Manhattan - Donovan Residence
The top three floors of a five floor mansion on Fifth Avenue, the Donovan home is quite large. The outer walls are a beautiful white limestone with a wrought-iron gate blocking the entrance. The home has eleven large rooms and has wonderful details throughout including the original staircase, elevator to all floors, 11-foot high ceilings, hardwood floors, three wood burning fireplaces, a solarium with skylight and a great south facing terrace. There is a grand foyer on the main floor, a beautiful living room with three large windows overlooking Central Park. Other rooms include a formal dining room, powder room, a service kitchen and a staff room and bath. The next floor is the sleeping floor with 4 bedrooms and baths, including a spa like master bath. On the top floor there is a wonderful den that opens into a windowed eat in chef's kitchen that over looks the 400-square foot south facing terrace with views of the Empire State Building, a powder room and a solarium also looks out to the terrace. There are also two large storage rooms.
Characters
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| Preston Van de Mark | Cooper Montgomery | Ariel Johnson-Lowell | Jenna Donovan | Chance Harper |
Jenna blinks at Cooper, but doesn't say anything. She sets her share of the plates on the table and fishes out her primavera. Putting a small portion on the plate, she adds the salad as well, then sits down on the floor in front of Chance. Her plate stays on the coffee table, and she pulls herself up to it.
"You could have. I doubt they'd be any worse than boudoir shots, or some of the pictures I've got in my portfolio." Yes, she does have a fully clothed back end shot or two in her portfolio, because sometimes directors ask for them for certain roles. It's ridiculous, but it's the way the industry works.
"I have fun with Chance on vacation. I realized that when he took me to Disney World. I can relax a little more and not worry about entertainment writers, or UES paparazzi."
~*~
"The only thing that's sacred is my secret training regimen for dancing." Cooper goes to the bar, retrieves the bottle of wine and fills up Jenna's glass before topping off Ariel's.
"That, and the tantric sex. I do hold the tantric sex pretty sacred." Winking at Preston, he grabs his container of food. Rather than wasting a plate, he takes a fork and eats it right out of the container.
~*~
I should take you on vacation more often is what you're saying?" Chance follows Cooper's example. He doesn't need the plate, although he will use the flatware despite the ladies' discussion in the kitchen.
Chance dips his head and kisses the side of Jenna's neck. "I like your boudoir shots." He settles back then to delve into his food.
~*~
"Sometimes, staying in your comfort zone is good too," Ariel murmurs quietly, under her breath, as she adds food to her plate.
She doesn't look up from her plate until Chance speaks. "You have boudoir shots?"
~*~
"You hold sex sacred," Preston snorts, seating himself on the floor beside Ariel.
Beat.
"I think we should take vacation more often. Make it an annual group thing. Go to Vegas, or rent a beach house somewhere, or take a private cruise."
Beat.
"Get Jenna to let her hair down and crawl across tables and make my boyfriend horny."
~*~
"Well, we're going to Texas this summer sometime… even if it's just for a few days. Plus, with any luck we can head out to the Hamptons for Christian's birthday like usual. Depending on the tour schedule, I think." Jenna isn't even going to think for a second that Siobhan won't be back in time for her brother's birthday.
"I know you like the boudoir shots. That's what lead to the whole Christmas tree thing," she replies blushing deeply at that.
"It wasn't your boyfriend I was trying to turn on, Pres, but I think making it an annual group thing could be fun."
Beat.
"Oh! I still have two weeks in London this summer too! The West End…" How she forgot one of the best birthday presents ever, she'll never know. That's three big vacations (or well, smaller ones, but still) for the summer.
~*~
"Okay, fine. I hold sex sacred. I like sex. But trust me on the tantric sex thing, Pres. It's a hell of a lot more sacred than regular sex. Far more intimate too."
Cooper looks over at Jenna, his brow cocked up on one side. "My, my, my, Little Miss Broadway, you are full of surprises, aren't you?"
~*~
"Is there that much time in the summer?" Chance teases.
He leans in and nips at her neck. "It worked. The making horny part." He really did enjoy seeing that side of Jenna. It's not an everyday thing, and he's glad of it, but he liked it.
Chance peers over at Cooper, and then Preston. "You mean there's something the two of you haven't tried?"
