“What the---“ Aaron sat up and cursed. He had dozed off on the sofa in front of the TV which was on mute. The phone was vibrating its way to hell on the coffee table. He reached forward, pushing aside cartons of Chinese food and beer bottles.

He looked at the number but didn’t recognize the number. He decided not to answer but on the second thought swiped the green icon.

“Clark here” He said in a dead pan voice. He glanced at the clock. It was nearly 11.30 p.m.

He heard someone sigh on the other side and Aaron gritted his teeth. He was about to hang up when he heard the voice he least expected.

“Aaron. It’s me. Elaine”

“Hey Elaine. Are you okay?” Aaron sat up straighter immediately worried.

“Yes I am okay. I was just wondering if you wanted to..umm…get drinks..if you are free..it is awfully late…you know what forget it…its---“

“Come on over. I have Chinese and beer” Aaron chuckled, cutting off her rambling. He was pleased beyond his own liking that she had called him.

“Your place?”

“Or I can come, however you want”

“Okay, I really don’t have any place in mind”

“Alright, I will message you my address then”

“Okay”

Aaron couldn’t wipe the grin off his face as he messaged her his address.

Elaine read the address and sighed. It was stupid of her to call him. It was almost midnight and it sounded like he was asleep. She didn’t know him that well to impose herself on him.

She decided to message and tell him that she was called in the hospital.

“Stop being a wuss” A voice in her head shot back at her.

After her engagement went out of the window, she stayed out of the dating circuit. Once in a blue moon, Sam and Will pulled her along on a double date but things never went ahead.

“This is not even a date.” Elaine rolled her eyes at her train of thoughts. He was a decent guy who was a good company and right now she needed a good company and a few drinks.

She typed in the address in her car’s GPS and drove over to his place.

Aaron winced as he looked at the ugly bruise that was now forming on his left torso. He should have expected this. Dante was going to pay hell for this even if after that Rose had his head on a stick. He pulled his vest down as he heard the buzzer go off.

“Mr. Clark there is a Ms. Elaine Sparks here to see you”

“Yes send her up”

Aaron glanced behind him at the coffee table. He had cleared away the empty bottles and cartons.

The doorbell went off and Aaron pulled it open.

“Hey there” he said as he took in her appearance. She was wearing a black tank top and dark blue denims and had a light blue denim jacket slung over her forearm. Her hair was pulled up in a messy bun and like every single time he had seen her, her face was void of any makeup.

“Hello”

“Come on in” Aaron stepped aside and gestured with his hand. Elaine smiled and moved past him into the foyer.

“Nice place” She complimented as she looked around.

“Moved in today” Aaron said as he took her jacket and placed it in the closet near the main door. He studied her natural beauty again. He was always knocked breathless. Sure he had his share of beautiful women but they paled in comparison to her.

“You don’t look like a doctor”

“What?”

“You know, I thought aside from scrubs you wore those formal skirt and dresses.”

“And a stethoscope around my neck 24.7?”

Aaron laughed at her expression.

“What?” Elaine asked, amused now. She folded her arms across her torso and faced him.

“Nothing, you just look so carefree.”

“Yeah” Elaine said as she turned around.

Aaron didn’t miss the fall in her expression. He knew it was just more than her brother's untimely demise but he didn't kneow her well enough to approach such a topic head on.

“Come on. There is beer and if you prefer anything else, I have that also, bar is over there” Aaron said as he led the way to the living area.

“Thank you”

“Hey, don’t mention.”

Elaine sat on one the bar stools that lined the shelf that separated the bar and the kitchen. She looked at Aaron as he rummaged around one of the cupboards. He was wearing grey track pants with a black vest; his spectacular arms were on display.

“Okay. So what do you want?” He asked as he straightned up

“Something strong.”

“Rough day?”

“Don’t ask.”

Aaron nodded as he took out shot glasses and lined them up. He filled up six of them with vodka.

“That’s what I am talking about” Elaine muttered as she picked up one and threw it back. It burned her throat but the sensation was welcomed.

She kept the other empty glass down and downed another shot.

“Hey easy there” Aaron said as he pulled back three shots out of her reach.

“What? We met up for drinks!”

