It is not yet 8:00 pm but the place is almost packed.
A few people are on the dance floor dancing to Camp Mulla's 'Party Don't Stop' but the majority are on the tables busy enjoying their drinks.
There are a few empty tables but Enzo takes me straight to the bar and he pulls a barstool for me like the gentleman that he is.
He proceeds to sit next to me and I roam my eyes around as he summons the barmaid.
"What is your favorite drink?" He asks, placing his car key and his phone on the counter.
I don't even waste a beat. "Henny."
I fucking love Hennessey!
Matt introduced me to Henny on our very first date and I swear it was love at first shot.
It was love at first sight for Matt too.
I think I will have a hard time forgetting that motherfucker. I can't even have my favorite drink without his name popping in my mind.
"You can finish a bottle on your own?"
"Yeah," I say, nodding. "I think so."
He chuckles.
"I think you are trying to convince yourself not me."
"Why don't you try me?"
"Are you sure?" He squints his eyes at me skeptically and I nod.
"Absolutely. I want to get myself drunk today more than ever."
I have never finished a bottle by myself but tonight I want to drink till I blackout.
I want to drown all my sorrows and pain in alcohol. I want to forget the aches and live the moment even if it's short-lived.
"You have every right to, given the situation that you are in."
"But I am not sure you will want to carry a drunk me to the car."
"How much do you possibly weigh?" He asks, taking in my entire self in one sweep.
"Not much."
"I figured."
"A bottle is quite expensive, I can do shots of whiskey instead."
I didn't mean to offend him but I guess I just hurt his ego by insinuating that he might not afford to buy a bottle of Hennessy.
He is so generous and all, but I don't want to take advantage. He already paid for my hotel room and I feel like I am using him.
"If you want to have more than an entire bottle of Henny, then by all means please go ahead." He says smugly, getting his wallet, and then he places his card on the counter with a smirk just as the barmaid comes to take our order.
"Hello, loves." She flashes us a grin.
Helena.
I read the name on her tag and I smile back at her.
She has such a sweet contagious smile.
"Bring her a bottle of Hennessy and two bottles of Pabst for me."
"A bottle of Hennessey and two bottles of Pabst coming right up!" The sweet barmaid says, after writing down our order.
"You love your bear, huh?"
"I am more of a whiskey person but since I offered to babysit someone I think a couple of beers will do."
I giggle.
"So basically you're choosing me over whiskey?"
"Say that again and I swear I will take back my offer." He threatens me and I chuckle. "Nothing and no one, absolutely no one comes before a shot of whiskey."
Helena comes back a few minutes later and she places two bottles of Pabst in front of Enzo.
"I prefer beer straight from the bottle." He tells her when she places a glass for him.
"Suit yourself."
"I sure will."
She takes the glass back with a smile and Enzo winks at her
"Your boyfriend is hot." She whispers at me as she pours Henny in my glass and I chuckle.
I want to tell her that Enzo is not my boyfriend, but I don't, I don't even know why she just assumed that we are together.
"I heard that," Enzo says with a cocky smirk on and Helena chuckles as she walks away.
I gulp my glass and I shut my eyes as I savor the taste of the warm liquid on my tongue.
"Hennessey is the best thing that ever happened."
"You're in love."
"Very. Matt introduced me to Henny." I say out of nowhere.
"How long have you known him?"
"Six months."
Half-a-year, six months all gone down to the drains.
"What exactly happened?" Enzo asks, casting me a curious glance and he places his beer on the counter giving me all of his attention.
"Everything was fine until Wendy showed up and announced to everyone that she was pregnant for Matt."
"What did he say?"
I scoff, and then I take a deep breath.
"That he can explain."
"Did you listen to what he had to say?"
I cock both my eyebrows at him.
"Listen to what? How he fucked his brother's girlfriend and then went down on his knee to propose to me?" I sneer furiously. "Are you fucking kidding?"
"The fuck! Who even have sex with their brother's girl. He is such a psycho!"
"Tell me about it." I take another gulp and I swallow furiously.
"Slow down on the alcohol, will you?"
"I don't want to talk about him," I say and I proceed to drink myself silly.
**♦**♦**♦**
"Look at you, looking so lively." Enzo comments in between laughter.
We are both laughing at a joke he made about the man that was sitting a few meters from me.
"Thank you for this, I owe you one," I say, almost choking on my drink.
"One shot?" He asks, with a naughty smile pulling on his face.
"Of whiskey?" Of course, I know what he was insinuating.
"Of whiskey, yes." He tells me laughing so hard and I join in.
"Come on?" You would think he is very serious.
"That's your sixth bottle, how are you still sober? "
"This is beer, not whiskey but I also happened to have a relatively high tolerance to alcohol."
I can't say the same about me. I am not even halfway with my drink and I am already starting to get drunk.
"I need to use the bathroom," I tell Enzo after downing two more shots in a second.
