

I Can Do Stupid All By Myself

Adult Romance

This book contains material that is unsuitable for those under the age of eighteen.

Published by Smashwords and Copyright 2011 CJ Hawk

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What happens when a book shy girl, grows up dreaming about her next-door neighbor boy as her dream fantasy man to marry, then runs into him as a twenty eight-year-old woman trying to find her wild side. When Mary Catherine O'Reilly, Mary Cate to her friends, finally succumbs to her best friends wishes to take her lifestyle up a notch, crazy and wild things happen. Crazy as in doing things a reserved kindergarten teacher would never think about doing, wild as in experiencing the best orgasms of her life with the man of her dreams in places she would never have thought possible.

When one particular man tugs at your fantasy heart strings for so long and then to have it happen for real, a girl can fall hard. Only one problem, when that man finally gets to fulfill his dreams of having her and is afraid to commit, he can find a lot of ways to make her feel as if he just doesn't have the time now.

Throwing a wrench in her plans to get wild and crazy for one summer, when her best friend who started all this, ups and marries a man she's only known for twenty-four hours in Vegas. What's even crazier is the man, her best friend marries, is her fantasy man's older brother. Planning a wedding the demanding MIL insists on throwing so that the marriage can be celebrated by the entire family causes irritations to rise.

Mary Cate finds herself in a tug of war, of emotions, with the man of her dreams. Can one crazy fast planned wedding bring them together again or will Mary Cate decide she needs a man who can commit instead of finding ways to go around commitment?
Chapter One

The dim lights of the swanky martini bar made it barely visible for me to keep an eye on the front door for Katelyn. It was my first weekend off for the summer. Kindergarten school officially closed on Wednesday, and Katelyn promised me a fun girl's night out. Only problem was; I didn't really know how to enjoy a fun girl's night out. I usually preferred being curled up in my overstuff chair, reading a book or putting gold star stickers on my kids work. Now that school was out, I promised Katelyn I would loosen up a bit this summer. Have some fun. Experience my wild side, even though I wasn't sure how. That was my first problem. My second problem was; most of my friends were now married and starting families of their own. Fun girl's night out, took a serious effort to organize and when we did, inevitably, someone or their spouse or kid got sick. It never failed. However, tonight, Katelyn made me wear one of her sexy black cosmopolitan bar dresses. She made me put on a pair of her four inch black Kate Spades, which I would never buy on my kindergarten teacher salary. She told me to practice walking in them, which I did for the last few days, only twisting my ankle a few times. She instructed me to meet her here at eight p.m., which gave her about a half-hour after her emergency-room shift to get ready at the hospital. She was going to round up a few of the other nurses or doctors and meet me here.

I'm not a rocket scientist, but I know how emergency rooms work. Most likely, the half hour she was already late, was some incredible story she would tell me about later. Describing fully what happened in the ER. It wasn't unusual and I usually looked forward to the entertainment value of it all.

I caught the bartender's attention from the far corner of the bar that I positioned myself at. I was hidden from potential strangers who might try to pick me up and gave me a great view of the front door. I ordered an apple martini and slid him my credit card again. Two drinks in under an hour were not my usual. I was a lightweight and knew this one I had to drink slowly.

I pulled my cell phone out to see if I missed a text from Katelyn. No such luck. I checked emails. Zero. I don't have a big social life. I checked Facebook from my phone and saw a few more of my kindergarten kids parents had friend requested me. I was up to fifty-five parents in the last three years of teaching and about eleven different staff members. I wasn't one to friend request. It seemed kind of needy if they weren't my close friend. I always waited for someone to friend request me. That or my extremely shy nature just would not allow me to put myself out on a limb and be rejected by someone.

With each sip of my apple martini, I felt a slow easy fuzz begin to take over my brain. It actually felt quite nice considering I was not a drinker of any sorts, and I had not eaten all day just so I could fit into Katelyn's size three cocktail dress. I was a five on my really good days, seven on my off days. I wasn't big, but I wasn't that dreamy slender woman that Katelyn was either. The dress had a bit of stretch to it, thanks to the spandex in the blend of material, but I was horrified to think that one wrong move, and I would rip a seam. The horror of that thought made me down the last half of my martini.

The bartender was not so quick this time to rush over to me. Things had really picked up, and his wait staff had him on his toes. Better for me, as I really didn't need another drink. I scanned the bar quickly and saw several young women, such as myself, dressed up in similar attire. I also noted that not too many of the men seemed as young as us lonely single women looking desperate. If anything, I would guess that average age of men to be ten to twenty years older. I mentally cursed Katelyn. She'd been bugging me to find myself a mature man that would give me kids and take care of me. Somehow, I was beginning to think this was a set up. I thought of all the times she told me that men our age were just not ready to settle down. I for one, thought that men my age were often found immature, but I was looking for no later than mid-thirties. I didn't want to be nursing the babies while I nursed my husband. Twenty years older was too dang old.

Just as I looked back into my small black clutch purse, I noticed the buzzing of my phone. I slid the touch screen bar and wanted to scream at Katelyn. "Before you yell at me..." She started out. She had that frantic I am so sorry voice; you wouldn't believe my day and how can I make it up to you. She quickly explained the emergency-room situation. A man came in with a slender cucumber broken off, in the back there situation, and he could not push it out as his muscles were stuck in a contracted state. I about gagged. I waved the bartender over frantically and held up my empty martini glass. He picked it up and whisked away to work madly on, hopefully my drink. I turned my back to the front door and hunched over trying to make it easier to hear what she had to say. By the time we were done talking, she offered to meet me here in an hour at the soonest. I told her I would try to hang in there, but mentally I knew if I did not get some type of food in my system, I was going to be drunk by the end of the next Martini.

I turned back towards the bar and angled myself towards the front door. My clutch dropped to the floor, so I bent down to pick it up. When I rose from bending over, there was an attractive man in his late thirties standing there holding my green apple martini. "For the beautiful lady." He said it smooth, and I was feeling buzzed. He wasn't my type but then I really didn't have much of a type. I flipped my long brown hair back behind my shoulder and caught a quick gaze in the bar mirror at my green eyes. I was having a hard time focusing so I knew I needed to slow down on the drinks and only sip the heck out of this one.

His short brown professional cut and brown eyes danced over my skin as he held out his hand and introduced himself. "Stan Colloff. And you are?" Who am I? I'm Mary Catherine O'Reilly to my mother, Miss Mary to my kindergarten kids, Mary Cate to my friends, and I was not about to give out my real name to a total stranger. "Megan." I quickly blurted out.

"Just Megan?" He smiled at me inquisitively, but I was getting the feeling it was more of a 'I want to eat you up' smile, like a tiger looking at a piece of meat. "Megan." I replied meekly, and then I practically downed half of the apple martini. My senses were wacked. I never drank this much let alone on an empty stomach. I was nervous whenever I was out on my own in a bar. It wasn't the type of place I normally held a stool by myself. Now the local coffee shop, that was more my style. A little caffeine, some free Wi-Fi and my iPad, and I was golden.

"Well Megan. Here's to the apple of my eye." He held up his own alcohol drink in a short glass and drank the dark liqueur in one fair shot. I watched his ice cubes clank around as his glass lowered in a slow motion. The sounds of the bar were starting to merge into some type of high screeching sound, and the bartender was looking like an oompha-loompa from here. I quickly wondered if Mr. Stan Colloff was really who he said he was, and might have slipped something into my drink. I knew better but tonight I knew I could do stupid all by myself.

Sounds were merging; images were getting foggy and Stan said something to the effect that we should go somewhere quieter. I was drugged, but I wasn't a complete idiot. Yet. I squinted my eyes to try to focus on a familiar image. It was a man approaching the bar, and I watched him fist bump the bartender than he turned to me. It couldn't be, I told myself. The last time I saw that man was my senior year in high school when I was a complete bumbling mess anytime he was near me. My straight A honor roll mentality dove deep into Stupidville whenever he stepped a foot near me.

Stan's hand was now on my elbow trying to guide me off my stool. The next thing I remember was screaming 'tape' at the top of my lungs, knowing I meant to yell rape as I was sure that was what he was planning on doing to me. However, in my inebriated state, my r was pronounced like a T. Then I remembered the whole world faded to black.

Chapter Two

The pounding in my head would not stop. Somehow, I figured if I rubbed my temples, it would help. The soft light of the morning sun was easing its way into the room from behind curtains that did not seem recognizable. The gentle rumbling of two voices talking back and forth caught my attention. One of them sounded like Katelyn. I finally allowed myself to breathe. I was not captive in Stan Colloff's house. However, I still did not know where I was at. The sheet thread count that touched my skin, felt like a high thread count that my low-end paying job could not afford. I let my hands wander over the luxurious feel then I felt the nakedness of my skin and wondered how on earth, I got that way. I sat up fast and held the sheet to my chest. I glanced around the room and realized this was a man's room in every sense of manhood.

The bed I laid in was a king-size bed with a huge headboard in some exotic wood. The large nightstands held only a thick masculine looking lamp on each one. One nightstand held a manly looking alarm clock docking station with a phone on it and next to it, a very expensive looking men's watch. I closed my eyes and tried to decipher whom the other voice was that was talking to Katelyn.

If I wasn't mistaken, it might be none other than my fantasy high school sweetheart, the last man I could focus my hazy eyes on before I screamed my lungs out at the bar. The slow painful memory came back to me as I slightly remembered Stan dropping my arm and running, and the man of my high school and adult fantasies wrapping me up in his arms. None other, John Gallagher. I wondered if he still had the rippling abs that he showed off when he took his track shirt off. Those sparkling blue eyes that looked deep into every girl's soul, or so they all claimed on the bathroom walls in permanent marker. That lush thick dark-brown hair that screamed for fingers to run through it. I wondered right up until the door opened and there stood a more manly version of my fantasies smiling at me with only the light peeking through the curtains.

"Rise and shine princess. Your chariot awaits you." His smile was devious and those dimples he got when he smiled deep showed just enough in the low light of the room I wanted to melt back into his bed and stay there forever.

Then Katelyn's head popped around from behind him, and she slid under his arm that was leaning up in the doorframe and came towards me. She turned to John. "Give us a minute." Then turning back to me with that sweet adorable puppy look she was so good at. "I am so sorry." She spoke each word slowly and punctuated. She rubbed my arm, reached down, and handed me the cocktail dress. "John told me all about it. Lucky for you, he was stopping in to check on a college buddy of his who was working the bar that night."

I had absolutely, no correct remembrance, of the entire night. The last thing I remembered was John gathering me in his arms, which was heavenly yet seemed so unreal. I thought it was another dream. I looked at the black cocktail dress and thought that is the last thing I wanted to slip on. I pulled the sheet off the bed and wrapped it around my body. I walked like a woman in a toga to the light switch and flipped it on. The enormity of the bedroom hit me hard. It was a huge room with wall to ceiling windows, thick plush curtains, large exotic wood furniture and off to the side looked like a bathroom fit for a king. That was where I was heading because just at that particular moment, what little substance was in my stomach, needed to make its way up and out.

"Mary Cate, are you ok? Mary Cate?" I heard her footsteps right behind me, but she was too late to hold my hair up as my hands were working hard to keep the expensive sheet in place. I tripped and landed just inches from the toilet. I threw up, not only on the expensive sheet, but all over the side of the toilet, the floor and a very nice pair of Italian leather shoes sitting right under a tuxedo hanging on a hook above them. I think a little splash back got on the pant legs as well.

Right behind Katelyn was John with a very amused look in his eyes, along with his deep dimples crept up a huge smile. "I guess I could thank you, Mary Cate. I was wondering how I was going to get out of that stuffy boring old dinner banquet tonight."

He seemed amused; Katelyn looked worried, and I felt my stomach lurching again. This was not the life I dreamed of living. What kind of person throws up on sheets that cost more than my monthly fun money, not to mention the tuxedo and Italian leather shoes. Why could I have not made it gracefully to the toilet and tossed my cookies there? Why? I mentally screamed at myself as the second time I threw up it was in the toilet but my hair fell down into the toilet with it. Good jest this was disgusting. I heard the bathroom door close and Katelyn telling me she was going to start a shower for me. The next thing I heard was the door closing again and no Katelyn.

When I finally looked up from the porcelain god, the bathroom was quickly filling up with steam from the hot running shower. I dropped the ruined sheet and slowly walked my naked body to the shower. Once inside I eyed only manly products, but I didn't care. Well, I did care because that told me that John was still single. I loaded the palm of my hand with some kind of body wash and scrubbed every inch of my body while the hot water massager beat against my back. I then loaded up as much shampoo as I thought would clean my hair. It was a really expensive smelling manly shampoo, and I scrubbed my hair until I was sure every last drop of puke and toilet water no longer existed in my long brown hair.

When I finally stepped out from the shower, I found a large white, very plush towel that practically wrapped around me twice. I walked my way to the mirror, swiped my hand over it to remove some moisture from the steam and noticed how bad my green eyes looked. Not to mention the mascara running underneath my eyes, along with the blood shot look and the heavy bags. I was pretty darn sure that Stan Colloff drugged my drink last night. As soon as I was able, I would call the owner and let them know. Maybe look at a few mug shots down at the police station. Hire a private detective to track the bastard down.

I found a comb and ran it through my hair. Then I quietly opened the door and at the foot of the door was a pair of scrubs from Katelyn and a note. 'Sorry. ER called.' There was a cutesy heart shape underneath that. I loved Katelyn. She was a good friend. I didn't love her job. It ate away at the little free time, my last single friend and I, had together. I dropped the towel and put on the scrubs. I made one last look at the mess behind me in the bathroom and cringed. I looked to the bedroom door, saw the light coming underneath it, and swore I smelled fresh gourmet coffee. I was a sucker for good coffee.

Like a zombie, I walked out of the bedroom into the rest of John Gallagher's domain. He apparently lived in a really large loft overlooking the city lights of Denver and must be doing well for himself, by the way the place was decorated. Nothing looked cheap. It was all custom-made furniture, or at least I was sure all wood. No prepressed plywood laminated junk held any sense of presence in this loft. The city skyline, off to the right of his kitchen gallery windows, were well overshadowed by the incredible mountain view. It had not been sun shining in but the sun setting that peeked through the bedroom curtains. I had slept, an entire night and day.

"Oh gosh!" Popped out of my mouth, before I let that thought sink in any deeper. I just slept in a man's bed for almost a full twenty-four hours, and I didn't even sleep with the man. My life was pitiful.

"You ok now?" The thick rich timber of his voice came from behind me. He must have been in his upstairs loft that overlooked the main floor and gallery kitchen as he stood on the last step, looking every bit as handsome and more since high school. His blue eyes were as intense as I remembered, his thick lush brown wavy hair was now in a shorter professional cut, but that didn't stop my fingers from itching to run through them. He looked more muscular than from back in the day and more like a man now. He was sexy as hell.

I caught myself staring at him and remembered he asked me a question. "Better. A bit. I smelled coffee?" I smiled sheepishly as the heavenly scent not only reached my nostrils but my grumbling stomach as well.

"There's coffee and I made you some plain toast. I thought maybe after..."

"Oh gosh! Don't remind me. John I will repay you. I am so sorry about the shoes and tux. Here, get me something to go clean it up."

"Sit." He directed me to a stool made of thick heavy wood that sat under a huge gorgeous black granite island. There was a cup of black coffee and a small plate with two pieces of toast. "I don't think you're in any condition to clean up that mess."

As if he had to remind me of both my condition and mess. "I'm so sorry. I think I was drugged last night. I only had three apple martinis but that last one that guy handed to me, things went downhill fast. I hate to think of what might have happened if you hadn't..." I stopped on that thought and gave a shy grin, then gobbled down a piece of toast quickly followed by half a cup of coffee.

"Well, I just happened by. It's not a place I normally go. It was strange walking in and seeing you there all dressed up like a supermodel in the corner." And there it was. The Gallagher boy charm. All three boys had the charm that could knock any girl's socks off. Especially mine.

I was too shy to ever let John know how I felt. Since he was the youngest of three, he had followed just fine in the previous footsteps of his older brothers. All they had to do, was look at you with their incredible looks, flash a smile with dimples, open their mouths and out poured the charm. Thus causing a shy girl like me, to either act incredibly stupid or say something so far-fetched they usually walked away shaking their head.

"Supermodel." I started to laugh then I made a sound that sounded like a snort from a pig and let out a laughter that resounded loud through the pricey loft. Good gest. Here I go again. Laughing all stupid and saying insane things like what came out of my mouth next. "I don't normally do Kate Spade or cocktail hour, but there I was all liquored up."

I watched him smile and turn with a shake of his head. If he didn't know who Kate Spade was, then he might think I was a lesbian and why the heck did I say all liquored up? Very mature of me. I saw him reach inside a lower cabinet for a pail, rubber gloves and some disinfectant cleaner. He's gorgeous, and he cleans up after my puke. I put my hands in a prayer motion and looked up to his ceiling. "Can I keep him God? Please?" I must have said it loud enough. He turned and had an inquisitive look on his face. "Keep who?"

I stuffed the next piece of toast in my mouth and smiled.

Chapter Three

If I hadn't cringed hard enough after I watched him walk out of the bedroom with a black plastic bag filled with the shoes and sheet, along with the tux which was salvageable and in a dry cleaner bag, I certainly did cringe after he sat me down on a leather oversized chair and proceeded to tell me about the previous night's events. All starting from the time he walked in.

"How are you Mary Cate?" He sat down in an identical oversized leather chair directly across from me. He leaned in with his elbows on his knees and his hands clasps and that sexy as hell look on his face. That look he didn't even have to try for, but accomplished it every time.

"I'm better. Thanks. I'm not exactly sure what happened last night. One minute I was waiting for Katelyn and the next minute I felt drugged. Thanks." I took a sip of the peppermint tea he offered me earlier along with the handful of saltine crackers. The toast had settled well, but I was still hungry, and I was afraid to eat anything. As if he had read my mind, he made the tea and offered the crackers. That or I am sure he's been in this spot more times than he cared to admit. What I remembered of the Gallagher boys was they knew how to party.

"Well, one things for sure. You were looped. I mean I have never seen you so..." He laughed lightly and did the sexy smile thing, and I lost focus on what he was saying. "So looped in all my years of living next door to you Mary Cate. Growing up, you were so reserved and shy. When I walked in last night, your beauty stopped me cold in my tracks." He let his dimples smile deep as his eyes looked sincerely into mine.

I almost chocked on the saltine I was eating. Here was the John Gallagher I grew up next door to, dreaming night and day that he was my prince charming. And, charming he was. He knew all the right things to say, at the right time to women, and now that I was older, yet still as shy, I knew better.

So what came out of my mouth next was inappropriate. "You say that to all the women John. Pah-leese." Exaggerating on the word please.

"What?" He leaned back into his chair and laid his arms on the armrests. I noticed right away that his hands seemed so much bigger than back in high school. How I wanted those large strong hands on different parts of my body. I did a mental slap to snap my hallucinogenic mind out of its spiraling demise. There was no way in H.E. double hockey sticks that John was interested in me. He just happened to be at the right place and the right time to save my ass. Come to think of it, growing up next door to him, he was often in the right place at the right time, saving my ass while it was caught in some embarrassing situation or another.

I realized the way his eyes were looking at me; I felt attractive in Katelyn's extra scrubs of faded green, and my saltine loaded mouth. And that, was impossible, because I was just average Mary Catherine or Mary Cate as I was always called growing up. My green eyes were special. I gave myself that. They weren't a soft green but a bright green. However, the rest of me was Mayor of Averageville. I wanted to scream 'stop', but the way he was looking at me was causing that nice warm feeling in my gut. That feeling a man gives you when you want nothing more than them. That feeling I got sometime around second grade when I realized that one John Gallagher was the neatest kid on the playground and watching all the elementary kids swarm around him like honey bees was what caused me to never say a word about my attractiveness to him.

I finally spoke. "John?"

"Yes Mary Cate?" He did it again. He smiled and about made me have an orgasm just saying my name. I was a weak woman. Left alone to my own demise around grown men, I often did stupid things. Left along or even in a room with John, and I was known to do even stupider things. If that was at all possible.

"What happened last night? How did I... naked... your bed, good jest, what did I do?" I took the last sip of tea out of the cup and gulped hard. Something tells me I did something really super stupid last night to make up for all the years I hadn't seen John.

"Well." He paused as he leaned forward again and laid his arms on his knees and clasps his hands under his chin and looked to be contemplating how he wanted to answer that. "I walked in, saw you looking incredibly gorgeous." Here's where my face turns beet red in front of him. I felt the heat rise in my face.

"Then I saw that man making a pass at you, while I told my buddy hello. Next thing I know you're screaming; he's running, and you wrapped yourself up in my arms telling me I was your hero."

Could I have been that bold? I remembered it a tad differently, however; everything was bits and pieces of foggy. I didn't remember coming here or undressing or sleeping, for that matter. So how did all that come about? I was too afraid to ask.

He let out a light laughter than corrected himself. "Actually Mary K." He hadn't called me that since fifth grade when all the kids caught us behind the school play hut and said it looked like we were about to kiss. They started singing John and Mary K sitting in a tree. You get the rest. Then he stormed off saying he was not, and I sat down crying until my mom came to get me from school. We weren't about to kiss. I don't think. He told me I had a bug in my hair, and he wanted to get it out. Looking back, his hand was in my hair for a very long time, stroking it.

"I walked in and noticed you right away. Then I noticed the man trying to pick you up. It wasn't until you screamed that I felt I should come over. The guy ran and you almost tripped, and I caught you. You babbled about Katelyn and didn't feel so good. You threw up a little on your dress, and I grabbed you and your purse and got you cleaned up in the employee restroom. After that, Katelyn called your phone; I answered because at this point you were trying to strip tease for me. Next, I told Katelyn I would take you home, and she wanted you to come to the ER. You screamed no. Katelyn told me I shouldn't leave you home alone. I gave her my address, and you passed out in my car. Katelyn undressed you in my room, put you to bed and cleaned up the dress. She had to get back to work and..."

I had to stop him. This was too much. I put my hand up in a stop motion and shook my head no. However, I had to question him. "I? Me? Mary Cate? Tried to strip tease in front of you? You made that up. I wouldn't even know how to strip tease let alone..." Laughter spilled out of me like a snorting pig. I finally caught my breath and realized the only time I laughed like that was in the presence of one particular man, John.

"Oh darling, you did more than gyrate your hips and toss your hair. You had that pretty black cocktail dress almost off, and you had moves that looked so enticing I had to convince myself it wasn't the time or place."

"Pa-huh." I made some barely audible gag sound. Me? Strip? Gyrate? For Pete's sake, I wouldn't even know how. I put the fuddy in fuddy duddy. According to my friends, I was so shy, boring, unexplored, inhibited, but they loved my sweet demeanor any ways. What got me worried was the fact that I did not remember anything past being held in John's arms.

He raised an eyebrow and smiled with those darn dimples. "Believe what you want Mary K, but I was there sober."

"Mary Cate. You haven't called me Mary K since..."

"Since I played with your hair back in fifth grade, on the playground. I told you there was a bug in your hair but actually, I just wanted to stroke your hair. It was always so soft looking. If those kids hadn't come around, I was going to try to kiss you."

My mouth dropped open. Fifth grade was a hard year for me, and now to find out that the man and boy of my dreams was playing with my hair and wanted to kiss me. I was flabbergasted. I had to think back long and hard. After that particular fifth-grade incident, John never seemed to want to play with me out in the neighborhood or let alone look at me. He never tried his smooth moves on me again, if that was what really happened. Maybe I was a normal passing fancy for him in fifth grade, but he was the boy I dreamt about. The guy I wanted to kiss me my first time. The man I wished I slept with the first time. Instead, we passed each other in halls or ignored each other in classrooms if we were together. We only laughed and joked when a group was around. I had been heart crushed more times than I cared to think about.

He leaned back again. "Look. I just want you to know nothing happened last night. Katelyn got you to bed after I got you up here from my car. She cleaned up the dress and said if you woke that I should drive you home. She had to get back to work in eight hours and really needed the rest. She swung by here on her way to work with the extra scrubs. You were still asleep. Then she stopped after work on her way home, and we were talking for several hours when you woke up. Katelyn's changed a lot since our senior year. She's a trip. Kind of wild if you ask me."

I mentally laughed. Katelyn and I met in high school our senior year. Her dad was a military man transferred here to Denver. She felt like an outcast, and I was good at going under everyone's radar. She needed serious help with her math and biology, and I volunteered. The rest was history. Wild child Katelyn was my polar opposite, but we became best friends any ways. I helped her through her residency, and she helped me through my teaching degree. This was the first year she told me she was going to force me to open up my wild side. Last night was not an indicator of my future summer; I hoped.

"Hey John? Thanks. I mean I know better than to take a drink from a stranger and not directly from the bartender. I guess I was nervous last night. Katelyn said I had to." I stopped cold. I couldn't tell the man of my dreams that I was as dull as ever and that Katelyn was on a mission to crack my wild child egg shell.

"She told me." He leaned back again and smiled.

"Told you what?" I felt my eyes pinch and my heart stop beating. What exactly had she told him?

"That tonight was going to be the first night of your wild adventurous summer. Honey if you need adventure than you need to go no further."

I swallowed hard. What was he implying? Good jest, did he not know what he did to me? The feelings he stirred up inside me, just sitting the way he was, across from me. I said nothing and looked down into my saltine crumb littered lap.

"God Mary Cate. You're just as gorgeous as I remember you. All sweet and innocent. I guess it wasn't really all just an act."

I kept my head down but let my eyes look up. Either he was teasing me, or he was just being his old charming self. When my eyes met his, I got that fuzzy warm sensation throughout my whole body and realized that his eyes held a note of sincerity, and I was falling hard for the man who broke my heart back in high school. "John?"

I couldn't say much more. Our eyes locked and I wanted so badly, for what he was saying to be true. I wanted him to wrap me up in his arms and kiss me senseless. I wanted us to get busy on those expensive thread count sheets I woke up on.

"With the sunset behind you, I don't know who's more gorgeous, or if it's just you that makes the sunset the most beautiful one I've ever seen."

I jumped up, turned, and noticed an incredible sunset about to take place. Then my stomach grumbled loud for a long time, and I let out a loud fart. I felt like I just ruined this entire moment in a heartbeat.

Chapter Four

Which I guess was ok. Next thing I know the doorbell rang. John opened it to a very gorgeous tall blonde. Now this woman was a supermodel or should be. She was dressed in a very slinky red cocktail dress that barely covered her there. Her four-inch heels, and long sexy legs, put her right at John's six-foot frame. He was solid next to her rail thin body. The only thing that held mass was the double bolt-on's that her red slinky dress revealed, all but maybe two inches of them that were covered.

Her hands wrapped up in his hair, and her lips met his, but he seemed to pull away awkwardly. "John darling. I got your message. I had to rush right over and see what kind of emergency you were dealing with in order to miss the awards banquet. You are, after all, the honoree of the awards ceremony. This is so not like you." She peeked around his shoulder and gave me a once over like I was lint in the corner. Then she proceeded to walk inside his loft like a supermodel on a runway, and she owned the place.

I looked away and sat back down in the oversized leather chair trying to hide myself. My hair was now dried all scraggily; I was sure. My face was pale from my previous night's excursion, and my head was starting to pound.

There in front of me was the type of woman; I imagined John had a lot of adventures with. He was just being his charming self, flirting with me to make me feel better.

I watched from the corner of my eye as John turned to supermodel and told her that he didn't need her help. He mentioned my name and something about old friends into her ear, and she gave a loud laugh and tossed her incredibly rich looking blonde hair back. "Oh John, darling you are always one for a charity case."

That last comment seemed to make him mad. I looked down and away towards the sunset behind me, and then I heard the door close.

