Guess what everyone! I'm not dead! XD

Just kidding (sorta). It has been an appallingly long time since the last update on this thing though. Not gonna lie, it was rough. I did 4 complete rewrites, suffered several months of writer's block (more like 'motivation to write' block...), had 2 big family blow-ups, nearly had a breakdown, got hit in the eye while playing with the cat and ended up half-blind with a swollen eyeball (twice!), and helped my mom through a second stroke. It's been... A LOT.

Thank you all for sticking with me for so long. Your reviews and messages definitely lifted me up while I was down, and kept me coming back to slog away at this thing until I finally had something worthy to give you in return. Fair warning though, it is somewhat of a self-serving smut piece. I just had to write SOMETHING to keep the chapter rolling, and this was the final result. Anyways, hope you like it :P

~oOo~

"You know what, I actually feel like I'm getting it," Scott stated while trying to keep the surprise from his tone. Setting his pen down, he shot Hayden a somewhat smug smirk as he stretched out the ache that had begun to form between his shoulder blades. "I mean, I'm not expecting an outstanding grade on Monday's test, but I'm at least confident of a pass. Guess I'm not as dumb as everyone thought."

All in all, the day had truly been quite a success for Scott. Granted there had been a few minor differences of opinion over the course of the afternoon, but Scott still felt pretty proud of himself for how well he'd gotten along with his dorky cousin. He'd even kept most of his 'nerd' comments to himself for a change. That warranted a pat on the back for sure.

Instead of complimenting Scott or throwing out a rude jab, Hayden just arched a brow as he started gathering up all the scattered pages. "You're welcome," he drawled. Tapping the bundle of papers on the counter to align it before setting it on Scott's open binder.

In all fairness, Hayden had given up a good portion of his Saturday for this. Scott supposed he could be a little more gracious about that. It wasn't like he really had to be Mr. Cool around Hayden anyways. Hayden didn't care.

"And I guess you can take a little credit," Scott added in an offhand sort of way. "You know, you're not nearly as bad a tutor as I thought you were gonna be." Feeling a slight blush heat his cheeks as he offered his cousin a tentative smile.

Hayden met Scott's eyes for a moment before shaking his head and huffing a soft laugh. "You know what, I think that might just be the most complimentary thing you've ever said to me. I'll take it," he conceded.

"Aww, look at you two playing so nice together," Astrid joked brightly - sauntering over to lean against the other side of the centre island. After setting her steaming mug of tea down, she promptly reached over to drag Scott's completed work towards her. A part of him wanting to snatch the pages away before she could read them and laugh at him. The other part kind of needing a bit of validation from someone who's opinion he held in high regard.

"Days not over yet," Hayden reminded her blandly, and Astrid glanced up at him with an arched brow. Then she shook her head with a chuckle as she turned her gaze back to the papers in her hand. Her blue eyes scanning over the words as her lips twisted thoughtfully - and Scott found himself chewing nervously on his lip while he waited.

"This is actually pretty good," she finally offered after she'd looked through them all. The tone of surprise was painfully obvious, but at least her smile was genuine as she slid the worksheets back across to Scott. "I mean, it's no Hemingway, but Cope will probably still give you a pass anyways," she teased.

"Only because I'm so sexy," he quipped back and Astrid snorted as she rolled her eyes. Her approval allowing him to finally release the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. Still, he couldn't help smiling at her in return as he accepted the small bundle of papers. Though he would never admit it out loud, he couldn't pretend that it wasn't nice to feel smart for a change. Well… Smarter.

"So, what should we start on next," Scott asked his cousin now. Glancing over to find Hayden looking at his phone.

After typing a quick message, Hayden set his phone down as he met Scott's eyes with an arched brow. "It's 3:00 in the afternoon," he pointed out incredulously. "We've been at this for hours already. Aren't you sick of studying?"

It was a fair enough statement. They'd studied for his test as well as completing two essays and a worksheet that weren't due until Friday. In truth Scott's brain did feel rather fried, but that was besides the point. The last thing Scott wanted to do was go back to his apartment and the shit storm that was likely awaiting him - if the unanswered messages on his phone were anything to go by at least.

Not wanting to tell his cousin that though, Scott just lifted one shoulder in an awkward sort of shrug. "I'm on a roll," he offered by way of explanation.

Scott watched Hayden chew his lip for a moment as his eyes flicked to Astrid and then back. One hand coming up to rub absentmindedly at the back of his neck. Then Hayden huffed a sigh. "Thing is, some more of my friends just got into town, and they wanted to know if they could come over to say hi," he explained with an apologetic grimace. "As long as you don't mind," he directed at Astrid.

Barely withholding a snort at how whipped his cousin was already, Scott glanced at Astrid too - only to find her smiling widely at this news. "The rest of the group is here," she exclaimed excitedly. "Oh my gosh, of course I don't mind. I'd love to meet them!"

Her giddy excitement surprised Scott. As far as he remembered, Astrid wasn't overly keen on social gatherings, and he was surprised she was willing to let even more people ruin her weekend with her new beau. Although, it was probably already ruined thanks to him being here…

"I suppose you want me to go then," Scott offered. His voice coming out pathetically morose as he slowly started stuffing the papers back into his binder.

"Did you want to stay and meet them," Hayden asked incredulously. Looking at Scott with an expression that was somewhere between shock and humour.

"Sure! I mean, only if you don't mind that is…" Scott cringed inwardly at how utterly desperate he must sound, but he plastered on his best smile anyways - though it was probably more of a grimace.

"I'll never understand you," Hayden sighed with a shake of his head. "Stay if you want, but I can't promise you a good time - and maybe don't be… Yourself… Around them."

