Tusk didn't stop her as he walked back the building where Pepper was staying and where he was supposedly staying as well.

--

Much to the knocker's surprise, Nic answered the door after a few moments.

Pepper didn't stay silent for long, "Do you know of Dominic Duncan?" she asked rather loudly.

--

Laurel took a step back, clearly shocked he'd actually answered. She was dressed nicely and smelled a little sweet.

"Who?" Tusk asked. It looked like he genuinely didn't know who that was.

--

Nic waited for Laurel to say something first. And it wasn't clear if he noticed a difference.

Pepper sighed as she looked at Tusk with pity.

--

"What are you up to?" Laurel asked, voice a little eager.

Tusk shrugged.

--

Nic blinked. "... You want to eat dinner?" he guessed after a moment.

Pepper sighed a little, "What are you doing later?"

--

Laurel blinked, "No... I already ate. Did you eat yet?"

"Depends," Tusk replied.

--

Nic had to think about it. "I had a late lunch," he replied.

Pepper arched an eyebrow.

--

Laurel nodded a little. She seemed to be suddenly feeling a bit hesitant.

Tusk waited.

--

Nic waited for her to talk.

Pepper snorted, "Let's bang."

--

"Um..." Nic could almost feel Laurel withdrawing back into herself.

Tusk raised an eyebrow. "I thought you'd at least insist on taking me up with that fight you wanted first," he admitted.

--

Nic still waited. But since it looked like it might take awhile longer, he stepped aside to let Laurel in if she wanted.

Pepper shrugged, "I'll get my fight," she informed him, "But after I beat you, I might not wanna bang you."

--

Laurel hesitated before following him inside.

"You have such little faith in me," Tusk replied, amused.

--

So Nic closed the door and waited for Laurel to finish debating.

Pepper shrugged, "Men in general," she replied.

--

"Are you busy?" Laurel asked quietly.

"I supposed I'll have to restore our reputation then," Tusk shrugged.

--

Nic blinked, thinking that had already been established. He shook his head.

Pepper smirked, "You can try," she replied.

--

Laurel paused for a long moment, not looking at Nic. Then, slowly she reached down to the hem of her shirt and began pulling it off. The undergarments had clearly been bought during the girl's night out.

Tusk smirked back before replying, "I have an errand I have to run. Then I'll try to get some of this smell off. Your place or mine?"

--

Nic seemed taken aback a bit, not expecting her to be so blunt. He slowly walked over to her and took her hands in his. "... You don't have to force yourself," he told her quietly. He was interested, but he kept his eyes on her face.

Pepper shrugged, "Depends. Does you place smell like a spice cabinet?"

--

Laurel shook her head, angered that she felt tears coming. This still felt so awkward to her. "I-I'm not..." she cleared her throat, "forcing myself." She ventured a glanced at his face before slowly stepping towards him, "I love you," she whispered.

Tusk shook his head.

--

Nic paused before letting go of her hands and pulling her into a hug until she felt more comfortable being next to him again.

"Then yours," Pepper decided.

--

It took some time but slowly Laurel hugged him back. After another long moment she kissed his neck softly, squeezing him tighter.

Tusk nodded. "You want a sample?" he teased.

--

Nic slowly started kissing Laurel back and taking off his shirt.

Pepper raised an eyebrow, "Perhaps," she replied.

--

Laurel's hands immediately found his abs once more.

Before she could reconsider, Tusk took Pepper roughly into his arms and kissed her deeply. He was rough, as expected. He also seemed to know how to give a woman what she wanted. It wasn't as precise as Rosen; he didn't seem to have any training. But he seemed to have figured it out on his own.

Pepper was relaxed but clearly sizing Tusk up. When he pulled away she licked her upper lip, "Not bad," she nodded, "Rough as a boar but that's expected," she smirked.

"You expect anything else?" Tusk asked, amused. He patted her rear before letting her go.

Pepper smacked his before walking towards her room.

So Tusk walked off to finish his errand. Later in the evening he was in his room as expected.

Pepper made him wait a bit before showing up already half undressed.

Tusk smirked as he opened the door and stepped aside to let her in. There was still a faint smell of spice on him, but he had managed to get rid of most of it.

His room surprisingly didn't look too lived in. It seemed like he wasn't here too often.

Pepper glanced around before her eyes fell back on Tusk, "Congratulations on the oder. Must have taken a lot of scrubbing."

Tusk shrugged, leaving it up to her imagination. "You want anything to drink?" he offered. There was some water and alcohol on the counter to choose from.

Pepper shook her head as she turned and leaned into Tusk.

--

James wrapped his arm around Yue's shoulders and looked up at the sky, "... Should have brought marshmallows," he murmured begrudgingly.

"... Maybe next time," Yue noted as she got a little more comfortable and leaned against him. "But only one bag, or you'll get fat."

James huffed a little at the association but didn't retort as he rested his cheek on the top of Yue's head.

Yue was quiet for a few minutes, then she told him quietly, "Or maybe two - if you're good. I won't tell."

James grinned and kissed the top of Yue's head, "I'll be good," he promised quietly.

Yue nodded a little, settling into the silence again.

James let the silence flow around them for a moment before whispering, "I love you," into her ear and nuzzling the top of her head with his cheek.

Yue reached up and messed with James' hair a little quietly.

Woooooooooooow!!!! Hahahahahahahaha!

TeShawn whined a little, "Do you know how long it took me to get my hair to lay flat?" he exclaimed quietly in mock horror.