Chapter 2

　　Joann's Pov

　　I couldn't care less. He gave her the chance to humiliate me. And even if those eyes of his, the ones I look at and feel at ease, stare at me in guilt, I couldn't look one more second.

　　My voice shaking, my legs wobbling, everything had settled apart. It felt like I was drowning in shame, that I couldn't keep him because I didn't let him touch me?

　　"Steven… I thought you loved me." I uttered, my frailty covering the tension in the room.

　　I got no response. They both kept staring at me. I couldn't take it anymore and stood up, heading for the door.

　　My heart slammed into my chest like it was trying to break free. My hands were shaking so hard I could barely press my car key. And then his voice came—behind me, chasing.

　　"Joann! Jo, wait—!"

　　I turned around so fast, I thought my spine would snap. And before I could stop myself, I slapped him.

　　His cheek twisted from the force. My palm stung. His eyes widened in shock.

　　"Don't ever—ever—come near me again," I said through clenched teeth. My voice trembled, but the words were steel.

　　"Jo, please. It was a mistake. You weren't—"

　　"Don't," I snapped, backing away.

　　And Tasha appeared, in nothing but his oversized shirt and a smirk on her face like she hadn't just torn my heart out of my chest and set it on fire.

　　"Stop acting like the world revolves around you, sister." she sneered. "If you were doing your job as a girlfriend, he wouldn't have come to me."

　　I scoffed, stared at her, disgust flooding every inch of my body. "You're my sister, Tasha. And yet you slept with my fiancee. You are the most shameless person I've ever known."

　　"Whatever. Get a grip and forget about Steven, okay?" she said, flipping her hair.

　　I couldn't do it. I couldn't stand there for another second. I yanked my car door open, slammed it shut, and peeled out of the driveway like my life depended on it.

　　I had cried enough. I was having a good day, until those bastards decided to ruin it.

　　My heart ached, my head ached and the only thing I thought could solve it was to drink.

　　If only for one night, I could forget everything and move on. When I got my job, I had to remain strong. There were no parents, just Tasha and I. I couldn't report to anyone. I was aching to scream, my throat itched real hard, my head bumping.

　　"Fuck you, Steven!" I yelled, my hands pressed harda against the wheel as I drove fast to the nearby bar.

　　The closest bar I could find—the grimiest one open at 2PM.

　　I got in, and several people were sitting. At least the ones my teary eyes noticed. I flashed a weak smile at the bartender. "One scotch, please?" I ordered.

　　His eyes trailed my body, then to my eyes. "You look drained, miss. Are you sure it's scotch you want?"

　　I glared, "What do you think I should have?"

　　"Well, I can sense heartbreak from a mile away. How about two bottles of tequila and one hot mongo?"

　　I nodded, my purse held firmly.

　　I had one shot of tequila, and two of mongo.

　　"More." I asked. He poured essence the round went on for about five times.

　　My eyes suddenly caught a man in a dark jacket. Clean-shaven, sharp jaw, eyes that pierced right through my soul.

　　"You okay?" he asked, sliding onto the barstool beside me.

　　I squinted at him, the alcohol blurring my thoughts, my eyes blurry. "Mind your business, mister."

　　"I will, if you stop drinking." He said, still staring.

　　"No…no. I won't stop. I won't stop drinking until I forget about it all."

　　"More." I ordered. The bartender was about to pour into my cup—

　　"It's a cool noon, miss. You should head home." He said, how voice commanding.

　　"And who do you think you are?" I asked, standing from the chair.

　　"Someone that cares…. I think. My dog died."

　　I picked up the shot glass and tipped it toward him, chuckling. "My dog died too. Look at us, trauma bonding," I said, my voice slurred.

　　Drunk, I tripped and fell onto his arms. They were strong.

　　"You have such strong arms. Are they yours or you stole it?"

　　I heard a faint chuckle, as he picked me up back onto the chair. Our eyes locked.

　　"I don't steal."

　　"Oh really?" I whispered, blinking slowly. "I might have believed that, but my boyfriend says he loves….me. Yet….he screwed my sister. My…own sister. Can you believe that?"

　　His eyebrows lifted. "Ah."

　　I took another sip and pushed back from the bar. "I should go," I muttered.

　　As I tried to stand, the floor tilted, and my knees gave way. But before I hit the ground, two arms caught me—his strong arms.

　　"You've got… really strong arms," I murmured against his shoulder.

　　He chuckled. "Thanks, but I think you should head home. Is there anyone you want to call?"

　　"No, I'm not going home." I said, pushing him. But his arms held on tightly.

　　"Wanna go to my place? It's close."

　　I nodded lazily, my head spinning. "Do you have a cat? I think cats are better than men."

　　I got no answer, but I saw his face. Clear as day. His perfectly lined jaw, my hands crossed his perfect shoulder and those arms that lifted me.

　　The next few minutes were a blur. I saw streetlights, the inside of his car, the way his voice sounded calm, assuring. His cologne filled the car. Clean, masculine, and expensive.

　　Soon he had parked, I lifted my gaze and saw this beautiful mansion. Even better than the apartment Steven had.

　　He laid me gently on a bed that felt like clouds and was about to pull back, but I grabbed his hand.

　　"Are you… leaving me too?" I asked, my eyes barely open.

　　"No," he said softly. "But you need to rest."

　　"You're warm," I whispered.

　　He smiled a little. "That's the alcohol talking."

　　I nodded. "Maybe. But don't go yet."

　　He sat down beside me and pulled the blanket over my legs.

　　"You should get some sleep—"

　　"I don't want to sleep, big man. Let me feel your hands."

　　"You're drunk."

　　"I know. It makes it all fun." I leaned in and kissed him.

　　He looked stunned. I chuckled.

　　"I don't want to touch you….you."

　　"What? One night of fun wouldn't hurt."

　　I raised his hands down to my tiny waist, and helped him trail it gently.

　　He lost control and pulled me in closer, "You asked for this."

　　Our lips met, and I felt like my whole existence was swallowed in pleasure. I moaned into his mouth, his lips bit hard on mine.

　　"You smell nice, darling." He complimented.

　　I dipped hard into his hair, his whole arms trailed my body down to my chest. His hands got my nipple and I winced in pleasure.

　　"Let me have you for tonight." I asked, and he laid me gently on the bed, his shirt coming off.