“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 h*ps 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.
Chapter Eleven
Rafe walked into the club, irritated to be there, but it was where his best friend wanted to meet. The man was constantly on the hunt for new women – one night stands being his preferred choice for satisfying his desires.
Rafe preferred to have exclusive women – there to do anything he wanted until he became bored of them. Only Shane, the man he’d known since middle school could get him out to a club, and only because he was like a brother to Rafe. The two of them were good for each other, helped balance one another out.