MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE/CHRISTMAS! Hope Santyclaus brings you lots of lovely gifts and that the food is good and also that your family does not get too drunk or kill each other over a game of trivial pursuit. Ho ho ho!

Alone: Chapter 3

From: JPEPPERWOOD

To: HelloGiggles

JPEPPERWOOD: Hey Jess, that isn't a problem at all, I'd love to talk to you. I'm glad you liked what I wrote, I don't usually write that kind of thing but, let's just say I was inspired. So, what do you want to talk about? JP.

HelloGiggles: JP, is that what you want me to call you? Mysterious. Okay, well I guess you could tell me how you got into writing? I'm a teacher and I love the English Language, even if I do teach it to middle-schoolers! What do you do when you're not writing? Jess x

JPEPPERWOOD: I think JP should be my pseudonym, don't you agree? I don't like to give my name out over the Internet, y'know…spies and stuff. I don't know to be honest, I think I liked the idea of writing more than the actual writing part, I have a lot of facial hair and I drink a lot, so I fit the stereotype. A teacher, impressive! I'm a bartender, not as impressive unfortunately. Whereabouts are you from, Jess? JP.

HelloGiggles: Spies and stuff! You're funny. Don't say bartending isn't impressive, I think it can be a real art, and I admire you for it. I'm from Portland but live in LA, near the baseball stadium. What about you? Jess x

JPEPPERWOOD: Oh, well, thanks for saying that. I hail from Chicago, but I'm pretty near you, I live near Chinatown. JP.

HelloGiggles: Wow, that's super close! JP, wouldn't it be weird if we had already met? Like, maybe I bumped my shopping cart into yours at the grocery store or something. It's very possible, I'm always bumping into things. I'm kind of a walking disaster! Anyway, I have to go, but we should do this again!

Hope to hear from you soon,

Jess x

"Holy fucking shit guys, it's her."

Nick twisted around, trying to collect himself. What the hell was she doing here? "Did she see me?" He asked as he placed his hands flat on to the shiny surface of the bar, calming his thoughts. She still made his palms clammy, even now.

Winston and Schmidt shared a look. "What are you talking about, man?"

"Jess, you morons. That's her over there – polka dot dress, brown hair, blue eyes."

"You mean the innocent-looking one? She's the one who turned your world upside down in a sexual frenzy?" Schmidt asked, incredulous as he stared at her. "She looks like she can't bring herself to say the word penis."

Nick shot a quick glance at her over his shoulder. Yet again, she was stunning. Her hair was tied back in that messy way girls could achieve that Nick was constantly in awe of, tendrils of hair coming down all around her face as she tipped her head back, laughing delightedly at something her friend was saying. Schmidt couldn't see it. He could only see the innocent side of that woman because he didn't know what it was like to be beneath her, watching her take control of him, using him to get what she wanted. Suddenly, Nick wanted to be the one to make her throw her head back in ecstasy. "Yeah," he said, his voice a little gruff. "That's her."

Winston watched her raise her champagne flute to her lips, taking a delicate sip. "No, I get it. She's not the type you usually bring home. She must be different."

"She wanted me that night. She called me over guys." As he said those words, memories of that night flooded his brain once more. He found himself occasionally and without warning consumed with thoughts of Jess, brought on by little triggers like a particularly hot shower, or the smell of whiskey when he was making drinks at the bar. They made him dizzy with desire, frustrated that he couldn't have what he wanted and it was totally his fault.

Nick hadn't told his roommates about his online friendship with Jess. He couldn't bring himself to tell anyone, and he knew it was because he didn't have a fucking clue what he was doing. She had sent him that message and he had replied, signing with those stupid initials, and then he had just…carried on talking to her, leaving out the part where he said oh, by the way, my real name is Nick and I'm the guy who took you home and screwed your brains out a couple of nights ago. Oh, and in case you were wondering, Miss Knight is you, Jess. Way to go, you inspire the erotic fiction writer in me. Would you like to go on a date with me sometime?

"Whose engagement party did you say this was, Winston?" Schmidt asked as Nick signalled for another drink, one hand over his eyes.

"Nadia's. She's the model, remember? I met her on a photo shoot for the team in Latvia. She was one of the sexy cheerleaders. When we found out we were both moving to LA we swapped numbers, and now we're here."

"She must know Jess somehow," Nick said through gritted teeth, raising the bottle of Heisler to his lips. "I can't believe she's here. I don't know what I'm supposed to do, she's gonna see me."