~*~
Ariel lapses back into silence, quietly eating her food. She doesn't have a lot (anything) to contribute to the conversation; it's not like she's going to be crawling across tables or anything of the sort.
~*~
"There's plenty the two of us haven't tried." Preston drains his glass of scotch and takes a few bites of his food. "Despite what Coop might lead you to believe, we are not living inside our own little extended porno."
"Jenna and I got boudoir shots made for Christmas gifts for our significant others," Preston tells Ariel. He steals a swallow of wine from her glass. "I think they were well received."
Beat.
"I've never said 'no,' about the tantric sex," Preston points out to Cooper. "I simply remained convinced that after midnight when I'm partly drunk probably isn't the best time to try it out."
~*~
"There's going to have to be, because once August comes, I'm going back on stage and then my time will be eaten up." Of course, that's assuming she can get the time off work. Jenna could just quit, but she actually likes working at the restaurant as a hostess.
"Oh, Ariel! You have to come with us next time. The four of us could go. Me, you, Shivvie, and Pres. For fun, we could even get a group shot done up. It's not like we're actually naked or anything, and the place we went to was so tasteful…"
~*~
"That just gives us plenty of things to look forward to," Cooper says, waggling his brows at his boyfriend.
"I wouldn't say no to more boudoir shots, and you know me… I'd likely frame a group picture and hang it above my bed."
Beat.
"Pres, you should go get your own glass of wine if that's what you want, and leave poor Ariel's alone."
~*~
"I'm with Cooper," Chance agrees. "I would not argue with having more sexy pictures of my very sexy girlfriend." He smiles down at Jenna and continues eating. "I do have a few of them framed in my bedroom."
~*~
Ariel blushes a bit and gives her head a shake. "I don't … I mean … what am I going to do with boudoir shots?" It's the honest truth right now. It's not like Preston is going to put them out, and she doesn't think she'd feel comfortable doing something like that anyway.
Beat.
"I don't mind sharing." It's familiar the way Preston is hovering over her and drinking from her glass, and she'll take it right now.
~*~
"Are you talking about the boudoir shots, the tantric sex or the gazillion hours of vacation time that Jenna is proposing?" Preston asks his boyfriend with a grin. He nudges his boyfriend, "We saw an incredible male revue last summer in the Hamptons. Well, Jenna begged off for a date with Chance, but Shiv and I had a good time." There's a teasing lilt to his voice when he talks about Jenna and Chance's date.
"See, she doesn't mind sharing." He teases his fingers over Cooper's thigh, giving his boyfriend a curious look. He's not sure why Cooper protested him drinking from Ariel's glass. "However, I will get my own."
He's halfway to his feet when Ariel says what she does, and it's on the tip of his tongue to say that he'd happily take them. He has to take a moment and think before he actually says exactly what's on his mind.
Licking his lips he says, "I think a photo shoot of you looking beautiful and sexy would be a great boon to your confidence."
~*~
Jenna blushes a little, and eats quietly for a few minutes. "Maybe I'll make it an annual Christmas present. At least one boudoir shot for you every year we're together." Until she becomes too old and ugly to want to bother with anything like that.
Once they have children, maybe she'll just tone it down and do nice mommy-child shots, not the horribly posed ones either.
~*~
"I just think if the poor girl wants a drink, and you've sipped it all, she'll wind up with an empty glass, and a parched throat," Cooper points out.
"As to the other, yes. If Jenna is gone all summer, that means there are plenty of surfaces we can explore." Another brow waggle is given.
"You can give them to me, Mermaid. Or just do them for the fact that they're fun, and it will make you feel sexy. There's nothing wrong with feeling sexy."
~*~
Chance adores it when Jenna blushes. He hopes he can keep making her blush for years to come. "Again, you're getting no objections from me. Sexy pictures under the tree every year? I'm going to be the luckiest man in the world."
He kisses Jenna lightly on the cheek again. Then he shifts his attention to Ariel, studying the witch for several long moments. "You remind me of someone I know. She's beautiful and hot, but you'd have thought she was a twisted scarred mutant with the way she thought about herself. It was like she was blind whenever she looked in the mirror."
The sorcerer nudges his girlfriend, just in case she doesn't know that he's talking about her.
~*~
"You know that just because Jenna is going to be gone a lot doesn't mean the house will be empty," Ariel points out quietly. It's not a chastisement so much as a reminder that she is moving to New York, and more specifically moving in here. She doesn't care where Preston and Cooper have sex - she doesn't have the right to care - and she'll probably make herself scarce when they do.
