Chapter 2- Handsome Stanger

Sophie

I blinked at the man who just saved me from falling. He was so tall, like a giant Alpha. He was dressed in pants and a shirt, and smelled expensive.

I gulped. Damn, the man before me was deliciously hot and handsome, and he was in his 40s, still… I can't believe I'm thinking this right now, when I was not in the right mindset.

My hands gripped his forearms as he helped me stand back on my feet, like I weighed nothing.

"Are you ok, Miss?" His voice was deep and masculine. I shivered, just to hear his voice, and the way he was staring at me.

"Umm… yes, thank you very much, sir, for saving my drunk ass," I joked.

He chuckled, and d*mn, this man had a dimple on his left cheek. What a beautiful laugh.

How could someone as old as him be this handsome and magnificent?

"Well, Miss…" he stopped, not knowing my name.

"Sophie," I said right away, wanting to hear my name from his mouth.

The smile never dimmed from his face.

"Well, Miss Sophie, I didn't mind saving someone as beautiful as you." A smirk tugged at his lips.

Did he just flirt with me?

I bit my lip. I nodded at him in acknowledgment and tried to walk again.

Sh*t. I stumbled once more, and one more time, he caught me.

"Miss Sophie, I think you're drunk. In this state, you shouldn't be driving. Let me help you."

I shook my head in denial. "No, sir, you don't need to worry about me. I'm perfectly fine."

But my legs were wobbly and my head was buzzing. I couldn't even stand properly. Stupid me. What had I become?

Why did I even drink this much? Because of my useless cheater husband, that's why.

I wanted to get to my apartment as soon as possible.

This man's firm hand was still on my waist possessively like he owned me. When my narrowed eyes flicked up to him, his hold loosened on me.

"I'm fine." I gently unwrapped his hand and headed toward the entrance.

Somehow I made it to the door.

"Hey, beautiful!" Someone whistled. I looked over — a boy was staring at me from head to toe, licking his lips. Creep.Disgust built up inside me.

"Do you need some company?" he asked again. I ignored him and kept walking toward where my car was parked. Sh*t. The boy stepped right in front of me.

"Hey, s*xy, you're ignoring me. Let's have some fun, night is still young" he suggested, then slapped my *ss hard.

My eyes widened. This fucker.. before I could raise my hand, to give him what he deserves I heard the sound of a hard punch, followed by a loud thud.

I spun around, horrified. The boy was lying on the ground with a busted lip. Then I saw who did it. I recognized the old hottie from earlier.

He saved me again.

"Miss Sophie, are you alright?" He asked, his expression genuinely worried, though his face stayed cold.

My eyes filled with tears. Anything could have happened to me in this state, but he saved me.

"Thank you, sir, for saving me again."

He waved his hand like it was nothing. "I told you, in this state you're not safe. Let me drive you home," he offered.

Could I trust him? I don't think so.

"How could I trust you? I'm not getting in a stranger's car."

He shrugged. "If that's your concern, then go ahead, take a picture of me and my car number. Send it to your relatives or friends. Tell them if you don't reach home safely, they can have my head." He said it like it was the most normal thing in the world.

I chuckled. "That's a good idea, Mr…"

"Alexander." He finally gave me his name.

I smiled. "Well, thank you, Mr. Alexander, for giving me that idea."

I took out my phone from my bag, clicked his picture, snapped a shot of his car's plate, and sent everything to Lily. Still, I had a feeling he wasn't that type of creep.

Alexander guided me to his car and opened the door for me like a gentleman. James never did that for me. I pushed the thought away. I wanted to forget that cheater.

Alexander drove at a moderate speed. We were both quiet, saying nothing. He kept his eyes on the road. I was grateful for that. I was feeling so low right now.

My whole life had been turned upside down because of one man. My eyes watered again. I became a cry baby. I closed my eyes, and soon the darkness pulled me into its dark abyss.

My eyes shot open when sunlight hit my face.

I looked around, disoriented, then quickly sat up in the bed. Holy shit. Where was I? I checked my clothes and let out a long breath of relief. Everything was still on my body. No one took advantage of me.

Last night came back to me in pieces, and I yanked my hair in frustration. How could I have been so careless? I was almost in serious trouble.

My phone buzzed from the table beside me. I grabbed it fast.

"Hello?"

"For God's sake, Sophie, where the hell are you young lady? I've been worried sick!" Lily screamed from the other end.

"I'm fine, Lily. I was just… really drunk, so someone helped me home."

She scoffed. "Are you fucking kidding me? How could you be this careless, going off with some unknown man when you were drunk?" She was angry, but underneath it was pure worry.

"I'm so sorry, Lily. I know, you're right. I should've been more careful. It was just last night, but I'm fine now, I promise." I tried to reassure her, but Lily wasn't done. She gave me a full lecture before we finally said our goodbyes.

Knock.

"Miss Sophie, are you awake?"

I recognized Alexander's voice immediately.

"Yes," I called out. The door clicked and opened.

Alexander walked in with that same strong presence. He had changed into trousers and a fitted t-shirt. D*mn, this man was really something else.

I smiled nervously. "Umm… Mr. Alexander, I'm sorry about last night. I passed out on you."

He waved his hand like it was nothing "It's alright. I told you, you weren't okay." He paused. "I'm relieved I could help."

We were quiet for a few seconds.

"Okay, so I should get going." I broke the silence.

He nodded. "You can leave. But not before breakfast."

I shook my head. "No,no, I've already given you enough trouble—"

"You didn't, Miss Sophie." He cut me off gently. "The food is ready." And just like that, he turned and walked out of the room, like a boss who just gave an order to his employee.

Sh*t. I was still embarrassed. I had been rude to him, and yet he'd been nothing but good to me.

When I came out, the food was already set on the table. Alexander sat at the head of it like a king. I looked around the space.

No one else was here. Where was his wife? His children? What would they think about me if they saw me here? I wanted to ask, but I didn't. I have no right.

We ate in silence. When I was done, I stood and offered to wash my dishes. He politely refused.

"Once again, thank you, Mr. Alexander. For everything."

He looked up at me with his intense eyes, and something in those dark eyes was soft yet something else in a way the rest of him wasn't. He smiled and gave me a slow nod, and that hot dimple carved itself into his cheek.

"Take care of yourself, Miss Sophie.”

I nodded. Will I ever be able to see him again?. Why did I think this?

I turned to leave. I took one step.

And again stumbled.

He moved fast, faster than a man could do, but it was already too late. I fell straight into him, landing right on top of him in the chair.

The air knocked out of me, breath caught in my throat. My chest hit his face, the side of my boob pressed flush against his mouth, my hands gripped his shoulders, his hands catching my waist on instinct.

Hell, Awkward position.

Everything stopped.

I shivered and looked down. He looked up.

Our eyes locked, wide, startled, embarrassing, both of us completely still.

Neither of us moved.

Neither of us breathed.