Liquor – Too much liquor leads to a confession

Ft: Bo Dallas

"Yeah," I groan into the phone.

"Gemma?"

Pulling the phone from my head I read the name there. "You're not Bo."

"It's Erick."

"Ok?"

"We're having an issue with Bo. He's drunk and refusing to leave."

"He's your fearless leader. Can't the five of you round him up."

"Geeeeeeeeemmmmmma," Bo sings in the background. "I miss you Geeemmma. I want you Geeemma."

"He is saying he'll only leave with you," the big man sounds sheepish. "Could you please?"

I huff a sigh, "Sure. Where are you?"

"Just down the street from the hotel. I'll send Dexter out to wait for you."

I hesitate just a second before nodding. "I'm on my way."

Pulling on a hoodie and shoving my feet into my shoes, I grab my room key before heading out.

X

"Where is he," I ask the dreaded blonde standing outside the bar door.

He motions inside, following me into the bar closely. I try to ignore the closeness as I pick my way across the bar. Bo sits swaying in front of bartender demanding another drink.

"You've had enough Bo. Time to head out," I state, skirting the taller man and Nikki at Bo's side.

"Gemma," Bo grins widely, reaching out to crush me in a hug.

I fight the urge to sink into the hug, my friend finally showing himself after months. "Uh, yeah. I heard you when Erick called. I'm here. Let's head back."

"Stay with me," he whispers, nuzzling against my throat.

"Uh," I look at the other four around my friend. "It's time to head back to the hotel. I'll stay with you there."

"Promise," he grins lazily, his fingers stroking along my spine.

"Sure," I state awkwardly as I try to ignore the sensations he is sending through me.

"One more drink."

"No more drinks," I glance at the bartender, who nods. "I'm tired and ready to head back. Either you can take me," I state backing out of his grip. "Or I'm sure one of your friends will. Keep me nice and safe."

"No," Bo cries, stumbling off the barstool. Erick grabbing his arm to steady the smaller man. "No."

"Can you walk," I ask, watching him sway despite the taller man's grip.

"Yes."

"Are you sure," I smile.

"Of course," he grins, taking a step forward and immediately hitting his knees.

"Sure you can," I smirk. "Any of you have a plan on how to get him back?"

"I got him," Erick states, pulling Bo to his feet.

"No. I want Gemma," Bo whines.

"I'm going too," I smile.

"I got you Boss," Erick states. "The others will keep Gemma safe," he glances at the other three, who immediately surround me.

"I'm ok, really."

"You're even better with them around you," Erick grins, slinging Bo over his shoulder. "He insists."

"Fine. Whatever," I sigh. "Let's just get outta here."

Most people give me a wide berth as I walk between Dexter and Joe, Nikki skipping along behind me, and Erick and Bo bringing up the rear.

"Hey Pretty Lady," a drunk slurs.

"Move along," I state, trying to side step him.

"Hey. I'm just trying to talk to ya."

"Not in a talking mood."

"Awe, come on Baby."

I open my mouth to respond when fingertips press into my wrist. Glancing over, I find Joe's questioning look.

"I'm too tired to fight it. Do what you need to."

The two men step forward, blocking my view of the drunk.

"Come on Man. You can't fault a guy for trying."

"Leave," a soft growl. Which of the men it came from I couldn't tell you. Seconds later the men return to my side and the drunk is gone.

"Thanks," I sigh, continuing.

The rest of the short trip is uneventful.

"Does anyone know his room number," I ask in the lobby.

"806," Nikki states.

I raise my brow at her.

"Across from mine," she shrugs, skipping ahead.

"Fair enough."

"The rest of us are on the tenth floor," Erick states as we all pile into the elevator. "Think you can handle him once we get to his floor."

I glance at Bo leaning heavily against the back wall beside me. He isn't swaying anymore which I take as a good sign. "Should be good. Where's your keycard, Bo."

"You'll never find it," he grins.

"Which pocket," I chuckle.

"Try," his smile widens.

Rolling my eyes, I run my hands over the outside of his front pockets.

"Nuh uh," he groans.

Stepping closer, I reach behind him.

His arms wrap around my waist. "Getting warmer."

"You're still a dork," I smile, sliding my hand into his back pocket.