She pauses with her fork halfway to her mouth, peering at Cooper with genuine surprise. "You'd want them?"
There's a moment and a shrug. "I guess not, but I don't typically feel very sexy." She can't imagine how pouting at a camera while wearing a sexy dress is supposed to make her feel sexy, either. Cooper should know how hard it was for her to get in that mindset, and she certainly can't do it on command.
~*~
Preston returns with his own glass of wine and shoots Cooper a look of mock chastisement. He knows what his boyfriend is going to say. Bumping Cooper's thigh as he retakes his seat, Preston intones. "Don't. Say. It."
He very much wants to tell Ariel exactly how sexy she is when there's something she wants and she's not focused on how she might look or what others might think. However, there's really no way to go there.
He does swipe his hand down her arm and winks at Chance. "Yes, I seem to recall this person too. It was only a year ago that she swore she was Quasimodo compared to the rest of the world?" Wrapping an arm around Ariel's shoulder, he pulls her into his side and grins playfully down at her, "Are you our new Quasimodo?"
~*~
"You mean you're not already?" Jenna can tease along with the rest of them, though hers are always lighter, and not so filled with innuendo.
Leaning against Chance, she whispers, "I still sometimes think that way. It's hard not to when your bestie is drop-dead-model gorgeous, and you always get to be the 'ugly' friend." Yes, there really isn't an 'ugly' friend between the two of them. But there is what most people see and focus on, and that's Siobhan.
"That's true, you guys. Ariel's moving in here soon to go to school, so you better not make a spectacle out of yourself while she's here. Go to Coop's place and make out all over his furniture."
~*~
"Ariel can watch, I don't mind." Cooper says it with such a straight face, that it's hard to tell if he's being serious or not.
"Why wouldn't I want more fantasy fodder, Mermaid? A sweetly innocent, sexy girl like you? It's like having Jenna and Shiv all rolled into one hot little package." Winking at her, he leans over and stage whispers, "Only, much, much better because you're single and you happen to like my boyfriend as much as I do."
Beat.
"And don't say what? I'm behaving."
~*~
"Yes, but your best friend isn't the girl I think is the hottest," Chance reminds her in a whisper as he nuzzles the side of her head. Maybe it's cheesy, but it's how he feels.
"I'm extending the invitation right now. Ariel, if these two drive you nuts, give me a call or a text. If my place is free, you are welcome to come over there and find a safe refuge from the constant testosterone and sex."
~*~
"No, I'm not Quasimodo." Ariel gives Preston a half-hearted elbow in the side. "But you met my roommates. Between them and my sister …" It's hard not to feel like the 'ugly' friend; she's right there with Jenna. If not the other friend, then at least the plain one.
Ariel blushes and stares down at her lap when Cooper suggests watching. It's hard to tell if she's embarrassed because he's being crass, or if she's embarrassed because it's crossed her mind. She's reaching for her glass of wine when the dancer continues and her fingers almost slip. There's a definite spike in her temperature, both from the blush and from the sudden, sharp pang of arousal she feels.
She downs half the glass of wine very quickly.
~*~
"That's what I didn't want you to say," Preston chides Cooper. No telling whether Preston is referring to Ariel watching them, her being a combination of Jenna and Siobhan, or her being into Preston. He grips his boyfriend by the back of the neck and pulls him in for a hard, brief kiss. It ends with a bite to the dancer's lip that matches the one he gave Ariel when he kissed her earlier. "Do I have to shove my tongue down your throat to keep you quiet?"
All things given, it's not a bad way to keep Cooper from running off at the mouth.
Ariel doesn't seem particularly offended, but Preston can't tell how much she's internalizing.
Before he thinks about what's he's doing, Preston strokes his hand down Ariel's back and twists toward her. He drops his head and presses a kiss to the top of her head, giving her a squeeze. "You do know that you're supposed to ignore him when he gets like this, yeah?" It's nothing more than he'd do to Siobhan or Jenna, but there's a fleeting hint of feeling that might be tinged a bit differently.
~*~
Blushing again, Jenna sighs happily. "You're good, Chance. You're really good at getting me not to focus on things that worry me, you know that?" It's not that she's forgotten Siobhan is missing, but she needed this. A group gathering to just be themselves, and her boyfriend just being normal and keeping her from feeling insecure.
