To See the Summer Sky is Poetry

You'd somehow lucked into having a father who loved you, who didn't just see you and your older brother as means to an end. It felt like the most uncommon thing in the world, and each new wedding you attended was a stark reminder of that fact.

You were a little surprised you kept being invited to these things. You saw the way these brides looked at you as you went through the receiving line, the realization that you represented all of the things they had never, and would never, have. And you could only look at them with pity. And think of how lucky you were.

But still. Etiquette dictated that they invite you and that you attend. So, every weekend you put on a different designer evening gown and hoped you'd be able to find a school friend to while away the evening with. Though those friends became fewer and fewer every year, as they were all slowly but surely married off and left to start new lives that you hoped would be kind to them. There were only a handful left now, and you were the last woman among them.

So, tonight you'd been camped out at the bar with Steve Rogers. You were pretty sure you had a few other friends here—Andy, probably; hopefully Ari—but you'd yet to see them. The last time you'd seen Steve was at his own sister's wedding. He was in a considerably better mood now.

You'd left him briefly to touch up your lipstick and hopefully get a quick break from the prying eyes of society in the lounge of the women's restroom. As you were staring at yourself in one of the vanity mirrors, you heard the door open behind you, and someone enter. You didn't bother looking over until Ari Levinson stepped up behind your reflection. You turned with a start. "Ari, the fuck are you doing in here?!"

You expected a cheeky smirk or something in return, but he just looked at you seriously. "I need to talk to you."

You raised an eyebrow at that. "Okay? I'll be out in just a minute." You turned back to the mirror, expecting him to turn around and leave, to wait for you outside. But he didn't move. "Ari. This is the ladies' room. You can't be in here."

He shook his head. "I'd rather have this conversation in private." Then he took the few steps back to the door and flipped the lock.

If you hadn't known him as well as you did, for as long as you had, that may have scared you or made you nervous. And it did make you nervous, but not in that way. It worried you. You were used to Ari being the most charming person in any room. You knew him to be a little cocky and so very sure of himself. He was the guy that everything was easy for. That was the Ari you knew. You'd never seen this version of him before.

He stood stiffly by the wall, his hands making and unmaking fists. His shoulders looked like they were struggling to hold the weight of the world. His brow was furrowed, and his eyes were panicked. You had no idea what to do with this version of him.

"Um. Okay. Sure." You moved to sit on one of the plush couches and gestured for him to join you. Once he did, you asked carefully, "What's going on?"

He tilted his head and brought one hand up to scratch his beard. "I, uh," he started, then let out a humorless chuckle. "I'm pretty sure I'm about to be engaged. My dad made a comment about me and weddings tonight, said we'd talk more in the office on Monday. So… yeah. I'm pretty sure it's happening. Soon."

"Do you know who?" you asked gently.

His head bobbed from side to side. "I have a couple guesses." Then he grimaced and shook his head. He didn't say anything else.

You reached out and covered his hand with yours as your heart broke for him. "I'm so sorry, Ari," you said softly. This was the worst part. What good was being spared when no one else around you was so lucky? You just had to sit and watch the worst thing happen to friend after friend after friend. Until one day, when there wouldn't be anyone left. And there was nothing you could do about it.

He turned his hand so he could hold yours and cleared his throat. "But. I've been thinking. Your family's airline. There could be a good business opportunity for our resorts there."

You frowned in confusion at the sudden change in subject. "What?"

He just looked at you intently. "You aren't seeing anyone right now, are you?"

This conversation was giving you whiplash. No, you weren't seeing anyone. Who was there to date? Everyone you knew was just waiting around to be told who they were going to marry. In fact, no one who had any chance of understanding your world or your background or your responsibilities had any interest in a long-term relationship when it had no hope of permanence. Your dad had given you such a gift, but also… you were so lonely.

Just as you were about to open your mouth and answer his question, the penny finally dropped, and you realized what he was actually asking you. "Ari," you basically gasped, struggling to keep your voice steady, "is this– Are you– Did you just… propose to me?!" Your heart suddenly felt like it might beat right out of your chest.

In lieu of an answer, Ari looked you dead in the eyes. "I can't live a life that someone else chooses for me. I thought that I could, but I can't. I won't."

"And so," you said softly, trying your hardest to wrap your head around this madness, "you're choosing it for me instead?"

"You can say no. Of course you can. But," he paused and scratched his beard again, then sighed. "I just can't see myself living happily with any of those women out there." He threw a casual hand to the door, to high society waiting outside. "But you? You're my friend."

"Yeah, Ari. I'm your friend. And you're– This is crazy! You're asking me to be your wife."

He was quiet for a long moment, and you instinctively held your breath. In the space of just a few minutes, this night had somehow gone from just another boring wedding to one of the most important moments of your life. You knew that was true, deep down inside, no matter what happened. So you waited with bated breath to see what he would say.

Finally, with determination, he nodded, and his eyes softened as he said, sincerely, "We love each other, don't we? Maybe not in that way, but we could get there, I think. And we're certainly a hell of a lot closer to it than any of these assholes whose weddings we've been going to."

It was true. You did love him, as dearly as you loved any of your friends. But you couldn't shake the awful feeling that this would be settling—not necessarily that you'd be settling for him, but that he'd be settling for you. And that was a sharp pain, right in your heart. But you could push that aside, couldn't you? If it meant saving your friend?

You shook your head, as if you could literally shake away that feeling, and tried to continue this conversation practically. "How do you know it would even work? It sounds like your dad's deal is already done."

"I haven't signed anything. And come on, we both know your dad will give you anything you ask for. If you go to him and tell him you want this, he'll make it happen. And my dad," Ari scoffed, "whatever your dad comes up with is guaranteed to be better than anything my dad managed to negotiate for himself. Our businesses are too suited for each other. He won't be able to turn it down, no matter how far along this deal is. This will work. I've thought it through."

"Okay, um," you tried, but your heart was still pounding away against your ribs. "Ari. I, um, I haven't had a chance to think it through like that, and I just need– I need a minute to catch up, okay?" You tried to force yourself to breathe as you could feel the formation of tears starting to burn in your eyes. You tried to blink them away, but instead felt them fall upon your cheeks.

"Hey," Ari whispered, noticing immediately, "what's wrong?" He squeezed your hand, which he was still holding so gently.

"Am I just your best bad option?" you asked so quietly. He opened his mouth to answer, but you shook your head. You couldn't push this down. You needed him to listen to you. "I get that my relationship with my father makes me a really convenient choice. I do. And maybe my chances of finding someone to fall in love with me without being pushed into marriage by a business deal are basically zero, but, Ari, I don't know if I can live with knowing that you're only marrying me because the thought of it is just a little less bleak to you than marrying a stranger. I just don't think I can do that."

"Hey," his voice was firm, urgent. "That's not– No. I'm not just asking you this because you're convenient. I–"

"Ari," you interrupted. "We've never even slept together. And you've slept with everyone."

"And you haven't?" he bit back, defensive.

And it was true. You'd slept with most of your male friends. It was just the way your friend group was. When serious relationships were off the table, sex became a lot less precious. Hell, you'd slept with Steve a few times, and up until Ari had walked into the women's bathroom, you'd been pretty sure that that was how this night would end, too. But you'd never slept with Ari. He'd never pursued it, and you'd tried not to be disappointed by that. It was just another reason that this whole thing felt so out of the blue.

So now you stared him down with a raised eyebrow, not rising to his bait. You needed to know. If you were going to do this, he needed to tell you.

It didn't take him long to deflate. With a sigh, his expression took on a thoughtful, almost bashful edge. "Being friends with you, it felt delicate. It–" Another sigh. "It only felt possible if I never let myself get a taste of anything else. It felt... it felt like that could make it all fall apart."

Your brows knit together, and you stood up and took a few steps away, suddenly full of nervous energy. "Ari," you breathed out cautiously. What was he saying?

He stood up too, and took one step toward you, then stopped. He raised a hand, as if to show there was no threat, and hurriedly added, "I'm not saying I'm in love with you. I'm just saying maybe I could be. If I gave it half a chance."

His eyes were locked on you, and you found that you couldn't look away. Your voice shook as you asked, "You really think there could be something between us?"

He nodded slowly, his face serious, but there was something sparkling in his eyes as he answered, "I do."

"Show me," you challenged on an exhale. And he didn't hesitate a single second to do just that.

He lunged at you, immediately erasing the small distance between you, and with one large hand on your cheek, the other firm around your hip, crowded you against one of the vanities, kicking the heavy chair out of the way. His thumb stroked your cheekbone as his lips pressed against yours, daring you to open your mouth, let him in. The moment you did, he took control, pushing his tongue in and making you breathless.

God, he was beautiful. He always had been, but there'd been some sort of thin wall there that you'd never really understood, so you hadn't let yourself dwell on it. But now? Now that you had permission, now that you were on the precipice of becoming something else, you let yourself indulge in him. He was beautiful. Thick and strong and powerful. You wanted.

You broke apart for a desperate breath, and as you leaned back against the counter, panting, his hands began scrabbling at your long gown, trying to lift it up. You reached down and, with both hands, gathered it around your hips, silently signaling to him that you were game for whatever he was. With a hungry grin, and one last look to make sure this was what you wanted, he hooked both thumbs into the band of your lace panties and pulled them down to your thighs. Then he put both hands on your ass and boosted you up onto the reinforced vanity. You laughed in surprise and leaned back, the mirror cold against your skin, bracing.

He kissed you again, even hungrier now, his fingers dancing up your inner thighs. When they got to your core, you felt him grin against your lips. "God, you get wet fast," he breathed against your skin. "Please lie to me and tell me it's just for me."

"Not a lie," you forced out between kisses. You'd never done anything like this before, sex in the bathroom while most of the people you knew were all gathered outside, none the wiser. And with Ari. With the decision you were about to make. The things he wanted you to become, together. The whole thing had your entire body lighting up from the inside.

He continued to kiss you, hot and wanting, as his thick fingers explored you below. You were moaning into his mouth until he pulled away again. "You're on something, right?" he asked. "The pill or whatever?"

"Yeah," you breathed, gripping the lapels of his tux in both hands to pull him back to you. "We're all good."

"Excellent," he said, with one more kiss, and then he was unbuckling his belt and unbuttoning his pants.

He was about to pull himself out when you stopped him with a hand on his wrist. "Wait. Let me. I want to see it for myself. I've always been curious." His only response was to raise a questioning brow, and you laughed. "Girls talk," you answered with a wink.

"Well," he said, his grip on your wrist now as he guided your hand into his pants, "I hope it lives up to the hype." And his grin was so cocky you had to kiss him again, as you made contact with his warm length. This was the Ari you knew. You were happy to have him back.

You pulled out his cock and admired it. It really was beautiful. Or as beautiful as a cock, of all things, could be. But it matched the man, thick and long. You needed it inside you.

It only took a few firm strokes to get it to full hardness, then you were slowly guiding him inside of you, gasping as he made you feel so full. Once he was all the way in, he lifted one of your legs and hooked it over his shoulder so he could get even deeper. Then, with a quick look to make sure you were still feeling good, he began thrusting, fast and deep and dirty. Tonight wasn't about taking your time. It was about proving something to each other. That whatever this might be between you, at the very least, it was real.

You were panting together, finding your rhythm, when he took one hand off your hip to land his thumb harshly on your clit. You let out a cry, and he quickly moved his other hand to cover your mouth. "You have to be quiet," he laughed, even as his voice was strained from exertion. "Someone will try to come in."

You moaned behind his hand in defiance, and he laughed again, but his next thrust was brutal, determined to send you both over the edge. With his thumb pressing and tugging and pressing against your clit, you had no choice but to tumble over into your orgasm. You came with a cry, muffled behind his hand. "Oh fuck," he groaned, as your body squeezed him, all of you shaking apart. "You feel so fucking good."

You moved the hand on your clit away as the aftershocks abated and you became too sensitive. He gripped your hip instead, bruising. His other hand uncovered your mouth and moved to brace himself flat against the mirror behind you. "Come on," you muttered, burying your face in his neck, as his hips began to stutter. "Come on. Ari. Please. Give it to me. Ari. Come on."

He lost all rhythm, the last few thrusts coming wild, until he was cumming too, filling you up. He collapsed against you, and you held him tight until he was done.

Then you both took a long moment, still collapsed against each other, trying to get your breath back. Finally, he pulled out, with a gentle kiss to your forehead, and you slowly separated.

He grabbed a box of tissues from the next table and used them to clean you both up, discarding them in the covered bin. Then he came back to you as you were sliding your panties back up your thighs and trying to put on the shoe that had fallen off at some point in all of this. He paused you with a gentle hand on your cheek. "So," he asked softly, "will you marry me?"

You looked at him carefully, at the man you'd known since you were kids, and needed one final reassurance. "You really want me, and not just someone?"

Something shy and hesitant, nervous, filled his eyes even as his cocky smirk was back. "Isn't that what I just proved to you?"

You didn't say anything; you just looked at him seriously until the smirk faded into something else, something more real, maybe. "Yeah," you said slowly. You were pretty sure this was the only choice you were ever going to make. Even with your reservations. Even though it scared you. "Yeah, okay. I'll marry you, Ari. I'll talk to my dad tonight."

"Thank you," he whispered, with a short, gentle kiss. "Thank you. I'll make sure you won't regret it, I promise. I promise."

And, with a fond smile, you believed him, as you straightened his tie and brushed the sweat-plastered hair from his forehead. Then, you finally kicked him out of the women's bathroom so you could make yourself presentable enough to face whatever was to come.

Tag List

You'd somehow lucked into having a father who loved you, who didn't just see you and your older brother as means to an end. It felt like the most uncommon thing in the world, and each new wedding you attended was a stark reminder of that fact.

You were a little surprised you kept being invited to these things. You saw the way these brides looked at you as you went through the receiving line, the realization that you represented all of the things they had never, and would never, have. And you could only look at them with pity. And think of how lucky you were.

But still. Etiquette dictated that they invite you and that you attend. So, every weekend you put on a different designer evening gown and hoped you'd be able to find a school friend to while away the evening with. Though those friends became fewer and fewer every year, as they were all slowly but surely married off and left to start new lives that you hoped would be kind to them. There were only a handful left now, and you were the last woman among them.

So, tonight you'd been camped out at the bar with Steve Rogers. You were pretty sure you had a few other friends here—Andy, probably; hopefully Ari—but you'd yet to see them. The last time you'd seen Steve was at his own sister's wedding. He was in a considerably better mood now.

You'd left him briefly to touch up your lipstick and hopefully get a quick break from the prying eyes of society in the lounge of the women's restroom. As you were staring at yourself in one of the vanity mirrors, you heard the door open behind you, and someone enter. You didn't bother looking over until Ari Levinson stepped up behind your reflection. You turned with a start. "Ari, the fuck are you doing in here?!"

You expected a cheeky smirk or something in return, but he just looked at you seriously. "I need to talk to you."

You raised an eyebrow at that. "Okay? I'll be out in just a minute." You turned back to the mirror, expecting him to turn around and leave, to wait for you outside. But he didn't move. "Ari. This is the ladies' room. You can't be in here."

He shook his head. "I'd rather have this conversation in private." Then he took the few steps back to the door and flipped the lock.

