One Night Stand

by J. S. Cooper

  “Aiden and I wanted to make sure that you and Alice were okay.”

  “What?” I frowned, even more pissed now. “We’re not kids.”

  “Well you both act like kids.” Xander’s body was touching mine now and I shivered. “We wanted to make sure those two dresses didn’t get you both into trouble and it looks like we arrived just in time.”

  “Whatever.” I said and looked around. “Where’s Aiden?”

  “Gone to make sure Alice is okay with Hulk Hogan’s cousin.” He winked at me and I couldn’t stop myself from laughing.

  “You’re stupid.”

  “Is that any way to thank your savior?”

  “My what?” I scoffed as I licked my suddenly dry lips.

  “Your savior.” He grinned and moved forward so that his lips were resting gently against mine. “Do I get a kiss as a thank you?”

  “No, you do not.” I swallowed hard, but didn’t move back. I felt the tip of his tongue licking my lips and my whole body trembled at his touch.

  “Please.” He said, his eyes daring me to kiss him back as he pushed the tip of his tongue into my open mouth slightly.

  “No.” I shook my head and my lips closed on his tongue for a few seconds and sucked.

  “There you guys are.” Aiden and Alice approached us and I jumped back from Xander quickly. “It’s time for us to go.”

  “What?” Both Alice and I looked at him in shock.

  “It’s time to go.” Aiden looked mad, madder than I’d ever seen him before. I looked at Alice’s face and she looked pissed off. I stared at them for a second and I wondered if their relationship was over before it even started. That would serve Aiden right. He was acting like a real idiot. I was used to his imperialist nature, but I knew Alice was getting her first real glimpse of it and was likely not appreciating it.

  “Aiden, we’re not leaving.” I shouted at him, letting him bear the brunt of my anger. “You two shouldn’t have come here.”

  “We wanted to make sure you were both okay.” He looked over at Alice and frowned as she smiled at some guy that was dancing next to her. “Two single girls have to be careful these days.”

  “We know how to take care of ourselves.” I sighed and then looked at Xander. “Where’s Gabby?”

  “She’s with Henry.” His eyes bore into mine. “Do you wish she was here instead?”

  “No do you?”

  “No.” He said simply and my heart thudded away dangerously as I gazed into his eyes. What was it about this man that he could pierce my heart and soul with a glance and leave me aching with want and need at just one touch.

  “Please leave.” I said softly. “This night is for Alice and me. I don’t want this headache, Xander.” I rubbed my forehead as the beginning of a headache was about to set in. “I can’t have you showing up like this. It isn’t fair to me.”

  “Just one dance.” He said, his eyes never leaving mine.

  “What?”

  “One dance and I’ll leave and take Aiden with me.”

  “Why do you want a dance?”

  “Who wouldn’t want a dance from a sexy siren like you?” He winked at me.

  “I’m not a siren.” I shook my head with a blush.

  “When you dance, I couldn’t stop myself from looking at you. I think that makes you a siren.” He pulled me towards him. “Dance with me, Liv.”

  “What about Aiden and Alice?” I nodded towards them next to us and he shrugged.

  “What about them?”

  “Fine, one dance.” I sighed. “Don’t try any funny stuff.”

  “What funny stuff would I try?” He looked at me innocently and I laughed.

  “Don’t try and slip your hands up under my skirt.” I whispered in his ear and he laughed and pulled me closer to him.

