Bleary eyed, Caleb stumbled into his kitchen. At four in the morning, the cool early morning air seeped into the house. Stretching his back he opened the refrigerator to see if there was any leftover pizza. Not sure if it was his empty stomach or aching, dislocated shoulder that woke him, he hunted for food instead of his pain medication.

Preferring his pizza cold, Caleb munched on a slice as he wandered onto the back porch, a glass of milk in his other hand. At six foot one he could sit comfortably on the swing with another person, stretching his long legs out to rest on the banister. He loved to sit out here in summer, especially with a female companion to watch the stars.

Immediately he saw the moving van parked at the house next door, on the corner of the street. Two large figures were carrying a couch in. Intrigued, Caleb settled onto his porch swing to watch, unable to out any identifying features.

The back porch faced right into the house’s backyard. The yard was fenced by chain link, over which a thick vine of honeysuckle was growing. A small shed stood off to the side, where the next house over had long ago put up a high wooden privacy fence. The patio was covered by a large awning, with five cement steps leading up to the back door.

Earlier in the week, the high, overgrown grass had been cut by a young man who Caleb occasionally saw, fixing something around the house. He had wondered then if he and his brother were to get a new neighbor.

The back door opened and a white dog bounded out, racing around the yard repeatedly until Caleb felt dizzy.

Apparently the moving guys were finished. Closing the van doors, they departed shortly afterwards. Caleb watched for movement or signs of life but there were none. Whoever was there must have been in a room on the other side of the house.

Milk and pizza finished, Caleb stood, looking for one last sign of the new renter. Stretching again, he headed back to bed.

***

“Hey, there’s a dog next door,” Bowen, Caleb’s older brother remarked later that morning. Caleb nodded as he dowsed his pancakes in heavy syrup. His left shoulder was in its sling.

“Yeah, they moved in last night. I couldn’t sleep so I watched them,” Caleb cut into his pancakes. Bowen took a sip of his coffee, his hazel eyes thoughtful. The thirty-year-old fireman watched his younger brother with amusement. The brothers shared their hazel eyes, tanned skin and light brown hair, though Caleb’s was slightly bleached by the sun.

“Hungry?”

“Starving,” Caleb muttered through his pancakes.

“Did you see who moved in?”

“Nope. Just the dog. I bet it’s some hot vampire chick waiting to seduce me,” Caleb washed his food down with a long swallow of milk as Bowen rolled his eyes.

“Cute dog,” he commented. Standing up he took his plate to the sink, his six foot four frame looking out of place in the pale yellow kitchen. “I’m going to work.”

“Tell the guys hi for me,” Caleb said cheerfully.

“Just wait till you’re off leave,” Bowen smirked. The younger brother had been injured in a fire several weeks before and spent three days in the hospital on a respirator for smoke inhalation. A beam had fallen and pinned him down as well, dislocating his shoulder. Bowen and another firefighter had been lucky enough to get him out before the building collapsed.

“Hey I could get used to this life. . .getting paid to lie around,” Caleb grinned.

“Just wait till lack of exercise kicks in and all those pancakes turn into love handles,” Bowen rinsed his hands.

“Key word, love,” Caleb grinned. “I plan to spend today looking out for the neighbor.”

“Vampires don’t come out during the day.”

Caleb shrugged.

“Well, maybe I’ll just stroll over and introduce myself.”

After a shower and finding a pair of clean boxers and jeans, Caleb headed out to the back porch, pulling on his t-shirt.

The white dog was laying in the yard, asleep, stretched out in the sun. Caleb was thinking it might be a Labrador.

At the sound of the porch swing creaking she leapt up and stared at him. Wagging her tail, the dog came right over and sat at the fence. Caleb chuckled and got up, walking to the fence.

“Hello there, puppy,” he reached over the fence with his good hand and rubbed her silky brown ears. Immediately the dog began licking his hand.

“Well you’re a friendly little thing, aren’t you. Got a name?”

Her tags were up to date and the third one bore the name LuLu, followed by a phone number.

“Lulu, huh. That’s kind of a silly name, don’t you think?”

Lulu didn’t seem to care as she licked his hand eagerly.

“You know what, girl? I think I have some treats in the house from the last dog that lived here. Hang on.”

In the kitchen, under the sink he found the box of dog biscuits and quickly returned to his new friend.

“There you go, puppy. You sure are cute,” he smiled. If only he and Bowen didn’t spend so many hours at work, he’d love to have a dog. “Who’s your owner, huh? Is she hot and single?”

Lulu thumped her tail and made a moaning noise at him. He rubbed her ears again.

Caleb spent most of the day throwing an old tennis ball for the dog. She’d bring it right back and happily give it to him for another toss.

There was no sign of Lulu’s owner as the sun set. While Caleb could see a big bucket of water, he didn’t see a food dish. Rummaging through the kitchen he found a few cans of old dog food. It’d do for now. She ate hungrily and then laid down for a nap. While she slept, Caleb sat in his porch swing and drifted off.

He woke when Bowen returned, around 9 that night.

“Where’s dinner, woman?” Bowen demanded mockingly.

As an answer Caleb tossed him the peanut butter jar as he filled him in on his day spent with Lulu.

“She’s the sweetest dog. She’s at least half lab. Not sure what else, I’ve never seen a white and brown lab before.”

“No sign of the owner yet?”

“Nope. No car, nothing.”

“You think the dog is being neglected?”

“Nah. Her coat is like silk, she’s well fed, very affectionate. I think the owner must work long hours.”

“No sign of the owner today, moves in during the middle of the night?” Bowen mused. Caleb nodded.

“I’m telling you, she’s a vampire. I should go get bitten.”

“What if she’s a troll?”

“No vampire chick is a troll. I bet she’s stacked.”

Bowen rolled his eyes.

***

Caleb woke to an odd sound that he couldn’t place. It was strangely rhythmic. . .almost like. . .chopping wood?

Sitting up in his bed, he opened the blinds to peer out. His bedroom window faced the backyards.

He could see a dim, silhouette, tall but nothing else. The axe fell steadily, handled by a skilled user.

For several moments Caleb strained to see into the darkness. He could see Lulu, lying nearby her owner.

Why on earth would someone be chopping wood at three a.m.?

***

“That’s what I asked. And this morning, still no car.”

“Maybe she doesn’t have one.”

“It’s odd. Why do you think it’s a she? Whoever was chopping wood knew what they were doing.”

“Caleb,” Bowen frowned at him, “you know damn good and well some of the girls on the force can carry more weight than you. Don’t go being a pig.”

“I’m not,” Caleb said defensively. “It’s just that you know, there aren’t too many girls that run around chopping wood. Especially in the middle of the night.”

Bowen rolled his eyes.

***

Caleb was watching TV when he thought about Lulu, alone all day. Going to the back porch, he stepped out to see if she was there. She had been waiting, and immediately she sat up and started wagging her tail. Grinning, he went to greet her. Today she stood up against the fence for him.

“You’re a nice girl. Nicer than most I date,” he chuckled. “I never get this much affection from a girl on a first date.”

Lulu picked up her tennis ball and sat eagerly waiting.

“You’re too cute, you know that? And I’m talking to a dog. Great. I’d love for you to come over and sit with me but I’m afraid your owner would have a fit.” His eyes wandered down the fence that separated the yards, to the gate at the inside far end. It wouldn’t hurt, to let her over for a bit would it? If the owner didn’t come home till late. . .

***

Caleb slipped Lulu another biscuit as she lay at his feet on the porch. The pair had spent the day sitting there. Caleb had forgone his usual TV watching to play with the dog.

“I bet you’re as lonely as me, huh? The sun is going down; I better get you back over there before your mom comes home and chews me up. Of course, is she is a vampire, I wouldn’t mind,” he chuckled.

Lulu rose and followed him to the gate. When he opened it however, she laid down and looked at him sadly, her big brown eyes mournful.

“Aw, don’t look at me that way, please? I’d love for you to hang with me, but you got a parent who’s going to be looking for you. Tell you what, I’ll leave the gate open and you come through whenever you feel like it, ok?”

Lulu thumped her tail against the ground.

***

The pattern continued for several days, though Caleb would find the gate closed in the morning. Lulu waited for him in the mornings at the fence. He was careful not to overfeed her and she repaid his attention in sloppy kisses.

“Man, don’t get attached to that dog. The owner may be a real bitch,” Bowen warned.

“I can’t help it. She’s so cute and lovable.”

Bowen just shook his head.

***

Saturday morning rolled around finally and Caleb was headed out to the porch for his now established routine with Lulu.

She wasn’t at the fence however and he immediately saw why. She lay in the grass next to her owner, who sat on the steps, doing what appeared to be sanding a long, thick pole of wood. She wore bulky gloves, but Caleb just stared at her for a few moments. Two long, thick braids of dark red hair hung over her shoulders. Pale skin, sunglasses with blue lenses, wearing a strappy, light blue tank top and jeans that clothed very long legs. Sitting on the bottom steps of the porch, covered by the awning, she was hidden from the sun.

