Monday flowed into Tuesday, then Wednesday and Thursday seemed to merge into one for Alex. With Boo in town she was kept pretty busy. Alex knew Boo of old, and behind all her bluster and bolshy attitude she hid a sharp, smart brain and no nonsense approach to business that had led her to the position she held today. Alex loved the chance to match her own growing business acumen with her old college adversary, and being able to show off her team made her proud. By Thursday afternoon though she sat in her office staring at Boo as if she had just landed from another planet.
"Why them? Of all the hotels you manage why that one? It isn't what we agreed, it isn't what Piper and Polly are expecting or even signed a contract for. Why the change?"
"Because," Boo sighed, "I received a call last night from the London office and it seems the hotel we had wanted to use have decided they want independence. The manager is young, ambitious and doesn't want a corporation making decisions for him, which is not unheard of, just in this case inconvenient. The new hotel is big but have agreed to stagger the product so it will give PoPi's a chance to cope with the increased order. They are professional, highly regarded, you know that. Lets face it Alex, if this works it will be an amazing opportunity for the PoPi brand."
Alex sighed. There was nothing she could do now Boo had made the decision other than to let Polly and Piper know. "You want me to call them?"
"No, I thought we could go see them, its better we tell them I person right?"
Nodding Alex looked at the amount of work she still had to do. She should really let Nicky take Boo, but other than texts and quick calls in the few snatched seconds they both had free, Alex felt she hadn't spoken to Piper since the weekend and she couldn't resist a chance to see her in person.
"OK look, go get Nick to make you some coffee, give me half hour and we can go over, I'll text Piper and give them a chance to prepare."
Nodding, Boo left to go search out Nicky.
O0o
"Hey this place is cool!" Boo grinned as she gazed round at the neatly organized unit, "you guys said you were small so I was expecting a home based affair." She moved to the boxes labelled up, "This is my order right?" She frowned, "its ready?"
Piper grinned. "Yes. The main order is done, we are working on the gift bags, over here."
Showing Boo what they had completed for the launch she was thrilled to see Boo grin and look at Alex. "And you were panicking!" she said.
"You were?" Piper frowned. "You didn't think we could do it?" Piper felt hurt.
"No of course not!" Alex glared at Boo. "What my not so subtle colleague here failed to tell you is a few things have changed. Boo, rather than try to throw me under the bus why don't you explain." Alex smiled at Piper wanting her to know she had every faith in her, she saw the nervous look on Pipers face and wanted to reassure her. By the time Boo had highlighted the changes Piper looked between Alex and Boo.
"So we have to go to Hartford this weekend?!
Alex smiled, "Yes. Boo wants you to meet the people you will be dealing with in London. They will be at a launch in Hartford as its a sister hotel, slightly bigger than the London one but you will get the idea."
"Are you coming?" She asked knowing her voice was a little more excited at the prospect than she should probably be showing in a business meeting.
Alex smiled but shook her head. "Boo will be with you. This venture is her thing now. Barneys will only be involved in initial launches, so helping set you up in London, then Paris or Madrid. If Boo is unable to attend a launch we step in, but its Boo's deal."
Piper smiled at Boo, hoping her disappointment wasn't too obvious.
Polly looked up from the revised contract Boo had given them. "To get this done before the weekend isn't possible." She sighed. "Some of it but not all."
"That's OK. Hartford is just for you to see how these things work. The stock you have here is OK for London even in the first instance, the order may just go on for longer as the hotel is bigger. Don't worry," Boo smiled, "having seen your set up you will be fine. Look, pack your cocktail dresses and come have fun with me in Hartford, meet some people, the contacts will be invaluable for London, then come back here on Monday and we will have a date for London, I am guessing 2 weeks, 3 tops, and you will be there."
Piper and Polly grinned.
o0o
"Come on Nichols its your round." Boo called across the table the following evening. Piper was sat with Polly who, totally sober, was not in the best mood.
"Piper I'm going to leave you too it. Pete's cooking for me and I am not sure I can face seeing Nicky and boo go another round! We have to leave early tomorrow too so I need to rest." Waving and hugging her friend Piper sighed. She had hoped Alex would be here. Seeing her yesterday had been a treat, she had spoken to her on the phone last night too, with Alex wanting to check she was OK with the new deal. But when Nicky then Lorna, Boo and even Daya had arrived Piper guessed Alex was left behind finishing up.
"Is Alex not coming at all?" Piper asked Daya when she was sure Nicky was out of ear shot.
