CHAPTER TWO: A STRANGER IN THE BAR

LIORAÉ

I did not let my mother stop me as I pushed back, ready to escape this world if I could. I was the only woman who would go down in history for losing her husband-to-be to a stripper on the night of the engagement. 

The night breeze enveloped me, and I realised how foolish I was for storming off without my jacket. I called a cab service, ready to do everything I had not done because I was being good. 

“Take me to the trendiest bar.” The driver moved without judgement. Why had I always thought that being a good girl was going to stop everyone else from judging me as much as I was judging myself? 

“Tonight ends the good girl era,” I murmured to myself as I slipped out of the bar. I had to see what made people like sex that much; I was going to do it tonight. Have a one-night stand to escape from the gnawing feeling in my heart. 

I slipped into the crowded bar. Of course, a Friday night like this meant that there were going to be a lot of people in here. My eyes scanned the lab. If I were going to have sex, then I couldn't do it by myself; I needed help. 

Over at the bar with his head hung low and a whisky glass in hand was a man who looked like something out of this world.

I stood at the entrance, my eyes on him as I tried to make out his features through the dull lighting. If I were going to have a one-night stand, then I might as well have it with such a good-looking man. 

When I slid right by him in the bar, the smell of his cologne hit me all at once. I turned to him, his features popping out to attack me.

“What would that be?” 

“Something that burns.” The bartender nodded and began to mix the drinks. I cleared my throat countless times, trying to make sense of what I was supposed to say. I could not just ask him to jump into bed with me. 

“Hi,” I murmured and he turned to me, grey eyes peering into mine. 

“Hi,” he mimicked my tone. He tilted his head gently, eyes running all over me before they stopped back on my face. “Rough night?” 

“How did you guess it at once?” 

“I have my ways,” he smiled, and I nodded. “So, celebration or heartbreak?” 

I laughed and looked away. How could he unravel me so easily? “Both,” I finally murmured as the cup thudded against the marble in front of me. I took the cup, trailing my fingers against the rim of the glass gently. 

“That is quite a rough mix.” I swallowed the contents of the glass immediately and asked for a refill. Once the drink hits my system, I feel a wave of energy burst through my body. 

I turned to him again, the conversation having died a natural death, not willing to let go so easily. 

“I do not normally do this.” I paused as he turned to me again; something flickered in his eyes, but it was too quick to catch. 

“I have always been the girl who played by the rules, but sincerely…” I paused again, letting out a small sound from the back of my throat. “I am tired of being that girl.” 

“Then don’t.” 

I was trying to figure out this man. Could it be that he was interested, or was he just trying to humour me, a strange girl he met at the bar who was showing him the real meaning of being strange? 

“I want one night, no names, no relations, just…” 

“Passion and sex?” he asked without skipping a beat, as if he took the words right out of my mouth. 

“Yes,” I nodded, and he smiled and looked away. “I just want to forget,” I added. 

The silence between us makes me want to tell him that I was just joking, but before I could utter a word, he got up and stretched his hands to me. 

His eyebrows wiggled at me with a straight face; he looked familiar, like I had seen him somewhere, but I did not dwell too much on it. This was just a night for pleasure, and that alone. 

“Don’t you want that sexy passion anymore?” His voice was curt, like a good student asking for permission to do something wrong. 

“I do.” I downed the last of the alcohol, ready for some faux courage it was going to give. My hand clung to his as he pulled me up to him, our faces almost touching. His free hand sneaked to the back of my waist as he pulled me closer. 

“Last chance to walk away,” he whispered, his breath fanning my cheeks yet leaving a hot trail behind. 

I straightened my shoulders, wondering how he knew I was reconsidering my recklessness, but being reckless for once won't kill me. 

“I do not want to walk away.” 

The words barely leave my mouth when he slams his lips onto mine, gently at first, like soft silk grazing over your body. His hand tightened on my waist, causing a gasp, and my lips parted gently. His lips thrust into mine, his tongue exploring every inch of my mouth. 

My legs danced with pleasure as my lower stomach churned with pride. He pulled away, his grey eyes darkened and almost all black. Our breath mixed as we stood there at the bar, everyone busy with their own lives. 

“Wow.”

It was only when I saw the expression on her face that I realised that I had exclaimed that out loud. He leaned in, and his lips grazed my earlobes gently as he bit the tip of it and then pulled away. 

“If you think that was impressive, then you should wait till I show you more.” He pulled away and winked. I nodded, and he held my wrist, leading me out of there. 

And for the first time in forever, I did not feel like I owed anyone but myself.