Lulu saw him and sat up, but didn’t run over. Her owner didn’t seem to notice.

“Good morning,” he called.

Cora heard the greeting and looked up, startled. A tall man, a rather good looking man, she noted immediately, with light brown hair, wearing only jeans and displaying off a nicely toned and tanned chest and arms, stood on the other side of the fence. His left arm was in a white sling. Her heart suddenly felt funny, but it passed quickly.

Habit made Cora almost look to see who he was talking to, but logic told her there was no one else around.

“Hello,” she had a soft voice. Lulu’s tail was going wildly.

“I’ve been waiting to meet you all week,” he said, immediately realizing how much of a pick up line that seemed. The girl didn’t seem to mind as she smiled shyly at him.

“I work a lot. Are you the one who’s been feeding Lulu?”

“Yeah, I hope you don’t mind. She’s such a nice dog and so friendly. . .you were gone all day so I thought I’d help out. I’ll stop if you want me to.”

“It’s ok. You probably noticed she runs it all off,” she kept sanding the pole, but she was watching him.

“I noticed,” he smiled at her. He wanted her to get up, come closer so he could get a better look at her.

“Go on,” she said to Lulu, who bounded over to the fence to greet him. Caleb reached over the fence to rub her head as she licked his hand happily.

“Where did you get her?” Caleb asked.

“I found her in the street two years ago, when she was a baby. It was late at night and she was so cute I had to pick her up and bring her home,” the girl smiled at him. Finally she set the pole down, removed her gloves and stood up, stretching before she walked over to the fence. Caleb was pretty sure she wasn’t wearing a bra, and she was definitely full figured, which made him smile even more. He loved thicker women. Her arms looked soft and pale, her breasts full and in good proportion to the rest of her. She had some meat on her and Caleb was hoping he’d get closer to it.

“Cora Deveroux,” she extended one hand, surprising Caleb with its firmness. He still couldn’t see her eyes.

“Caleb Vista,” he held her hand longer than needed, conveying his interest to her. He was pretty sure she blushed slightly. Finally releasing it, her wondered if he was imagining her quickened breath.

“Did you move in town?” he asked. She shook her head.

“No, from Boulder. My brothers moved my stuff the other night, I was staying in a hotel for the previous week. And I couldn’t have my girl here with me. It was awful,” She knelt down to rub Lulu’s ears and Caleb unintentionally got a nice view of her pale breasts. Lulu licked Cora on the chin. Smiling at her dog, Cora stood up. Caleb was impressed with her height. She had to be six feet tall, almost on eye level with him. Her braids fell over her shoulders, past her breasts and he wondered if it was as soft as the rest of her appeared to be.

“They work all day so they moved everything at night for me. I’ve been working nights so I couldn’t help them.”

“Well, I’m kind of out of commission for a while with this, but my brother would have helped,” he grinned. She smiled back. What a beautiful smile, he thought. She had taken care of her teeth well.

“What happened?” she spoke softly, with a happy smile.

“We’re firefighters,” he saw a flicker in her eyes, “I got pinned under a beam a few weeks ago and dislocated it.”

“That had to hurt. I’ve had a dislocated shoulder.”

“Yeah, but it’ll be ok soon. I’m on medical leave for another couple weeks or so,” he grinned. Smiling back, Cora prayed he couldn’t see how attracted she was to him. He was so good looking, broad, tanned chest, comfortable jeans that hugged strong hips and sneakers. Just the right amount of chest hair, without being too sparse or furry. His light brown hair was cut short, almost military style, and he had a beautiful oval face, full lips and incredible hazel eyes.

“So you spend your days on the porch feeding my dog?” there was no malice in her voice, just amusement. He chuckled.

“Yeah. She seemed lonely.”

“I’m sure she was,” Cora smiled at him, not knowing was else to say. Why the hell was she so shy around men! Her defenses were up automatically but she wanted them down. She wanted this man.

“What mix is she?” he asked.

“Labrador and Jack Russell. We thought she was Jack Russell when she was a baby, then she started growing and didn’t stop. She’s not as big as most labs. I call her my mini lab,” She flashed that charming smile and Caleb found himself smiling back.

“Listen, my brother and I were going to grill out tonight. Steak, corn, would you like to join us?” he asked. Her eyes widened through the pale blue lenses.

“I, uh,” her mind raced, “sure.”

“We do it a lot in the spring and summer. I promise not to feed Lulu any,” he smiled. Cora wanted to giggle. His smile was so enwrapping, so sweet. He had nice teeth. Nice body. Nice everything.

“That would be great. I need to finish my project here,” she motioned to the pole.

“What are you making?” he asked.

“A staff. This branch was in the yard so I set it aside to sand down. The other night I hacked off all the smaller branches and now I’m sanding it down.”

“That was the chopping I heard.”

“Probably. Did I wake you?”

“Nah,” he lied. “My room is right there. Sometimes my pain medication wears off and I wake up with my shoulder aching.”

“I have some herbs that helps pain pretty well, if you’d like to try it,” she offered. “It’s completely legal.”

He laughed, preferring to try her for pain relief than any herb. “I’ll be all right. I don’t have to take it very often.”

She smiled and both sensed the awkwardness approaching.

“I’m gonna go check on those steaks, see how they’re defrosting. How about six?” he asked. She nodded.

“That sounds great.”

“Cool. If you’re out here, you’ll see us setting up,” he grinned. She smiled back, watching him walk away. Definitely a nice backside, too.

Once inside he grabbed the phone and called Bowen. As per his ritual, he was at he grocery store on Saturday morning. Caleb briefed him on the mornings events.

“Pick up some stuff for a barbeque man. Steak, corn, potatoes, whatever.”

“I can’t believe you lied to this chick. That’s a great way to start off a relationship,” Bowen said sarcastically.

“Just do it, man. She’s totally hot.”

Bowen agreed and would be home soon.

***

Caleb was grateful to see Cora wasn’t outside when Bowen pulled up. Hurrying out to help his brother carry in the groceries, he didn’t want her to realize the cookout was planned ten seconds before he asked her.

Lulu ran along the fence, wagging her tail and wanting attention. Once everything was in the kitchen, Caleb went and opened the gate so she could run through to his yard.

“She’s pretty sweet,” Bowen commented as he knelt down to pet the dog who happily licked his face.

“She’s a great dog.”

“You’re awful. Using that dog to get the girl,” Bowen grinned. Caleb grinned back.

“Hey, I love that dog. Can I help it if she comes with a beautiful owner?”

Bowen rolled his eyes.

***

Caleb was actually out at five thirty, setting up the grill and lighting the charcoal. Lulu was inside with Cora apparently, she wasn’t out in the yard.

He heard the door open and Lulu’s tags tinkling as she ran through he gate to him. He turned and caught his breath. Her hair was unbraided and down, slightly damp from a recent wash and beginning to curl up. Held back by a headband, the rest fell over her shoulders and down her back, not too far from her waist, glowing under the setting sun. She had changed into a black tank top that was dressier than the blue one. Slightly looser, v neckline and cut lower, he found it sexier than the blue. Her skin was very fair and her faded blue jeans clung to her perfectly.

“Hi,” he forced himself to sound natural. As she stepped up to him he could smell her freshly washed body, very clean, watery, slightly crisp scent.

“Hi. Here, I brought these. I made them last night,” she held out a plate covered with foil. Caleb raised one eyebrow, and looked under it.

“Cookies? Are they chocolate chip?” he asked hopefully. Grinning, she nodded.

“You’re a goddess,” he winked at her, making her blush. She had her blue-lensed sunglasses on again, but he hoped she’d take them off so he could see her eyes better.

The porch door opened and Bowen came out with a lighter.

“I found it,” he paused when he saw the new neighbor. “Hello.”

“Hi,” she smiled softly. Caleb felt a second of panic. No, don’t let her like his brother! Bowen was the stable one, the one women always went for, the guy to take home to mom. Everyone described him as the ideal gentleman.

“I’m Bowen,” he approached and offered his hand. She took it with a smile. “You must be the vampire we’ve been wondering about.”

“Cora,” she smiled, “I‘m not a day person.”

Cora greeted the older brother pleasantly. He was nice looking, a few years older she guessed, but something was lacking in him that was present in Caleb. Caleb radiated something she couldn’t quite describe. But she liked it.

Bowen handed his brother the long nosed lighter, which Caleb used to promptly light the charcoal. Lulu sat in front of him and moaned. Smiling, he knelt down to rub her ears and receive a wet kiss. Covertly he watched his brother step closer to Cora to make small talk. Cora seemed pleased enough as they chatted and laughed.

“Help me out, Lulybell,” he whispered to the dog. “Tell your momma to pick me.”

Lulu suddenly pulled away from him and went to Cora. Sitting in front of her, Lulu woofed softly at Bowen. Cora looked down and frowned.

“What’s with you?” Lulu barked once. “Hush up, missy.”

“C’mere, Lu,” Caleb patted his thigh. Immediately the dog went to him and they all laughed.

