2

I woke up in pain.

There was a painful throbbing at the back of my head. Almost like a sledgehammer was ramming into my head continuously.

I winced, trying to sit up but the pain contrasted mercilessly, almost causing me to cry out in pain.

"Woah woah, easy there." A frantic voice said in total alertness, drawing to my side. It was feminine and vaguely familiar.

"Ava? Can you hear me?" The voice asked.

I tried to sit up, but the pain held me back.

"Yes." I let out defeatedly.

I felt the bed begin to slowly rise, causing me to sit up.

"I got you." The voice said, sounding closer than it was.

Finally comfortable, I let open my eyes. The first thing I noticed was that, I was in a totally unfamiliar room and my throat felt like ant holes were dug in them whenever I swallowed.

I turned to face the person who had helped me and immediately recognition dawned on me.

"Hi." I didn't know her name, but I knew her from somewhere. "Where am I?"

She smiled, her full curls framing her face.

"Let's see." She began, shifting closer as she pulled two of her fingers in front of me. "How many fingers do you see?"

It was as clear as day. "Two."

She nodded satisfactorily. "What's your name?"

"Avalon Tanner."

"How old are you?"

"Twenty one."

"When was the last time you waxed?"

"Last four-" I narrowed my eyes at her.

She grinned cheekily. "Sorry. I couldn't help it." Clapping her hands in glee, she took my hands into her warm ones, making me feel safe in an instant. "Great! Thought you'd lost a memory or two over there."

Because her smile was pretty contagious, I found myself offering her a small smile.

"Where am I please?"

"Somewhere safe." Came her mysterious answer. "Do you remember what happened?"

I tried to recollect what led to me being in bed with a probably splitting head, but all I got was a sharp slice of pain at the back of my head, causing me to let out a small cry.

"Easy Ava, don't force it."  She reassured, patting my hand in that warm and fond way. "Considering you've been out for two days, it'll take a while for your memories to come back."

My eyes widened out of shock. Two days?

"I was out for two days?" I blurted out, voice totally laced in alarm.

"No need to fret Ava. It wasn't that bad okay? You had quite a bad fall causing a split that was perfectly stitched." She reassured.

My hand shot to the back of my head where I felt a shaved spot that throbbed when I felt  it.

And immediately, my memory came rushing back. How I'd met her at the Randy bar, how we'd spoken and how she urged me to go speak to Scott.

My mood dampened at the thought of Scott and all the hurtful things he said to me.

I thought he cared. I thought he promised to be there for me.

"Honey, are you okay?" She asked worriedly.

I looked at her, offering her a small smile.

"Yes I'm good. I remember you now." I said. "You were at the Randy bar that night."

She smiled softly. "How did you end up in the woods Ava?"

The memory almost tore my heart to shred. I didn't want to, but I could vividly recall Scott's words.

"You're suffocating Ava, that's why! You were nothing special!"

I cleared my throat when I felt my eyes heavy with unshed tears.

"The confrontation didn't go well," I replied vaguely. "I guess deep down, I sort of expected it. But I was too blindly trusting to care."

Her warm hands took mine into hers. "Awwwn, I'm so sorry love."

"It's okay." I let out a breath as I continued. "After the confrontation, I sort of lost it and found myself in the woods. But then, I'd blindly walked into a danger zone cos I stumbled into dogs."

The memory still sent terrifying tremors down my spine.

Her lips curled in amusement. "Dogs?"

I shook my head vigorously. "Yes dogs. But the thing is, they were huge and not in anyway puppy friendly." I shook my head again. "They were too big to be guard dogs even."

"How many where they?" Her eyes glinted amusedly.

I narrowed my eyes. Not getting the joke. "Two... I think. If there were more, I was too terrified to even count."

She was totally smiling as she stared at me. Like she was in on some private joke that I wasn't aware of.

"What's funny?" I furrowed my brows.

She waved me off, a small chuckle leaving her lips. "Nothing really." She still chuckled. "He'd be so disappointed to find out that you saw dogs Ava."

I was confused. "Who?"

Her smile was filled with mischief. "Your savior."

"My savio-"

The door opened as someone entered, and one look at him, my insides lit up with electrifying warmth.

His dominating aura almost had me breathless as I involuntarily gave his body a thorough once-over.

His broad and wide shoulders stretched the sweatshirt that clung to his lean and fit body. Making me curious as to how hard his body was underneath the clothing. The thickness of his thighs were apparent on the black yoga pants he had on. His legs looked like two delicious pillars as I felt myself salivate.

What the hell Ava?

I swallowed when my eyes left his body to scan his face. His tanned, devilishly handsome and chiseled face had me doing a double take.

Fuck!

His eyes had the apt concentration of a skilled masksman. His nose was firm, long and a little crooked and his lips... Oh, his lips were full, plump and so red that all I thought of was the taste of them and the feel of them.

I blinked, realizing that I was staring at an unhealthy amount of time.

Focus Ava.

I cleared my throat as I averted my perverted gaze elsewhere. The beautiful woman who I'd warmed up to but was yet to know her name gave me a knowing smile as she turned to face him, clearing her throat when he too found it hard to avert his gaze.