Winston raised his eyebrows as Nick took another swig. "Here's a crazy idea. Why don't you go over there, say hello, and ask her out like you originally planned? Didn't you want to find her again?"

"Yeah, but not…not like this. I'm not ready."

"Oh for Pete's sake Nick, it's just a girl, what are you, twelve?" Schmidt snapped, throwing his hands in the air. "Stop being so melodramatic, that's my role."

Nick furrowed his eyebrows, taking another sip. His roommates wanted to help him – they wanted him to be happy, and he knew their advice was given with good intention. But Nick's problem was that as much as this woman intrigued him, plagued his thoughts, made him feel different to the others, all he could think about was having sex with her. He wasn't sure he could even ask her out without making a fool of himself, and even if he did, he'd never make it through the date. He didn't want to offend Jess, because she deserved someone who treated her right, and there was no way in hell she had been thinking about him that way. She had put on a front that night, a shield. They had come together because they needed each other to numb the pain. Nick hadn't expected it to get this out of control so quickly, but it had, and now, as he watched her push her bangs out of her eyes, he wondered if it might be best to leave her alone. Maybe you could have too much of a good thing.

And yet, he didn't know what it was, but this girl was magnetic. She was here, and so was he, just like the first time. Nick wanted her around, and the thought of being alone was now a hundred times worse, now that he knew alone really meant without the beautiful brunette with the sad eyes and the dirty mouth.

"Alright, I'm gonna go over there."

Gripping his beer tightly, he started to make his way through the throngs of people crowding the room. The party was elegant, taking place in a hotel fancy enough to make Nick feel uncomfortable, beads of sweat peppering his forehead. Guests milled about, chatting and drinking expensive drinks from the free bar. Nick had fully intended to make the most of it, but now he wasn't so sure. Maybe if everything fucked up in two minutes time when he reached her, he would return to the bar and spend the rest of the night there, getting reacquainted with his pal, Jack Daniels.

Jess had her back slightly turned to him, and was saying something to a very attractive woman, one hand clutching her champagne. "Cece! I can't believe you just said-"

She turned towards him as Nick stepped round her, the smile instantly slipping off her face. It was replaced with something else. Was that…fear? He couldn't help but let his eyes flick down to her chest as it heaved a little, her breath catching ever so slightly in her throat.

"Nick." She said. It wasn't a greeting, or even a question. It was a statement, and she said it so breathlessly that Nick had to take a moment to collect his thoughts, replays of her crying out his name in that same tone instantly all he could think about. Maybe this had been a bad idea after all.

He didn't trust himself to say anything to her, in case it came out jumbled, or worse, honest. Because if he was being honest, he would choke out something like I can't stop thinking about you, or your body, or your lips, or your hair all around my face. I just want more, Jess. Please, just give me more.

So he smiled at her, and she returned it as her friend seemed to vanish into thin air. "You know Nadia?" she asked, looking a hell of a lot like she was in the same boat as him. "She's my roommate. Kind of hard work if you ask me."

Nick laughed, and the tension eased a little, although he could swear she was breathing a little heavier than normal. "Yeah, I don't really know her. My roommate knows her. I wouldn't usually come to one of these things, but there was an open bar, so…" his grin faltered as she tipped her head back, letting out a giggle. Did she even know what she was doing to him? Was she doing it on purpose? He couldn't figure it out, but one thing he knew for certain – he wanted to be in her proximity, and it seemed like she felt the same. Nick wondered if they would always be this naturally drawn to one another.

"Do you wanna get some air?" he asked suddenly, barely managing to get the words out. It was downright embarrassing how much he was struggling. Cocking her head to the side, Jess looked at him for a few moments. He knew what she was thinking. Get some air sounded like a pathetic excuse, and they both knew it. But she nodded and turned towards the patio doors, letting Nick place his hand tentatively at the small of her back as they walked.

They were moving into very dangerous territory, Nick thought as they passed through the doors and made their way down the steps, heading for the walled courtyard outside of the hotel. Nick wanted to be alone with her, but he was afraid of doing or saying something stupid and losing her for good. She felt nice under his hand. Warm, soft. Inviting.

