Bound by debt

f that glass like it owes you money." May

elvet-lined couch. "It kinda does," I muttered. "Or at

us with bass-heavu music and hazy purple lights, casting everything in a seductive dream-like hue. The

know it feels like everything is crashing down, but you can't drown yo

ng on his generous. It is dying, M

as seventeen, running ovens, cleaning floors, taking inventory--- doing everything to keep that place alive, and no

the damn bank, plead,beg,cry-- hell, throw yourself at the

g by some corporate staff in suit who will remind me

he said, her voice firm. "That bakery is your fat

een my anchor --- fiery, bold, always ready to light a match in a room full

ed dress. " I'm going to get us another

d around me, each beat matching the heavy thump of my heart. I tilte

when I

t in t

d slightly, and

ul frame. His dark hair was slightly tousled, like he'd just run a hand through it. A sharp jawline

ey storm that locked onto

million dollars," he said, his

d, "mayb

ope it wasn't your last, you are t

d. And I hated how fast the flatt

ietly, unsure why

his voice like sil

i

arp, commanding and

oing all alone in a place like

added, his gaze sweeping over me --- not sleezy, but purposeful,

the space between us shrinking. "Or are you one of those men

k. "Only when they are

re was something about him--- dangerous and magnetic. A part of m

t scent of leather, his finger brushing the side of

lump forming in my

d softly, "just for a while

unded again

in that moment, with the alcohol buzzing in my veins and

ss. And that sounde

odd

e writhing crowd and toward a stairwell tucked behind velvet curtains.

im, lined with sleek doors and golden sconces

d, just fi

. That same promise of forgettin

pped

ter, flanked by dim lamps. I turned to speak-- to say somethin

ked, And ever

his smile disappeared. In their place was somet

id slowly, my

me, his eyes cold

screamed what my mind

sn't