“I just… I can’t get over it, man.”

Alex gave Fitz a blank look but Drew smiled, spinning his glass of bourbon slowly round and round in his hand as it rested on the table. The Lambency Tavern wasn’t the nicest place to be on a Friday night but the Sand Bar was closed for a private party and Fitz had insisted on taking the brothers out for a drink.

The Danvers’ switcheroo was the talk of the town. Drew was, of course, delighted, basking in all the attention, answering everyone’s “now which one are you?” with a cheeky “guess.” Alex was less than enthused. He’d had a talk with his principal as a precaution, but old Steimetz was just as amused as everyone else, even going so far as to ask him if he and Drew would consider working with his wife, Lambency High’s biology teacher, on a DNA project. He had politely declined, not liking the idea of being a science experiment.

Fitz and Hilary had been annoyed he hadn’t told them, both peppering him with questions like “so how identical are you?” to the point where Alex had asked Kelsey to do all of her AP work at lunch for the rest of the week so he didn’t have to face them. Alex bit his bottom lip and tapped the back of his phone which laid face down on the table in front of him.

He’d spent almost the entire week at Kelsey’s, taking turns making dinner to avoid the questions about a sudden flux of his food orders being delivered to her address. They did the dishes together before curling up on the couch so he could read and she could work on some computer program she was writing for the regional science fair. She’d explained it to him but he hadn’t quite understood, just gathered that it had something to do with space debris and that she cursed a lot when she was working on it. Eventually she would give up and declare that she was going to bed before she chucked her computer into the ocean and they traded the couch for the bed and their work for play.

Alex worked his lip back and forth between his teeth, fiddling with his phone but not picking it up. Every time Reva had called during the week, Kelsey had told her she was too busy working on her science fair project to get dinner or go to the movies or double with her and some senior and his friend from the catholic school across town. She insisted that was why she was accompanying Reva to a prep-school party in Fairhope this evening, something that made him much more uncomfortable than he was willing to admit. He kept telling himself Fairhope wasn’t that far and he was only worried about them drinking and driving because being uneasy about anything else would be ridiculous. In fact if Kelsey did meet someone at a party it might resolve their situation in the least messy way possible. He felt a pang in his chest at the thought, but attributed it to drinking his beer too fast.

“You guys are freakin…” Fitz trailed squinting at them for what seemed like the thousandth time since they’d arrived.

“Identical, I know. My dick is bigger though,” Drew said with a grin before he sipped at his bourbon and Alex rolled his eyes, staring down into his glass miserably.

Fitz laughed, looking from Drew to Alex and back again, still dumbfounded. “It’s weird because physically, yeah, you guys are carbon copies, but just your facial expressions…” Fitz trailed his eyes darting from Alex’s grim countenance to Drew’s dancing eyes. “Do folks really get you two mixed up when you’re together?”

Alex and Drew looked at each other and then back at Fitz. Both responded in the negative at the same time, Drew giving his shoulder a shrug as he said “Nah,” and Alex spit a deadpan, “No.”

Fitz slapped his hands together in delight, the sound echoing around the bar, causing the other patrons to glance over at them.

“Okay that was funny,” Fitz said, raising his beer to his lips and taking a deep drink.

The door to the tavern opened and heads turned curiously. Normally they would turn right back to what they were doing but this time they lingered as a woman entered. She was familiar to all but most had never seen her like this before, her normally fuzzy curls pulled back in a tight pony were smoothed into perfect ringlets that fell just past her chin. Her face was made up in such a way that her small gray eyes seemed wide and piercing, her pocked and freckled skin flawless. She had traded her dumpy corduroys and oversized button downs for a tight sweater dress over tights and knee-high boots all black, slimming her pudgy frame into something alluring.

Alex and Drew’s faces had taken the same blank expression and once Fitz got over the alien nature of the freakish sameness he craned his neck over his shoulder to see the woman striding towards him. His eyes widened.

“Hilary?” he asked as she approached the table, a smug smile on her lips. “What are you doing here?”

Hilary blinked at the accusation in his tone, her smile turning strained. “I heard you guys were coming here tonight. Thought I’d join.” Her smile began to fade all together as Fitz sighed down at his glass.

“Glad you could join us, Hilary” Drew said, pulling himself out of the booth to stand next to her. “It is Hilary right?” he confirmed, his hand touching her arm lightly and she beamed up at him, her eyes studying his face minutely.

“Yes,” she said her voice distant before she blinked hard and shook her head at herself with a giggle. “Yes. You must be Drew.”

“The one and only,” he said smiling all teeth as he held out his hand for hers. She gave it to him and shook once before he turned her hand in his and brought it to his lips. Hilary raised her eyebrows a fine blush creeping up her neck. Alex watched them with narrowed eyes. “You need a drink,” Drew said definitively and guided her to turn towards the bar before resting his hand on her lower back. “You guys need another? On me.”

Fitz grinned and drained his glass. “Yup thanks man.”

“Lex?”

Alex was still regarding him through narrowed eyes, not liking the innocent look on his brother’s face. “I’m fine.”

Drew shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

Alex watched them sashay towards the bar, Drew’s hand still firmly on Hilary’s lower back, his head inclined to hers and her horse laugh echoed throughout the bar.

“Did you tell her we were coming here?” Fitz asked and Alex turned his face to him, blinking at his friend’s angry expression.

“No,” Alex said and Fitz looked over at Drew and Hilary who were now leaning against the bar and chatting easily. “Why? Is it a problem she’s here?”

“No,” Fitz said shrugging his shoulders. “I just… sometimes it’s nice to have guy’s night you know. Like be able to have a couple beers without her throwing herself at you all night.”

