Lauren eased down into liquid warmth. The floating fragrant bubbles popped and fizzed around her. She sighed as ripples of rushing waters shot from the jets and worked their magic over her achy thighs. She wished she could sit on a jet and let it cool the tender spots of her sex. The man had worn her out. She was bone tired. But Dylan was content, alert, and awake. He afforded neither of them sleep. No matter how she begged. So instead she rode current after current of passion, and the bath was her reward.

With her right foot in his hands Dylan worked his thumbs at the center and kneaded the top to the bone. The massage sent currents of relaxation through her ankle and calf muscles. Lauren closed her eyes and let the experience take her over. It was what she did most of the night. His touch, his kiss, his whispers in her ear while he drove hot hard passion through her body elevated her to another plane. Nothing could touch her she was so high, so free. Lauren groaned, the garden tub was big enough for two. Monty had made sure of it. Often he used it for long soaks after a hard day in the fields. Yet, she couldn’t remember a time when they just soaked in the tub together. This was heaven.

Reaching, her fingers closed on the stem of her glass of wine. Lauren savored the light airy flavor to the white and let it linger then dissolve on her palate after a sip. They’d finished the cheese and fruit tray in bed. Dylan got so amorous he poured a bottle over her nipples and chest then licked clean every drop. But her 6000 count Egyptian bed sheets were soiled. She gathered them and dumped them in the wash while he ran the bath of a lifetime for her. He was sweet and attentive and she was like a frisky puppy around him lapping up the affection. It was damn near pathetic. But she couldn’t stop grinning.

Lauren expelled a soft sigh of contentment. Then tears welled at the corners of her closed eyes. She’d stepped on Muffin’s toy between the bedroom and the washroom. It sent her hurrying back to his arms for comfort. That was a dangerous habit to form. Still she was powerless to prevent it. With Dylan everything hurt a little less. Joy and pain were a strange mix for her. She normally existed somewhere in between, but now part of her remained unsettled, she mourned still. The slightest sound could stir memories of her sweet baby. The A/C turning over would usually send Muffin scurrying from one side of the room to the other. Slamming doors or the blare from the dryer could prompt a frightened whine. She and Muffin were agitated most days and cautiously happy on others. She read once that a dog could take on her master’s anxiety. Was that true for Muffin? She freely admitted that Muffin was more settled when Monty was around. So was she for that matter. Lauren smiled. All memories weren’t painful or sad. She could find comfort in cherishing the good times. Something she’d try to apply to her parents as well. Slowly her eyes opened and she gazed upon Dylan over the mountains of bubbles.

She had a new attitude. He was the cause.

“Why are you smiling at me like that?” Dylan asked.

“Am I smiling?” she teased.

“Yes, you are.”

“Because I’m enjoying my foot-rub of course.” She set her glass over to the side. “And I’m enjoying you, immensely.”

“Is that right?”

“Haven’t you noticed?”

“I’ve noticed.” Dylan gave a slight pull on her ankle. She slipped to her chin in the water. Lauren splashed at him playfully. He countered and lifted her foot higher to which she gasped gripping the sides of the tub to keep from dunking under. A few candles extinguished. Lauren giggled. Dylan didn’t. His eyes were dark and secretive as he taunted her. Before she anticipated his next move, he brought her foot to his mouth and took her big toe in slowly his tongue going over the tender flesh. Then he sucked the toe in all the way to the knuckle. All the while he sucked he used his magic fingers to continue a wonderfully tantalizing massage. Lauren couldn’t believe how much she enjoyed it, enjoyed him. The man had clearly tasted and licked every part of her body yet his tongue continued to be the ultimate seducer. Each time she felt it go over her naughty wants rose in her like a rising tide. Dylan moved on to the second toe, then the third. The licks, nips, and massages became such an erotic tease that she slipped her hand in the now tepid waters and touched her self.

It felt so good. His touch, and hers. Lauren’s head slowly dropped back. She wasn’t opposed to pleasuring herself. Hell, since Monty left, in baths, alone, she’d do it from time to time. But this was different. Dylan freed her in ways she missed. Distracted her in ways she needed. He wasn’t the man she thought she’d freely do it for, but she learned a valued lesson: never say never. Lauren pinched her own clitoris, hard, and shuddered through the warmest of sensations pooling below and sending ribbons of pleasure through her pelvis. Dylan lowered her foot then brought up the other, starting the massage again. She relaeased a soft private orgasm and she was all good.

“I don’t think I will go to the fields today.” She sighed, shifting in the tub. “We can stay here?” She opened her eyes for his answer. Dylan didn’t respond. He just watched her. She smiled. “If you want too. I have some steaks, I can grill them with shrimp and veggies. One day won’t hurt operations too much. To be honest I haven’t taken a vacation all year. Been at it 24/7.” Her gaze slowly lifted to his face. Dylan studied her foot. “So? What do you say? Want to stay here with me today?”

He lowered her foot, stroking her ankle under the water. “I have a question for you.”

Lauren chuckled. She reached for her wine. “Don’t sound so ominous.”

“Where do you see me, in your life?” He asked, his tone was dry, tight.

Lauren peeked at him from over the top of her glass. Slowly she lowered it. “Have you tasted the wine, this is the best year? Here, try some….” she stalled.

“Where do you see us? Tomorrow, the day after tomorrow and the next, where do you see this going?”

“We’re having fun Dylan.” Immediately she knew it was the wrong answer. His eyes narrowed to cobalt slits. His jaw clenched. She set the wine glass down and scooted back out of his reach. Then pause between them sobered her immediately.
“What I mean, is we’re getting to know each other all over again. More importantly we’re friends.”

“No!”

“No?”

“We’re more than friends…”

“Oh here we go….”

“Hear me out. Would you let a man in your bed who is nothing more than a friend?” he asked. “I don’t think so. Think about what you shared with me about your parents. How many other people have you told?”