If you hadn't known him as well as you did, for as long as you had, that may have scared you or made you nervous. And it did make you nervous, but not in that way. It worried you. You were used to Ari being the most charming person in any room. You knew him to be a little cocky and so very sure of himself. He was the guy that everything was easy for. That was the Ari you knew. You'd never seen this version of him before.

He stood stiffly by the wall, his hands making and unmaking fists. His shoulders looked like they were struggling to hold the weight of the world. His brow was furrowed, and his eyes were panicked. You had no idea what to do with this version of him.

"Um. Okay. Sure." You moved to sit on one of the plush couches and gestured for him to join you. Once he did, you asked carefully, "What's going on?"

He tilted his head and brought one hand up to scratch his beard. "I, uh," he started, then let out a humorless chuckle. "I'm pretty sure I'm about to be engaged. My dad made a comment about me and weddings tonight, said we'd talk more in the office on Monday. So… yeah. I'm pretty sure it's happening. Soon."

"Do you know who?" you asked gently.

His head bobbed from side to side. "I have a couple guesses." Then he grimaced and shook his head. He didn't say anything else.

You reached out and covered his hand with yours as your heart broke for him. "I'm so sorry, Ari," you said softly. This was the worst part. What good was being spared when no one else around you was so lucky? You just had to sit and watch the worst thing happen to friend after friend after friend. Until one day, when there wouldn't be anyone left. And there was nothing you could do about it.

He turned his hand so he could hold yours and cleared his throat. "But. I've been thinking. Your family's airline. There could be a good business opportunity for our resorts there."

You frowned in confusion at the sudden change in subject. "What?"

He just looked at you intently. "You aren't seeing anyone right now, are you?"

This conversation was giving you whiplash. No, you weren't seeing anyone. Who was there to date? Everyone you knew was just waiting around to be told who they were going to marry. In fact, no one who had any chance of understanding your world or your background or your responsibilities had any interest in a long-term relationship when it had no hope of permanence. Your dad had given you such a gift, but also… you were so lonely.

Just as you were about to open your mouth and answer his question, the penny finally dropped, and you realized what he was actually asking you. "Ari," you basically gasped, struggling to keep your voice steady, "is this– Are you– Did you just… propose to me?!" Your heart suddenly felt like it might beat right out of your chest.

In lieu of an answer, Ari looked you dead in the eyes. "I can't live a life that someone else chooses for me. I thought that I could, but I can't. I won't."

"And so," you said softly, trying your hardest to wrap your head around this madness, "you're choosing it for me instead?"

"You can say no. Of course you can. But," he paused and scratched his beard again, then sighed. "I just can't see myself living happily with any of those women out there." He threw a casual hand to the door, to high society waiting outside. "But you? You're my friend."

"Yeah, Ari. I'm your friend. And you're– This is crazy! You're asking me to be your wife."

He was quiet for a long moment, and you instinctively held your breath. In the space of just a few minutes, this night had somehow gone from just another boring wedding to one of the most important moments of your life. You knew that was true, deep down inside, no matter what happened. So you waited with bated breath to see what he would say.

Finally, with determination, he nodded, and his eyes softened as he said, sincerely, "We love each other, don't we? Maybe not in that way, but we could get there, I think. And we're certainly a hell of a lot closer to it than any of these assholes whose weddings we've been going to."

It was true. You did love him, as dearly as you loved any of your friends. But you couldn't shake the awful feeling that this would be settling—not necessarily that you'd be settling for him, but that he'd be settling for you. And that was a sharp pain, right in your heart. But you could push that aside, couldn't you? If it meant saving your friend?

You shook your head, as if you could literally shake away that feeling, and tried to continue this conversation practically. "How do you know it would even work? It sounds like your dad's deal is already done."

"I haven't signed anything. And come on, we both know your dad will give you anything you ask for. If you go to him and tell him you want this, he'll make it happen. And my dad," Ari scoffed, "whatever your dad comes up with is guaranteed to be better than anything my dad managed to negotiate for himself. Our businesses are too suited for each other. He won't be able to turn it down, no matter how far along this deal is. This will work. I've thought it through."

"Okay, um," you tried, but your heart was still pounding away against your ribs. "Ari. I, um, I haven't had a chance to think it through like that, and I just need– I need a minute to catch up, okay?" You tried to force yourself to breathe as you could feel the formation of tears starting to burn in your eyes. You tried to blink them away, but instead felt them fall upon your cheeks.

"Hey," Ari whispered, noticing immediately, "what's wrong?" He squeezed your hand, which he was still holding so gently.

"Am I just your best bad option?" you asked so quietly. He opened his mouth to answer, but you shook your head. You couldn't push this down. You needed him to listen to you. "I get that my relationship with my father makes me a really convenient choice. I do. And maybe my chances of finding someone to fall in love with me without being pushed into marriage by a business deal are basically zero, but, Ari, I don't know if I can live with knowing that you're only marrying me because the thought of it is just a little less bleak to you than marrying a stranger. I just don't think I can do that."

"Hey," his voice was firm, urgent. "That's not– No. I'm not just asking you this because you're convenient. I–"

"Ari," you interrupted. "We've never even slept together. And you've slept with everyone."

"And you haven't?" he bit back, defensive.

And it was true. You'd slept with most of your male friends. It was just the way your friend group was. When serious relationships were off the table, sex became a lot less precious. Hell, you'd slept with Steve a few times, and up until Ari had walked into the women's bathroom, you'd been pretty sure that that was how this night would end, too. But you'd never slept with Ari. He'd never pursued it, and you'd tried not to be disappointed by that. It was just another reason that this whole thing felt so out of the blue.

So now you stared him down with a raised eyebrow, not rising to his bait. You needed to know. If you were going to do this, he needed to tell you.

It didn't take him long to deflate. With a sigh, his expression took on a thoughtful, almost bashful edge. "Being friends with you, it felt delicate. It–" Another sigh. "It only felt possible if I never let myself get a taste of anything else. It felt... it felt like that could make it all fall apart."

Your brows knit together, and you stood up and took a few steps away, suddenly full of nervous energy. "Ari," you breathed out cautiously. What was he saying?

He stood up too, and took one step toward you, then stopped. He raised a hand, as if to show there was no threat, and hurriedly added, "I'm not saying I'm in love with you. I'm just saying maybe I could be. If I gave it half a chance."

His eyes were locked on you, and you found that you couldn't look away. Your voice shook as you asked, "You really think there could be something between us?"

He nodded slowly, his face serious, but there was something sparkling in his eyes as he answered, "I do."

"Show me," you challenged on an exhale. And he didn't hesitate a single second to do just that.

He lunged at you, immediately erasing the small distance between you, and with one large hand on your cheek, the other firm around your hip, crowded you against one of the vanities, kicking the heavy chair out of the way. His thumb stroked your cheekbone as his lips pressed against yours, daring you to open your mouth, let him in. The moment you did, he took control, pushing his tongue in and making you breathless.

God, he was beautiful. He always had been, but there'd been some sort of thin wall there that you'd never really understood, so you hadn't let yourself dwell on it. But now? Now that you had permission, now that you were on the precipice of becoming something else, you let yourself indulge in him. He was beautiful. Thick and strong and powerful. You wanted.

You broke apart for a desperate breath, and as you leaned back against the counter, panting, his hands began scrabbling at your long gown, trying to lift it up. You reached down and, with both hands, gathered it around your hips, silently signaling to him that you were game for whatever he was. With a hungry grin, and one last look to make sure this was what you wanted, he hooked both thumbs into the band of your lace panties and pulled them down to your thighs. Then he put both hands on your ass and boosted you up onto the reinforced vanity. You laughed in surprise and leaned back, the mirror cold against your skin, bracing.

He kissed you again, even hungrier now, his fingers dancing up your inner thighs. When they got to your core, you felt him grin against your lips. "God, you get wet fast," he breathed against your skin. "Please lie to me and tell me it's just for me."

"Not a lie," you forced out between kisses. You'd never done anything like this before, sex in the bathroom while most of the people you knew were all gathered outside, none the wiser. And with Ari. With the decision you were about to make. The things he wanted you to become, together. The whole thing had your entire body lighting up from the inside.

He continued to kiss you, hot and wanting, as his thick fingers explored you below. You were moaning into his mouth until he pulled away again. "You're on something, right?" he asked. "The pill or whatever?"

"Yeah," you breathed, gripping the lapels of his tux in both hands to pull him back to you. "We're all good."

"Excellent," he said, with one more kiss, and then he was unbuckling his belt and unbuttoning his pants.

He was about to pull himself out when you stopped him with a hand on his wrist. "Wait. Let me. I want to see it for myself. I've always been curious." His only response was to raise a questioning brow, and you laughed. "Girls talk," you answered with a wink.

"Well," he said, his grip on your wrist now as he guided your hand into his pants, "I hope it lives up to the hype." And his grin was so cocky you had to kiss him again, as you made contact with his warm length. This was the Ari you knew. You were happy to have him back.

You pulled out his cock and admired it. It really was beautiful. Or as beautiful as a cock, of all things, could be. But it matched the man, thick and long. You needed it inside you.

It only took a few firm strokes to get it to full hardness, then you were slowly guiding him inside of you, gasping as he made you feel so full. Once he was all the way in, he lifted one of your legs and hooked it over his shoulder so he could get even deeper. Then, with a quick look to make sure you were still feeling good, he began thrusting, fast and deep and dirty. Tonight wasn't about taking your time. It was about proving something to each other. That whatever this might be between you, at the very least, it was real.

You were panting together, finding your rhythm, when he took one hand off your hip to land his thumb harshly on your clit. You let out a cry, and he quickly moved his other hand to cover your mouth. "You have to be quiet," he laughed, even as his voice was strained from exertion. "Someone will try to come in."

You moaned behind his hand in defiance, and he laughed again, but his next thrust was brutal, determined to send you both over the edge. With his thumb pressing and tugging and pressing against your clit, you had no choice but to tumble over into your orgasm. You came with a cry, muffled behind his hand. "Oh fuck," he groaned, as your body squeezed him, all of you shaking apart. "You feel so fucking good."

You moved the hand on your clit away as the aftershocks abated and you became too sensitive. He gripped your hip instead, bruising. His other hand uncovered your mouth and moved to brace himself flat against the mirror behind you. "Come on," you muttered, burying your face in his neck, as his hips began to stutter. "Come on. Ari. Please. Give it to me. Ari. Come on."

He lost all rhythm, the last few thrusts coming wild, until he was cumming too, filling you up. He collapsed against you, and you held him tight until he was done.

Then you both took a long moment, still collapsed against each other, trying to get your breath back. Finally, he pulled out, with a gentle kiss to your forehead, and you slowly separated.

He grabbed a box of tissues from the next table and used them to clean you both up, discarding them in the covered bin. Then he came back to you as you were sliding your panties back up your thighs and trying to put on the shoe that had fallen off at some point in all of this. He paused you with a gentle hand on your cheek. "So," he asked softly, "will you marry me?"

You looked at him carefully, at the man you'd known since you were kids, and needed one final reassurance. "You really want me, and not just someone?"

Something shy and hesitant, nervous, filled his eyes even as his cocky smirk was back. "Isn't that what I just proved to you?"

You didn't say anything; you just looked at him seriously until the smirk faded into something else, something more real, maybe. "Yeah," you said slowly. You were pretty sure this was the only choice you were ever going to make. Even with your reservations. Even though it scared you. "Yeah, okay. I'll marry you, Ari. I'll talk to my dad tonight."

"Thank you," he whispered, with a short, gentle kiss. "Thank you. I'll make sure you won't regret it, I promise. I promise."

And, with a fond smile, you believed him, as you straightened his tie and brushed the sweat-plastered hair from his forehead. Then, you finally kicked him out of the women's bathroom so you could make yourself presentable enough to face whatever was to come.

Tag List

You'd somehow lucked into having a father who loved you, who didn't just see you and your older brother as means to an end. It felt like the most uncommon thing in the world, and each new wedding you attended was a stark reminder of that fact.

You were a little surprised you kept being invited to these things. You saw the way these brides looked at you as you went through the receiving line, the realization that you represented all of the things they had never, and would never, have. And you could only look at them with pity. And think of how lucky you were.

But still. Etiquette dictated that they invite you and that you attend. So, every weekend you put on a different designer evening gown and hoped you'd be able to find a school friend to while away the evening with. Though those friends became fewer and fewer every year, as they were all slowly but surely married off and left to start new lives that you hoped would be kind to them. There were only a handful left now, and you were the last woman among them.

So, tonight you'd been camped out at the bar with Steve Rogers. You were pretty sure you had a few other friends here—Andy, probably; hopefully Ari—but you'd yet to see them. The last time you'd seen Steve was at his own sister's wedding. He was in a considerably better mood now.

You'd left him briefly to touch up your lipstick and hopefully get a quick break from the prying eyes of society in the lounge of the women's restroom. As you were staring at yourself in one of the vanity mirrors, you heard the door open behind you, and someone enter. You didn't bother looking over until Ari Levinson stepped up behind your reflection. You turned with a start. "Ari, the fuck are you doing in here?!"

You expected a cheeky smirk or something in return, but he just looked at you seriously. "I need to talk to you."

You raised an eyebrow at that. "Okay? I'll be out in just a minute." You turned back to the mirror, expecting him to turn around and leave, to wait for you outside. But he didn't move. "Ari. This is the ladies' room. You can't be in here."

He shook his head. "I'd rather have this conversation in private." Then he took the few steps back to the door and flipped the lock.

If you hadn't known him as well as you did, for as long as you had, that may have scared you or made you nervous. And it did make you nervous, but not in that way. It worried you. You were used to Ari being the most charming person in any room. You knew him to be a little cocky and so very sure of himself. He was the guy that everything was easy for. That was the Ari you knew. You'd never seen this version of him before.

He stood stiffly by the wall, his hands making and unmaking fists. His shoulders looked like they were struggling to hold the weight of the world. His brow was furrowed, and his eyes were panicked. You had no idea what to do with this version of him.

"Um. Okay. Sure." You moved to sit on one of the plush couches and gestured for him to join you. Once he did, you asked carefully, "What's going on?"

He tilted his head and brought one hand up to scratch his beard. "I, uh," he started, then let out a humorless chuckle. "I'm pretty sure I'm about to be engaged. My dad made a comment about me and weddings tonight, said we'd talk more in the office on Monday. So… yeah. I'm pretty sure it's happening. Soon."

"Do you know who?" you asked gently.

His head bobbed from side to side. "I have a couple guesses." Then he grimaced and shook his head. He didn't say anything else.

You reached out and covered his hand with yours as your heart broke for him. "I'm so sorry, Ari," you said softly. This was the worst part. What good was being spared when no one else around you was so lucky? You just had to sit and watch the worst thing happen to friend after friend after friend. Until one day, when there wouldn't be anyone left. And there was nothing you could do about it.

He turned his hand so he could hold yours and cleared his throat. "But. I've been thinking. Your family's airline. There could be a good business opportunity for our resorts there."

You frowned in confusion at the sudden change in subject. "What?"

He just looked at you intently. "You aren't seeing anyone right now, are you?"

