Lovers And Barbells

Amanda McIntyre

Lovers & Barbells By Amanda McIntyre

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Lovers & Barbells

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, places, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Lovers and Barbells Copyright (c) 2004 by Pamela Johnson Cover art and design (c) 2004 by D.L. Taylor All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form without permission, except as provided by the U.S. Copyright Law. For information, you can find us on the web at, www.VenusPress.com Printed and bound in the United States of America.

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Chapter One

Jeff cupped his hand to his eyes as he peered through the darkened glass of the tiny storefront window. Frowning, he glanced at his watch. She's never late. He squinted through the early morning sun to check the steady stream of business people on their way to work, the streets beginning to fill with the noise and bustle of the day. Just like every morning at seven-thirty in downtown Chicago. Jeff was happily accustomed to the routine of coming by at the same time each business day, to make the coffee and have one cup, no more, with his good friend. Nina Anthony was one of the more stable things in Jeff's life. In most circumstances, she was the more predictable one of the two. Where was she, then? Nina's melodious laughter tinkled through the light of dawn and his gaze was drawn to the sound. He was surprised to see her leaving the building next door, her delicate hand placed in the crook of the most muscle-bound man Jeff had ever seen—at close range. His brows knit as the strange man threw back his head in unbridled laughter, causing Nina to respond with more laughter of her own. Jeff's brows furrowed as he glanced at his watch for a second time. Feeling more spy than best friend, Jeff eased quietly into the tiny stoop of the bookstore. He squinted through the angled glass, realizing he could hear the man speaking with delight to his friend. “You come by anytime, Nina" He had a slight European tone. Jeff raised his brows in mock replay of how he pronounced Nina's name. He narrowed his gaze in suspicion. Since when did she become friends with Mr. Atlas? Nina and Jeff became friends in their final years in college when they both worked student jobs on the school newspaper. She was the studious dark haired, greeneyed, book review/events columnist and he, the tireless reporter in search of the big story. 4

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Oddly, he was still the reporter in search of the big story, and Nina was now the proud owner of her own tiny corner bookstore. Their friendship had blossomed out of mutual respect for one another's work, but never in the years of dating and broken relationships that followed did they ever consider dating each other. No. They preferred watching out for each other, watering plants, picking up mail, feeding various pets, especially his fish, an amazing specimen of aquatic longevity if there ever was one., Content with the arrangement, they drifted in and out of one another's lives when neither one was dating. It was sweet and comfortable and totally reliable. They knew each other's likes and dislikes. And this hunk of muscle was not Nina's particular type in men. Still they'd made a pact long ago, not interfere in each other's romantic lives. So, why should it make his stomach knot to see her with this guy? He waited until Mr. Atlas disappeared back into the building. Pretending he'd just arrived, Jeff leaned against the window as Nina approached the front door. "Who's your friend?" "Oh, Jeff! You scared the liver out of me. What are you doing here so early?" She fumbled with the store keys, finding the one for the gate. Early? I'm right on time. It's you who's late and presumably because of Mr. Beefcake next door. Jeff scanned her face as she unlocked the gate, looking for signs of a night of ravishing. "Is he an old friend?" God, he sounded like a jealous lover. Hey, she'd thrown his morning completely off-kilter. He figured he had a right to know. Jeff arched his brow, casting another glance at his watch. He turned a questioning gaze to hers of emerald green. Had her eyes always been such a spectacular color? "He's the new owner of the gym next door." Standing aside, Jeff waited for her to open the front door. Nina shrugged her shoulders as she brushed past him. "Well, you're late opening." He tapped the face of his watch as he waited for an explanation. When none came, he followed her into the dark main room. Jeff noted a bright spring in her walk that made the skirt of her dress swing happily with each step. He tipped his head in mild curiosity as they split like precision gear work — she to turn on the lights, and he to make the coffee. So mesmerized was he with watching her backside that he realized, with a tinge of unease, that she hadn't yet offered any explanation for her tardiness. "So, what's its name?" he called, raising his voice so she could hear him through the store. He could be stubborn as she when he wanted information. By god, he was a star reporter after all. 5

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"Body Repair by Hank." She responded in an equally loud voice. "I meant—" he cranked up the volume of his voice, adding a tone of sarcasm as he watched the fresh-brewed liquid trickle into the pot, "the guy." Jeff glanced up in time to catch her dubious expression. "His name is—" "Let me guess-uh, Hank?" He gave her a wry smile. “Bateman." Nina finished as she reached for the same two cups they used each morning. "Of course." He took the cup from her hands, the same as he always did, but this time she didn't let go. "Why do you care? Are you jealous?" Her sparkling pine green eyes challenged him with obvious humor. He gently yanked the cup from her hand. "Give me a break. I remember our agreement." Jeff hesitated at the sound of his seventh grade response. He focused instead on pouring her coffee. "He just doesn't seem...your type, is all." He purposely avoided looking at her, hesitating as he glanced up handing her the cup of steaming coffee. She smiled, taking the cup, giving no further explanation. Not that he needed one. Jeff’s brow furrowed as she held his gaze. The look in her eyes made him squirm inside. Maybe it was time to change the topic. "So, the new list of bestsellers coming in today?" He sauntered to the front counter, his gaze roaming over the display of hardback books. Occasionally, he'd glance up at Nina. She sipped her coffee, regarding him with an odd look in her eye as he perused the books. Whoever this burly stranger was that she flirted openly in public with, had certainly managed to change her entire persona in the matter of a single morning. If indeed, that little display was their first encounter. Though he was dying to know the answer to that and many other questions, the reality was that to do so would likely cause him to delve into issues much deeper than he was prepared to at this time. Jeff’s memory skirted the incident involving one of Nina's more devastating break-ups. It was then that a bottle of wine, a pizza, and misguided compassion caused a disaster that was narrowly averted when friendship crossed the line. They both blamed it on the alcohol and never spoke of it again. 6

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But this sudden, rather eclectic taste in men had him puzzled. He thought he knew her tastes pretty well. She'd always gone for Ivy-League looks. Those Abercrombie-Fitch types. Athletic, studious, guys who looked like they played rugby, and were on rowing teams. Guys that were more—well, like him. The thought brought him up short akin to the sudden thwack of a baseball bat to his brain. He blinked from his reverie and slammed into her steady gaze. "Nina? You in there?" Jeff leaned down, intent on holding his gaze to hers, but it slipped an inch lower and Jeff swallowed hard at the sight of the deep "V" in the front of her silky summer shift. Nina was had always been well endowed, nothing spectacular, nothing he'd ever really notice. Well, not in any way that allowed further exploration. Just that once had his hand ever come in contact with her firm supple breast beneath her clothing. Dammit. He shoved the image from his memory. Though he'd had too much to drink, as had she, he was only trying to console her. But things got out of hand, or rather into his hands and the sensation was now burned forever into his memory. He straightened in a rush, raking his hand through his hair, reminding himself to schedule a haircut, to pick up fish food, and whatever hell else he could think of to obliterate her cleavage from his mind. Nina blinked as though absorbed in her own private thoughts. Clearly she was not plugged into his presence. "The bestseller list?" he repeated with a cocked brow, half-wondering if she'd been lost in fantasies of her burly new business neighbor. Her expression turned to a frown, as if he'd disturbed her thoughts. "Um, yes, they should be here by noon." She returned to the process of counting out her startup cash. The silence that followed was heavy with unasked and unanswered questions. "Well." He sighed. "I better get going." Adjusting his striped tie and smoothing out his blue chambray dress shirt, he glanced at Nina one last time. She was deeply involved with counting money…or whatever. Her detached behavior piqued his curiosity about Mr. Atlas. Jeff paused as he tried to think of a way to bring the subject up again without sounding blatantly nosy. "You didn't happen to mention why you were late." He approached the subject carefully. Her smoldering gaze framed with dark lashes stared back at him in silent challenge. He shifted uncomfortably, crossing his arms protectively over his chest, realizing that his physique didn't hold a candle to that of 'Mr. Brawny' next door. Still, they'd never kept any secrets from each other before. Why now? "And I asked if you were jealous?" 7

