The beep of my phone, indicating I got a text message, wakes me up the next morning. I have to blink a few times so my eyes adjust to the brightness. I grumpily turn over in my bed and take the phone in my hands. The clock reads that it isn't even 8 in the morning. Who in the right mind would text me before 8 in the morning? I decide to just ignore it and go back to sleep. Yeah, that sounds really tempting right in this moment.

I almost drift back to sleep when my phone beeps again. I groan loudly and shove my head deeper into the pillow. A few minutes later, my phone beeps one more time and I was ready to kill the person who woke me up this early with my bare hands.

I sit up in my bed, my eyes barely open and I'm sure I look like someone ran me over with a truck. I slowly, slowly lean over my bed and take the phone in my hands. That will probably teach me not to forget to put my phone on silent. I have four messages, all from an unknown number. My first thought is that it's Aaron. But the content in messages makes me drop that prediction.

From: Unknown

Wake up. I'm bringing breakfast.

Yeah, I don't know why would Aaron be bringing breakfast to me when we're already going to lunch together. Plus, I don't think he even knows where I live. So my second thought is Brooke. But I really doubt she'd be up this early in the morning. She slept in most of the days. I'm reading messages while I'm guessing who were they from.

From: Unknown

Rise and shine, baby!

From: Unknown

If you're not ready, I'm dragging you out of your bed. And I don't care if you don't wear anything. ;)

From: Unknown

On a second thought - please do make my day and don't wear anything when I get there.

I don't know who the hell the stranger is because I haven't given anyone my number recently. And if Brooke is playing mind tricks on me after 5 hours of sleeping, I'm going to drown her in the toilet.

I decide to reply to the texts:

To: Unknown

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS WRONG WITH U

I hit send and then lay back in my bed, hoping this person got the wrong number and they'll leave me alone to sleep. But with my luck, I get another text within seconds and I want to scream in frustration.

From: Unknown

I'll be there in 5. We need to talk.

I am staring at my phone, throwing daggers at it with my eyes, as if it's a reason it's beeping every three minutes. Well, partly it is its fault, but I'm totally putting a blame on the person texting me. And I don't even know who that person is!

To: Unknown

Who even r u

I type back and wait. I look outside of my window and see it's raining today. And my mood instantly becomes even shittier. I glance at my phone one more time and when I see there is no response from the unknown texter, I groan and lay back in my bed, making myself comfortable. Maybe they just got the wrong number and finally gave up.

***

"Wake up, Rory," someone breathes in my ear, shaking me slightly. I groan and turn away from whoever it was that was disturbing my sleep. Wasn't it once today already enough?

I hear a deep chuckle, but I still don't want to open my eyes. I don't even care if someone kidnaps me right now if that means I get to sleep.

"Come on, sweetheart, I told you to be awake when I come," the same voice from before says. It's awfully familiar, but I didn't think it's worth enough to open my eyes. Or maybe I was just dreaming.

When I feel the person's hands on me again, trying to pull the covers away from me, I swat their hand away and mutter a, "Go away," but still I still don't open my eyes, now clutching to my blanket for dear life.

"If you don't open your eyes in five seconds, I'm dragging you out of the bed."

I ignore the voice that was really annoying me at the moment and try to fall back asleep.

I don't think even five seconds passed before I suddenly feel really cold and before I can open my eyes, someone drags me off the bed by my feet, so I crash into the person dragging me out of my too comfortable bed. My legs would cave out, if the person I was currently plastered on, wouldn't grip my arms in a strong grip. My eyes forcingly open.

"Holy mother of Jesus, what's your problem?!" I shriek. Panic was setting inside of me and my heart wanted to jump out of my chest. I needed some minutes to calm myself down enough to shove the warm and hard body away from me and look what's going on around me. Braden is standing in front of me, wearing a pleased grin, his eyes are teasing. I then look around and notice I am still in my room, thank heavens.

I go through my hair with my hand and wince at how messy it feels. I become very aware of my looks. And clothes. Or no clothes. I flush when Braden noticed it, too, and I think I hear him groan and mutter something, which makes me even redder.

