Chapter 1
Alessandra Kate
I closed my eyes, savoring the song "Love Hurts" by Nazareth pouring from the bar’s speakers. After a moment, I downed a mixed shot of Devil Spring’s vodka. I winced as I swallowed it. Damn, this liquor really was possessed by a demon; I could feel the liquid burning a trail from my throat all the way down to my stomach. I squeezed my eyes shut for a second after slamming the shot glass down on the counter. It felt like the world tilted on its axis from the sheer kick of the alcohol.
I needed this demonic drink—and plenty more shots—tonight to forget everything I had learned and seen just hours before I got here. A soft curse escaped my lips as a sob broke through.
I’m ready.
That was what I whispered to myself as I walked down the hallway of my boyfriend Julian’s apartment building. My two-inch heels thudded softly against the tiled floors. Julian and I had been together for two years, and we still hadn’t done the ‘deed.’ Sure, we’d reached first and second base, but whenever his hands went lower, I always pulled away.
I hadn’t been ready then, so I wasn’t comfortable doing it. I thought I was lucky because Julian was sweet, a gentleman, and understanding. He always reminded me that he was willing to wait for me. Now, his wait was over. After years, I was finally comfortable and ready to give it to him. I was extra prepared, having started taking birth control pills two weeks ago to avoid unwanted pregnancies.
I grew even more excited as I reached his front door. I had taken a personal day off today to groom myself and buy the skimpy white lingerie I was currently wearing. With a wide smile on my face, I silently unlocked the door using the key he gave me when we started dating.
“Juli—”
My voice died in my throat. It felt like someone had doused me with ice-cold water when I saw him in the living room. His eyes widened as our gazes met. He quickly pushed the naked woman off his lap.
“Sunshine!”
I ignored him when he used the stupid endearment he gave me. I just caught him fucking another girl on the sofa we bought together. They both scrambled to get dressed while I stood there, unable to move, frozen in place. The woman whipped her head in my direction as she hurriedly pulled on her blouse.
“K-Kylie?” I called her name, my voice trembling. My fists balled in anger. Her highlighted hair was disheveled, and her brown eyes were shocked and gleaming with embarrassment. She had been my workmate for over a year, my work bestie, and now, I caught her fucking my now ex-boyfriend?
I wanted to blindly rage, pull Kylie’s hair, and call her degrading names, but I didn’t. I believed that cheating doesn’t happen unless there is a willing participant, and Julian was clearly itching for it.
“Sunshine—”
“Shut the fuck up!” I yelled at him, hot tears rolling down my cheeks. He was still topless but had managed to put on his boxers.
“Fuck you, and you!” I pointed at both of them through my tears. “I thought you were my friend, but apparently, you were the slut sleeping with my boyfriend!”
“Alessandra, I’m sorry—” She sobbed, hugging herself.
I scoffed.
“Oh, shut up! H-how long has this been going on?” I asked, trembling.
I glared at the man I thought I knew, the man I planned my future with. The man I thought was loyal and loved me... I even thought I would marry him.
“How long?!” I screamed, turning back to Julian. Then, I threw the key to this wretched apartment at him.
“A year,” Julian answered, bowing his head.
“Son of a bitch,” I whispered, wiping my tears. “One year?” I asked in disbelief.
“One year of telling me that you love me while you were fucking her?!” I screamed at Julian, filled with pain, pointing at Kylie, who was now looking down. “Fuck you, Julian! You made a fool out of me! I gave my all to you; I loved you, you bastard!”
“No, you didn’t give your all to me. If you did, we would have been having sex from day one... You were too much of a prude. Kylie was there to give it to me,” he retorted.
I covered my mouth in disappointment and shock. I couldn’t believe I loved him.
“Damn it, all this time, sex was all you were after? You animal! Do me a favor and never, ever show your face to me again, because I might not have the self-control I have today, and I might kill you with my bare hands.” I gritted my teeth and jabbed my finger at him. “You’re another piece of trash! Fuck both of you!” I screamed before walking toward the door. Before I finally stepped out, I grabbed the stupidly small heart-shaped vase and smashed it onto the floor.
