The Unloved Heiress Goes Rogue

Carefree

Raine POV

I ignore the curious looks as I sit on the barstool, sucking down shot after shot as though my life depends on it. My makeup is smeared, my dress is torn, my shoes are now somewhere back in the car I used to hitchhike a ride to this depressing pub and I look like some sort of tragic bride left at the altar. I almost snort with laughter. I am a bride but I am the one who left the groom at the altar. I feel some sort of satisfaction in that. No doubt Edgar Rosethorn and my bastard family are panicking over the loss of what had essentially been a monetary transaction to them all. I didn't care. I shot back another shot, relishing the taste of the vodka as it slightly burned the inside of my throat as it trickled down.

"Care for some company?" the voice is highly amused.

I open my mouth to object to yet another man attempting to hit on me, but gape as I turn to see that it's him. The man who helped me to escape the church. I blink, raking my gaze over him, taking in the heavily built and well-muscled frame beneath his suit, his golden-kissed tan, and the lusciousness of his dark charcoal eyes. Despite my reservations, I shrug, motioning for him to join me on the empty stool next to me. He grins and sits down, taking off his jacket and placing it carefully over the benchtop.

"What are you having?" he asks.

"Vodka" I mutter.

He waves the bartender down and requests two more shots. He places one in front of me and I give him a grateful expression, taking it and downing it in one go as he does the same. He slams the glass down on the countertop and inhales sharply.

"I forgot how strong vodka can taste" he grimaced.

I laugh. He grins. "Care to tell me why you were running away from a wedding?" his tone is casual.

I observe him quietly. Although he comes across as a nice man, my experience is limited and I don't quite trust that he won't take me back to the church or my parents. I have a purse filled with money, money that I've earned from various part-time jobs over the years as well as a bank account that nobody knows about. Thank god, I had the sense to do this, and all thanks to my grandmother's insistence. Otherwise, I would be up s**t creek without a paddle as the saying went.

"Sorry, it's a big secret" I quip at him dryly.

He chuckles. "Fair enough. You caused quite a stir" he added.

"Good" I mutter, feeling slightly tipsy as I glare down at the benchtop, "they can all go to hell" I hiccup.

He reaches over to touch my arm, causing me to feel tingles run down my spine. Strange. I've never felt like this before, but part of me is aware that I'm extraordinarily drunk by now.

"You look like you need to rest," he said.

I laugh. It's the worst come-on I've ever heard. He could have at least come up with something original. Still, I stare at him for a moment, undecided. He is handsome and, after the day I've just had, learning about my grandmother and the subterfuge of my horrible family, I'm in a reckless mood. If this man wants to play, I think with a grin, batting my eyelashes at him, then so be it. Two can play that game.

I lightly reach over and trail a finger down his arm, marveling at the feeling of muscle beneath his flesh. My lips curl into a smile as he peers at me slightly dazed. "You know, I think rest is just what I need," I said silkily, as he drew in a breath. "Do you know anywhere I could find a good bed and somewhere to stay for the night?"

He looked stunned. I tried not to smirk. Those shots had made me more courageous. Ordinarily, I would never have dreamed of taking a man home or following him home like this, but that was the old Raine. This was the new Raine. The free Raine. I would never let myself be influenced into doing something I didn't want to ever again. This man was pushing all the right buttons and I was growing tired of always feeling like I had to meet some sort of impossible goal to have what I wanted. Screw it. You only lived once right?

"I know of a place" he murmured, raising a brow. "But are you in any condition to consent?" he added with a low growl.

Sweet. Most men wouldn't have even bothered to ask. I decided that worked in his favor as I got off the stool and stood on my bare feet, swaying slightly and winking at him. "Honey, trust me, I'm more than capable of thinking for myself, and right now" I paused and squeezed his arm as he stared at me "I like what I see."

He slowly stood up, grabbing his jacket and flinging it over his arm. I saw him start to move and then take a double take when he realized that my feet were bare. "Where are your shoes?" he asked with narrowed eyes.

"Lost them," I said cheerfully.