"She said she was." Daya looked at her watch. "She had a meeting just as we left, but it should be over soon." She smiled. "I heard about the new trip and hotel. You excited?" So Piper and Daya sat for a whole talking about travel. Piper didn't notice Alex arrive until a gentle hand stroked her back and suddenly she was there pulling up a stool next to Piper.
"Hey." She smiled. "Miss me?"
"Yes!" Piper grinned. The mere touch and sound of Alex made her suddenly wish they were alone. "I thought you'd stood me up and left me to fend for myself with Nicky and Boo."
Alex grinned. "No, sorry, I had a late meeting."
"Yes Daya told me." Piper saw Nicky carry a tray of shots over and place 3 in front of Alex.
"Come on boss you have some catching up to do!"
Alex grinned and downed the first 2 without hesitation. She left the third, reaching for the pitcher of beer and pouring herself a long drink.
"Long day?" Piper smiled.
"God yes! I swear I go into any meeting with Susanne and think I have my bases covered," Alex shook her head, "but each time she manages to take a turn I never see coming. Luckily tonight she had a date so was willing to stay pretty much to the agenda."
Piper grinned. Laughing as she saw Boo add to the row of drinks on front of Alex she said. "I think they are trying to get you drunk."
"Yeah, Boo wants to go clubbing." Alex shrugged "I said there wasn't enough alcohol to get me there on a Friday after the week we'd had, she seemed to take this as a challenge. Promise me Pipes, if they win and get me to agree, you'll come along?"
Piper smiled, "Maybe, I'm not exactly dressed for it."
"Nor am I, but that wasn't a good enough reason evidently. And I have a feeling unless I want to waste my weekend nursing a hangover from this lot," she nodded at the drinks growing before her, "it may be easier to just agree and go. Then I will actually get to hold you on the dance floor and leave these clowns to entertain themselves."
Piper grinned at the image of dancing with Alex, holding Alex. "It does sound tempting." She reached for one of Alex's many drinks.
"Hey blondie, stop interfering with the plan!" Nicky called over.
"Hey Nicky," Piper laughed back, "trying to get your boss drunk wont go down so well in any review is my guess, why not try asking her if she wants to go to a club now."
"Vause?" Nicky asked hopefully.
Alex grinned "Well as the pretty lady with me has agreed to go, then yes. But I'm warning you Nichols!" Alex winked to take the sting out of her words and downed another drink. As she stood she swayed slightly and Piper threw an arm around her waist to steady her. They group had thinned to just the five women heading to the club. Nicky grabbed the first cab with Lorna leaving boo with an already tipsy Alex and Piper.
"Well lurch, I must say this new girl of yours is better than any of the floozies you usually hook up with!" She winked at Piper.
Alex tipsy and no longer caring about professional impressions leaned to kiss Piper. "She's the best!" she agreed snuggling close. "Not some one night stand. She is worth more than any of them."
Piper amused couldn't resist asking. "So there were many? Floozies I mean."
"Oh you have no idea!" Boo laughed. "Every night a new club, a new girl. Each one left for dust; pining after the wonders of the 'magic of lurch' between the sheets, but burnt but her acidic tongue in the cold light of day. I'm telling you blondie, you are different. Sure she has done the blonde preppy look before, but never have I seen her gooey eyed and well soft. I mean look at her!" Boo winked at Piper as they both looked down at Alex, eyes close head resting on Pipers shoulder both arms tightly wrapped round her waist as if scared she would try to leave.
"Maybe a club is not such a good idea." Piper mused, Alex was obviously not only drunk but tired.
"Oh no! Don't you try bailing on me. It is bad enough you have taken my wingman away. No, come have a dance, give lurch there the chance to grope you on the dance floor, then if she is no more alert you can bail."
Piper eyed Boo cautiously. "So what's the bet? We would not go? We would stay for an hour? What?"
Boo burst out laughing. "Damn girl, no flies on you. Yes there is a bet. Nick reckons the boss there will bail before reaching the club, I reckon an hour. Lorna has faith in you both. She says you will stay for a few hours then you will see lurch here home before returning to your own place to prepare for the trip tomorrow."
Piper sniggered. Personally she hoped Lorna was right although she preferred the ending of Alex coming back to hers. "OK, well far be it from me too stand in the way of a bet." She grinned.
On arriving Piper was happy to see Alex was a little more stable on her feet. Letting Boo move ahead and then go in search of Nicky and Lorna, Piper led Alex to the bar. Ordering herself a margarita and a large cola for Alex she also ordered some fries and finding them a seat shoved the food in front of Alex. "Here you go, eat these. I am guessing you haven't eaten tonight."
Alex attacked the food with relish. "No," she shook her head then frowned "in fact I haven't eaten all day." she admitted.