"Do you always sleep almost naked?" he asks, unable to look me in the eyes, instead his gaze settling on my bare legs.

"Uh, yes?" I reply to him, unsure of what to say. My brains still aren't functioning properly. If they were, I probably wouldn't stand half naked in front of him and do nothing about it.

He suddenly lifts his hands and rubs his face with his palms, looking desperate. "Jesus fucking Christ," he mutters. "I didn't need to know that ..."

I was fidgeting because I didn't know what to do with myself. I don't think he wanted me to reply - in fact, I don't even think he meant for me to hear him. Why, oh, why does he always have to see me in my most awkward situations? And in my worst state?

I probably looked like a mess, with my hair sticking out in every possible way, my face bare of make-up and I had probably dark circles under my eyes. Plus, my morning breath would make him run straight out of the door. I mentally facepalm myself.

"You have five minutes to get ready. I'll be in the kitchen. Don't make me wait," he warns and just like that, he's gone. I was staring dumbly at the door, still trying to process what in the hell just happened.

So the person who woke me up with their texts was probably Braden. But how would he get my number? I guess I'll just have to ask him. If I'll even be able to face him again, after standing basically naked in front of him, two times in not even a week, mind you!

I debate my chances. I could jump out of the window and make sure I never have to see him again because I'd be probably dead in a second. Or I could go out and see what he wants and then find an excuse as to why I don't have time or that I have somewhere to be. Or I could always lock myself in the bathroom.

What am I even thinking? I'm not a coward. I can handle a man like Braden Campbell just fine. I have some time ... Wait, did he say five minutes?

My eyes widen and I sprint to the bathroom as fast as humanly possible. I quickly brush my teeth and my hair, deciding I'll take a shower later. And I guess Braden won't see me with a make-up today.

I throw some yoga pants out of my closet and a comfortable looking sweater, quickly throwing it on and take some deep breaths so it wouldn't show that I was rushing. I don't really want to deal with anyone's bullshit today.

When I come into the kitchen, Braden is sitting at the table, reading a newspaper and having a cup of coffee in front of him. I notice that he is once again wearing a suit, but he took off the suit jacket and he isn't wearing a tie. And the top two buttons of his dress shirt are open and my eyes instantly focus on that spot that shows a bit of his collarbone.

"That was fast," Braden says and looks at his watch.

I narrow my eyes at him and cross my arms in front of me. "You gave me five minutes," I point out to him. He just stares at me, his face solemn, not even one soft feature on it today. I sigh and drop my arms down to my sides and take a seat, facing him. He folds a newspaper and gives me his full attention. He leans back in the chair and crosses his muscular arms in front of him. Now that he was wearing only a dress shirt without the jacket, his muscles were more visible and bulking. I swallow hard.

"What do you want?" I force my eyes to find his, ignoring the thoughts of our previous encounter today and how embarrassed I feel right now. I just want him to get out and give me some peace. I'd like to have a free-Braden day, thank you very much.

There are prints of a smile on his face, but I wouldn't bet on it. And I was angry and grumpy anyway, so I doubt his charm would work on me today.

"Are you always so grumpy in the mornings?" Braden asks me, not even blinking once while he was looking at my face, observing me. I look down at my hands because I can't stand his intense stare anymore.

"Only when you're the first one I see in the morning, it seems," I murmur. I didn't mean for him to hear me, but I don't care if he did, either.

There is a long pause and I think that neither of us is breathing. I was biting my lip and I still can't look him in the face. He suddenly puts his palm over mine on the table, making my heart beat faster and my body tremble with just a touch of his hand. "Rory, please, look at me." I lift my gaze and stare into his eyes. They were distant and careful now. "Do you really hate me that much?" he asks quietly and slowly, as if afraid of saying it loud.

I have to lean back in my chair because of the surprise his words brought me. Hate him? He had a feeling I hate him? Does it look like I hate you, Braden Campbell when I think about you naked any free second I have? Well, he's not always naked. Just most of the times ...