“Oh Dylan, that’s enough.” Lauren grabbed the sides of the tub to lift out, but he grabbed her ankle and stopped her. “It’s almost five in the morning Dylan. We’ve only had about two hours sleep. I’m tired.”

“Don’t run from me. I have to know.”

“Why! Know what? I was in pain, buckets and buckets loaded with pain and you were there for me. I can’t tell you how much I enjoy being with you like that. But why do you expect me to label something after one night?”

“What man wouldn’t want more after one night with you?”

Lauren eased back down, she then made her way to the other side of the bath to him. She stopped to kiss his chin then touched him intimately. “I don’t want another man or another friend. I just want you Dylan McGuire. Where do I see myself? I see myself right here with you, okay? It’s weird. Life is weird. We’ve travelled along a strange path to get here. Neither of us really could foresee it. So why should we question it? I just want some more of that feeling I get when you hold me. How can I predict future when I could never conceive of this present….”

“Speak for yourself beautiful. I saw this.”

“Really?” she laughed. “You saw me sucking you here? Giving it to you upside down and sideways?”

He put his finger to her lips. “No. I saw us being honest with each other. The best part of last night has been your trust. That’s the ultimate turn on.”

Lauren eyes stretched. “That’s the ultimate turn on?”

His hand cupped the side of her face. She rested on her knees with her hands pressed to his chest as she sat on his lap. “Ever wonder why I don’t call you LB like your friends do?”

“No.”

Dylan chuckled, “Well I choose not too.”

“We’re definitely passed the formalities Dylan.”

“Not my point sweetheart.”

“Okay, I’ll bite, why do you prefer Lauren as oppose to LB?”

“Because Lauren is all I see. I see you, the real you. The smart, funny, infuriatingly stubborn and independent you. I’ve moved a mountain to get to know Lauren. All I’m saying is that you’re worth it.”

“Why? Why am I worth it? That was a pretty big mountain you moved to get us here Dylan. Now we’re here. Care to tell me why that would matter to a man who could have any woman he desired?”

“Because you inspire me.”

“Awe, now that’s the ultimate turn on.” She kissed him. Her hands came up behind his neck and her lips parted to invite him in. His tongue dove deep in response, sweeping through every crevice and hollow. Dylan’s hands closed around her back, soothing her along the soft skin of her spine, then around her lush hips, and up to cup the sides of her full, heavy breasts. Oh how she loved his touch, his kiss, and his dick, every thick inch of him. She couldn’t get enough. Lauren rose on her knees to steady her position on his lap. His already erect cock hit her belly. “Kiss me harder.” She moaned against his mouth. He wrapped those strong arms around her tighter and did as she asked. His tongue was a devilish instrument of pleasure, it curled around hers and took it for ransom. Her mouth covered and devoured his as she threw her hips forward and rubbed the lips of her sex up against his reaching length. “Condom…” she breathed into his mouth. “W-w-we need one.” She panted. Heat rushed from her belly to her face making her cheeks and ears burn hot. She longed to sink down on his stiff rod and swallow him.

“No more, we used the last one, remember.” Dylan groaned as her tongue play made him clutch her tighter, he groaned when she took to sucking the side of his neck. His hand did a continual stroke up and down her spine.

“Ugh!” Lauren’s head lifted she released him with a full on pout. Her wet fingers brushed his blunt jaw line, feathering over to touch his lips. He took one, then two in his mouth. “Will you go get some, there’s a gas station a mile up?”

“I know it. Yes,” he breathed reaching for a parting kiss. Lauren’s breasts bobbed in the suds until he caught a nipple gently between his teeth. She hissed in approval. He smirked and released her nipple when she began to stroke his shaft underwater. An abstract part of her brain wondered if they should go there anyway. But she quickly pushed the thought aside. She wasn’t that crazy.

As her hand slid between their bodies to fist his cock, Dylan opened his eyes and looked at her with such hunger she knew he desired the same. Dragging her mouth from his, Lauren kissed her way over to the shell of his ear, gratified when he let out a breathy moan, from her hand strokes. She played with his ear for a bit then continued her foray down to the column of his neck. This time Dylan whispered her name. How sweet it sounded rolling from his lips in a tortured moan. She tightened her fist on his shaft and continued her quick upward jerks—all the while current from the bath jets stroked her engorged bud and the quivering lips of her sex. Dylan’s head dropped back, the veins in his neck bulged, his face reddened as she jerked him hard and strong. She liked it. His torment, his pleasure, it’s such a deep soul wrenching turn on. His hand slipped in the water with a dramatic splash and with the other he gripped her thigh, digging his nails in for restraint.

“Go with it baby, cum for me….” She cooed to him softly and he let go a deep guttural groan through harder jerking that forced his release. Lauren wished they were in bed and her mouth was covering as he did. But she settled for the pure adrenaline rush that shot through her upon his complete submission. It was few and far between when he submitted to her in the moment of passion. His role in the bed had been complete dominance. Now he was putty in her hands. Literally.

Lauren let him go with a wicked laugh. Dylan’s head lifted, his eyes glazed over with confusion, weakness. “You okay?” she asked, drifting back from him, his spunk now clouding the bath water.

“Ah, yeah.” He flushed harder and tried to mask his disappointment over losing control. Lauren smirked. Dylan lifted from the water causing a big tide of it to rush her that she was unable to avoid. “I need to get some clothes any way. I want to have a couple more sleepover’s with you baby.” He stammered drying himself quick. Lauren laughed. She leaned over the tub watching him fumble with drying off. “I’ll be here, waiting.” She teased.

Dylan cut her a amused look. She shot him one. He shook his head and walked out. Lauren dropped on the side of the tub laughing. He was hers alright. “Dylan McGuire!!” she yelled out of the bathroom,.

“Yeah!”

“Be careful what you wish for. You never know what you’ll get!” She laughed some more listening as the front door closed.