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The air in the store closed around him, strangling his windpipe. Jeff coughed to jumpstart his breathing. Damn, wasn't she aware that guys like him would crush her like a delicate flower? Sure, they'd be attentive, at first, until they got what they wanted. The image of Mr. Atlas in Nina's embrace, his hips pumping between her legs exploded like dynamite in his brain. My god, where was his bright thinking, rational, Nina? "No answer?" Her emerald eyes glinted. The delicate flower had turned to poison ivy. What was this? He was asking a perfectly normal question and she was making him out to sound like a spurned teenager. "I am not jealous." His reply was sullen and he knew it. Damn it, she was making him feel like he had no rights to be concerned over her well-being. In frustration, he stuffed his hands into the pockets of his khaki dress pants and cleared his throat. "Then you have nothing to be concerned about." Nina smiled, tipping her head in a gesture clearly meant to end the discussion. She returned to counting her money He was not as easily dismissed. "It's just...well, if you don't want to talk about the guy that's fine by me. We've always been pretty open with each other—I thought." Jeff stared at the floor as he spoke. When he chose to look up, the expression on her face held something he couldn't readily identify. But it sparked impulses in places he'd never had—at least in a sober state of mind. "Look, I'm sorry, Nina." He grabbed his jacket and marveled at how his lip ticked when he tried to form an easy grin. "It's none of my business, really. But, hey, I'm here, like always if you need to talk." He turned toward the door, and paused with his hand on the handle. "You want to get a drink after work tonight?" His tone implied guilt that she might have other plans, that didn’t include their normal social activities. When there was no quick answer he glanced over his shoulder, dread filling his stomach. "Well, I…" Her face closed down momentarily as her teeth gently worried her lower lip. "Okay, sure." He gripped the doorknob in his hand tight, its worn metal slipping through his palm, a lot like his nerves. A drink at Scully's, a friendly neighborhood bar, had been a long-standing tradition on Friday nights, after a long week at work. It was a ritual, a given, and another constant in his well ordered, comfortable life Consistency began to wobble under the weight of Jeff's suspicions about Nina's new friend next door. "Hey, but if you've got other plans--" He held up his hand attempting to dismiss the whole idea. "No, I'll meet you at six o'clock…here, like always?" 8

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Sadly, her voice and her smile were less than enthusiastic. He stared at her, his brain calculating the entire bizarre morning. "You're sure?" Because he sure as hell wasn't. Nina nodded, her gaze locked to his. He slapped the edge of the door with the palm of his hand. "Okay, see you later" Halfway through the door, he heard her call. "Jeff?" He paused looking across the book-laden bins. "I'm not keeping anything from you that you don't already know." He nodded, the knot in his stomach twitching painfully. That's reasoning was precisely what bothered him. *** It continued to needle Jeff all day. Nina with the Hulk, it just didn't add up. Maybe the guy was trying to get on her good side for his own gain. Or a quick and convenient lay. Jeff tapped his pen in a short drum cadence on the stack of papers in front of him, not liking where his imagination was taking him. And you do not have enough to keep you busy. Staring at his computer screen, he tossed the pen across his desk and began to type his article, despite the sound of Hank's low-timbered voice saying Nina's name over and over again in his brain. An hour later, he leaned back and clicked the save button, finished with his piece for the Sunday Edition. He tapped his fingers to the distant music on someone's radio and let his mind wander back to Nina and this Hank character. Why did it bother him? What was it that he didn't like about this guy? Was it his seemingly instant familiarity toward Nina? Maybe he was reading too much into it. Maybe she was talking to him about a joint business venture? Yeah, that would explain why she had her hand grasped tight to his massive bicep. Jeff emitted a heavy sigh, letting his breath motor through his lips in frustration. He was making way too much of this. Most likely, it was just a friendly one-time meeting. That made more sense than imagining Nina actually going for this guy. He sat upright, appeased of his conclusion. Of course, that had to be it. It was nothing more than just a friendly "welcome-to-the-neighborhood" kind of thing. Yeah, that was all. So, why didn't Nina just come out and say that? And why did it look as though they'd spent more time together than just having met this morning? Suspicious thoughts ran 9

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rapid in Jeff's head, bumping simultaneously into the sandpaper grate of the guys ultrawhite smile. More frustrated than before, he frowned as he slumped back into his chair. There was only one way to know for sure about this guy, and that was to find out the dirt on him firsthand. The only way to do that was to meet Hank on his own turf. Jeff's resolve strengthened the longer he let the idea steep in his mind. In the long run, Nina would be grateful for his help. After all, how many times had she warned him of certain carnivorous female types? Granted, seven out of ten times she'd been right in her assessment. Perhaps her judgment was just as clouded at present. Maybe she couldn't see beyond the charm and muscle. But he could. Jeff smiled as the inkling of an idea formed in his mind. It would take maybe a week at most, maybe less, to determine Hank's motive, if his hunch was correct. He could tell her he was going on assignment. When he gathered all there was to know about the real Hank Bateman, he'd present it to Nina firsthand. Wouldn't she be grateful that he'd saved her from yet another horrid relationship? Jeff's mind whirled like a blender as he worked out his game plan. Naturally, Nina couldn’t know about his plans. She might not appreciate his help at the moment. She'd looked pretty starry-eyed this morning and that alone gave Jeff the incentive he needed to get busy. After all, this was her first real relationship in over a year and a half. He stayed out of her business with the last guy, though he could have easily told her that the player's claims to owning rare Egyptian artifacts were a bogus excuse to get her to pay for his upcoming archeological dig to the Mideast. He told her he'd pay her back when he sold the artifacts to the museum. By the time she realized she'd been swindled, the guy was long gone. That was a whole weekend of backrubs, pizza, and pouting. But they stayed clear of anything with grapes. In some ways, he'd enjoyed being there when she needed him, but it was all he could do to refrain from saying, "I told you so." Nope, he was going to have to do this quietly and preferably without Nina's knowledge. And pretty damn soon too, by the way that beefcake was eyeing her. By the time Jeff convinced his editor he needed some time off and he'd cleaned up the small projects left on his desk, his head throbbed with what to tell Nina. Fabricating an array of outlines on a six-inch high stack of post-it notes became somewhat of an albatross around his neck. He searched though bits of yellow paper making sure every 10

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detail of his plan was covered. In the end, he hoped that Nina would appreciate his efforts. *** "Do you have beer at your place?" Jeff asked as he leaned his elbow on the bookstore counter. Nina could see the worn look on Jeff's face. He'd obviously had a hard day. "You don't feel up to Scully's?" She asked, flipping off the store lights. "My head is splitting. Do you have any aspirin?" He placed the tips of his fingers over his brow and squeezed his eyes tight. "Sure. Listen, would you like me to get a cab?" Nina pulled the large Iron Gate across the stoop. "Yeah, let's. I'll take care of it." "What did you do today?" Nina gave him a dubious look as she propped her stocking feet to the table, leaning her head back against the couch. Jeff loosened his tie and pulled it over his head. He quickly shrugged out of his jacket and reached for the cold brew and aspirin she'd laid on the coffee table. He popped the tablets into his mouth and rolled his neck. If she didn’t know better, she’d think he was avoiding her question. "Just trying to catch up. I had a lot to accomplish before next week." Nina looked at him, her brows raised in question. He hadn't mentioned anything of real importance happening next week. "What's going on next week?" She placed her bottle on the floor beside her and glanced up watching him pace to the window and back, twice before answering. He didn't often seem so preoccupied—only when he had problems in his love life, but to her knowledge that wasn't an issue. Nina stuffed that thought back into her insecurity cabinet. There was something about these intimate moments at home with him that warmed her inside. The sheer simplicity and comfort they experienced when neither one was engaged in a relationship. But too often of late, she wondered if there would ever be a chance for them to develop more than a "just friends" bond. The solemn expression on his face caused her to hone in on his response. Instead, he walked over, stretched out on the couch, and placed his head in her lap emitting a bone-weary sigh. "Can you do that massaging thing you do with my temples? I think that would help." 11