"Jeez Al!" Piper groaned. "You need a personal assistant to look after you not make bets at your expense." Piper was angry. Leaving Alex to continue her snack she went to order a steak sandwich as Alex obviously needed something more substantial if she had not eaten at all today, and returning saw Nicky close by. Putting the new food in front of Alex, Piper went over to Nicky. Tapping her shoulder she said "I thought she was your friend?"
"What? Who?"
"Alex! I thought she was your friend. But you know what I have seen: you tease her, bet on her and let her basically take your shit. In my book that's not a friend."
"Woah! Hold on blondie what's with the attack?" Nicky was caught blind sided by Pipers words.
"She hasn't eaten, yet you ply her with alcohol to win some stupid bet." Piper hissed.
Nicky straightened. "First off blondie Alex is an adult. As an adult she is capable of feeding herself. But at lunch today I not only bought mine but hers. If she chooses not to eat that's her call, not mine. I'm her friend not her mother. As for the booze. When I left I tried to get her to join me. Her parting words were 'you go Nick, I will finish the meeting but make sure you have the shots lined up.' So while I agree friends care for each other, I will remind you I'm her friend not her mother!"
Piper looked at Nicky. Seeing the honesty in her expression Piper nodded. "OK, I'm sorry. Its just she said she hadn't eaten. She knocked that drink back so fast…"
"Yeah I get it OK." Nicky nodded. "She is my friend Piper, but she is stubborn and will do as she pleases. Go sit with her while she eats, who knows if it sobers her up you can leave us irresponsible reprobates here."
Piper smiled. She knew Nicky cared for Alex, she could see it in her face, maybe she had overreacted. Turing back to Alex, Piper saw the food gone and Alex sipping her drink.
"Hey Pipes!" She called. "You forgot to add the scotch to this!" Piper heard rather than saw Nicky snigger but ignoring her and shaking her head she moved back to the table.
"You feel better now you've eaten?" she asked ignoring the drink comment.
"Yes thanks." Alex smiled. "So you gonna dance with me Pipes?"
Piper grinned "Well I feel I should." she grinned.
Alex grinned. "Cool, lets go round the corner though I don't need Boo and Nicky watching." She stood up grabbing Pipers hand. Leading her to the dance floor she pulled Piper into her arms. Ignoring the faster tempo of the music she swayed slowly, her hands resting just above pipers but as she said "I have missed holding you Pipes."
"I missed you too." Piper admitted, letting her arms rest round Alex's neck.
"So did you get out of the big family commitments this weekend?" Alex asked, knowing from what Piper had told her about her mother this change of business plan could have caused her all sorts of family issues.
Piper frowned. "No not really. I have told mom I will be later arriving than she wanted because of the trip, she wasn't happy but I am going so she cant do much about it really. Being away tomorrow means next week will be mad, but you are right, its important to make these contacts."
Alex nodded reluctantly. She did not want to think about Pipers business trip now, or even her mom. She pulled Piper closer, holding her tight burying her head in Pipers hair breathing in the scent she had missed, trying to stop herself asking the question that had been on her lips since seeing Piper at the unit yesterday. Lifting her head from pipers hair Alex whispered "Pipes."
As Piper looked up at Alex she smiled and was rewarded with Alex groaning and lowering her head kissing Piper hard. Tongues battling and dancing Piper moved her hands to tangle in Alex's long hair holding her close not wanting to let her go. Lack of air caused them to eventually break apart and Piper grinned, "you could always come back to mine and stay tonight. I have just enough food in for pancakes and bacon tomorrow." She winked
Alex laughed. "Pipes being in your arms is enough, you don't need the lure of food believe me."
"OK, cool." Piper grinned, "more food for me."
Alex laughed and swatted Pipers butt, "Oh no, the offer was made. She grinned shall we leave?"
"Err," Piper hesitated, "depends who you want to win." She grinned
"Win what?" Alex frowned.
"Evidently your esteemed staff are betting on us. Boo thinks we will stay an hour, Lorna has us down for a few hours…."
"And Nicky?"
"Oh she didn't think you would get as far as the club!" Piper smirked.
Alex shrugged, "So Lorna?" She looked at piper knowing full well Piper would want the sweet woman to win.
Piper grinned, "yeah, but I confess the idea of getting out of here now is tempting. How about another dance?"
Alex nodded "But then I need another drink, its Friday Piper, cola just doesn't cut it!"
Laughing Piper walked towards the dance floor. She saw Lorna and Nicky wrapped around each other and turning to pull Alex towards her she said "by the look of them they will be out of here before us!"
