Her Instructor and Protector Pt. 01

I originally started writing many years ago and the negative comments I got on the other stories, pushed my away from it for a long while. I was too young to realise that everyone is entitled to their opinion, but i choose what to take. It was actually a comment made on the last story, that encouraged me to start writing again. I hope you enjoy it.

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This is a slow burn, I am already writing the next part, but wanted to get some feedback before moving forward with it. My hands don't keep up with my brain, so some of it might not make sense. Be gentle.

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Chapter 1

She headed for the class, a kernel of dread, building in her stomach. Scarlett loved this class, until they added another instructor to it, due to the classes growing numbers. Once she had signed up to the self-defence class, when she heard about a robbery on her street, she thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to know how to get herself out of a sticky situation. It's not like she was dumb. Knife, gun, she knew to run, hide, but some of the local crackheads, thought they could try their luck. Being an easy target had never been in her plan and she worked out enough to know she had the strength for it. It was a simple step into putting that strength to good use.

Carl, the original instructor was a male in his 50's, clearly took good care of himself, loved his wife and his, now, adult children, had worked in the police for 27 years and wanted to give something back to the local community. Made sense that he took his years of knowledge and experience and put it to good use. His classes were so popular, that they had outgrown the dojo they were originally started in and he'd had to move and hire more instructors and more classes.

That's where Will came in. He had turned up on a rainy Tuesday, slightly long dark hair, wet and a bit scruffy. Scarlett didn't think he looked like he could handle himself, let alone teach anyone else. He had a slightly blank look on his face most of the time, or a sneer when he spoke to them, betraying his level of arrogance, thinking they were all beneath him.

He had taken lead on the class and demonstrated a simple arm bar, which Scarlett had managed to slip out of, by delivering a knee strike to his thigh. He had grunted at the pain and she couldn't help but chuckle as she stood in front of him, arms crossed. 'Is that the best you can do? Not sure why Carl hired you, if that's the best you've got'. A few others around her tittered and Will's expression darkened.

'Ok, tough girl. I thought I'd ease into it, give you a fighting chance, but if you want to challenge me, you better be ready'. His feet shifted ever so slightly, right foot slightly forward, his arms moved across his body, in what Scarlett thought was a practiced manoeuvre. Colour drained from her face, as she recognised the stance from most Judo videos she had watched. 'Crap', she thought, 'I may have misjudged this one'.

He extended one hand, Matrix style, and beckoned her in. She took two steps forward and before she'd even had time to take her next breath, he'd moved, lightening quick, placed both his hands behind her head, foot behind her leg and swept her to the floor. In another breath, he was straddling her, both hands pinned above her head. His face was millimetres away and she could smell a slight hint of soap, or shampoo, and he smirked. She struggled to get loose and could hear the laughs from the rest of the class. Cheeks reddening, he moved to her ear and whispered 'You need to be able to back that confidence up. That mouth will get you in trouble'.

'Get the fuck off me', she snarled. He moved so she could see his face again, keeping hold of both her wrists.

'Make me'. There was a glint in his eye, that showed he was probably enjoying this a little too much, more than would be professional as an instructor. Scarlett had a vague awareness, of the other side of the group, stopping what they were doing to observe, Carl included. Well, this was becoming a complete spectacle. She thought she had this shit down, but clearly not.

'The only way to get better, is to beat a better opponent'. Carl's words echoed in her head. It was something he'd said to her a few weeks ago, when she'd been despondent with being floored again. He'd paired her with someone half her age, nimble and strong and couldn't get out of their grip. After a few times, she'd felt the weakness in their left side, feinted to the right, then struck their left knee, which had collapsed under them.

Blinking, she assessed the situation. The first thing to do would break her hands free. Without her hands, she'd be dead. And helpless. Or helpless and dead. Or worse. She knew ground attacks. She knew how to get out of this. Strength and closeness. Which would mean have to pull in the cocky Will closer than she really wanted. But fuck it.

She pushed her arms as high as they would go, dragging Will forward and bringing him in close. Shit, he did smell good. Sauvage, if she wasn't wrong. She felt where his thumb was on her wrists and yanked down her arms as hard as she could. Scarlett felt him gasp, as one of her wrists broke free. Better than nothing. She wrapped her now free arm around the back of his neck and then hip thrust with all her might. He didn't budge. Scarlett got increasingly frustrated with each passing second, which turned into all out rage when she heard him chuckle in her ear.