“Well, it’s obvious she likes you,” Cora smiled at him, her eyes lingering on him. Caleb grinned back.

Bowen shook his head. There was no chance with this once. She had eyes for his kid brother. Good. Maybe she could tame him.

***

Throughout dinner, the boys found out she was an air force brat and had lived all over the world, spoke three languages and held a bachelor’s degree in environmental science. Her parents lived in Atlanta, Georgia, where her father was retired and her mother sang every week. Her brother was a lieutenant in the Air Force, stationed in Texas. The two brothers she referred to helping her move were her best friends. Her ‘sisters’ as she called them were her very best friends, both living in different parts of Florida, and one in Oklahoma City, where she had lived for a couple of years.

Currently she worked for the help line of a large restaurant company. The nationwide chain had two main help desks, one here in Denver and one in Orlando. The move from Boulder had been when she was promoted to manager of the Support Center. For two weeks she had been covering the night shift while that new night manager was moved up from somewhere in Texas. Now she had a week off to relax, then she would switch to days.

There was no mention of a boyfriend anywhere, to Caleb’s delight. She wore no ring on her ring finger to indicate she was with anyone. All she talked about was Lulu and her two brothers, Matt and Bill.

Cora was surprised to learn the boys had two younger sisters, Paige and Emily, who lived with their mother back in Aurora, Colorado. An older sister was in New York in the fashion industry. Bowen had moved further west when he was married, and Caleb followed, for lack of anything else to do and to keep his butt out of trouble. He had tried a year at UCO Denver, but school just wasn’t for him. Finally he decided to join Bowen on the firefighting squad, and loved it, having found his calling. He was also in his last year of inactive duty with the Army Reserve, Infantry, which Bowen accredited for shaping his brother up.

“He had every cop in town watching him, he was such a punk. Charmed his way out of every speeding ticket,” Bowen rolled his eyes. “Whatever he says, he was a little hoodlum.”

“I was not! Trouble just found me, that’s all,” Caleb winked at Cora who smiled back. “I never went looking for it.”

Their father had left when Caleb was seven, right after Emily was born. Bowen had been 10, and stepped into the father role. Caleb spent the next ten years trying to prove he too could be man of the family. Together they raised their young sisters more as daughters, screening boyfriends, taking them to the malls and dropping them off, going to soccer and baseball games.

Caleb had always loved animals, surprising people by his fondness for them. While he had once considered vet school, the thought of having to put animals down just tore him up. Instead he spent some of his free time as a volunteer at the ASPCA.

The sun went down and when the phone rang, Bowen went to answer it, leaving the two alone outside. Caleb had moved to his porch swing and invited her to join. After a slight hesitation she joined him and they swung quietly together. Lulu lay under them, snoozing peacefully. Caleb knew better than to put a move on her, she was tense and jumpy. Bowen had been pouring them wine before he was called inside to answer the phone and they sipped the zinfandel as they talked. Cora knew she was drinking too much, but she couldn’t help it. It relaxed her around the charismatic man next to her. The boys had offered her beer or wine and she opted for wine, not wanting to appear like one of the guys and she didn’t care much for beer anyway. The moon began to glow and fill the dark starry night sky with its pure light.

A breeze kicked up and she shivered slightly.

“You cold?” he asked.

“A little,” she admitted. Instantly he was on his feet and stepped inside. A moment later he returned with a heavy red and beige Aztec patterned afghan.

“Here,” he draped it around her.

“Thanks,” she giggled, surprised by how soft it was. She was on her third glass of wine and knew she should stop.

“Can’t let a lady freeze,” he smiled, though it was evident by her breasts she wasn’t wearing a bra. He had been trying not to stare down at them, fighting the urge to reach over and cup one while kissing her.

Cora noted when he sat back down on the swing that he sat closer, and she didn’t mind. He smelled good, Obsession, she thought. His arms were muscular, his body rock solid and displayed nicely by his jeans. He sat on her left, keeping his bad shoulder on the other side.

“Have you lived here long?” she asked.

“A few years. It’s Bowen’s house. He got it in his divorce. I moved in with him a few years go.”

“You ever been married?” she asked, turning her head to look at him as they rocked.

“Nope. Never found the right woman. You?” God, he wanted to kiss her. Her eyes had finally been revealed, a clear, beautiful blue, with just a hint of gray. Classic nose, heart shaped face, beautiful lips and damn he wanted her.

“Never found the right woman either,” she replied. Caleb blinked and realized she was smiling at him. He grinned, resisting the urge to touch her face and kiss her.

“I was married once, a long time ago,” she said softly. There was no pain in her eyes, just fact.

“What happened? If you don’t mind me asking,” her skin looked so smooth. The moonlight was bright but they were under the porch and it was the warm glow from the kitchen that outlined her face.

“Just too young. We went our separate ways and I moved on with my life,” she shrugged. Caleb knew there was more, but didn’t press.

“Is there anyone now?” he asked softly, knowing he was going to kiss her if she said no.

“Not for a long time,” she replied quietly, willing the man to kiss her. All night she had felt the tension growing, thick and sweet and heavy and intense and she wanted to know more.

“I’m glad you moved here,” he was staring into her eyes, which were half closed.

“Why’s that?” she smiled, revealing her beautiful teeth.

In answer he moved his head forward the inch needed and their lips touched, hesitantly, clumsily, and his hand touched her cheek, which was as silken as he had imagined. Sitting up to a better angle he intensified his kiss and she responded as their tongues touched lightly. Both felt the strange stirring in their chests, an odd warmth flooding through their hearts. Her hand rested on his thigh as they explored each other gently. His hand dropped to her neck as he massaged it lightly. If all of her skin was this soft, he would enjoy kissing every inch of it. She wasn’t so tense now, but heat was radiating off of her in waves as she kissed him back, matching his passion.

Finally she pulled back, but her cheeks were flushed, her eyes glowing and she was smiling.

“Welcome to Denver,” he whispered. She smiled again.

“Thank you,” she leaned against him and happily he put his arm around her shoulders, snuggling close to her. Then she moved to adjust the afghan and Caleb wrapped it around them both. They rocked slowly, comfortable in silence, his right arm holding her close. He kissed the side of her head lightly, smelling her clean hair. His lips wandered down onto her ear, where he realized she had several piercings. Her eyes were closed as he nuzzled under her ear, kissing her neck softly.

The mood was broken by Lulu’s heavy snoring. Cora chuckled.

“I’ve learned to sleep through that. She sleeps on my bed,” as soon as she said it, she pictured him in her bed. He didn’t answer, just chuckled and kissed her neck lightly. He was having the same image of them together in her bed and LuLu wasn’t there.

“You smell wonderful,” he remarked. She giggled.

“Thank you. So do you. Obsession?”

“Yep,” he smiled as he kissed the top of her head. They returned to rocking silently.

Caleb had lost track of time when she moved and rubbed her eyes lightly.

“I should go,” she said.

“Why?” he asked. There was the smile.

“The sun will be up soon. It’s bedtime for me,” her eyes said more but Caleb wouldn’t assume.

“Do you explode at dawn?” he teased her. Cora bit back her remark about wanting to explode in his arms. It was too soon. She couldn’t fall into bed with this man, no matter how much she wanted to or how much his kiss turned her on.

“Maybe. Feeding time is soon,” their lips were almost touching again.

“Bite me then,” he chuckled. She grinned and their lips met again, slowly, savoring each other as they kissed deeper. His hands began to explore as well, gently caressing her breast under the afghan and moving down to her side.

Without warning she broke away.

“I have to go,” she said abruptly.

“Did I do something-“

“No. No, I just need some sleep,” she stood up quickly, waking Lulu. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Thank you for dinner.”

“Sure,” he stammered, unsure of what had caused the hot to cold reaction.

“You-you’re welcome anytime over there,” she blurted out, before the shadows swallowed her up. Quickly she was gone. He saw her go inside her house, followed by Lulu, and the door was shut.

What on earth had happened? She had said it had been a long time. . .she was scared. But every thing had been fine until he touched her waist. Some women were sensitive about a few extra pounds, but Caleb thought she had a beautiful body. Insecure and scared. This would require patience.

***

The next morning he woke, tired. A restless night of disturbing dreams, most of them focusing around his new neighbor. Some had been highly erotic and enjoyable, there had been one where she tuned into a vampire and he had enjoyed that one. . .then they downgraded into torturous dreams of her disappearing, being taken from him, being hurt and he had woken in a panic.

Rubbing his head he stumbled into the kitchen in his boxers, where Bowen was scrambling eggs.

“I know she didn’t spend the night and you slept here so why do you look like hell?” his older brother asked.

“Bad dreams. Bad stuff, happening to her.”

Bowen studied his younger brother, who was worried. Caleb never worried about anything.

“You really like this chick. You only made out with her for a couple hours.” He said sarcastically. The previous night he had been about to rejoin them when he saw the intensity between the two and decided there was no point. They were lost in each other.