"Sorry." His voice sounded sincere. "She was more arm candy than anything for tonight's banquet. I guess not many men cancel on her. I guess her curiosity got the best of her."

I turned, and he was leaning against a round silver metal post that ran up the length of his loft to the upstairs. His feet were crossed, one leg in front of the other, and he had his arms crossed and a huge smile on his face.

"What?" I smiled back.

"I was just thinking how I might actually have wanted to go tonight if I could have you as my date dressed in that black dress looking all sexy like you did last night."

"Was that before or after I threw up?" I laughed.

"Which time?" He pushed off the metal post and walked towards his kitchen gallery. It was all stainless steel and manly looking, dark rich granite, dark cabinets and lots of stainless steel. He padded across his tile floor in bare feet, and I liked the way his faded jeans filled out his backside. Nothing about that man changed since high school only that he got better with age.

I laughed lightly this time and stood up. I walked to the counter in the kitchen where my empty plate of toast still sat. I picked it up and walked to the sink next to where he was standing as he pulled out spices and pans.

"You hungry? Want to try a little something more than toast or crackers?"

I thought back to my grumbling stomach and loud fart. I didn't know if it was the date-rape drug that caused the vomiting and body noises or if drinking apple martinis on an empty belly caused it or both.

"I'm hungry. I starved myself all day to fit into that dress of Katelyn's that I borrowed last night. Then after, well you know. My stomach feels better but feels weird."

"Then how bout I cook us some basic pasta and vegetables, no spices or heavy sauce and I'll give you a side of applesauce."

I smiled. I loved applesauce. When I sat at lunch with my kindergarten kids on special days, I would often pack applesauce. It just seemed like the right thing to eat in front of them. Sometimes I got crazy and brought mango applesauce or strawberry applesauce but mostly plain. That was me. Being crazy meant stepping up my applesauce game.

As I watched John work in the kitchen, I noticed he seemed to move with professional expertise. We talked lightly back and forth about my teaching kindergarten kids and his career in architect design. However, before that, while he went to college, he did construction and before that a short-order cook. As he talked, I imagined him all slick and wet with a hard day of construction work glistening off his tan golden skin. His body half naked from his work shirt hanging over his shoulder, his faded worn-out jeans clinging to his muscular body and his work tool belt hanging on his hips.

"Earth to Mary Cate. I lost you there for a minute. You never answered me. Do you want some more hot tea to drink, or I have bottled drinks in the fridge?"

"Water would be best I think. I'm a bit dehydrated. Again, I am so sorry about last night and this morning. I guess drinking on an empty stomach wasn't a good idea."

"No worries. Actually, you barely threw up on the cocktail dress. That was easy to clean up."

I blushed trying to remember him cleaning me up, but it hadn't come back to me. "Again. Sorry."

I watched him set the food on plates, and he smiled. "I'm not. I was glad to run into you again. I'd been wondering what you've been up to. Ever since we graduated, and my folks moved away I wasn't sure what happened to you."

Yeah, right. Like he spent his days wondering about me. Uh-huh. Don't think so. I think he spent his days wondering how to get into the panties of women like little miss supermodel who dropped by earlier.

"Did you ever wonder about me?" I could not believe my ears. He wanted to know if I wondered about him. Not only did I wonder; I still fantasized what it would be like if he kissed me.

I looked down at my feet and shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know. Maybe. Sorta."

"Good. I was hoping you had. Shall we eat?"

We sat at his kitchen counter nibbling on his deliciously healthy light meal, watching the final sunset settle in behind the mountains and the sky slowly turn pitch dark. We laughed about our college days. Mine were bland unless Katelyn was involved. His was filled with parties, women, more parties and more women. I internally felt ashamed that I had only been with four guys. Three of them never led to a return event. Number four, after six months of incredible sex, turned out to be married. That is what led me, to not venture out to find me Mr. Right.

At one point in the conversation, I realized that I should probably get home. I must look dreadful in Katelyn's old green scrubs, no makeup and my hair drying to a funny look. But somehow, John never let me feel that way. He made me feel comfortable in my own skin; he laughed at my jokes, and I quit laughing with a snort and back to my normal lighthearted laughter. Slowly, word by word, I felt my shyness slip away and truly enjoyed sitting next to John, catching up on old times.

His hand reached out and started stroking my hair, just when I was about to sit up and ask that he drive me back to my car. Touching me like he had a right and desire, which caused me to tremble with excitement. Then as I opened my mouth to say anything, his mouth slowly came down on mine. The next thing I knew he was kissing me softly with his lips to mine, and I felt my entire body want to melt into a mess on the floor. As he slowly pulled away, he smiled and tilted his head. "I've wanted to do that to you ever since that day in fifth grade."

I've wanted him to do that to me and more ever since the fifth grade too. Problem was. I didn't think I was prepared for the likeness of the mature John Gallagher. In my bold attempt to be mature and sexy all the same, I did something next that would go down as my worst moment in history with men.

"John? I think that was..." Then it happened. The worst possible thing. I threw up the meal he just fed me, all over his faded jeans landing my face right in it, in his groin area. I was devastated.

Chapter Five

"Katelyn, it's the flu. Full-fledged flu. Who gets the flu this time of year? Me. That's who and right after being drugged. It's like a double whammy. All year, all flu season, I take my vitamins, clean my hands a million times a day and my first weekend off for summer, and I get drugged with date rape meds, I throw up on my high school heart throb and come down with bone-chilling flu. This is so stupid."

Her laughter on the other line filled my ears and made me smile. "What's stupid." She paused while talking to me. "Is not calling John back. He's worried about you. I talked to him, and he told me you wouldn't answer your door, won't return his calls. He thinks you're mad he kissed you."

"So you and him are chatty now?"

"That sounds snarky and jealous. Pah-leese."

"Well you're more his type. Wild, sexy, skinny and you have that killer tattoo in that spot that only a lover should see."

"You've seen it and you're not my lover."

"Geese Katelyn. That's only because you made me look at it and tell you what I thought. It's sexy and bold, and I don't think I could ever do that."

"Well you're going to. I've got a list baby and this summer you are stepping out and trading up for the wild side. By the way, I told John all about our summer plans. He wants in. I think he likes you. In fact, I think he wants to break you in and make you scream."

"Does not." I laughed thinking about the soft kiss and how wild I knew John could be.

"Does too. Listen. You're pretty much better. One more day and you should be tops. One more day and my ass is off four days in a row. Yahoo." Her voice carried an excitement of relief. She worked hard, sometimes doubles, and when her four-day stretch carried out, she partied like a rock star. Sometimes dragging me along, only to have me escape at the nearest possible exit and hurry home to my safety and serenity.

As soon as we hung up, I cozied up into my reading chair feeling sorry for myself when my phone rang again. I reached for it and watched his name dance across the caller I.D making me feel all warm and fuzzy. Actually making me feel better.

"Hello." I tried to sound casual and aloof, but my heart was beating a million miles a minute.

"Hey. Feeling better?"

"Yeah. Hey, about throwing up, again. I'm sorry."

"Don't be. Having the flu can be awful. Having it right after someone drugged you, even worse."

"Yeah. Hey. You know what the police station told me."

"What?" He sounded interested and caring. My heart went pitter-patter to the sound of his voice.

"They told me good luck lady and next time don't take a drink from a stranger. Nice huh?"

"Not really, but I guess calling several days later without proof is hard to process. Lucky for you a hero came along when he did."

"Yeah." I paused as my breath caught, and I felt truly lucky he came along when he did. "You're my hero." I said it all sickening sweet and sappy.

"Darling, I've been waiting years to hear you say that to me."

I laughed and thought yeah right. "Oh John, you are still as charming as you were back then."

"Honey, I'll admit I'm a charmer but admitting I've wanted you to tell me I was your hero has been a long time coming. Remember the time I rescued you from..." His stories went on for the next hour reminding me of the times he rescued my cat from a tree, my Barbie from being run over in the road, no mind you; his brother put my Barbie doll in the road. His voice and stories brought back memories that had long been hidden. I had always thought this crush was one way. Listening to John over the phone, I got the sense it was a little something for him as well. Maybe not the white wedding I dreamed about since I was young with John as my groom. But perhaps, I was the one that got away, the one he never got to kiss until last night, a quest he must conquer.

Thinking of myself as a quest that John wanted to conquer made me laugh, and apparently, I did it out loud.

"What's funny?"

I couldn't tell him what I was thinking so I played it off. "Oh, just this butterfly dancing around out my apartment window. I was listening. Don't get me wrong. It's just..."

His laughter caught me off guard this time. His deep timber voice sounded so happy and carefree as I stumbled out the lie about watching the butterfly. There wasn't a butterfly out my window, only in my stomach where it flitted around as I thought of the way his lips felt on me when he kissed me.

"Darling. You were always watching or chasing a butterfly when you were a kid. I remember the time I had to grab your arm before you ran out in front of a car when you were seven. You yelled at me that I hurt your arm and your dad yelled at me for touching you, then my mom told your mom what happened since she saw the whole thing, and the rest is history. I do believe that was the first time I got to be a real hero for you. Hey, Katelyn mentioned you getting a tattoo. Maybe you should get a butterfly."

I smiled at the thought. I sweet small colorful butterfly on my lower stomach would represent the feeling I get when I think of John or when he kissed me. "Maybe." We both got quiet for a second then I spoke up. "John. It was great to run into you again. You don't have to hang around or be a part of Katelyn's plans for my wild summer. I understand if you were just doing the gentleman thing of rescuing me and rehashing old memories has been great, and I really feel bad about getting sick at your place and the sheets, oh gosh; I forgot I need to repay you for those sheets and..." I was rambling.

"Mary Cate. You're rambling. You always ramble when you're nervous. I'm glad we reconnected. As far as this summer, you are going to have a hard time not letting me in on the plans. I've got ideas for some serious wild and crazy fun for you."

I just bet he did. Problem was, could I handle it? Would I cower away or would he kiss me again and leave me?

Chapter Six

The first few stops Katelyn had planned were shopping. I had no budget for this, and she was in no mood for the 'no' answer, so it was off to shopping. We had slipped into several stores inside the mall and each one I promptly walked out of after looking at the price tags on things. I was a thrift shopper not a high-end tag shopper. By my third walkout, Katelyn grabbed me by the arm and steered me towards a Victoria Secrets store. I suppose I did need a new bra and a few panties.

"Times like these, call for breaking in the plastic you keep saving for emergencies. Your closet is in an emergency along with the fact that flower printed big girl panties are not exactly going to feel sexy when John goes stripping them off you."

I slugged her arm jokingly. "I don't think John is going to be stripping anything off me. I think this is just a thing for him. He'll be bored with me in no time. He's probably more into tall long legged blondes." Supermodel came to mind, and I knew I was no competition against her.

"Don't be so sure. I was there when you were passed out in his bed, and listened to the way he talked about you. You would have thought he was the one with the high school crush. Look. Let's focus on fun. You are to go in there and come out with one sexy piece of lingerie, two adorable push up bras for your B cups and matching panties. Grab a couple of thongs while you're in there. I've got to hit the ladies room, and I'm going to grab a coffee at the food court while you shop. Want anything?"

"No I'm good."

I watched Katelyn walk away, and I watched almost every single pair of male eyes follow her. Her long jet-black hair, piercing blue eyes and mocha colored skin looked so exotic. Her skinny frame she inherited from her mom. However, she definitely had the bubble in her butt that every woman dreamed she could have to drive a man wild. I smiled as she walked with confidence and assertive stride and then turned into the store I had avoided since my fallout with Mr. I forgot to tell you I was married man a while back.

I let my fingers touch the soft shimmering colors of temptation on the racks. Dreaming of how sexy I could look in some of these things. With my hair done and my makeup sultry, I could look sexy trying to seduce one particular man. Then I let out a big sigh and thought, who am I kidding. One more kiss like last time and he'll find me completely boring and move on to Supermodel.

I had to tell myself this wasn't about him; this was about me and my inability to break out of my boring shell. I had been so focused on my education all my life that all I did was envy those that went out and had fun. Although Katelyn and I often disagreed on what was fun. I did express a need for some excitement, and Katelyn expressed a strong desire to help me find it. Why not, I'd been telling myself. However, now that the fun has begun, I was hoping the first night out wasn't an indication of what to expect for the rest of the summer's activities. I hated doing stupid things and worse getting rescued from my stupidity.

"May I help you?" A seventeen year old, bubbly sales clerk, who was trying to look twenty something, was talking to me. She was dressed in VS clothes and looked like she just stepped off the runway. The last person I wanted help from, was her.

"I'm ok. Just here for my annual bra and panty purchase." She pursed her lips, and turned so fast and walked away I wondered if I had something on my face. I looked in a mirror on the wall and noticed I looked fine. My clothes, on the other hand, looked like I was teaching a class to a bunch of kindergartners. It was a tad unappealing. Oh but wait, that is what I do and who I am, so I shouldn't be ashamed. However, a nice sexy outfit or two for the summer would be fun. Maybe a few outfits couldn't kill me. I had been saving up to buy a new computer and printer, but I guess my old one will keep going for another year. I hoped.

I let my eyes wander at the enticing displays of luxurious lingerie and felt envious of the photo-shopped pictures of models in lingerie, as backdrops on the walls. I had to keep telling myself over and over that those models were probably fifteen, if that. They had professional hair stylists and make-up artist the day of the shoot; and not to mention a designer or two along with a graphic photo correction program that made them look the way they did. I had to remind myself that those girls usually had to starve themselves most of their careers, and they were not a true indication of what a real woman looked like in lingerie.

Almost fifteen minutes later, I was proud of my purchases. I walked out of the store over a hundred dollars closer to broke and walked towards Katelyn sitting on the bench drinking her coffee and texting someone.

"Hey there." I felt like I caught her off guard as she closed her phone mid click and looked caught red handed.

"All done already? What'd you get? Did you even try stuff on?"

"I'm pretty proud of myself. But I'm not going to show you here."

"Why not." She motioned for the bag, which I reluctantly handed over and then sat down on the bench as far away as possible. I knew Katelyn, and she would not hesitate to pull it all out in public to critique, and she would do it in such a fashion that men would look at her. Who am I kidding? Men looked at her any ways. I always felt on center stage when I was out with her. I just felt more like the stage prop then the center attraction.

The first thing she pulled out she cringed at. It was a soft peach lacy bra with a matching full bottom panty. She set it on the bench between us and there were already a few eyes on us. The next thing she pulled out was the brown polka-dotted bra I bought. They didn't have matching panties, but I liked it.

"Stop!" She cried out bringing a lot of attention to us now as she dumped the rest of the bag on the bench. "You have got to be kidding me. Mary Cate I had faith in you. After that kiss, I thought for sure you would walk out of there with something seductive in red and black. Preferably, with a string up the back of your ass not something that covers the entire thing."

My face, I was sure, was completely red. My eyes closed, thinking if I could not see the people looking at us making a spectacle, then it wasn't happening.

"Good lord, girlfriend, you are not this helpless. I saw cuter things in your drawer when you were dating Mr. Wrong. Are you so far off kilter that you have succumbed to this? I mean. Ok. Everyday wear for teaching, but not to seduce your heart throb crush you've had for how many years." I watched her stuff everything back in the bag, stood up and grabbed my hand. "Let's go. This time, I'm doing the selecting."

A half-hour later, one pissed-off return clerk and some very messy hair on my head from trying stuff on in the dressing room, I was now three hundred dollars poorer, but I felt like a total seductress with what I bought. If we kept this up, it could be two years before I got a new computer.

Our next stop was a luxurious body lotion store. Katelyn bought me a body scrub and body butter. She wanted to treat me to a day spa, but she had a few unexpected bills come due and told me that we'd have to do our own.

We stopped in a cheap jewelry store and picked up some funky earrings and a wrist full of bangles. By the time we reached the shoe store, I was beat. So, sitting on my ass and having a very sexy male sales clerk try shoes on me was nice. Fifteen pairs of try on's later, I only wanted to buy one, but he was cute and very flirtatious with me instead of Katelyn. That was a first, so I bought two.

As we walked out, Katelyn lagged behind, and I caught her hand him a twenty out of the corner of my eye. That sneaky pete. She planned to have that sales clerk flirt with me. I felt better about myself any ways.

All we had left on her must have list is a few sexy dresses. Two of them we bought at VS, but she wanted me to pick out the last one. Something for a casual date, she told me. Something that I would feel comfortable in, but not too casual or teacherish and something that I picked out myself. This felt like a test. We walked through the department store, and all the new summer stuff was calling to me. The price tags were not, however. I slowly waltzed over to a rack of new maxi dresses and fell in love with a navy blue one that had a beaded center strap that went up from the middle of the top of the chest and tied around back. It was floor length but with a nice casual restaurant and the pair of wedged sandals I just bought I would look sexy yet casual in this. I had a hard time wanting to pay ninety dollars for it, so I walked away.

"Stop right there missy." Katelyn's voice sounded stern. "That is so a 'you' dress, and you are not going to walk away. Try it on." She grabbed my size and a few other dresses and led me to the dressing room. She plopped herself in the chair outside of the room and waited for me to come out with what she had pulled.

I tried on the navy blue maxi dress first. It was incredible on me. It made my slight tan look darker, and my face seemed brighter. It was a great color with my skin tone, and I felt sexy yet casual. I stepped out of the room, and Katelyn's face beamed. "Sold!" She practically shouted and I grinned from ear to ear. I was sold on it. I just didn't know how I could afford it. I guess I could eat only noodles for a week and skip any other lavish expenses.

"Now. Go try on the other ones I grabbed and let's get lunch. I'm starving."

We left that store with me being two hundred dollars poorer and four more adorable dresses. I tried to mentally tell myself that with winter leggings and a cardigan sweater, those dresses could be work clothes as well. However, I couldn't fool myself. My emergency credit card now had a total balance that was over five hundred, and I wasn't comfortable with that. Usually I took tutoring on as extra cash in the summer, but this summer, I wanted to take a break from that. I was already guessing that by week's end, I would call the tutoring assignment service and let them know I was available again.

"Where to for lunch?" I asked, and Katelyn had a grin on her face that told me she was up to something again.

"There's this adorable sushi place I've been dying to try out. Just about five minutes from here. We've got reservations so let's hurry, so we're not late."

I stopped in my tracks and put a hand on her arm. "Katelyn. I am so broke. I don't think I can afford that place if it's the one I'm thinking of."

"It is but don't worry. I've got a coupon." She said it like a coupon would make up for the fact that I was having a hard time digesting all the money I just spent.

I reluctantly climbed into Katelyn's 2010 special edition black Camaro SS. She started the engine, and I felt like we were ready for the races. Ever since she bought this car, she refused to be seen in my simple silver Honda Accord four-door car. I always defended that I bought it used for a great deal, and the gas mileage was incredible. She always told me that if I drove a sexy car, I would feel sexy.

We were almost to the restaurant, and she pulled over to a McDonald's. She grabbed my bags and rifled through. I saw her grab a few things and stuffed them into one of the bags she just dumped. "Let's go. I want to get you in practice for a date. We've got a few minutes. I'm going to fix your hair and makeup. You're going to put these things on, and then we'll go eat."

I was shocked but not surprised. When Katelyn wanted something done, she had a way of convincing you it would get done. That was why I was sure that someday she would be running that entire hospital instead of working in the emergency room.

In less than ten minutes, she had put my long brown hair in a fancy twist and clipped it with a cute hair clip she bought back at the jewelry shop. She put in beaded hoop earrings and freshened my makeup. I slipped on my navy maxi dress, which I loved the feel of the soft cotton and my wedged sandals. She handed over a navy blue thong and told me to throw away the granny panties she was sure I was wearing. Which I was. I didn't throw them away. I stuffed them in my purse.

I got a few low whistles from some construction workers we had passed on the way out. I even felt their eyes on me as well as Katelyn. That felt like victory in itself.

The restaurant looked packed from the parking lot but when we walked inside, I could see why they charged so much. Each table had its own secluded spot with three-sided walls. The place was so calming in decor with its bamboo trees, waterfalls and gentle chime music in the backdrop. I felt calmer already after just doing what we did in a rush, back in McDonald's.

The hostess led us to our table, which held a huge surprise for me. It was so Katelyn. Now I knew exactly who she was texting back at the mall.

He stood with such manners. "Afternoon ladies. Katelyn. Mary K. You look absolutely stunning. He kissed Katelyn's cheek and she sat. He kissed me on the lips, and I practically melted into my seat.

Chapter Seven

The food was fabulous, but I couldn't eat much. I was so nervous with John sitting next to me, and his hand kept brushing my leg or my arm. Each time I felt a warm sensation flood my body, and I would giggle. It was so foolish of me. I had come to feel so comfortable around him the day after in his condo and then on the phone the other day. But all of a sudden I felt like the little girl that grew up next store to a boy she had a crush on. I was weak and helpless around this man. There was no other way to describe it.

Our meal was almost done, and Katelyn excused herself to the ladies room. I offered to go with, but she gave me that look and told me to sit. As soon as she was gone, John's hand went up to my face and brushed it gently with the back of his hand.

"You look incredible today. Shopping becomes you. How was your day? Did you enjoy yourself?" Before I could answer, his lips slowly lowered to mine, and I closed my eyes. I reveled in the way his lips felt on mine and how my body reacted. I took a slow breath through my nose and recognized that smell from his shampoo, and liked the way it smelled on him. I thought I heard my own body betray me as I let out a soft moan. His lips pulled away, and he was smiling at me with those dimples as I opened my eyes. I felt a blush rise in my face, and I smiled back.

We sat there looking at each other for a second before he responded. "That was so much better than last time. Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed our last kiss. I just wanted to refresh my memory."

I laughed, and a snort came out. Great that was back. "At least this time I didn't throw up in your..." I motioned my eyes to his groin, and if I wasn't mistaken he was semi hard in his dress black pants. I quickly forced my eyes up to his blue tie and white shirt and matching black jacket. "You work close to here?" I blurted out.

"Fairly. I work downtown, but I had to come this way for something."

I wondered if I was the something, and I felt good trying to think that I was.

"So you never answered me. Did you have a good time shopping?" He looked so serious and interested. I knew men didn't care about women's shopping trips but even so I answered politely.

"Yes. Katelyn always makes it fun. I got a few cute dresses and summer sandals." I wasn't about to tell him about the lingerie.

"Terrific. Perhaps you'll let me take you out to dinner one night so you get a chance to wear one of those outfits."

I wanted so badly to say yes, but a small part of me was reserved in thinking that this was just a passing for him. He would get his glory moment and be gone.

"She'd love to." I didn't get a chance to answer. Katelyn answered for me. "John. Would you be a doll and drive Mary Cate home? I've got to run by the hospital." I watched her open her wallet, and before she could reach for any money, he put a hand out.

"My treat ladies. It has been a wonderful lunch. Mary Cate? You ok with me driving you home?"

"No problems." Katelyn answered for me again. I could tell she was up to something. She didn't have to go to work. She just wanted John to drive me home.

John stood and offered me a hand, which I took. He reached into his wallet and handed a credit card to the waiter. "Mary Cate. Why don't you go get your stuff out of Katelyn's car. I'm sure you want to take your stuff home. I'll get the bill, and we should be going."

I followed Katelyn outside and then nudged her with my arm. "Nice one, chicky."

"What? I do have to go to work."

"No you don't but that doesn't matter. Nice setting up this casual lunch with John. It was an icebreaker for me. I think I would have been too nervous going on my own."

"I know that. And I definitely know you would not have looked as hot as you do right now without my help. However, that's what friends are for. Listen, I will pick you up tonight. I want to hit this club downtown that everyone's talking about. Wear that black dress you bought at Victoria's and my high heels you borrowed the other night.

We hugged, and she roared away in her sporty black car with every man's eyes on her and her car. As I turned to walk back inside, John was walking out. He looked so professional in his business suit. I never dreamed in a million years I would get to live to see the day I saw him all dressed up. All of our youth, he was a jeans and tee shirt kind of kid. Summer was cut off jean shorts and white shirts. Winter jeans and white tee shirts. However, now he was walking towards me looking sexy as sin in his black professional business suit, and I liked it.

"Ready to go?" His eyes signaled to the bags in my hands and then to his car. He was driving a black Ford F150 truck. He clicked the button on his remote and opened the door for me. I stepped up on the side rail and stepped inside to a truck that smelled of new leather and luxury. He obviously bought himself a top of the line truck.

As soon as he climbed in, I turned to him. "Thank you for lunch, by the way. That was really nice. We enjoyed ourselves."

"My pleasure." He looked deep into my eyes, and I swore his eyes twinkled with mischief. Then his phone rang to interrupt what I was hoping to be another kissing moment.

I tried to look out the window as he told whoever was on the phone where a file was and he would be in later. To cancel his three o'clock and set the blueprints on his desk. It was only a little past one o'clock and I had to wonder why he didn't think he would make it back to work in time for his three o'clock. I lived just a short drive from downtown, and I didn't want to get my hopes up.

As soon as he hung up, he started to drive in the direction of my apartment. I started to tell him how to get there, and he reminded me that he was the one that drove me home after my untimely accident in his lap with my vomit.

"Oh. That's right. I forgot. Hey. I am sorry. I went a whole year without a single sniffle, which is an incredible feat in itself considering I am around kindergartners all day. Usually one or more are sick one day out of the week. I even got my flu shot. I guess it was a mixture of that drug that was slipped to me and just bad timing."

"No need to keep saying you're sorry. Besides, I think the timing worked out to my advantage any ways.""

"Did you get your tux cleaned? I'll pay you for that."

"Don't worry. I was glad to not have to attend that banquet." Maybe he was glad about the banquet but what about missing out on an opportunity with Supermodel. I didn't want to remind him of his loss that night.

"What do I owe you for those sheets?"

"Don't be silly Mary Cate. They're just sheets. Besides, I'm such a restless sleeper, I usually kick the sheet off any ways. I like the way the cool ceiling fan feels on my naked body."

That last comment caused a lump in my throat to be swallowed down. I had no problems what so ever envisioning what he looked like all sprawled out naked in his big old room, asleep, naked, no sheet and the ceiling fan whirling. My temperature just shot up a notch. I felt his hand reach out and touch my leg, and his laughter filled the truck.

"You looked shocked."

"No. Not me. I sleep naked too." Ok. I could have kept that last part to myself. I didn't sleep naked. I slept in a long super soft cotton sleep shirt and a pair of socks on my feet after I slathered them in lotion. It was my cheap way of keeping the souls of my feet soft without paying for a pedicure.

I looked at him driving, and he had the biggest smile on his face. Could he be thinking of what I looked like naked sleeping? Nah.

As soon as we got to my apartment, I was ready to just jump out and run. I was a bundle of nerves when it came to dating and what to expect. He parked his truck, got out, and opened my door. I did not expect him to walk me up to my apartment, but as soon as I took a step ahead, with my packages in hand, his hand went for the small of my back, and it felt freaking fantastic there. Like it belonged there.

I got to my door and set my packages down. I opened my purse to grab my keys, and my underwear fell out to the ground. They were pink floral, and yes, they were granny panties. Why on earth I did not have the navy blue thong in there and kept the other undies on. We both stared at the panties and then our eyes traveled back up to each other's faces. I cracked a smile first and he just gleamed with amusement. "Oops." I squeaked out.

I got the door open and reached for the packages, but John beat me to it. He grabbed the underwear as well and put them in one of the bags. As soon as we stepped inside, I was sure he was going to leave now. Instead, he set my packages on the couch and turned to me as he was loosening his tie and undoing his top button on his white collared shirt.

"I have to say. Once again, you saved me." He smiled and looked me up and down as if I was the Supermodel.

"How so?" I asked, wondering what he meant.

"Well the tux incident, kept me from having to go to that boring banquet meeting. And bringing you home got me out of a meeting I didn't need to be in, in the first place."