'Keep trying sweetheart, you're almost there'. She had his head pulled in next to hers. He was probably enjoying this. Pervert. Fuck him. Fuck this. This was bullshit.

She remembered the next step. She moved her foot, so it hooked round his leg, pulled it up, to bring him off balance, thrust again and managed to gain enough traction, almost like a crocodile roll. They rolled over, with her now on top of him, gasping for breath, hair all over the place. She stood, yanking her arm out of his final grip.

'That was bullshit and you know it. Suppose you get off on showing you're stronger than women.' She turned and went to walk away. At the least second, she felt something collided with leg and went crumbling to the ground. He'd fucking leg swept her.

'Last rule. Never turn your back.' He now sat up with his legs bent; one arm languidly placed over his knee.

Goddamn, cocky, two-piece shit bastard, she'd thought, getting to her feet, not turning her back this time and retreating into the semi-circle that had formed around them. The class had clearly enjoyed their little demonstration, as they chatted amongst themselves, about Will's strength and technique and how funny her hair looked. Charity stood slightly off to the side and Scarlett went and stood next to her.

'You, ok? You looked as if you were ready to bite him'.

'Still might at this rate. Cocky prick. Clearly did that on purpose to make himself look hard'. Scarlett was still seething as Will had gotten to his feet and was talking about the benefits of a ground attack (none, if you were interested, for a victim) and the best ways to get out of them.

'Scar, I love you dearly, but he does have a point. Carl's been too soft with us and doesn't want to get that close and personal. You've been saying for a while, we need to know how to get out of real-life situations, what would happen in certain situations. Charity looked her dead in the eyes. 'You just don't like that he didn't warn you first and you think he made you look like a fool'.

Scarlett blushed 'I don't think that....' She trailed off. Her pride was more bruised than anything else. And she had said the same thing to CARL a few weeks ago, that all the women in the class were about the same stature, not really fluctuating to mush, and the men in the class never really seemed to last very long.

'Sort your hair out, you look like you've just been fucked to within an inch of your life'. Charity shook her head and smiled. 'Chance would be a fine thing.'

Scarlett smiled back, her mood lifting slightly. Charity had a point. 6 months ago, she'd found out her fiancé had been cheating on her, when she'd come home from work sick, and found him and someone else already in her bed. She'd been more pissed that she couldn't just pass out and instead, packed a bag and her dog and left for Charity's. She'd been there for three months, whilst she rearranged her entire life, bought a house and deleted her ex from her reality. Between work, her dog Teddy and training, she didn't have the will or the want for another dickhead in her life. If she wasn't here, at the gym, home or work...... she'd forgotten there were places to go that included socialising. She still had friends, but Scarlett had been so focussed and regaining her life back, she'd let it fall by the wayside.

She was pulled from her thoughts as Will wandered over. The class had split off into pairs and were practicing the ground attacks, he'd so nicely demonstrated for them.

'You good? You looked as if you were ready to spit fire?' Will smirked at her, noticing that he had clear grey eyes, the kind that looked through your soul. Ass. Clearly thought he knew better. Scarlett had to remind herself, that he did in fact, know better and had just proved it. Deep breaths, remember this is your happy place.

'I'm fine, thank you for demonstrating that so well. Just a heads up, clue me next time you're going to use me as a demonstration. Not exactly fair.' She crossed her arms, with Will mirroring her. Closer, she realised he most of been just above 6ft tall, even though his clothes slightly baggy, his frame was quite large. Her eyes drifted down and noticed that his forearms were muscular, where you could see the veins. She looked back up at him watching her check him out and smirked again. Fuck's sake, Charity was right, she needed to get laid.

'Noted. Sorry. Carl said you were one of the best in the class, but looks like you were a bit too cocky. Maybe try something gentler next time'. God he was infuriating.

'Like what? Needlepoint? Cooking? I'm fine, thanks. Anyway, the only way to get better is to play a better opponent.' She stepped back, so she couldn't smell him anymore. Damn it, he was already grating on her.

Will stopped from turning around and turned back. 'What did you just say?'

'The only way to get better is to play a better opponent? Its from the Fundamentals of Chess. Thought that would be a bit out of your range to be honest'.

Will stared at her. Those eyes fixed on her, like she'd just threatened to stab his nan.