"You love me."

Something drops heavily in my stomach. Pulling the keycard from his pocket, I step back out of his grip "Yeah Bo. As much as you love me. This is our stop. Do you need help?"

"Will it get you back in my arms?"

"Come on Dork," I sling his arm over my shoulder, my arm around his waist to steady him.

"You're so pretty," he grins as we maneuver into his room.

"I know," I grunt, leaning him against the desk. "They wouldn't let me on TV otherwise. Can you get yourself ready for bed?"

"Will you help me if I can't," he grins, reaching for me.

"No," I smirk, slapping his hands away. Tugging his shirt up and over his head, I pointedly avoid looking at the man. "But I will let you sleep in your jeans."

"Gemma," he sighs. His hands going to the back of my head forcing our eyes to meet.

"Bo."

"Can I…Can I…Fuck," he sighs, diving for my lips. The kiss is sloppy but passionate and the last of my control melts away. I sink into him, my hands going to his shoulders as our tongues battle for control. He growls deep in his throat pulling me impossibly closer. "I do," he breathes as we part momentarily.

"Hmm," I hum into him.

"I do love you," he mumbles against me. "I do."

Something about that confession clears my head. "Bo, stop," I sigh, stepping back. "Stop. You're drunk. You don't know what you're saying."

"Yes, I do," he grins, reaching for me.

"No, you don't. You're drunk and being flirty. I'm not doing this."

"Doing what?"

"Taking advantage of you," I state firmly.

"I'll let you," he grins.

"No, you won't. Now get in bed."

"Are you…"

"No."

"Please."

"Bo. Bed. Now."

"Stay with me."

"I'll stay here but not in your bed."

"Please," he begs.

"Whiskey dick is not how I want our first time," I lie, trying a different tactic Guiding him towards the bed. "If you feel the same in the morning, we can revisit this."

"Promise?"

"Promise. Get in bed. We'll talk in the morning. Talk," I state again when the smile returns. "Now go to sleep."

"I love you, Gem."

"Sleep."

X

Soft knocking wakes me the following morning. Unfurling from the chair, I glance at the sleeping Bo as I make my way to the door. Opening the door, I'm face to chest with Joe Gracy.

"Sorry," he mumbles stepping back. "I didn't really expect you to…Doesn't matter. Brought Bo some breakfast but if this is a bad time."

"Do you really think I would sleep with a drunk Bo," I scoff but the words taste ashen in my mouth. "I almost did just that." "He's still asleep."

"Can you make sure he gets this," he smirks, holding out a Styrofoam container. "Made sure it was hangover safe."

"Yeah, sure." I take the container.

"And Gemma," he starts holding out a second container. "I hope you like scrambled eggs."

"Thanks," I smile. "And thanks for last night too. Tell Dexter."

"Will do. Tell Bo we'll meet him at the arena tonight."

Bo groans as I shut the door.

"Morning Nightingale."

"Gem?"

"Bo."

"What are you doing here?"

"You asked me to stay."

"When," he croaks, reaching for the bottle of water on the bedside table.

"Last night after…" I trail off. "What do you remember about last night?"

"Going to the bar. It gets blurry after that."

"Let me fill you in. You got shitfaced. Erick called me to come get you. He carried your ass back here. I got you back to your room…" I trail off. "Got you to bed and you asked me to stay with you. I slept in the chair. Now here we are. Joe brought you food," I slide the containers onto the desk, "and said they'll meet you at the arena. I've held up my end of the bargain, now I'm going back to my room. Eat. Hydrate. Feel better. Talk to you later," I rush, moving to the door.

"Gem. Gemma," he calls as I disappear.

I hold the tears until I'm back in my own room.

"Glad I didn't do anything stupid, like get my heart involved."

X

I avoid pretty much everyone the following three weeks.

"What did I do," a voice asks from beside me.

Glancing over, I jump back at the face there. "Jesus Bo," I growl, pulling the mask up. "Don't walk up on me in that thing."

"I know I did something."

"What are you talking about?"

"You've been avoiding me."

"I've been working my ass off. I haven't really been spending time with anyone. You're not that special."

"Dexter said I was acting inappropriate that night."

"Dexter talks? That's actually surprising."