"What's that supposed to mean," Scott couldn't help snapping back.

"You just tend to be, you know, a lot. If you piss any of them off, I promise I will throw you out. Family or not," Hayden supplied darkly. His green eyes narrowing in warning.

"Or you could just hit him again," Astrid tossed out with a cheeky grin. "Just saying."

"Or that. Although Tali or Cami might beat me to it," Hayden agreed with a chuckle as Scott cringed a little - despite his best efforts. Then Hayden picked up his phone and fired off another couple messages before sliding off his stool with a sigh. Astrid shooting him a 'kettle's still hot' on his way past her.

Happy despite the admitted weirdness of the situation, Scott started filing his work away with more enthusiasm now. Never in a million years would he have imagined himself actually asking (almost begging) to spend time with Hayden, yet here he was planning to spend the whole rest of the afternoon watching his ex make eyes at his fishbone of a cousin.

Speaking of which…

Looking up from stuffing his binder and books back in his bag, he noticed that Astrid's eyes were locked on Hayden as she worried her bottom lip between her teeth. She seemed torn for some reason, and Scott could only assume it had something to do with his presence.

Figuring that he could probably stand to give them a moment alone, Scott grabbed up his pack. "Bathroom," he asked of no one in particular.

"Back down the hall past the elevator. First door on your right," Astrid answered promptly. Her gaze flicking over to him for barely a moment before straying right back to where Hayden stood near the fridge - pouring hot water into a mug.

It was rather telling just how comfortable Astrid was here, and Scott slung his bag over his shoulder with a sigh and headed back towards the elevator. Sure he had come to terms with the fact that they were over. That didn't mean he loved how she seemed to have found her happily ever with Hayden, of all people. He'd never admit it of course, but a small part of Scott suspected that it might just be jealousy. Especially since he wouldn't exactly call his relationship a 'fairytale romance' at the current moment.

As he wandered away from the kitchen, Scott couldn't help noticing that there was a serious lack of trophies and certificates on display here. It was no secret that Hayden had a number of degrees, along with a fair amount of winning races to his name. Not to mention that according to Tuff, he was supposedly a rock star too - though Scott was still having a hard time envisioning that. The entire afternoon his cousin had been nothing other than his obnoxiously perfect, nerdy, and passive-aggressively articulate self.

Even without the 'secret double life' part being true, he should still have a whole display case worth of shit. Anyone else would have such things out in the open for everyone to see, purely for the sake of the bragging rights it offered. Or so they could just sit around and bask in their own awesomeness whenever the mood struck.

Then again, there was a staircase near the other end of the hall. Apparently what he had thought was a one story flat with vaulted ceilings (albeit a big one) was actually a split level two story. Maybe there was a 'trophy room' up there somewhere, but Scott seriously doubted it. Hayden just wasn't the type to boast about his accomplishments - hadn't really ever been. Scott honestly wasn't sure they were even related sometimes.

*

As soon as Scott had disappeared from the kitchen, Astrid felt her shoulders drop as she heaved a sigh. The whole afternoon had gone remarkably well up to this point - albeit a tad awkward - but she still couldn't help feeling a bit tense. Not a single fibre of her being looking forward to going over the whole awkward spiel all over again for a new set of ears.

Sure Atali and Minden had seemed to hate her less by the time they left - and Theo was downright friendly - but how were the newcomers going to react? Were they going to blame Astrid for Hayden's troubles too? Maybe see her as just another Victoria who was only out for his money? The whole thing left Astrid feeling equal parts anxious and angry.

"Remind me again why I'm doing this," Hayden suddenly muttered from the counter near the fridge. Clearly he was more stressed than he was letting on as well, and Astrid wasn't sure if it was because of his friends, Scott, or a combination of the two.

As she watched him, he methodically stirred a small dollop of honey into his Raspberry Zinger tea before lifting it to his nose - likely to breathe in the uplifting scent in hopes it would calm his nerves. She had almost been expecting him to reach for booze instead of tea at a time like this, but Hayden rarely did what was expected. Yet another thing that she found incredibly appealing about him - much to her surprise.

"Let's see," Astrid pretended to ponder as she sauntered up behind him. "Oh that's right. It's because you're a good person," she teased. Her arms coming up to wrap around his trim waist as she leant her body against his back.

"I hate that about me," he groaned in return, and Astrid giggled softly.

"Well I think it's kinda hot," she quipped. Squeezing him tighter as he chuckled softly, and she felt the taut firmness of unyielding muscle clench beneath her embrace.

It wasn't really her style to get all giddy over such things, but Astrid just couldn't get enough of how sexy her man was. The boy was fit as heck, but he also wasn't conceited about it in the slightest - no bragging, showing off, or flaunting to be found. All of which only served to make him even more attractive in her eyes. He was also a more-than-decent sparring partner, as she'd found out the first time she'd suggested they use that as their morning workout.

Beating Scott had barely required effort on her part. Scott may have brute strength but he lacked training and focus, whereas Astrid was a double dan black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Hayden was a well trained kickboxer with years of practice under his belt as well. It had made for a pretty even matchup. There were even several moments where she'd been sure he was about to beat her, until he fumbled a step or dropped his guard for just a second and the tables abruptly turned in her favour.

It was nice knowing that despite his skill, she could still kick the shit out of him if she really wanted to. A fact which Hayden himself was never hesitant to agree with - and also found unexpectedly hot for some reason. Scott had always gotten ashamed or defensive, and then sulked off to nurse his wounded pride when Astrid beat him during a wrestling match. The few times she'd spared with Hayden though, he'd laugh and tap out before hungrily claiming her lips as if getting pinned to the mat by a girl was a huge turn on. A response which eventually led to them stumbling their way back to the condo and right back into bed like a couple of horny teenagers, just like it had this morning.

