Chapter 2 Intoxicated

Arya's POV

I didn't think it through.

I went against every voice of reason and left the club with a nameless man, letting myself believe that it was the alcohol making decisions for me.

The night air was cool as we stepped outside.

A black Porsche waited at a distance, gleaming under the streetlights. He headed for it and I followed behind him without a word.

We reached the car and our eyes met for a brief second. He opened the door for me, waiting, as if giving me a chance to change my mind.

I didn't.

The ride was silent. His grip on the wheel tightened and my eyes followed the veins along his hand, the thought of my fingers tracing them made my skin heat up.

"So," I said, breaking the silence, "where to?"

He didn't answer.

After a few beats of silence, I spoke again. "I'd at least love to know I'm not being dragged to my death."

"Nervous?" He asked without looking at me.

"No."

A corner of his mouth curved upwards. "Good girl."

Pressing my thighs together, I stared out the window, watching the city lights blur past us. I shot a quick text to Julia, letting her know I was safe... or at least I hoped I was.

His place was just as I imagined. Expensive.

He closed the door behind us and I felt the air shift immediately. His jacket dropped to the floor with a soft thud as he moved closer, closing the space between us. The scent of musk and vanilla made my head spin, but in a good way.

His fingers brushed the open area at my back, teasing me. His grey eyes flicked between my eyes and lips, like he was silently asking for permission.

The kiss that followed was firm, demanding, as he pulled me impossibly close.

I felt my nipples harden under his touch as I dug my fingers into his hair, deepening the kiss.

"Easy. Tiger" He whispered in between kisses.

He took off my dress in one smooth motion as he moved to the sensitive spot below my ear, licking and sucking while he kneaded my boobs.

"Oh fuck" I moaned out in pleasure. I felt him smile against my neck.

Reaching for his pants, I fumbled with the buckle of his belt. Our movements were rushed and desperate.

I couldn't get enough.

That night, nothing else existed and every touch left me dizzy, intoxicated.

***

I woke up with a throbbing headache, my eyes scanning the unfamiliar surroundings.

I could hear the shower running as memories from last night came flooding in. I checked my phone to see if I had texts from Julia. Sure enough there were a dozen of them.

I tried to stand but the world around me kept spinning. I laid back down to catch a breath.

The shower went off and I saw him walk into what looked like a walk-in closet, a towel wrapped around his waist. He came out a few minutes later, now fully dressed.

I watched him move around the room as I quietly waited for some kind of acknowledgement.

It never came.

He never spared a glance at me, not even once. I could feel the bile rising at the back of my throat.

He came into the room once again and walked straight to the bed, dumping a wad of cash beside me and walking off. I stared at it in disbelief, my stomach twisting.

What exactly did he take me for?

"Excuse you?" I sat up immediately, my brain hurting in the process. "Is this some sort of sick joke?"

He turned around to look at me for the first time that morning. "For your services." He said flatly.

He stood at the doorframe, his gaze cold and emotionless, staring me down like I was the dirt on his feet. I wanted to wipe that smug look off his face.

I threw on my dress and gathered my belongings.

"You sick fuck." I spat, throwing the money in his face, making sure to step on them as I walked out.

I got his message. It was clear and insulting. I bit back the tears as I placed a call to Julia but it went to voicemail. I huffed in frustration.

Walking towards the living area, I searched my purse hoping I had extra cash for an uber when I bumped into someone at the door.

"Whoa!" I stumbled, dropping my purse.

"Watch it." I looked up to see a lady in front of me. Her blue eyes were sharp, assessing me from head to toe. Blonde hair fell over her shoulders in waves.

She moved closer, the scent of her expensive perfume overwhelming me. "And you are?"

"Leaving." The familiar voice interrupted from behind. "She was just leaving."

"Baby," she beamed, pushing past me and into the house.

I scoffed as they kissed, picking up my purse and finally making my way out of the house.

Pulling out my phone I ordered an uber home. I had decided I wasn't going to allow myself to think about him again. It had been one night and nothing more.

I stared at my reflection in the shower. The water was hot, almost scalding. I scrubbed every inch of my body from head to toe, hoping I could erase the memory of his hands, his scent.

By noon I was getting grandma ready for her appointment at the hospital. My account was practically empty after making payment. I was running out of ideas, my mind racing with numbers. I knew I wasn't going to be able to pay for the next session in time.

I sat on the chair across from the bed while we waited for the doctor.

"Sunshine." I looked up to meet grandma's kind eyes.

I don't know what part of me gave 'sunshine', but for as long as I could remember, she had always called me that.

"You look stressed." She said softly.

"Oh. I guess I didn't have much sleep last night. I'm fine." I replied, forcing a smile that didn't reach my eyes.

"Sunshine," oh no, here we go. "I see how hard you've been working and-"

"Grandma please." I knew where she was going.

"All of this, it's not your responsibility. You need to understand that."

"Whose is it then?"

"It's..."

" My mother's? Where is she then?" I snapped, my temper rising at the mention of my mother. "You may as well ask me to dig your own grave."

"Sunshine..." She started.

"Look, Ma, I don't wanna hear it. We've been through this multiple times. I'm not leaving you for dead so please, stop asking."

I left the room as the doctor came in, fighting back tears for the second time that day.

Giving up wasn't an option. More shifts at the restaurant, more clients for online tutoring, whatever it took. I was going to do it.

My phone buzzed with a text from Julia.

J: Earth to Ari! I'd appreciate it if you replied to my last fifty texts!

J: Were you abducted?

J: Hello??

A: Relax. I'm alive.

J: How was last night???

I squeezed my eyes shut as the memories from earlier threatened to creep in.

A: Remind me never to drink tequila ever again!

J: HAHAHA.

J: Come over soon. I've got NEWS.