Page 3 of Duty Became Desire

“We don’t want big. Simple, sweet, you know us. And of course, you’re my maid of honor.”

I knew that. She and I had been best friends since we were in the sixth grade. And I knew without a doubt that I’d be doing everything I could to help her with her wedding. But it was already June, which was not a lot of time. “Um, you know who the best man is?” Okay, I could plan, get this done, nota…I paused in my thinking as what she said registered then narrowed my eyes at her.

“No. No. I refused to be near that man.”

“Come on, Sky! What the hell even happened between you two? I asked earlier before coming and Alec wouldn’t say a peep.” I crossed my arms and shook my head, needing something stronger than the wine that was coming. Granted, that’s how the whole shit happened anyway.

“Fuck,” I muttered then scrubbed my face. “I had met Alec prior to you introducing us.”

“I’m sorry,” Demi said, making a face. “Come again?”

“Yeah. Um, he and I had met at a bar, probably about a week before. I was in town and needed a break from the stress of the computer so I thought I’d walk over to the MGM, knowing I wouldn’t know anyone there. Saw him, flirted, he bought me a drink, then assumed I was a hooker.” Demi’s eyes opened wide, and I nodded.

“He proceeded to ask how much I cost for the night because he wanted to fuck me silly and thought I’d be worth the expense.

“Needless to say, I was floored because I didn’t look like one. When I told him such, he said the mini skirt, the knee-high boots, the tattoos, kind of all screamed hooker. I then kneed him in his dick, poured his beer all over him much to the delight of his buddies, then got escorted out.

“When I saw him again, neither one of you were listening, but he calmly stated he was still curious about the amount.”

Chapter three

Alec

“What do you say, shall we head out for a drink?”

I glanced at my watch and then at him. It was a Friday night, in Vegas, and he wanted to go out for a drink?

“What’s the catch?” I countered.

“Really, Alec? Demi wants to have a fun night. You know, our little group, some drinks.”

I couldn’t help but mentally roll my eyes. It would be downright rude of me to say no, and I didn’t want to. I wanted to support them. But I also knew this wouldn’t be a good start for Skylar and me. But I didn’t have a choice.

So, instead, I waved my hand to him so he could walk out of my place, and I followed, heading out to his car.

“Is Skylar at the Luxor? Would it just be easier to go there?” I questioned as I started up my car. I cast a quick glance at James as he seemed quiet, and I cocked a brow.

“Yes, she’s at the Luxor, but that’s not where we’re meeting up at.”

I frowned as I pulled out of my quiet neighborhood and started the quick eight-minute drive to the strip.

“Okay, so where are we going then?”

“The Dive Bar.”

This time I did groan. The bar was a dance club in the MGM Grand. Of course, I knew the place.

It was always packed.

The music was great.

The drinks were the best.

It was also the one spot that started all the drama between Skylar and me. Was she wanting to make this night some kind of hell for me or something? What the hell did I ever do to her?

Sure, our past was nasty. And after that first encounter, every interaction thereafter was just us rubbing each other the wrong way.

Personally, I loved sparring with her. I loved seeing her face flush with anger, annoyance, and indignation. But I could never tell her that because she’d probably knee me all over again.

---