What am I even thinking? And when did I become such a pervert? I mentally slam my head on that table in front of me.

"Uh, Rory? Are you okay?" I hear Braden say and I widen my eyes. I guess I didn't slam my head in the table just mentally. I immediately straighten up and look at him. I flash him my brightest smile, trying to erase the awkwardness that settled in me. He was still looking worriedly at me, and then his expression turned into an are-you-nuts and I wished I'd really threw myself out of the window earlier.

"Is there any coffee in here?" I ask, but I don't even wait for his reply, just stand up and go looking for some coffee, which caused my hand to slip out of Braden's and now there were running chills down it. I shake it discreetly and look at him if he is looking at me, but he is gazing at his hand that was holding mine just seconds ago now and I wonder if it made him feel the same way as it made me.

I pour myself a cup of coffee, hoping it would help me to wake up fully. And soon. Because I don't know if I'm acting like this because of lacking of sleep or the man sitting at the table. I turn around to look at him, but he's looking down at the table, looking like he's thinking about something.

It's quiet for a while. I'm sipping my coffee and staring at Braden, while he doesn't move his eyes from the table. I want to ask him what he's thinking about, but it surely isn't my business to ask. And that kinda makes me some kind of sad. I want to get to know this man, but he seems so closed-off, so unapproachable, it sometimes scares me.

I don't even know what he does for work. Or where he lives. I basically know nothing about him, other than his age and his full name. What a fool am I for thinking about a man that I don't even know? For wanting him? But I just don't know how to approach him. He always seems so polished and then there's me, clumsy and awkward. It's embarrassing. And I don't even want to think how embarrassed would he feel if anyone ever saw me near him. I mean, some low class like me, being with him? The thought is actually funny, but if didn't make me feel depressed I would've probably laughed out loud.

"You didn't answer my question," he says in that scary calm tone. I didn't even notice when he lifted his gaze up, I was so deep in thought, and he startles me with it.

I furrow my eyebrows, stopping my mug in front of lips. "What question?" I ask him confused because I really don't know which question of his I didn't answer.

"I asked you if you really hate me that much." His eyes never falter away from my face and my mouth forms and O in surprise.

Is this man for real? I laugh and look away, debating on how to answer that without giving it too much away. I look back at him, but see that his face is unchanged - his jaw hard, his mouth set in a firm line but his eyes showed something like ... fear?

I quickly get serious again, seeing how his composure has stiffened, probably because I didn't answer him. "No, I don't hate you, Braden. Why would you even think that?" Yes, why would you think that, when every cell of my body screams out for you?

He looks away and shrugs. He's suddenly looking very uncomfortable for some reason. I guess he won't tell me anything more, so I stifle my disappointed sigh and go back to sipping my coffee.

A thought suddenly comes to my mind. "Were you the one texting me in the morning?" I ask him, but for some reason, I'm not even mad he woke me up. He can wake me up every morning if he wants if that means his beautiful face will be the first thing I see.

He turns his head and I can see a hint of a smile on his face. "Yes," he answers shortly.

"How did you get my number?" I ask him curiously. I sip my coffee and I notice he drops his eyes on my lips for a millisecond, then lifts them back up and he's serious once again, but I can tell he's in a better mood than before.

He shrugs again and I think he won't tell me, but he surprises me, "Brooke gave it to me." He smiles apologetically at my direction and I just shrug.

I remember yet another thing. "You said you want to talk with me?"

Braden sighs and goes through his hair with his hand. "Sit down, Rory," he says in a tight voice and I notice he's nervous. He makes a gesture with his hand for me to sit across from him.

I gulp all the coffee that's left in my mug and leave it on a counter, sitting across Braden and look at him.

"I do need to talk with you."

"And it couldn't wait until a normal hour?" I mutter and sigh.

Braden laughs lightly, but I notice it doesn't reach his eyes. They left unchanged. What's bothering him? "I wanted to take you to lunch, I seem to remember," he points out and looks pointedly at me. I flush, remembering our conversation in the car. "But I don't want to delay it any further."

