The Hazards of a One Night Stand

by Ivy, Alyssa Rose

  “Out back?” He gestured toward the back of the house.

  “Sure.”

  We got some questioning looks as we headed outside.

  Tanner opened the door, and I walked out, carefully taking a seat on an old chair.

  Tanner pulled up a chair next to me. “Listen. First, I just want to say I really like you. I was attracted to you as soon as I met you, and I do really think we work well together and should give it another shot.”

  “Tanner—”

  “I’m guessing by the look on your face, you already heard. But please give me a chance to explain first.”

  “There’s no need to explain.”

  “There is. I shouldn’t have taken Kim home. I know we were taking a break, but after telling you how I don’t randomly have sex with girls, my actions make me look like a total hypocrite. I’m sorry, and I hope we can move past this. She was just in town for a few days for work, and it happened.”

  “Tanner. I don’t care what you did.”

  “You have to care. Don’t play this down. I don’t want you holding in these feelings and then taking it out on me after we’ve been dating six months or something. I’d rather you just yelled at me now.”

  “I had sex with someone too.” Honesty was easier than I expected.

  “You what?” His eyes widened and his whole body tensed.

  “There’s no reason either of us shouldn’t be seeing other people. We went out a few times. That’s it.”

  “Who did you have sex with?” He leaned forward. “I heard you were at that pool party last night.”

  “I was, but who I slept with is none of your business.”

  “Of course it is. And it was Colt, wasn’t it? You aren’t over him.” He sneered.

  Something snapped in me. I was done playing games. I was done with it all. “Yes. Okay. I had sex with Colt last night. And you know what? I enjoyed it.” I stood up, but Tanner grabbed my arm before I could walk away.

  “Maybe you’d enjoy sex with me too. Ever think of that? You haven’t exactly given me the chance.”

  “You just slept with someone else last night. Don’t pretend you’re even interested in me anymore. The other girl left so now you want me again.”

  “There’s no again about it. It hasn’t stopped.” He leaned his head back.

  “We both slept with other people. Let’s accept that and move on. Friends?” I didn’t really want to be friends with him, but I knew there would be no avoiding each other for the rest of the year.

  He looked at me and smiled. “This is perfect. We both slipped up, so they can cancel each other out. Let’s wipe the slate clean.”

  “Wipe the slate clean?”

  “Yeah. We can go back to how things were. Let’s go out. Start fresh right now.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Tanner?” Aaron leaned out the back door. “Reed just called the pledges over to talk to them about something. Just a heads up.”

  Tanner turned around to look at him. “Do you know what it’s about?”

  “No, but I think Mallory does. It sounds like my girlfriend is involved too.”

  “That’s what we get for dating the crazy ones, huh?” Tanner laughed.

  “We’re not crazy, and you’re not dating me.” I started toward the back door.

  “Wow. Trouble in paradise again?” Aaron asked.

  “There was never a paradise.” I stormed back inside just in time to watch a group of pledges walk in. The group included Colt.

  His eyes lit up when he saw me. I wanted to run to him, but I couldn’t. Throwing it in Tanner’s face would just make pledging hell for him.

  “Mallory, wait up!” Tanner caught up with me at the front door.

  “What?”

  “We’re not done talking, are we? You never answered my question.”

  “What question?”

  “Want to go somewhere? Get a drink or something?”

  “No, thanks.” I spoke quietly, trying not to make a bigger scene than I had to.

  “Why? You’d rather just go around fucking a pledge behind my back?”

  No freaking way. He had not just gone there.

  “First of all, it wasn’t behind your back. And second of all, I can have sex with whoever the hell I want. And he’s not just a pledge, he has a name.”

  By this point, all of the pledges had arrived and were staring at us. Some were laughing but more were looking around at each other.

  “Yes. Here we go. Might as well just shout it from the roof tops. I’ve had sex with Colt. Not just once either. And you know what? I’m hoping it happens again.”

  I heard clapping and glanced at the stairs. Juliet and Cara walked down.

  Oh jeez.

  “I guess we’re going public then, huh?” Colt grinned.

  “Hell, I might as well save Reed from asking this himself. Any of you guys know how to break into video security systems?”

  “Yeah, but why?” a pledge I was pretty sure was named Tom asked.

  “I need to get the video footage of Colt and I from the garage at the pool party.”

  “Footage?” Colt stepped toward me. “Why is there footage?”

  “Oh yeah. I didn’t get a chance to share the great news. Morgan’s dad has his garage under video surveillance.”

  All color drained from Colt’s face. “So everything we did last night was recorded?”

  I tuned out the hollers of the other guys. “Yup. But on a good note, I think we probably put on one heck of a show.”

  Juliet about fell over laughing. I must have lost my mind.

  “You’re Tom, right?” The pledge who’d volunteered nodded. “Will you help?”

  “Ah, sure. But does that mean I get to watch this video?”

  “Not a chance.” Colt shot him a warning glance. “That is unless Mallory feels like sharing it.”

  I nudged him.

  “This is insanity.” Tanner groaned. “Not only did you hook up with a pledge, but you also got yourself caught on camera?”

  “Yeah… I’m a piece of work, huh?”

