THE NIGHT OF her scheduled blind date, Charlotte walked into one of Vancouver’s most popular martini bars and stalled. She’d almost canceled, but since Alec still hadn’t called her as he’d promised and her dreams continued to plague her, she needed a distraction... and admittedly, a little revenge.

The real problem was that the dream a few nights ago of Niall MacMillan had been so vivid, it felt real. Which was stupid. The man was simply a figment of her imagination. Niall MacMillan wasn’t going to find her and whisk her away on his white horse.

She bit her lip as she surveyed the scene in front of her. What was she thinking? Drinks, then dinner? That was a big-time commitment. She shook off her trepidation. She liked Aaron... what she knew of him, anyway. He seemed nice. A little geeky, but still nice, and they were meeting at a place that had backup. She shook off her guilt of using him, justifying her actions with the fact that at the very least, she’d have a new friend.

She saw Kris Armstrong, a friend from an a-capella group Grace had been in, and Rose, sitting by the window, ready to offer an escape if needed. The ladies gave her a smile but didn’t make their friendship conspicuous. It was comforting to know that Charlotte could stay and hang out with them if the date went to hell.

“Charlotte!”

She followed the sound of her name and forced a smile. Aaron stood by a small table, waving his hand and grinning like a lunatic. He was short by Charlotte’s standards, five-foot-six, which meant she was his height, unless she was in heels. Then she’d tower over him. He was good looking, she supposed, in an American jock kind of way. Not as good looking as his profile picture, which was disappointing, although not surprising. Dirty blond hair, green eyes, with an athletic build. Tonight, he wore jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt... green. But not a current green... something that looked a good ten years old.

She silently berated herself. If she started picking apart everything she didn’t like about the guy, she’d hate him before the entrée arrived. He smiled again and his veneers caught the light.

Oh, right. Horse teeth. How could I forget?

“Hi, Aaron,” she said as she reached the table, forcing herself to look for something positive about him. “You found it.”

Aaron nodded and gave her an awkward kiss on the cheek. “I did. I ordered you a drink. I hope that’s okay.”

“Um, okay. Thank you.” Charlotte smiled and took her seat.

He has a nice nose. There, something positive.

I thought you were canceling.

Charlotte bit her lip in order not to squeak out loud. I never said that.

Was it Niall who was speaking to her, or had she just crossed over into something she should have looked into by a professional? She tried not to panic.

“Charlotte?” Aaron reached over and squeezed her arm.

She glanced up and pulled her arm away. “Sorry. What were you saying?”

“I was asking if you’d like an appetizer.”

“Oh. Uh, no, thank you.”

Aaron smiled up at the server and ordered, handing the menu to him and then waiting for Charlotte to do the same. She suddenly didn’t feel hungry, but ordered a burger anyway and handed her menu to the waiter.

“Charlie! You’re back.”

Charlotte turned toward the voice and saw her friend Davis Clayton weaving through the crowd toward her.

“Hi, Davy,” she said as she stood and gave him a hug. “It’s so good to see you.”

“You too, stranger,” Davis said.

Davis was the worship pastor for her church and played at other venues occasionally on the weekends.

Charlotte smiled. “Davis Clayton, this is Aaron Miller.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“You too.” Aaron shook Davis’s hand, eyeing him with suspicion.

“How long have you been back in town?” Davis asked Charlotte.

“Not long,” she said.

“Welcome back.”

“Thanks.”

Davis checked his watch. “I better get up there. I’m on in five.”

“Don’t suck.”

Davis laughed. “No promises.”

Charlotte took her seat again and sipped her lemon drop martini. Good lord, she hated lemon. She downed it in an effort to be rid of it.

“Another?” the server asked as he delivered their food.

Charlotte hadn’t noticed him approach.

“Um, actually, could I get the chocolate one, please?” she requested.

“Sure thing.” He turned to Aaron. “And you?”

“I’ll have the same.”

The server left and Charlotte picked up a fry.

“How do you know Davis?” Aaron asked. “Did you two date?”

