Page 2 of Tamed By You

“Alice, dear, just breathe. In through your nose and out your mouth.”

“I… can't… I…” Panic claws at my chest, feeling like hundreds of tiny razor blades slicing into me.

“Sweetie, don't do that, just breathe” the lady murmurs. An alarm bell rings. It’s getting ever harder to breathe, images flashing through my brain, a suffocating weight sitting on my chest.

I'm going to die; I can’t breathe, and I am going to die.

“Don't touch me,” I scream on a shaky breath, scratching at the nurse as she fights to hold my hands. Blood stains my fingernails and a warm, wet sensation trickles down my neck.

“She needs sedating, please,” the nurse calls. A sharp pain stabs my arm and slowly I'm falling again. A sinking feeling hits my stomach and air rushes my lungs. The bright white lights fade to grey, and my arms grow heavy. I try to fight it, will myself to find the strength to not fall but it's too powerful. It sucks me in, the images disintegrating the darker it gets. All I can do isgo with it and hope that, maybe this time, I will finally reach Wonderland.

Chapter One

Ali

“Chris and Nancy sure know how to throw a wedding huh.” Gabby whistles, taking in the incredible decor and features at the Plaza Hotel.

We sit at a large round table, a mixture of our circle of friends and a couple of guys who have been hovering round Gabby and I like a bad smell. Sure, they're cute and will do for a hookup, but weddings always bring out the worst in me. It’s just another occasion to solidify that I never want to marry. I will never give myself to someone wholeheartedly.

I have watched too many marriages fall apart and people get hurt and never recover. However, the only exception to this would be Jack and Ria. Looking at the way they stare at each other would make the blackest of hearts turn red and beat. Butlightning doesn't strike twice in the same place. No, I am fine just being me.

Ria has been to hell and back though; she hasn't waded the storm completely. I can say with certainty, she and Jack will weather it together now. I am taken away from my thoughts by a hand caressing my bare shoulders. I turn and it's one of the guys who’s been talking to us.

He's hot. Blonde hair, chiseled jaw, and from the cut of his suit and the Rolex on his wrist, he’s rich, so he’s ticking every box for a possible hookup.

I turn and smile, sensing his need for my attention.

“Did you want some more wine?” he asks, giving a megawatt smile that would be worthy of a toothpaste advert.

“I'd love some… Thank you.”

Damn, his name has left my head.

Our meals are served, and we fall into comfortable conversation. He tells me he works in the stock market and is flying out to Dubai next week and if I was free, I was welcome to join him.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves here, Mr. Wall Street. I can’t even remember your name.

“Paxton, I've got Dan on the phone, says it's urgent,” the guy who sits next to Gabby says.

“Please excuse me,” the man, apparently named Paxton says, getting up. I nod, taking a sip of my wine.

I watch as he walks away with his friend and heads towards the main doors.

“Oh my god, how fucking hot is Paxton,” I squeal, biting down on my lip.

I hear an annoying scoff come from the man next to me who I have tried to ignore with all my might. Thanks to Nancy’s great party planning, she sat everyone in boy-girl order like we are inkindergarten, and I`ve been sat next to none other than Harry fucking Walker. The bane of my existence.

If I am being completely honest, the man may be one of the hottest guys I have ever met. Six foot four, if I was guessing. Dark hair, blue eyes, the perfect amount of stubble, strong jaw, and a smile that would have most girls dropping their panties in seconds. But for some reason, he gets under my skin and not in a good way.

“Is there a problem?” I turn, looking at him with as little emotion as possible.

“What kind of a name is Paxton? It sounds like the name of a fucking wardrobe from IKEA,” he grumbles.

Gabby laughs, choking on her drink, and Brad starts patting her on the back. I turn, glaring at Ria after the most unladylike snort just escaped her.

“Sorry, but he’s not wrong,” she laughs.

“And how long did it take you to come up with that remark?” I challenge him.

---