This conversation was giving you whiplash. No, you weren't seeing anyone. Who was there to date? Everyone you knew was just waiting around to be told who they were going to marry. In fact, no one who had any chance of understanding your world or your background or your responsibilities had any interest in a long-term relationship when it had no hope of permanence. Your dad had given you such a gift, but also… you were so lonely.

Just as you were about to open your mouth and answer his question, the penny finally dropped, and you realized what he was actually asking you. "Ari," you basically gasped, struggling to keep your voice steady, "is this– Are you– Did you just… propose to me?!" Your heart suddenly felt like it might beat right out of your chest.

In lieu of an answer, Ari looked you dead in the eyes. "I can't live a life that someone else chooses for me. I thought that I could, but I can't. I won't."

"And so," you said softly, trying your hardest to wrap your head around this madness, "you're choosing it for me instead?"

"You can say no. Of course you can. But," he paused and scratched his beard again, then sighed. "I just can't see myself living happily with any of those women out there." He threw a casual hand to the door, to high society waiting outside. "But you? You're my friend."

"Yeah, Ari. I'm your friend. And you're– This is crazy! You're asking me to be your wife."

He was quiet for a long moment, and you instinctively held your breath. In the space of just a few minutes, this night had somehow gone from just another boring wedding to one of the most important moments of your life. You knew that was true, deep down inside, no matter what happened. So you waited with bated breath to see what he would say.

Finally, with determination, he nodded, and his eyes softened as he said, sincerely, "We love each other, don't we? Maybe not in that way, but we could get there, I think. And we're certainly a hell of a lot closer to it than any of these assholes whose weddings we've been going to."

It was true. You did love him, as dearly as you loved any of your friends. But you couldn't shake the awful feeling that this would be settling—not necessarily that you'd be settling for him, but that he'd be settling for you. And that was a sharp pain, right in your heart. But you could push that aside, couldn't you? If it meant saving your friend?

You shook your head, as if you could literally shake away that feeling, and tried to continue this conversation practically. "How do you know it would even work? It sounds like your dad's deal is already done."

"I haven't signed anything. And come on, we both know your dad will give you anything you ask for. If you go to him and tell him you want this, he'll make it happen. And my dad," Ari scoffed, "whatever your dad comes up with is guaranteed to be better than anything my dad managed to negotiate for himself. Our businesses are too suited for each other. He won't be able to turn it down, no matter how far along this deal is. This will work. I've thought it through."

"Okay, um," you tried, but your heart was still pounding away against your ribs. "Ari. I, um, I haven't had a chance to think it through like that, and I just need– I need a minute to catch up, okay?" You tried to force yourself to breathe as you could feel the formation of tears starting to burn in your eyes. You tried to blink them away, but instead felt them fall upon your cheeks.

"Hey," Ari whispered, noticing immediately, "what's wrong?" He squeezed your hand, which he was still holding so gently.

"Am I just your best bad option?" you asked so quietly. He opened his mouth to answer, but you shook your head. You couldn't push this down. You needed him to listen to you. "I get that my relationship with my father makes me a really convenient choice. I do. And maybe my chances of finding someone to fall in love with me without being pushed into marriage by a business deal are basically zero, but, Ari, I don't know if I can live with knowing that you're only marrying me because the thought of it is just a little less bleak to you than marrying a stranger. I just don't think I can do that."

"Hey," his voice was firm, urgent. "That's not– No. I'm not just asking you this because you're convenient. I–"

"Ari," you interrupted. "We've never even slept together. And you've slept with everyone."

"And you haven't?" he bit back, defensive.

And it was true. You'd slept with most of your male friends. It was just the way your friend group was. When serious relationships were off the table, sex became a lot less precious. Hell, you'd slept with Steve a few times, and up until Ari had walked into the women's bathroom, you'd been pretty sure that that was how this night would end, too. But you'd never slept with Ari. He'd never pursued it, and you'd tried not to be disappointed by that. It was just another reason that this whole thing felt so out of the blue.

So now you stared him down with a raised eyebrow, not rising to his bait. You needed to know. If you were going to do this, he needed to tell you.

It didn't take him long to deflate. With a sigh, his expression took on a thoughtful, almost bashful edge. "Being friends with you, it felt delicate. It–" Another sigh. "It only felt possible if I never let myself get a taste of anything else. It felt... it felt like that could make it all fall apart."

Your brows knit together, and you stood up and took a few steps away, suddenly full of nervous energy. "Ari," you breathed out cautiously. What was he saying?

He stood up too, and took one step toward you, then stopped. He raised a hand, as if to show there was no threat, and hurriedly added, "I'm not saying I'm in love with you. I'm just saying maybe I could be. If I gave it half a chance."

His eyes were locked on you, and you found that you couldn't look away. Your voice shook as you asked, "You really think there could be something between us?"

He nodded slowly, his face serious, but there was something sparkling in his eyes as he answered, "I do."

"Show me," you challenged on an exhale. And he didn't hesitate a single second to do just that.

He lunged at you, immediately erasing the small distance between you, and with one large hand on your cheek, the other firm around your hip, crowded you against one of the vanities, kicking the heavy chair out of the way. His thumb stroked your cheekbone as his lips pressed against yours, daring you to open your mouth, let him in. The moment you did, he took control, pushing his tongue in and making you breathless.

God, he was beautiful. He always had been, but there'd been some sort of thin wall there that you'd never really understood, so you hadn't let yourself dwell on it. But now? Now that you had permission, now that you were on the precipice of becoming something else, you let yourself indulge in him. He was beautiful. Thick and strong and powerful. You wanted.

You broke apart for a desperate breath, and as you leaned back against the counter, panting, his hands began scrabbling at your long gown, trying to lift it up. You reached down and, with both hands, gathered it around your hips, silently signaling to him that you were game for whatever he was. With a hungry grin, and one last look to make sure this was what you wanted, he hooked both thumbs into the band of your lace panties and pulled them down to your thighs. Then he put both hands on your ass and boosted you up onto the reinforced vanity. You laughed in surprise and leaned back, the mirror cold against your skin, bracing.

He kissed you again, even hungrier now, his fingers dancing up your inner thighs. When they got to your core, you felt him grin against your lips. "God, you get wet fast," he breathed against your skin. "Please lie to me and tell me it's just for me."

"Not a lie," you forced out between kisses. You'd never done anything like this before, sex in the bathroom while most of the people you knew were all gathered outside, none the wiser. And with Ari. With the decision you were about to make. The things he wanted you to become, together. The whole thing had your entire body lighting up from the inside.

He continued to kiss you, hot and wanting, as his thick fingers explored you below. You were moaning into his mouth until he pulled away again. "You're on something, right?" he asked. "The pill or whatever?"

"Yeah," you breathed, gripping the lapels of his tux in both hands to pull him back to you. "We're all good."

"Excellent," he said, with one more kiss, and then he was unbuckling his belt and unbuttoning his pants.

He was about to pull himself out when you stopped him with a hand on his wrist. "Wait. Let me. I want to see it for myself. I've always been curious." His only response was to raise a questioning brow, and you laughed. "Girls talk," you answered with a wink.

"Well," he said, his grip on your wrist now as he guided your hand into his pants, "I hope it lives up to the hype." And his grin was so cocky you had to kiss him again, as you made contact with his warm length. This was the Ari you knew. You were happy to have him back.

You pulled out his cock and admired it. It really was beautiful. Or as beautiful as a cock, of all things, could be. But it matched the man, thick and long. You needed it inside you.

It only took a few firm strokes to get it to full hardness, then you were slowly guiding him inside of you, gasping as he made you feel so full. Once he was all the way in, he lifted one of your legs and hooked it over his shoulder so he could get even deeper. Then, with a quick look to make sure you were still feeling good, he began thrusting, fast and deep and dirty. Tonight wasn't about taking your time. It was about proving something to each other. That whatever this might be between you, at the very least, it was real.

You were panting together, finding your rhythm, when he took one hand off your hip to land his thumb harshly on your clit. You let out a cry, and he quickly moved his other hand to cover your mouth. "You have to be quiet," he laughed, even as his voice was strained from exertion. "Someone will try to come in."

You moaned behind his hand in defiance, and he laughed again, but his next thrust was brutal, determined to send you both over the edge. With his thumb pressing and tugging and pressing against your clit, you had no choice but to tumble over into your orgasm. You came with a cry, muffled behind his hand. "Oh fuck," he groaned, as your body squeezed him, all of you shaking apart. "You feel so fucking good."

You moved the hand on your clit away as the aftershocks abated and you became too sensitive. He gripped your hip instead, bruising. His other hand uncovered your mouth and moved to brace himself flat against the mirror behind you. "Come on," you muttered, burying your face in his neck, as his hips began to stutter. "Come on. Ari. Please. Give it to me. Ari. Come on."

He lost all rhythm, the last few thrusts coming wild, until he was cumming too, filling you up. He collapsed against you, and you held him tight until he was done.

Then you both took a long moment, still collapsed against each other, trying to get your breath back. Finally, he pulled out, with a gentle kiss to your forehead, and you slowly separated.

He grabbed a box of tissues from the next table and used them to clean you both up, discarding them in the covered bin. Then he came back to you as you were sliding your panties back up your thighs and trying to put on the shoe that had fallen off at some point in all of this. He paused you with a gentle hand on your cheek. "So," he asked softly, "will you marry me?"

You looked at him carefully, at the man you'd known since you were kids, and needed one final reassurance. "You really want me, and not just someone?"

Something shy and hesitant, nervous, filled his eyes even as his cocky smirk was back. "Isn't that what I just proved to you?"

You didn't say anything; you just looked at him seriously until the smirk faded into something else, something more real, maybe. "Yeah," you said slowly. You were pretty sure this was the only choice you were ever going to make. Even with your reservations. Even though it scared you. "Yeah, okay. I'll marry you, Ari. I'll talk to my dad tonight."

"Thank you," he whispered, with a short, gentle kiss. "Thank you. I'll make sure you won't regret it, I promise. I promise."

And, with a fond smile, you believed him, as you straightened his tie and brushed the sweat-plastered hair from his forehead. Then, you finally kicked him out of the women's bathroom so you could make yourself presentable enough to face whatever was to come.

Tag List

You'd somehow lucked into having a father who loved you, who didn't just see you and your older brother as means to an end. It felt like the most uncommon thing in the world, and each new wedding you attended was a stark reminder of that fact.

You were a little surprised you kept being invited to these things. You saw the way these brides looked at you as you went through the receiving line, the realization that you represented all of the things they had never, and would never, have. And you could only look at them with pity. And think of how lucky you were.

But still. Etiquette dictated that they invite you and that you attend. So, every weekend you put on a different designer evening gown and hoped you'd be able to find a school friend to while away the evening with. Though those friends became fewer and fewer every year, as they were all slowly but surely married off and left to start new lives that you hoped would be kind to them. There were only a handful left now, and you were the last woman among them.

So, tonight you'd been camped out at the bar with Steve Rogers. You were pretty sure you had a few other friends here—Andy, probably; hopefully Ari—but you'd yet to see them. The last time you'd seen Steve was at his own sister's wedding. He was in a considerably better mood now.

You'd left him briefly to touch up your lipstick and hopefully get a quick break from the prying eyes of society in the lounge of the women's restroom. As you were staring at yourself in one of the vanity mirrors, you heard the door open behind you, and someone enter. You didn't bother looking over until Ari Levinson stepped up behind your reflection. You turned with a start. "Ari, the fuck are you doing in here?!"

You expected a cheeky smirk or something in return, but he just looked at you seriously. "I need to talk to you."

You raised an eyebrow at that. "Okay? I'll be out in just a minute." You turned back to the mirror, expecting him to turn around and leave, to wait for you outside. But he didn't move. "Ari. This is the ladies' room. You can't be in here."

He shook his head. "I'd rather have this conversation in private." Then he took the few steps back to the door and flipped the lock.

If you hadn't known him as well as you did, for as long as you had, that may have scared you or made you nervous. And it did make you nervous, but not in that way. It worried you. You were used to Ari being the most charming person in any room. You knew him to be a little cocky and so very sure of himself. He was the guy that everything was easy for. That was the Ari you knew. You'd never seen this version of him before.

He stood stiffly by the wall, his hands making and unmaking fists. His shoulders looked like they were struggling to hold the weight of the world. His brow was furrowed, and his eyes were panicked. You had no idea what to do with this version of him.

"Um. Okay. Sure." You moved to sit on one of the plush couches and gestured for him to join you. Once he did, you asked carefully, "What's going on?"

He tilted his head and brought one hand up to scratch his beard. "I, uh," he started, then let out a humorless chuckle. "I'm pretty sure I'm about to be engaged. My dad made a comment about me and weddings tonight, said we'd talk more in the office on Monday. So… yeah. I'm pretty sure it's happening. Soon."

"Do you know who?" you asked gently.

His head bobbed from side to side. "I have a couple guesses." Then he grimaced and shook his head. He didn't say anything else.

You reached out and covered his hand with yours as your heart broke for him. "I'm so sorry, Ari," you said softly. This was the worst part. What good was being spared when no one else around you was so lucky? You just had to sit and watch the worst thing happen to friend after friend after friend. Until one day, when there wouldn't be anyone left. And there was nothing you could do about it.

He turned his hand so he could hold yours and cleared his throat. "But. I've been thinking. Your family's airline. There could be a good business opportunity for our resorts there."

You frowned in confusion at the sudden change in subject. "What?"

He just looked at you intently. "You aren't seeing anyone right now, are you?"

This conversation was giving you whiplash. No, you weren't seeing anyone. Who was there to date? Everyone you knew was just waiting around to be told who they were going to marry. In fact, no one who had any chance of understanding your world or your background or your responsibilities had any interest in a long-term relationship when it had no hope of permanence. Your dad had given you such a gift, but also… you were so lonely.

Just as you were about to open your mouth and answer his question, the penny finally dropped, and you realized what he was actually asking you. "Ari," you basically gasped, struggling to keep your voice steady, "is this– Are you– Did you just… propose to me?!" Your heart suddenly felt like it might beat right out of your chest.

In lieu of an answer, Ari looked you dead in the eyes. "I can't live a life that someone else chooses for me. I thought that I could, but I can't. I won't."

"And so," you said softly, trying your hardest to wrap your head around this madness, "you're choosing it for me instead?"

"You can say no. Of course you can. But," he paused and scratched his beard again, then sighed. "I just can't see myself living happily with any of those women out there." He threw a casual hand to the door, to high society waiting outside. "But you? You're my friend."

"Yeah, Ari. I'm your friend. And you're– This is crazy! You're asking me to be your wife."

He was quiet for a long moment, and you instinctively held your breath. In the space of just a few minutes, this night had somehow gone from just another boring wedding to one of the most important moments of your life. You knew that was true, deep down inside, no matter what happened. So you waited with bated breath to see what he would say.

Finally, with determination, he nodded, and his eyes softened as he said, sincerely, "We love each other, don't we? Maybe not in that way, but we could get there, I think. And we're certainly a hell of a lot closer to it than any of these assholes whose weddings we've been going to."