Until Scott's phone call and imminent arrival had interrupted them that is, she remembered moodily. The subsequent delay leaving Astrid feeling flustered, antsy, and unsatisfied all day. Her state not helped in the slightest by carefully lingering glances from emerald eyes, and discreetly gentle brushes from calloused hands as she passed by. Hayden absolutely knew what he was doing to her too, the bastard!

She had already had a cool shower, attempted to distract herself with schoolwork, and taken Toothless for 3 walks. Despite her efforts, the desire for Hayden still wasn't going away though - and now even more people were coming over for who knows how long. Ugh! It was all so… Frustrating! She wasn't sure if she was more angry at Hayden for encouraging it, or her own body for being unable to just drop it.

While she was busy lost in her musings, Hayden set down his hot mug before carefully turning in her embrace. Wrapping his arms around her shoulders and looking her over in a way that did not help reduce her unruly desires in the slightest. Why oh why did he always have to look at her like he was about to make a meal out of her? The gleam in those wicked green orbs making her want to lay herself out on the table and let him. Right here. Right now.

A pleasant tingle raced up her spine at that thought, and she immediately tamped it back down as she cursed her shockingly evil mind. What the heck was wrong with her? For Thor's sake, her ex could saunter back into the room at any moment!

"Are you sure you're alright with Scott staying," Hayden asked suddenly - as if reading her thoughts. His gaze softening with concern as she continued to stare up at him like an idiot (possibly while drooling). "And with everyone else coming over? I know we were planning to have a quiet evening watching movies, but now… I can send them all away if you want. Tell them to come over tomorrow night or…"

Astrid leant up on her toes so she could cut him off with a quick kiss. "It's fine Hayden," she soothed, even though it wasn't really feeling fine anymore. "We've already told them to come, so it's too late. It would be rude to kick them out before they even get here."

Hayden gave a noncommittal shrug, as if he didn't much care about being rude. Astrid felt the same, but her mother had raised her to always be a good host, even when it was tough. "I just really hope they don't want to stay the whole evening," she added truthfully. "I'm not sure how much longer my body is going to put up with waiting for you to touch me."

"You do seem pretty antsy today," Hayden chuckled. His voice dipping low and his perfect mouth lifting in her favourite lopsided smirk as he started pushing her gently back towards the centre island now. Pinning her with his body, and her belly immediately filled with butterflies. "I could always just put you up on this counter right now," he growled dangerously as she inhaled a sharp breath to ground herself. "Maybe use my tongue to relieve some of that sexual tension for you before the others get here."

A hot spike of need suddenly unfurled within her, like a lotus blossom low in her belly, and it was all she could do to keep herself from jumping up to wrap her legs around his waist. "What about Scott," she gasped out, even as her fingers clutched spastically at his shirt.

"What about him," Hayden countered. "Perhaps he might learn a thing or two if he watched us for a while." An accompanying image of that exact thing flashed through her mind, and Astrid found herself stuttering a breath as her body trembled in his hands - much to her absolute shock. Was that seriously a turn on for her? Oh gods…

Clearly noting her reaction as well, Hayden's smirk widened as he leant in even closer. "Could it be? Is Astrid Hofferson, the Princess of Prim Perfection herself, also a closet exhibitionist," he teased. One of his brows lifting in feigned disbelief.

There was no point denying it. After all, despite blushing in embarrassment, her body's unruly reactions still gave her away. "Apparently," she grumbled. Then she narrowed her eyes at him, "and you can stop looking so smug about it. Especially since this sexual frustration is all your fault."

"How is this my fault," he asked. His tone innocent, but his green eyes gleaming mischievously. "I've been tutoring my cousin all afternoon. Dedicating my focus to charity work while keeping my distance like a good boy."

"Pfft, good boy my ass," Astrid scoffed back. "You're the Devil, Hayden Haddock, and you know it! You've completely ruined me with your wicked ways. The worst part is, I actually think I'm really starting to like being bad."

Her voice was coming out as more of a lusty moan than anything else, and she swatted him halfheartedly. Torn between horror at herself, and intrigue at just where Hayden might help her take this new discovery. He was looking at her like she was a particularly interesting puzzle, and she trembled as her hands skimmed up over his chest to wrap around the back of his neck now. Her body stretching against him as she basked in the hunger within those glorious green eyes of his.

Hayden chuckled now, as one of his hands slid down her spine while the other moved up to weave his fingers into the hair at her nape. "You won't catch me complaining," he teased. "Bad girls are more fun."

Then he leant down to give her a greedy kiss as he pressed a denim clad leg between her thighs. Using his hand on her backside to grind her against him in a way that left her knees weak and her panties moist. She could feel him growing beneath his jeans, and she hummed into his mouth as she drew him impossibly closer. Her tongue darting out to tangle with his, and her head swimming with a pleasant sort of vertigo.

She was already uncomfortably close to climax, and the hot desire between her thighs was giving her the strong urge to change her mind and tell Scott and the rest to get lost. That way Hayden could finish what he'd just started, rather than teasing her all day until she finally snapped. Not that she hadn't already been on the verge of snapping way before the kiss…

Just as she began to think he was going to let her peak right here, Hayden pulled away. His sudden retreat leaving Astrid clutching at him to hold herself up as she struggled to catch her breath. The now all-too-familiar warmth of arousal seeping through the thin cotton of her thong. Her thighs were trying to squeeze together to relieve the pressure in her core, but though he'd stopped grinding her against him, his leg still continued to hold hers firmly apart. The feeling was somehow both erotic and infuriating.

