The figure tackled Josh, but it seemed more like a hug than an attack to Charlotte.
"Josh! Hey man I was wondering where you were!"
"Conner!" Josh sputtered. "What the fuck are you doing in my apartment!"
Charlotte looked between the two men, confused and entertained all at once. She could see the frustration on Josh's face, and she was trying very hard not to laugh. They obviously knew each other, as the man was pulling Josh into one of those one-armed hug things that guys do. They separated, and Josh rubbed his palms into his eyes.
"Conner-"
"Yeah, crazy story. But to make things short, I was in the area and decided to pay my favorite big brother a visit!"
"Conner-"
"So I was driving downtown to find your place, when I realized I was heading in the wrong direction. I had my driver turn around, and after I found the building it was no problem taking the elevator straight up. I still have that emergency key you gave me years ago."

"Conner-"
"Once I let myself in, I naturally headed straight to your liquor cabinet, which I must say you have kept well stocked you sly dog-"
"CONNER!"
He suddenly stopped talking, and silently stared at Josh in shock.
"Can you not see that I have company?"
Charlotte was suddenly noticed, and just as quickly cornered by Conner.
"Hey there. I'm Conner, Josh's younger, better looking brother. I'm sorry to interrupt what I'm sure he promised to be a very alluring evening-"
Josh cleared his throat, and Conner was cut short.
"Charlotte, forgive me. Would you mind waiting for me in the dining room? I need to have a word with my brother."
By this time, all the activity had sobered Charlotte up. If she looked closer, she could see the resemblance between Josh and Conner. Josh was obviously irritated with how the night was progressing, and she could see that he wanted to take care of this so they could finish their discussion from dinner. She agreed, and he pointed out the way to the dining room. Once she was out of sight, Josh whipped around.
"Conner! What the hell?"
But he was already gone, walking back to the liquor cabinet. Josh quickly followed him. He found him pouring two glasses of his best bourbon. He handed one to Josh, and sipped his own. Josh was still trying to wrap his head around the situation, and he was silent while he waited for Conner to explain.
"Have you two been together long?"
Josh choked on his drink, and gasped to catch his breath. Conner was trying to distract him, but Josh wasn't going to share his personal life at the drop of a hat.
"I don't remember it being any of your business, Conner. You can't just break into my apartment and start interrogating me-"
"You've been screening my calls, Josh." Conner was suddenly serious. "I think I have the right to check in when I haven't heard from you in weeks."
Josh downed his drink and turned to make another.
"And why shouldn't I? I know why you've been calling me, and it's not happening."
Conner sighed.
"Josh, you can't run from this forever. Dad's not well."
"My answer was no, Conner. And it's still no. It will always be no. Don't show up here thinking you can suddenly change my mind."
Charlotte sat at the dining room table for about five minutes before she started fidgeting. The room was large and quiet, with the only light coming in from the city lights behind her. She had gotten up from the table and walked around, trying to distract herself with the view, the numerous books that adorned the room, the fireplace...anything. It seemed like Josh had been gone for hours, but in reality it had only been minutes. She finally heard the door slam shut, and Josh entered the dining room.
She cleared her voice. "So...about that."
He sighed, and sat at the table.
"Yeah. That was my younger brother. He was here to...to harass me. That's one way to put it, at least."
She nodded.
"What's wrong with your Dad?"
Josh tensed up, then sighed again.
"You heard all that, huh?"
Charlotte sat down with him.
"I wasn't trying to listen, but you guys are loud. I only caught a few things here and there."
She paused, and waited for him to clarify. Finally, he stood up and started pacing in front of her.
"He's...old. Smokes too much, drinks too much. Works way too hard. He wants me to take over his business, but I declined when I turned 18, so naturally the responsibility fell to Conner. But he still thinks he's going to change my mind, so he's sent Conner to do it for him."
This piqued Charlotte's interest. His family owned a business? She nearly asked him what kind of company he owned, but he seemed pretty guarded. Josh didn't know why he was saying all of this; even as he said it he questioned himself. Normally, he would simply dodge such questions with a distraction. But for some reason he felt comfortable with Charlotte, although he barely knew her.