'My dad always used to say that.' He continued staring at her.

Scarlett stared back. She wasn't sure what she'd just stumbled on, but her bravado drained away through her feet. '..... right. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?'

Will smiled. Not a smirk this time, but just as irritating. 'I don't know, but I have a feeling your going to keep me on my toes.' With that, he turned away and walked towards the furthest pair, practicing moves.

Charity sidled up to her again. 'What the hell was that? Looked like he was going to pick you up in his arms and carry you off. Did you notice the size of his forearms? If anything else is that size, you're going to.....'

'Enough.' Scarlett rolled her eyes and linked arms with her friend. 'Not sure, but clearly it means something to him.'

Carl had called everyone over for the end of the class. They thanked each other and Will (Scarlett made it clear she was not thanking him by looking at her feet) and went to collect their belongings from the back of the class.

'So, you going to make it out this weekend? Nat, Al, Clare and Charlotte are all coming, they got babysitters and everything.'

'You know I can't? Night shifts this weekend, but I'm here for both sessions next week.'

'I'll get you out one of these weekends. Even if it's a Sunday afternoon. Bet I could tempt you out with a dog walk.'

Scarlett laughed, 'That's not fair. The dog needs to be walked, can't help it if I'm working'.

Charity shrugged as they left the centre and walked towards her car. 'Cool, well it might be a dog walk and coffee then instead. Though don't think I haven't noticed you've lost that weight. Gym sessions are paying off.'

Scarlett grinned. 'Thanks, didn't realise I could be as strong or as fast as this. But I do feel better.'

Charity slammed her car door shut, with her bag on the passenger seat, moving round to the driver's side. 'I see you, you deserve to feel better, especially after what that shithead did.' She waved as she ducked into the seat and Scarlett walked to her own car. As she got there, she realised Carl and Will were stood in the doorway of the centre. Will's eyes were fixed on her. She waved to them both, not wanting to be rude to Carl and got in her car. Making sure it didn't look obvious, she looked up, pretending to be messing about with the rearview mirror. Carl had gone back in and Will was still stood in the doorway. He waved to her, her surreptitious observation clearly not good enough and turned on his heel to walk back inside. Creep.

Chapter 2

The next session went as well as Scarlett had hoped. Charity hadn't been there, so she'd been left to fend for herself. She got on with the other women in the class but wasn't overly friendly with them. She'd paired with Leisha, who had started a couple of months before, but wasn't overly strong. Leisha had joined as her children were now teenagers and she needed something to keep her occupied. She was nice enough but didn't have Scarlett's strength. They'd been practicing strikes, both upper and lower, Scarlett had been holding the pad for most of the session, because she was worried if she didn't pull her punches, she would lay Leisha flat out. Which would damage her confidence and that's not what the class was about.

Carl had taken their group, and Will had been left with the other. Scarlett had purposefully placed her back to him, definitely not so he wouldn't see her staring and not that she had to physically wrench her eyes away from him. He didn't need any more flattery. She could hear the women on the other side laughing at everything he said, turned and looked at one point, to find him flanked by two of them, hands on his arms. Scarlett didn't think she could roll her eyes any louder, but she'd dragged her attention back. She'd made it out of the class, with no contact with Will.

She'd sat at home, with Teddy curled up on her lap. She had a day off tomorrow, and class on Friday before the weekend. And then back to work on Saturday. So, no chance of socialising, going to see her friends. But she could next weekend. She loved her little house, facing over the river, a 2-bedroom cottage, that she'd decorated the way she'd wanted. Her ex hadn't let her, it being his house after she moved in, she never felt comfortable decorating it how she would like. It was cosy and warm, painted in deep colours, bright, to bring life to the house. On nights like tonight, she felt that sharp pang of loneliness. It was fine having everything she wanted her way, not having to answer to anyone, or look after anyone, except Teddy. She gave his head a scratch and stretched out alongside her and snuggled himself back to sleep. It wasn't that Scarlett wanted someone to do things with or felt lonely. But having someone to do things with did make life that little bit easier.

She resolved to message her friends and make plans for next weekend. She'd been a shitty friend, and she needed to make it up to them. She pulled out her phone and found their group chat. They'd sent photos for her from last weeks meet up and Clare had had to be carried to bed, Charlotte had lost a shoe and Nat, the enteral mum of the group had woken up with a banging hangover and pushed all parental duties to her husband.