**

Chet set a freshly poured cup of coffee before her. Dena smiled a thank you. He drew back the chair before him with a wide mouth yawn. His robe parted to show more of his chest. All golden-hued with hard-roped muscles, she had always had a thing for his body. He wasn’t tall, but he wasn’t short either. He wasn’t muscular, but he was far from skinny. He was just all male. No wonder women grew faint by his rugged handsomeness, and deadly charm. She could still taste his seed to the back of her throat; still feel the raw tenderness in her vagina. Yet, his arrival at the table had her aching for a repeat performance. She shook of the lust. Thank God she was on the pill. She suffered from severe menstrual cramps and her doctor prescribed them. Could the pill have brought on the cancer? Dena sighed. She was so confused.

“Morning babe.” Chet said through his yawn. She nodded to him. He was so right about this quaint beach house. Despite her fears and worries, being around him in this place just made things a little less terrifying. “So we should get on the road soon. I need to see Lauren.” She sipped the coffee careful of burning her tongue, her eyes drifted to the bay windows and the panoramic view of the night fading into the sea.

“Tell me what the doctors want to do?” Chet asked tapping his fingers on the wood surface of the breakfast table. The constant drumming set her teeth on edge, but she refrained from saying so. Dena set the cup down, her palms held the warmth. “After the results are in they will schedule surgery. I have to come back in three days for that consultation. I think they know what the mass is but don’t know if its cancer. They used a lot of medical terms. Mostly they asked more questions than gave answers.”

“That sounds about right. Its all preliminary.”

“Yeah I guess.”

“What about your mom and your sister?” He asked reaching across the table to run a finger over her wrist. It was a far better than action than his constant drumming of them. But his touch always distracted her. She tried to focus.

“I don’t want to tell them yet.”

“I wouldn’t advise that doll. The sooner the better. They love you. Give them a chance to prove it.”

“I know they love me. That’s not what this is about. Besides we don’t know anything yet. We can keep it between us until I’m diagnosed.” Dena looked up as Chet rose. He walked away from the table into the kitchen. He came back with the cordless phone. “Are you listening to me? I said no.”

“Here,” he set the phone down in front of her. “Call them. I’ll take a shower and give you some privacy.”

“Chet…”

“Call them Dena. Nobody that cares for you should be on the outside of something like this. I want you to do it. You need them.” He kissed her objection away, then he left. She listened as his footsteps ascended the stairs. Her eyes returned to the phone. Dena dropped her face in her hands. A few minutes passed and she heard the shower upstairs. He was right, she knew he was right. Still the idea of tearing her mother apart with this news that took away her mother’s baby sister immobilized her. How was she to do that? Dena sucked down a breath of courage. She’d start simply. She picked up the phone and called her twin sister Debbie. “Hello, Debbie. It’s Dee. Yeah, yeah I know what time it is. You up? Wake up Debbie. It’s important that’s why. Look. Um. There’s something I need to tell you…”

**

Dylan stopped at his cabin first. He didn’t bother with the lights. He needed to change and get to the gas station. Pronto. Since when did he travel light? As much as he wanted Lauren Bishop, buying condoms was an after thought. He guessed part of him didn’t think it would go that far this soon.

As he walked through the living room his peripheral vision caught the red blinking light on the guest phone. A message awaited for him. Working off only two hours of sleep, he almost ignored it for the temptation of dropping on the sofa and catching a few winks. But he figured he’d answer in case his business was crumbling while he was drowning in his own wild desire for Lauren Bishop. Dylan plopped down on the sofa. He punched zero then the pound button and reclined back on the sofa cushion.

….Mr. McGuire, the information you requested has been sent. Please reference your email sir. Awaiting your instructions….

Dylan eyes stretched wide. He hung up with a tight grimace. Grabbing his laptop he flipped the lid and immediately connected to WIFI to access his account. The email was at the top of the newly received list. He deleted it. He didn’t open it. He didn’t dare look at it. Dylan wiped his hand down his face and stared at the screen. He was an idiot to go that far. If she ever found out he’d lose her. Game over.

**

Chet would have missed the ringing phone were it not for the search in his bag for underwear. Sitting on the bed in his towel he ran his thumb over the lcd to access the call. “Wsup?”

“Need a favor.”

“What kind of favor?” Chet said taking the towel from around his neck and drying his hair. He looked to the door. Dena was still downstairs. He wondered if she needed him. Then it dawned on him that he liked to be needed.

“Remember that investigation I kicked off on Lauren?”

“Right.”

“I’ve cancelled it, but I need you to follow up to make sure that it’s wiped. Nothing about it should remain in my files. Get Marsha on it if you have too. Just take care of it.”

“Right.”

“Chet. I need you to handle it bro.”

“Why can’t you handle it?” Chet frowned.

“I just want it to disappear. Put some distance between it and myself. I’m with her now so I don’t have the time to make all the calls I need too.”

“Just be honest with Lauren. Hell she knows you aren’t a saint.”

“Be honest about what?” Dena asked, watching him from the door.

“Look man, I’ll hit you back. Later.” Chet ended the call. “Hey doll.”

“What does Dylan need to be honest with Lauren about?”

“Nothing, it’s nothing. He’s getting close to her and he thinks she won’t be able to get over the past. All the stupid shit he’s done.”

“What’s going on between Lauren and Dylan?” Dena asked, her eyes narrowing.

“Did you talk to your mom?”

Dena’s face paled. She looked away from him.

“What did she say babe?”

“Debbie made me call her. So I had too.” She leaned against the doorframe, more like sagged against it. “She said she knew it would be alright. She was mad I didn’t tell her, she wants to come to the next doctor’s appointment.”

“That’s good.”

“It’s the beginning of it. I feel it.”

Chet pulled her into his arms. “Maybe or maybe not, but whatever it is or isn’t you need your mom and sister, right? Right?”

Dena managed a weak smile. Within that smile, Chet sensed her relief. He imagined that this fear of the unknown would lessen with more people that are for her involved. “I don’t want to be Juanita.”

“Who’s Juanita?” he asked softly, rubbing his nose against hers.

