29. Arabella
29
Arabella
I t’s been a hell of a day already. I had no idea that my drinking would cause such an intense reaction from Ryker–at least not that specific reaction. I was hoping for more horny and feral than worry and fear. I thought I’d seen a sliver of lust in his eyes when he literally hauled my ass out of my best friend’s apartment, but the alcohol was clearly affecting my senses more than I'd originally thought.
I blame Wrinley’s dumb ass for adding more alcohol to a pre-made drink.
Hearing he was disappointed in me, nearly made me want to hurl and I’ll literally do anything if it means I don’t ever have to hear him utter that word again.
When I noticed I was out of shampoo, I had no choice but to ask to borrow his. I never expected him to pull out a bottle of the same exact product. I'm both delighted and slightly saddened. He had the forethought to think ahead and get more of what I like. No one has ever done something so thoughtful for me. But there was a small part of me that was excited to use the same shampoo as him, meaning I could literally wear his scent on my skin. Wow, Arabella–creepy much?
I was too lazy to put my clothes back on, so I went in my towel and I don't know why, but I wasn't expecting he would also be in a towel. And lord save me, he's definitely the most delicious man I’ve ever seen. His broad shoulders dripping with the water left from his own shower and that happy trail that disappeared into the towel barely hanging onto him by a thread. I shouldn’t have looked at his crotch, but I’m a woman in my twenties with a high sex drive and the last time I came was when he watched me do it to myself. If I wasn’t sure about his size before, it’s very clear now that Ryker Hart is packing some serious heat. Saliva formed in my mouth at the sight and my imagination ran wild with thoughts of what he could do with that thing.
When I left his room, I was so turned on I couldn’t help but bait him, just a little. I know he won’t act on it, because he’s made it clear what this is, and he obviously has more self-control than anyone I know, myself included. But I wish he would.
We arrived at Gravity a little bit ago and Ryker sent me upstairs to Hayes’ office so I could fill out my new hire paperwork.
“Arabella,” Hayes reaches out for my hand. When I take it, I’m caught off guard at how soft his skin is. “It’s nice to finally meet you. You’re doing us a big solid by taking this job. If there’s ever anything you need, I want you to let me know.”
I smile and sit in the chair he pulls out for me. “The pleasure is all mine, Mr–”
“Hayes is fine. Please,” he stops me. “Fill these out and you’ll be all set. It’s all standard, aside from the NDA.”
“Why is there an NDA?”
“We require all our employees to sign one. The nature of the activities that take place here… we guarantee our clients a certain level of discretion. Although you’ll be mostly outside of the club side, it’s still possible you’ll be exposed on some level. It’s to protect you as well as our clients.” His expression is open, like he’s ready for more questions, but I don’t have any. Although, I would like to pick his brain about his best friend.
“I don’t have an issue signing it.”
“Good.” When his brow furrows, I know there’s more he wants to say.
I start filling out the paperwork, while Hayes continues working, and just like he said, it’s very standard.
“I’m sorry, Arabella,” he blurts out and I turn my gaze in his direction. “I’m sorry about what you went through with that douchebag.”
“Oh. That’s–not your fault.”
“I know, but it shouldn’t have happened. He shouldn’t have drugged you and he shouldn’t have let you drink and then brought you here on a fucking date. There are a lot of idiots out there. I have plans to help educate the community, in an effort to hopefully curb some of the misconceptions and help people learn how to do things safely.”
“That’s a fantastic idea,” I smile, handing him the completed papers. “Here, all done.”
“Ryker is a good man.” His tone has changed and it’s apparent he’s about to give me the talk about his friend and partner. “I’ll support whatever happens between you, but be good to him, yeah?”
I nod and meet his eyes. “Yeah. I will.”
“Excellent. Welcome to the Gravity team.”
I made my way back downstairs so Roxie could give me the lowdown on how things run. It’s all pretty straightforward. Greet clients, take orders, scan wristbands, fetch drink orders, and deliver those orders. The bar is strictly drinks only, so I should be fine. I’ve worked more complicated jobs.
I was hesitant to take the position. I hated the thought of not earning it, but now I’m just grateful. The thought of job searching again was giving me an ulcer.
We've been open for almost an hour and business seems steady, but manageable. The section of the bar I’m responsible for is in the far corner and I run back and forth between there and the bar earning a good amount of tips. More than I ever made in one night at my previous jobs.
Taking a deep breath, I lean against a near wall during a lull in the action and scan the room, taking in my surroundings. My eyes immediately search for him, like I’m a pathetic little girl with a school girl crush, and then I see her.
Fucking Amber, leaning over the bar causing her ass to practically spill out from underneath her barely there leather skirt. And she’s touching Ryker’s arm like it belongs to her.
I stand up straight, watching the scene unfold. Something deep inside of me starts to heat and I don’t recognize the sensation because I’m not sure I’ve felt it before, but I’d like to punch her in the vagina for making me feel this way.
My eyes drift to Ryker. He’s got a smile on his face and seems happy to talk to her. My shoulders sag and I suck in a breath when it occurs to me how different she and I are. She’s thin, tall and beautiful. I’m–not.
Seconds later, a familiar sensation creeps into the back of my throat and I know what’s coming.
I don’t want to cry.
Not here.
Not in the middle of all these people.
But I just got this job. I don’t want to waste this opportunity that's been given to me and risk disappointing anyone. Ryker . I don’t want to disappoint Ryker. I also know what it’s like to be left in the dust by someone flaking out on their shift, which is the last thing I would ever want to put on anyone.
So I do the only thing I can think of. I suck it up. All the emotions, the tears. Everything. I finish my shift, and then, as soon as Ryker slips into his office, I sneak out, like the coward I am and get a ride home from a co-worker.