I just stare at him. "What person that loves themselves even wakes up before 8 in the morning?" I joke, but he doesn't find it funny. "And I'm free for dinner!" I blurt out and when his eyes widen and a smile starts rising on his lips and I notice my mistake. Heh ... shit. His smile becomes even bigger and I notice I said that loud. "Uhm ... I mean, I'll probably just hang out with Brooke or ... um, Lily?" I shrug and try to stay as nonchalant to cover my slip. Me and my big mouth.

"Or you're going to go on a dinner with me," he says and his tone now is light.

I laugh awkwardly at him and look away. "Yeah ... I don't think so," I respond calmly, hoping that my heart isn't pounding so hard that it shows on my chest.

Braden suddenly puts his elbows on the table and leans across it, so we're a few inches away from each other. My breathing stops when he puts his fingers under my chin, turning my head to look at him. His eyes were dark and showed something I couldn't read. "You'll soon learn how to never say no to me again, princess," he whispers and drops his eyes on my lips. I part them in response and his eyes become hooded. "I'm picking you up at 7. Dress something sexy," he says then plants a kiss on my cheek.

His touch is gone and he's walking towards the door. "Breakfast is on the counter in the kitchen!" he calls from somewhere from behind, but I barely even hear him, his voice is distant, as I still sit there frozen on the spot, my hand now touching the spot on my cheek that his lips touched and is now burning. I barely hear a door slam and it slightly startles me, but I'm still unable to move.

What in the world just happened? Did Braden Campbell really just kiss me on the cheek? And holy mother of god, am I really going to a dinner with him tonight?

I feel overwhelmed and suddenly in a mood for some dancing or just jumping around like I got crazy. Well, maybe I did.

Brooke finds me like this some minutes later - sitting on the chair, my hand touching my cheek, me being frozen and having the biggest smile on my face I could muster.

She doesn't even notice it at first. "Good morning," she says, walking straight to the coffee machine. "What's with all the noise?" she asks, but I don't even register she's saying anything to me. And when I don't respond her, she turns around and scrunches her eyebrows. "What's up with you?" she asks me, her voice sounding a bit weird. When I just stare straight ahead of me, she yells, "Rory!" and I jump up, looking at her with wide eyes.

"What is it with you Campbells scaring the living shit out of me?" I ask her, my voice sounding breathy from a near heart-attack.

"So I did hear correct. My brother was here. What did he want?" She focuses back on preparing her coffee and I'm grateful that she moved her studying gaze away from me, because I think she could read the look on my face loud and clear and, well, we wouldn't want that.

"I don't know," I murmur distantly, again distracting myself with a memory of how his lips touched my cheek for some seconds.

Brooke sits down across from me, where Braden was sitting before, and she studies me. She pulls her eyebrows together and sips her coffee, still looking at me like I lost my damn mind. "But I think I heard you talking?"

I shrug and don't say anything. I don't think she would be too happy to know about that kiss, even if it was just on the cheek, so I don't risk saying anything because all it wants to come out from my mouth is a shouting that Braden Campbell kissed me on my check. And before that inviting me on a dinner. Well, more like stating that we're having a dinner tonight, but who am I to complain.

I think Brooke notices my stupid grin on my face, because she grins back, but chooses to stay quiet.

The beep of my phone wakes me from my trans and I go get it. It was from an unknown number, but I don't have to guess who sent it.

From: Unknown

Is 1pm working for you for our lunch today? :-)

I save Aaron's number in the phone and type a reply.

To: Aaron Vega

Perfect.

His next text comes back instantly.

From: Aaron Vega

You up for some pizza?

To: Aaron Vega

Why not :-)

From: Aaron Vega

@Padrino?

To: Aaron Vega

Works for me. See you.

I come back in the kitchen and Brooke is smiling knowingly at me. I raise my eyebrows up in a question and she points her head to my phone that I'm holding in my hands. "Texting anyone interesting?" she wants to know.