Alex’s head shot up. “Huh?”

“Oh please,” Fitz said flopping back against the back of his seat, the booth giving an ominous creak. “Don’t even act like you don’t notice.”

Alex pressed his lips together and looked down at his hand on his phone, his forefinger tapping against it again. Truth be told, he had noticed but did his best to ignore it. He liked Hilary just fine but he wasn’t attracted to her in any kind of romantic way. Even now when she was at the height of her femininity he merely felt she looked better than she normally did. Looking at her stirred no emotions, gave him no pangs of longing. His forefinger stopped it’s tapping as he felt it vibrate under his hand.

He glanced up at Fitz who had his face in his own phone and cautiously flipped it over, tucking in his elbows to keep the screen near his chest should he need to shield it.

This party sux.

Alex fought a smile, tapping back a quick reply. Why’s that?

Near instant reply, All frat boy dude bros. I just watched sum1 do keg stand. I didnt no that was real thing.

Alex shook his head. Be careful.

Yes Dear was her reply with the kissy face emoticon which he returned with a pang of humiliation. Kissy face emoticons. Jesus.

Alex looked up again, surveying the bar. It was pretty packed, the more respectable members of Lambency mixing with the seedier regulars with ease. Alcohol seemed to be the great equalizer. Drew was still chatting up Hilary at the bar, seeming to have forgotten his offer to buy a round and Fitz was fiddling with his phone. Alex was just about to look down at his phone again when a large cheer from a back booth caught his attention and he saw Sullivan Charming with his arms in the air, wedged between two women in one side of a booth. Whoever was across from him launched out of it and scurried the few feet to the men’s room amidst gales of laughter from the other three. A woman slinked out a moment later looking sullen and annoyed.

Alex bit his lip, eyeing his phone for a moment, tapping it a few times and then grabbed it, sliding to the edge of the booth. Fitz looked up finally.

“Bathroom,” Alex muttered slipping his phone in his pocket and Fitz nodded waving a hand at him.

Alex walked cautiously through the sea of tables, inching closer to the back booth where Sully was holding court, the two girls leaning into him and giggling at whatever he had to say. A part of Alex knew this was probably a horrible idea. As far as he could remember he’d never even spoken to Sullivan Charming, but he could see Kelsey’s face clearly in his mind, that jutted out chin, defiance in her eyes and a determination not to let the fact that she didn’t have a father to present her to society bother her one bit. He’d seen right through it but doubted anyone else had. Kelsey’s shell was diamond hard and her skin was thick. She was amiable and friendly but he’d never realized how careful she was until he’d seen her trust him, squeezing him tight when he told her he wasn’t going to leave.

“Mr. Charming,” Alex said as he approached the booth and the three occupants looked up at him, blinking without recognition. “I’m Alex Danvers. I’m Kelsey’s English Teacher.”

“Oh oh oh, yeah. Yeah!” Sully said finally, waving an arm at him. “Sit down, sit down. We’re playing quarters.”

“Well we were until Jimmy lost his cookies,” one of the women replied, her voice a cigarette rasp and Alex gave her a tight smile as he slid into the booth across from them. “You wanna play?”

“Uh… no thanks. Actually I’m just here to talk to Mr. Charming about his daughter.”

“Mr. Charming…” The younger girl on the other side of Sully teased leaning more into him and giggling. Alex tried to keep his face neutral but felt his mouth turn down in distaste. If she was legal drinking age he’d be surprised. “Look at him calling you Mr. Charming.”

“Well that’s how civilized folks talk darlin’” Sully said as he inclined his head towards her and reached for his glass of bourbon, sipping at it. “You can call me Sully. What’s Kelsey done now?”

“Oh, she hasn’t done anything,” Alex replied instantly.

“Cause she was making bombs awhile back and the Sheriff hauled her in,” Sully said looking down into his glass contemplatively and Alex blinked as Sully looked up at him with a grin. “Guess she’s got a little of her daddy in her after all.” He gave a spastic chuckle.

Alex gave him a tight smile. “Nothing like that. She told me…” Alex stopped trying to think of how to phrase this without implying intimacies. Sully tilted his head to the side and regarded Alex with a curious albeit hazy gaze.

“You sit here you gotta play the game,” Sully said, motioning towards the bar and a bartender immediately stepped over with a clean glass in her hand. “Thanks darlin’” he said as an aside and handed her a bill which she smiled and accepted. “You want anything else?”

“Oh I don’t-”

“Thems the rules, Mr. Danvers,” Sully said, reaching for the half full bottle of tequila on the table. Alex wondered if they let him bring his own or if he was really buying entire bottles at the price of six dollars a shot. “You wanna chat about my girl you gotta sink a quarter.”

“Uh…” Alex looked from Sully’s smirking face to the amused bartender and sighed. “A beer is fine, thanks,” Alex said, wiping his sweaty hands on his jeans under the table. He didn’t understand why he was so nervous. The bartender nodded before slinking away again.

Sully filled his rocks glass a third of the way full and did the same to the one the waitress had set in front of Alex. Alex eyed it with consternation but reached for it all the same. Sully slid a quarter across the table to him.

“Guests go first,” Sully said with a hospitable grin and Alex gave him a weak, closed lipped smile in return.

He sighed, staring hard at the glass in the middle of the table and rolling the quarter between his fingers. He was aiming when the bartender came back with his beer and jumped as she plunked it down next to his arm. He fished a five out of his front pocket and handed it to her before she walked away. He furrowed his brow turning back to the task at hand. Alex aimed again and tossed watching the quarter bounce off the table and sink right into the glass, sashaying from side to side before settling against the bottom.

