Finally bringing the further adventures of the irrepressible Kimmie and Ryan the stud to an end. Or at any rate a well-deserved rest. They may return one day for a brief visit, by popular demand...

This chapter is rated PG-13. However, there is another, NC-17-rated version of it on our LJ homepage (link available on our personal profile). So if you're old enough, and it's your cup of tea, come visit. If not – enjoy it here…

DISCLAIMER: We do not own anything OC related. Kimmie, on the other hand, is all ours (and JBKAF Productions')

Please review at will – we love the feedback!

---- - - ---------- ------ - --- ------------- -----

Chapter14: All Good Things…

Kimmie's killing me. And I have to say; it's definitely a way to go. After last night…I don't know if I'm even capable of forming coherent sentences today. Luckily, she's just as spent as I am. We ruined the bed sheets with the whipped cream and chocolate syrup fun we had but she assured me that the staff would take care of it.

She woke me up this morning with some special kisses, and I don't mean on the mouth. I've honestly never met anyone as easily aroused as Kimmie. She's like a man, no, a teenage boy, the way she's always ready and willing. For the first time in my life, I can say that I'm spoiled.

We've cleared out of the cottage late morning have been on the road about an hour. Kimmie's asleep in the passenger seat, curled around the seat belt so I'm enjoying the peaceful silence of the highway.

That is until my phone starts ringing again. I flip it open quickly so it doesn't wake Kimmie. "Yeah?"

"Are you on your way home?"

Kirsten. "Yes, I'm on the way. I should be there in a couple of hours or so…"

"You're in a lot of trouble, you know."

"I know…"

"Is she a nice girl?"

She's nice…I'm just not sure if she's nice in the 'parental' sense of the word. "Yeah…"

"You like her?"

"Yeah. I do…we're just friends…"

"Sure you are. Because you take long getaways out of town with all your friends, take Seth for instance…"

"Kirsten…"

"She's more than a friend, Ryan. Even I know that. We're not oblivious, you know…"

"I know, I'm sorry…" Hell, I don't regret it, though.

"But why'd you do it? You didn't think we'd let you go if we knew about her?"

"I knew you wouldn't let me go. I just needed…some time away." C'mon Kirsten – like you would have let me go with Kimmie, of all people.

Kirsten stays silent for a long moment. I push my foot down on the gas, increasing my speed. "Well…I understand that. With your mother and Mary and all of the stress of Newport…"

"She called me." I don't know why, but I feel like I should tell her. Maybe she can get word to Sandy to not give out my phone number any more.

"Mary?"

"No. Dawn."

"Oh, honey…was she upset?"

"Of course. She gave me quite the wake up call. So no matter how much trouble I'm in right now, I'm sort of glad that I wasn't at home when she called…I couldn't take everyone asking me about it and picking at me…" As I say the words, I wonder why I'm telling her at all. But they need to understand why this trip was worth it.

"I'm sorry, Ryan," Kirsten says, and she sounds genuinely sorry. "I know you've got a lot on your mind these days and none of us want you to get as strung out as you did this summer…but you should have told us. I mean, we love you and we trust you…"

"Really?" I'm already grounded, might as well start the sucking up process early.

"Really. But your choices sometimes…they make us worry. Your temper, the way you get all wound up and then quiet. Honey, we're here to help you make… appropriate choices. You know, it's our role – until you're 18, at least. And I doubt you and closet girl have been appropriate lately, especially considering what Sandy overheard…"

What?! "What?"

"I can't repeat it. But you definitely have some explaining to do when you get home."

Oh god, what did Sandy overhear? I can't even process what words come out of Seth's mouth…I'm dead.

"Stud?" Kimmie mumbles.

And Kirsten hears her because she lets out a groan. "She calls you 'stud'? Oh, Ryan…"

"Kirsten…" They're digging my grave.

"I insist on meeting this girl, Ryan."

And there goes the tombstone. Ryan Atwood 1987-2004. Bad Chino, Bad.

"I'll be home soon. Bye." I close the phone and Kimmie's grinning at me. I know that look.

