Chapter One

Scarlett

"You can't drive in this storm, Scar. You're going to get yourself killed." My best friend hissed at me through the phone.

"Trust me, I know that." I replied, pulling over in front of the motel. It was the first one I had come across in miles, and I was relieved that I didn't have to keep driving. I'd almost fallen into a ditch earlier, "I just found a motel. I'll call you when I get settled."

"Okay, keep me updated." She said before hanging up.

Jen and I had met last year at my ex fiance's office party and since then we had been inseparable. I don't know what I'd have done if she hadn't been there after I'd found out Paul was a lying, cheating snake two weeks ago. I'd moved in with her and she had kept me distracted.

Which was how I found myself stuck in the storm on my way to her parents' house for their anniversary.

Sighing, I climbed out the car, my duffel in hand and hunched into my jacket, hurrying into the building before I could get completely soaked. Inside the motel was neat and warm, with a few people seated at the bar are drinking quietly.

I approached the front desk, teeth chattering, "Hello, I'd like a room please."

"Of course." The young man smiled at me, "How long would you be staying?"

"Just one night. Thanks." I slid my credit card over, "Add whatever extra charges for a meal too."

The man grabbed the card and began to process the payment while I shivered in my wet clothes.

"Want a drink?" A deep voice asked from beside me.

I turned in the direction of the sound and immediately lost my breath at the sight of the large, gorgeous man staring down at me. In my profession, I'd worked with good looking men, but none of them held a candle to this stranger.

At over six feet five, the man was a giant compared to my five feet six height, with wide shoulders, muscled arms and legs, intense blue eyes and dark brown messy hair. It took me a moment to realise what he was asking.

"Uh, no." I shook my head at his offer of a beer.

"Well, how about a cup of coffee then?" He asked, "You look like you're freezing."

"I'll be fine." I said politely, "I just need to get out of my wet clothes and take a hot shower."

He made a tsking sound at the back of his throat, "Those sound like activities that are best done with a friend."

My eyebrows climbed up in surprise, but I decided to play along. After six years in a worthless relationship to a man who accused me of being frigid after I caught him in bed with another woman, I had to admit that my confidence was a little bit shaken.

The fact that this gorgeous man was staring at me with interest was making me feel giddy. What was the harm in flirting with a stranger at a motel. It wasn't like he'd ever see me again.

"I agree," I drawled, "unfortunately, I don't see any of my friends around."

His eyes flared, "Sounds like it's time to make new friends."

I giggled, "Are you trying to flirt your way into taking a hot shower with me? How shameless. You don't even know me."

"I don't know if you know sweetheart," he leaned closer, "But there's plenty of room to get to know each other in a shower."

My mouth pulled up into a smirk, "I have a feeling my definition of getting to know someone are yours are very different."

"What's yours?" He asked.

I opened my mouth to answer, but just then, the receptionist cleared his throat, causing my attention to fall back on him. He looked truly apologetic.

"I'm sorry, ma'am," he said, "But your card keeps declining. Do you have another card I can use?"

"Can you try again please," I said desperately, "My other cards are in my car and I can't go out there."

"I've tried severally, ma'am."

"Use mine," the tall man slid his card over.

"No. I can't let you pay for it." I argued.

"It's less than a hundred dollars," he pointed out, "It's nothing. Consider it a loan, and when you can get your card after the storm, you can buy me another beer. Fair?"

It wasn't like I had any other option, "Fine. Thank you so much for this."

He winked at me, "No problem."

The receptionist accepted the card and began to process the payment while I turned back to the man, "What brings you around here anyway? You a cowboy?"

He threw his head back and laughed, "I can be a cowboy if you want. I just need a hat and some wranglers."

"Uh ma'am," the receptionist sounded nervous, "There's a problem."

"If the card declined, I can_" the man at my side began, but the younger guy shook his head.

"It's not the card. Actually, it turns out that the motel is full. There aren't any rooms left. I'm sorry," he swallowed.

My eyes widened in shock and horror as i imagined having to drive in the storm again in search of another accommodation. From the window, I could see that the storm had gotten heavier in the time I'd spent inside the motel. Going out there would be a suicide mission.

"Oh God," a whimper slid out of my mouth, "I-is there another motel nearby?"

"Are you crazy?" The blue eyed man barked, "You're not going out there. You'll get yourself killed."

"What do you expect me to do?" I asked in a shaky voice.

He eyed me carefully, "It's just for a night, so why don't you stay with me."

"What!" I cried, "I can't do that. I can't just sleep with a stranger."

"I'm not going to maul you," he rolled his eyes, "It's just a few hours sharing a room. We can stay on opposite sides of the bed and bid ourselves farewell in the morning. No biggie."

I bit my lip, thinking. Eventually I let out a sigh, "Okay."