"hey guys, long time no see. Sorry I couldn't make the last one".

Al, who never slept. "It's ok, we know you're work is crazy, we missed you though"

"Good. I'm free next weekend if anyone's about"

"100%, I'm free, but I think the others are asleep. Even if they're not, we'll do something".

Tears pricked Scarlett's eyes. She'd forgotten how much she could count on her friends and tended to deal with everything herself, never wanting to burden anyone. They'd helped her pack, helped her move and paint, she didn't know why she isolated herself.

"Perfect, think it's best to wait for a decent hour and then we'll make plans".

She put her phone in her pocket, got up dislodging Teddy. He gave a huff, annoyed that he had been comfortable and warm and jumped in her spot. Turning off the TV and going to bed, she couldn't drift off. Her mind kept floating back to Will, straddling her, with both arms pinned above her head and his breath on her ear. She could feel her groin start to get warm and thump in time with her heartbeat. Wanting a little friction, she rubbed her legs together, which always reminded her of a cricket. In her mind, he let go of her wrists, trailing his fingers down her arms, to her sides, moving to look directly in her eyes. Shit, his eyes, they were piercing. His hands moved down her body and under her shirt, now feeling skin on skin. He placed them firmly on her and moved them up to her breasts, pulling down her bra and finding her nipples.

Scarlett knew that she wouldn't be able to sleep, without sorting herself out. She pulled her vibrator out and placed it directly on her clit. Thinking about Will pulling up her top and using his mouth on her nipple, whilst his hand lazily circled the other, pinching it had her climaxing in seconds. She laid back as the aftershocks washed over her, slightly stunned. She could feel the wetness between her thighs and knew it was more than usual. Scarlett couldn't remember cumming hat quickly before and didn't know what unnerved her more, the quickness of it or how turned on she'd been

AS she rolled over and sleep pulled her under, she can remember her last thought 'I think I might be in trouble......'

Chapter 3

'So, what do you think of our new instructor?' Karen had planted herself directly in front of Scarlett, arms crossed, flanked by two of her lackeys. Brilliant, Scarlett thought, the Orange Brigade.

The Orange Brigade was term that her and Charity had come up with. Not the most imaginative, all three, Karen, Chloe and Laura, were orange. Either from bottled tan or from sunbeds, they walked around giggling and using any excuse to touch Carl, not taking the class or anything said seriously. They wound Scarlett up, they were clearly here because they wanted to escape from their own boring lives but go to a book club or a wine bar, she had thought. We actually want to learn. They had followed Carl around like puppies begging for a treat. Carl, ever the gentleman had been polite but had kept a professional distance. Scarlett couldn't help but think they were they type of women, that gave Carl a reason not to get hands on. One wrong move, a complaint, and his entire business could be shut down. Carl's wife Clara (yep, Carl and Clara) popped in every now and again and Scarlett and Charity had taken solace in the fact that the Orange Brigade had skulked to the back of the class. Carl clearly only had eyes for Clara, he lit up whenever she walked in and was friendly with everyone. Scarlett had asked her once how she dealt with Carl working in a room full of women. Clara had laughed and explained that they had been married for 25 years and not once had Carl ever made her feel like she wasn't the only woman in the world, who mattered. Had never once made her feel like she wasn't the most important person in his life, when she'd had their kids, the first thing he did was check on her first, tell her how great she was and made her feel loved. It had made Scarlett tear up, and even thinking about it now, made her tear up. She thought she'd found that and then her whole world had come crumbling down. And she'd had to start from scratch again.

'Oi! I'm talking to you.' Karen trilled in her face.

Scarlett took a deep breath 'Sorry, I've had a long day at work, what were you asking?'

Karen harrumphed, 'What do you think of Will? Certainly, looked like he made a great impression on you for first session?' Karen winked at her, Scarlett's ignorance forgotten. They loved a bit of gossip, but it incensed Scarlett that Karen thought she'd enjoyed that. Nighttime wank aside.

'Seems a bit up himself and cocky as hell. Not sure he's cut out for teaching'. Scarlett looked over and found Will's eyes on her again. Shit, could he hear her? Probably, man probably had bat hearing.