The ladies clapped politely and Sully let out a booming laugh. “Well I’ll be goddamned…”

“Beginner’s luck,” Alex replied modestly as one of the girls fished out the quarter and handed Sully the glass which he took and threw back without so much as a grimace. He set it down the other woman filled it again.

“Now what’s this about my kid?” Sully said gesturing for Alex to go again and the girl reached to hand him the quarter.

“Uh… well it’s about Cotillion-“

The younger girl cackled and quickly suppressed it with a manicured hand. “Sorry,” she said waving a hand and looked at Sully. “You’re going to debut your daughter?”

Alex felt a hot flash of anger and bounced the coin off the table, sinking another one which Sully glared at.

“No I ain’t going to no debut,” Sully grumbled, reaching for the glass and fishing the quarter out before throwing it back. Alex cursed inwardly.

“That was actually why I wanted to talk to you,” Alex pressed undeterred. “She can’t go to Cotillion if she doesn’t have someone to present her.” Alex took the quarter as one of the girls reached to hand it to him and the glass was refilled.

“Sounds like her problem to me,” Sully replied as he gestured for Alex to take his turn again and this time he missed, shocked by the sheer indifference in his voice.

“HA!” Sully exclaimed and the girls cheered a little more enthusiastically. Alex glared at him and threw back the shot, the yellow liquid scorching its way down his throat and instantly curdling his stomach. He reached for his beer and took a swig but it barely quelled the flames. “You took it like a man. Good job, son,” Sully teased reaching across the table to pat his shoulder and Alex felt uneasiness prickle his skin at the endearment.

“Thank you,” Alex said his voice pulled from the back of this throat. The women giggled as they set up for Sully again. “Mr. Charming I wish you would reconsider about attending Cotillion for Kelsey.”

Sully was aiming when his eyes jumped to Alex’s in astonishment. Then he palmed the quarter, his dark eyes going angry. “Now, why would I do that? What has Kelsey done for me lately?”

Alex blinked at him. She’s your daughter she’s not supposed to do anything for you, rolled through his head like a freight train but he bit down on it and replied. “As I understand it she’s letting you stay at the condo. I’m on the HOA,” Alex added quickly when Sully raised his eyebrows at him.

“Yeah,” Sully snorted, taking aim. “Letting me stay in my own damn condo. Real nice of her.” He sunk the quarter and Alex sighed, throwing back the shot and returning the quarter.

“Mr. Charming-“ Alex said evenly, trying to control his temper which was now simmering hotly.

“Call me Sully. Mr. Charming was my father and I hated the bastard.” Sully sunk another quarter and pumped his fist. Alex growled but took his shot.

“Sully,” he said thickly, wiping his mouth. “This is an important rite of passage for…” he paused almost saying Kelsey’s name but switched tracts quickly, “…for girls at the school. She’s taken the Etiquette class all four years of high school-”

“Only so she didn’t have to take another English class,” Sully snorted and his eyes met Alex’s. “You’re her tutor you know how stupid she is with that.”

“She’s not stupid!” Alex exclaimed, his temper boiling over and Sully missed his shot. “I’m sorry Mr. Cha-Sully. Your daughter is the opposite of stupid.”

“Yeah, yeah. She’s a science prodigy,” Sully muttered rolling his eyes. “Go.”

Alex bounced his quarter into the glass with no effort. “Sir, I’m asking you to please considered escorting Kelsey to Cotillion.”

Sully snatched the glass up and downed it but held the glass up to his lip, tapping it against his mouth as he regarded Alex over it.

“What’s in it for you?” Sully asked, setting the glass back down. Alex blinked. “Don’t look all innocent why are you so hellbent on getting that kid to Cotillion?”

“I’m not,” Alex said shifting in his seat and taking the quarter as it was offered to him again. “Kelsey and I have spent more time together this year - because of the tutoring - and she… I mean she wouldn’t ever admit it as you probably know,” Alex said with a gesture and then sunk the quarter again. Sully cursed under his breath. “Her friends are all talking about dresses and gloves and all that girl stuff. I know she would never ask you herself…” Sully snorted as he threw back his shot. “But, it would mean a lot to her if you did.”

Sully set his glass down, running his tongue around inside his mouth then sucking at his teeth. When one of the girls moved to refill the glass he held out a hand stopping her. “I dunno, man,” Sully said leaning his elbows on the table in conference and Alex leaned in as well. Sully rubbed his mouth. “I mean renting a tux and all that… I’m between jobs right now…”

Alex blinked at him unable to believe the audacity of a man who would spend God knows how much money in a bar with two women but couldn’t part with fifty dollars for an event with his daughter. Sully was looking at him plainly and it took a moment for the fact to sink in that Sully was asking him for money. Alex tried to keep his voice even.

“If I provided you with the means to get a tux would you take her?” Alex asked and didn’t miss the flash of a grin that crossed Sully’s face as he leaned back before it changed to one of thoughtfulness.

“I mean that might make it possible. ‘Course she’ll want a corsage and I’ll need one of those pocket things…”

“A boutonniere,” the older woman replied with a nod and Sully pointed at her and nodded.

“That’s right. A boutonniere. I mean I don’t wanna embarrass the girl,” Sully said with a chuckle. Alex ground his teeth together.

“What number are you thinking, Mr. Charming,” Alex said and the warning in his voice wiped the smile off Sully’s face, the girls going quiet.

“Three hundred should do it,” Sully said evenly and Alex nodded beginning to stand from the booth.