I felt myself redden when I realized he was busy checking me out too.

He cleared his throat as he uncapped the drinking flask in his beautifully veined hand.

"How's she Layla?" His deep voice asked, sending sweet tremors down my spine.

I cussed myself silently. Why was I so attracted to this devilishly handsome man? It was like he held the strings to all the sexual tensions and reaction I was capable of feeling and pulled the string at every thing he does. Even the littlest things.

The beautiful woman, who I found out was named Layla smiled mischievously. "Why don't you ask her Aiden. She's right before you."

I narrowed my eyes at the totally comfortable way she addressed him.

Are they lovers? Did she know him more than casually?

The annoying questions popped into my head and I felt ashamed of such thought.

I didn't even know him, yet I was having a claim on him.

I shook my head again at such ridiculous thought.

Focus Ava!

"Aiden?" Layla called, snapping her fingers at him. Like he was lost staring at something.

Looking up, I reddened once more when I figured out that his dark and intense gaze was trained on my lips that was held between my teeth, which always happened whenever I was lost in thought.

I looked away. This wasn't good for my health. Both mentally and physically.

He cleared his throat as he looked away. His eye lowering to his own hands.

"How are you?" His voice, his sexy sexy voice implored.

I took in a trembling breath. His voice was doing things to me. Sweet and crazy things.

"I'm uh okay?" I mentally slapped myself. "Thank you for saving me."

He smiled at my words and oh lord! I lost it as dimpled smiles appeared. He didn't only look all manly when he smiled, he looked young and harmless -- but definitely harmful to my senses -- and almost bashful.

When my eyes widened at the utter transformation. He lowered his eyes and cleared his throat. And I almost cooed.

Oh my God, was he shy?

"Jeez!" Layla screamed in frustration. "You two please, fucking get a room."

And to that, I reddened in total embarrassment.

She groaned again. "I'm fucking out." She stood up in a flurry of elegance and grace, a smile dancing on her lips as she shook her head in amusement.

"Oh, and by the way Aiden." She paused by the door. A wicked smile playing on her lips. "She said she saw huge dogs in the woods, before you saved her. Good luck."

She left, feeling satisfied with her revelation which had Aiden's eyes widening mortification.

"Dogs?" He asked in disbelief. Voice laced with slight offence. "You saw dogs?"

I nodded, totally confused. "Yes, I saw dogs and not just ordinary ones. They were pretty huge and scary."

He palmed his face in mortification. "Oh God!"

"Um... Are you okay?" I asked in utter confusion.

"I can't believe you saw-"

My stomach rumbled as he spoke, cutting him short.

I groaned out in frustration and embarrassment. "Sorry."

He gave me that smile, that knee melting, heart skipping smile. "It's Okay Ava. Let's have breakfast."

My eyes widened as he said my name.

And all I could fixate on was.

What the fuck! He knows my name! He fucking said it and it sounded like a pleasurable moan leaving his lips.

•••

I was famished. So so famished.

I knew that because of the way I speedily gobbled down the complete English breakfast Aiden had served me.

Aiden had led me to large dinning room that was in the penthouse he lived in.

The translucent walls gave me a breathtaking view of the city. Similar tall buildings and busy streets made me realize that we were at Manhattan and not the small street the Randy bar was located.

The penthouse was huge, but you could tell it was a normal bachelor's pad because of it's minimal decorations and monochrome theme.

Beside the large dinning was a larger sitting room that housed two long lounge chairs and a white leather cushion.

An Egyptian rug was regally in the middle, making a statement and a large 16 inches television was at an extreme. At another was a large electrical fireplace that looked like it hadn't been used before.

The house looked like no one lived there.

When I felt eyes on me, I directed my focus back to my meal, eating rapidly to forget the intense and sexually charged gaze directed at me.

"I'm rarely ever here." Aiden's voice said, as if he read my mind. "That's why it lacks any tangible decoration."

"I'm sorry." I blurted out. "I didn't mean to stare rudely."

"Nonsense." He was quick to brush off. "It's as obvious as day."

I nodded shyly, taking the last of the bacon strip he'd left all to me. He'd barely taken a bite of anything since he served me the already made, full breakfast, which were all made by him.

I suddenly felt bad. I'd eaten almost all his food without a second thought. But then, I was so hungry I could eat a cow at the moment.

"Sorry." I muttered embarrassingly as I chewed on the bacon strip.

His face showed the least annoyance. Rather he had a teasing smile on. "For?"

"Eating all the bacon strips." I shyly muttered.

Then he chuckled, his face lightening up in the moment. I held my breath.

"That's not a problem Ava." Oh, the way my name rolled off his tongue. "I love women with healthy appetites and you were out for two days, eating that much isn't considered a sin."

I nodded again. Finding myself lost of words in his intimidating presence.

When standing, Aiden was over six feet three of whole maleness and making my five feet three pale in comparison. Even now, while he sat opposite me, his imposing aura and intimidating presence was still apparent.

He looked like someone who easily gave out orders and was in control. He was someone who effortlessly commanded a room by just being in it.