"Ugh! Curse you Haddock! Now I'm going to have to go change my underwear," she grumbled in exasperation. "Again!"

"Don't bother," Hayden retorted. "Now that I know your secret, I'm just going to wreck them again." A truly wicked grin was spreading across his face - and Astrid couldn't help feeling as if he was challenging her to let him. Astrid hated backing down from a challenge. Hated it almost as much as she hated the yucky feeling of damp underpants against the most intimate part of her body…

They stared at each other for a long moment - blue locked on green in a silent, albeit furious, battle of wills. Eventually Astrid was forced to concede on the grounds of sexual intrigue. "You're the Devil," she reiterated, and Hayden's evil grin plainly displayed that he knew he'd won this one.

Apparently it was a good thing that she'd changed into a pair of loose-ish black sweatpants, she mused as she forcefully reassembled her thoughts for the millionth time. After her third walk of the day she'd finally admitted that the heavy centre seam of her tight fitting pants was not helping matters. Now she was just thankful for the lack of clingy, light coloured fabric.

Sighing dramatically, Astrid rolled her eyes even as she stretched up to press a last kiss to his lips. "Do you think you could kindly stop distracting me for a moment," she grumbled, "I'd like to at least check on my crystals before you succeed in driving me completely insane."

"I've barely even started mi'lady," Hayden warned as he dropped his embrace. Another tremor of expectation ran through her, but she did her best to ignore it. Judging by the way she was feeling right now though, that was a bit of a lost cause. Her stomach was tied in knots, her muscles were twitching, and she was almost uncomfortably aware of the nearness of Hayden. The heat radiating off of him scorching her just as thoroughly as a midsummer's sun.

Still smirking deviously, Hayden began to pass over the containers from the freezer, while Astrid took them and carefully set them on the counter. His proximity alone was distracting, and she couldn't help feeling somewhat emotionally invested in the baby crystals, so she gingerly began to remove the lids while keeping her eyes firmly off of Hayden. A small part of her was mildly worried the delicate structures forming inside might shatter at the slightest touch, and then she'd have to start the project all over again. Her overly cautious movements made Hayden chuckle again, but he wisely refrained from commenting.

She was pleased to see that they were actually coming along quite nicely. Each container had a little bundle of beautifully coloured crystals inside. Like frost patterns on a cold window, the shapes of them were ever so slightly different depending on what they were made from, and she couldn't wait to see them under the bright lab lights. Or even better yet, under the microscope.

She had managed to become so engrossed in her project that she didn't even notice Scott returning to the kitchen. Or maybe it was the fact that her senses were already too attuned to Hayden to notice much else. Either way, his sudden exclamation of "Cool!" from right beside her made Astrid jump slightly. His hand already reaching out towards the crystals - no doubt to see if they were as fragile as they looked.

Spotting the danger in advance, Astrid smacked his hand away well before he could get close enough to do any damage. "Paws off," she growled as she narrowed her eyes at him. "If you and your gorilla mitts wreck my project, I will murder you and hide your body where no one will ever find it."

Scott's eyes widened in shock, and he gaped up at Hayden with a wounded expression that made the taller man snigger under his breath. "Don't look at me for help," Hayden grinned. "You should know better than to get between Astrid and her schoolwork."

As he spoke, Hayden had begun to swiftly gather up the assorted containers and place them back into the freezer. Obviously wanting to get them clear from danger before before Scott could incite any more of Astrid's wrath. Then he took out a beer, popped the cap with a magnet stuck to the fridge, and passed it over instead.

Rolling his eyes at his cousin as he accepted the bottle, Scott took a swig of the fancy craft beer. Then he nodded in approval before meandering away across the living room towards the wall of pictures - the whole while muttering under his breath about 'overreacting'. Astrid shook her head at him with a sigh. Once again wondering how she had ever fooled herself into believing that their relationship would last forever. Scott was an okay guy, sure, but she also may have ended up murdering him for real one day.

Then she was biting back a shocked gasp instead as Hayden's hands suddenly gripped her hips. He pulled her firmly back against him briefly, and she could feel the now discreetly adjusted bulge in his jeans rub against her ass. One of his hands sneaking down to press against her sex through her sweatpants as he trailed his tongue up her sensitive neck.

Even through two layers of cotton, he could probably still feel how wet she was. The dual shot of sensation making her shiver, and she pushed back into him as her inner muscles clenched deliciously in response. Her hand coming up to cover her mouth to stifle what would have been a very embarrassing mewl.

Before she could get too carried away, he had already moved away again. Blithely picking up his mug of tea and lifting it to his lips as if nothing had happened. Astrid shot him her best glare, but he just winked at her over the rim. His timing turned out to be impeccable too, as Scott suddenly turned around to face them barely a moment later when the security panel went off.

With a casual smirk at his cousin, Hayden sauntered away to allow their guests access to the elevator. His calm departure leaving Astrid alone and thoroughly flustered by the counter. She tried to smile at Scott, but it likely came out as more of a grimace. Scott just gave her a confused lift of his heavy eyebrows in return, but what could she say? "Sorry, I'm a bit on edge because your cousin was just groping me while your back was turned." Not likely.

She settled for a shrug instead, and Scott shrugged as well before turning back to the wall of pictures. A few moments later, the doors of the elevator could be heard sliding open. The ring of boisterous voices echoing in the hallway shortly after. Hayden came back over to link his fingers comfortingly through hers now instead, and Astrid tried to steady herself as best she could before the whole group walked in.