Caleb felt his cheeks get hot.

“It just happened. We were talking and-“

“It did not,” he laughed, “It was building up all night. I was watching. Every time she fixed those blue eyes on you, you practically got a hard on. She was never more than three feet away from you and smiling at you the whole time. Her dog adores you. I could have been invisible. She wants you man, as much as you want her.”

“I thought so but the she got a little jittery and split.”

“Can you blame her? She’s been here a week and is making out with her neighbor the first night she meets him?” Bowen pointed out.

Caleb grinned. “I guess that was kind of fast, huh.”

“Yeah. You went zero to sixty pretty quickly, little brother. Relax, take your time. If you two like each other as much as you seem too, let it build up. Make it worth the time and effort.” Bowen said. Caleb nodded.

“That’s good advice, bro.”

***

Cora stretched and smiled to herself as she slowly woke from a dream of Caleb making love to her. Her body was warm and flushed and tingly. Lulu lay next to her and raised her head sleepily.

As Cora lay smiling at the ceiling Lulu crawled up to her and started licking her face.

“Yeah, I know you’re hungry. I’m getting up,” she groaned. Lulu thumped her tail on the bed. Lulu followed her to the kitchen where Cora opened the door to let her out. Lulu leaped over something in the way and Cora looked down, surprised. A small bouquet of deep orange, almost brown roses lay on the ground, carefully placed.

Mindful of the fact she wore only a thin tank top and her panties, she picked them up quickly and stepped back inside, shutting the door. Finding a small card, she flipped it over to see a plain, easy to read handwriting that read. Thank you for a great night. Would like to see you tonight. –Caleb

Smiling, she inhaled the roses and giggled to herself. Somewhere there was a vase.

***

Caleb flexed his arm slowly. Everyday he had to do these stupid exercises to strengthen his arm and keep it from going slack. Plus he didn’t want to lose all the toning he had done on it.

While he could go without the sling, it was a little more painful. But it didn’t look too manly to be wearing it, especially when there was such a beautiful girl next door who looked like she needed to be held quite a bit.

“How’s it going?” Bowen asked, entering the living room.

“It’s going. Just stiff,” Caleb grunted, rotating it.

“You can always have Cora massage it,” Bowen smirked. Caleb grinned.

“I’ve thought about it.”

“She got your flowers.”

“She did?” Caleb brightened.

“Unless Lulu ate them, but there’s no sign of them being torn apart in the yard.”

“I hope she like them. I thought red might be too much since we’re just getting started.”

“Wise choice,” Bowen said dryly.

“There weren’t any pretty shades of pink and the yellow was too bright so I thought that brownish color was kind of nice.”

“Uh huh,” Bowen sat in the recliner and studied his younger brother. Since when had Caleb ever really noticed the color of flowers he gave a girl?

“I’m wondering if I should go over and see her. I don’t want to look pushy, but I can’t get her off my mind.”

“She said you’re welcome anytime,” Bowen pointed out.

“True,” Caleb mused. “I’ll go see her after I clean up. I cleaned the kitchen this morning. And the living room.”

“I noticed,” Bowen said dryly. “The vacuum woke me up.”

“Sorry. I didn’t sleep well. All I could think of was her.”

Bowen rolled his eyes.

***

Later that afternoon, around four, Caleb headed next door. Lulu was laying on her back porch, waiting for him. A few minutes of play and she escorted him to her house, trotting inside happily. The back door was wide open.

Never having been in the house, Caleb was pleasantly surprised to see it had polished hardwood floors and a high ceiling. The kitchen was tiled and small but cozy, a white refrigerator in one corner. Good counter space. No dishwasher. An older model gas range and oven. Through the doorway was the living room, a large room with a door to the immediate right that he knew was the garage. A large, dark oak entertainment center was against the north wall, set up with a TV, VCR and DVD player. Across the room, was a large window that was obscured outside by a large bush. Next to it was a desk, piled with boxes. There were cardboard boxes and big plastic tubs everywhere. Some labeled, some not. A pretty, comfortable looking, dark blue recliner sat near a small table with a laptop set up. A cell phone lay next to it. Matching couch was nearby as well a papasan with a dark blue cushion. Also present was a dark oak curio cabinet, empty. The roses sat in a tall glass on the table. The furniture had been placed at random.

As Lulu rounded a corner, he called out for Cora. At the same instant she appeared in the doorway, hair piled on her head, nothing but a dark blue towel wrapped around her.

Gasping in surprise, she stepped backwards and he put his hands up as if to ward off an attack.

“I-I’m sorry,” he blurted. “I didn’t realize-“

“No, no, it’s ok. Give me just a minute to get dressed, ok? Have a seat.”

He nodded, trying to ignore the long, pale legs and bared, elegant neck, wet tendrils of red hair clinging to her. She retreated into a room and shut it. He could see the bathroom from where he stood, steam still seeping out from it. There was a shower, hidden behind a dark blue curtain. Toilet, sink, a shelf with a few bottles of lotion or something he couldn’t quite distinguish. The bathroom had the same clean, watery scent he had noticed on her the night before. Must be a lotion or body wash, he thought. Next to the bathroom there was another door, standing open and he could see more of the plastic tubs in the room, waiting to be unpacked.

Returning to the recliner, Caleb made himself comfortable. Lulu immediately jumped into his lap and made herself comfortable.

“Did I invite you up here?” he asked, amused. “Your mom may not want you on the furniture.”

Lulu just wagged her tail and closed her eyes for a nap. Caleb knew he was stuck for a few minutes.

Emerging a few minutes later, her hair braided down her back, she wore faded jeans and an old, purple plaid shirt that was almost falling apart. The sleeves had been rolled up and not buttoned all the way, revealing some of that fair skinned throat. Caleb wondered if she had any idea how sexy she was at that moment.

“Hi,” she smiled. That seductive, watery scent was on her, he could smell it. It was almost like the ocean.

“Hi. Is it ok for her to be up here?”

“Try telling her not to do something,” was the dry answer. Lulu opened her eyes, wagged her tail but didn’t move. Cora sat on the papasan chair.

“Thank you for the flowers. They’re beautiful.”

“You’re welcome. I thought of you when I saw them. I like the house.”

“Thanks,” she blushed. “It’s a mess. I don’t know where any of my stuff is. It’ll take weeks to wade through all this stuff.”

“Hey, I’d be more than happy to help. I have plenty of time on my hands.”

She smiled at him.

“That would be nice, but it’s ok. I’ll unearth it all eventually.”

“I’d like to. I still have two weeks left on my leave and I go a little stir crazy watching TV all day,” he insisted.

“Ok,” she gave in with that dazzling smile. “Lulu really seems to have taken to you.”

Caleb realized he was stroking her soft head as she snored softly. “Yeah, she’s something. She was waiting for me this morning.”

“I’m glad she found someone to hang out with,” Cora laughed, trying to ignore the way his t-shirt hugged his muscled chest.

“How about her mom? Has she found someone to hang out with?” he asked, eyes twinkling. Cora laughed nervously and stood up.

“Would you like something to drink? I have some orange juice, I think.”

“No, I’m fine, thanks,” he smiled charmingly. “I was actually going to ask if you wanted to go get some dinner.”

“Oh,” she was dumbstruck. He wanted to take her out to dinner? “Um, sure. Should I change?”

“If you want, but I think you look fine. Just something causal. There’s a place nearby Bowen and I like. It’s real causal.”

“Ok. Let me find a shirt that I haven’t had for ten years, ok?”

“Sure,” he smiled at her. She returned shortly in a long sleeved, lightweight black button down blouse. It heightened her fair skin and red hair, though it hid her lovely curves.

“Lulu, off,” she said firmly. Lulu looked up, yawned and slowly got down from his lap. Standing, he was pleased to realize height again. He liked his women tall. Tall, soft and curvy. She was ideal.

“I’ll drive,” he offered. “Bowen and I switched cars until my shoulder is healed. I can’t drive stick with one hand.”

“I can drive,” she offered. He shook his head.

“Nah, it’s good.” A lady drive. Ha!

She followed him through the backyard to his, then through another gate to the driveway on the side of the house. Lulu sat at the fence and woofed at them. Caleb moved quickly to get in front of Cora and open the driver’s side to his brother’s Camry. His black Blazer was parked in front of it. No woman ever opened a door or paid a bill when with him.

As they backed out of the driveway he made small talk and as they drove, he pointed out various neighbors and amused her with stories about various landmarks.

Caleb took her a tiny place she would have normally overlooked, a small, clean café that didn’t serve a whole bunch of fancy coffees, but standard food. The older waitress behind the counter waved at Caleb as they walked in.

“It’s not very fancy, but the food is hard to beat.”

“It’s nice. It’s not loud and filled with dressed up kids looking to get laid,” she remarked. He laughed.

“No, this place has been here forever.”

Their food arrived and Caleb noticed she didn’t eat much, mostly she played with her food.

“Do you not like it?” he asked. She smiled.

