Chapter 2: Chance Encounter
My heart was pounding the entire ride home. I couldn't believe my luck, it seemed like everything was starting to work out for me. As soon as I shut my front door I kicked my shoes across the floor. I had some time to kill so I figured I'd start unpacking. Starting with my bedroom I unloaded the massive amount of wardrobe into my lovely walk-in closet. Then I made my way to the kitchen to put away all the dishes and cookware.
An hour went by and all the boxes were gone, except for one. It was full of pictures of my ex and little trinkets he brought me during our four-year relationship. I didn't know if I should keep it, or burn it. While I was thinking on it I heard my cell phone ring, "hello."
"You could have called your best friend to let her know you made it there safely."
I could just see her through the phone; she was most likely standing there with her hand on her hip tapping her foot. I swear sometimes she thinks she's my mother. "My bad Adrian, I passed out as soon as I unloaded the car."
"How'd the interview go?" She asked sounding more cheerful.
"I got the job! I start tonight, Murphy actually came through." He usually a first class bullshitter, but I love him anyway.
"What's your boss like? Is he hot?"
I knew that was coming. "Do you ever NOT have penis on the brain? Anyway to answer your question, yes he's hot but he's not my type." Matty's cute, but nothing clicked with him.
"He must be a good guy if he's not your type."
"What are you saying I only date the bad boys?" So maybe there is some truth to what she's saying. All of my ex boyfriends have been liars and cheaters.
"That's exactly what I'm saying."
"Anyway, when are you coming to visit me?" It sucked being away from Adrian, she is the closest thing I have to family.
"I won't be able to make it until next month. I could use some time off, my boss is being a bigger dick than usual." Her boss Larry was the type of employer who treaded that fine line of sexual harassment and just being friendly.
"Tell him to fuck off… hell you should quit, they don't appreciate you anyway."
"Some of us need jobs to pay our bills, everyone doesn't have a magic fairy that leaves them packets of money every month."
"Whatever… I have to go I'll call you tomorrow morning."
"Alright, love ya and be careful."
"Love ya too." And with that I hung up the phone.
I stripped out of the clothes I had on earlier and lounged around in an oversized t-shirt. Mark Wahlberg was on the screen so I decided to settle down and watch whatever it was. Eventually I drifted off to sleep, it had been a long day and it was only going to get longer.
When I awakened it was eight forty-five. Jumping off the couch, I quickly rushed to the shower. After I got out I ran to my bedroom, falling on my ass along the way. It was my first night on the job so I had to make an impression. I pinned my hair up letting a few loose curls fall on my face and applied my lip-gloss and mascara. Since it was chilly fall night I decided to wear my long sleeve black mini dress with the lace back. I zipped up my ankle boots, threw on my black leather jacket and was headed for the door.
I walked over to Element and there was a line forming behind a velvet rope. I made my way to the front of it, receiving random scowls along the way. When I got to the door the same guy from earlier greeted me. "Hey boss lady." He said as I smiled at him.
"Hey big guy. I don't have to wait in this line do I?"
"Course not, go right in Matty's waiting for you"
There was something different about the inside, maybe because it had more people in it than before. Matty spotted me as soon as I walked in. He strolled over to me with the charming smile once again. "Hey Gia, I'm glad you made it." Matty checked his watch. "You're early, I like that."
He and I went over to the bar, he put his hand up and Carla came over. "Hey doll, I see you got the job congratulations."
"Yeah, thank you."
"So I see you've meet Carla and Marcy, I already told the staff all about you. We have two waiters" Matty scanned the crowd and pointed out two men. "That's Ken and Paul." Next he pointed out two blondes who were carrying trays with drinks on them. They looked like they were a couple of years younger than me. "And over there are Rachel and Sandy, they're our waitresses. You'll meet the security staff as you go, Marco's already taken a liking to you."
I thought about the guard on the front door. 'So that's his name' "Great, I'll introduce myself to everyone as the night goes on. You said something about a partner earlier."
"Oh yeah, he's not here yet, but when he gets here you'll meet him." He said. I nodded and turned back to Carla. "Hey Carla, could you get me a rum and coke and for Gia…"
He turned to me waiting for my reply. "I'll just have a cranberry juice."
"You sure you don't want something stronger?" Marcy asked.
I shook my head from side to side. "Nope, gotta stay alert."