"Chance's place is just a few blocks from Juilliard too, so you know, if you have a late night rehearsal you can always go there to wind down before coming home."
~*~
"What? That she's like the two hottest women you know, or that I don't care if she watches me fuck your brains out?" Cooper grins, and melds into the kiss. It's too brief, and he smirks. "Yes. That's exactly what you need to do."
~*~
"I'm only being honest, and having honest conversation with friends," Chance reminds her gently. "Besides, it was Coop's idea for us to have dinner together." It was a good one too. It got Jenna out of the kitchen where she was stressing and worrying, it got Preston out of his bedroom, and it brought Ariel down to spend some time away from the Knight residence, which she probably needed.
"Yes, as long as no one is screwing each other's brain out there, you're always welcome," Chance teases. It'll probably earn him a swat from his girlfriend, but it's worth it.
~*~
"Sounds like there's a lot of that going on around here," Ariel murmurs, taking another sip of her wine. "I should probably get used to locking myself in my room with a good book and a pair of headphones." Given that she doesn't have a real idea of what the status quo is with Preston or what it will be by the time she moves out here, it's not like it's that far fetched of an idea.
~*~
Preston grins smugly at Cooper. He likes the way the older man responds, and likes that he can cause that response in him. "Don't get any ideas and start mouthing off just so that I kiss you."
Preston gives Ariel's waist a squeeze. "You won't have to… we all have restraint and self-control. Even Coop." That's not what he meant to say at all, and he tries to convey that through another faint squeeze where his hand rests at her side.
~*~
"I know you are, and it was a good idea, Cooper. Thank you." Jenna eats a little bit of her salad, and takes a sip of the wine. She knows that they really all needed this, so she's not complaining.
There is a swat to Chance's arm, and a giggle. "Oh, come on! None of us are that bad. With maybe the exception of Cooper. I'd say Shiv and Harper are, but that's only because he's been away at school and she's been on tour, so they have lost time to make up for."
Beat.
"Ear plugs work really good to block out the guys here. That, or a really loud playlist."
~*~
"Who, me? Get ideas? If I wanted you to kiss me, I'd just grab you and do it, sweetie. I've got no qualms making out in front of your friends." They should all know that by now. Cooper is a bit of an exhibitionist-voyeur.
"I can't promise to have restraint. I'm loud, hedonistic, and fuck when I want to. If Pres is going to be restrained all the time, looks like I need to pick up some more KY and magazines."
~*~
"Yes, thank you, Cooper. We all needed this."
Chance mock winces and rubs his arm at Jenna's swat. "Maybe you should stay at my place once Harper is back in town, at least until Shiv goes back on tour and Ariel moves in." The couple is bad when they haven't seen each other for a while, and given the current situation, Chance thinks that they're going to be ten times worse. It's going to be hell of a reunion for the pair of them - because there will be a reunion. They can't afford to think otherwise.
"I think what Preston meant is that we're all going to take care to make sure Ariel doesn't end up feeling like a third or fifth wheel." It's going to be hard on her, coming into a situation surrounded by couples, probably even more so given her crush on Pres.
Beat.
Chance snaps his fingers suddenly and says, "Andy."
Beat.
"A guy from my baseball days. Good looking, really smart. I'm going to introduce you to Andy, Ariel."
~*~
Ariel stares at the sorcerer and shakes her head. "Thanks but … I don't do blind dates well. They tend to go totally Murphy's Law on me. One time my date got back together with his girlfriend, over the phone, over dessert."
Beat.
"So thank you, but no."
~*~
Preston tenses ever so slightly when Chance says that. He lifts his wine glass and takes a drink, just so he can temper his words before blurting out the first thing that comes to mind. "Why don't we wait for her to move out here before trying to fix her up?" Preston tips his glass toward Chance. "Whose to say Ariel won't meet someone on her own?"
~*~
"I should, at least for a day or two." Jenna wants to explain to Ariel that it's the empathic link, but all she says is, "Weird twin bond. I don't need to listen to the two of them, you know?" It is going to be a hell of a reunion. Not only do they have lost time to make up for, but with Shiv and Cooper sleeping together, it'll be a claiming sort of thing too. Intense. Something she won't want to be around for, as much as she loves her new little family.