--- -- - - - - - -- -------- - -- -------- - --------- ---- - ------ - -------------- - ----- - --- - ----- - - - - ------- -- - - ------

I'm still exhausted from last night, but the thought of getting to Newport without one last goodbye fuck to close the trip seems… wrong somehow. So I make Ryan pull over at this scenic overlook on the edge of the highway. There's a big tree and he parks the Rover beside it with an empty space on one side.

I smile at him. "It's about time we re-christened the Rover… Remember that first time?"

"Remember? How could I not?" His eyes are twinkling. Yeah, stud, that's how it all started. And look at us now.

"So?"

"We don't have much time," he says, glancing at his watch with guilty eyes.

"Oh, you're timing us now?"

"God, no…" He laughs. Despite the earlier conversation with Mrs. Cohen, he still seems relaxed. Good. "I wouldn't dare…"

I silence him with a kiss as I unsnap his seat belt and swing my leg over his lap to straddle him. The steering wheel jams into my back and I accidentally hit him with my elbow.

"Damn…" he grunts, hurt, but his eyes show that he's not mad. I think I've finally tamed the beast.

"Let's take this to the back seat, stud…"

We climb over the seat and before I can get the upper hand, he's above me supported by his arms and he's kissing me with that hot mouth…God, I wish we were back at San Ysidro because I want more time with Ryan's talented tongue…

He licks his way down my throat, nipping lightly, and he stops and sucks on my neck, hard.

"Ryan! Are you giving me a hickey?"

"Just so you don't forget our little trip," he says, looking up at me and smirking.

And then he dips his head back down and pushes my shirt up with one hand until my bra is exposed and he pops it open – clever boy, he spotted the front-loader immediately – and plunges his face in between my breasts with a groan.

"I'm going to miss those," he says, his voice muffled. Oh stud, not as much as they are going to miss you.

And as if on cue, he starts with his damn tongue, and the hot mouth, and I swear I am going to come for real this time if he goes on, he's got me so attuned to him. And he doesn't let up but keeps working on them, relentlessly, until I can't take the intensity anymore and suddenly my body spasms in response.

"Aah! Jesus Christ! Ryan!" God, that never happened to me before! Holy shit – this boy just gets better and better.

"Wow," he says, lifting his head up with a look halfway between smugness and delighted surprise. And he cracks a huge grin. "I can't believe I did this just with your breasts!"

I am breathless and kind of stunned myself. Who knew, stud?

"C'mere," I whisper, and I pull his head down, my hands grabbing fistfuls of his hair, and kiss him deeply until he runs out of breath, too. I want more of him, dammit.

And I can't let myself think about what else, because as I pull his shirt over his head, I know that I'm falling…

"Condom?" he asks, breath hot in my ear, as his hands slide down to my hips, and I find myself involuntarily thrusting against him.

We're clumsy for once and the sporadic cars that keep driving behind us aren't helping. My pockets are empty and I have to maneuver into the back to search my bag. Ryan snorts and reaches under my skirt, deftly slipping my thong down.

"Opportunity," he says. "Too good to miss."

"Oh, I like it when you take the initiative," I purr, turning to look at him, and there's a flash in his blue eyes.

"Yeah?" he asks, slapping my ass playfully. "Like that?"

Oh, stud, you'll pay for that.

Or not, because he starts feeling me up, I find myself leaning forward against the backrest, hanging on for dear life, and whimpering, because he knows exactly how to touch me, every time.

He gets up on his knees behind me, his and his mouth is on my neck, his hot skin against mine as his chest presses against my back.

He whispers obscenities into my ear, and I catch myself wondering when he got so… dominant, and so dirty… and God, his voice makes me so hot, and he gets me going, again, and I cry out, again.

And Ryan laughs in my ear, a dirty husky laugh, while I catch my breath, trembling. Jesus, what is he doing to me?

"Wanna fuck?" he says, his voice low and raspy, and I want to sob yes, please but I have no voice left in me so I just nod weakly, and he reaches over the backrest and grabs my bag and pulls out the condoms and fumbles briefly behind me, and then we're moving together, in sync, and I'm moaning and, God, the feeling is building up again. I can't believe it. I want to cry, this is so intense. My body is overwhelmed. Not to mention my brain. And I feel everything is exploding in my head and my body, and I cry out, probably loud enough to stop traffic on the highway and his hands tighten around my waist as he stiffens and groans and we both collapse against the backrest.