He didn’t bother to say he’d be right back, just stalked across the bar to the ATM by the door. He pulled his wallet from his back pocket and took deep breaths as he inserted his card into the machine and punched in his pin. He felt his front pocket vibrate and fished his hand in accepting the service fees with the other and requesting $300.

He looked down at his phone and was surprised to see a slew of texts from Kelsey.

“Reva is ALL over this guy. If she bails as my ride home I will kill her.”

“What are you drinking tonight?”

“Have you ever had something called a Pink Panty Dropper?”

“Party better now.”

“Leeeeeeexiiiiiiiiiiiii wut r u dooing?”

“I dunno wjats n yhis but is v. good”

“Aleeeeeeeeeeexxxxxxx stop ignoring meeeeeee.”

Then a picture of - his eyes widened - the tops of her breasts spilling out of a lacy black bra between the half unbuttoned sides of her shirt. The photo was cropped just above her mouth, her lips slightly parted and glistening.

“Wgen I get homr u r n big truoble mr”

“Srsly r u ok?”

Alex snatched his money from the machine and shot a quick text back. “Sorry phone was in my pocket. Didn’t feel it vibrate. Are you okay?”

It buzzed almost immediately and he stopped in the middle of the bar as he read. “Yes fune, allmose hme. Meet me their????”

“Who’s driving?” he fired back immediately feeling as if his feet were rooted to the floor. He growled when she sent him back a line of crying laughing emojis.

“Guy frm our ladt of snows. Is weird catholic Schppl named that bc it neber snows here.” More crying laughing emojis. “Srsly meet me home.”

“I’m almost done here I’ll meet you at your place.” He texted back and shook his head walking back over to Sully’s booth.

He was alone now, drumming his fingers on the table and looking around blearily. He sat up straighter as Alex approached, not bothering to sit. He held out the folded over wad of twenties and Sully reached for it but Alex didn’t let go right away. He leaned down closer, locking eyes with Sully.

“We have a deal now Sully? You’ll be there for Kelsey?”

Sully tried to look offended. “Of course! I ain’t not damn thief. Just down on my luck is all.”

Alex continued to hold on to the bills as Sully tugged. “Cotillion is December 18th, 7pm. Please arrive early.” He finally released the money and Sully almost tipped backwards in the booth. “I’ll let you surprise her with the news,” Alex added and gave him a tight smile before turning and walking away, shaking his head. He checked his phone again and stopped dead in his tracks, blinking hard at Kelsey’s last words.

“Naked? Will you b naked? Cuz I wsnt u naked.” Followed by a bunch of kissy and winky faces.

“Jesus,” Alex muttered to himself, shoving his phone back into his pocket but feeling a thrill run down his spine.

Drew and Hilary were back at the table with Fitz who looked miserable.

“Hey guys I gotta-“ Alex started but cut off abruptly when he saw Drew’s arm around Hilary and his nose nuzzled into the curls by her ear. She was flushed and giggling, an empty rocks glass in front of her. “What are you doing?”

Drew looked up at him and smirked. “Hey bro, where you been? Getting yourself acquainted with a pretty little brunette?” Drew winked at him.

Alex glared back. “Hilary are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Hilary replied enthusiastically and Drew grinned at her with a chuckle.

“Yeah, we’re all fine here Lexi. In fact, we’re about to be more fine because I’m getting another round. Fitz? My treat.”

Alex narrowed his eyes at his brother. Where was he getting all this money?

“Uh I think Alex is ready to go,” Fitz said looking up at Alex hopefully and Alex blinked at his brother before nodding.

“Yeah, do you mind running me home?” Alex asked and Fitz shook his head emphatically, clamoring out of the booth.

“Nope, not a problem. Bye guys. Nice meeting you Drew.” Fitz leaned over to shake Drew’s hand and Alex got a small sense of satisfaction from the wince Drew gave when Fitz squeezed.

“Hang on,” Alex said as Fitz made for the door. “Hilary do you need a ride?”

“I got her, Lexi,” Drew said with a smile and Hilary giggled in a most un-Hilary-like way. “I’m good to drive.”

“You don’t have a car Drew,” Alex said dryly and Hilary removed her mouth from her straw, swallowing.

“Oh I drove,” she said and Drew smiled at him.

“See, everybody safe and sound,” Drew said with a wolfish grin. Alex didn’t like this. Not at all, but his phone buzzed in his pocket in a series of pulses that indicated multiple texts coming through in rapid succession.

“Fine,” Alex spit, running a hand through his hair and looking from Fitz to Hilary again and back and Fitz rolled his eyes grabbing Alex’s arm. “Hilary text me and Fitz when you get home, okay?” He called as he was being drug towards the door.

“Why are you telling her to text me?” Fitz growled as they exited the bar into the sharp cold of the early winter night and Alex shivered.

“So you can kill my brother if he takes advantage of her,” Alex said as they walked to Fitz’s truck. Alex fished his phone out of his pocket. He skidded to a stop reading through Kelsey’s texts.

“I really wanna fuck you right now.”

“Like I am so wet you don’t even know.”

“I wanna be on top again I liked that.”

“Also I wanna suck your dick will u let me???”

Alex swallowed hard and suddenly he wasn’t so cold anymore.

“Hey, phone boy, it’s cold as fuck. Swipe right and let’s go.”

Alex shook his head, tapping out a quick “where are you” and sending it before jogging the rest of the way to Fitz’s truck. Alex pulled himself inside as Fitz gunned the engine and the tires spit gravel as they pulled out of the Lambency Tavern parking lot. Alex chewed the corner of his mouth, listening to Fitz drone on and on about Drew and Hilary and shots of tequila. Alex hummed and nodded in response though not really listening. His phone sat on his knee, silent and immobile. What if they crashed? Who did she say was driving? Some guy from the catholic school across town? Where was Reva in all this? What if someone found her phone and saw what she’d been sending him? What if she’s hurt?