"Ooh! Andy's a good choice. I met him at Chance's birthday, though it shouldn't be as a blind date. We could just go to Purgatory as a group of friends, and if Ariel wants to hang out with him she can. If not, there's a whole club full of guys she can dance with outside of you four." She would include Quintin in that, only he's usually working while they're hanging out. It's not hardly fair, but she knows that Mr. Collins pays him really well, and he's always got Jenna and Siobhan's backs when they're there on their own.
~*~
Cooper raises his brow a little at Preston's tension, and tosses back his glass of scotch as he finishes his dinner.
"And if Andy's not to your liking, Pres and I can keep you company. It's a good deal, you know, and it doesn't hurt to meet new people."
~*~
Chance wasn't even referring to Jenna's empathy. He's not empathic and he isn't going to want to be in the vicinity of Siobhan and Harper over the next week or so. That's just human nature and the knowledge that the pair will be intensely attached to each other and inseparable. That's how he would react.
"Okay, no blind dates, but Jenna has a good idea. We'll do a group thing at Purgatory, and you can just have fun."
~*~
There is nothing fun about being the overlooked girl, or the last choice, at a club, but Ariel keeps that comment to herself. She slowly nods her head, "I'll think about it. All of it, and I'm not averse to meeting new people. But I'll be going home in a couple of days - " She can't let herself think that Siobhan won't be back by then, "So we can decide when I move?"
~*~
Preston forces himself to relax, leaning against his boyfriend. It means he relaxes his arm a bit, dropping it lower and letting his hand rest on Ariel's hip beneath the coffee table. He rubs a small circle with his thumb there. "No pressure, Ariel. We usually go to Purgatory a lot so it's not as though we'd be doing anything out of the ordinary."
~*~
"I hid in the bathroom on every blind date Siobhan ever set me up for, so I feel your pain, Ariel." The few times she didn't hide herself, or make an excuse not to go on the date, she either had a miserable time, or had a great time but afterward the guy was an ass at school.
"We do. We go to Purgatory about once a week at least. It's the hot spot in the city. My boss at the restaurant owns it as well, and I'm pretty sure you can get in even without proper ID or anything. He let Shiv and I in, so as long as you don't get into any trouble or let anyone know you're not twenty-one…"
Beat.
"So there's plenty of time. We can just go out dancing this weeken — shit, no we can't. It's Harper's graduation. But I'm guessing you'll be around after that too, for a little while… and it wouldn't hurt anything to stay an extra few days to get used to the city before the big move."
~*~
Cooper wants to smack Preston for being so obvious, but just looks up at the ceiling for a second. "Anyone need a refill on their drinks? I can hop up to the bar and get you anything you want. More shots? I saw some really interestingly flavored vodka under there too."
Beat.
"I can tidy up when everyone is done eating as well. I know where the kitchen is, and I can pile dishes in the dishwasher just as easily as anyone else can."
~*~
Chance snickers. "I'm sure that Ariel will get into as much trouble as you do." Then again, that may not be the best comment to make and hold over his girlfriend. Privacy spells are wonderful things, and he and Jenna have taken advantage of that. Just thinking about it sends a small bit of blood southward and he has to take a sip of his scotch. "Because you're such a trouble maker when we go out."
~*~
Ariel shrugs. "I don't know what Mom has planned …" Although she could stay a few days more and fly home on her own later. It's not like she has to leave when her mother leaves, so long as she's home for Jasmine's graduation.
"I could stay, I guess. I mean, I don't have to be home until the end of the month, except I do need to really get moving on packing and shipping things …"
~*~
"I forgot about the vodka. Is that left from the vodka sundae bar, Jen or did you and Shiv replenish the supply?" Preston asks. He nods to Cooper. "I think I could for shots."
~*~
Blushing at the comment, and knowing just what sort of trouble she could get up to, the little empath squirms. To get past thinking about that, Jenna quickly says, "Thanks for offering to do the cleanup, Coop, and for dinner. For all of this really. It's sweet." Tossing a bright smile in his direction before turning to Preston, she nods.
"Yep. It's a little of both. The vanilla, and marshmallow were totally gone so we restocked those. Some of the other stuff is replenished as well."
Beat.
"You can crash here in the guest room if you want to, I don't mind and I doubt your cousin or Pres will mind if you spend a few days with us."
