Chapter Two
“I really, really don’t want to go to this party,” she blew out the breath she’d been holding while putting on her mascara. “Isn’t it enough that I’m wearing a bright yellow, organza monstrosity Cecily called a bridesmaid’s dress? Why do I have to go to her bachelorette party, too?”
“Because you’ve known her since you guys were in third grade. It’s the right thing to do and… You’re a nice person.” Ash’s best friend Leslie winked at her in the mirror from over her shoulder. “And let us not forget, you need a night out. Time to face the world with that dazzling smile. What’s it been…three or four years since you did anything more than dinner and a movie with me or Cecily?”
“Oh, shut up,” she grumped, fixing her bangs then turning her head side-to-side to be sure her blush was even while trying to convince herself that she was going to have fun.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to go out, maybe even meet a nice guy, fall madly in love, have a few little ankle-biters and live happily-ever-after. That had actually been her dream since she was old enough to clomp around in her mom’s high heels and paint her lips with pink lipstick. However, being the youngest pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon in the southwest, a woman and having a cute baby-face was not conducive to finding a mate.
The last guy she’d gone out with had spent the first fifteen minutes of their date reading her profile from google. “Dr. Ashlynn Annalissa Aimsleigh, Triple A to her friends and family, is a renowned cardiac surgeon not only in the United States but also abroad. In her undergraduate years, she graduated Summa Cum Laude from Harvard with the third highest GPA in the university’s history. Going on to complete her graduate, doctorate and medical training at the prestigious Johns Hopkins University, she then returned to her home state of Texas after and is presently the youngest ever Head Surgeon at Children’s Medical Center Dallas. She has been…”
That was where she tuned out, sipped on her margarita and acted like she couldn’t hear him over the music when he asked how much she earned a year. Why was it that men always asked two things after they found out who she was – her gross yearly income and if she’d ever ‘done it’ in an operating room?
“Stop thinking so hard, Ash. Take Dr. Leslie’s orders and have some fun.” The tall, thin blond she’d known for most of her life handed Ashlynn a cold bottle of Corona, the lime already floating on the clear, amber liquid. “I am ordering you to have at least one drink every thirty minutes until the break of dawn.”
Snickering despite her misgivings about setting foot in the club D Magazine called, ‘The most decadently hedonistic experience in the state of Texas. You don’t have to wear leather to feel the heat. Whether you’re a voyeur or enjoy hands-on pleasure, CRAVE is the place to be’ Ash had to admit she was curious to see what lurked behind the dark windows and sleek lines of the club that seemed to appear out of thin air and always had eager patrons lining up around the block.
Then there was the club’s owner, the single-named, drop-dead gorgeous, mysterious millionaire known as, Alaric. Of course, the editors of Dallas’ trendiest magazine had not only featured him on the cover but also had a complete six-page spread inside. Sales for that issue had to be the best the publication had ever seen. Hell, Ashlynn went to four newsstands just to get her copy. The moment she’d seen his face, she’d been compelled to possess a copy.
It was as if his photo had jumped off the page, demanding to be adored. Alaric had immediately become Ashlynn’s guilty pleasure. She’d hidden the magazine in the stack of medical journals beside her bed, just in case any of her friends made an impromptu visit, then stared at it nearly every night. It was the first time she’d drooled over a guy on a magazine cover since she’d been in middle school and purchased Teen Beat, but she just couldn’t help herself.
The weight of his stare, his eyes the perfect blend of cobalt and ashen charcoal, made her heart skip a beat and her temperature rise. Her fingers ached with the need to explore the wide set of his shoulders and muscular biceps that tempestuously tested the strength of his starched, light-blue, cotton shirt of which he’d roguishly turned up at the cuffs.
Jumping from her thoughts as Leslie cleared her throat, a sure sign she was losing her patience, Ashlynn countered, “How about one an hour and I limit myself to beer? Will that satisfy Dr. Party Pants?”
Nearly spitting out her Corona as she barked with laughter Leslie teased, “Damn straight, I’m Dr. Party Pants. I have a Ph.D. in Boogie-Oogie-Oogie and a specialty in Hot Bods.”
“Oh my God.” It was Ashley’s turn to burst out laughing. “How old are you? Boogie-Oogie-Oogie? I can’t wait to tell Cecily and the others. Maybe we need to stop at the Thrift Store and get you a pair of platforms and a neon-striped tank top.”
Throwing her hand in the air, Leslie chuckled, “You’re just jealous. The girls will be dazzled by my wit and brilliance. You know it’s true.”
“You know I do. I live in awe of you.” Clicking off the light, Ashlynn followed her best friend down the hall. “Do you have your purse?”
“No, not taking one and neither are you.” Grabbing the bag from Ash’s hand, Leslie tasked, “Good Lordy, Girl. You can’t go to a club with an overnight bag.” Lifting the large mocha-colored leather purse up-and-down a few times like it was a weight, she added, “We gotta travel light. There will be butts to squeeze and chests to explore. Have to keep our hands free.” Dropping the purse, she waggled her eyebrows. “Put your debit card and cash in your bra, your phone in your back pocket and lipstick in the front with your keys.” Grabbing Ashlynn’s hand, she whooped, “It’s off to the Den of Debauchery we go.”
Struggling to keep up while stowing her belongings where her bestie had instructed, Ashlynn groaned, “Are you sure these pants aren’t too tight? I can barely get my phone in my pocket and don’t get me started on this blouse. I swear my boobs are gonna pop out the top. A wardrobe malfunction is imminent.”
“Hush and come on. You look like a rock star,” Leslie pulled her out the door. “Your body is bangin’.”
Looking over her shoulder, Ash scoffed, “Bangin’? Have you been hanging out with your ‘crew’ again?”
“Oh, shut up. I can’t help it that I teach Sophomore English to a bunch of inner-city thugs.” She laughed. “You know I love those kids.” She shrugged. “Besides, they teach me the coolest things.” Chuckling, she added, “Now, stop deflecting. We all keep telling you that you have an awesome figure. Men love curves. I have no clue why you hide it under baggy scrubs and a lab coat.”
Locking the door and shoving her keys into her pocket, Ashlynn snickered, “Ummm, because I’m a doctor.”
“Yeah, okay. Just promise me you’ll chill out and have some fun. Seriously, Ash, you need it.”
Making up her mind to take her friend’s advice, Ashlynn gave a single nod and emphatically agreed, “Yes, I do.” Slipping her arm through Leslie’s, she added, “Let’s do this,” as they hurried towards the taxi waiting at the end of her walkway. “Tonight, I am just plain Ash. No Dr. Aimsleigh in sight. Watch out world, here I come.”