A Matter of Convenience, Chapter Nine
"Hello? Princess? Every gonna get me those drinks?"
Joey shook herself from her thoughs, frowning.
"Hmm?"
"2 JD, guinness, Sex on the Beach?" the new waiter lifted his eyebrows. "Anything coming back to you?"
"Sorry," Joey muttered, grabbing the drinks as he watched her curiously.
"Where's your engagement ring?" he asked as she poured the cocktail.
"What?"
"Sorry. Never seen a girl wear just a wedding ring before."
Looking down at her ring finger, she swore under her breath at Pacey and the way he'd distracted her from removing it.
So much for her plants to keep people at work in the dark. Shit.
"Sorry," she smiled, "Sometimes I forget."
"Lucky guy," he muttered wryly.
Joey glared at him, "We're only been married a month."
"Even sadder."
"Do I know you?" her eyes narrowed.
"Nope," he grinned, "Drue Valentine, and you are...?"
"Joey," she muttered, pointedly leaving off her last name and placing the last drink on his tray, "Nice to meet you," she waved him off, only to find him smiling at her again moments later.
"What do you need?" she asked, annoyed.
"Nothing. Slow night," he grinned. "So tell me about this drama with your husband."
"There's no drama. Can't you watch TV for entertainment?"
"Like what? The one with the river or something?"
Irritated, Joey glared at him.
"I knew you watched it," he winked.
"I watch a love of TV, Drue."
"Sex life suffering?"
"WHAT?" she sputtered.
"Now we're getting somewhere, just tell Uncle Drue," he nodded.
"My sex life is everything it should be and none of your business."
"Sounds hot," he rolled his eyes.
"Drue, I would like to assure you that I will not now or EVER discuss my marriage with you."
"That's cool. I'll just ask questions until someone needs drinks."
"Are you always like this?"
"Pretty much, don'tcha like it?"
"Good to know," she ignored his question.
"But enough about me. I want to get to know YOU."
"I'm a married college student. Pretty boring."
"That doesn't wear her engagement ring."
Joey rolled her eyes, "It's expensive and I'm paranoid."
He watched her for a second. "Nope, you're definitely hiding something."
"You're definitely bored."
"Also true," he nodded.
"Try a book."
"Not the type of impression I want to make."
"Shocking."
Drue smiled, "You're the reader type, though...what college?"
"Worthington."
"Ohh...the hallowed halls of Worthington. Wait for me tot catch my breath."
"I'd actually be fine if you wanted to stop all together."
"My dear...Josephine, is it?" he grinned.
"Joey," she corrected tersely.
"Right, Joey. I get the feeling you don't like me."
"They always say to go with your gut."
"So...Joey what?"
Pursing her lips, Joey tried to think of a way to distract him, but Tuesday nights were slow.
"Witter," she muttered finally.
Drue's eyes narrowed and a slow smile spread across his face, "That would make you...Mrs. New Clubowner?"
Joey shrugged, "Does it mean you'll leave me alone?"
"Just when it starts to get interesting? Mrs. Witter, how could you think so little of me?"
"Let's not get into size impressions, I've hurt your feelings enough. Oh look, people at a table! Buh-bye!" she waved.
The night couldn't get slower.
Joey looked down at her wedding ring in annoyance. Why hadn't she just taken it off?
***
"Just Shut Up, Jack," Pacey said finally.
"What? I didn't say a word."
"Yeah," Pacey rolled his eyes, "I still got the message."
"You li-ike Jo-ey," Jack teased.
"I DID already tell you to shut up."
"Classic admittance. What are you gonna do?"
"Wait til she's drunk and kiss her?" Pacey suggested, raising an eyebrow.
Jack pursed his lips, "OK, clearly not ready to talk yet."
"She JUST broke up with Dawson, man... He's my best friend."
"That won't be around for a year," Jack shrugged.
"That's sick," Pacey shook his head, "And I'm well aware of it."
Jack chuckled.
"He was the one that left her, remember."
"But don't you think it's a little sick to wait for a guy to leave the country and then move on his woman?"
"All's fair in love and war."
"Love being a strong definition of what's going on and that saying, in general, being complete bull shit."
"So you're not going after Joey, then?" Jack watched Pacey fidget nervously.
"No-" he said hesitantly.
"She IS your wife," Jack reminded him. "Dawson basically handed her to you."
"Because he TRUSTS me."
"To take care of Joey, right?" Jack smirked, "She's got needs he's not meeting, man."
"Doubt he met them before, either," Pacey muttered spitefully.
