"Brook and I have a lot in common, and I really like her. I'm sorry, Quinn."
Torturous words that had been playing on repeat in her mind since they were first uttered. Her long-term boyfriend of two years dumped her for another woman. He had been cheating on her for who knows how long and only broke up with her because she caught them out on a date together. He didn't have the nerve to break up with her but had the gall to take the girl out to dinner at the sushi restaurant he knew she loved and visited frequently with her friends. He claimed that he wanted to take a break from their relationship. Something she had been okay with, believing it was just him being a guy getting cold feet after being in a long-term relationship for so long. Instead, that was his excuse to make himself feel better about taking the girl out on a date behind her back. She had been so embarrassed when she caught him; Zoey and Lola had been there to witness the whole thing happen, and while they helped comfort her, she could still see the pity in their eyes.
It was the look they had been giving her all night as she and her friends went out to their favorite bar. Lola had dragged her away from wallowing in her bed, saying she needed to get out and start enjoying life again. That Mark wasn't worth it, and she would find somebody else. "You need to stop frowning," Lola came to sit next to her at the bar, jumping up to sit on the stool next to hers. Freshly manicured hands flagged down the bartender for a new bottle of beer they both enjoyed. "No guy is going to come up to you with that sour look on your face."
Quinn sighed harshly, blowing away the few stray hairs that fell in front of her eyes. Long gone were the glasses she always wore; now they were tucked away in her nightstand after she got Lasik done a few years back. Lola had forced her to get dressed up in a black mini-dress, saying it would be the perfect armor to attract a new guy. Too bad she didn't want a new guy in her life. "Did you ever think maybe I'm purposely displaying a sour projection to ensure no one of the male anatomy approaches me?"
"Knock it off," Lola took a swig of her beer, licking her lips to wipe away the excess droplets. "At least try and enjoy yourself. You deserve to be happy." Seeing her continue to pout was putting a damper on her mood. She needed to fix things quickly before the whole night was ruined. "I know it sucks; ending a relationship is never easy, but sometimes the best way to get over someone is to get under somebody else." The bewildered expression her friend gave said she knew what she meant. Lola smiled, laughing a little. "I'm not saying start anything serious. Just go out there, find a guy, any guy, and have some fun with him."
Rolling her eyes, Quinn scanned the area and gestured to a familiar-looking face in the corner with her thumb. "Logan is having enough fun for the both of us." Sure, enough, the egomaniac himself was at the bar, sipping on some whiskey as a group of girls crowded around him. He had a casual vibe as he spoke to each one, pocketing and winking at every girl who gave him their number.
Lola scoffed, touching her friend's shoulder to turn her attention away. "Forget Logan," she had brought everyone out tonight to help cheer her best friend up. Only once they arrived, Quinn had secluded herself in the bar; Logan had gone to flirt with girls, and Michael was trying to distract Chase from Zoey, who was texting the new guy she was seeing. Her plan had yet to really work out as she had hoped. "And forget Mark too."
"It's not that easy!" Quinn finally showed an expression other than disdain. Spinning around on her stool, she faced her best friend. Her brown eyes were glossy with unshed tears. "We were together for two years. I gave him over 800 days of my life, and I really thought…" she hiccuped, trying to keep herself composed, but it was hard. These were emotions she had been trying to bottle up since the breakup. Not to mention, she did not want to cry in public. "I thought one day we would get married." After they had passed the one-year time stamp of their relationship, she believed he was serious about being with her and that perhaps they would get married down the line. Now she knows that was only a fantasy.
Her heart broke for her best friend sitting there sniffling and trying not to cry. "Quinn," she embraced her in a hug, holding her tight and sniffling herself. She always cried whenever she saw her friends crying. "Sweetie, I'm so sorry. I had no idea." She didn't realize her friend had these hopes and expectations, that her relationship with the other guy led her to believe she could be planning a wedding one day. Only instead to be left broken-hearted. She felt like a terrible friend for not realizing this. "Come on, let's get out of here. We can put on some corny movies and make fun of them while eating our weight in ice cream." She pulled back and tried not to make a face when she saw her friend's mascara had run.
Quinn sniffled, blinking away the last of her tears. She felt better after crying, but she also felt a little lightheaded. It probably didn't help that she had been drinking on an empty stomach. "Thanks, but I'm okay. You stay and have a good time. I don't want to ruin your night more than I already have." She knew that her friend had organized all of this just for her, and she felt terrible that she didn't appreciate those efforts. She just wasn't in the mood yet to be out and about, but that didn't mean she should stop her friend from having a good time. "I'll feel worse if you leave."
