Chapter One

Three Months Later – Atlantic City

Although the bar was crowded, it only took him seconds to find her, thanks to her vibrant red hair, which in the few months she had been gone had grown just past her shoulders. She was standing on the opposite side of the smoke filled bar near a pool table, with a cue in her hand getting ready to take her shot. Seeing her after all these months, and in that specific position brought back so many memories in John's mind, ones he had tried desperately not to think of during the lonely nights he had been left with. But actually seeing her made that task impossible. Memories of past pool games, and suggestive glances, along with their more intimate moments came rushing back to John as he took a seat and continued to stare intently at the red-head.

He watched as she took her shot and then proceeded to clear the table, finally sinking the eight ball. John couldn't help but smile. He had taught her well.

Her opponent however didn't agree. John watched as the much larger, now furious man took a threatening step towards her as she began to collect money from the nearby spectators. John sprang up and was about to step forward when he stopped, knowing that any chance he had of talking to her would be out the window if he interfered like this.

Natalie Vega forced herself to remain calm as she found herself backed up against the pool table, staring up at the man in front of her whose eyes were full of fury.

"I won fair and square," she told him, her voice cold, and much to her surprise steady.

"You lying, hustling bitch…. I oughta…." Within seconds Natalie managed to bring her pool cue up under his chin and shuffle her feet so she was in more of a defensive stance.

"Now you listen to me. See that man over there?" Natalie nodded toward the heavyset man behind the bar who had his attention on a television screen which was playing a hockey game. "That's Joe… this is his bar. Now, Joe doesn't like trouble in his bar. In fact, he goes to great lengths to ensure there's not any. His brother happens to be a police officer, so all you have to do is give me one good reason to use this pool stick, and he'll make sure your drunken ass is thrown in jail for a few days."

Natalie continued to stare up at the man, her gaze never wavering. After looking back and forth between Joe and Natalie, the man stepped back, mumbled something inaudible and made his way toward the exit.

Taking a deep breath to calm herself Natalie made her way back towards the bar but stopped as she noticed something out of the corner of her eye. Her eyes narrowed she spun around, hoping her mind was playing tricks on her, but it wasn't. Almost instantly, as if drawn together, her eyes met his, and the fear she had felt only seconds ago was suddenly replaced with hurt and anger.