by Jolie Day
“Something with Joel.” I hide my face with my free hand, poking through my fingers just a little to see her reaction.
“You slept with him,” she exclaims, half in shock and half as a question.
“Maybe…”
“Maybe?” She steps further off into the corner of whatever room she’s in, more determined than ever to give me her undivided attention. “When? Where? How? I need all the juicy details. Stat.”
“At work. I stumbled in on him while he was changing in his locker room. He was completely naked, and I don’t know what came over me! I couldn’t help myself.”
She erupts into laughter and excited squeals. This is the kind of scandal Nora lives for.
Thinking back on the days leading up to this incident, I remember her telling me about one of her one-night stands and how they had flaming hot sex with her pressed up against a wall. Maybe that’s what caused this whole thing. It’s like I manifested it (Thanks, Universe!), because that’s exactly how Joel and I did it, and the memory of it still gets me all hot and bothered to ridiculous proportions.
“I can’t believe this.” She beams. “This is great. I knew having me as your best friend would eventually rub off, you slut!”
“Oh, whatever.”
“So, what’s the problem? Why don’t you seem happy?”
“Ever since…I just can’t stop thinking about him,” I admit, knowing that right at that moment even as I’m talking to her, a million images of him are running through my mind all at once.
“You said he’s going to be there in Vegas, too, right? Just go find him for round two!”
“No, Nora.” I roll over on the bed, suddenly feeling exhausted. “He’s my boss, remember? I don’t want to mess up my last professional opportunity in the states by shagging the CEO of the company. And, I don’t know where to find him.”
“Uh-huh.” I can see the wheels turning and know she’s scheming about something. “Okay, Charlie…listen very carefully to me. I need you to show me what kind of dresses you brought with you.”
“Dresses? What do you—”
“There’s no time for this. I know you had to have packed some little sexy number in case you ran into him while you were there. Show me what we have to work with.”
I prop the phone up against the Telly stand and hold up what I packed. Mostly, I just brought skirt suits and dress pants, knowing I’d be spending most of my time at the conference and restaurants, or shows in the evening. But of course, I packed my little black dress, and then there’s the little sequined number I picked up on a whim. It’s much sexier to wear in the evening, but it called out to me from a shop window on my way to the airport. It’s tight, revealing, and covered in gold and black sequins. It seemed like the kind of thing you’d wear on a special date in Vegas—and it looks amazing on me.
Of course, it’s Nora’s favorite.
“This is what you’re going to do,” she instructs. “Go into the bathroom and shower. Shave your vajayjay. Do your hair and makeup, apply your fake lashes, and wear that dress. No bra, no panties—you don’t want panty lines, girl, not with that sexy-as-shit getup. Then you’re going to go downstairs and buy yourself a drink at the hotel bar, while keeping your eye out for some other guy to sleep with.”
“What?” No panties? Is she crazy? Some other guy to sleep with?
“You heard me. You need to hook up with someone else to get this Joel guy out of your system.”
“Look, Nora. I know I seem like it, but inside, I’m really not that kind of girl. I still can’t even believe I hooked up with him in the first place. Now you want me to go do it again with a random stranger?”
“Honey, you kissed your boss—twice. Then you banged him. Trust me, you are that kind of girl. You’re in Vegas after all.” Her voice becomes muffled as someone else comes in the room. “Listen, I gotta go. But you do exactly what I told you. Understand?”
“Yes, Mom,” I quip in my best American accent.
With one last narrow-eyed look, she ends the video chat. I roll over and stare at the sequined dress hanging on the wardrobe. It may be unlike anything I would normally wear at home, but it’s too gorgeous of a dress not to wear out. And I can’t for the life of me think of anywhere I could pull it off except here.
Maybe Nora’s right. I may not think of myself as some seductress who goes from one fling to the next, but this is Vegas. I could put on that dress and be anyone I want to be. Besides, there’s obviously more of a devilish side to me than I think, or I wouldn’t have been able to jump Joel’s bones in his changing room at work. If I did something like that once, I could do it again, right? He’s not one for romance, and neither am I.
Finally, I accept the task from my best mate and climb into the hot shower. The steaming hot water is just what I need to freshen up and regain some energy. But the steam quickly has another effect on me as I remember the same humid atmosphere of the locker room. My mind drifts to the way Joel’s body looked with all of his muscles, just standing there completely unabashed.
Then there was that wolf tattoo on his back. I suppose it wasn’t too far-fetched he’d have a tattoo hidden under that expensive suit somewhere. He’s a biker after all. But it was bigger and bolder than anything I would have expected. I can’t help but wonder what else Joel Embry keeps hidden.
I remember the way he kept me pinned against the wall with his big, strong... arms—never once showing signs of tiring. How long could we have kept going like that? Or even more tempting of a thought: What would have happened if we hadn’t been at work? Something tells me that if Joel wasn’t restricted by time or environment, he could show you a night you’d never forget. I’m talking searing hot with a cherry on top! Hell, he already accomplished that just with what he had to work with the first time.
After washing up, I turn the water off, feeling frustrated with myself. I have to stop referring to it as “the first time.” It has to be the last and only time, and really should have never happened in the first place.