~*~
"Shots it is then." Cooper will pour them out, and then carry the dishes to the kitchen. He mixes vanilla and cherry vodka together to get a sort of black cherry ice cream flavor going. A half ounce of each. Then he sets the glasses on a tray and carries it over to the table.
"Here you go. Dessert." Gathering the plates and utensils, he carries them to the kitchen. He doesn't bother with the dishwasher so much as just puts them in the sink.
~*~
"That was a good party." Chance nudges Jenna playfully. He thanks Coop again, and makes a mental note that he'll be sures to buy the dancer a few drinks at their next Purgatory trip. Lifting up his shot glass, he tosses it back. Then he stands and heads to the bar, "Next round, I'm making. Let's see what I can come up with …"
~*~
"Thanks Jenna, if you're sure it'll be okay?" Ariel doesn't want to impose. She's not sure about staying under the same roof with Preston either, when things are up in the air. It might be the equivalent of torture, being so close to him and not able to interact with him the way she wants to. "I really don't want to put you out …"
~*~
Preston wants to curse Jenna's sweetness and thank her for it at the same time. It's going to be sheer frustration having Ariel stay here with them for a few days, and he knows he'll end up spending a few of those nights at Coop's. Either that or he's going to get caught sneaking in or out of the guest room. "You know you're welcome, Ariel. I'm sure Shiv won't mind either, though she'll probably be a bit distracted for a few days."
~*~
"It was, wasn't it?" Jenna grins at her boyfriend, and then takes the shot. "Ooh, do something with the creme du cocao! I could use some chocolate something or other." The little empath is going to regret getting drunk, but if it keeps her out of the kitchen…
"Positive. We've got two guest rooms, so it's not like you'll be imposing. If you don't want Shiv's room when you move in here, you can always take one of them. Any renovations you want to make, just let me know and we can take care of that too. Painting, wallpaper, whatever you want. If you take Shiv's room it'll have to wait until she moves of course, but otherwise… you can pick your colors and stuff now."
~*~
"No starting the orgy without me," calls Cooper from the kitchen. He stares at the mess around him for a minute, and then tidies up what he can. Extra bowls, and the mixer are put onto the counter by the sink. Any spoons and spatulas he can find are added to the mess. He'll do them up before he leaves, but for now it's at least tidier and he won't have to worry about tripping over cupcakes in the middle of the night.
~*~
"Too late," Chance calls back toward the dancer. "The girls are already taking off their clothes and making out on the couch." Yes, he's asking for it, but it's worth it just to see Jenna's - and Ariel's - reactions.
He mixes up some chocolate shots and looks over at Ariel. He didn't notice it from where he was, but over here, he can see just how close Preston and the witch are sitting. Blinking, he gives himself a mental shake. "I promise not to walk around in my underwear while you're here Ariel."
~*~
Ariel nods enthusiastically, "I like the idea of chocolate. I just have to be careful. I can't go back to my uncle and aunt's wasted." Aunt Dawna and Uncle Robert probably won't notice, she might slip past her mother too, but Grams is hard to get anything past.
~*~
"We won't let you get too wasted." Preston stands, and holds his hand out to Ariel to help her up from the floor. "I wouldn't want to get on your grandmother's bad side." He's met Evelyn Johnson Lowell. She's formidable and intimidating. A lot like Mrs. Forbes. He wouldn't want to get on Jenna's grandmother's bad side either.
~*~
Jenna tosses a pillow at her boyfriend, and while she blushes deeply, she giggles. "Sorry, Coop. We're all still dressed, and Ariel's across the room." Shaking her head at that, she looks back to Ariel. "You can always spend the night here. Just tell them that Pres and I need the company right now too, and you'll bring the food over in the morning. I can help you."
Beat.
"Chance also promises not to walk around nude while you're here too. Because I like keeping those parts just for me."
~*~
There's a whoosh as Cooper comes running back from the kitchen, only to hear what Jenna says. Sighing heavily, he mutters, "Spoil all my fun why don't you?" Hopping onto the couch from behind it, he settles onto it. His arm extends between Ariel and Preston to grab the last of the shots, and he downs it quickly.
"We don't drink like this all the time either."
~*~
Chance actually catches the pillow before it hits him or the drink bar. He tosses it lightly back at his girlfriend and grabs the tray of drinks. "Have you ever known me to parade nude in front of anyone except for you?"
