My eyes stung against the onslaught of sunshine as I cracked open my eyelids, forcing my head deeper into the pillow and pulling my comforter over my head. It was morning and I was in my bed still fully clothed and I had no idea how I got here or what the hell happened last night?

Rolling a sandpaper tongue around my dry achrid mouth, was making my stomach roil. Urgh. My mouth tasted like death. My stomach twisted with nausea and I was sure I was seconds away from throwing up. There was also a deep seeded hunger that I haven't felt for a very long time. It reminded me that I still hadn't eaten anything since the day before which was so not like me. Going hungry often as a child, I always made sure of two things. That I ate often and that my plate was always piled high. I thought of the little Italian place on the corner, and the memories of the smell pumped welcomed moisture into my mouth, filling it like a rainstorm after a drought.

The water!

Memories came flooding back -pun intended- from the night before like a tidal wave -I really like puns- and I remembered dropping the box, the rolling tampon, then the guys before everything started shaking and water started floating. I'm pretty sure I fainted as well. Great!

Awesome first impression there Agnes, do you think a brain tumour would be a believable excuse?

Not even a full day of moving in and my new hot neighbours had seen my personals, witnessed my hallucination -because let's be honest, that's what it probably was. I mean, all that cardio and no food had me seeing floating water. That's logical, right?- and then on top of everything else I passed out. I bet they thought I was a right weirdo and couldn't wait to just dumped my scrawny ass on the bed and run.

Jumping out of bed, I took pause when my feet hit the hardwood as a sudden pop and grinding sensation radiated out from my chest. The small flash of pain when I prodded my ribs had me sucking a sharp breath but thankfully it quickly dissipated. That shit was not pleasant.

Investigating the origin, I lifted up my shirt and gasped as my eyes landed on huge black and purple bruises in the centre of my chest, just below my breasts. I could tell by the colour that they were deep, but there was something odd about them. They were a strange shape. I couldnt make them out but they almost resembled the shape of a handprint. But I couldn't see how that was possible.

Pulling my shirt back in place, I headed out of the bedroom and towards the bathroom. I wanted to get a better look in the huge vanity mirror that was fixed to the wall above the basin.

I paused stepping into my living room -Saying that, filled me with a huge sense of pride. My living room- I was pleasantly surprised to notice that all the overflowed tub water had been cleaned up and even my boxes had been unpacked. Although, the latter had me unsure on whether to feel grateful or slightly violated that someone had been digging through my belongings. And a stranger no less.

Quickly pushing that thought aside, I chastised my self for being a bit of dick. It was actually really kind of sweet. It wasn't their fault I had serious trust issue hardcoded into my bones from all the years of abuse I had received. Other than Val and the guys at Ed's, I just wasn't used to people being nice to me. I must pull on my big girl panties and find some courage to go thank them later, although I'm pretty sure this is Mr Helpful's doing. I don't think Dark and Dangerous would piss on me if I were on fire so I couldn't really see him unpacking my things. He was still hot though, even if he was a prick.

Walking into my bathroom I pulled the light cord

"Oh, shit!" I screamed at the reflection glaring back at me from the mirror.

I looked like I had been dug up. And I mean seriously dug up, like, woken up in a coffin, clawed my way out of six feet of dirt and then got caught in a monsoon.

I was seriously pale. I mean, i'd always had a porcelain quality to my complexion but my skin had taken on this pasty almost translucent look to it. Dark rings circled under my eyes making me look like I hadn't slept in years and my cheekbones looked sharp and gaunt. My lips had a slight bluish tint to them instead of their usual rose colour. All this with the backdrop of my long auburn hair that fall in water tangled waves around my face and shoulders made my appearance almost, striking.

Even if I did look like I could use a good night's sleep, a meal and a suntan.

Looking down at my sleep crumpled clothes and then longingly over at the claw foot tub, I was aware of a funky aroma in the air and I was pretty confident it was me. I most definitely needed to get myself cleaned up.