I am crying, I think, or at any rate my face is wet and I have no idea where I am, or who I am, or what day this is – all I know is I have just had the most intense sex of my life – ever – with Ryan and I have no idea what comes next but whoa. This is getting completely delirious. Also, I think I may be getting feelings for him.

Except, no. We are friends. Fucking amazing fucking friends. Insanely amazing fucking friends like on some kind of mad porno trip.

He rolls over onto the back seat, holding me in his arms, tight, after disposing of the condom quickly and he spoons me a little awkwardly – because, yeah, the Rover is big and all, but it's still a damn car – and he's kissing the back of my head and my temples and my cheek, little light kisses which feel so… tender and sweet after the pounding sex and I am completely boneless and relaxed in his arms.

"Wow, Ryan," I say. "That was… unbelievable. I mean even for you. Even for us. What happened here?"

"You enjoyed it?" he asks, and there's a smile in his voice.

"Oh, like, you didn't notice? All three times? And where did all the bad boy dirty talk come from, stud, because that was so damn hot… You have the sexiest voice."

He chuckles in my ear, and when he talks, he sounds almost… embarrassed.

"Well, I wanted to make this – I don't know, memorable, I guess? And I can tell you felt I didn't quite satisfy you last night, on the talking front…"

"Oh, Ryan, you satisfied me plentylast night," I reassure him. He squeezes me in his arms.

"Okay – well anyhow you wanted the dirty talk, and…. well I thought I could try. And you just bring out the perv in me, Kimmie. But I gotta tell you – this is it for today. I'm on my fucking knees."

I wriggle around until I'm lying on his chest facing him, and I look into his eyes. He looks fucking exhausted, but good exhausted. Happy again. I stroke the side of his face with my hand and kiss his lips softly.

"Me, too," I whisper. "But, Ryan, you are just the most amazing… lover I have ever had. I think you've totally spoiled me for other guys."

"Good," he grins back. "I like the thought of that."

I lay my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat, strong and still a little fast. I'm going to miss the fucking, and the sleeping with him, and lying in bed together, and just his presence, with me, all the time.

"I'm really going to miss this," I say. "Not just the sex, either…"

"Me too," he says, stroking my hair and my shoulder gently. I feel like I could fall asleep on him, now, but we're at a rest area on a highway, and we have to get home. Our road trip is coming to an end.

Sigh.

---- --- -------------------- ----- ------------------------

An hour or so later, we're pulling up in front of my house. The last stretch of the ride home has been fairly quiet, but sweet. We've been chatting a bit about school (we agree we must meet for lunch breaks in the van when we can, although maybe give us a day or two to recover first), and listening to some 80s rock music radio station.

And we both know that Ryan is totally grounded (but not me, so maybe we can work our way around that one, if Ryan is ready to be a bit stealth, and if he gets desperate enough to go behind the Cohens' back… which I'm sure I can convince him to do).

But now it's time to say goodbye.

"Walk me to the door, stud?" I don't want this to end. God, I'm turning into such a fucking sap but I really had a nice time these past five days…Ryan's such a great guy and he's about to get blasted by his parents. And it, sort of, is my fault.

"Sure," he smiles. He steps out of the SUV and, like a gentleman to the end, grabs my bags for me. I loop an arm around his waist and we walk together up the sidewalk towards my house.

"I guess this is it." I turn to face him and something about those blue eyes and the way he tasted during our last little encounter sets me off. I can't let this goodbye be ordinary.

"Kimmie…" he starts but I don't let him get another word out. I pin him against my front door and kiss him with as much passion as I can muster. Maybe if we hadn't been on our interstate sex adventure, then I'd have a little more energy.

But I can tell that he likes it because he's kissing me back just as urgently. And that damned fleeting thought comes back that maybe we…

Nah.