It was true. You did love him, as dearly as you loved any of your friends. But you couldn't shake the awful feeling that this would be settling—not necessarily that you'd be settling for him, but that he'd be settling for you. And that was a sharp pain, right in your heart. But you could push that aside, couldn't you? If it meant saving your friend?

You shook your head, as if you could literally shake away that feeling, and tried to continue this conversation practically. "How do you know it would even work? It sounds like your dad's deal is already done."

"I haven't signed anything. And come on, we both know your dad will give you anything you ask for. If you go to him and tell him you want this, he'll make it happen. And my dad," Ari scoffed, "whatever your dad comes up with is guaranteed to be better than anything my dad managed to negotiate for himself. Our businesses are too suited for each other. He won't be able to turn it down, no matter how far along this deal is. This will work. I've thought it through."

"Okay, um," you tried, but your heart was still pounding away against your ribs. "Ari. I, um, I haven't had a chance to think it through like that, and I just need– I need a minute to catch up, okay?" You tried to force yourself to breathe as you could feel the formation of tears starting to burn in your eyes. You tried to blink them away, but instead felt them fall upon your cheeks.

"Hey," Ari whispered, noticing immediately, "what's wrong?" He squeezed your hand, which he was still holding so gently.

"Am I just your best bad option?" you asked so quietly. He opened his mouth to answer, but you shook your head. You couldn't push this down. You needed him to listen to you. "I get that my relationship with my father makes me a really convenient choice. I do. And maybe my chances of finding someone to fall in love with me without being pushed into marriage by a business deal are basically zero, but, Ari, I don't know if I can live with knowing that you're only marrying me because the thought of it is just a little less bleak to you than marrying a stranger. I just don't think I can do that."

"Hey," his voice was firm, urgent. "That's not– No. I'm not just asking you this because you're convenient. I–"

"Ari," you interrupted. "We've never even slept together. And you've slept with everyone."

"And you haven't?" he bit back, defensive.

And it was true. You'd slept with most of your male friends. It was just the way your friend group was. When serious relationships were off the table, sex became a lot less precious. Hell, you'd slept with Steve a few times, and up until Ari had walked into the women's bathroom, you'd been pretty sure that that was how this night would end, too. But you'd never slept with Ari. He'd never pursued it, and you'd tried not to be disappointed by that. It was just another reason that this whole thing felt so out of the blue.

So now you stared him down with a raised eyebrow, not rising to his bait. You needed to know. If you were going to do this, he needed to tell you.

It didn't take him long to deflate. With a sigh, his expression took on a thoughtful, almost bashful edge. "Being friends with you, it felt delicate. It–" Another sigh. "It only felt possible if I never let myself get a taste of anything else. It felt... it felt like that could make it all fall apart."

Your brows knit together, and you stood up and took a few steps away, suddenly full of nervous energy. "Ari," you breathed out cautiously. What was he saying?

He stood up too, and took one step toward you, then stopped. He raised a hand, as if to show there was no threat, and hurriedly added, "I'm not saying I'm in love with you. I'm just saying maybe I could be. If I gave it half a chance."

His eyes were locked on you, and you found that you couldn't look away. Your voice shook as you asked, "You really think there could be something between us?"

He nodded slowly, his face serious, but there was something sparkling in his eyes as he answered, "I do."

"Show me," you challenged on an exhale. And he didn't hesitate a single second to do just that.

He lunged at you, immediately erasing the small distance between you, and with one large hand on your cheek, the other firm around your hip, crowded you against one of the vanities, kicking the heavy chair out of the way. His thumb stroked your cheekbone as his lips pressed against yours, daring you to open your mouth, let him in. The moment you did, he took control, pushing his tongue in and making you breathless.

God, he was beautiful. He always had been, but there'd been some sort of thin wall there that you'd never really understood, so you hadn't let yourself dwell on it. But now? Now that you had permission, now that you were on the precipice of becoming something else, you let yourself indulge in him. He was beautiful. Thick and strong and powerful. You wanted.

You broke apart for a desperate breath, and as you leaned back against the counter, panting, his hands began scrabbling at your long gown, trying to lift it up. You reached down and, with both hands, gathered it around your hips, silently signaling to him that you were game for whatever he was. With a hungry grin, and one last look to make sure this was what you wanted, he hooked both thumbs into the band of your lace panties and pulled them down to your thighs. Then he put both hands on your ass and boosted you up onto the reinforced vanity. You laughed in surprise and leaned back, the mirror cold against your skin, bracing.

He kissed you again, even hungrier now, his fingers dancing up your inner thighs. When they got to your core, you felt him grin against your lips. "God, you get wet fast," he breathed against your skin. "Please lie to me and tell me it's just for me."

"Not a lie," you forced out between kisses. You'd never done anything like this before, sex in the bathroom while most of the people you knew were all gathered outside, none the wiser. And with Ari. With the decision you were about to make. The things he wanted you to become, together. The whole thing had your entire body lighting up from the inside.

He continued to kiss you, hot and wanting, as his thick fingers explored you below. You were moaning into his mouth until he pulled away again. "You're on something, right?" he asked. "The pill or whatever?"

"Yeah," you breathed, gripping the lapels of his tux in both hands to pull him back to you. "We're all good."

"Excellent," he said, with one more kiss, and then he was unbuckling his belt and unbuttoning his pants.

He was about to pull himself out when you stopped him with a hand on his wrist. "Wait. Let me. I want to see it for myself. I've always been curious." His only response was to raise a questioning brow, and you laughed. "Girls talk," you answered with a wink.

"Well," he said, his grip on your wrist now as he guided your hand into his pants, "I hope it lives up to the hype." And his grin was so cocky you had to kiss him again, as you made contact with his warm length. This was the Ari you knew. You were happy to have him back.

You pulled out his cock and admired it. It really was beautiful. Or as beautiful as a cock, of all things, could be. But it matched the man, thick and long. You needed it inside you.

It only took a few firm strokes to get it to full hardness, then you were slowly guiding him inside of you, gasping as he made you feel so full. Once he was all the way in, he lifted one of your legs and hooked it over his shoulder so he could get even deeper. Then, with a quick look to make sure you were still feeling good, he began thrusting, fast and deep and dirty. Tonight wasn't about taking your time. It was about proving something to each other. That whatever this might be between you, at the very least, it was real.

You were panting together, finding your rhythm, when he took one hand off your hip to land his thumb harshly on your clit. You let out a cry, and he quickly moved his other hand to cover your mouth. "You have to be quiet," he laughed, even as his voice was strained from exertion. "Someone will try to come in."

You moaned behind his hand in defiance, and he laughed again, but his next thrust was brutal, determined to send you both over the edge. With his thumb pressing and tugging and pressing against your clit, you had no choice but to tumble over into your orgasm. You came with a cry, muffled behind his hand. "Oh fuck," he groaned, as your body squeezed him, all of you shaking apart. "You feel so fucking good."

You moved the hand on your clit away as the aftershocks abated and you became too sensitive. He gripped your hip instead, bruising. His other hand uncovered your mouth and moved to brace himself flat against the mirror behind you. "Come on," you muttered, burying your face in his neck, as his hips began to stutter. "Come on. Ari. Please. Give it to me. Ari. Come on."

He lost all rhythm, the last few thrusts coming wild, until he was cumming too, filling you up. He collapsed against you, and you held him tight until he was done.

Then you both took a long moment, still collapsed against each other, trying to get your breath back. Finally, he pulled out, with a gentle kiss to your forehead, and you slowly separated.

He grabbed a box of tissues from the next table and used them to clean you both up, discarding them in the covered bin. Then he came back to you as you were sliding your panties back up your thighs and trying to put on the shoe that had fallen off at some point in all of this. He paused you with a gentle hand on your cheek. "So," he asked softly, "will you marry me?"

You looked at him carefully, at the man you'd known since you were kids, and needed one final reassurance. "You really want me, and not just someone?"

Something shy and hesitant, nervous, filled his eyes even as his cocky smirk was back. "Isn't that what I just proved to you?"

You didn't say anything; you just looked at him seriously until the smirk faded into something else, something more real, maybe. "Yeah," you said slowly. You were pretty sure this was the only choice you were ever going to make. Even with your reservations. Even though it scared you. "Yeah, okay. I'll marry you, Ari. I'll talk to my dad tonight."

"Thank you," he whispered, with a short, gentle kiss. "Thank you. I'll make sure you won't regret it, I promise. I promise."

And, with a fond smile, you believed him, as you straightened his tie and brushed the sweat-plastered hair from his forehead. Then, you finally kicked him out of the women's bathroom so you could make yourself presentable enough to face whatever was to come.

Tag List

You'd somehow lucked into having a father who loved you, who didn't just see you and your older brother as means to an end. It felt like the most uncommon thing in the world, and each new wedding you attended was a stark reminder of that fact.

You were a little surprised you kept being invited to these things. You saw the way these brides looked at you as you went through the receiving line, the realization that you represented all of the things they had never, and would never, have. And you could only look at them with pity. And think of how lucky you were.

But still. Etiquette dictated that they invite you and that you attend. So, every weekend you put on a different designer evening gown and hoped you'd be able to find a school friend to while away the evening with. Though those friends became fewer and fewer every year, as they were all slowly but surely married off and left to start new lives that you hoped would be kind to them. There were only a handful left now, and you were the last woman among them.

So, tonight you'd been camped out at the bar with Steve Rogers. You were pretty sure you had a few other friends here—Andy, probably; hopefully Ari—but you'd yet to see them. The last time you'd seen Steve was at his own sister's wedding. He was in a considerably better mood now.

You'd left him briefly to touch up your lipstick and hopefully get a quick break from the prying eyes of society in the lounge of the women's restroom. As you were staring at yourself in one of the vanity mirrors, you heard the door open behind you, and someone enter. You didn't bother looking over until Ari Levinson stepped up behind your reflection. You turned with a start. "Ari, the fuck are you doing in here?!"

You expected a cheeky smirk or something in return, but he just looked at you seriously. "I need to talk to you."

You raised an eyebrow at that. "Okay? I'll be out in just a minute." You turned back to the mirror, expecting him to turn around and leave, to wait for you outside. But he didn't move. "Ari. This is the ladies' room. You can't be in here."

He shook his head. "I'd rather have this conversation in private." Then he took the few steps back to the door and flipped the lock.

If you hadn't known him as well as you did, for as long as you had, that may have scared you or made you nervous. And it did make you nervous, but not in that way. It worried you. You were used to Ari being the most charming person in any room. You knew him to be a little cocky and so very sure of himself. He was the guy that everything was easy for. That was the Ari you knew. You'd never seen this version of him before.

He stood stiffly by the wall, his hands making and unmaking fists. His shoulders looked like they were struggling to hold the weight of the world. His brow was furrowed, and his eyes were panicked. You had no idea what to do with this version of him.

"Um. Okay. Sure." You moved to sit on one of the plush couches and gestured for him to join you. Once he did, you asked carefully, "What's going on?"

He tilted his head and brought one hand up to scratch his beard. "I, uh," he started, then let out a humorless chuckle. "I'm pretty sure I'm about to be engaged. My dad made a comment about me and weddings tonight, said we'd talk more in the office on Monday. So… yeah. I'm pretty sure it's happening. Soon."

"Do you know who?" you asked gently.

His head bobbed from side to side. "I have a couple guesses." Then he grimaced and shook his head. He didn't say anything else.

You reached out and covered his hand with yours as your heart broke for him. "I'm so sorry, Ari," you said softly. This was the worst part. What good was being spared when no one else around you was so lucky? You just had to sit and watch the worst thing happen to friend after friend after friend. Until one day, when there wouldn't be anyone left. And there was nothing you could do about it.

He turned his hand so he could hold yours and cleared his throat. "But. I've been thinking. Your family's airline. There could be a good business opportunity for our resorts there."

You frowned in confusion at the sudden change in subject. "What?"

He just looked at you intently. "You aren't seeing anyone right now, are you?"

This conversation was giving you whiplash. No, you weren't seeing anyone. Who was there to date? Everyone you knew was just waiting around to be told who they were going to marry. In fact, no one who had any chance of understanding your world or your background or your responsibilities had any interest in a long-term relationship when it had no hope of permanence. Your dad had given you such a gift, but also… you were so lonely.

Just as you were about to open your mouth and answer his question, the penny finally dropped, and you realized what he was actually asking you. "Ari," you basically gasped, struggling to keep your voice steady, "is this– Are you– Did you just… propose to me?!" Your heart suddenly felt like it might beat right out of your chest.

In lieu of an answer, Ari looked you dead in the eyes. "I can't live a life that someone else chooses for me. I thought that I could, but I can't. I won't."

"And so," you said softly, trying your hardest to wrap your head around this madness, "you're choosing it for me instead?"

"You can say no. Of course you can. But," he paused and scratched his beard again, then sighed. "I just can't see myself living happily with any of those women out there." He threw a casual hand to the door, to high society waiting outside. "But you? You're my friend."

"Yeah, Ari. I'm your friend. And you're– This is crazy! You're asking me to be your wife."

He was quiet for a long moment, and you instinctively held your breath. In the space of just a few minutes, this night had somehow gone from just another boring wedding to one of the most important moments of your life. You knew that was true, deep down inside, no matter what happened. So you waited with bated breath to see what he would say.

Finally, with determination, he nodded, and his eyes softened as he said, sincerely, "We love each other, don't we? Maybe not in that way, but we could get there, I think. And we're certainly a hell of a lot closer to it than any of these assholes whose weddings we've been going to."

It was true. You did love him, as dearly as you loved any of your friends. But you couldn't shake the awful feeling that this would be settling—not necessarily that you'd be settling for him, but that he'd be settling for you. And that was a sharp pain, right in your heart. But you could push that aside, couldn't you? If it meant saving your friend?

You shook your head, as if you could literally shake away that feeling, and tried to continue this conversation practically. "How do you know it would even work? It sounds like your dad's deal is already done."

"I haven't signed anything. And come on, we both know your dad will give you anything you ask for. If you go to him and tell him you want this, he'll make it happen. And my dad," Ari scoffed, "whatever your dad comes up with is guaranteed to be better than anything my dad managed to negotiate for himself. Our businesses are too suited for each other. He won't be able to turn it down, no matter how far along this deal is. This will work. I've thought it through."

"Okay, um," you tried, but your heart was still pounding away against your ribs. "Ari. I, um, I haven't had a chance to think it through like that, and I just need– I need a minute to catch up, okay?" You tried to force yourself to breathe as you could feel the formation of tears starting to burn in your eyes. You tried to blink them away, but instead felt them fall upon your cheeks.

"Hey," Ari whispered, noticing immediately, "what's wrong?" He squeezed your hand, which he was still holding so gently.

"Am I just your best bad option?" you asked so quietly. He opened his mouth to answer, but you shook your head. You couldn't push this down. You needed him to listen to you. "I get that my relationship with my father makes me a really convenient choice. I do. And maybe my chances of finding someone to fall in love with me without being pushed into marriage by a business deal are basically zero, but, Ari, I don't know if I can live with knowing that you're only marrying me because the thought of it is just a little less bleak to you than marrying a stranger. I just don't think I can do that."

"Hey," his voice was firm, urgent. "That's not– No. I'm not just asking you this because you're convenient. I–"

"Ari," you interrupted. "We've never even slept together. And you've slept with everyone."