Thankfully, kind of, Atali and the others must have already dished the details of the affair. No one seemed overly surprised to see Astrid here, at least. Nadia, a statuesque woman who played guitar for the band was eyeing Astrid up thoughtfully as they entered the room - her piercing gaze making Astrid wish she was slightly better dressed. Though Nadia's feelings on Astrid's clothing choices or presence remained concealed behind her large almond shaped eyes.

Atali and Minden did at least smile at Astrid this time, but still avoided her somewhat as they moved to hug Hayden first. Theo though, swooped into the room like a huge blonde tornado and greeted Astrid like old friends. Picking her up as he embraced her in a burly hug, before setting her back on her feet. "I was hoping you'd be here today," he grinned. "That way you could meet the whole gang."

"If I had it my way, she'd be here every day," Hayden stated smoothly as he stretched out a hand to return Theo's proffered fist bump of greeting.

Astrid's heart stuttered a bit at those words. The way he'd said that had made it sound almost like he wanted her to move in with him - as impossible as that might be this early on. She glanced up at him imploringly, and he just smiled down at her as he reached out to wind his fingers back through hers. Giving her a minute nod of confirmation, and the look in his green eyes made her heart melt at the same time as it made her knees weak.

Cami, the petite blonde who played drums, suddenly let out a loud laugh though - snapping Astrid back to their audience. "You're such a sap Haddock," she teased, and Hayden just shrugged in acceptance. Then she stepped forward and held her hand out towards Astrid with a smile.

Cami had always seemed short in pictures and videos, but Astrid hadn't been prepared for just how much so. At just over 5' tall, Cami really was absolutely tiny, but she also had a figure that could stop traffic. Her combination of baggy green army fatigues, black combat boots, and tight black crop top under a fitted leather racing jacket somehow making her look even smaller while still accentuating her knock-out curves.

Her wild blonde hair was nearly the same shade as Astrid's, but it was cut in a choppy Joan Jett style with the ends dyed a bright pink. With her dainty features and eyes of a bright cerulean blue, she looked a little like a sexy, punk rock pixie. Granted, a pixie that might also knock out your teeth if you looked at her wrong…

"You must be Astrid," she greeted brightly as Astrid clasped her proffered hand in a firm handshake. "We've heard so much about you! I'm Camellia Bogthorp."

"Camellia," Astrid couldn't help asking with a smile. "Like, the flower."

"Yes. Because I am the embodiment of elegance, perfection, and refinement," the blonde returned with an eye roll. The rest of the group scoffing loudly in disbelief, and Astrid felt her eyebrows raise. "Please, for the love of all things holy, just call me Cami though," Camellia added with a grin. "Camellia makes me sound like a grandma."

"Well, I think it's a wonderful name," Nadia chimed in. Speaking for the first time as she came over to greet Astrid. "Almost as nice as being called Divine Beauty. Might I add, you certainly live up to that," she added with a wink.

Astrid's cheeks immediately warmed in embarrassment as Hayden chuckled beside her. "Don't even think about it Nadia," he growled lightly - albeit with a definite teasing note. "I saw her first."

"Can't fault a girl for trying," Nadia countered with a cheeky shrug before turning her attention back to Astrid. "In case you hadn't figured it out, I'm Nadia Roberts," she offered. Her voice was rich and sultry, and carried a refined English accent that made Astrid feel a bit like she was meeting the queen. With her voluminous mane of curly bleached blonde hair, silky brown skin, full lips, and beautiful figure, Nadia already made a statement. Her unusual stormy grey-blue eyes just making her seem even more exotically lovely. Astrid strongly suspected that Nadia was partially of African descent, but she would never be brave, or stupid, enough to ask.

It wasn't until Cami made mention though that Astrid finally remembered that Scott was still here. "Uh Hayden," the short girl stage whispered as she glanced towards Scott. "Don't look now, but there seems to be a rather muscular hobo lurking in the corner of your living room."

Hayden snorted and rolled his eyes. Before he could do much more than laugh though, Scott was already moving towards the group. A smile plastered on his face and his shoulders pulled back in a way that made his already notably bulky chest stick out even more. Astrid vaguely wondered if he was trying to puff himself up in an attempt to look more attractive - like a frigatebird. That thought making her have to bite her lip to hold in a laugh.

"Scott Jorgenson," he offered as he grinned around at the Wing Maidens. "Hayden's cooler and much better looking cousin." Then he winked as he added, "you lot wouldn't happen to be Valkyries, would you? Because just looking at you ladies is taking me straight to Valhalla."

He looked immensely proud of himself, and Astrid couldn't keep from slapping a hand to her face while Hayden pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation. "What did I tell him about being himself," Astrid heard him mutter under his breath, and she had to agree.

Nadia was furrowing her angular brows in confusion as Atali narrowed her eyes like she was offended. Minden just put her hands on her hips and tilted her head while she surveyed the stocky man thoughtfully for a moment - as if deciding whether or not to hit him. Cami, though, suddenly burst out laughing.

"Normally I'd hit someone for trying to drop a line like that," she chortled. "I'll give you a pass this time though, since that's the corniest one I've ever heard in my life." Reaching out, she patted Scott on the shoulder jovially as he seemed to almost deflate, before introducing herself properly. The rest of the group following suit after a moment's hesitation.

After that initially awkward exchange, things seemed to go much smoother. Scott was clearly impressed when he realized who these ladies were, as anyone would be. He greeted the Wing Maidens with enthusiasm, and started asking questions about what it was like to be famous. Thankfully he refrained from doing anything overly embarrassing though - like asking them to autograph his chest or something.

