I down another glass of scotch as I wait for Hazel to show up. Paul has just texted me and told me he had picked her up.

She should be here any minute.

I hope she likes the gift I gave her.

I don't know what I was thinking, I'm trying to make her hate me but yet I can't help but want to see her smile.

We're bad for each other.

Toxic even.

She'd break me if I let her in.

And I'd hurt her.

It's just who I am, no matter how much I try. I always screw up.

And I don't want to see her hurting.

What is wrong with me?

This feeling stirring inside was new and I didn't like it. I didn't like it one bit.

I'm not supposed to have feelings. Im not supposed to show my emotions. Im not supposed to be vulnerable.

Not again.

I can't handle it.

I can't let someone in.

And even though I'm trying so hard, she just won't leave my head. She's the first thing I think about when I wake up and the last thing I think about when I fall asleep.

I know she carries a lot of baggage, but hell I do too.

She has a son.

I have a blood sucking career.

She had a rough childhood.

I have a secret that I refuse to let out.

But it's so close to breaking through. I can't let it out. Everyone's opinions would change of me. I have to keep my reputation the way it is; clean, and pristine.

Everybody knows that I sleep around, but my business ethic is one to be desired. And that's what I can't lose. And I know I would.

That's why my secret has to remain inside.

All I have is my company. I don't have room for anything else.

I don't know why I'm wasting my time waiting and searching for her. I can't want her. I want to, but I can't.

"Hey man, you finally showed up to one of these huh?" Jordyn, my best friend asks.

I turn my attention on him as he claps a hand on my shoulder.

"Yeah, I didn't have much of a choice. I'm having some problems with the investors."

Jordyn raises an eyebrow before taking a sip of his drink.

"Just say the word man, you know I'd be willing to help out"

I shake my head without a second thought.

"No. I don't need your help J. I can handle it myself."

Jordyn holds his hands up in surrender and takes a step back.

His eyes flicker across the room before they light up.

"I have someone I need to go meet. But remember what I said. Don't be to stubborn to ask for help Nick. You need a vacation. I can handle the office for a few days while you chill on a beach in Tahiti with a hot blonde on your arm." He says with a smirk.

I roll my eyes at him.

"Think about it. Now if you'll excuse me."

I check my watch as Jordyn walks away. She's over an half an hour late.

I run my hands through my hair and down my face in agitation.

What was it about her?

I needed another drink.

I head over to the bar and soon a glass of scotch is sitting in front of me. I chug it down and motion for another one.

Three more scotch's make their way down into my stomach as I wait impatiently for Hazel to show up.

I was tipsy. Actually I was past tipsy but not quite drunk yet.

I scan the room again, and that's when I see her.

She looked beautiful.

She was wearing a dark purple dress that showed the skin on her back and the slit showed most of her left leg.

I down another scotch as I stand up, and take a deep breath preparing myself to talk to her.

Before I can process what's happening, my feet are moving in her direction. She looks towards me and we make eye contact for a fleeting second before I'm cut off by a familiar looking brunette.

"Hey Nicky. I've missed you." She says in a sweet voice.

I do a double take and trail my eyes over her body. She was wearing a skin tight red dress with matching red heels. Her dress was like a second skin.

"Izzy?" I ask flabbergasted.

She nods her head as she bites her lip.

"W-What are you doing here?" I ask in a slur

"I told you, I missed you Nicky. I just came back into town. Figured I'd find you here." She says as she twirls a strand of hair around her finger.

I look over her shoulder at Hazel. She laughing at something Jordyn had said to her. I couldn't believe she was talking to him. He was a tool. A player. He didn't deserve her.

"Can we pick up where we left off?" Izzy asks as she steps closer to me.

I felt the anger bubble up inside as I watched Jordyn flirt with my girl.

I didn't know what came over me, but I finally knew what I could do to get her to hate me. So I put my plan into play.

I grab Izzy's waist and slam my lips onto hers.

She moans into my mouth and her hands shoot through my hair.

I turn her around and back her into the wall as I kiss her harder and harder.

I needed Hazel out of my head. I needed her to hate me. And this was the only way.

My hands trail up and down Izzy's body as I pull her closer to me. I needed her closer.

Any distraction from Hazel. I needed it.

She was driving me insane and she hasn't even done anything.

Izzy moves her hands down to my suit jacket and grips it into tight fists as she kisses me back much more intensely than before.

"Nicky lets go back to your room." She pants as I move my lips to her neck.

Don't do it Nick

Don't

You'll regret it.

Think of Hazel.

No!

I need this.

Even if I did regret it later, I knew it was the only way. Getting drunk didn't work, so this was the only option left. Even if I knew it would break me. I had too.

And that's why as I led Izzy out of the mansion. I didn't look back. I knew I wouldn't be able to stand the look on her face if she saw me.

So I just kept walking, with Izzy trailing behind me.