I am genuinely grateful and humbled by all the love given for my first stories published here. This story is the first in a series that takes the writing to another level. A friend Katie suggested we have fun collaborating on a series based on her real life and friends. To add to the fun, first names and many details in the stories are true. I hope you enjoy this first story in the series (and the ones that follow) as much as we enjoyed writing it. We invite you into the fun by welcoming your comments and suggestions for where the stories could go. Of course, five star ratings are also welcome. Let's have some fun together. Enjoy!
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"How do I get myself in these situations?"
It's a question I ask myself a lot. The answer is not complicated and I'm a smart girl. My day job as transaction coordinator for a mortgage company demands it. It also requires people who are highly responsible and have excellent people skills. Everything that happens in a loan process comes in or goes out through me. There's a lot at stake. That's part of what I like about my job. I love being in the middle of transactions or situations where everything's on the line. It taps into my playful adventurous side, like the thrill of flying through a Peruvian jungle on a zipline. (That's a different story.) The bigger the adventure, the more fun it is for me. The more that's on the line, the more I am drawn in.
So how does a smart responsible girl like me get myself into precarious situations? The simple answer is that I like to have fun. Unlike some of my friends, I don't live to work; I work to live. When the clock hits five, I take my fun-loving, social, adventurous self into my real life, leaving behind the more responsible side of me for when I return. Don't get me wrong. I don't leave my brain at work, just the intrusion of always being sensible. I love to have fun; I love people; and most of all, I love to have fun with people. My friends, like Ashley, will tell you I love to live fully in the moment without thinking much beyond it.
My name is Katie. Ashley is a friend I made through other mutual friends. We often find ourselves at the same parties, hangouts and bars. She likes to have fun too, but is much more competitive than I am. Her competitiveness has led to her continuing professional success, climbing the ladder in the back offices of the bank where she works. She loves sports, from golf to softball. She loves to win and hates to lose. When we play games at a party or bar, I play to have fun; she plays to conquer.
It all started with Ashley's three words: "I dare you." We were dancing together at our mutual friend Jake's wedding. The reception continued late into the night, and with it the number of drinks we each imbibed. We were both blissfully drunk and enjoying the party. We had the whole weekend ahead with nothing to lose. Or so I thought. I was wearing a red dress with small white tropical flowers. The thin shoulder straps led to a ruffled bodice that showed just enough cleavage on my slender 5'10" body, over 6'0" in my sexy heels. The dress fell to just above my knees, highlighting my fit body, tan skin and legs. My curly blonde hair cascaded over my shoulders, framing my sparkling blue eyes and smile that I'm told lights up a room. Ashley wore a black sexy dress with two spaghetti straps over each shoulder that crisscrossed her tan back, and offered a generous view of her tits. Ashley's straight blonde hair also fell past her shoulders. Her dress showed off her fit athletic 5'5" frame. I've always loved her contagious smile and laugh.
"No!" I answered unconvincingly. "You do it. I dare you."
"Yeah, you're right," she answered. "There's no way he'd go for you anyway. You couldn't get him to kiss you if you tried."
"What are you talking about? I could get him to fuck me if I wanted. I'm just..."
"Okay. You're on," Ashley interrupted.
"Wait. What?"
"It's simple. I say you can't get him to kiss you. You said he'll not only kiss you, but you can fuck him. I say, prove it."
We both glanced over at him, only to see him look up in our direction again while sipping his drink at the bar. He was tall and handsome in a gentle rugged way. His dark eyes were mysterious. He had mussed brown hair and a gentle smile that gave him a strong confident look, but not in a cocky way. He looked like he might be about our age, in his early 30s. He was wearing a dark shirt, with the top two buttons open. He smiled as our eyes met his.
"Bullshit," I said. "I see what you're doing."
"I'm not doing anything," Ashley playfully teased. "I'm just saying... I mean, how can someone that handsome be alone at a wedding? I guarantee you there's no way you can get him to kiss you. You're the one who upped it by saying you can get him into bed. Prove it."
One of the waiters working the reception interrupted our conversation. He had been giving Ashley and I a lot of attention and drinks all night. His hopes were clear, and would definitely be dashed despite his efforts. He handed us two more drinks with a wink, before walking away.
I picked up the liquid courage, after Ashley's challenge.
"A hundred bucks," Ashley said with a devious chuckle.
"What?" I asked.
"A hundred bucks. I am so certain you can't get him to fuck you tonight that I'll give you $100 if you do."
I emptied the drink with resolve. Somewhere deep in the far reaches of my mind, I knew better than to accept her challenge. But, my mind was buzzed and my body was ready to play. I was in the moment. I couldn't resist her challenge. My inhibitions were almost completely gone.
"Three hundred," I blurted in negotiation.
Ashley smirked, knowing that for me to offer another amount, meant I was accepting her crazy challenge. "Three hundred?"
"Three hundred, and I'll do it."
Ashley smiled with a look of conquest. "That's crazy. Two hundred, but I'll need proof. That's my final offer. But I understand if you chicken out..."
"Deal," I said with a smile, feeling sly that I got her to double the amount. I took her drink from her hand, threw my head back and emptied it. I gave her the empty glass back. I pressed my hands down the front of my dress and ran my fingers through my hair. "How do I look?"
"Amazingly fuckable," she said. "Too bad he won't take you up on it."
"Just you watch. Have my money ready."
"I will, as long as I see photo proof of your naked fucked ass with him."
I walked over to the bar and sat down next to him.
"Not with your friend anymore?" he asked.
"Maybe I'd rather make a new friend," I answered. "My name is Katie."
"Hi Katie. Cliff. You look familiar. Have we met?"
"Um, I don't think so. I'd remember a face like yours"
Cliff blushed genuinely. "Now you're officially flirting."
"Guilty. So, how do you know Jake?"
"I used to work with him."
"You alone?"
"I am. At least I was," he added with a warm smile. "Can I buy you a drink?" he said with a chuckle, offering something from the open bar.
"Since you're such a big spender, how can I resist?"
"Get anything you want then. It's on me."
"Maybe what I want on you isn't behind the bar."
"What?" he asked, pretending he didn't hear me.