"Don't mind me," she mumbled underneath her breath, dropping her coat and shoes at the door before strolling into the kitchen.

Keeping her eyes cast downwards she went about her business, not paying any attention to the two people lounging on the couch. Things had improved since the last time he brought a woman over and she didn't want to stir up trouble again. They both came to an understanding and he agreed to keep things as quiet as possible so it was less awkward for all parties, even though squeaky girl didn't seem too embarrassed…until he kicked her out.

The woman turned to Bass and grinned widely, "Awe Sebastian, you didn't tell me you were babysitting."

Charlie could only hear bits and pieces of what was being said, but she heard enough to be offended. Should she have kept her mouth shut yes, but was she going to? Hell no.

Spinning on her heels in the kitchen, she sweetly called out, "you know, green is not a good color on you sweetheart. It doesn't go well with your fair complexion."

Taking the line Bass used on her before, she carefully wove it to her advantage. Her voice was laced with a sugary sweetness, as she dished out the backhanded compliment.

Duncan didn't care one bit, in fact, it only made her laugh louder, "you're a regular spitfire aren't you?"

When she didn't answer, Duncan looked over to Bass, "I bet she's a fun little thing."

It wasn't a question, but Bass already started shaking his head, "No. It's not what you think Duncan."

Her smirk got wider, almost splitting her face in half, "uh huh, sure. Whatever you say Sebastian."

Grabbing an apple, Charlie rolled her eyes at Bass' dismissive tone, as if he was offended Duncan was suggesting they slept together. Letting it roll off her back, she picked up her discarded bookbag, slinging it over her shoulder as she advanced to her room.

Before she shut the door she heard Duncan call out to her, "let me know if you ever want to have some real fun. A pretty young thing like you could be just enough to spice things up."

As Duncan winked at her Charlie couldn't help the laughter crawling its way up her throat, "if I swung that way, you'd be the first I'd call."

Duncan just smiled, "you don't have to swing that way honey. I'm not opposed to sharing," her eyes subtly twitched towards Bass' rigid form on the couch.

He squirmed in his seat, picturing Charlie and Duncan together. No, fuck, that was not an image he wanted to be thinking about right now. This was his best friend's niece. His goddamn best friend's niece.

Never more thankful when she closed the door, Bass flipped on Duncan, "you do know that's Miles' niece right, ever heard him talking about Charlie? Yeah, well, that's her."

He hoped it would put an end to Duncan's relentless teasing nature, but if anything it probably egged her on.

"Hmm," her eyes drifted to the closed door in a dream like trance before turning back, "well the offer still stands, Miles' niece or not, she's quite the looker. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Jesus Duncan," preoccupying himself with his beer in hand. Bass said nothing, but to Duncan it spoke volumes, ringing loudly in her ears.

"Ah. That's the problem isn't it?" Bass' continual silence made her break out into a Cheshire grin, "you have the hots for her, you like her."

He snorted, rolling his eyes, "what the fuck is this third grade?"

"Don't be dismissive and dodge the topic. This is why you've been wound up tighter than a two-dollar watch. You mean to tell me you two seriously haven't fucked yet?"

"Duncan what part of 'that's Miles' niece,' did you not understand. I am speaking English right?"

He finally snapped at her while Duncan cracked a wide grin and chuckled, "damn you've got it really bad."

Wincing, he sarcastically retorted, "thank you Duncan for pointing the obvious out—"

"Well it's not obvious to her because the kid doesn't even see it."

"Can we talk about something else," he barked, leaning back further into the couch hoping it would swallow him whole.

The last thing he wanted to do was talk more about the one girl he was trying to keep his mind off of. It had been going really well until Duncan stuck her teeth in it and held on for dear life. Weirdly though, she only lifted one shoulder in a half shrug, going back to their earlier topic of conversation.

He was always grateful for Duncan's company. She had grown to be a good friend despite the few snags they hit along with way, and their brief coupling stint. She was funny, always had good stories, and most of all, she was one helluva distraction. Bass didn't even notice Charlie slinking out of her dungeon hours later.

"You look like hell kid," Duncan commented, causing Bass to glance over at her.

