Chapter 1: Come With Me

[You have received 500 dollars.] Every birthday since her mother’s passing thirteen years ago, Sarah Mitch received 500 dollars. Only on her birthday. The lawyer never took into account inflation or that her needs had grown over the past decade. It was a savage reminder that her mother had been a businessman’s mistress, and Sarah was the disgraceful secret that had to be hidden from the world. Her own biological father—Philip Stone—had slapped her with two options: change her identity and live like a shadow, or be executed. As an 11-year-old girl, she had been scared and simply changed her name. Sarah Mitch… a girl whose parents died and who grew up in an orphanage. That was who she was now. Sarah’s attention was drawn away by a phone call. “Hello,” she murmured, knowing it was Amanda, her college classmate. “Seriously, Sarah. Is this the kind of hello I get on your birthday?” Amanda asked, making Sarah roll her eyes. “Are you going to wish me happy birthday or not?” she chuckled in response. “Happy birthday, girl. Now, will you join me in the Forest tonight? Blow all your money?” Amanda was quite the party person, and always knew the places to hit to have fun. And for once, Sarah didn’t say no immediately. 24-year-old Sarah was in her final year of post-graduate school and had seen enough of the world to know she had been stupid as a child. One night, just one night, she wanted to play it wild. She wanted to go to a club and get blackout drunk and groove to the music. She wanted to show off how brilliant she was before going back to her life of invisibility. “Didn’t you go home for the vacation?” Sarah pointed out. Amanda answered with a giggle. “Silly girl, I am already fifteen minutes from the apartment. I wasn’t going to take no for an answer this time.” And just like that, Sarah Mitch was going to a club. - - - - - In the club, Sarah made her way to the bar on the first floor and found a seat. She wasn’t much of a drinker, but she ordered a dirty martini and sipped it lightly as she watched the crowd dance. A few men smiled at her, but she was unsure of what to do. She had never been a flirt and she had never dated. She was completely out of her comfort zone but determined to make the best of the night. As she looked around, her eyes locked with the eyes of a delectable-looking man. He stood on the other side of the bar, and he appeared to be looking intently at Sarah. He had dark brown hair and, despite the play of light and shadow, she could make out his dark grey eyes. He was definitely the most good-looking man Sarah had ever laid her eyes on. Just as she was about to break eye contact, the man’s lips broke out into a dazzling smile. It set off alarms in her head. Sarah knew he was bad news but that smile had taken her prisoner. She returned the smile shyly before looking away. “Compliments of the gentleman,” the bartender said to her as he handed another martini, signaling towards the gorgeous stranger. She tentatively took the drink and smiled at him in gratitude. She personally wasn’t going to approach him. Before she could think so much, the man glided around the bar to where she was seated. “I’ll have what she is having,” he said slowly. This was her cue to chat him up. Why not, she thought. “Thank you for the drink.” “It was my pleasure,” he purred in a voice that made Sarah’s body tingle in anticipation. It was almost... “I am William, by the way.” “Sarah.” “Such a pretty name. Do you come here often?” William asked. “I can’t say that I do,” Sarah replied, studying him. “In that case, I should keep you company,” he stated. “I should warn you, I am not much fun.” “Oh? You look like you are.” “Oh yeah, only when I am around this guy called William,” Sarah said casually. If she was perfectly sober, her response would have been less confident, but she found herself enjoying his company. William’s eyes danced with amusement. “William sounds like a good guy. I am sure he will use every excuse to get close to you.” His smile was blinding. “We’re talking right now. You don’t need an excuse.” Sarah quickly found herself swaying to the beat of the music. “Do you want to dance?” William inquired, offering her his hand. “I don’t know,” she replied cautiously. “I don’t bite,” he said as she took a deep breath and clutched his hand. They shimmied to the middle of the dance floor when he pressed his body against hers, his lips inches from her ear. “Unless you want me to.” She gasped, but she was distracted as his hands rested on her waist, controlling the tempo of their dance. The dance wasn’t rough, drunk dancing like she had imagined. It was careful and they were acutely aware of each other. Without fully realizing it, she put her arms around his neck, feeling the silky soft shirt and William’s muscles beneath her sensitive fingertips. The song ended, flowing into the next one and the music became slower. They both stopped and she stiffened in his embrace. She was about to release her arms from his shoulders when he pulled her close again. “Do you want to leave?” he asked after a moment. “There is no need to feel obligated, I can find my own home.” “I’ll drop you home. Don’t worry, I have no intentions,” he promised. They walked out of the bar. And other than the sound of passing cars, they were only left with their footsteps. Normally, she would welcome the conversation, but as William remained silent, she glanced at him from the corner of her eye. They finally reached her apartment building. The outside lights quietly illuminated the street. Sarah walked up the steps of the front door and heard William’s footsteps on the pavement follow. She turned around, certain she would tell him goodnight, but he was so close that she almost slammed into his chest. William looked down at Sarah with amusement and steadied her with two firm hands. Before Sarah could speak, William leaned down toward her face. Her breath hitched in surprise. She leaned away, biting her lower lip, unsure what a moment of weakness would really lead to. William’s gaze dropped to her biting lip for a moment and then he leaned past them, grazing the bridge of his nose along her jaw slowly. His touch was as light as a butterfly. Sarah shivered as he paused right below her ear, his breath tickling her skin. Finally, he whispered, “Goodnight, Sarah.” Her stomach fluttered and she swallowed nervously. She found herself intoxicated and played with. She had never met a man who had that kind of power over her. She didn’t want to be toyed with by him. Instead, she wanted to play him. William straightened as his eyes simmered with need. He then gave her a smile before backing down the front steps. When Sarah’s trembling body caught up with her brain, she moved forward and grabbed him by the collar. “You’re coming with me.” Sarah pulled him to the door, jammed her keys in the lock, and wrenched the door open. She brought him inside and shut it with a slam. Her face was flushed and her desires were unsatisfied.