'Oh, well he had you all hot and flustered, pinned to the ground. Definitely got a thing or two to teach you.' Karen grinned at her. Bitch. Just because her stomach didn't fit into her yoga pants anymore and spilled out over the sides. Scarlett was a firm believer in loving the body your in, but even more so in dressing for the body you've got.

Charity had stood directly in front of Scarlett during their little exchange. 'Now, now ladies, there's enough for Will to go around. Scarlett just didn't want to use him up before you three got a go as well.' Scarlett rolled her eyes and turned to look at her friend.

'You know that's not true. Plus don't think he's got enough to go once, let alone 4 times'. Scarlett laughed.

Charity started to laugh, then focussed on something behind Scarlet's head.

'I'm not sure about 4, but why don't you find out how many times I've got in me.'

Scarlett froze and slowly turned back around. Will had appeared behind her and clearly had heard the entire conversation. Shit. Double shit. Karen, Chloe and Laura were all staring daggers at her, probably because he'd walked straight past them and not acknowledged them.

'I did warn you that mouth would get you into trouble.' Will stepped forward, leaned into her ear and whispered, 'I'm hoping you're going to show me what else that mouth can do.'

She had never known to be filled with so much rage, so quickly.

'Well, that's professional. Do you speak to all your students this way? Or are you just some kind of pervert?'

Her fists clenched at her sides. How fucking dare he, this was a safe space, meant for women, who mainly used it. He could go fuck himself, she was going to tell Carl.....

'I meant, as in well as the strikes that you were shown last week, the shouting should become part of it. Women are taught to shout 'Fire' instead of rape, because it will get more attention. The police teach to shout 'Get back!' which seems a bit ridiculous, but it lets others know that you're in trouble and to hold of someone.' He crossed his arms and stepped back from her. 'But seeing as you think I'm unprofessional and some kind of pervert, I'll let Carl take your group'. With that, he turned on his heel and walked to the other side of the dojo.

She wanted the ground to swallow her whole. The shame spread up from her chest, past her neck and into her face, turning her bright red.

'You know, if Carl hired him, he's a good judge of character. Maybe you need to let your walls down a bit and stop hating all men. Or admit that you can't stop thinking about him and your scared of even given it a shot, because you don't want to be hurt again.' Charity spoke gently, but bluntly. 'A bit of harmless flirting, never hurt anyone, and if you opened your eyes a little bit, you could see hes actually good at his job, and you might be able to learn a thing or too. You were the one who pointed out that we needed hands on experience. You were the one to point out that the classes were getting bigger.

'He could have hired a woman', Scarlett pouted. SHe knew she was being petulant, but couldn't stop herself. The guilt was threatening to eat her alive and she knew she would have to apologise.

'We both know that's not true. Take your head out of your arse, stop thinking you know everything.' Charity had always been the one to talk honestly. It hurt, but she was right. Scarlett had become so focussed on protecting her peace and liking the way things were that she had gone off on someone who was only trying to help.

Carl started the class and she wasn't sure if it was intentional, but Will stood with his back to her throughout the session, form the other side of the room. The Orange Brigade were delighted with her humiliation and were extra cackly throughout the session, making any excuse to touch Will or ask for readjustments to their positions. There was a flash of jealousy, which Scarlett quickly stomped on, there was no grounds to feel jealous and she just wanted to get out of there.

Carl called an end to the class and debriefed them all. Scarlett had already come to the conclusion that she'd hang back, wait for Will and apologise. Charity was right and she needed to make amends, before it got worse. Before she had chance, she saw Will grab his bag and hightail it out of the centre. She already knew he'd be gone before she even made the car park and her shoulders slumped. She had fucked up. Royally. The tears had started to form already, and she berated herself before the hall was clear. She'd become stupidly sensitive and cried over everything recently. Nat had told her it was because she'd spent so long focusing all fo her energy into moving and setting up, that she hadn't processed her emotions yet. Nat warned her that she would start to leak crazy if she didn't work on it and Scarlett had ignored her. Again. Thinking that she knew better. She was a class A, fucking idiot. She still ahd her hands in her bag, not moving, when she realised Carl had come over.

'Everything alright Scar?' To look at, he was a very gruff man, silver hair and beard, muscular build, very tall, but she never felt scared of him. He was gentle and caring, clearly why Carla loved him, but most of all, he had worked with her father, before he passed, in the police and had known her since she was a little girl.