Alex barely said goodbye as he hopped out of the truck at the start of the boardwalk, waving Fitz away as he hurried down the steps that descended from the road down between the two buildings of Lumen Cove. He looked both ways making sure no one was around before he vaulted up the stairs to the landing of Building One, hurrying to the end of the hall. He let out a sigh of relief as he made it into the small alcove just outside Kelsey’s door, pausing to let his heart slow down before reaching up over the doorframe and fumbling around for the spare key. He frowned, fingers crawling further and further along the edge but still not finding it.

He gave a small shout when the door flung open and he didn’t even have time to process what was happening before a warm body plowed into him. “LEXIIIIIIIIIIII”

Alex let out a slow sigh, a hand coming up to pat Kelsey lightly on the back. “Please don’t call me that.”

“Oops,” she said with a giggle as she pulled back to look at him. “Sorry.”

She was grinning widely as she hung from his shoulders, her shirt halfway unbuttoned, revealing the black lace of her bra underneath. Alex shuffled her inside, taking a quick cursory glance around before closing them inside.

“Yes inside is better,” Kelsey said and before he could respond she was pressed to him again, her mouth on his in a sloppy kiss that made him see stars.

“What-“ He tried to ask but was unable to get another word out around her persistent kisses. “Kelsey!” he said finally, laughter lacing the words as he pried her away from him. “What… what the hell did you drink?”

She grinned at him. “Loooooots.”

Alex shook his head. “I… I can see that,” he said, his eyes being drawn to the deep V of her open shirt. She followed his gaze and made a soft “oh!” sound as her fingers fumbled at the buttons of her shirt swaying on her feet as she concentrated hard. She made a whining sound in the back of her throat, pulling at the button to try and see it better. Alex sighed stepping up to her placing his hands lightly on her shoulders as she finally got it loose and beamed at her success. He was distracted again watching her breasts heave against the lace of her bra as she fumbled with the next button. She growled, grabbed the edges of her shirt and pulled hard, buttons popping everywhere and Alex’s mouth dropped open in shock as she wiggled to get it off her arms.

“Kels. Kels Kels Kels,” he said, as she flung the shirt aside and reached for the button on her jeans. “No no, we should really get you some coffee…”

Kelsey shook her head slowly, getting the button undone and shoving the skin tight jeans down her thighs with difficulty. She finally stopped and sighed, looking up at the ceiling.

“I hate these paaaaaants,” she whined and Alex bit his lip on a laugh.

“Here,” he said patiently as he took her hand and placed it on his shoulder before bending at the waist to inch the stretchy fabric down to her ankles. “Up,” he said as his hand wrapped around one ankle and she dutifully picked up her foot while he wrestled the bunched up fabric off and then they repeated the process with the other.

“Thanks,” Kelsey said with an exhausted sigh as Alex stood again, draping the pants over the back of one of the dining room chairs. “Do you wanna do it here?”

She was wiggling her arms behind her back trying to undo her bra and Alex shook his head, pulling her hands back in front of her. She grinned at him, leaned into his chest and planted a wet kiss on his mouth. He smiled into it, feeling her arms wrap around his neck, her body hanging onto his to stay upright. His hands went to her hips of their own accord, settling there for a moment before smoothing up her back. She giggled against his mouth, licking her lips before kissing him harder and he should really put her to bed and not let her distract him further.

“Help me,” she whined softly, twisting her arms behind her back and nudging his hands up to her bra, her brown eyes round and pleading. He hesitated. “Please,” she said and pecked his lips before looking up into his eyes again. “Please,” she repeated, pecking his lips again and then nuzzling his nose looking into his eyes. “Please,” she breathed and he gasped his shock as her teeth caught his lower lip between them and tugged, scraping against the soft flesh before it slipped free and he felt an immediate rush of blood to his groin.

“You are going to bed,” Alex warned, his fingers deftly undoing the hooks at her back and she grinned as she let her bra fall down her arms and to the floor. Alex tried very hard to concentrate on her face. And failed.

“Only if you come with me,” she sing-songed, taking a step back from him but grabbing his hands as she dragged him towards the bedroom.

He’d never seen this look on her face before, flirty and determined, confident and wanting. His body warred with his conscious, biting his lip as he let her pull him into the bedroom. She stopped once in the doorway to let his body crash into hers, kissing him hard again. He reached behind him for the door and pushed it closed, one arm going around her while the other went behind him to fumble with the lock, clicking it into place.

“Kelsey there’s-“ he groaned as she pressed her hand to the front of his jeans and rubbed her palm against him clumsily, her lips moving along his jaw. “There’s a consent issue here.”

“No there’s not,” she said shaking her head, her eyes hazy but sure, her hands going to his belt buckle. He felt her arms slide through his hands as she slowly lowered herself to her knees. “I want to do this.”

Alex was stunned into silence, staring down at her dumbly as she struggled to undo his belt, chewing on her bottom lip as she concentrated hard. It was the sound of his zipper coming down that seemed to break his trance and he grabbed her wrists and ripped her to her feet, a little rougher than he intended.

“You are drunk. You have no idea what you’re doing-”

“I know I’m trying to learn,” she said a severe pout crumpling her face and he blinked at her.

“What?”

“I wanna learn,” she said twisting her wrists out of his grip and pecking his lips as she ran her hands down his chest.