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His blue gaze, the color of a summer's day, lifted to hers, the anguish plainly discernable on his face. Moving with weariness, he pulled off his glasses and lay quietly, in total submission to her. Visions of tugging him to her bedroom for a full body massage danced in her mind. She touched her fingertips to his skin, aware of the power she possessed in calming his emotions. Was it right that she should relish in her ability to do that? It was a delicious, selfish joy and it caused desire, slow and burning, to flow into her system. "You mean like this?" She kept her voice soft, her heart beginning to palpitate with thoughts of leaning down to kiss his brow. How would he react? Would he pull her close, attack her lips with a fierce pent-up hunger? Would he satisfy a passion that had gone too long denied? A low moan emitted from his throat. "Nina?" Her name, filtered out with a soft sigh, ignited her overactive imagination and she allowed the sound to slither a delicious heat through her blood. Her nipples hardened, tingling with lustful thoughts of his palms caressing them, worshipping her body with his sensuous kisses. She imagined him methodically undressing her, making the anticipation excruciating and erotic. His eyes would be the perfect smoky blue, smoldering with desire. She shifted, aware of the damp feeling beginning to pool between her legs, wishing she had some viable reason to relieve herself from her clothes. "Did I ask you to check my apartment next week? Ice cubes tumbled over her libido. "What?" He lay there in her lap, eyes closed. Perfectly content. Perfectly uninterested. "I have to go away. They're sending me on assignment." Her fingers pressed firm into the flesh at his temples, frustration quickly replacing desire. "Where are they sending you?" She reigned in her wayward emotions, valiantly trying to concentrate on the fact that Jeff might not ever see her, as she wanted him to. Nina let her gaze roam over his face and hair. Her fingers itched to run through his sandy tresses, to peel off those rigid glasses he wore and stare into his baby blues heated with desire. Nina took a deep breath and turned her face heavenward, maybe asking for strength, maybe imagining Jeff's tongue running along the sensitive base of her neck. The pressure of her fingers performed the slow, concentric massage against his temples. Her erotic musings keeping pace with her body, she pressed deeper, more thorough—yes…yes…she closed her eyes— 12

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"I'm not at liberty to say. Ow! Nina, what the hell kind of massage is that?" He grabbed her hands and stared up at her as if she'd gone loony. And quite possibly, he was right. Maybe she had. "I'm really sorry." She felt awkward and all together conspicuous of her risqué thoughts. Jeff replaced his glasses and sat up, giving her a strange look. "Nina, are you alright?" His blue eyes softened as he searched her face. Her first impulse was to tear the shirt from his body and throw him to the couch, taking him in a flurry of wanton lust, letting her feelings for him scream out as she rode him like a wild stallion. His questioning gaze made her rethink that option. Nina was held by his blue gaze, perplexed as it was. She'd almost crossed the line this time. Her emotions getting the best of her, while Jeff only got a temple massage. That was so not fair. Perhaps she could offer to go with him? Just the same, the look on his face wasn't exactly begging her to come—in any sense of the word. Good lord, maybe he'd asked someone else already? The visual of him with some well-traveled, perky, blonde co-reporter caused her to distance her unsteady emotions. It was, after all, what both of them always did when the other became involved with someone else. It made things less complicated. Rarely did the long-term variety of relationships understand the close connection they had with each other. She should have sensed it this morning when he was more perturbed than usual. It was generally his way of letting her know that there was a new person in his life. Nina stood quickly and began gathering the bottles, avoiding the inquisitive look on his face. "Well, I guess I better—" Jeff stood, and part of her expected him to offer to get carryout and rent a movie, just like every other Friday night when neither had a date. He reached down and picked up his jacket, stuffing his tie into the pocket. Nina glanced at him as she dropped the empties in the recycling bin. "Have a good weekend, Nina." Jeff edged around the coffee table. "Wait, I'll walk you to the door." She wiped her hands on a kitchen towel and scurried after him. He was almost to the front door, already shrugging into his jacket. "I'll check your place after work on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Where was it you said you'd be?" 13

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He turned toward her, his gaze penetrating her reserve. For a split second, she thought she saw a flicker of desire in his gaze. "Thanks, Nina." He hesitated. "But I'm not at liberty to say." He leaned down to give her a chaste kiss on the cheek. "See you next weekend." His gaze searched hers, hesitancy lingered between them. "See ya. Have fun." She shut the door softly after he left and slumped against it. Frustrated and shaking inside from his innocent kiss, she wondered how she was going to explain her feelings to Jeff without destroying their friendship. Brushing a strand of hair from her face, she pushed herself from the wall. Operation makeover was about to commence. She had one week to begin her program to make him see her as more than just a friend. She changed into her jeans and sweatshirt, flipped through the mail, and nibbled on a wedge of lettuce. Finally, she took her destiny into her hands, picked up the phone and dialed— "Body by Hank." The voice on the other end of the phone was soft, strong, and more than a little sexy. She paused a moment, wondering if this was such a great idea. "Hank? It's Nina." "Ah, Nina. You have such a beautiful name." He sighed dramatically. Nina's eyes searched her kitchen wall hoping to find a quip remark. She was, unfortunately, fresh out of quip. "Uh...thanks Hank." She held her palm to her forehead. This is for Jeff, she reminded herself. "What can I do for you, my little desert flower?" She swore his voice edged on breathy. "Remember our discussion this morning? I wondered if we could get started on it right away, say—say, uh—" "One moment, please" His voice halted her erratic thoughts. "I have an urgent call, my love. This call waiting is both a blessing and a curse. Promise, I won't be long." Silence fell on the line before Nina could say she'd call back. She flopped onto her couch hoping she wouldn't loose her nerve in the meantime.

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Chapter Two

"Body Repair, Hank Bateman speaking.” Jeff swallowed, the guy sounded even bigger over the phone. Still, his desire to protect Nina from this muscle-clad hulk pushed him forward. "Yes. I'm interested in a personal trainer to set me up with a workout program, do you offer personal training?" "It depends." The Hulk's voice dropped an octave. Surprised, Jeff held out the receiver and stared at it in astonishment. He replaced it to his ear, feeling more awkward as each moment ticked away. "Are you puny? Are you looking to lose weight? Build muscle tone? Get the girls?" Jeff blinked, unprepared for the list of options—none of them stated; keep me from hurting your best friend. "Well, I'm in pretty good shape." Yeah, that was intimidating. "I was looking for a workout that might improve my cardiovascular health—you know—build up my stamina." "That sounds like a very wise decision, Mr.…?" Jeff's mind went blank. He couldn't use his own name. "Peter—Peter Northwoods," Jeff blurted nervously, as he stared at a new package of toilet paper still lying on the cabinet. He grimaced at his inability for a more creative name. Still it was better than Skippy. He held his breath in the silence that followed. "Yes, Peter." His voice was more emphatic this time. "Northwoods—with, or without a hyphen?" Jeff frowned. "Uh, no. One word." "Fine, would you be able to come in for a preliminary profile? Let's say…" Jeff had to admit something in this guy's manner was smooth. "How about tomorrow?" He'd fervently hoped Hank would prefer Monday. It would give him time to talk himself out of this cockamamie scheme. 15