"Isn't this the cousin that you punched in the face last week," Nadia asked Hayden quietly after everyone else had finally moved to grab drinks and sit down somewhere. Thug quickly scrounging up the remote from a side table drawer to power up the entertainment unit, and the LG OLED TV rolled smoothly up from its base. Scott loudly proclaimed 'COOL!' at the sight, before taking a huge swig of his beer that dribbled down over his chin and onto the expensive leather sofa.

"Yep," Hayden shrugged as one of his eyes twitched. "And now I'm his tutor and he's hanging out at my house. Life is weird like that."

Patting him consolingly on the shoulder even as she laughed, Astrid casually directed Hayden over to the other end of the couch. Placing him as far from Scott as he could be without actually leaving the room. She briefly contemplated sitting a little ways away from him, but then she realized that was silly and went to settle herself next to him. Hayden promptly reached out to pull her down onto his lap instead. His arms wrapping around her in the sort of possessive embrace she'd been craving all day.

Astrid's eyes widened in mild surprise as she glanced up at his face. Hayden's eyes were locked on something across the room however - a slightly challenging light to them. Following his gaze, she realized he was watching Scott. Thankfully, either Scott was pretending not to care, or he was honestly too preoccupied with talking to Minden and Nadia to notice.

Smiling to herself, she relaxed fully back against Hayden now. Theo was skimming through the channel guide, but eventually settled on a baseball game. It didn't overly matter what was on, as no one was really watching it anyways. No one aside from Theo and Scott that is.

Everyone else was laughing and talking to each other while the announcer's voice simply droned indecipherably in the background. Not that Astrid could have paid attention to the TV, even if she'd wanted to, as Hayden kept trailing his fingertips over her arms and his nose and mouth over her neck and shoulder. Her already heightened awareness turning the innocent skin into oddly erogenous zones beneath his experienced touch. His erection never completely disappearing, as he kept discreetly rubbing it between her ass cheeks and making her fight to keep her hips still.

Gods, this was so bad! Never had Astrid done anything so bold as to practically dry hump her boyfriend in public. Then again, she also couldn't remember ever being this turned on in her entire life. Chancing a glance over at Scott, she watched distractedly as he flirted (poorly) with the other ladies, while also keeping a respectful distance and blushing crimson if they said anything too suggestive back. It made her idly wonder about what she would be doing right now if she and Scott had stayed together.

Probably still going through life completely clueless and mediocrely satisfied. Never having had the opportunity to meet this shameless sex addict that dwelled within. That's what she'd be doing. This was all Hayden's fault.

By the time the game was over, Astrid was feeling thoroughly flustered. It was unreasonably difficult to try and keep her cool while her blood felt like it was boiling beneath her skin. Her hips actually cramping with the desperate desire to roll against Hayden's lap. Needing to feel his hard length rubbing against her aching sex, and she almost wanted to moan out loud with a mixture of lust and frustration. Thank goodness no one else seemed to have noticed her struggles.

When Nadia suggested they go out for dinner, Astrid was overjoyed that Hayden declined for the two of them. "If it's alright with you guys, I think we're just going to hang out here," he hedged. "I'm not really in the mood for loud noises and public places. It's just too peopley out there," he added with a grimace.

"Bullshit," Cami shot back at him. "You just want us to leave so that you can be alone with your girlfriend."

Astrid felt her cheeks heat slightly, but Hayden seemed entirely unfazed at being called out. "Of course I do. Scott interrupted my morning science lesson," he agreed. His shoulders lifting in a half shrug as he somehow maintained a straight face.

"You were teaching a lesson this morning," Scott asked blankly - his heavy brows furrowed in confusion. "I thought you said you were still in bed. How can you teach physics in bed?"

"What better place to learn about the practical applications of the laws of friction and acceleration," Hayden replied easily - sounding just like he was lecturing at the front of his classroom.

Astrid couldn't keep from snorting a laugh now, even as her face flushed an even darker pink. Cami cackled out a laugh too as she reached over to fist bump Hayden - making him finally crack a grin. Everyone else though was staring at Hayden with the same blank expression they'd likely have if he'd spoken in latin, and Astrid suddenly found herself wishing that Frank and the girls were here. If only so that someone else could also enjoy that incredibly dirty physics joke.

She'd have to remember to tell Frank and Heather on Monday. They'd get a kick out of it for sure.

"Oh come on you guys," Cami exclaimed with an eye roll once it became clear that no one else here was a physics nerd. "He obviously means they were fucking."

"We weren't actually quite that far along in the lesson," Hayden countered cheekily. "If we had been, I wouldn't have answered the phone, no matter how persistent Scott was. I was simply demonstrating the differences in friction between various test surfaces, and Astrid put my phone on speaker and held it down near her belly button…"

He trailed off when Astrid jammed her elbow into his side - her face feeling like it might actually burst into flame. Everyone else starting to laugh now at Hayden's jokingly wounded expression. Scott's mouth was forming a silent 'Oh' shape instead as he stared between Astrid and Hayden for a moment. His eyes wide, as if he'd never imagined either of them would be so crass.

Astrid managed a grimace and a half shrug in return, though she didn't feel nearly as guilty as she maybe should. To be fair, it wasn't like they were making out in front of Scott right now or anything. Hayden might have wandering hands at the moment, and Astrid wasn't stopping him, but as far as PDA's go, it wasn't much. Heck, Rachel likely wouldn't even count it as such.

"Well, on that fun note, I think we should leave the lovebirds in peace," Nadia chimed in as she started sliding on her fire engine red bomber jacket. "Come on everyone. We passed a cute little Thai restaurant on the way here and I'm in the mood for something hot. Well, something aside from the chemistry between these two," she added with a wink at Astrid. Chuckling and grinning when Astrid choked out a laugh in return.

