CHAPTER TEN

HAYDEN

I sat behind the steering wheel of my Mercedes Benz truck, contemplating if I should go to the strip club to see Lydia. Every free moment I have, is consumed with thoughts of her. That beautiful smile, her strawberry scented skin and hair. I don’t want to be away from her too long. We’ll get to know each other as our relationship grows. I won’t be without her for one night. I know it’s crazy. Falling in love with a woman I just met. You can’t help who you fall in love with right?

Headlights glared through my rear window. I glanced out the side mirror. It’s my driver.

I slid into the backseat of my silver Bentley. “Valen, I’m headed to RA Sushi.”

“Traffic is a little heavy tonight.”

“Typical Friday night in Atlanta. Valen, we have a few stops tonight. Probably going to club Ordeal, then Lydia’s apartment.”

“No problem Mr. Gaster.

I sent Lydia a quick text.

Lydia, I’ll be waiting outside your apartment when you get off work. I want you to spend the night with me at my place. I don’t like being away from you.

~

I found Bryce at his regular table with our friend Zander. “Hey, what’s up guys?”

“What’s up with you?” Zander asked.

“Nothing. Everything is going well. Vickie just became CEO of our Atlanta office.”

“Happy to hear. Tell her I said congratulations.”

“Zander, I will.”

I sat across from Bryce and Zander. Bryce began to chuckle.

“What’s so funny?”

“I’m in love with a stripper,” he began singing the famous song.

“Ok, I’m out of here.”

“No Hayden. Just messing around. The girls want us to go on a double date tomorrow. Me, Karena, you, and Lydia.”

My eyebrows raised. “Oh yeah?”

“Yeah, so get your love panties out of a twist. Let’s hang out with our ladies.” He raised his glass.

I picked up the glass of Vodka Bryce had waiting for me and tapped his glass. I sipped my drink.

“Zander, what’s up with you?”

“The same thing as always. Working for the old man and working my way through law school.”

“Do you want to bring a date and go bowling with us tomorrow?”

“No thanks. I have other plans.”

I felt a heavy hand on my shoulder. I glanced up. “Hey, Troy!” I stood giving him a bro hug.

“What’s going on?”

Troy sat down next to me. Alexander sat beside him.

“Hey, Alex.”

“Hayden.”

I glanced at Troy again.

“Hayden, you know the same as always making money.” He raised and spread his arms. “The Pharmaceutical business is fucking awesome!”

I smiled.

“Alex, how was your vacation?”

“Dude, it would have been better if all of us could have hung out.”

I began to speak.

“Hey, its ok.” He raised his finger. They began singing on que. “I’m in love with a stripper!”

I placed my hand across the bridge of my nose. “You fucking guys got jokes!”

Troy patted my back a couple of times. “It’s ok. She is beautiful. But fuck Eric, the look on your face when she began dancing for you, it’s like you never seen pussy before. And we both know that is bull shit!”

They all laughed.

My friends and I are all about the same height. We’ve been friends since we were kids. A bunch of rich white kids who have gotten into our fair share of trouble growing up. Never the less, as adults we’ve turned into workaholics. Well, all of us except Bryce. He doesn’t want to work. He doesn’t mind living off our family’s oil fortune. His father, Harrison, is my father’s twin brother, he also chose to go into the stock business.

They always do the same shit as the other. Uncle Harrison and my father stepped down from running the company at same time. They agreed to let my sister and I run the company. Bryce wanted no part of the business. Bryce is often out on the town. He enjoys having a good time. Bryce Gaster has short brown hair, brown eyes, muscular frame, slender nose and eyebrows, and thin lips.

Zander Marshall and I are the same height. We are both 6’4”. Zander has shoulder length black hair. He sometimes pulls his hair back into a ponytail or up into a man bun. His eyes are dark blue, making him appear angry even when he isn’t. He has a full beard. Dude looks like a fucking lumberjack. I’m not sure if he’s getting pussy or not because he is a bit on the fucking edgy side.