"Ah. The canceled three o'clock. Sorry. I overheard."

"No reason to say you're sorry. You were in the truck when I canceled. I can't expect you to not hear. Actually, I wanted you to hear. I was hoping I wouldn't have to rush right back to the office soon." As he said the last part, he was within inches of my space. His hand slowly traveled up my side, around my back and to my neck and his hand pulled my head in closer as his lips slowly, lowered to mine and his other hand traveled up my other side. I gave in to my every desire for this man and began to kiss him back.

Chapter Eight

The touch of his lips and gentleness of his kiss made my knees go weak. I was not a strong woman to begin with when I was around John Gallagher. Our kiss continued with our tongues slowly dipping inside our mouths and exploring each other. My hands crept up onto his back, towards the back of his shoulders then one of my hands slid behind his neck. It was as if I couldn't keep him in close enough. I mentally envisioned stripping his clothes and going all the way with the man of my dreams. I knew that if things went too fast, too soon, with a man, that the chances were, that would be the last I would hear from him. However, at the moment, I just plain didn't care about that. Only about, what his body looked like naked and then a thought popped into my head, of all the days to not shave my legs.

His mouth slowly pulled back, and his lips kissed my forehead as his hand began to undo the clip in my hair. As soon as the clip was out, his fingers worked their way through my hair like a comb. "You don't know how bad I wanted to do that at the restaurant. All I could think about was undoing that clip from your hair and kissing you."

I looked up into his eyes and saw the sincerity of his comment. Perhaps it was lust, and he was smitten that made him say these things. For me, it had always been a crush. Now, after that last kiss, I was totally without strong will. I began to undo his tie and unbutton his shirt. I whispered up into his ear, "stay" then I licked his earlobe, bit gently on it, and gave it a tug. A deep-throated groan left his mouth, and then he proceeded to untie my dress from behind my neck. I only got two buttons undone, his tie off then he took over, and I was helpless.

I watched him toss his jacket off to the floor along with his tie, then he let his hands slide back up me, brushing my hardened nipples this time, and he stared into my eyes. "At any point you want me to stop, just say no. Otherwise, Mary Cate, I have waited a really long time to taste you."

Taste me. What did he mean by that? Oh! That, kind of taste me. My virginal mind was thinking kissing and touching and ok; it was thinking sex. The last man to 'taste me' was Mr. Wrong, and he had such a bizarre way of doing it.

I was hesitant, until his mouth kissed along the side of my neck and left a wonderful sensation traveling through my body. In two short moves, he had me leaning against the back of my couch, and I felt the cool breeze of my apartment air conditioner on the skin of my breasts. My dress was already down around my waist, and his mouth was continuing to trail kisses down my neck to one of my breasts.

He was slow and sensual in his movements. He was already starting to kneel as he lowered my dress off my hips and down to the floor. I still had my wedge sandals on, and I felt the caress of his hands on my legs as he worked his way back up. He stopped at my navy blue thong that matched my now crumpled dress on the floor. He looked up at me and smiled then a light laugh escaped his mouth. "Now I know why the panties fell out of your purse. These are so much more attractive." With him saying that, I did not think I could go back to wearing my old staple full-coverage gals. I was going to wear every shade of thong underwear, every day, just thinking if there was a chance for him to slide them off me. like he was now, the dental floss feeling was worth it.

His mouth laid kisses on my hips and the front of the inside of my thighs as he gently worked my thong down my legs. With two guided steps, he had my dress off to the side with my thong underwear lying on top. I felt naked in every sense as he still had most of his clothes on. I let out a slow long uneasy breath, and he stopped kissing my leg and thigh and looked up at me. "You ok?"

I hesitated, and he stood up and began to kiss me on my lips again. Letting his tongue slowly kiss my mouth, then he pulled away, and his hand stroked my hair as his other hand gently caressed my breast. "You want me to stop?"

No, I didn't want him to stop. I just wanted him naked and preferably a little more mojo on my part along with a lot less nerves for me. I just didn't know how to convey that.

He pulled me in close and hugged me laying kisses on my head. "Maybe I moved too fast. I'm sorry. I can stop."

I slowly let my hands run up his shirt and put some space between us. I felt his chest muscles flex when my hands roamed up to the buttons on his shirt. He looked down into my eyes, and I smiled. "I just want you naked as well. That's all." I started to undo his shirt buttons and then as I fumbled with the second one he brought his hands up. "Let me."

He had his shirt off and his pants down in a very swift motion. He still had on a pair of black briefs with a very hardened friend setting to the side. I smiled at him as my hand brushed his hardened cock in his briefs. Then he grabbed my hand and led me to the front of the couch to sit down. "You first." He told me. I wasn't going to argue.

I laid back and let him prop one of my legs up on the couch. He knelt before me and began kissing the inside of my thigh again. I was leaning back on my elbows looking down at his incredibly sexy face that was focused on me. That felt so wonderful in itself. I let myself relax and forget about the unshaved legs. I felt his mouth move closer, and I groaned in anticipation. As soon as his fingers spread my lips and his tongue lashed out with the first touch, I practically screamed out a "Yes!"

I laid myself back against a pillow that was on my couch allowing me to relax as his mouth continued to lick and suck on my clitoris. His other hand slid under my ass and gently lifted me a bit to his mouth. I let my fingers weave into his hair and settle on the back of his head. My other leg on the edge of the couch fell wide open, and I let myself feel the sensual touch of his ecstasy that he was bringing to me.

Every lick with his tongue sent shivers through my body; every dip of his tongue caused my juices to gather, every nip of his teeth on my clitoris caused me to moan so loud that when I did open my eyes for a second, he looked to be smiling and staring at me as he was tasting me quite well. Far better than any other man. Far better than I had experienced before.

I smiled back as I moaned, and I let myself totally relax back into the couch. I let everything he was doing, to feel incredibly wonderful as I moaned so loud I was sure the neighbors could hear, but I didn't care. His finger dipped inside and I shouted his name, "John! John! Yes! God! Yes!"

As a second finger slipped inside of me, his mouth latched onto my clit and began to suck so hard that an orgasm rolled through me quickly. My vagina walls tightened and flexed around his fingers, my body flooded with juices as he continued to suck hard, and my hand went up and forcefully grabbed his hair and tried to shove his head hard into me.

As the orgasm stopped convulsing, I let my body relax again and every part of me was limp. I felt his kisses on the inside of thighs again, and I let a soft gently laughter exit my lips.

"Good lord John. I should have let you kiss me back in fifth grade."

"See what you've been missing." His voice was taunting. "By the way. You taste really good."

I blushed. I never had a man tell me I tasted good. I guess it was one of those things where it just was never done quite as well as he just did it. I felt a ping of regret that he just ruined me for any other man when he decided to move on. However, as my body felt so intoxicated with endorphins from my orgasm, I decided I just plain did not care.

Slowly, he worked his way up my body, and I noticed that his briefs were gone and his hard throbbing cock rest just on my leg, as his mouth sucked on my breasts one at a time, causing a nice afterglow sensation. Then he kissed up my neck and to my ear. I heard his deep timber voice whisper words that I longed to hear for so very long. "Mary Cate, I want to fuck you now."

Now if you were ever a girl who fantasized about a man, as long as I did, you would know that those very words could make you feel like you won the lottery. I smiled deep within and whispered back into his ear. "Fuck me John."

He let a low possessive groan into my ear and trailed kisses down my neck and breasts. I felt a brief moment of cool air between us as I watched him step away and reach for his wallet. Inside his wallet, like a good boy scout, were three condoms attached together, and I swallowed hard. I was hoping he would use all three of them on me. Not all in one afternoon as I had never done that but my mind was reeling with the sexual things this man could possibly do to me. The things I dreamt about time and again while bringing myself to orgasm with my vibrator. Even when I was dating Mr. Wrong, I often fantasized about John. I wondered if he had any idea what he was doing to me, walking towards me naked, rolling a condom on.

His muscular chest showed his own tightened nipples. His abs rippled with a six-pack I had never witnessed up close up before. His thighs were thick with muscles, and his arms seemed pumped from our recent activity. How I wanted to spend hours letting my hands trail all over this man's body.

He took his last step and let his knee set between my spread legs. I leaned myself up on my elbows and reached out and touched his stomach then let my hand trail down to his balls, and I cupped them. I looked up into his eyes and smiled. My nervousness was gone and all I could think about was spending hours with this man and his body.

His voice was thick with emotion as he spoke. "You look so incredibly sexy right now. God Mary K, I have waited a long time for this moment." If only that were true, I told myself. I don't think he had any idea of how long I had waited for him and this very moment.

I felt the warmth of his body lay over me as he began to kiss me. I tasted the difference in his mouth, and as I kissed him, he slowly entered me and I let go of the kiss and tilted my head back with a loud "Oh!" The size and stretch of him was bigger than any man I had ever been with. His cock felt huge inside of me as he slowly eased into me. It was a long time since Mr. Wrong or my vibrator. The hiatus I had taken from all things sensual was what had led me to be even duller than I already was. Leading Katelyn to be on a mission to break me free and make me wild. Right now, I felt not wild, but free with the way my senses were scattering across my body as he pushed in deeper.

He pulled back out a bit and slid back in; he held my face with the palms of his hands, sending warmth along my jaw, giving me the sensation that I was the focus of his attention. He eyes gazed into mine, and I wanted to look away but he held them captive.

With each dip and thrust of his cock, I felt light-headed and dizzy trying to catch my breath. I let my hands wander on his back, and my foot set close to my ass with my knee bent, and I raised myself just a tad and the thrust of his cock and brush of his skin across my already sensitive clitoris shot fire through me. My moans escaped me, traveling out from deep within that I was trying to hold back.

"Oh baby!" He groaned repeatedly as I felt his cock push in and out, hard and fast, brushing my clit, sending more sensations through my body. I tried to breathe but my breath was held for a moment, as this orgasm seemed longer and more sensitive. Then, my moans traveled from my core and escaped my lips with a very loud repetitive shout, "Yes! Yes! Yes!"

I felt his muscles tense, and his head tilted up and his face grimaced as his condom filled inside my already convulsing vagina. Then his head lowered into my neck, and his heavy breathing filled my ears, and the sounds of 'oh baby' repeated again. He didn't say my name which bothered me a bit, thinking this was a response he had rehearsed so he didn't say the wrong woman's name. I was no fool to the Gallagher men's reputation. He had just far succeeded any of my wildest dreams. I let the calm flow of his heavy breathing push away any dreams I had that this would last forever. Nothing ever did. However, I could dream and I could fantasize that this was real and would last a very long time.

I felt him roll to his side trying to roll off me, and I turned onto my side to face him. I listened to his deep even breaths as I tried to regain myself-control. I felt my hot liquid slowly start to pool out between my legs. I closed my legs tighter trying to keep what gift he gave me in longer, savoring every drop as my heartbeat started to return to normal. He raised his hand and began stroking my cheek with the back of his hand, leading his fingers into my hair and pulling me in for a kiss. It was soft and gentle with just his lips, then he pulled up, and smiled down at me.

"That was incredible. You're incredible. I had no idea that would feel so good. I had hoped but had no idea. I have wanted this for so long."

I laughed nervously. "You're sweet. But you don't have to try to convince me that you, of all men, have wanted me for so long." I tried to sound sweet, but a ting of seriousness was in my voice. I didn't like being lied to or fooled. Mr. Wrong did plenty of that. What we had just shared was extremely incredible in my book, but I didn't want him to lie about wanting me for a long time. Until that night at the bar, I was sure he hadn't put two thoughts about me in the sexual sense. Maybe he did want to kiss me back in fifth grade. I know I wanted him to. I also was smart enough to know that a man enjoys the chase and thrill of the catch. Giving in to our sexual whim today might put an end to any edge I might have had in making this attraction going any further. However, since the moment it all started, I just didn't care. As we laid breathing and staring into each other's eyes, I could smack myself. Instead, I started to cry inwardly.

He set his mouth by my ear, and I felt his hot breath start to breathe more normal. He whispered in husky voice. "Mary K, I have wanted you for longer than I can remember. You have to trust me on this." Those words made my tears fall. My heart squeezed, and I had to wonder if he was telling the truth. Because if he knew how long I had wanted him, he wouldn't be saying this to make me feel better.

The next thing I knew his lips were on mine, and his tongue dipped inside my mouth. Instead of kissing back, my breath hitched and for the first time he was aware of my tears. "What's wrong? Did I hurt you?" I shook my head no. "Did I say something?" I shook my head yes. This caused him to sit up and off the couch. He offered me a hand, and as I stood before him naked, he gathered me in his arms. His strength and the feel of his skin instantly made me feel better. This time I spoke up as I felt him kiss the top of my head and my ears.

"I'm sorry John. I had a tough last relationship. Lots of lies came from sweet nothings. I guess I just wanted to hear the truth from you."

His voice sounded defensive. "And what would the truth sound like?"

"I don't know. Something like, that was great, glad we reconnected, let's do this again. But not I've wanted you for so long. I've heard things about you Gallagher boys, and if you wanted me for so long, you would have found me and pursued me."

"Is that so." He didn't say much else, but he continued to kiss the top of my head with light gentle kisses. Then when I felt his breath on my ear, I heard the sincerity in his voice. "Mary Cate. There is a difference between wanting and pursuing. I guess I forgot how much I wanted you until I saw you sitting there at that bar looking sexy as hell. As far as pursuing you, I think sneaking you into my condo and keeping you there until you felt better was the first step. Making sneaky plans behind your back with Katelyn was the second."

I pushed away laughing. "You and Katelyn made sneaky plans? Like what?"

He still held me in his arms, but I was able to look up into his face and there was pure amusement on his face. "Let's just say after I brought you to my place and Katelyn showed about an hour later, there was a long talk about you between us. I have to say though, I had no idea you ever had a crush on me."

I slapped his chest and stepped backwards, which caused me to fall back on the couch. I crossed my arms over my chest and crossed my legs. I felt naked suddenly. "She did not! She did not tell you about my crush. That... blah... I can't even say it. That woman!"

He stood there looking confident as hell in his six-pack abs, muscular chest and chiseled arms and deep dimples. "You are one sexy kindergarten teacher. You can't even say a curse word." The way he said curse word sounded so childish. I had to laugh.

"No. I don't curse. A habit I find handy working around mostly six-year olds. That and I think Katelyn does enough cursing for the both of us."

He sat down next to me and gathered me in his arms. "She hasn't changed a bit from what I remember back in high school. If anything, she is wilder and daring and her mouth. That woman."

"I know, but I love her any ways. We are polar opposites, but we work as best friends. You know what I mean. It's like. I'm her calm to her storm; I'm her dull to her wild. I keep her feet grounded, and she keeps my feet moving. If it wasn't for her after Mr. Wrong I think I would still be in a deep depression."

His arms gave me a tight squeeze. "She mentioned the idiot. I'm sorry. Listen. I meant what I said. I've had an attraction to you since we moved next door in second grade. Fifth grade my hormones told me to touch you and kiss you. Then, I don't know; middle school things got crazy and by high school we made being casual friends work, and I was always chasing anything with a skirt and no underwear. You definitely didn't fit into that category. But hey, you can't complain. All those skirts gave me plenty of practice."

I lightly punched his arm and stood. I stepped around and bent to grab my dress.

"I don't think bending in front of me like that is a good idea." His eyes motioned downwards, and his cock was standing at attention again.

I laughed lightly as I slipped my dress up my legs, over my thighs and then over my breasts. I watched a frown form on his face as I tied the strap behind my neck. I glanced at the clock, and it was almost three o'clock. "You missed your meeting."

"Cancelled meeting, but unfortunately, I have to get back to work to get something processed before the end of the day. We are starting a new building downtown in a month. That's why I told Katelyn that I wanted to be a part of your dream team for making you wild, at least for the next month. Then things usually go crazy for the first few months, and I typically work eighty-hour work weeks."

I smiled over my shoulder as I headed towards the bathroom. "Dream team eh?" Then I stepped into the bathroom and closed the door. I looked at myself in the mirror and thought if he only truly understood how deep my feelings went for him.

Chapter Nine

Katelyn's questions shot out a mile a minute. "Tell me again. He called us a dream team, and you told him that he had to slow it down with the insinuations that he was serious about you. Girl we need to talk. First, you don't go all the way on the first date. Big mistake. Second, now you need to create a little distance and aloofness, or he will be burnt out on you before date three. Look. I know this is all new to you. You're dating track record hasn't been with the most of mature men but John is a player, and once he's gotten the goods, he ain't going to be fishing too much more if you get what I mean."

I did and that scared me. I knew that when he was ready to say good riddance that my heart would break into a million pieces, but I didn't know what else to do. He left me with a sensual kiss, and a promise that he wanted to see me again. I guess I would just let him pursue me as much as I wanted to just pick up my phone and call his cell phone just to hear his voice. I wanted to drive by his condo or work. I wanted so desperately to be that crazy, addicted to his love, kind of woman, but instead I was in the bathtub soaking, talking it out with my BFF and thinking about what to wear to this club tonight. It did feel good to have a small arsenal of sexy clothes to choose from for a change.

"Change of subject." I interrupted her. "I was thinking that hot pink sexy dress from VS tonight, bangles and cheap silver hoops. I don't have the right shoes to wear. What cha got that matches that?"

"I've got just the shoes. And Mary Cate? Promise me you'll wear no bra and that pink thong I made you grab. You'll feel super sexy."

"You know what Kate darling, after the two orgasms that John just gave me, I already do."

Her laughter filled my ears with delight. "I'll pick you up at eight."

I hung up and laid in the hot bubble bath thinking of John; replaying each sensual moment in my head. From the start of his touch in my hair as he undid the clip, talking about how it drove him wild at lunch, to the way his lips felt on my mouth and tongue felt well, you know where. I remembered the way his lips kissed my inner thighs and worked my clothes off, and I thought back to the moment his mouth came down on me and felt so exquisite.

It was that memory that caused my hands to wander in the bathtub. I let the bubbles rise and fall as my hands swept over my body. I reached out of the tub with one hand and grabbed some bath oil. I let a few drops fall into the water, and I swished it around. The oil made the feel of my skin seem slicker. I let my hands wander up to my breasts and toy with my nipples as I closed my eyes and thought of John. I thought of the way my body felt when he touched me, the desires I had for him for so long being fulfilled and there was no regret of those moments.

It only took a few soft glides of my fingers between the folds of my lips. Letting my fingers slide in and out, a few quick swift movements and I thought of John's hand creating this reaction out of me. The rush and excitement of it all brought on the feeling quick. Quicker, then I could have created by myself in a long time.

The palm of my hand brushed against my spread lips, exposing my clitoris to the touch of my palm. I pressed firmly with some force as I kept my mind remembering John's touch. It took only a moment, and with the suction of my palm on my clitoris, I was vibrating with an intense orgasm.

A smile spread across my face as I let my closed eyes drift under the water for a moment. When I came up from under the water, my face and hair were covered in bubbles. I gently wiped them off and thought how incredibly better it was to bring myself to orgasm now that I knew exactly what John felt like. I knew it might have been too soon to have sex but the whole thing felt so good, so right, and he did try to reassure me that I was the object of his affections for a very long time. Unfortunately, I knew better. I knew that often a man would drift elsewhere once he had his fill. I just hoped that was after I had several more moments like the one we shared in my apartment this afternoon.

I stayed in the tub until I was pruned. It took me about an hour to get ready after that as my long brown hair was thick and wanted to play the unruly act. My makeup however, went on without a hitch. I copied a look in a cosmo magazine and loved the way my smoky eyes looked. With the bright pink sheer clinging dress, my pink thong underwear and an armful of bangles, I answered the door when Katelyn knocked.

She took a step back and whistled low. "Damn girlfriend. You're smoking. Nice tits, by the way. They're perky." She pointed at my perky nipples that were partly because my air conditioner was on high while I got ready and a little to do with the way the dress brushed across my very sensitive skin.

She held up a pair of pink floral boots that were very go-go girl looking. "I don't know." I told her. "Trust me." She motioned for me to take them and as usual; I did my bidding. I zipped them on and walked around in the three-inch heels. Next thing I knew I was swishing my hips and doing a sexy dance.

"Do that at the club and John's going to feel the competition."

I laughed thinking how sometimes a man needed to know a woman was desired by other men. "I know you're going to want to hit me for this next comment, but I kind of wish he was going to be there. Sorry." I winced and closed my eyes pretending like she was going to punch me, which I knew she would never do.

Instead, she grabbed my arm gently and led me out the door. As we walked towards her car, she spoke up about John. "Look. I know that right now, you are all cloud nine about finally screwing the man of your dreams. Problem is. We don't know exactly where all this will go. So in the meantime, I want to stick with our plan of loosening you up a bit. Let's hit this new club, I've been dying to check out. It's got a wait list, but I sewed up the head bouncer in the ER last night and he got us on the list. We are A-listers tonight baby!" She practically singed out the last part as we climbed in her Camaro.

The drive was only fifteen minutes. Living close to downtown had its advantages for the social scene, but I just loved the small local shops that were so close to my apartment. It gave me a small-town feeling in a really large city.

We pulled in front of the club and there were not many places to park. We found a twenty dollar parking lot a block away and figured it would be worth it to not have to walk so far. We split the fee ten each and that left me with only a twenty for the night. I brought the emergency plastic, but I was already feeling super guilty about putting any charges on it.

The beat of the club could be felt outside. The music beat vibrated out to the sidewalk and the line to get in looked to wrap around the corner. Several very attractive women stood in line talking and switching from foot to foot as I could imagine their heels were killing them. A few men mixed in the line here and there but most of them didn't look like A-listers.

Katelyn dragged me towards the bouncer, and he hugged her hello. He showed her his bicep, which was huge and the stiches against his dark-colored skin. His huge white smile and dark lips curled upwards when he saw Katelyn. There was a definite attraction on his part. We chatted for a brief moment, and she introduced me. He eyed me up and down and then smiled. His voice was a thick rich timber when he spoke up. "It's nice to put a face to the story. Enjoy the club, Wild Child."

I felt my face blush. I wanted to slug Katelyn for talking about me, but I knew she was just excited about this plan to break my wild child shell than anyone. "Thanks. And nice to meet you Big D." I could see how his nickname fit him. Because his six foot five frame and his weight well over two hundred of solid muscles made me realize that if I wanted someone to protect me at the club, he was the man.

The electric blue lights of the club and the vibrant decor with low lights sent a mood that made you want to dance. The beat of the music was intense and the stage that was set up with separate dance floors and booths, was incredible. You could see the spotlights on certain stages that had dancers who were obviously paid to be there and make the place seem filled with hot attractive women or men. Then, there were the average people, like myself - I would put Katelyn more in the super attractive category, dancing around on the floor and having a really good time. I felt my body moving without even trying. It had been a while since I had let Katelyn take me to a club, and I was glad she made me come along.

As usual, I watched the throng of men, and women look at Katelyn as she walked through the crowd. I always thought it was her exotic looks, her piercing blue eyes and the way she walked with confidence. So for tonight, I copied her. I walked with my shoulders back and head held high, a sexy smile on my face and a come hither look to any man who cast a glance my way.

We hit the bar and got two light beers in the bottles with tops on. I knew Katelyn wanted to make me at ease. We screwed the tops off and took a few good sips, then we hit the floor. That bottle was not leaving my hand or site tonight.

Ten songs later and two finished beers, we had sweat on our foreheads, and my feet were killing me. However, I still felt my hips swaying and wanting to dance as we walked off the floor. In those ten songs, we attracted at least six men dancing around us. Several which were trying to move their crotches right up next to our ass. However, we were skilled in making dance moves, so we moved around a lot. I heard a few low groans of disappointment as we walked off the floor.

We found a spot to stand that was at the edge of the floor. We tried to talk with the music, but the conversation seemed short. I didn't want to admit it, but I really wanted John there. I felt the need to just be reaffirmed that he was attracted to me, as he seemed this afternoon.

Sitting on the bar stools, looking around and having two-word conversations was going to get old. I felt the sense I was being watched and offered to go get us two more beers. Katelyn told me to sit, and she came back with two beers with tops on. We smiled at each other and did a cheers motion with our beers. While she had been gone, I had scanned the bar continuously. I couldn't get over the fact that I felt like I was being watched. I knew that was silly as I was sure it was Katelyn that someone had their eyes on.

We drank half our beers, and Katelyn indicated towards the floor again. This time she led me up to one of the stages that seemed reserved for the more professional type of dancers. This stage was empty, so we stepped up and started to dance. We hadn't been on long when I felt the strong sensation right before a set of hands wrapped around my waist and slid down my hips and back up. I turned, startled to see John.

He was wearing a nice pair of black slacks and a very hip looking shirt. I had never imagined him to be the type to visit this kind of club. He was more of a sports bar kind of guy. Then as he danced with his hands on my body, gyrating against me, I felt so alive and sexy. He was good, no better than good, and I followed his every move.

Katelyn had dropped down a level, and now it was just John and me on one of the round elevated dance floors with the spotlight on us. We danced in rhythm with each other and tossed sexy glances each way, but we still hadn't said a word. It would have been hard to talk with the loud music but the way we were dancing was almost as spectacular as the way we had sex earlier today. This felt like sex with our clothes on.

As the beat round down and another song was working up, John grabbed my hand and led me towards Katelyn. I grabbed her hand as he led us towards a private back room. The door said reserved, and the bouncer at that door nodded at John and led us in.

The room was lit up a bit better than out on the floor but still soft lighting and dark colors. There was a large plush dark suede round couch and a round coffee table in the middle. A waitress walked in behind us and took our drink orders. When we finally landed on the couch, I turned towards Katelyn and John, and smiled. "What's up guys? You planned this too?"

Katelyn shrugged. "This was as much as a surprise to me as it is to you."

"Uh-huh." I turned to John and smiled inquisitively. "Do tell?"

His light laughter filled my ears and trickled across my skin. It felt so sensual to me when he had that happy sexy laugh that he did. "Actually, I designed this club. I was invited here tonight by the owners to have a private room. I almost didn't want to come after this afternoon. I wanted to call you, but I was still working an hour ago and Katelyn mentioned your plans at lunch today. The club she described had to be this one. So about twenty minutes ago, I made it in. I've been watching you. You're extremely sexy tonight." He leaned in and kissed me lightly. "Sexier than I've ever seen you." He pulled back and turned to Katelyn. "As always, Katelyn, you are a star of attraction out there."

She smiled and thanked him, and he turned to pay the waitress who had handed us our beers. Katelyn leaned over towards me and whispered in my ear. "I told you. Nothing sexier than a man seeing you surrounded and adored by other men."

My laughter caught John's attention as he was tipping the waitress. He turned and smiled with those deep-blue eyes and sexy dimples, and I felt the instant sensation of warmth between my legs. My thong was soaked with excitement.

"Ladies." He toasted his beer to ours, and we all took a refreshing sip.

"So what were your plans for tonight?" He lifted an eyebrow and looked to Katelyn.

"Why you looking to me?"

"Because for the short time I knew you in high school, and after the other night, you seem to be the one in charge."

That got laughter out of her. "Actually, it goes both ways. Mary Cate has a way of silently getting what she wants. She does this look and shrug and I know it's a no. If she has a smile and a nod, then I know it is a yes. If I do something she doesn't like, she tortures me with a reply for a night out with 'I'm caught up in this book right now', or it's 'I'm deep conditioning my hair'. So believe you me, she knows how to make it work her way."

I jumped in to my defense. "I do not. Do I?"

She shook her head yes. I thought back and realized that maybe Katelyn wasn't always the one in charge. "Gosh. I'm sorry. I wasn't doing it intentionally."

Both John and Katelyn laughed. John spoke up first. "That's what I've loved about you, for as long as I can remember. You're sweet and innocent but not a push over."

"She definitely isn't that. You should see her commandeer a room full of six-year olds. Me. I tried to volunteer one day, and I was the one that went home in tears."