If anything, she looked comfortable, casual, but still drop dead sexy with her hair loosely tied to the top of her head in a bun, tendrils falling down. Her jean-clad thighs earlier were now covered with baggy shorts, longer than her typical ones. Bass' heart stopped when he saw she was wearing a USMC shirt, obviously one Miles had given her. She was his own personal hell.

She let out a long, exasperated sigh, "yeah well that's about how I feel."

Not expanding anymore, she briskly walked by the seated couple into the kitchen when she heard a startling voice.

"What's going on?"

In midst chewing, she swallowed quickly and looked over to him. It wasn't the question that was weird, it was Bass asking. Usually they kept to themselves, only making casual small talk because Bass couldn't control his damn hormones. He got laid twice but each time his mind drifted back to Charlie. Picturing her naked body, withering and whimpering in pleasure while he worshipped every inch of her glorious body.

"Bass is good with history."

His head snapped up realizing he hadn't been listening this whole time, but apparently Duncan had. It was weird, she was taking such a liking to Charlie, and that wasn't typical of Duncan. She usually hated most other women Bass chose to spend his time with. Charlie was different, although who wouldn't like her.

Again he was in his own mind when he found both sets of amused eyes gazing in his direction.

"Guess it depends on the history and the topic. Not too good with politics and shit," he attempted to bullshit an answer instead of admitting he wasn't listening. Bullshitting always got him through school and apparently it satisfied Charlie because she nodded. Duncan on the other hand knew where his mind went, it wasn't hard to tell and she couldn't blame him.

"Charlie was saying she got comments about the direction of her paper for history class and the professor wants it to go in a different direction so she's pissed. Did a lot of research for him to say talking about that battle was useless," Duncan commented offhandedly.

Bass' eyes twinkled at the mention of battles, "which one?"

He was now addressing Charlie who leaned against the kitchen counter, "battle of Fort Davidson. I wanted to pick one that wasn't well known because those have been kinda exhausted and it's like beating a dead horse."

He snorted at the use of her idiom reminding him of the only other person who said shit like that, Miles.

"That's a fucking idiot professor, that's a key battle even if it is a smaller one. Besides, hasn't he ever heard the expression win the battle but lost the war? Meaning all little battles are important."

Charlie smiled at Bass' empathetic and bitter tone, " I actually said the same thing in a less than polite way. He said I could choose to still write on the topic but it had better be a damn good paper. The risk has to pay off basically."

At that Duncan could see a challenge rising behind Bass' eyes, he was never one to back down, and something told her Charlie wasn't either.

"When's this paper due?"

"In two days. I tried working on it the other day but..."

She trailed off in hopes he would make the connection. She was alluding to the other day and by the look in his eyes, he understood.

He nodded his head, "ok well let's get to work."

Moving down the couch to make some more room, he shoved his beer out of the way, sweeping his hand across the coffee table while Charlie stood curiously in the kitchen.

She had no idea what he meant by that vague command, but somehow her feet started moving without her consent towards her room. Collecting her laptop, papers, and pen in her arms, she brought it all out and displayed it on the less scattered table.

Duncan said nothing as she watched with an amused expression. She felt accomplished shoving them together, playing matchmaker although Miles would kick her ass if he knew.

Bass was so into the storytelling, sometimes Charlie forgot to write things down, opting to look at his wild hand gestures and facial features instead. It was apparent how deep his love for history ran, and it warmed Charlie's heart to see him loose himself in it.

He told her about the battle, who fought, where they were fighting, what part of the war this was situated in, and even knew a rough estimation about the lives lost. She basically only had to sit and listen to him talk, this would've been much more enjoyable than the research she slaved over the other night.

They both got so caught up in his dramatic storytelling skills, they didn't notice Duncan was actively seeking their attention so she could leave. It was fun for awhile, but then it started to feel as though she was intruding on their bonding.

"Are you leaving?"

Duncan nodded to Bass, "yeah I got an early day tomorrow, but thanks for the beers and the chat."

Halfway out the door, she stuck her head back in, "Charlie, it was nice meeting you kid. Don't forget my offer," she saucily threw in a wink as Charlie laughed.

Faltering for a moment, Bass wasn't sure what to say now. Before he had Duncan as a buffer so he couldn't pounce on Charlie right then and there, but now she was gone.

