Two For the Price of One

Two For the Price of One by Kimberly Hunter

Chapter One



Back to school was Alexandria Eastland’s least favorite time of the year. It rated right up there with a root canal, her yearly female exam, and rush hour traffic. While all three were aggravating, they had to be endured. Though, at present, back to school was her main focus. And running the business office for the Shelton County Community College definitely needed all her focus.

"Ms. Eastland, there must be some kind of mistake. This grant check was supposed to cover my tuition and books. It only covers my tuition. Why?" The young woman gave Alexandria a haughty glare.

Alexandria took a deep, calming breath. "As I explained to you earlier on the phone, the business office isn’t responsible for how the grants are given out or how much. What we do is accept payment for classes and tuition. If you have a problem with your grant, you will need to take that up with the proper department."

"But my classes start in two days. How am I going to get enough money to pay for my books in two days?"

"I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do about that. You'll have to contact the department you got the grant from and ask them."

The young woman huffed angrily. "This is great, just great." She gave Alexandria the grant check. "Go ahead and put that for my tuition. I'll call and find out what the problem is with the rest of my money."

Alexandria took the check, giving the young woman a receipt in return. "You're all set."

The young woman took the receipt, put it in her large bag, and left, not even bothering to say thank you. Alexandria sighed, shaking her head at the rudeness of some youth.

She would do what she could to deal with the students and their many annoying disasters and try to survive another year of long days and seemingly endless surprises that came with the job. And if not, well, there was a nice bottle of aged Merlot in her pantry.

“Oh, Xandria,” came a masculine singsong voice.

“Yes, Brett.” She responded in kind with a grin.

Alexandria heard Brett punch the door code to the office and come in, flouncing down in a chair and pulling it up beside Alexandria who was at the pay counter.

“Okay, here’s the deal. Purgitori is open this weekend, and you have to come with me, Gary, and Amber.”

Alexandria took a moment to give Brett a blank look, and then laughed. “No. Thanks, but no.” She put the student's check in the cash box, shaking her head at Brett's odd request.

Brett Jackson was the manager of the campus bookstore and Alexandria’s closest friend. He was a gorgeous brunet whose build seemed as if he belonged on a football field, but his looks and dreamy chocolate eyes would make any model envious. He was also gay and in a loving relationship that was still going strong after six years. He was happy and wanted those around him to be the same way. Hence the invitation.

“Come on, Xandria.” Brett huffed. “This club is only open twice a month and is the hottest place in town.”

“Brett, Purgitori is a fetish club. Do I look like I would fit in at a fetish club?” she asked, indicating her outfit.

“Actually, yes.” He grinned, dimples showing.

“Yeah, right.” She grabbed a few papers then got up and went to her private cubicle a few feet away. Brett followed, taking another seat.

“Honey, it’s hard to say what floats another’s boat, but there are all kinds of fetishes. Your librarian getup is just one of many.”

“I look like a spinster schoolmarm.” A brow rose at the self-depreciating remark.

“And whose fault is that?” Brett didn't wait for her to reply. “You’re a beautiful and vibrant woman whose been hiding behind this image since your divorce two years ago. An image I might add that covers a great body.”

Alexandria snorted. “I’m more than ten pounds overweight and couldn’t get my stomach flat again even with divine intervention.”

“Spare me.” Brett rolled his chocolate eyes. “You have a nice waist, a great ass, and tits most of these college twits would kill for. Add to that, natural fire red hair and beautiful light blue eyes. It’s the perfect combo for your height.”

“My height says I should weigh one-ten not one-thirty-eight.”

Brett waved a hand. “You have meat on your bones in all the right places. And, if you noticed half the men who appreciated that, then you definitely wouldn’t be dressing the way you do.”

She frowned. “Men are the last thing I need in my life right now.”

“Honey, I’m not telling you to go out with every man who’s interested in you. All I’m saying is that it’s time you started to live a little and put Lee behind you.”

Alexandria looked at him sharply and then sighed. “I know. Lord knows that he’s moved on.”

Brett winced at that. “Yeah, I heard.”

Alexandria sat back in her chair and gave Brett a grateful smile when he refrained from going into detail about her ex's latest bimbo of the month. “I feel like I’m stuck, you know? Like this is it for me.”

“You’re only stuck if you let yourself be stuck.”

“Brett, I’m thirty-eight years old, divorced, and have an eighteen-year-old son who started college last week.” She smiled but didn’t feel the least bit humorous. “There aren’t exactly a lot of options out there for a woman like me.”

“Like you?” Brett laughed. “You barely look thirty, you’re smart, you’re established, and you’re mature enough to know what you want and not afraid to ask for it.”

“Which is why I’m now single,” she pointed out with a grimace.

