Arms folded on the railing, Haley gazed toward the marina as the yacht her father rented sailed away from it. Daring to drive up to 100 mph on mostly isolated streets she was able to make it on time with ten minutes to spare. Nathan had been correct about her upgraded driving abilities. Haley had never felt more comfortable behind the wheel of a vehicle. The Lamborghini had offered her the most incredible smoothest ride and she couldn't wait to drive it home.
"Haley?"
The brunette glanced over her shoulder spotting Lucas. She turned toward him smiling, the smile growing when she noticed that Peyton wasn't currently attached to his side. "Hey Lucas! Funny meeting you here."
His mouth dropped open as he studied his friend and coworker from her fedora topped head to her Converse covered feet. "You look sensational!" Walking forward he embraced her as though they hadn't laid eyes on each other in weeks. "How did you get your hair done so quickly? I love the highlights."
"Thank you! Um, I had a very efficient beautician come to the house not long after you all left. I thought about it and you were right. I can finish the article tomorrow. So, I called a neighbor of mine who does hair and they came right over and hooked me up."
"Well it's wonderful to see you here and I approve of the hooking."
"Geez, anyone passing by and just catching a snippet of our conversation might think you were congratulating me on becoming a prostitute." Haley laughed, quickly followed by her friend. "But thank you again Luke."
**********
Haley spent the next few minutes chatting with Lucas until she noticed a certain blonde head bobbing through the crowd and headed in their direction. Quickly wrapping up their conversation, she kissed his cheek and moved in the opposite direction. She thought she heard Peyton calling her name in a surprised tone (okay, she was positive) but continued her brisk walk. She didn't stop walking until she discovered the bar on the first level of the yacht.
A cute bald-headed bartender wearing a blue t-shirt with 'Goodies' boldly printed across the front in white lettering assured her that he would be with her in a moment to take her order.
"That's my tie you have on missy," a husky yet definitely feminine voice whispered near her ear.
Haley felt a tingle deep within her belly and had to roll her eyes. Geez, I'm not at all easy! Instead of turning around, she attempted to play this cool by reaching into a nearby basket of chocolate covered pretzels. Just before nibbling the sweet and salty treat she replied, "Do you intend on having me arrested for theft?" She barely restrained the groan when the unidentified woman's chest pressed against her back and a pair of arms snaked around her so that tapered fingers could stroke the satiny tie. In response from the touch of another her heart started thumping its approval. Great. My organs are sluts too.
"That depends," this time the woman whispered close enough that soft lips grazed Haley's ear. "How do you feel about handcuffs?"
Her mouth dry, Haley had a bit of difficulty swallowing the pretzel. When would that bartender return for her beverage order? She glanced toward him at the other end of the bar piercing olives to place in a waiting customer's martini. "Can't say I've ever had the plea--I mean the displeasure of being bound by them." Haley's stomach flip-flopped at a throaty chuckle.
"I happen to own handcuffs."
Haley shakily reached for another pretzel. "Is that so?"
"Mmhmm. And I guarantee you that the way I use them you wouldn't experience a lick of displeasure."
The brunette was rescued from having to produce another flirty comeback due to the bartender finally appearing. Based on the deliriously excited smile on his face he was one of those guys who were spellbound by witnessing two women being intimate with one another. Every single tooth was visible as he greeted them. Dancing eyes landing on Haley, he inquired what he could get for she and her girlfriend. She was about to correct him when she felt a slight tug on her tie and the woman behind her interrupted.
"I'm not sure. We haven't decided yet. Baby," those soft lips placed a feather light kiss on the ridge of her ear, "what do you feel like putting in that sweet mouth?"
It was difficult to choose who looked more astonished between the bartender and Haley. After a moment, the latter of the two cleared her throat. "Uh, whatever you want is fine."
"Hmm, how about sex on the grass?" One hand abandoned her tie to rest against her stomach. Haley felt the warmth from that palm through the fabric of her shirt.
Slightly glazed over brown eyes closed for a brief moment. I don't even know who's pressed against me and she's gonna kill me. "Isn't that um, sex on the beach?" Soft laughter reached her burning ears.
"Baby we could have that too, but sex on the grass is a bit different." She glanced toward the entranced bartender. "Do you know what I'm referring to or should I give you the recipe?"
He nodded. "I got it. Two sex on the grass coming right up ladies." The bartender left to gather the ingredients needed.