Alex sniggered, "Don't count on it. Nicky has a score to settle with Boo, she will stay, Lorna may just get lucky in the ladies." She grinned causing pipers eyes to widen at what Alex was hinting at.
As she danced with Alex, Piper thought about Alex words, the very idea of escaping to the bathroom for some quick sex turned her on far more than she would ever have thought possible. She realised just how sheltered she had been. Other than a few romps at college parties all her sexual experiences had been in bedrooms. Having listened to Alex and her group of friends talk she knew she was in the minority.
"Pipes? You OK?" Alex watched Pipers face as she danced. She hadn't missed a step but the look of serious contemplation look out of place on the dance floor and Alex was suddenly worried her joking comment about Nicky had offended or frightened Piper.
Shaking herself out of her thoughts Piper smiled. "Yeah I'm fine," she grinned, "how about we go get that drink though?"
"Sure." Alex smiled and taking Pipers hand led her back to the bar. Several shots a whisky for herself and margarita for Piper Alex looked at the blonde woman next to her. "Did I offend you?" She asked seriously.
"What? No? Why would you think that?" Piper asked bemused.
"Because I made the comment about Nicky taking Lorna in the bathroom, and you went very quiet." Alex pointed out logically.
Piper shook her head, reaching for a shot glass she knocked it back then gulped her large pink drink too. "It got me thinking." she admitted.
"About?" Alex prompted.
"Me, how sheltered my life has been, how I have not experienced even a fraction of the things I want too." Piper gazed at the pink liquid in the glass as she made this admission.
Alex was silent for a second trying to process what Piper was telling her. She knew that Piper wanted to travel, wanted adventure, but if she was hearing her right Piper was admitting to wanting to be more adventurous sexually too. "What do you want to try Pipes?" Alex asked gently.
Piper shrugged "I don't know." She admitted honestly then blushing continued, "somewhere other than a bedroom."
"You and Larry never…?" Alex let the question trail off.
"No. Larry wasn't adventurous, strictly an 'in bed with the lights off' unless he was drunk kind of guy, and then I was often not at all interested. At college other than a few make out sessions at parties I always ended up back in my room if things got heavy." Piper shrugged.
"So Pipes," Alex grinned "a night club bathroom is far too seedy for your first adventure out of the bedroom, also maybe a little public?"
"Yeah maybe." Piper shrugged not sure that actually bothered her as much as it maybe should. She smiled at Alex, "maybe your amazing shower, or bath?"
Alex shook her head, "Damn I wish we had had this conversation last weekend and I knew you felt like that, we could so have made that wish happen last weekend and now you are going off with Boo, then to your parents." Alex frowned. She looked at her watch, "OK, I will apologise to Lorna tomorrow, tonight boo wins and we are gonna go see just how tight a squeeze it is in your shower."
"Mine?" Piper asked a little surprised.
"Yes, as much as mine is more suitable I am aware you need to be up early tomorrow Pipes so it makes sense we go to yours. When we have more time, when you are more settled work wise without so many new ventures, I promise you we can explore each and every fantasy you have." Alex grinned. "Come on." She took Pipers hand and headed towards the exit, "suddenly I need to wash away this day and I may need some help." she winked.
o0o
Piper giggled, "This looks easier in movies!"
"Quit squirming!" Alex laughed as Piper twisted before her.
"I want to touch you though." Piper grinned.
"Dammit this shower cubical is stupid!" Alex muttered, cursing her decision to come here rather than back to her place. Deciding she needed to take the lead Alex gripped Pipers hands that had been roaming her breasts and belly, and pinned them to the tiled wall. She heard Piper gasp and after a quick look at Pipers face to check it was from excitement rather than fear, Alex winked before lowering her head and sucking the pink nipple closest to her mouth hard.
"Oh god!" Piper moaned, suddenly all thought of play gone, as desire rocketed through her body. she tried to move her hands that Alex had pinned to the wall above her head but felt Alex's grasp tighten. "Oh Alex!" Piper called as desire at both Alex's tongue sucking her nipple and the restraint of her wrists had a wave of desire sweep over Piper causing her knees to literally buckle.
Alex lifted her head "You OK there Pipes?" She was amazed at just how sensitive Pipers body was and looking at her now, flushed with desire her wet hair slicked back off her face, Alex wished she had more room to manoeuvre, make this memorable in a way this cramped shower stall was inhibiting. But refusing to be defeated Alex loosened her grip on Pipers arms and said "Hold on to my shoulders Piper, lean on me OK, I've got you."