"Why did you decline? Guaranteed job for life...most people would kill for that kind of job security."

He glanced at the ground with his hands on his hips, then looked up at her.
"I had my reasons. The point is that I have no intention of accepting it now."
Charlotte pursed her lips, but she could tell that the conversation was over for now. Josh sat back down at the table, and smiled softly at her.
"Listen, I'm sure this is a lot to take in. Why don't we continue our dinner conversation in the kitchen over a drink or two?"
It was still early, and the thought of possibly learning more about him appealed to Charlotte, especially since she still had questions that were still unanswered. She nodded and Josh escorted her into the kitchen. He pulled out a bar stool for her, which she awkwardly climbed onto as she tried to keep her dress from riding up. Josh stepped over to the bar and began pulling out several bottles.
"What's your drink of choice? I'm proud to say that I'm fairly proficient at bar tending."
Charlotte didn't really know any. She had only been to bars a handful of times, and her sister or Casey always ordered for her. She shook her head, at a loss of what to ask for.
"Yeah, I don't really know any. But since you're so proficient, can't you just recommend something?"
"Touche Miss Matthews. Alright then, we'll start you off with a classic. Rum and Coke with lime."
He dropped a few ice cubes into the bottom of a glass, and took out a lime, a can of Coke, and what she assumed must be the rum. After quickly slicing the lime, he poured the coke and the rum into a shaker and shook it. He then poured it into the glass, placed the lime wedge on the lip of the glass, and finally handed it to her.
Taking the drink, she slowly brought it to her lips and sipped it, all while maintaining eye contact with Josh. She heard him suck in his breath, and she swallowed the drink. It was citrusy and sweet, and she loved it. She quickly downed the rest of it, loving the feeling of the warmth that spread through her stomach. Josh was staring at her as she darted her tongue out and licked her lips. Then she slid the glass back to him.
"Another. Please."
He laughed.
"Wow, alright. Another rum and coke coming up."
He made another, and shifted it over to her. She drank half of it in one gulp, then squeezed the lime into the drink.
"Miss Matthews, are you trying to get drunk?"
She put on her thoughtful face, the alcohol making her bold.
"Hmm...maybe. Aren't you having anything?"
He reached over and grabbed a bottle with dark liquid swirling at the bottom.
"Of course. Bourbon."
Pouring a fair amount into the glass, he swallowed about half then refilled his glass.
"Just plain bourbon? You don't mix it with anything?"
He shook his head.
"Just plain. Does that surprise you?"
She thought about it, then answered.
"Not really. So, you wanted to continue our dinner conversation?"
He sipped his drink, nodding.
"Yes. I believe I was about to ask you my next question? When-"
She shook her head and interrupted him.
"Wrong. I had answered your question, asked you mine, and you never answered. So, as soon as you answer, we can get back to playing 20 questions."
She grinned at him as he looked at her, frustrated that she had remembered despite him trying to distract her. Finally, he groaned.
"Fine...you asked how many women I've been with. If I'm completely honest, I've lost track. But if I were to guess, I'd say...twenty or so?"
Her jaw dropped and he smirked at her. Twenty?! Jesus...he really was a playboy. Charlotte quickly closed her mouth and composed herself.
"Well...I'd say that's...wow." She downed her drink, and Josh prepared her a third. "Alright, what's your next question?"
He glanced up at her while he poured her another glass, and cinched his eyebrows together./p
"When's the last time you had sex?"
She gasped and felt her face burn. Of course he would ask her the one question that she didn't want to admit to. She sighed and tried to remember how long it had been as he handed her the drink.
"It's been at least...two years. Not since my ex and I broke up."
"Two years! That explains a lot."
She looked at him questioningly.
"It does? Like what?"
"Well for one, it explains why you react to me so quickly."
She blushed again.
"React?" She laughed nervously, and tried to dismiss the fact that he was absolutely right. "Who says I 'react' to you? And fast for that matter?"
