seduction 2

I drown one glass after the other, hoping that the alcohol will help me forget how miserable my life is.

Not only am I dead ass broke, in several debts and homeless, now I have to deal with the news of possibly losing my mother.

Caleb informed me that the chances of having the hospital director revoke his decision is if I pay the pending bills plus deposit a two months worth of f*e for the service. To put it bluntly, my mother will have to be pulled off the life support because where the hell am I going to get that money?

I let the burning drink slither down my throat as my eyes remain closed. I don't know how much alcohol I have taken so far but I can tell that I am very close to getting drunk.

“ Hey pretty, need company?” An annoying voice sounds from beside me and I groan in annoyance. I have noticed the predatory gazes the male species have been throwing at me but I chose to avoid it. I have no business with a dick at this point not to mention I am an exclusive plaything to a certain billionaire.

“ Go away, I am not interested.” I yell, sending the person a dirty look. Of course, the scumbag doesn't seem pleased by my refusal as his expression shifts.

He sneers, “ You think you are anything special? How dare you refuse me. I can drag you across this club and f*ck you on the dirty floor like the cheap dirty wh*re you are.” He bellows, sending me a disdainful look. I feel my blood boiling, coupled with my frustrations, I don't realise when I smack him across the face.

I can feel the sting on my hand from the impact of hitting him but the adrenaline rush is making me too high. A look of surprise flashes in his eyes before anger takes over. He raises his hand, intending to slap me across the face and my heart stops. I close my eyes and await the pain.

One second and another yet no pain registers. I slowly unfold my eyes to see an interesting scene before me.

A big hand wraps around his wrist,twisting it and holding him down.

Amber eyes lock with mine, the owner's expression cold and emotionless. My breath gets caught in my throat as he holds my gaze. Even in my half-drunken state, that familiar face slaps my mind home.

Lance...

He is watching me intensely and I return the favor.

Why the hell is he here? That's the question flashing in my mind.

I don't know how long we stare at each other when a cracking voice followed by a scream resonates. The voice is however overshadowed by the loud music playing in the background.

" If a woman says no, she means no." Lance growls menacingly.

" Scram before I break every bone in your useless body."

The guy nods his head, fear written all over his face as he tries to back away.

Lance releases his wrist and he bolts, staggering out of the club like his life depends on it.

Lance turns his attention back to me, his eyes softening. I watch him approach me and sit on the empty stool beside me.

" Are you okay, Kara?" He asks but my mind remains fixated on something else... that voice... so hoarse and sexy, it sends a delicious shiver running down my spine.

" Kara." He calls and I shake myself out of my stupor. I can feel my vision blurring and my senses going to an overdrive.

" I... Um.., " I stutter, unable to form any coherent words. I don't know if it's the alcohol or Lance's presence but I can feel myself switching off.

" You are drunk. " Lance comments with a frown.

I am about to protest when suddenly, my head lightens and vision goes completely blank.

***

I blink my eyes open only to close them immediately from the sudden assault of light. I groan when my head thumps wildly, threatening to split.

Where the hell am I?

I try opening my eyes again but the pain is too much. I shut them tight and try to remember the events that happened the previous night.

I was drinking alone at the bar. Some jerk wanted to get into my pants and I rejected him.

That's all that comes to my mind.

What happened next?

" You are awake." My eyes fly wide open at the comment. The person standing by the bedside watches me with an unreadable expression.

I can feel the shock and ... relief flood my mind. For a moment, I thought that I ended up in some stranger's bed after getting drunk.

" Lance." His name comes out in a whisper as my mind tries to register how the hell he is here with me. I shake my mind, closing my eyes to clear the hangover looming over me in case it's making me hallucinate.

How can someone who left the country for years appear right beside my bed? I must be caught up in one of those hopeless dreams I always have about him. Only that this time, it feels so real.

When I open my eyes , I meet his gaze, too serious and unfathomable.

I am about to say something when he turns around, walking to a nearby table and pouring a glass of water.

" Here." He offers me water which I gratefully take. My throat feels too dry and the water is a blessing. After I finish drinking, I grasp the glass with both my palms, my eyes trained on my thighs.

I don't know what to say to him. After five years of not seeing each other, it feels awkward to be in w closed space with him. Considering that our relationship was already sour before he left, I can't find words to strike a conversation.

“ Why are you so careless? How can you go to a club and get drunk all by yourself? Did you stop to think what would have happened if I didn't intervene on time?” He reproaches me, his voice stern and raised.

A sudden feeling of anger stirs inside me and before I know it, I am glaring at him. How dare he reprimand and question my actions as if I am an ignorant teenager?. Is that how he still sees me? A spoiled brat who thinks that the world is black and white? That's the last thing he told me before he left the country.

“What is your business what I do and don't do? Did I ask for your help?” I snap at him, annoyed.