"That's the spirit!"
"No," Pacey shook his head, "I can't just screw over my best friend like that, over a girl."
"What - bros before hoes or some shit?"
Pacey grimaced, "Wasn't that your mistake with Jen?"
"Way more complicated," Jack shook his head.
"So uncomplicate," Pacey rolled his eyes, "Why'd you blow her off? Another girl?"
"Not in the way you mean," Jack muttered.
"So, what? You obviously love her. Why not call?" Pacey shook his head in confusion. "Considering your state of mind, I'd think it would be harder for you NOT to call."
"Like you wouldn't believe," Jack spoke before the words could be recalled.
Pacey's eyes narrowed, "You WANTED her to dump your ass?"
"Just leave it alone, Witter."
"Fuck, I thought *I* was masochistic. What did you do, man?"
Jack sighed.
*** Joey's shoes hit the couch next to Pacey, and he wasn't certain if he was
glad she good aim...or glad she didn't.
"Honey, you're home," he smiled, "Chipper as always, I see. How was work?"
Joey grunted.
"Good to know, I'm sure that'll work out for you," Pacey nodded.
The gesture she gave him was message enough on the subject, but Pacey
grabbed her hand, frowning.
"I thought you weren't wearing this at work," he fingered her wedding ring.
She glared at him. "New plan. We're now happily married."
"Right, I can see that about you," he smirked.
She seemed to find remarkably little humor in the comment.
He cleared his throat, trying again, "Oh...kay...should I cancel my dates?"
he asked, raising an eyebrow. He didn't actually have any of those, but she
didn't need to be aware of that fact.
"Just don't take them to the club, genius."
"So you're not gonna mention what pissed you off into marital bliss?"
"Not if I can avoid it."
"OK, then let's talk about Dawson."
"Drue Valentine," she said immediately.
"The new guy?"
She nodded.
"What'd he do?"
Joey shrugged, "Just annoying.
"Uh-huh," he remained unconvinced.
"Did you call the Leery's back?" Joey asked in what Pacey considered a weak
attempt to change the subject.
"The Leer-shit," he frowned, finally paying attention to her question, "No.
But our dinner party is on for tomorrow night," he offered hopefully.
Joey shrugged.
Pacey got up, climbing onto the couch behind him.
"Jo, rela," he whispered, laying his hands on her shoulders as he slowly
began to knead her muscles.
She leaned into his touch with a slight moan.
Pacey bith his tongue, trying to block the images her unguarded response
provoked.
"That feels amazing, Pacey."
"You should see what else I can," he whispered into her ear suggestively.
To his surprise, Joey chuckled. "You could probably convince me of anything
at this moment."
Pacey took this as a favorable sign to continue and slowly worked his way
down her back.
"Tell me about Drue," he said softly, amazed at how easily she melted at his
fingertips.
"Wanted to know about us," she murmured, sighing.
"What about us?" he asked, pausing.
"Don't stop, Pace."
As though he'd even consider. "Whatever you say, princess," he assured her, waiting for her answer.
"About our sex life," she murmured finally.
He forced out a laugh, as though he had never conceived of such a thing. Had never dreamed about himself, Joey and rampant nakedness. "What sex life?" he choked out.
"The one most married people have?"
"We're not most married people," he pointed out sadly. MOST married men didn't have to fantasize about their wives. And even if they were married to a goddess like Joey, whose sensuality rolled off her so unconsciously, they were allowed to say something, to DO something about it.
"...but we don't have to broadcast it," Joey was saying.
What were they talking about? He'd gotten lost around sex... Frowning, Pacey pulled himself back in line. "So what do you want to do?" he leaned in next to her ear, "Pretend to have sex in my office?"
Or, better yet, without the pretending?
"Hmm..." she sighed as his fingers worked their magic and he bit his lip at her reaction. "I was thinking... maybe just not fighting?"
"Oh, sweetie, what fun is that?" he chuckled, "They'll never believe we're married if we get along."
"Well, if that's the case, they won't even be surprised," she commented wryly.
"Probably not," Pacey muttered, his fingers digging into her lower back as she arched against them. "But maybe some good old fashioned PDA?" he ran his nose along the side of her neck and she leaned her head back in acceptance.
Her soft skin begged for his lips and he wanted to explore it beyond the folds of her clothes. His hands moved back to emulate his thoughts, exploring the bare skin of her neck he's rather kiss.
Pausing, he waited as she turned to him in confusion.
Pacey swallowed as her large brown eyes met his.
"I have oil," he cleared his throat, "If you want."