"And you haven't?" he bit back, defensive.

And it was true. You'd slept with most of your male friends. It was just the way your friend group was. When serious relationships were off the table, sex became a lot less precious. Hell, you'd slept with Steve a few times, and up until Ari had walked into the women's bathroom, you'd been pretty sure that that was how this night would end, too. But you'd never slept with Ari. He'd never pursued it, and you'd tried not to be disappointed by that. It was just another reason that this whole thing felt so out of the blue.

So now you stared him down with a raised eyebrow, not rising to his bait. You needed to know. If you were going to do this, he needed to tell you.

It didn't take him long to deflate. With a sigh, his expression took on a thoughtful, almost bashful edge. "Being friends with you, it felt delicate. It–" Another sigh. "It only felt possible if I never let myself get a taste of anything else. It felt... it felt like that could make it all fall apart."

Your brows knit together, and you stood up and took a few steps away, suddenly full of nervous energy. "Ari," you breathed out cautiously. What was he saying?

He stood up too, and took one step toward you, then stopped. He raised a hand, as if to show there was no threat, and hurriedly added, "I'm not saying I'm in love with you. I'm just saying maybe I could be. If I gave it half a chance."

His eyes were locked on you, and you found that you couldn't look away. Your voice shook as you asked, "You really think there could be something between us?"

He nodded slowly, his face serious, but there was something sparkling in his eyes as he answered, "I do."

"Show me," you challenged on an exhale. And he didn't hesitate a single second to do just that.

He lunged at you, immediately erasing the small distance between you, and with one large hand on your cheek, the other firm around your hip, crowded you against one of the vanities, kicking the heavy chair out of the way. His thumb stroked your cheekbone as his lips pressed against yours, daring you to open your mouth, let him in. The moment you did, he took control, pushing his tongue in and making you breathless.

God, he was beautiful. He always had been, but there'd been some sort of thin wall there that you'd never really understood, so you hadn't let yourself dwell on it. But now? Now that you had permission, now that you were on the precipice of becoming something else, you let yourself indulge in him. He was beautiful. Thick and strong and powerful. You wanted.

You broke apart for a desperate breath, and as you leaned back against the counter, panting, his hands began scrabbling at your long gown, trying to lift it up. You reached down and, with both hands, gathered it around your hips, silently signaling to him that you were game for whatever he was. With a hungry grin, and one last look to make sure this was what you wanted, he hooked both thumbs into the band of your lace panties and pulled them down to your thighs. Then he put both hands on your ass and boosted you up onto the reinforced vanity. You laughed in surprise and leaned back, the mirror cold against your skin, bracing.

He kissed you again, even hungrier now, his fingers dancing up your inner thighs. When they got to your core, you felt him grin against your lips. "God, you get wet fast," he breathed against your skin. "Please lie to me and tell me it's just for me."

"Not a lie," you forced out between kisses. You'd never done anything like this before, sex in the bathroom while most of the people you knew were all gathered outside, none the wiser. And with Ari. With the decision you were about to make. The things he wanted you to become, together. The whole thing had your entire body lighting up from the inside.

He continued to kiss you, hot and wanting, as his thick fingers explored you below. You were moaning into his mouth until he pulled away again. "You're on something, right?" he asked. "The pill or whatever?"

"Yeah," you breathed, gripping the lapels of his tux in both hands to pull him back to you. "We're all good."

"Excellent," he said, with one more kiss, and then he was unbuckling his belt and unbuttoning his pants.

He was about to pull himself out when you stopped him with a hand on his wrist. "Wait. Let me. I want to see it for myself. I've always been curious." His only response was to raise a questioning brow, and you laughed. "Girls talk," you answered with a wink.

"Well," he said, his grip on your wrist now as he guided your hand into his pants, "I hope it lives up to the hype." And his grin was so cocky you had to kiss him again, as you made contact with his warm length. This was the Ari you knew. You were happy to have him back.

You pulled out his cock and admired it. It really was beautiful. Or as beautiful as a cock, of all things, could be. But it matched the man, thick and long. You needed it inside you.

It only took a few firm strokes to get it to full hardness, then you were slowly guiding him inside of you, gasping as he made you feel so full. Once he was all the way in, he lifted one of your legs and hooked it over his shoulder so he could get even deeper. Then, with a quick look to make sure you were still feeling good, he began thrusting, fast and deep and dirty. Tonight wasn't about taking your time. It was about proving something to each other. That whatever this might be between you, at the very least, it was real.

You were panting together, finding your rhythm, when he took one hand off your hip to land his thumb harshly on your clit. You let out a cry, and he quickly moved his other hand to cover your mouth. "You have to be quiet," he laughed, even as his voice was strained from exertion. "Someone will try to come in."

You moaned behind his hand in defiance, and he laughed again, but his next thrust was brutal, determined to send you both over the edge. With his thumb pressing and tugging and pressing against your clit, you had no choice but to tumble over into your orgasm. You came with a cry, muffled behind his hand. "Oh fuck," he groaned, as your body squeezed him, all of you shaking apart. "You feel so fucking good."

You moved the hand on your clit away as the aftershocks abated and you became too sensitive. He gripped your hip instead, bruising. His other hand uncovered your mouth and moved to brace himself flat against the mirror behind you. "Come on," you muttered, burying your face in his neck, as his hips began to stutter. "Come on. Ari. Please. Give it to me. Ari. Come on."

He lost all rhythm, the last few thrusts coming wild, until he was cumming too, filling you up. He collapsed against you, and you held him tight until he was done.

Then you both took a long moment, still collapsed against each other, trying to get your breath back. Finally, he pulled out, with a gentle kiss to your forehead, and you slowly separated.

He grabbed a box of tissues from the next table and used them to clean you both up, discarding them in the covered bin. Then he came back to you as you were sliding your panties back up your thighs and trying to put on the shoe that had fallen off at some point in all of this. He paused you with a gentle hand on your cheek. "So," he asked softly, "will you marry me?"

You looked at him carefully, at the man you'd known since you were kids, and needed one final reassurance. "You really want me, and not just someone?"

Something shy and hesitant, nervous, filled his eyes even as his cocky smirk was back. "Isn't that what I just proved to you?"

You didn't say anything; you just looked at him seriously until the smirk faded into something else, something more real, maybe. "Yeah," you said slowly. You were pretty sure this was the only choice you were ever going to make. Even with your reservations. Even though it scared you. "Yeah, okay. I'll marry you, Ari. I'll talk to my dad tonight."

"Thank you," he whispered, with a short, gentle kiss. "Thank you. I'll make sure you won't regret it, I promise. I promise."

And, with a fond smile, you believed him, as you straightened his tie and brushed the sweat-plastered hair from his forehead. Then, you finally kicked him out of the women's bathroom so you could make yourself presentable enough to face whatever was to come.

Tag List

You'd somehow lucked into having a father who loved you, who didn't just see you and your older brother as means to an end. It felt like the most uncommon thing in the world, and each new wedding you attended was a stark reminder of that fact.

You were a little surprised you kept being invited to these things. You saw the way these brides looked at you as you went through the receiving line, the realization that you represented all of the things they had never, and would never, have. And you could only look at them with pity. And think of how lucky you were.

But still. Etiquette dictated that they invite you and that you attend. So, every weekend you put on a different designer evening gown and hoped you'd be able to find a school friend to while away the evening with. Though those friends became fewer and fewer every year, as they were all slowly but surely married off and left to start new lives that you hoped would be kind to them. There were only a handful left now, and you were the last woman among them.

So, tonight you'd been camped out at the bar with Steve Rogers. You were pretty sure you had a few other friends here—Andy, probably; hopefully Ari—but you'd yet to see them. The last time you'd seen Steve was at his own sister's wedding. He was in a considerably better mood now.

You'd left him briefly to touch up your lipstick and hopefully get a quick break from the prying eyes of society in the lounge of the women's restroom. As you were staring at yourself in one of the vanity mirrors, you heard the door open behind you, and someone enter. You didn't bother looking over until Ari Levinson stepped up behind your reflection. You turned with a start. "Ari, the fuck are you doing in here?!"

You expected a cheeky smirk or something in return, but he just looked at you seriously. "I need to talk to you."

You raised an eyebrow at that. "Okay? I'll be out in just a minute." You turned back to the mirror, expecting him to turn around and leave, to wait for you outside. But he didn't move. "Ari. This is the ladies' room. You can't be in here."

He shook his head. "I'd rather have this conversation in private." Then he took the few steps back to the door and flipped the lock.

If you hadn't known him as well as you did, for as long as you had, that may have scared you or made you nervous. And it did make you nervous, but not in that way. It worried you. You were used to Ari being the most charming person in any room. You knew him to be a little cocky and so very sure of himself. He was the guy that everything was easy for. That was the Ari you knew. You'd never seen this version of him before.

He stood stiffly by the wall, his hands making and unmaking fists. His shoulders looked like they were struggling to hold the weight of the world. His brow was furrowed, and his eyes were panicked. You had no idea what to do with this version of him.

"Um. Okay. Sure." You moved to sit on one of the plush couches and gestured for him to join you. Once he did, you asked carefully, "What's going on?"

He tilted his head and brought one hand up to scratch his beard. "I, uh," he started, then let out a humorless chuckle. "I'm pretty sure I'm about to be engaged. My dad made a comment about me and weddings tonight, said we'd talk more in the office on Monday. So… yeah. I'm pretty sure it's happening. Soon."

"Do you know who?" you asked gently.

His head bobbed from side to side. "I have a couple guesses." Then he grimaced and shook his head. He didn't say anything else.

You reached out and covered his hand with yours as your heart broke for him. "I'm so sorry, Ari," you said softly. This was the worst part. What good was being spared when no one else around you was so lucky? You just had to sit and watch the worst thing happen to friend after friend after friend. Until one day, when there wouldn't be anyone left. And there was nothing you could do about it.

He turned his hand so he could hold yours and cleared his throat. "But. I've been thinking. Your family's airline. There could be a good business opportunity for our resorts there."

You frowned in confusion at the sudden change in subject. "What?"

He just looked at you intently. "You aren't seeing anyone right now, are you?"

This conversation was giving you whiplash. No, you weren't seeing anyone. Who was there to date? Everyone you knew was just waiting around to be told who they were going to marry. In fact, no one who had any chance of understanding your world or your background or your responsibilities had any interest in a long-term relationship when it had no hope of permanence. Your dad had given you such a gift, but also… you were so lonely.

Just as you were about to open your mouth and answer his question, the penny finally dropped, and you realized what he was actually asking you. "Ari," you basically gasped, struggling to keep your voice steady, "is this– Are you– Did you just… propose to me?!" Your heart suddenly felt like it might beat right out of your chest.

In lieu of an answer, Ari looked you dead in the eyes. "I can't live a life that someone else chooses for me. I thought that I could, but I can't. I won't."

"And so," you said softly, trying your hardest to wrap your head around this madness, "you're choosing it for me instead?"

"You can say no. Of course you can. But," he paused and scratched his beard again, then sighed. "I just can't see myself living happily with any of those women out there." He threw a casual hand to the door, to high society waiting outside. "But you? You're my friend."

"Yeah, Ari. I'm your friend. And you're– This is crazy! You're asking me to be your wife."

He was quiet for a long moment, and you instinctively held your breath. In the space of just a few minutes, this night had somehow gone from just another boring wedding to one of the most important moments of your life. You knew that was true, deep down inside, no matter what happened. So you waited with bated breath to see what he would say.

Finally, with determination, he nodded, and his eyes softened as he said, sincerely, "We love each other, don't we? Maybe not in that way, but we could get there, I think. And we're certainly a hell of a lot closer to it than any of these assholes whose weddings we've been going to."

It was true. You did love him, as dearly as you loved any of your friends. But you couldn't shake the awful feeling that this would be settling—not necessarily that you'd be settling for him, but that he'd be settling for you. And that was a sharp pain, right in your heart. But you could push that aside, couldn't you? If it meant saving your friend?

You shook your head, as if you could literally shake away that feeling, and tried to continue this conversation practically. "How do you know it would even work? It sounds like your dad's deal is already done."

"I haven't signed anything. And come on, we both know your dad will give you anything you ask for. If you go to him and tell him you want this, he'll make it happen. And my dad," Ari scoffed, "whatever your dad comes up with is guaranteed to be better than anything my dad managed to negotiate for himself. Our businesses are too suited for each other. He won't be able to turn it down, no matter how far along this deal is. This will work. I've thought it through."

"Okay, um," you tried, but your heart was still pounding away against your ribs. "Ari. I, um, I haven't had a chance to think it through like that, and I just need– I need a minute to catch up, okay?" You tried to force yourself to breathe as you could feel the formation of tears starting to burn in your eyes. You tried to blink them away, but instead felt them fall upon your cheeks.

"Hey," Ari whispered, noticing immediately, "what's wrong?" He squeezed your hand, which he was still holding so gently.

"Am I just your best bad option?" you asked so quietly. He opened his mouth to answer, but you shook your head. You couldn't push this down. You needed him to listen to you. "I get that my relationship with my father makes me a really convenient choice. I do. And maybe my chances of finding someone to fall in love with me without being pushed into marriage by a business deal are basically zero, but, Ari, I don't know if I can live with knowing that you're only marrying me because the thought of it is just a little less bleak to you than marrying a stranger. I just don't think I can do that."

"Hey," his voice was firm, urgent. "That's not– No. I'm not just asking you this because you're convenient. I–"

"Ari," you interrupted. "We've never even slept together. And you've slept with everyone."

"And you haven't?" he bit back, defensive.

And it was true. You'd slept with most of your male friends. It was just the way your friend group was. When serious relationships were off the table, sex became a lot less precious. Hell, you'd slept with Steve a few times, and up until Ari had walked into the women's bathroom, you'd been pretty sure that that was how this night would end, too. But you'd never slept with Ari. He'd never pursued it, and you'd tried not to be disappointed by that. It was just another reason that this whole thing felt so out of the blue.

So now you stared him down with a raised eyebrow, not rising to his bait. You needed to know. If you were going to do this, he needed to tell you.

It didn't take him long to deflate. With a sigh, his expression took on a thoughtful, almost bashful edge. "Being friends with you, it felt delicate. It–" Another sigh. "It only felt possible if I never let myself get a taste of anything else. It felt... it felt like that could make it all fall apart."

Your brows knit together, and you stood up and took a few steps away, suddenly full of nervous energy. "Ari," you breathed out cautiously. What was he saying?

He stood up too, and took one step toward you, then stopped. He raised a hand, as if to show there was no threat, and hurriedly added, "I'm not saying I'm in love with you. I'm just saying maybe I could be. If I gave it half a chance."

His eyes were locked on you, and you found that you couldn't look away. Your voice shook as you asked, "You really think there could be something between us?"

He nodded slowly, his face serious, but there was something sparkling in his eyes as he answered, "I do."

"Show me," you challenged on an exhale. And he didn't hesitate a single second to do just that.

He lunged at you, immediately erasing the small distance between you, and with one large hand on your cheek, the other firm around your hip, crowded you against one of the vanities, kicking the heavy chair out of the way. His thumb stroked your cheekbone as his lips pressed against yours, daring you to open your mouth, let him in. The moment you did, he took control, pushing his tongue in and making you breathless.

