A knock on my car window pulls me out of my thoughts. Hayes is staring at me, confusion marring his perfect face. I pull the lever to open my door and step out into the sunlight.
“What are you daydreaming about?” Hayes asks.
“Nothing. What are you doing here so early? You’re usually pulling up right about the time the doors open.”
“I have an idea and need to go over some stuff without any distractions.” He winks at me.
I already know what distractions he’s referring to. “How many naked women are in your condo right now?”
“Just two this time. Let me tell you, they were so much fun. I tied them up back-to-back and–”
“I don’t want to know the rest,” I interrupt. “The debauchery you get up to in your own home, is your own fucking business. Can we please just keep some things private between us?” Hayes has a habit of oversharing. I get that he’s my best friend, but I don’t need to knoweverything.
“What the fuck crawled up your ass? You’ve always been a little uptight, but this... I could do without. Do you need to get laid?
“No.”Maybe. “Nothing’s wrong. I just have a lot to do before we open.”
“You know we could hire someone to do that for you right?” he questions as I narrow my eyes at him. The doors don’t open foranother few hours, but I like to get here early most days to make sure things are ready to go for the night.
“You know what? Nevermind. Please, go about your grumpy business.”
Don’t mind if I do.I give him my back and do just that. Maybe he’s onto something and I need to find a willing submissive and put her through her paces. That may just make me feel better.
4
Arabella
“Let me see!” Wrinley whines from the bedroom. “You've been in there so long. Just come the fuck out already. I'm sure you look amazing.”
I've been standing in front of the bathroom mirror for way too long, assessing everything, from my tits to my knees, in this dress she brought me to wear. It's much shorter and more revealing than anything I'd choose for myself. Not that I don't like to wear sexy clothes, because I do. I just prefer not to showcase the worst parts of my body, like my squishy stomach or my thunder thighs that no one wants to look at. It's low cut, with silk fabric that drapes halfway to my freaking belly button and the back isn't much better with a large opening that starts at my shoulder blades and stops just shy of my ass crack. So much open real estate means no bra, of course, but at least it's black so the parts that are covered shouldn’t stand out for the wrong reasons. Thank fuck for small favors.
Wrinley whips the door open before I answer. “Seriously, what are you doing in here? We're going to be late.”
“I can't wear this. It's too tight and shows off way more than I’m comfortable with. Can we please find something else?” I plead.
“Ari, I love you, but you look amazing. You have the hottest fucking curves in all the right places and guys will be rubbing their dicks all night to thoughts of you in this dress! I have an idea. Hold, please!” She sticks up her index finger to indicate she'll be right back, as she rushes into the other room.
I wish I had her confidence. Wrinley oozes it from every pore and I have to dig deep to find a single shred. I don’t know how she does it.
“Got it,” she yells from the other room. When she returns, she’s holding two shot glasses filled with what I'm assuming isn't water.
“What isthat?”
“Tequila. Reposado to be specific,” she grins. “Just do it. And before you lecture me about peer pressure, I've been your bestie since the seventh grade. We're past pressure. Youwilldo the shot. You know it'll make you feel better and chill you out.”
She's not wrong. Tequila is liquid courage in a bottle. With a half-hearted shrug, I take the shot from her hands. “Fine. Give it. But I'm holding you responsible if the shit hits the fan because I drank tequila.” I point an accusatory finger as I down the alcohol in one gulp, and I shudder as it slides down my throat. “Now give me another so we can get the fuck out of here.”
When the doorbell rings, I make Wrinley answer it. I'm assuming it’s our dates.
“Ari, the guys are here!” She yells from the other room. “Get your fine ass out here, right now.”
“For fuck sake, Wrin. Do you always have to yell?” I chuckle, making my way into the living space to meet the guys.
“Arabella, this ismydate Thadd and his friend Brad, who will beyourdate for the night.”
Thadd and Brad? This can’t be happening. Could they sound any douchier? And of fucking course my date’s name is Brad. Karma is a cruel mistress that loves to play with me. A giggle escapes my lips, and they all stop to stare at me in confusion.
“Are you okay?” Brad asks. He almost sounds concerned.
