Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter 6 – Party Girl
Rory could have stayed right there, enveloped in Logan's arms, for the rest of her life. It was perfect. He looked incredible. He smelled amazing. He felt so right. It was perfect. She knew she had to let go eventually, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. "Just three more seconds," she told herself. "Three, two, one…let go." Nothing happened. "Ok so I didn't let go, but hey, neither did he. Well if he's not letting go, neither am I. I mean I wouldn't want to seem rude or anything. So...I'll just stay right here until he let's go of me. Yeah…that sounds like a plan."
Logan knew he should probably let go soon. This hug was already ten seconds longer then socially acceptable. He just couldn't pull himself away. He was so happy to see her. She was so beautiful. And she smelled so sweet…like candy. She felt like she belonged in his arms. It was perfect. "Let go." Nothing happened. "All right that's enough. Let go!" Still nothing. "For the love of God, her brother, your best friend, is standing right there! LET GO!" Logan reluctantly pulled back and looked at her. Her eyes were a deeper shade of blue than he remembered. She was smiling at him. With a smirk he said, "Wow, Ace. Look at you. You look amazing."
Not sure what to say or how to respond, Rory continued to smile back at him. She nervously bit her bottom lip as a very pretty shade of pink rose to her cheeks.
"Doesn't she look just marvelous, mate," said Finn interrupting the moment between the two. He took Rory's hand and effectively pulled her away from Logan. He spun her around giving Logan, as well as every guy there, a 360 view of her. "Our sweet little Rory all grown up." Finn smiled brightly at her before spinning her one last time. "Shall we dance, love?" he asked as he began to move about in a manner that one could only assume was some form of dancing.
Giggling at the phenomena that is Finn, Rory agreed. She removed her jacket and flung it at her brother, "Hold this for me, Kevin. Let's go, Finn," she said as she led him out to the dance floor. The two were causing quite a spectacle. As Finn continued to gyrate wildly, although oddly enough in tune with the music, Rory did her best to keep up giggling uncontrollably all the while.
Kevin laughed light-heartedly as he watched Rory go off with Finn before returning to the girls at the table. Logan, on the other hand, stayed where he was and watched Rory with an entirely different kind of interest. The legs he had admired earlier, somehow, looked even better now. The removal of her jacket brought to view an expanse of skin, perfect alabaster skin, that Logan bet was smooth as silk. As she danced, her tank top began to ride up, exposing a hint of her midriff, just enough to make Logan's mind wander into places he knew it shouldn't be going. His eyes continued to roam over her body, traveling north, pausing to admire how nicely that tank top hugged her breasts, before landing on her face. That face…gone was the cherub-faced girl he knew and in her place was an absolutely stunning woman. "God she's beautiful." As this thought crossed his mind, Rory's eyes locked on his and she smiled playfully at him before returning her attention to Finn. Logan couldn't help but smile.
"Damn who is that?" asked an annoying and all too familiar voice.
Logan turned to see Robert, Seth, Brandon and three other guys whose names he couldn't remember all with their eyes fixed on Rory. He knew it was Robert who spoke earlier and the thought of him checking out Rory caused Logan to involuntarily clench his fists. He never liked Robert but tolerated him because he was a good friend of Colin.
"Logan, do you know that girl dancing with Finn?" he asked again.
"Yup," Logan answered curtly.
"Well who is she?"
"None of your business, Robert."
"Come on, man. Who is she?"
When Logan didn't answer, Robert continued to pester him.
"Who is she? Is she Finn's? Or one of yours?" he asked snidely.
Before he realized what he was doing, his fist connected with Robert's jaw. Colin appeared from somewhere and held Logan back before he could hit Robert again.
"Logan, what are you doing?" asked Colin while trying to create some space between the two.
"He was being an ass, Colin."
Rubbing his jaw and glaring at Logan, Robert approached and yelled, "What the hell is your problem, Huntz?" He gestured toward the dance floor this time addressing Colin, "I just asked who the bimbo was dancing with Finn and hits me."
