Midnight Toxicity

3.

Alex Fairfield still lived at home at the ripe age of twenty. He attended Tucker University, taking classes involving science and shit. I never paid attention when he spoke, only interested in what he could do for me when I agreed to a date after he grew a pair and approached me one night at a frat party. I kissed him by a tree under the full moon, romantic as hell, and he nearly came in his khakis. Seems he needed a woman on his arm for his parents' thirtieth wedding anniversary and I required five hundred bucks.

The weekend after the celebration, he invited me to his house to pick up the payment, and I agreed, especially when he mentioned his folks were on vacation in Hawaii. His father owned the local jewelry pawn exchange, and everyone knew the grumpy miser short-changed those he disliked. His family screwed over anyone deemed beneath them, so it didn't bother me too much when I plotted to drug their only child to rummage through their belongings.

I pulled off this similar scheme on other mamma-boys without incident, crossing my fingers that this, too, would be a piece of cake. Alex grew infatuated with me but was too scared of his family to take me out in public. A lot of guys were like that, and it bothered me at first until I twisted it around to my benefit. I could accomplish anything I put my mind to if I stayed positive.

"Be careful," Jack warned when he parked down the street from Alex's house. "I'll wait here. How long?"

I flipped down the visor to apply a fresh layer of cherry lip gloss. Lipstick had its place, but Alex enjoyed the fruity taste. Also, who was I to deny him when I planned on fucking up his world? "Should I rush, or give him something to remember?"

He snorted, "You're cute, but if you drugged and robbed my ass, pussy would not keep me from hunting you down."

I pecked his cheek, leaving a glossy mark. "Is that right?"

"Char, one of these days you'll be sorry," Leaning in for another kiss he grunted, "and so will I for helping you."

Jack and I coupled up a few years ago until it felt forced and weird. He was like a brother to me, but sometimes he forgot and tried to push for more. Gina hadn't a clue, because we kept it from her. Jack was my ride or die, and when he acted possessive, it was easier to play along until someone else stole his attention. We were best friends, and I would do anything for this amazing man.

"Oh, Jackie," I purred, placing my hand over his denim-clad crotch, "Never apologize for how awesome we are."

His jaw flexed as I flicked my tongue against the sensitive spot on his neck, "Fuck... just make it fast," he shoved me with a knowing look, "Or I'm the one robbed out a good time later tonight."

I laughed, opening the door. "Give me an hour?"

"Starting now."

After blowing him a kiss, I sauntered towards Alex's house. I loved Jack, but he needed to learn to deal without me around. If things worked out with Golding, who knows what they'd make me do? It sucked that I couldn't rant and rave that Derry handed me over on a silver platter to a notoriously wealthy criminal. But who knew what the future would bring? This might be my chance at starting a new life outside of his control. A man like Andy Golding would never let a peon like my stepfather dictate his business.

I adjusted my tits before knocking. My body had curves no amount of gym time could tame, and besides my slate eyes, I had naturally tawny skin. My chestnut hair and lithe figure and rosebud lips turned heads wherever I strutted. At five-foot-nine, I was pretty tall, and my breasts were a healthy handful. Who needed a gym anyway when sex burned more calories than an hour on a treadmill?

Alex's scrawny frame appeared in the side window before he opened the door. "Um, hi? I thought you changed your mind."

I switched on the charm, pretending confusion. "Why? Oh jeez, how late am I?"