𝟏𝟏- 𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐘

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Pity.

❂

MEMPHIS bit down on her nail as she watched the rotation of Aria's ass just barely touch her thighs.

The thin material of her underwear was doing nearly nothing to hide her naked body underneath.

Aria was a tease.

Everyone knew it at this point.

Her movements were hypnotic. Like a siren that lured men to their inevitable deaths with only a vocal melody, Maeve entranced all of her patrons with a simple sway of her curved hips.

She allowed her mind to run itself blank for the night.

Remi and Tony were safe and that's all she cared for.

Memphis had proved to be more than just a new body that filled in the void left by Opia's previous owner.

She was a threat.

Yes, a beautiful one that seemed attracted to Aria's being in every possible manner— but nevertheless she wasn't innocent.

The dominance she held, her stoic expression, the contract that the redhead was forced to sign, putting individuals in their place before they could blink.

It all showed how powerful she was.

She was more than just the new owner of Opia.

She was something more entirely.

"Who are you?" Aria murmured, her gaze strong on Memphis' facial features.

Her arms rested on the seat that held the both of the women's weight. Memphis' hands lightly rested on the exposed skin of Aria's thighs, a delicate touch that nearly went unnoticed.

"You know my name already fleur." Memphis whispered.

Aria tilted her head, "Yes. . . but who are you? You don't flaunt your wealth yet I see it with your fancy watches and that  'I know everything' look on your dumb face—"

"Dumb? Your insults are starting to actually hurt my feelings." Memphis fake-pouted, dragging her eyes away from Aria's thighs and to her eyes.

"You're avoiding my question." Aria matter-of-factly stated, slowing down the grind of her hips.

"And you're about to be five thousand dollars short if you keep this up." Memphis raised a hand to wrap around the redhead's throat, her grip loose, "Who I am doesn't matter to you."

"It kind of does when I'm catering to your sick fantasies." Aria gritted out, raising an eyebrow in defiance.

Memphis chuckled, fluttering her reddened eyes shut, "Please don't blow my high."

Aria rolled her eyes before climbing off of Memphis' lap, "Toss the money in my locker. I'm leaving."

The brunette didn't move a muscle as Aria exited the room, only choosing to slouch her body further into her chair once the redhead had slammed the door behind her.

❂

𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐀'𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕;

"SHE sounds like a real bitch." Parker giggled.

I rolled my eyes, bringing the wine glass to my lips, "You don't even know the half of it."

Parker had invited Kiera and I over for dinner. Her fiancé was away for a last-minute work trip in Paris, and the blonde had claimed to be utterly "lonely" now that he was gone.

As her loving companions, Kiera and I dropped any and all plans to tend to her loneliness.

"How can a bookstore owner be so strict?" Kiera chuckled, taking her last bite of steak.

"Hell if I know." I mumbled, ducking my head slightly to hide my sudden blush.

Truth is, I desperately needed to get my frustrations about a certain brunette out after recent events. My best friends were always there to shit talk right along with me when necessary.

Of course I hadn't revealed the contract signing or my second job location, but I was still able to portray my irritation a great deal.

Kiera and Parker only thought that I was simply dealing with an arrogant boss at Barnes and Noble— not a domineering, intimidating owner of a strip club.

Either way, my frustrations were made clear and, as expected, I had their full support.

"I think this calls for a night swim." Parker suddenly spoke, slightly clapping her hands in excitement.

I laughed softly with Kiera at our friend's joyful expression. Parker was the boldest of us all, she pulled us into more risky activities than I could count.

Late night swims weren't that spontaneous— not in comparison to the time we all went skinny dipping at 3am.

My thoughts were put on pause as I let out an unexpected squeal, the cushion of my seat disappearing.

Kiera had swooped me into her arms before throwing me over her shoulder, "We'll meet you there."

I groaned, "Um hello? I am perfectly capable of walking there myself."

Kiera only gave my thigh a small pat, securing her arm in a way that hid my underwear.

I was wearing a mini skirt with dark red, mesh stockings, meaning that one improper movement would have my ass fully on display for the both of them to see.

"You guys are so cute." Parker laughed from in front of us.

I couldn't see her face but her tone held a noticeable amount of amusement in it, emphasizing her giddiness.

Kiera hummed to herself while beginning to walk to the outdoor pool.

I sighed in defeat, realizing she wasn't going to put me down.

Parker's home was modern with pops of color every other corner. The contrast of personality and minimalist was well-balanced. It was obvious that she held a main role in decorating from the pink, plush barstools and paintings of  "boss ass women" on the walls.

As Kiera guided us out past the sliding doors, a slight breeze caused the hair on my arms to stand.

It wasn't cold by any means, but the warmness of Parker's home was much different than outside.

"Can you put me down now?" I huffed to the brunette, tired of being carried around.

"You didn't enjoy the princess treatment?" Kiera chuckled, easing my body down from her shoulder.

I narrowed my eyes at her, "You call throwing me over your shoulder princess treatment?"

"Well yeah." Kiera smirked, "You didn't have to use those pretty legs of yours, did you?"

"You're impossible." I bit my inner cheek to mask my smile.

Without another word, I turned around and began to undress myself.

