed me, sparks of love and lust between us. He pulled me on top of him, changing our positions as we braced ourselves for round two.