Chapter 6

I walked deeper into the crowd in search of my date. I caught Kellie's eye as I walked by; she was working on some guy, I couldn't tell who, and she smiled at me. I spotted Dillon standing near a booth talking to some friends. I strutted over to him and slid an arm around his waist as I came to stand in front of him. I rubbed my hands up his chest slowly and brought them to rest on his shoulders. He smiled down at me.

"Hey." He said.

"Hi." I smiled back sweetly; well at least it wasn't the kind of smile I had a few minutes ago when I was talking to Jackson. "I have a favor to ask of you."

"Yea? And what's that?"

"I need to borrow your car for the night."

"Are you sure you're fit to drive?"

"Not in the least bit, but that's why I won't be driving." I slurred slightly.

"Ah, so you've met somebody then?"

"Well, I've actually known him for a while, but, uh, I needed a little liquid courage."

"I know you to be a lot of things Amy, and shy isn't one of them."

"Well, there's still a lot you don't know about me Dillon."

"Perhaps." He stuck a hand into his pocket. "Do you trust him?"

"Yes." I nodded.

"So he's not some secret axe murderer or anything."

"Not in secret." I laughed to myself.

"As long as you know what you're getting yourself into, I guess. Alright, here you go." He pulled his car keys out of his pocket and dropped them into my open hand.

"Oh thanks Dillon, wait are you going to be ok?"

"Eh, don't worry your pretty little face about me sug. There's this cute little cheerleader who's been eyeing me all night. I'll be fine."

"Great! You rock Dillon."

"I know, now go have fun."

I smiled and gave Dillon a quick peck on the corner of his mouth. I started making way back to Jackson, and thought it best to take a detour to Kellie first. When I spotted her again she was talking with Ben Graupner. I walked up behind her, slid both arms around her waist, gave her a kiss on the cheek, and rested my head on her shoulder. A grin spread across Ben's face and I could see the mental image that just flashed through his head.

"Have you seen my cousin?" I asked him.

"He's around here somewhere." He responded.

"Well that's real helpful." Kellie sassed.

"Last time I saw him he was near the bar, talking to some brunette." He said more specifically.

"Thanks." I smiled wider and Kellie noticed.

"You're mighty happy." She said.

I nodded. "Let's just say that my melt down is about to get a lot hotter."

"Oooo." Kellie cheered and Ben looked confused.

"Cover for me?" I asked.

"And what should my story be?"

"Tell him I wasn't feeling well. He saw me, he'll buy it."

"And what about for the other?"

"Oh I don't know what you're going to say about him. Maybe he can help?" I nodded towards Ben G.

"I'm sure he could." Kellie let her eyes roam over Ben's body; he didn't seem to mind one bit."Alright girl I gotta go."

"Go have your fun."

"That's the plan."

"See you in the morning."

"Not too early." It was my turn to smile devilishly and Kellie laughed.

I left Kellie and Ben and started walking back to Jackson; he was still patiently waiting where I had left him, like a loyal puppy dog waiting for his master to return. I didn't make it all the way back to him but caught his eye instead and motioned for him to follow me outside. That way in case Benny was watching, he wouldn't see us leaving together. I was making my way through the parking lot when Jackson caught up with me.

"So what's the deal?" He asked eagerly.

"I got us a car and Kells is covering for us."

"Gotta love that Kells."

"Oh I do." I came to a sudden stop in front of a car and turned to Jackson. I placed the keys gently into his hand but continued to hang on to them.

"It's a stick." I said simply. "Now, I know I can ride it, but can you drive it?"

Jackson's smile turned into a cheeky smirk as his confidence overflowed and he responded. "Oh I can drive it."

"We shall see." I released the keys and climbed into the passenger side.

I don't really remember much of the drive back to the apartment, except that we couldn't seem to get there fast enough. When we did arrive though, I could feel the full force of the alcohol catching up to me. I leaned my head against the cool outside wall as Jackson unlocked the front door. When he finally had it open I slowly staggered my way to the kitchen and fixed a large glass of water. Jackson followed behind.

"You don't do this very often do you?" He asked.