"Listen, Nick," Jess started again as they strolled slowly through pretty flowerbeds, both unsure of what to say, "I, ah…I hope you don't hate me for leaving the other week. I'm really sorry, I just…don't usually do stuff like that, y'know?" she looked up at him with those big eyes. "Actually, I've never done anything like that. With you it was…" she trailed off, looking away from him, a blush creeping up her neck. "Different." There was a hint of something in her voice, and he couldn't place it, but it was doing something strange to his heart rate as the smell of the flowers and the feel of the polka dotted material between his fingers assaulted his senses.

Suddenly, their proximity was too much to bear, and Nick wanted to kiss her. He wanted to kiss her so badly that he pushed away from her, taking a deep breath in through his nose. "Nick?" she asked again, confusion etched over her features. "Are you ever going to say something? Does this mean you hate me?"

"Did you like it?" he asked, the words leaving his mouth before his brain fully processed them. Jess was staring at him, shocked. The words had come out husky and strained. Nick ran a hand through his hair, looking at the ground, and then at her face. He wasn't sure what he was doing, but he felt hot all over and he couldn't handle being in limbo with her any more. He needed to either cool down or succumb to the heat.

She looked at him for a long time, worrying her lip between her teeth. "Yes," she eventually said. She swallowed, Nick following the line of her throat with his eyes as it bobbed and flexed. "I loved it."

They remained in that position for at least a minute, or it could have been an hour. Nick lost track of time as he raked his gaze over her, taking in the flush of her chest, the wild glint in her eye, the slack grip she maintained on her glass of champagne. He wanted so badly to step over that line. "I loved it, Nick." She repeated, this time more confidently. It was an invitation.

Nick took two steps towards her, dropping his Heisler as he did so. It was unbearable, being around her and not being able to touch her. He wanted to feel her silky waves between his fingers, her firm grip on his hair, those fucking fingernails. God, those fingernails were just heaven when she scraped them so tantalizingly over his skin.

She took a sharp intake of breath when he stopped before her, taking her face in his hands. Instead of kissing her, he eased her head backwards, bringing his face close to her ear. His breath was making those pieces of hair bounce and flutter, and he saw her close her eyes, barely holding back a moan. "I loved it too, Jess. I want you so much I can't think about anything else."

She really did moan then, turning her face to his and capturing his mouth with her own. Immediately he wrapped his arms around her, kissing her feverishly, a groan building up in his chest. Picking her up at the waist, he relished the feel of her legs wrapping around him, face pressed to his as he carried her to the closest thing he could find, a water fountain at near enough the right height. Nick registered in a small part of his brain that their location was quiet and concealed, and that they had deliberately ended up there – they both wanted it. They needed it.

He placed her on the ornate fixture, stepping as close as he could so she could keep her legs hooked around him. Nick didn't care if someone found them there. He didn't care about anything. He just wanted to lose himself inside of Jess as soon as possible. Just the thought of it made his cock strain against his pants. He heard the tinkling smash of the champagne flute hitting the ground.

"God," he choked out as Jess reached down and rubbed her hand firmly over him. "Jess, you're a fucking animal."

She laughed into his mouth. "Only with you. What are you gonna do with me?" with that, she pulled away and took his earlobe between her teeth, biting down gently. His hips jerked forward against her hand automatically.

Frustrated, Nick closed his eyes briefly. If he woke up now, alone in his bed, he would be devastated. He would be lying if he said his dreams hadn't been about situations similar to these – finding Jess and taking her, letting her have her way with him in bed, in the shower, against the wall. Against a fountain/bird bath/who the fuck cared was a new one, but as surreal as it was, Nick was desperate for it to be true. Please don't wake up, he thought to himself.

Jess' fingers were fumbling with his belt, and as Nick came back to the present day he felt her slide it off him and throw it to the ground, peppering his neck with kisses and gentle bites. Nick had just about had enough. He needed her, now. He couldn't wait.

Helping her with his pants, he unfastened them before impatiently pushing her dress further up her legs, lifting her to pull down her panties and slip them over her legs. He looked at her as if to say is this okay? And she nodded, her eyes dark and cloudy. That was all he needed. He slipped a hand between the folds of her dress, his fingers finding her clit as she gasped and clutched at his hair. He stroked her slowly, deliberately, using his other hand to pull the strap of her dress down and kiss her shoulder as she cried out quietly into his ear. He couldn't do this much longer. He didn't know how much he could take.

"Now, please," she moaned against his skin. "I want you to fuck me now against this fountain, while our friends are in there looking for us."