Realizing it was Rory he was referring to, Colin stepped between Logan and Robert and punched Robert in the stomach. Seth, Brandon and the other guys with Robert were confused about what was going on and thought it best to stay out of it. They were near the back of the pub so no one else seemed to notice what had just occurred. Wrenching forward, Robert tried to catch his breath as Kevin approached.
"What the hell is going on guys?"
Logan was the one who answered, "Robert here was being his usual charming self."
"These two are crazy, Kevin," defended Robert. He stood upright trying to ignore the pain in his jaw and even out his breathing. "I was just asking about the girl dancing with Finn and…"
"What about Rory?" asked Kevin.
"Rory?" asked Robert with a lascivious grin as he eyed Rory once more. "You know her?"
"Yeah…she's my little sister. What about her?"
Robert's eyes widened in surprise. No wonder Logan and Colin got so pissed. The hottie was Kevin's sister. He probably shouldn't have called her a bimbo. Afraid of what Kevin might do if Logan or Colin said anything, Robert took a few steps back before he said, "Oh…she's your sister?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Nothing man," said Robert putting a little more distance between him and Kevin. "I was just asking who she was."
Taking a step forward and getting right in Robert's face, Logan menacingly said, "That's not exactly how I remember it."
Colin then stepped in between Logan and Robert. As pissed off as he was at Robert for what he said about Rory, he didn't want a brawl to break out. "Why don't we all calm down and have a drink. There's a party going on. I'm sure Robert here is sorry for being such an ass. Aren't you, Robert?"
"Yeah…sorry."
"What did you do?" asked Kevin.
Logan, still glaring at Robert tried to answer, "This ass called…"
Trying to keep the peace, Colin interrupted him and said, "He said something…inappropriate, about Rory."
Finally gasping what could have made both Logan and Colin angry enough to hit him, Kevin reached over and grabbed Robert by the collar. "What the hell did you say?"
Not wanting to get hit for a third time, Robert pleaded, "Sorry, Kevin. I swear I didn't know she was your sister. I wouldn't have said anything if I knew."
This answer did not seem to satisfy Kevin who looked ready to rip Robert's head off. Colin, with Seth's help, was able to separate the two. Being the voice of reason he always was in this crowd, Colin said, "Look, guys, we're in a bar full of pretty girls and there's a party going on. Why doesn't everyone relax and try to have a good time. Robert has already apologized for being an ass and he's already gotten hit…twice. So let's break it up. We're all friends remember?"
Robert watched Kevin intently, waiting to see what he would do. Kevin took a deep breath before taking a step back and nodding at Colin. He never like Robert either, but knew it wasn't a good idea to start a fight…at least not here. "Logan, let's get a drink."
He turned and walked away followed by Logan.
Colin stayed behind for a moment. He wanted to say something to his supposed friend Robert. "Say anything like that about Rory again and I won't stop Kevin or Logan from beating the shit out of you. In fact, I'll get in line." Colin then walked away in the same direction as his two friends.
Meanwhile, Kevin and Logan were headed toward the bar. "I hate that guy," said Kevin.
"Me too," agreed Logan.
"At least you got to hit him," he said with a smirk. "How's your hand?"
"Feels really good actually," replied a smiling Logan.
Kevin started to laugh as Colin caught up to them. "Glad to see you're in a better mood," he said slapping Kevin on the shoulder.
"Well I would be in an even better mood if you had let me punch that jerk," said Kevin. They reached the bar and he ordered for the three of them. "Hey, Steve. Three scotches."
Colin rolled his eyes and laughed. "Let it go, Kev. Logan and I already took care of it."
"All I'm saying is you could have waited another ten seconds before turning into the voice of reason," said Kevin. Steve then returned with their drinks and the three each claimed a tumbler of scotch.
"Don't worry about Robert, Kevin. He'll stay clear of you and Logan," said Colin as he took a sip of his drink.
"He better stay away from Rory too," declared Logan.
