Chapter 67

"I changed my mind. I love camping,"

Barrett stood with a massive grin on her face, vodka bottle held up to her lips as everyone took pictures of her. It was the weekend of her bridal shower, just over two weeks before her wedding. Barrett's maid of honour, her half sister Natalie, had planned an entire weekend for the bridal party.

The Saturday started with everyone being texted the name of a street to go to. Danielle, Stefania and Jaina met Barrett as they made their way, and when they arrived, they were greeted by Natalie who took them up to where they would be staying. A stunning penthouse with an amazing view of the city.

"Nat..." Barrett gasped as she looked around. The interior was all very modern. Floor to ceiling windows, a black marble kitchen area, light grey pieces of furniture with plump cushions on top. On one of the counters were a large bunch of flowers with lilies and roses and jasmines, along with a pink sash wrapped around it with the words 'Bride to be' printed on it. And one of the most important aspects of this weekend, alcohol. And lots of it.

"Thank goodness I don't have work on Monday," Danielle laughed as they all set their bags down. Jaina happily agreed, more than grateful that her course was only part time. Stefania on the other hand knew that she had to remain partially mindful of her 8:00am start.

"Am I going to need to carry home a very drunk Danielle?" Stefania questioned playfully as she rested a hand on her girlfriend's lower back.

"Potentially just very hung over," Danielle shrugged as she looked up at Stefania. "Oh wait! You have work on Monday," The brunette laughed softly as Barrett popped open a bottle of champagne, cheering as the cork flew off. Danielle let out a small yelp, the noise clearly frightening her as she turned her head away from wherever the noise came from.

Everyone laughed at Danielle whose cheeks turned bright pink and she rested her head on Stefania's shoulder to try and hide her face. The brunette pressed a kiss to the top of her girlfriends head as she laughed then laced their fingers together, leading her over to where Barrett was filling up five champagne flutes.

"To Barrett!" Natalie cheered as they all lifted their glasses in the air and took a sip, the bride to be dancing around from where she stood.

"Okay, can you tell me what's planned now?" Barrett asked excitedly as she looked at her half sister.

"We have a booth booked at Kepner's," She replied with a grin, knowing just how difficult it was too actually secure a booth at the club.

"Shut up! Really?" Jaina gasped. Kepner's was known as one of the best clubs to go to, with a reputation of having celebrities frequent the venue.

"Yes! Really!"

"Oh my gosh, this is going to be amazing!"

***

The five women made their way down the street, heels clicking on the pavement as Kepner's came into sight.

"Holy shit, it's so busy," Jaina commented as they walked through swarms of people. Woman in tight dresses, men with large chains around their necks and branded t-shirts.

"Good thing we're on the list," Natalie winked as she approached the bouncer. "Wait there," Jaina, Barrett, Danielle and Stefania stood to the side as Natalie sorted everything out.

"We haven't even taken pictures yet!" Barrett exclaimed, her eyes wide as she fished into her purse for her phone.

"Wait until we're inside," Danielle laughed. "Lighting sucks out here,"

"Ah! You're so smart!" Barrett sighed as she grabbed Danielle's arm and leaned in. It was safe to say that Barrett was much more drunk than anyone else, but she was allowed to be. It was funny watching her tell anyone they walked past that she was getting married and strangers would cheer for her and congratulate her. Barrett was having fun and that was all that mattered.

"Ready?" Natalie called them over and they were escorted into the club. Instantly, they were hit with the smell of alcohol and perfume and smoke machines, their eyes needing to adjust to the flashing lights. Danielle grabbed Stefania's hand as they made their way through the club, her hips already swaying to the music that was playing. Stefania tried to keep her eyes ahead of her to see where she was going but the dress that Danielle was wearing and the way that her body was moving... it was almost impossible to look away.

They were lead upstairs and to a booth which had an amazing view of the nightclub below. Barrett rushed to the edge and peered over, a cautious Jaina behind her to make sure she didn't completely topple over.

"Poles!" Barrett shouted as she turned around, an excited grin on her face. "There's poles!"

"Poles?"

"Stripper poles!"

"Oh yeah, there's a show on tonight and everything," Natalie laughed, ready to bet money on the fact that Barrett would somehow end up on the stage at one point or another. A bartender approached the booth with a bottle of red berry Ciroc and five glasses.