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"Sure tomorrow works." "Wonderful, say ten-ish? We'll visit about your goals, your needs." "Great." Jeff replied flatly. Needs? I need you to stay away from my friend. "You know our location?" "Yeah, got it." "Fine, Mr. Northwoods, I'll see you tomorrow." And the line went dead. Jeff stared at the receiver wondering if he'd gone completely over the edge on this one. The shrill buzz in the phone blasted him from his reverie and he dropped the phone in its cradle. Sure, he'd pulled some strange stunts in order to get a story. But those times also included a dandy paycheck in payment for his creative efforts. It was going to cost him to get this story and out of his own pocket. He hoped Nina would be appreciative of all the trouble he was going to on her behalf. He smiled, rather liking the thought of her being grateful to him. He leaned back on the couch; hands clasped behind his head, his mind entertaining the many ways she could show her gratitude. Jeff took another swallow of the ale he'd been nursing. He stared at the chattering images on his TV screen, his thoughts floating to Nina and whatever seemed to be her problem lately. He sighed, hoping that it had nothing to do with her burly new business neighbor. *** "Nina, my dear...forgive me. Are you still there?" Hank's voice was thick and candy-coated as one could get without getting sticky. "Yes Hank. Is everything all right? Do you need to go because I can just call back—?” "Nina." His voice was deep, seductive—this side of suggestive. She lost her train of thought as a chill danced up her spine. "Yes?" She was frustrated at the sound of weakness in her voice. "Are we procrastinating?" There was a subtle mocking undertone in his words. "Of course I'm not, I—" "Tomorrow morning, we do your profile. Nine o'clock, sharp. Come see me Nina, we'll get that man of yours to stare plenty." Nina held in a gasp, nearly ending the entire scheme at that moment. "Nina?" Maybe he'll think the line has gone dead and she could back out of this idiocy before she got into real trouble. 16

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"I was kidding. Tomorrow, nine...okay?" His voice had switched back to what, she guessed, was normal for Hank. "Thanks Hank. I'll be there." She replaced the receiver. Nina stared at the darkening Chicago skyline, wondering if this was going to work. She made her mind up that even if it didn't, she would at least be in better health. Still, to add to the game plan, it might not hurt to indulge in some exterior items. Perhaps she would pick up some stylish new clothes, or one of those new, sexy push-up bras. She looked down at her bust line trying to imagine what one would do for her. She felt the heat rush to her face at what it might do for Jeff. Suddenly, tomorrow couldn't come fast enough. *** "You're five-six and one-half, one hundred-fifty lbs., bust—thirty-eight." Hank glanced at her and Nina knew she was blushing. She pressed her palms to her cheeks. "I do this for a living, Nina. It's like car parts to me, I don't see it personally." His smile, though wide, was mischievous and his shrug was no more comforting than his words. Nina gave him a fake grin and nodded. It's worth it if it works. Hank continued unfazed. "Waist." Nina cringed inwardly. "Thirty." He filled in the blank on the form. "Hips—thirty-eight." He frowned and lifted his gaze to Nina's. "Not bad measurements at all." His smile was warm and she felt her worries melting like butter inside. Maybe this wouldn't be so difficult a task after all. "We'll get you started on a program that should have you seeing results in a week or two." Nina's heart clapped with sheer delight. Already she envisioned Jeff salivating at the new and improved Nina Anthony. Her smile at Hank and her first check was all she needed to begin down the road to her goal. "We'll start this evening and then you requested the seven a.m. slot, is that right?" Eager to begin, and even more inspired to purchase a lacey push-up bra, Nina nodded. "My little Nina, you will be a work of art when you leave my hands." He kissed her fingers softly and smiled. The heat returned to her face as his threealarm smile traveled to the soles of her feet. "See you at six." 17

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She barely heard his words as she rushed out of his office. She was a woman on a mission and her next stop was Valerie's Intimate Apparel on Market Street. *** Jeff wandered the hallway of the gym, restless and unsure of this plan of his. What if there was nothing wrong with this guy? What if all his concerns were unfounded? He was staring at the bulletin board posts, when he heard the rapid click of heels on the tile floor. Nina rounded the corner and mercifully, her gaze was focused on her feet. He slid into the shadows of an adjoining hallway, flattening himself against the wall, praying for invisibility. But he couldn't help but note as she passed by, the faint tinge of pink to her face. Was she flushed? Had that guy made Nina flush? Her expression was like that of a delighted child at Christmas. Jeff wanted to rush out and grab her by the shoulders and—he blinked, unsure of what he wanted to do exactly. Still, he hadn't seen that look since the guy with the limo service told her he drove Tom Clancy around. Never mind that it was that particular Tom, with a penitent for young women, turned out to be the corporate head of an investment firm. Jeff peered around the corner, realizing she must have just come from Hank's office. The thought did not settle well in his mind. He waited for the sound of her footsteps to fade. With renewed determination, his head down, his stride held purpose all the way to Hank Bateman's office. "Ah, Mr. Northwoods. Welcome." Jeff frowned momentarily in his vision quest as the reality of his charade hit him full force. Standing toe-to-toe with the bronze and burly Jolly Green Giant was more than a little intimidating. "Thanks." He forced his voice to sound more certain than he felt. Jeff stuck out his hand awkwardly and Hank grasped it with a gentle strength. He sensed a subtle challenge in Hank's grip, but dismissed it as an overactive imagination. Jeff took a deep breath. "Please have a seat." Hank gestured toward the chair placed in front of the desk. Jeff eased into the chair, brushing his hand through his hair as he tugged his glasses off. With careful focus, he set to the menial task of cleaning them. He glanced up, squinting at the large man through his slightly blurred vision. He replaced his glasses, reminding himself that things might actually appear larger with these lenses. Hank sat back watching him warily. "I see that Simone has done your measurements Mr. Northwoods." 18

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"Yes." His gaze flitted around the room taking in the large quantity of gleaming trophy's lining the shelves. "She mentioned that you had another client?" With any luck he could get him to talk about Nina. Just a little information and he could maybe have enough to slip quietly out the door. "Yes—" Hank's voice trailed off as he flipped through the file, giving small sounds of approval from his throat. Jeff quietly tapped the edge of the chair with his fingers—waiting. "Well Mr. Northwoods, your measurements seem to be in excellent order." Hank paused, lifting his steady gaze to Jeff. "You certainly don't need to do this. Peter, what is it you want from me?" Jeff felt like he'd been body-slammed against the wall. Something in Hank's steady gaze made him squirm in his seat. Before he could answer, Hank continued. "What I mean is that, it would appear you're a man who prides himself in how he looks." Jeff shrugged, that much was true. "Sure." Hanks gaze narrowed. "You obviously take great pride in caring for your body." Jeff nodded a little more hesitant this time. He felt as though Hank's gaze was a laser burning a hole into his conscience. He tried to look dumb, scratching his head in confusion. Not a far stretch to accomplish at present. "Well, Peter Northwoods, I think we can add some dimension to those pecs and definition to those biceps. We'll tone up those abs of yours and then you'll be beating them off with a stick...as they say." Hank grinned as he rounded the desk and placed his hip on its edge. With a friendly grin that made Jeff wary of his intent, Hank perched on the edge of the desk and stared down at him. His large, wide hands tapped a rhythm against his leg. "Can you come by tonight. How about eight? We can get started then." Hank reached behind him and picked up a folder, and returned his questioning gaze to Jeff. Jeff swallowed hard and nodded. Something in Hank's gaze had him wondering about the intelligence of what he was about to embark on. He stood edging himself between the chair and Hanks' legs as he moved toward the door. "We'll see you tonight, Peter." Hank said. Jeff grasped the door handle. He turned back and gave Hank a weak smile. *** "Nina? It's Jeff." He frowned at the muffled sounds coming over the receiver. "Just called to see how you were doing." "Wait...just…a minute." Her voice was strained as she spoke. 19

