lending with the soft clinking of glasses. He sat i

the time. And then he saw her. She walked in like she had no real destination

was trying to conceal. She took a seat at the bar, ordered a drink, and wrapped

her shoulders rising and falling with a deep breath. Somethin

from it. Or the way her gaze occasionally flickered to her reflection in the mir

lass. Her fingers swirling around the rim, she wasn't here to get drunk, she wasn't looki

turned her head. Her eyes scanning the bar settl

hanging the atmosphere. Their eyes met, his face was dark a

ed himself off his seat and walke

ice nervous yet steady. He slid onto the stool beside her, signaling the bartender for

ad, letting it settle. It suited her. "A

mall, humorless

a slow sip of his drink. "

moment sit between them. If she wanted to talk, she would. If she didn't, that was fine too. He knew wha

bout you?" she asked, curiosity lacing her tone. "What br

the dim light reflected off the liquid. "Maybe

half unconvinced. "You say that

ho look like the

as she took another sip. Chloe let him in, his charm was a welcome distraction, and she let herself be swept up in th

o quiver as his scent filled up her senses "How would you l

y. When they left the bar, the city lights glimmered around them, the alcohol

apartment, the building towering over them, he held the door open for her, a small welcomin

t glow of the dim chandelier lights casting its glow across the spacious living

. "Sure" Chloe nodded, feeling the heat rush to her cheeks, the alcohol ha

her one. "So" he began, taking a seat next to her on the sofa,

e wine in her glass. "Well, my boyfriend

ll the emotions she had bottled up beginning to spill over. "I found out tonight, Ryan my

surface. He looked at her with a mixture of sympathy and someth

er bolder as she loosened her tongue. "You ever had your h

on hers. "Once" he said simply, his gaze stuck on hers. Ther

the moment. Her eyes drifted to his lips, lingering there for a bit too long. When she loo

thinking, Chloe set her glass down on the table, her hands trembling slight

d out, gently cupping her chin, lifting her face towards his, Chloe's breath paus

ered, his voice low and roug

rm raging inside of her. Chloe succumbed to the kiss, all thoughts of Ryan and Sienna vanishing in the heat of t

ed at the edge of her blouse, his fingers trailing across her skin. She didn't release. Di

e quickened as his hands slid down her arms, rough yet tender. His eyes darkened in desire and she felt her own n

His lips found hers again, more urgently this time. He pressed her back gently

as a blur of sensations - his touch, his scent, the

erself to sink into the moment. The pain, the anger, the betrayal, all of it fad