! BAD GIRLS ! BAD GIRLS !

( a sex and the city fic )

ARCADIA: BOOK STORE
los angeles, california
7pm

while miranda and samantha were busy at garth's toy promotional party, i was just arriving at the book store with carrie where the poetry reading would be held.

the place was quite nice, it was a bookstore and bar in one. it was pretty dimly lit, the atmosphere definitely fit the whole "poetic" vibe.

"this place is cool." i said as i looked around.

"it's very...artsy." carrie said as her eyes scanned the area.

we were suddenly approached by a man in his thirties, who i assumed was one of the staff. "names?" he asked, he had a list in his hand.

"jamie boyd and guest." i answered, remembering that joel said he'd get me on the list.

the man nodded and started searching through his list. after a moment, he looked back up. "there you are, front row seats..."

he pointed to a row of chairs set up close to the small stage.

"...enjoy the show." he said as he walked off.

"front row, wow." carrie said as we made our way to the front row, taking a seat and getting comfortable. "this guy must really like you."

"oh hush." i dismissed her as i crossed one leg over the other. i wore blue overalls with a white floral top under and a blue sweater. "do i look too childish?" i said gesturing to the overalls. "i didn't want to be too dressy since it's a poetry reading."

carrie shook her head, "no, you look good. a little casual but that's not a bad thing. this place is definitely a casual kind of crowd."

it was mostly people our age or younger. many seemed to be college students or writers who lived in los angeles. it gave off a cool vibe, not too fancy, not too casual.

"so how are you taking everything with aidan?" i asked, i hadn't genuinely asked her about it.

carrie shrugged, a generic look on her face. "fine." she said calmly.

"so...about me running into you and big at that hotel." i brought up.

she sighed, "look, you already knew about big and i and i appreciate you for not telling the others."

i was just about to tell her that big hit on me, but joel's voice came through the mic, jerking me into focus.

me and carrie both looked to the stage as joel greeted the crowd. he looked as good as he did at the cafe. and his voice sounded great through the speakers. he looked directly into my eyes when he started his very first poem.

he was a completely different person whilst onstage. he was intense and expressive, his words had so much feeling behind them it was impossible not to feel them too. my heart beat against my chest, i was utterly transfixed by his performance.

with every word that came out of joel's mouth, i felt like i was slowly falling. his words had so much depth and emotion behind them, and i was completely captivated. i had never heard anything like it before.

when his set was over, a round of applause echoed through the room and i couldn't help but beam.

as joel stepped off the small stage, he spotted me sitting in the front row. he nodded at me, a silent thank you for coming. i sent him a small smile and wave.

carrie leaned into me as joel went to go mingle with the crowd. "i think he's coming over..."

carrie and i continued to watch joel as he made his way over, stopping to talk to a few people on the way.

after a moment, he was standing right in front of me and carrie, a small smile on his lips.

"i wasn't expecting for you to come." joel said, looking at me.

i smiled, "well i couldn't pass up the opportunity."

he chuckled, "and how was it...? did i bore you?"

"no, you were great. i really enjoyed your performance." i said, my heartbeat quickening as i said the words. "joel, please meet my friend carrie. carrie, joel." i introduced.

carrie shook his hand with a smile, "nice to meet you, really impressive work."

joel smiled kindly, "thank you, it's a pleasure to meet you too." he then looked directly at me.

"would you like to sit?" i asked, gesturing to the seat next to me.

"yeah, sure." joel said as he sat down, carrie silently looked between us.

"i'm gonna go mingle around." carrie said as she stood up.

i gave her a quick smile before she was off, and i was left alone with joel.

"you look nice by the way." he said.

i blushed, feeling slightly shy. "thank you, you look nice yourself."

he looked handsome, wearing a grey short sleeve top allowing for his muscles to be on display, and black jeans.

"so, i'm glad you came tonight." he said, folding his arms against his chest.

"well it was a great show, and your talent is amazing." i complimented him.

he chuckled, "you sure it wasn't the famous writer thing that drew you here?"

"oh don't flatter yourself." i teased, which earned a smile from joel.

"don't worry, i get it. the famous author thing is a chick magnet." he said.

i laughed and rolled my eyes, "i had no idea you were so cocky." but on the inside, i found it extremely attractive.

joel chuckled, "i'm just stating facts. but you, on the other hand...how are you not swamped with men wanting to be with you?" he questioned.

a small blush covered my cheeks, but i still managed to keep my cool. "what makes you think i'm not?"

he shrugged, a hint of a smile appearing on his lips. "intuition. gut feeling..." he paused, looking me up and down. "i can just tell you're not a frequent dater."

i chuckled and raised an eyebrow. "oh really? and what else do your intuitions tell you?" i teased.

"let's see. your relationship history is probably quite limited, you're probably picky and very particular about who you want to let in." joel listed off.

"alright mr fortune teller, what about yourself?" i asked.

joel chuckled and shrugged, "pretty much the same i would think. i have quite the specific type. so i tend to stay away from romantic entanglements..." he let out a sigh. "i guess you could say i'm a little picky too."

i nodded, "i can understand that. not that many people are worth trusting nowadays. it's a good thing you are picky, though. people these days don't appreciate a good thing when it comes along."

he smiled, "i know that fact all too well."

carrie suddenly appeared behind me, tapping my shoulder to get my attention. i looked up at her before she gestured to her watch, signalling for me to wrap the conversation up for the night.

i nodded and looked back at him. "well unfortunately, i think the night is ending soon."

joel's smile faded for a brief moment before coming back. "that's a shame. i could have talked all night."

i sent him a sad smile, wishing the night didn't have to finish so soon.