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Jeff's frown deepened. More guttural sounds emitted over the phone and his overactive imagination, already in high "protect my best friend" mode, went on def-con four alert. "Is this a bad time?" he asked, his throat having suddenly gone completely dry. He'd succumbed once—maybe twice, to calling those late night television numbers, purely to see what they were like, of course. Unfortunately, the sounds those women made were not far removed from the sounds he was hearing coming from Nina. His forehead broke out in a cold sweat. "No. I'm just trying on some new clothes I bought today." The erotic bubble rolling about in his head popped with the sharp realization that she hadn’t asked him to go along. Jeff sat up, marginally irritated that she'd made Saturday plans without him. "You went shopping today and didn't call?" "Yeah, because I know how much you love to go shopping." Her teasing wasn't helping to dislodge the image of her in a dressing room with no clothes on. "Besides, aren't you busy packing for your secret assignment?" As he opened his mouth to answer, he heard the phone thud to the bed. "Hang on." Nina's voice came from a distance. "What are you doing?" He raised his voice so she could hear him. Chewing his lip, his curiosity piqued, wanting to know what else she was trying on. More soft guttural sounds intermittent with exasperated sighs only fueled his already high-octane imagination. "These leggings are made of spandex and they're hard to get over my--" Her voice stopped abruptly. Jeff found himself pulled to the edge of the couch listening more intently than he had a right to. He imagined her gyrations, wiggling her firm little butt into those tight leggings. Good lord, what was happening to him? She cleared her throat, breathless as she picked up the receiver. "I've never worn leggings before." Briefly, Jeff captured an image of Nina in spandex dance tights. It ignited a spark that wasn't even close to friendship, and he dropped it from his mind like a burning ember. He shook his head, clearing his thoughts. "I was just calling to check in, to remind you of my trip next week." "Are you okay, Jeff? Is it this assignment? Is it dangerous?" Her voice held her obvious concern. "You're keeping awfully secretive about it." 20

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He wanted to laugh, his thoughts reverting to Hank and how he eyeballed him earlier that evening. However, he thought twice and reconsidered. "I don't think it will be as bad as I thought." It was weak, he knew, but at least it was the truth...sort of. Jeff chuckled good-naturedly. "I'm fine. I'll see you next weekend. Remember to feed Mango." The long-suffering, almost erotic sigh she emitted clung to his heart as he laid the receiver in the cradle.

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Chapter Three

Monday Morning-Seven O' Five "Come on Nina! Stretch those muscles. Come on now. One more, another. Now reach, good…reach. Touch the floor with your fingers. Good!" Nina relaxed every bone in her body, trying to mentally "lengthen" her arms. If I can just survive the warm-up. "Okay Nina, now we move on. We need to get our muscles warm and pliable, that way they will be much more receptive to the accelerated workout that they are looking forward to." They will? Nina grimaced, shaking her arms to renew the blood flow. She followed Hank's perfect form to a room of gleaming chrome and hard rubber exercise equipment. It gave every appearance of a modern day torture chamber. "Now this!" He ushered to the machine that stood as tall as he was, pulleys and cables hung like spindly tentacles from its T-bars. "This will be a work-out." His wide, exuberant grin combined with the slight gleam in his eye caused Nina to swallow hard. Her gaze assessed the massive contraption, its padded black leather seat flanked by sturdy handlebar grips. Giant leather covered paddles stuck out either side of the seat, like great fly swatters. She'd seen these machines on late night info-mercials, usually as she lusted after the glistening, finely honed male bodies they produced. And all in only five minutes a day. So why did she feel like Marie Antoinette in route to the guillotine? "Have a seat." Hank's face came close enough to hers that she could smell the wintergreen of his breath mints. "I was afraid you would say that," Nina muttered, her smile much weaker in comparison to Hank's raucous laughter. "Oh Nina, you have a brilliant sense of humor." His hearty laugh echoed in the empty gymnasium. It's a darn good thing I do. She eased down to sit astride the rectangular seat. 22

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"You're legs go here" She jumped slightly as his fingers brushed her inner thigh, aligning them to proper position. Hank smiled when she flinched. "Car parts Nina," he reminded her in a quiet voice. "Right." Nina forced through a smile. He was incredibly handsome for a man of such magnificent proportions. He resembled a massive Greek god with cropped, dark curly hair, smooth olive skin, and a white, even smile that could melt a glacier. Nina felt an involuntary stomach tremble and wondered how many women salivated over Hank. She was tempted to ask, but his hands rested where she thought it best not to bring up personal relationships. "What will this do for me?" Nina diverted her thoughts and her gaze from Hank's busy hands. "This will work the thighs," Hank said, "strengthening both the inner and outer muscles." He smiled wickedly as he cast a knowing gaze to hers. She cast him a dubious look. "Strong legs are a real turn-on for some men. Perhaps even your man, eh Nina?" "Okay, okay, let's not go there." She gestured with a wave of her hand. He chuckled. "We'll start conservatively—let's say fifty butterfly presses." Nina's eyes widened. "That's conservative?" She gulped. "Just try. I think you'll find this exhilarating." His smile nearly convinced her. It was the only thing that did. Fifty butterfly exercises later… "I can't feel my legs." With a not so exaggerated effort, Nina lifted them to the floor, uncertain she'd be able to walk. "A nice rub-down will fix that when we're through." Hank shrugged. She glanced up at him. Surely he was joking? "You mean we're not done?" His chuckle was deep and sexy. An hour ago that might have meant something. "No, you don't understand, I don't think I can walk." Nina grabbed a balance beam to steady her equilibrium. He reached down and snagged her around the waist with one arm, hauling her against his chest, her legs dangled lifelessly in mid air. It was like being intimate with a solid mountain range. "You let me know when you think you can stand on your own." 23

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He smiled and the words on the tip of Nina's tongue slid back down her throat. She stared into Hank's gold-green eyes as he held her like a trophy. "I think I'm better, thanks," her voice squeaked like a balloon losing air. She felt the soles of her feet hit the floor and instantly she stepped back. "What's next?" she replied grabbing a towel, sidestepping him like a wobbly colt. He turned, eyeing her. "You're sure you're up to this?" His voice was laced with concern. "Sure, ready to rock, coach." Nina straightened her back as she attempted to quell the quivering in her jelly-like legs. Was her pinkie toe twitching? His eyes shone with respect at her tenacity. "That's the spirit, Nina." His hand swatted her backside, causing her to stumble forward slightly. "Excuse me—" She whirled catching his over exuberant smile, like that of an innocent boy, who'd passed his first scout test for a badge. Nina's anger subsided when she realized his gesture was sportsman-like, not sexist in nature. There wasn't a sexist bone in Hank's body, she realized with a smidge of comfort. She offered him a weak smile in return. They worked through a battery of exercises. Curling hand weights, jogging the indoor track, and finally she ended up face down on a table with a miniscule towel and a very large woman chopping her hands over her back. Aside from feeling like human bread dough, she felt gloriously rejuvenated. Nina allowed her mind to drift. She'd have to make her own coffee this morning. She wondered where Jeff was and why he hadn't chosen to tell her about his news assignment. Nina reminded herself that she would need to feed his fish and the idea of being in Jeff's apartment, in his bedroom, smelling his aftershave, sent a shiver down her spine. Another smack to her backside jolted back to reality. "Done." It was the only word the German woman uttered as she turned and left the room. Nina showered and dressed to go straight to work. She turned toward the exit at the end of the hallway and nearly ran headlong into Hank coming out of his office. "How do you feel, Nina?" His gaze was warm. "You know? I feel really good. I seem to have a lot of energy. Thanks, Hank." She slapped his bicep in a friendly gesture. His grin was dangerous and downright sexy, causing her to catch her breath. "That's a very good sign, Nina." He looked over her shoulder and held up his hand as he smiled. 24

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"I see my next client is here, Nina, I must go. We'll see you first thing tomorrow morning." He leaned forward, placing a brief, friendly kiss on her forehead. Leaving her stupefied in his wake, he brushed past her. "Mr. Northwoods, glad to see you're on time." Nina turned to look at Hank's broad back departing down the hall. She told herself that it was out of pure curiosity that she turned to drool…err, watch the muscles in Hanks back as he departed. The guy had to tan No one was born looking that good, were they? She'd had experience with seeing men half-naked, of course—not many—but she'd never seen anyone like Hank. She found it refreshing that he didn't seem to flaunt his stellar good looks, but was rather quiet and a little shy. Nina shrugged her shoulders, perhaps the extra physical activity was beginning to give her greater confidence. Maybe it was serving to broaden her horizons about men and maybe even the type of guy she was attracted to. As she turned to leave, she ran into a stack of warm, white towels and heard a muffled 'umpff.' The once neatly folded towels flew like windswept clouds into the air and scattered all over the floor. "I'm terribly sorry." She started to bend down to help Helga, but her beefy hand shooed her away. Muttering something indiscernible, Helga began to snatch up the towels. Unable to translate her words, there was little mistaking that the woman was clearly agitated with Nina. "I'm sorry. I guess I wasn't watching." Nina turned to glance down the hallway, discovering that Hank and his new client had already disappeared. She squatted to help the woman, but received a piercing look. "I'll just be on my way." She offered a weak smile and stepped lightly around the still grumbling Helga and headed quickly for the stairs. *** Jeff thought about what he'd seen as he walked past the exercise room and decided to avoid further frustration. Perhaps he wouldn’t arrive quite so early from now on. He'd glanced inside when he heard Nina's familiar voice. The sight of her dangling in Hank's arms, with his face smiling inches from hers was akin to being hit with a baseball bat. To his way of thinking, that was just stretching the term "personal training" a bit too far. 25