“Learn what?” he asked dumbly, eyelids fluttering as she slipped a hand into the open V of his jeans, gripping him through his boxer briefs.

“How to suck your dick,” she whispered, her teeth nipping at his jaw and his eyes flew open, reaching for her hand again.

“Um I don’t…” he trailed, feeling his knees weaken as she squeezed him and his breath left him in a rush. He chuckled breathily. “Why don’t we just lay down for a second.”

“I thought guys liked to stand for this,” she said, her brow crinkling in confusion, that little line drawing itself between them. Alex reached up and smoothed it with his thumb, cupping her cheek.

“Why is that?” he asked, watching her face with amusement.

“This visual,” she said simply and sunk to her knees again, her hands resting on his thighs.

A thrill went down his spine, as she looked up at him innocently, her fingers curled and she pulled the denim down his legs. His boxer-briefs bulged and her face was so close, her hands settling on the outsides of his thighs as she adjusted herself to sit back on her feet.

“Kelsey,” he said, his voice a dry warning but she didn’t listen, fingernails scraping at his hipbones as she pulled his underwear down, freeing him.

She took him carefully in her hand, almost as if she were afraid she’d hurt him, his heart ratcheting up even higher and he needed to stop her. He reached for her shoulder as she leaned in, her tongue flicking against the head of his dick and instead of trying to pull her up, he was only able to grip her shoulder as his breath left his lungs.

She licked her lips, looking up at him as her hand settled firmly around him at the base, holding him steady as she pressed her lips against the tip in a perfect pucker, the muscles in his thighs tightening as she sucked him into her mouth. The sensation was overwhelming causing all coherent thought to fly right out of his head. She opened her mouth wide, taking as much of him as she could before sliding back, the scrape of her teeth against the underside of his shaft, his skin breaking out into gooseflesh at the pleasure and pain of it. She dipped her head again, struggling to take more of him and he cupped the back of her head, hissing as she scraped him again.

“Teeth,” he whispered weakly and he slid from her mouth with a pop, a shiver running down his spine.

“Sorry,” she said, licking her lips again before going back in and he felt his knees tremble, the pleasure overwhelming as she started a steady rhythm with her mouth, her fingers splayed against his lower belly as her thumb stayed hooked beneath his shaft to hold him in place.

Alex let himself fall back against the door, closing his eyes and trying not to focus on her velvet tongue as it pressed against the underside of his shaft while she was pulling back, then wiggled against the sensitive bead of skin just under the head. A hard shiver shook through him as she sucked sweetly at the tip. Her hand twisted up and down his shaft a few times while her tongue flicked at the tip and curled around him before wiggling against that bead of skin again and taking him back into her mouth as deep as she could. He could feel a thin sheen of sweat coating his upper lip, his hands pulling back from her to ball at his sides. He couldn’t look down at her. If he saw it he would lose it and that wasn’t going to happen. Not tonight.

“K-K-Kelsey?” he murmured, feeling his balls tighten, fairly certain he could push it down but better safe than sorry when he wasn’t the one in control.

She hummed in acknowledgment and his eyes rolled back, his head thumping back against the door. Alex bit the inside of his cheek hard, tasting copper and it was enough to grab hold of his self control once more. Her rhythm was speeding however, rocking into him with her entire body not just her neck and she had gotten him so wet with her saliva he could actually feel it sliding from the base of his shaft down his balls. Without thinking he banged the bottom of his fist against the door behind him, the sound causing Kelsey to jump and he hissed as her bottom teeth scrapped the length of his shaft as she pulled back.

“Wha-”

Kelsey’s words were cut off by a harsh gasp as Alex gripped her biceps and pulled her to her feet a little rougher than he intended. He kissed her hard somehow managing to toe out of his shoes and kick his pants and underwear from his ankles. His hands fell to her ass as her arms wrapped around his neck and she moaned into his mouth as he hoisted her into his arms and carried her the few steps to the end of the bed. She giggled as she laid back against the blankets, stretching her arms up over her head and putting her body in display for him. He let his eyes rove over her as he unbuttoned his shirt as fast as he could, shucked it off his shoulders and then reached over his head to grip his undershirt and pull it over his head.

Kelsey was grabbing at his hips, pulling herself closer to the end of the bed so she could wrap her legs around him. Her eyes were hazy and dark, something animalistic behind them and he wasn’t sure if she was thinking at all right now an idea that made him twitch with want instead of hesitate. She wanted him so badly her body was on autopilot, her hips pressing against his thighs and he could feel her heat through the thin cotton of her panties, damp with her want for him. She sat up as he reached for the elastic at her hips, her arms encircling his neck and kissing along his jaw, making it more difficult to wrestle the fabric off her but she merely giggled at his frustrated growl.

Alex was about to nudge her back but she slithered away from him, turning on the bed to pull herself clumsily onto her hands and knees. His mouth went dry, watching her from this angle as she crawled to the middle of the bed, hands itching to reach for her hips and he was perilous to stop himself from following her, crawling up onto the bed himself. He waited behind her on his knees, one hand resting lightly on her hip as he waited for her to turn over and get comfortable. She looked at him over her shoulder, her face contemplative for a split second and he barely saw her sly grin before she turned away from him again and pushed herself up onto her knees, her back still to him.

“Do you think I’m hot?” she asked, taking the hand he had on her hip and pulling it around her waist, pressing it to her belly and guiding it up to one of her breasts.

Alex chuckled, edging closer to her so that his hardness was nestled in the cleft at the top of her ass, precum leaking along her lower back. His hand squeezed at her breast and he listened to her hiss, felt her arch into his hand, pressing herself more firmly against him so that he was trapped between her body and his belly. He pressed his face to her hair, breathing in the scent of her perfume mixed with rum and cigarette smoke. He pressed his lips to her earlobe.

