Author's note: I will never stop expressing my gratitude toward all the readers and positive feedback, so thank you again! I'm glad that you have enjoyed this story so far. Hopefully, you'll enjoy this chapter too :P
Piper was reading when she heard a knock. She went to open the door and was surprised that it wasn't Polly.
"Oh, it's you."
"Uhhh, rude? Anyway, I bet I could do something that would make you happy to see me", Alex smirked.
Piper flushed as the dream popped up in her mind again. She seriously was thinking about it too often. "Which would be?" Piper asked and shocked herself with how flirtatiously she had said that.
Alex's eyebrows shot up too as her smirk widened. "Inviting you to a club. We occasionally go to drink with some people from work. We're going tomorrow, seven p.m. We're actually welcoming you properly to our team, so you better come."
Piper's eyes widened almost in horror. She did not like to be the center of attention.
"Don't worry. It's going to be casual and fun and you'll get to know more people from the magazine. You can even take that boyfriend of yours with you if you want", Alex proposed, noticing Piper's slight discomfort.
Piper bit her cheek as she turned her gaze away. "Uh, there's no boyfriend. We broke up."
"Oh shit", Alex mumbled. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be", Piper shrugged. "It's fine. It's better this way", she said as she met Alex's eyes again and smiled little.
Alex examined Piper's face and tried to figure out if Piper was upset or if she really was fine. Piper seemed sincere and Alex smirked. Well, that was one problem solved. "You know... they say sex helps to a heartbreak", she said seductively as she leaned against the doorframe.
Piper blushed furiously but managed to scoff. "No one actually says that. Except you. And I'm not even heartbroken."
"Whatever you say, kid. But the club?"
"Yeah, I'll be there. I could use some fun."
"Great. And the pictures you took for Sylvia's article, they were perfect. Just ignore if Sylvia comes to complain about them. She is just bitchy because her idea wasn't approved."
"Did I do the right thing? I mean it was her article..." Piper bit her lip, second-guessing her decision to start an argument with Sylvia.
"Absolutely. It's good there's finally someone professional who can challenge her. Other photographers have been too scared of her or stupid enough to agree with her, so it's good that you finally showed her place", Alex grinned.
Piper nodded. "Okay, good."
"I'm going to warn you already, next week is going to be hectic, so keep your camera ready and that brain of yours ready for ideas."
"Noted", Piper nodded smiling. "See you tomorrow then."
"Piper!"
"Polly, hi", Piper smiled at her best friend who had just stepped out of the elevator.
"Ahh, you were waiting for her", Alex smirked. "See you tomorrow, Piper."
"Yeah, see you", Piper said as she watched Alex go into her own apartment.
"Is that Alex? She's good-looking, no wonder you're seeing sex dreams about her", Polly chuckled.
"Polly!" Piper exclaimed. "These walls are thin, so keep your mouth shut! And it was one time!"
"What did she have to say?" Polly asked as she went inside Piper's apartment.
"Oh, she just invited me to a club with some people from work", Piper explained before pausing. "Oh my god, she invited me to a club! What I'm going to wear?"
"Relax", Polly said as she walked to Piper's wardrobe. "We'll find something."
Piper followed her. "Why am I like this? I've picked an outfit to clubs and bars before."
Polly just grinned. "Because you, my friend are going to a club with your crush."
"She's not my crush! She can't be, right? Polly, what the hell am I supposed to do?"
"Figure it out. Spend time with her, you know you can even take one of those tests that are on the internet. Those 'am I gay' tests", the other girl laughed.
"Do those really work?"
"Piper, no one else can say if you like Alex. You just need to figure it out on your own."
"But it's so confusing!" Piper whined.
"I know", Polly said sympathetically. "But first things first, let's pick you an outfit."
"Piper! Over here!" Alex called out as she saw Piper looking a bit lost.
