“Am I?” He asked to see where the conversation was heading.
“Yes!” She beamed and waved a piece of paper. The title read Bachelorette Party Scavenger Hunt in bold letters. “You see, I’m about to win.”
“You are?”
Before Nick could process what was happening, she’d pulled him by the collar and assaulted him with an aggressive kiss. Tongue and all. She tasted like sour apple and vodka. Her perfume was extra fruity and overwhelming, not the light clean scent Kalilah wore. She broke the kiss and put a piece of paper in his hand.
“Call me,” She said as she finger-waved and sashayed out of the store with her friends. They whooped and hollered as they jumped in the car and sped off.
Nick looked at the paper in his hand. When did she have time to write her number?
“Well. Well. Well. It looks like your Saturday night is picking up.”
Shit! Nick recognized the voice without turning around. How in the hell? Nick wished he had magical powers. He would teleport back home or make himself invisible. He slowly turned, unsure which Kalilah he was about to encounter. Luckily, she appeared to be amused.
“Welcome to Pleasure Paradise. How may I help you find your pleasure?” Nick gave her a blank look and she continued. “Where would you like to start? Sex toys, lingerie, or visual pleasure?”
Nick was still struck silent. “Uh...”
Kalilah looked at him as if she was seriously assessing him. She snapped her fingers.
“Videos, it is. Now, we have a massive selection. It would be
best to narrow it down. What do you like? Coeds, threesomes, girl on girl? Or are you looking for a specific type of woman? Asian, Black, Latino, or White?”
She looked in the air and tapped her chin while she thought. Nick’s cheeks reddened with each question.
“No. Still too broad. Let’s narrow it down. Body parts are easier. Do you like big breasts, big butts, real or fake breasts, long tongues, or pretty toes?”
“Kalilah. First, I’m not answering any of the questions you just asked me.” She smirked and tried to hide her amusement. Heat creeped up his neck. “Second, what are you doing here?”
Nick was beginning to believe the mild mortification he felt was his new norm around her. The last three days had been one hell of a rollercoaster.
“I work here.” She pointed at her nametag to prove her point.
“Why? You’re a VP.” She rolled her eyes.
“I know my job title. I’m not hard up for cash if that’s what you’re thinking. I told you via text. Research.”
“What are you researching?” Nick’s curiosity was dulling some of his embarrassment.
Kalilah scrunched her face at him. “Why do I have to answer all of your questions? You didn’t answer mine.”
“Your line of questioning is a little different than mine. But, you don’t have tell me.”
“I’d rather talk about the full-blown case of PDA that you just had with the red head. One of your women?”
“Women? When I said I was single, I meant it. I’m not conditionally single like some guys. There is no one, not even a prospect. I have no idea who she was. I was accosted.”
Nick was proud of his ability to form sentences because Kalilah’s lips were glossy and red. Her white tank top was cut in the center and clung to her breasts like a second skin. It was practically see-through, and she had on a red lacy push-up bra. Her tight, denim shorts barely covered her ass checks, and she was wearing red pumps.
She waved him off. “I was messing with you Nick. You don’t have to be so serious all the time. I saw the kiss, it was one-sided and awkward. She is tipsy and told me she needed to kiss a cute stranger to win. Let’s get back to the movies you want to see.”
“Why do you work here? What research are you doing?” Nick asked again and didn’t move.
Her grin turned into a full-blown smile. She was so beautiful.
“Is this your bossy, stubborn side? You are aware that I do not have to answer you, right?” She waited a beat to see if he was going to argue. Then she shrugged. “But, I will tell you, nosy.” She looked around and leaned in. Her nice soft scent wrapped around him like a welcomed embrace. Her lips were mere inches from his ear when she whispered. “I want to write erotica.”