I smile and shake my head. "Just Aaron," I say to her and watch as her smile falters a little. I instantly feel bad for even going out with him, seeing that Brooke really liked him when she saw him at the bar. I know I'm going out with Aaron just as a friend, but a lot of people assumed we're together already. "We're going out as friends," I add and keep my expression as serious as I can, to let her know that's all that there is. I can't even consider dating anyone at this moment, especially not Aaron because it's great working with him and we hit it off nicely and I really don't want to destroy that friendship we built in such a short amount of time.

Brooke slightly narrows her eyes at me and she reminds me so much of her brother when he often does that. They're so alike, they have the same movements, the same features and the same gestures, but Brooke is slightly nicer and softer, while Braden is just the opposite. But they still have this irreplaceable bond going between them that not many siblings do. "Uh-uh," Brooke mutters, but she still has a smile on her face.

I sit down across her and stare at her eyes. "Brooke, there's nothing going on with me and Aaron, I swear. I know you like him so I'm not going that way," I reassure her. I'm not that girl. And even if I liked Aaron (which I don't), I wouldn't do anything about it, either, because Brooke set her eyes on him first, and that's what friends do, right?

Brooke chuckles a little and rolls her eyes. "I don't mind if you and Aaron have a thing, Rory," she says in a light tone, "but I think someone else might," she then points out and looks at me pointedly as if I should know what she's talking about. But I swear she sometimes makes me more confused than her brother. And when she sees my expression, she throws her head back and laughs, once again reminding me of Braden, which makes me want to kick myself to be comparing his sister's expression to him. "You're so naive it's getting funny," she says between laughter.

I frown at her. "Why, thank you," I say in a deadly serious tone, making her instantly stop laughing. She looks at me, her eyes getting apologetic and I can't hold it back anymore - I burst out laughing. She hits me in the arm across the table but joins me with laughing.

***

I am currently sitting in a pizzeria and waiting for Aaron to show up. He's 15 minutes late and I almost drank the whole glass of red wine I ordered. I am getting annoyed by every second that passes and he doesn't come through that door. But why wouldn't he come? Did he forget? Or he changed my mind? But why wouldn't he text me if he didn't want to show up?

I text him and ask him where he is. But when 10 minutes pass and there's still no answer, I text him if he forgot to come. But his response still doesn't come. So I call him, but it sends me to his voice mail and I hang up.

I take another sip of wine to calm down. I'm worried about him and on the other hand, I'm mad at him that he didn't even bother to send me a message to let me know he isn't coming. I looked like a fool waiting for him.

Another five minutes pass and a waitress comes strolling to my table. "Have you decided what you'd like to order?" she asks, placing a polite smile on her face that I immediately notice is fake.

I shake my head and drink the rest of my wine. "No, thank you. Just a bill please," I say aggravated, but not at her. I feel humiliated. Hurt. I didn't understand why would he ask me on a lunch and the didn't come. Maybe he really did change his mind, the back of my mind says but I quickly shut it down.

When I pay the bill, I walk out of the restaurant. I decide not to call a taxi, instead I decide to walk. It's a beautiful weather and it's not that far from my flat.

I'm wearing my favourite jeans and a coral blouse with matching flats. I didn't really 'dress up' for this, but I always make sure I look presentable. And I didn't even put that much effort on my hair and face, I just braided my hair and put some mascara on my lashes and a lip gloss on my lips. Seeing as I don't have a reason to impress Aaron ...

But Braden is another story and I can feel my stomach fluttering whenever I think about going on a dinner tonight with him. I'm actually a bit nervous and curious as to what does he want to talk with me about. I don't let myself think about it too hard because I don't want to create some scenarios in my head and be disappointed at the end. It's just that Braden is that kind of guy that consumes your mind and he makes sure I think about him at all times. I don't think he's doing that on purpose, but he's just that kind of guy that brings his charisma everywhere he goes.