“My aunt who died around the same age for the same thing.”

Chet froze. “What?”

“She had breast cancer that spread to her lungs. The disease literally ate her alive.”

“You never said…”

“I know. It’s why I can barely talk about it Chet. I don’t want everyone whispering around me, hiding how they feel from me. The way they all did with Juanita. Pretending that I’m okay when I’m not. Promise me that if things get bad, really bad, that you will always be straight with me. You will probably be the only person in my life that could.”

Chet’s throat closed on his words. She had him wrong. He would be the first to break, the first to cower, the first to hide behind a curtain of denial and he would lie to himself and her to the very end. He wished he were brave enough to tell her this. He wasn’t. Chet folded his arms around her. “I promise.” He said brushing her lips with his. He cupped her from behind. Squeezed both halves of her ass. Lifted her bodily up against him and flicked his tongue in so he could run the tip up against the roof of her mouth. She shuddered in response. Her body and sex were always ready for him. He feared that there would be differences in their lovemaking, and also wanting it to be different he feared that passion or too much passion tainted the sanctity of their new love. He was wrong. It wasn’t the feel of her thighs that were soft as buttermilk when he pushed in between or her pussy that was a tight inferno he longed to get burned in. It wasn’t the soft sighs that escaped her when he got so deep, he didn’t think he’d ever survive a withdrawal. Their connection was real, because all of it, his love and his desire combined was real—and only for her.

Dena held him. More like clung to him. He swept her up against the wall. Dena gave a soft cry for mercy as he forced her thigh up and out. To his pleasure she remained free of underwear Her left leg hooked around his waist and she held to his shoulders. Chet’s towel fell away. Soon he was thrusting his upward turned cock into her tight yet warmly inviting channel. Dena arched up off the wall. Those beautiful breasts of hers undulated under his borrowed nightshirt. The nipples pointed like missiles. Fucking away her fears and his, he soaked her nipple through the shirt and drove himself up into her hard and fast. Before they crashed, then took it to the bed for a repeat performance.

**

Lauren turned over under his soft kiss. Groggy, but waking she blinked up into his hovering face. He smelled of toothpaste and aftershave. “Hi? What time is it?”

“Hello.” Dylan kissed the tip of her nose, her lashes, and the crease to the center of her brow. “It’s seven.”

“Guess I fell asleep, huh?” She stretched. Dylan eased in bed on the other side of her. His arm dropped over and his face snuggled the nook of her neck. The clean scent of her skin and hair filled his nostrils with desperate want that stirred his loins. She in return closed her eyes to the homey feeling of his embrace. Sleep had felt so good, but she didn’t have as much of it as she desired. Now in his arms she could succumb to that slow drugging feeling drawing her lids shut.

“Hungry?” he asked, his voice thick with restrained desire.

“Mmm….” Is all she could manage in reply. Using his hand to grip her neck he pushed his hardening bulge into her romp. Lauren reached back and grabbed his pant pocket pulling him while pressing her backside against him just as eagerly. Dylan chuckled, dipped his tongue in the canal of her ear and with a flick of its tip licked the outer lining. His fingers eased down the slender length of her neck and crept inside her shirt. He didn’t stop until he reached a perked nipple and twisted it painfully tight before plucking it hard. Her soft mewl spared her his main course. The man would suck her nipples raw if she let him. But he withdrew his hand and the warmth of his hard body when he released her. Lauren nearly wept, but she was too tired to push for more. He dropped away, the bed shifted and space slipped in between them. She heard the click of the TV. The low voice of the newscaster droned from speakers over her soft pleas that Dylan’s affections return. So she rolled over to him, throwing her arm over his brick layered chest. Dylan folded his arm around her and held her there. She sighed, content. She listened as he channel surfed for a minute before she drifted. Soon sleep came over her like a dark fog and she was a goner.

When Lauren woke she was alone. The television was off. She squinted against her headache and shifted up on her deflated pillows, snapping her head left to right in search of him. Her body punished her for the quick jerky movements. The room spun just a bit. Eventually she settled and her surroundings stabilized. The delirium was quite unexpected, so she waited a beat before trying to fight off fatigue. Her eyes sought the time. It was now a little after ten. She’d slept another three hours? Had she been that exhausted? Lauren threw back the covers, kicked them from her feet. The cool of the room rushed in to wash over her thighs and bare sex. Her cut-off shirt barely reached her navel. Extending her hands out to block a fall she felt evident by her unsteady legs; Lauren stumbled then straightened her shaky walk all the way to the bathroom. There she relieved herself, wiped, flushed, washed her hands and faced the woman in the mirror.

The night was far more than she had anticipated. Blame it on the wine, blame it on the grief, blame it on his sexiness, all of it was a whirlwind of sensation, heat, and passionate screams until she went hoarse. The morning was more of the same. Yes, she desired him, but the way she fumbled through that desire shocked and confused her. Even Monty had to ease her into trusting his affections before she turned over her inhibitions. Though he was her first her feelings on intimacy were far more reserved. This was Dylan McGuire. How could she go from loathing the man to craving him when he was gone? Lauren turned off the running tap, the sink almost overflowing. She stared at the haggard image reflected before her. Her hand slowly rose and fingers gently touched the puffed bags under her eyes, and then slipped to her swollen lips. Her line of vision dropped down to her sex partially concealed by the sink. She touched herself, let her hand travel north to lift her shirt and stared at her navel, then drew the shirt higher and stared at her full breasts. She felt different; her body was aflame with that difference. Something had changed profoundly in her.

Her eyes drifted to the garden tub. The wet towels bunched together on the white tiled floor at the side of the tub, the extinguished candles, some tipped over, circled. The shower glass door was open, the walls still moist from the passion sparked there. Lauren eyes flitted away with total recall of every detail of his loving. She shuddered. Dropping her hands to the basin she waited for her heart rate to normalize. Her head slowly lifted again. “Get it together, I know what you’re doing. Trading one obsession for another. It was just sex. Just sex. Stop attaching so much feeling and emotion to it.” She warned herself. But her reflection smiled at her. Just sex huh? Is that why you’re wet for him still? Her inner voice asked. Lauren turned from the sink, located her robe and threw it on. Quickly she groomed her knotty hair a mangled, tangled mess after air-drying. She avoided the confession in her eyes. The truth was Dylan and she shared a bond far deeper than sex. He’d freed her.