God, he was beautiful. He always had been, but there'd been some sort of thin wall there that you'd never really understood, so you hadn't let yourself dwell on it. But now? Now that you had permission, now that you were on the precipice of becoming something else, you let yourself indulge in him. He was beautiful. Thick and strong and powerful. You wanted.

You broke apart for a desperate breath, and as you leaned back against the counter, panting, his hands began scrabbling at your long gown, trying to lift it up. You reached down and, with both hands, gathered it around your hips, silently signaling to him that you were game for whatever he was. With a hungry grin, and one last look to make sure this was what you wanted, he hooked both thumbs into the band of your lace panties and pulled them down to your thighs. Then he put both hands on your ass and boosted you up onto the reinforced vanity. You laughed in surprise and leaned back, the mirror cold against your skin, bracing.

He kissed you again, even hungrier now, his fingers dancing up your inner thighs. When they got to your core, you felt him grin against your lips. "God, you get wet fast," he breathed against your skin. "Please lie to me and tell me it's just for me."

"Not a lie," you forced out between kisses. You'd never done anything like this before, sex in the bathroom while most of the people you knew were all gathered outside, none the wiser. And with Ari. With the decision you were about to make. The things he wanted you to become, together. The whole thing had your entire body lighting up from the inside.

He continued to kiss you, hot and wanting, as his thick fingers explored you below. You were moaning into his mouth until he pulled away again. "You're on something, right?" he asked. "The pill or whatever?"

"Yeah," you breathed, gripping the lapels of his tux in both hands to pull him back to you. "We're all good."

"Excellent," he said, with one more kiss, and then he was unbuckling his belt and unbuttoning his pants.

He was about to pull himself out when you stopped him with a hand on his wrist. "Wait. Let me. I want to see it for myself. I've always been curious." His only response was to raise a questioning brow, and you laughed. "Girls talk," you answered with a wink.

"Well," he said, his grip on your wrist now as he guided your hand into his pants, "I hope it lives up to the hype." And his grin was so cocky you had to kiss him again, as you made contact with his warm length. This was the Ari you knew. You were happy to have him back.

You pulled out his cock and admired it. It really was beautiful. Or as beautiful as a cock, of all things, could be. But it matched the man, thick and long. You needed it inside you.

It only took a few firm strokes to get it to full hardness, then you were slowly guiding him inside of you, gasping as he made you feel so full. Once he was all the way in, he lifted one of your legs and hooked it over his shoulder so he could get even deeper. Then, with a quick look to make sure you were still feeling good, he began thrusting, fast and deep and dirty. Tonight wasn't about taking your time. It was about proving something to each other. That whatever this might be between you, at the very least, it was real.

You were panting together, finding your rhythm, when he took one hand off your hip to land his thumb harshly on your clit. You let out a cry, and he quickly moved his other hand to cover your mouth. "You have to be quiet," he laughed, even as his voice was strained from exertion. "Someone will try to come in."

You moaned behind his hand in defiance, and he laughed again, but his next thrust was brutal, determined to send you both over the edge. With his thumb pressing and tugging and pressing against your clit, you had no choice but to tumble over into your orgasm. You came with a cry, muffled behind his hand. "Oh fuck," he groaned, as your body squeezed him, all of you shaking apart. "You feel so fucking good."

You moved the hand on your clit away as the aftershocks abated and you became too sensitive. He gripped your hip instead, bruising. His other hand uncovered your mouth and moved to brace himself flat against the mirror behind you. "Come on," you muttered, burying your face in his neck, as his hips began to stutter. "Come on. Ari. Please. Give it to me. Ari. Come on."

He lost all rhythm, the last few thrusts coming wild, until he was cumming too, filling you up. He collapsed against you, and you held him tight until he was done.

Then you both took a long moment, still collapsed against each other, trying to get your breath back. Finally, he pulled out, with a gentle kiss to your forehead, and you slowly separated.

He grabbed a box of tissues from the next table and used them to clean you both up, discarding them in the covered bin. Then he came back to you as you were sliding your panties back up your thighs and trying to put on the shoe that had fallen off at some point in all of this. He paused you with a gentle hand on your cheek. "So," he asked softly, "will you marry me?"

You looked at him carefully, at the man you'd known since you were kids, and needed one final reassurance. "You really want me, and not just someone?"

Something shy and hesitant, nervous, filled his eyes even as his cocky smirk was back. "Isn't that what I just proved to you?"

You didn't say anything; you just looked at him seriously until the smirk faded into something else, something more real, maybe. "Yeah," you said slowly. You were pretty sure this was the only choice you were ever going to make. Even with your reservations. Even though it scared you. "Yeah, okay. I'll marry you, Ari. I'll talk to my dad tonight."

"Thank you," he whispered, with a short, gentle kiss. "Thank you. I'll make sure you won't regret it, I promise. I promise."

And, with a fond smile, you believed him, as you straightened his tie and brushed the sweat-plastered hair from his forehead. Then, you finally kicked him out of the women's bathroom so you could make yourself presentable enough to face whatever was to come.

Tag List

You'd somehow lucked into having a father who loved you, who didn't just see you and your older brother as means to an end. It felt like the most uncommon thing in the world, and each new wedding you attended was a stark reminder of that fact.

You were a little surprised you kept being invited to these things. You saw the way these brides looked at you as you went through the receiving line, the realization that you represented all of the things they had never, and would never, have. And you could only look at them with pity. And think of how lucky you were.

But still. Etiquette dictated that they invite you and that you attend. So, every weekend you put on a different designer evening gown and hoped you'd be able to find a school friend to while away the evening with. Though those friends became fewer and fewer every year, as they were all slowly but surely married off and left to start new lives that you hoped would be kind to them. There were only a handful left now, and you were the last woman among them.

So, tonight you'd been camped out at the bar with Steve Rogers. You were pretty sure you had a few other friends here—Andy, probably; hopefully Ari—but you'd yet to see them. The last time you'd seen Steve was at his own sister's wedding. He was in a considerably better mood now.

You'd left him briefly to touch up your lipstick and hopefully get a quick break from the prying eyes of society in the lounge of the women's restroom. As you were staring at yourself in one of the vanity mirrors, you heard the door open behind you, and someone enter. You didn't bother looking over until Ari Levinson stepped up behind your reflection. You turned with a start. "Ari, the fuck are you doing in here?!"

You expected a cheeky smirk or something in return, but he just looked at you seriously. "I need to talk to you."

You raised an eyebrow at that. "Okay? I'll be out in just a minute." You turned back to the mirror, expecting him to turn around and leave, to wait for you outside. But he didn't move. "Ari. This is the ladies' room. You can't be in here."

He shook his head. "I'd rather have this conversation in private." Then he took the few steps back to the door and flipped the lock.

If you hadn't known him as well as you did, for as long as you had, that may have scared you or made you nervous. And it did make you nervous, but not in that way. It worried you. You were used to Ari being the most charming person in any room. You knew him to be a little cocky and so very sure of himself. He was the guy that everything was easy for. That was the Ari you knew. You'd never seen this version of him before.

He stood stiffly by the wall, his hands making and unmaking fists. His shoulders looked like they were struggling to hold the weight of the world. His brow was furrowed, and his eyes were panicked. You had no idea what to do with this version of him.

"Um. Okay. Sure." You moved to sit on one of the plush couches and gestured for him to join you. Once he did, you asked carefully, "What's going on?"

He tilted his head and brought one hand up to scratch his beard. "I, uh," he started, then let out a humorless chuckle. "I'm pretty sure I'm about to be engaged. My dad made a comment about me and weddings tonight, said we'd talk more in the office on Monday. So… yeah. I'm pretty sure it's happening. Soon."

"Do you know who?" you asked gently.

His head bobbed from side to side. "I have a couple guesses." Then he grimaced and shook his head. He didn't say anything else.

You reached out and covered his hand with yours as your heart broke for him. "I'm so sorry, Ari," you said softly. This was the worst part. What good was being spared when no one else around you was so lucky? You just had to sit and watch the worst thing happen to friend after friend after friend. Until one day, when there wouldn't be anyone left. And there was nothing you could do about it.

He turned his hand so he could hold yours and cleared his throat. "But. I've been thinking. Your family's airline. There could be a good business opportunity for our resorts there."

You frowned in confusion at the sudden change in subject. "What?"

He just looked at you intently. "You aren't seeing anyone right now, are you?"

This conversation was giving you whiplash. No, you weren't seeing anyone. Who was there to date? Everyone you knew was just waiting around to be told who they were going to marry. In fact, no one who had any chance of understanding your world or your background or your responsibilities had any interest in a long-term relationship when it had no hope of permanence. Your dad had given you such a gift, but also… you were so lonely.

Just as you were about to open your mouth and answer his question, the penny finally dropped, and you realized what he was actually asking you. "Ari," you basically gasped, struggling to keep your voice steady, "is this– Are you– Did you just… propose to me?!" Your heart suddenly felt like it might beat right out of your chest.

In lieu of an answer, Ari looked you dead in the eyes. "I can't live a life that someone else chooses for me. I thought that I could, but I can't. I won't."

"And so," you said softly, trying your hardest to wrap your head around this madness, "you're choosing it for me instead?"

"You can say no. Of course you can. But," he paused and scratched his beard again, then sighed. "I just can't see myself living happily with any of those women out there." He threw a casual hand to the door, to high society waiting outside. "But you? You're my friend."

"Yeah, Ari. I'm your friend. And you're– This is crazy! You're asking me to be your wife."

He was quiet for a long moment, and you instinctively held your breath. In the space of just a few minutes, this night had somehow gone from just another boring wedding to one of the most important moments of your life. You knew that was true, deep down inside, no matter what happened. So you waited with bated breath to see what he would say.

Finally, with determination, he nodded, and his eyes softened as he said, sincerely, "We love each other, don't we? Maybe not in that way, but we could get there, I think. And we're certainly a hell of a lot closer to it than any of these assholes whose weddings we've been going to."

It was true. You did love him, as dearly as you loved any of your friends. But you couldn't shake the awful feeling that this would be settling—not necessarily that you'd be settling for him, but that he'd be settling for you. And that was a sharp pain, right in your heart. But you could push that aside, couldn't you? If it meant saving your friend?

You shook your head, as if you could literally shake away that feeling, and tried to continue this conversation practically. "How do you know it would even work? It sounds like your dad's deal is already done."

"I haven't signed anything. And come on, we both know your dad will give you anything you ask for. If you go to him and tell him you want this, he'll make it happen. And my dad," Ari scoffed, "whatever your dad comes up with is guaranteed to be better than anything my dad managed to negotiate for himself. Our businesses are too suited for each other. He won't be able to turn it down, no matter how far along this deal is. This will work. I've thought it through."

"Okay, um," you tried, but your heart was still pounding away against your ribs. "Ari. I, um, I haven't had a chance to think it through like that, and I just need– I need a minute to catch up, okay?" You tried to force yourself to breathe as you could feel the formation of tears starting to burn in your eyes. You tried to blink them away, but instead felt them fall upon your cheeks.

"Hey," Ari whispered, noticing immediately, "what's wrong?" He squeezed your hand, which he was still holding so gently.

"Am I just your best bad option?" you asked so quietly. He opened his mouth to answer, but you shook your head. You couldn't push this down. You needed him to listen to you. "I get that my relationship with my father makes me a really convenient choice. I do. And maybe my chances of finding someone to fall in love with me without being pushed into marriage by a business deal are basically zero, but, Ari, I don't know if I can live with knowing that you're only marrying me because the thought of it is just a little less bleak to you than marrying a stranger. I just don't think I can do that."

"Hey," his voice was firm, urgent. "That's not– No. I'm not just asking you this because you're convenient. I–"

"Ari," you interrupted. "We've never even slept together. And you've slept with everyone."

"And you haven't?" he bit back, defensive.

And it was true. You'd slept with most of your male friends. It was just the way your friend group was. When serious relationships were off the table, sex became a lot less precious. Hell, you'd slept with Steve a few times, and up until Ari had walked into the women's bathroom, you'd been pretty sure that that was how this night would end, too. But you'd never slept with Ari. He'd never pursued it, and you'd tried not to be disappointed by that. It was just another reason that this whole thing felt so out of the blue.

So now you stared him down with a raised eyebrow, not rising to his bait. You needed to know. If you were going to do this, he needed to tell you.

It didn't take him long to deflate. With a sigh, his expression took on a thoughtful, almost bashful edge. "Being friends with you, it felt delicate. It–" Another sigh. "It only felt possible if I never let myself get a taste of anything else. It felt... it felt like that could make it all fall apart."

Your brows knit together, and you stood up and took a few steps away, suddenly full of nervous energy. "Ari," you breathed out cautiously. What was he saying?

He stood up too, and took one step toward you, then stopped. He raised a hand, as if to show there was no threat, and hurriedly added, "I'm not saying I'm in love with you. I'm just saying maybe I could be. If I gave it half a chance."

His eyes were locked on you, and you found that you couldn't look away. Your voice shook as you asked, "You really think there could be something between us?"

He nodded slowly, his face serious, but there was something sparkling in his eyes as he answered, "I do."

"Show me," you challenged on an exhale. And he didn't hesitate a single second to do just that.

He lunged at you, immediately erasing the small distance between you, and with one large hand on your cheek, the other firm around your hip, crowded you against one of the vanities, kicking the heavy chair out of the way. His thumb stroked your cheekbone as his lips pressed against yours, daring you to open your mouth, let him in. The moment you did, he took control, pushing his tongue in and making you breathless.

God, he was beautiful. He always had been, but there'd been some sort of thin wall there that you'd never really understood, so you hadn't let yourself dwell on it. But now? Now that you had permission, now that you were on the precipice of becoming something else, you let yourself indulge in him. He was beautiful. Thick and strong and powerful. You wanted.

You broke apart for a desperate breath, and as you leaned back against the counter, panting, his hands began scrabbling at your long gown, trying to lift it up. You reached down and, with both hands, gathered it around your hips, silently signaling to him that you were game for whatever he was. With a hungry grin, and one last look to make sure this was what you wanted, he hooked both thumbs into the band of your lace panties and pulled them down to your thighs. Then he put both hands on your ass and boosted you up onto the reinforced vanity. You laughed in surprise and leaned back, the mirror cold against your skin, bracing.

He kissed you again, even hungrier now, his fingers dancing up your inner thighs. When they got to your core, you felt him grin against your lips. "God, you get wet fast," he breathed against your skin. "Please lie to me and tell me it's just for me."

"Not a lie," you forced out between kisses. You'd never done anything like this before, sex in the bathroom while most of the people you knew were all gathered outside, none the wiser. And with Ari. With the decision you were about to make. The things he wanted you to become, together. The whole thing had your entire body lighting up from the inside.

He continued to kiss you, hot and wanting, as his thick fingers explored you below. You were moaning into his mouth until he pulled away again. "You're on something, right?" he asked. "The pill or whatever?"

"Yeah," you breathed, gripping the lapels of his tux in both hands to pull him back to you. "We're all good."