That caused serious laughter out of me remembering. Ever since that day, Katelyn never gave me a response of 'pah-leese' when I complained. Now she only shook her head in consideration with a reply, of 'I don't know how you do it.'

"How did you come to decide to be a teacher? I always thought you'd be some librarian or perhaps a professor, but not kindergarten teacher." His questioning made me wonder why I pick kindergarten in the first place.

"I don't know. As soon as I had my degree, I just applied to the school district and got this job, and it has stuck for the last three years. I've listened to the teachers complain about how hard it is each year they get older, but I enjoy the kids and my freedom during the summer so it's working out. I mean the pay sucks, but I can usually pick something up in the summer for extra cash." I smiled back at John with a confident smile and caught his wicked glance and shaking of his head no.

"I think I like the idea of sexy librarian instead. That was the image I conjured up one day when I was wondering, what ever happened to Mary Cate?"

I loved his smooth charming ways, but I still had to wonder if there was any truth to it, or if he was just simply finding a way to charm me back out of my panties again. The later part was the Gallagher men way. That I knew.

Katelyn ad a look on her face as she tossed eyes back and forth between John and me. Then she simply took a sip of her beer and winked at me.

Conversations swayed back and forth between stories of Katelyn's bizarre emergency-room scenarios and John's success as an architect and building designer. I tried to stay clear of the subject being on me. I much rather listen to John talk about himself, and Katelyn's stories about the emergency room always had me laughing.

Over an hour had passed, and Katelyn switched to water. John followed suit, and I think the waitress realized her time was not well spent in this reserved private room. We hadn't seen her in the last twenty minutes, and I was done drinking as well. I think Katelyn was getting antsy, so I spoke up in question as to her plans for the summer.

"What exactly are on the plans for this wild summer Katelyn?" I only got a huge smile between her and John as they glanced at each other and back at me.

"How are you feeling? Are you feeling bold? Are you feeling dangerous?" Katelyn's voice had a ting of joking to it, but I got the jest she was about to have my evening plans change.

"I don't know. I mean I could go for a bit of bold I guess. What are you thinking?"

John stood first and offered me his hand, and then he laid a light kiss on my lips. That made my knees weak. Then he offered his hand to Katelyn, and we headed out of the club.

As we stepped out into the dark warm night air, John turned to Katelyn and asked. "Mind if I drive?"

"Not at all." She replied. They seemed to be cooking something up, but I wasn't sure.

We hopped in his truck, and he headed towards the west part of Denver on the highway. I wasn't sure, but I wasn't going to doubt what they thought was bold.

Chapter Ten

John patted my leg as I sat between him and Katelyn in the front seat of his truck. She leaned over and whispered in my ear. "Don't look nervous. It's not as bold and exciting as you think." I leaned my head on her shoulder and laughed.

"I'm trusting you two won't put me too far out of my element. Right...?"

They just responded with a laugh. Great. I had no idea what was planned only that my best friend and new lover wanted to guide my wild child side out.

We pulled up front of a dive looking bar, and a huge neon sign read 'Karaoke Contest Tonight'. If there is one thing, I have a problem doing, it is singing in public.

Katelyn nudged me. "One song is all you have to do. I'll be the backup singer, and John will get the crowd worked up."

"Promise?"

"Promise." They both chimed out.

A Half-hour later, we were walking out of the bar, arm in arm, all three of us, laughing our asses off. There is a reason I don't sing in public. I don't have tone. Katelyn didn't do much better and only John was clapping and cheering; the rest booed us off stage. We did get a jester hat for the worst duet ever. Katelyn let me keep it as we ambled towards the truck.

"Where to next?"

"Well we talked about getting you a tattoo. I don't want to force you, so let's go to a tat shop where I know the owner and let you see his work and what you think."

I agreed reluctantly. Katelyn gave John the address, and we headed that direction. The whole drive there, his hand was on my naked thigh, and it did things to my body. I tried not to stare at him, but I had my eye on him at all times. He was focused on the road but at every stoplight, he would turn and smile at me. It felt so romantic, and I had to wonder was this as real for him as it felt for me.

We pulled up to a tattoo parlor that looked like any downtown shop. Only thing was, for a Friday night it was hopping like it was a club. The place was packed. Katelyn gestured with her thumb towards the tattoo parlor. "He's good. He's pretty much always this crowded. He's got good staff, but I promised him your virginal skin."

That got a huge laugh out of me.

John let us walk in ahead as he held the door open, and he settled into a chair off against a wall and grabbed a book of tattoos. I walked with Katelyn in our club attire to meet the artist and owner, Zeek. He was six feet tall and well over two hundred and fifty pounds. There wasn't much skin that wasn't tattooed or pierced, and he had a gold tooth in the front. His smile was big, and his laugh was vivacious. He had six people getting tattooed by his employees, and he was almost done with one girl who was getting a dolphin on her ankle and told me he had two ahead, but he would make it good for me if I waited.

I spoke up a tad nervous, and my voice was soft. "The thing is Zeek. I don't know if I want a tattoo." The whole place went quiet. The buzzing of the needles stopped; the hard-rock music seemed quieter and not a voice was speaking. I felt meek and out of place. My whole persona of feeling sexy in my hot pink VS dress, all of sudden I felt like I was naked in front of a crowd, and they just found cellulite on my body. Gawk.

Then a deep timber voice spoke up, and it felt as if it stroked my skin. "I found it babe! The perfect tat for you." All eyes turned to John and the buzzing of the needles started up; music got louder and conversations pursued. "It's a very sexy butterfly. Even the coloring is perfect. Come take a look."

I left Katelyn standing next to Zeek talking, and I sat in the chair next to John. He had his finger on a page of an artist's rendition of a beautiful colorful butterfly that almost looked like the wings were in motion. "It's gorgeous." I spoke up softly. Then I laid a hand on John's leg. "Thing is. I don't know if I'm feeling that bold. Yet." His hand squeezed mine, and I looked into his deep-blue eyes as they twinkled.

"That's alright. I can think of a lot, of other bold things we could be doing right now. We just need to ditch Katelyn."

With a light laugh to my voice, I whispered. "I'm not ditching Katelyn. She's talked about this all winter and now that summer is here she's got a plan. She's off the next three days, and I think each of those days has some kind of wild planned."

"Hmm. Well at least let me tag along for some of it this weekend."

"I suppose. But you need to take that up with the boss." Just then, as if her ears were burning, Katelyn walked over and peeked at what tattoo we were looking at. She grabbed the book out of John's lap.

"Let me guess. The butterfly one. That is so you Mary Cate. It's beautiful. Where are you going to put it?"

"Thing is Katelyn. I'm not quite ready. Maybe next week or on your next set of days off. I think this is cool and everything, but I just want to think about it."

She smiled and patted my shoulder. "I wouldn't expect any different from you. Just getting your foot in the door to one of these places is considered wild for you. Hey Zeek. We found it."

She took the book and walked to Zeek. I watched him look me up and down and shake his head yes. He stopped what he was doing, opened the bookbinder, took the artist's rendition out and handed it to Katelyn. He smiled and nodded his head my way, and she grabbed the book and single page and walked towards me.

"Zeek says that's one of his original drawings. Nobody else has that tattoo. He says you can have the drawing and when you decide, bring it in, and he will do it on you. One condition. He has to be the one to touch your 'virginal' skin, and if you don't come in by the end of summer, the deal is off. I smiled and waved at Zeek's direction and took the beautiful rendition of the butterfly, and we walked out.

As we got back in John's truck, we all talked about getting a dessert somewhere with a coffee. I held the drawing in my hand and looked at it hard. It really spoke to me, and I felt like if I was to get a tattoo, this was it. Just the fact that John found it, made my romantic heart go pitter-patter.

"Where do you guys think I should put it?"

Katelyn replied first with the back of my shoulder or front of hip. John smiled with his sexy dimples and replied with a remark that stroked my core on fire. "I'll show you later where I'd like you to put it."

We pulled in front of a convenience store, and John jumped out and said he would be right back. Five minutes later, he had three flavored hot cappuccinos from a machine that actually tasted good, and some local bakery gourmet iced chocolate brownies that were huge. "Hold off on eating those. I've got just the spot to have our own private viewing."

Ten minutes later, we were parked high on a hill on an empty lot. There was a construction sign from the company John worked for in the lot. He parked so the back of his truck faced out over the edge and with the tailgate down, we got a perfect view of the city lights. It was actually a gorgeous view.

I sat in the middle with John and Katelyn on either side. We ate our brownies and drank our coffee. We chatted about the warm night air, the city lights and of all the silly plans Katelyn had for me.

"So we can check off three things, no make that four for tonight." She spoke up confidently. "Super sexy at a new trendy club. Karaoke in front of strangers. Visiting a tattoo shop. Eating dessert in a parking lot looking at the city lights. Mary Cate, these are all things you would not have done on your own."

Her words spoke truth.

"This week we are doing a bungee jump, kayak on the River and brazilian wax."

The last one made John and I both spit out the sip of coffee we just took. Ok. I was well groomed but had never had the guts to let some stranger pour hot wax on my coochie and peel all my hair off fast. I heard that afterwards, it felt sexy as hell. However, during, was a son of gun.

"What? You can't tell me that's not wild."

"No that's wild alright." I laughed with a tone of nervousness to my voice and a bit of embarrassment considering John had just been down there, and I wasn't as groomed as I would have liked and now we were bringing attention to it.

He tapped my leg. "Don't worry babe. You can chicken out of that as well. Had it both ways. Doesn't matter much to me." I got the impression he was lying. I read in Cosmo that guys loved a bald smooth woman. I just didn't want to have to get it done to be considered wild.

"Stop looking like you swallowed chicken guts girl. Here's the thing. John, cover your ears for this. I have this woman who can make any part of you smooth as babies skin. She's a genius and don't take what John just said at face value. Guys love it. And you'll love it too. Just wait until you walk around with a dress on and no panties and feel the sensation of your skin. You'll feel so wild and sexy you'll thank me."

I laughed nervously and looked at John, who was pretending to cover his ears. He shrugged his shoulders and smiled with those dimples. I got the feeling, he likes it that way too.

Ten minutes later, Katelyn was yawning and faking she was tired. This from the woman who could work a double, and still go out to party. I think it was the fact that she held up the box of condoms out of the brown bag from the convenience store and nudged me with a waggling eyebrow. I stuffed them back in, and slid the bag back where it was at.

We drove her back to her car and watched her drive off. I turned to John in his truck, and he turned to me. He spoke up first.

"You were so sexy tonight. Much wilder than I remember my sweet innocent Mary Cate to be. It kind of drove me wild there at the club on the dance floor and right now. I was hoping Katelyn would bail out."

"Yeah. But she looked forward to this whole making me wild scene. Knowing her, she's already texted someone to meet up with her at a midnight club somewhere."

"So what would you like to do next? My condo has an indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, or you could read me a book. Preferably, a naughty one. With your hair up like a librarian, reading glasses, short, short skirt, white blouse open to your navel." He started to laugh as I slugged him.

"Why John Gallagher? Is that your idea of a fantasy?"

"Only about you. Damn woman. Seriously. I grew up watching half your head popped out of a book and envisioned your sweet body just like that. Give a guy a break. We grow up with these visions and fantasies in our head and then the first time I see you after all these years you look sexy as hell."

I looked down at my lap and then up into his eyes. "I guess I'm having a hard time believing that, you, John Gallagher, had a fantasy about me growing up. I mean if you're making it up now that's sweet and all but really, me? Mary Cate from next door. You thought of me as a fantasy. Get real."

"Alright. If you don't want to believe me, you have to do the next bold thing. We are sneaking into the hot tub at my condo, and we are doing it naked."

"Oh no we are not!"

"Oh yes we are."

Chapter Eleven

Walking into John's condo, looking out at the full set of glass windows that went from floor to ceiling, I paused at the incredible view. One could not get tired of the view. I turned to John with a sigh. "Sorry but I don't have a swimsuit for the hot tub."

"Nothing to be sorry about. I told you we were doing this commando. However, I have a robe you can wear down to the hot tub."

"That is mighty kind of you."

He took a step closer, and I saw the sexual intent in his eyes. "Want to know what's even kinder of me?" I swallowed hard as he had my pink VS dress up and over my head, and on the floor fast. I stood there in a pink thong and the knee high go-go girl boots Katelyn lent me. My nipples were perky and my body on full alert. He wasn't fooling around about wanting to make me wild.

"This is being awfully bold." I glanced towards the glass windows and thought of the spectacle we were putting on.

He reached over and turned the light off in the front room, so that the glass windows that overlooked the city showed out but not in. The only light left on was in the kitchen galley, and it was quite a ways away. "No this should top your bold scale. I want to make you cum while you stand there naked looking out at the city lights. I want you to stand still while I let my hands roam over every inch of your body. I want to lick you like an ice cream cone and listen to you whimper until you scream my name in a full fledge orgasm."

He quickly shed his nightclub clothes and stood before me naked with a throbbing hard on. I wanted nothing more than to drop to my knees and please him, but he had other intentions. I decided I would let him decide where the night led us.

He guided me to the windows, and I looked out over the city, thankful that it looked like an office building directly across from us. He set my hands up to the glass, facing me out to look at the city lights and instructed me to not lower them until I came. The first touch of his hands stroking my body along the length in the back, over my ass and down my leg, was exquisite. I softly whimpered and he kissed the back of my neck as he held my hair aside and whispered. "That's my Mary Cate."

This time he said my name as if he owned it. He didn't say babe or baby. He said my name, and he said 'my'. Those few words caused my heart to pinch. I was in too deep now to just let him walk away when he was done. I wanted him for the long haul. I wanted his friendship that could turn into marriage. I wanted his kids, his dogs and his three-bedroom house in the suburbs. I wanted him to adore me every day like this, and I wanted to be the object of his affection forever. Problem was; I was sure this would all be a passing thing for him in a month when he got busy at work.

I took a deep breath and let it out very slowly as I felt him set my legs apart and lick between my legs. I was instantly lost into a world of pleasure. Letting every touch sink to my core, and every moan fill my ears. It wasn't long until I screamed out his name, and he slipped his hardened cock into my slick wetness while standing behind me. I still had on those funky boots Katelyn borrowed and at this point; I did not think I could give them back. I wanted to keep them to remind me of my wildest and crazy night.

Only an hour later, did we finally make it down to his hot tub in the exercise area. As the security from the condo high-rise escorted us out of the hot-tub area, I wanted to scream 'wait this isn't me'. As soon as we were back in John's condo, I landed on his couch, in his robe, laughing my ass off. It was funny as hell. Who would have thought that the some old lady, who couldn't sleep, decided to take a dip in the hot tub at one a.m. in the morning? Her scream got the condo's securities attention, and we didn't notice her coming in while I was satisfying John as he sat on the edge of the tub. Due to our laughing fit when she left we didn't notice the security until some huge white guy stood over us on the step with his flashlight in one hand, hitting the palm of his other hand.

"Tonight has topped my bold scale tonight." I continued laughing, but he looked like he was far from sated. As if he had a sexual mission tonight, and I was it.

I swallowed hard. My hair was slightly wet on the edges from the hot tub. My body smelled of chlorine, and my makeup was all washed off from the water.

"Don't look like you swallowed chicken guts girl." He imitated Katelyn's voice, and I laughed some more. As he walked towards me, he was already hard and throbbing. He stopped and reached for the box of condoms he bought earlier and ripped one out of the package and slipped it on. He looked at me and smiled. "I don't think I'll spend too much time caressing your skin. I've wanted in you all night since I've been watching you on that dance floor earlier. Once was not enough earlier."

He offered me a hand, and I stood. He untied the robe and brushed it off my shoulders, and it fell back onto the floor. Somehow or another, I did not think that he was concerned about chlorine smell, my slightly wet hair or washed off makeup. He looked like a man intent on making me whimper, again.

Morning came and being snuggled up next to a naked man does things to a girl's libido. It makes her realize that she might actually want it to all take place again. Preferably, after a shower and breakfast but all the same, I was thinking sex, sex and more sex as I woke up touching John in various naked skin spots.

"Keep touching me like that, and you're not crawling out of this bed."

"Am too. I need a shower and something to give me energy like coffee."

"Too late. You already got his attention, and my coffee maker just broke so we should just go ahead." He still had his back to me, and his voice was groggy but his skin felt good and my hands just couldn't stop themselves. I loved the way his muscles felt under my hand. The bulge of his bicep from his arm being bent in a flex position.

"I need a shower."

"That's broke too. We should just let you crawl up on top of me and take care of what you started."

I stopped touching him and bolted for his shower. When I finished my shower, the first person I saw coming in was not the person I expected. Katelyn popped her head in with a smile. She dropped a pair of loose denim shorts and tee shirt, along with one of my sexy bras and undies. Then she waved and walked out.

By the time I made it out, coffee was made and John was in his robe looking grumpy. Katelyn signaled to John with her thumb while talking to me. "He's grumpy he can't come with us this morning. You have an appointment in an hour for your waxing. Chances are we won't be doing anything too physical this evening or tomorrow, so kayaking and bungee jumping will have to wait."

John spoke up in his defense. "I'm grumpy because I was just about to do wild and crazy things to her in the shower, and you rang my doorbell a million times."

"Well I wouldn't have to ring it if you'd just answer your damn cell phones now would I?"

They sounded like siblings arguing, and it was cute.

"Well you won't be so grumpy later. I will have your princess dressed and waiting by seven o'clock tonight. You can have her for the night. I've got a date with Zeek. I found a tattoo I want."

I looked to John. I didn't want him to feel obligated. I wanted him to ask me out again not be told by Katelyn, he had to take me out. I spoke up first. "It's ok. If you have other plans I understand."

"Don't you worry about a thing." He winked at Katelyn, then took a long drawl of his coffee, and stepped forward to give me a sensual hug and a long tongue-twisting kiss. He tasted like coffee and hot warm man all rolled into one.

When he pulled away, Katelyn was already texting someone, looked up, and made a snarky comment. "Done already? I was wondering if we'd need to get you two some oxygen. Let's get a move on already. This place is down south. My treat, compliments of Groupon. I got this deal cheap, and you're going to love... this!"

As soon as we were in her car, she turned down the loud music she had on and demanded. "Spill. What happened last night? You are glowing, and he's being possessive and this is moving entirely too fast. Look, I can forgo this whole wild and crazy summer so you can live out the fantasy of your dream boy turned man. However, darling, I have to tell you moving this fast is going to lead to a crash and burn. The only problem I see with that is you don't handle crash and burn too well. Stud muffin up there will just move on within a blink of an eye. He's a smooth operator that way. I can tell."

"I know." I didn't say much else. I was just as worried for myself as she was worried for me.

"Then why not slow it down a bit."

"I guess. It's just he's the one making all the moves. Not me. He touches me like I'm water on a drought thirsty day. He kisses me like he wants me forever, and he knows how to make me whimper until I cum. He says the sweetest things about how he's fantasized about me since I lived next door to him and sometime around fifth grade."

"I knew I shouldn't have mentioned you had the hots for him for so long. He's playing you. I'm sure of it. Look. Do what you want. You're a big girl. I'll be here for you to help pick up the pieces. I'll even forgo my plans for a wild summer, but I just want you to be a little more guarded with your heart. You break easily, and I would hate to have to kick that man's ass. Besides, he does have the finest ass I have ever seen on a man. When you two were going at it dancing at the club, I took a peek or two, and he is built like superman under those business clothes of his. Damn."

I laughed lightly. I now knew what that ass felt like as my hand had stroked it. It was hard and round, and muscular. I knew how his skin and muscles felt under my hands, and it was too late. He ruined me for any other man. I was not going to be able to recover from this well or at all. I couldn't stop the need or desire to be around him, and as long as he was pursuing me; I was willing.

"By the way. Last night at his place. Was the wildest thing I've ever done."

"Spill!"

By the time, I finished telling her about my night of sexual fulfillment, we were sitting in the parking lot of the salon, and I was officially two minutes late. I stepped out of the car, and Katelyn's face looked like she saw a ghost.

"Never mind what I said earlier. Ride that bad boy until he is dry. Damn girl. He's good."

We laughed the entire way through the parking lot and into the salon. Where a few women tossed their catty looks our way, and we quieted down our snickering.

All the women before me that got this done, they were right. It hurt like a son of gun. The lady gave me some ointment to soothe the sting and told me to keep the undies off and take the shorts off as soon as I got home and let it all air out. Katelyn went first and had her's freshened up. She smiled when I came out, and we headed towards her car. As soon as we started driving, I started to laugh uncontrollably.

"You could have warned me that the little old lady that was going to wax my cooch was a spitting image of Dr. Ruth. Oh my gosh! She was so funny, and she worked fast. It's already starting to not sting anymore."

"She's good. I'm telling ya. That's the third time I've been to her, but when I saw the Groupon for that salon I instantly thought of you and snagged two. One for you and one for me, for maintenance. I swear. Once you have it done, you won't be going back. It's like burning a bra."

"I guess you could look at it that way. Hey. Thanks for paying. I'll buy lunch. Pick a drive thru and let's Red Box a movie and veg out for a bit. We haven't done that in a long time."

Katelyn picked Subway, but I made her go in with my cash. I was afraid I would walk funny. The movie she picked I had already rented, but I didn't let her know that. She hadn't seen it yet and was so excited.

We ate our lunch and watched our movie. At some point during the movie, I slipped out of my loose denim shorts and into my navy floor length maxi dress that I bought. As soon as I started to walk out of my room, I giggled.

"I told you." She shouted over her shoulder to me. It was a sensual feeling between my legs as I walked. It felt so smooth and freeing. It felt like I burned my bra. Not that I had to wear one, or that I was wearing one but there were times that even for my small breasts that a bra just rubbed the wrong way.

As soon as the movie was over, I begged Katelyn to let me buy the boots I wore last night. She didn't want to since they went perfect with an outfit she had. We finally settled on shoe shopping on her next set of days off from work to see if I could buy her a replacement pair.

We pulled clothes from my closet together, and I let her pick out an outfit for me. She settled on an old white lace dress with a full under slip that she said was actually back in style. A wide leather braided belt, my wedge sandals, bangles and simple gold earrings. She styled my hair for me with soft curls than put it up in a soft upswept look. I didn't have the heart to tell her that he loved my hair down. However, I knew he would let it out and play with it later. Maybe having it up would drive him mad. I let her do my makeup, and I was ready by five o'clock.

I was instructed by Katelyn to not wear underwear, but I knew I would keep them on until later. Going out in public without was just entirely too bold for me.

I decided to sit down and read a book for a bit. It seemed like, since my summer started, I hadn't got much reading in, and it was like going without chocolate. I picked through my bookshelf and found a hot erotic one that Katelyn got me as a joke Christmas gift. Little did she know that the book was no joke to me. It was filled with short erotica stories that got a girl hot and steamy in no time. I put that book inside my oversized purse, which now had my makeup and hair products along with a travel dress and fresh panties. John had mentioned me reading erotica to him as a fantasy and I was going to be prepared this time, in case I slept over again.

John showed a few minutes early. He called from the parking lot asking if it was ok if he came up. By the time he came up, I had my decided to be brave and take my underwear off. But in case I got nervous, I stuffed them in my purse and figured I could always put them back on.

I opened the door, and John looked incredible. His hair was freshly cut and styled; his eyes sparkled with mischief, and he had on a nice pair of jeans and a casual tee shirt. I felt a bit overdressed, then he held out a huge bouquet of flowers from behind his back, and I didn't care how I was dressed. I had not gotten flowers from a man since, heck, I hadn't ever gotten flowers from a man. John was my first. That thought put a tighter squeeze on my heart. I was officially sunk in deep.

Chapter Twelve

As we started to drive, I noticed a huge picnic basket in the backseat. "So what's the plan? Am I overdressed or should I have changed into jeans? Are you going to make me bungee jump tonight, because if you are, I need to put my underwear back on!" Good golly, I had a way of speaking without thinking when I was with this man.

The truck came to an immediate stop on the side street we were on and John turned and looked at me with the sultriest of looks. "And where might your panties be woman?"

Meekly, I held up my purse and squeaked. "In here."

"Good lord you cannot supply me with that kind of information. You are going to drive me insane knowing that."

"Sorry."

He started driving again. "No need to be sorry. I just think our nights plan just got cut short. I was going to keep it simple and sweet tonight. Picnic in the park. Ferris wheel ride that overlooks downtown and catch a show at the amusement park. Maybe win you a big stuffed teddy bear."

"That sounds nice." I moved a bit in my seat. Maybe the underwear off now was not such a good idea. With the dress riding up a bit in the back and the leather seats, I was dangerously close to awkward down there.

"But if you want to head somewhere private where I can inspect the no underwear situation, you just let me know."

"Funny. Actually, sorry I said anything. I seem to say stupid things around you."

"You do not. There was nothing stupid about telling me you aren't wearing any panties. Only you being wild and brave. So, should I turn around and head back to your place or head somewhere private. This truck's windows are tinted dark enough."

That got a nervous giggle out of me, and a quick flash of John and some other woman behind these darkly tinted windows. I let it go. He had a past. That I didn't doubt. He was a Gallagher man after all. I had a past too. Not as established as his but I did have my fair share of fun.

"How about you pull over there, and I'll slip them on real quick while you're not looking. I'll put on my panties, so we can have a nice picnic and Ferris Wheel ride."

"I don't know. That doesn't seem like a very good idea to me. Besides I have seen everything you are about to cover up real close, why would I not watch?" He laughed with his deep dimple smile. "Promise to let me wiggle you out of them later."

"Scouts honor." I held up the symbol that a scout would make, and he laughed hard this time.

"Honey, there is one thing I know for sure and that is that neither one of us were ever scouts. I was too busy being bad, and you were too busy reading."

"I wanted to. But my mom said no." I knew I never really wanted to, and every time I asked my mom, she would say, 'If you want to dear' and I would never do anything more about it.

The park he chose was in a well-lit, nice part of Downtown. There were other couples there, a few families lingering with their picnics and several secluded spots. He led me to a secluded spot with a big shade tree overhead and sat down a nice thick blanket under the tree. I sat down trying to look graceful as possible, and he kept his eyes towards my panty line.

"Would you stop." I laughed.

"Can't blame a guy for wishing or looking, besides you slid those on way too fast back in truck. I didn't even get enough upper thigh to look at."

"Nope. Can't blame a guy for wanting his thigh." That got a quick burst of laughter from both of us.

"So I hope you like gourmet type food. The place I got the flowers also does picnic baskets with food and wine. It's their summer special. I saw it on the way to a new building site today and thought this is much more your style. Am I right?"

"You are. I'm pretty simple about these things. I feel a tad overdressed though."

"You're not. You look gorgeous, by the way. I might have forgotten to tell you that earlier. You're not the only one that can be nervous at these things."

"Pah-leese. You, John Gallagher, get nervous on a date." I laughed and gave him a teasing touch to his arm. "You have a reputation that has been well proven."

He laughed as he was pulling items out of the basket and when he looked up, we locked eyes. He slowly reached for my head with his hand and gently pulled me in for a nice soft kiss. When he pulled away, he spoke with a sincerity that pinched my heart. "I'm glad you feel that way.

I let out a huge breath I was holding. Not only was I in deep, but I had the feeling that there was some sincerity to John's feelings as well. The only problem was I knew that was also a factor for men to back off for a bit. I felt lost and confused as to what to do next in our relationship other than let him lead the way.

We nibbled on cheese and crackers. There was a big salami, but we just made jokes about it. The basket came with a four pack of individual sized wine bottles and two plastic wine glasses. We just drank from the bottles. There were little jars of olives and marinated vegetables along with some mini bagels and a spread.