After twisting the taps and making sure the water was running hot, I made myself busy brushing my teeth and picking my clothes for the day -which had been hung and organised by type and colour in my small walk in closet, may I add. I was seriously impressed with whoevere had unpacked for me- checking on my bath every two minutes. I wasn't going to make the same mistake as yesterday, that's for sure!

I couldn't find my box of toiletries from the day before, but I did have a few travel size bottles that formed part of a hamper that was given to me for my birthday by Val earlier this year.

I never really knew when my actual birthday was. Dear old mom and dad left that little nugget out of their woe is me letter of excuses when they abandoned me on those church steps all those years ago.

The foster farms never really gave a shit either, it's not like they would have celebrated it if they knew. Their only care was keeping me alive to ensure their government pay checks kept coming in.

The care system only knew the year I was born from my dental x-rays so they made up a date, just like that. Just plucked me a birthday from thin air like it was a meaningless thing. Anger burned deep within my chest. This was the date they used to release me from the system happy enough that I was in the ball park of eighteen.

Me and Val then used this date to celebrate my birthday from then on as that was the day I truly began my life.

Grabbing the small bottles of body wash, shampoo, conditioner and 2 big fluffy towels. I padded into the bathroom, stripping off my clothes and throwing them into the hamper behind the door. Seriously considering burning them just to get rid of the stench. It actually may be necessary.

Catching my reflection in the mirror once again, I stopped and walked closer to get a better look at the bruises on my chest.

They were now the same colour as the Onyx locket that hung around my neck. Placing my right hand over the bruise, slightly spreading my fingers. The shape fit perfectly, if only slightly bigger. My head tilted to the side, trying to figure out how I had gotten it.

Prodding at my ribs again, I was pleased to see that pain was now gone but I was still a little worried that the rib underneath still moved in an unnatural way underneath the skin. Gross, I definitely need to go and get that checked out.

I turned off the tap when my bath was finally full. Swirling my hand through the water to ensure it was the correct temperature. Perfect. Well as perfect as it could be without the bubbles.

One foot after the other, I climbed into the claw foot tub before sliding down and submerging my whole body until the water covered my entire head.

The heat from the water permeated my skin and pores, warming me all the way through as I held myself under the water. I hadn't realised how cold I was until that moment

Blissfully slow, I re-emerged, wiping the water out of my eyes and pushing the hair off my forehead in one swoop. Groaning aloud once my mouth was above the water line. My skin was so sensitive today and it felt heavenly. I vaguely wondered if Aunt Flo was on her way, which brought flashbacks from my awkward encounter yesterday

Wanting to get the manotomus out of the way so I could just leisurely soak until my skin pruned. I washed the grime out of my hair before moving on to my body. My new neighbours still at the forefront of my mind.

Seeing as I was sans loofa, I squirted the body wash into my palm and rubbed my hands together to create a nice silky lather as the scent of vanilla filled the air. I ran my hands down my body in a scrubbing motion, but once I noticed how good it felt, I slowed the motions down to a more languid speed and took my time.

It had been nearly a year since I had been touched by a man and that was the ex boyfriend I had in college. He demanded too much of my time and had started to distract me from my studies. After all I had gone through to get here I couldn't let anyone mess with my plans. Especially someone I saw more as a friend than a partner. He was just someone to fill the lonely nights. There were absolutely no regrets -from my side at least- he however, cried like a baby. He guilt tripped me for nearly two months in an effort to wear me down and get me back until I found out that he had been cheating on me the entire time we were together. Prick.

My lack of a sex life combined with the sensitivity of my skin and the silkyness of the body wash was a heady mix to my libido. A fierce heat burning in my veins.

My hands slid easily over my skin as I washed. Closing my eyes I pictured Mr Helpful's hands in place of mine and had to bite my lip to hold back the moan when I imagined his lips dropping butterfly kisses along the pulse line of my throat. I groaned, arching my back when they found their way to my breasts and squeezed. Cupping the heavy weight and smoothing a thumb over each nipple, picturing his wicked mouth nipping and then laving with his tongue to soothe the sting.

