5. Chapter 5

Chapter 5

~ Addi ~

I walked over to the bar, slapped my card on the counter, and ordered three shots and a mixed drink. After that fucked up dinner, I need a way to unwind.

"Who the fuck does he think he is?" I muttered, slamming back the first shot, the liquid burning my throat, but I didn't care.

"I mean, he's just as much of a jackass as I am a bitch," I told myself again, throwing the next one back. After it, though, I couldn't help but grin. "I didn't get to where I am by being soft. To me," I shouted, holding up the third shot and tossing it back just as fast, causing myself to giggle.

"See, not always a bitch." With that, I grabbed my glass, holding onto the counter as I swayed slightly and made my way out to the deck. I needed a moment alone. A moment to process all of what just happened.

I went from wanting to fuck that man to loathing that man.

Okay, even in my drunken state, I needed to be honest with myself.

I might hate him and despise all he stood for, but I still wanted to fuck him.

Badly.

Which only pissed me off even more.

I was not happy with that train of thought.

Nope.

"Addi?" I turned to look over my shoulder and hiccupped, which only caused me to giggle even more. "Are you okay?"

"I'm perfect," I drawled, taking a sip of my drink.

"You're drunk?"

"Hmmm, maybe just a tiny bit," I agreed, holding my fingers together to show her, making her chuckle. "After that," I waved my hand behind us, encompassing the dining room, "I need a drink, or a few." I paused, thinking for a moment if I honestly needed more. Anymore and my ass wasn't walking back to the room.

My friend leaned her arms on the railing and joined me in looking over the dark abyss. Poor woman didn't get the whole story about how ruthless I was in the courtroom; she just got the cliff notes version of the case I was working on and my thoughts on the leading male of it.

"He's a dick, you're right," she muttered, and I nodded, taking a longer drink of my cocktail.

"He is. And how dare they call me a witch."

She smirked as she turned to face me, leaning against the railing and it took everything in me to not tell her to move away. I mean, sure, I was close and the one drunk, but I wasn't a fool enough to step any closer. I could easily go overboard and no one in their right mind would jump in after me to save my ass.

Pathetic thought and pity party for one please? Geez.

"But it's true?"

It took my brain a good half minute to figure out what her question was referring to and then I nodded.

"I mean, maybe a tad. I'm a lawyer, a good one in fact. I have to be strong, and…well, ya know…all that to stand against the big, bad men who think they can take me down." I giggled at my lame ass excuse, but no big words or strong thinking was going to happen now. Forgot trying to defend myself. Although, all of that only made Cyndi laugh.

"You're funny when you're drunk. You can't be mad at him, though. Your first reaction to him was the strongest, and the most important."

I whined as I finished my drink and sat the glass down on the table before taking a seat next to it.

"I can't want him. He's a womanizer!"

"Do you really believe that?"

I squinted at her, trying to figure out where she was going with that type of question, but honestly, my mind was far too fuzzy to focus on that or the reasons why it was a bad thing.

"Don't you? Did you not see the way he came on to me the moment we stepped onto the boat?"

"Sure, I did. You're a gorgeous woman. I've also noticed the looks you've gotten since I've met you, bigger curves and all. But let me tell you something. Just because that man wanted to jump your bones right away, does not make him a womanizer. It makes him a man who appreciates the finer things in life.

"Furthermore, if his ex is claiming him to be a womanizer based on actions like I saw, I would say that she's a bigger liar than she's letting on. And you, my dear, are falling for it; hook, line, and sinker."

Huh. I wasn't sure how I liked that. I mean, actually, no, I was sure. That thought kind of pissed me off. I was willing to make this man a laughingstock of the business world based upon what his ex had said and the supposed facts she's given me.

Now, I am damn good at my job, not doubting that. And I didn't go after him just because I could or the high-profile case it was. I didn't need that, actually. But with all the stuff that Miranda had laid out before me, I did believe she was the one wronged. Was it possible that maybe she wasn't wronged after all?

"You know, I knew I was going to regret talking to a therapist that night at the bar."

Cyndi laughed again and smacked my leg.

"Don't hate me for just picking up on the things I see. I have no doubt you're a damn good lawyer, but sometimes, we all get blinded. And I'm not saying she's wrong exactly. I'm just saying don't deny your fun just because she might a bitch with a bone she's trying to bury."

Once more, I squinted at the woman next to me who only laughed again. She wasn't making a lot of sense now. Which means it was probably best to get my ass to bed and try to sleep this hangover off.

"Let's go to bed," I muttered, holding onto the chair to lift my ass up. But I swayed far too much and caught myself on the railing, laughing all the more at my antics.

Fuck, this was going to be a long cruise if drinking those few drinks were going to do this to me.

"Oops," I giggled, covering my mouth. I turned, holding out my arm and lost my balance again. But a pair of arms caught me, and I lifted my eyes into the deep chocolate ones of the man I was currently hating on, but secretly wanting to screw.

Just fucking great.