"hate to break up what was going on here." carrie said, glancing over to joel. "but it's nearing midnight and the book store is closing in 30 minutes." she said as she stood over us.

i frowned, not ready for the night to end. "damn." i muttered.

carrie smirked and glanced at joel before looking back to me. "come on, we should say our goodbyes."

"well hey, i know the owner...i can shut this place down for the night when i feel like it." joel said, his eyes trained on me.

my stomach instantly filled with butterflies. i looked at carrie to see her reaction. she just shrugged, i looked back over at joel. "you'd do that?"

he nodded, "for you, i'd do it."

a small smile crept across my face, i tried my best to stay cool and collected.

carrie smirked as she saw the expression on my face. "alright you party animals, i have to head back. i'm ready to fall asleep any minute now." carrie said as she rubbed my shoulder. "how are you getting back to the hotel?"

"umm..." i quickly forgot carrie was my ride for the night. i looked at her, realising i didn't have a backup plan.

"i can drive you if you want." joel suddenly interjected.

carrie looked between joel and i, clearly enjoying every second of this moment. a smile plastered on her face as she watched me intently.

i felt slightly flustered, not getting any words out for a moment. but when joel spoke up, i couldn't possibly say no.

"yeah? you sure?" i asked.

he nodded, "trust me, i don't mind."

i smiled and nodded, feeling slightly excited at the idea of joel and i being alone. "well i guess that settles it." carrie said as she wrapped an arm around my shoulder. "enjoy the drive." she whispered into my ear.

i could feel a slight blush appear on my cheeks, but then it had been there for most of the night. i sent carrie a look that read 'don't meddle', but i knew she wouldn't listen to me.

"i hope to see you again." carrie spoke to joel, her eyes still locked on me.

he sent her a kind smile, "you too, it was a pleasure to meet you tonight."

"likewise." she said as she began to make her way out of the still crowded book store after sending me a wink and mouthing a 'have fun'.

~~

joel and i had been sitting for hours, talking nonstop about anything and everything. i found myself becoming more enamoured by him with every moment that passed.

he didn't just talk about himself, but he actively took the time to listen to whatever i was saying. there was genuine interest on his face, and it was impossible not to feel drawn to him.

i knew it was getting late when i started to yawn. "you tired?" joel asked, a hint of a smile on his lips.

i let out another yawn and chuckled, "yeah i'm pretty tired." i said as i pushed my hair back.

joel suddenly stood up and stretched, i got a full view of his fit build. i felt my cheeks heat up as i looked at how nice he looked.

"i guess i should take you back to your hotel before you fall asleep here..." he teased.

i chuckled and stood up too. "yeah, probably best." i picked up my sweater and slipped it on, following joel as he led the way out of the bookstore.

the streets were quite empty, the cool night air blowing against us as we walked towards joel's car.

when we reached his car, joel opened the passenger's side door for me. i sent him a smile before ducking inside.

he shut the door behind me and walked over to the driver's side. he sat down and turned on the engine, driving us towards my hotel.

i could feel myself becoming nervous as we drove closer to the hotel. i wasn't sure what would happen when joel dropped me off.

i glanced over at joel, he had one hand on the steering wheel and the other arm lazily laying on the open window as he drove.

"thank you, for tonight." i said, breaking the silence.

joel smiled and glanced at me, "i should be thanking you...i'm glad you came tonight. i had a really good time."

i felt my heart warm at the words. "yeah, i had a great time too..."

joel smiled again as he pulled up in front of the hotel. "well, here we are." he said.

i felt a sense of disappointment wash over me. "yeah..." i said as i unbuckled my seatbelt. joel turned off the engine and sat silently.

i reached for the handle on the door and went to get out, but joel spoke up suddenly. "wait."

i turned towards him and raised my eyebrows, "hm?"

"let me see you again, you'll be here for the rest of the week, right?" he said.

a small smile appeared on my lips and i nodded softly. "yeah, i'll be here until friday."

a small smile appeared on joel's lips too, "good, because i need to see you again." he said bluntly, the intensity in his eyes setting a fire in my stomach. "how about i pick you up tomorrow around seven, take you out to dinner?" he suggested.

i felt butterflies explode in my stomach at the idea of a date with joel. "yeah, that sounds perfect." i spoke, a hint of excitement in my voice.

joel moved forward, closer to me. i felt his breath on my face. "good, good." he repeated, his eyes glued to mine as he leaned in.

my heart raced as he neared, and when his lips brushed against mine, i pressed in closer. i knew carrie wouldn't believe any of this when i told her.

joel's hand gently cupped my chin as he slowly deepened the kiss, pulling me in closer, and i let myself melt into the moment.

his lips were soft, and the feel of his scruff against my face sent a shiver down my spine. i responded eagerly, keeping him close.

time seemed to stand still as i lost myself in the moment, joel's touch and kiss consuming all my senses. when we finally broke apart for air, we stayed close, our foreheads touching.

"i should get inside." i said, slightly still in a daze.

joel's hand was still on my chin, he looked at me with a mixture of satisfaction and a hint of desire. "yeah, you should..." he spoke, his voice low and husky.

i smiled against his hand, "but i don't want to." i teased.

he chuckled, "me either, jamie. but you need to get some sleep."

i knew he was right, but i didn't want to leave. i wanted to stay near joel, near his presence that felt so good.

"i'll see you tomorrow." he said, his thumb stroking my cheek tenderly.

"goodnight, joel." i said as i got out.

joel waited, watching me as i closed the door and walked towards the hotel entrance. i turned around and smiled once more before going inside.

the entire way to my room, my mind was swirling with thoughts of joel.

joel outlaw had me feeling like a schoolgirl.

~~

housekeeping notes!

thoughts? (i know i ask this at the end of every chapter but i really wanna know thoughts.)