Charlotte nearly choked on her food. “Um, no. Outside of the fact he’s my dad’s age, he’s very, very married. Not really my type.”

Aaron smiled and squeezed her arm. “So, what is your type?”

Tall, dark, Scottish, she thought without hesitation.

I’m flattered, love.

“I don’t really think I have one,” she lied.

“Excellent. So I’m in the running.”

Charlotte took a bite of her burger so she didn’t have to answer.

“What are your hobbies?” he continued.

The sound of Mark’s electric guitar filled her with relief. Davis’s guitarist was a little over the top, but she knew the noise would make it impossible to carry on a conversation, so she expected another respite as his band started the first song.

She was a horrible person... that fact stared her in the face and she bit back more guilt. She should have canceled.

Yes, you should have.

Stop it!

By the time the band finished their first set, Charlotte thought her head might explode. Not just from the martinis and the loud music, but because she’d been forced to try to carry on a conversation with Aaron over the music. Bar etiquette was obviously something he didn’t subscribe to.

Her guilt began to dissipate a little.

“Well, they’re not too bad,” he said.

Charlotte nodded, her head cloudy. “Nope. Mark’s pretty talented, and Davis can sing the paint off the walls.” She sipped her water. “Wow, those martinis must have been really strong. I feel weird.”

“Must have been.” Aaron stood “Are you ready to go?”

“Actually, I think I’ll hang out for a bit and wait for the martinis to wear off.”

“Come on, I’ll take you back to my place and look after you,” he offered.

She tried not to look horrified. “No, I’m not sure that would be the best idea. I’ll just stick around here.”

He frowned. “I can’t really stick around and wait with you. I have an early morning appointment.”

“You don’t need to. I’ll be fine.”

“Let me take care of you.”

Charlotte shook her head. “No, really. I’d feel more comfortable here, I think.”

“I’d drive you home, but like I said, I have an early appointment.” He pulled his wallet from his back pocket. “I don’t think it would be a good idea to drive you all the way home, and then have to drive back to Portland.”

God forbid.

“No, that’s fine.” Charlotte forced a smile. “I wouldn’t have a chance to pick up my car tomorrow, anyway, so I’ll just hang out with the band for a while.”

“If you’re sure?”

“I’m sure,” she said.

Aaron left some cash inside the leather check folder then leaned forward and kissed Charlotte awkwardly on the mouth. She was so unprepared for the kiss, she gasped. He must have seen it as an invitation, because he deepened the kiss, this time adding his tongue.

“Stop.” Charlotte shoved him away with a groan, her guilt now replaced with disgust.

“I hope to see you again, Charlotte,” he said.

When hell freezes over, she thought. Gross.

Feeling as though she’d just been violated a little as bad memories flooded her mind, Charlotte couldn’t keep herself from wiping her mouth as Aaron sauntered from the bar.

The server arrived at the table and took the payment, but returned a few minutes later. “Sorry, but you’re a little short.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry. How much do I owe you?”

He handed Charlotte the bill. “Forty-two dollars and seventeen cents.”

“But I only had two drinks and a burger.”

“Four, ma’am.”

“Excuse me?”

“You had four drinks,” the waiter clarified.

“What? I did?”

“You didn’t notice your date ordering them for you?”

“No,” she mumbled.

“Sorry.”

Charlotte managed not to let out a litany of curses... barely. Aaron had left a twenty and skipped out on the rest. She handed the very sympathetic waiter her debit card and shook her head. That would put a dent in her dwindling checking account. If she didn’t find a job soon, she’d never get back out from under her mother’s roof.

The desire to throw up forced Charlotte out of her seat and to the restrooms. The room was spinning a little more than she would have liked. She was usually much smarter than this, only drinking on occasion, and never getting drunk... but apparently, tonight was not her finest hour.

How much have you had to drink, lass?

“Shut up! Just shut up!”

“Hey, what the hell’s your problem?” a rather anorexic girl snapped.

“Sorry,” Charlotte said quickly. “Not you.”

“Freak.”

