Chapter 1

• Amy
• I have everything ready for my stay at home for the weekend. Everybody else always has plans for the weekend. I have plans too. They may not be equally interesting but fun is not in my list of priorities. I have better things to do: a future to build.
• Okay, you may call me nerdish but I don't care. I have heard that a lot in my life. Maybe half of it. Or all of it. It's not hideous that I like to keep things in order. I like knowing what to do next or else I would end up a wreck of nerves!
• I open the door of my small apartment. The door creaks and loniless echoes through the entire building.
• "Home sweet home," I mutter to myself.
• I put away my newly bought novel on the bedside table. Yeah: that was the plan I was talking about. I have a book I am editing on my laptop. I work for a publishing company and I am lucky to be paid to work from home. This comes with many advantages including reading free novels. I love my job.
• Saturday evening, my eyes are paining from staying indoors and staring at my computer screen all day. I could use some fresh air. I grab a cardigan and get out of the house.
• The evening is cool and quiet. The sun has gone down and darkness has started getting thick. Maybe taking a walk around the neighborhood in the middle of the night is not a good idea. What could possibly go wrong?
• A few steps from my apartment and the darkness has begun growing thicker. I have just been in this neighborhood for two months and I never saved time to look around. The woodland surrounding the neighborhood is quite large. I only got a glance at the woods from a distance. I never got this near.
• Very few people pass by me as I walk like a deranged woman towards the woods.
• This is not a good idea. I should probably go back home and cuddle up in my bed before something that I will regret happens.
• "Are you lost," a voice thunders from my shoulder. I nearly loose my mind. I turn immediately and there stands a broad shouldered, tall and well buit man. His face remains neutral as I stare at him wide eyed. How can someone look so hot in the darkness? Am I seeing well or have I already lost my mind? I blink rapidly and my throat goes dry.
• "I don't see people walking into woodlands in the dark," he says.
• "I wasn't going in there," I say.
• "Looked like it," he says pointing at me with his chin.
• "I was just getting a closer look," why am I explaining myself to a stranger?
• "I wouldn't recommend that," he says.
• "What?" I wonder. "Getting a closer look?"
• "No, walking into woodlands in the middle of the night," he replies.
• "I said I wasn't walking into the woods. It just got dark," I almost scream.
• "Wow! We just met and we are already arguing," he says and rolls his eyes.
• "You started it," I say flatly.
• "I was just looking out for you. Why would anyone just watch someone walk into the woods in the darkness?"
• "You know what? You are so annoying," I say, not knowing what else to say.
• "You are welcome," he says and smiles, dimples showing on either side of his cheeks. I can't help but stare at his face.
• "Can I walk you home? Where do you live?" his question gets me off guard.
• "Why would you do that?"
• "Because I want to," he replies as if it is the most obvious answer.
• "I just met you a few seconds ago."
• "Doesn't matter."
• Something tells me that I just met this guy and I should not just trust him. What could he possibly do? He was stubborn and all but he is sweet enough to offer to walk me home. Why would I shut him off and walk through the chilly darkness alone?
• "Okay," I say.
• "Thought so," he smirks. I can't stop myself from smiling.
• We walk slowly to the apartment block as my mind haunts me with questions about why am walking with this stranger. I push them away and lock them in a cupboard.
• "Do you live alone?" He asks as we approach the apartment block.
• "Yeah," I reply.
• "Why? Where is your family?"
• "Just a rebellion of independence," I reply. He stops walking and I laugh my ridiculous answer.
• "I knew you wouldn't be serious," he says.
• "I finished college and got a job in this area. I had to leave my family to be near the company," I say.
• "Oh, you sound serious about your job," he says.
• "That I am," I reply.
• "What do you do then?"
• "I'm an editor of a DM Publishing Company," I reply proudly.
• "That sounds fun."
• "It is," I say.
• We reach my place and stop on the door. I get my keys and open the door. I look back at him and he smiles at me. I've already fallen in love with those cute dimples on his cheeks.
• "I guess I have to say goodnight now," he says.
• "You didn't even tell me your name," I smile shyly and am sure a blush covers my face.
• "Jace," he says simply. "What about you?"
• "I'm Amy," I say.
• "Well, it was nice meeting you Amy. I hope I get to see you again soon," he says and my heart flutters.
• "Me too," I can't stop the smile that covers my face as I say that.
• "Good night, Amy," he says.
• "Good night, Jace," I say to make sure I got his name right.
• I open the door slowly and step inside. I have to stop myself from inviting him in. I look back at him and he waves. I smile and close the door. The farmiliar quietness welcomes me. I slide slowly onto the floor and it takes all my self-control to not open that door and tell Jace to take me wherever he wants.