Frowning, Lola knew that Quinn knew exactly what she was doing, using those words to guilt her to stay and have a good time. Why must the girl be so smart? "Are you sure?" She felt so torn on what to do.
"I'm sure," the science genius nodded, wiping her cheek but groaning when she saw traces of her mascara had come off on her finger.
Looking around, Lola saw Logan walking towards them. Jumping off her seat, she grabbed his arm and flung him into the bar. "Hey, you can't just-!" One of the girls who had been hanging off him tried to intervene, but Lola screamed into her face. One of those horror movie yells she has become very good at. Her act worked because the four girls took off running.
"What is wrong with you!?" Logan did not understand what was happening and was frankly afraid. First, she grabs him, and now she's screaming in girls' faces. That is not normal behavior.
Lola frowns and pokes him in the chest. "You stay here with Quinn and keep an eye on her while I run to the bathroom." She gave him instructions before she took off running. She was off to get some paper towels to help her friend remove the smudged makeup. She may not be able to cure a broken heart, but she can solve any makeup crisis.
Watching her go, Logan scoffed, but when he heard a light sniffle coming from the girl next to him, his body tensed. "What's your problem?" He asked, looking at her briefly but did a double take when he saw her red eyes and streaks of black mascara running down her face. "Have you been crying?" He took the seat that Lola had been occupying.
Biting her lower lip, Quinn waved him off. "Just leave me alone," she waved the bartender down for another beer. Her head felt fuzzy, but she felt like she needed something. "You don't have to stay with me just because Lola told you to." The bartender didn't seem to question her appearance. He gave her the open beer bottle and walked away, letting her take two big gulps of the burning liquid.
"You'd really think I'd do something just because someone told me to," he tried to smile, tried to crack her joke with her, but her darkened expression didn't lighten. "Come on, talk to me." He reached out, hesitatingly putting a hand on her arm in an attempt to comfort her. His other hand pulled out the wad of napkins he had received earlier.
Quinn looked over at him, confused why he would be giving her the napkins with the phone numbers of the girls he had been talking to earlier. Not bothering to ask, she took one and used it to wipe her face off the black streaks that stained her cheeks. He didn't seem to care, and that confused her. Not that his weird behavior was anything new. She swore he was the worst guy on the planet one day, and the next, she found him to be really sweet and caring. It was troubling that she couldn't figure him out.
She looked him over, taking in his features. As much as the guy annoyed the living daylights out of her, she had to admit he was remarkably attractive. It made sense that he was a model. He wore a dark grey t-shirt that showed off his muscles and jeans that she felt were intentionally too tight. It was no wonder girls were all over him. "I'm just upset over Mark."
"Oh yeah, I heard he dumped you." Logan instantly regretted his choice of words when he saw her glaring at him. He retracted the hand that had been touching her arm. "I mean, broken up with." He gave an apologetic smile, praying she didn't zap him. A quick glance at her wrist showed she was wearing the latest version of her zap watch.
Normally she would zap him or tell him off, but tonight felt different. Maybe it was because the beer was messing with her brain, but she opened her mouth to tell him more. "We were together for two years, I thought he loved me, but I was wrong."
Logan frowned, "Stop wasting your time on that loser. He's a total dumbass for breaking up with you."
Maybe that was why it was so easy to talk with Logan right now. He never bothered hiding the fact that he couldn't stand her ex-boyfriend. He always made comments and jokes at his expense or outright said he didn't like the guy. "Why do you say that?"
"I don't know," he shrugged, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, we all know you're a little weird," he offered her a kind smile, showing there was no malice in his words. She still rolled her eyes at him. He sucked at giving pep talks. "But you're pretty and smart, and you're kind of fun." He opened his hands, trying to showcase his examples better and less awkwardly. Running his tongue over his bottom lip, he froze when he saw her gaze on his lips. Glancing between her and the crowd, he seemed to be contemplating something for a moment. "Forget about that guy. He isn't worth it. Try to find somebody who is worth your time. Who does care about you and can make you happy."
She smiled sadly, "If only it were that easy."
"It could be," he placed his hand over hers, squeezing it softly. "If you gave that person a chance."