Haley instantly missed the warmth when the woman stepped away from her to occupy a nearby barstool. Eyes already downcast, she noticed the golden yellow patent leather pumps first. Trailing upward, she admired shapely bronzed legs and thighs leading to a pair of sassy navy blue nautical inspired high-waisted shorts. The yellow in her silk multicolored watercolor style print camisole brought out the gold tone dome buttons sewn on the front and the side pockets of the shorts. Forcing herself to move on from the hint of visible cleavage, Haley followed the delicate simple gold chain with a heart-shaped diamond encrusted charm to a now recognizable and breathtakingly gorgeous face. A set of adorable deep dimples was on display while the other woman beamed in her direction.
Haley had to laugh. "Brooke Davis."
Hazel eyes twinkled. "In the flesh."
The standing brunette unconsciously glanced toward enticing cleavage. "And what good flesh it is." With that reply she caused herself to blush. Can't believe I just said that!
Brooke released a good-natured chuckle. "I'm thrilled you've noticed. And speaking of noticing you are quite a vision! I love the hair. Where did you get your highlights done?"
You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Actually you'd probably want to have me committed. "Um, I couldn't say…"
"Ah, you wanna keep him a secret?" Brooke grinned. "That's cool. I respect that. I'm so glad that you came. I was looking for you."
Haley's eyebrows shot upward in surprise. "Me?" She pointed toward herself. "Did you want to discuss about your ad space in the magazine?" Brooke Davis founder and owner of a popular chain of clothing stores originating in Los Angeles called Clothes Over Bro's was approached nearly two months ago by the junior editor/columnist standing to her left. Although it wasn't a part of Haley's job and fashion wasn't her department, she decided to contact the C | B owner after learning more about her company through an interview she conducted with an up and coming musician who was an avid Clothes Over Bro's shopper.
Brooke shook her head. "Absolutely not. There shouldn't be business talk at a party--although I'm very happy with the C | B ads in Goodies. Your ad department did a terrific job. I just wanted to hang with you. Get to know you better because you fascinate me." Leaning toward the smaller woman she whispered, "In case it slipped your attention I kinda like you Haley James."
She tried not to blush but unfortunately she was unsuccessful. "But we don't know each other. We haven't spoken much."
"Hence the reason I'd like to learn more. Talking is how people get to know each other." Her giggle had Haley smiling.
"You have a point there."
Their conversation paused when the bartender arrived with two chilled highball glasses filled with sex on the grass. When Brooke reached into her clutch purse to pay, the bartender shook his head.
"It's an open bar ma'am. Your money is no good here."
She continued to pull out her wallet. "An open bar is music to my ears but I could still tip you…"
"Nope. Thurgood James will be paying us bartenders handsomely so we're not accepting tips." He flashed her a smile. "But thank you anyway. Ladies please enjoy and if I can get you anything else just beckon me."
He moved on to another customer as Brooke dropped her wallet back into her bag and snapped it closed. Her eyes reconnected with Haley's and she winked. "Your dad sure does know how to throw a party."
Suddenly feeling shy, Haley busied herself stirring her verdant drink with its straw. "Indeed."
"Is this your first time?"
"Haven't heard that since I was 16." Her lips quirked into a half smile in response to Brooke's immediate chuckle.
"See how easy it is getting to know each other? I think I just learned how old you were when you lost your virginity."
Swallowing her first sip of sex on the grass, Haley nodded. "You did. She was the age I am now."
A pair of dark eyebrows simultaneously shot upward. "Haley James you just get more interesting by the second. An older woman. May I ask how old you are?"
"Twenty-four."
Brooke smiled, acknowledging that they were the same age. "And how did a 16 year old and a grown woman get together? Was she your teacher? Your favorite teacher?"
"Uh, more like my favorite nurse."
"Nurse? Was she the high school nurse?"
Grabbing her beverage along with two pretzels, Haley asked the other woman if she would mind following her to somewhere they could converse more privately. Readily agreeing, the fashion designer reached for her own glass when someone excitedly uttered her name. As she and Haley turned toward the voice she heard the young writer's unexcited groan. She curiously glanced in her direction, but Haley currently only had glaring eyes for the duo approaching them. Huh. Could it be that she didn't care for them?
Brooke cautiously regarded the smiling redhead and blonde. "Good evening." She returned their smile yet hers wasn't nearly as animated. She watched as the blonde motioned for Haley to make the introductions. She complied after a sigh and two healthy gulps of sex on the grass.