Laying her head back on the chair, Alexandria huffed out a harsh breath. This was an old argument between her and Brett. They had known each other for years, so she had relied on his friendship when the divorce came. Then a year later, the invites had started. At first, it was lunch, then dinner, a movie here and there, then the theatre or a good band. After that, it was karaoke bars and dance clubs. Being a young and attractive gay man in a relationship, Brett had wanted her to get out there again. She couldn’t, so all invites had been politely refused. She was nursing a broken heart and the end of an eighteen year marriage. It was hard to be among the living when her dream of a family was dead.

It had been even harder to give everything she had to a man unwilling to give anything in return. But, looking back, Alexandria realized that she should have said something sooner, maybe even left herself. It definitely would have saved a lot of heartache and grief in the long run.

“Honey, it’s been two years. It’s time to move on,” Brett admonished.

“I’m trying.” She gave Brett a sad smile.

“Which is all the more reason to come with us. This could be a new beginning. Time to finally put this behind you and go out and have some fun, just for you. No strings, no worries, just a good time with friends.”

Alexandria thought about it for a moment. Maybe it was time she started enjoying life again, enjoying her freedom and doing what she wanted, whenever she wanted. Moreover, she was just plain lonely. With Andrew away at college, she had the apartment all to herself. It gave her plenty of thinking time. Too much unfortunately, but she had come to the conclusion, Brett’s advice notwithstanding, that she needed to do more than just work and come home. Not that she wanted to become some club-hopping old lady out for a quick pickup, never that, but it would be nice to just go out once in a while and have some fun. Maybe have a drink or two, enjoy some good music, laugh and dance with her friends. That sounded better than sitting at home and watching the History Channel every weekend.

“And what does one wear to a fetish club?” She didn't have a clue. Not that it had really mattered all that much before. Her experience with clubs, fetish or otherwise, was small. But regardless of the venue, she did want to look nice, maybe even sexy if she could pull it off without too much fuss or embarrassment. Her self image wasn't bad, but she knew that she wasn't a pretty young thing anymore.

Brett gave a huge, dimpled grin. “Anything you want.”

“Hmm.” She nodded thoughtfully. “So jeans and a nice top would be okay?”

“Absolutely. In fact, jeans would be perfect. Your ass was made for jeans.”

Alexandria laughed. “You know, Brett, if I wasn’t positive that you’re gay, I would start to wonder with all the ass comments.”

“Just because I like men doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate a finely built woman you know.” He winked.

“Well, my ass and I thank you.” She smiled with a gracious nod.

“You’re both welcome.” He chuckled, nodding back. “Now, are you going or do I have to resort to drastic measures?”

Alexandria let out a long, dramatic sigh. “Alright, I’ll go.”

Brett squealed, then jumped up out of his chair and hugged Alexandria who was laughing at his reaction. "This is awesome!” His smile was blinding as he sat back down and clapped his hands with joy.

“I’m happy you’re happy.” She grinned at his enthusiastic behavior.

“Hey, I’m just glad you’re moving on. And the fact that you’re going out with all of us makes it even better.”

“Well, it is time,” she acknowledged. “And I have to admit that I am a little curious about this place.”

“I knew it!” Brett laughed. “You’re a closet freak.”

She felt her cheeks flush with heat. “Hardly, and being curious does not make me a freak.” She slapped at him playfully.

“It’s always the quiet ones.” Brett laughed as he tried to dodge her hands.

“Keep it up and I’ll stay home.” She arched a brow in mock sternness.

“Oh no you won’t.” He pointed a finger at her. “You said you were going, and I’m holding you to it.” He rose from his seat. “We’ll be by your place at eight o’clock Friday night.”

“You’re picking me up and taking me home?”

Brett nodded. “You need a parking pass because the club is downtown. And since Gary works downtown, he has one. Plus he never drinks when we go out, so he’s always the designated driver.”

“Alright.” She shrugged, seeing the practicality. And she trusted her friends, so she knew she'd be safe with them.

“I’ve got to get back to the bookstore to make a few calls and then tell Gary and Amber.” His chocolate eyes danced with merriment. “This is going to be so great.”

She rolled her eyes. “Do try to contain yourself.”

“No way, darlin’.” He was almost at the door. “You’re finally going out with us, so I think I deserve to get a little excited.”

“Don’t get too excited. You wouldn’t want to scare the students.” She chuckled.

“Hussy,” he retorted.

Alexandria stuck out her tongue at him.

“Save it for later.” He opened the door as Alexandria laughed. “And remember, eight Friday night.” Then he was gone, the door closing after him.

Alexandria shook her head, then relaxed back in her chair and thought about her decision. She was really going to a fetish club in two days. And had no idea what to expect.

Lord, girl, what have you gone and done now? she thought to herself with uncertainty, and an underlying excitement.