We tried a little of everything as our conversation went in every direction. From when do I start back at school, to his next big construction assignment just got bumped up two weeks from today. He made it quite clear when that started, that his availability would drop drastically. Basically, whatever relationship we are building up now would have to take a backseat. It didn't thrill me, but I knew it was what it was.

"You look sad all of a sudden. Something wrong?" His hand was stroking my arm as I laid my head in his lap.

"I'm good."

"Really?"

"Really." However, really I wasn't. I was dreading the day he started to pay less attention, call less or smile less because his day was dreadful with contracts or builders. I was no fool to this game. I knew how good I felt at this moment could not last forever and was sure that things would fizzle out down the road. It would start with a few unreturned calls. No sexy texts of 'I can't wait' like I got tonight. A canceled date or two or the dreaded waking up in the morning, and he was gone, instead of naked beside me.

"You about ready to go check out that Ferris Wheel ride, or we could stay here? It's getting dark, and the park is practically empty. We could take those panties off here under the tree and add that to your wild list."

"Yeah, or we could get busted by those two patrol officers on bikes I just saw peddle by and get a ticket for indecent exposure. I'm a teacher, and that would go under sexual predator if there are any kids in the park, and I would lose my job."

"Too much thought just went into that." He stood and started packing everything up. I helped and then he offered me a hand as I grabbed a corner of the blanket and pulled it up with me.

"We could cover ourselves in this blanket, and then it would not be indecent."

"We could, but I haven't been on a Ferris Wheel since I was in middle school. It's one of my favorite rides. Although skipping the show after is all right by me. I'm easy."

"That's what I've always loved about you. You just go with the flow on things. You don't argue. I don't' think I've ever seen you in a fight with another girl. However, if you want to add naked mud wrestling with women to your wild list for the summer, I know the spot."

"I'm sure you do."

The line to the ride took about a half hour wait. We stood in line chatting and the sun was totally set, and the sky was dark with a few stars out. I was anxious to be up at the top and looking out at the city around us with the city lights glowing, in the distance. It was my favorite part.

When it was finally our turn, I watched John slip something to the ride attendant, and he smiled. I had no idea what that was about. As we got in our seat, we got the whole car to ourselves. There was room for at least two more but that must have been what John was doing, paying the attendant a tip, so we could ride alone.

As we stopped every few seconds for the next set of folks to get on or off we cuddled in close to each other. John had his arm around me behind my back and one hand in my lap as he was sitting a tad towards me. I felt his kisses in my hair, and then my entire upswept hair was down around my shoulders.

"Took you long enough." I laughed.

"You should know better. I like your hair down."

"Katelyn did it. I didn't have the heart to tell her besides, I kind of like driving you wild."

"You do. How bout we take off those panties?"

"You're funny."

Then he turned my head towards him for a kiss. What started slow and sweet, quickly turned passionate. With every bump of the start of the Ferris Wheel, we took a breath. Then when it started again to load and unload the next car, we started kissing again. Before long, I didn't notice the start or stopping, just the way his kiss was so carnal and passionate and his hand was now up my dress and his fingers brushing my panties. I was on fire down there with his touch and really didn't care about indecent exposure.

The ride finally started going, and we caught our wits about us. We each seem to take a long breath in, and then I mentioned how beautiful the city looked. One more full ride around and then we stopped at the top. We sat there for a bit looking out then I realized John's fingers were now inside my panties and starting to work their way deeper.

"Just sit there and look beautiful. No one will have any idea. You're so wet and hot. Focus on the city lights while I make you cum."

Then I felt his finger slide in and out. I felt the slickness of my excitement increase. Then a second finger slid in, and I felt his thumb brush across my clitoris. In a matter of seconds, my walls pulsed around his fingers as my heavy breathing stopped and every part of my body was excited. I focused as long as I could on the city lights, then I turned and bit into his shoulder trying not to scream.

When the ride started up again I looked up into his eyes as his hand slid out and his smile was so huge you would have thought he just won the lottery.

"That was great. You were great. You look so beautiful right now." He kissed my lips gently and pulled back with a puffed chest and how do you like me now look to his face.

"That was incredible." I snuggled into the crook of his arm and realized I liked him more than just a bit. I liked him a whole heck of a lot. This being wild gig was exhilarating and fun. However, I wanted nothing more than to be back at one of our apartments continuing this fun and exciting times.

The wheel attendant kept us on as we went one more round without getting off. Now I knew what John had paid him for. When we got off I walked a bit funny, only to me I hoped. John had my arm and guided me towards the amphitheater for the show.

"Mind if we skip?" I was still reeling from my crazy orgasm I just received while looking out from the top of the Ferris Wheel at the city lights.

He stopped and turned to look at me. "You sure?"

"Sure." A tried to put on my most seductive smile, something I had practiced in the mirror today. John did seductive naturally, as his smile spread across his lips, his dimples grew and his deep-blue eyes sparkled with delight.

Chapter Thirteen

At three a.m., I was still awake. Thinking about everything and thinking about what just happened here tonight. I sat on my padded bench window seat in my bedroom, one of my favorite places to read at in the winter and stared at John's naked body draped across my bed. His body is so beautifully sculpted with muscles and depth. His breathing was heavy. He had to be exhausted from everything we just did. I, however, was wired thinking. Thinking about us and how long could this possibly last. Thinking I wanted to go get some highlights in my hair and a few new date night outfits. Thinking I was hoping I would never regret running into John Gallagher that night, and when he finally moved on, because I was sure he would, thinking how incredibly hard it was going to be on my heart.

I sat there in my cotton nightshirt, on that bench for hours. Just staring at John or the crescent moon out my window and thinking. Sometime after five in the morning, I crawled back in after taking off my nightshirt and pressed my naked body to his.

He mumbled and reached back to pull me in closer. "You ok?"

"Yeah. Had to pee." Ok, why did I not think of something clever to say. Had to pee was the first response out of my mouth. I had to wonder if I would ever quit being so nervous around the man.

"You're so cute." He mumbled then he rolled towards me and pulled me in close, so I could feel his erection. Then his lips touched mine gently. "So soft, warm and..." I felt his fingers glide over my hip to between my legs and then dip inside. "Wet!"

He was obviously ready to play around some more. We only fell asleep hours ago. Well, he fell asleep. I just laid there thinking and enjoying the feel of his strong body and arms holding me. It was when he finally rolled to his belly and away that I took that opportunity to sit on my window seat.

Instead of letting, his hands play and our bodies enjoy each other. I took this opportunity to want to talk. Stupid me. "Hey John. What exactly is going on here?"

"Well I'm sure you don't need an anatomy class to know what I want to do again." His voice had woken up a bit, and his hands were still gliding all over my body.

I rolled away and sat up. "We just did it three times earlier. I'm a little confused."

"About what?" He sat up and looked towards me with only the crescent moon light filling the room.

"About us. I mean this has all happened so fast. I feel like things are great in such a short time, but I'm also a little concerned."

"Concerned?"

"Yeah. About how serious this is. About when you get your building going how crazy your world will be and when will you find the time for me."

His silence was deafening. I could hear myself thinking in a shouting mode in my head. He didn't know how to respond or what to say as I had just backed him into a corner.

"Never mind." I practically pouted and crossed my arms as I sat on the edge of the bed.

I felt his arms gather around my waist, and he pulled me towards him that caused a slight giggle out of my tight-lipped mouth. What can I say? I'm ticklish.

"Stop thinking so much and let's start playing again."

I quickly gave in as his relentless pursuit of kissing, touching and rubbing got a reaction out of me that I was the one reaching for the condom this time and rushing to put it on. I was the one the positioned myself on top of him and slowly allowed him in me as I lowered myself down. I was the one that realized it was too soon for all this serious talk, and I just needed to live for the moment. Which was a really nice moment indeed.

Morning came late for me. I fell asleep after that last time and was dead to the world. Sometime around ten in the morning, I felt a hand slide over my body with just the sheet between us.

"Rise and shine princess. Katelyn has called several times, and she is on her way over. Apparently, you two are going shoe shopping, or it could be bungee jumping. I told her I would wake you. I've got to run to the office. You're not going to like this next part."

I absolutely did not like the next part. He had to start the building project Monday. Tomorrow. The city delivered over the approval on Friday and the new owner of the building that he was building for called an emergency Sunday meeting. The part I really didn't like. This owner of the new building, rushing to get things done was none other than Supermodel. It turns out she had some wealth and was the one that hired John's company to do the building design.

I instantly got my mega bitch attitude going. "You could have told me this a while ago." Meaning last night or early morning depending on how you wanted to look at it. Meaning before he distracted me with his delicious moves that caused me to be a wild woman.

"Well, I'm telling you this now. I think it is important that you know, seeing as I will be working day in and out with her. It's her building and the last one we built together we spent a lot of time together."

"Convenient wouldn't you say?"

"What is that supposed to mean?" His voice sounded defensive, and the sparkle in his eyes were gone.

"It's just that last night I'm trying to talk to you about where we are at in this relationship, and you conveniently persuade me to think about other things. Then this morning, as things got turned up to personable deep talk stuff, you tell me this. I suppose the next thing that will happen is that you won't have much time for me; you'll call me less, you'll text me less, and you'll always be busy behind closed doors with Supermodel."

"Super who? You mean Casey Templeton?"

"Casey Templeton." I said it so childlike it sounded bad to my ears. I'll admit it; I was freaking jealous.

"Stop that. You're acting like a child."

"Well you're acting like a Gallagher."

"What is that supposed to mean?" His voice was angry but he still looked sexy, now standing over my bed with only a half-naked body. I was mentally wishing the towel to drop even while I was pissed off at him. So sue me, he is gorgeous naked and looking at his body was calming me down, a bit.

"It means John." I stopped and paused. "It means that this was great. That it was fun while it lasted. Now give me some dignity and let me get dressed without you glaring at me."

"Honey, dignity I can give you but after the last few days I've tasted every square inch of your body, and I don't think me turning around while you dress is giving you dignity." He sounded feisty and it only made me madder.

"I want you to leave."

"No you don't. You want to fight. Listen. I told you this was coming. I told you I had a huge build project. I don't know how you can be so mad. We had some really nice times these last few days."

That's when it hit me. Build or not, after my try to talk serious last night, he was ready to bail.

"Look." I spoke in my serious calm voice; I used to control my kindergarten kids. "It has been 'nice'." Nice came out snarky so I took a deep breath. For me, it had been better than nice; it had been a fantasy come true. "You're right. I knew, and this came about quicker than I had hoped. I understand. It's been great. I hope things go smooth." I stood up naked and confident, and I heard my doorbell ring. It was Katelyn, and she would normally let herself in but under the circumstances, she was probably going to wait.

I slipped on my cotton nightshirt that hit me at the knees and started to walk by him, and his hand reached out and stopped me by my arm. "Mary Cate. You are being silly. This thing, we've started isn't over. I just need you to know that things will be different."

"That, they will, John." I stared at his hand and then into his eyes. I wanted so badly for him to pull me into his arms and kiss me senseless, then make love to me again. Instead, the doorbell rang twice fast, and John dropped his arm and looked down at his feet. I felt defeated as he looked.

"What's got your panties in a wad?" I barked at Katelyn as I opened the door.

"My. Somebodies cranky. Hey, I called an hour ago. I have to pee, and I could hear you two out in the hall. Somebody's in brush off mode eh?"

"Fudgesicles." That was as close as I got to saying the F word when I was mad. I watched Katelyn's facial expression change as John walked in the room from my bedroom.

"Morning Katelyn."

"Not for you two."

She stood there looking all bad ass and mean towards John. I leaned over and whispered in her ear. "Don't worry. You don't need to kick his ass." We both giggled, and John looked mad.

With as much courage as I could muster, I walked up to John, gave him a peck on the cheek and told him I would see him later. Then I practically bolted out to the bathroom. As soon as I got into the shower, Katelyn had popped in to pee and told me he was hanging around to see what we were doing this week and wanted to know if he could work any of that in. I told her to tell him no thanks. When I was done in the shower, John was gone.

"I don't need to hear it." I told her as I got dressed and walked out of my room. "I sensed it coming. Look. I did just about everything wrong when it comes to this relationship. If anyone could have written how to lose a guy in the last few days, it was me. I was clingy, stupid, and sensitive, and to top it all off, I tried to have the 'serious' relationship talk this morning around five." I had used my fingers as quotes in the air when I said serious.

"Yeah. I won't tell you so, but you kind of rushed on this one. Listen. It's not as bad as you think. Let's take today off from John. No calls answered and don't you dare text him or text him back. Let's just go do a few things, and then I've got to work tonight. They asked me to double up, which means I'll be sleeping all evening tomorrow. But in a few days I'm off for two. We can bungee jump or rock climb or get that tattoo."

I thought about the tattoo and decided it would hurt too much right now to get it. Not physically but mentally. It was the tattoo that John picked for me.

"Here's the game plan." Katelyn sat me down and explained that I needed to create the distance and act as if this was all fine by me. The sex had to stop, and he had to ask her out the next time. He wasn't allowed on our 'wildcapades' as she called them and the next time he saw me; it would be great if I looked smoking hot with guys around me. I wasn't too sure how to pull that one off, so I figured this was only going to work with Katelyn's help.

Chapter Fourteen

I successfully ignored him for five days and several text messages. However, I did notice that every day they got farther apart and less wordy. I spent my days either reading at the coffee shop or shopping thrift stores for something sexy to wear more in my budget. The riskiest thing I did in the last week since I had seen John was sleep naked. However, I slept with the pillow he used and my face buried in it, breathing deeply in order to smell him. By Friday, he had left a message that the weekend looked crazy, but that he was thinking of me.

I was now officially blown off. So, what did I do? I went to a Mexican restaurant with Katelyn and two of her co-workers. I got smashed off margaritas and spent the rest of the night crying on Katelyn's shoulder at her apartment or puking in her toilet. Either way, I was heartbroken over John and each day got more painful.

Katelyn tried unsuccessfully to get me to go out and do something, anything that was wild or daring, but I always turned her down. Then one morning she called me from her day off and explained that, she was in the bed of none other than, Michael Gallagher's bed. John's older brother by three years. She was whispering and telling me about the great sex. I was happy for her but worried all the same that my BFF was now under the spell of a Gallagher man.

After we hung up, I did what any sensible woman would do. I grabbed my emergency credit card, with only a few hundred left on it and went shopping. Then I stopped at a local ice cream shop and ate a death by chocolate ice cream cone; two scoops. Just as I was about to walk out of the ice cream parlor, in walked Supermodel with John opening the door and his hand to her back.

My mouth dropped, and I made a gagging sound. Supermodel smirked and motioned that I had something around my mouth. I wiped it with my hand and looked to see I had melted ice cream all around my mouth. I had been so busy eating the ice cream like it was water on a hot day, hoping it would dull the ache over John. Now this. I was crushed.

As I stormed by John, his hand touched my shoulder, and he said my name but he didn't go running after me as I hopped in my car and drove away.

A couple hours later, I got a text. 'It's not what you think. Call me.' But I didn't.

Instead, I sat on my floor surrounded by sexy clothes I just bought and cried. I was officially broke until the end of summer and not just financially, but emotionally. I fell asleep on my living room floor, amongst my purchases, eyes red and stinging, and a major headache.

I woke the next morning to my phone ringing nonstop. It was Katelyn. She eloped with Michael Gallagher to Vegas last night. She was married. The only thing I could do was scream at her. "What?"

"You heard me. Listen. This is crazy I know. Especially after you and John not working out. But we just did it. God, Mary Cate this is crazy. I am sitting in the pool of the Mirage, and I have a ring on my left ring finger. This is crazy. Tell me this is crazy."

"This is crazy." I said it somewhat irritated. How I wished I was the one getting married to a particular Gallagher instead, out of nowhere; Katelyn throws this curve ball.

"Katelyn?"

"Yeah?"

"What the hell were you thinking?"

I loud laughter came across the phone. "Why Mary Cate, I do believe that is the first time I have ever heard you cuss. I am going to check that off my wild list."

"You do that and while you're at it, get the marriage annulled. Are you crazy? You just met the man. How the heck can you marry him? You went out on a date with a Gallagher without telling me, and then you went and got married. Did I not tell you anything about these Gallagher men? They're scum."

"Actually. I think I'm in love."

"In just twenty-four hours. I don't think so. Nice one, Katelyn. But I'm going to rack this up there with the wildest thing you've ever done."

"It is. Isn't it?"

"Yes it is."

"You're mad."

"Yes I am!"

"Well don't be. Look. If it works great. If it doesn't, well we have had one hell of a time in the last twenty-four hours."

"Whatever."

"Listen grumpy. You need a new attitude. I called in sick to work for the next few days. Catch a cheap flight out here and party with us."

"Uh. No thanks. Besides, I'm flat broke."

"You had several hundred left on that card. A flight from Denver to Vegas can be found for under two hundred round trip. We'll get you a room. Come on."

"No!" I shouted. "I'm broke. While you're out having sex..." She interrupted me with a mind blower. "Spectacular sex, mind you." Fine have it that way. "Ok. You were having spectacular sex; I went shopping and charged up the last of my credit cards. Then I went for ice cream and guess who walked in. Supermodel, with John's hand on her back. It was mortifying. I had death by chocolate on my face, and Supermodel had to point it out. He didn't even come running after me."

"Did he call?"

"Yes. But it was lame. Look, it's over. I'll be happy for you when you get back, and you're still married and saying it's for real. In the meantime, I fell asleep crying my eyes out last night. I think I'll take a shower and go return these clothes. I got a call to tutor last week. I'm going to call and see if they still need me, so I can earn some extra summer cash."

"Mary Cate?"

"Yeah?"

"Our wild summer isn't over yet. I still want to do a few things with you. Cheer up. It's not as bad as you think. Apparently, John does have commitment issues."

"Yeah, well apparently Michael doesn't."

"Not right away but this is his third marriage. But, what the hell. We are having fun!"

I hung up thinking, now why on earth did she just not wear off on me more. Why could I not just have that kind of attitude?

When I got out of the shower from washing my tears, I had a message on my voicemail to call John. He did sound sad but it just said to call.

I didn't call him back. Instead, I called the number of the parent who was looking for summer tutoring for their twins. I was recommended by a friend. When I called, the woman seemed so thrilled to hear from me, she asked how soon I could come over.

Chapter Fifteen

"How's it pay?" Katelyn prodded.

"Good. Double since they're twins and after only the first week she got me a few gigs babysitting, house sitting and walking dogs for friends. These women with money are willing to pay good cash for easy work if you are available on short notice. I should be out of emergency card debt in two weeks."

"Good. You're gonna need cash to be my maid of honor." Her voice was teasing, and I wasn't sure if she was joking or serious.

"What?" I had heard that the Gallagher extended family was not happy to hear about the Vegas gig.

"You heard me. Apparently, the Gallagher family is a bit of a traditionalist. Believe that. Probably just the parents and grandparents, because we both know the men children are anything but."

"Don't remind me." Just talking in reference to John often got me teary eyed or on an emotional roller coaster.

"How come you haven't called John back? I told you to play hard to get. Not, to not play at all. Geez Mary Cate. The man seems sad actually."

"Good."

"Not nice Mary Cate."

"Well he hasn't exactly tried hard. Come on. A few calls and texts, does not make a gesture that he's interested. He was the one that gave me the, this thing is nice, but I've got to work for a living, and I don't have much time for you now. Right after I just wanted to get a feel for where we were at." I listened to her gagging sound and laughed. "I admit. I did it all wrong. Jumped in head-first into a shallow pool, but things were moving so fast, so intense I guess I just needed to know where I stood. Obviously, in the deep end of his busy life."

"Did I mention that Michael says he has commitment issues?" I could tell she was trying to help, but I was set on being mad.

"Yes and I don't really need a man like John right now."

"Admit it. You miss the sex." She was teasing and kept trying to get me to go back to how it was.

"Yeah. However, it was more than that Katelyn. I was in love with him before I ever knew what love was as a kid. Then I idolized him and put him on the pedestal. Then to actually spend time with him, emotionally I went even deeper. Now I just have a shattered heart and no hope for us, just best you find another maid of honor. I'd prefer to skip the wedding if possible."

"No can do. Here's how it's going down. You are back to work at school in six weeks. I told them we had to do a wedding in less than four. By the time we peeled his mother and grandmother off the floor, they came around. I need you to just pick out what you want to wear, and I don't need a brides maid party or anything like that. Evening wedding, night of Friday the 13th, in August."

"Is this family ready for you?" I laughed with true conviction. Katelyn was not the normal girl, a guy wants to bring home to his mother or grandmother, for that fact. She is wild with a capital W, and she had her own set of rules she lived by.

"Nope. But I know Mike gets a kick out of me. He says I'm the most excitement he's had in a long time."

"Nice." I was sarcastic this time. I was a true believer in marriage and for the right reasons, not for excitement and a fun time.

"Ok snarky pants. I need you out of this bad mood and back to having fun. I'm off in two days. We are going to do something daring, exciting and..." I interrupted her.

"I have tutoring until eleven, then I walk the Conley's two golden retrievers for an hour; I have to water the plants at the Millers, and then I should be free."

"You lead such an interesting life my darling."

"Stop taunting me. This is my life. I love it. I miss my kindergarten kids, and I had some adventure early this summer, but I'm ready to get back to the real me." The me, that loved dancing at the club, getting booed off the karaoke stage with my best friend, and the me that stared out at the city lights as the man I love brought me incredible pleasure. The me, that just got another brazilin wax and walked around my apartment in only a dress. The me, that ached every moment for the touch or smell of John Gallagher and the me that decided that if wanting a man this bad, hurt so much, I didn't want another man again. I was going for a cat.

"Whatever, Mary Cate. I know you are hurting, and I know I have not been there for you as much as I said I would. Honestly, I thought you two would work it out, get back together, and hook up some more."

"I guess. So did I."

"Well, that's kind of hard when you won't return his calls or text." She had a point, and I tried but could never hit the send button or punch in the last number. Each time my heart would pinch and remind me of how much it hurt to not want to be wanted so badly by John, like I wanted him.

"Yeah. I guess. Look I gotta go. I've got this thing to do, and then I'm going to the shelter to get a cat."

"You stop right there. No best friend of mine is going to wallow in self-pity and become the cat woman. You call him or text him. Whichever is easier for you, and you just say hello. Give the man a break Mary Cate. This is a huge job he's doing and yes the building owner is a gorgeous woman with money, but I think he misses you."

"Really?"

"Really. The last job he did with this woman won him an environmental award. Remember that tuxedo you threw up on and the awards banquet he missed. That was for you. This woman is rebuilding the city as she put it and John just happens to be a really great architect who is working with her."

"I gather you've talked to him."

"We went to dinner last night. He wanted to congratulate us. I know he misses you. Call him."

I sat quietly on the line.

"Mary Cate?"

"Yes." I blew out an exaggerated breath. "Look I was really about to head out with a book to my coffee shop."

"Call him!"

"Good bye Katelyn. Call me when you're off work, or I'll text you when I'm done in two days."

"I want you to call me tomorrow after you've called him. Got it?"

"Yes mam!" I smiled through the phone line. Then when I hung up, I tried to call or text. I really did. However, each time I pressed a button my heart pinched and the phone got blurry. I finally gave up and went to my coffee shop. That was the place I felt utter peace and contentment, along with a book, I should be happy for hours.

There was only one problem to my coffee shop. When I walked in a whole group of people were in a huddle talking at a section of chairs pulled into a circle and two of them were none other than John and Supermodel. John was kind enough to flag me over. I felt like a housewife in a housecoat. I had no makeup on, my hair in a ponytail and my navy maxi dress; I wore my wedged sandals though and believe it or not, no panties. I was trying to do something wild. I guess I picked the wrong day, wrong place and wrong moment. Because standing next to the group of John's coworkers, I might as well been entirely naked. I felt like everyone there knew I had decided to be a bad girl and not wear panties. Mostly, though, I felt awkward with Supermodel in the room and things unresolved between John and I. He was treating me like a good friend of his, and I was aching for him to kiss me or touch me in front of everyone to claim his love.

No such luck.

Chapter Sixteen

The whole running into John felt so surreal. He was polite and attentive, and he tried to touch my hand or back after he introduced me to his staff. Supermodel gave me her princess fake smile and went on ignoring me. I quickly excused myself after the introduction and stood with my back to him at the coffee counter, acting like I couldn't decide what I wanted to order. I let several people go ahead of me and when I finally found my voice, I ordered my normal.

I wanted to leave the coffee shop so bad, but I couldn't. I felt if I left, then I couldn't have a corner of my eye peeking at John. I knew if I stayed, I would feel like a rock was in the pit of my stomach.

I found one of my favorite comfortable chairs in the corner facing John's group but hidden by a nice tall plant. The two chairs around me emptied out in the next fifteen minutes, and I had the corner to myself. I pretended to read but I never got a full page read.

Every few minutes I got a casual glance and smile out of John. Then he finally texted me. "Good to see you."

I read the text and smiled his way. I took a sip of my iced coffee and thought about texting back, but just then, a very incredible looking man, a few years older than me, sat down across from me. I thought of what Katelyn said about making John jealous, so I turned my phone off, stuffed it in my bag and turned on the charm.

A half-hour later, I had a phone number and a name, Mark Wheeler. I felt so alive and incredibly sexy flirting with this man in front of John even though his reaction was not what I call happy. In some regards, I felt like I stuck it to him. That I got sweet revenge. That a man as sexy as Mark wanted me too. Mark Wheeler was every bit as attractive as John was and even more attracted to me. I had not had a man flirt with me like that in, I didn't know how long. I felt like Katelyn did for a change. Having a total stranger come up to me, lay on the charm, give me their number, and practically beg me to call him.

Just when I felt like things were really heated up between Mark Wheeler and myself, I excused myself saying I had a hair appointment and grabbed my bag and rest of my iced coffee and walked out. My head was high, my back arched and my hips swaying. I didn't even bother to acknowledge John as I left.

So, as to not make myself a liar, and in case I did decide to call Mark Wheeler, I drove to my hair salon and got myself in for a fresh cut and highlights. Hundred and fifty dollars later, my hair looked incredible and my attitude felt pretty darn good.

While sitting in the salon chair, I turned my phone back on. There were several attempts at phone calls and a voicemail, along with a text from John. The text read, 'I miss you.' The voicemail, however, he sounded a bit perturbed. He mentioned noticing my return flirtations to the stranger, and that it was obvious I didn't need to be rescued. That he got the impression things were over between us and would appreciate a call back, soon!

By the time I made it home, I felt sexy, but I also had a small ting of regret about John. I would talk myself into being mad at him and his lack of commitment, but I would also tell myself I had not exactly been very nice with not returning calls or texts.

When I got home, I called Katelyn to ask her for her advice.

What I heard from her was not what I had expected. I was actually a little mad.

"Katelyn, of all the sneaky things you have ever done with me. That is a first. Having a coworker find me and flirt with me at the coffee shop, not cool. Maybe you felt it was a flash of brilliance, but I'm pretty sure I pissed John off. Not to mention I thought this Mark guy was really into me and made me feel sexy and attractive."

"Well, here's the next funny part. I did send him in there. He's a nurse here at the hospital, and he recently had his heart broken. We worked a double last night together, and I asked him if he'd mind doing me a favor. Look, Michael told me that John was missing you and had decided to take the build crew to your favorite coffee shop in hopes of running into you, and you seeing how hard they were working. So I did an intervention, hoping that once John saw Mark flirting with you that he might try a bit harder, in turn, you might try getting back together."

"So now you're playing cupid."

"In a sense. I think it would be cool for us to be sister in-laws."

"Grr!" I growled through the phone line.

"Hey, but get this. Mark Wheeler does like you. I got a call after you left the coffee shop, and he was totally turned on by you. Told me to tell you if you decide you don't want this John guy; he's available. To tell you if you wanted to make the John guy jealous he's game, but that you should know, he's interested."