Troy Griffin has short blonde hair on the sides, longer on top hanging in his face, and gray eyes. Mister get all the chicks kind of guy. You know the one who will never settle down because he has a plethora of women. Troy lives in the gym. He’s there so much, he takes sale calls while working out. His company still makes a ton of money, so it must work in his favor.

Alexander Hyatt has short black hair, brown eyes, and a scruffy black beard. Women come onto him often. He has that Keanu Reeves look working for him. He’s driven. He won’t let pussy stop him from becoming a doctor.

He’s studying to become a cardiovascular surgeon. I’m surprised he’s out with us tonight. He studies often. Alex is kind of quiet. Don’t piss him off though. He’s not afraid to fight or put a person in their place. I’m proud of him.

“Troy, what can I say? Lydia is absolutely beautiful.” I pointed around the table.

“I want all you fuckers to understand one thing. She’s mine. That means she’s fucking off limits.”

They all agreed.

“Wait, you are just fucking her right? You don’t plan to make her your woman?” Zander asked.

“Yes, she’s pulled my heart strings. I was with her last night. I was late for work this morning because I woke up late.”

Alex smirked. “Must be some good pussy for Hayden Gaster to be late for work.”

“We haven’t had sex yet.”

Their faces dropped around the table.

“You are slipping.” Troy shook his head.

“I’m not worried about having sex with her. It will happen in due time.”

“I don’t know Hayden. You don’t know how many men she’s had sex with. It might not be good anymore.”

I cut my eyes at him. “Zander, I do. It will be me. I will be the only man having sex with her.”

“What!?” Bryce yelled.

“Yes, she’s a virgin.”

“You always did have luck with the virgins,” Alex grunted.

Troy gawked at me. “Hey, that was a long time ago. It’s different with Lydia. She’s mine. That’s the end of this fucking discussion!”

“Fuck, man calm down Eric. If you want to be with the virgin stripper, we are all behind you.”

He glanced around the table. “Right fellows?”

Zanders dark eyebrows rose. “Of course, we are.”

Alex smiled. “We’ve been friends forever.”

“Not getting rid of me cousin.”

“Good. I’ve got the next round of drinks!” I yelled.

It was nice hanging with the guys. After drinks, we hung out at my cousin Sebastian’s club until 3 a.m. I’m happy we discussed the Lydia topic tonight. Hopefully, I won’t have to hear their jokes anymore.

∞

Valen and I sat outside Lydia’s apartment.

“Mr. Gaster, she’s home.”

“Thanks.” I climbed out of the car.

Lydia stepped out the front door.

Her eyes met mine. “Hayden, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

She stepped closer pulling on my denim blazer lapels. “Well, I’ll start. I didn’t have the best Friday night. Men were very touchy in places they shouldn’t have been. I just want to take a shower and go to bed.”

“Alright, let’s go upstairs and get your things. You can take a shower at my place. I’ll rub you down, make you forget about all the dirty motherfuckers who touched my woman in places they had no fucking business.”

She wore that look of uncertainty across her face again then crossed her legs. “I take it, I made that tight pussy quake.”

She bit the corner of her lip.

“Baby, I just want you with me. I’m tired too. I know you want to lay in my arms?”

She blushed. “I shouldn’t want to.”

“But, you do.” I winked.

“Come on.”

She unlocked the door, we proceeded upstairs.

I sat on the stool in the kitchen, waiting for her to pack. She peeked her head around the corner.

“Hayden, you need a good night’s sleep. I will only stay tonight. After our date tomorrow bring me home please. I have to work every day until we go out of town. I still can’t believe I agreed to go on the trip.”

I walked toward her. “Hayden, I’m serious.”

“I am too. I have an idea. I’ll send my driver to pick you up from work. I’ll also give you a key. That way you don’t have to worry about waking me.”

She folded her arms, staring at me. My arms snaked around her waist, as my lips pressed against her ear. “Or, I can come over tomorrow night when you get off work.”

“Ugh! Hayden, fine.”

“That’s my girl.”