I reached for a tissue on the counter and wiped the tears that were racing down my face. He deserved more than what I did and said to him for the pain he caused me. Two years of dedicating my life to that asshole. No amount of alcohol could take that back, but it could definitely soothe the pain for now. I lost track of time. I turned off the location on my phone and continued to drown myself in alcohol. The bartender looked worried as he watched me cry and drink.
I felt so drained... I gave everything I could to him. I adjusted parts of myself just to be his ideal girl, and fuck, he still cheated. I caught him texting other women a month ago, but I forgave him... he made mistakes before too... but I forgave him over and over again... because I thought he had changed, and because... I loved him.
There’s that stupid line... that was always my reason for forgiving him.
Because I love him.
Fuck that love. It brought nothing good to my life.
And oh, I wasn’t just brokenhearted; I was also jobless. I quit my corporate job right after I left his apartment because I couldn’t stomach seeing the two of them every day, since we all worked at the same place. Earlier, with alcohol already in my system, I submitted my resume, a letter of recommendation from my former boss, and an application to a famous brewery and winery company through my phone. Thanks to the universe, the chief financial officer position was open at their company. I really hoped I would get accepted because I just needed at least one good thing to happen in my life right now.
Also, that job would mean a new start for me, away from the bastard I thought was meant for me. We had already planned our future: how many kids, where we wanted to build a house, and which church we would get married in. Before, thinking about it gave me butterflies; now, it made me want to vomit and laugh. It was pure bullshit.
I wanted to scream, and I wanted to punch them both over and over again because it really hurt. I sniffled again and wiped my uncontrollable tears. My chest ached so badly. When I looked around, my mood worsened because everyone around me was just a horny drunk. A lot were just drinking, while others were already making out in the corners.
I looked away and breathed out through my mouth since my nose was blocked from crying so much.
“One shot of mixed rum, please,” I ordered from the bartender. He looked torn—unsure whether to give it to me because my heartache was obvious or to refuse because I looked completely wasted and about to collapse.
“U-uh, sorry, Ma’am, but it looks like you’ve had enough.”
I looked at him with puffy eyes and a red nose.
“Kuya, please, just give it to me. You’re not the one who got hurt! Let me forget! You weren’t the one who was cheated on! You weren’t the one who was played! You weren’t the one...” He looked scared now because I had stood up, looking like a drunkard making a scene. I didn’t finish my sentence and sat back down on the barstool. I bowed my head and reached for a tissue again as my tears began to fall once more.
I looked at him apologetically.
“I—I am so sorry; I didn’t mean to snap at you.” I clearly regretted what I said.
“Give what the woman wants. I’m with her. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure she gets to her house safely.”
The baritone voice that emerged from behind me sent chills down my spine.
I wiped my tears as I glanced at the man who was now sitting beside me. His expensive, manly scent wafted to my nose.
The bartender gave me a small smile, quickly served the drink, and walked away to serve other customers.
I swallowed as I took in the sight of him. His deep-set green eyes were on me; he had thin stubble around his strong jaw. The black, fitted long-sleeve shirt he wore suited him perfectly. I couldn’t help but swallow again as I noticed the ridges of his hard muscles against the fabric of his top. He was also wearing a pair of brown khakis and black loafers.
He was gorgeous.
I cleared my throat.
“U-uh, sorry, do I know you?” I asked him, stopping myself from ogling.
His naturally pink lips formed a sexy and oh-so-panty-dropping smile.
“No, but I think you’re hot,” he answered directly. “What’s your name, beautiful?”
I shook my head and laughed slightly.
“Ugh, I just dealt with my asshole ex; please don’t be one,” I replied and took the shot. I hissed and placed the empty glass in front of me. I thought for a moment about giving him a fake name since I didn’t give my name to just any man I met in a bar. But sadly, I was too drunk to be creative, so I just said, “And as for my name, I am just a woman in a bar.”
A deep chuckle rumbled from his chest, and for some reason, that sent tingles straight to my pussy. I cleared my throat and fixed my posture. Only now did I notice the glass of scotch in front of him.