'I fucked up Carl, badly. I was rude and an ignorant bellend to Will, when he was only trying to be helpful. And honestly, I dont think he's going to speak to me again, and I don't blame him. I keep thinking I'm ok, and I'm not. And I took out on him and I wanted to apologise, but he left before I could....' once she started, she couldn't stop. The tears were threatening to overflow and a few escaped down her cheeks. Carl looked sympathetically at her, then swept her into his arms. It was liked being hugged by her dad. She missed him, but at least she still had a little bit of him in Carl.

'You are way too hard on yourself Scar. First of all, do you think I havent told him all about you? I told him what happened and that you would be spiky, at best, downright rude at worst and I'm glad you proved me right.' He pulled away and held her by the shoulders, looking directly at her. 'You haven't processed anything that happened before and you've kept everyone at arm's length. Because you're scared.'

'Doesn't excuse what I did though or how I spoke to him. I thought he was flirting with me and rather than accept it, I jumped down his throat.'

'Well, he was flirting with you.' Carl smiled at her.

'What? Why?' Scarlett sat down next to her bag and Carl sat next to her.

'Because I hate to tell you this Scar, but you are actually attractive to the opposite sex. And when you're not snarling at people, can be quite kind and caring. Look, I've known Will for almost as long as I've known you. He's been involved in martial arts since he was a kid, which helped keep him on the right path. He is a great guy, but I've been telling him stories about you since he was a teenager, not wanting you to be involved in martial arts was the one thing your dad wouldn't shift on. Will had a shift around at work and wanted to help out. He became an instructor because he wanted to help people. His sister was attacked at university a few years ago, and he has never forgiven himself for not sharing some of the stuff that he learnt.' Carl sighed. 'Will's been through some rough times and is possibly one of the kindest hearted people that I know. Bar you. Let your barriers down. Not everyone is out to get you, and your not going to be hurt by everyone.' He wrapped an arm round her shoulders and she leant into him. 'And he had to get home because his sister's coming home tonight, he wasn't avoiding you.' She glanced up at him and he laughed. 'Ok, well maybe a little'.

'I'm not going to be able to apologise to him next week, i've got work and then I'm out on friday with the girls.'

'Good, maybe some space to process what you actually want to say, may be a good thing. You are inclined to word vomit and say whats in your brain, without fully thinking it through.' He stood up and offered out a hand, pulling her to her feet. 'I'll let him know you're sorry and that you'll probably want to have a chat next time you see him.'

'Thank you Carl, give my love to Clara and the boys'. She picked up her bag, 'I do need to pop round and see you all at some point.'

'You do, you haven't been round since Christmas and the boys miss you. Even though they've got their own lives.' Carl paused, as if wondering if he should say the next thing. 'They're good friends with Will. And you know what they're like with people.

'Yeah, gits.' Scarlett laughed She turned and waved as she walked out of the door. Carl was right, she'd gotten so caught up with protecting her peace, that shed started to destroy others. Night out with the girls would change that.

Chapter 4

'You didn't?! Scar, why can't you keep your mouth shut?' Al laughed at her across the table, with Charity and Clare sat beside her, rolling about laughing.

'Yeah, I've got some serious making up to do.' Scarlett reached forward and grabbed her martini off the low coffee table. The bar were they'd met was a favourite, with low lighting and comfy sofas in bright jewel tones, the ladies sat round, discussing Scarlett's faux pas at the dojo, Al and Charlotte giggling along. Nat patted her knee from across the table.

'I've seen you say worse things. Bat your eyelashes at him, apologise and ask him out for a drink.'

Scarlett sipped her drink and shook her head emphatically. 'Apologise, yes. Ask him out for a drink, maybe a bit too far.'

Al leant back, 'He; s clearly into you and he was flirting with you, even if you did jump down his throat. Apologise and flirt back. Then see about the drink.'

Clare laughed, 'You could use these sessions to show him how flexible you are.'

Charity nodded along, 'He definitely wants to see what else you can do with that mouth'.

The women stopped and stared at her. Clare was the first to speak up, 'He said that? To you?'

Charity confirmed, 'Whispered it in her ear. Guy wants to bang.'

Scarlett hung her head, 'Probably not after what I snapped back, probably scared I'm going to bite it off. Anyway, enough about me, and my disastrous life, whats going on with you guys, and your lives? Nat, I need to see baby pics.'

