chapter Ten
“Ari, would you like to join us? We’re heading to the Temple Night Club for some sushi and dancing. We must have some girl time before heading home to the husbands and kids for the entire weekend.”
Ari smiled at Miley, one of her co-workers. She really loved her job. The women she worked with were wonderful and patient as she learned her varying tasks, and now they even included her in going out with them.
“I’d love to,” she said, feeling truly good for the first time since her mother’s accident. She’d gotten a draw from work so she had a little extra cash in her pocket, even after the rent was paid, and she was succeeding on her own. To top all of that off, she had a reason to celebrate.
“Why are you in such a great mood?” Miley asked.
“I just received the best news ever. The hospital has found the funds for my mother’s operation. I thought I may have to prostitute myself, but it turns out that waiting was the right decision to make. My mother’s going to be just fine, and my life will finally get back to normal,” Ari answered with a wink.
Miley looked at her with shock for a moment before laughing. Ari knew Miley thought Ari was joking, but the girl had no idea how close Ari truly had come to signing along the dotted line for Rafe Palazzo. If the funds hadn’t come in, she would’ve been left with no choice.
A fifty pound weight had been lifted from Ari’s shoulders that she hadn’t realized was resting there. It was time to paint the town red, and the best part of all was that she could do it guilt free.
She gathered her purse and coat, then followed the three ladies from the building.
“I got my performance bonus today so the first round of drinks is on me,” Shelly said.
“Mine came in too, so I claim second round,” Amber told them with a big grin.
“How many drinks are we having?” Ari asked with trepidation. Her one experience of getting drunk hadn’t gone so well – actually, it had gone downright horrible.
“As many as it takes to start making my not-so-fit-and-very-balding-husband start looking like one of the Chippendale dancers,” Shelly said, making the group of women laugh.
“I’d say that’s at least twenty tequila shots if he looks anything like my husband,” Miley piped in.
Ari stayed quiet as the other women bantered back and forth on their ride down the elevator. She didn’t want to offend them by not joining in their fun, but she was terrified to try her hand at drinking again.
The need for friends overrode her fear of alcohol, though, so she figured she may as well suck it up. It might not be as bad as last time. It wasn’t like she could make her life any worse than it already had been for the past six months.
“Did you drive to work today, Ari?”
“No. My car has been having engine trouble. I took the bus in.”
“Good. We’ll all take the bus over there and then not have to worry about having a designated driver. I hate pulling straws cause I always seem to end up with the short one.”
Ari looked at Shelly with a bit of surprise. She was always the efficient one in their office. It seemed that once five-o-clock hit, her sites were set on partying verses filing paperwork. Ari had to admit she was enjoying the group of women. Her worries were quickly left behind as they exited the building and headed for the nearest bus stop.
It didn’t take them long to reach the club, and they found a crowd was already waiting for entrance along the building in the cold night air.
“Wow. I wasn’t expecting so many people to be out this early,” Ari commented.
“It’s Friday, happy hour time. Everyone has the same idea as us – to blow some of their paycheck before getting locked inside with the kids all weekend. Even if my husband and I weren’t swimming in debt, I’d be out working just to keep my sanity,” Amber answered.
“I don’t think we can get in.”
“Don’t worry, Ari. I have connections.”
Ari watched Shelly approach the stunningly gorgeous bouncer who embraced her before nodding his head. Shelly nodded for them to follow her and once inside, Ari was seated at a crowded circular bar on a high stool, watching as chefs prepared sushi rolls with lightning fast speed and craft.
The lights were turned down low and the noise level was high as waiters moved among the patrons while friends visited. The energy in the room was exciting and the last of Ari’s concerns floated out the window. With her new friends next to her she was determined to have a wonderful time.
“Ari, I did tell my friend, Tony, that if he could get us in, you’d head to the backroom later and let him get to at least third base. I knew you wouldn’t mind.”
Ari choked on her drink as she sent an incredulous look Amber’s way. She couldn’t tell if the woman was kidding or not. She really hoped so. Thankfully, Amber couldn’t keep up the serious expression for long and soon burst into laughter, letting Ari know she’d been joking.
“I wish I had my camera right now. You should see the expression you’re wearing. Trust me, girl, Tony has zero problems getting dates. Just look at him. If I weren’t already married, I’d be ripping his clothes off with my teeth. Heck, for that matter, if I get a few drinks in me, I may just go ahead and take him for a spin, anyway.”
“I have to admit that you girls frighten me a little,” Ari replied, sending the women into fits of laughter.
“What are you ladies drinking?” Ari looked up, more than grateful for the interruption.
“We’ll all have a round of Tequila shots followed by Apple Martinis. Just make sure you don’t take too long for our next round. We don’t have a ton of time to get drunk enough to go home,” Miley stated as she batted her eyes at the young and gorgeous waiter.
“Mmm, don’t worry, I’m always very attentive for the pretty ladies,” he flirted right back before sending a wink Ari’s way and then taking off to the bar.