His eyes are on me as I stand up.
I take a minute to see if I can walk myself to the bathroom and I almost hit my half-empty bottle of alcohol.
"I will go with you." Enzo offers but I am quick to turn him down.
"Save your energy for later. I will need someone to carry me to the car when I get completely drunk."
I drag the bar stool out of my way and Enzo grabs my hand when I trip and I turn to face him.
"How many faces do you see?" He asks pointing at his beautiful face and I roll my eyes.
"I am tipsy, not blind."
He smirks at me.
"If you take more than five minutes I am coming to get you."
"Okay, daddy."
I yank my hand from his grip and I take a step forward.
"And, Jo?" I whip my head towards him and he has a naughty smirk on his face. "Don't you dare call me Daddy again or I will end up bending you right here on this counter and I know you won't like it." He teases me, and I will be lying if I say I am not fully aroused right now.
"Daddy." I wink at him and laugh as I walk away.
A few minutes later, I walk back to the bar and Enzo heaves a sigh of relief when he sees me.
"I was growing impatient." He tells me, pulling the stool out of my way.
"You wanna dance?" I ask him, swinging my hips and he just sits there watching me.
"Don't just stare, I need a dance partner." I empty the remaining alcohol in one swill and I grab Enzo's hand, he quickly grabs his phone and the car key and I drag him to the dance floor.
"Spoiler alert! I am not a good dancer."
I chuckle.
"Neither am I, but I got a few moves."
I step right in front of him and I take both of his hands, placing them on my tiny waist. I pull him towards me slightly and he sucks in a breath when I bend over.
"I can't do this."
He tightens his grip on my waist and I laugh at how his body language is contrary to the opposite of what he says.
He can't do this yet he goes on to tighten his grip on my waist.
"Are you sure?" I have a smile on my face and I am trying very hard not to chuckle.
"I can't do this with you. I can't have you grind yourself all over me." He cusses when I press myself on him. "Jo, Stop."
But he doesn't try to stop me, instead, he positions me right where he wants me and his grip tightens when I start moving with the rhythm, pressing my butt against his hard dick.
He pulls away a few minutes later and I swiftly turn to face him.
"What?" I slur.
"We should go." His pupils are dilated, and his eyes are extra dark with lust and desire.
He wants me.
"Come on? We just got here." He takes my hand when I hesitate and he maneuvers his way out of the club.
"I don't want to go, it's still too early." I try to yank my hand away and I stagger back, but he is quick to steady me up.
"And you are too drunk, Joanna."
"That's exactly why we came here, Enzo. Don't be such a pooper."
He turns to face me and without any heads-up, he carries me bridal style and walks us to his car.
He positions me shotgun and his eyes linger on my lips for a transient moment when he bends to strap me in.
"If you want to kiss me just do it," I tell him and he shakes his head as he helps me get in the seat belt.
"You are such a mood killer." I scold him when he starts the car and he just smirks at me.
**♦**♦**♦**
A few minutes later, he pulls at the hotel's parking lots and he gets out of the car.
"Come here." I undo my seat belt and he helps me get to my room.
"Did you buy me a nightdress?" I ask when he sets me on the bed. He didn't, I already know that. "I can't sleep in this dress," I complain and then I proceed to tug off the dress, and I can feel his eyes sweeping over my half-naked body.
"What will I sleep in?" I ask turning to face him, and he swallows dryly as he gets out of his shirt I gape.
Damn! He is sexy as hell.
"There you go, sleep in that." He is trying very hard not to look at me but I am not making it easy for him. "I will see you in the morning." He starts to walk away but I stand in his way.
"I don't want you to go."I grab his hand when he takes a step back, and I give him a seductive smile. "I want you." I slur, pulling him towards me.
"You are drunk, Jo, and you will possibly regret this in the morning." He tells me, his eyes looking deep into mine and there is a hint of excitement and lust in them.
"I won't, I won't regret this. I promise."
"Okay. Tell me that when you are sober but at the moment you gotta get some sleep."
I sulk when I realize how serious he is.
"Stop sulking, you look like a bunny when you pout like that."
"Come to bed with me, please."
"Put that shirt on."
I glance at my half-naked body and then I grudgingly put the shirt on.
"Come on?" I plead with him.
"This is a very bad idea." He mutters as he gets on the bed and I can't help the grin.
This is going to be a very hot night for the both of us.
