Song: Not afraid anymore by Halsey

Two months later, ReAnn is marrying Gabe after all. She had begged me to be the maid of honor. I don't mind however his best man is no other than Vincent. We are in one of the bedrooms of his family's massive mansion, getting ready. She looks amazing in her dress. I am wearing this dark mulberry silk dress that shows off a little more than I wish it did. I feel like everyone is going to be staring at me.

 I look at the mirror in front of me and then she walks over to me and hugs me. "Thanks for doing this for me today; you look so beautiful."

"Actually you look amazing, look at you." And she does. She looks absolutely perfect, right out of a magazine. "So you ready to do this?"

"Are you?"

I shake my head yes and we line up. As the music plays I go out first. The doors open and I start to walk in. I stop at the entry way, there are so many people here. I start breathing slowly, counting to myself, anything to get me through this. The music continues to play and I make my way up to the front.

Gabe is standing in front of me and I walk towards him and then I happen to look up to see Vincent staring at me. It takes everything in me to look away from him. But his eyes never leave me, I know he watches me the whole way up; I can feel his eyes on me like a laser.

When I stop and stand in my place up front the rest continue behind me, the little flower girl and the ring barrier and then ReAnn with her dad. I hear sighs and oohs and I watch her walk with him until she gets to the front and takes Gabe's hand. The vows were amazing, the kiss was even better.

As we are leaving, I have to walk beside Vincent and I was waiting on him to reach for my hand, my arm, something but he doesn't. I wait for him to say something, anything and he doesn't shockingly.

After the wedding, they have a massive party in the back part of the house. I find a table and watch ReAnn dance with Gabe. They are like the cutest couple ever.

Then she comes over to me."Ana, dance with me."

"You should be dancing with your husband," I laugh at her.

"I want to dance with my best friend, now get your ass up."

I let her lead me to the floor and I dance with her. Yes people are watching but neither one of us gives a shit. Gabe comes up and taps her on the arm. "Do you mind if I dance with Ana?"

"No of course not." She lets go of me and he takes my hands. What is this like some kind of charity case, don't leave little Ana alone, she needs to up and having fun or else who knows what will happen.

He twirls me around on the dance floor. "She loves you; you know that right?"

"I know she does but I think she just might love you more," I smirk.

He laughs, "I hope she does, not to hurt your feelings or anything." He twirls me around and back again. "She doesn't want you to be lonely, she's worried about you living alone."

"I will be fine."

"I'm sure you will be, I just want you to know if you ever need anything we will be there for you. You are like her sister, which makes you family, my family now."

"Thanks that really means a lot to me but really I think I will be fine."

Someone comes up and interrupts us dancing. I don't see who it is at first but when I look up its Vincent. "Do you mind if I take over bro?"

"No, as long as she is alright with it." He looks back at me for approval.

 I want to say no, I really do however my mind keeps saying no but my heart falters because a part of me wants him to dance with me, to talk to me. I nod in agreement. Vincent takes over and he is trying to find a way to hold my hands, or my arms or something. The song is slow so he holds me close but not too close. He sways me along to the music. God he smells so good. Shit I should not even be thinking that...dammit.

 "Congratulations on graduating."

"Thanks."

"How's De La Fontaine's?"

Of course he knows, why wouldn't he? "It's a job, people are nice. I'm learning how to cook new things."

"Are you seeing anyone?"

I exhale, "It's none of your business if I am."

He turns his head to look at me. I can't help but stare back into his dark grey eyes, which by the way was a mistake.

I force the lump down in the throat.  "You already know the answer to that. You are still keeping tabs on me, aren't you?" I know he is, he doesn't have to tell me.

"If I said no, I would be lying." His takes his hand and brushes my check with his fingertips. "God you are so beautiful."

I pull away from him. "We can't be doing this." I let go of him and start to walk off. I walk down the narrow path to the lake that is behind the house and he follows behind me.

"Katana...wait up!" he calls out to me, but I keep walking.

I walk out on to the pier, all the way to the very end. My god the stars are so bright way out here away from all the lights.

 He walks up beside me.