His eyes darkened, and the smile slid off her face.
"Is that another challenge, Ms. Matthews?"
She gulped and averted her eyes. He knocked back his drink, and walked around the bar, getting as close to Charlotte as he possibly could. Slowly, he ran his hand along the hemline of her dress, and carefully slipped under it, wandering up her thigh. He kept his eye contact with her, and brushed her hair behind her ear.
"Are you telling me that you aren't turned on by this? By me? I believe you are sorely mistaken Charlotte, and I'm going to prove it to you."
He leaned forward and placed his lips on her neck. She gasped as a tingling sensation ran down her spine, and she felt him smile against her throat. His fingers had reached her panty line, and they were feeling along the edge, teasing her. He was so close to touching her, and the anticipation was killing her. His other hand was wrapped around her hip, holding her in place.
Charlotte's breathing had become heavy, and she was very close to begging him. But she was determined not to break yet, and she kept herself in check. As if he could read her mind, his hand suddenly left her panty line and drifted down to between her thighs, and he softly rubbed her through the fabric. Groaning, she heard him laugh softly in her ear.
"You're this wet already, and you think I don't notice? Charlotte, your body betrays you. Even when I'm not between your thighs like this, I can see it in your eyes when you're thinking about me."
She gasped, desperately wanting more. It had been so long, and Josh knew exactly how to tease her. Reaching up, she grabbed at his back, encouraging him to continue. She felt him push her panties aside, and could hear him groan when he discovered just how wet she actually was. She could sense that his restraint was about to break, and she was more than willing to let him do whatever he wanted to her. She spread her legs as far as they would go in her dress to allow him more access-
Bzzz. Bzzz. Bzzz.
They froze.
Bzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
The fuck is that? Charlotte thought. Josh sighed in disappointment, and slowly backed away from her. No! She thought, But he was already straightening his jacket. He turned and walked towards the hall, leaving Charlotte shocked on the bar stool. She shook herself out of it and quickly jumped up, adjusted her dress and followed him. She found him leaning against the wall, his finger on a button that was attached to a box on the wall.
"What is it?"
Charlotte was confused for a moment, then realized it was a call box and someone was buzzing to come up. She heard a muffled response, then Josh pushed the button again.
"Yeah, come on up."
He held down a different button this time, then released it and sighed again. He was clearly irritated.
"It's Conner. He forgot his damn phone, so he's coming back to get it. Idiot."
Charlotte looked at him in confusion.
"Conner? I thought he had a key?"
Josh smirked at her, and pulled a key out of his pocket.
"Exactly. He had a key. I took it from him before he left. Can't have him coming to my apartment and drinking up my liquor whenever he wants. But regardless, he's on his way up now, and I doubt I can get him out of here very fast. Knowing him he left his phone here on purpose, thinking it would give him an excuse to come back."
He looked at her regretfully, as if something had greatly inconvenienced him from getting what he wanted. And in a way, Conner had. She nodded though, and gathered her purse from the side table.
"That's alright, it's getting late anyways. Plus I have plenty of homework to get through, no thanks to you, Professor."
He gave her a crooked smile.
"You have my number, call me if you'd like any help. I don't charge extra for private lessons."
She quirked her eyebrow at him.
"No surprise there." She walked towards the door, but he grabbed her wrist.
"Wait, how are you getting home? I could drive you if you don't mind sitting through another dose of Conner."
She seriously considered accepting his offer, but at that moment, Conner knocked on the door and she shook her head.
"No thanks, I'll just catch a cab," she turned to leave, but looked at him at the last minute. "I had fun tonight. Thanks for dinner and...dessert." She looked at him seductively and he laughed as she opened the door.
"Charlotte, hey! You're still here?"
She quickly ducked under Conner's arm, and stepped into the elevator. The doors started to close, but before they did she caught Josh staring at her, his eyes still smoldering. She quickly winked, and the doors shut. She wasn't sure if he saw, but she hoped he did. As the elevator began to descend, she sighed and couldn't wait 'til they met up again.