"Hello? Princess? Every gonna get me those drinks?"
Joey shook herself from her thoughs, frowning.
"Hmm?"
"2 JD, guinness, Sex on the Beach?" the new waiter lifted his eyebrows. "Anything coming back to you?"
"Sorry," Joey muttered, grabbing the drinks as he watched her curiously.
"Where's your engagement ring?" he asked as she poured the cocktail.
"What?"
"Sorry. Never seen a girl wear just a wedding ring before."
Looking down at her ring finger, she swore under her breath at Pacey and the way he'd distracted her from removing it.
So much for her plants to keep people at work in the dark. Shit.
"Sorry," she smiled, "Sometimes I forget."
"Lucky guy," he muttered wryly.
Joey glared at him, "We're only been married a month."
"Even sadder."
"Do I know you?" her eyes narrowed.
"Nope," he grinned, "Drue Valentine, and you are...?"
"Joey," she muttered, pointedly leaving off her last name and placing the last drink on his tray, "Nice to meet you," she waved him off, only to find him smiling at her again moments later.
"What do you need?" she asked, annoyed.
"Nothing. Slow night," he grinned. "So tell me about this drama with your husband."
"There's no drama. Can't you watch TV for entertainment?"
"Like what? The one with the river or something?"
Irritated, Joey glared at him.
"I knew you watched it," he winked.
"I watch a love of TV, Drue."
"Sex life suffering?"
"WHAT?" she sputtered.
"Now we're getting somewhere, just tell Uncle Drue," he nodded.
"My sex life is everything it should be and none of your business."
"Sounds hot," he rolled his eyes.
"Drue, I would like to assure you that I will not now or EVER discuss my marriage with you."
"That's cool. I'll just ask questions until someone needs drinks."
"Are you always like this?"
"Pretty much, don'tcha like it?"
"Good to know," she ignored his question.
"But enough about me. I want to get to know YOU."
"I'm a married college student. Pretty boring."
"That doesn't wear her engagement ring."
Joey rolled her eyes, "It's expensive and I'm paranoid."
He watched her for a second. "Nope, you're definitely hiding something."
"You're definitely bored."
"Also true," he nodded.
"Try a book."
"Not the type of impression I want to make."
"Shocking."
Drue smiled, "You're the reader type, though...what college?"
"Worthington."
"Ohh...the hallowed halls of Worthington. Wait for me tot catch my breath."
"I'd actually be fine if you wanted to stop all together."
"My dear...Josephine, is it?" he grinned.
"Joey," she corrected tersely.
"Right, Joey. I get the feeling you don't like me."
"They always say to go with your gut."
"So...Joey what?"
Pursing her lips, Joey tried to think of a way to distract him, but Tuesday nights were slow.
"Witter," she muttered finally.
Drue's eyes narrowed and a slow smile spread across his face, "That would make you...Mrs. New Clubowner?"
Joey shrugged, "Does it mean you'll leave me alone?"
"Just when it starts to get interesting? Mrs. Witter, how could you think so little of me?"
"Let's not get into size impressions, I've hurt your feelings enough. Oh look, people at a table! Buh-bye!" she waved.
The night couldn't get slower.
Joey looked down at her wedding ring in annoyance. Why hadn't she just taken it off?
***
"Just Shut Up, Jack," Pacey said finally.
"What? I didn't say a word."
"Yeah," Pacey rolled his eyes, "I still got the message."
"You li-ike Jo-ey," Jack teased.
"I DID already tell you to shut up."
"Classic admittance. What are you gonna do?"
"Wait til she's drunk and kiss her?" Pacey suggested, raising an eyebrow.
Jack pursed his lips, "OK, clearly not ready to talk yet."
"She JUST broke up with Dawson, man... He's my best friend."
"That won't be around for a year," Jack shrugged.
"That's sick," Pacey shook his head, "And I'm well aware of it."
Jack chuckled.
"He was the one that left her, remember."
"But don't you think it's a little sick to wait for a guy to leave the country and then move on his woman?"
"All's fair in love and war."
"Love being a strong definition of what's going on and that saying, in general, being complete bull shit."
"So you're not going after Joey, then?" Jack watched Pacey fidget nervously.
"No-" he said hesitantly.
"She IS your wife," Jack reminded him. "Dawson basically handed her to you."
"Because he TRUSTS me."
"To take care of Joey, right?" Jack smirked, "She's got needs he's not meeting, man."
"Doubt he met them before, either," Pacey muttered spitefully.
"That's the spirit!"