I hear a moan from somewhere and Ryan gets more energized, his hands pushing up beneath the back of my shirt and caressing the small of my back.

But wait. A moan?

"That wasn't me…" I say, pulling away and trying to hear over the sexy breathing in my ear.

"What?" he asks, confused. He leans forward again and kisses my neck.

"Oh, god…" the voice cries again.

"Fuck. That's my mom…" I realize.

"Your mom?" Ryan asks, his eyebrows rising in surprise.

"Oh yuck, I can't go in there…not when they're…"

"Oh, that…oh…let's go." He catches my disgusted face and takes my hand, leading me back to the Rover. My bags are abandoned outside the house of 'lust'.

"My parents are freaks," I mutter, settling back into the passenger seat that's still warm from our trip.

"Sorry," he says, blushing.

"What?"

"Well, I mean, at least you get it honest," he laughs quietly.

"Hey, watch it," I laugh. It is sort of funny and after all the hell I've put him through the past few days, he's earned a little laugh at my expense. A little laugh…

"So. What am I going to do with you?" he smirks.

"Well…we could wait here for them to…ew, finish, or…"

"Or I can face the music and take you home. Mind listening to a few hours of lectures and parental scoldings?" he asks.

"They'll go easier on you if I'm there, won't they?"

He grins. "Maybe. Maybe not. Where else are you going to go?"

--- -- - - - - - -- -------- - -- -------- - --------- ---- - ------ - -------------- - ----- - --- - ----- - - - - ------- -- - - ------

This is definitely going to be one of the most interesting afternoons at the Cohen house, and they've had a lot. Me, bringing hot-blooded Kimmie home after a five day unapproved road-trip across California and Oregon. If I make it through today unscathed…well, I have to make it through to see what'll happen because I doubt I'm going to be unscathed.

I park the Rover in the driveway. We've checked the truck over and over again for any stray condoms or thongs, cleaned everything out thoroughly and aired the car on the way home to get all the smell of sex out. Kimmie's straightening her clothes again and if I didn't know her better, I'd think she was nervous.

"You don't have to do this, you know."

"What, you'll drop me off back at the brothel?" she asks with a smirk. "No thanks. I want to give my folks plenty of time to get the house cleaned up."

"Point taken. Okay, then." I hop out of the Rover and she follows me to the front door.

"So…how should I act? I can tell them I kidnapped you, I used some sort of sexual hypnosis to make you do my bidding…" she whispers, following me inside after I unlock the door.

That might not be too far from the truth… "I don't think that would help my case."

The house seems empty at first glance but I can hear Seth's stereo pulsing upstairs so I know that the Cohens are home.

"Where are they?" Kimmie whispers.

"I don't know," I whisper back, and we walk into the kitchen, which is empty. The music gets louder as a door opens upstairs and someone comes down the stairs. I hope it's Seth.

It's Summer.

She stops dead in her tracks when she sees us and makes a face.

"Oh, Chino, you didn't bring the skank here," she cries, and I glare at her.

"I mean… oh, shit," she says, and turns back and runs up the stairs.

"Nice," Kimmie says. "I guess that's what I should be bracing myself for, really. So what's Mrs. Cohen like?"

"Oh, Kirsten is really nice," I say. "She'll probably be sweet to you and then lecture me until I beg for mercy."

"You never beg for mercy," Kimmie says, very matter-of-fact. Then she eyes me speculatively. "Actually, you're making me wonder… Are you ticklish?"

What? "No." Well, just a bit, but she doesn't need to know.

"I don't believe you." And suddenly Kimmie is attacking me and I'm having to fight her off and we're running around the kitchen like two kids, laughing. She's very persistent and I can't quite keep her at arm's length but thankfully, she's ticklish too, and we're both out of breath when the front door slams and Kirsten walks in.

She looks at the two of us, giggling helplessly against the kitchen island, and I swear I can see a smile on her face before a stern expression replaces it. Not a very successful one. But still.

"So," she says. "You're back."

