Chapter Text
Chapter 1
Killian Jones is the epitome of a man's man, he's admired, a true alpha, and other men want to be him. He has a way with the ladies, but he doesn't understand a thing about them. At least he doesn't now. Yep, he knows how to please a woman, but once the thrill of the chase is done, so is he.
But, Killian Jones wasn't always the womanizer he is now. Once upon a time, he'd been head over heels in love with his college girlfriend, Milah. In his eyes, they'd been in love and monogamous. He'd wanted to marry her. He was young but he hadn't cared; if his brother Liam could find his soulmate at a young age, why couldn't he?
He was on his way to surprise his love with an unexpected romantic visit, armed with a ring in his coat pocket. He was on his way to propose to his Milah. It started to sprinkle and the light showers made for a romantic setting. He noticed a sports car parked across the entrance of the dorms and as he got closer, he saw Milah run out of her dorm covering her head from the assaulting raindrops, and into the mysterious car.
He rushed over, assuming she was headed out with friends, only to witness his longtime girlfriend kissing a stranger. Not knowing what else to do, he knocked on the window. She looked at him coldly as she lowered it, she didn't even look sorry. Before he could say a word she ended things. "We are over, Killian. I'm sorry, but I don't feel the same way that you do. You are suffocating me."
Just like that his life was over, or at least life as he knew it. She'd never loved him. The car pulled away and all he could do was drop to his knees. "I loved you, I wanted you to be my wife," he whispered into the silence that surrounded him. In that moment, his heart broke.
He dragged himself back home, and he allowed himself to breakdown. As time passed, one thought emerged, "Good guys finish last." He had been a model boyfriend and it had been for naught.
Killian Jones picked up the pieces of his shattered life, and when he started to put them back together, the sweet, idealistic, young, innocent man was no more. He focused on his studies, shut everyone out other than for physical intimacy here and there. He joined a gym, got a personal trainer. As he came into his looks, women flocked to him, and the more unavailable he seemed, the more they wanted him. He doggedly pursued his career in advertising, and his hyper focus, take no prisoners ideals got him to the top quickly. Over the years, Killian became a very different man, he'd evolved into a successful, irresistible, bachelor bad boy.
…
Dark tousled hair falls over his eyes as he sits up, rudely awoken by the loud noise emitted from the vacuum cleaner outside of his bedroom. His eyes are red from the lack of sleep after a late night of enjoyable activities.
"Bloody hell, don't you ever knock?" Killian throws his pillow at the offending woman now in his bedroom.
"I did, and besides you and I know that if I wasn't here to wake you, you would always be late for work." Granny Lucas temporarily turns off the vacuum and throws the pillow right back at his face.
"The only reason I put up with your attitude is because I love the way you cook." He gets up and stretches, unphased by Granny's presence.
"Don't get cranky with me! It's not my fault you went out drinking and who knows what else till all hours of the morning. Oh, and I don't like finding these stuffed in your sofa." Granny holds out a pair of red panties in his direction as she looks around the room to see what kind of mess is in there. She flings the trashy panties into the trash can and walks out without another word.
Standing in the middle of his large bedroom chuckling at Granny's outburst, he decides it's time to get ready for work. It is a special day after all. He will be getting that promotion he has been coveting.
Killian makes his way to the bathroom and takes a quick shower before trimming his beard and mustache. He almost forgets to put in some eye drops to hide his late night.
He dons an onyx black suit with a dark blue tie that matches his eyes, then smirks and winks to himself as he takes one last look at the mirror.
He knows his eyes are one of his finest assets, so he dresses to emphasize them, allowing them to draw an audience.
As he's exiting his building, he spots his door woman and smirks as she eyes him up and down. She smiles appreciatively at him and waves for a cab. Unbeknownst to Killian, as he walks towards the cab she appreciates his form and thinks, "Mmm hmm." She admired his form while he stood there completely unaware of the woman's thoughts.
He instructs the cab driver to make a quick stop at the local coffee shop, The Jolly Bean. He swaggers inside the small shop almost knocking over an unsuspecting pretty woman. Smiling, he backs up and holds the door for her. "I'm sorry love; I wasn't watching where I was going."
She looks up and meets those sea colored eyes. "Oh, it's fine; I was the one that should have been paying more attention."
"No darling, I'm happy taking the blame for this wonderful encounter. If it would have been any other way, perhaps we would have missed the opportunity of meeting. My name is Killian Jones." He holds her gaze and extends his hand.
Her eyelashes flutter as she gives him her hand. "My name is Haylee."
"It's very nice to meet you."
"Likewise, I'm sure." They continue with their light flirtation as she gives him her phone number and leaves.
He now realizes he has spent the last five minutes flirting instead of getting his coffee. He hopes the cab driver is still outside waiting for him. He walks up to the counter and smiles at the barista.
"Hello Killian, the usual?"
"Hello love, aye may I have an Americano, black, Grande."
She smirks and repeats his order to the trainee. "You said Grande correct?"
"Aye, would you like to confirm my size?" He waggles his eyebrows.
"Killian, I have told you before I'm not your type."
"Lila, if you truly want me to stop flirting with you, all you have to do is say the word."
She looks past him to the following customer, so Killian moves out of the way while waiting for a response.
"Hello, what can I get you today?"
The flustered man is about to answer but is interrupted by Killian. "This will just take a sec."
"Lila, love, an answer would be appreciated."
"Killian, please stop flirting with me. Look, even if I wanted to go out with you I can't, I'm trying to focus on my acting career. I go to auditions and then have to come here. To be honest, I don't need the distraction."
"I will stop as requested, but darling you look so tense. We could continue talking about this over dinner tonight, how about we meet here around 8:30 P.M.?"
"Oh, that sounds really nice."
"So it's a date?"
"Yes, it is, thank you."
The next customer in line is in awe at the scene before him.
Killian smiles at Lila as he grabs his coffee and winks her way.
"I'm sorry mate."
"No, it was worth it, that was inspiring."
"I know." Killian then pats his latest pupil on the shoulder and leaves the coffee shop.
Killian is thankful the taxi cab is still waiting for him, he'll reward him with a nice tip. He relaxes a bit as the taxi drives towards his office at one of the top five ad agencies in the city, Midas-Knightley.
The receptionist, Elaine is answering the phone as Killian crosses the lobby. He winks at her, and she becomes noticeably flustered.
When he exits the elevator at his floor, the always lively Will Scarlett is approaching him.
"Jones, did you hear?"
"Hello Scarlett, hear what?"
"Bacardi and BMW are looking for a new ad agency."
"Oh that, I know, I'm all over it."
They continue walking to Killian's office, enthralled in their small conversation.
"So what happened with the girl from last night? She excused herself because she had an early morning."
"Don't worry Scarlett, I had her in bed by eleven."
"Mate, you are a bloody genius, I don't know how you do it. And you must be excited about your promotion."
"I am extremely excited, and if you ask me I would say it is overdue. I have a meeting with George this morning."
"Let's have lunch at Wonderland to celebrate?"
"I have to decline; I have lunch plans with my brother and his wife. They've some big news they are dying to tell me."