"I like you already." Matty collected his drink off the bar. "Well I'm heading back to my office, speaking of which, yours is the room across from mine. It's smaller, but I figured you'd want your privacy." With that he shook my hand and went back up the steps.
I took off my jacket and looked around the club. It was a fairly mixed and energetic crowd. I checked all the doors to make sure they weren't blocked; you never know when you have to dragged someone out the nearest exit.
"Gia right?" Marcy asked after she served a customer.
"Yeah… so how is it working here?"
"It's an alright crowd, every now and then you get some asshole who can't hold there liquor, but the guys take care of it."
"I guess it's like that anywhere you go." The two of us laughed, but it was cut short when one of the patrons called her over.
It was time for me to settle into my new job. I checked out the office Matty setup for me and he definitely wasn't lying, it was much smaller than his. It was only enough room for the desk, file cabinet and coat rack that occupied the space. I wasn't complaining though, it was all mine.
Over the past two hours I became acquainted with all of the employees. They all seemed okay, but everyone's always on their best behavior around the boss.
The music was pumping throughout the club. After I checked on everything and made quick mental list of some of things that were needed, I made my rounds on the dance floor to assure that the people were having a good time. While moving through the crowd my body come in contact with what felt like a brick wall and warm liquid. From the smell it had to be whiskey. 'Great exactly what I need, some drunk idiot spilling their drink on me.' Putting my best game face on I smiled and glanced up at the idiot. What I saw took my breath away. This guy was the definition of sex, definitely a bronzed Adonis. He stood over six feet tall with muscles bulging everywhere. It was almost enough to drive a girl insane, but I held it together this was not the time nor place for that, I'm here to work.
"I'm sorry about that gorgeous, let me get you some napkins." He walked over to a nearby table a grabbed a handful of napkins. "My apologies, here this should do it."
His deep voice sent chills through my spine. "It's okay, it's just a dress." I cleaned the front of my outfit the best I could and went to walk away. To my surprise he grabbed my hand stopping me in my tracks.
"I didn't catch your name sweetheart." His touch sent chills up my arm… and other places.
"I didn't throw it." I looked down at the hand that was attached to mine. Normally I'd go all crazy on a guy for grabbing me, but with him I held back.
He laughed and held on tighter. "You must be new here."
"What makes you say that?"
He pulled me closer and leaned into my ear. "Most women would kill for me ask them their name."
Great! Just my luck, he's a cocky bastard. It's always the one's who know they could have their way with any female. "Well I'm not most women." I tried to walk away again, but this time he pulled me close to him wrapping an arm around my waist. 'Damn he smells good, ' I thought to myself. I inhaled his scent once more, he smelled of cigarettes and Old Spice, a smell that I could definitely get use to. 'Wait a minute, what the hell am I thinking? This guy is an asshole, a sexy one, but an asshole nonetheless.' "Do you not see this ring on my finger? I don't think my fiancé would like this very much."
Mr. Sexy kept his grip and just stared at me with his deep brown eyes. "Well I don't think I like him very much. He's obviously not doing his job, because if he were he'd be here holding you instead of me."
Oh he's bold, I just told this guy that I was taken and he could give two shits. The cuteness factor was staring to wear thin. I knew his type all too well, he was definitely the fuck them and leave them kind. "Is this what you do? Spill drinks on women and then hold then captive until they give in to your obnoxious flirting. What's next? Let me guess, you drag me to the bathroom for a quick fuck."
He shook his head and grinned at me. "That usually comes after."
"After what?" I asked stupidly.
"After this." Before I knew it he pressed his lips against mine, giving me an aggressive, yet passionate kiss. It caught me completely off guard. I tried to say something but that only got a tongue crammed down my throat. Who does shit like that? I have to admit; although it was a bit rough the kiss was intoxicating. For a second there I was ready to give in and return the kiss; that was until I felt his hand roughly grope my ass.
I pulled away and gave him a loud slap across his cheek. A few bystanders looked our way and continued dancing. This guy has some nerve. I don't care how gorgeous he is, no one manhandles me like that. "Who the fuck do you think you are?"
He rubbed his cheek and smiled… which pissed me off even more. "So I guess you're not ready for the quick fuck in the bathroom."
"Go screw yourself." I retorted.
He stepped in close to me again and whispered in my ear. "I'd rather screw you."
"Ugh!" I shrieked in frustration. This idiot managed to ruin my night within a few minutes. "Get out of my way." I shouted as I pushed pass him. I headed straight for the bar. Marcy was right; I am going to need something stronger.