"Yeah. And, sorry?" I say, and I feel a bit nervous. "Um. Let me introduce you… Kirsten, this is my friend Kimmie Gentry. Kimmie, this is Kirsten Cohen – my… surrogate mom, I guess." And Kirsten smiles again, even though she is trying to keep a straight face. It doesn't help that I'm still slightly out of breath from the tickling.

"Hello Kimmie," she says, extending a hand, which Kimmie shakes while mumbling a greeting back, looking suddenly shy. "How nice to meet you at last. It's a shame Ryan didn't introduce us before the two of you went off on your little trip… Now, if you'll excuse me, there's something I need to deal with right now."

And here we go.

"Ryan," she says, turning to me, "I know things haven't been easy recently but really, it's not like you to lie to us."

I grimace. She's right; I've been less than honest with her.

"I am sorry. Really. But you wouldn't have let me go if I'd told you the truth," I say. "And, Kirsten, I really needed to get out. I was going to blow." It's true.

"Mrs. Cohen, it's not all his fault," Kimmie says, blushing. Kirsten turns to her, eyebrows raised in a questioning frown.

"I needed Ryan's… support to deal with an ex-boyfriend who was messing me around. And he was… he really helped me. I kind of twisted his arm. And you know Ryan can't resist a damsel in distress."

She looks really earnest, and sweet, and I feel like kissing her all of a sudden. She looks at me and I smile at her. She keeps standing up for me and I really like her for that. She doesn't expect me to look after her all the time.

"Well, I guess that's very… chivalrous of you, Ryan," Kirsten says, a little thrown off-balance. "But it doesn't excuse your behavior. You should have been more honest with us."

That's true.

"Okay. So next time, if I tell you I need some time away with… a friend – who happens to be a girl – you'll let me go?" I ask.

Kirsten is trying not to smile, and I can tell she's a little embarrassed, as her cheeks turn pink.

"I... It depends. Sandy and I need to talk about this. Even though…" and she turns to Kimmie, "you do seem to be very nice, Kimmie."

Kimmie bites her lip, and I try not to laugh. In my mind's eye, right now, I can see her on the back seat of the Rover, moaning and writhing, and I can't help but think Kirsten would react differently if she knew. And then I remember that she does know something, something she overheard from Seth, and I shudder. Because that cannot be good.

Kirsten takes a deep breath, and I have the horrible feeling she's about to launch into some version of The Talk. Please, God, not again. Not with Kimmie here. I can feel my cheeks beginning to burn at the mere thought.

"I just hope you kids are being safe," Kirsten says, without looking at either of us.

Kimmie and I nod vigorously, and then, because Kirsten is still not looking at us, I add a mumbled "Yes. Always." Which seems to please her.

"Good. But Ryan, you're grounded for the rest of the week, and when Sandy's home we will discuss any… additional measures that need to be taken," she says, and she looks at Kimmie with a tight smile – and I realize that she's wondering what Kimmie is still doing here.

"I, uh, can I take Kimmie home before you ground me?" I ask.

Kirsten nods.

"But I want you home in half-an-hour." And as she says that Kimmie winks at me and if I wasn't so exhausted, I'd totally go for it – but right now, I am definitely up for a nap on my bed rather than any wild stuff.

At this point, Seth and Summer descend into the kitchen – Seth having probably persuaded Summer that she can bear to be in the same room as Kimmie and me, even though she saw us naked together. Which for some reason bothers her a hell of a lot more than it bothers Kimmie, or even me.

"Hey, Mrs. Cohen," she says. She glances at me and Kimmie, and there are daggers in the air, but it's not as bad as it could be.

Seth shuffles over and gives me a half-hug. "Hey, bro', welcome back. Sorry I got you busted." He looks sheepish as he gives Kimmie a little wave.

I shrug. It's not the end of the world. I actually thought it would be much worse, but if I get away with a grounding, well, it's not that bad.

Kirsten clears her throat. "Well, I expect both of you girls to be gone in the next ten minutes. Seth, you're grounded too. No phones, video games, TV or going out. And no girls visiting, either."

And with that, she walks out, leaving Seth looking outraged.

"Sorry, Seth," I say – because it sucks, and it really isn't Seth's fault – he didn't even know about Kimmie until a couple of days ago.