The blonde woman started to make her way toward the booth where already were a few people. Alex let her eyes sweep over Piper's body. She looked hot.
She was dressed quite casually, black tight jeans and light blue lace top but still managed to look stunning. Alex wanted also Piper to know that. "You look great, kid."
Alex was almost surprised that the cute little blush didn't rise onto Piper's cheeks.
"Thanks. You do too but I guess you already knew that", Piper grinned.
Alex laughed at that. "I did."
Piper sat down next to Alex as she searched other familiar faces. There was Jessica but the other three Piper didn't recognize.
"Piper, here's Leo, he's a writer, Mason, he's on art team and Mia, who's an editor and Jessica you already know", Alex introduced everyone. "And for those who don't know, Piper is our new photographer."
"Hi", Piper greeted, and the conversation started to flow between all of them. They talked about work and the magazine and a little bit of their personal lives.
A few other people joined them later. Steve, who was also an editor, Lucas, he was working on the art team with Mason, and Layla, who was a writer.
Piper had a great time and enjoyed getting to know the people from the magazine.
When the clock was getting closer to ten people started to leave. Piper was pretty drunk at this point since she wasn't used to drinking and Alex was having fun listening to Piper's incoherent stories.
Suddenly Piper started to stare at Alex thoughtfully like looking for an answer to a tricky question from Alex's face.
"What?" Alex asked amusedly.
"If you think a girl is pretty… How do you know that you like her like that?"
"You just do", Alex shrugged but inwardly cheered. Piper questioning her sexuality had been her goal after all.
Piper furrowed her eyebrows and didn't seem impressed. "But what if you don't? What if you just think that you like her but then you actually don't?"
"Then you just have to test it out", Alex advised grinning.
"But what if she thinks you're just using her as an experiment. Or what if she doesn't like you like that?"
Alex smiled softly at Piper's worries and suddenly hoped that they were having this conversation sober. "I don't know about others… but I'd happily be your experiment."
Piper stared at Alex for a while, processing the information. "Really?"
Alex leaned in closer and stared back at Piper. "Yeah."
Piper bit her lip as her eyes traveled to stare at Alex's lips and Alex wondered if Piper would have the courage to kiss her. She got her answer when Piper carefully placed her hand on her cheek and brought their lips together
Alex knew she shouldn't. Piper was drunk and probably going to regret this tomorrow. Alex really liked her and didn't want it to become awkward between them, but damn if it didn't feel good to kiss Piper. Alex had wanted it even more than she had realized.
Piper tasted like margarita and when her lips parted, Alex couldn't help but slip her tongue inside Piper's mouth. Piper turned so she would get a better angle and was now practically sitting on Alex's lap. Alex really needed to put a stop to this now when she was still able to control herself.
Alex pulled back and smirked when Piper tried to follow her. "So, what do you think? Did that help you at all?"
"Yeah", Piper sighed but to Alex, it sounded a little bit sad, so she didn't know what to think. She was about to ask Piper but then she saw her eyes close and realized it was pretty late already.
"Alright, kid. Let's get you home", Alex said as she stood up.
Piper opened her eyes at the sudden lack of warm body next to her. "But I don't want to. I want to stay and be with you", she said with an adorable pout.
"I'm coming home too. We have the whole cab ride together", Alex said as she took out some cash and put it on the table.
Piper also tried to find some money from her purse, but Alex stopped her. "It's okay, we got it covered. Consider it as a welcome gift", she grinned.
"You're so nice", Piper sighed dreamily.
"Let's go home", Alex smiled.
Piper stood up swaying and Alex had to steady her by taking a gentle grip of her arm. "Should have known that you're a lightweight."
"I'm not!" Piper pouted. "Those goddamn margaritas were just so strong."
"Whatever you say, kid", Alex chuckled. "Do you need to use the bathroom or something? I'm going to call us a cab."
"Nope, I'm good… Though, fresh air would be nice."
"You're right, let's go outside."