Lauren smiled. She went to the cabinets below and found her makeup bag. She dumped the contents in the sink taking her time to dab of concealer under her eyes, smoothing it over her cheekbones then face and finally covering with a light powder. She even slicked her lips with clear gloss, extended her lashes with a brush.

In her bedroom, she went for her sexy drawer to recover her naughty-girl panties, there she decided on a hot pink thong. She turned and looked at her romp in the mirror, how nicely shaped it was from all the hard days and nights working side by side with Hector in the fields. Lauren decided on a white pair of linen shorts, and a cute navy blue halter-top. Her inner woman laughed and giggled, pointed a finger at how completely schoolgirl she was being. But it didn’t matter. Her hair was too wild to be tamed in a ponytail so she set the thick waves free. She pushed a solid blue headband into her hair to keep it from her face. She hurried from the room in bare feet, certain he was still there. She was right. The smoky aroma of mesquite and meat cooking was a telling sign. She found him. She stopped at the deck doors to observe. He wore jeans with a loose fitted button down shirt folded at the bend of his arms. The white fabric radiated against his burnished skin, an even olive tone. His hair was finger combed from his face, but thatches of it fell over his left brow. He poked a steak with a long fork, flipped it, and sent a plume of smoke from the grill heavenward. Lauren smiled. She drew the glass door open. “Hi!”

“Sleeping beauty awakes.” He said to the steaks not to her.

“I was going to grill.”

“The day isn’t over. It’s still early enough for you to create a good dinner. How about steak and eggs for breakfast?” he asked.

Suddenly her stomach clenched. She was indeed hungry. “Okay, I like mine medium.”

“Is there any other way?” he smirked.

“Guess not. How do you like your eggs?”

“Over easy with lots of Tabasco.”

“Is there any other way?” she winked. Lauren bounced her way to the kitchen. Eggs. She was almost certain she had at least three left. The refrigerator revealed her she had four. She’d make him the best over-easy pair of eggs he’s ever had. It wasn’t until she turned from the refrigerator with the carton in her hands did it hit her. She stood there frozen, unable to move. Muffin’s doggy bowl and water dish loomed. The treats Muffin loved were half eaten. Lauren blinked at the scene. She’d done everything to pretend it was okay. But one look at Muffin’s bowl a barely healed wound re-opened. Tears streamed down her cheeks She went to the stove, got the fryer, and turned on the eye. She cried through it all. She wondered silently if that would be the case. Happiness and sadness always competed for dominance in her heart.

“Steaks are done, you have perfect timing.” Dylan said coming in with a plate. “Thought I’d feed you in bed. This is much better.”

“Mmhmm…” she sniffed back the tears. Her eyes remained trained on the bubbling yoke as it sizzled over the white. Lauren forced the sob down on her throat and carefully flopped his egg with the spatula.

“Should we have mimosa? You got some champagne in here that hasn’t been opened. I can make you a poinsettia mimosa. Ever had one of those? Cranberry juice and orange juice mixed.”

“Sounds good.” She slid his eggs on to a plate then proceeded to crack two more.

“Lauren?”

“Yeah?”

“You okay?”

Lauren sniffed. “I guess.”

Dylan was behind her. She could feel his presence there. He didn’t touch her, and she didn’t want to be touched. Somehow he knew. He seemed to always know. Lauren broke the yoke on her eggs and allowed them fry a little longer. “It’s Muffin isn’t it?” Dylan asked.

“Sometimes I let myself forget.”

“And sometimes you can’t?”

“I guess.”

“It’ll take time.”

“Yeah, time…” she dropped the well-done eggs on her plate and turned off the stove. “Now lets eat.” She mumbled. Dylan let her pass. Lauren set the plates on the table then sat there trying to ignore Muffin’s bowl as she stabbed her steak with her fork.

“How about we eat in the TV room?”

Relief soothed the tightness forming in her chest. “I have some TV-dinner stands. Old school kind.”

“Where?”

She gave a nod to the kitchen closet.

“I’ll set it up. You bring in the plates.”

Lauren did as he asked. Dylan wasted no time. He snapped open the legs of the stand and popped the trays down on the top. She set her plate on one then his on the other while he went for their breakfast mimosas. Soon they were seated side by side watching cartoons. Neither bothered to change the channel. They ate their breakfast silent while Tom got his ass handed to him by Jerry. Dylan even laughed out loud once or twice. An infectious laughter that too had her grinning with him at the television set. Saturday morning cartoons were the best times of her childhood. She even put them on sometimes with Muffin snuggling her feet. A man willing to share the silly moments with her was worth his weight in wine. It dawned on her that she still knew so little on his likes, his dislikes, his beliefs.

“So what do you want to do on your official day off?” He asked.

“Dena’s coming home, I want to see her.”

He nodded, “That’s right her and Chet are coming back today.”

“Huh? Her and Chet?” Lauren’s fork paused halfway between her plate and her mouth. Dylan looked away sheepishly. She had heard him right. She was sure of it. “They’re together? You sure?”

“They were when I called her for you. I supposed they still were.”

“But she went to see her mother. That’s what she told me.”

“Chet has a place out near the bay area. Maybe they hooked up.” Dylan mumbled.

“Maybe. Still, it’s weird.”

“What? Those two? Any weirder than you and me?”