And then I can feel Kimmie's hands on my hips, and she spins me around and kisses me full on the mouth, before I can do anything. Except kiss back, because her lips are just so… kissable. And I don't care that Seth and Summer are next to us, or that Kirsten is in her bedroom down the hall, because we're kissing, seriously, my hands in her hair, her hands on my back, and it's the kind of kiss that deserves focusing on.

When we pull apart, out of breath, I spy Seth staring at us, open-mouthed. Even Summer is looking awed.

"Dude," he says, "get a room."

And we all crack up laughing. Man, even if I got a room, I don't think I'd be up to much apart from crashing.

Then again, it is Kimmie.

Seth shoves Summer, not so discreetly, and she makes a face.

"I'm sorry, Ryan. And Kimmie. For, you know, being rude." She doesn't sound completely convincing, but it's a start.

Kimmie shrugs. "Apology accepted," she says. "And I guess I ought to go. The 'rents are probably dressed again by now."

Seth and Summer's faces are twin masks of horror.

"Yeah, Seth, you think Kirsten and Sandy are bad? You have no idea," I tell him, as we leave the kitchen. And he really doesn't know his luck. Compared to, well, the Gentrys, or Julie Cooper – or even Luke's dad and his wandering eyes. Or, God forbid, Mom and AJ when they were feeling frisky. Ugh.

The ride back to hers is fairly quiet.

"Your mom – I mean Mrs. Cohen... she's nice," Kimmie says.

"Yeah. Kirsten is really nice. But I think I'm going to get more of a talking-to later. I think… she liked you, though." And I smile at Kimmie.

"Parents don't always approve of me," she says, smiling back, looking a little sheepish.

No shit, Kimmie. Maybe it's all the getting caught fucking in janitor's closets at school. Which sounds like we might have to do again, though, if I get grounded forever…Because I don't think I'll be able to go cold turkey after all the sex we've had.

"You know," I say to her as we pull into her driveway, "you're going to have to learn to be quieter if we want to get on the Cohens' good side… Otherwise, I think we'll get into trouble."

"For you, stud, I'll try," she says, squeezing my thigh, and I can feel a familiar tingle starting in my groin. Damn, Kimmie!

We're both pretty relaxed we draw up in front of her house. The bags are gone and I hope it means her parents are now decent – and not that they got boosted by some passing lowlife who made it past the gates. I get out of the car and walk round to open her door. Kimmie steps out and flings her arms around me for a goodbye kiss. I scoop her up and carry her to the front door

We have another go at a really, really passionate goodbye kiss, arms wrapped around each other, bodies pressed against one another, our tongues entwined, and this time I know that it's Kimmie moaning, and my hands slip under her top and… the door opens.

"Well if it isn't the lovebirds," says a slightly mocking woman's voice. Kimmie's Mom.

We disentangle, and I force myself to think of very unarousing things, because knowing her she'll be looking at my crotch.

"Um, good afternoon, Mrs. Gentry," I say.

"Hi Mom," Kimmie says, and she hugs her spontaneously. "Thanks for doing the reservation. We had a great time."

Shit, I'd forgotten that her mom booked last night's fuckpad. Which we left in quite a state. I hope they never find out.

"You kids had fun?" she asks. "We weren't expecting you home… quite so early."

"Yeah, Mom, we figured that one out," Kimmie says, rolling her eyes.

"Well, Kim, you look like you've been having a good time too," he mom says, looking pointedly at the hickey I sucked on her neck earlier. And then she looks at me, too, and smiles in a way which is entirely too much like Kimmie's come-hither smile and I have to look away before I embarrass myself.

"Hey, Kimmie, I guess I'll see you in school tomorrow," I say.

"Yeah, stud," she says, and she lunges towards me and plants a quick one on my lips, before retreating into the house with her mom.

Well, that's it. Road trip over. But what a ride.

--------------- - - ----------- ---- --------------------- --- --------------- -----

Epilogue. A couple of months later.

"Are Seth and Ryan up yet?"

"I don't know," Sandy answers with a yawn, rolling over and planting a kiss on my cheek. I turn gently and take his lips, kissing him. I do love my husband.