“Yes,” he said, the words rumbling in his chest and he felt her breathing hitch, the hand that covered his on her breast applying pressure, guiding his touch down her stomach.

“Do you want me?” she asked, her voice light, innocent while her hand guided his down between her legs.

He moaned low as his fingers ran through the small smattering of hair there before finding her wet heat, sliding easily against her folds. She sighed, turning her head away from him so he could press dry kisses along the column of her neck, finding her clit and rubbing slow circles. He felt her thighs tense.

“Alex,” she moaned softly and he pressed his hips harder into her, the sound of his name on her lips sending a shiver down his spine like it had done since the first time she said it. “Alex, do you want me?” she asked again, one arm reaching back to encircle his neck, her fingers raking through his hair.

“Yes,” he breathed against her neck, as he searched for her entrance, his fingers coated with her obvious want for him.

She released him then and he was shocked at the loss, his hand slipping from between her legs, leaving a glistening trail over her hip as she leaned forward onto her hands again. He gasped, feeling himself slide down the cleft of her ass, the bottom of his shaft sliding through her wetness as his hips pressed involuntarily forward to not lose the sensation. Both his hands had settled on her hips and he watched as she tossed her head, her hair sliding across her back and down over her shoulder as she looked over the opposite shoulder at him. Her eyes were dark and wonton, his stomach bottoming out at the intensity of her gaze.

“Then take me,” she breathed and let her head fall forward, her hips pressing back into him and even she felt his full body shiver at her words.

He shouldn’t, he knew this as his fingers dug into her hips. She was very drunk and he didn’t want her to be mortified by this in the morning. But she was rolling her hips back into him now, his shaft sliding through her wetness, the sensation pleasurable but nowhere near enough. He gritted his teeth, tightening his grip on her hip to still her with one hand while his other moved between them, shaking slightly as he searched for her entrance.

He met resistance almost immediately and felt her tense. He applied pressure to her hip, sliding his hand down so that the side of his hand rested against her groin and applied pressure first forward, feeling her bottom sink an inch or so but was still met with an uncomfortable whine from her, her body still refusing him entry. He tilted his hand back and watched her back arch, her ass pulling up and he was unprepared as he slipped forward, sinking completely into her, his hips bumping into hers as he was buried to the hilt. She tossed her head back, a small cry pulling from her lips and if he hadn’t known her so well by now he might have thought he’d hurt her.

Kelsey was trembling, feeling him so deep inside of her, pressing against that spot that made her stomach tighten, knowing her release was only a few thrusts away if his aim was true. His nails were biting hard into her hips and she could feel his slow, calming breaths from the inside out and the sensation made her shiver at the intimacy of it. She moaned again, her head hanging loosely on her neck, wiggling back against him but he still didn’t move.

“Alex,” she whined, her voice petulant and greedy. “Fuck me.”

Alex growled, adjusting his grip on her hips and pushing her forward, watching between them as his dick was revealed, glistening in the low light of the room, her pussy pink and slick hugging the tip. He bit his lip, watching as he sunk back into her slowly, his eyes closing as he felt his balls press to her clit, her inner walls giving him a light squeeze as her thighs began to tremble again.

Kelsey tossed her head back, biting her lip hard against the sensation. If he would only give her more. Her arms were already starting to shake with her effort to hold herself up, her abs and lower back aching with the effort to keep her ass in the right position. She whined, trying to wiggle against him again but his hand held her hips tight.

“What are you doing?” she whined, the impatience in her voice making her sound younger than she was and Alex felt a thin vein of panic edge through his brain. “Alex, give it to me come on.”

“Be patient,” he chided before he could stop himself and she huffed in annoyance but hummed when his hand moved over the roundest part of her ass. “Kelsey do you know what asking me to fuck you means?”

His mouth was dry as he asked the question, not entirely sure if he wanted a real answer or if he was using it as foreplay. She hummed, trying to wiggle again but he held her tight. She whined. “Kelsey…”

“It means I want you to fuck. Me,” she growled and he felt his pores tighten, a sweat inducing shiver quaking through him.

“How?” he asked, ignoring the fact that he used his teacher voice, running his hand in smooth circles over the roundest part of her ass.

She was silent for a moment. “With your dick?” It was an answer in the form of a question and he chuckled, “Aleeeeeeeeex…”

He acted before he thought, his hand raising and falling with a light thwap against her ass, a quick response to her whining and she gasped, her pussy clenching around him like a vice. His nails left half moon indentations in her skin and he worried he would bruise her if he didn’t let up.

“Do it again,” she whispered, her voice barely audible and he shivered hard, wondering briefly if this was crossing some sort of line.

He raised his hand and swatted at her again, her back arching even more, feeling her clench at him again. He couldn’t take it. He gripped her hips tight in both hands and withdrew, sinking his teeth into the raw spot on the inside of his cheek as he began a slow, pounding rhythm. He had to drown out the sound, Kelsey’s voice echoing around the room, calling to him, to God or just moaning incoherently as his hips smacked against hers. He could feel her pulsing around him, tightening over and over again as one orgasm blurred into the next.

