Erinn Hayes

The mysterious stranger had written down a huge sum of money, enough money to straight up buy a new life, and almost as much as what I'd been quoted to have a scientist graft my face onto a really hot person's body.

I pocketed the paper and told the spiky-haired lady I'd have to think it over.

And that night, as my fiancé Matt slept peacefully beside me, I did.

I thought back to our first date in Central Park.

It was a sunny afternoon in early autumn, and we lost track of time walking around the reservoir, talking and laughing.

As I cast my mind back to that golden day, I reached out and touched his hair, overcome with love for him.

I just completely lucked out with Matt.

He was sweet and funny, and what's more, he made me feel sexy as hell.

But our chemistry went so much farther than our deep physical connection.

We electrified and nourished each other on a deep soul level.

I'm not a religious person, but in Matt, I had found a kind of cosmic connection, completion, a reason to exist, a reason for anything to exist.

So at the end of the day, I had to admit that he deserved a bridal body that was hot as freaking hell.

I slipped out of bed, made a few phone calls, emptied our savings account, and kissed Matt goodbye as he slept.

When I got to the docks, the spiky-haired woman seemed startled to see me.

I wasn't sure you had it in you.

You're damn right it's in me, I said, tossing the bag of money with a swagger.

Spiky hair checked to make sure it was all there, then rose and knocked me out with a single quick punch.

When I came to, I was blindfolded in the back of a truck, my head throbbing and my hands tied behind my back.

I could hear low, guttural voices, but I didn't recognize their language.

My mouth felt like it hadn't touched water for days.