“Wow. I bet I could get wild and kinky with him. Too bad he was looking straight at you, Ari. He must have realized you’re the only one available,” Shelly said with a smile.
“I’m not available. Just because I’m single doesn’t mean I have any desire to date. I have my mom to take care of, work to do, and more importantly, school to think about. I will get back and graduate.”
“Yeah, well you know what they say… all work and no play…”
“I’m just fine with all work.” Her three co-workers looked at each other and rolled their eyes.
“Here you are, ladies. I brought an extra round of Tequila shots for you – on the house.”
“Mmm, mmm. You’re a man after my own heart,” Miley purred as she batted her eyelashes. “Our friend here was just saying what a nice ass you have.”
Ari gasped in mortification as the waiter sidled a bit closer to her, his dark eyes not releasing her gaze.
“My name’s Chandler. You are more than welcome to look… touch… do just about anything you want with my ass and any other part of me.” Ari was speechless as he moved far too close for her comfort, his hip brushing up against her leg.
He turned his body, and if she wasn’t mistaken, he was already a bit excited and pressing his arousal against her. Panic filled her as she looked toward her friends. She’d never had a man be so forward with her before – well, except for Rafe, but that didn’t count as he’d been trying to hire her for a sex slave, where she was pretty sure Chandler the waiter, wanted her for just a single night.
“Her name’s Ari. It appears she’s being shy. Come back around after drink number three or four,” Amber told him while flashing a heart stopping grin.
Chandler grinned down at Ari before Shelly gave him their sushi order, consisting of Pacific Rim, Samurai, and Firestarter rolls.
“We can order more if we want later, but that will be a good start.”
“See you gorgeous ladies soon,” Chandler said with a wink sent Ari’s way, causing her face to heat as she quickly looked down at her drink.
“Alright, girls, let’s get this night started in style,” Amber said as she licked her wrist and shook some salt on the wet skin. Ari was lost. The other two women followed Amber’s lead, but Ari watched cautiously, trying to figure out what they were doing.
“You don’t like Tequila shots?”
“I don’t know what they are.”
“Oh, you poor, poor, sheltered girl.”
“Miley, don’t be so hard on her. We’ll just have to teach her,” Shelly scolded. “Okay, Ari, lick your wrist, yeah, like that. Now, shake some salt on it. Good job. Finally, you just lick the salt off and then throw back the Tequila. Watch and learn, sister.”
All four of them did it at once, then her co-workers began laughing at the pierced look on Ari’s face. She knew she was scowling, but the amber liquid was burning a hole in her throat, and the salt seemed to only intensify the flavor.
“Okay, now grab the lime and bite into it like this.”
Ari couldn’t believe people put themselves through this torture. Her throat was on fire and her taste buds stinging as she reached for her glass of water. At least the lime helped a bit with the overwhelming flavor of the Tequila.
“You just have to dive back in for round two and then it’s time to dance,” Amber announced. With a reluctant sigh, Ari licked her wrist and grabbed the salt shaker. The sad thing was that round two went down a little easier.
Chandler was quick on bringing them more rounds and soon Ari didn’t know how much she’d consumed, but enough that her head was getting quite foggy. In between rounds, the women made their way to the dance floor to sweat out some of the alcohol.
At first, Ari was horrified by the men grinding up against her, but by her fifth round of shots, she barely even noticed the packed club – though she found herself smiling so much her cheeks hurt.
The women continued drinking, dancing and laughing, and soon a couple hours passed and Ari was starting to fall to the other side of her drunken bliss – the not feeling so great side.
“Ladies, it’s been a pleasure serving you tonight, but now I’m off shift. I was hoping to steal you for a dance, Ari,” Chandler said as he sat down next to her at the crowded bar.
“Yes!” Shelly, Amber and Miley answered in unison.
Ari was feeling so light headed that she didn’t even think about fighting Chandler as he took her hand and pulled her into his arms. His head descended as he locked his lips on hers and his hands roamed over her backside. She knew she should pull away – knew this was moving far too fast, but her foggy head was preventing her from resisting.
“No need to stick around if you have to go. I’ll make sure she gets home safe and sound,” Chandler said. To Ari’s amazement the women giggled and then waved their hands as if it was perfectly okay that their waiter was dragging her off to who knew where. She wanted to protest, but couldn’t seem to get any words past her throat.
He wrapped his arm around her waist and practically carried her to the dance floor where he placed both arms around her and started grinding his hips into hers.
“Um, I don’t feel too well. Maybe you should take me back to my friends,” Ari slurred, surprised by how difficult it was to get the words out.
“Shh, you’re fine, sugar. Let’s just have a dance or two and then I’ll take you somewhere you can lie down,” he replied before his lips captured hers, preventing her from protesting any further. With her last bit of energy she tried pulling away, but it was useless. The world was starting to blacken, and she slumped in his arms as she began to pass out.
“That’s right. Don’t fight it…” were the last words she heard.