  “I can’t make any promises.” His arms went around my waist and we started dancing together. It felt nice and warm and oh so dangerous as his hands moved up and down my back and ass, until they settled on my lower back. We danced in silence, our bodies moving together in harmony as if we’d danced a million different times to a million different songs. His body against mine felt like home and I allowed myself to relax into him, I put my arms around his neck and rested my head on his shoulder. We moved slowly as if at a ball; our dance was totally out of place in the packed club, but neither of us cared. We were surrounded by people, but in that moment there was only us. I was surprised that he didn’t try to touch me sexually again. His hands remained where they were and his lips never ventured towards mine. I could feel his heart beating in his chest, steady and solid, reminding me that he was only a man; just like me. I pulled back slightly and looked into his face to see if I could figure out what he was thinking. He stared back at me with intense eyes, no smile on his face. We just studied each other as we moved, as if we were trying to remember every single detail of each other’s face. I felt as if he were my husband going off to war and this was the last dance we were promised before he shipped out. We stared at each other, just taking each other in. It felt like it was the first time we were actually seeing each other. It was the first time we were in each other’s presence without fucking or arguing. This moment was for us. For the people we could have been in different circumstances. In different circumstances, this moment could have felt magical, but instead it was tarred. It was tarred by the fact that we weren’t just two strangers getting to know each other. We were already tied together, in ways that we’d never be able to erase or forget. We were each other’s dirty little secret and as I continued to stare at him, I felt a wave of crimson shame ripple through me. What was I doing dancing with this man I could never have? How many times was I going to put myself through this?

  “The dance is over.” I stepped back and gave him a short smile. “You should leave now.”

  “What if I don’t want it to be over?” He said as he gave me the most drop-dead smile I’d ever seen on his face.

  “Then I’d say I’m sorry.” I shrugged and hurried over to Alice before he could stop me. I pushed my way through the crowds and grabbed her arm. “Let’s get a drink.”

  “I was wondering where you disappeared to.” She said and sighed. I saw that Aiden was standing there with a disapproving look on his face and I knew that their conversation hadn’t gone well.

  “What happened with Aiden?” I said as we made it to the bar, where it was quieter.

  “He told me that he was disappointed in me. And that I hadn’t shown common sense by dancing with a man that looked like he could bench-press three hundred pounds.” She made a face.

  “What?”

  “He said there was no way I’d have been able to beat the guy off if he tried something with me and I tried to say no.”

  “Are you joking?” I groaned and rolled my eyes. “I swear Aiden is an idiot.”

  “I just don’t know why he has to be so rude to me.” Alice made a face. “It’s like he thinks I’m ten.”

  “It’s not just you, Alice. Trust me.” I shook my head. “What do you want to drink? They’re on me.”

  “Let’s get another round of Vodka and cokes and you can choose the shots.”

  “Let’s get some blowjobs.” I laughed and signaled to the bartender. “My friend and I want two vodka’s and cokes and two blowjob shots please.”

  “Coming right up.” He grinned. “I wouldn’t mind a blowjob as well.”

  “I’m sure you wouldn’t.” I flirted with him and he stopped and leaned forward.

  “How’s about I give you the shots for free.”

  “That sounds good to me.” I grinned and licked my lips.

  “All you have to do is stand on the bar and dance a little as you down it.”

  “I think I can do that.” I nodded in agreement. “And so can my friend.”

  “Okay great.” He laughed. “Come round to the side and I’ll lift you both up.”

  “Okay.” I nodded. “Come on Alice, we can get free drinks if we dance on top of the bar.�
�

  “Are you sure?” She asked me skeptically and I nodded.

  “I’m sure.” I grabbed her hand. “Let’s go and show Xander and Aiden what they’re missing.”

  We walked around to the side of the bar quickly and the hot bartender helped us up the bar. I looked out at the crowds of people and for a second I thought about getting back down. I wasn’t so sure this was a good idea, but then Alice grabbed my hands and started dancing and so I went along with her.

  “Here are your shots girls.” He handed us the glasses. “No I want to see you drinking them as if they were really blowjobs.”

  “Okay then.” We both laughed and grabbed the glasses. I closed my eyes and sucked on the glass and downed the drink quickly and then started swaying back and forth. I could hear some guys whistling and hollering at us and I moved my hips in a more pronounced manner so that I could give them a show. Before I knew what was happening, I felt a pair of strong arms around me and pulling me off of the bar top. I opened my eyes and saw Xander’s fuming face in front of me.

  “You are determined to make me blow up tonight, aren’t you?” He growled as he set me down on the ground.

  “I didn’t ask you to do that.”

  “You looked like you were about to fall, Liv. What were you thinking?”

