"Oh, yes. I am fine, It's nothing." I meekly attempted to diffuse the building tension. He took another minute to observe me, and I heard him heave a sigh. He started looking into the oblivion as well, the soft sound of waves became the background score. My heart started pounding in my chest, when I heard what he said next.
"A beautiful girl like you doesn't deserve to cry in isolation like this. Can I help in any manner? Maybe drop you back to your hotel? It's getting dark, and you are all by yourself here".
On a normal day, I would have felt alarmed if I was approached by a stranger like this. However, right now I could sense sincerity in his tone, he didn't sound like someone with bad intentions.
"You think I am beautiful?", came my response. I wasn't sure if it was the alcohol talking or if I had lost my mind, but that's exactly what I asked him.
He stared at me for a while, as if he was trying to read me, and after a lingering pause, his eyes went soft.
"Yes, you are gorgeous Emma, extremely attractive. And you have the prettiest hazel eyes I have ever laid my eyes on". He stated without slightest of hesitation in his tone.
I liked what I heard. It was probably nice for my drowning self-worth and confidence. Behind Jake, I saw Nate standing at a distance. He was looking around. Perhaps, he came searching for me, and it wasn't hard for him to spot me on this isolated beach. He saw me talking to this stranger. He started to take steps in my direction, but I was in no mood to have a confrontation with him.
Getting my attention back to Jake, I replied, "Oh, what an irony. My boyfriend doesn't seem to think that way."
"He is a fool to not value what he has". Jake's words fell on my ears, and my nerves turned inside out.
Puzzled, I looked at him and my heart skipped a beat. The expressions on his face were stern. He was looking at me with such intensity, scanning every feature on my face. The depth in his eyes and integrity in his tone made me flinch.
This guy in front of me barely knew who I was, and yet he was pointing my worth to me like he has known me forever, as if he had been admiring my existence since the beginning of time.
He sounded so sure of his opinion of me. It was strange since even Nate never talked so highly about me, that too, with such conviction in his words.
Jake stood up, gave me his hand gesturing me to get up as well, but before he could say or do anything further, I saw Nate closing in. I could not control myself anymore. I wanted to explode and undo the wrongness I felt.
For once, I didn't want to act by the book.
For once, I wanted to break the rules and set free.
For once, I wanted to embrace the forbidden.
I instantly grabbed Jake's hand and got up. I clutched his shirt, pulled him closer, and within seconds, crashed my lips on his.6
I caught him off guard, and tasted his lips with passion, pouring all my pain and suffering into him.
Surprisingly, after a minute or two, he kissed me back with the same fervor. His hands rested on my lower back, and his touch felt like fireworks. The sensation was burning every desire in my body, something I had never felt before, not this way at the least.
I was feeling weak in my knees, and wobbling under his hold. He sensed it, and immediately tightened his grip around my small waist, supporting me firmly against his strong body. His scent was intoxicating, causing me to melt in his embrace and give in.
Oddly, I felt so secure in a stranger's strong arms.
Neve did a kiss intrigued me this profoundly before. It felt like he was claiming me, like he was reaching my soul and marking me to be his.
My mind was telling me how wrong this was, especially right after what happened with my boyfriend, but my heart was in full consent. In this moment, I wished to forget everything and just feel good about myself; and this gorgeous stranger gave me just that.
Even though for a moment, he became my calm in this chaotic world.
Chapter 4
Reality Check
Emma
Present Day
It was Saturday morning, and I had officially completed the first week at my new office. I was getting comfortable, except for the commute which was at least an hour and a half drive, one way.
I stretched and flipped out of my cozy bed, straight to the shower as I had plans to go apartment hunting with Niki today.
I stood in the shower as a stream of warm water washed away the exhaustion of my first week away. Closing my eyes, I reminisced how my life was turning a new leaf. As much as I was looking forward to embrace everything that awaited me in future, my heart could not help but go back to the husky voice that awakened every hidden desire in my body.
After heedlessly kissing each other, Jake finally broke the kiss, cupped my face and leaned in to whisper in my ear, "You deserve so much better, Emma."
His words sent shivers down my spine, even today.
I recalled how Nate stopped in his tracks the moment he saw me kissing another man. The anger that donned his face, gave an