"What? Get shit faced? No. I usually only have enough to have fun because I usually have work the next day, and running around an eighty degree diner with a hangover is not fun."

"That sounds like personal experience talking."

I nodded, very slowly. "One time was all it took to learn my lesson. But don't worry Jackson," I could tell by his face that he was. "The night is not over yet. Besides, blood alcohol concentration is all relative anyways. You see alcohol has a strong affinity for water and it will neutralize in it. So if you increase the water concentration in the body then you decrease the alcohol concentration. It's the simplest way to sober up, just drink lots of water." I held up my cup and finished it off before refilling it.

"Damn."

"What?"

"Even when you're, as you so eloquently put it, shit faced, you're still smart as hell."

I smiled. "Trust me that took some effort. But it's your basic organic chemistry."

Jackson nodded like he understood. "And that is…?"

I shook my head and finished off the second glass of water before walking closer to Jackson. I picked up his tie in one hand and fiddled with his collar with the other.

"Now Jackson," I said softly. "Why talk chemistry when we could talk anatomy?"

"Anatomy? Now there's a science I could always get in to." His hand found its way back to my waist and it played with the hem of my shirt.

"Hmmm." I smiled blissfully as his fingers graced my skin. "But first, a visit to the treasure trove is in order."

"The treasure trove?" he questioned.

I took his hand and led him down the hallway to a closet. I stretched as far as I could and pulled down a shoe box. I turned to face Jackson, box in hand.

"The treasure trove." I lifted the lid to reveal a collection of condoms, lubricants, and flavored body lotions. "Kellie and I are scientists; we both know the possible ramifications of having unprotected sex."

"I see." He gazed into the box. "I don't have a problem that. Do you have a preference for one brand over the other?"

"They're all pretty much the same to me, just take what you need." He gazed into the box for a little while longer. "I could close my eyes if you're shy."

"No thanks, this will do." He grabbed a packet from the box and I closed the lid and returned it to its spot on the shelf.

"Now, this way." I led him back down the hall to my room where I hung my Do Not Disturb sign on the door and locked us in.

Jackson wrapped both arms around my waist and pulled me close to him. I placed my hands on his chest. When he breathed deeply, I could feel his hot breath brush across my skin and chills ran down my spine. He cupped my face in his hands and looked deep into my eyes. I stared back into his.

"Are you sure about this Amy?" He asked very seriously. "I don't want to be taking advantage of you because you've had too many to drink."

I tucked a strand of hair behind his ear and traced his jaw line with my thumb.

"Jackson," I said, "these feelings aren't just alcohol induced. Thank you for your concern, and it is that quality of yours that is a reason why, right now, I can think of nothing else that I want more…than you."

He took a moment to consider my words, staring deep into my eyes the whole time. I tried not to blink, afraid that he might take it as sign of untruthfulness. At last, a hungry smile spread across his face.

"I was really hoping you'd say that." He pressed his lips firmly against mine, my head spun with a rush of hormones, before carrying me to the bed.

*~*

When I opened my heavy eyes the next morning, my head still buzzing from the night before, I could tell by the position of the sun's rays on my floor that the sun was already well into the sky. I slowly became aware of an extra set of lungs breathing gently and quietly behind me. As I breathed in I could feel extra weight around my waist; I glanced down to find a bare arm draped casually across my bare stomach.

I turned over slowly to lie on my back, and looked over my right shoulder at Jackson. He still lay sound asleep, the thin white sheet hung loosely about his body. I peeked under the sheet and smiled at the sight that met my eyes; his beautiful naked body. I thought of several good ways of waking him up, but he looked too peaceful for me to actually follow through with any of them.

I slowly moved out from under his arm, using one of the fallen pillows as a replacement, and carefully crawled out of bed. As I scanned the room, the events of the night came rushing back. The bed spread had been kicked off the bed, and the sheets only covered half of the bed now. Articles of clothing had been tossed about in the fury of removing them from the body. Pillows were scattered around the bed. And in the air there was still the smell of sex. Oh man what a night it had been.

