She had only ever had two one night stands in her life. Both mistakes, results of some very, very bad decisions at very, very low points in her life.

So when she woke up in a bed she didn't know, in a room she didn't recognise, alone... well, she wasn't too impressed with herself. She lifted the cover to see herself wearing her bra and panties. O dear.

She pushed herself up onto her elbows. No, she didn't have any recollection of that room at all. It looked... manly. Bachelor-esque. Clean.

Awesome view of the hills. Someone well to do. That was a first.

Sitting up she realised she had a throbbing headache. Of course. Another result of a bad life choice.

Opposite the bed was a door that was slightly ajar. The bathroom, she hoped. She got up and tripped over a few clothes. Not hers.

She gingerly bent down and looked under the bed. It appeared he had done a panic clean, shoving all his mess under the bed. She smirked and tried to locate her clothes. Her top and jeans were neatly folded, hanging off the back of a chair.

She grabbed them and made her way to the bathroom. A big, fluffy towel sat on the countertop, a brand new toothbrush and what looked like little bottles from different hotels containing body wash, shampoo and conditioner lay on top of the towel.

"Wow," she mumbled. "A considerate man."

She was surprised. Usually, she had catastrophic taste in men.

The quick shower helped her find her bearings again. If only she could remember anything about last night... She did have a vague recollection of going out to dinner with some friends, then a bar or club of some sort. That's where the fog didn't lift. Not one bit.

Well, she'd find out now.

As she opened the bathroom door, she was startled to see the bed made. A water bottle and some painkillers were sat on the bed, along with a note.

For your head.

Xx S.

S.? What name started with S? Steve? Sam? Sean? Goodness, this was going to be embarrassing.

But again, with the being considerate. He had lovely penmanship. And he signed with two kisses. So he hadn't woken up and found himself dry heaving at the sight of her in broad daylight. Or maybe he did - after all, she'd woken up alone and he'd been in the room whilst she was in the shower - and was just too polite. Good upbringing, definitely good manners. Considerate.

She took two pills and washed them down with water, then took the note, tucked it in her pocket. She grabbed the water bottle and pain killer box, took a deep breath and opened the bedroom door.

There was a short hallway, and some stairs. She quietly made her way downstairs. It was a beautiful house. Downstairs was all open plan. But she couldn't see any photos. She'd hoped for some clues. But nada.

The smell of coffee hit her nose and she followed it into a kitchen. And there stood a man, with his back to her. Dark hair, in a t-shirt that clung to his upper body, muscles rippling as he was preparing breakfast. Nice bum. Crunchy. Tattoos curled up his arms and disappeared under the t-shirt.

Time to be a big girl.

"Good morning," she said, her voice sounding rather raspy.

He turned around, smiling at her.

"Good morning, sweetheart," he said in a sexy, deep voice.

She staggered a little and had to hold on to the counter top. She'd gone home with HIM? That god of a man?

He smirked at her. "Yes, you did."

"Holy shit, did I say that out loud?"

A chuckle.

"Yes, you did."

She fell into the stool at the breakfast bar. "I'm so sorry, that was super rude of me. I'm terribly sorry but I have zero recollection of last night. And I usually have very bad taste in men, so... I'm a bit surprised."

He smirked again, stepping closer to her. His eyes were a warm hazel and sparkled in amusement, his jaw was covered in several days old stubble, his face was - he was fucking gorgeous.

Her heart fluttered. She took everything back. Best mistake of her life. Even if she couldn't remember anything. Which sucked. Maybe she'd hit her head during their undoubtedly incredibly hot lovemaking and therefore suffered from short term amnesia. She definitely hoped so. It would be a shame to land such a hottie and... well, not remember his bedroom performance.

"You mean to say you don't remember anything about our night of passion?" He placed his hands next to her on the countertop, caging her in.

She swallowed hard. Good grief, he smelt delicious.

"You don't remember how I made you come undone again and again and again?" he murmured into her ear.

Her eyes fluttered shut and she shivered, her mouth ran dry.

"I-I don't," she whispered.

She felt his breath puff against her skin.

"You don't remember moaning my name?"

His index finger lifted to her lips and trailed down her neck, barely touching her. She shuddered again. Tingles erupted all over her skin where he touched.

She shook her head with difficulty.

"Hm," his lips grazed her jaw, his stubble scratched her skin. "What do you remember?"

He was talking to her, of that she was sure. But what he was saying, she had no idea. He could have told her all about last night for all she knew. His closeness, his body warmth, his touch, his scent - it was all too much. Too good to be true.

