I know a lot of you have read this chapter already since I posted it on Arranged Love as a preview so if you are really good and R&R or F&F I will post chapter two later today/early tomorrow.
Shout out to my betas; Beej88, DarkenedHrt101, iamcharlotte88, and SailorMoon489!
Hope you guys enjoy. Pretty sure this is a trope or a very popular theme, but this is my interpretation of it!
Chapter One
"Husband to wife, "why do you throw away so much money on those darn slot machines?"
Wife to husband, "you lost more money on the craps table than I did on slot machines."
Husband to wife, "yeah, but I know what I'm doing.""
My pillow was so warm, soft but firm at the same time. It was the perfect combination, really, and what told me right out that I was in my hotel room bed. It was the only thing that made sense and that brought me some comfort, slipping a little further back into the void of unconsciousness. My sheets were wrapped around me a little too tight, but they were warm and soft like my pillow. But firm. This hotel must pride itself on the correct firm to soft ratio with its bedding.
Wait...why did my bed smell of pine? Was that another feature of this hotel? That's kinda weird cause it smells just like…
My eyes flew open and were met with a sea of white and tan. Olive skin. That was what I noticed first; tight and toned and warm under my cheek. A groan from my small movements let me know two things; the person under me was real and alive. I wasn't sure if either of those things really brought me comfort.
When I tried to sit up or move any further than laying on this person, I found it impossible. A steel trap around me, arms wrapped and draped so that I was pinned to the person under me. And they were REALLY under me, my legs tangled with theirs and my arms around their ribs.
And we were naked.
A quick inventory; sore back and shoulders, tired hips, and, of course, a lovely ache between my legs confirmed it for me. I had slept with the man under me. The lack of tension in my entire body, having slept like a baby next to a stranger, and the sore muscles that had never been sore before told me it was good too. So it was my luck I didn't remember it.
Why didn't I remember it? Why didn't I remember anything? The last thing I remember….what was it…?
24 hours ago…
"Take it all in ladies! This is the last of my maidenhood!"
Mina held her arms out wide to the strip before them, people passing by with smirks on their faces at the strange girl. Raye gripped her forehead, already in pain. "Mina, you are far from a maiden."
Turning on her heel, Mina faced the four of us. I was trying to hold in my giggle while Raye and Lita laughed outright. "I am getting married in two weeks! That is the end of my….singlehood!"
"Singlehood? Mina, that's not a word." Amy sounded annoyed but she never wanted to come on this trip in the first place. I highly expected a 'headache' from her and for her to hide in her room till all of this was over.
"Whatever! Girls, this is my bachelorette party! How about we look a bit more alive?!"
Mina looked like she might cry so I ran to her side and wrapped an arm around her ribs, "She's right guys! Not to mention, this is the first time in a year we have all been together like this."
"We get together all the time Serena…" Lita added but even her tone said she didn't believe it.
"Not like this! Raye and Amy are either working or are with their fiances. Whom we all love!" I added when they looked like they were going to fight me on it, "Mina has been busy planning her wedding along with Lita who has her bakery to handle. And it is definitely the first time in a year Lita has been able to go out all night long and have any drinks with us!"
The new mother was already struggling to relax, that much was clear. This was the first time Lita would be spending the night away from her little one and it showed, calling every hour to 'check-in'. Poor Nile was a true trooper, taking care of little Jason all by himself and a neurotic Lita.
"We should all relax and enjoy one another's company!"
"And stick together!" Raye added cautiously.
Lita gave the woman a nudge with her elbow. "Was that friendly advice? Or advice from our lawyer?"
"Both. They are lying when they say, 'What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas'. Everything here is the same as everywhere else. And the marriages are just as legally binding."
"Who is going to get married? Save for Mina...and Amy and Raye...wow, I just realized how alone I am and HEY!"
Amy chuckled but just shook her head at me in agreement. Raye was pointing a finger at me silently and Lita looked like she was about to hit the floor from laughing so hard. Even Mina was against me on this, a concerned look on her face.
"If any of us would be crazy enough to get married on a whim, it's you, Serena."
"What? Why me? I'm not even dating someone, who the hell would I marry?!"
Our trek from the parking lot to the front desk had come to an end, our heels clicking on the marble floor while the wheels of our suitcases ground softly in comparison. Well, my heels didn't click because I wore wedges. Much safer.