They made their way outside, Alex ensuring that Piper didn't fall over in her unstable state and after a couple of minutes, the cab arrived.
The whole cab ride Piper just talked about puppies and coffee like she didn't even remember the kiss. Alex wondered if she would end up being the only one who remembers it in the morning. But even though Piper was drunk, you don't kiss people like that if you really didn't feel anything. There had to be something, and Alex wasn't ready to give up before Piper directly told her to back off.
When the cab had stopped in front of their building Alex gave the driver the money before helped Piper out.
"You good?" She asked when Piper wobbled forward.
"Perfect", Piper slurred but grabbed Alex's arm to steady herself.
Alex guided Piper to the elevator and when they had gotten on their floor Piper started to look for her keys.
"What would you do... if I dropped my keys from my mailbox?" Piper asked once she had found her keys.
"Don't even think about it, kid", Alex said warningly as she made sure that Piper wasn't actually going to execute her idea.
"I wasn't thinking about it", Piper pouted as she fumbled with her keys. "I just wanted to know what you would do."
Alex gently took the keys from Piper's hand. "Let me. And if you had... Then I would just have taken you to my apartment and then call someone to open the door tomorrow."
She opened the door and motioned Piper to go first.
Piper sighed. "You're so nice. I wish my boyfriend was more like you."
"I thought you broke up with your boyfriend?" Alex said trying to control her smirk.
Piper scrunched up her face in confusion before seemed to remember. "Oh! You're right. I don't have a boyfriend anymore. Maybe I would if he would have been more like you..."
"Piper Chapman, are you saying that I'd make a perfect girlfriend."
The drunk woman just nodded her head vigorously and Alex couldn't help a laugh that escaped. "Okay, go to sleep. I'll find you some water and painkillers for the morning."
"Thank you."
Alex shook her head and went to find the painkillers. After a little while, she found them in the bathroom cabinet and went to fill a glass with water. When she went to put them on Piper's nightstand, Alex noticed that Piper was already fast asleep but hadn't taken any of her clothes off.
Alex wondered if she should do something and finally decided that she should at least take the uncomfortable jeans off. She opened the button and zipper before carefully sliding the jeans down Piper's legs. Alex didn't want to seem like some pervert who stared unconscious women but couldn't help but glance at Piper's bare legs.
If Piper hadn't gotten so drunk, the night could've ended differently but oddly enough Alex was happy with just tucking the slightly snoring blonde in.
Piper woke up to a throbbing headache and groaned. She was tempted to stay in bed but her head was killing her, so she had to get up. Piper had just sat up when her eyes found the water glass and painkillers on her nightstand.
She quickly took a couple of pills before she noticed also a note.
I hope your head doesn't hurt too much, here are some painkillers I found in your bathroom. Have a nice day :)
P.S. You look cute when you sleep
Piper frowned at the note as she tried to remember what had happened last night. Suddenly she remembered hot lips against her own and the memories came flooding back.
"Holy shit", Piper said out loud. Could it be that her mind was just doing tricks again and it only had been a dream? Or had she really kissed Alex?
Piper was sure that Alex had helped her home and had gone through the trouble to find painkillers because the note practically screamed Alex with its added flirtatious comment. If Piper could only remember what really had happened. She hoped that she hadn't embarrassed herself too badly.
The clock was already a little past ten and Piper needed coffee. She really wanted a latte and decided to go to the near café. Maybe fresh air would clear her head bit.
Piper got up and just then noticed that she had still her clothes on apart from her jeans. She was a little bit embarrassed knowing that Alex had taken them off but at the same time amazed at Alex's thoughtfulness. She went to put her dirty clothes in a laundry basket before going to the shower.
After she felt like human again, she stepped out of the shower and went to pick clothes. Piper didn't like feel dressing up, so she just put on some leggings and a loose t-shirt. Lastly, she took her sunglasses before making her way outside and walking a few minutes to the café.