"Huh?" she managed.

"What do you remember about last night?" he asked with a smug grin.

She placed her hands on his chest to put some distance between them. Big mistake. Goodness, he felt amazing.

Focus!

She pushed him a little, but left her hands on his chest.

"Um, I remember going out with my friends, we had a lovely dinner. Then they suggested we go to a new bar or club. I remember doing shots with them. That's it. I don't... I don't remember... this."

She gestured between them.

His eyes softened.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. Nothing happened. You and your friends were doing shots, you went to the bathroom and when you came back you couldn't find anyone. You were pretty upset, so I tried to help you find them. Didn't help that your phone was dead."

Snippets came back to her. "Goodness. Did I cry on you?"

He laughed. "A little."

She put her face in her hands. "I'm so sorry."

"Don't worry. You cheered up pretty quickly and wanted to have another drink. So we did. You wanted to go somewhere to dance, once we left the bar the alcohol hit you. So I wanted to take you home. But you couldn't remember where you lived and then got really upset about it. So I took you back to mine. You got undressed yourself, I slept in the guestroom. Your phone's charged."

Her head sunk deeper onto her chest. "I'm so, so sorry. How embarrassing... I've... I've never done that before. Wow. I really only remember snippets."

She looked up into his warm eyes. "Thank you. Thank you so much for taking care of me and for looking after me and for not exploiting me. That was really kind of you."

He smiled at her. "You really must have bad taste in men, if that's what you think of us, that we'd exploit a drunk woman."

"You'd be surprised how many men would," she said quietly.

His finger was under her chin, making her look at him. "Hey, not all men are assholes, okay? Some of us got raised properly by our mommas. Take me, for example. I have excellent manners, am a gentleman and I'm an all around nice guy."

"Humble, too?" she teased.

"My best quality, some would say," he smirked.

"Come on then, let's get some breakfast into you, that'll help with the hangover and then we'll sort you out."

He turned and served up some omelettes for her.

"It's all I had," he said, apologetically.

"It's perfect, thank you."

She took a fork full. It wasn't the best she'd ever had, but the fact that it stayed down with her queasy stomach was the best compliment she could give at the moment.

He pushed her phone towards her. She thanked him and turned it on. No missed calls, no messages.

"That's odd," she said. "They didn't check up on me. I thought... I mean, isn't that what friends do?"

He swallowed what was in his mouth and looked at her.

"How long have you known your... friends?" he asked carefully.

"Well, maybe two weeks. We've gone to dinner a few times, but there was always...," she stopped as realisation hit her. She looked up at him. "They're not my friends at all, are they?"

He set his fork down, then gently put his hand over hers. "If they just disappear on you on a night out and don't check up on you, probably not."

"Well, I feel stupid now." She ran a hand through her hair.

He squeezed her hand. Her heart raced. "Good riddance, sweetheart. You don't need poisonous people in your life. Plus you've got me now! I can be your friend."

"I can't be your friend."

It was out of her mouth before she'd realised. His face fell and she was immediately guilt riddled.

"Why not?"

Damn it. She couldn't lie to him now. He had been so nice to her, he deserved the truth.

"Look..."

"Shannon," he complied.

"Look, Shannon. I can't be friends with you. I mean, look at you! You are so gorgeous and so nice and you make me... feel things, just by standing close to me... I think I'd forever be in love with you and then end up brokenhearted because you could never like me back that way, so no. I can't be your friend."

He stared into her eyes for a long moment, before letting out a breath of relief. "Well, thank fuck for that."

"Excuse me?"

He slid his stool closer to hers, his fingers trailing up her arm. "I don't want to be friends, either. I think I'd forever be in love with you as well and then end up brokenhearted, because I'd try to make you jealous and it wouldn't work, cos you've got all these walls up around your heart."

Her heart was thumping at his words.

"So now that we've established that - let me take you on a date."

"You want to take me on a date?"

He hummed. "Yes, a beautiful woman and a handsome man."

"You think..."

"That you're beautiful?" he interrupted. "Drop dead gorgeous."

"But I'm..."

"Absolutely stunning." His fingers caressed her cheek as he looked over her face and then locked eyes with her. "Now then, the date: we'll get some food, talk."

She looked down at their plates. "Is... this our first date? Food, talk?"

He smiled. "No, babe, you'll know when you're being dated by me."

Her breath hitched at his dark gaze.

Then he stuck his hand out and gave her a panty-dropping smile.

"Hi, I'm Shannon."