“No, it’s good. I’m just not as hungry as I thought I was,” she looked uncomfortable.

“Well either eat it or kill it, but stop playing with it,” his smile and the twinkle in his eye took any kind of sting out of his words. She smiled back.

“I just get nervous eating in front of other people.”

“Why?” he asked. She shrugged.

“Always have.”

“You don’t have to be anything with me but yourself,” he smiled at her. She smiled shyly, looking down.

“Thanks,” she said softly.

“You’re not accustomed to people being nice to you, are you?” he asked. She looked up, surprised.

“Not men.”

He raised one eyebrow.

“They either want to sleep with me or prove their manhood in other ways,” she said flatly, sipping her water. Caleb digested that for a few minutes. Was she alluding to assault of some form?

“Most men are pigs, I’ll admit it. Even I’ve been guilty of being a pig.”

She smiled.

“Seriously. I’ve been accused of it a few times and it was justified. Not on a regular basis, though,” he added hastily. Her face was hard to read as she sipped her hot tea. Lovely hands, he noted. Her nails weren’t too long but they were well kept, no nail biting here. They shimmered in the light from an iridescent polish.

“You don’t strike me as the pig type,” she took a bite of the mashed potatoes that had come with her cheeseburger.

“I can be,” he nodded. “I’m not proud of it but in my youth. . .you know. A few dinners, conversation, and we think we’re entitled to a little play. Not romantic or anything to be proud of, but boys will be boys,” he was uncomfortable with this topic. He didn’t want to seem like a pig, he wanted to be a hero for her.

“How long have you been a firefighter?” she asked. Much better subject, he thought with relief.

“Four years. I got into it after Bowen. College wasn’t for me. Did a year at the university, but I couldn’t figure out what I wanted to do. Bowen enjoyed it and I like helping people, so I joined up.”

“So you enjoy your work?” she asked. He nodded.

“It’s a really good feeling to know I help save lives,” he said quietly. “Between that and the Guard, I feel like I’m doing something good.”

“Even though your life is at risk? The beam that pinned you could have killed you and you’re always at risk for smoke inhalation.”

“Someone has to,” he shrugged. “I can’t outrun Fate. If she decides it’s my time to go, who am I to question her?” he smiled. She smiled back. He couldn’t read her eyes, but he could tell she was thinking. The food, now cold and forgotten sat in front of her as she sipped her tea. He had eaten his burger and fries.

“How old are you?” she finally asked.

“Twenty-eight. Just turned this past February. Valentine’s Day, actually.”

“Best present your mom ever got?” she asked with a smile.

“So she claims,” he grinned. She smiled back. What a beautiful smile. Lovely lips that he wanted to kiss again and again, remembering the previous night.

“What was it like learning all those languages?” he asked. She shrugged.

“It was normal to me. We lived in Germany for a few years so I became fluent there. We lived in Spain for a year so I learned Spanish. I learned a little bit of Russian and Japanese but not enough to qualify as a really knowing it. We moved around the states so much I never really made a lot of friends. Spent a few months in the Philippines at one point. When Dad retired in Atlanta, I was already in college in California. I have pretty much all of my stuff here, so I don’t go there often.”

“Don’t you miss your folks?”

“Yeah, some, but I like being far away. Keeps them out of too much of my life. I like my privacy and independence.”

“I can respect that. I know a lot of girls that are real clingy, real needy,” he watched for her reaction. It was almost a cringe.

“Not me. I like to have a man around sometimes, but I can pretty much do whatever I need for myself,” she sipped her tea as he raised one eyebrow. She continued, “Leaky pipes, mowing the lawn, anything that requires drilling or assembling, I can do all that. Fix my car, I can do it. I don’t like being dependent on other people. And really, there’s nothing a man can do for me that I can’t do for myself,” Caleb almost choked on his soda. “Other than get pregnant.”

“Wow,” he said admiringly. There was one thing that he was pretty sure he could do for better than she could do for herself, and he would be only too happy to oblige.

“My ex wasn’t good for much around the house and I’ve always been self-sufficient, so eventually I learned how to do everything myself. If I can’t figure it out, there’s someone on the internet that usually can. Or I call my brothers.”

Caleb sipped his soda. This girl was really something. He smiled at her, easily picturing her in his daily life. Not to mention his night life.

***

The sun was going down as they returned to their houses. Walking slowly, Cora wasn’t surprised when they ended up on his porch swing again, Lulu happily snoring below them.

Sitting close together, Caleb kept his arm around her shoulder and she leaned into him. His fingers toyed with her soft hair, wrapping it around his fingers. Caleb remained silent, not wanting to disrupt the mood by saying something stupid.

So comfortable in his arms, Cora closed her eyes and let herself drift off. In his embrace she knew she was safe. He would protect her. For all her speaking on her independence, and she wouldn’t admit it out loud, she did want a partner, a companion. Someone strong who could be there when she needed him, that she could trust. She wanted to trust Caleb. With those hazel eyes and that adorable smile it was so hard to resist him. And last night his kiss swept her away out of her body. When their eyes met, her heart had tugged. And when he kissed her, it sang. Now, his comforting, muscled arms were wrapped around her.

But the doubts lingered. He was too good to be true. A guy like this didn’t really exist. He was a charmer, a playboy that pursued women until he got what he wanted, then he’d gently let her down and move on. She knew the type and she couldn’t risk falling for him, though secretly she knew she was. How could she not?

Caleb rested his cheek against the top her head, his right hand still playing with her hair. There was a lot of emotion bottled up in this girl, he could feel it. Fear, confusion, memory, lust.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked softly, breaking the silence.

“Nothing in particular,” she answered. Caleb could have rolled his eyes. Woman speak for “us”. He had an older sister, too, one who had versed him well in the language of women and how to read between the lines.

“Look at me,” he half whispered, not wanting to sound commanding. With an amused smile she did so and he stared into her crystal blue eyes. They were beautiful. A touch of gray, outline in a darker blue, thick black lashes.

Without realizing it he was kissing her again, gently pressing his lips down on hers. She didn’t protest and kissed him back as his fingers touched her face. Hesitantly her hand touched his and Caleb knew he was in love with this woman. Their kiss deepened, intensified until finally she pulled away, her eyes stunned and glazed. Caleb kissed her again, once, gently.

“I think I’m addicted to you,” he whispered. A slow, seductive smile formed on those luscious lips.

“Addictions are dangerous,” she whispered back. It was his turn to smile as their lips touched again.

“But they’re so good,” he murmured as he kissed her again, slipping his arm around her and pulling her closer.

Bowen was in the kitchen getting a beer when he looked out and saw them on the patio. Rolling his eyes she headed back to the living room. His brother was a goner for this chick. It was in the way he spoke about her, the way his face lit up.

He needed a good woman. One had crushed his heart years before and since then, he hadn’t wanted anyone seriously. He’d date frequently, but always found something wrong with them. Stars in his eyes was something new, but they were there for this girl.

Caleb knew he was losing control. He wanted this girl, and desperately.

Slowly she pulled away, their eyes locking.

“This is too fast,” she whispered, fear radiating from her.

“Then we’ll slow down,” he said quietly. She nodded and snuggled against him. Caleb was grateful it was dark now, his body was betraying him as he wrapped his arms around her. They sat there for a while when she turned to him and asked him if he wanted to watch a movie.

“Sure. You cold?” he asked. She nodded. “Let’s get you inside, then.”

They decided on her house, since Bowen was home. Lulu escorted them eagerly, staying close to Caleb’s side.

“What kind of movies do you like?” she asked. He shrugged.

“Not that picky. Something with some action. Romance.”

She turned and looked at him funnily, but he was serious.

“Would you like me to move your furniture so it’s a bit more practical?”

“Sure. I haven’t gotten around to it.”

While she looked over her movies he slid the couch so it was in front of the TV and moved the recliner to the side slightly. Neither was heavy so he was able to do it with one arm.

“You laugh at this and I’ll hurt your arm more,” she said jokingly. He raised one eyebrow.

“It’s called Tuck Everlasting. I read the book when I was a kid.”

“So did I. Is this the new movie version?”

“Yep.”

“I didn’t get to see it.”

“Well, now you can,” she smiled at him. “Do you want something to drink?”

“No, I’m good,” he sat on the couch. She sat close to him, then got up, left the room, and returned with a soft, pale blue blanket. Rejoining him on the couch, she threw the blanket over them and snuggled close to him. After a moment of fiddling with the remote, she got the DVD player to work and settled into his embrace.

Caleb was enjoying the movie but having trouble concentrating. One hand rested on her hip, it was soft and he was imagining the skin under the jeans. The other hand was over her shoulder, sitting very close to her breast, the other of which was against his chest. Her long legs were draped over his lap and her head lay on his chest. He could mark her breathing, could inhale her scent and it was making him crazy. How could one woman affect him like this?