My core throbbed for attention and not wanting to neglect my already unused anatomy, my hands began their descent down my stomach to where I needed them the most. I imagined that both the red head and dark and dangerous had joined their friend. The red head took over suckling on my breast while dark and dangerous ran his sinful tongue through the sensitive flesh between my thighs.

My hips bucked as my fingers found my core and slid through the silky arousal easily.

With one hand on my breast and the other in my folds, I fell into an easy rhythm and began working out the knot that was tightening in my lower stomach.

My body shook and hips thrashed harder against my hand the closer and closer I got to yanking the knot loose. It had been way too long and I was amazed by how good it felt. It had never felt this good. Not on my own. Not with anyone!

Feeling myself cresting. I pinched my nipple and worked my clit harder. Until I was so close to bursting. Lights flashed behind my eyes as the edge of the cliff came into view and just as I was about to tumble right over and fall into blissfull oblivion, the bathroom door burst open and elicited a completely different kind of scream from both me and from Mr Helpful who had just thrown my box of toiletries in the air from my obviously unexpected presence.

That box was just destined for the floor.

"What the fuck!" I screamed as I frantically tried to cover as much skin with my hands that I could. Mainly concentrating on the more important areas.

I expected him to turn on his heels and hightail it out of there in sheer embarrassment. Embarrassment at catching me naked in the tub and embarrassment of catching in mid throws furiously pleasuring myself. Kill me now!

But instead he froze. Stared at me with an open mouth, his eyes searing for what felt like forever and then stormed across the small room in two big strides kicking my fallen box to the side on his way. Scooping me up from the bath and pulling my naked body against his chest, wrapping me in a big bear hug. My ribs making that weird popping sound again. I seriously need to get that checked!

"You're alive!" He exclaimed

"It would look that way" I responded dryly at what I assumed was a sarcastic comment but my words were muffled against the navy blue hoody he was wearing.

He smelt amazing. I inhaled deeply and took in the scent of him. He smelled like cedar, cinnamon but there was another delicious aroma that I couldn't quite put my finger on...

Steak! He smelt like a really good meaty steak. All at once my nipples pebbled and my stomach growled. Two very different conflicting reactions that i wasn't expecting in the slightest. I'm such a weirdo.

"Erm. Do you mind? I wouldn't mind being dressed while being hugged by a complete stranger" lie, lie, lie, lie, lie! "I'm kind of very naked right now" I asked glancing up at his face.

He seemed to snap out of the awe struck trance he seemed to be in and took in our current situation.

"Oh shit! You're, erm..."

"Yep, naked"

His face flamed, before turning devilish.

"Were you just...?"

"Oh, God" I moaned before he could finish that question burying my head back into his hoodie, mortified that he had not just seen that but also said it out loud.

His reaction was a complete contradiction of mine. I was thoroughly mortified while he had an erection pressed into my stomach, his arms tightening around me, pulling me harder against him -all of him-. The unsatisfied ache that I had nearly sated a few minutes ago came back with a vengeance.

"I don't even know your name" I whispered, trying hard to remind myself that I was stood naked in the arms of a complete stranger. Except, he didn't feel like a stranger.

"I'm Jackson Carter but you can call me Jay"

"Agnes LeFay"

His lips turned up into a smirk

"It is most definitely my pleasure Agnes LeFay"

His emerald eyes smoldered as they stared down into mine.

"So, now that we have the introductions out of the way, can I now get dressed? Because dude, I'm still really fucking naked"

I tried to sound serious but I couldn't keep the laughter out of my voice. I'd already emabarrased myself in every way possible in front of this man so to hell with my modesty.

His smirk turned wicked. Oh, boy.

"That you are, but please, don't feel you have to my account. I don't mind in the slightest."

"I bet you don't" I deadpanned.

His eyes drifted down to my lips and his arousal grew thicker against my stomach. Groaning when my tongue slipped out and ran over my bottom lip.

