My Secret Wolf King

“You really broke up with your boyfriend on Valentine's day? Why? I mean, was he seeing another woman?”   “Technically, I was the other woman.” I tilted back the shot of tequila down my throat, the liquid shooting through me like lightning.  “What?!” Bella’s outburst drew the attention of a few onlookers at the bar, which is exactly what I didn't want.   I sigh, hoping that anybody who overhears is too drunk to remember what I just said. I lean my elbows on the bar and drop my chin in my hands. Not even the throbbing dance music could distract my brain from thinking what an i***t I was.   That Valentine's day was great. A romantic dinner, followed by excellent s*x. I’d spent the whole of last night wrapped in Jackson’s arms. It was a night more precious to me than anything, especially since he is always so busy with work.   It was nice. Perfect. Until he got in the shower and his phone rang.   I sat up and stared at the caller ID, a bit confused by the name. ‘Boss Lady’.   I figured I might as well pick up the phone for him, because I know how serious Jackson took his job. He’d always have to cut dates short due to it, so whatever it is, it must be important.   “Then I realized it was Jackson’s wife. He’s apparently in an ‘open marriage’” I told Bella, putting up air-quotations. “His wife even knew about me before I knew about her.”   Of course, I’m just summarizing everything to Bella to spare my own dignity. The woman sounded so terribly lovesick, when I answered the phone that day. Asking when he would be done with me so he could celebrate Valentine's day ‘properly’.   “She didn’t really seem all that phased when I answered the phone.” I add. “She even told me she was sorry he didn't tell me about her beforehand.”   “What the hell!?” Bella remarks, and I feel a spark of validation run through me. If anyone has my back, it’s Bella. “At least she didn’t blow up at you or anything. He really never told you about her?”   “Nope.” I say, popping the ‘p’. “He tried to get me to understand, apparently he never told me about his marriage because I’m too ‘serious’.”   “Is he f*****g serious? Oh my god.” Bella remarks, her voice high. I already feel tipsy, my body feeling warm and loose, so I don’t even mind her being loud about it. It feels vindicating to hear her stick up for me in such a vocal way.   “And even after I chewed him out, he still wanted me to stay with him.” I mention, and Bella’s eyebrows shoot up. “Told me he still loved me, that we could work this out.”   “Bullshit!” Bella spits.   “Yeah. I threw his s**t out of my apartment that night.”   “Good freakin’ riddance. What a d**k!” Bella huffs. “That’s awful, Aria, I know you really liked him.” Bella puts an arm on my shoulder, and I can’t help but wilt.   I really liked Jackson. He was someone who I really could see myself marrying, after all of my previous situationships. I can’t help but lean into her touch, thankful I can rely on Bella at least.   “Yeah. It sucks...I was even thinking about asking him to move in, maybe get a dog and raise it together. I dunno.”   “Ugh, screw that asshole!” Bella spits, and I can’t help but smile at how fired up she is. “I can’t believe he lied about that!”   “Yeah...” Even I could hear the wistfulness in my voice, and Bella easily picked up on where my negative thoughts were headed.   “Oh no, you’re not going to wallow over a slimeball like Jackson.” Bella scoffs. “You are your own woman, Aria! You don’t need any guy to make you feel special.”   “Bella...” I start, but she cuts me off.   “No, I refuse to let you be sad about this. It takes you forever to get over a guy, even when they do crummy things,” She shakes her head in distaste. “You’re so pretty, I bet any guy in this bar would make out with you if you asked them!”   “C’mon, Bella, don’t be silly.” I feel my face flush at the very thought of kissing some random stranger. Bella smells blood in the water though, I can see it on her face.     “I mean... ugh, I hate to agree with that asshole, but you can be a little...” Bella hesitates, and I slowly raise my eyebrow at her.   “Serious?”   “You said it, not me.” Bella takes a drink. I let out a huff.   “I just... I take important things seriously! Is that a crime? That doesn't make me boring, it makes me...reliable?” I’m way too drunk to think of a good word to use. “I dunno. I just... don't like spontaneous stuff. Especially not stuff like kissing a random person.”   “C'monn, Aria, live a little!” Bella smiles, pushing me a bit playfully. I lean with it, the alcohol making my body pliant. Despite her teasing, I can feel a smile on my face.   “If you loosened up, I bet you could forget all about that asshole Jackson.”   “Okay, loosen up how?” I indulge her, putting up another hand to get another shot from the bartender.   “I dunno, do exciting stuff! Skydiving! Mountain climbing!”   “Seems like a lot of work.” I say sarcastically.   “Okay okay, how about we start with what I suggested earlier?” Bella smirks, and I’m pinned by her gaze.   “Cmon, I’m not kissing anyone at this bar.” I look around, and sure enough, I don't see anyone that's particularly my type.   “Okay, then don’t kiss anyone here! How about...” Bella gets a wicked grin on her face. “You kiss the next person that walks in?”   “Oh my god, no, no way.” I laugh at her, but I can tell from her gaze she’s serious.   “C'mon! You gotta prove that asshole wrong.”   “What if the next guy that walks in is ugly?” I say. That third (fourth? fifth?) shot of tequila is making its way through me fast. I already feel like what she’s proposing isn't that much of a big deal.   “That’s part of the thrill!” I throw Bella a judgmental glare which she just laughs off. “C’mon, it's just one kiss.”   I know I’m drunk when I realize I’m actually considering this. What's one kiss in the grand scheme of things anyway? The worst that can happen is we get thrown out the bar.   I get my next shot and down it quickly. I’m going to need to be drunk to go through with this. I think distantly. It goes down like hot fire, and I slam the glass back onto the bar, mind made.   “Fine. But I can veto him if he’s ugly.”   She pumps her fist in victory, and both of our eyes look over towards the door in anticipation. We watch for a bit, and I’m about to call it off when the door opens. I barely get a glimpse at the guy before I feel Bella push me off the barstool.   “Go!” Bella urges. “Do it without thinking!” I hesitate for only a moment, but the alcohol makes me feel a little more confident. I walk over, head held high.   The bar is so dimly lit, I can’t make out the guy's face. Just his cleanly pressed suit and long hair. Either way, the goal is not to think, right? So, without any hesitation, I walk right up to him, close my eyes, and capture his mouth in a kiss.   I was intending to make it brief, just a peck, but he draws me in. His lips feel electric against mine, and I am overcome with the desire to go even further, to put my hands into his long raven hair, pull him in deeper.   But while I am drunk, I’m not that drunk. I pull away before I am further tempted, my face flushed. I can’t believe I just did that! I scream internally.   I open my eyes to see a really handsome guy looking back, with an expression of pure shock across his chiseled features. He seemed a little familiar, like I’d seen his face before.   I’m shaken away from my admiration by another man, a blonde guy with a very short haircut. He steps between me and the long haired guy, his face stormy.   “What the hell are you doing?” He remarks, and I suddenly feel embarrassed. I feel a hand grab my arm, and I turn to see it belongs to the bar owner. This just went from bad to extremely bad!   “I’m sorry sir, I didn’t catch up to her in time. You okay?”   I look back at the handsome guy, and his eyes are looking me over, scrutinizing me. I notice that his suit seems much more expensive than I thought, and I can definitely see a high-end watch brand on his wrist. I feel awash with shame, suddenly realizing how bad I just messed up.   Did I just... make out with some famous VIP?!