Piper was waiting on the line when she heard a familiar voice. "Good to know you're feeling well enough to leave the apartment."
"Alex, hi", Piper greeted as she turned to look at her. "It's not that bad once the headache calmed down. I guess you left the painkillers?"
"I did."
"Thanks for that. And for helping me home. You should really stop me after three margaritas next time."
Alex chuckled. "That's probably for the best... but it's so fun to see you drunk, though."
Piper groaned. "Please say I didn't embarrass myself too much."
"Just a little bit. But don't worry, the others left before the alcohol started to really kick in, so it was just me listening to your stories about dinosaurs."
"Well that's something positive, I guess. So, what did I do?"
"You really don't remember anything?" Alex asked curiously.
"Bits and pieces..."
"Hmmh", Alex hummed before nodded toward the counter. "You're up."
Piper ordered her coffee and waited for Alex. "Do you have somewhere to be or would you want to stay and drink your coffee with me?"
Alex smirked. "If I didn't know any better, I would think that you're asking me on a date."
"A date? Don't be ridiculous", Piper huffed with a blush.
"Let's sit", Alex said as she nodded toward an empty table. "And for the record, l bet last night you would've been more than happy to go on a date with me. You even said that if your boyfriend had been more like me you maybe wouldn't have broken up."
Piper's eyes widened. "I did not!"
"You did."
"Oh my god. What else did I do?"
"Is there anything specific you think you would have done?" Alex asked with raised eyebrows.
Piper blushed. She wondered if it would be too embarrassing to ask about the kiss, especially if it didn't even happen. At last her curiosity won. "I don't know where this came from, but I think I remember that we... Did we- uhmm... Did we kiss?"
"No, we didn't."
"We didn't?" Piper asked and didn't know if she should be relieved, disappointed or embarrassed that she had even asked.
"We made out."
Piper had a hard time keeping the coffee in her mouth. "We did what?!"
"Yeah. You were experimenting if you really liked girls or did you just think they're pretty", Alex grinned.
"If I could only remember which conclusion I ended up with", Piper mumbled before turning to Alex with wide eyes. "And that was not a request for another make-out session."
"Shame."
"I can't believe I actually did that."
"I can. It was going to happen sooner or later", Alex shrugged with a smirk.
"You seem very convinced about that. How you were so sure?"
"Because Piper, I have noticed how you look at me. I could tell that you were curious and that you wouldn't be able to resist if I put my full charm on. And you're... well, hot. I can admit at this point that I may have been on a little mission to get you to sleep with me."
Piper was listening to Alex with wide eyes and her cheeks were turning redder the whole time.
"Of course, when you started to work for the magazine, and I got to know you better, my only goal wasn't to sleep with you. You're talented and funny and I really like spending time with you. And if you really don't want anything like that with me, that's fine. Just tell me to back off and I'll stop. But after yesterday I just felt like we really needed to talk about this."
It took Piper a while to realize that Alex was waiting for her to say something. "Wow. Uhh, just- wow. I was not expecting that. I don't what to say. Or what to feel. I mean, I know I find you attractive and I might want something but I don't know what."
"That's okay. I know it's probably quite confusing and I certainly don't want you to do anything you feel uncomfortable with."
"Thanks."
"You can come to talk to me anytime or then you can just directly come to make out with me", the older woman smirked.
Piper groaned. "Why does your cockiness attract me? I used to be annoyed by cocky people."
"It's part of my charm", Alex winked.
When Piper was back at home she immediately called Polly.
"Piper, hi! How are you doing?"
"Panicked?" Piper sighed as she crashed down onto her couch.
"What do you mean?"
"You were right about Alex."
"Which part?" Polly asked amused.
"The part that she thinks I'm hot and wants to bang me?"
Thanks for reading and as always, please review and tell me what you thought! We're almost there, soon you'll get to read some real vauseman. :D
-Iina