Bound To You: Inevitable

~Zane~      Flashback…       There she was. I watched how she instantly captured my attention as she swayed her hips to the music. Her blue satin kissed her tan skin. Arielle Knight was beyond my expectations. When I first heard about this assignment, I thought she was just going to be another spoiled brat who had too many surgeries to count. But I was dead wrong. She was all natural with her small waist and luscious hips. She was developed in all the right areas. I listened as Percy introduced me to his staff, the police department of Atlanta, and some well-known politicians. But my eyes always wandered back to her. She was dancing with her friend when that asshole grabbed her by the waist. I don’t know what came over me. Maybe it's the fact that I was hired for this very reason. To protect her.     “Let me go,” she hissed and she tried to move his hands away. He didn’t, he only squeezed tighter.    “I believe the lady said no!” I aggressively twisted his arm and pushed him away from her. He turned on his heels and I protectively put her behind me. She awakened all of my senses when our skin touched. The guy looked back and forth between us.       “Ari, this isn’t over.”       “I believe it is. Now leave!” Once he walked away, I turned towards her. “Are you okay?” She didn’t answer. Instead, she was observing me. I smirked as she looked into my eyes again.       “Miss?”    She blinked several times. “I’m sorry. What did you say?” Her face turned red as she failed to hide her embarrassment.        “I asked if you were okay,” I answered her.    “Yes, thank you for helping me.” Awkwardly, we looked at each other before her friend came and practically dragged her away from me. I turned and walked away as I thought about all the wrong things that can happen if I get involved with her.      Present…           My phone buzzed, zapping me from my thoughts. It was a text from Trisha.    I can’t wait to see you tonight.        Trisha and I met at the Sheriff’s department during my debriefing. She’s a pretty woman in her early thirties and we seemed to connect. I wasn't in a relationship or in love with her but we agreed on casual s*x. I sent a text back telling her to meet me at the hotel and then put my phone in my pocket. I grabbed my keys and left out of the door.  Once I arrived, I texted her and we met at the door. We checked in and headed directly to our room.    “I’ve missed you,” she purred as pushed me against the door and kissed me.  I took control and switched our bodies. She smiles. “Looks like someone missed me too.”  Not really. I’m just doing this to get Ari out of my head. It’s been a year since she died and she has haunted me ever since. I ripped open her shirt and kissed her neck, making my way to her breast. She moans as I begin to lick her around her buds. She threw her head and took what I gave her. I came back up from her chest and kissed her again. She grabbed my hand and led me into the bedroom. I removed my clothes as she pulled down her underwear. Trisha was indeed a beautiful woman but she wasn’t her. She wasn’t my Ari. Not even close. I put the condom on my shaft and climbed on top of her.    “Can I taste you?” She asked. I looked at her and frowned.        “No, we talked about this.” She knew the rules. No oral. This is casual s*x after all.    “Fine,” she mumbled as I align myself with her opening. She was wet and I lubed myself with her juices before thrusting in her. I pumped in and out as my mind shifted to Ari and how we made love. I thought about how she cried out my name and scratched my back as she dug her nails into my skin. I pumped in and out of Trisha as she clenched against me while crying out. I released myself into the condom and got off of her.    “Wow,” she breathed out. “That was amazing.” I chuckled but it was fake. I can’t believe that she somehow still managed her way into my thoughts.  Damn you, Arielle. We sat there in silence, well at least I did. Trisha was already asleep. I knew this was going to be one of those nights where I can't sleep because I would dream of her again. I was trying to move on, but it’s like she’s telling me not to. Climbing out of bed, I slipped on my clothes and quietly left the room. I needed something strong. Something to knock the pain away. This was my life now. Work, drink myself into oblivion, and casual s*x. And nothing was working.        I went to the bar area inside the hotel and sat in the far corner away from everyone. “What can I get for you?” The bartender asked.  “Double shot of whiskey. And keep them coming.” I slid him my credit card and he made the drink for me.  “You’re not driving tonight, right?” He asked skeptically.        “No. I’m not,” I answered.  “Okay well let me know when you’re finished and I’ll ring you up.” I nodded my head. I drank the first one and he made two more and sat them in front of me. Five double shots later, the room was spinning and the bartender gave me a cup of water.    “Drink this. I don’t want to call security to escort you back to your room.”  As I grabbed the water, I saw someone out of the corner of my eye. She had long dark hair curled down to her shoulders. She sat on the opposite side of the bar and she was alone. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. Her eyes were the same color as Ari’s. I looked at her body and my heart dropped. It was her. My Ari and she’s alive. “Ari,” I mumbled to myself. I wanted to reach out for her, but I couldn’t tell if she was real or if it was all in my head again. She wore a white blouse with the first few buttons undone and a dark blue skirt that showed off her beautiful legs. The bartender came back to me.    “Are you okay, man?” I heard him but my eyes stayed on her.   “Mr. Calloway?” I closed my eyes. This is ridiculous. Ari is dead! You saw her take her last breath. Shaking my head, I turned back to the bartender.        “Yeah?”    “Are you okay?” He repeated.        “Yup, peachy.” I stood up but stumbled. I put my hands upon the stool to balance myself. “I’m fine,” I reassured the bartender as he looked at me with pity. I looked over at where she sat but it was empty.