I love my boys, too. They've been spending a lot more time around the house lately, since they've settled down with their 'girls.' We can't call them girlfriends because Ryan is currently living in a state of denial.

Since his little "I'm driving to Portland because I need Space" road trip where we found out he was on some kind of sexual journey, he's really settled down. Well, settled down as in relaxed. His little lady friend, Kimmie, well, she's a whole different story. Sandy's even mentioned putting in a gymnastics mat in the pool house so she won't hurt herself. Not that he's interested…but we've had to order Ryan to keep the blinds closed when she's over. He caught Rosa taking pictures with her cell phone and we had to do something.

I mean, Kimmie is a nice girl. She has dinner with us a few nights a week now and she's funny and genuinely seems to care about Ryan. From what Summer told us in the beginning, we thought she was using Ryan for his…well, body. But it turns out that they really like each other. I think Ryan talks to her…and that's more than I can say for any of his other girlfriends. Oh, but she's not a girlfriend. They're just friends…

Yeah, right. That's why Seth has ordered Ryan to turn his stereo on full blast whenever she's over. I don't even want to ask them about that rule.

"What are you thinking about?" Sandy asks me.

"How long until Ryan and Kimmie admit that they're exclusive?"

He grins at me. "Well, it's been two months and despite the fact that they're together every day and can't keep their hands off each other…they're still not 'exclusive', so I can't really tell you. But soon…"

"You think?"

"Yeah. They'll come to their senses eventually." Sandy leans over and kisses me again. "Are our blinds closed?"

"Always…"

--------------- - - ----------- ---- --------------------- --- --------------- -----

I'm eating a bowl of Cap'n Crunch in the kitchen when Seth walks in rubbing his eyes, his jewfro all over the place. We were out last night at a party, and we stopped at Summer's on the way home, because her parents are out of town and we could have a little… privacy. I've smuggled Kimmie in late a few times, and I think Kirsten and Sandy kind of know, but I don't like to push it. So when we get a chance…

Anyhow the upshot is – we're both a little short of sleep this morning. But in a good mood.

"Hey, dude," Seth yawns. "Any coffee?"

I nod at the steaming pot on the counter.

"Cool."

He pours himself a large mug and after a few sips, he grins at me. He's becoming human again.

"Wild night last night, huh? And I think my girlfriend and your girlfriend are finally starting to get along."

"She's not my girlfriend," I say automatically.

"Dude," Seth says, looking at me over the rim of the cup, "come on. When are you going to drop this stupid pretence that you guys aren't going out. Because you totally are."

"We're not. We just… hang." I protest, not very energetically.

"Yeah, right. You just happen to 'hang' at school all the time, and some evenings, and most weekends. Like Summer and I 'hang'. And you fuck like rabbits. Like particularly energetic rabbits on Viagra, I may add. How is that different from having a girlfriend?"

"We're not exclusive," I mutter.

"Oh, of course, I forget. So, pray, Ryan, tell me: who else are you seeing? I mean, when would you have time to meet another girl? Let alone fuck her? Because, dude, I don't get the feeling Kimmie cuts you much slack on this front. If you've got any stamina left after her, you're a superhero." And Seth flashes a triumphant grin at me, because he knows he's got me.

I groan. He's right. I haven't even looked at another girl since Kimmie and I have been hanging together. I just don't have the energy. Or the desire. Frankly, Kimmie is enough for any man. Almost too much… She keeps me very busy. And fit. And exhausted. I sleep very well at night these days – just not quite enough to make up for all the action, sometimes.

I've been telling myself we're just friends for too long now – but I can't deny that I look forward to seeing her every morning, that our occasional lunchtime trysts are eagerly awaited, and that the time we spend together at the weekend is great. And it's not only the sex, although that is still out of this world.

I told myself I wouldn't, but I'm definitely falling for Kimmie.

Hell, at least we're having fun. A lot of fun.

------ --------------- - ---- ----------------------- -------- ------

Ryan is expecting me at some point this afternoon – he's told me not to turn up too early, because he has to do some physics homework and we figured out a while ago than we can't even pretend to do homework in the same room. It's barely possible for us to focus on work when we're both in the library – a bedroom is completely out of the question.

