PLASTIC

Chapter Seven

She sat in her vehicle and lost herself in the waves. Never would she have imagined that her friend would turn on her like this. How could she lose her damn mind over a man? Samantha knew Cat would never go behind her trying to get with a man. They grew up together. They were friends. They never lost contact with one another even when Samantha moved to California. The girl she grew up with had changed into someone she no longer knew. Something changed the woman who was tall, thin, blonde and drop dead gorgeous. Samantha never had to fight for attention. Back home, everyone thought she looked like a supermodel.

When Cat arrived in California, she could see how her friend had a lot of competition. Everywhere she looked, she saw thin beautiful ladies and men. Cat rubbed her face and sat back trying to understand how her friend could allow whatever was bothering her to affect their friendship. The situation was far too crazy for her to really understand and figure out. How could she throw her out in the streets over something like this? A headache was looming behind her eyes as she sat there trying to digest everything that just happened.

If her friend was feeling Ari, why didn't she say something? Cat would've shut him down the first time he tried to talk to her. As she sat focusing on the ocean, she just shook her head and felt herself getting angry. This was so much bullshit. What was she going to do? Now she had to figure out where she would live. Her cell phone began to ring. Cat picked it up and saw that it was Ari. It was as if the devil planned every aspect of what happened. She didn't want to talk to him right now. She looked at the phone as it continued to ring.

"Hello."

"Cat. Where are you?" Ari asked with concern in his voice. At first, she said nothing. She didn't want to involve him in this. That was the last thing she needed was to have him all in her business.

"I already know about what happened between you and Samantha. Please tell me where you are," She could hear real concern in his voice. In her heart, she was afraid to involve him in this matter. She didn't sign on for this kind of drama and she wasn't accustomed to bringing drama into other people's lives. Cat also feared the idea of owing Ari. She didn't want things to change because she involved him in her problems.

"Cat please allow me to help you?" Ari continued to try and solicit a response from her as she listened to him begging for her to tell him where she was.

"I'm at the Santa Monica Pier." She finally responded.

*****

A gold Porsche pulled up beside her SUV. Cat looked at Ari's face. She couldn't cry anymore. After sitting there looking at the beautiful scenery while crying, she was completely empty. Her red face told him everything he needed to know. Ari opened her door and pulled her close to him. Cat pushed him away. She was still in shock from her friend's confession. It hurt her feelings that her close friend would turn her back on their friendship because of a man. How could Samantha expect Cat to know that she had feelings for Ari without telling her anything? She sat there just looking into his eyes. She wondered if he encouraged something and then broke Samantha's heart. As if he could read her thoughts, Ari answered her questions before she had a chance to ask them.

"I never dated or slept with Samantha. I don't date people who work for me." He explained.

"How can I be with you knowing how she feels about you?" Cat asked him.

"You haven't done anything wrong. I'm the one who fell for you. I never had anything with your friend and I don't owe her anything. Neither do you. She can't be angry with you just because I like you. I want to be with you. I want to hold you in my arms. I want to wake up between your legs." He proclaimed and kissed her. Cat felt herself drift away as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cares and worries away.

"I want you to stay with me," Ari whispered in her ear. She immediately pulled away from him. Cat knew that was a bad idea. They had only known one another for a month and to be living under the same roof would never work.

"Ari, I can't do that. I think it is too early for us to be living together. Thank you, but I just need to find an apartment." She responded.

"Ok, I will get you an apartment." He stated.

"Thank you, but I don't think it is a good idea for you to pay for something like that for me. I'm not a gold digger. I can pay my own way." Cat insisted.

"Sweetie, I own another property. You can live there. If you must, you can pay me a reasonable amount of rent. We can do it all legal and by the book." He was amused that she would not accept his offer to buy things for her. From the moment he met her, he knew she was special. Every time she insisted that she take care of her expenses, he wanted her more. Most women would expect him to pick up the tab for everything. He was amazed at how independent she was. He admired her.

She agreed to lease his condo. Ari kissed her full burnt umber colored lips and held her in his arms. The more she resisted his help, the more he wanted to help her.

*****

As they walked into the condo, he grabbed her hand and took her to the living room. Ari arranged for a housekeeping service to deep clean the apartment once a week. Since he was known to entertain ladies, he made sure it was always clean and well stocked. There was no way he would tell her that she would be staying in his former f**k pad. Since he met Cat, he had no use for the place.

"What do you think?" He asked as he kissed her hand.

"It's amazing." She beamed. Cat was struck by how nice the place was decorated and how lavishly it was furnished. Ari walked her to the bedroom and told her that he wanted her to make herself at home. He insisted that she not worry about anything. She saw the look in his eyes, as he gazed into her eyes and kissed her neck. She knew he was coming for her. How could she resist him after all his kindness? Why would she want to resist him as beautiful and sexy as he was? Ari surprised her by walking away. He went to the kitchen to make sure it was properly stocked.

*****