He looked at her, face void of his usual arrogance and instead seemed more open. More exposed than she's ever seen him before. His eyes stared into hers, displaying an emotion she couldn't identify, but it made her cheeks suddenly feel flushed. He seemed to be looking at her, focusing on her, and not paying attention to anyone else in the vicinity. It made her chest heat up with a fire she hadn't felt in a very long time. Leaning forward, she reached up to cup his cheek while his two hands held hers. They kissed, mouths opening to let their tongues meet and dance. It felt like a bolt of lightning had run down her spine the instant their lips touched. Pulling back, she panted lightly as she looked him over. His eyes glazed over, hands still holding her face, and with a quick glance down, she saw a slight bulge in his pants. "My place, now." He nodded eagerly at her words, slamming a wad of cash on the counter before taking her hand and rushing out of the bar.
Living in California meant unless it was necessary, you only drove your car if you had no choice. If you're going out, it has to be within walking distance, or you could avoid a taxi or subway. Their apartment was only a few blocks from the bar they always went to on a Saturday night. Most days, it was a quick trip home, but she felt it dragged on tonight as the two rushed into the lobby. Hitting the elevator button with enough force to jam it, Logan pulled her inside the steel box, holding her close as he kissed her.
She eagerly returned the gesture, wrapping her arms around his back, running her nails down his spine, and making him shiver. He sucked and nibbled on her neck, gasping at the sensation she wasn't used to feeling. The passion she felt was so new and entirely different from what she felt with Mark. The times they spent together never even came close to this.
Briefly breaking apart when the doors opened, he guided her out of the elevator. She giggled as she dug through her purse to pull out her key, fumbling a little with how he held her. When she finally managed to turn the lock, he all but kicked in her door. Pulling her inside and pressing her against the wooden frame, kissing her exposed collarbone and jawline. She threw her head back, moaning breathless gasps as she gave him more access to his skin. His mouth traced up her body until it landed on hers. Lips met again as his hands roamed over her body, nimble fingers fumbling briefly with the zipper of her dress but still managed to get it undone. He ripped it off her body while simultaneously throwing his own shirt off. She was going to have to ask him how he did that.
There stood before each other, panting heavily in their half-naked forms. Dressed in only her underwear now, she wore no bra that night and shoes long kicked off once she entered her home. He had only his pants on, but the bulge he had been sprouting in the bar was now much more prominent. Her gaze moved to his face, noticing how he looked at her. She opened her mouth to speak, to ask what the expression he wore was, but was stopped when he picked her up. She let out a cross between a gasp and a scream as he carried her into her bedroom. Kicking the door shut and slamming her down onto the bed with him crawling on top of her, he resumed kissing her. Rough but smooth hands cupping her breast and fondling them. She arched into his touch, biting down on one finger to keep her sounds of pleasure to a minimum. She felt slightly embarrassed by all the noise she was making.
He seemed to pick up on that and ripped her hand from her lips. He brought her hand to his mouth and began sucking on the finger she had just been biting. She would have had to close her legs if he had not been resting in between her knees because that alone made her feel so turned on. As if sensing this, he grinned and, with practiced ease, undid both his pants and underwear with one flick of his wrist. "Protection," he gasped out, sucking on the other fingers of her hand. "You got any?"
Her mind was fuzzy at best, but she still knew what he was asking. "My nightstand." She turned her head to point at the piece of furniture that had what they both needed.
Desperate hands all but yanked the drawer open. Searching around until he pulled out the piece of foil. He scoffed when he looked at the label. "Too small," he threw it into the little trash can she kept beside her bed before jumping off to grab his pants as he searched his pockets. He gave a small victory cheer when he pulled out three condoms.
She knew it wasn't the right time, it was definitely a mood killer, but Quinn couldn't help but laugh. Head thrown back against her pillow, she cupped her mouth to conceal some of her laughter.
"What's so funny?" Logan asked, slowly crawling back onto the bed And over to her. She bit her lip, trying to keep her chuckles to a minimum. She felt a little bad after seeing his concerned expression. Sitting up, she cupped his two cheeks and brought him in for a brief but sweet kiss. "It's nothing, I'm just," she looked up at him with a beaming smile on her face. "I'm just glad you're you." For once, she was so glad that Logan Reese, the egotistical idiot she sometimes couldn't stand, enjoyed his company other days was who he is. He had brought those condoms, hoping to hook up with somebody at the bar tonight. No doubt one of the many girls that had given him their number, but instead, he was here with her—already proving that he was better than her ex in more ways than one.
Seemingly taken aback by her statement, he gave a low chuckle of his own before leaning into her touch and kissing her. The sound of foil ripping made her shudder, but she eagerly kissed him back, letting him lean her back down onto the cool sheets. With a quick flip of his wrist, he got the condom on himself but didn't insert it into her just yet. Instead, he was taking his time, kissing her passionately as his fingers slowly worked her open. His actions had her moaning into the kiss as he inserted another finger and then another. Three fingers were all it took to make her cum, her juices squirting his palm as he continued to move his digits around inside.