Lauren eyes dropped to her breakfast. She slowly smiled, as she forked the last bite. “I guess not.” They shared a comfortable silence once more. Lauren finished off his infamous poinsettia mimosa and licked her lips. She had gotten the bottle of champagne to celebrate the contract signing with Grayson. She never had the occasion when she found out about the Dylan McGuire clause. It was ironic that they would be sitting on the sofa enjoying it together now. Lauren was beginning to learn to appreciate irony. Her eyes returned to the television. The cartoon switched to Road Runner. Dylan’s hand eased over the top of her thigh as he slouched back on the sofa. She let it lie there unchallenged, though his long fingers slipped in between the crease of her thighs and his pinky began to slowly rub against her sex. She sat back on the sofa and dropped her head on his shoulder, stuffed. Moving closer she sighed as the stroking sent a warm current that made her quiver below. “Are you really the conservative Republican who thinks affirmative action laws are holding back middle aged white men?” she yawned.

Dylan chuckled. “Where did that come from?”

“It’s what I thought of you for so long. That you had all these preconceived notions about people, all kinds of people, women mostly, which could only be transferred into your beliefs in politics. I don’t understand how the person I thought you were could exist within the man I’m learning or getting to know now.”

“I’m a conservative yes, if I were to choose a party I’d lean more towards the Republican Party. I believe in less government, less socialistic programs, less taxation, stricter immigration laws, and a stronger military. Do I think people that are of a different race or value system, as mine have no entitlement to the same liberties I am afforded? No.”

“That’s double talk.” Lauren’s eyes lifted to the scruff shadowing his jaw and growing under his chin. He needed a shave. She touched him there, letting the bristle hairs tickle the pads of her fingertips. “What do you really believe Dylan?”

He stared at the TV. No answer formed on his lips. Lauren’s head lifted from his shoulder. Her shift on the sofa caused his hand to cup her sex. She made no move to remove it and neither did he, but she stared him down until his eyes slipped over to meet her questioning stare. “I’ll tell you what I believe. I believe that no one should be denied healthcare based on his or her inability to afford it. I believe that gays should marry, and their union should be recognized as constitutional under the law of every state. I think the NRA is just a front for the militia white boys to sell more guns to the boys in the hood. I believe that more funding should be spent in repairing our in public school system and the whole ‘No-Child-Left-Behind Act’ also known as Bush propaganda, needs a damn enema. I believe the homeless epidemic facing more and more families since the economy has damn near bottomed out, from a war that will outlive the Vietnam war, should be considered a national crisis and….”

He kissed her.

Lauren blinked, silenced by the stomach butterflies she suffered from one kiss. When their lips parted he touched her face. “The government intervention you call for will only keep people in bondage, seeking rescue, instead of empowering them to make their destinies. Free enterprise, and dare I say it capitalism is the key to stimulating this economy. It’s the Greenspan way. Regan was able to do it after Carter got lost in being a humanitarian instead of a leader of the greatest nation on earth. I understand where you’re coming from. Sure, some people need help to recover during and after a recession but…”

“Then you can’t have it both ways. You can’t say that we should help those that are in need it but….”

“…I’m not saying that…”

“…but insist our tax dollars be cut so that Big Businesses like yours be offered the financial breaks that protect the ‘1% of wealth’ in this nation, it’s almost laughable how the Republicans say less government but willingly handed over their liberties when Bush scared the nation and Congress to sign into law the Patriot Act. Where was the outcry from the conservatives to protect our liberties…”

“Hey! Slow down.” Dylan chuckled. Lauren rolled her eyes, seriously turned off. She knocked his hand away from her crotch. He touched her there again, more insistent. “We disagree, it doesn’t mean that your beliefs and my beliefs can’t co-exist. Now does it? Can we find a way to respect each other? Can we listen to each other’s points of view?”

“But…”

“No buts. I’m not campaigning here. I’m just coming to you as I am—with different beliefs. You want me to accept the differences in people; I’m assuming you are willing do the same? I’m entitled to my opinion. Right?”

“I guess. I just need to know that you aren’t ruled by fear, prejudice or…. willful blindness to the problems of people less fortunate than you. I have no tolerance for that. It’s not who I am.”

“I adore who you are…” he traced a finger along her chin. She believed him. Which pissed her off, because if he truly did, he’d completely see her way of thinking on all things. Lauren smirked. She soon realized how childish her pout was. She cast him a sly look. “What if I were to tell you that I hire illegal’s?” Her eyes locked on to his. His hand stopped stroking her vagina. She could sense him tense.

“That’s illegal Lauren. You’re too smart for that.”

She gave him a shrug. “Not saying that I do. I asked what if you found out I did?”

He dropped back. “I don’t know sweetheart. I guess I’d have to say I would understand with the type of labor you contract that you’d run across some illegals. Still I’d hope that you wouldn’t knowingly take advantage of the desperation of these people for cheaper wages and the absence of the healthcare you want everyone to have. That you wouldn’t exploit their plight for profit, because what would that make you Lauren?”

She kept her eyes cast down. “I would never exploit anyone, you know me better than that.”

“Good. I do know you better than that. Breaking the law is no way to fix the unfairness of the law. If you have illegal’s here then you need to contact some of the organizations along the coast that can help them get citizenship. And send them on their way.”

“Don’t tell me what to do.” She rolled her eyes away.

“I’m not telling you what to do, since you don’t have any illegal’s right?”

She shifted under his touch. “Monty was an ‘anchor’ baby.” She said changing the subject. “His mother and father escaped Mexico. Came here to this vineyard to work for their family. He was born here. It’s a tough thing Dylan, but it’s a real problem. Closing off the boarders doesn’t help. Some of the stories I’ve heard from people who have lost family members would break your Republican heart.”

“Oh Lauren.”

“Wait, listen to me. Not all of people are garbage, or incapable of being productive citizens….”

“Lauren, it’s not about that.”

“I know it’s not. I just. I just know what its like to be in a world that says you don’t fit. When I lost my parents I might as well have been an alien. I got no breaks, but it didn’t mean I didn’t want one. Sometimes, you can help someone and make all the difference in their life. Like I helped you on the side of the road.”

“Wait, what are we talking about again?”

