The Mate He Needs

Two Steps Froward...

As they came in they went down a dark hallway with blue lighting. The music was loud, and the base extreme. They came out into an area where there were a lot of people dancing. There were also a good number sitting in what looked like a beach seating area with tiki torches and a bar area. Ariel knew how very 'happening' the place was known to be.

Ariel was glued to Malachi's side as they moved through the crowd. The way that she saw people dancing, how close they were and the way that the slid against each other... it terrified and intrigued her at the same time. How could they be so comfortable moving like that together? It looked intimate to her and that was something she'd never done, nor been.

She noticed a few giving glances their way. Most women who were looking at Malachi, but he didn't seem to notice nor care that they were there. She just moved with him toward a set of stairs and she just wanted to get up them. She really hoped that where ever they were going was far quieter.

"Hey beautiful." Ariel was nearly winded when a strong arm came around her midsection bringing her to a very sudden halt. The smell of booze was very strong from this person.

"Please let go of me." She said to the very drunk man that had grabbed her. He didn't seem able to see straight. He had his arms half around her waist.

"You're sexy, I like you."

"She's also taken." Malachi called over the music, grabbing Ariel who had been shoving at the man to let go of her. The man stumbled back at the push Malachi gave his shoulder. The man jumped up looking pissed and went to come and follow them. However they were up the stairs now and the guards at the bottom stopped the drunk irate man.

"Thanks." She said smoothing her shirt. He flashed her a bit of a smile.

"See, you're not as homely as you think."

"That man was also extremely drunk." She commented with a huff. Her face had a tint to it. He just shook his head at her refusal to see herself as anything but homely. They came into a hall and it was quieter up here. He knocked on a door with a black handle and a second later it opened.

"Ten minutes, right on cue. That's what I love about you, always punctual." Cameron said with a smile. Malachi moved into the room.

"Ariel! My favorite recluse!" Cameron said pulling her into a very tight hug. Ariel felt like the air was squeezed out of her, damn he was strong. Stronger than he looked.

"Hey muscles, human strength retard." Malachi playfully smacked the back of his head.

"Oh yeah." He said letting go of Ariel and shutting the door. Ariel pulled air into her lungs thankful to Malachi's jest. It must have been obvious he was crushing her.

"So this is Ariel, I don't think we've properly met." Said an attractive woman with dark red hair and eyes just a shade darker than Ariel's vibrant green.

"Just in passing." Ariel said holding out her hand. "Ariel Standish."

"Sally Harford." She said with a smile and then pulled Ariel into a brief hug as well with a smile. "You are different from your sister, quieter." Sally said with a smile.

"Less pompous you mean." Cameron supplied and it was obvious that he had had a few drinks.

"Hey, that's her sister and my future wife." Malachi said saying it out of duty and nothing else. Cameron waved him off with a jerk of his hand.

"Doesn't stop what is true. Talk, talk, talk. Dinner yesterday I wanted to cram a roll down her throat to shut her up." Sally stifled a laugh. Malachi looked like he was struggling not to smile and laugh as well.