So we study separately. But after that… we're free. Providing we drop the blinds and turn the stereo up high, so that the Cohens know not to disturb. And any… noise gets muffled.

After walking in on us twice – once when we were almost naked on the bed and once when we were in the shower together, Kirsten has learned the hard way that it's best to steer clear when I'm around.

Also, Ryan has learned to lock the damn door.

To be fair, the Cohens have been pretty cool about it, considering they're not quite as used to me as my parents are.

And the sex – well, the sex is still unbelievably hot. If anything, it's gotten better since our little road trip.

But we're learning to do all the other stuff too – like going out to the movies, and sometimes eating out, and going to parties and… behaving like a normal couple.

Better than Jay and I ever were…

Even though we're not a couple, and we're not exclusive, and we're just friends, really.

Yeah, right.

When I turn up at the Cohens', Sandy welcomes me in with a big smile. We get along quite well, and he's not leery like some other guy's dads, just sweet. He really tries not to check me out at all, and almost succeeds. I make sure I go through the house when I come see Ryan – well, when I am officially over, at any rate – so they know I'm there. It makes things easier.

The blinds are drawn in the pool house, and when I walk in, Ryan is stretched on the bed, reading a book, listening to some grungy rock band.

"Hey, stud."

He looks up and smiles. "Hey back."

He puts the book down and crosses his arms behind his head, exposing a bit of stomach as his gray, long-sleeved sweater rides up. With his lazy smile and bedroom eyes he looks particularly yummy.

I ditch my purse on the floor and climb onto the bed until I'm lying on top of him. His blue eyes look amused, but he's already in the mood. Mind you, I have never known him not to be in the mood with me. Except maybe if he's really, really pissed about something. And even then…

I kiss him, a long slow kiss because it's Saturday afternoon and we have all the time in the world. Especially now that Seth knows not to come in until he is summoned.

"You know," he says when we break the kiss, looking at me with heavy-lidded eyes, "Seth thinks we're going out."

And there is just the hint of a smirk on his face – the corners of his mouth are twitching.

"He does, does he? Didn't you tell him we were just friends?"

"He doesn't buy it. Says we spend all our time together like him and Summer."

I snort. "What about the fact we're not exclusive?"

"He challenged me to prove it." And he has the tiniest bit of speculation in his eyes, like he's wondering whether I've managed to squeeze someone else into my schedule.

I shake my head.

"I guess we're not doing too well then," I sigh. And I start kissing him again while his hands slip below my shirt.

Somehow, no matter how lazy and laid back we are, when we touch there is always a sizzle of electricity. One second we're laughing and joking with each other, the next he's pulling off my shirt while I'm unbuttoning his, and then we're flesh to flesh, kissing hungrily, desperately.

He rolls me over so he's above me now, his biceps bulging as he props himself over me. God, he looks so damn sexy with his shirt off and his hair in his eyes. He smiles as I grab his belt loops and pull him up close .

"Quick one?" I whisper, and he presses himself against me and nods, bracing himself on one arm. His free hand pulls at my skirt and thong, and insinuates itself between my legs, making me gasp. I'm thoroughly aroused and moaning, now, and I want him in me as soon as possible.

So I fumble with his belt and I tease him a little with my fingers, and then I pull out a condom from his pocket and sheathe him.

We're good to go, stud.

And I never tire of him as he enters me, gently first and then harder, his mouth on mine, his hot tongue sliding with mine and keeping me from making too much noise. I grab his tight ass as our hips rocking in sync, until we both topple over the edge together – something we've become quite good at, actually – and his kisses muffle my cries.

He collapses on me completely, and we stay entwined, out of breath. I bury my face in his neck, inhaling his smell, which I can't get enough of.

"So, you want to go on a date sometime," he asks, and I can feel him smiling against my skin.

Oh, stud, you're asking me out? How could I say no.

"If you don't think we're rushing it," I say, and we both start giggling.

Yeah, maybe we are ready to take things to the next level…

THE END