"Excellent," he said, with one more kiss, and then he was unbuckling his belt and unbuttoning his pants.

He was about to pull himself out when you stopped him with a hand on his wrist. "Wait. Let me. I want to see it for myself. I've always been curious." His only response was to raise a questioning brow, and you laughed. "Girls talk," you answered with a wink.

"Well," he said, his grip on your wrist now as he guided your hand into his pants, "I hope it lives up to the hype." And his grin was so cocky you had to kiss him again, as you made contact with his warm length. This was the Ari you knew. You were happy to have him back.

You pulled out his cock and admired it. It really was beautiful. Or as beautiful as a cock, of all things, could be. But it matched the man, thick and long. You needed it inside you.

It only took a few firm strokes to get it to full hardness, then you were slowly guiding him inside of you, gasping as he made you feel so full. Once he was all the way in, he lifted one of your legs and hooked it over his shoulder so he could get even deeper. Then, with a quick look to make sure you were still feeling good, he began thrusting, fast and deep and dirty. Tonight wasn't about taking your time. It was about proving something to each other. That whatever this might be between you, at the very least, it was real.

You were panting together, finding your rhythm, when he took one hand off your hip to land his thumb harshly on your clit. You let out a cry, and he quickly moved his other hand to cover your mouth. "You have to be quiet," he laughed, even as his voice was strained from exertion. "Someone will try to come in."

You moaned behind his hand in defiance, and he laughed again, but his next thrust was brutal, determined to send you both over the edge. With his thumb pressing and tugging and pressing against your clit, you had no choice but to tumble over into your orgasm. You came with a cry, muffled behind his hand. "Oh fuck," he groaned, as your body squeezed him, all of you shaking apart. "You feel so fucking good."

You moved the hand on your clit away as the aftershocks abated and you became too sensitive. He gripped your hip instead, bruising. His other hand uncovered your mouth and moved to brace himself flat against the mirror behind you. "Come on," you muttered, burying your face in his neck, as his hips began to stutter. "Come on. Ari. Please. Give it to me. Ari. Come on."

He lost all rhythm, the last few thrusts coming wild, until he was cumming too, filling you up. He collapsed against you, and you held him tight until he was done.

Then you both took a long moment, still collapsed against each other, trying to get your breath back. Finally, he pulled out, with a gentle kiss to your forehead, and you slowly separated.

He grabbed a box of tissues from the next table and used them to clean you both up, discarding them in the covered bin. Then he came back to you as you were sliding your panties back up your thighs and trying to put on the shoe that had fallen off at some point in all of this. He paused you with a gentle hand on your cheek. "So," he asked softly, "will you marry me?"

You looked at him carefully, at the man you'd known since you were kids, and needed one final reassurance. "You really want me, and not just someone?"

Something shy and hesitant, nervous, filled his eyes even as his cocky smirk was back. "Isn't that what I just proved to you?"

You didn't say anything; you just looked at him seriously until the smirk faded into something else, something more real, maybe. "Yeah," you said slowly. You were pretty sure this was the only choice you were ever going to make. Even with your reservations. Even though it scared you. "Yeah, okay. I'll marry you, Ari. I'll talk to my dad tonight."

"Thank you," he whispered, with a short, gentle kiss. "Thank you. I'll make sure you won't regret it, I promise. I promise."

And, with a fond smile, you believed him, as you straightened his tie and brushed the sweat-plastered hair from his forehead. Then, you finally kicked him out of the women's bathroom so you could make yourself presentable enough to face whatever was to come.

Tag List

You'd somehow lucked into having a father who loved you, who didn't just see you and your older brother as means to an end. It felt like the most uncommon thing in the world, and each new wedding you attended was a stark reminder of that fact.

You were a little surprised you kept being invited to these things. You saw the way these brides looked at you as you went through the receiving line, the realization that you represented all of the things they had never, and would never, have. And you could only look at them with pity. And think of how lucky you were.

But still. Etiquette dictated that they invite you and that you attend. So, every weekend you put on a different designer evening gown and hoped you'd be able to find a school friend to while away the evening with. Though those friends became fewer and fewer every year, as they were all slowly but surely married off and left to start new lives that you hoped would be kind to them. There were only a handful left now, and you were the last woman among them.

So, tonight you'd been camped out at the bar with Steve Rogers. You were pretty sure you had a few other friends here—Andy, probably; hopefully Ari—but you'd yet to see them. The last time you'd seen Steve was at his own sister's wedding. He was in a considerably better mood now.

You'd left him briefly to touch up your lipstick and hopefully get a quick break from the prying eyes of society in the lounge of the women's restroom. As you were staring at yourself in one of the vanity mirrors, you heard the door open behind you, and someone enter. You didn't bother looking over until Ari Levinson stepped up behind your reflection. You turned with a start. "Ari, the fuck are you doing in here?!"

You expected a cheeky smirk or something in return, but he just looked at you seriously. "I need to talk to you."

You raised an eyebrow at that. "Okay? I'll be out in just a minute." You turned back to the mirror, expecting him to turn around and leave, to wait for you outside. But he didn't move. "Ari. This is the ladies' room. You can't be in here."

He shook his head. "I'd rather have this conversation in private." Then he took the few steps back to the door and flipped the lock.

If you hadn't known him as well as you did, for as long as you had, that may have scared you or made you nervous. And it did make you nervous, but not in that way. It worried you. You were used to Ari being the most charming person in any room. You knew him to be a little cocky and so very sure of himself. He was the guy that everything was easy for. That was the Ari you knew. You'd never seen this version of him before.

He stood stiffly by the wall, his hands making and unmaking fists. His shoulders looked like they were struggling to hold the weight of the world. His brow was furrowed, and his eyes were panicked. You had no idea what to do with this version of him.

"Um. Okay. Sure." You moved to sit on one of the plush couches and gestured for him to join you. Once he did, you asked carefully, "What's going on?"

He tilted his head and brought one hand up to scratch his beard. "I, uh," he started, then let out a humorless chuckle. "I'm pretty sure I'm about to be engaged. My dad made a comment about me and weddings tonight, said we'd talk more in the office on Monday. So… yeah. I'm pretty sure it's happening. Soon."

"Do you know who?" you asked gently.

His head bobbed from side to side. "I have a couple guesses." Then he grimaced and shook his head. He didn't say anything else.

You reached out and covered his hand with yours as your heart broke for him. "I'm so sorry, Ari," you said softly. This was the worst part. What good was being spared when no one else around you was so lucky? You just had to sit and watch the worst thing happen to friend after friend after friend. Until one day, when there wouldn't be anyone left. And there was nothing you could do about it.

He turned his hand so he could hold yours and cleared his throat. "But. I've been thinking. Your family's airline. There could be a good business opportunity for our resorts there."

You frowned in confusion at the sudden change in subject. "What?"

He just looked at you intently. "You aren't seeing anyone right now, are you?"

This conversation was giving you whiplash. No, you weren't seeing anyone. Who was there to date? Everyone you knew was just waiting around to be told who they were going to marry. In fact, no one who had any chance of understanding your world or your background or your responsibilities had any interest in a long-term relationship when it had no hope of permanence. Your dad had given you such a gift, but also… you were so lonely.

Just as you were about to open your mouth and answer his question, the penny finally dropped, and you realized what he was actually asking you. "Ari," you basically gasped, struggling to keep your voice steady, "is this– Are you– Did you just… propose to me?!" Your heart suddenly felt like it might beat right out of your chest.

In lieu of an answer, Ari looked you dead in the eyes. "I can't live a life that someone else chooses for me. I thought that I could, but I can't. I won't."

"And so," you said softly, trying your hardest to wrap your head around this madness, "you're choosing it for me instead?"

"You can say no. Of course you can. But," he paused and scratched his beard again, then sighed. "I just can't see myself living happily with any of those women out there." He threw a casual hand to the door, to high society waiting outside. "But you? You're my friend."

"Yeah, Ari. I'm your friend. And you're– This is crazy! You're asking me to be your wife."

He was quiet for a long moment, and you instinctively held your breath. In the space of just a few minutes, this night had somehow gone from just another boring wedding to one of the most important moments of your life. You knew that was true, deep down inside, no matter what happened. So you waited with bated breath to see what he would say.

Finally, with determination, he nodded, and his eyes softened as he said, sincerely, "We love each other, don't we? Maybe not in that way, but we could get there, I think. And we're certainly a hell of a lot closer to it than any of these assholes whose weddings we've been going to."

It was true. You did love him, as dearly as you loved any of your friends. But you couldn't shake the awful feeling that this would be settling—not necessarily that you'd be settling for him, but that he'd be settling for you. And that was a sharp pain, right in your heart. But you could push that aside, couldn't you? If it meant saving your friend?

You shook your head, as if you could literally shake away that feeling, and tried to continue this conversation practically. "How do you know it would even work? It sounds like your dad's deal is already done."

"I haven't signed anything. And come on, we both know your dad will give you anything you ask for. If you go to him and tell him you want this, he'll make it happen. And my dad," Ari scoffed, "whatever your dad comes up with is guaranteed to be better than anything my dad managed to negotiate for himself. Our businesses are too suited for each other. He won't be able to turn it down, no matter how far along this deal is. This will work. I've thought it through."

"Okay, um," you tried, but your heart was still pounding away against your ribs. "Ari. I, um, I haven't had a chance to think it through like that, and I just need– I need a minute to catch up, okay?" You tried to force yourself to breathe as you could feel the formation of tears starting to burn in your eyes. You tried to blink them away, but instead felt them fall upon your cheeks.

"Hey," Ari whispered, noticing immediately, "what's wrong?" He squeezed your hand, which he was still holding so gently.

"Am I just your best bad option?" you asked so quietly. He opened his mouth to answer, but you shook your head. You couldn't push this down. You needed him to listen to you. "I get that my relationship with my father makes me a really convenient choice. I do. And maybe my chances of finding someone to fall in love with me without being pushed into marriage by a business deal are basically zero, but, Ari, I don't know if I can live with knowing that you're only marrying me because the thought of it is just a little less bleak to you than marrying a stranger. I just don't think I can do that."

"Hey," his voice was firm, urgent. "That's not– No. I'm not just asking you this because you're convenient. I–"

"Ari," you interrupted. "We've never even slept together. And you've slept with everyone."

"And you haven't?" he bit back, defensive.

And it was true. You'd slept with most of your male friends. It was just the way your friend group was. When serious relationships were off the table, sex became a lot less precious. Hell, you'd slept with Steve a few times, and up until Ari had walked into the women's bathroom, you'd been pretty sure that that was how this night would end, too. But you'd never slept with Ari. He'd never pursued it, and you'd tried not to be disappointed by that. It was just another reason that this whole thing felt so out of the blue.

So now you stared him down with a raised eyebrow, not rising to his bait. You needed to know. If you were going to do this, he needed to tell you.

It didn't take him long to deflate. With a sigh, his expression took on a thoughtful, almost bashful edge. "Being friends with you, it felt delicate. It–" Another sigh. "It only felt possible if I never let myself get a taste of anything else. It felt... it felt like that could make it all fall apart."

Your brows knit together, and you stood up and took a few steps away, suddenly full of nervous energy. "Ari," you breathed out cautiously. What was he saying?

He stood up too, and took one step toward you, then stopped. He raised a hand, as if to show there was no threat, and hurriedly added, "I'm not saying I'm in love with you. I'm just saying maybe I could be. If I gave it half a chance."

His eyes were locked on you, and you found that you couldn't look away. Your voice shook as you asked, "You really think there could be something between us?"

He nodded slowly, his face serious, but there was something sparkling in his eyes as he answered, "I do."

"Show me," you challenged on an exhale. And he didn't hesitate a single second to do just that.

He lunged at you, immediately erasing the small distance between you, and with one large hand on your cheek, the other firm around your hip, crowded you against one of the vanities, kicking the heavy chair out of the way. His thumb stroked your cheekbone as his lips pressed against yours, daring you to open your mouth, let him in. The moment you did, he took control, pushing his tongue in and making you breathless.

God, he was beautiful. He always had been, but there'd been some sort of thin wall there that you'd never really understood, so you hadn't let yourself dwell on it. But now? Now that you had permission, now that you were on the precipice of becoming something else, you let yourself indulge in him. He was beautiful. Thick and strong and powerful. You wanted.

You broke apart for a desperate breath, and as you leaned back against the counter, panting, his hands began scrabbling at your long gown, trying to lift it up. You reached down and, with both hands, gathered it around your hips, silently signaling to him that you were game for whatever he was. With a hungry grin, and one last look to make sure this was what you wanted, he hooked both thumbs into the band of your lace panties and pulled them down to your thighs. Then he put both hands on your ass and boosted you up onto the reinforced vanity. You laughed in surprise and leaned back, the mirror cold against your skin, bracing.

He kissed you again, even hungrier now, his fingers dancing up your inner thighs. When they got to your core, you felt him grin against your lips. "God, you get wet fast," he breathed against your skin. "Please lie to me and tell me it's just for me."

"Not a lie," you forced out between kisses. You'd never done anything like this before, sex in the bathroom while most of the people you knew were all gathered outside, none the wiser. And with Ari. With the decision you were about to make. The things he wanted you to become, together. The whole thing had your entire body lighting up from the inside.

He continued to kiss you, hot and wanting, as his thick fingers explored you below. You were moaning into his mouth until he pulled away again. "You're on something, right?" he asked. "The pill or whatever?"

"Yeah," you breathed, gripping the lapels of his tux in both hands to pull him back to you. "We're all good."

"Excellent," he said, with one more kiss, and then he was unbuckling his belt and unbuttoning his pants.

He was about to pull himself out when you stopped him with a hand on his wrist. "Wait. Let me. I want to see it for myself. I've always been curious." His only response was to raise a questioning brow, and you laughed. "Girls talk," you answered with a wink.

"Well," he said, his grip on your wrist now as he guided your hand into his pants, "I hope it lives up to the hype." And his grin was so cocky you had to kiss him again, as you made contact with his warm length. This was the Ari you knew. You were happy to have him back.

You pulled out his cock and admired it. It really was beautiful. Or as beautiful as a cock, of all things, could be. But it matched the man, thick and long. You needed it inside you.

It only took a few firm strokes to get it to full hardness, then you were slowly guiding him inside of you, gasping as he made you feel so full. Once he was all the way in, he lifted one of your legs and hooked it over his shoulder so he could get even deeper. Then, with a quick look to make sure you were still feeling good, he began thrusting, fast and deep and dirty. Tonight wasn't about taking your time. It was about proving something to each other. That whatever this might be between you, at the very least, it was real.

You were panting together, finding your rhythm, when he took one hand off your hip to land his thumb harshly on your clit. You let out a cry, and he quickly moved his other hand to cover your mouth. "You have to be quiet," he laughed, even as his voice was strained from exertion. "Someone will try to come in."

You moaned behind his hand in defiance, and he laughed again, but his next thrust was brutal, determined to send you both over the edge. With his thumb pressing and tugging and pressing against your clit, you had no choice but to tumble over into your orgasm. You came with a cry, muffled behind his hand. "Oh fuck," he groaned, as your body squeezed him, all of you shaking apart. "You feel so fucking good."