Beat.
"I wasn't the one skinny dipping in the Hamptons."
He sets the new tray of drinks on the table and winks at Ariel, "Besides I wouldn't want to ruin Ariel's dating options. I'd hate for her to see me and then be disappointed in every other guy she meets for the rest of her life."
~*~
There are two reasons that Ariel can think of that would make accepting Jenna's invitation a very bad idea. She blushes faintly as Preston helps her up from the floor because he's one of the reasons. The other is seated on the couch behind them, and she will probably have to smother herself or something more drastic if she has to hear the pair of them having sex. It's like putting chocolate in front of a woman with PMS and then telling her she can't have it.
She should say no thank you, and politely decline. Instead she says, "I don't have anything to sleep in." Which proves how much of a masochist she is.
~*~
"I'm sure Jenna has something you can borrow," Preston says. "Or one of my shirts will probably work as a night shirt for you." Although having Ariel prancing around in one of his shirts might not be the greatest of ideas. She was prancing around in one at his hotel and she looked pretty damn hot in it. It's one of the pictures he sent Coop, and given what was going on before she put on his shirt, it's probably not the wisest suggestion he's ever made.
~*~
"Nope," Jenna says, popping the 'p', "But that doesn't mean you won't forget we have company and do it accidentally." Giggling as she catches the pillow, she sets it on the chair behind her and bites her lip.
She doesn't want to comment on the fact that Ariel's seen Cooper naked already.
"It's true. You' ruin her for all other men. I mean, you ruined me for all other men, so it stands to reason…" Winking at her boyfriend, she slides her way up onto the chair and curls against it a little.
"I've got plenty of stuff you can borrow. Clothes for tomorrow too. If not, we can raid Shiv's room. We both have a few new things with tags still on'em too, if you're particular."
~*~
"Christ, Pres, let the poor woman sleep in something a little more modest than your shirt." Cooper can't keep a straight face as he says it, and he laughs. "Okay, sorry. I can be respectable and all, but if we're having a slumber party we should just stay here in the living room. I promise I won't be nude, so that means none of you should be nude either."
~*~
"I don't think I'll forget that Ariel is around. Though she is on the quiet side." It hasn't escaped Chance's notice that Ariel really does try to stay in the background.
Leaning over the chair, he gives Jenna a sweet kiss. "And you've ruined me for all other women."
~*~
"I'm not quiet," Ariel protests. "I'm just not very loud." Mostly because she is more comfortable when she's not the center of focus. The only time she wants that attention is when she's performing. Otherwise, she's gotten used to not having it.
"That's perfect, Jenna. Thanks." Because sleeping in one of Preston's shirts is a horrible idea and she knows it.
The witch visibly relaxes when Cooper suggests sleeping in the living room. She climbs onto the couch, curling up against the side of it, smiling brightly"Oh, let's do it that way! A huge slumber party in the living room. We can move the furniture around and maybe watch a movie… oh! and popcorn! We could pop popcorn …"
~*~
Preston reaches for one of the shot glasses, but doesn't take the shot right away. It's something to do while he's working to not react to the imagery in his head. He blinks at Cooper. "You won't be nude? You'll be properly clothed? Who are you and what have you done with my boyfriend?" It's teasing, but it's enough to get Preston's head back where it needs to be.
Turning, he looks at Ariel when she starts to enthuse. It's the most lively and animated he's seen her be since their encounter in his bedroom. "Looks like we have one super positive vote on the slumber party."
~*~
"I double the vote. It's a good idea, Coop, as long as you promise to stick to your own sleeping area and not encroach on anyone else's." Jenna points between Cooper and Preston and grins. "That includes curling up in one another's sleeping bags if it's going to lead to antics. I think the last time we all slept down here was during Sandy when we lost power." The little empath still has all the necessities packed in the guest room, except for Harper's which are upstairs.
"We've got plenty of sleeping mats we can throw on the floor, and we can use the couch cushions."
~*~
"There's also Netflix, and a media room full of movies, Ariel." Cooper's been here often enough to know how things work. Jenna and Preston will bicker over which musical to watch from their collection, and then they'll all just pick a movie on Netflix anyhow. "Or we can rent something new on AppleTV or Amazon Prime."
He snorts. "And no, no nudity for me if we're all sleeping communally. If only because I don't want someone else to suggest an orgy."