"No," Pacey shook his head, "I can't just screw over my best friend like that, over a girl."
"What - bros before hoes or some shit?"
Pacey grimaced, "Wasn't that your mistake with Jen?"
"Way more complicated," Jack shook his head.
"So uncomplicate," Pacey rolled his eyes, "Why'd you blow her off? Another girl?"
"Not in the way you mean," Jack muttered.
"So, what? You obviously love her. Why not call?" Pacey shook his head in confusion. "Considering your state of mind, I'd think it would be harder for you NOT to call."
"Like you wouldn't believe," Jack spoke before the words could be recalled.
Pacey's eyes narrowed, "You WANTED her to dump your ass?"
"Just leave it alone, Witter."
"Fuck, I thought *I* was masochistic. What did you do, man?"
Jack sighed.
*** Joey's shoes hit the couch next to Pacey, and he wasn't certain if he was
glad she good aim...or glad she didn't.
"Honey, you're home," he smiled, "Chipper as always, I see. How was work?"
Joey grunted.
"Good to know, I'm sure that'll work out for you," Pacey nodded.
The gesture she gave him was message enough on the subject, but Pacey
grabbed her hand, frowning.
"I thought you weren't wearing this at work," he fingered her wedding ring.
She glared at him. "New plan. We're now happily married."
"Right, I can see that about you," he smirked.
She seemed to find remarkably little humor in the comment.
He cleared his throat, trying again, "Oh...kay...should I cancel my dates?"
he asked, raising an eyebrow. He didn't actually have any of those, but she
didn't need to be aware of that fact.
"Just don't take them to the club, genius."
"So you're not gonna mention what pissed you off into marital bliss?"
"Not if I can avoid it."
"OK, then let's talk about Dawson."
"Drue Valentine," she said immediately.
"The new guy?"
She nodded.
"What'd he do?"
Joey shrugged, "Just annoying.
"Uh-huh," he remained unconvinced.
"Did you call the Leery's back?" Joey asked in what Pacey considered a weak
attempt to change the subject.
"The Leer-shit," he frowned, finally paying attention to her question, "No.
But our dinner party is on for tomorrow night," he offered hopefully.
Joey shrugged.
Pacey got up, climbing onto the couch behind him.
"Jo, rela," he whispered, laying his hands on her shoulders as he slowly
began to knead her muscles.
She leaned into his touch with a slight moan.
Pacey bith his tongue, trying to block the images her unguarded response
provoked.
"That feels amazing, Pacey."
"You should see what else I can," he whispered into her ear suggestively.
To his surprise, Joey chuckled. "You could probably convince me of anything
at this moment."
Pacey took this as a favorable sign to continue and slowly worked his way
down her back.
"Tell me about Drue," he said softly, amazed at how easily she melted at his
fingertips.
"Wanted to know about us," she murmured, sighing.
"What about us?" he asked, pausing.
"Don't stop, Pace."
As though he'd even consider. "Whatever you say, princess," he assured her, waiting for her answer.
"About our sex life," she murmured finally.
He forced out a laugh, as though he had never conceived of such a thing. Had never dreamed about himself, Joey and rampant nakedness. "What sex life?" he choked out.
"The one most married people have?"
"We're not most married people," he pointed out sadly. MOST married men didn't have to fantasize about their wives. And even if they were married to a goddess like Joey, whose sensuality rolled off her so unconsciously, they were allowed to say something, to DO something about it.
"...but we don't have to broadcast it," Joey was saying.
What were they talking about? He'd gotten lost around sex... Frowning, Pacey pulled himself back in line. "So what do you want to do?" he leaned in next to her ear, "Pretend to have sex in my office?"
Or, better yet, without the pretending?
"Hmm..." she sighed as his fingers worked their magic and he bit his lip at her reaction. "I was thinking... maybe just not fighting?"
"Oh, sweetie, what fun is that?" he chuckled, "They'll never believe we're married if we get along."
"Well, if that's the case, they won't even be surprised," she commented wryly.
"Probably not," Pacey muttered, his fingers digging into her lower back as she arched against them. "But maybe some good old fashioned PDA?" he ran his nose along the side of her neck and she leaned her head back in acceptance.
Her soft skin begged for his lips and he wanted to explore it beyond the folds of her clothes. His hands moved back to emulate his thoughts, exploring the bare skin of her neck he's rather kiss.
Pausing, he waited as she turned to him in confusion.
Pacey swallowed as her large brown eyes met his.
"I have oil," he cleared his throat, "If you want."