"Brooke these are my stepsisters and coworkers Peyton and Rachel Stewart. Peyton," she pointed toward the blonde, "is a junior art director and Rachel is a fashion columnist. Peyton, Rachel as I'm sure you know this is Brooke Davis owner of Clothes Over Bro's."
The twins took turns shaking Brooke's hand. "I'm in love with your clothes Brooke!" The redhead gushed. "I even have the C | B charge card. I nearly fainted when I discovered that one existed!"
"Thank you Rachel. I appreciate your business."
"Squirt since when are you and Brooke Davis chummy? I mean what could you possibly have to talk about?" Rachel turned to the seated brunette. "Our little step sis has been known to be a frequent Wal-Mart shopper. She couldn't be fashionable if her life depended on it!" Light brown eyes appraised the quietly fuming editor so effortlessly being made fun of. "Tonight I admit she looks a little better but it's only a fluke." When she laughed only Peyton joined in. Her laughter ceased when frigid alcohol was tossed in her face, rivulets of fruity liquids and vodka trailing down her face as she gasped. When Rachel pushed dampened locks of hair away from her eyes she found herself toe to toe with Brooke. The supremely pissed off expression the other woman wore caused her to take a quick step backward, bumping into Peyton on her way.
"Does behaving like a bitch-- no behaving isn't the correct word. You've successfully become one. So is being a bitch come naturally or was it necessary for you to take a course? If the latter is true, I know you passed at the top of your class! This woman," Brooke indicated an open-mouthed Haley, "is beautiful just the way she is. And if the clothes I've seen her in during previous occasions were from Wal-Mart well I'm willing to shop there too, because she always looks absolutely adorable!" Pausing, hazel eyes scanned the redhead's outfit, "Wearing 'classier' clothing doesn't make you any better Ms. Stewart 'cause you're still an ass--just an ass in Versace.
"If I hear you or hear about you spewing out the tiniest insult toward your stepsister I won't hesitate to kick your ass. So just remember this-- you screw with her you get screwed by me and definitely not in a nice way. Haley," reaching behind her, Brooke grabbed the speechless brunette's hand, "is one of the most thoughtful, warmest and intelligent people I've ever had the pleasure of getting chummy with, so if you'll excuse we're headed someplace where the air is a little less toxic to inhale to get better acquainted."
Fingers intertwined, Brooke and Haley disappeared into the throng of people, soon arriving outside and walking adjacent to the railing toward the busy pool area. They watched as a man who appeared to be in his mid forties prepared to jump in. Just as he achieved a cannonball he emitted a crazy boisterous yell, effectively splashing the swimmers around him. Haley softly chuckled, noticing that he was the usually reserved Nelson Finch, a senior-level editor at Goodies. She wondered if he had been loosened up by a trip to the bar.
"Did I freak you out back there?" Brooke tentatively asked. She continued gazing toward the pool while she waited for the answer that only took a second.
"Are you kidding? I've never witnessed anyone putting Rachel in her place." Haley waited for the woman to look her way before she smiled. "I only wish that I had thought to bring a video camera so I could tape it. I'd watch it every day!"
Although she smiled back, Brooke was still anxious that deep down Haley had deemed her behavior as at least borderline psychotic. "I don't make a habit of going off on people like that. I just got a bad vibe from those two and she ticked me off the way she spoke about you. Do I truly know you? No, but I have enough familiarity to realize you don't deserve to be treated like that." She gently squeezed the hand pressed against her own. "I get a marvelous vibe from you. Something tells me that you're special Haley James."
Haley's cheeks immediately recognized the compliment and began to redden. "You're awfully sweet Brooke." Coming to an unoccupied two-person patio table within the pool area they decided to sit.
"Sweet?" She raised one questioning eyebrow. "The chick who just threatened to kick someone's ass and threw sex on the grass in their face?"
Haley laughed, replaying the image of a shocked wet redhead in her mind. Fifty years from now she would probably still become tickled over it. "Yep, her. She's my heroine because messing up Rachel Stewart's makeup and threatening to wipe the floor with her--as sadistic as it may sound I do find that super sweet!"
"Wow. Adorable with a heaping side of twisted." The fashion designer paused for effect. "I dig that about you!"
Thanks so much for the reviews I've received thus far and I do hope that ya'll liked chapter 3. Next one coming up soon :-)