Kelsey wasn’t sure if it was the booze or the position but she had never felt this in her life. Sex with Alex was a slow, intoxicating build to an explosive climax. This… this was raw, electric pleasure mainlined straight to her pussy where it vibrated out to every part of her body. She couldn’t stop it, feeling her muscles contract over and over again, her teeth gritted against it. Her arms were shaking so hard she finally couldn’t hold herself anymore so she fell onto her elbows, burying her face in the pillows. The new angle made him cry out, one hand leaving her hip to fly to her shoulder, pulling her back against him roughly. She was moaning into the pillow listening to his labored breathing, as pleasure coursed through her. His grunts were turning into moans then sharp shouts, his hips smacking into hers hard enough to bruise until he finally stilled, pressed deeper than she’d ever felt him, low moans punctuating his heavy breathing as his release quaked through him.

Alex let his head hang back, feeling a bead of sweat travel from his temple down to his jaw and dripping down onto his collarbone. He was sucking in breath in great gasps, his hips still pressed firmly to hers, wincing when she contracted around him.

Kelsey hummed, turning her head to the side on her pillow, trying to see him out of the corner of her eye. His hands were resting easily on her hips now and she could hear him panting, hear the click of his throat as he swallowed hard. She was drowsy, her body feeling limbless and light, face tingling and numb as she rubbed her cheek against her pillow. She whimpered as he pulled out of her, the friction too much on her over sensitive flesh. She made another sound of derision as she felt Alex climb off the bed, stumbling on shaking knees as his feet hit the floor. He placed a hand softly on her lower back, guiding her so that she tumbled gracelessly onto her hip before he kissed her shoulder.

“Where’re you going?” she slurred watching his blurry form from under heavy lids as he snatched her glass from the bedside table before he wobbled his way into the bathroom.

“Just doing a little prep for later tonight,” he hollered as he set the glass on the counter and lifted the lid on the toilet.

He grabbed his towel from the back of the door and folded it over itself in front of the commode, remembering his bruised knees after the first night he’d gotten really shitfaced. He then opened the medicine cabinet blinking at the items inside, denture adhesive, various anti-aging creams and serums but mostly pill bottles at various levels of emptiness, all prescribed to Eleanor Charming.

Alex’s head turned towards the closet door on his left, worrying his bottom lip. One of the first times he’d stayed here he’d gotten up and went through his morning exercises in the living room so not to disturb her and slipped out the sliding glass door to go for his run. He thought she was still asleep upon his return, having moved to his side of the bed, her face in his pillow. He decided to let her sleep while he showered and had opened the pocket door in the bathroom thinking it was a linen closet but was surprised to find it to be a full walk-in, filled with clothes. He remembered the scent of lavender mixed with vanilla, a matronly smell, heavy in the enclosed space. Kelsey had found him then, her hair a wild swirl on her head, eyes barely open. She’d taken his arm, pulled him gently back and slid the door closed. Don’t open that, she’d said blearily and bent to open a deep drawer between the double sinks in the vanity to pull out a towel, handing it to him and when he reached to grab it she pulled back, essentially pulling him into her and kissed him hard.

Alex felt the corner of his mouth turn up at the memory of her pulling him into the shower stall, turning on the water before they’d even gotten their clothes off, so that they had to be peeled away. He’d lifted her, pressing her back into the shower wall, something he hadn’t done since his early twenties. His back had spasmed for a three days afterwards.

“Alex…” Kelsey’s voice was weak, a warning, and he grimaced, filling her glass with water quickly before snatching a bottle of ibuprofen from the cabinet and pushing it shut. He bent to grab the trashcan for good measure.

“Yes?” he said strolling back into the room and finding her curled into a ball on her side as he set the trash can next to the bed, placing her glass and the pill bottle on the bedside table.

“The bed is spinning,” she whined.

“I’m sure it is,” he said patiently as he sat next to her and placed a hand on her clammy shoulder. “You feel sick?” He brushed her hair off her neck and she nodded against her pillow. He patted her hip as he stood to find his boxers.

As he was pulling them up his legs he heard the rustling of the blankets and Kelsey was a blur as she raced into the bathroom. He winced as he heard her wretch, shaking his head as he picked up his undershirt and walked slowly towards the bathroom. She seemed so small kneeling there hunched over, the notches of her spine visible in the light thrown from the bedroom. He set his shirt on the counter, wincing again as another wave hit her and he bent to gather her hair away from her face, holding it at the base of her skull as his other ran up and down her back, clammy with sweat.

“Oh God,” she groaned and he bit his lip to keep from laughing. “Don’t…don’t look at me,” she said weakly, pushing his hands away and he stood back, crossing his arms over his chest.

“You think you’re the first naked drunk girl I’ve ever seen puke? I was in the Marines.”

She groaned sitting back on her knees, her eyes heavy lidded as she pawed at the roll of toilet paper, pulling some off to wipe at her mouth before flushing it and the contents of her stomach down the toilet. “There were a lot of drunk naked girls in the Marines?” She asked weakly, looking up at him and he gave her his taciturn smile.

“No but they were at all the parties,” he said and grabbed his shirt from the counter. “Here. Arms up.”

She raised her arms weakly over her head and he helped her thread them through the holes. The cotton felt cool against her skin, the sensation of it falling down her body making her shiver. It fell nearly to her knees, the scent of him surrounding her and she hugged herself as if she couldn’t merely stand and wrap her arms around the real thing. It was then that her stomach cramped again and she launched herself forward, retching pitifully, her feet sliding against the floor for purchase as her body tried to turn itself inside out.

Alex sighed, lowering himself to the floor, sitting on the rug in front of the vanity and resting his back against it for a moment before leaning over and grabbing up her hair again, and running his knuckles up and down her arm. Neither was sure when the sickness ended or which one of them fell asleep first but they woke up late the next morning, sunlight streaming through the sliding glass door, Alex’s back pressed against the vanity still and Kelsey curled up on the floor, her head in his lap.