Kevin looked at Logan and then at Rory who was still dancing with Finn, both completely oblivious of everything that had just happened. He then looked around the room and took note of the number guys, many of who were his friends, whom were openly checking out his sister. He wasn't naïve enough to think Rory wouldn't be dating, after all she dated in London, but he knew he didn't want her dating a certain type of guy. Unfortunately, the bulk of they guys at this party were exactly that type of guy. He should know since he and his best friends were that type of guy, the non-commitment type. At that moment, he wanted nothing more than to get Rory away from this party. "We need to get her out of here."
"What?" asked Colin.
"Rory. We need to get her out of here. Look at these guys," he said waving his arm across the room, "they're practically drooling. And I don't want her around guys like this, jerks like Robert."
Logan looked around the room. Robert wasn't the only one openly admiring Rory. Seth, Brandon and a few of their other friends were eying her as well, not to mention a dozen or so other guys at the party. Logan was about to agree with Kevin, but Colin, the voice of reason, spoke first.
"Don't be ridiculous, Kevin. Rory is going to Yale in the fall. She's going to meet all these guys eventually. Plus, pulling her out of here isn't gonna stop guys from hitting on her. Remember she's a big girl now. She can take care of herself. But if it'll make you feel better, we can talk to some of the guys here and…'discourage' any inappropriate behavior."
As much as they didn't want to admit it, Kevin and Logan knew he was right. Rory was 18 years old and an adult. Both knew that their lives would be a lot easier if Rory had stayed 14 years old, obviously for different reasons, but still. "You are annoyingly logical today," said Kevin. "You've obviously not had enough to drink yet." Knocking on the bar to get Steve's attention, "We need another scotch over here. And make it a double."
"I'll have one too," said Logan as he poured the remainder of his drink down his throat.
"Make that three, mate," said Finn as he approached the bar pulling Rory along with him.
"Oh and one for me," she added.
Kevin cocked an eyebrow at her, giving her a skeptical look, "You're not 21, Rory."
She laughed and pointed out, "Neither are any of you." She then turned her attention to Steve, "Hi there. I'm Rory," she said while offering him her hand.
He took her hand eagerly and with a smile. "I'm Steve."
"Steve," she cooed, "you'll make me a drink won't you?" she asked with a pout.
Steve knew she was far from 21, but it was a private party and he was under orders to serve all the guests. Taking that into account, along with the pout and the delivery of the request, there was no way he could say no. "Sweetheart, with that face, I'll make you anything you want."
Rory gave him a grateful smile. "Something sweet," she said and after receiving another look from Kevin she added, "but not too strong."
"Coming right up."
"Happy?" she asked Kevin.
He shrugged his shoulders and sighed, "I guess it would be hypocritical to lecture you about underage drinking?"
"Very hypocritical. Besides it was legal in London," she reminded him.
Steve returned promptly with a pink cocktail, "Here you go. A sweet, but not too strong drink for the famous brunette."
She gladly accepted her drink before asking, "I'm famous?"
"Yeah…the whole pub's been talking about you. Wondering who you are and how you know these four clowns," he said jerking his head toward Kevin, Logan, Colin and Finn.
"Really?" she asked surprised eagerly sipping her drink. It was good. She could hardly taste the alcohol.
He nodded. "Yes, ma'am. And rather than speculating like everyone else, I'm just gonna come right and ask. How do you know these clowns?"
"Well, I'm his younger sister," she explained pointing to Kevin, "and the other three treat me like I'm theirs too."
Steve smiled and sent a meaningful glance Logan's way. Logan gave him a pointed stare and shook his head ever so slightly sending a clear message that Steve should keep his mouth shut about Logan's previous comments. "Hayden's little sister?" he asked still looking at Logan. "This should be interesting."
"Why?" she asked innocently.
Steve chuckled before sending one last look at Logan. He shook his head at her and answered, "No reason. How do you like your drink?"
"It's good. Thank you."
"Logan what's taking you so long?" asked on of the blonds from earlier. The two were approaching the bar followed closely by the other girls that were at the table the boys abandoned. They had been enjoying having the boys' undivided attention up until Rory's arrival and didn't appreciate losing all four guys to one girl.
"Yeah," continued the other blond, "we've been waiting forever. We miss you."