Cora wasn’t really watching the movie, though it was one of her favorites. His chest was rock solid, muscled but not so much that it was unpleasant to lean against. Through his shirt she could inhale his cologne. Obsession had always been a favorite and when paired with the sexy man she was cuddled up with, it had her in an early turned on stage. Her internal battle was making her crazy. She wanted to sleep with him, she wanted that body. It was too soon, she knew. She wasn’t a slut who slept around with every guy she came across. It had been over a year since she had been with a man and his kisses were feeding her desire. Over a year since she had felt a man’s desire for her that matched her own and was consuming her. They were watching a romantic movie, which was only feeding their fire.

At one point she sneaked a look at him, raising her head slightly, only to discover he was looking at her. She smiled at him, wanting to laugh. His hand moved from her hip to her face and he traced her jaw, her eye, her nose, her lips, finally keeping his finger on her lips until he lowered his head and kissed her. Wrapping her hand around his neck, she pulled him into the embrace deeper, wanting him, tasting him. His intensity matched hers as their tongues teased each other and he gently laid her back on the couch. His lips moved down her chin, kissing her neck, slowly making their way lower as he began to unbutton her blouse. When his hand cupped her breast she tensed and abruptly pushed him back.

“What? What’s wrong?” he demanded.

“I- Just-“ she stammered. He took her hand and kissed it.

“Baby, you gotta talk to me. I don’t know what’s going on with you. Last night you pulled away when I touched your waist. What it is?”

She shook her head. “Nothing. It’s stupid.”

Caleb didn’t buy that. “When you pull back that way something is wrong. Is it your body? Because baby, you’re perfect. You’re just how I like a woman to be.”

She looked away. That was definitely it. He touched her face and made her look at him.

“I don’t want some scrawny little girl that might break if I hold her too hard. I want you. A full grown, perfectly developed woman. Don’t be ashamed of your body, baby; it’s exactly what I want. You have no clue how sexy you are.”

She was dumbfounded and he kissed her gently. “You’re soft-“ he kissed her again, “and sexy-“ he kissed her under chin, “And beautiful-“ on her neck, she was beginning to relax, “and I want you so badly I’m going crazy.”

“You don’t think I’m fat?” she asked softly. It hurt to hear the pain in her voice.

“No, baby, you’re perfect. Just like a woman should be,” he stared into her blue eyes. “Don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise. You’re perfect,” he began kissing her again, hungrily and she warmed up again, her hands sliding under his shirt to pull it off of him. Caleb continued unbuttoning her blouse again, slowly, kissing her breasts, her stomach. She tensed slightly, but he whispered in her ear again how beautiful she was and she relaxed again. Her royal blue bra was satin and front closure, which he bit gently, releasing it. She giggled, amused by him. Gently, he removed it, kissing her breasts tenderly and gently, his hands teasing them.

Cora floated on clouds of euphoria, her body being teased and touched. She wanted him. Right here on the couch. She needed him, needed his body to merge with hers. He was kissing every inch of her large breasts, his fingers teasing the nipple of her other one.

As he kissed his way down her stomach he realized she had her bellybutton pierced too and his tongue teased it slightly, making her giggle. Teasingly he made his way back up, licking her lightly in a trail back up to her neck, her chin, finally her mouth where they kissed aggressively.

“Caleb,” she whispered his name, in that soft, sweet voice of hers and excited him further.

“Yes, my darling,” he ran his tongue over her bottom lip.

“Take me to my room,” she murmured.

Caleb cursed himself as he whispered, “No,”

It sunk in to Cora and dazed, she repeated, “No?”

His kisses moved from her shoulder up her neck.

“No, my beautiful girl. You’re not ready.”

She giggled. “Oh yes I am.”

He stared into her eyes.

“No, you’re not. You’re vulnerable right now. You just moved here, and you’re lonely. I won’t take advantage of you. When I make love to you you’ll be mine, completely. Emotionally, spiritually, every possible level, and we’ll be bonded forever on.”

“Since when do men think like that?” she whispered, staring up into his eyes. Dear God, don’t let him be lying. Maybe her body really had turned him off, changed his mind. She wasn’t sexy, she was fat, stomach too jiggly, her thighs too flabby.

“Since I plan to marry you someday,” the words came without thought and they both were shocked into silence. Caleb knew he was speaking the truth. This was the girl for him. This was his One.

“You-what?”

“I’m falling in love with you, Cora. I knew it last night. And I won’t ruin this by taking you to bed too soon,” he smoothed her hair back from her face, it was clinging to her from perspiration.

“You don’t know me; how can you fall in love with me?” she asked.

“You had me from hello,” he kissed her lightly. “Don’t be scared. I know you’ve been married before. I’m not talking about getting married tomorrow. But I will marry you.”

“You’re crazy,” she giggled. “Or drunk.”

“Drunk from you,” he kissed her again. “You’re perfect for me, Cora. In every way.”

“Caleb, I have never been this turned on before. You have this weird effect on me and it’s cruel to take me this far and not finish it,” she mock pouted.

“I’m so sorry, my beautiful girl,” he kissed her. “But I can’t. Not right now.”

“Tease,” she stuck out of her tongue which he quickly caught gently between his teeth and kissed her again and again as their passion rose. Her moan of pleasure stopped him.

“I should leave before I change my mind,” he whispered. He felt her move her legs and then they were locked around him.

“So I’ll make you stay,” she smirked. He laughed.

“You have no idea how much I want you right now.”

“Then show me,” her finger tips ran over his chest, her nails teasing his nipples.

“Not tonight,” he groaned as she began to kiss his neck, licking at him. His resolve was melting rapidly as she licked his nipple lightly.

“You sure?” she purred, pulling him closer so their bare torsos touched. Her lips tickling his ear was almost too much. Gently she nipped his earlobe and he groaned as she began to kiss her way down his neck to his shoulder.

His answer was unintelligible as she ran her nails down his side.

“Cora, stop,” he whispered.

“If you make me wait until our wedding night I’ll explode before then,” she purred in his ear, licking it gently.

“Are you agreeing to marry me?” he demanded. She laughed.

“No.”

“I’m leaving before I tear the rest of your clothes off,” he struggled to get up, but she had him entangled, the blanket wrapped around them and his shoulder was hurting too much to put his weight on it.

“Tear them off and then tear into me,” she giggled. He shook his head.

“You’ll thank me in the morning.”

“I’m tired of waking up alone,” she said seriously, staring in to his eyes.

“You won’t always, I promise,” he kissed her again and rose from the couch. She refastened her bra and quickly buttoned her shirt as he located his and pulled it on.

Standing in front of him, he took her in his arms and kissed her softly.

“Stay the night,” she said. “We don’t have to be intimate.”

“You think I could lay next to you and not want you? I’m not made of rock.”

“Parts of you seem to be,” she giggled as he turned red.

“You’re being naughty,” he kept his arms securely around her waist.

“Want to see how naughty I can get?” she teased, sliding her hands under his shirt again.

“Not tonight,” he said firmly. Staring him in the eye her hands dropped to his waist and undid his belt, immediately turning him on.

“I’m leaving,” he said hoarsely.

“You sure?” she kissed him as she undid his pants. His resolve was rapidly dying as her fingers slipped under the waistband of his boxers.

“Yes, I’m sure,” he said through gritted teeth and pulling away.

Throwing her arms up she stepped back, pretending to pout.

“Oh don’t you dare pout like that,” he laughed, rezipping his jeans. She scowled and he drew her close again. “Act like a little girl and I might spank you.”

“Maybe I like to be spanked,” she smirked. “How about you?”

Without an answer he kissed her chastely on the forehead, turned and left. Cora smiled to herself.

What was that crap about marrying her someday? She wondered. Heading into her bedroom she stripped down to her shirt and panties, shrugging off her bra. Her body was still warm from his touch.

Climbing into her bed she snuggled down in the sheets, wishing he was there with her.

Caleb exhaled as he left, willing his body to calm down. He was half tempted to go back and finish what they had started. But no, he had spoken the truth. He was going to marry her, which meant she deserved more than sex after knowing him for two days.

Heading inside, Caleb went for the shower to cool down.

***

Cora tossed and turned all night. She was grateful they had given her a week to get her house settled, she slept late Monday morning, woken finally by Lulu’s insistence. The weather was so nice she left the back door open all night, but Lulu was hungry.

Her body remembered his touch, his rough hands caressing her, learning her body.

After feeding Lulu she hopped back into bed, burying under the covers. What she wouldn’t give to have him here now, kissing her body, claiming it as his.

“I’m going crazy,” she mumbled into her pillow. Lulu, with a full tummy now, returned to the room and hopped up next to her, stretching out. “I need to get laid. By him.”

Lulu thumped her tail against the bed. “He sure is hot isn’t he?” she asked her dog. Lulu yawned.

“Well, you can’t have him. Ok. I better shower,” she groaned, getting out of bed again.

After her shower and straightening her sheets she decided to attack all the boxes and tubs and start unpacking. She had just gotten into her clothes when she heard Caleb calling her. Lulu leapt off the bed and raced out the door to him.

Trying to straighten her hair up, she went to meet him.