I threw on the nearest shirt I could find and stumbled to the door; I was still a little drunk, or maybe I was just having difficulty walking for other reasons. I paused at the door and pressed my ear against it. All was silent; Kellie probably wasn't even home yet. I made my way to the kitchen where I proceeded to fix myself a tall glass of water and take my daily pills, and a few Tylenol.

I stood leaning against the counter massaging my temple and smiling as I relived last night or at least what I could remember of it, when I heard soft footsteps coming down the hall. I straightened up and pulled the shirt down some, making sure everything was still fully covered. I knew that before the party Kellie said she wasn't planning on coming home, so if Jackson was still asleep in my bed then who was walking down the hall now?

Of course it was Kellie; I guess like mine, her plans had changed as well. She leaned her head against the refrigerator and smiled coyly. She was still feeling the alcohol too. I silently fixed her a glass of water and handed her her medicine. She smiled appreciatively. We stood there in silence trying to wake up and drinking our water.

"Did you have a nice night?" She finally asked.

"What I remember of it."

"And what do you remember?"

"Nothing before I got home, but it's like once we crossed that threshold everything became crystal clear." I bit my lip as once again the memories flowed through my head.

"Ooo, I hear juicy details coming on."

"I'm not sharing any juicy details Kells. I don't kiss and tell."

"Since when? Come on, you have to give me something. Please." She set her cup down and grabbed one of my arms. "Please, please, please…" she started begging louder, and louder. I had to say something just to shut her up.

"Ok, ok. I can tell you one thing, but just one thing."

"That's all I'm asking for."

"Well," I paused for dramatic effect, "things are definitely bigger and better in Texas." Kellie squealed with excitement and I had to plug my ears.

"Hey now, keep it down. Some of us are still trying to sleep." A masculine voice, that wasn't Jackson's, said suddenly. Looks like Kellie had brought someone home with her. I'm sure I looked like a deer caught in headlights as none other than Ben Graupner walked around the corner in nothing but a pair of boxer shorts.

"Morning Ben." I said as I looked to Kellie; she just smiled and shrugged. Of course Jackson then chose that moment to join us in the kitchen; he was only wearing clothes from the waist down.

"Amy have you seen my…" Jackson let his question trail off as he saw that I was not alone. "Ben G. wha…what are you doing here so early?"

Kellie smiled and waved.

"Never mind." He answered his own question.

"J. Action." Ben nodded to Jackson and then looked back at me. "I thought that shirt looked familiar."

I ignored Ben to the best of my abilities. "I guess you were looking for this?" I asked Jackson as I lifted the shirt away from my skin a little.

"Yea, I was but uh, guess I've found it now." He answered.

"Yea, I couldn't find mine." I fibbed.

"It ended up under the bed somehow. I found it when I was looking for that."

"Oh."

"When do you think I'll be able to get that back?" he pointed to the shirt.

"Oh I don't know, perhaps when you can convince me that it would be worthwhile to give it back."

"Ok, and that is our cue to leave. Come on Ben." Kellie put her hands on Ben's chest and pushed him out of the kitchen and down the hall.

"And what exactly," Jackson slowly walked over to me. "Do I have to do," he let his hands slide up my thighs, "to convince you," and under the shirt, "to give it back." He brushed his cheek against mine and his breath fell against my neck, once again sending chills down my spine.

"I'm sure you'll think of something." I traced the outline of his chest with my fingers.

I struggled to remain in control as he began to leave soft kisses down my neck, and up again, and along my jaw line making his way to my lips. He teased my lips with his own, but he didn't stay there long. Breathing became a difficult task as he moved his lips back down my jaw and focused on the spot just below my ear lobe. He was a quick learner. A small whimper escaped my lips and I could feel him chuckle softly.

"Fine. You win. You can have it back if you'll just kiss me already." I didn't have to tell him twice as his lips came crashing back to mine, much like they had last night. He gently lifted me up and I wrapped my legs around him. He managed to carry me back to my room, slowly. He had almost managed to open the door when suddenly there came a loud banging from the front door.

"Amy are in there? Amy open up? You can't still be asleep."

Benny!