At this point Rory turned toward the bar taking a healthy gulp of her cocktail. She was not in the mood to watch Logan with another girl…let alone with two. Now facing the bar, the jealous scowl on her face was visible only to Steve. The bartender looked from Logan, who looked none too happy about the return of the blonds, to the scowling Rory. "Oh boy. This is gonna be interesting," he muttered to himself. Grabbing a shaker, he topped of Rory's nearly empty glass and whispered so only she could hear, "Don't worry, he's not really interested."
"Huh?"
"In the Paris Hilton wannabe's. He's not really interested."
Realizing what he was getting at, Rory tried to defend herself, "Oh…I'm not…"
"Sure you're not, sweetie," he said with a wink. "Don't worry, I'll keep it to myself. Bartender client confidentiality."
After taking another long sip, Rory smiled and raised her glass to Steve in appreciation just as one of the other girls 'accidentally' bumped into her causing her to spill what was left of her drink. Steve rolled his eyes and gave Rory a sympathetic look before he started mixing more of her pink concoction. The girl, another blond, made an obvious effort to put her body between Rory and Kevin. She then placed a possessive arm on Kevin before saying in a not too quiet voice, "Kevin, let's go back to your room. We had so much fun there this afternoon. Let's go back now."
Rory couldn't help but laugh out loud causing Kevin's blond friend to turn and frown at her. The whole group, including Steve, watched the scene with interest. Rory smiled knowingly at both Kevin and Logan before asking, "The shower girl?"
Her brother's eyes widened in surprise and Logan burst out laughing, followed by Colin and Finn. The blond on Kevin's arm looked a little horrified and the other girls just looked confused. Kevin turned to Logan glaring at him before finally introducing Rory. "Stacey, this is my sister Rory. Rory, this is Stacey."
Rory smiled her picture perfect 'society smile' and extended her hand in greeting. "Nice to meet you," she said coolly.
Upon hearing Kevin introduce Rory as his sister, Stacey's entire attitude changed. "Your sister? Oh my gosh it's so nice to meet you," she gushed. Stacey ignored Rory's offered hand and hugged her instead. "I should have known you were related. You two look so much alike. I mean you're so pretty," she said obviously sucking up. "And I love what you're wearing. We should totally go shopping together."
"Uh…sure," she replied trying to contain her laughter. What was Kevin thinking? This girl was ridiculous and so fake, personality wise and from what Rory could tell after that hug, physically as well.
Rory was then introduced to the other girls who did not give her a warm reception. She was related to Kevin, which made her ok in Stacey's book, but they still saw her as competition.
"So Rory," said the girl on Finn's arm, "how long are you visiting for?"
Rory waited for Steve to refill her drink before turning to answer the question, "I'm home for the summer. And I'll actually be attending Yale in the fall." She took a sip of her drink and noticed it was a bit stronger than the last batch Steve made.
She sent him a grateful smile as he said, "Let me know when you need a refill."
The girls continued to pepper Rory with questions, about herself, about London, about whether she had a boyfriend, etc. Logan found he was actually relieved when she said she wasn't dating anyone. He recognized her society smile and knew the girls' questions were in no way an attempt to actually get to know her. He also knew Rory wasn't enjoying the line of questioning one bit. Wanting to separate her from the semi-hostile crowd while at the same time getting some alone time with her, he did the only logical thing.
"Hey, Ace," he said physically separating himself from the two blonds that had attached themselves to his arms, "come dance with me."
Rory looked at him with a mixture of surprise and relief. She then felt her drink being pried away from her fingers. Steve took her drink and said, "Go ahead and dance, sweetheart. I'll keep an eye on your drink." He then leaned in and whispered, "I'll make sure no one spits in it." He nodded his head toward the girls making her laugh as Logan led her away from the crowd.
