Chapter 2

I wasn’t really in the mood to go out, but at Ava's relentless insistence, I followed her out of our dorm to a hidden pub spot in town. The lighting was warmly dimmed, and my eyes were instantly drawn to all the tall, broad men who were hanging around the place.

Ava giggled. “Forget about Brad. Look around, why not try a mature man?”

She skillfully guided us through the crowd and up to the bar. My initial thought was to order a milder drink. But my frustration was still buzzing beneath my skin.

“Two shots, please.”

Maybe I can drown my sorrows instead.

Ava headed off to the restroom, leaving me to my own ugly devices. After the first two shots, I came upon another one...and then possibly another.

After a few shots, I lost my balance and felt my knees go weak. Before I could catch myself, a large set of hands curled around my waist and me close against a hard, warm chest.

I squinted my eyes, trying to see through the blurry haze and visually make out the man who had caught me from hitting the floor.

My mind was racing with each physical feature I was able to take in. His sharp, sculpted jawline and cheekbones looked as though it was carved from marble. His strong, dark brows matched the wavy mess of hair that curled behind his ears.

...And those dark honeyed eyes...

He looked familiar, like my father's old friend, Killian Knox—the one who used to live next door. But surely that couldn’t be possible.

My mind was then filled with the suggestive words from my friend, Ava.

“Why not try a mature man?”

I leaned forward and took my opportunity to not only kiss his lips but to begin a long, sensual trail down his chin and neck. Feeling him tense beneath my touch felt like successfully passing all of my exams.

“Stop,” he hissed quietly, enough for only me to hear.

Undeterred, I slipped my hand within his half-open collar and practically melted at the solid muscle beneath. The backs of my fingers lazily dragged down the rigid form of his torso. But before I could truly appreciate the exhilarating sensation, he snapped his hand around my wrist and tore me away.

“I said enough,” he snarled, roughly.

His eyes were blazing with furious anger and something else I couldn’t quite identify. Yet, my determination refused to be stumped. With my other free hand, I attempted to continue my previous task, wanting to capture that same luscious sensation from before.

The man was quick to capture that hand, too. He took both my wrists in his large hand and held my arms over my head.

Oh my...

I could feel my cheeks flush from the growing need that sparked in my lower abdomen. Given my lack of experience, I never once considered the idea of being restrained. It was rather invigorating.

Somehow, this position sent my mind reeling into a playful mess. He looked as though he was fighting to keep his eyes on my face and not let them trail down the rest of my body. I took my chance to lean forward and press myself against him.

Another angered noise rumbled from deep within his chest. I seriously thought that I’d made some kind of headway with this man. However, the next thing I knew, my entire body was shocked into frigid stillness by the unwelcoming feeling of ice water having been dumped over my head.

A startled gasp slipped past my lips. The man gripped my chin; his voice came out dangerously low. “Take a good look at me. Tell me. Who do you think I am?”

My mind was too foggy with drink to think straight. I squinted, trying to focus on his face.

Was he really Killian?