I dry off, and naked, slip into my dress, filled with a new sense of purpose. So what? Maybe I could be the kind of girl who has sex with her boss at work, then turns around and goes to Vegas and has sex with someone else like it’s no biggie. I’m sure Joel’s having sex wherever he is. Why shouldn’t I? Nora’s right. So, why the hell not? No one knows me here, no one will see me here again, and it’s the perfect time to reinvent myself…at least for tonight. Besides, it’d be an exciting memory to brag to Nora about later on.
I put on a nice pair of earrings, that I’d bought specifically for this dress, and do my hair up with more volume than usual. For makeup, I wear darker shades on my eyes than I normally would, achieving that perfect smokey cat eye that pops against my crystal-gray eyes. Once my stilettos are on, I throw my things into a small clutch I bought to go with the dress, too, along with a pair of black panties, just in case I decide to put them on later.
With one last glance in the mirror, I nod to myself in approval.
I look smokin’ hot.
I’m in Vegas.
And I’m going to go out there and…well, I don’t know exactly what I’ll do. But for starters, I’ll march right into that hotel bar and get a drink, just like Nora told me to.
11
Joel
“Well, everything seems to be in order then,” one stuffy attorney notes as he meticulously flips through the stack of documents in front of him for the fiftieth time.
Getting out of the city, especially on my bike across several state lines, always brings out a certain mood in me. I write it off as my father’s genes—the wanderlust, troublemaker side of me. And I’m feeling especially restless as the lawyers go through our paperwork, making me wonder if it was necessary for us to come all the way out here just for this.
The only thing that can make the trip feel worth it is to spend my time with Clay like old times when we were teenagers and celebrate our soon-to-be completed IPO deal.
“There’s just one last thing,�
� he adds, igniting the spark in me to head for the door. One last thing, I think. This is almost over. “There are the financial data records from one year that aren’t included yet.”
He thumbs through his notes and gives the year, which just so happens to be the year my father was in charge of everything. It was sandwiched in between two other years when he couldn’t be bothered to care about the company. He passed all his work off on those around him while he took off on trips—a lot like this one, minus meetings with attorneys.
“Get in touch with Sheila over finances.” I wave him off. “She’ll be able to pull those together. Is that all?”
“Should be,” he answers too slowly. “I can’t have you sign anything until those records are squared away, but we’ll get everything drawn up and fax it over to you.”
“Fantastic.” I nod, already throwing everything back into my briefcase.
We go around the table shaking hands. I can tell Clay’s in just as much of a hurry to get out of here as I am. There’s nothing worse than walking past all the card tables and roulette wheels to go sit in a dull conference room for hours. There are plenty of aspects to my work that give the same thrill gambling might, but this is not one of them.
“Casino?” Clay raises his eyebrow once we’ve shown ourselves out.
“Absolutely.”
We head back to our rooms long enough to shower and change, then make the rounds of our favorite casinos within walking distance. The flashing lights and backlit gambling machines play music in the background as we walk along the patterned carpets and past mirrored walls that reflect everything, adding to the strobing effect.
Amid the players seated on their stools, the servers taking orders and delivering drinks, the dealers talk to their patrons when they deal. I catch myself glancing over my shoulder every so often to see if I’ll catch a glimpse of Charlie.
Okay, so Eric has no problem about what’s already happened with her or what could potentially happen from here, but Clay and I have different opinions on the matter. He thinks it’s a bad idea to go for it again since she’ll be leaving the country. I think that’s exactly why I’d like to go back for seconds. It’s like a gamble—a low-risk investment with high returns. I’m constantly reminded of just how high those returns are every time a flash of her naked skin goes through my mind—the way her perfect tits bounced when I moved inside of her. I shake my head at the memory and move on to check out what’s going on around me.
Vegas has enough to offer. Soon, I’m swept up in a few rounds of blackjack and several glasses of Scotch. This place has a short attention span, and it’s contagious to anybody who comes around, except for those unfortunate folks who are addicted to gambling. They spend hours at a single table obsessing over winning back all they’ve lost with laser focus. It’s a lot like what love does to somebody, I think as we pass by one miserable-looking guy whose face hints that he’s lost a substantial amount. I’m grateful I don’t give in to those kinds of urges—at the casino, or in love.
After several hours, we decide to take a break at one of the local bars. I’m ready to hide out in a dark corner with some drinks for an hour or so, enjoying a little bit of quiet before heading back to all the flashing lights. Clay says he needs to use the bathroom when I step up to the bar to order our whiskey. While the bartender gets our drinks, I notice a gorgeous bombshell of a woman sitting a few stools down from me.
Her golden-brown hair is pulled up halfway, flowing out around a dress that hugs her tits and hips. My eyes drift across those luscious curves all the way down to her long legs, one swinging off the side of the stool like she’s bored. I already sense something familiar. Her head starts to turn in my direction, finally giving me a chance to see her beautiful face.
Her crystal-gray eyes meet mine. Despite the heavier makeup and glossy lips, I’d know that face anywhere.
