Chapter 1 The night it all started…

Grace

I was supposed to be smiling tonight, not just smiling. I should be laughing, dancing and toasting to my future like every other sane person would do on their proposal night. But instead, I'm hiding in the back corner of a bar, sipping my whiskey and pretending like everything is all good with me.

People always talk about freedom like it’s a choice. Maybe to some people, but for me? I've never had that luxury. Ever since I was born, my life has been planned without my permission and even when I thought I was of age and finally free, it got even worse. My parents scripted my life like it was a movie and never even bothered to ask if I wanted the role…

“Want more?” the bartender asked while I just nodded and he refilled my glass.

My phone beeped for the umpteenth time and I finally checked. Fifteen missed calls and several text messages. All from my dad, mom, and best friend, Abby.

“Where are you? People are asking about you and we need to finalize the engagement photos.” That was the last text and it was from my mom but I didn't even flinch. I just turned the phone face-down on the counter, and then took a big gulp of my drink.

Just an hour ago, my fiance proposed to me and everyone couldn't be more happy. Everyone but me though. I tried to play along, I faked the smiles, waved my ring to them while camera lights flashed from all corners. They were all trying to get a picture of the expensive diamond ring.

I got tired of the fake smiles and my cheeks were already hurting so I just did it.

I walked out right in the middle of my own proposal party, the one meant to “introduce me to high society.” Funny how they say that as if I’m not human, and just a piece of jewelry being presented.

I asked the driver to take me to a bar faraway and thirty minutes later, I got here.

The car zoomed off and I just stood there in my expensive designer dress, wondering what was awaiting me inside. It was a small bar and even from outside, I could perceive the thick alcohol smell. My mom would scream if she saw me in a place like this. But who cares? It's more reason why it's the best place to be.

“Breathe in, breathe out… I know it's still fake freedom but still better than none, right?” a voice sounded in my head and before I could convince myself otherwise, I made my way inside…

“Rough night?” a voice suddenly asked from behind me.

I didn't turn immediately as I wasn't sure what to expect. The voice certainly didn't sound like one that belonged in a bar like this.

I finally turned slowly and once I saw his face, my heart stopped. He doesn’t look like everyone else here. He doesn’t even look like he has ever stepped inside a place like this.

He was tall, handsome, and his body? Hot! But that's not all to him. He looked really controlled and intimidating in a great way that instantly sent shivers down my whole body.

“You look like you’re trying to disappear,” he chimed in, finally pulling me back to reality.

“Maybe I am.” I replied slowly.

“I should let you be then.” he retorted and that was it.

He didn't even smile or flirt, he just quietly took the seat next to mine. I've never seen a man respect boundaries that clearly. Most guys would have persisted and try to conquer but not him, and that single act, raised a thirst inside of me.

“I want this man!” that was the only thing that rang in my head as I stole glances at him through my corner eye.

I know it's wrong and I'm supposed to look away because of course, I'm engaged and shouldn't be talking to strange ‘handsome’ men. But tonight I’m not myself. I’m tired of being myself and tonight, I'm going to let loose and enjoy myself.

“Buy me a drink?” I finally found my voice while he glanced at my untouched glass.

“You haven’t finished that one.”

“I don’t like it,” I replied and there was a long pause before he signaled the bartender. He gave the orders and the bartender instantly brought over a new drink.

“You didn’t even ask what I want.”I frowned.

“I know what people order when they want to forget,” he simply said.

I didn't know how to respond to that so I just took the drink and the silence that followed.

He wouldn't ask questions or push and that made me more interested so I just went for the first word that came to my lips before I could stop it.

“I’m supposed to get engaged tomorrow, to someone I barely know.” I let out and he finally looked at me fully.

It wasn't in a strange way and certainly not like a man interested in a woman kind of way but like someone who saw the hurt beneath my skin.

“And do you want to?” he asked gently and that got me emotional.

No one has ever asked me what I wanted. They just tell me the next thing to do and expect me to obey without question. A stranger I met five minutes ago just did and it meant the whole world.

“I don’t want any of it but I have no choice. I just… want to be myself even if it's just for a few hours without consequences.” I whispered while trying to blink back the tears that was now welling up in my eyes.

“Then be whoever you need to be tonight. Consequences can wait until morning.” he replied with his gaze fixated on me, making my breath skip.

That was my first mistake and the second was… letting him kiss me. The third… was not asking for his name.

I was too engrossed in the moment and all the sweetness that came with it. His full weight on me while my legs were widely spread to accommodate him.

Each thrust went deeper than the last, and the whole time, his gaze never left my eyes. He stared deep into my soul and I felt a connection I had never felt before.

It lasted only twenty minutes but it was the most sweetest twenty minutes of my life. We both moaned in each other's mouths as we came together.

I left at dawn, with my heart pounding, and thinking it was over but that was before I walked into my engagement party and saw him.

Standing inside my house, wearing a suit, smiling at my parents and talking to my fiance, was the man from last night.

Theo Hayes.

The stranger I spent the night with and the man who gave me my first orgasm was none other than the older brother of the man I’m supposed to marry.

And that was the moment it all started…