This was ridiculous. He was a grown ass adult, if he couldn't get his fucking hormones in check it was his fault. He couldn't take it out on Charlie.

She noticed his subtle change in attitude for a fraction of a second, but he quickly veered back on the subject.

She had such a good time listening to him ramble on about different battles and war, she stopped taking notes ages ago when she had enough to write at least 10 pages. Closing her laptop, she put it beside her on the couch, leaving her notebook and papers on the coffee table.

Absentmindedly, she picked up his bottle of beer, resting the bottle on her lower lip. Taking a generous swig she almost couldn't resist the urge to smile when he looked over and glared.

"That's mine, get your own moocher."

She could tell he was half joking, half serious, so she brought the bottle back to her mouth, her eyes never leaving his. It wasn't her intention to be seductive, but a haze coated his eyes, body going stiff.

Laughing it off, she reached the beer out to him in a peace offering. She for one didn't recognize his longing looks as lustful because she assumed he wasn't interested. He kinda made that clear when she first got there. At least that's how she took it.

"Keep it," realizing how terse that sounded he added more softly, "I'll go get another one."

Shrugging, she relaxed into the back of the couch as he stepped over her in search of more booze in the kitchen.

"Okay so back to the story," he threw himself into it, distracting himself from her close proximity when he got back from the kitchen with more beer.

He attempted to explain to her the whole damn civil war, and it would've been boring had it been anyone else, but Bass made it exciting. Charlie enjoyed watching his face light up, even laughing aloud when he plucked the pencil from her limp hand and began drawing diagrams on her papers.

"I've always thought it would be cool to use a sword," musing, she casually tossed the idea out. She knew how to fight, well enough to not get her ass kicked, but it would be fun to learn how to do some other types of fighting. Like with swords.

Bass seemed to like the idea too because his grip on the pencil tightened. Peeking at her from the side of his eye, he mumbled lowly, "I can teach you sometime if you want?"

She wasn't looking at him as she mulled the idea over, but after a few minutes she nodded her head, smiling down at him warmly.

"That would be fun."

She sent another reassuring smile in his direction when he just stared at her. He could feel the beer slowly seeping into the cracks and nooks of his mind, clouding all his judgement.

Tossing the pencil on the ground, his other hand shot out, gripping the back of Charlie's neck tightly as he crushed their lips together in a scorching kiss. Sinking into his embrace, Charlie immediately granted his access, tongue sweeping across her lower lip.

Bass closed the remaining space between them when he drug her body effortlessly across the couch to rest on his lap. Her still, unresponsive hands sprung to life, delving into his soft curls as she twisted her body to press more firmly up against his. She could feel how hard she was making him every time her body rubbed up against his. Bass broke the kiss long enough to trail hot, open mouth kisses down the side of her neck, stopping just above the dip of her breasts. Encouraging him, Charlie arched into his touch, relishing in the feel of his scruff etching away at her tender skin.

Latching his mouth onto the soft, supple mound, he instantly pulled back when Charlie moaned loudly and tugged harder on his hair.

Not immediately pushing he off, he let go of her hips, running a hand through his hair, "fuck, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to take it this far."

"So you meant to take it somewhere?"

He didn't realize that's what he said, but naturally Charlie picked up on it.

"Yes. No. Fuck Charlie, I don't know. I just…I don't want to say anything stupid right now, I can't think with you sitting on me," he weakly confessed.

Charlie chuckled, scooting off his lap, "don't have an aneurism about it Bass, we kissed, it's cool. It's not like we fucked on the table okay?"

Brows furrowing, he turned his head to see she was biting her cheek in order not to laugh at his flustered speech. He had no idea why she was being so cool about this, but he didn't question it.

Picking her laptop up, she shook her head, still clearly amused by him as she stacked her papers on top.

Turning back around, she reached one hand out to sympathetically clap his shoulder, "don't worry, your balls are safe from Miles, it was just the heat of the moment. Thanks for all the information, I'm going to work on this paper now."

Mutely nodding, Bass could find any words because he was confused as hell. Charlie on the other hand wasn't. She was okay with leaving things as they were because she had the upper hand. She now knew for certain he was definitely lying his ass off before, he would fuck her in a heartbeat if she could make him lose all sense of control.

And if anything, Charlie loved a challenge.