“Yes we did but not to pass out drunk.”

“I can hold my alcohol Mr. Clark.”

“Really?” Aaron chuckled as he emptied one himself.

“You are challenging me?” Elaine said as she leaned forward and Aaron’s eyes strayed towards her cleavage. He knew he was treading on dangerous territory here. Both of them were in an emotional turmoil and he didn’t want to add any more to the tally.

“What if I am?” Aaron smirked.

“Alright. Bring it on. Six each not counting the ones we already had.”

“Make it four”

“Scared?” Elaine said as she raised her eyebrow at him.

"You wish Doc"

Aaron pulled out more glasses and lined up 12 of them. He poured in the alcohol and pushed six of them towards her. He knew he shouldn’t be doing this but he was enjoying this playful side of her too much.

“Ready?” Aaron asked as he raised one to his lips.

“Always!”

Elaine laughed as she threw back all six shots before him.

Aaron slammed down the last one second later than her. He wasn’t a light drinker either.

“Let’s have another round!” Elaine already felt light headed but she was in control or at least that’s what she thought.

“Let’s eat something as well. I like my floor vomit free”

“Do you want me to give a signed contract to you, I CAN HOLD MY DRINKS!” Elaine yelled as she spun on the bar stool.

“Yes I can see that” Aaron muttered as he steadied her and helped her off the stool.

“Why are you so uptight Mr. Businessman?” Her speech was starting to slur. So much for holding it. Aaron knew that most women got tipsy after three four shots and this woman had downed six of them like nobody’s business yet was somehow stable on her own two feet.

“I want to sit here. You go get it.”

Aaron shook his head and went to get the food. When he returned he saw her chugging straight from a Jack Daniels.

“Jesus! Elaine!!” He yelled as he took the bottle from her.

“What?” She said as she tried to pull the bottle back.

Okay now she was definitely drunk and he was only slightly tipsy.

“I like this stool!” She tried to spin herself once again but lost her balance. Aaron grabbed her at the last minute and pulled her away from the stool.

“Come on. We are going to the living area.”

“Yes boss!” Elaine said and saluted.

Aaron laughed at her behavior and helped her to the living room.

“You play?” Elaine asked as she pointed to the guitar.

“Yes.” Aaron replied as he sat down from across her.

She got up and stumbled towards him.

“Why are you so nice to me?” She said as she plopped down next to him on the sofa. “Always helping me. You don’t even know me. What if I am a serial killer?”

“I—“ Aaron was cut off as he felt her hand on his biceps and the next moment she fell into his lap.

“Nice arms Mr. Muscle man” She chuckled.

“Elaine…” Aaron tried to put her back on the sofa but she had straddled him and was staring at his face.

“And your eyes, always so…guarded…”

“Really?” Aaron said now amused by her observations.

“Yessssss”

Aaron looked at her flushed face and desire surged through his body but this was not the time. She was drunk out of her mind. Even though he wouldn’t have minded more of her observations and silly behavior, he knew he had to end the night here before both of them did something they would regret in the morning.

“Come on. Let’s go to bed.”

“Oooo.. I like that idea” Elaine smirked as she traced his jaw.

Hell, this woman was so enticing. Aaron closed his eyes for a moment and controlled himself.

“No, you are going to bed alone.”

“Kill joy”

Aaron got up and pulled her along and then set her on the floor but she was barely steady on her feet.

He lifted her again and walked up the stairs to the guestroom.

“I will be in the next room”

She didn’t respond and he looked down at her. Her face was solemn now and all the mischief was gone replaced by a sad look.

“Hey…what’s wrong?” but she didn’t reply.

Aaron pulled the duvet aside with one hand and settled her in. He removed her shoes and covered her up again.

“Good night Elaine”

“Don’t leave”

“I am in the next room.”

“They all leave…” Her voice broke and it singed his heart.

“Elaine…”

“Aaron stay. Please”

He sighed and climbed on top of the duvet next to her and pulled her close. He didn’t know her sorrows but he sure as hell wasn’t going to let them drown her; not when he was here.

“What about your own demons?” A voice whispered back at him and Aaron squeezed his eyes shut, trying to chase that thought away.