"What did I do?"

"Nothing."

"Gem," he sighs.

"You were drunk. You're flirty when you drink. I've delt with it before."

"Did I try…did I try to…"

"You didn't try anything. You flirted. You hugged on me. I put you to bed."

"Then why did you take off that morning?"

"Because I had better things to do than babysit you again."

"Please talk to me."

"I have an interview to get to. Later date, ok," I state, heading down the hall.

"You can't keep doing this."

"Watch me," I state under my breath.

X

My phone vibrating in my back pocket pulls me from my thoughts. Checking the readout I roll my eyes. "Yes Bo?"

"It's Erick again."

"Nope. Not doing this tonight. He's your problem tonight. Have a good night." Ending the call, I toss the phone. "Not tonight or any other night soon." Leaning my head back against the wall, I try to hold my emotions at bay. The same thing I've done for the past three weeks. Actually it's the same thing I've done multiple times over the past six years of our friendship. Being the new girl in a world of beautiful women and burly men was more than intimidating but Bo was always welcoming. That smile. The goofy sense of humor. The warm hugs when I felt worthless. The slow fact that I was falling in love with my best friend and it's completely one sided. I blink away the same tears I've held at bay for all these years. I can accept friendship if that's all he has to give.

Banging on the hotel door startles me awake. I don't even remember drifting off to sleep. More banging has me stumbling for the door. Opening it I find Bo, Dexter behind him, hand on his shoulder.

"What do you need Bo?"

"Yooooooou," Bo grins before his eyes meet mine. "You've been crying."

"No."

"Why are you crying? Why are you lying to me?"

"I'm not having a conversation with you while you're drunk," I sigh.

"Gemma, please," he mumbles, taking my face in his hands.

I swallow thickly before answering. "I can't do this tonight Bo. Go sleep it off. Dexter will you take care of him for me?"

The other man nods silently, pulling our friend away and across the hall. "Goodnight guys."

X

Soft knocking pulls me back to the door. Opening it I find Dexter holding Bo in front of him. "He's sober. Talk. Really talk," Dexter orders, shoving Bo past me into the room.

"Still weird that he talks," I mutter, closing the door. "So what do you want to talk about?"

"Looks like you slept like shit," Bo states staring at the bed.

"You can tell that by looking at the bed," I joke weakly.

"You sleep like the dead when you sleep well. It looks like you were all over the bed last night."

"Of course you would know that," I chuckle, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"I know a lot of things," he grins joining me. "Except why you were crying last night. And what I do that occasionally pushes you away from me."

"You don't push me away, Bo," I state, staring at my hands.

His hand covers mine. "Please don't lie to me."

"I'm not. You don't do anything. It's me."

"The distance always starts when I drink. And I'll admit since Bray that has become more often since Bray and even more since…I've been dealing with some stuff. If that is the problem…I'll stop. Your friendship means that much to me."

The statement both warms my heart and drives a knife into it. "It's not your drinking that's the problem. Not entirely at least."

"Meaning?"

I bite my lip and his hand comes up to cup my cheek forcing me to meet his eyes.

"Tell me."

"You say things I know you don't mean. Combined with you being flirty. I forget for moments that it's not true."

"Like what?"

"Most recently? That you loved me…in the middle of making out with me."

His eyes close momentarily. "Fuck, Gemma. Look, I…"

"I know," I state when he trails off. "You do love me…as a friend. Just sometimes that's a hard fact to swallow, so I isolate myself until…until I can be a friend again."

"Fuck, Dexter is right. We're entirely too old for this stupid shit."

"What?"

"I don't…I don't want to lose you but…" he swallows thickly. "God am I in love with you," he finally breathes, pressing our foreheads together.

"Bo, stop."

"This is me. Sober. Telling you how I really feel and hoping like hell I don't fuck things up."

"Bo" I breathe, angling so our lips are a breath apart. "Shut up and show me."

His lips seal over mine and I groan into him.

"Do you know how sexy that was," he grins as we break apart.

"Do you know how sexy you are?"

"Keep it up, Beautiful."

"Will I get a prize if I do?"

