Chapter 2 Blue

ZOE

I was thrown outside like a sack of potatoes, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. I wished I could disappear into thin air. Tears streamed down my face as I walked aimlessly, lost in thought and oblivious to my surroundings. The numbness I felt was almost welcome – I needed something, anything, to help me forget what had happened tonight.

As I stumbled along, two girls bumped into me. They apologized quickly before running off, giggling. Their laughter snapped me back to reality, and I noticed they were heading towards a club on the corner. Curiosity piqued, I followed them.

I glanced down at my designer dress, then back at the club's neon sign. I knew I didn't belong here, but I couldn't bring myself to care. The club held something I desperately needed – an escape.

"Alcohol," I whispered to myself. "Lots of it."

Ignoring the stares my outfit drew, I marched towards the entrance, my eyes fixed on the bar inside. I felt gazes following my every step, but I remained focused on my goal.

I slid onto a barstool, cradling my head in my hands. Though the stares had subsided, uneasiness still crawled down my neck.

"If I may, a cocktail for a beauty in distress?" the bartender asked, sliding over to me. I looked up, confused.

"In distress?" I echoed.

He gestured at my outfit with a knowing smile. "I take it this wasn't your initial destination tonight."

I sighed in defeat. "Something strong, please."

"Tequila, perhaps?" he suggested.

I waved my hand dismissively. "No, no. Stronger than that." I needed to feel happy, drunk, or better yet, completely wasted.

"Are you sure about that?" the bartender asked, concern evident in his voice.

"I'm sure I need to get wasted," I replied, averting my gaze. I appreciated his concern, but pity was the last thing I needed right now. I craved distraction, freedom from my thoughts, the ability to do whatever I pleased without judgment.

The bartender returned with a bottle of clear whiskey. Its name was unfamiliar, but the strong smell of alcohol that assaulted my senses told me it would do the job. As he poured, I felt a twisted sense of anticipation.

Cup after cup, I drank. With each sip, I felt freer, happier. The pain that had overwhelmed me earlier began to fade, but even in my increasingly intoxicated state, thoughts of Levi kept creeping back.

"Fuck him!" I shouted to no one in particular. The bartender glanced at me before returning to his business.

"I ought to fuck someone else, just to spite him, right?" I turned to the bartender, seeking validation.

"Not really," he replied calmly.

"You don't know squat about me," I snapped. He chuckled, saying, "Yes, of course, absolutely nothing."

For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt truly free. Free enough to do anything against my morals without judging myself. After all, if Levi could sleep with his own stepsister and feel okay about it, why should I hold back?

"A glass of Bacardi, please," a deep voice said beside me. I turned to see a man sliding a bill towards the bartender as he took a seat.

He turned to me with a gentle smile, and I was immediately captivated by his eyes – so green, so deep, so distracting. Everything about him seemed surreal. His eyebrows were perfectly arched, complementing his hunter-like gaze. His jawline looked as if it had been chiseled by a Renaissance artist. The way he looked at me, I knew instantly – this man wanted me.

I turned back to my drink, feeling bold yet anxious. My heart raced, its loud thumping audible only to me. I downed a few more cups, trying to forget the image of the man beside me.

"Isn't that a bit much for you?" he asked, his voice like velvet.

I choked slightly on my drink. "I'm fine, it's fine," I managed to say, brushing off his concern.

"Is it true?" he asked, his eyes roaming over my body. I could feel his gaze unraveling every part of me, and the thrill of being desired by this completely sexy stranger made my legs shudder.

"What's your name?" he asked, leaning closer. The scent of cedarwood, cigars, and alcohol enveloped me.

"Zoe," I replied hesitantly.

"A beautiful name, for a beautiful woman," he said. His eyes bore into mine, and I found myself unable to look away.

For the rest of the evening, our eyes darted towards each other's direction, heat rising my thighs each time his eyes met mine. My body ached to be touched by this complete stranger who had me completely under his spell. I took deep breaths to calm myself, but when we met at the balcony hours later, and a small conversation ensued, his finger gently brushed against my lip, and all self-control vanished.

My hands found their way to his collar, and in that moment, I forgot who I was or why I was here. All I knew was that I wanted this man. I pulled him to me, locking him in a desperate kiss, holding the sides of his head as I forced myself on him.

To my surprise and delight, he returned the kiss with equal passion. Right there at the balcony, we kissed feverishly, biting each other's lips, the taste of alcohol mingling between us. He grabbed me, lifting me effortlessly. He took me to a dark corridor, pinning me against the wall, pulling my hair back so I had to look him in the eye.

I had never experienced this level of intensity before, and I loved it. The way he held me by the shoulder, pinning me to the wall, pulling my hair back – it was intoxicating. I bit my lip in anticipation, feeling myself getting more aroused by the second.

"Is this to be or not?" he asked, a slow smile spreading across his face.

Without a second thought, I grabbed the back of his head, pulling him in for another deep kiss. He lifted me higher, his grip on my waist tightening.

"My room, now!" he commanded as he carried me upstairs. My lips never left his as he never let go of me.

***

The room was dimly lit by the early breaking dawn when I woke up. I was already fully dressed in my designer dress from last night. I watched my green-eyed beauty fast asleep, scenes from our passionate encounter playing on repeat in my mind.

I regretted having to leave so abruptly, but I had things to do today. I stepped out of the room as quietly as possible, left the club, and hailed a cab.

I went straight to what used to be mine and Levi's apartment. As I had expected, he hadn't come home. I began packing my things – I couldn't stay there any longer. I needed to be by myself. As I was lost in thought, my phone buzzed.

"Hey Becca," I said in a low voice.

"Don't bother saying anything for now, we can talk later," Becca replied. "Where are you now?"

"At home, I'm packing up all my stuff," I told her.

"I'm on my way," she said, and hung up.

As I continued packing, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for me. One thing was certain – my life would never be the same again.