  “What are you talking about? We just got two free shots for—”

  “Dancing on top of the bar like some hooker.” He cut me off and I saw him shaking his head. I looked behind me and noticed that Aiden had picked Alice off of the bar and seemed to be giving her a similar lecture.

  “I’m not a hooker.”

  “Come with me.” He lifted me up again and carried me through the crowds and outside of the club. “What are you doing Liv?”

  “What do you mean what am I doing?”

  “Why are you teasing me?” He ground out and leaned forward and kissed me roughly, his lips brushing against mine as his fingers ran through my waves and brought my head towards him.

  “I’m not.” I mumbled as I kissed him back. He tasted and smelled like lazy sex on a Sunday afternoon and I ran my hands through his hair and held onto him for dear life as he sucked all the air out of me.

  “I want you so badly.” He groaned as his hands fell to my ass and he cupped my butt cheeks. “I want to fuck you right here, right now, in front of everyone.” He muttered as he sucked on my lower lip. “I want everyone to know that you’re mine and that I’m the only one whose hands and cock will be getting under that short skirt tonight.”

  “Xander.” I moaned, turned on by his guttural talk. My hands flew to the front of his pants and squeezed his already hard cock. I was about to unzip his pants, when something inside of me snapped and I took a step back and pushed him off of me. “No, stop.” I gasped, wiping my lips in haste. “We can’t do this.”

  “What?” He groaned, his eyes dark with desire.

  “You can’t keep playing hot and cold with me and I can’t keep letting you. I don’t know what’s going on, but the fact of the matter is, I’m not your plaything. I’m not going to fuck you whenever you want me to. We hooked up last week and you regretted it so much that you proposed to my sister. Well, you know what Xander, you can go and fuck her. I’m done. I’m over this. You can just leave me alone, okay.”

  He looked shocked at my outburst. It was as if he finally understood that I was not cool with this whole sordid mess. It was as if his cock had just figured out that he couldn’t just play around inside of me whenever he wanted. I was not going to be that girl. Not with him. He was about to say something when Aiden and Alice came out of the bar.

  “There you are.” Alice ran over to me and she looked furious.

  “Everything okay?” I asked her quietly.

  “Your brother is an asshole. End of story.” She muttered and looked away.

  “You guys need to leave now.” I said loudly and glared at them both. “And when I say now, I mean that if you aren’t gone from this street in thirty seconds or less I will scream so loud that the police will come running and arrest you both.”

  “Liv.” Aiden started to say something and then stopped himself. “I’m sorry.” He sighed and I just shook my head.

  “It’s too little too late.” I took a deep breath and looked at Xander as I spoke. “You can’t treat me like this anymore. I’m not going to take it. Just go home and leave us well alone.” I turned around and grabbed Alice’s arm and we walked back into the club, both of us knowing that our fun girls night out had already been ruined, but neither one of us wanting to admit it and go back home.

  Chapter Nine

  “Welcome home.” Scott opened the front door as we arrived back at the house few hours later.

  “Yeah thanks.” I muttered and brushed past him, not in the mood for small talk.

  “I’m going to hop in the shower, is that okay, Liv?” Alice asked me softly and I nodded.

  “Yeah, I’m going to grab some water and go out to the rocking chair in the back yard. I’ll be up in a bit.”

  “Okay.” She nodded and I watched as Scott escorted her down the hallway. I sighed and then walked to the kitchen and looked through the fridge for some food. I grabbed a bottle of water and some string cheese and headed out to the backyard to rock my bad mood away. The sky was beautiful tonight, almost majestic in its’ deep velvety blackness. I stared at the twinkling stars and sat back, enjoying the cool breeze that caressed my face.

  “So you made it home safely, I see.” Xander’s deep voice interrupted my thoughts and I groaned out loud.

  “You, again.” I turned to look at him and almost groaned again. He was bare chested again and just wearing his boxers. “What do you want?”

  “I wanted to apologize.” He stood next to me. “I’m sorry about tonight.”