I felt my face relax and smile. I didn't want to play games, but Mark was very handsome. We talked easily, and I felt incredibly sexy with the way he flirted with me.

"Gosh, Katelyn, I don't know. After seeing John today, I had to admit to myself, that I had not exactly played as fair as I should. That I could have waited for the serious talk. I could have tried harder by returning his calls and texts. I probably should have done quite a few things different, but I guess I was just good at being stupid all by myself."

"Mary Kate. Everybody does stupid every now and then. You didn't do too bad, but you could have slowed it down, maybe not be so... serious. Perhaps knowing he had a career, and it was going to take up a bit of his time you could have been more supportive. Supermodel isn't his type and she already has a few boy toys according to Michael. So being jealous of her is crazy."

"But I saw his hand on her back, and he didn't run after me."

"This isn't a Hollywood movie. A lot of guys, when they open a door for a women might touch their back when they are with them. John is a flirt with a lot of women. He just doesn't care about them the way he cares about you. Look, I wasn't going to say anything. I think it needs to come from John. However, Michael did tell me about John having a crush on you growing up. He also has a problem with commitment as he got his heart broke by women a few times. Add to the fact that Michael got off the phone with him last night saying John was miserable without you. Just call him would you?"

I let all of that sink in. "I tried. I really did. But I guess I'm scared."

"Well you have a lot to lose by not returning his calls. He might be sad now, but he's a guy. He'll get over it and move on. Unlike us, the female species, we dwell in it forever and talk about regrets, and then we hope that the man comes chasing after us once we realized the mistake we made. I would hate, for you to be that woman. You've had a crush on this man, as long as I've known you. Now play it smart. Call him. Let him ask you out and make it casual. And God love you two, no sex for the next few dates."

"I'll try."

"Promise me."

"That's kind of hard to do speaking to a woman who after one night of 'spectacular sex', then to hit Vegas and get married. You're not exactly the person to be handing out dating advice."

"Do as I say, not as I do."

I let the laughter flow out of me for a very long time with that comment. When I finally found my breath, I promised Katelyn I would try to do the right thing.

Fortunately, for me, I didn't have to pick up the phone. My doorbell rang, and I looked through the peephole. John stood there looking desperate and fidgety. I took a deep breath and opened the door.

"John?"

He held out my book that I was pretending to read at the coffee shop. "You left this."

I took a step back and opened the door the rest of the way. "Come in."

"I can only stay a minute. The city permit person is due on site in half hour. I just thought you might want your book. Your hair looks great, by the way."

His hand reached out and touched my hair, then stroked it. I let my head fall into the palm of his hand, and I looked up into his eyes. He looked as sad as I had been feeling. I realized at that very moment, that perhaps I had taken things too fast and just assumed things would keep at the pace in which it started.

Next thing I knew, he had tossed the book on my couch, closed my door, had my face in the palm of his hands and me against the door, kissing me senseless. I finally put my hands on his chest, pushed him back a bit, and took a deep breath.

"John! I... we need to take this a bit slower. I think things got off to a fast start and considering..."

I didn't finish I just stared into his deep-blue eyes and wanted nothing more than for him to undress me and make love to me again.

"I miss you. Why didn't you return any calls or texts? Were you that mad at me?"

"No. I mean yes and no. I was hurt and confused and thought that since I tried to have a serious talk with you about our relationship that you conveniently found a way to bail on me. Move on to Supermodel."

He took a step back and dropped his hands. "Look, I get that it all seems weird. The night I brought you back to my place, and you woke to me having a date with her. However, really she was just arm candy for the awards banquet. It was her building, that I got the award for and her boyfriend was out of town."

"What about your hand on her back at the ice cream shop?" I sounded defensive now. Maybe because I just wanted distance and not to have my heart broken again. Maybe because, I knew that a man like Mark Wheeler found me attractive, and he would be more sensitive to a woman's heart after having it broken like I had.

He looked at me funny. "I didn't have my hand on her back."

"Well it looked like it."

"I don't know what you saw or thought, but we had just been on site, in hundred degree weather and no lunch and I offered to buy an iced coffee which the closest place was the ice cream shop you happened to be at."

"Well. I..." I realized I had ignored his calls and texts and assumed a lot of things. "I think we took it too fast. If you really want to date me, we need to take it a bit slower."

"Ok." He took a step forward and began to kiss me again. After a few seconds, I slipped out from in front of him and away from the door and took two steps back.

"Maybe we can't."

"Then why do we have to." His smile turned devilish, and I felt my heart squeeze.

"Because I'm in love with you John and to just go back at it and then have you not want to talk about where it's going, hurts. Geez, you own brother has no problems committing. He married Katelyn in less than twenty-four hours."

"Yeah. But he's also been married twice before and couldn't seem to commit to working on the marriage part, just getting married."

"I see. So what you are saying is that Katelyn and Michael are doomed."

"No what I'm saying is..." I watched him rake his hands through his thick brown hair and looked distressed.

"I'm saying that I'm attracted to you. That I don't do Vegas in twenty-four hours, and I'm not one to commit easily to a serious relationship."

"I see!" I sounded pissed. Which I was. I divulge my love, and he uses words like attracted and not one to commit.

"I think I should rephrase that." He seemed confused with his words.

"Nope! Got it real clear. You're attracted to me. You don't like serious relationships, and you don't like commitment. It is what it is John! And, it was fun while it lasted. Unfortunately, for you, I've got a date later this week with a man who is interested in me.

"The guy from the coffee shop?"

"Yes."

He let out a light laugh and acted like that was nothing. Which it wasn't yet, but it could be.

"Look, I'm just super busy working an eighty hour workweek, not to mention my weekends involve going over changes and site inspections. I told you that. When I start a new build, things are crazy."

"You did and I accept that. However, if you really wanted to find a few minutes a day or an hour a week you would try to if you wanted to. I think you're just using your job as an excuse and when you need some sex, you can just come knocking on my door, but I don't work that way. I'm not an egotistical man who wants his cake and eats it too."

He laughed nervously and shook his head looking down at his feet while his hand rubbed his neck.

"Look. Can I call you later?" He looked up and seemed serious, but I knew it would be a booty call.

"I think maybe we should leave it at this. Thanks for bringing my book by. I appreciate it. I think it would be best if we go back to civil friendship for Katelyn and Michael's sake. The wedding will be soon, and I don't want to fight."

"I don't want to fight either Mary Cate. But I don't want to end this."

"I think we should." I took two more steps back trying to guard my heart, which had just shattered into a million pieces. I wanted to collapse into tears, but I was going to be brave in front of the man I loved.

He shook his head again looking down. When he looked up at me, he looked hurt, but I knew he would get over it. I was just the flavor of the month.

"Mary Cate." He paused a long time, and I said nothing. Did nothing.

"Ok then. If you want it that way. I would like to call you and ask you out when things settle down."

"Not a good idea." I said it harshly since my tears were about to fall, and my voice was failing me. I was an emotional mess, and I didn't want to show it to John.

"Ok. Good-bye then."

"Good-bye John."

He turned and was out the door so fast that I felt the shutting of the door like a vise on my heart. I leaned against the door and fell to the floor crying. I was sitting there a long time until I realized my phone was ringing, and it kept on ringing every few seconds. I got myself up, found my phone, and answered it. It was Katelyn.

"That didn't go so good. John called me crying, and Mary Cate, I have never heard a grown man cry, let alone to me. That is unless it was for merciless thanks for the best damn blow job, but what did you say, do? I thought you were going to get back together?"

"Well, you thought wrong." I shouted into the phone. And for the first time in my life, I hung up on my best friend after yelling at her. I was a mess.

Chapter Seventeen

It took all my strength to finally get up off the floor from crying. I took a quick shower to freshen up, but I felt sick to my stomach. All the stress of crying, yelling and the fact that I hung up on my best friend just took its toll.

I got a cup of tea and some crackers in my belly then curled up in my nightshirt with a book and fell asleep sometime before the sun even set, while sitting on my front room couch. When I finally woke in the middle of the night, I decided this was stupid, and I owed Katelyn a huge apology. I got myself dressed and called her work to make sure she was on schedule. I stopped at the local twenty-four-hour convenience store and grabbed two chocolate donuts with cream fillings and couple of Diet Cokes.

When I finally made it to her work, it was two in the morning. I had to sit in the waiting room as the place was packed, and it was a full moon tonight. That tended to bring out the crazies.

I was in awe at how Katelyn worked when I did get a glance at her. The first time she saw me, she scowled. The second time she blinked several times and had a deer caught in headlight look. I was eating my chocolate donut in front of everyone in the waiting room. She wasn't the only one that stared at me. The third time she smiled when I held up her donut and stuffed it back in her bag. The fourth time she waved and blew a kiss. I knew as soon as she got a break, all would be forgiven when I told her how sorry I was.

When she got a break, she grabbed me by the arm and whisked me outside to a smoking area. I watched her take two puffs and put the cigarette out. I knew better then to lecture. She only smoked when she was stressed. Her work was stressful, but she hadn't smoked in months. When we finally sat down at a bench away from the smoking area, I handed her the donut in the bag and Diet Coke. She hugged me briefly and dug in. I started first. "I am so sorry. I am beyond sorry, and I owe you big."

Between bites of her donut, all I got was 'good' then a few 'need your help'.

"Something is stressing you. You don't smoke unless. Is it Michael? Are you two having problems already? Katelyn, I am so sorry I yelled at you. I'm sorry about John too. But he wants his cake and eat it too. I want a relationship that isn't with a man who can only find a few minutes here or there with me."

I watched her take her last bite of the donut with satisfaction and downed her pop. When she came up for air, she belched out the longest burp that resonated throughout the night's air. A few workers heading in for a shift cast their glances our way then acknowledged Katelyn with a nod of their head and walked on. She was a character.

"No it's not me and Michael. It's his family. They're so... God, they are so formal and conventional. They want things a certain way at this wedding and Michael is so easy going, he keeps telling them sure, fine, whatever then he tells me, and I yell at him 'who's fucking wedding is it any way's' then he does whatever it takes to make me happy, which sometimes includes oral sex which he is so fucking good at. Then when he's done, I cave and bam, we are back to some outrageous wedding. They've tried moving the date, changing my cake, and I was even asked to wear an off white wedding dress. Screw them. I'm wearing white, because the color looks awesome against my skin tone, not to mention I got this killer dress used off Craig's List. I look killer in it."

"Katelyn, you would look killer in any dress. You would look killer in a trash bag." I leaned into her and just to have her near me felt so good.

"Well if they don't watch it I might wear a trash bag. Look. I need you. I know I said I would be there for you when things went south with you and John. Shit, I didn't think that I would be in the middle of a marriage, John crying on my shoulder, and you yelling at me."

"Sorry. Not just about yelling at you. That I am really sorry. But John. I guess I don't get men. I want to date him, but I don't want to be a booty call either. I want the whole romance thing, flowers, wine and dine, romantic dates and conversations about our future. John pretty much summed it up that he is too busy for all that, and he wants to call me when he's not busy. I'm not ok with that."

"And you shouldn't be. Listen. I've got only a few minutes left on break. You look like hell. I'm off tomorrow but Michael and I have wedding stuff to attend to. Will you come with us? I want you to get to know him."

"Katelyn?" I didn't know how to put this nicely so I had to just tell it like it is. "Michael was the block bully growing up. He tossed my stuffed animals in trees, and John had to climb up and get them; he tossed my Barbie dolls in the street, and John had to rescue them before they got run over, he even stole my books when I was reading them, and John had to chase after him."

A huge laughter filled the air out of Katelyn's mouth. When she finally regained her composure, she patted my leg and smiled at me. "Dear sweet innocent Mary Catherine O'Reilly. Did you honestly think after all these years that Michael was the bully? He is the sweetest, gentlest man I have ever met. John and him, cooked up these scenarios, when you guys were growing up, so that John would look like a hero rescuing things for you. I told you John had a crush on you too."

I sat there looking stunned. I let it all sink in as Katelyn stood and stretched. She patted me on the back. "Look. I have got to book it back in there. I'm off in three hours. This was my first break. I need some serious sleep when I get back to my place, and then we have a cake tasting tomorrow at two. Can we pick you up?"

I owed it to her to be there for her. "Sure. Whatever you need for this wedding you just ask."

"Then we'll pick you up about one thirty."

"Hey Katelyn? I didn't even ask. Where are you and Michael living?"

"At my place, but we've got a down payment on a nice condo about eight blocks from the hospital. We want to move in there when this wedding crap is all done."

I hugged her good-bye and headed for my car. When I got inside, I sat there staring at my phone. There was a text from John again, shortly after he left my place that simply read 'friends?'

I stared at that text and realized I wanted more than friends. I didn't want to date Mark Wheeler, that would be lying to myself, and I would be the evil one breaking his heart eventually. Instead, I wanted John, and I was willing to see him on his terms. I texted him back. "Always and more when you're ready."

I tucked my phone back in my purse unaware that I still had the ringer off. I drove around for a while as the streets were completely empty, and it felt so eerie. I kept driving aimlessly. At some point, my car was under the building that John's condo was in. I looked up at the building from the street; it seemed dark and ominous, except for one set of windows with the lights on bright. If I wasn't mistaken it was Johns. So, I decided to do something wild and crazy. I parked my car in a no parking zone, grabbed my purse and went to his building door. I was about to buzz up when a man coming out dressed for labor type work held the door open for me. I smiled and thanked him. I took the elevator up to John's floor, breathing deep the whole time. When the doors finally swished open, I took a step out and my legs felt like lead. I walked the twenty or so steps down the hall and stood in front of his door. I was trying to find the will or courage to knock on his door when I heard a female laughter from behind the door.

That sound ripped my heart to shreds. I felt my eyes fill with tears and my breath hitch. Just as I was about to turn and walk away the sound stopped, and the door opened.

"Mary Cate!"

"John!" I looked around his shoulders for the female voice but there wasn't anyone. His eyes looked like he had been crying, and the stress of his job was on his face.

"I've been trying to call you. Katelyn called me and told me you came by the hospital, then I got your text, and I wanted to talk. You aren't answering your phone."

I put the palm of my hand to my forehead. "Oh! Shoot!" I reached inside my purse. "Ringers off from earlier today or yesterday. Listen. Can I come in or is someone here?"

"No one's here." He looked at me odd. "Come in." He stepped aside, and I came in wearily.

"I thought I heard a female voice from out in the hall."

His laugh was nervous. "Don't make fun of me, but I had video tapped you on my phone when you and Katelyn did Karaoke. I had it streamlined to my computer and was watching it a second ago. God you were so sexy and alive that night. I wish we could go back to that night."

I felt speechless for a second. He had been watching a video of me that he took, and that was romantic. He was the one reaching out, calling and texting while I ignored him. I had to understand that he wasn't ready for serious, but he was wanting me. Maybe not as much time as he could give sounded unattractive at the time, but now it sounded romantic that he wanted to give me any of his free time that he did have.

"Hey." I spoke up with a croak to my voice, so I cleared it. "I'm sorry. For a lot of things, for pushing you away and for trying to make things serious so fast and for being jealous and trying to make you jealous."

"You're not dating coffee shop guy?"

"No. It's a long story. He actually works with Katelyn."

We both laughed then I watched him take a step closer, and before I knew it, I was entangled up in his arms, his hand on my back and in my hair, his tongue deep in my mouth and his body pressed against mine. It felt incredible. I didn't realize how much I missed him until that moment.

The feel of his body against mine ignited the fire I had missed so badly. With every sweep of his skin touching mine, I felt a sensual tingling sensation rise within my body and across my skin. Within a slow swirl and step, we were leaning against a wall. I felt the rush of his hands work at my clothes, and the warmth of my core get wet with anticipation. I knew it would be greedy and rushed the first time as we both missed each other. I could only hope the second time would be slow and lingering. Then I realized he had work in the morning, and it might only be just this once.

I worked on the buttons of his work shirt as we kissed, and he had my cotton shorts and granny panties on the floor with my cotton top off. He was working at my bra clasps in the back when I helped him out by reaching behind and undoing my bra. He practically grabbed the front of my bra, pulled it off me, and tossed it on the floor. Then as I stood there naked, he got out of the rest of his work shirt and had his work pants to the floor along with his shoes.

We stood there kissing deeply with our tongues intertwined, our naked skin touching and the heat of our bodies starting to sweat from our passion. He pulled away from his kiss and started kissing down my neck to my breasts then when his mouth latched on to my hardened nipple he groaned. The next thing I knew he had my legs wrapped around him, and my body pinned up against the wall as I felt one of his hands on my ass, one in my hair, and then I felt the stretch of his hardened cock start to enter my wetness, and I threw back my head and moaned with pleasure.

I felt his hand leave my hair and heard it hit the wall for support. He still had one hand on my ass as he continued to pump in and out of me with such demand. My hands were filled with his hair and holding onto the back of his head as I felt each incredible thrust in my body. It took only seconds and I began to quiver with an orgasm, then his body released and we both fell against the wall at an angle. Only held up by his strength. Our breathing was heavy, and our bodies covered in sweat from the amount of work it took to have sex standing up.

I was the first to whisper in his ear. I had to say it. "I love you John!" It came out soft, and I know he heard me but his breathing was still raged and deep from the position he just had me in. As it started to become normal, I felt his kiss on my neck and a soft whisper, of 'I love you' came out.

I was sure he did love me; I was also sure he wasn't ready to commit, and I was ok with that for now.

"Mary Cate?" He finally spoke as he lowered my feet down to the floor. "I forgot a condom."

So he did.

Chapter Eighteen

The second time was slow and lingering. I took the top position, so I could look down at him while we made love. This time his face seemed softer; his smile was deeper, and the stress was easing away. The look in his deep-blue eyes was serious.

I took my time rubbing back and forth, up and down. I let the thrill of the moment last as long as I needed. He came first this time, and we didn't use a condom again. Between the wall in his front room and his bed, I let him know I was on the pill religiously, providing he hadn't been with anyone lately, he didn't need the condoms.

When I finally rolled off him with my body sweaty again and my breath in rhythm with his, I realized that what we had was so special, that to take it for granted was a waste. This time he pulled me in close to his body with my back to his front. He kissed the back of my neck and whispered things into my ear.

"I love you Mary Cate. I know I can't give you the whole picture just yet but trust me on this. We're good together. Let's take it for what it is. Tell me what it is you want, and I'll try to give it to you. God, I missed you so bad. More than I have ever missed anyone."

I needed to hear that as my heart was starting to mend. I didn't want to ask for too much and seem needy so this time, I stroked his hand that was around my waist and let out a long stretch of air. "Just you. When you can. I understand your job now. Just when you have time, let's just be wild again. We had so much fun for those few days."

"We did. Didn't we?"

"Yeah. Hey. What do you think about Michael and Katelyn, crazy huh?"

"Normally, I would say yes. But you should see those two together. I was jealous with them when we went to dinner the other night. I know my brother is a little crazy and well, shoot, Katelyn's ahead of the game on that one, but I think they'll do alright. As soon as my family quits meddling about this wedding. They're both going nuts."

"Katelyn just told me. I guess her and I have been having trouble too. You know, I usually spend my summers, quiet, tutoring kids, reading books and well, quite frankly, finding ways to get out of having a wild time with Katelyn. Her idea of fun was never my idea. But we're still best friends, if that makes any sense."

"What makes sense is you coming back to me. I was not dealing well with us not being together."

Neither was I. "Hey. I did figure out one thing, that I really did enjoy taking a step on the wild side with you two. I think if it wasn't for the wedding, Katelyn would still be on a mission."

"The only mission I'm on right now is keeping you coming back for more." Then I felt it. The hard firm member of his anatomy pressed against my butt. The way his hands were beginning to wander and the way my body was responding to his gentle kisses on the back of my neck.

Like an idiot, I glanced at the clock and noticed the time. "Don't you have to work in a couple of hours?"

"I do. I'll just be tired."

Then as if someone waved a magical wand over me, my body came alive with his sensual touches and kisses. I felt the strong urge rush over me and enjoyed the way our bodies felt so in synch with each other. I let him take his time and do things to me that caused immense pleasure then I slowly drifted off to sleep when we were all done.

I woke to bright sun and a note on his pillow. Scribbled in black sharpie on a bright yellow Post-It note, was the words I have longed to see from him. "Love you. See you later."

By the time I got dressed and helped myself to a cup of coffee, I was feeling incredible great. I let my eyes, and fingers linger over his condo; touching pictures of him and his brothers, touching the rich expensive leather furniture and the granite counter tops in his gallery kitchen. I took my time walking up his steps to his loft office and noticed the disarray of blue prints, photos on bulletin boards and dry eraser boards with notes and comments. In bold red dry eraser, marker was a note at the top. 'Get Mary Cate back!'

Well, he not only had me back; he had my heart along with it. Only this time I wasn't going to push the relationship forward. I was going to let it develop naturally. I would think of a few nice things to do for him while he's so busy, and I would let him know how much I appreciated the moments of time he could spare me. Looking at all of his work, I could see how his job consumed him while on a build. I knew that must have been hard on him to go from having fun and hanging out to all work and no play.

I looked at the docking station clock and noticed it was past noon. I had slept like a log. I ran down the stairs, grabbed my phone, and called Katelyn. It went to voice mail, so I left her a message.

I downed the rest of my coffee and used some mouthwash from John's bathroom then I grabbed my purse and bolted out the door.

My first mistake was locking the door and not checking that my keys were in my purse. Inevitably, last night they fell out on John's floor amidst all the naked wall wrestling we did. My second mistake was parking in a no parking zone last night. My car had a bright yellow boot on it. I had a few unpaid parking tickets I had been meaning to pay but just kind of forgot about it, for the time being.

At least, I had my cell phone. This time I called John. He was busy, so I left a message with his secretary. I tried Katelyn again and no answer, so I left a voicemail stating my predicament, and that they could pick me up here at one thirty. However, I really needed a shower.

Ten minutes later, Michael showed up in his silver Mustang. Katelyn and him, were a car match made in heaven. Because Katelyn's first love of cars was a Camaro, second was the Mustang. Now I know why she was so taken. Not to mention the fact that Michael grew up to be an incredibly good-looking man. He was a bit taller than John and lighter colored hair, but those same deep-blue eyes and darker skin tone. He had a huge white smile and shit eaten grin.

"Trouble?" Those were his first words out of his mouth as he stepped out of his Mustang and walked around to where I was sitting. His voice was much deeper than when we were kids. Sexier too.

"A bit." I stood up from the bench and walked towards him. I forgot how tall he is. When we were kids, he always seemed like a giant. Now he just seemed like a great catch for Katelyn. I pictured the two of them together and imagined their kids looking adorable as heck.

"So you and John?" He motioned with his head towards the car, walked over and opened the passenger door.

"Back on track, I think. Mind giving a gal a ride to her place. I don't see me getting that pretty yellow boot off my car until payday in three days. I guess I'll be hoofing it on foot."

"Don't worry. Hey Katelyn just woke up and got your message. She sent me here to help. That's kind of a change. Me helping instead of causing the trouble."

"Oh buster. You've caused some trouble alright. Kidnapping my best friend and marrying her is right up there in my book of trouble."

He opened the door to his car, and I got in. He shut if for me, and I smiled. Katelyn was right. He was a gentleman. When he got in the driver seat and buckled up he laughed.

"What's so funny?"

"If you locked your keys in John's place, how are you going to get in your place?"

"Gugh!" I slapped my hand to my forehead. Then when I finished shaking my head back and forth thinking the words 'idiot' over and over in my head, I noticed Katelyn's extra key to my place. It was on a silver charmed key chain that had an open book dangling on it. I got it as a teacher appreciation gift from one of my students. Seeing as this was not the first time I locked myself out, Katelyn always had a spare key for me.

"Thanks." I smiled and grabbed the key.

"Don't mention it. Katelyn said you wouldn't think about it until you got to your place. She figured John kept you up all night. Did he?"

I gagged and looked out the passenger window in embarrassment. I wasn't about to fess up to that with Michael.

His laughter at my embarrassment filled the car. "I know my brother. One thing is for sure; he's had a crush on you for a long time. After you dumped him, he was upset. I've never seen him that upset. Usually he's the one dumping not getting dumped. I can only assume how much fun you two had making up last night."

Ok. I was officially embarrassed. Most likely, he was loving the teasing of it all. So, I put on my teacher face and turned to Michael as he was already focused on driving me to my place. "Do you talk to all of your wife's friends this way?"

A moment of silence set in the car, then he shocked me. "Only you Mary Cate. You were so much fun to tease growing up. I just don't see the point in stopping now. Although the red in your face is starting to fade."

"You're funny." I teased. However, it felt nice to have a chance to fun around with Katelyn's husband. Boy how that sounded weird in my head. I always thought I would be the first out of the two of us.

I was quick to get ready as Michael had to go back to get Katelyn, and then they would be back to get me in half hour. They had a few other wedding errands to run.

By the time we made it to the bakery, I was officially starved. I had only the two am doughnut along with my noon coffee. I didn't think to eat before they came back to get me, so I didn't realize how hungry I was until we stepped into the bakery.

They had a room off to the side, and we all sat down at a table. There were several samples out with plates and forks. Katelyn had a determined look on her face. So I decided to ask. "What's wrong. You're not hungry for cake."

I grabbed a plate and took a bite, then realized I was moaning from the taste of it. Either I was really hungry or this was damn good cake.

"I already know what kind of cake I want. Dark fudgy chocolate with fudge filling and chocolate frosting." She thumb motioned to Michael. "But somebody over here is allergic to chocolate."

"Ouch!" I said that with sincerity. Katelyn was a chocolate fanatic. "Allergic, allergic like can't have in the house or just if you eat it; you get a reaction."

"If I eat it, I get a reaction. Babe, we can have any cake you want; my mom just wants us to have a cake I can eat too. Let's amuse her and find a second cake."

"Who has two cakes at a wedding?" She scoffed.

I spoke up laughing my ass off with cake crumbs falling out of my mouth. "Somebody who is getting married twice." Then I noticed I was already reaching for another piece of cake.

"Hungry?" Katelyn teased.

"Starved." Then I shoved half of the next piece in my mouth. When the employee came in to check, I asked for a large coffee or glass of milk. I got an odd look and two minutes later a large glass of milk. I then asked if I could have another piece of the dark chocolate cake. Michael slid me all his pieces and grinned.

"Here hungry bunny, you look like you could eat them all."

I grinned with chocolate frosting on my face and kept on eating.

When we left the place, they had ordered a white french vanilla with butter cream frosting. Michael offered to buy me a late lunch early dinner, and I accepted. We found a hole in the wall restaurant and sat down in a corner booth.

After we all ordered, conversation turned to John and me. I told Katelyn that we were back to where we left off. That I was more understanding of his job and that there shouldn't be any problems with their wedding.

"That's great. Because John's the best man and instead of a bridal shower, bachelor gig, we've decided on a night out on the town. Guys will get the limo and pick the restaurant. We just have to look sexy and hit the spa during the day."

It all sounded fun. I was reserved as to money, especially now that I had a car to get out of a yellow boot, but I agreed it would be fun, and I figured I had found a way to make extra cash before I could just get word out that I had a wedding to participate in.

We had three more stops, I joined them for. One was to a tuxedo shop. When we pulled up John was there waiting. He looked at his watch and then at his brother with a frustrated glance as we were late for the fitting appointment. After his razing to his brother, he gathered me up in his arms and gave me a possessive kiss.

Katelyn and Michael headed in ahead of us as we stood out on the sidewalk. "I got the message from my secretary. You got booted eh?"

"Yeah. I also left my keys at your place. They must have fallen out of my purse last night when we were wall wrestling."

"Want to come over later tonight and wall wrestle with me some more?"

That got a huge smile and a red face blush out of me. He kissed me quickly again on my lips and led me inside with his hand to my back. He whispered in my ear as I walked in ahead. "I'll take that look as a yes."