Nat happily obliged and they thankfully moved on from the topic of Scarlett's last moment with Will. They continued drinking and Scarlett remembered sitting back and thinking she was lucky to have these women around her. They called her out on her shit, but wanted nothing but the best for her, for each other. Charity went to the bar and Scarlett went to give her a hand. Charity ordered more cocktails and a mocktail for Scarlett, who had a long run planned in the morning, knowing she would never leave the house if she carried on drinking.

The women sat around talking, until they started to drift off, one by one, to homes and babies and husbands. Charity stayed with Scarlett and order another couple of drinks. Whilst she was waiting for Charity to come back, she nipped to the loo.

She checked herself out in the mirror, wearing black leather pants, a green body with floaty sleeves and brown chunky heels. She looked a mix between rocker and fairy. Her hair was long, dark and slightly messed. She did like the way she looked and she knew the effort was paying off.

She came back to the table to find her drinks there but Charity still at the bar, talking to a couple of guys. She put a thumbs up as Charity turned round and pointed at her drink. Charity nodded and went back to talking to the men. Scarlett surveyed them, they weren't Charity's usual type, they seemed pretty slimy, black shirts unbuttoned slightly too far, long chains around their necks, hair slicked back. She took a sip of her drink and tried to get Charity's attention, to pull her back to the table, but Charity was engrossed. She wasn't laughing, but was animatedly talking about something. She took another sip of her drink and looked around the bar, she couldn't quite see into the corner, but saw there was a group of guys sat there, They seemed slightly better the the ones standing at bar and Scarlett was considering going over when the room swam. She had another gulp of her drink, hoping it was just slight dehydration, but that seemed to make the problem worse. She unsteadily stood up and tottered over to Charity.

'I don't feel great, I'm going to stand outside for some air.' She clung to the bar as the whole room pitched to the side. Not feeling great was an understatement.

Charity turned from Sleazeball 1 and 2. 'Do you want me to come with you? You don't look great.'

Scarlett tried to look at them, but the image tilted to the side. 'No I'm good, I'm just feeling a bit dizzy.'

Sleazeball 1, brown hair, extra gel in the hair, patted Charity on the shoulder. 'It's ok, I'll go and sit with her.'

Charity grimaced, 'No problem, Scar I'll be out in just a minute and we can get going.'

Scarlett tumbled outside, almost falling. Sleazeball held her by the waist to stop her from meeting the pavement. 'Woah, steady, should really slow down on those drinks.'

Scarlett gripped hold of him, 'I'm ok, I've not had that many, just need to sit down.' She want to push herself backwards into one of the chairs the bar had outside, but for some reason, couldn't move. She looked down and Sleazeball's hands had held her waist firmly in place.

'I know a better palace to sit down, just slightly up the road, more of a breeze.' He had started to turn her and almost steer her up the street. Scarlett's legs wouldn't work and neither would her voice. Fuck you Will, I'll show you what I can do with my mouth.

'CHARITY!' Scarlett hollered as loud as she could. 'CHARTIY!'

Sleazeball clamped a hand over her mouth, 'Shut the fuck up, you stupid slag. Your friend's more concerned about arguing feminism with my mate, then she is about you. We didn't know who's drink was who's, so we did them both.' He grinned, and with her warped mind, it looked like a Cheshire cat grin, growing wider and wider. 'I got the best straw though'. He yanked her by the waist, until he was half-carrying her down the street. Scarlett tried to dig her feet in and suddenly lost all traction and felt Sleazeball's arm disappear from her waist and she landed on the floor with a bump. SHe sat with both her legs splayed out in front of her, bent at the waist like a porcelain doll.

Wait, what did I do, where did he go? The impending fear started to creep over her. She didn't know where he was, had he gone for reinforcements, had he gone to get a vehicle. And he said something about a drink. Charity. Charity needed to be told about the drink and where she was. But her body would not work. She was seconds from passing out, when she felt two arms scoop her up from the floor. She couldn't struggle if she tried. Not Sleazeball. The touch was too gentle, too respectful to be Sleazeball. Scarlett mumbled, 'Charity?'

'No, not Charity. Pervert.' She glanced up and tried to focus on the face that was carrying her. Dark hair, slight beard, that smell. Sauvage. But lots of people wore that. But not with that smell of shampoo. Fuck, he did smell good.

'I've got you.' The world went black.