"Ladies," He smiled courteously as he placed the tray on the table and they all thanked him. "Congratulations," He nodded to Barrett who proudly wore her bride to be sash.

"Come on! I want to go and dance!" Barrett announced.

"Don't you want your pictures first?"

"Yes!" Barrett stood in the middle of the booth and opened the bottle of vodka, filling each glass before just lifting the bottle up to her mouth and drinking some. She squeezed her eyes shut as she lowered the bottle, the burning sensation was most certainly not light. "Don't let me do that again," Jaina laughed as everyone got out their phones and stood on the other side of the table as they took pictures of Barrett doing different poses, smouldering eyes, bright smile, peace signs. And then she brought the bottle of vodka back up to her mouth and made everyone laugh as she realised what she just did.

"Okay, you three get in and I'll take some for you," Natalie said, ushering them all next to Barrett. Danielle cautiously took the bottle out of Barrett's hand and put it on the table as Jaina wrapped an arm around her waist and posed. They took a series of group photos and then Barrett became insistent that they go down onto the dance floor. They all took a shot of the Ciroc before they headed downstairs, the place was much busier than when they first arrived.

Barrett didn't have a single care in the world as she danced and sang as loud as she could. She looked amazing in a rose gold, ruched mini dress, clear heels and her sash slung across her body. Brett was a lucky, lucky man.

As Danielle danced, she felt a hand slide across her waist, immediately recognising it as Stefania's, so leant back against her. Their bodies moved together effortlessly, Stefania beginning to run both hands over her girlfriends body, mumbling something under her breath.

"What did you say?" Danielle asked as she turned around and wrapped her arms around Stefania's neck.

"You just look incredibly... sexy right now," Stefania said as she blatantly checked Danielle out. She was wearing a red dress with corset detailing which highlighted every curve beautifully. Stefania licked her lips as all she could think about was tearing the fabric off of her.

"Stop looking at me like that!" Danielle blushed as they continued dancing. Her eyes were bright as she gazed into Stefania's and she tried to ignore the way her girlfriend was touching her. It wasn't even anything too sexual, just a hand running over her waist and lower back, but with alcohol in the mix and Stefania looking like an absolute goddess, she was ready to find the nearest bathroom. "I like this dress on you,"

"Want to take it off me?" Stefania questioned playfully, laughing as Danielle's eyes widened then trailed down her body. It certainly wouldn't take long to take the dress off. Just pull the zip down and let it fall off of her shoulders-

Danielle's thought process was interrupted when the lights dimmed on the dance floor, but the stage was now lit up. The first few beats of Te Amo by Rihanna played out and everyone started cheering, the bass vibrating through the club. The lights on the stage went off, and then five seconds later, they turned back on with a woman now centre stage, leaning against the pole. Everyone started cheering again as two more woman walked on stage and started the routine.

Bit by bit, the outfits that the women were wearing were chucked into the audience. Barrett somehow managed to catch one of their skirts which made everyone laugh as she swung it around her head. They definitely were going to be fighting to get her in the car back to the pent house. The strippers finished their routine and sauntered off of the stage which was basically Barrett's cue to head to the poles, Jaina and Natalie following close behind.

"You should dance like that for me," Stefania whispered as she leant down to Danielle's ear and ran her hands over her body. Danielle pushed her tongue in her cheek as she turned around and looked up at Stefania who now donned a small pout at the loss of contact.

"Come upstairs with me to do another shot and that might just happen," Danielle said as she turned on her heel and began to walk towards the stairs. Stefania didn't say anything else, just followed after her girl who was easily weaving her way through the floods  of people. Someone bumped into Stefania, making her stumble as she regained her footing.

"Wow, you are gorgeous," Stefania glanced at the guy who had bumped into her and gave him a tight lipped smile at his comment. Why was his hand on her arm? Stefania pulled away but he tightened his grip slightly. "Ah, come on, now. Let me introduce myself,"  Stefania felt her heart rate pick up a little as she scanned the crowds for Danielle or any of the others but she couldn't see anyone and the grip that this man had on her arm was starting to hurt.

"Can you let go of me?" Stefania asked, swallowing hard but all he did was pull her in closer, his other hand dropping down to grab her ass. Stefania felt like she was about to be sick. Her voice felt trapped in her throat and her body felt frozen.

"Hey dickhead! Get your ugly fucking hand off of my girlfriend!"