It was gone 2am by the time Beth and her friends piled into the mini-bus. Andy called shotgun for the front, leaving everyone else squashed into the back. Beth was half sat, half led on her friend Alex at the back of the bus. He didn't seem to mind and the mixture of tiredness and alcohol was making it difficult for Beth to remain upright.
Laura's parents were away, so they had decided to go out-out and then all crash at hers. They had already started the night there, making sure they got a few drinks in before buying over priced cocktails at the club. Now, here they all were, making their way back to Laura's parents house to finish the night off.
The rumbling of the mini-bus and the bumps in the road made it difficult for Beth to keep her eyes open. Before she knew it, she was woken by the sound of the door sliding open and Laura practically falling out onto the pavement. As everyone struggled to find their belongings and follow Laura out of the mini-bus, Alex gave Beth a nudge up out of the seat. Beth didn't really want to go out into the cold after being pressed up against Alex for so long, but she made her way off the bus behind Harriet.
Once they were all in the house, the task of finding somewhere to sleep began! Andy was quick to remind everyone that he had bought a blow-up mattress with him and would need plenty of space on the living room floor. Laura was going to sleep in her old room, so didn't need to fight for space with the others.
"I don't sleep on the floor," exclaimed Harriet, "That sofa is mine!" Alex was already led out on the second sofa, which left Beth in a sleeping bag on the floor. Beth, who never slept well away from home, wasn't really bothered.
Once everyone was dressed for bed, they continued laughing and talking for an hour or so, until the conversation was punctuated by Andy's snores. Laura left them all in the living room and went off to bed, leaving them all to fall asleep - except Beth, who led in the dark for a while listening to the sounds of the house. About half an hour later, Beth's thoughts were over taken by the need to find the toilet. Wrapping her sleeping bag around herself, she quietly made her way upstairs.
On the way back from the bathroom, Beth passed a door slightly ajar and natural curiosity got the better of her. She nudged the door open a little with her foot, realising that this must be Laura's parent's bedroom. Deciding that she wasn't going to sleep for a while, Beth though this would be a good place to read for a while without disturbing anyone else.
Beth snuggled down in the large, floral patterned bed, turned on the lamp and started to read. She had barely made it half way through the chapter when she heard footsteps on the landing outside. The door slowly opened a crack. Beth looked up to see Alex standing in the doorway.
He smiled, leaning against the doorway, almost smirking at the sight of Beth in the floral duvet. "What's up?" Beth asked, casually going back to her book. Alex slid along the wall into the room. "Wondered what happened to you when you didn't come back down." He smiled. Beth looked up at him, noticing for the first time the half-full rum bottle in his hand. She put down her book. One thing Beth had always loved about Alex was his impulsiveness and spontaneity. They were complete opposites, but this drew them to each other. Their friendship was intense, it had been right from the first time they'd met. Beth knew there was no point arguing with him, so instead she pulled back the other side of the duvet. A silent invitation to get into the bed.
Alex grinned, practically leaping from the doorway to the bed. He held the bottle out to her. "Drink!" he demanded. With a sigh, Beth took the bottle from him and took a swig of the warm rum inside. She grimaced, making Alex laugh, as he took the bottle back and drank deeply. "I hate neat rum, you know that!" winced Beth. "I do, "chuckled Alex, "drink!" Beth took the bottle back and drank again. A warm rush spread across Beth's body as the rum mixed with the alcohol from the club. Beth passed the bottle back, closed her eyes and sank back into the pillows. She listened to Alex drink from the bottle again, the liquid sloshing back into the bottle and the quiet thud as he placed the bottle on the nightstand. She rolled over and opened her eyes.
Alex always had a way of looking casually handsome, in a rugged easy-going way. His longish, unkempt hair falling into his face, as he propped himself up on his elbow, hand under his chin. Beth smiled, conscious of not being a typically pretty woman. She was always wondering what other people thought when they saw them together. Beth pulled her top straight, making sure everything was covered that should be. Alex chuckled, making Beth blush. She knew she was being a prude and suddenly felt really silly. Alex reached behind him for the rum, passing it straight to Beth, who drank hastily, trying to chase away the blush. Mixed with the cocktails from the club, the rum was taking effect quickly. Beth felt the walls of the room start to tilt and led back, enjoying the fuzzy feeling spreading over her. "Are you cold?" Alex asked. Beth frowned, it was June, definitely not cold! "I'm cold. Just wondered if you were too. Shared body heat and stuff..." Alex trailed off. For a moment Beth thought he looked embarrassed, but he was quickly smiling again. Beth pouted, "What's the matter? Need a cuddle?" Alex held his arms out and Beth scooted over awkwardly. She led within his arms, not quite able to hug him back. Not really sure what she should do. Alex wrapped his arms around her shoulders. Suddenly the awkwardness of the situation made Beth start to laugh, in seconds Alex was laughing too. Beth could feel his bare chest against her cheek, rising and falling and he tried to catch his breath.