Katelyn and I wandered over to the sister side of the store that had bridesmaid dresses along with wedding dresses. Since Katelyn already had hers, we were there to see if there was something for me. Instead of looking at dresses with Katelyn, I let my fingers wander over a wedding dress that was absolutely beautiful. The beadwork and fitting of it would make my body shape look incredible. I felt a soft hand on my shoulder, and I turned to see Katelyn standing there holding up a simple black fitting dress.

"This, my dear, would look perfect on you. It's an evening wedding, and I insist you wear black."

I looked over the dress and positively agreed to the fit. If Katelyn wanted me to wear black, then I would wear black. I wanted her to have something she wanted in this wedding without anybody else's say so.

"By the way." She whispered in my ear as I held up the dress, looking it over. "That other dress would look killer on you. Your time will come."

I could only hope so. I tried on the dress, and it fit perfect. We went to the register to pay, which was in the tuxedo side of the shop, and I caught a glance of John in a tuxedo. They were taking his measurements, and he stood with his back to me. As soon as he turned, my entire body went on alert. He looked so incredibly sexy; I practically melted into the funky grey carpet in the store. He smiled at my reaction, and I was a goner.

Katelyn nudged me and whispered in my ear. "When you're done picking up your jaw off the floor, you can respond to I told you so."

I turned to her and smiled. "You were right. We're good together. I shouldn't have taken so long to get back with him. I'm an idiot sometimes."

"Yeah. Well, you're the idiot we love so much." Then her eyes adverted behind me, and she nodded her head that way. When I turned around, John was standing there, and he held out a platinum credit card to the cashier and asked that they put my dress and shoes I was buying on his card.

I gave him a quick peck on the lips and a soft 'thank you' escaped out. I knew that it meant a lot to him to do these kinds of things when he was with me. So I didn't stamper or refuse. Instead, I began to think of ways I wanted to repay him, in the sexual favor kind of way.

John had to rush back to work, but he said he would swing by around seven to pick me up. He seductively asked me to pack a bag.

Chapter Nineteen

He was only twenty minutes late getting me, but he had called. The site inspector had an issue with something, and he had to get some new plans drawn up. When he got to my door, he ravaged me with a kiss then told me I better have a bag packed because he didn't want to bring me back tonight.

I held up my overnight bag that was by the door, and he told me I was a good girl and swatted my ass.

When we got to his car, I instantly notice a book bag on the seat between us. He caught me looking and told me to open the bag. It was the next new release of my favorite author in hardback. I thumbed through it and eyed him questioningly. "I don't suppose we share the same tastes in authors?"

"Unfortunately, I'm not a huge reader. I remembered the book you left at the coffee shop the other day; I asked Katelyn, and she told me you usually waited until you could pick up a used cheaper copy. So, I stopped and bought you this author's next release on my way back to the office today."

I reached over and kissed him on the cheek, as that was as far as my seat belt would let me go. "You are my hero." I gushed.

"I try." His deep dimple smile spread ear to ear, and I was sure he was getting a kick out of this.

When we got to his place, I noticed my yellow booted car was not sitting out in front of his building. I didn't have a chance to say anything before he spoke up. "Took care of that as well. Your car is safely tucked away in my underground parking spot. Keys are in my pocket. My secretary got your boot off, moved your car and brought me your keys."

"You're too good to me. Please tell me your secretary doesn't look anything like Supermodel, and I'm ok with all this."

"Nope. He's pretty ugly by my book, but he's a damn awesome secretary."

I felt a sense of relief fall over me and realized I needed to quit being so jealous all the time.

When we stepped into his condo, I noticed the smell of lasagna right off the bat. On the table was a lovely setting of China, two glasses of wine, candles unlit and a chilling bottle of wine in an ice bucket. John walked over, turned off the oven, and pulled out the lasagna. On the counter was a loaf of baguette bread sliced and a bowl of salad.

"Secretary?" I questioned.

I watched him take everything to the table, light the candles and went back to grab salad dressing out of the refrigerator while talking. "Yup. I pay him well. That and he is going to school to be an architect, so I scratch his back, he scratches mine. I told him about our predicament, he had been happily married for five years with two kids, and he told me he could help a brother out for a bit until things loosen up on the site. I, however, have allowed him to hire some temporary workers so that his mundane work like filing and copying gets done."

He pulled out a chair for me, and I sat down in my pink VS dress and those boots of Katelyn's that gave me such happy memories.

"You look incredible tonight, by the way." Then I saw him yawn. No sleep last night and it was fast approaching eight tonight. I figured this would be a good night for me to give him a massage and oral sex and let him drift off to sleep.

"Thanks, by the way. Thank you for buying my dress. You didn't have to. Also let me know what I owe for my pretty yellow boot that was on my car."

"Woman, it is cheaper to pay those darn tickets when you get them."

"I know. It's just. Cash was tight. I get paid from my tutoring in a few days. Plus I have a dog walking gig that will pay me this weekend, along with a house that needs its plants watered and fish fed every few days while the owner is out of town."

"Katelyn mentioned your wittiness with working and frugality with cash. It's very cute. But you don't owe me. I like buying things for you. Although the car boot wasn't something I find romantic to buy, but it gives me a laugh any ways.""

"Well, Mr. Sexy, I'm glad I brought a smile back to your face."

"Me too." He said it with such sincerity my heart pinched.

"By the way. You look really hot in that tux today."

"I've got my awards tux in the closet anytime you want me to put it on. Mom already picked out tuxes for Michael and I. We like to amuse her that way. It makes her happy."

"I will take you up on that offer, but tonight, let's eat, fool around and get a good night's sleep. I've got tutoring at ten in the morning tomorrow."

"Well, I'll try not to wake you when I have to leave at six in the morning."

"Yikes."

"You sure you're ready for this fitting into my crazy schedule. I feel bad trying to make you work into my schedule instead of me making it work out for more time."

I laid my hand on his and smiled. "I was scared you were blowing me off. I get it now. You work hard, and this is a busy job from time to time. We'll make it work. I know we will."

We ate quickly as we were both hungry. Two glasses of wine and I had him naked on his bed letting me massage him. It wasn't long into the massage, and he was fast asleep. I slipped in naked next to him and made sure his alarm was set. I fell fast asleep with the luxurious feel of his naked body next to mine, knowing it wasn't just about sex for us. There was an emotional connection that was growing every day.

Morning came too quick. I was still a bit tired, but I stretched and rubbed his back to the sound of his alarm. "I don't want to get up." He groaned with his face to his pillow.

I slipped out of bed, just as he rolled over and caught the devilish grin that crossed his face. "Walk around my place like that, and I might not go to work."

I smiled over my shoulder as my naked backside faced him. I grabbed his robe off the hook on the door and slipped it on before heading into the bathroom.

When I came out, he was standing there naked and a silly grin on his face. "I called my secretary. We've got time for a quick one. Just let me brush my teeth."

I looked down to his hard on and smiled. How could I turn him down?

I left for my tutoring job with a smile on my face that wouldn't quit. I ran home after to pay a few bills as the tutoring mom paid me two days early as they were taking off for a mid-summer vacation and wouldn't be back for a week. She paid me for the week they would be gone as well and noted that the improvement in her twins was incredible. I glowed from the positive remarks she left me with.

By the time I made it to my dog-walking job, the day was sweltering hot. I decided to turn on the sprinkler for the dogs and toss the ball and Frisbee through the water. It took only fifteen minutes of play, and the dogs were back to the shade of their yard and sleeping. I emailed a pic to the owner and told them I was sorry for making it late today but explained what we did instead.

I wasn't sure what the plan was for tonight. I got a text from John that simple said 'I miss you already'. It warmed my heart, but it was tough trying to gauge what was going on one moment to the next. I called Katelyn and gave her an update. She gave me an update on the wedding. The MIL and grand MIL went and changed her food buffet to a sit-down dinner with chicken and fish. Katelyn was not a chicken or fish kind of gal. She'd eat it, but she was an easy going, buffet kind of gal. I asked her what I could do to help, and she told me to take a hit out on her MILs.

I laughed and told her I couldn't do that, mentally thinking that those could be my MILs someday with any luck.

The weekend was only one day away, and Katelyn was off for a change. We talked about the four of us going to dinner or clubbing it. I looked down at what measly money I had left after bills and realized that there wasn't much for coffee shop trips, new outfits and groceries. Seeing as I had worn everything I had bought that was new and exciting around John, I wanted something new to go out in. By the time we hung up, I agreed the four of us should go out and decided to forgo on a big grocery trip, and I would cut back on my coffee shop this week.

I walked out of the grocery store with just a few basics, but I did add a toothbrush for John and a men's deodorant. I had a giddy feeling that the first time he saw my purchases for him in the bathroom; he might take the hint that he should have an overnight bag for my place as well.

My next stop was a second-hand boutique to find a new outfit or two for these going out trips. I didn't have a big budget, and I had plenty of shoes or accessories. I just wanted a wow factor dress or two to make John's jaw drop when I walked in the room.

The first dress I found was a sheer white gauze that fit me nicely. The clerk found an under slip to wear under it, and I was sold on how it laid against my body. It almost reminded me of something a woman might wear on her honeymoon.

The next few dresses I tried on were nothing spectacular, but I finally settled on a blue print dress that had spaghetti straps and showed what cleavage I had with a clear strap push-up bra. I walked out paying less than forty dollars and felt successful in my purchases.

The rest of the later afternoon I spent with my face buried in my new book that John had bought me. I guess I was more tired than I realized when I was woken up to the sound of my doorbell. I looked out my window, and it was dark, so I got up and looked through the peephole and there was one very tired John holding a huge bouquet of flowers and wine looking worse for wear.

I opened the door and asked. "What time is it?"

"Past ten. I tried calling but there was no answer." He handed me the flowers and wine then gave me a slow sensual kiss. "Can I come in?"

"Yes. Sure. Gee, I'm sorry. I must have forgotten to put my phone on the charger. Busy day. I got a chance to start reading the book you bought me, and I was more tired than I realized and fell asleep with it against my chest."

I watched him set himself on my couch and then lay backwards until his head tilted back, and his eyes closed. I heard his shoes hit the floor and watched his feet go up on my coffee table. He looked at home, but he also looked exhausted.

I put my flowers in a vase I grabbed off my bookshelf. I filled the vase with water and admired the huge expensive bouquet by giving it a smell. I turned to put them on my small two-person dinette table and noticed John looked to be sound asleep.

I walked over and sat next to him, and he took a minute to come around. "Sorry."

"For what?"

"For coming over so late and tired. I probably should have gone home. I'm exhausted."

"Well. I'm ok. Like I said. I fell asleep reading. Hey. You are more than welcome to stay here, or we can head to your place?"

"I think I'm just going to head home alone."

That hurt. What was he insinuating? Why the heck did he come here in the first place? To give me flowers and wine, to tell me how tired he is?

"I'm sorry." He reached up, put my face in his palms, and gave me a sensual kiss. "It didn't come out the way it sounded."

"It sounded just the way it came out." I stood up and fidgeted with the flowers he bought me. "These are lovely, by the way."

I felt his arms come around me, and his lips kissed the side of my neck. I began to warm to his touch and felt the need to beg him to stay. However, I was not going to be that woman. "Look." I had to put a bit of distance between us, or I was going to be right back to where I was before. "I've got a busy day going tomorrow. Tutoring, dog walking, I picked up another side gig. We've got a foursome dinner date with Katelyn and Michael on Saturday. Why don't we plan to see each other then?"

"That's news to me."

"Michael didn't tell you?"

"Nope."

"Oh. Well if you can't make it; we can change it." I was starting to feel like he was creating distance again. Like things heated up too fast, and he wanted to cool them off. I couldn't take too much of that. I wanted him, but I didn't want to feel like a puppet on a string.

"It's not a good weekend, but I'll talk to Michael."

I had to wonder where did that leave me. Should I count on this date or shouldn't I? Should I get dressed up and wait by the phone, the door? Maybe John liked me to be this available woman at his whim, but I needed a sense of schedule, direction or I felt lost.

I felt him pull away, and I turned and laid a huge sensual tongue twisting, throw my body at him kiss. He ate it up and pulled away. "I'll call you."

As soon as the door closed behind him, I locked it and mentally screamed at him. "You do that!"

I, on the other hand, was formulating a plan to be unavailable. Not for the dinner date, Katelyn wanted. I was going to be smack down gorgeous for that, but for the rest of the week.

I grabbed my phone out of my purse. It was dead. I put it on the charger and grabbed a notepad and pen out of my desk. I wrote down pros and cons to our relationship. Then I realized that my being available twenty-four seven was causing him to take advantage of that. After this weekend's dinner date, the rest of my weeks, until the wedding, would be filled with my unavailability. Going so far, as to parking my car in a different spot and not answering my door when he stops by. Making it look like I'm not home and when he calls I'll pretend to be somewhere out having fun and will catch him the next day. It seemed sneaky; it seemed wrong in every sense of the word of game playing, but I could not take this yo-yo want a relationship any longer.

I drank the entire bottle of wine along with a block of cheese and box of crackers. I woke the next morning with a headache that was wrong in every sense of the word wrong.

Chapter Twenty

"I'm so sorry Mary Cate." It was all I could take with the sad look on Michael's face. He sat at the table between Katelyn and me looking incredible in his navy blue suit. Katelyn looked gorgeous as always, and I made dang sure I was looking hot with my new white gauze dress, smoky eyes; hour-long hair do, and an attitude that was all sexy. I had been taunting John with texts yesterday and then ignored him all day as Michael had made the dinner date arrangements. John was officially an hour late when he called and said he couldn't make it for another hour.

"Look guys. His job has him crazy. I understand. Let's just enjoy our dinner and then you two scat. Katelyn this is your last night off before you have six days in a row to work. Not to mention they usually throw in a double on you."

"You sure?" Katelyn sounded so sad for me; I wanted to scream. My plan of playing hard to get hadn't officially started as I sent those flirtatious emails yesterday. However, I ignored his two calls today. He had not left a message, and he had not texted back. So, I was sure he was back to cooling things off already.

"If it's any consolation, Mary Cate. This is typical John. He's awful with his timing; he tends to be unorganized and loses track of time. The first few weeks of a build are absolutely crazy, but in two weeks things should be getting better. By the time the wedding rolls around, he should have his wits about him."

Michael was making excuses, and I was getting madder by the second. I turned to him with a glint to my eyes and said it straight. "Do you always make excuses for your brother? Is this typical of him to blow a girl off, heat it up, and as soon as it's hot again or seems serious, blows her off again? Look. I don't mean to sound nasty." Katelyn interrupted me.

"Well you are Mary Cate, and I will not have you talk to my husband in that tone."

I set my napkin from my lap on the table. I stood and grabbed my purse off the back of my chair. I looked around at the romantic restaurant that Michael had arranged for the four of us to have a wonderful evening, and I got even madder at John. "I'm sorry. Cramps." I held my hand to my stomach. "You will forgive me for my outburst Michael. Let John know I went home. Please have a lovely evening you two."

"Nice try. You don't have your period for another week. But I applaud you on the act." Katelyn sounded pissed. She knew my period schedule, and I should not have been surprised that she was calling me out on this one. I sat back down and look defeated.

"Look guys. I'm in love with John. But he's so hot and cold it's killing me. I'm trying to be understanding about his job and then when I try to be flexible he pushes me away. I'm just really hurt that tonight didn't mean much to him. It meant a lot to me." I reached over and touched both of their hands. "I love you guys. You're like family. Katelyn you're the sister I never had. Michael you use to be the mean older sibling slash neighborhood boy, but now you are like a brother, and I think maybe it's best if John and I figure this out before we go dragging you guys into this game he is playing."

What Michael said next surprised me. "Mary Cate, the only reason I know he is in love with you is because he is trying to push you away again. Look. There is no excuse for tonight. Although I am sure, it is him losing track of time. He'll be here in half hour; I'm sure, and we can all have a good time. Just hang in there."

I looked at Katelyn, and she seemed mad. I rubbed the top of her hand, and she let her anger fade away. "I'm sorry Mary Cate. I guess I am mad at John as well. I think, after listening to Michael, he should call John and tell him you left. I think you don't deserve this and when John figures out he wants a commitment then you can decide if you want to give him another chance."

I looked down to my lap and back up to Katelyn. I let out a huge puff of air. "Look. We're not really that serious. You two are. You committed, and you are about to commit to one another again in front of a priest. I suggest you not worry about us. You are right though. I don't think tonight would go smoothly once he shows up late. I'll call him, as soon as I leave. You two enjoy your romantic dinner. Let John and I figure this out on our own."

"Just stay Mary Cate." Michael sounded like he was pleading, but I had about enough of feeling second rate to one John Gallagher. I knew he wanted to be my hero and save my day, but did he really want to be my boyfriend? Did he want to commit his time and energy to me or was I just a booty call or obligation? I wasn't sure.

I stood with my purse strap over my shoulder and gave Katelyn a kiss on her cheek with a hug. Michael offered to walk me out to my car, but since I was lucky with a front door parking spot, I declined.

By the time I got to my car, I had tears streaming down my face. I got enough reserve of confidence to call John and explain I had cramps, and I was heading home. I would call him later. He didn't offer to swing by or make future plans for the weekend.

I drove around and ended up at the tattoo parlor. I freshened up my makeup and noticed the place was not as busy as the last time we came. I didn't have the drawing of the butterfly on me, but I was feeling reckless and I had a paid off emergency credit card, and this felt like an emergency. I wanted to let my inner butterfly be set free and hope that John came chasing after me.

After ten minutes of freshening up my makeup and gathering up my nerve, I walked in and Zeek remembered me right away. He sat me down and poured me a glass of wine. He asked his counter gal to call his next appointment and move it a couple of hours back. We took a short walk around his business district while I had my glass of wine in hand, and he asked me if I was alright.

"Do I look upset?"

"You look gorgeous, but I can read people. I think you have something on your mind that is bothering you. I'm a great listener."

Walking next to this larger than life man, holding a glass of wine, underneath the lights of a small business district in the off skirts of downtown, felt odd. However, I also knew a caring person came in all shapes and sizes. Zeek was a caring, giving person. I knew this not only from what Katelyn had said but in the way he handled himself.

"I've had better days Zeek, but I've been doing some thinking. That tattoo you drew, really spoke to me."

"The one your boyfriend picked out?"

"Yeah. Except we're not exactly boyfriend girlfriend right now. It's complicated. But I can tell you, that the drawing you did is on my bedside, and I have thought about it. I had to pay off some debt, but I have the money now. I'm thinking of getting it on my hip. A place that is very sensual to me when a man touches me there. Don't laugh."

"I'm not laughing. Tattoos are meant to be special. Putting that beauty in a sensual spot only makes sense."

"I didn't bring the drawing with me. Should I run home and get it or do you have a copy?"

"I have all my drawings up here." He tapped a finger to his head. "We've got time. You want to get it done tonight?"

"I do."

The next morning, I texted Katelyn with a picture. It still was a bit red and puffy, but it looked incredible. I did a mental check off my wild list and felt like this was something I could be happy with.

"You glad you did it?" She asked me with doubt when she called.

"I am."

"You didn't do this to spite someone?"

"This has to do with me, nothing to do with him. I had been thinking about it since the night Zeek gave me the drawing."

"He's incredible isn't he?"

"Yeah. You know I hung out there talking and drinking wine until he closed around two a.m. Then he drove me home. Mind giving a girl a ride back to get her car?"

"Can't. I got called in to work. However, Michael's off today. We got a little crazy last night. Long story. Just know that he might be a little cranky when he picks you up."

"What's the short of it?"

"After dinner we went skinny-dipping in a community pool. He got a ticket."

"Not you."

"Nope. Remember stinky Bob from our senior year. Had a crush on me?"

"You're kidding."

"Nope. The bastard finally got to see me naked. Michael wanted to bust him open but instead Police Officer stinky Bob called backup and gave only Michael the ticket. We'll get it waived. The Gallagher's family lawyer is already looking into it. Hey, John mad you went home?"

"No. He actually was very understanding. I think we'll work it out. Don't worry. We'll be great for your wedding."

"I hope so."

Unfortunately, I was speaking farthest from the truth. The whole next week I played hard to get and John barely played. He sent a few sweet texts that he was thinking of me when I wouldn't answer calls, doorbells or send reply texts. When I did, he only seemed to respond with a simple 'can't wait until things slow down'.

I wasn't sure if he was talking work or us, since as far as we were concerned things couldn't get any slower. When he finally did come over, and I answered the door, I really did have my period. Which pissed him off when he found out I lied about the last time. We said a few choice words in my apartment, and he stormed off.

The next day a huge bouquet of flowers was delivered, along with a card that had a gift card to my favorite coffee shop. I texted him thanks and wanted to know if we should drive together to the rehearsal dinner. When he texted back it would look good if we did, I almost threw my phone against the wall.

I texted back, 'call me asap'.

It took him an hour when he finally called as I was walking on the edge of anger and that hour of wait time only caused the fire to burn more.

"John. I don't think we need to continue this. I mean we can act all friendly at the wedding but what is really going on here?"

"What's going on is my work is crazy; my girlfriend is brushing me off and my family is driving me nuts."

"I'm not brushing you off. But texting back and forth seems childish. You don't have a minute to pick up the phone and call me. You can't seem to remember an important date?"

"If you knew my job right now, no I don't have a minute, but I'm calling you now."

"What about our date? Michael says..." He interrupted me.

"Screw what Michael says. Look Mary Cate. This build has been the worst one I have ever had. Every time I fix a problem a new one turns up, every time the bitch makes changes, I get another set of problems."

"Who's the bitch?" I sensed it was whom I thought, but I liked hearing that he wasn't turned on by her. I had jealous feelings about him working day in and out next to her. She was gorgeous and rich; I was not.

"Supermodel. Look she has never been this difficult to work with before. There is a new city permit woman I'm dealing with and between the two they hate each other. Then you're always mad at me."

"I'm not mad. I just felt hurt when you wanted to go home alone."

"I'm sorry. That was wrong. Look I was so exhausted I didn't think it made sense for you to come back with me. It's not like we live together."

"Nope. That we don't." That came out harsh with anger. I was getting mad one second and remorseful I asked him to call the next.

"What the hell is it, you want from me? God everybody wants something from me right now; I could scream."

I spoke slow and punctual. "I wanted a commitment to our relationship. But now I don't."

"What? You want a ring? You want me to take you to Vegas and hitch an Elvis wedding like Katelyn and Michael? Look Mary Cate, that is not me. I don't commit like that."

"Well from what I've heard, you don't commit at all. So, this 'THING' we had was just a booty call or feel good moment of long ago fantasies for us. However, now, it's turning into something ugly, and I don't do ugly. I only do stupid and that was falling in love with you."

The phone went silent. All I could hear was his heavy breathing. I felt tears streaming down my face as I replayed in my mind what I just said to him, and it seemed harsh. I didn't want that. I still wanted to be friends.

I spoke up much softer this time. "Look, I'm sorry. If it is any consolation, I really am on my period. I'm cranky and I think you and I make better friends than lovers."

He was still quiet.

"John?"

He finally spoke up but he sounded upset. "I think we make great lovers but if all you want is friendship, I can do that."

"I think that would be best. I could never forgive myself if we got into a fight at their wedding. Maybe when things settle down for you at work, you'll ask me out on a date."

"Would you say yes?"

"Most likely."

"I see."

We sat in silence for several minutes. "John?"

"Yeah?" His voice was wavering and I had to wonder, was he crying?

"You should get some rest. I know your job is hard right now. I know that the rehearsal dinner on Thursday is important to everyone. I will drive myself there. You just be on time."

"I'll do that. Hey Mary Cate?"

"Yeah?"

"I do miss you."

"Yeah. Well, I still love you, but I guess it's not strong enough." Then I hung up the phone before he could say or not say I love you back.

Chapter Twenty One

The morning of the rehearsal dinner, I picked up Katelyn for a spa day. We each got a massage, pedicure, and our hair deep conditioned and styled.

We parted ways feeling on top of the world. We never talked about John as I asked her not to. I had gone shopping earlier in the week for a dress that made me feel spectacular for this formal dinner at a five-star restaurant that the Gallagher side insisted on having. Katelyn's family was very simple folks, and they didn't have a lot of money so it was made quite clear the expense fell on the Gallagher's since they were the ones requesting it.

I drove myself there feeling nervous, not for Katelyn, but for myself and seeing John. We didn't call, text or had seen each other since I last hung up on him. Telling him, I loved him but not enough. Just remembering the call, it seemed harsh to my own ears. I was hard on him, and he didn't deserve the phone call just like I didn't deserve a man who didn't have the time or desire to communicate with me. However, I had to remember he's a man, and most likely he didn't know how to communicate what I needed to hear from him.

I had spent the whole week thinking back to what I had done wrong. A lot. But I also realized that allowing John to treat our relationship at his convenience was not going to work. If he ever asked me out again, it would be different. I would make sure that we would build on the friendship more, and I would require better communication and not expect the world from him. I could see where I went wrong as well. However, it wasn't all me, and it wasn't all him, and it wasn't all his job. It was just two people in love, and one of them wasn't ready.

I walked into the wedding chapel twenty minutes early and immediately saw John. He looked stunning in his steel grey business suit. I wondered if he just came from work. Michael looked good but nervous. Katelyn. Well, I'll be damned if she wasn't wearing a tight black knit dress, thigh-high boots, her hair was in a straightened length, and her makeup had a don't mess with me look. It was not your normal rehearsal attire, but it was every bit of Katelyn in true form.

I almost felt under dressed in my blue print slip dress and blue cardigan sweater half top. My eyes caught Johns, and we smiled then he looked down at his feet and rubbed his neck with his hand. He was talking to his mom and grandmother. They looked the same only a few years different in age. I wondered if they would remember me.

Katelyn came walking to me like she owned the place. As soon as she came within two feet, I could tell someone lit her fire. "Come with me." She practically growled and we headed outside of the chapel and stopped on the concrete front patio that had a beautiful archway over it.

"What's the matter?" I asked as I felt she looked like she wanted to explode.

"MIL is the matter. She has asked the pastor to substitute our wedding vows that Michael and I wrote for each other with some half hour long eulogy crap. That's what the matter. Michael won't talk to his mother or stick up for me, and I could just call the whole thing off."

"Wow!" I raised my eyebrows and stood there dumbfounded.

"To make matters worse we had a huge fight this morning. We were going to honeymoon in Hawaii next weekend for a long weekend. I got my work schedule moved around and now Michael's parents want to lend us the family cottage in Florida, not to mention they were talking about coming up to visit us. Michael told them ok and canceled the Hawaii trip. My honeymoon is going to be sex, beach and then sex on the beach not my in-laws. Christ."

I looked up at the church and mentally asked for forgiveness for Katelyn's mouth. "Hey." I reached out and pulled her in for a hug. As I felt her body start to relax, I pulled away and wiped a tear that had fallen down her face.

"I think I can handle the exchange of vows with the priest. You have an extra copy?"

She opened her small clutch purse and pulled out a sheet of white copy paper printed with about a half a page of text. It was folded into neat squares. I unfolded it, read the words; they were truly Katelyn from the heart. Michael's words were straightforward but sweet.

"Nice. This should take you two all of five minutes to read, if that."

"Exactly. If I wanted a mass ceremony at my wedding, I would convert to their religion."

"Ok." I refolded the paper and put it in my small black purse. "Look, I will talk to the priest and ask that rehearsal tonight just be a comment about when we'll say the vows. I will inform him of your decision but explain in order to keep the peace that the mother in law not be privy. Would that help?"

"Yes." She took a deep breath, and the anger was fading from her face.

"Mary Cate. I wanted my husband to do that. Stick up for me. Tell his mom where to put it."

