Made to Love: Carmen and Cooper's Story

by Candace Werts

  Marcia says, “Look, Carmen you have your entire life to be with him, give us this weekend with you. No interruptions.”

  Giselle smiles and grabs my hand. They are right. Cooper and I will always be together, but I will see my friends less.

  Grinning at them, I say, “You guys have my undivided attention. Let’s enjoy our weekend.”

  Pulling up to the luxury resort, the hotel sign is lit in red. As the car rounds the circular driveway, there is a waterfall and palm trees can be seen for miles. The hotel offers a magnificent view not only of the Las Vegas valley but the mountains beyond as well. It’s located off the strip which gives it a peaceful feel. While I am checking in, Giselle sees the famous Pink Hot Dogs. She says we must eat there after we put our things in the Signature suite. It is beautiful. There is a cherry wood dining table in the middle of the floor with four chairs; a modern light fixture hangs over it. The plush cushions and back rest on the chairs are shiny gold. A mini wet bar compliments of the hotel is found to the right.

  The marble countertop includes a sink and tray that sits loaded with liquor, glasses, and an ice bucket. A fifty inch plasma TV is mounted on the wall overlooking the sofa. There are two bedrooms, but we are all going to stay in the room with the extra-large King Sized bed. The bed is complete with a white pillow down comforter; the sheets are olive green, which match the throw pillows found on top. A decorative pillow of brown and olive rests in the center of the made bed. Two chairs, both a jade green color sit to the right; a brown velour pillow in the shape of a rectangle is in the middle of each chair. After putting our clothes away we head to Pink’s.

  Our order is outrageous, we get chili hot dogs, the Vegas Strip Dog, the Showgirl Dog, chili-burgers, onion rings, coleslaw, chili cheese fries and of course, margaritas to wash it down.

  “I can’t believe we are going to eat all of this right before my wedding.”

  Giselle states, “Girl, you will be fine. As much as you work out, you won’t gain a pound.”

  Marcia ignores us and starts eating. I am surprised how good everything tastes, especially since there are some weird combinations on the hotdogs. Of course we could not finish all the food, but we did give it our best effort. My stomach is so full; we go back to our room and sleep for a few hours. I wake up at five and Marcia hands me a rum and coke.

  “Where is Giselle?” I ask.

  “She went to check everything out.”

  I sit on the L shaped couch and sip my drink. The large cream cushions are highlighted with multiple canary yellow and mocha pillows.

  “Marcia I am glad we have a few minutes together. I want you to know that once I get married, I don’t want our relationship to change. Always know that I am here for you.”

  Marcia finishes her drink and says, “I know Carmen, but things will change. You won’t be around as much because you will be adjusting to the married life.” I open my mouth to say something, but she stops me. “We will always be best friends, but everything in life changes.”

  Giselle comes back into the room with a note pad in hand. She tells us about what is in the hotel and the times we are to arrive at each activity.

  Tonight we want some authentic Italian entrées, so we have dinner at Terra Rosa. After dinner we go to the salon and have manicure and pedicure treatments since we will have an early morning.

  Chapter Forty-Two

  The smell of coffee and cigarettes wakes me. “Marcia!” I yell. She enters the bedroom with a cup of hot water for me and coffee for herself.

  “Why are you smoking in our room?”

  “Carmen chill, I smoked on the balcony and didn’t close the door. Don’t give me any shit, Giselle already did.”

  The sound of the front door closing makes me think that Giselle left. But instead she comes in with fresh fruit and bagels.

  “Morning princess and smoking mess. I got us a light breakfast, so we don’t become ill on the trail.”

  Marcia says, “Can’t we skip the horseback riding? I am not in the mood to smell horse shit.”

  Her statement annoys Giselle. “No we cannot skip it. We have a schedule of activities that will be followed!”

  I laugh. Marcia doesn’t.

  “This is why you should drink coffee instead of the green tea. You would be in a better mood,” I say.

  Giselle looks at the both of us and states, “You need to be ready in an hour and don’t keep me waiting.”