To be honest, I didn't care where they were. Impractical wedding heels were hardly going to be helpful in this situation.

He sighed and then I gave a small shriek as he picked me up without warning, hoisting me over his shoulder. I saw several in the crowd stare at us and then go back to what they were doing. I relaxed, enjoying the feel of his arms gripping me tightly.

"Can't have you walking without shoes" he muttered.

Nice. He even cared about my feet. At any other time, I would have tried to get this man's number. I watched wide-eyed as he paused next to a limousine, conversing quickly with another man who quickly walked away.

"Who was that?" I mumbled.

"Nobody," he said, opening the door and depositing me gently onto the seat of the limo.

I scooted over and he sat beside me. He signaled something to the driver. I settled against the seat, staring with curiosity out of the window. Somehow I was not surprised when we stopped at a nearby luxury hotel. He grabbed me again, the driver quickly rushed to open the door, and the stranger holding me placed me down once we reached the elevator. I frowned. He hadn't stopped at reception to get a key.

"I have a key already" was all he offered as I looked at him questioningly.

Hmm. Must have been traveling from out of town, I thought shrugging.

"My name's Raine by the way," I said, offering him my hand and a sheepish grin.

"I'm Drake," he said, glancing away from me with a slight frown on his face.

"Just Drake?" I queried.

He tightened his lips. I sensed he didn't want to offer anything more. Fine with me. The doors opened and he led me down the hallway. The penthouse apartment. I opened my mouth, but he put a finger to my lips.

"Shhh" he murmured.

He opened the door and then led me inside. It was beautiful. Opulent, Extravagant, and far beyond anything I had seen, even with the wealth that my family possessed. It would put our house to shame, I marveled open-mouthed. His hand was on me, tugging at the dress. I turned my back to him, letting him undo the zip, and quickly stepped out, feeling unencumbered once more, as though a weight had been lifted off of me.

"Beautiful" he murmured, even as I began to tug at his shirt, my fingers deftly undoing the buttons. I could hear my breathing become shallow.

I wanted to see every inch of this golden skin of his. My fingers shook slightly, even as he helped me, his eyes fixated on my body. I blushed, remembering that I had worn no underwear with the dress and only my lace strapless bra. He licked his lips, even as I pulled the shirt off him, dropping it carelessly to the floor. I sucked in a breath, taking in the beauty of his chest, the six-pack of his abdomen, and the perfection it was. I salivated, my hands automatically going for his belt as he chuckled.

"Slow down" he purred.

But I didn't want to slow down. I was still heady under the effects of the alcohol and I wanted him. I undid the belt and pulled it, dropping it with the shirt while he stepped out of his shoes. My fingers trembled as I slowly undid the button and began to pull down his pants. He raised a brow and then calmly stepped out of it. His legs were thick and long, the muscles rippling as he moved. My throat went dry. He pulled off his boxer shorts and my eyes dipped to his genitals, my eyes widening in shock.

He was big. Huge. My body was almost thrumming with desire. He smirked and then he moved closer, his hands going to the clasp at the back of my bra. I could smell his scent, the distinct odor of his body and my mouth watered. I felt him undo the bra and slowly pull it away from me, his eyes glinting as he dropped it slowly to the ground, his eyes deliberately raking over me, lingering on my breasts as I fought the urge to cover them with my hands.

This is what you wanted Raine. A night of fun, no regrets, with a man sexy as sin. Are you going to back out now? What happened to living for today and all that crap?

The hell I was. I wasn't a coward who was going to back out. If anything good was going to come out of today, it would be this one night with this devilish man. I wasn't going to waste this one chance with him. I gave a seductive smile, even as his hands began to caress my back.

"It's your move" I breathed into his ear, standing on tiptoes to whisper it. "What are you going to do with me now?" I added with a taunt, daring him.

He picked me up bridal style in answer and headed directly for the bedroom, his eyes turning darker as he began to hurry, almost as if he couldn't get to the bed quickly enough. I had a feeling my whole world was about to be turned upside down and I could barely wait. I was no longer Raine Stockland, but just Raine. A simple girl living in the moment.