“You have no idea,” Charlotte retorted, and let herself into a stall. She was going to die. She’d felt marginally okay while sitting down, but all this moving around made her feel like she was going to hurl, then die, then hurl some more.

After ridding her stomach of pretty much everything, she stumbled out of the stall and washed her face and hands. She grimaced when she caught sight of herself in the mirror. Her cheeks were bright red, but the black under her eyes remained. She looked like hell.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket and instead of checking the caller-ID, she answered. “Hello?”

“Charlotte? Hey, it’s Alec.”

Damn it.

“What?” he snapped.

“Oh, crap.” Charlotte groaned. “Did I say that out loud?”

“You did,” he said, his voice less than warm.

“Alec, I’m sorry, I’m not in the best shape at the moment.”

“You sound weird. Are you drunk?”

Charlotte rested her forehead against one of the stall doors. “Not on purpose, but, yes.”

“What did you drink?”

“Apparently four martinis.”

“So, you’re a lightweight, then.”

“One of my many virtues.”

He sighed. “I’ll come and get you. Where are you?”

“I’m fine, Alec. I’m with friends.”

“Seriously, Charlotte. Tell me where and I’ll come and pick you up.”

“Charlotte?” Rose pushed her way into the bathroom.

“Can I call you back?” Charlotte asked, hanging up before Alec could answer.

“Charlie, what have you done?” Rose asked as she joined Charlotte at the sink.

Charlotte groaned. “Well, I’ll tell you what I haven’t done. Paced myself.”

“How many did you have?”

“The waiter said four. But I didn’t order four... at least, I don’t think I did.”

“So, the bastard plied you with drink?”

“Apparently.” Charlotte shuddered. “Which doesn’t make sense, since he had no interest in driving me home to take advantage of me. I think heading to his house might have been on the table, but in the end, he probably figured I’d be too heavy to carry once I passed out.”

“So, he’s a lazy bastard.” Rose sighed. “I’m sorry. Did he just leave you?”

She nodded. “Yeah, he did. After he stuck his tongue down my throat and left a hefty bill.”

“Ew, gross. Total asshat!”

Charlotte nodded. “Most definitely.”

“Well, don’t sweat it. Kris and I drove together. Kris can drive you home in your car if you like and I’ll follow.”

“Um, that might actually work.”

“In the meantime”—Rose smiled gently—“come back to the table and we’ll get you sobered up.”

“Give me a few.” Charlotte gripped the sink. “I’m okay. I just need to make sure I’m not going to be sick again... or pass out.”

“I’m happy to wait.”

“No, it’s fine.” She faced her friend and grimaced. “Actually, would you please order me a Sprite or something? Oh, and coffee. I need to wake up. I’ll be right there.”

“Of course,” Rose said. “If you’re not out in ten minutes, though, I’m coming to get you.”

“Yes, Mom.”

Rose left and Charlotte washed her face again. Drying herself off, she grabbed a piece of gum from her pocket, popped it into her mouth, and moved slowly toward the door. Never again. Stupid, stupid girl.

She pulled open the door and slammed into a wall of granite. She looked up and her mouth gaped open. “Am I dreaming?”

The object of her dreams smiled down at her. “Yes.”

* * *

Niall caught Charlotte as she passed out, lifting her in his arms and cradling her to his chest. Instead of heading out the front, he carried her out the back and into the alley, climbing into the black Town Car Bruce stood beside. “Please make sure her bill is settled and then we’ll head back to the hotel. Find out if the bastard put something in her drink, too—her breathing’s not right.”

“Aye, sir,” Bruce said, and closed the door.

Niall studied his mate, smiling as her quiet snore filled the interior of the car. She was beautiful. Far more stunning than he could have imagined his mate to be. Her long blonde hair fell like waves of satiny ribbons and her porcelain skin showed no hint of blemish or discoloration, except for the faint darkness under her eyes indicating lack of sleep. Her dark lashes fanned her cheeks and her full lips begged to be kissed. He took her hand, willing her breathing to even out.

I’m dreaming again, aren’t I?

“Aye, lass, you are.”