Everyone else might be cracking jokes, but Scott had gone from being his usual boisterous self to quiet and withdrawn in the span of only a few moments. At first Astrid thought it was because of her and Hayden, but that didn't seem to be the case. After glancing at his phone again, Scott asked shyly if he could join the Wing Maidens and Theo for dinner - a slightly uncomfortable twist to his lips, as if he was almost afraid they'd say no.

He seemed oddly reluctant to go home, and not for the first time today, Astrid couldn't help wondering why. She waited until after everyone had left to finally broach the subject with Hayden though. "Did Scott seem weird to you today," she asked abruptly.

"More so than usual you mean," Hayden returned blandly, and Astrid glared at him as she put her hands on her hips. Hayden sighed in a way that almost seemed defeated as he relented. "Yes, he did," he agreed. "And I'm pretty sure it has something to do with that bruise on his face."

"The one he got at practice," Astrid questioned as her brows furrowed in confusion. "What would that have to do with anything… Oh," she groaned as realization hit. "Who?.."

"I'm not sure, but I have a hunch," Hayden cut across her. His solemn tone carrying a surprisingly heavy weight as his eyes darkened slightly. "I also know that trying to pry the truth out of him will likely just make him shut down. Especially since he's likely embarrassed, ashamed, and at least partially convinced that he deserved it."

Astrid was just about to ask him how he knew all that, but Hayden just shrugged, "Experience," he offered honestly, and Astrid felt a sudden nauseas wave of guilt for her momentary lapse of memory, along with a startling flash of anger at whoever had hurt Scott. Sure he was a muttonhead, but he was their muttonhead. If she ever found out who it was…

Clearly spotting her building rage, Hayden just reached out to grasp her wrists and tug her towards him. "Calm down killer. I'll try to talk to him," he soothed. "You'll just have to wait until later to get your share of blood."

He shot her a teasing smile now, and she rolled her eyes even as she huffed a small laugh. As much as she'd love to chase Scott down and demand answers, she had to admit Hayden had a point. "I don't really want to talk about my idiot cousin right now though," Hayden added when it was obvious she'd calmed down. His voice dropping a couple octaves into that sexy bedroom drawl, and just like that, her body wiped Scott from her mind.

"Oh," she asked in feigned ignorance. "And what would you like to talk about instead?"

"Nothing," Hayden replied simply - his smile turning into more of a predatory sort of smirk. His hands releasing her wrists now so that he could grip her hips instead. Green eyes never leaving her face as he carefully began guiding her back towards the centre island. "What I'd like to do is to finally get a taste of that wet mess between your thighs."

Before she could do more than gasp, he had hooked his fingers beneath the waistband of her loose sweatpants and shoved them down, where they promptly dropped to her ankles. Then he gripped her hips firmly and hoisted her up towards the countertop. The abruptness of it making her let out a squeak of surprise, and she couldn't help giggling at herself. Then one of his hands was sliding down to her thigh as he brought his lips to hers, and there was no more time for humour, or small talk. There was no more time for anything, except her, Hayden, and this moment.

The steady smoulder that she had been struggling against all day was quickly flashing over into a raging inferno, and the most she could manage to do was clutch desperately at his shoulders. Needing him perhaps even more than she needed air right now. Surely this insanity was all his fault, as he'd left her teetering on this precipice all damn day. Shaking with the strength of her desire, she moaned wantonly into his mouth as her legs came up to wrap around him and pull him closer - trying to grind against him.

Like the Devil he was, Hayden pulled away before she could get much relief, and she scowled at him in frustration. He simply chuckled at her and used his other hand on her chest to gently coax her to scooch back and lie down. She managed to struggle out of her sweater while his skilled hands made quick work of removing her panties too. Dropping the ruined cotton onto the floor right along with her sweatpants and socks.

The cool marble countertop was a shock against her overheated skin, and she squirmed a bit. Hayden just smirked at her before sliding his hands up her legs - using just enough pressure to encourage her to bend her knees up to place her feet on the hard surface too as he then spread her legs wide. The position leaving her feeling extremely exposed, and as if she really was laid out like a buffet. That thought almost forcing another giggle out of her.

"Let me know if it gets too intense," Hayden suddenly implored. His curiously serious tone driving her to lift her head enough to meet his eyes. "Promise," he asked again as he arched a brow at her.

"Of course," Astrid replied easily. Still totally confused as to what the heck he was talking about. They'd done this plenty of times already, and it had never been uncomfortable or unpleasant before. Why would he think it would be now?

Then he leant down to put his mouth on her, and his concern suddenly made sense. That first gentle touch of his tongue was shocking, and powerful enough to make her cry out. The pleasure actually bordering on painful, and her legs instinctively tried to clamp shut to protect herself. Her body had apparently grown hypersensitive from being so tuned to him all day, and now this was the outcome. It was almost a punishment, but one that she was determined to take for as long as she was able.

Clearly Hayden had been well prepared for her rather violent reaction though, even if she wasn't. His grip on her thighs had already been just tight enough to keep her from putting him in a headlock, and now he gently forced her legs wider again as he continued to play with her. His tongue languidly finding the moist parting of her lips and slipping between them. Drawing slow zigzags as he licked his way up, almost to her clit, and then back down again before finally diving inside.

The flash of relief was immediately overwhelmed by a desperate sort of yearning. She was gasping and writhing as her nails scrabbled at the countertop, but she couldn't find purchase. Not on the unyielding granite surface, or on her own sanity. His hot tongue massaging her inner walls feeling almost like torture.

The fierce ache of need that had been pulsing all day was now building to a fever pitch in her lower abdomen. Her legs were still spread wide open, and it somehow made everything even more intense. Every lick and stroke exaggerated tenfold as her muscles clenched spastically and her hips tried to roll, but were hindered by Hayden's hold on her.