Lauren laughed. “Republicans.”

“No. We’re talking about you wanting to save the world. Why don’t you just concentrate on saving me?”

Lauren eyes dropped to his lips. “What’s wrong with you?”

“I hurt.”

“Where.”

He took her hand and pressed it to his heart. “Here.” He moved it down and pressed it to his lower abdomen, “Here.” And then he pressed it to his groin. “And here. Mostly here.”

“What can I do,” Lauren looked into his eyes.

“Give me a break. No more talk of politics, more talk of us.”

Lauren giggled. “You weren’t paying attention anyway.”

“Oh I was. I could sit right here, on this sofa, and spend the rest of my days debating and discussing everything under the moon with you. Or…”

“Or I could focus on making you feel better.” She said rubbing his bulge buried behind his zipper.

“Oh yes.” He groaned.

“We are such opposites.” Lauren chuckled.

“True, ebony and ivory, yin and yang.”

“Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs!” she interjected.

Dylan frowned. Lauren laughed. He flipped her on the sofa and she gasped. He took her hands and pinned them over her head. “I’ll call border patrol afterwards and tell them to leave the illegal’s alone, I’ll call the National Council of La Raza and donate a million in your name.” he bit her chin.

Lauren grinned. “Will you denounce the Republican Party too!”

“Fuck the Republican Party.”

“Yeah!!” she kicked her feet and lifted up to claim his mouth in another kiss. In a flash pinning her down on the sofa.

**

Ravenous for a taste of her, Dylan dragged his kiss away and put his mouth to her throat and felt her groan, as he ground his need into her center. Using his teeth, he nipped and sucked a path to one breast. He paused to release her hands. She lifted her head and undid the tie to her halter. Bring down to the triangular pieces of fabric she released her breasts for him. He flicked his tongue at her nipple then drew it into his mouth. Her responsiveness thrilled him, deepened his arousal. He bit her nipples and she cried out his name, head thrashing from side to side. She was close now, her body always seemed ready. But he would delay them to really awaken all the right parts of her. He had made her cum before, but she must be punished for the way she teased him in the bath. He wanted to revel in her screams and cries of pleasure. Wanted to get so deep in her he’d permanently plant part of his spirit there. All in due time.

He kissed her again. Lauren writhed underneath him as if she was trying to beat out an internal fire. She was moaning, almost chanting into his mouth, her tongue tangling with his. Her hips bucked, rocked to meet the grind. Her hand slipped between him and squeezed his sack hard as she bit down even harder on his bottom lip. Dylan was shocked by how intense her ferocity was. He groaned. She smirked.

Lifting off, Dylan grabbed Lauren’s wrists and pulled her upright then picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. She giggled as he inadvertently knocked over a TV stand sending the plate and glass crashing to the floor. He mumbled an apology. Lauren smacked his butt, demanding that he clean his mess and replace her dishes. All of it would wait, they had unfinished business. Arguing with her had got his adrenaline pumping. He licked the sting from his lip and realized she had drawn blood. She was his equal in every way. He’d never be able to part from her. Never.

God help me but how can I desire a woman this much?

How can I do so and be sure she feels the same?

Dylan set her down her feet. He immediately did away with his shirt and Lauren cast her top aside. He watched her with hungry eyes as she pealed down her shorts to reveal her hot pink thong. She nodded and mouthed: for you.

The woman was making him insane. Lauren sauntered over to the bed. She got on all fours giving him a devilish wink from over her shoulder. Then waved the perfect round mounds of her ass, with her knees parted to reveal her glistening sex barely covered by lace. Dylan ran down his zipper. His dick nearly dropped out of the slit of his boxers. He stepped out of them both stroking himself staring at her. Lauren reached for the box of condoms and threw them back at him. “Don’t make me wait.” She groaned.

He stepped to the foot of the bed. Slowly he came up behind her. She dipped her back and raised her ass even higher to him. He sheathed his cock as she mewled for him to take action. Then ran his fingers along the delicate confection of her thong. Without much effort he was able to rip the sides free. She gasped at her destroyed panty but made no objection. Why aren’t you afraid of us Lauren Bishop?. He longed to ask. Didn’t she understand that passion like theirs would come with great consequence? Was she even the least bit worried of tomorrow? He ran his hand down the full curve of her left butt cheek. “Are you ready for your punishment?” he said tickling her pussy.

“Oh yes.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“What’s your safety word?” he asked, slipping two fingers all the way to the knuckle into her slick channel.

“No more.”

He came forward and pressed a kiss to her sexy, inhaling the rich fragrance of her arousal. He slicked his tongue over the quivering lips of her pussy. Lauren sighed, but her pussy clenched involuntarily. He kissed her once more there and rubbed her bud between two fingers. “Do you remember this morning? The bath. How you teased me?”

“Yes.”

“I enjoyed it, but you were out of line.”

Lauren giggled.

He smacked her romp and she was silenced.

“You were out of line.”

“Yes. I was,” she said in a soft silky voice. “Will you be rough with me?”

“I promise.”

Dylan grasped his cock and rubbed its thick tip in between the folds of her vagina against her hole. He pressed forward until the head lodged in the entrance. Lauren cried out with desire and tried to push back to take him all in. Dylan’s smack ripped through her and he felt her wet heat cream his tip, from the contact.

“Oh please…please…” she said into her pillow rolling her hips. Dylan wasn’t able to deny her. He gave her another inch and a smack at the same time.

**

She cried out as a sharp sting of a pain was met with a soft pierce of pleasure simultaneously. And he delivered another thrust, and another smack at the same time that sent glorious sensations exploding along her channel. His smacks grew harder and harder and his thrusts more powerful. For a moment, she thought she might swoon—the pleasure-pain was more than she had dreamed. Lauren’s pussy was afire, she writhed, she wept, tears of release pooling under her shut lids. And still she wanted more. She wanted all of him. He gave it to her, spanking each side of her ass as he pumped his thick long cock in and out of her. She gripped the sheets so tight they ripped from the edges. She threw her ass back for each strike and screamed in pleasure into her pillows, until he dropped on her and started fucking her so fast and strong that she was buried deeper into the vortex of desire. How much more could she take before she came completely apart?