"Why do you love me...Why? You don't even know me. You think you do but you don't." I keep my eyes focused on the shimmering water in front of me to afraid of what will happen if I look his way.

"I know that I love you, isn't that enough. I know that I could make you happy."

"You don't know me...Vincent."

"That's bullshit! I know you. I know that you are this amazing girl who knows what she wants in life. You are very strong willed, intelligent girl, and won't take no for an answer. You love to cook and hang out with your friends. However you would rather be curled up on the couch watching movies than out shopping or going partying. You love Chinese cuisine even though you will try others because you love to experiment different flavors. You would rather have hot chocolate than coffee. Your favorite color is any shade of purple and you love wearing anything that is comfortable. Do you want me to go on? You love the classics but tolerate any genre and music you like to listen to a little bit of everything...anything that moves your soul. You would die for your best friend and do anything to protect the things you love. You want to give everyone the benefit of the doubt until you find that one person that you know really loves you and won't let him in your world. You are afraid of getting hurt, afraid to fall in love again and have that feeling being ripped away. You are scared of me, scared that I will hurt you. But you are wrong. I will never hurt you. Ana look at me."

I turn to look up at him with watery eyes; he knows so much more about me than I thought. He almost knows more about me than I know about me and that is scary. It's all true, even me being a little scared of him.

"Katana, the first time I saw you, you captivated me. You won me over. I never meant to hurt you. I stepped out of bounds. You were right; it wasn't my place to interfere with your life. I get that you are mad at me; I get that. But don't be mad at me forever. I have missed you so much these past few months. I have tried so hard to stay away from you. I don't want to be away from you. Hell you are like the only person who has the guts to stand up to me and you are the only person that I have ever let talk to me the way you do and get by with it. You know how to put me in my place and I love that about you."

"Vincent...what are you saying? What you want to date me, aren't you like ten years older than me...why me? You could have any girl out there; why me?"

"Because there's no one else out there like you; I don't want any girl. I want you and who gives a fuck about how old I am; age doesn't mean anything?" He really does know me; he knows that I am so scared of getting hurt, yet again I have a feeling where this is all going.

 I glance back up at him, trying to keep all my feelings in. "You are right. I'm scared of getting hurt. I'm scared to fall in love. What if I'm not the one...what if...?"

"Ana." He leans into me and wraps his hands around the back of my neck. He pulls me in to him and his hot steaming lips meet mine bringing fire into my soul. "Please let me show you, I won't let you down. I won't hurt you. I will put you on the pedestal that you deserve to be placed upon. I will turn you into my queen; you will never have to want for anything."

"You can't buy love. You can't buy me off."

"And I won't. You have all the control. I will give you my life as long as you let me in yours."

"You promise you will not hurt me. You won't let me fall. You won't let me crumble to pieces. You will never lie to me ever...ever again. I cant go through this again. I have been hurt one too many times."

"I will catch you. I will be at your beckon and call. I will drop everything for you and no...I will never lie to you ever again."

I reach up and wrap my arms around him. "Okay," I whisper and I take his lips. I don't know how it happens but he picks me up and we are making our way onto this boat house. He carries me to the main room and he puts me down on my feet.

I watch as he takes off his shirt. I was right by the way. Damn he is built, nice abs and a glorious tan. His hand reaches for my chin and he nudges it a little higher to kiss me again. He turns me around and unzips the back of my dress and lets the silk slide down to the floor. I feel his lips on the back of my neck, chills go down my spine. When he turns me back around he has that grin, those dimples that make my heart melt.

His lips take mine again and this time I let his tongue invade my mouth. His arms come around my body and he picks me up and carries me over to the bed. I haven't been with anyone since Raine left, months ago. I was so scared to feel again, to feel this way, to feel loved. And now he is the one, Vincent Moretti....capturing my soul. How in the hell did I let this happen.

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Author's Note: Bet you didn't see that coming....or did you? Thoughts? Comments?

So I am trying to decided...keep writing more chapters or add a part 2 to the story. What are your thoughts.  Believe me I still have a lot to say...I don't mind adding lots more...but how many chapters is too many for one story? If you love this story...please vote...share...you guys are amazing thank you so much for taking the time out of your day.