  Colton grinned. “You are. But you’re my piece of work, aren’t you?”

  “I guess I am.” I took his hand.

  “What do you need to break into the system, Tom?”

  “Just my computer to start.”

  I nodded. “Do you need time to plan this?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then we’ll be back later.” I pulled on Colt’s hand.

  “Where are we going?” Colt gave me a questioning look.

  “To your dorm.”

  “We’re going there because…” He grinned.

  “We went public. I think I should at least get sex out of the deal.”

  “I think I might be able to help you there.”

  I led him out of the house. “I’d hope so.”

  ***

  “Are you trying to kick me out again?” Joe asked.

  “Yes. I need Colt, preferably naked, and I don’t think you really want to stay around and watch.” Had those words just come out? I was seriously out of my mind. It was like I was on a high.

  “Well, if you’re going to be naked too, I wouldn’t mind.”

  “I mind. Get out.” I pointed to the door. I’d been right about the perv part.

  “Okay, okay.” He grabbed his laptop and walked out. “You owe me, Colt.”

  “I know I do, but right now I don’t care.” He smirked.

  “I don’t blame you.” Joe arched an eyebrow, watching me as I closed the door in his face. I locked it.

  “That was pretty intense. You really want me that bad?” Colt stepped toward me.

  “Hmm, it might be better to show you.” I pushed Colt back down on his bed before pulling off my tank top. He watched me with an amused expression as I slid off my skirt.

  “I swear you get hotter every time I see you.” He reached toward me, pulling me onto his lap.

  I happily straddled him, pulling off his t-shirt. �
��I’m glad you think so.”

  “I know so.” He unhooked my bra and tossed it aside. His hands were cold on my breasts, but I didn’t mind. I needed him touching me.

  “I don’t know what made you finally decide to go public, but I like it.” He grinned.

  “I’m done hiding. I’m done pretending. The only time I even like myself is when I’m with you.”

  “Then you just need to be with me more.” He moved me so I was lying down on his bed. He quickly pulled off his pants and boxers and lay down next to me.

  “I do. But I also need to be that person even when I’m not with you.”

  “Where did all this wisdom finally come from?”

  I kissed his shoulder. “Promise not to laugh?”

  He hooked a finger on the side of my panties. “I’m not laughing.”

  “Tanner told me he hooked up with another girl.”

  “That made you want me?”

  “I didn’t care that he did, but then I pictured it was you telling me the news. That made my stomach turn.”

  “I’d hate hearing you were with anyone else. It was hard enough watching you with Jack before. Now that I know how amazing you are, it would be much worse.”

  I rested my head against his chest. “I don’t want to be with anyone else. I want you. I really don’t care what anyone else thinks, and right this second, there is only one thing I want.”

  “And what’s that?” He gave me a teasing look, slowly pulling down my panties.

  “You.”

  “Hmm. I don’t know if I can arrange that.” He trailed kisses down my body.

  “Yes, you can. That’s kind of your job as my boyfriend.”

  “Boyfriend? Wow, are you sure you didn’t hit your head?”

  I moaned, responding to the sensation of his lips against my skin. “Don’t you want me as your girlfriend?”

  “I’ve considered you my girlfriend this whole time. You’re the one so concerned with terminology.”

  “Well, then, boyfriend of mine. I hope you’re going to start clearing more time in your schedule.”

  “I’d clear it all for you.” His eyes locked on mine, and I knew we weren’t just talking about sex. Colt was right from the beginning. Sex and friendship was completely different from a relationship.

  “I think I’m ready for you to give me what I asked for.”

  “I know you’re ready, but the question is whether I am.”

  I grabbed him, stroking him gently. “I’d say you’re ready.”

  He got up and grabbed a condom from his desk.

  I waited impatiently for his return, feeling surprisingly comfortable in his dorm issued bed.

  “You look really good in my sheets, pumpkin.” He hovered above me.

  “Do I? Then why are you still so far away?”

  “Far away, huh? Are you getting impatient? Normally, I’d think lack of sex would build up your appetite, but apparently when you get a little, you want a lot.”

  “Are you trying to make me feel bad?”

  “No. I like it. I also happen to like this feeling of power I have right now.”

  “Power?” I tried not to whimper I wanted him so bad. He looked so good, and I was beyond ready for him.

  “Yeah. You’d probably do anything to get me right now.”

  “Oh, is that it? You’re on a power trip?”

  He grinned.

  “Colt, you’ve got about five seconds to get to work before I’m out of here.”

  “Are you threatening to leave?”

  “Yes.” I had no intention of following through with it.

  “I really don’t like leaving you waiting.” He thrust into me. “Especially when you’re so good at welcoming me back.”

  I wrapped my legs around him, keeping him close. He correctly deduced I wanted it hard and fast. I could barely contain myself as he moved.

  Right before I reached the edge, he rolled us over so I was on top. I happily took over. I was in that position when the door burst open. We’d been so in the moment that I’d missed the sound of the key turning.

  “Damn it, asshole,” Colt hissed as I tried to cover myself.

  “Sorry, I forgot something.” Joe grabbed something off his desk and left.