With a hand on the small of her back, Logan steered her toward the dance floor, far away from the prying eyes of the two annoying blonds, Steve, and his friends. Making sure to pass the DJ on the way, Logan nodded at him and almost immediately, a slow song came on. He wrapped his arms around Rory, letting his hands slide to her lower back as she wrapped her hands around his neck. The two started moving with the music. Pulling her in close, but not too close, he inhaled her scent. "She actually smells like candy. I bet her lips are as sweet. Oh God…don't go there. This is Rory. Kevin's sister Rory. Your friend since diapers Rory. You shouldn't be thinking about kissing her. Or picturing her naked. Or picturing kissing her while your both naked. STOP!"
"Are you having fun?" he asked wanting to get a conversation going to keep himself from having dirty, dirty thoughts.
"Yeah…your friends are being so nice," she said sarcastically.
He chuckled. "Sorry about that."
"You don't have to apologize, at least not for their behavior."
"What else would I apologize for?"
"Oh I don't know," she mused. "Maybe you can apologize for making me stand outside arguing with a building-sized man to for over ten minutes."
Realization hit him. "I didn't put your name on the list."
"No you didn't."
He pulled back a bit and looked at her in the eye. Offering her his most sincere smile, he said, "Sorry, Ace. I got distracted."
"By which blond?" she asked with a playful smirk.
He laughed again, pulling her back to him, "What makes you think it was a girl that distracted me?"
"Just a guess."
"Well you're wrong. There was a lot to do this afternoon and as I explained to you earlier, Kevin was too busy to help."
"Shower Stacey," she stated simply making him laugh again.
"Yes, 'Shower Stacey.' your new best friend," he joked.
She laughed, starting to feel the effect of the cocktails she had earlier, and playfully smacked his arm. "Shut-up."
"Come on, Ace. She's not that bad."
"Logan, unless I get invited to a Dress-Like-A-Slut party, she and I will never go shopping together."
"Wow…would you believe that's actually the theme of next week's party?"
She laughed. "Really?"
"Yeah, so I'm picturing you in some see through lingerie and high heels." He wanted to take it back as soon as he said it. Logan had meant it to be a joke, a light-hearted joke between friends, but when he said it, the image of her wearing next to nothing and then absolutely nothing came into his mind turning him on instantly.
Rory couldn't believe he had just said that. She felt him tense and when she pulled back intent on glaring at him, she was shocked at the sight before her. "Oh my God, Logan, are you blushing?" she teased.
He was. He was completely embarrassed about making that comment. And even more embarrassed about how his body reacted after he made that comment. He didn't know what to say so he kept his mouth shut hoping she would let it go and pretend it didn't happen.
Fat chance of that happening. After six years of turning beet red at the mere mention of Logan, Rory was not letting this go. "Oh my God, you are. Logan Huntzberger is actually blushing. I didn't think you were physically capable of doing that." She laughed out loud.
"Laugh it up, Ace. Here I am, worried that what I said would embarrass you, and you're making fun of me."
She continued to laugh. "I can't help it. I've know you 18 years and I've never seen you blush. Never even seen you come close to blushing. And now, here you are, red as a lobster because you pictured me naked."
"I did not picture you naked," he vehemently denied.
"Liar! You so did!" she declared amid a fit of giggles.
"I did not," he denied again although he was laughing by now.
"Oh that's pathetic. Just admit it, Logan. Just admit you had a naughty thought about me," said a smiling Rory. She couldn't believe this was happening. It may be the alcohol talking, but regardless, she couldn't believe she was actually pursuing this conversation. She couldn't believe she wasn't at all embarrassed about it. What's more, she couldn't believe Logan actually had a dirty thought about her.
Logan couldn't believe he was having this conversation, and with Rory of all people. Yes, he had a lustful thought about her. Frankly, he had been having them all night. But he wasn't about to tell her, or anyone else, that. "You are enjoying this way too much, Ace." Not wanting to look her in her eyes at the moment, he pulled her back into him. This was a really bad move on his part.
Rory took this as a challenge. No way she was leaving without a confession. Feeling a bit bolder, she stepped further into Logan's embrace and leaned her body into his. She smiled at herself when she heard him groan. Rory then started massaging the back of Logan's neck and in a seductive purr that would have made Catwoman jealous, she whispered, "Just admit it, Logan."
