2. That first taste

“Fuck, you look killer A”. Ben and Em nodded in agreement. Mae had chosen this gold dress that sparkled. It was full length with a giant split on one side. The neckline plunged down exposing my large breasts which I usually tried to hide, and the straps were made of gold chain which matched the gold heels I wore. It was backless, and it was difficult to wear a bra so Mae used some tape to ensure I didn’t fully expose myself.

Em grabbed this choker chain which matched perfectly with the dress and also diverted some of the attention away from my breasts. My makeup was heavier than I’m use to and my hair had been curled with an iron making it less beach like than usual.

I did look killer. This wasn’t usually how I dressed, but I was 21 today so I made an exception.

“Thanks everyone”, I voiced. “Now let’s get fucked up”, I cheered as we all rose a shot glass Ben had poured with tequila.

We got to the club where a section had been tapped off for my birthday. A few of my cousins were there as well as friends from school and college. The only person that wouldn’t be there, was Jon. I tried not to think about it. But it was hard.

He’d been my best friend for 5 years. And it took me a long time to finally admit it, but I was in love with him after rejecting him more times than I could count. And now he was in a relationship. So I just had to leave it at that.

The formalities of the night got under way. A few speeches. A cake. And some cheese platters were laid out for everyone to share. I didn’t want a big birthday. My parents were divorced and lived at opposite ends of the country. So this was exactly what I wanted.

Being the birthday girl had its advantages. Everyone wanted to shout you drinks. Not that I had a high tolerance for alcohol anyway. But being a student and only working part time, I wasn’t exactly loaded and I hated asking my parents for money.

It was nearing 11 and I was starting to feel the effects of alcohol. A few people had already left as they had to work the next day.

Mae came over after making out with some guy she’d met on the dance floor.

“A, it’s the tinder song! You have to swipe yes to everyone for the whole song”. I almost forgot she’d even made a profile and hadn’t yet looked at it.

The song Timber by Kesha was playing. And it was this weird game we played where you had to swipe yes to everyone for the chorus of the song. She grabbed my phone out and got into the app swiping yes to as many as she could when she noticed I had a message from an unknown number!

We didn’t have secrets, nor boundaries. She opened the message and her mouth widened! It’s that hot tradie!

I looked at the message. “Hey cutie, what are you up to tonight, it’s Tom”.

I tried not message when I was drunk as I usually would make poor choices, but Mae had already sent a reply with a picture of me tonight and telling him which club we were at.

“Well if that didn’t just say, come find me and fuck me, I don’t know what will”, Mae satisfied with her reply.

I grabbed my phone before she could embarrass me anymore and put it in my bag then headed to the bar for another round of shots.

We were all dancing in a group. My housemates and a few of my close friends. I got this weird feeling like someone was watching me. The alcohol had well and truly taken effect at this point so I brushed the feeling to the side.

Mickey was looking over my shoulder and noticed this man staring at me. He was leaning against the bar sipping what looked like whiskey. Before Mickey could say anything Mae noticed and told her who he was.

Tom was here.

He looked different outside of his tradie clothes. His hair was neatly sleeked back and he wore a light tan button up shirt which was tucked into dark blue chinos. He looked hot and his eyes read dangerous. Danger in a good way.

Call it liquid courage, the alcohol gave me the push I needed as I walked over to him.

“I can see you’ve had a few to drink”, his voice was strong and deep. I imagined what his muscles would feel like and before I knew it I was tracing my finger along his chest like we’d known each other for years.

“Did you come to wish me happy birthday”, I said in a flirty tone.

He handed me a drink, water no less. “I came because of that picture you sent”. My cheeks flushed. What picture had I sent..

“But happy birthday Anna.” He kissed my cheek and a shiver ran down my spine and jolted between my legs.

Mae came over to see what was going on. It was like Tom had been in the picture for years as she spoke to him like long lost friends.

It was getting late and she wanted to go home with the guy she’d been making out with earlier. “Will you be okay if I go A. This guy is hella hot and I want to see what he’s made of”. She said as she looked between Tom and I.

Tom only looked at me as he said “I’ll take care of her, you don’t need to worry Mae, have a good night”.

“You’ll take care of me?” I responded coyly.

“Yes. Dressed like that I can’t have anyone just claiming you”.

I don’t know what exactly it was about what he said. But my body went limp at his words. I Instantly felt a rush between my legs and my chest felt hotter.

“Now drink some water, I can’t have you drunk”.

My head was telling me this could be a murderer and here I was walking to my death. But I don’t know what it was about Tom, but I trusted him. I willingly walked with him out of the club after finishing the glass of water he handed me.

A black car was waiting just outside. The bouncer ushered Tom towards the car and I realised this car was waiting for us. An Uber I put it down to.

Tom opened the door and nodded for me to hop it. He held my hand and assisted as not to expose myself in this dress.

I could still feel the effects of the alcohol but it definitely felt like Tom knew who the driver was. My head started spinning.

The last thing I recall was Tom brushing my hair behind my ears. His hand was so tender. Unlike what I imagined a tradies hand to feel like. His eyes were so dark and alluring. His lips.. I wanted to taste his lips. I passed out thinking about Tom.