Just as her body was raked with tremors of her climatic explosion he withdrew and flipped her over. He was on her again this time drilling her pussy. His hard hot body pressed down hard on hers. Her hands pinned down to prevent her touch. His fucking drove her legs and thighs back from the sheer force, she had no choice but to wrap them around his torso. She struggled for breath as he came at her full throttle, still she wouldn’t call it off. She wanted all there was to experience. He lifted and grabbed her legs shutting them and making them straight as he pumped her pussy. He leaned against them driving her knees into her breasts as he pumped. Lauren eyes rolled into her head as the room and her existence dissolved. All that was left was passion, heat, thick, hot heat, it filled her existence, and now she could take no more. “Please….no more!”

The safety word brought his thrusts to halt. She gasped, she took in a needed breath, though his cock still jerked inside of her. She didn’t know if he came. She’d take care of him later. Right now all she wanted was release. He let her legs down and Lauren nearly cried out with joy. She rolled away from him curling up into a ball as she shook through another spasm of orgasmic quakes. He rubbed her thigh allowing her to go through the aftershocks. Kissed her sweaty shoulder, back. Then whispered: “We aren’t done.”

Lauren laughed. “No more.”

**

She heard the knocking at the door. Dylan didn’t. Buried under his arms and legs she pushed him over. He was too exhausted to respond. Lauren sat up. She pulled the sheet, then the blanket up to cover him. The A/C was on full blast. It was cold as a meat locker in her room.

KNOCK – KNOCK

Lauren found her robe, tied it around her, then left the room closing the door behind her. She hurried into the living room. It was just after 1 so it could be one of the staff, dealing with some crisis with the tourist. “Who is it?”

“Dena!”

Lauren smiled. She unlocked the door and flung it wide. Dena immediately embraced her. It had only been two days and she felt as if it had been a lifetime. “Are you okay LB? Oh sweetheart I’m so sorry.” Dena hugged her tighter.

“I’m fine. Better. Come inside.” She said pulling her. Dena let her go. She took her face in her hands. Shook her head sadly, her eyes welled with tears. “Don’t cry. I will cry. And trust me I’ve done a lot of crying.” Lauren begged.

“I’m so sorry sweetheart.”

“I know.”

Lauren walked over to the sofa. She sat down. Her bottom still stung from Dylan’s game in the bedroom. But it cooled soon as she adjusted her weight and position on the sofa cushion. Dena didn’t seem to notice. She sat across from her wiping the tears from her eyes. “So you took a day off, to regroup huh?” Dena asked.

“Yes.”

“Okay, well, I’m back now…”

“From seeing your parents?” Lauren asked.

“Um, yeah, my mom.”

“How is she?”

“Who?”

“Your mom.”

Dena gave a nervous smile. “You know her, drama always.”

“Why are you lying to me?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You were with Chet. Weren’t you? You could’ve told me. Why lie?”

“LB…”

“I hate lies. You know that. What’s going on with you? Are you getting serious?”

“Huh?”

“You and Chet. You two a couple?”

“No. Yes. It’s nothing. “

“Then why lie!”

“Stop it!” Dena snapped. She gave a nervous laugh. “Girl slow down. I’m not lying. Not really. I came to take care of you.”

“Sorry, but you’re acting weird. It’s scary. You’re the most honest person I know.”

“How about we have a glass of wine and talk…” Dena paused. Her mouth fell open. Lauren frowned at the bug-eyed look her friend gave. She leaned forward and followed her stare. Dylan stood there scratching his head, in nothing but his jeans. He looked so cute. He frowned at first, as if waking, then gave Dena a nod and then went back into the room.

“What the fuck?” Dena said, her mouth still gaping.

Lauren crossed her arms.

“Did I just see?” Dena pointed her wagging finger at the hall. She looked at Lauren as if she didn’t know her. “What the hell is going on?”

“He and I are friends.” Lauren smirked.

Dena laughed. “Chet said you two were getting close, but I thought it was more of his oral diarrhea. If I hadn’t seen him with my own eyes I wouldn’t have believed it. And you, girl, do you have on clothes under that robe?”

Lauren smirked. Dena howled with laughter. Lauren started giggling too. Together they laughed until Dylan returned with his shirt on and shoes. “I’ll give you ladies some privacy.”

Dena looked at Dylan and laughed all over again. Lauren rose, she hurried over blocking his escape. “Dinner tonight? Your place?”

He kissed her forehead. “I’ll be waiting on you.” Lauren rose on her toes and grabbed his neck, planting a wet sloppy kiss on him that made her friend roll with laughter. “Ignore her, she has no idea how good it is.” She whispered to him.

Dylan winked. “See you later Dena,”

She waved him bye crying through her laughter. Lauren closed the door and hugged
Herself then started grinning wide. “I think I’m in love.”

“You’re shitting me?”

“Nope. He’s the one. Got a few things to work out. Hate his politics. But he’s the one.”

“You’re shitting me?”

“Stop saying that.”

Dena put her hands to her head. “I swear the world has fell off its axis and nothing is right in the universe. You and Dylan make no sense.” She looked up. “But look at you. You’re glowing.”

“It just happened. Muffin died, we were together, and then we found out we fit. I mean really fit. We didn’t plan or it anything. But girl when that man touches me…let me just say, we really fit.” Lauren smirked.

“Spare me the details.”

“Wait! I can hear about your freaky carnival sex with Chet and you can’t listen to me and Dylan?”

“LB you’d bore me to death, you two are too uptight to really get it going in the bedroom. Probably do it with lights off and the sheets pulled up over your heads.” Dena stuck out her tongue.

Lauren smirked, she gave her a sassy smirk. “Dena you don’t know me at all….”