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He was at the end of the hallway, his thoughts and emotions tangled like a pile of gym socks, when he heard his fictitious name. Jeff stepped around the corner out of Nina's sight, hoping she hadn't seen him. Though he'd carefully used the hooded sweats to safeguard against that possibility, it didn't prevent him from Hanks eyesight. "Mr. Northwoods? Ah, may I call you Peter? It's such a sturdy name." Hank fisted his hand, punching the air between them, a twinkle glinting in his dark gaze. Jeff ducked, chuckling as his heart raced with his gaze on the big man's fist. Note to self; avoid contact with that. "Sure, Pete's fine." "I like Peter." Hank slid him a sideways glance and slapped a hand on Jeff's shoulder as they walked towards the weight room. Jeff swallowed, fearful that somehow Hank knew who he was, and why he was there. Guilt can make one paranoid He suppressed a sigh, as he scanned the vacant gym. "Quiet on Mondays, is it Hank? May I call you Hank?" He swallowed against the dryness in his throat. It wasn't that Jeff had a problem being alone with strange guys—just strange guys, twice his size making moves on his—friend. Hank's response was cool and serene. "Please, I'd like that." He paused as though studying Jeff with a wary eye. "Many of my clients during the work week come in over their lunch hour." Hank slapped his hand to the weight bench. "Just lie back Peter, we have the whole place to ourselves for the next two hours." That was enough. He wasn't sure how, but he was convinced Hank knew about Nina and that he was setting him up for— Jeff stole a look at Hank's face. "Um...you know, I just remembered I have a dental appointment this morning." He eased backwards toward the gym doors. Hank held up his hand halting Jeff's retreat. "Peter. I'm sorry I've made you nervous, forgive me. I am very dedicated to what I do." Jeff cleared his throat. So I've noticed. "Tell you what. I'll give you your instructions and I'll work out on my own. You feel free to ask should you need any help, how would that be?" "Better, I think," Jeff replied, feeling a bit sheepish about the way he'd perceived the situation. For the next two hours, Jeff pressed weights, jogged the indoor track, spent time on the rowing machine, and lifted leg weights. His chest heaving, Jeff dropped to his back on one of the padded floor mats and flung an arm over his face. 26

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"Well, I see it's time for a massage." Hank's voice reverberated above him. Jeff peeped open an eye unable to move a single weary muscle. "Not you?" he asked with a hint of nervousness. Hank responded with raucous laughter. "Oh no, I don't possess the skills—Helga is our masseuse." Jeff pushed himself from the floor, actually relieved, until he opened the door and saw Helga. She stood, her brawny arms crossed defiantly across her broad chest. The room was stark except for Helga, a table and a very small towel. She smiled; her eyetooth was missing. *** Cautiously, Jeff peered down the street to the bookstore's entrance. He flipped his hood over his head, bolted out of the door, and hurried down the block. Jeff glanced at his watch—ten-forty-five. If he hurried he would be early enough to slip into his apartment and grab a quick shower. Nina would be in the process of making her midmorning tea. Lunch would be precisely at twelve-thirty. The familiarity of her schedule signaled something odd inside, almost as if he missed their daily routine—missed being around her. That of course, was absurd. He'd been around Nina most of his adult life. Besides, being away from her periodically, it had never bothered him before. So why should this be any different? "Because something has changed," a small voice inside him taunted. Jeff reasoned the missing piece in his life was not a result of Nina's absence. Later, in his apartment, Jeff picked up his tiny tape recorder, carefully choosing the words before he spoke, "On the outside, Hank Bateman seems like an ordinary guy. Business seems to be legitimate, but there's different about him, like he's holding something back—what secrets does Hank Bateman keep from his unsuspecting clients?" Jeff clicked off the recorder and stared out at the Chicago skyline. A flash of the scene with Hank and Nina he'd accidentally stumbled on that morning caused his stomach muscles to knot. Jeff frowned and pushed himself from the couch. "I need a shower and lunch." He convinced himself that would appease the gnawing sensation in his belly. He'd just stepped from the shower, when he heard the familiar click of the lock on his front door. His mind scattered like the clothes on his bathroom floor. Quickly he grabbed a t-shirt and swiped it across his mirror, as he kicked the remaining clothes behind the door. His toe came abruptly in contact with the edge of the door and Jeff bit down hard on his lip to keep from blurting out an expletive for his pain. He snatched a towel off the rack and wrapped it haphazard around his waist as he mashed himself 27

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behind the bathroom door and held his breath. The chrome towel hooks hanging on the back of the door, threatened to lodge in his nose. Through the crack at the doors hinge, he heard Nina humming a pleasant tune, interrupting the melody only when she spoke to his fish. Jeff turned his head and grinned, raking his hand through his wet hair. She was the only one, besides him, that talked to Mango. She'd shown up a little earlier than he’d expected. Nina being the punctual woman she was would go about her task in short order, not wanting to be away from the store any longer than was necessary. True enough, like the tide, she was predictable. The soft padded sound of her footsteps across his bedroom floor caused his back to stiffen. He flattened himself against the wall, squeezing his eyes shut in fervent prayer. The click of her heels on the tile floor jarred him from his silent pleas. Nina glanced at the bathroom floor as she stepped inside the room. Her gaze flitted briefly heavenward, scanning the ceiling above. "I'm so sorry Mango, old fella, but at least you'll have a descent burial at sea." Jeff reached out gently pulling the door toward him as her back was turned to the task of flushing the fish. When did he get sick? Maybe she was mistaken? Did Nina know how rare that little angelfish was? The questions swirled in Jeff's mind even as he listened to the gentle gurgle coming from the toilet bowl. Nina gave a short salute and sighed. "You'll be missed Mango." Without looking up, she turned and walked out the door. Jeff figured he very well may have set some kind of record for holding his breath. Which was more traumatizing —losing his prize fish, or nearly coming face-toface with Nina's wrath? He wasn't sure. Slowly he exhaled, taking short deep breaths to steady his nerves. A fish, he could replace. His friendship with Nina would not be as easy if she found out he was lying to her—even for a justifiable cause. He placed his hand over his chest. All he needed was a little patience. Closing his eyes, he waited for the front door to slam behind her. And waited...and waited. Jeff dangled his watch, glancing mindlessly at the face. It had been well over an hour. Seated behind the door on the bathroom floor, he could hear her laughing at the soap opera she'd tuned in to watch on his television. The ding of his microwave and the scent of grilled chicken wafting with marinara made him realize she must be having lunch. He studied with curious interest the bluish-red color of the tips of his fingers, wondering if a person could get pneumonia from being naked too long in a bathroom. 28

