My eyes opened lazily, blinking at the soft sunlight that filtered into the room. I pushed myself up and glanced around. Alex was gone, but based on the smell of coffee wafting into the room, he probably wasn't far.

Oh, God. Alex.

The memories of the previous night came flooding back and I flopped back down on the bed. I felt my cheeks heat as I remembered everything from the past few hours, from the feeling of grinding against him at the club to the sensations of his mouth exploring every inch of my body.

I sat up again, biting back a grin at the images flashing through my mind. It was only then that I saw my dress and underwear laid on the edge of the bed. Next to it sat a t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants.

My heart fluttered. Not exactly what I expected from a one-night stand.

But was it a one-night stand? Alex and I were already friends, already had a relationship with each other. Did I really just see him as a one-and-done?

Was that how he saw me?

What was the alternative?

I shook my head and swung my legs over the side of the bed. I was spiraling, and I didn't do spiraling.

I pulled on the t-shirt and sweats, not bothering to worry about my lack of bra and panties. Alex had already seen everything there is to see. I knotted the shirt at my side and rolled the waistband up so I wasn't tripping over myself. Then I picked up my bra and panties, wrapped them in my dress, grabbed my stilettos from the floor, and followed the scent of caffeine.

Alex was pouring a second mug of coffee as I entered the kitchen. Damn, I must be really desperate for caffeination. I noticed the coffee first and the fact that he was shirtless second.

He looked up as I came up and a smile flitted across his face. I only now realized how far into unknown territory I was. I was never the type to deal with the morning after.

"Here." He came over to me and handed me one of the steaming mugs.

I gratefully accepted and hopped up to sit on the counter as he went back to his own mug. He turned around and leaned against the counter, staring at me.

After almost a minute of silence, I rolled my eyes. "Okay, this is ridiculous," I said. "I don't do awkward post-sex mornings."

Alex snorted and the tension broke. "I figured you didn't," he said. "You've never failed to be straightforward." He took blew on his coffee before taking a sip. "But the question is, what straightforward thing do you want to say to me?"

It kinda scared me, sometimes, that he already knew me so well. The only other person who could read me like that was Emilia. "I don't usually have sex with coworkers, or anyone in this town, really," I said, figuring I should get the not-so-nice stuff out of the way first. And sure enough, Alex's expression faltered slightly at my words. "But," I continued, "I'm sure as hell not going to regret having sex that good."

And the smile was back. Alex crossed across the kitchen so he stood in front of me, in between my legs. "Oh, so you enjoyed yourself last night?" he asked innocently, an evil glint in his eyes.

"If you even suggest that you didn't enjoy every fucking minute of last night, I'm going to pour this coffee on you."

Alex held up his hands in surrender. "Ana Cassidy, I enjoyed every fucking minute of having sex with you," he said. He was still grinning, but I could tell he meant it. Chuckling, he took another sip of his coffee. "Unapologetic and bold," he mumbled into his drink. "Apparently a really fucking hot combination."

Even though I knew I was good, for some reason Alex's praises were causing heat to creep up into my cheeks.

"Although I do have to ask," Alex continued, "what exactly happens now?"

I eyed him. The guy usually wasn't the one to demand an instant label on things. "What do you mean?"

"I mean the last time we did anything together," my mind flashed back to our make-out session at the bar, "you proceeded to avoid touching me for weeks and we never really talked about it again," Alex said. "And I gotta be honest, I don't think I could handle that."

The blush continued to occupy my face. "Right," I said. "Sorry about that. That was my no coworkers instinct kicking in."

But Alex was shaking his head. "I don't really see why you have anything to be sorry for," he said. "You were worth the wait."

I swallowed hard. "Alright, well, let's assume that I'm not going to avoid you for the next several weeks and I'm not going to pretend that this never happened," I said. "What do you want?"

Alex's eyes shone with exactly what he wanted, but when he put his hands on my hips, I removed them and looked straight at him. "Look, Alex, if I leave without us figuring something out, it's just going to get weird," I told him. "And that's exactly what I don't want to happen."

He nodded. "I get that." He put his hands on either side of me and leaned against the counter. "Look, Ana, I liked being your friend. I like hanging out with you, I like working with you. I also really like having sex with you. And I like seeing you wear my clothes the morning after we have sex. So, can't we just do that?" He pressed his lips together. "I can't handle anything more complicated right now."

I mulled it over for a minute. "Well, well," I said, enjoying the fact that I could keep him in suspense, "Alex Castellan, it seems to be that my straightforwardness is rubbing off on you."
Alex rolled his eyes and took half a step back, but I pulled him back toward me and pressed my lips to his.

"I like being your friend, too," I told him after I pulled back. "And to be honest, the thought of never having sex with you again is a really shitty thought. And I personally like seeing you half-naked making me coffee in the mornings after we have sex. So I think we can make something work."

Alex grinned and kissed me again, his hands running along my thighs.

"Which means," I said, pulling back and speaking against his lips, "if this is going to be a thing now, I have to ask, are you clean?"

Alex took a step back and looked me in the eye. He nodded. "Yeah, I got tested about a week before I left New York. There hasn't been anyone since. I can send you the test results."

I appreciated that he actually took the question seriously. "Mine's a little old," I told him. "It's been a while. But I'll send it to you. And I can get a new one if you want, if you don't think I've actually gone that long without sleeping with someone."

Alex shook his head. "I don't think you'd lie about that," he said. "But, how long?"

I bit my lip. I wasn't embarrassed, but I also had a feeling I knew what reaction I would get. "I got the test right after I came home from UConn."

Alex pulled me so I was sitting right at the edge of the counter. "You're that fucking good and it's been what? Two years?" he growled. His lips were getting dangerously close to my neck.

I put my hands on his shoulders and pushed him away. I hopped down from the counter and gathered up my clothes from the previous night. "Yeah, I am that fucking good." I had to admit, the compliment wasn't the response I expected, but I would take it. "And as much as I would love to christen your kitchen right now, I have a sick roommate to get back to." Did part of me want to jump Alex again right then and there? Yes. But a bigger part of me wanted to check back on Emilia.

Alex sighed and slumped back against the counter. "I guess I owe her."

He had a point. "I think we both do."

I took a few steps toward the door and then turned around, realizing the perfect thing for me to leave him with. "Oh, and since we're both clean, you can save your money and not buy condoms. I have an IUD."

I saw something flash in his eyes, and chuckling, I turned back around and opened the front door that less than 12 hours ago, Alex had me pressed against while dominating my mouth with his. "I'll see you at work tomorrow," I told him pointedly, and swung the door closed behind me with a smirk.