Even in the lobby, the pings and dings of the slot machines could be heard, but not seen. Like they were calling out to you. I never had much of a desire to gamble, hence why I'd never done it. But now it would be a life experience. Just something fun and crazy I did once years ago.
I had been walking backward, keeping my eyes on my friends with Mina beside me. But she stopped short and I was forced to stop, stumbling towards the others after walking into a pole or something. Who put that there in the middle of the lobby?!
The pole was cursing now and I slowly turned to the voice, my blood already running cold at the sound of it. Stormy dark blue eyes met mine, anger flashing in them as they switched from one emotion to the next and back again.
"Serena? Serena Tsukino, what are you…"
His eyes left mine, looking around behind me while my heart continued to beat hard in my throat. Any words I had were stuck behind it, making for a pile-up in my chest and a build of pressure from it.
"AH, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Hello, ladies. Nice to see you all again."
A glance behind me had me wanting to throw up my heart and my words, my friends all looking guilty already at me and the man behind me like they knew something I didn't and it had my nerves even more on edge.
"Mina, you are looking lovely. Congratulations. I had expected to see you all in a couple of weeks but looks like I've stumbled on the bachelor…"
"Wait..what?! Why would YOU see us in a couple of weeks?!"
A grin grew out of his shock and surprise from my outburst, but he remained silent. My skin felt as if it would melt off as I slowly turned around to face my 'so-called' friends. The answer was clear with the guilt-ridden faces I found when I faced them again, but I still needed to hear it.
"Miiiinnaaaaa?"
She looked to the others for help but they gave her a shrug or a shake of their heads in shame. "He's...he's Karl's BEST friend, Serena…"
"You are KIDDING ME!" Storming off, I heard the heels that followed, a pack of perfect ladies forced to chase after me and my sloppy wedges.
"Serena, I'm sorry! But I didn't think you would agree to be my maid of honor if you knew who the best man was!"
I swerved, nearly taking down a blue-haired lady that had gotten too close. "Of COURSE I would have agreed! Mina, you are my best friend! And you kept this from me! That hurts way worse!"
If they had told me, I could have prepared. Gotten me a date and lost five pounds beforehand. At least I could still get a wax and a haircut, not that it would matter I would still be the hot mess he always knew me as.
Somewhere in the slots, they caught me, a hand gripping my shoulder gently as they surrounded me and caged me in. Lita, who held me softly, came into my vision. "Serena, you can't really blame us for...expecting the worst. You always get a little..sensitive when it comes to Darien Shields."
"Can you blame me? After what he did to me?"
I felt tired, defeated. Years spent bettering myself and feeling good about who I am and one second in front of Darien and it all got shot to shit.
"No, no one blames you. Honestly, I've always admired you for how you handled yourself. But you let him affect you so much still to this day. It was High School, Serena. We all moved on, grew up, and changed. You especially." Raye countered.
It almost worked to make me feel better, except there was one problem. "All my 'moving on and growing up' always falls flat around him. Literally!"
Amy wrapped an arm around my ribs, leaning against me. "When I first started working with him at the hospital, I avoided him and shunned him because of what he did to you. But he is a changed man, Serena."
It wasn't that I didn't believe Amy, I knew she wouldn't lie or speak with doubt. But the truth was, knowing he was a 'better man' really only made things worse for me. "I just...I need a minute alone. I'll catch back up with you guys in a little bit."
"Serena…"
I quickly hugged Mina and then the others, "It's fine. I'm fine. I just need a little time. And then, it is all about you Mina I swear. I'll meet you guys at the room."
I didn't even have a key but my cell phone worked. All I would have to do is give them a call and find our rooms. All I knew was that I was sharing with Mina and Amy, Lita and Raye in the adjoining so they could take any late-night calls if need be.
Lita took my bag from me, bright pink and white polka dots standing out even in the sea of neon lights. The others had black suitcases, save for Mina who had gold Louis Vuitton. Even though it was just as flashy as mine, there was a vast difference in maturity between the two styles.
But the salary of a food critic paled in comparison to a model.
Not that I wanted Louis Vuitton, I'd rather spend the money on my mortgage. Instead, I spent it on this trip, struggling to get the funds together for such a lavish party for Mina. But it was worth it.
I would just write a few extra advice columns, moonlighting as a dating columnist was new and fun but depressing since I hadn't had a date in a month. Or a serious boyfriend in over a year. GOD, I needed to get out more.
