Chapter 1 Aurora
CHAPTER ONE
Aurora
“The Hollow,” I mutter to myself as I stare up at the bar. “I guess this is the place to go now that I’m feeling a bit more sociable.” I sigh heavily. It’s only been, what, three days since I got here?
The neon sign above the door flickers slightly, beaming a soft, inviting glow. It’s quiet on the outside, but I can already feel the pulse of something alive inside.
Curiosity tugs at me.
Maybe this place will be the escape I need, or maybe it’ll just be another chapter in a string of nights spent trying to figure out what to do with myself.
I step inside, the warmth of the bar washing over me, mixing with the smell of whiskey and wood. The low murmur of conversation fills the air, but there’s an edge to it.
Behind the bar, a man’s making his rounds. Maybe it’s the excitement in the room, or the tension from the crowd, but it feels like tonight’s going to be anything but ordinary.
He’s tall, with rough hands that seem used to hard work, his dark hair slicked back just enough to look neat without trying too hard. His eyes flicker over the room, and when they land on me, I can tell he’s sizing me up.
“You look new,” he says warmly, as if he's been greeting strangers for years. “First time here?”
I blink, caught off guard , then smile. “Yeah, I’m on a… vacation, I guess. Staying at the cabins near here. Figured I’d check it out.”
He gives me a quick once-over and then nods. “Arlo Benton. Good to meet you.”
I shake his hand, noting the roughness of his grip. “Aurora Harper.”
Arlo’s eyes narrow slightly, but it’s not unkind. “Well, you’re in for an interesting night, Aurora. We’re just getting started here.”
I raise an eyebrow, looking around at the crowd. “What’s going on tonight?”
He chuckles, a low sound that seems to vibrate in his chest. “You’ve picked a good night.
New owners took over The Hollow today. People are curious about the changes.
Stick around long enough, and you’ll get the full story.
” He winks, then slides a drink down the bar to someone else.
“Take a seat, enjoy yourself. You’re among friends here. ”
I nod, deciding to follow his advice. I take a step back and scan my eyes around the bar, seeking out a chair.
“Hey, you.”
The man’s bright blue eyes lock on mine, sharp and playful. He’s already decided he’s going to make my night interesting.
He’s leaning against another table, tousled dark blond hair falling messily over his forehead. His grin is wide, effortless, like he’s just stepped out of some magazine shoot for guys who look good without trying.
“Erm… hi.”
“Aurora, right?” He steps closer to me. “I heard you talking to Arlo. Finn Reilly.”
“Finn,” I repeat in a whisper, my lips twitching as I take in the effortless way he holds himself. I bet he’s never tried too hard in his life.
He shrugs with a devil-may-care smile.
“The one and only,” he says, smooth as melted whiskey. “What’s a beautiful stranger like you doing in a place like this? Breaking hearts?”
“I’m just passing through,” I reply, but my smile can’t quite hide the curiosity that’s creeping up on me. There’s something magnetic about him, but I can’t put my finger on it yet.
“Well, I’m glad you stopped by.” Finn points to the seat next to him at the bar, then gestures grandly around the room. “The Hollow’s where the magic happens in this sleepy town.”
I can’t help but raise an eyebrow. “Magic, huh?”
“Oh yeah,” he says, leaning in slightly, sharing a secret. “It’s the kind of magic that sneaks up on you when you’re least expecting it.”
I let out a small laugh. He’s got this easy confidence, and the way he talks—like he’s seen it all and lived to tell the tale—makes me feel like I’ve stumbled into a story that’s just beginning.
“Can I sit with you?”
I nod, feeling oddly speechless as I drink him in.
“You ever had a Pineapple Sage Fizz?” he asks, his eyes glinting with amusement as he brushes up against me. “The Hollow does it best.”
“Can’t say that I have. What’s in it?”
“A little surprise,” he says with a wink. “I’ll get you one.”
He orders the drink with a casual flick of his hand, and when it arrives, I take a sip. The burst of pineapple and the earthy taste of sage hit me first, followed by the fizz of ginger beer. It’s bold, unexpected, and refreshing in a way I didn’t think I was ready for.
“This is…” I begin, a little surprised by the boldness of the flavor. “Definitely unexpected.”
“I like to keep people on their toes,” Finn says, grinning as he watches my reaction. “The Hollow’s not a place for predictable people, trust me. Stick around, and you’ll see what I mean.”