“Hi,” she smiled as he walked in the back door, Lulu jumping around and around his feet.

“Good morning,” he kissed her cheek. “I didn’t know if you’d be up.”

“Yeah, I figured I better start unpacking. And Lulu insisted on me feeding her.”

“Well then, my timing is good to help,” he smiled and her heart jumped. He followed her into the bedroom, surprised by the femininity of the room.

The walls were pale blue, he could still smell the fresh paint, a king-sized bed stood in an elegant four poster bed against the wall, with a white, eyelet canopy. A matching bedspread covered the bed, dark blue pillow cases at the top. The curtains were dark blue with the same white eyelet lace draped over them. So virginal in appearance, and such a turn on. Today the windows were open, the curtains back. A smaller entertainment center with a TV and VCR was against the wall at the foot of the bed.

Cora caught his eyes lingering on the bed and hoped he was thinking the same thing she was. He was huskier than she usually was attracted too. All of her previous lovers, the few that there were, had been tall and slender or just plain thin. But this man, this man had a beautiful, solid body, muscled and well taken care of. He carried power with him, sensuality, seductiveness.

Caleb studied the bed. It looked like it would be perfect to lay her down on and spend the night making love. Trying to keep his thoughts off the physical, he turned to her. Her snug jeans outlined her hips nicely, and she wore her old plaid shirt, her long hair braided into two braids, the way she had worn it the day that met. Hard to believe that was only two days before.

His eyes followed her every move.

“I can’t quite remember what’s in which tub and they all got shifted around. I think the purple tubs are clothing, the blue are linens and towels. The green are collectible figurines. I think. I don’t really remember,” she smiled sheepishly.

“Well, I’ll just dig in,” he said cheerfully, opening the nearest tub. To his secret delight, he was staring down at a collection of colored satins. Picking up a peach colored item of lace, he realized immediately it was lingerie, a short chemise made only of lace, spaghetti straps. Instantly he pictured it on her and he was removing it as he kissed his way across her body.

“This is a good color for you,” he said lightly. She turned around to see and her face went red, almost the color of her hair.

“Oh. Yeah,” she managed. He replaced it, letting his hands linger on it as she swallowed nervously. He set the tub aside. Quickly she turned back around to the tub she was going through, digging out jeans.

Caleb smiled to himself. He couldn’t wait to see her in it and he knew he would eventually. In the tub also were other colors, lace, satin, and he was pretty sure he saw a pair of garters.

“This one is sweaters. You probably won’t be needing them for a while. Spring is cool here, but you won’t need the real heavy ones.”

“Ok. Just shove them in that corner and I’ll put them in the other room eventually,” she stood and leaned backwards, stretching her back.

“You all right?” he asked. She nodded.

“Yeah, I have some trouble with my lower back and neck. Too much stress and old injuries.”

“I’m excellent at massage if you ever need one,” he smiled impishly and she threw him a grin. Caleb stepped up behind her, placing his hands on her lower back and began to rub. He heard her intake of breath and gently worked his hands up her back to her shoulders and neck. She was leaning back against him, and he slipped his arms around her waist, kissing the side of her neck.

“Better?”

“Yes,” she murmured.

“I’ll give you the full version later,” his voice resonated in her ear, hardening her nipples. Damn, she wanted him.

“You better,” she said with a sparkle in his eye and Caleb had to force his thoughts to more pure ones. The white lace eyelet décor was so delicate, so seductive. It wouldn’t take much to move her to it and lay her down. Finally she moved from his embrace.

They forced small talk when what Caleb really wanted to do was kiss her, lay her back on that bed and lose himself in her.

Cora chatted about any stupid thing that came to mind, so she wouldn’t think about that broad chest, strong arms, and muscled legs.

They went on that way for a couple hours, the air becoming heavy with their desire. Cora unpacked her jewelry box, her perfumes, combs, pins. As she set things out she was having trouble breathing. Now he was sitting on the bed, watching her and they talked about Lulu, who laid on the floor, snoozing.

As she moved near him to set a candle on the table next to her bed, Caleb was possessed by an urge to break the tension. Moving swiftly, he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her onto the bed. Laughing, she let him pretend to pin her down. Lulu had sat up and was watching intently.

“Whatcha gonna do now?” he asked with a smirk. In answer she slipped her hand behind his neck and pulled him into a deep kiss that sparked and grew. His hands began to roam her body and undid the button her jeans, gently pulling them open as he began to caress her.

Cora had just pulled his shirt from being tucked in and his hands were roaming further down when a shrill beeping interrupted them.

“Damn,” he swore. The mood broken, he reached to his side and looked at his beeper.

“Phone’s right there,” she said softly.

“I’m sorry, baby,” he kissed her again and sat up, reaching for the phone. Quickly she redid her jeans and straightened her shirt, trying to smooth her hair down. She saw his tattoo, which she had overlooked the night before. An American flag on his left shoulder. Without thinking she ran her hand over it.

“It’s me,” was all he said. “No. No. All right.”

Hanging up, he turned to her, distressed.

“Bowen needs me for something. I’m sorry about-“

“It’s ok,” she smiled sweetly and moved to kiss him. Catching her by the waist, he crushed her against him.

Cora lay back on her bed after he left, chest pounding. God, she wanted him. It was taking every ounce she had to not just push him onto the bed and have her way. It wasn’t just physical. When he was around she felt solid, secure. As if she was . . .complete. Safe. Even her ex-husband had never made her this hot and he had been the center of her world.

Stomach rumbling, she headed into the kitchen, finding some chips and salsa. Pouring a glass of milk, she settled on the recliner to eat, channel flipping for a bit. Landing on one of the country stations, she was pleased to see Emerson Drive, one of her favorite bands playing. “Fall Into Me” was playing as she finished her dinner. Watching the water-themed video, Cora wondered if Caleb was a good swimmer. Probably, with that body. Thinking about his body made her warm immediately. Placing her dishes in the sink, she glanced out the window at the house next door. Lulu was sitting on the porch, waiting for him.

When Cora realized she was falling asleep in the recliner, she turned the TV off and headed to her room, removing her jeans and crawling into bed. He hadn’t come back. He hadn’t said he would either, in all fairness. She was just hoping he would.

***

When the sun woke her the next morning, she was displeased to realize she had left the curtain pulled back, allowing the light into the room. As she moved to close it, she saw the dark peach rose lying next to her. Caleb was nowhere around but she knew it was from him. Picking it up she inhaled its scent happily. Of course Lulu would have let him in. Smiling, she closed the curtain and went back to sleep, dreaming of his passionate embrace.

Caleb woke up and groaned. His body had obviously been thinking of the girl next door. Willing his body to relax, he knew he’d need another cold shower. How could he want one woman so badly? He’d had more than a few in his day, women were always smiling at him and giving him the eye. This one, it was like an addiction that he couldn’t get enough of her. His thoughts were infected by her bright smile, his hands burned to roam those curves, kiss that flesh, touch the long, silky hair.

Getting up he listened to make sure he could get to the shower without Bowen seeing him.

As usual, Lulu was waiting at the back door for him. Caleb wasn’t sure which girl he loved more. The sweet puppy with the big brown eyes or her mistress with the lush curves and red hair. Yeah, he knew.

Stretching, he peeked out the window, wondering if she had woken up yet. Last night her back door had been open, for Lulu he figured. By the time he got back to the house, her lights were off. It was easy to slip inside. Sound asleep on her stomach, red hair tousled, he kissed her cheek lightly and left the rose on the pillow that he hoped he’d soon be sleeping on. She was a heavy sleeper and never stirred. How tempting it had been to shed his clothes, slip in next to her and wake her by kissing her thigh or suckling her nipple.

Sitting on the swing, he noted the crepe myrtle next to her house was blooming pink. The midday sun shone brightly and he missed her. Just to be near her. Her laugh warmed him the whole way through, when she did laugh.

He saw movement in the kitchen, but it wasn’t Lulu. She was awake. There she was, he could make her out. She was leaving the kitchen.

Heading over he rubbed Lulu’s head and let her lick his hand before she raced back to her house, and stood on the porch, waiting for him. The back door was open as usual.

“Cora?” he called, not wanting to startle her.

“In the bedroom,” she called. A flash vision of her lying naked on the bed popped into his head and he grinned. That would be something.

She came around the corner as he did and they nearly collided. Caleb caught her easily and pulled her into his kiss. She gave in happily as Lulu sat at their feet and moaned at them. Caleb could taste the sugar on her lips as she pressed her body against his, wrapping her arms round his neck. Gently he eased her against the wall, tasting her as her fingers ran through his hair.

Caleb could feel his resolve slipping away quickly as his hand moved under her shirt. Without warning there was the sound of the front door opening and male laughter. Caleb pulled away quickly and Cora shoved him into her room, straightening her shirt.

“Hi, guys,” she half squeaked. Caleb straightened his own shirt and tried to smooth his hair down.

“You all right?” a male tenor voice asked.

“Yeah. I want you guys to meet Caleb,” she turned to him and motioned him out. Caleb caught the amused glance the two men exchanged.

