Chapter 10

She walked; Nicole's mind replayed the conversation over and over again. She couldn't believe her friends had actually suggested she might be a lesbian. It was hurtful and insulting, and Nicole couldn't help but wonder if her friends had ever really been friends at all.

Nicole stumbled down the street, the cool night air did little to calm her down. She was drunk, having consumed a significant amount of vodka in a short span of time. Her words were slurring, and her steps were unsteady.

"Who do they think they are?" Nicole muttered to herself, her voice barely audible. "I'm not going to die a virgin... I'll prove it to them... I'm interested in boys... and I can sleep with them..."

Nicole's thoughts were jumbled, and her sentences were fragmented. She was having trouble keeping her balance, and she stumbled several times as she walked.

"I want to lose my virginity... and I'll do it... I swear by... vodka..." Nicole slurred, holding up the bottle in a toast to herself.

As she walked, Nicole's mind began to wander. She thought about her friends, and how they had hurt her with their words. She thought about her desire to prove them wrong, and to show them that she was capable of losing her virginity.

And then, a name popped into her head. "Gage... my neighbor... he's nice... and he's hot... just a one-night matter..."

Nicole's thoughts were interrupted by a hiccup, and she giggled to herself. She was starting to feel a little dizzy, but she didn't care. She was determined to prove to her friends, and to herself, that she was capable of losing her virginity.

With newfound determination, Nicole started walking towards Gage's apartment, the vodka bottle still clutched in her hand. She was drunk, but she was determined to see this through.

Nicole stumbled into the hallway, her eyes fixed on Gage's apartment door. She raised her hand, her fingers closing around the doorbell as she gave it a loud, insistent ring. The sound echoed through the hallway, and Nicole felt a sense of satisfaction wash over her. She was going to do this, no matter what.

It was 2 AM, and the hallway was dimly lit, the only sound the soft hum of the air conditioning vents. Nicole swayed slightly, her balance precarious, as she waited for Gage to answer the door.

After what felt like an eternity, the door creaked open, and Gage stood before her, his eyes narrowed in concern. He was wearing a pair of sweatpants and a faded T-shirt, his hair mussed from sleep.

"Nicole, is everything alright?" Gage asked, his voice low and gentle.

Nicole shook her head, her eyes locking onto Gage's. "All right," she slurred, her words barely intelligible. "I want to talk to you."

Gage's expression turned skeptical, and he glanced at his watch. "It's 2 AM, Nicole. We can talk tomorrow, okay?"

But Nicole was insistent. She shook her head, her long hair flying around her face. "No, I want to talk now."

Gage hesitated for a moment, then stepped aside, allowing Nicole to enter. "Okay, come in," he said, his voice resigned.

Nicole stumbled into the apartment, her eyes adjusting slowly to the dim light. She felt a sense of disorientation, as if she was floating on a sea of vodka-fueled confusion. But she was determined to see this through, no matter what.

As she walked into the apartment, Nicole felt Gage's eyes on her, watching her with a mixture of concern and curiosity. She knew she was being reckless, but she didn't care. She was going to prove to herself, and to her friends, that she was capable of losing her virginity. And Gage was the perfect person to help her do just that.

As soon as Gage closed the door, Nicole's hands shot out, pinning him against the door. Gage's eyes widened in surprise, his body tense with alarm. Nicole's face was inches from his, her eyes blazing with a fierce intensity.

"You are handsome, muscular, cute, and hot too," Nicole slurred, her voice husky with desire. "Exactly my type."

Gage's eyes narrowed, his expression skeptical. "Nicole, have you had a drink?" he asked, his voice firm but gentle.

Nicole's response was immediate and unequivocal. "Gage, sleep with me," she demanded, her voice dripping with seduction.

Gage's eyes widened in shock, his face pale with concern. "You are drunk, Nicole?" he asked, his voice laced with alarm.

Nicole's laughter was low and husky, her eyes glinting with mischief. "What does it matter?" she asked, her voice dismissive. "I want to lose my virginity."

Gage's face was set in a firm expression, his eyes locked on Nicole's. "Nicole, calm down," he urged, his voice soothing.

But Nicole was beyond reason. She started taking off her clothes, her fingers fumbling with the buttons on her shirt. Gage's eyes snapped shut,

Nicole's hands cupped Gage's face, her fingers tracing the lines of his jaw. "Look at me," she whispered, her voice husky with seduction.

Gage's eyes flew open, his gaze locking onto Nicole's. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the air thick with tension.

"I won't be able to stop myself," Gage warned, his voice low and husky. "And if that happens, then you'll be in trouble."

Nicole's laughter was low and throaty, her eyes glinting with mischief. "I'm ready for any trouble," she whispered, her lips brushing against Gage's ear.

And then, in a move that left Gage gasping, Nicole bit down on his neck, leaving a mark that would linger for days. Gage's hiss of pain was mingled with pleasure, his body responding to Nicole's touch with a will of its own.

Nicole's hands roamed over Gage's body, her fingers tracing the lines of his abs. Gage's eyes snapped open, his gaze locking onto Nicole's.

"Stop here, Nicole," Gage warned, his voice firm but strained.

But Nicole was beyond reason. "No, I won't stop," she whispered, her lips brushing against Gage's ear. "You're the right man."

Gage's eyes locked onto Nicole's, his gaze burning with a fierce intensity. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the air thick with tension. And then, in a move that would change everything, Gage's lips crashed down on Nicole's, his kiss igniting a passion that would consume them both.

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