Logan felt his body temperature soar. What was she doing to him? Here he was trying to be a gentleman, maintaining a respectable distance, despite how attracted he was to her, and she's pressing up against him. He could feel her breasts against his chest and he wanted nothing more than to find the nearest dark corner and do unspeakable things to her. If it was any other girl, he would have already done so, but it was Rory and he was determined not to give in. However, he wasn't sure how long he could hold out if she kept this up.
"Admit it, Logan," she whispered again. He could feel her breath on his neck and he was slowly losing his mind.
Realizing she wasn't giving up until he admitted he had fantasized about her, he decided it was probably best to grant her that small victory. Pulling back, he looked into her beautiful face, and then locked eyes with her. She was smiling up at him with obvious amusement. But he saw more than just amusement there. He saw lust. He was willing to admit his attraction to her, but if he did, she was going to admit hers as well. Their initial hug earlier that evening wasn't one sided. She threw herself into his arms and while he was happy to have her there, she wasn't the one that broke contact, he did. She was as attracted to him as he was to her.
Letting his fingers wander over the gap between her tank top and her skirt, he started tracing circles on the bare skin of her lower back. He smiled at her reaction. He could practically feel her purr. "I'll admit I pictured you naked, if you admit that you loved that I pictured you naked," he whispered huskily in her ear.
Surprised at how he turned the situation around, but not willing to admit defeat, Rory leaned into him even more, moving her face until it was barely an in inch away from his. "You first," she whispered.
He was impressed. Not only did she not back down, she actually took it a step further. Not thinking clearly about where they were, he let one of his hands wander up her back. He watched, mesmerized, as she involuntarily closed her eyes as his hand made contact with the skin on her neck. "Fine," he relented, "I admit I pictured you naked."
She smiled victoriously at him. "And I admit, that I liked that you pictured me naked." These words were said without either of the two breaking eye contact. They continued to stare at each other until the song changed to a fast dance mix. With that the two stopped dancing and silently headed back toward the bar. They rejoined the group and Rory immediately reclaimed her drink and began listening story being told by an animated Finn.
Logan was surprised but amused at the predicament he found himself in. Somehow during the course of one slow dance he had started some sort of game with Rory. He loved games, and while he knew she scored first, he had gotten her to admit she was pleased with his attraction to her. In his mind, her admission evened the score. Not one to lose, Logan, after getting himself another scotch, stood directly behind Rory and once again started tracing circles on her lower back. They were facing the group so no one could see what he was doing. Initially, she tensed, surprised he would do this while four feet away from his friends…one of which was her brother. But intent on appearing cool, Rory, while enjoying the attention, did not acknowledge him or his actions. Logan smiled, "Impressive," he thought. "That will make this more fun." Taking a sip of his drink, he leaned in so his lips were just behind her ear, and raised the stakes. In a husky whisper audible only to her in the crowded pub he spoke for the first time since leaving the dance floor. "And Ace, in case you were wondering, when I was picturing you earlier," he paused making sure he had her undivided attention, "you looked really good." He paused again, pulling back slightly to see her reaction before adding, "without your clothes on."
The cool resolve she had suddenly disappeared. She looked up at him with widened eyes, her face a bight red. Smirking at her reaction, Logan removed his hand from her lower back and he swore he saw her wince at the loss of his touch. Leaning back he took a sip of his drink and smiled broadly at her. Judging from the look on her face, he was now definitely ahead by one. Rory, still blushing, looked away from him and tried to focus on Finn's story.
Logan snuck a peek at his watch and realized it was just after eleven. It was going to be a long night, but he was having more fun than he'd had in a long time. Rory hadn't even been back 24 hours yet and she was already wreaking havoc in his world. Having Rory around would certainly make his life more interesting. Leaning back against the bar, he grinned as he wondered what her next move would be. As Finn finished his story, the group laughed and she finally turned to face him. He could tell she was struggling to come up with something to say. It was then that he raised his glass to her and uttered three words he hoped he wouldn't come to regret.
"Game on, Ace."