  She walks out of the room. Giselle is a scheduling queen, and we both know not to mess up her time frames. We are ready in forty-five minutes.

  After horseback riding, Giselle orders lunch for us. She is always making sure everyone eats. Later I hear the girls fussing because Marcia wants to go topless. These two are so amusing. I am going to miss not being around to see their silly disagreements. I love my friends.

  Giselle says, “Carmen tell your friend she has to wear a top.”

  I reply, “Why is she always my friend when it’s about her shenanigans?”

  Marcia states, “I am standing right here and I don’t need either of you.”

  She crosses her arms.

  “Aww little baby Marcia got her feelings hurt.”

  Giselle opens her arms and says, “Come here, baby.”

  Marcia and I burst out laughing. We finally go to the pool and lay out. The sun feels good on our skin. After swimming a few laps and having a water fight, we head back to the suite.

  “I can’t wait to see the Chippendales tonight,” Marcia says, as she puts on her purple dress. The strapless top is full of sequins, and the skirt has a see through layer of fuchsia allowing the sequins to shine from underneath. Her chunky glitter pumps match perfectly with her dress. She sparkles from every angle.

  Giselle grins, “I hear they are some of the sexiest men in the world.”

  She is wearing a short cream A-line baby doll dress. The lace material is sewn with a chic floral design. Her cream fold-over-cuff ankle boots are laced up and ready for action. I grab my sexy high neck corset lace mini black cocktail dress. A black ribbon is tied on the left side. My feisty look is achieved.

  “Sorry ladies no one is sexier than Cooper.”

  They look at each other and pretend to vomit.

  “Let me do everyone’s makeup before I get dressed,” I say.

  Marcia does a happy dance. Giselle isn’t excited. She hates wearing makeup, but never puts up a fuss when we ask her too.

  When the limo arrives we are excited to be headed to the Rio hotel. While stopped at the light, we can see the hotel. It is made of all glass, the outer rims are dark, and two sections of red come down the sides. The middle is electric blue. The sign at the top RIO is lit in red. Marcia opens the moon roof and pops out, champagne glass in hand.

  “Vegas baby!” she yells to all the people along the sidewalk. They cheer her on.

  “Hey, wasn’t that our stop?” I call.

  Marcia slides back down and takes a seat.

  “Don’t worry Carmen, we have an activity planned before the show,” says Giselle.

  “You two are always plotting.” I giggle. They look at each other with mischievous grins.

  The limo comes to a stop in front of Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.

  “Okay ladies, time to reveal your plan.”

  “We think not, just follow us, we’ll lead the way,” Giselle says as we all walk arm in arm inside the glowing high-rise building.

  The lobby floor is a bright cobalt blue, it reminds me of clear night skies, as the lights above reflect stars onto the blue surface. Marble columns are draped in crystals from top to bottom where they fringe out. I’m speechless from the splendor of this place when we finally reach the elevator. Getting in, Giselle presses the number five and I wonder what will happen when we get there.

  “Are you ready to get this party started or what?” Marcia asks with a slight chuckle.

  I let them get out first as I follow them down the hall and we come to a single black door with a small
peep through window. I catch a glimpse of florescent lights before they hold the door open for me. Walking in, there are several ladies already seated, and the chrome poles let me know exactly what time it is. “Really girls?” I ask taking a seat on the purple chair made of velour. Silence overtakes the room as the instructor Heidi takes the stage. Her introduction is by a swift slide down the pole.

  “Welcome ladies. Would you and everyone in your party please take position beside a pole please?”

  We take a stance beside the slick silver object. Marcia is prepared for the challenge, her left leg already on the pole waiting for further instructions. Heidi comes to meet our group and demonstrates some moves that Marcia soon imitates. I allow Giselle to be the next victim, and she looks like a professional.

  “Now I know what you do in your free time away from the center.” I laugh as I step up to the task.

  The pole feels cold between my legs but I receive applause from all the ladies in the room, even the instructor.

  “Who’s the professional now?” Giselle teases me.

  We all laugh as we exit the class. Marcia and Giselle have a conversation in the elevator about having a pole installed in the apartment.