The bar was calling out to me almost literally, the bartender behind it giving me a wink and a wave even as I bee-lined to it. It took a small hop to get up on the high stool in my tight skirt, Mina demanding they all dress like high-class hookers. Maybe that was why a glass was slid in front of me as soon as I sat down.
The bartender smirked and then pointed down to the end of the bar. Pretty green eyes met mine and sparkly white teeth. They stood out even more against his tan skin. As did his white hair.
He was older, that much was clear and rich, his suit cost more than my plane ticket by the looks of it. At the end of the bar, but not for long as he sauntered his way over to me, I soon had a front-row seat to tasty man meat before me.
"Diamond."
"As in Neil?"
He chuckled, deep and sultry. "Yeah, I guess so."
I held out my hand and he took it without hesitation, his thumb already rubbing the back of my hand. "Serena. Nice to meet you, Neil."
He chuckled again and I couldn't decide if I liked his attention or not. But it was free booze, drinking the one offered in two gulps. My glass hit the tabletop and Diamond raised his hand for another.
"Are you trying to get me drunk, Neil?"
He shrugged, "Maybe."
The alcohol was already hitting my system, thanks in large part to my empty stomach. "That's not very nice. I don't even know you."
"Let's change that. Todd Diamond, Casino owner, millionaire and philanthropist, and great in the sack."
I sputtered on his last comment, nearly spewing my mouthful of alcohol across the bar. "Really? And just how much of that is true?"
"Why all of course."
"Oh please. This is Vegas and you are a stranger. People come here and become someone else all the time."
His grin didn't falter even as I called him a liar to his face. "And what about you? Who are you?"
"Serena, food and dating critic, poor, and I don't know how I am in bed but I've never gotten any complaints."
"I bet not." He purred.
I ignored the chill that ran across my skin, blaming the air conditioning vent I was under when I knew better. I still didn't pull away from the guy because I just needed the attention. I was being a child and I knew it but I just didn't care.
"So...do you own this casino?"
He shook his head as he spoke, white strands falling in his face, "Nope. I own the one next door. You should come check it out."
I giggled, the booze making me do so I swear. "Is that how you get your millions? Going into competitors' casinos, buying drinks for their patrons, and then stealing them back to your place?"
He stood, his hand now on my back and touching my skin as he leaned into me. "I do like 'stealing' pretty girls away. I could give you a tour. Let you see behind the scenes. And if you like what you see, take you up to my penthouse and fuck till dawn."
At least he was honest about his intentions. "I'm here with friends. My friend is getting married…"
"Blow them off."
My skin crawled again at the way he said 'blow'. Like he really wanted to tell me to blow him. But it was an...interesting offer. No way I could take it, Mina and the girls would spend the whole night freaking out and looking for me instead of enjoying the night they were supposed to. But I could give them a call….
"I just have to make a call."
oOo
Oh, GOD! I had blown off Mina on her last night as a single woman! All for some prick who bought me a few drinks! That was how they got you, get you tipsy when you are already vulnerable.
The realization of what I had done had me ready to 'coyote ugly' myself free of this guy and run to Mina to beg not to be kicked out of the wedding. My memory was fuzzy after I decided to leave with Diamond, but given our current...position, it wasn't too hard to figure out that I had; called Mina with an excuse, left with Diamond, maybe even got an interesting tour of his casino, and then went with him up to his penthouse to have sex. And clearly, I had SEVERAL more drinks, my sketchy memory and burning scalp the proof. That, and I was in bed with a stranger which was a 'life experience' and not one I ever wanted.
But the deed was done, I had officially had a one night stand. Guess it was bound to happen at some point in my life, what with my track record of being a complete screw-up. I couldn't worry about that now, the issues it was going to bring about like; did we use protection or what dirty things I let him do to me while wasted, would have to wait. I couldn't remember now anyway and I needed to get to Mina first.
Gently, I began the painfully slow process of extracting myself from the dead weight that surrounded me. I barely got my head off of him when he shifted, pulling me back in tight and rolling the two of us onto our sides. The hand he had on top moved from my back downward until he had one of my ass cheeks in his hold. Then he kissed the top of my head, his nose burying deep into my scalp and breathing deep.
"Hmmm...you smell good, Serena."
Freezing so hard that I cringed got the body around me to do the same. That was not Diamond's voice. I was slowly pushed back from my pillow, his naked chest, only to have wide dark blue eyes on mine.
My breath was limited, struggling to get my lungs to function as I watched his eyes take in my naked body next to his. "Darien…"