  “It’s fine.” I shrugged and looked away from him.

  “Can we go and sit on the grass?” He asked softly. “I feel weird standing while you’re sitting.”

  “I don’t want to sit in the grass.” I said petulantly.

  “I’d like to have a talk with you, Liv and I’d rather we both be in a comfortable position.”

  “Fine.” I jumped up. “I have to go in and get a blanket then. I can’t sit on the grass in this dress.”

  “I brought one with me.” He held it out in front of him. “Just in case you were out here.”

  “You were waiting up for me?”

  “Yes.” He nodded. “I felt like we needed to talk.”

  “Okay then.”

  “First, I want to apologize again for Aiden and I just showing up at the club. I know that was a bit of a crazy thing to do.”

  “Yeah, just a bit.” I said sarcastically and watched as he lay the blanket down on the grass. Then we both sat down and got comfortable.

  “It was a shock for me, you know, seeing you here.” He said, abruptly changing the subject and I looked down at my legs. He thought he’d had a shock? What about me?

  “Yeah well, I wasn’t exactly over the moon to hear the news either.”

  “It’s your fault that we’re even in this position.” He grabbed my hands. “Look at me, Liv.”

  “It’s my fault?” My voice rose. “Is that supposed to be a joke?”

  “You left me and when I woke up and you were gone, I felt empty, lonely and sad.” He sighed as his fingers played with mine. “I’ve never felt that way before.”

  “What do you mean I left you? I’ve never left you.”

  “Last weekend.” He made a face. “We made love all night in the hotel and when I woke up you were gone. No note, no number. I didn’t even have your name. And I was upset. I wanted to spend the day with you. I wanted to get to know you.”

  “So you proposed to my sister because you were upset that I hit it and quit it?” I bit my lower lip to stop myself from laughing. I wasn’t sure why I had said ‘hit it and quit it’, but it made me want to laugh.

  “Did you just say ‘hit it and quit it’?” Xander’s eyes
were laughing at me.

  “Yes.” I nodded and smiled. “I’m not sure why I said that.”

  “Maybe because it’s true.” He grinned. “That is what you did, well technically I hit it, but you were the one to quit it.”

  “Xander.” I raised an eyebrow at him and sat back. “You can continue with what you were saying.”

  “Sorry, I got distracted.” He licked his lips. “I was just remembering how deep and hard I was hitting it. I was hitting all the right spots, wasn’t I?”

  “Xander.” I blushed, not wanting to tell him that he had hit spots I didn’t even know existed before.

  “Sorry.” He chuckled. “It’s hard to forget the best sex of your life.”

  “I was the best sex of your life.”

  “Yes.” He had a devilish look on his face as his thumb traced up and down my wrist and palm. “And I think that’s why it hit me so hard when you weren’t there that morning, no pun intended. I,” he paused and gazed into my eyes. “I was angry, Liv. I was angry that the first time I ever felt something the morning after a night of passion was the first time a woman had hurt me. I reacted rashly. It’s hard to realize that meaningless one night stands don’t always stay meaningless.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean that you were something different. What we had...that spark in the church and then in the hotel, well it was special. It made me feel different, weird, I don’t even know how to explain it. I didn’t like that feeling. I still don’t like that feeling. I don’t like being here with you and feeling like I’m flying. I don’t like touching you and feeling like we’re connected. I don’t like looking at you and feeling like smiling. I’m not that kind of guy. I don’t want these feelings. I’ve treated you poorly and for the first time in my life I’m ashamed of my actions. I’m ashamed of making you feel like a piece of meat. Because for the first time in my life, I realize that sex and women aren’t just there for my pleasure. You’ve made me feel that and I don’t know how to feel about that.”

  “What are you saying Xander?” I breathed out, my heart racing fast. I’m going to be honest now and admit that I thought he was going to tell me he loved me. I know, I’m crazy, he barely knew me and yet, I wanted him to tell me he loved me. And if I’m even more honest, I wanted him to propose to me. I wanted him to say that he needed me so badly that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. I even half thought that was coming.