CHAPTER 1

Natalie's POV:

I was devastated. The man that I had fallen in love with no longer wanted me. After everything we had been through I thought things were finally settling down and we could get things back on track. Somehow I had managed to avoid Brax for the past few weeks but I knew that there was a high chance of bumping into him today. Liam had left his keys at home and I was going to the movies with Bianca tonight so wouldn't be home to let him in when he finished his shift. Walking into Angelo's I sighed with relief and disappointment when I didn't see Brax. I sat myself down at the bar and waited for Liam to finish serving a customer.

"Hey," he greeted, "What can I get you?"

"Actually I just thought I'd bring you these," I said, handing him his keys, "I'm going out with Bianca tonight and won't be home when you get in."

"Ah, thanks," he smiled, taking the keys, "I was wondering where I had left them."

"Hey Murphy!" Heath called, appearing at the door, "The delivery driver stuffed up and left all the boxes downstairs. I need ya to help me get them in before someone nicks off with them. Hey Nat, we could use an extra set of hands." he added, raising his eyebrow at me.

"Sure." I smiled, "What can I do to help?"

"Can you take this through to the storeroom, please?" he asked, indicating to the box he was holding. I nodded and took the box from him.

"Hi." I greeted Brax as I stood in the doorway of the storeroom.

"Hi." he replied, looking up from his stock take list.

"Heath asked me to bring this in." I stated, indicating to the box.

"Right, uh, just put it on that bench," he said, "Thanks."

I nodded, walked further into the storeroom and placed the box on the bench. I was about to turn around and leave when the door slammed shut behind me, making me jump. I walked over to it and tried to turn the handle. "Brax, it's locked." I proclaimed.

"What?" he asked, brushing past me as he made his way to the door. "Heath! Open the door!" he yelled.

"You don't think he deliberately locked us in here, do you?" I asked hesitantly.

"Maybe. It wouldn't surprise me. It is Heath after all." he responded.

"What are we going to do? Do you have your phone so you can call him?" I asked.

"No, it's in the office." he replied, "Do you have yours?"

I shook my head no and sighed.

"It'll be okay," he stated, reassuringly, "Heath will open it when he gets bored of his little game."

We made ourselves more comfortable in the small space. Brax leaning up against the shelving and I propped myself up against the door. "At least we plenty to eat and drink." I said breaking the awkward silence as I looked around the room.

"Yeah," he laughed, "Would you like a drink?"

"No thanks, I'm fine." I answered. Glancing around the room I took in my surroundings, not realising that my gaze had rested on Brax's chest.

"Is everything okay? he asked, snapping me out of my trance.

"Huh, ah yeah." I sighed, closing my eyes. After a while I opened them only to realise that he was staring at me. I locked eyes with him and after another awkward silence I felt the words flow out of my mouth, "I miss you, Brax."

"Nat, I..." he gulped, "I miss you too." he admitted, hanging his head.

I sighed, "Then why can't we be together?" I asked, making my way over him and placing my hands on his chest.

"No! We can't." he stated, pushing my hands away.

"What are you gonna do, Brax? Spend the rest of your life alone and not let another woman get close to you?" I hissed.

"Yes!" he screamed, "If that's what it takes to keep you safe."

"No! That's not fair!" I cried, shaking my head, "You deserve to be happy."

"And you deserve to have a life where you don't have to look over your shoulder. A life without fear. I can't guarantee that." he stated, desperately.

"I don't care, Brax." I sighed, "I want to be with you."

"Nat," he began but I didn't give him a chance to continue as I put my hands on his chest again and placed a soft kiss on his lips. He covered my hands with his and started to push them away again. I reached up and kissed him passionately this time. He put up little resistance and groaned when I deepened the kiss. He pushed me back against the bench and I moaned as he started grinding his crotch against mine. He cupped my face with his hands and paused for a minute before kissing me again. Feeling him become more aroused I ran my hands down his chest and tugged at the bottom of his shirt, pulling it off over his head. I kissed him again as he started unbuttoning my shirt, pushing it off my shoulders and letting it fall to the floor. He grinded harder against me then lifted me up onto the bench. Wrapping my legs around his waist I moaned as he trailed soft passionate kisses down my neck and along my bra line. I gasped as suddenly the door flew open and light flooded the room.

"Heath!" Brax yelled, doing his best to cover me.

"Well I'm glad you two sorted things out," Heath laughed, "I should've left you in there longer." he stated walking away, leaving the door wide open.

BRAX'S POV:

Natalie and I redressed and made our way out of the storeroom.

"I have to go." she stated, glancing at me. I smiled and nodded, realising she was embarrassed by the situation. After she had left I made my way behind the bar and pulled out a beer from the fridge. "Don't you ever pull a stunt like that again" I warned, clipping Heath on the back of his head.

"Aww, come on bro. It was just a little fun," he smirked, "At least it got you two talking again." he added as he made his way out of the restaurant.

"Heath!" I called after him, "Thanks." I had just started to restock the fridge when a voice from behind me made me jump.

"Pretty little thing you have there, Brax." the voice stated, slyly.

I knew he was referring to Natalie. He must have seen her leave. "You stay the hell away from her, Adam!" I hissed, spinning around to face him.

"Aww, hit a nerve, did I?" he smirked, "Pretty little miss like that can draw the wrong sort of attention." he added, winking.

I lurched forward, grabbed him around his throat and shoved him against the wall. "If you so much as touch a hair on her head, I'll kill you!"

"You might want to stay away from her then. Cos I'd be touching a lot more than just her hair." Adam grinned, grabbing hold of my arms as he tried to break my grasp.

"I swear Adam if you go near her you'll regret it." I warned, releasing him. I watched as he walked out of the restaurant, pausing at the door to wink at me again. I turned and slammed my fist onto the bar recoiling it immediately as the pain shot up my arm. I had to find Natalie. I had to warn her. I had to make sure she was safe.

Is Natalie going to be okay?...