  I rolled off Colt and hid under his covers. It was like a splash of cold water. What was I doing? Was I really ready for an actual relationship with Colt? The doubt set in again. I thought about my dad’s warning which only put me less in the mood.

  “Where were we?” Colt slipped under the covers next to me.

  “Nowhere.” I rolled over.

  “Uh uh. No way. You can’t go from being on fire like that to icing me out.”

  “You can thank your roommate for that.”

  “I’m sorry. I’ll make sure to barricade the door next time.” He put a hand on my shoulder. “Come back over here.”

  “I’m not in the mood.” All the fear was back. I’d been on such a high, could I really be right back where I started again?

  “I can fix that.” His lips went to my neck and then moved down. I rolled over, giving him access to my body.

  Within moments, I was right back where we were before the interruption. Colt had this uncanny ability to relax me. He was also impossible to resist. “I’m getting back on top.”

  “Be my guest.” He smiled, happily rolling onto his back and easing me down onto him. “I happen to love this view.” He rested his hands on my hips, moving me. I leaned my head back. I was so free with him, so willing to try new things. He brought out a side in me I didn’t know I had.

  I yelled out and he held onto me tighter. He released, and I fell down on top of him.

  He stroked my back. “And to think you were worried I had a small dick.”

  I laughed. “Yeah, I kind of assumed some things ran in the family.”

  “Wait. Are you trying to tell me Jack…”

  “Yeah. Don’t tell him I said anything, but I kind of assumed that’s just how it was.”

  Colt laughed. “He was always such an ass to me when you guys were together.”

  “He knew how I felt about you. I get that now.”

  “Really? So you’re admitting you liked me before?”

  “Oh yeah. I had such a crush on you.” I left tiny kisses on his chest.

  “But Jack was older.”

  “And he asked me out. You didn’t.”

  “Because I didn’t think I’d have a chance.” He kissed my shoulder.

  “Think of all the drama we could have avoided if you’d just gotten up the nerve.”

  “Like you would have said yes.”

  “I would have.”

  “So all this crazy no younger guys stuff is since college?”

  “Since Jack.”

  “Okay…”

  “He dumped me because I wasn’t good enough. I needed to feel good enough.”

  “Because good enough and dating a guy a few months younger have something to do with each other? And besides…” He stopped.

  “Besides what?”

  He shook his head. “Never mind.”

  “No. Tell me.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Colton.” I pushed his arms and rolled over so I could look at him. “Tell me.”

  “No. I’m not ruining this. I’m not ruining tonight.”

  “Why’s it going to ruin anything?”

  “Because it will.”

  “Not telling me will ruin it too.”

  He nodded as though he was thinking to himself. “How about this?”

  “What?”

  “I’ll tell you next weekend if you still want to know.”

  “What’s next weekend?”

  “Fall Fest.”

  I sighed. “Oh. Can’t we skip that?” Colton and I were finally making a go of things, and going home could ruin it. Jack hadn’t come home for the town festival the last few years, but what if he decided to? How could I face him? Would it be awkward for Colt?

  “
No. We have to go. My family is expecting me. Yours is too.”

  “You can go without me.” It would be easier for everyone.

  He gently rubbed my back. “No, I can’t. You’re my ride.”

  “You can just take my truck.”

  “Nope. We’re going together. I always dreamed of going to Fall Fest with you on my arm.”

  I nudged him. “You’re full of it.”

  “It’s going to be good for us. Just trust me on this.”

  “Fine. I’ll go.”

  “Good. Now how tired are you?”

  “Not very.” Colt had done an amazing job waking me up.

  “Even better.”

  “What are you thinking?” I asked even though I had a pretty good idea about it.

  “Give me a second.” He pushed a bookshelf in front of the door. His completely naked body was a sight to watch. He looked so damn good.

  I was out of bed before I knew what I was doing. I put my arms around his neck and he picked me up. I wrapped my legs around his waist.

  “Missed me that much?” He leaned his forehead against mine.

  “Yeah. Kind of sad, huh?”

  “Kind of awesome.” He carried me over to the bed and lay me down. “But you don’t have to miss me anymore tonight.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  “What’s Fall Fest exactly?” Juliet asked as she sat cross legged on my bed.

  “Just this small town festival.”

  “Oh my god. It’s like the Harvest Festival on Gilmore Girls!” Cara said excitedly. She was so obsessed with watching reruns of that show.

  “Yeah, sort of.”

  “We’re coming!” Juliet stood up. “I’ll call Reed.”

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Who said anything about that?” Taking my friends home to Gasden? Not exactly. And their boyfriends? Forget it.

  “Come on. It’ll be fun. I could use the break.” Juliet grinned. “Besides, I want to watch you prancing around your town with your new boy toy.”

  “Prancing? Boy toy? You girls are insane.”

  “We’re coming whether you like it or not.”

  “My house isn’t that big.” We had a study that doubled as a guestroom, but that wasn’t going to house four people.

  “The guys can stay at Colt’s house, or we could get a hotel.”

  “A hotel? Do you realize how small Gasden is?”

  “You have to have a hotel.”

  “We do have an inn, but I promise it’s booked for Fall Fest.”