He came in close bypassing my lips and heading for my ear. Hot breath flowing against the sensitive skin of my neck lighting my nerve endings on fire.

"Not at all, in fact, how about you bend over that bath tub and i'll fuck you raw, finishing what you started when I walked in" Even though he barely spoke above a whisper, he may as well as screamed it at me. I sucked in jagged breath as a shiver of pure pleasure skated down my spine.

"I'll give you one chance to run, little Red. Then you're mine" My legs nearly buckled when he nipped at the lobe of my ear with his teeth.

But I didn't move and the growl that came from his chest said he obviously approved.

Bringing his head slightly back so our lips were mere inches apart. He waited for me to fill the short distance between us.

Decision already made. I pushed up on to my tiptoes to close the gap. Just as our lips were about to touch, a third voice sounded in the small room making us scream once again.

"Fuck!" Jay and the newcomer said at the same time but both for completely different reasons. One in shock and the other in resignation.

"She's alive!"

Why do people keep saying that?

I looked over Jay's shoulder to see the awed expression on the redheads face.

My hand flew to my chest to soothe my racing heart. Except when my hand got there, I couldn't feel my heart racing.

In fact, it couldn't feel it beating at all!

I thought back to my appearance in the mirror and the pieces began to fall in to place.

Fear wrapped it's hands around my throat and squeezed, making it hard to get any word past my now dry lips.

"Erm, guys?" Both sets of eyes settled uneasily on my panicked face.

"I don't think I am..." My quiet words seemed to echo around us and the room spun.

CONNOR PRICE

He said she was fucking dead!

He cried most of the night and spent the morning setting up her apartment like some kind of weird shrine. Hell, even I cried. But I'll take that to my grave.

Grave... That guy seriously needs to brush up on his CPR skills.

"You look alive and kicking to me, sweetheart. In fact you look down right edible"

I added in a growl for good measure. Expecting the flush of crimson that seemed to live on her face yesterday, but it didn't appear. Her cheeks were almost a greyish colour in the muted bathroom light. The girl obviously wasn't feeling well.

"So, what did I just walk in on?" I asked feigning innocence

I knew exactly what I had just disturbed. Her completely naked pressed up against Jay. The sight of his huge shaft poking into her soft stomach. I was hard has a damn rock from the picture.

I've always fantasized about a threesome with J, I mean, just look at him, the man just oozes sex from every pore and I've made no secret of this to him but we've just never found the right girl. With the exception of maybe the girl stood naked in front of me. She was a definite contender and judging by the look on Jay's face, he thinks so too.

Reaching down, I adjusted my cock in my jeans to relieve a bit of the pressure building at the scene before me and the fantasies being created in my head. Oh, the possibilities. I felt almost giddy.

"I don't give a fuck what you just walked in on!" She screamed at me. Fear and frustration lacing her words. But I don't blame her, I can be quite exhausting -or so I've been told- but there is something I would like to hold against her. Fuck she's beautiful. I hope Jay's willing to share.

"I don't have a fucking heartbeat you dick!"

Ooh feisty, I like that. Even if she is talking nonsense.

"Don't be daft, come here, I'll get your heart racing. Obviously my man Jay wasn't up for the task" I threw Jay a wink then blew him a kiss when he shook his head at me. I chuckled when I heard him mutter "ginger twat" under his breath.

I took a step towards her before she stopped me looking around the room for a towel I guessed so she could step away from Jay.

Without thinking, I pulled the red chequered shirt I was wearing over my t-shirt right off my back and thrust it at her.

She took it greatfully, giving me an accidental nip slip while quickly shoving her arms in the sleeves and wrapping it tightly around her body. Cheeky little thing, just wait until I get my teeth around you, I promised.

When she stepped away from Jay my cock sprung back to life. Fuck me! Just seeing her stood there, wearing nothing but my shirt that fell just above her knees. Her arms wrapping it tightly around her body, completely unaware that the action was presenting her chest to me and lighting a fire under my inner male. The urge to pound on my chest was strong.