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He figured he had a few options, and what the hell, to pass the time, he pondered each one with great delicacy as his skin began to chill from exposure. Option one—put on old clothes. He reached down and picked them up from the pile beside him. They were sodden, wringing wet. Option two- Walk out there as if you live here and surprise the hell out of Nina. Unwise if he wanted his limbs to remain intact. Option Three-stay put. Jeff shifted and the towel stay plastered like papiermâché' to his butt. Option four (these were desperate times)-Sneak into your bedroom while she's occupied and hide in the closet until she leaves. Given the odds that she would in all likelihood need to use the bathroom before she left, Jeff decided to go with option three…or was that four? He smiled with a grimace as he peeled his back from where it was adhered to the wall. He peered around the bathroom door, his ears tuned to the sounds emitting from the adjoining living room. Jeff closed his eyes and held his breath as he curled his fingers around the dresser knobs. Between hunger, tension, and guilt, Jeff suddenly felt lightheaded. With a slight tug, he opened the drawer hoping its familiar squeak wouldn’t give away his presence. Carefully he pulled out his underwear and a pair of socks and eased the drawer shut with his hip. "OMIGOD—" Startled, Jeff froze, his underwear dangling from one hand, his other clutching the towel at his waist. "You are not going to sleep with that scum!" It took a moment for him to realize that she was talking to the TV. His fingers gripping the towel, he bent to the bottom drawer, tugging gently at the overstuffed clothes that prevented it from opening or closing properly. "He'll only use you like he'd used all the other women in his pathetic life." Something in the tone of her voice edged on more than simply commenting on a show. He frowned as his mother's admonition to straighten his clothes jostled his thoughts aside. He glanced heavenward silently promising that he would become a reformed man if she would help him out of this tight spot. The drawer slipped a little and Jeff smiled, as he dug at the jeans from the now accessible crack. He clenched his teeth at the sound of denim sliding over the rough wood. Finally, pulling the jeans free, Jeff rocked back on his heels and caught himself before hitting the bedpost. He hesitated briefly, listening for movement in the next room. 29

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"Now that’s the guy I wouldn't kick out of bed—" she muttered through the food in her mouth. His brow rose as he listened to her guttural approval of the man on the television. He'd never seen this side of Nina. She seemed almost…passionate. Not her usual forte, she was more the clinical variety of woman. Predictable. There it was again…that word. The one that kept gnawing at the back of his brain. Lately, he'd seen quite a lot of the "other" side to Nina, and while it intrigued him certainly—after all he was a man, thoughts of her had mostly bordered on seeing her like a sister—okay, maybe risqué thoughts of a sister, but a sister just the same. This other side of Nina, or maybe the cold feeling in his gut, scared the bejeesus out of him. His stomach growled in protest of the delectable scent of her meal, reminding him to get his ass covered. Jeff pushed himself upright, searched and found his underwear and socks off the floor. He sat on the edge of the bed and managed to get his socks on and one leg in his underwear before he heard the sound of her walking to the kitchen. Leaping to the closet with his underwear encircling to his ankle, Jeff prayed for the hinge to be quiet as he slid into the dark recesses of the closet.

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Chapter Four

Hank pondered the letter in his hand and wondered how welcome he'd be at the wedding. It had been more than three years since he'd left home. Still, it was his sister's wedding and he should at least reply. He leaned forward and picked up a pen, ripping a sheet of clean copy paper from his printer. "Dear Becca, I was thrilled to receive your wonderful news today. I hope you and Elliot will be very happy. Did you finish school with that degree in Elementary Ed.? Elliot sounds like a nice fellow…" Hank let out a weary sigh. The letter sounded distant, stilted, not like the brother Becca knew when they were young—and when things were better at home. He stared down at the paper again hoping that some good news would pop out of his mouth. His choice in profession wasn't a popular one, nor was many of his choices. Eventually their different views about life drove a wedge between them, that Hank feared would never be resolved. "I have opened the gym and it’s going quite well. I have hired a woman of German descent to help out, she doubles as a masseuse and so far the clients seem pleased with her work…" He paused wondering how best to word the next sentence. "I have met some wonderful friends through the business. In fact, I have a great client—a woman, that I'm getting to know better with each session. She's a bit shy and unsure of her attributes and I'm unsure what she feels she needs to change about herself to get a certain man to notice her. She is already beautiful externally, but it is her inner beauty that is stunning. Listen to me, I'm rambling here. I guess I just want you to know that things are well here. I will do my best to come to your wedding, but spring here is a very busy time for a new business. I will write soon. Love, Hank." He folded the letter carefully and tucked into a plain white envelope. There was a mailbox on the corner; he could mail it after work. He hadn’t really told her he couldn’t 31

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attend. Perhaps if he could take someone home with him, it would buffer the tensions sure to be there even still. Maybe he could invite Nina to go along. *** Nina knew full well that she'd tarried too long at Jeff's apartment. Somehow his absence since starting her "new and improved" regime sparked her fantasies of her and Jeff even more. She strolled through the bedroom, taking her time, surveying his bedroom with a fresh perspective. Her imagination leapt to what it might be like to be in this room—alone, with Jeff. Nina's leg brushed against something damp and she glanced down plucking up the bath towel lying on the corner of the bed. She shook her head wondering how meticulous Jeff could be to have forgotten such a thing. God knows it would take him weeks to decide on the perfect comforter if this one got ruined. She hooked the towel over the back of the door in the bathroom and in the process stepped on a heap of clothing still damp as well lying clumped in the corner. Puzzled, she stared at them. Sure they were Jeff's, but if he was gone and had been for two days—then why were they still wet? Nina's gaze fell to the tub and with curiosity guiding her steps she ran her fingers down the backside of the curtain and felt its dewy surface. A chill ran over her shoulders and she stopped instinctively to listen for any unusual sounds—though if someone was there she would have guessed it by now. Still, you could never be too sure. She'd already been in all of the four rooms in the tiny apartment and would have seen everything except under the bed and in his closet. Her mind raced as she stepped cautiously into the bedroom. Her gaze darted around the room as she bent on one knee and then the other, ripping back the bedspread as she pressed her cheek to the floor. Relief flooded her heart when all she found was his tennis racket and an old wooden St. Louis Slugger bat. Nina drew the bat from its hiding place and chided herself for being so silly, but still it was better safe than sorry—only the closet remained. For a brief moment as she stepped toward the closet, bat poised over her shoulder, she considered that perhaps one of Jeff's many ex-girlfriends had an extra key to his apartment. It would be just like him to give his key to the "girlfriend of the month." She hesitated, realizing how paranoid she was probably being. Of course! It was one of his girlfriends. It had to be. The phone on his nightstand rang in the silence and Nina dropped the bat at her feet, whirling toward the phone as though it might attack. After three rings, she picked up unsure of why his answering machine didn't. "Hello?" "Hey, I took-static-chance-static-might-static-there." 32

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Grateful to hear his familiar voice, Nina smiled. "Jeff? I can barely hear you. Where are you?" "Can't talk-static-feed-static-fish?" Nina strained to hear through the snowy connection. His voice sounded muffled and distant. "Jeff, did you leave your key with someone else?" She worried the corner of her lip as she sat down on the side of his bed. The coolness of the comfort seeped through her thin sundress. She lay back on the bed, straining to hear Jeff's voice in the disjointed connection. "You miss-static?" "Do I miss you?" Nina undid the top two buttons of her dress, and smiled. "I miss how you make me laugh." "Am I that good?" Nina's palm smoothed over her neck as her mind wandered to the last time she'd been with Jeff. In her mind, she pictured him looming over her, staring down at her with his mischievous blue gaze. The one that melted her insides. Two more buttons gave way, giving greater access to her breasts pushed tantalizingly together in her new bra. His words were garbled, intermittent with the difficult connection, but his low-timbered voice swayed in and out of her ear, pulling her deeper into her daydream. Her mind wandered to what it might be like if he was calling after a long assignment, just to hear her voice—to tell her how he couldn’t wait to touch her, taste her lips and every other part of her. "How's the assignment going?" Her flesh warming to her thoughts, she rubbed her palm over the lace edging, teasing her nipples, sensing the delicious heat-pooling deep in her stomach. What would he think of her? Already she noticed the way her body felt after working out. She felt sexier, more alluring, with a greater sense of confidence. Nina sighed as her fingers dipped beneath the emerald green lace, softly catching her pink tip between her fingers. "Do you think you'll be home soon?" "I hope to come—" More static drowned out his words. "Working—out?" His cell phone kept cutting out. "Yes, I am, and Hank's been wonderful." Music slow and seductive began to play in Nina's head. She grinned as she thought of at what her new bra, matching thong, and spike heels would do for Jeff. How it would affect him to see his sweet little Nina acting risqué'? "I do miss you." Her voice, drenched with huskiness, spoke into the phone as she rubbed her palm gently between her legs, the sheer fabric dampening beneath her touch. 33

