Love & Secrets (Unedited)

Chapter One

Rosemary

My best friend managed to convince me to join her at the towns most popular club tonight. Now here I am left alone at the bar while she dances with a guy. I sigh and finish my drink and grab my bag. I'm definitely not sticking around just to watch her leave with him, fully ditching me. I walk over to her and the guy notices me first and lets Britney know. "Hey girly!" She yells over the loud music and I can still barely hear her.

"I'm heading out." I shout back to her and she frowns. "Why? I thought we were having fun!" She says as her dance partner wraps his arms around her hips as she moves against him. "I forgot I had a lesson due tomorrow. I need to go." She frowns but nods and gives me a hug. "Have fun!" She tells me and gets back to her guy.

I walk away and head towards the door. I'm almost there until my hand is grabbed. "Excu-" is all the guy gets out before I punch him in the face, yanking my hand back. "Ouch! What'd you do that for? Your bag was open!" He yells clutching his bleeding nose and I look down. Sure enough my bag is open, I close it and look up at him. "I'm sorry! Here I'll help you!" I yell back at him and pull him to the bathroom area. The female line is pretty long so I walk us to the men's which is empty and lock the door.

I grab some tissue from my bag and hold it against his nose pinching it to try and stop the blood while he washes his hands. "I am so sorry." Feeling bad I apologize again. "No worries love I know now how terrible of a mistake it was to grab you. We are in a bar after all." He awkwardly says due to his nose being pinched but still smiles through it. He's quite handsome. Hazel eyes, curly dark hair, slight sprinkle of freckles and medium deep dimples.

He's surprisingly wearing a white button up with a tie and suit pants. Business man? Must be drowning out his sorrows tonight. "I think that should be good." He says in a funny voice again causing me to laugh a little. "Sorry you sounded funny." I say after he gives me a confused look. "Haha." He fakes and rolls his eyes. I smile at him and remove the tissue.

He has some blood around his nose so without thinking I grab a paper towel and wet it damp. Holding his chin I gently wipe his nose clean then dry it when it looks better. "Thank you." He says and I smell the alcohol on his breath. It's a sweet scent, whatever he drank. "You're welcome." I say and his eyes hold mine. I don't realize I'm still holding his chin until his hand grabs hold of mine and moves it away. He doesn't let go of my hand yet. Instead he pulls me closer and grabs hold of my waist with one hand and uses the other to grab my cheek making my face lean up. His lips meet mine and even though I should pull back, my gosh he's an amazing kisser.

I wrap my arms around his shoulders pulling him closer and he lifts me onto the counter. He holds my legs up to wrap around his waist then he slides his hands up my shirt. Just then, there's a bang on the door and we unfortunately pull apart. Our foreheads press against each other as we catch our breath. "Come back to mine?" He asks and I laugh. "I can't. I have class tomorrow." He pulls back. "Wait how old are you?" I burst into a fit of laughter as the banging continues in the background. "I'm in college but next time ask a girl her age BEFORE kissing her." I laugh again and get off the counter.

"Sorry, I forgot about college being a thing for a second. Let me walk you out at least." He says and I nod. "Sure why not." He grabs my hand and since we just made out I let him. I smile and he kisses my cheek. My heart melts at his kind gestures. He unlocks the door and an angry drunk walks in and glares at us. "Kids." He shakes his head and we keep walking out.

We reach outside and the cool air hits us. It rained today so the night air is cooler than a regular day. "Let's hurry, neither of us have jackets. Where's your car?" He asks me and I give a smile. "I came with a a friend who I was supposed to get drunk with, we had a taxi bring us." I explain and he nods. "Let me bring you?" He says and I hesitate but go ahead. "My name is Rosemary by the way." He offers his hand to which I shake and he says," nice to meet you, I'm Rome." He smiles. A car pulls up next to us and suddenly I feel alarmed. He opens the back door and tells me to get in. "I don't feel this is a good idea.." my words trail off as I see a guy in the front seat dressed in black.

Rome must see my eyes looking and chuckles, "This is my driver, no need to worry. He brought me here so he's bringing me home as well , we'll drop you off first though." His driver rolls down the window and waves to me. "Hey I'm Edson!" He smiles and I nod giving a wave. "Rosemary."

After the exchange I finally get in and soft music plays in the background. I gave Edson my address and as he drives , Rome and I talk. Or shall I say makeout.

—

We reach my apartment too quickly and I step out with help from Rome. "See you around." I say and start walking away until he pulls me back. I don't get to say anything because he kisses me deeply. We pull apart breathless and I cave. "Come upstairs." I tell him and he nods joining me.