You moved the hand on your clit away as the aftershocks abated and you became too sensitive. He gripped your hip instead, bruising. His other hand uncovered your mouth and moved to brace himself flat against the mirror behind you. "Come on," you muttered, burying your face in his neck, as his hips began to stutter. "Come on. Ari. Please. Give it to me. Ari. Come on."

He lost all rhythm, the last few thrusts coming wild, until he was cumming too, filling you up. He collapsed against you, and you held him tight until he was done.

Then you both took a long moment, still collapsed against each other, trying to get your breath back. Finally, he pulled out, with a gentle kiss to your forehead, and you slowly separated.

He grabbed a box of tissues from the next table and used them to clean you both up, discarding them in the covered bin. Then he came back to you as you were sliding your panties back up your thighs and trying to put on the shoe that had fallen off at some point in all of this. He paused you with a gentle hand on your cheek. "So," he asked softly, "will you marry me?"

You looked at him carefully, at the man you'd known since you were kids, and needed one final reassurance. "You really want me, and not just someone?"

Something shy and hesitant, nervous, filled his eyes even as his cocky smirk was back. "Isn't that what I just proved to you?"

You didn't say anything; you just looked at him seriously until the smirk faded into something else, something more real, maybe. "Yeah," you said slowly. You were pretty sure this was the only choice you were ever going to make. Even with your reservations. Even though it scared you. "Yeah, okay. I'll marry you, Ari. I'll talk to my dad tonight."

"Thank you," he whispered, with a short, gentle kiss. "Thank you. I'll make sure you won't regret it, I promise. I promise."

And, with a fond smile, you believed him, as you straightened his tie and brushed the sweat-plastered hair from his forehead. Then, you finally kicked him out of the women's bathroom so you could make yourself presentable enough to face whatever was to come.

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You'd somehow lucked into having a father who loved you, who didn't just see you and your older brother as means to an end. It felt like the most uncommon thing in the world, and each new wedding you attended was a stark reminder of that fact.

You were a little surprised you kept being invited to these things. You saw the way these brides looked at you as you went through the receiving line, the realization that you represented all of the things they had never, and would never, have. And you could only look at them with pity. And think of how lucky you were.

But still. Etiquette dictated that they invite you and that you attend. So, every weekend you put on a different designer evening gown and hoped you'd be able to find a school friend to while away the evening with. Though those friends became fewer and fewer every year, as they were all slowly but surely married off and left to start new lives that you hoped would be kind to them. There were only a handful left now, and you were the last woman among them.

So, tonight you'd been camped out at the bar with Steve Rogers. You were pretty sure you had a few other friends here—Andy, probably; hopefully Ari—but you'd yet to see them. The last time you'd seen Steve was at his own sister's wedding. He was in a considerably better mood now.

You'd left him briefly to touch up your lipstick and hopefully get a quick break from the prying eyes of society in the lounge of the women's restroom. As you were staring at yourself in one of the vanity mirrors, you heard the door open behind you, and someone enter. You didn't bother looking over until Ari Levinson stepped up behind your reflection. You turned with a start. "Ari, the fuck are you doing in here?!"

You expected a cheeky smirk or something in return, but he just looked at you seriously. "I need to talk to you."

You raised an eyebrow at that. "Okay? I'll be out in just a minute." You turned back to the mirror, expecting him to turn around and leave, to wait for you outside. But he didn't move. "Ari. This is the ladies' room. You can't be in here."

He shook his head. "I'd rather have this conversation in private." Then he took the few steps back to the door and flipped the lock.

If you hadn't known him as well as you did, for as long as you had, that may have scared you or made you nervous. And it did make you nervous, but not in that way. It worried you. You were used to Ari being the most charming person in any room. You knew him to be a little cocky and so very sure of himself. He was the guy that everything was easy for. That was the Ari you knew. You'd never seen this version of him before.

He stood stiffly by the wall, his hands making and unmaking fists. His shoulders looked like they were struggling to hold the weight of the world. His brow was furrowed, and his eyes were panicked. You had no idea what to do with this version of him.

"Um. Okay. Sure." You moved to sit on one of the plush couches and gestured for him to join you. Once he did, you asked carefully, "What's going on?"

He tilted his head and brought one hand up to scratch his beard. "I, uh," he started, then let out a humorless chuckle. "I'm pretty sure I'm about to be engaged. My dad made a comment about me and weddings tonight, said we'd talk more in the office on Monday. So… yeah. I'm pretty sure it's happening. Soon."

"Do you know who?" you asked gently.

His head bobbed from side to side. "I have a couple guesses." Then he grimaced and shook his head. He didn't say anything else.

You reached out and covered his hand with yours as your heart broke for him. "I'm so sorry, Ari," you said softly. This was the worst part. What good was being spared when no one else around you was so lucky? You just had to sit and watch the worst thing happen to friend after friend after friend. Until one day, when there wouldn't be anyone left. And there was nothing you could do about it.

He turned his hand so he could hold yours and cleared his throat. "But. I've been thinking. Your family's airline. There could be a good business opportunity for our resorts there."

You frowned in confusion at the sudden change in subject. "What?"

He just looked at you intently. "You aren't seeing anyone right now, are you?"

This conversation was giving you whiplash. No, you weren't seeing anyone. Who was there to date? Everyone you knew was just waiting around to be told who they were going to marry. In fact, no one who had any chance of understanding your world or your background or your responsibilities had any interest in a long-term relationship when it had no hope of permanence. Your dad had given you such a gift, but also… you were so lonely.

Just as you were about to open your mouth and answer his question, the penny finally dropped, and you realized what he was actually asking you. "Ari," you basically gasped, struggling to keep your voice steady, "is this– Are you– Did you just… propose to me?!" Your heart suddenly felt like it might beat right out of your chest.

In lieu of an answer, Ari looked you dead in the eyes. "I can't live a life that someone else chooses for me. I thought that I could, but I can't. I won't."

"And so," you said softly, trying your hardest to wrap your head around this madness, "you're choosing it for me instead?"

"You can say no. Of course you can. But," he paused and scratched his beard again, then sighed. "I just can't see myself living happily with any of those women out there." He threw a casual hand to the door, to high society waiting outside. "But you? You're my friend."

"Yeah, Ari. I'm your friend. And you're– This is crazy! You're asking me to be your wife."

He was quiet for a long moment, and you instinctively held your breath. In the space of just a few minutes, this night had somehow gone from just another boring wedding to one of the most important moments of your life. You knew that was true, deep down inside, no matter what happened. So you waited with bated breath to see what he would say.

Finally, with determination, he nodded, and his eyes softened as he said, sincerely, "We love each other, don't we? Maybe not in that way, but we could get there, I think. And we're certainly a hell of a lot closer to it than any of these assholes whose weddings we've been going to."

It was true. You did love him, as dearly as you loved any of your friends. But you couldn't shake the awful feeling that this would be settling—not necessarily that you'd be settling for him, but that he'd be settling for you. And that was a sharp pain, right in your heart. But you could push that aside, couldn't you? If it meant saving your friend?

You shook your head, as if you could literally shake away that feeling, and tried to continue this conversation practically. "How do you know it would even work? It sounds like your dad's deal is already done."

"I haven't signed anything. And come on, we both know your dad will give you anything you ask for. If you go to him and tell him you want this, he'll make it happen. And my dad," Ari scoffed, "whatever your dad comes up with is guaranteed to be better than anything my dad managed to negotiate for himself. Our businesses are too suited for each other. He won't be able to turn it down, no matter how far along this deal is. This will work. I've thought it through."

"Okay, um," you tried, but your heart was still pounding away against your ribs. "Ari. I, um, I haven't had a chance to think it through like that, and I just need– I need a minute to catch up, okay?" You tried to force yourself to breathe as you could feel the formation of tears starting to burn in your eyes. You tried to blink them away, but instead felt them fall upon your cheeks.

"Hey," Ari whispered, noticing immediately, "what's wrong?" He squeezed your hand, which he was still holding so gently.

"Am I just your best bad option?" you asked so quietly. He opened his mouth to answer, but you shook your head. You couldn't push this down. You needed him to listen to you. "I get that my relationship with my father makes me a really convenient choice. I do. And maybe my chances of finding someone to fall in love with me without being pushed into marriage by a business deal are basically zero, but, Ari, I don't know if I can live with knowing that you're only marrying me because the thought of it is just a little less bleak to you than marrying a stranger. I just don't think I can do that."

"Hey," his voice was firm, urgent. "That's not– No. I'm not just asking you this because you're convenient. I–"

"Ari," you interrupted. "We've never even slept together. And you've slept with everyone."

"And you haven't?" he bit back, defensive.

And it was true. You'd slept with most of your male friends. It was just the way your friend group was. When serious relationships were off the table, sex became a lot less precious. Hell, you'd slept with Steve a few times, and up until Ari had walked into the women's bathroom, you'd been pretty sure that that was how this night would end, too. But you'd never slept with Ari. He'd never pursued it, and you'd tried not to be disappointed by that. It was just another reason that this whole thing felt so out of the blue.

So now you stared him down with a raised eyebrow, not rising to his bait. You needed to know. If you were going to do this, he needed to tell you.

It didn't take him long to deflate. With a sigh, his expression took on a thoughtful, almost bashful edge. "Being friends with you, it felt delicate. It–" Another sigh. "It only felt possible if I never let myself get a taste of anything else. It felt... it felt like that could make it all fall apart."

Your brows knit together, and you stood up and took a few steps away, suddenly full of nervous energy. "Ari," you breathed out cautiously. What was he saying?

He stood up too, and took one step toward you, then stopped. He raised a hand, as if to show there was no threat, and hurriedly added, "I'm not saying I'm in love with you. I'm just saying maybe I could be. If I gave it half a chance."

His eyes were locked on you, and you found that you couldn't look away. Your voice shook as you asked, "You really think there could be something between us?"

He nodded slowly, his face serious, but there was something sparkling in his eyes as he answered, "I do."

"Show me," you challenged on an exhale. And he didn't hesitate a single second to do just that.

He lunged at you, immediately erasing the small distance between you, and with one large hand on your cheek, the other firm around your hip, crowded you against one of the vanities, kicking the heavy chair out of the way. His thumb stroked your cheekbone as his lips pressed against yours, daring you to open your mouth, let him in. The moment you did, he took control, pushing his tongue in and making you breathless.

God, he was beautiful. He always had been, but there'd been some sort of thin wall there that you'd never really understood, so you hadn't let yourself dwell on it. But now? Now that you had permission, now that you were on the precipice of becoming something else, you let yourself indulge in him. He was beautiful. Thick and strong and powerful. You wanted.

You broke apart for a desperate breath, and as you leaned back against the counter, panting, his hands began scrabbling at your long gown, trying to lift it up. You reached down and, with both hands, gathered it around your hips, silently signaling to him that you were game for whatever he was. With a hungry grin, and one last look to make sure this was what you wanted, he hooked both thumbs into the band of your lace panties and pulled them down to your thighs. Then he put both hands on your ass and boosted you up onto the reinforced vanity. You laughed in surprise and leaned back, the mirror cold against your skin, bracing.

He kissed you again, even hungrier now, his fingers dancing up your inner thighs. When they got to your core, you felt him grin against your lips. "God, you get wet fast," he breathed against your skin. "Please lie to me and tell me it's just for me."

"Not a lie," you forced out between kisses. You'd never done anything like this before, sex in the bathroom while most of the people you knew were all gathered outside, none the wiser. And with Ari. With the decision you were about to make. The things he wanted you to become, together. The whole thing had your entire body lighting up from the inside.

He continued to kiss you, hot and wanting, as his thick fingers explored you below. You were moaning into his mouth until he pulled away again. "You're on something, right?" he asked. "The pill or whatever?"

"Yeah," you breathed, gripping the lapels of his tux in both hands to pull him back to you. "We're all good."

"Excellent," he said, with one more kiss, and then he was unbuckling his belt and unbuttoning his pants.

He was about to pull himself out when you stopped him with a hand on his wrist. "Wait. Let me. I want to see it for myself. I've always been curious." His only response was to raise a questioning brow, and you laughed. "Girls talk," you answered with a wink.

"Well," he said, his grip on your wrist now as he guided your hand into his pants, "I hope it lives up to the hype." And his grin was so cocky you had to kiss him again, as you made contact with his warm length. This was the Ari you knew. You were happy to have him back.

You pulled out his cock and admired it. It really was beautiful. Or as beautiful as a cock, of all things, could be. But it matched the man, thick and long. You needed it inside you.

It only took a few firm strokes to get it to full hardness, then you were slowly guiding him inside of you, gasping as he made you feel so full. Once he was all the way in, he lifted one of your legs and hooked it over his shoulder so he could get even deeper. Then, with a quick look to make sure you were still feeling good, he began thrusting, fast and deep and dirty. Tonight wasn't about taking your time. It was about proving something to each other. That whatever this might be between you, at the very least, it was real.

You were panting together, finding your rhythm, when he took one hand off your hip to land his thumb harshly on your clit. You let out a cry, and he quickly moved his other hand to cover your mouth. "You have to be quiet," he laughed, even as his voice was strained from exertion. "Someone will try to come in."

You moaned behind his hand in defiance, and he laughed again, but his next thrust was brutal, determined to send you both over the edge. With his thumb pressing and tugging and pressing against your clit, you had no choice but to tumble over into your orgasm. You came with a cry, muffled behind his hand. "Oh fuck," he groaned, as your body squeezed him, all of you shaking apart. "You feel so fucking good."

You moved the hand on your clit away as the aftershocks abated and you became too sensitive. He gripped your hip instead, bruising. His other hand uncovered your mouth and moved to brace himself flat against the mirror behind you. "Come on," you muttered, burying your face in his neck, as his hips began to stutter. "Come on. Ari. Please. Give it to me. Ari. Come on."

He lost all rhythm, the last few thrusts coming wild, until he was cumming too, filling you up. He collapsed against you, and you held him tight until he was done.

Then you both took a long moment, still collapsed against each other, trying to get your breath back. Finally, he pulled out, with a gentle kiss to your forehead, and you slowly separated.

He grabbed a box of tissues from the next table and used them to clean you both up, discarding them in the covered bin. Then he came back to you as you were sliding your panties back up your thighs and trying to put on the shoe that had fallen off at some point in all of this. He paused you with a gentle hand on your cheek. "So," he asked softly, "will you marry me?"

You looked at him carefully, at the man you'd known since you were kids, and needed one final reassurance. "You really want me, and not just someone?"

Something shy and hesitant, nervous, filled his eyes even as his cocky smirk was back. "Isn't that what I just proved to you?"

You didn't say anything; you just looked at him seriously until the smirk faded into something else, something more real, maybe. "Yeah," you said slowly. You were pretty sure this was the only choice you were ever going to make. Even with your reservations. Even though it scared you. "Yeah, okay. I'll marry you, Ari. I'll talk to my dad tonight."

"Thank you," he whispered, with a short, gentle kiss. "Thank you. I'll make sure you won't regret it, I promise. I promise."

And, with a fond smile, you believed him, as you straightened his tie and brushed the sweat-plastered hair from his forehead. Then, you finally kicked him out of the women's bathroom so you could make yourself presentable enough to face whatever was to come.

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