The weather wasn't chilly at all, the slight breeze offered solace underneath the moonlight.

I didn't look back at Kiera once as I tossed my clothing to the side. The mini skirt and tights combo was now long forgotten as I smoothly dived into the warm water.

It was refreshing to say the least.

Any stress or frustration that I once felt had disappeared within the water. My black undergarment set clung to my body as it absorbed the wetness that I'd settled in.

I heard a loud splash, turning my head to see Kiera and Parker resurfacing from underwater.

I smiled and swam my way over to them, acknowledging the wine bottle and glasses that Parker managed to bring outside.

"Someone's relaxed." The blonde quipped, eyeing me with a teasing expression.

I jokingly rolled my eyes, choosing to ignore her smart remark, "More wine?"

"You can never get too much of wine, darling." she rebutted with a proud grin.

My eyes traveled over to Kiera. Her hair was in a bun, stray pieces tucked behind her ears. Her layer of clothing and jewelry had been removed, leaving her in only a Nike sports bra and boy shorts.

I watched her eyes finish admiring my body the way I'd just done to her.

"I'm in full agreement with P." she smirked, grabbing the bottle before pouring us all generous amounts of wine.

I could only hum, taking one of the glasses in my hand.

"Let's play a game." Parker suggested, scrolling through Spotify for a song on her phone, delicately laying the device on a towel afterwards.

The speaker system that went through her entire home began to echo the familiar voice of Doja Cat.

Parker claimed the woman's music was the best thing to ever exist in this generation.

I didn't disagree or agree with that statement.

"Never have I ever flirted with a teacher." Kiera randomly spoke aloud, allowing her body to rest on the pool seat.

Parker raised a free hand up before dropping down her thumb, "My grades weren't the problem. I just thought he was hot."

Kiera and I laughed, yet neither of us put a finger down.

"Pussies." Parker scoffed, "You're telling me you've never found one of your teachers hot?"

"All of mine were either old enough to be my grandparents or men." I stated, shrugging my shoulders.

Kiera shook her head, "I was more focused on my studies. My mom would give me the ultimate mom glare if I even talked about romance."

"She sounds like a headache." I fake-pouted.

"You're telling me. I had to live with it." Kiera shook her head with a growing smile.

Parker groaned, "Okay, my turn. Never have I ever gotten a hickey."

Everyone put a finger down besides me.

I wasn't a prude or anything. Receiving a hickey was just never appealing to me.

"Seriously?" Kiera chuckled, turning to me with newfound interest.

"Never been my thing." I smiled teasingly, sipping from the glass in my hand before setting it down, "Never have I ever given or received a lap dance."

That one was enough for all of us to put a finger down.

At the sighting of my finger going down, Kiera's eyes darted over to me.

They were swirling with something dark and thoughtful.

"Multiple." I stated, aware that the simple word would have an effect on the brunette.

Parker's phone began to ring, causing all of our heads to turn towards it.

Ethan's name with a pink heart beside it showed up, indicating a call.

Parker squealed and hopped out of the pool without a second thought, drying her hands quickly in order to grasp the phone.

"I'll be back. You guys keep going." she quickly stated before running off into her home with a towel wrapped around her soaking body.

I raised an eyebrow, "What do you think?"

"Phone sex?" Kiera guessed, her tone insinuating a joke.

"No. Too early for that. He won't make it back til later." I hummed with a nod, going along with the banter.

Kiera clicked her tongue, "Guess we'll have to stay longer."

"Bummer." I frowned, eyeing her body getting closer to mine.

"She did say to keep going." The brunette whispered, holding eye contact without a hint of nervousness.

Kiera and I hadn't furthered our relationship since she's confessed.

We've continued to just be.

Though right now, her eyes were flooded with something much more daring.

"Never have I ever had a friend with benefits." I murmured, tilting my head slightly at the woman.

She put a finger down.

I did not.

"You hinting at something, Ari?" Kiera whispered, resting her arm around my waist.

I shook my head, "Just curious."

Whether it was the wine that settled on the tip of my tongue or my want to seek something more with her— I felt extremely bold.

Without a second thought, I straddled Kiera.

Her body went stiff underneath me as if not expecting the action.

I threw my arms around her shoulders after wrapping her own around my waist.

She relaxed soon enough.

"Never have I ever kissed my best friend." I whispered, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"What's up with you?" Kiera attempted to hide her smile, obviously not expecting my straightforwardness.

"I don't know what you mean, Ki." I feigned innocence.

Her fingers pressed into my skin as she pulled me closer to her, the water causing my body to slide closer than expected.

"You're a tease." she mumbled underneath her breath.

"I've heard that before." I flirted intentionally.

"Guys!" came the loud screech of Parker's voice.

I giggled and moved off of Kiera, situating myself beside her again.

Parker must've not seen our intimate position because she only made her way toward us with a huge grin, "Ethan's on his way home early."

I side-eyed Kiera to find her recollecting herself, her jaw clenched as if restraining her thoughts.

What a pity.

I'm sure she was expecting us to do much more.

The thought of our risqué actions caused my checks to slightly flush.

Truthfully, I might be developing feelings for the brunette.

❂