She wanted to push him away and take a moment to breathe. She wanted to clutch at his hair and pull him impossibly closer. Unfortunately she couldn't do either of these things, as she seemed to have lost all control of herself. She felt a bit like she was having an out of body experience - watching some other blonde girl get ravaged as she stood off to the sidelines and thought, 'that looks fun. I should try that."

She wasn't sure how, but Hayden managed to maneuver his hand around to touch her while using his forearm to keep her leg pinned. One long, dexterous finger slid into her, and it was enough to send her reeling. Her head tipping back with a shriek and her eyes rolling back as she arched off the counter like a woman possessed.

"Please don't stop," she found herself sobbing when he paused in his ministrations. His answering soft chuckle ghosted warm breath over her super sensitive pleasure centre, and she tried to buck again. Her weeping cries of frustration sounding pathetic even to her own ears.

Then he added a second finger and closed his lips around her clit. It was almost too much. She very nearly told him to stop. A few gentle sucks later though, and her world was ripped apart by the most aggressive orgasm she'd ever experienced in her life. Even more than anything she'd experienced with Hayden so far.

She was screaming. She was crying. Big, fat tears leaving hot trails from her eyes to her hairline as she tossed her head back and forth. There were just too many sensations taking over her body, and an unexpected flood of something poured from her. She almost thought she'd peed herself for a moment, but no, that didn't seem quite right.

Needless to say, she was more than a little embarrassed as she finally started to come back down to planet Earth. Her whole body was feeling heavy and shockingly weak - her head actually felt like she was wearing a hat made of concrete. Still, she somehow managed to lift it enough to be able to look down at her evil boyfriend. She found him grinning stupidly at her in return from his place between her thighs.

"Sorry," she grimaced as she saw the mess she'd made of him with whatever had just happened.

"You never told me you were a squirter," Hayden shot back cheekily. Not looking upset in the slightest as he finally released her legs so that he could wipe his face on his hoodie sleeves.

A squirter? She'd heard that term before from Rachel, and had some idea what it meant, but never had she truly believed it was a thing that really happened. "I didn't know," Astrid admitted sheepishly as her cheeks heated in shame. "I've uh… Never done that before."

"Hey, I'm not complaining. Personally I think it's hot as hell," Hayden pointed out as he stripped his sweater off and dropped it on the floor by her pants. Then he came around beside her instead and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. "How are you doing, by the way," he asked seriously.

"Sensitive, spent, and utterly exhausted," Astrid answered truthfully. "That was the most insane thing I've ever felt."

"Yeah, it can be a lot," Hayden offered with a shrug. Obviously this was not the first time he'd done this, but Astrid couldn't even be bothered to ask whether he'd been the giver or the receiver last time. She felt too much like a pile of mashed potatoes. "You handled it like a champ though," he added. Smirking at her as he slid one arm under her knees, and the other behind her back so that he could pick her up.

She knew she was dead weight in his arms, but she couldn't help it. Her body was just a limp noodle right now. Her head tipped over to rest against his chest as he carried her to the bedroom, and it took every last shred of willpower she had to keep her eyes open. Hayden just gently settled her on the bed before helping her to strip the rest of the way. No sense of expectation in his touch or his eyes. If she wanted to sleep, he would happily let her.

When he started taking his own clothes off though, Astrid's depleted body somehow jolted back to life. Her sensitive muscles clenching in need again, and she sucked in a breath through her teeth. It seemed impossible, but she was entirely ready to go again. Her eyes trailed hungrily over her boyfriend's naked body, and she chewed her lip between her teeth as desire rippled through her.

Hayden chuckled when he caught her staring. "You're insatiable," he joked as he climbed onto the bed.

"Yep, and it's all your fault," Astrid reminded him. Beckoning him closer as her legs opened in invitation, and he shrugged in agreement as he settled himself on top of her. "Now shut up and fuck me already," she growled as she grabbed at his hips and tugged him closer.

"Yes ma'am," he returned with another chuckle. His head dipping down to meet her lips as their bodies melded effortlessly. Her hips rocking up to meet him now, and he groaned into her mouth as her warmth enveloped his hard length.

She was still incredibly sensitive, but he was gentle. His movements slow and patient. Letting her set the pace. Reading her perfectly, as he always did.

They felt so right together. Fit together so well. It shouldn't be like this so soon. They should have to take time and effort to build up to this place they already existed in together.

As she tipped over the edge of ecstasy again, she clutched Hayden to her. Arms and legs wrapping tightly around him until they were almost one being, while he nuzzled his face into her hair and moaned through his release. Her name falling from his lips in that husky rasp she so adored. The two of them still holding each other long after the tremors had subsided.

They shifted position only enough to allow Hayden to shut off the lights with his phone and pull the blankets over the two of them before settling right back into their warm little cuddle. Astrid's face nestled beneath Hayden's chin, and his cheek resting on her hair. Totally content with just being close to each other.

"I love you, dork," Astrid muttered into the silence of the moment. Feeling more than hearing Hayden's quiet chuckle.

"I love you too," he sighed back. Hugging her tighter against him when she pressed a soft kiss to his collarbone. She couldn't even find it within herself to care that they'd completely skipped dinner. She was too happy and comfortable to be bothered with something so trivial. Her last thought before she drifted off was that Hayden had a point. If it was up to her, she'd fall asleep just like this every single night.

~oOo~

Whew. That was a long one :P I figured you guys had earned it though after that overly long dry spell. I'm hoping to work some plot advancing drama into the next one, so that should be fun. Consider this the calm before the storm I guess...lol