The way his broad shoulders were squared, the way his eyes were intent and alert spoke volumes of how in control he was.

"Are you like a CEO of some tech company or what?" I blurted out, not able to contain my curiosity.

He smiled, causing my heart to leap for joy.

I don't think I could ever get over the effect and impact of his smile. It simply transformed into a boyish and dangerously attractive look. A stark contrast to his raw masculine and sinfully attractive usual look. I doubt he smiled often outside, seeing the amount of wealth he was worth by just looking at the lavish penthouse.

I was secretly happy he showed me the warm side of him, which was his breathtaking smile.

"Why do you think I'm some tech company CEO?" He asked teasingly.

I bit my lips as I thought of a witty answer. "Look at the place." I said lamely when I couldn't come up with a witty response. "The real money makers in the country and world are CEO's of tech companies..."

He let out a chuckle that sounded like deep and husky melodies. "Okay... I'll give it to you, but you're slightly right."

I raised a brow. "Slightly right? Why not fully right?"

"You're right in the aspect of me being affiliated with tech companies." He answered succinctly. "I own investment companies all over the world Ava. I invest in startup tech companies, I do not own any though."

"Oh." I nodded slowly. "That's smart."

He smiled. "I hope it is. So, I gather you're a student?"

I nodded again. "Yeah. Is it that obvious?"

His gaze settled on my face, before skimming through the visible parts of my body. I blushed red.

"No, not at all."

I cleared my throat. "How did you guess."

"The woods." Was his simple answer. "It's a property of the university. I happened to know because I'd been visiting the university as a guest and the tour given was one thorough one."

"How did you find me?"

"By sheer of luck." He was looking anywhere but at me. "I was passing."

The story didn't quite add up but I let it be.

"Thank you so much for helping me that night." I said in ernest. Between what happened with Scott and the dogs I'd seen. I didn't know what would have happened to me if I wasn't saved in time. I shook off the thought. Grateful I was alive. "I really appreciate your help. Anyone would have ignored some girl in the woods and wouldn't have batted an eye."

His face was so serious as I stared at him. "Saving you that night was one of the best things I've done in my life? If I'd gone ahead and ignored you that night. It would have been the worst carelessness and mistake of my life."

The way he said it. The intensity coating his words had me gasping and feeling strong emotions.

And even as he held my gaze, the truth in his words crystal clear. I felt that zap of electricity drawing me to him.

I'd never been that crazily attracted to anyone in my entire life before.

There were obvious sparks between us. Sparks that could put electrical currents to shame. It connected us and dragged us towards each other in simple things like eye contact and merely being in each other's presence.

It was overwhelming yet, as natural as breathing came to one. It was dangerous yet, felt right for some reasons.

Seeing how things went with Scott, I was sure moving on and being able to trust again was going to be quite the chore.

I didn't think I'd ever find myself letting myself go to any man, the way I had with Scott. My memory of him proved to me that with sparks, came an inevitable burn.

And I wasn't ready to be burnt again. Ever.

That was why I avoided his gaze as they did things to my insides. Such a feeling wasn't for me. I thought bitterly.

"Oh." I muttered, in response to his words.

His face was filled with concern as he looked at me. "Are you okay Ava?"

I blocked off the feelings bubbling inside me at the sound of my name leaving his lips.

"Yes I am. It's just that I feel a little tired."

And that wasn't far from the truth.

In moments, he stood up, stalking towards me in all his male elegance and grace.

He was before me in seconds, his forehead knitted in worry lines.

"Do you still feel a throbbing pain at the back of your head?" His concern literally oozed out of him.

But I couldn't concentrate on his words or even, anything.

Him being that close clouded my sense of reasoning and sent my brain into overdrive.

All I could feel was his intoxicating scent that smelt of sandalwood, an undeniable neatness and earth. It was raw and enticing. The warmth that left his body and the movement of his muscled arm as they stretched to the back of my head, sending a delicious sensation through my body.

I was on fire. His touch lighted me up like dynamites.

I gulped. "I'm okay. Honestly, I haven't felt pain since we began eating."

He searched my gaze before satisfaction filled his face.

He went back to his seat.

I let out a relieved breath. God, what was happening to me?

"So Ava, which course do you study?"

I took a sip of my untouched cup of steaming coffee, feeling it's richness tingle my tongue and sliding down my throat, awakening my senses.

"Pre-med. I'm in my final year." I replied.

He looked at me with awe and surprisedly, pride. Causing me to swoon. This Man was doing a lot of things to me.

"Pre-med? Wow that's great. Why pre-med?"

I shrugged. "I was good at some certain subjects and medicine has always been a course I admire." Was my vague answer.

He nodded, still impressed. "That's good."

"What about you. Why invest in only start-up companies? I'm sure you could have decided to invest in just about any company you wanted." I asked him.

He smiled, that knee weakening smile of his. "It's a story for another day Ava."

I raised a brow. "A story for another day? What made you think you'd get another day from me?"

"Why? Wouldn't you want that?" His hand made to his broad chest, a feigned heartbroken look on his face. "I thought we were friends already?"

Friends?

I highly doubt I'll ever be friends with someone like Aiden.