Piper nodded, assuming Alex was holding her so she didn't slip, but seconds later, as she felt first Alex finger, then her tongue, stroke her clit she practically fell onto Alex, crying out at the sensation. Her body was now so sensitive even the water touching her seemed to add to her arousal. Realising Piper was going to end up in a heap on the floor before she had finished her, Alex reluctantly kissed her way back up Pipers body, she wanted to make this good, memorable, but she also would have preferred to get her into bed to do a proper job. Pulling Piper in front of her their slick bodies slipping against each other Alex let the water fall onto Pipers head, then moved her wet hair over one shoulder giving her access to the flesh on Pipers neck she moved them both forward a little so the water fell between them, keeping Piper warm enough as Alex placed one hand on Pipers breast the other on her hip pulling her back into her body. Playing with Pipers nipples she heard Piper moan, the sound reverberating through her whole body causing Alex to tighten her grip. Moving the hand she had on her hip Alex moved Pipers legs a little further apart using the tips of her fingers to gently brush her inner thighs and mound before parting her lips.
"Mmmm, you are so wet!" She whispered in Pipers ear, kissing the flesh on her neck before adding, "I am sure I can make you even wetter though." Piper was almost holding her breath waiting to see what Alex would do and was rewarded by a pinch of the nipple Alex had been stroking and two finders slowly pushing into her.
"Oh yes, please Alex, please!" Piper moaned.
"What Pipes? You want more?"
Piper couldn't answer, her body was shaking and words seemed to escape her as Alex, sensing how Piper was already on the verge of cumming, used her thumb to stroke her clit. She felt Pipers legs give once more, her whole body trembling, and holding her tight Alex continued to move her fingers, slowly and gently. Alex was practically holding the whole of Pipers weight on her one arm that was wrapped now around her waist, but as she felt the weight lighten as Piper regained the strength in her legs Alex loosened her grip and ran her now free hand over Pipers upper body, gentle strokes to match the fingers still inside Piper. "You doing OK there pipes?" she asked.
Piper twisted her head needing more than anything to hold and kiss Alex. As their lips met Alex twisted the fingers still deep inside Piper and this time set her own pace. Sucking Pipers tongue into her mouth she thrust her fingers deeper, moving faster as she felt Piper clench around her. A little more prepared this time Piper clung to Alex neck and let the new intense feelings wash over her. Alex felt Piper pulse and clench around her fingers, felt the gush of Pipers orgasm hit her hand before the water washed it away. Holding Pipers trembling body tight Alex kissed every inch of Pipers neck and shoulders she could reach then kissing her hard on the mouth before slowly removing her fingers and letting her hand rest on Pipers butt as the kiss softened and slowly Piper pulled back.
"Wow!" She whispered.
Alex grinned. "You are so easy to please Pipes. As good as that was to feel you come apart in my arms we can do so much better than a cramped shower stall."
Piper shrugged. "I don't care. It felt amazing. And now every morning when I shower I will think of you!"
Alex laughed, "Come on, lets get you dried off and into bed. You have a big weekend ahead of you."
"But I wanted to do that to you."
Alex smiled, "Piper just watching you in my arms like that was enough. I promise you we will have plenty of other times for you to experiment. In fact when you are away with Boo meeting boring business people you can work on a list of places you want to experiment."
Piper grinned as she stepped reluctantly out of the shower to grab some towels. "OK, but only if you add some suggestions of your own."
Alex quirked her eyebrow. "Maybe we should do your list first Pipes, don't want to scare you off."
Intrigued piper followed Alex into the bedroom. "You cant say that and nothing else. What things?"
Alex dropped her towel and stood before Piper naked. She saw the woman take in her body, focusing for a long time on her breasts, Alex grinned, "Well for a start I would like to have you in my bedroom with that look in your eye. Maybe though we will add some rules."
"Rules?" Piper tore her gaze away from Alex's perfect breasts and looked curiously at the grinning Alex. "What kind of rules?
"Uh uh. Not tonight. Trust me Pipes, we have plenty of time. And believe me if you thought tonight was OK then I can promise you it only gets better."
Piper was torn as to how to respond. Part of her wanted to shout that tonight had been so much more than OK. That Alex made her feel things no-one else ever had. But the very idea it could be better seemed almost impossible to believe. Suddenly the idea of travel and weekends apart from Alex did not seem so appealing.
o0o
A/N: So sorry for the delay in posting this chapter, I am trying to write as often as I can but weekends are the big chunk of time I have and last weekend was just not possible. Rest assured the next chapter has been started though and I will try not to take so long getting it too you. Thanks to everyone still reading, without your encouragement this would just be me talking to myself!
Hope you enjoy, ;et me know your thoughts. A x