So for the rest of the walk, I fill my head with the thoughts of Braden - I think about everything; his features, his smile, his expressive eyes, his jaw, his body, his reactions to different things, how controlled he is ... - so I don't have to think how Aaron didn't show up for our lunch and humiliated me in front of everyone in that pizzeria.

***

When I come in front of my flat, I almost bump in Braden and Brooke who walk out of the door in time I want to walk in. I swallow a scream and when I almost fall back on my butt, Braden grips my hand in a hard grip and steadies me. My traitor heart starts to beat faster when I look in his eyes and see something pass in his that makes me hot inside.

When Brooke steps on tiptoes to see over Braden, her expression turns confused. "You're back already?" she asks from behind Braden's and he turns his head slightly to look at her. But he doesn't step to the side to give Brooke space. He doesn't let go of my arm either, but he loosens his grip for a bit.

I focus on Brooke. "Yeah." I do everything in my power not to show them sadness and humiliation cross my face.

Brooke punches Braden in his arm and he grumbles something under his breath but releases my arm and steps aside to let Brooke come in front. "What happened?" she wants to know. She searches my face for answers, but I keep my face as neutral as I can.

"Long story short - he didn't show up." I shrug and try to look nonchalant because I don't want to see sympathy in their eyes.

I feel Braden's sharp intake of breath and see his fists clench at his sides. I briefly look at him and his eyes are flaming with anger, but I don't think it's towards me.

Brooke hugs me and mutters, "What a bastard," in my ear and I softly smile into her shoulder. She releases me from the hug but keeps her hands on my shoulders. "Wanna go out to a lunch with me and Braden?" she offers.

I quickly shake my head. I don't want to intrude and I don't want them to feel the need to invite me out with them just because someone stood me up. "No, I'll order pizza or something." I plaster a fake smile on my face and look them both in the eyes. Braden's gaze doesn't move from my face and he seems like he doesn't like my answer. Or he's still mad about something. Who knows?

Brooke searches my eyes. "Are you sure?" she asks slowly.

I nod my head. "Yes. Go, you two, I need some alone time, anyway," I say to her and shove her towards the staircase.

She laughs and calls, "If you say so," back and goes down the stairs.

I turn around, still smiling, and come face to face with Braden, whose expression is serious on me and my smile instantly dies. He looks like he wants to say something, but he doesn't open his mouth and I don't know what to say to him either.

He suddenly steps close to me and grips my waist. My body jolts at the electricity that runs down my spine when his hands make contact with my sides and breathing slows down. He leans in and I close my eyes when I feel his breath on my ear, then his breathy whisper, "At 7, Rory." He bites my ear softly and tugs it until he releases it with teeth and backs away from me.

I put my arms in front of me blindly so I can grip something if I don't want my legs to give out and fall on my knees, and come in contact with his hard, muscled chest. I quickly open my eyes and see him grinning down at me. He puts his arms on mine, that are still resting on his chest, and I think he's going to remove them, but he travels his hands up and down on my skin and I get goosebumps everywhere when he's softly running his hands to my elbow and back down with a light touch, almost tingling me.

We stare at each other's eyes, his eyes are burning into me, turning some shades darker, and mine are probably just a pool of full arousal, staring glassy back at him and begging him - but I'm not sure of what; to not stop touching me, maybe? Or to take me right in front of my flat? I don't know, but I feel like I'm going to burst if he doesn't do something, soon.

Braden wraps his hands around my wrists and forces my hands away from his chest, making me stumble in the process. He lifts his hand and brushes it through my hair, his smile growing big on his face and his eyes full of unspoken promise. I'm unable to look away from him, unable to do anything - he locks me in a place with his stare.

Not even a second later, his touch is gone and his heavy footsteps going down the stairs are ringing in my ears. I turn to look at him walking away, his posture controlled and cold and I'm wondering if he really can hide his feelings so well or if he doesn't feel the same as me whenever we touch.

I force my feet into the flat and go to my room. The second I step in, I plop myself down on the bed, facing down, and try to process everything that happened today. My feelings are flowing everywhere and I felt really tired. So I close my eyes for a minute and drift away in a dreamy wonderland.