“Charlie?” I gape, amazed at how incredible she looks. For a second, I’m breathless. How have I not noticed how different she is? It’s not just her beauty, but even more than that, it’s her courage that sets her apart from most other women. To move to the states by herself, hustle to get a job? This girl’s got balls. She’s got a fire in her eyes. And with her terrific titties, she rocks that dress like nobody’s business.
“Joel!” Her eyes widen. She’s obviously just as surprised to see me.
“You look amazing.” I slide down to take the seat next to her. She shifts on her stool, suddenly seeming a little uncomfortable with how she’s dressed. I want to tell her how sexy she looks, but I’m so thrown that I’m sure it’d come out the wrong way.
“Can I buy you a drink?” I smirk. “Or do you need a cup of coffee instead?” I tease her.
“A drink is fine.” She smiles nervously.
“Everything all right?”
“Yeah, sure!”
Once the bartender returns, I’m quick to jump into small talk. No need to make her feel awkward or try to talk our way around what happened in the locker room. Or the possibilities of what could happen now that we’ve run into each other like this. I decide the best thing to do is act casual, throw back a few rounds, and pretend like nothing ever happened between us. And just see where things might lead.
She’s in the middle of telling me all about the fashion conference when Clay gets back from the bathroom. He nods to Charlie, shoots me a strange look, grabbing his drink from the bar before making his way across the room to talk up another beautiful woman sitting alone.
While Charlie and I talk, I can’t help but notice how she chases down her nerves with drinks. Funny. She’s usually so feisty. I wonder what’s gotten into her.
I’ve never been one to get anxious around women, no matter how hot they are. I’ve always figured there are plenty of fish in the sea. If things don’t pan out with one, there’s always more where that came from. And since I’m not on the hunt for “the one,” then it doesn’t really matter which one ends up with me at the end of the night.
But tonight, something about Charlie’s got me feeling off my game. Maybe it’s because we’re so far from home or that we work together…or the persistent memories of how she looked riding my cock against the wall. God, get a grip, man. Why do I let my brain wander? Whatever it is has me drinking more than usual, and I’m having trouble fighting back from slurring my words.
“So, how’s everything going back at the office?” I ask after a while. “Still liking the job?”
She stares down at her drink with a hint of sadness. “Yes, it’s wonderful. One of my favorite jobs I’ve ever had, to be honest.”
I take a drink of my Scotch. “You don’t seem very happy about it.”
“Well, you know…the whole work visa thing. It’s a shame I can’t extend it. My mind is in a bit of chaos, you know? I’m just not ready to leave yet. It’s sort of weighing me down. I love it here. I don’t want to leave.”
“Maybe I should marry you so you can stay.” The words spill right out of my mouth, making me instantly regret them. Must be the alcohol, I think—even though tonight, she looks like a woman any sane man would put a ring on in a heartbeat. She’s marriage material, no doubt—if I was into monogamy. I play my bad joke off as smooth as possible, pretending not to notice how we both laugh just a little too long about it.
“You’re not looking for a relationship, remember?” she replies in a sly tone, leaning toward me a little as she sips her drink.
The frisky look in her eyes and the mischievous grin on her kissable lips melts me inside. Hold the goddamn phone. Who flipped her switch? Looks like the drinks are kicking in. Somebody’s definitely not nervous anymore. All the alcohol doesn’t help make me immune to her temptation or good looks, either.
“You’re right.” I nod with more remorse than I’d like. “Not looking to settle down with family or kids anytime soon. I’m not a relationship guy.”
“What kind of guy are you then?” she quips back, moving in too close for comfort, but I don’t mind.
&n
bsp; “The kind of guy…” I trail off, getting lost in her eyes for a moment. Who’s about to fuck you until you can’t move. But I’m quick to snap out of it and recover. “…who’s about to buy you another drink.”
12
Joel
The room spins, and my eyes open slowly.
I notice it’s still dark outside.
I expect to feel the throbbing headache of a hangover, but instead, I’m hit with a pleasant, buzzed feeling. I feel the expensive sheets of my hotel bed wrapped around my skin, among other things, but before I can fully take it in—
What the hell happened?
I remember drinks. A lot of drinks.
And…Charlie.
My God. She looked stunning tonight.
We must have spent a lot of time together, because I’ve got the most vivid memories of how happy and sexy she looked, laughing in her sequined dress while we strolled around town. Though, exactly what we did around town is still too fuzzy to remember.
That’s when I startle at the sweet little whimper in the darkness, coming from the side of my chest.
I wiggle my fingers and feel a long strand of silky hair in my hand, followed by warm skin stirring next to mine. Definitely tits. I feel tits pressing against me, soft and inviting.
I turn my head and see none other than Charlie laid across my body. I think it must have happened again…a repeat of the locker room. At least this time, we’d have alcohol as an excuse. We’re both still half-dressed, and the sheets are hanging off my hard-on like a tent. There’s no way we had sex. Or is there? Did we have sex? I mean, I’d hope so. I’m a sure thing—when it comes to sex. Highly unlikely, though. I may have stamina, but after drinking so much, I couldn’t still be this hard if we’d gone at it the night before…or a few hours ago, since it’s still some hour of the same night. Whatever. Who the fuck gives a shit? My brain’s dead. It’s nighttime.