Ooh, that sounded like it was in stereo.

Niall chuckled.

Charlotte frowned. I really don’t feel well.

Niall anticipated what that meant in record time by pulling her from the car just as she emptied her stomach again onto the pavement. He pulled her hair away from her face and held her gently as she leaned against the car.

“Okay, love, just go slow,” he said, as she tried to straighten up.

“Where am I?”

Niall handed her his handkerchief. “Outside the bar.”

“What?” She looked up at him and frowned. “Am I still in a dream?”

He shook his head.

“Are you sure?”

Niall smiled. “I’m sure.”

She laid her hands on his face, squeezing his cheeks and then patting his mouth. “You feel real.”

Niall chuckled. “That’s because I am.”

“Holy shit, you’re real!” Charlotte gasped. “Why are you real? What are you doing here? Am I dying? I’m dying... I knew I was dying. No, wait. I’m dead. Alcohol poisoning is real! I shouldn’t have dismissed that afterschool special and I shouldn’t have drunk so much.” She turned and threw up again, groaning as she stumbled toward the back of the car. “I can’t believe I just puked my guts out in front of Niall MacMillan.”

“Don’t worry about it, love.” Niall retrieved a bottle of water from the car and handed it to her. “Drink this slowly.”

She groaned again. “I’m in hell, right? I’ve died and gone to hell.”

“Drink the water, Charlotte. You’ll feel better.”

“Right. I’m hysterical. No time for hysterics when I’m publicly puking. Hysterics and vomit do not make a good combination.” She opened the water and took a tentative sip. Niall laid his hand on her back and went about healing her. She took a deep breath and sighed. “You’re right. The water’s amazing.”

Niall smiled and continued to rub her back.

“Thank you,” she said.

“Everything’s sorted, sir,” Bruce said as he returned, handing Charlotte her purse.

“Charlotte, this is Bruce,” Niall said.

Charlotte narrowed her eyes. “You look familiar.”

Bruce nodded and smiled. “I usually work for Mr. and Mrs. MacMillan.”

“Grace. Of course.”

“Aye,” Bruce said, and then turned to Niall. “Miss Whitmore brought her car. I’ll drive it back to the hotel if you’d like to follow me.”

Charlotte shook her head. “I’m okay. My friends will worry. I’ll just wait a bit and then drive home.”

Niall smiled down at her. “Charlotte, I’d really like to drive you somewhere I can keep an eye on you. I’m happy to take you home.”

She rubbed her forehead. “No, I don’t want to go home.”

“Will you come with me, then?” Niall asked. “Just until you feel better and are well enough to drive.”

“Um.” Charlotte bit her lip. “Just a second, okay?”

Niall nodded and watched as she grabbed her phone from her purse and appeared to text someone. Niall picked the information from her mind. She was asking Grace if he was “safe.” Her phone rang within seconds and Charlotte answered. “Hi. Hmm-mm. Yes. I’m fine. I had a little too much to drink. I’m assuming you’re the reason he’s here. Yep. Really? Okay. Yes, but if I’m found dead in an alley somewhere, be sure to let the police know it’s your fault.” Charlotte smiled. “You too, Gary. Okay, ’bye.” She hung up and slipped her phone into her jeans pocket. “Grace says to go with you.”

Niall smiled and held the car door open. “Shall we?”

She nodded, handing her car keys to Bruce. Niall wrapped an arm around her waist when she faltered. “Easy, love.”

“I feel really dizzy,” she admitted.

“I’m not surprised.”

“Charlotte? Hey, who are you and what are you doing?” Rose snapped as she rushed toward the small group. “Get your hands off her!”

“It’s all right, ma’am,” Bruce said as he stepped in front of Charlotte. “We’re going to take her home.”

“No, you’re not. I’m taking her home,” Rose countered, stepping around him.

“Iss okay, Rose,” Charlotte slurred. “This is Niall.” At least, that’s what she thought she said. Her mind was mush.

“Niall, Niall?” Rose asked in suspicion.

“Yep. Dwummer,” she managed, and then black.