CHAPTER 7My left arm goes automatically around Enzo the minute he lies on the bed next to me and he sucks in a deep breath.My hand moves on its own accord, fingertips brushing along the contours and the ridges of his well-sculpted chest, and I can feel the vibrant power emanating from the muscles beneath it.I pause my movement for a second to feel the throb of his heart and its beating furiously, at an insane speed.I slowly run my fingers down to his abbs and when I try to get into his pants he quickly holds my hand captive with a single hand and he brings it to rest on his chest.I try to pry from his tight grip but I end up wincing in pain.Dude is strong as fuck.I give up and I decide to use my tongue instead, he wi
He doesn't have the decency to ask if he can come inside. He just walks past me like he owns the entire place, leaving me at the doorstep.I feel the adrenaline surging through me and I am literally shaking with rage.My fists clenching and unclenching, so ready to punch something. My nostrils are flaring, my breaths rapid and my jaw is so set.I am trying really hard to bridle my temper right now and believe me, it is taking every ounce of myself control.I just want to pounce on his neck and choke the life out of him. I am so fucking tempted and I am afraid if I turn to look at him I won't have it in me to stop.Where in hell did he get the audacity to show up in my hotel room even after the pain that he has caused me?Not that it would have changed anything, but he should have at least given me time to heal.The wound is still fresh and so
"You will fucking pay for this, mother fucker!" Matt shouts, bumping the locked door from the outside.The sound of his voice makes me so sick and so disgusted."You should leave, sir." A guy I assume to be the bodyguard tells Matt politely."I will make you pay for humiliating me."Poor guy. He is such a wuss.I would never have the guts to face my wife if anyone humiliated me that way in her presence."I am so scared," Enzo says, not too loud and I chuckle."You should come with me!" The guy orders Matt."Don't you fucking touch me, I can find my way out." He shouts at him. "I am Matthew fucking Bryant and no one messes with a Bryant....." His voice drifts away and I heave a sigh of relief."So a Bryant is allowed to mess with anyone but not the other way round?"
I open my eyes and stare at the ceiling for a transient minute, then I train my eyes to my raised legs.I am lying on the cold marble floor half-naked, my legs are elevated above the heart's level using a few throw pillows and nanny is kneeling beside me.What the hell happened?"Thank God you are awake. I was going to dial 911." She tells me, placing her right hand on my forehead to feel my body temperature like I am suddenly two. "You gave me quite a scare."And she looks every bit of it. Scared, appalled, and shell-shocked.I shut my eyes tight to try and remember anything, something...Enzo dropped me a few minutes ago, I walked in the house and nanny helped me with the shopping bag and then everything else blurs."What happened?"My voice is a hoarse weak whisper.I feel so confused and
"I can't lose them, dad," I sob, shaking my head continuously. "I can't lose anyone else, granny died last month, and I don't want them to die on me too." My voice is shaky, doleful and so frail.God! I feel so broken, so fucking low, so overwhelmed, and I am so desperate for a miracle at the moment."You are not going to lose them, no one is going to die, love." He says, squeezing me incredibly closer and I wrap my arms around his neck, clinging to him so tight.It's been a pretty rough weekend for me and being enclosed in my dad's protective arms feels so good.This sense of security and love makes me feel so warm and safe.His embrace is my temporary haven."I am so broken, and if I lose mom or Kelly-""It is going to be fine, I assure you," Dad tells me and I smile despite everything.He is trying so har
“You have medical insurance for your car, right?” Dad asks hopefully.I exhale sharply and then I shake my head.I wouldn't be staring at this shitty paper in my hands so blankly, and the asshole wouldn't have paid the upfront since medical insurance covers everything.Okay, maybe not everything in such an expensive hospital but it would have covered at least half of the bill."Jo?" Dad calls, raising an eyebrow at me.“I haven't paid my monthly premium for the last three months, dad,” I say, raking my fingers through my hair and then I swallow dryly.If only I had let Matt help me clear my granny's hospital bill last month, I wouldn't be in such a fix right now.But I am independent as fuck and I really hate it when a man thinks that he can control me just because he is helping me with my bills.Matt struck me as that kind of a per
"Hey. Talk to me?" Rick snaps me out of my study and I heave a sigh as I turn to face him.He takes a few steps closer and leans on the guard rail, looking at me perceptively.He has all of his attention on me.I blink severally when tears well up in my already puffy eyes and I take a long deep breath."How urgent is surgery after an accident?" I ask, and the crack in my voice is back, I sound so desperate and low and very broken."It depends, what kind of surgery are we talking about?" He asks me and I shake my head."I have no idea." That twerp of a doctor didn't tell us shit. He was so arrogant and very ignorant. "Lets say major surgeries."He looks at me for a long second, like he is trying to read my mind and then he inhales sharply."There are several major surgeries," he pauses for a while, probably expecting me to add something t
I glance at the wall clock and I shoot up immediately.Fuck!It is seven in the fucking morning, I shouldn't be in bed.I hastily hop out and I stride straight to the bathroom for a cold shower.Five minutes later, I stroll out shivering like someone with a cold and I walk to my wardrobe, though I don't think I have any decent dress left. Kelly and Sky moved most of my things to Matt's place on my wedding eve.If only we knew.I just hope I will find something official to wear. I might need to go to the office and I can't show up in a tank top and some denim trousers.I hastily put on the first pair of panties and bra that my hand gets ahold of, they don't match and I don't even give a fuck.