I take another sip, watching the room around us. I feel his eyes on me, even though he’s talking to someone else. He’s not just a flirt. There’s more behind the jokes and the charm. A depth that’s lurking, waiting to be noticed.
“Finn,” I ask, still curious. “Why are you keeping your phone face down? I can hear it vibrating constantly."
He pauses, his grin faltering for just a second, before he meets my gaze. “I always do. I hate being reachable at all times,” he says quietly, a little more serious now. “People think they can just interrupt your life whenever they want. I’m not about that. I’ll check the messages when I want to.”
I nod slowly, taking in his words. There’s a quiet intensity behind his smile that’s there for the briefest of moments before he shifts back to his usual carefree demeanor.
“Fair enough,” I say, a little surprised by how real the conversation felt.
“You’re too polite,” he teases, light again. “You can relax around me, you know. I don’t bite.”
I can’t help but laugh, and suddenly, it feels easier to breathe. Maybe Finn is just the kind of distraction I need after the week I’ve had.
“Maybe I’ll take you up on that,” I reply, leaning back and feeling a little more at ease in his presence.
“You will,” Finn says, his grin widening, “and when you do, you’ll find out the real magic around here, Heartbreaker.”
“Aww, no.” Finn pouts playfully. “That bell means last call.”
“Already?”
Wow, the night has gone so fast. How the hell has that happened? I think I might have spent a little too long lost in Finn’s eyes, laughing at his jokes, letting his effortless charm pull me in.
I look around and realize the place has emptied out significantly. The low hum of conversation has died down, and only a few stragglers are left nursing their drinks, their voices quieter now, blending into the background as the clock ticks toward closing time.
“Guess we’ve kept the magic alive a little too long,” Finn says with a wicked grin, leaning back in his chair, the playful glint still dancing in his eyes. “But it’s not over yet.”
I raise an eyebrow. “What’s not over?”
He chuckles, standing up and offering me his hand with that same smooth, effortless charm.
“Walk with me,” he says. “We’re not quite done here.”
I hesitate, the buzz of the night still clinging to the air, and then, without thinking, I slip my hand into his.
Finn’s smile widens as he pulls me up, his fingers warm around mine, and I feel that electric current zip through me again, that same pull I’ve been fighting all night.
There’s something about the way he looks at me, the way his hand feels in mine, that makes everything feel easy and right.
It’s like we’ve both been waiting for this moment, even if we don’t know exactly what’s coming next.
We walk outside, the cool night air hitting us as soon as we step onto the quiet street. Finn’s still holding my hand, but this time, there’s less teasing and more sizzle that makes my heart beat a little faster.
The world feels softer somehow, the streetlamps dancing on the pavement, and the trees lining the road stand still, like they’re in on the secret.
“So,” I say, trying to break the silence that’s settled between us, “what now? You’re not just going to walk me home and disappear into the night, are you?”
Finn grins, glancing down at me with that spark in his eye.
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he says, giving my hand a playful tug. “I’m more of a ‘make you feel like you’ve had the best night ever’ kind of guy.”
I laugh, the sound light and easy. “Well, I’ll give you credit, you’re doing a damn good job so far.”
Finn shrugs casually, the corner of his mouth quirking upward. “I aim to please.”
My heart is pounding in my throat, but the words spill out of my mouth regardless. “Here’s the cabin I’m staying at. Would you like to come inside?”
Finn just looks at me, his smile softening, something a little more serious flashing in his eyes.
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Then, without another word, Finn steps closer, his hand sliding to the back of my neck, and he pulls me into him. His lips crash against mine, hot and demanding, like he's been waiting for this moment all night.
His kiss is a claim, as if he’s telling me, without saying a word, that I’m his for the taking.
His lips move against mine with a fierce intensity, his hands tightening around me, pulling me in closer, making me feel the heat of him down to my bones.
I forget where I am, forget the world around us. The night, the cabin, they all slip away, drowned out by the sensation of his mouth on mine, the way he presses me into him. He can’t get enough. His lips are urgent, sure, but there's an undeniable tenderness there too.
I melt into him, my hands finding their way to his chest, feeling the thrum of his heart beneath his shirt. I pull him closer, needing more of the kiss, needing more of him. My breath catches as his tongue slides against mine, deep and demanding, and my body responds to him.
It's been waiting for this, waiting for him.
His scent—whiskey and spice—fills my senses, intoxicating me even more.