  “I think it would be good exercise,” Marcia exclaims.

  “I hate to interrupt your deep conversation regarding poles, but I just want to thank you both. This time has been enjoyable and I know only the best is yet to come.”

  “Oh yes it is!” Marcia shouts as we walk outside to the limo.

  “Chippendales here we come!” Giselle and Marcia say at the same time.

  These two ladies have brought me so much laughter today, my cheek bones are beginning to hurt. Four minutes later our limo pulls up to Rio. Crowds of people circulate the area as we step out and head in. Floor to ceiling windows surround the entrance of the carpeted trail. We reach the elegantly designed marble tile as a bellhop points us to the elevators. The second floor holds our destination, suite 62.

  “I hope we still get a good seat, the show is about to start,” I say.

  Marcia speaks up “Girl calm down, it’s not every day you have a bachelorette party, only VIP treatment for you. Don’t worry you won’t miss a thing from our seats.”

  “Thanks again for making this weekend memorable.”

  We hug before we enter the Chippendale Lounge; the sign is lit above the door. Two giant screens beside the entrance display images of bare chested men wearing only a bow tie with their thumbs tucked inside black leather pants. The bouncer takes our tickets, and points us to the reserved place where we will be sitting.

  “Enjoy the show ladies.” He smirks.

  We are in the front of the stage that looks like it can fit at least fifty people, if not more. Our seating arrangement is a flat black leather couch. A round table sits in front of us, a silver bucket of ice and three glasses are already arranged on top. A male waiter then approaches us and

  sticks a bottle of champagne in the bucket.

  “Good evening ladies,” he says.

  “Good evening to you,” Marcia replies, her eyes watching his rear as he walks away.

  “Oh my, this is every girl’s fantasy.”

  “Damn, I forgot to break change for singles, did you ladies?” I start digging in my purse for some cash.

  “No tipping, Carmen, it’s not allowed,” Giselle responds.

  Marcia pops open the bottle and distributes it evenly in each glass.

  “Ladies, here’s to a great evening and a wild girl’s night out.”

  We raise our glasses of bubbly to meet hers. We sip the fine champagne, as the same waiter sets down a small platter of cut strawberries.

  “Mmm,” Marcia says as she instantly picks one up and sticks it in her mouth. “Now I feel like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. I just hope no seeds get stuck in my teeth like hers.” Giselle and I crack up in laughter.

  “Only you would compare yourself to a hooker.”

  Then the place goes dark.

  “Shhh,” Marcia says, “The show is about to start.”

  An announcer, with a seductive tone comes over the intercom, and reminds us of certain rules that must be followed.

  “No tipping. No touching. But look all you want, and make sure to enjoy yourselves.”

  Not a second later the overhead fluorescent lights on stage expose some of the hottest men. They’re all dressed in cuffs and collars, showing off their chiseled bodies. Hooting and hollering comes from all directions, including our table as they begin strip teasing to the sexual sounds of “Pony” by Ginuwine. After peeling their jeans off, black G-strings outline the packages lying underneath the leather material. Dicks flop everywhere, especially when the lyrics “Ride it, my pony” come on. Sweat begins to glisten off their hairless chests, and some men display ink on assorted areas of their body. A few of them have purposefully stayed in our area, grinding and flopping away. Once the song ends, they head backstage to prepare for the next act. On queue the lights dim, Nelly’s song “Hot in Here” comes on as three men wearing yellow overalls and a fireman’s helmet appear on stage. I notice the guy in the middle holds a Pulaski used for props. Marcia says, “That one in the back on the left could put my fire out any day.”

  Our bodies dance along with theirs as the suspenders slid down off there sculpted shoulders. Marcia refills our glasses, never allowing her eyes to leave the stage. Without warning, pants are off and three very full red G-strings are bobbing right in front of Marcia. She has to cup her mouth to prevent spitting out the champagne she hasn’t had a chance to swallow. Giselle and I can’t help but laugh, while her face turns the same color as her hair. The next set of men must be ready as the song comes to a close. I decide it’s a perfect time to use the ladies room. Marcia and Giselle decline to come with. They’re afraid they may miss something from the next act.