Bo growls as my back hits the mattress, his mouth overtaking my own. I finally allow myself to explore his body. I moan as I trace muscles of his arms up and over his shoulders, memorizing every curve and dip. Bo's hands grip my hips tightly as he slides on top of me.

Breaking apart, he stares down at me. "Tell me to stop and I will."

"Do you think I would ever say something like that after I waited this long," I smile.

"Only in my nightmares," he sighs, his lips dust over my lips before trailing across my jaw, his hands slowly sliding up my sides.

"Only sweet dreams, Nightingale."

His mouth attacks me, seemingly everywhere at once. Tongue stroking mine, exploring every inch of my mouth. Lips dancing along my jaw. Teeth nipping at the skin of my throat. I moan as his hands finally finishing their slow ascent to my chest, kneading, the pads of his thumbs stroking slowly across their peaks through my shirt lightly. I arch pressing myself more firmly into him. His teeth sinking in at my collarbone when our hips meet.

"Fuck, I'm sorry…I just didn't expect…"

"Don't be," I grin tugging his shirt awkwardly up, getting it tangled under his arms.

Sitting up he tugs it over his head before dropping to the hem of my oversized sleep shirt, the question in his eyes. I nod lifting my hips to allow the beginning of the process before sitting up, lips finding his again seconds after the material leave my body.

"I got you…" he trails off as his eyes sweep down my body. "Do you usually…"

"Sleep in just a tee? Yes."

"I'm a fucking idiot," he murmurs, sliding down my body. "A complete and through idiot."

Draping my legs over his shoulders, his head dips running a flat tongue up my slit and I arch up. His hands hold me open as he sucks and licks at me like a man having his first meal in years.

"Fuck," I groan and he growls into me. "Jesus," I pant as the vibrations do things to my insides I had only read about. My fingers wind through his hair, holding it back from his face while he works me over. By the time he slides two thick fingers inside I am shaking with a full body orgasm, his name falling from my lips like a chant.

"I could so get used to hearing that on a daily basis," he grins up at me.

"If you get those pants off, you might be able to hear it again today."

He's on his feet, his hands working the button fly of his jeans before I finish speaking pulling a giggle from me. It dies as his cock springs free, standing tall amongst the dark nest there.

"Like what you see," he grins and I nod dumbly.

Sinking to his knees between my thighs, he runs a warm hand up my torso as the other strokes himself slowly. "It's all yours, just say the word."

Reaching out I wrap a hand around him, pumping along with him causing his eyes to drift shut momentarily. When they open again, I meet them squarely. "Word."

"Thank God," he whispers aligning himself with my entrance, he pauses long enough to drape my knees over his hips. He pushes forward slowly, his forehead dropping to mine, breathing out a held breath and I groan as he finally is fully sheathed. "God you feel amazing already."

My arms drape over his shoulders as his hips begin to move slowly against me. His lips never stopping as he tries to taste every available piece of skin he can reach. His breath hitching every time my hips buck in response to him stroking my spot.

"Feels like you were fucking made for me," he moans against my skin. He sucks a mark at the base of my throat. "Feeling like a dream come to life. So fucking beautiful all arched and needy," he groans, rolling his hips to hit deeper with every stroke. "But I think you need more." Dropping lower, he takes one nipple into his mouth sucking and flicking his tongue over the nub.

"Fuck," I shudder, my body clenching.

His breath grows more and more ragged as his teeth scrap lightly over one taut peak of my nipple then the other. Using his hair to pull his face back to mine "Let go, Bo. I'm so fucking close."

"Yeah," he grunts.

"Yes. Fuck," I moan as his hips speed up. "Yes. Yes. Yes. God fucking yes." I am practically clinging to him as he slams into me. The coil in my stomach tightening with every stroke. Finally it snaps, my body trembling with the release. "Bo," I groan, leaving my own mark at the junction of his neck and shoulder.

"Fuck Gem…" The end of my name is lost in a strangled grunt, his hips snapping into my one last time. "I love you," he pants, capturing my lips.

"I love you," I grin as he flops beside me, tucking me into his side. "Unfortunately for you, that means you're stuck with me now."

"Oh no, whatever shall I do," he grins.

"Well I have this room for one more night," I return the grin. "You could take a nap then fuck me again to your heart's desire."

"Good plan," he sighs pulling the sheet over us.