“Caleb, this is Matt and Bill, my brothers,” her skin was flushed pink and Caleb could see they were trying hard not to laugh.

Matt was taller than Caleb, thin, with dark brown hair and a wide smile. Glasses, a loose shirt and baggy jeans, his voice was slightly nasal from a cold. Bill was shorter, a couple inches shorter than Cora, with lighter brown hair, solid build, dressed similarly to Matt, without the glasses. His eyes studied Caleb intently and Caleb knew this would be the brother that could prove dangerous to him.

“Hi,” he shook hands with the pair.

“We were in the neighborhood so we thought we’d drop by,” Bill said casually, checking the guy out. He seemed ok. Didn’t have anything creepy around him.

Caleb knew immediately Bill was the brains behind the pair. Matt didn’t seem to be an idiot, but he could tell right off Matt was the funnier of the two, the comic.

Lulu jumped against Bill and he knelt to play with her.

“I’m just trying to unpack. Everything is everywhere, like I said on the phone. I can’t find anything. I managed to find some of the kitchen stuff and I have the clothes in the suitcase. Everything else is kind of like a scavenger hunt.”

Bill studied Caleb. He knew they had interrupted something physical and would get Matt out of there gracefully. Matt didn’t always know when it was time to leave, but it was obvious these two had something going on. He also made a mental note to call first next time. It was so rare for her to have someone over they hadn’t thought about it. And being the guy next door, there wasn’t a car in the driveway.

Matt was going on about a movie but Cora wasn’t really listening, too distracted by the man standing behind her shyly.

“Why don’t you call us if you want to go,” Bill said with a slight nod. Cora nodded and smiled gratefully at him. Bill understood.

The pair departed a moment later as Bill got Matt to be quiet. Cora finally turned to Caleb, smiling sheepishly.

“Sorry. Matt’s kind of oblivious sometimes.”

“It’s ok,” he pulled her close to him. “They seem like nice guys.”

“They are,” he murmured as their lips met. He kissed her slowly, teasing her as their bodies pressed together.

“I’m supposed to be unpacking,” she murmured.

“So you’re taking a break,” he began to kiss her neck, right under her jaw.

“I never got started,” she giggled. He kissed her lips once more and released her.

“So let’s get started, so we can take a break,” his eyes were full of passion and Cora wanted to just grab him and throw him on the bed. He couldn’t hold out on her forever.

They made their way into the bedroom, hands entwined and Cora was reluctant to let his hand go to open a box.

“Books. That has to get moved to the living room.”

“This one is books too,” Caleb peeked through a few to see what she liked to read. Lots of sci-fi. Contemporary fiction. Erotica. He smiled to himself as he realized there were at least four erotica books. No, she was not as innocent as she looked.

Cora was studying the tub he was looking at with mild alarm as he looked through. Oh please don’t let that be the tub with her erotic and sex books! From the amused look on his face, it was.

“Ok, all books I’ll just throw in the other room,” she said abruptly. He nodded as she stepped over and grabbed the tub, carrying it into the other room. Sitting on the edge of her bed, he realized they had opened most of the tubs in there. Her closet was full of clothing and one drawer from the chest of drawers was open slightly and he thought he caught a glimpse of the peach lace. Caleb definitely didn’t want to leave this room. The bed was so comfortable and he was so ready for her. Grinning to himself he laid back on the bed, his thoughts wandering to her and what he wanted to do with her on it.

Cora stood in the doorway, watching him daydream. His body was beginning to betray him, she noticed, and with a wicked smile, approached him. Eyes closed and he was smiling to himself. Lulu appeared in the doorway and Cora motioned to her. She sat next him as Lulu got up on the bed and promptly began licking his cheek. Caleb sat up quickly, pushing Lulu back but laughing.

“That was mean,” he said with a smile as he wiped his cheek.

“But funny,” she smirked.

“I’ll show you funny,” he caught her by the hands and pulled her down onto him. Lulu leapt off the bed and they rolled over until she was under him as he kissed her urgently. Then he tickled her.

“No, no Caleb!” she cried out laughing as he tickled her sides. Laughing wickedly he held her wrists down.

“You didn’t think that was funny?” he demanded, his eyes twinkling. She giggled. With a quick move she locked her legs around him and rolled him over so she was straddling him and had him pinned.

“That was.”

“You didn’t realize my whole plan was to get you on top?” he grinned as she turned red and he pulled her down to kiss him.

“Naughty boy,” she breathed.

“Just you wait,” he whispered back, his hands pulling off her tank top. Again she wasn’t wearing a bra and he bent his head to kiss her breasts. She relaxed immediately as he rolled her over again, pinning her underneath him. Caleb couldn’t keep these sessions going much more without taking her completely. He couldn’t stop himself; she was too addictable. Too beautiful, too soft, too desirable. And his resolve to wait to make love to her was rapidly flying out the window.

Music began to play, startling them both and breaking their passion.

“What the hell is that?” he asked.

“My cell phone,” she moved out from under him and reached for it. “What. . .no. . .no. . .I’m on vacation. Use my access code. Nine four one six.”

She hung up and ran her hand through her hair.

“Work,” she sighed, laying back on the bed. He lay next to her, leaning on one arm to look at her, his hand caressing her shoulder, her breast, her stomach, back to her breast.

“Are these interruptions a sign?” he asked, kissing her lightly. She half smiled.

“Maybe,” she slid her hand around his neck to pull in him into a kiss. “Or maybe a build up.”

“Build up is a good way to describe it,” he smiled.

“Let’s go see a movie. I think the new Xmen movie came out this week,” he said suddenly. She smiled.

“Think we can keep our hands to ourselves?” she laughed. He wiggled his eyebrows.

“I just might be a mutant with a third hand for ya,” he kissed her neck as she burst out laughing and he realized what he had said. She kissed him back and he felt the passion rising again.

“Cora,” he groaned. She pushed him back.

“I know,” she whispered, her fingertips hesitantly touching his lips. He kissed them.

“You’re irresistible,” he murmured. She laughed.

“You’re doing pretty well at resisting me,” she smiled. He shook his head.

“No, no I’m not. C’mon,” he pulled her to her feet.

***

While they were enjoying the movie, both found it hard to follow at points, because they were too aware of each other. The seat armrests pushed back so they were cuddled together, as close as could be, his fingers playing with her hair, her hand on his side. It would have turned into another make out session, but there were too many other people in the theater with them.

Afterwards they went for a walk in the park near their houses, holding hands and strolling along as the sun began to dip in the western sky. They would talk a bit, lapse into silence and just walked, enjoying each other’s company. Finally he took her home. Tonight he didn’t come inside, he knew he couldn’t resist her. If they kissed again he’d have to make love to her and he really did want to wait.

Cora was smiling to herself as he left her at the door. He wanted her as much as he wanted him. Hopefully he wouldn’t insist on waiting too much more. Cora needed to feel that body against hers, in hers. She needed to merge with him, join their bodies.

Hearing her phone ring, she answered to find it was Matt. She agreed to meet him and Bill at the Gypsy, a Goth wannabe coffeehouse that served excellent hot chocolate and had chess boards set up to play.

“So have you gotten him into bed yet?” Matt asked with a laugh. Bill rolled his eyes.

“No. We’re pretty close. A couple more days.”

“You need to get laid. You’re too uptight. It’ll relax you,” Matt grinned. Matt was always smiling, he found humor in everything of life, a talent that Cora admired greatly. She took life too seriously sometimes, definitely took work too seriously. Matt was always out to party, to have fun, to enjoy. Bill was similar, but quieter, and handled responsibility much better than Matt.

“Yeah, well, I want this one. He’s so hot. His body is just awesome,” she sipped her hot chocolate as she studied the chess board.

“He’s into you. I could tell by the way he was standing near you. I think he’s ok,” Bill said, moving his queen.

“I hope so. That last one was a loser,” she moved her knight.

“That’s what you get for meeting them on the internet,” Matt laughed. Cora stuck her tongue out at him.

“Better than a strip club,” she retorted. Bill smiled as he moved his bishop and captured one of Cora’s pawns.

“There’s nothing wrong with dating a stripper,” Matt protested. Bill just shook his head.

“Yeah, you get to fondle the same thing as all the other men in town,” Cora smiled sweetly as she captured Bill’s queen, to his shock and dismay.

“Very nice,” Bill murmured, studying the board.

“What about that pilot? He was a loser if I ever saw one,” Matt took a sip of his coffee.

“Yeah, well, how about the church girl?”

“She was good in bed,” Matt replied.

“So was the pilot,” Cora replied dryly.

“You said he wasn’t the best,” Matt pointed out.

“He wasn’t. He was still good though. Got the job done,” she shrugged, frowning as Bill swiped a knight, lining up her queen for a steal. “Unlike you, I’m not out screwing everything that walks by.”

“I don’t screw everything,” Matt replied, feigning hurt. “Just the hot ones.”

Cora rolled her eyes.