  Making my way back, I see the next group is dressed in only black trousers. “Sexy Back” by Justin Timberlake is on. After stripping themselves of their pants, one jumps off landing in front of our table. He reaches for my hand and escorts me to the stage. A chair propped against the metal pole is ready for my presence. I sit down and looking at my girls, I know this is their doing. The man tugs my hands behind me where they are handcuffed to a metal pole. One pulls my hair from behind as the other two grind on me. I feel restrained by the handcuffs as one sits on me and starts working his pelvis into me. His hand travels from my neck down the length of my torso, all the while moving erotically to the beat of the song. Luckily, my hands are released soon because no man should be touching me besides Cooper and I am guided off stage back to my seat. The show soon ends.

  “Another bottle of champagne down,” Marcia says.

  The men take one final bow on stage as the bright lights come on indicating that it’s time for our departure.

  “Wait ladies, I want to go to the gift shop and make a purchase before we leave and head to the Voodoo Lounge,” Marcia commands.

  “Really, what are you going to purchase?” Giselle asks.

  “I don’t even know why you asked her that,” I respond.

  When we enter the shop Marcia is at the counter checking out. The clerk did not put the leopard bullet in the bag fast enough because we see it.

  “You are such a freak,” I say as we leave.

  “You better not plan on using that while you are sleeping in the bed with us.”

  “No worries, I will be bunking in one of the other beds tonight. I hope the vibration sounds do not wake you,” Marcia excitedly says.

  Giselle hits the call button for the elevator.

  “Where to now ladies?” I ask.

  “The Voodoo Lounge, another VIP treatment in the works,” replies Giselle.

  The doorway to Voodoo glimmers in neon blue. This establishment is like none of the other lounges we’ve been to in the past. Huge gold cylinders are situated on both sides of the bar. They coordinate immaculately with the gold scroll cashmere couches off to the right in the VIP area. T
he fabric is soft to the touch once we are seated. An oval mini bar sits in front of us with only the finest liquor. Of course, Marcia handles making the drinks as we search for the dance floor. Giselle and I want to go explore the rest of the place; Marcia says she will catch up after she has a quick cigarette.

  Marcia meets us at the dance floor and says we must come out on the rooftop. “The view is indescribable,” she declares.

  Walking out of the door, I see both red and black couches arranged alongside the purple railing. The rooftop overlooks the highway and all of the finest hotels in Vegas. The view is exactly what Marcia said it would be. We decide to take some photos using it as our backdrop before going back inside. After a couple more drinks we decide to call it a night so we can be up early to go shopping before our flight on Sunday evening. Marcia is the first one to stand.

  “I’m ready, I have some business to tend too when we get back to the room.”

  “I have no words,” I reply.

  We take the elevator down to the lobby where our limo is parked.

  “To Red Rock” Giselle advises the driver.

  We are back to the hotel in five minutes. Marcia beats us to the elevator.

  “Damn Marcia, you are really focused hard on the bullet in your purse,” I state.

  Entering the room, we change and get ready for bed.

  “The alarm is set for 8. That will give us enough time for breakfast and to hit all the stores on our list,” Giselle pronounces.

  “Sounds good to me, sleep tight,” Marcia calls as she closes the door to the second bedroom.

  I fall asleep dreaming of Cooper.

  Chapter Forty-Three

  I leave the jewelry store after buying a platinum wedding band for Cooper, and the words Forever Yours are currently in the process of being engraved. The jeweler promised it will be ready for pick up tomorrow. I haven’t seen Cooper since our airplane landed in Vegas. My recent purchases will not permit him to leave my thoughts. I must see him tonight. I drop by the apartment to change for my secret mission. I’m back on the road within ten minutes. Luckily the ladies are out at the moment and cannot question my motives. Even though Cooper keeps stating that we will not be intimate until after we exchange vows, I never verbally agreed. Underneath my tan trench coat is white laced lingerie that was purchased in Vegas. When he opens the door he is shocked to see me.