"Yeah. Well, that is a huge request don't you think? Asking the man you love to pick sides is hard on both of you. His mother should know better but from what I remember she pretty much always got her way."

"Yeah. Well, not this time. I want my vows and I already confirmed with the hotel that the sit-down dinner is to be buffet. I don't care if they put the food they were going to put on plates in big metal warming servers. I want a buffet. I'm getting a buffet."

"Ok." I could see all of this becoming a pissing match between MIL and daughter in law. I didn't see it ending well for Michael. Katelyn, on the other hand, was known to hold her ground.

"How about the honeymoon?" I wasn't sure what she wanted me to do.

"How about that. Without even asking me, he makes changes. That is not going to fly in this marriage." Just as she said that, Michael came around the cement pillar looking like a lost puppy dog. Katelyn had a scowl upon her face, and Michael looked lost.

"Look you two, this is your wedding. Michael I know your mom probably means well and wants what she thinks is best, but if you plan on making things work with Katelyn." I paused, and they looked at each other and smiled. "You are going to have to let her have her way. Sorry. Your mom always gets her way. However, her boy's wives aren't going to expect any different."

"Honey." He reached out for Katelyn. "John's in there now telling mom there's changes that you've made, and they are to stay that way."

Boy was I relieved. I was not looking forward to talking to their mom.

"As far as the honeymoon, we only had four days to go to Hawaii and that's not very long. I figured that the free cottage and tickets to Florida with my parents, and we can do Hawaii as soon as you have more vacation time at work."

"You could have asked me." She nuzzled his neck and seemed to be calming down.

I watched Michael put his hands on Katelyn's face and caressed her cheeks, then he lowered his mouth to hers, and before I could believe it; they looked like they were about to go at it on the chapel concrete pavilion against the pillar. I turned away and let them have their moment, then I heard John's teasing voice, and it sent shivers down my spine. I still loved the man and what his voice could do to me.

"Get a room you two. This is a sanctuary. Knock it off."

As I turned, he looked right at me and smiled with his sexy dimple smile and a sparkle to his deep-blue eyes. I wanted so badly to rush into his arms and do a reply of what Katelyn and Michael had just done. Instead, I smiled and looked down at my brown sling back heels and pretended to kick at some dust. I was embarrassed for my last behavior to him on the phone, and I was still smitten with him when I saw him.

"Moms straightened. You two lovebirds get back in there. We can roll through this in half-hour and then I'm starving for a big juicy steak."

Katelyn and Michael walked hand in hand back into the church, leaving John and I standing outside looking at each other unsure.

We both spoke at the same time. "I'm sorry."

Then I rushed in. "John, I am so sorry. I was just very emotional. I don't want us to fight. You've got a tough job, and I shouldn't expect so much out of you."

"Then let's not fight."

"Ok."

He took a step forward, and I felt unsure as to what he was going to do next. His voice was a deep timber filled with emotion. "You should expect and I should be willing to make more time. My job should not take precedence. I want to walk into that chapel with you and introduce you as my girlfriend. We can work this all out later."

I looked at him with my head tilted sideways. Was he asking and saying what I thought he was saying? That he would make more time for me, and that I should expect a certain level of commitment? I wasn't sure. However, it was Katelyn's and Michaels wedding, and I had missed him like crazy. I wasn't going to talk this out now or say no. That would make me crazy. Instead, I practically jumped on him and began kissing him with an extreme amount of passion. When we pulled back and I lowered myself down, he grabbed my hand, wiped my smudged lipstick on my face and with a smile that was beaming on our faces as we walked into that chapel. John immediately began introducing me as his girlfriend to everyone.

The rehearsal went off without any drama. Mrs. Gallagher was extremely elated to see me again. She seemed pleased that John and I were dating, and our reminiscing about the old neighborhood kept her from being focused on the changes of the wedding.

Sometime during dinner, Katelyn reached over to my ear and whispered. "You're incredible. I'm stoked that you and John are back together, let alone convincing his parents that you'd take our spot at the family cottage next weekend. Genius. Now we can go anywhere there isn't family and have sex on the beach."

I pulled back and looked at her in question. I had no idea what she was talking about on the last part, so I figured I would let it go for now. Maybe John said something or planned something to get things back on track for them, but I was entirely clueless at the moment. Just then, John came back to the table from talking with his parents and smiled at me as he sat down directly across from me. I forgot all about what I was going to ask Katelyn and thought about keeping that smile on his face later.

The evening ended quickly as most of the family were not late eaters, and everyone had things they needed to get done before the wedding tomorrow. Katelyn and Michael were in a rush to get home and rebook a honeymoon anywhere there was a beach. I hugged them good-bye and told them I would be at the chapel an hour before to help Katelyn get dressed and ready.

As they drove off, John stood next to me holding my hand. I noticed he touched me whenever he had a chance tonight. Sometimes, it was just a light touch to my back or stroke on my arm. Under the table, I felt his foot out of his shoe run up my leg. Once he even pretended to drop something, and his hand ventured farther up my leg, but then I giggled loud. Nevertheless, he definitely showed everyone he felt possessive of me and that felt like a step in the right direction.

"Can I follow you home?" He whispered in my ear then let his tongue run lightly on my earlobe, which got a giggle out of me. I didn't have a chance to answer as he grandmother walked up to give us a hug good-bye. John walked her to her car and when he came back, his parents were almost the last of the party, and they walked over to say good-bye.

As they headed to their car, they hadn't mentioned a word about the cottage or us, so I figured Katelyn had heard wrong but either way she was getting her own honeymoon without in-laws. She was getting her sex on the beach wherever her and Michael decided, not his mom.

I took my keys out of my small purse, and John cleared his throat. "You never answered me. Can I follow you home?"

"You may."

"Then can I come in?"

I tilted my head and figured he was asking if he could come in for a booty call. I had missed him so badly I wanted to tell him no and take this slower this time, but I could not seem to resist his sexy charm he was displaying with his pleading eyes and smile.

"I suppose."

"You suppose." His voice was taunting, and he gathered me up for hug and a gently kiss on my head.

"That is, until you need to leave me to get home and get a good night's sleep at your place alone, for work."

"What if I told you I'm not working until Monday?"

"Keep talking." I pulled away and grabbed his hand as we headed towards my car.

"What if I told you I've arranged to share this project with another team so that I wasn't working hundred-hour workweeks, instead only fifty on busy weeks."

"Keep talking." We reached my car and he turned me, pinned me against my door, and put his hands on the side of my face. His thumbs were stroking my chin and cheek, and his eyes were focusing on every inch of my face.

"What if I told you that I want to ask you out for several dates? That I'm ready to commit to a serious relationship. That I missed you like crazy, and I realized everything I've done wrong and will try not to do them again."

"I would say..." His lips pressed against mine before I could say anything more. My hands went to his back to hold him in tight, and I felt his tongue dip into my mouth and claim me possessively. When we pulled away from our kiss, he kissed my nose, then my forehead and then back to my lips.

"Say you'll let me follow you home and stay with you tonight."

"Ok."

"Ok?"

"Yeah." I whispered softly. "I missed you too. I don't want to make the same mistakes again so let's go work this out."

Chapter Twenty Two

"Following you home made me crazy." He muttered as he slammed his body against mine, as soon as we come into my apartment. We were stripping clothes before the door even closed, and now we were almost naked. My slip dress was tricky as he was trying to raise it over my head, but it was a tight-fitting silk piece with a zipper up the back. I stopped him and turned, then pointed to the zipper.

"Got it." He laughed. When I turned back around, I took a step back and slowly let the dress fall down around me.

"Jesus, you're gorgeous." Then his eyes widened as he noticed my tattoo.

"Mary Cate." He knelt down and touched the tattoo with his finger, then laid a sweet gentle kiss on it. That kiss sent shivers up across my skin. When I looked down into his face, he was smiling up at me. "You got it? It's beautiful on you. It's perfect."

"It is. Isn't it."

He slowly stood then got rid of his business pants and underwear. He stood before me naked and with a hard throbbing cock. I reached out and lightly stroked him, and his face relaxed while his head tilted back. I let my hand tighten around him as I pulled him in closer with my hand that was around his cock. My other hand rubbed across his chest muscles, relishing in the way they flexed to my touch.

His head leaned back down, and he looked into my eyes as he had one hand on my ass and his other one in my hair stroking it. "You know how to make me happy." Then his lips lowered to mine, and he began kissing me senseless. I felt his other hand on my ass, and he lifted me up against the wall. I grabbed his back with both my hands, and then he slowly entered me.

We had been to this place before, naked against a wall, sweaty bodies slowly gliding up and down against each other, but it was need and desire before. This time it felt like so much more emotion was involved.

He came fast, and I wasn't too far behind. As he continued to lower and raise me on his cock, I arched my back allowing my clitoris to rub just right. As soon as the vibrations subsided, I put my face in the crook of his neck and felt his heavy breath on my neck. He said it first this time, which meant so much to me. "I love you Mary Cate. I don't ever want you to leave me again."

I whispered back in bated breath. "I love you too."

It took a few seconds to regain our composure than John lowered me to the floor. We both looked at our clothes, and shoes tossed everywhere and laughed lightly. Then he gathered me up in his arms in a cradle position and took me towards my room.

It was still early by my standards, and we had a lot of making up to do. As soon as he laid me on my bed, he laid next to me on his side and looked at me. He had the look of a satisfied man, and I rolled my body to his direction.

"He did a great job on your tattoo. I'm having a hard time thinking about another man being that close to you down there." My heart pinched at the way he was acting so possessive.

"He was a true professional." I smiled teasingly and let my fingers linger over his skin on his chest.

"Were you wearing panties?"

"I was, but he needed me to take them off so they didn't slide and mess with the needle. So I had a towel that was draped between me and over my privates."

"But did he watch you take off your underwear? I would hate to have to go kick his ass."

I laughed and starting stroking his arm then let my hand wander over to his chest. "He was a perfect gentleman. He told me to tell you that you have exquisite taste."

"In women or the tattoo art?"

I laughed. Then he kissed me lightly on the lips and when he pulled away, he sighed. "I would say both. The tattoo is incredibly well done but the woman in front of me is the true piece of art."

I started to blush and lowered my eyes to his chest where my hand was stroking him. I let my hand wander down farther past his belly button and noticed he was already starting to get hard again.

"Before we start at this again, I want to tell you that I'm ready to commit. I know I did things wrong." His thick timber voice was full of emotion. He took a deep breath and sounded like he was about to say more.

I interrupted him. "So did I. We rushed, and I expected too much. Your work is important to you, and it's going to be crazy. I just guess I felt like you were brushing me off sometimes. Wanting space."

"Well that's the last thing I want now. I couldn't sleep all week thinking I lost you. I was going nuts. I didn't call or text since when I did that before you blew me off. I needed to take a step back and evaluate what's important to me. You are more important than my job and how crazy it gets."

"I'm glad, but I want you to know I understand and support you. Let's just communicate better."

"Like this." He rolled over on top of me and lowered his body on mine as he slowly pushed up inside of me all wet and ready.

"This is a good start." I softly whispered.

This time we made love; it was slow and sensual. He whispered things in my ear about committing and loving me forever. I wanted it to all be true, and I knew he meant it now, but I also knew it was going to take some work. He was a man scared of commitment, and I was a woman who craved it.

When we finished, we laid side by side talking lightly about the craziness of Katelyn and Michael's elopement, to the wedding tomorrow. I felt we really connected.

Just as I was about to drift off to sleep with his arms around me and my back to him, I heard him whisper in my ear. "I want to ask you on a date."

"Ok." I whispered then let out long yawn.

What he said next surprised me. "Mary Cate? Will you go with me on a long weekend to my parent's beach cottage in Florida next weekend?" I was stunned. I rolled over and faced him.

"Can you get the time off? Are you sure? What will your parents think? Is this too soon?"

He laughed and kissed me lightly. "My mom has always adored you. Every time I dated a woman she would remark 'you need to date that Mary Catherine, we lived next door to that you always had a crush on', then I would tell her when I was ready to bring a decent girl home to meet her, it would be someone like you." He laughed and kissed me again. "Who better than the real Mary Cate?"

"Really?"

"Yes really. I got it arranged with my boss. Supermodel's not happy but she knew it was cut my hours or quit. You'll love this place. It's right on the beach, lots of sea shells, hammocks to read in, and we can get there in a three hour direct flight, so to go for a few days is not so bad. Hey, my mom was so excited when I told her that we were coming instead of Katelyn and Michael. I guess we can consider it a gift to them because if we don't go, then they would have to."

"Ok. If you're sure. I'd love to. I need to let my mom of the kids I tutor know. I'm done with the house-sitting gig and as far as dog walking those owners are very flexible."

"It's not the only date I want to take you on this week, but I thought it would be romantic."

"With your parents there?"

"Well that's the best part. My dad is going to fake his back injury the day before so my mom feels completely awful and cancels, but we will still go."

"I see. So your mom usually gets her way, but your dad has his own devices."

"Exactly. It's what married couples do."

"Deceive?" I joked.

"Compromise for the greater good. My dad has a great understanding of my mom and how to work her, just like she almost always gets her way."

I laid a light kiss on his chest as he nuzzled me in the crook of his arm. At some point, I drifted off to sleep with him lightly talking. I finally woke in the morning with his arm draped over my back and his leg over mine. It felt possessively divine.

I slowly worked my naked body out from under him and noticed it was only eight in the morning. Normally, he would have been rushed off to work, and I would be missing him. So, it was nice to wake up and still have him in my bed.

I went to the kitchen, started a pot of coffee, and threw some toast in the toaster. When it popped up, I buttered it, took a piece, and headed towards the shower. I took my time shaving every nook and cranny of my body. Making me super smooth, in the places I liked him lingering. I dried my hair and started styling it. I had on my robe when John walked in and lifted the seat to pee.

"Sorry. Only one bathroom and I've got to go." He flushed and lowered the seat back down. "Mind if I?" He motioned towards the shower.

"Go right on ahead."

I grabbed my makeup and curling iron, headed back out to my room, and set them on my dresser. I slipped on my strapless black bra and black thong underwear. It had become a staple part of my everyday dressing. Feeling internally sexy without anyone else knowing. Anyone else, unless John was in the vicinity.

By the time he was out of the shower, I had my makeup and hair partially done.

"There's coffee and toast in the kitchen."

"Want me to make you a cup?"

"Please."

He disappeared out to the kitchen in only my towel around his waist, and I wanted to devour every inch of his wet body. He had that sculpted back that made me want to linger on his back for hours; his chest was muscular and one of my favorite parts of him. His ass looked so tight and delicious in only the towel and the way his eyes lit up when he walked out looking at me in only my bra and underwear, I figured I would be lucky if he didn't just take all of this off me.

I turned back to focus on getting my hair done when he walked in and set my coffee down and took a step back, leaning against the door jam. "I've always been fascinated in the way woman get ready. It's actually quite sexy to watch." He looked down at his legs and back at me, and I laughed. He had a tent pole under his towel, or he was happy to see me.

"Let me finish."

"You have until this cup of coffee is gone, and then I'm going to take care of you."

I took one sip and set my cup down. Lifted my curling iron and put one more curl in my hair. When I looked back over, he was holding the coffee cup upside down.

"That was fast."

"Hmm. Put that curling iron down so we don't get hurt."

I set it down and laughed. "You can't be serious. I need to get ready and be there in three hours. I've got a stop to make and..."

He dropped the towel and walked towards me. "It won't take me but a few minutes to having you moaning with an orgasm. We've got time. In fact, we've got time to put a permanent smile on your face and go catch some breakfast."

"We do huh?" I teased and turned to him looking sexy. He unhooked my strapless bra, and it dropped to the floor causing my nipples to instantly get perky. He grabbed me up and gently led me to the bed. He laid me back, took my thong off and stood between my legs with his hands on the inside of my thighs.

"This time I want to watch your butterfly as I make you cum with my mouth. I want to give you something to think about while we are standing at that alter today watching them get married. I want you to remember this orgasm as the day carries on into the reception and remember how I made you feel right before we left for the church. I want to see the way you blush or your eyes light up when I catch you looking at me today. Most of all I want you to know I love you and this feeling I leave you with will be right here all day long." He pointed to my heart and stroked the front of my nipple with his hand ever so gently I wanted to cum from his touch.

I could barely squeak out an 'ok' before I watched him lower his mouth onto my lips while his fingers separated the folds. The first lashing of his tongue over my sensitive clitoris was exquisite. It allowed me to let out a long searing moan that filled the air. I arched my back a bit, as my head rolled back, I felt his hand slide under my ass and raise me just a bit to allow more pressure to his mouth.

The gentle sweeps of his tongue, back and forth caused a build in me that had me on the edge. Then I felt his mouth latch on and suck hard on my clitoris, and his fingers slid in me slowly. I moaned in pleasure as I felt the thickness of his two fingers gently sliding in and out. As I was just about to cum, his fingers slid out and rubbed my clitoris hard back and forth, as he sucked on my hip where my butterfly tattoo was. My body tightened, and I felt the first glorious wave of an orgasm as his fingers slid back in me, and I tightened around them with convulsions.

Chapter Twenty Three

The clanking of a knife against a crystal champagne glass brought my attention back to John. Participating in the romance of my best friend's wedding caused me to replay the magical moments between John and me since the night we first ran into each other again. I had learned to laugh about all the times I did incredibly stupid stuff when I was around the man. I had finally come to the conclusion that what we had was something and there was no need to rush it. When he was ready to fully commit to our relationship, I would be there waiting with open arms. I watched him clank the champagne glass again to get everyone's attention at the reception. The wedding was beautiful, yet short and very romantic. Katelyn and Michael looked every bit in love as I felt with John.

"Can I have your attention everybody." John's rich timber thick voice came through on the portable microphone he was holding. He looked so incredibly sexy standing there in his tuxedo looking out to friends and family. He had a serious look to his face as he was about to do the traditional best man toast. Just then, he looked over at me with his wickedly sexy smile, and I let out a little giggle that caught Katelyn's attention with a smile my way. I couldn't help myself, sometimes I was still that little girl back in fifth grade wanting so desperately for the boy standing here as a man to kiss me.

"Thank you for coming." John's voice spoke out as he looked around the room. "Although Katelyn and Michael's marriage started out a bit unconventional, I have high hopes for them. In the short time, they have been together, I have watched a couple blossom in their relationship with their communication and friendship. I could tell you stories about Michael that would have you laughing, instead I want to take this moment to raise my glass in cheers and may we all wish them the best in the forthcoming years. Cheers!" He practically shouted the last part as everyone raised their glasses of the toasting champagne and said 'cheers' in unison. It was a nice moment that I wanted to cherish. However, I had to go to the bathroom really bad. I stood up and was about to escape out to the ladies room when John's voice caught my attention at the door.

"Not so fast Mary Cate." I stopped and turned, noticing that half the room had turned my direction. I had on the slimming black dress that John had bought me and my hair in a very curly upswept hairdo that Katelyn had done to my hair. I stood there twisted at the waist contemplating the bathroom over John. If I crossed my legs just right, I could hold it in a bit longer. I had no idea why I always waited until the last possible moment to pee whenever I was somewhere like this. I had figured with all the excitement and finally sitting down to eat and everyone visiting the table, there was never a good time. This time I thought was a good time. I had to think again as John was beckoning me with his hand to come up and stand next to him at the front of the wedding party table, microphone still in hand.

I walked as daintily as I could in the four inch black Kate Spades I had on, that I borrowed once again from Katelyn. I had my lips pressed hard in a smile as I really did have to pee and hoped like the dickens that John would do whatever it is he had to do fast, because I did not know how much longer, I could hold it.

His voice spoke into the microphone once again as I stood next to him and held his hand he had outstretched to me as I approached. "I would like to introduce my girlfriend Mary Catherine O'Reilly; we all love her as the adorable Mary Cate, the kindergarten teacher. I grew up next door to her as a kid and all through school, Michael and I found ways to harass this poor girl; you would not believe."

I looked into his eyes and smiled while trying not to look out at everyone, as I felt extremely nervous suddenly. John's voice held a note of nervousness I had never heard from him before. I wasn't sure why he had called me up or what he was about to say, all I could feel was the extreme nervous vibe zapping between the two of us. So I stood there with my legs slightly pressed together and crossed, holding his hand tight and staring into his incredible deep-blue eyes, watching his dimple of a smile press in deep and then relax, then deep again.

"Not too long ago, Mary Cate and I got the chance to run into each other in an unconventional way ourselves. Shortly before Michael over here decided to walk up to Katelyn in a crowded new club that I designed and asked her to dance, twenty-four hours later they were in Vegas getting married by an Elvis priest." The whole room let out light laughter as John cleared his throat and squeezed my hand.

"I, on the other hand, like to do things a little differently. I like to make sure the girl I marry and fall in love with is willing to deal with all my shortcomings. A girl like Mary Cate. That is if she will have me." He then got down on one knee and while still holding my hand, he set the microphone down, pulled a baby blue velvet box out of his tuxedo pocket, and flipped it open with his thumb. I mentally thought about how talented that man was with his hands in all sorts of ways, but holding my hand and opening a box with a ring in his other hand topped my list. His eyes never left mine as I stood there thinking this was it; he decided he really wanted to give me the commitment I had craved and asked for.

"Mary Cate? Will you marry me and make me a happily committed man to the woman of my dreams since I was in fifth grade and wanted nothing more than to stroke your hair and try to kiss you?"

I held my breath for a second while the beating of my heart felt like it wanted to break through my chest. The man I had thought was the bees knees on the playground back in grade school, the man who spent summers rescuing me from his brother's evil doings and the man who stole my heart once again as a woman, wanted me for his wife. I peeped out a 'yes' that was full of soft breath, as the entire moment felt surreal. A fantasy that I would never have imagined happening in my lifetime.

Within a flash, he had the ring out of the box and on my left finger. It was a beautiful cut diamond in a gold setting, and it slipped onto my ring finger perfectly. Then he picked up the microphone and announced. "That was a yes you probably didn't hear." The whole room exploded in applause and congratulations.

With the noise of the room around me, I focused on the extremely expensive looking ring and studied it on my finger. Not in a million years would I have ever thought that John Gallagher would be standing here before me asking for my hand in marriage. I felt his hands come up and take mine as he looked into my eyes. I heard him say I love you as I watched his lips in slow motion, and then they came down on mine for a sensual sweet kiss.

I let my hands travel up and wrap around his back and neck, as the kiss subsided, and I whispered in his ear. "I need you to be my hero one more time, John Gallagher. If I take one step I am going to pee on this stage." I watched him shake his head from side to side with pure laughter on his lips. Then he did something so romantic. He swept me up in his arms and practically ran me out of the room. He didn't stop until we were inside the ladies room, and I was struggling to get out of my hose. I barely made it. However, outside of the ladies stall was John's snickering laugh.

"It's not funny. I've had to pee like a race horse since we sat down at dinner."

"Then why didn't you go pee?"

"I don't know." I was still peeing and it would stop for a second, startup, then stop, and start.

"Geese woman, I think that's my phone ringing, yup, it's Niagara Falls calling, and they want their water fall back."

"Ha-ha. You're so funny. I would never have thought I was about to marry a comedian."

Just then, I finally stopped peeing, and I felt an incredible amount of relief on my bladder. By the time I got out of the stall, John was standing there, leaning against the sink looking incredible sexy. I went to the sink next to him and started to wash my hands. It was then that the reality of the ring set in as it flashed brilliantly while I washed my hands. I slowed my hands in rubbing the soap and stared at it in awe.

"Do you like it?" He turned and looked at me in the bathroom mirror at my reflection.

I stopped looking at my hands and looked up to him in the mirror right back at his reflection. He looked serious and intent on waiting for my answer. "It's beautiful. I'm shocked yet happy. Are you sure, you are ready to commit? I mean I know this must be hard on you with me wanting nothing more than a casual relationship. If you need to take a long engagement, I'll understand."

"I love you Mary Cate. I was a fool for thinking you were like any other woman, that I could just brush you off and only see you when it's convenient for me. If there is anything, Michael and Katelyn's marriage has taught me, is that you have to not only make time for the ones you love but make it a priority. Those two with their conflicting work schedules amazed me, and you amazed me with the way you tolerated me. That and what we have behind closed doors is just too damn hot to waste." He let out a light laughter.

I turned to him with wet hands and wound them up in his hair as I let my body curve to his, and my lips press hard, letting my tongue slip in and twist with a sensual soft kiss. I felt the immediate rise in his groin as my hips pressed harder and his arms wrapped around me.

"Oh my!" Mrs. Gallagher's voice pitched high, and we pulled back.

"You two rushed off so fast I thought something was wrong. I just thought I would come see... but obviously, you two... I'll be back in the reception when you're done." She turned with a beet red face and was out the door before I could correct her.

John's light laughter brushed against my ear as he whispered. "I've never seen my mother so embarrassed. I didn't want to turn and face her due to the extent in which you make my body react." His eyes motioned downwards and then back into my eyes. His lips came down slowly and started to kiss me again. I let his kiss linger for a moment before I pulled away.

"We should get back into the room. I'm sure everyone wonders why we took off so fast."

He pulled back and sighed. "I suppose." He turned toward the sink, turned on the cold running water, and put his hands under it. "I need a minute. Tell me something to get my mind off of." His eyes reverted down to his groin.

"My kindergarten kids pick their noses and put the snot under the tables. I almost became the cat lady when you dumped me the first time."

He interrupted with laughter. "I didn't dump you. You avoided me. Either way it's helping. But if you want a cat, you can get one. I don't have anything against cats."

"It was an expression of loneliness. Ok, here's one, picture your brother fifty years from now all wrinkly and grey or better yet picture a huge old pile of runny dog poop..." He interrupted me as he turned off the water. "Got it. Better. By the way, the kids picking their noses probably did it, the dog poop; that's just gross. However, the wrinkly old gray, do you think you'll still love me then?"

I put my arms back around him and kissed a sweet soft kiss to his lips. "I'll love you forever."

"Me too." He kissed my forehead this time and grabbed my hand as we walked side-by-side, back down the hall, he just carried me down, to the reception room. I could not wait to tell Katelyn why I had to run off so fast. Sometimes I think it was my mission in life to give my friends something to laugh or shake their heads at. It was who I was and now that I had the man of my dreams in love with me; I would not change a thing about myself.

THE END

The Author

CJ Hawk

Adult Romance - Chick Lit. - Women's Fiction \- Mystery

Please visit my website for updates.

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Other E-books Available

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COMING SOON!!!

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Chick Lit. Adult Romance - Often in life, you are given choices. One that is clear concise and common sense, the other one, well let's call him TROUBLE for short, otherwise known the hot untouchable guy. Sometimes, you are given these choices to make your life easier or the happy caring gods are smiling down on you thinking, you go girl, here you are, your two choices; we know you'll make the right one. Then the blue-sky turns an ominous steel grey full of thunderclouds and lightening begins to strike, gale-force winds begin to blow as you make the wrong choice. It's not like you saw all the warning signs. Blue sky to dark. Lightning. Gail force winds. However, hey, if you always made the right choices, life could be one very boring highway.

If you like I CAN DO STUPID ALL BY MYSELF - then you'll like this chick lit goofy go round that lands her in the lap of one really HOT man while finding ways to muddle up the rest of her life.

Legal mumbo jumbo: This is a fictional story with no reference to real people or places. Any similar names are strictly coincidental and have been created in the author's mind purely for fun or reference. Every character created is from the author's imagination; every place created or name to a place it to give the reader a mental image of where the story takes place. If the story lists an actual city or state, all information in the story is purely reference or to give the reader a mental idea about the location but does not in any way dictate the true nature of that area. Any reference in a story by this author that could be seen as prejudice is not a true semblance of the author's ideals, it is strictly to create a character in the story and allows the reader an idea of how that character might think or feel.