Nick closed his eyes, willing himself to stay in control. This tendency she had to come out with things as surprising as that was driving him insane. She was everything he could have asked for and more as he stared at her, all eyes and swollen lips and clothes hanging off her. He wanted to tell her she was beautiful, but it didn't seem like the right time. She didn't want words right now, she wanted action.

"Wait," he said, blinking a couple of times to clear his head. "We don't have a condom." In their lustful haze Nick had totally forgotten. The waves of disappointment started to build inside of his chest. If he couldn't have her now, there was no amount of alcohol at the open bar that would console him.

"I'm on the pill, just come here now, I need you." She panted, reaching into his boxers. Nick bit down hard on his tongue, resisting the urge to cry out as her hand wrapped around his cock, freeing it from its constraints and guiding him towards her. He pressed himself as close as he could to her body, breathing in the flowery scent around her as he entered her, watching her lips part, head thrown back, neck exposed. He'd made her do that, and he was just getting started.

He started to thrust, slowly at first, finding the right rhythm as she perched on the edge of the marble, legs wrapped around him. Jess was impatiently pushing against him. She wanted more. "Faster," she said, breathless. Nick obliged, placing his hand at the back of her neck as he picked up the pace, one arm wrapped firmly around her waist, pulling her against him. She started to make little noises in the back of her throat, and Nick took that as his cue to whisper something in her ear. She liked that, a lot.

He pushed deep inside her when his lips found her ear. "Tell me how much you love it."

She groaned, her nails digging into his scalp in that way that drove him absolutely crazy. "I love it, I want you all the time."

Satisfied, Nick let his hands rest on her hips, pulling away to thrust harder, faster as Jess let out a strangled noise, her hands gripping the edge of the fountain. "I can't stop thinking about making you come," he said breathlessly, her moans growing louder as he felt her body start to tense.

"I'm nearly there Nick, oh."

Nick leaned forward and pressed his mouth to hers, breathing heavily against her as he let her words wash over him. "Jesus, me too." He replied, the familiar feeling starting to build as she tightened around him.

"I wanna come with you," she panted, before letting out a cry of pleasure Nick was sure someone was going to hear. Digging her hands into his shoulders, she moaned, tensing and gripping him as she came undone, face contorted in ecstasy. It drove Nick over the edge. He released himself inside of her as he let out a quiet curse, going limp against her, resting his forehead on her bare shoulder with a deep breath. "Oh my God," he heard Jess whisper in his ear. He laughed softly, kissing her shoulder. What they had just done was insane, and it definitely wasn't a dream.

When they had caught their breath Jess drew away from him, beaming as she tugged affectionately on his tie, loose around his neck. They grinned at each other, any embarrassment they thought they would feel nowhere to be found. God, Nick liked this girl. A lot. He watched her slide off him, hopping down from the fountain and finding her panties. She was something special.

"Uhm," Nick cleared his throat. "That was incredible. I think I just found my new favorite hobby."

She laughed, a tinkling laugh that tickled his insides. "Me too. I can't believe we just…" she pursed her lips, eyes sparkling. "But I'd like to do that again." When Nick nodded in silent agreement she turned away shyly. He could tell she was reeling from what had happened, and he knew the feeling. The passion between them seemed to overrule everything else, including rational thought.

"I hate to cut this short, but…" she gestured down at herself. "This is kinda messy, so I'm gonna head back inside and sort myself out."

"Sure." Nick watched as she patted her hair down. He wasn't going to lie, her hair was shit. He had tugged and pulled at it, consequences not at the forefront of his mind. Briefly, he wondered what he must look like. As he zipped up his pants and found his belt, he ran a hand over his shirt. They were both kind of a mess, and he loved it. He didn't care one bit. "Hey," he said as she started to walk away. She turned to him, expectant, beautiful. "You could take my number, if you wanted. I would take yours, but my battery died." He winced at how unconvincing that sounded. He was glad she didn't know how much of a useless human being he was.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, laughing at herself. "Of course, your number. I would like that." She smiled at him.

"Alright. Okay." He took the phone she handed to him, quickly tapping out the number. When she left, still wearing that shy smile, he turned and leaned against the water fountain, letting himself grin like an idiot now that he was alone. This was what Nick Miller knew so far - he had just had sex with someone in an abandoned courtyard at a fancy engagement party, and she had loved it as much as he did. Whatever was happening here, Nick didn't ever want it to end.