“Well, I am not an asshole. I am just direct when it comes to saying what’s on my mind,” he said.
I raised an eyebrow and nodded slightly. Honestly, that was refreshing. I’d had enough deception and lies for one day.
“And if you’re just a woman in a bar... then that makes me just a man in a bar. Nice to meet you.” He flashed his smile again and offered his hand.
I couldn’t help but giggle before I accepted his hand. It was warm and rough, unlike mine. For some reason, our brief skin contact sent shivers down my spine... again. I let go immediately.
“Nice meeting you, man in a bar,” I answered.
A smile tugged on the side of his lips... I could imagine those lips going somewhere—where did that come from?
“You look wrecked,” he stated as he noticed the tissue papers in front of me and the tear stains on my face. “You are too pretty to look wrecked,” he added.
“Finally! Somebody noticed. Everyone else is just, ‘Can we dance?’ ‘Can I buy you a drink?’ Blah blah, it hurts my ears!” I vented as if we were close friends. “And by the way, not smooth. If it’s not obvious enough, let me tell you that this is not the best time to hit on me.”
He laughed softly and downed the alcohol from his glass.
“I can tell... so, what happened?” he asked gently. His tone wasn’t prying, which somehow made me comfortable. I sighed inwardly and took the last piece of tissue. I wiped my tears and blew my nose into it, not minding that there was a hot stranger beside me.
“Heartbreak. I caught the bastard cheating on me,” I answered bitterly.
He whistled low and took a sip from his glass.
“Damn, that’s why I’m not a fan of relationships,” he replied, shaking his head. He placed his empty glass in front of him.
“Yeah, maybe me too, after this,” I answered and laughed slightly. “But what do you mean? So, are you asexual?” I asked curiously as I eyed him. My gaze dropped to his crotch absentmindedly. The bulge was huge. I mentally slapped myself because I should not be looking at that.
He smiled again, but this time I saw something in his eyes.
“No, I’m a very sexual man.”
I gulped. The way he eyed my body didn’t make me feel uncomfortable, which was weird. His gaze woke something inside me. Small tingles danced on my skin.
“I am just not a fan of commitments, but I love to fuck,” he leaned in and whispered, making my nipples hard.
His vulgarity made my mouth part in awe as I stared into his gorgeous green eyes. He wasn’t even touching me, yet he was already drawing reactions out of me.
“W-well, can you fuck me?” I asked without thinking too much. His eyes widened.
This man beside me attracted the hell out of me. I was in pain, I was emotionally wrecked, and maybe having a no-strings-attached one-night stand with this freaking gorgeous man in a bar would be nice for once.
He shook his head.
“Not when you’re drunk. Ask me that again tomorrow when you’re sober.” He lifted his hand and ran his finger down my left cheek. I unconsciously leaned into his touch. Suddenly, it became so hot in here. “I’m just going to make sure that you get home safe tonight.”
I bit my lower lip, and his gaze suddenly dropped to my mouth.
“But what if I don’t want to go home?” I asked teasingly. The alcohol definitely made me flirtier than usual.
His jaw clenched as his gaze lingered on me. Sexual tension between us suddenly emerged and thickened in a snap like smoke.
“You’re drunk,” he whispered, as if reminding me why we couldn’t do it. But I didn’t listen because I leaned closer. I smelled the pleasant mixture of liquor and mint on his breath.
“I know; that’s why I want you to fuck me,” I replied boldly. Something I hadn’t gotten to do for a long time because Julian didn’t like it when I cussed or even talked dirty.
I definitely did not want to think about that bastard.
What I wanted was this man beside me, who was still silent and staring at me.
Yes, I had been drinking, but I was fully aware of what was happening and what I wanted. I didn’t know if it was the alcohol numbing my pain for a while or if I just collectively forgot about it because of this man’s oozing sex appeal, addictive scent, and gorgeous face. Right now, all I could feel was my undeniable sexual attraction to him. That was why, without thinking too much, I cupped his face and kissed him torridly.
And damn, he tasted good.
