New Rules NYC (#Wattys2015 Winner)

Does Anything Good Happen After 4am?

CHAPTER 35: EMMA

Floating, but not away from anything. Like the barrier between you the rest of the world has been removed, you can see things as they are, without assigning layers, everything is as it is, a natural honesty that gave the crude a true face. This feeling. Finally I was present within the world, this was me right here, there was no time to hesitate. I drew the window of the car down a little, looked over at Charlie as she did the same.

When the party was consumed by some kind of rent-a-crowd Alex decided it was time for us to go, a much younger group of guys and girls straight out of an H&M catalog had started to dominate. Their place felt so different then my last visit - I melted slowly into their designer leather sofa listening to mellow beats and more flattery. I let the fantasy of the evening was over me, I pictured the setting, the reactions - I wondered what people would say about it to their friends, if they would say anything about me. Alex was going on about how it had empowered everyone, how they become themselves or someone that didn't know they could be. He said how I'd get some great events work out of it – but I didn't want events work - I wanted it to be something bigger.

I watched their other friend, slouching into the one seater, drifting in and out of sleep for the last thirty minutes. When Alex woke him, the sleeper resolved to leave, checking for his essentials before rising shakily to his feet and getting Alex's assistance to order an Uber. I took that as my cue as well but was quickly hushed, it was a safe result getting back here, not doing anything stupid at the party. Alex did a little runway walk for Charlie and I - interrupted by a crash from down the hall.

"Babe. You have to make sure he gets to the car ok." Charlie said.

"I believe that would be a smart idea." He said, calling the guys name and making his way after him.

Charlie went into the kitchen and opened the fridge, I wondered if they had food, but wasn't sure if I was hungry yet? I resisted the urge to check my phone, then caved.

<Charlotte>

Hey!! howd it go??? details :-0

<Viv>

Babe, hope it went well. I want photos xx

<Michael> (make this text early.)

What time you reckon you'll be home?

Charlie returned with a fresh bottle of verve and more glasses. "I'm going to get out of this dress and have one last glass of champagne. But before I do, I must give this dress the walk it deserves." And she did her best catwalk impression right past me, turning at the end to raise her arms, glasses in one hand, bubbles in the other. "Can you do me a favor and unzip me babe?" I followed Charlie as she went through her room and into her amazing wardrobe, heels lined one wall, dresses on the other , a mirror stretched around a corner at the end. I helped her with her zip and turned away as she started to wriggle it down.

"How did you know my measurements anyway? Did Alex tell you? He wouldn't even know."

I smiled, "Jeffery came in useful for that. He sent a note out to some of your friends that weren't coming. I think they asked your tailor."

"Aren't you crafty," She said, stepping out of the dress and holding it up to look at it. "You spoilt me. You don't think I know a Prada dress when I see one. The others were beautiful but this was amazing."

"You deserve it, I wouldn't have had the chance without you guys."

She hadn't worn a bra with the dress and stood facing me in her underwear and naked breasts. "You took care of me all night, now I want to look after you." Her hand tingled when she placed it on my hip, she seemed vulnerable while at the same time, very much in control. I don't know what I was trying to say as I opened my mouth, but I didn't have much of a chance as her lips closed the gap - sweet from the champagne. I had never close like this to a girl, to a women, there were too many thoughts to indulge - it was easier to bundle them within my dress, to let them slide away. It felt so good just to follow, to land on the bed. Nothing had ever felt soft like this.

Had she done this before? It was playful not practiced, had I inspired it? I wanted to please her but she insisted that I just relax, pushing my head back into the pillows and running her mouth down my body. With a guy it was seemed so much easier, from point A to point B, you had a fair idea where you were at on the journey. This was completely different, but in a good way.

Alex's inevitable return was one of the many thoughts that were too much to contemplate just a minute ago. Different tones of surprise and excitement were painted across all our faces - I went to sit up, but Charlie gently pushed me back down, my head sinking between the huge pillows, wrapping around my face

I was happy to be theirs right now, to melt away from everything – to soak into their beautiful life. My brain seemed to drip out of my mouth, the thoughts just flowed away somewhere, thoughts for another time, I had transcended them. The warmth of this house, the acceptance. I quickly opened my eyes, wanting to breathe in the intensity of it all. We moved around each other, exploring with no set order, the unknown procedure made it easy to let go, to be surprised and open up.

Charlie looked right into me - pushing me on, not allowing my gaze to escape as Alex held me from behind. She slid her body under mine, running her fingers over my chest. This was crazy. Seriously. Holy Shit. I went at her knowing this was something that could never happen again. This could never happen again.

Nothing could describe looking into the eyes of a woman while her man is inside you.