Having enough of his foreplay, she grabbed his wrist while biting his lower lip. Throwing one leg over his, she pressed her wet wore against his hardened member, silently telling him what she wanted. He listened to what she told him for once and thrust inside her body. She broke the kiss to throw her head back and groan at the sensation she was feeling. It was completely different from her ex; one thrust made her feel so full that it had her shuddering. She gripped his body, trying to adjust to what was inside her. Glancing down, she groaned again when she realized that he hadn't fully entered her.
One of his rough but smooth hands held her, his palm up and down her back while he placed a chaste kiss along her neck. His hot breath made goosebumps appear on her body as his lips glazed over her ear. She hadn't even realized her ears and neck were so sensitive until now. Throwing her other leg over to wrap around his waist, encouraging him to push deeper inside her.
Slowly she adjusted and acclimated to his member inside her. With a slow pace, he thrust in and out of her, setting a steady rhythm to help her get more used to his length and girth. Those slow thrusts began to increase, as did the kissing their shared turned more passionate; breathless moans and gasps of the other's name released from their mouths. Her one hand gripped the back of his brown locks while the other dug into his shoulder blade. He seemed not bothered by her grabbing his hair as he only continued to kiss her senselessly. By his quickening pace, she knew his release was coming, but hers had only just started to build up. Half expecting him to finish before her, something she had grown used to, she was shocked when he had them switching positions.
He continued his thrusts in her but at a slower pace. With one arm, he pushed them up so that he was lying on his knees, and she was now bouncing up and down in his lap. She felt so much more of him inside her from this position, making her throw her head back again. She cried out blissfully every time he thrust into her, giving him loud praises and encouraging him to do more. No longer was she concerned about the noise. All her focus was on this act.
Her release was building up, and she could tell his was coming too. He used both hands to grip her waist, making her match his pace as she cupped his cheeks. She moaned into the kiss as she orgasmed. Her release came with his; her insides felt like they were set on fire as they orgasmed together. She hadn't even known that was possible to accomplish.
He threw them back down onto her comforter that had fallen half off the bed, along with one of her pillows. Steady breaths left her as she tried to gather herself. She had never come so hard before in her life, not with Mark or even when she pleasured herself. It was such an out-of-body experience, almost like she was looking down at herself. She gasped when she felt him pull out of her while gently kissing her collarbone. Tilting her head, she saw him smiling down at her, his hands working on opening the second condom. He looked like he wanted to say something, but she wasn't in the mood to speak. She pulled him down to place his lips over hers, silencing him but encouraging him to continue.
The sun shined through her normally closed curtains, but this morning, they were wide open, making Quinn's already pounding head worse. Groaning into her pillow, her hand fumbled around her nightstand, searching for her phone to see the time. Picking up the weirdly heavy device, she looked at the digits and saw it was only a little past seven. She would have been up by now and joined Lola for their morning yoga session on a regular day, but there was no way she could do it today. Her head was killing her, and her lower body was aching. She foresaw a hot bath in her future later today, but for now, she was going back to sleep. She attempted to input her passcode to message her friend an apology for canceling but groaned again when the phone wouldn't unlock. Blinking the sleep out of her eyes, her mind coming more into focus, she realized that the usual picture she had of her alpaca Ottis had been replaced with a photo of Logan. Frowning, she placed the phone back on her nightstand and rubbed her eyes. She had long since gotten Lasik done, no longer desiring to wear glasses, but now she was doubting the surgery. Then again, she drank on an empty stomach; hallucinations weren't uncommon when alcohol was involved. Believing she was still half asleep, she rolled over onto her back and shut her eyes, ready to go back to sleep and wake up with a clear head.
Only for her eyes to fly open when she felt an arm fall onto her waist and pull her close. She tensed up, feeling a hot breath tickle her neck as the arm that held her tightened around her body. Suddenly feeling very dry of mouth, she gulped, trying to calm her racing mind down as she slowly turned her head. Her eyes nearly fell out of their sockets when she saw the sleeping Logan resting beside her. Mouth open in a silent gasp, she lifted the sheets wrapped around both their bodies and did her best not to release the groan when she realized they were both naked. Turning back to stare at the ceiling, she grimaced, this time not only from the ache she felt in her body. "Oh boy," she whispered, tensing again when she felt him stir, only for him to go right back asleep beside her. This was going to be a long morning.