They had always been close, but it had always been platonic. Nothing more than the occasional friendly holding of hands and a hug here and there. It felt odd to Beth, being led in bed together. She wasn't his type, she knew that. But she had wondered what it would be like if she was. Alex had had occasional short-term girlfriends since he and Beth had been friends. Beth never admitted to Alex - or anyone - how much it hurt her to see him with other women, but she made an effort to be friendly whenever she met them.
Beth looked up at him, their eyes meeting. He stopped laughing and looked at her. His eyes had that unfocussed look that only comes with drinking too much alcohol. He reached down with his hand and lightly brushed her cheek. Beth felt herself blush again. She cleared her throat, pulling out of his arms to sit up. She reached over him to the rum. Silently he watched her drink from the bottle and put it back on his nightstand. As she went to move back, Alex sat up quickly, putting one hand behind her back firmly, stopping her moving. Their eyes locked again. Suddenly Alex leant forward, his lips brushing lightly against hers. The pressure of his hand against her back lessened, but before Alex could speak, Beth leant forward and pressed her lips to his. It was quick, Beth looked down hurriedly, hoping to hide the inevitable blush that she knew would be spreading down her face and chest.
She heard Alex drink from the rum bottle again and felt it tap against her shoulder as he passed it to her. Beth drank the last of the rum from the bottle, shaking her head to try any clear some of the brain fog. She turned back to find Alex sat up next to her, so close she could smell the rum on his breath. The expression on his face was one she hadn't seen before, he looked almost serious, his brow slightly furrowed. He leaned in to her, his lips parted slightly, pressing their foreheads together. He cupped her face with his right hand and pulled Beth's face up to meet his. Alex pressed his lips against hers, firmly this time. Keeping his hand on her face, knowing that she would panic and back away if he didn't. He had never been completely sure of how Beth felt about him. There had been odd moments, where it felt like more than friendship, but she never made a move and he didn't want to ruin what they had.
Beth's mind was racing. Alex's lips were soft, his hand against her face warm and solid. He smelled good - he always did. He favoured an aftershave that made Beth's stomach flip, a fresh, clean scent that reminded Beth of the ocean. A mixture of his scent and the alcohol made Beth open her lips slightly, allowing him to part them further with his tongue. A tingling feeling shot through Beth's body, making her clitoris tingle. She gasped slightly, causing Alex to push her down into the pillows. His hand slid from her face, between her breasts, resting on her stomach. Beth placed her hands on Alex's bare chest, running her fingers lightly over one of his nipples.
Alex let out a low growl and pushed his lips hard to hers, it was messy and feverish. Their tongues met as they kissed deeply, neither of them wanting to stop in case the other changed their mind. His hand slipped under her t-shirt and rested hot against her stomach. He brushed his fingers lightly up towards her breasts, before cupping one roughly; kneading it in his hand. Beth arched her back and groaned. The sound spurred Alex on, causing his cock to grow hard. Beth ran one hand down his back, leaving the other on his chest. She slipped it under the top of his boxer shorts, squeezing one of his arse cheeks and pulling him closer; almost on top of her.
The speed and intensity of their kisses increased; they both knew there was no going back.
Alex paused for a moment, looking into Beth's eyes as he pulled her t-shirt over her head. Beth grew hot as she felt his gaze drop to her breasts, before cupping one again. He put his face to her breasts, brushing his lips against each of her firm nipples in turn, before running his tongue over one. Beth arched her back again, running her hands through his untidy hair, willing him to continue. He sucked gently on her nipple, the sensation causing Beth to tremble slightly as another tingle shot through her to her clit. Keeping one hand cupped around her breast, Beth felt his other hand run down her stomach, over her shorts to rest between her legs.