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More static followed, but Nina was lost —abandoned in her daydream of Jeff's fingers pleasuring her. She closed her eyes, imagining his heated gaze watching as he stroked her heat. She could sense his tongue pleasuring the stiff peaks of her breasts, his careful kneading as he pushed deeper, bringing her to the edge of release— "Oh—migod—" The words came across time and space, together in unison. Nina's body quivered in the wake of her self-performed climax, sad that Jeff wasn't there in reality. She cleared her throat and sat up. "Jeff, what is it? Is everything okay?" Nina broke from her reverie, pushing herself upright, her face flushed with passion and mild embarrassment. Thank God Jeff couldn't see her. There was a low coughing sound combined with a muffled rustling. "I-static-key to a friend-static-he must-static-used-static-shower." "Oh that’s a relief." Her mind, jarred from its fantasy, was hooked back to reality and Nina tried to remember what they'd been talking about before she went over the edge—almost. She sighed. "I was just spooked by seeing those clothes still laying here wet. You might want to talk to him about that." "Right. Must-go—" "Okay, I'm so glad you called. See you soon." "Soon—" The line disconnected and Nina replaced the phone to its charger, stopping in front of the mirror, she checked her makeup, and quickly buttoned her dress. She lifted her skirt and adjusted the miniscule thong. *** He wasn't sure which was worse, the rock hard boner he had from watching Nina, or the idea that he got it from watching her fantasize about something or someone. He hoped to god that it wasn’t Hank. Jeff pushed off the rest of the clothes he'd huddled under so she couldn’t hear him as clearly when he spoke into his cell phone. He knew when she snagged the towel and started looking around that she suspected something. Jeff rubbed his eyes, trying to dissipate the image of her lying on his bed, her delicate hands pleasuring herself as she spoke to him on the phone. It was as though someone had sucked the breath out of him as he watched mesmerized, his hand wrapped around his stiff erection, his heated flesh beneath his fingers working with her hips as they rose from the mattress to meet her hand. Her flesh was more polished, fair, and more curvaceous than he realized and he wondered whom she was thinking of? Was it Hank? Was it him? Jeff groaned inwardly. Why hadn't he ever chosen to see her as a woman before? His body's flash fire reaction to seeing her this way, confused and amazed him. 34

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What grabbed his heart was the expression on her face, lost in bliss, peaceful in sensual repose. She looked more sultry and damn drop-dead gorgeous than any woman he'd ever seen. He'd lost all ability to speak as he watched her, his own hand seeking release for the rock hard erection he'd achieved in his voyeurism. While part of him felt perverted in the task, the other part imagined being buried inside her. The image of her emerald green eyes alive and sparking with fire, her body glistening with passionate heat, her hips rising to his, meeting each furious thrust…Jeff's jaw clenched , his teeth grinding against one another, as his body trembled for release. "Tomorrow I'll work even harder in my quest to make him notice me. Surely all of this time I'm spending at the gym has got to mean something to him." She spoke to her reflection in the mirror. Nina's audible confession tumbled ice over Jeff's fevered libido. Had the relationship with Hank gotten that far this quickly? He scowled, partially in pain, but pissed off by his wayward emotions. It wasn't like her to be so spontaneous, so sexually open. Then again, he'd never noticed what passion laid beneath that innocent exterior either. He waited until he heard the front door slam before he crawled out on hands and knees, heading straight for the bathroom and another shower. Jeff slouched as he sat on the edge of the bed, feeling the burden of his wayward conscience. Sighing he ran his hand through his tousled hair. A thunderous storm of emotions stirred within him, spurned on he took a wild guess, by an empty stomach and guilt. He lay back and stared at the ceiling, hoping that somewhere in the creamy mosaic print he would find the answers to the million questions swirling in his brain. Was this a futile game? Was Nina so set on getting Hank's attention that she'd stoop to sex with a guy she barely knew? Not that he was in any position to toss out judgment on that call. So many unanswered questions but most importantly...when had Nina started wearing a thong? He rubbed the palms of his hands over his face, setting his glasses askew. In the midst of adversity, food was one thing he still had control over. He pushed everything else from his mind as he slipped a fresh polo shirt over his head and smoothed out his hair in the dresser mirror. He paused in his thoughts, his mind teased with the image of Nina in the exact same spot just moments ago. He frowned at his reflection, partially embarrassed that he'd intruded on her privacy. Still, the image of her smooth alabaster skin under the flimsy fabric froze his 35

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thoughts. His heart beat faster as his mind replayed the scene. It took all of his willpower to pull himself from his reverie and head toward the kitchen. Everywhere were signs of her presence, her perfume, a mixture of floral and spice, lingered in the air, a glass with a tint of her garnet lipstick, a plate with her unfinished sandwich. Jeff picked it up and nibbled on it absentmindedly as he looked around the room. The pillows were tossed to the end of the couch where she'd been watching TV. He picked up the remnant of her soda, pressed the remote, and stared expressionless at the commercial depicting the chiseled hunk of a man on the screen. "This is Hank Bateman saying if you want that body that will turn heads, come see me, Body Repair by Hank. I'm Hank and I'll help you get that body." His smile screeched across Jeff's nerves like metal against metal. *** Jeff grabbed the sheets, his dreams tormented by Nina's reoccurring presence. He tugged the cotton fabric toward his chin, his mind drifting back to her standing in front of his mirror. In his dream he was disturbed as the image of Hank in a loincloth appeared behind her, carefully unbuttoning each button of her dress as he grinned wickedly at their reflections. There was nothing he could do, nothing he could say—his mouth opened, but no sound came forth. His heart all but stopped when Hanks beefy hands covered Nina's perfect breasts. Jeff bolted upright, his breathing labored, sweat pouring down his chest. It took a moment before he could distinguish reality from his nightmare and then an even more sobering thought entered his mind like the first crack of dawn. Maybe once or twice, prompted by too many beers, he'd toyed with what it might be like with Nina. Those brief, spontaneous "what if" moments often dissipating by the break of day with the sound reasoning of not wanting to destroy their perfect friendship. Despite his astute reasoning however, it was no dream that he now sat in a cold sweat, induced by his subconscious. He glanced at the clock—three o'clock a.m. He groaned as he flopped back on his pillow. When the dawn came, Jeff was seated on his living room couch, coffee in hand, hashing out in his head that there was the sliver of the possibility that he was in love with his best friend. And to make things all the more complicated, having now realized this, she might well already be in love with someone else.

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But there was no alcohol-induced fuzziness associated with the sun's rays ricocheting off the brilliant glass front buildings. Instead, Jeff felt the tomblike emptiness of a chilling reality that made every bone in his body numb. He didn't know how he could face Hank today. *** Seven a.m. Nina's stamina increased with every visit. She was beginning to feel very good about this decision. She felt more confident, more in touch with herself, more certain of what she wanted. And what she wanted—was Jeff. Nina smiled as she pumped the "thigh-buster" machine winding up her much improved set of over one hundred exercises. Hank smiled from across the room as he set the tension of the rowing machine that would be Nina's next exercise. "You're doing wonderfully, Nina. I can't believe it, you're so focused—it's marvelous, I'm so proud of you." Hank shook his head in his amazement as he walked toward her. "Do you need help standing this time?" He smiled at her. Her pride was genuine in her response. "Nope, this doesn't faze me anymore.” Nina stood straight in front of Hank. He beamed at her like a prize trophy. Hank glanced around at the other clients working out in the gym that morning. "You are definitely my star pupil, Nina" He took her hand and placed it on his arm. "I want to hear all about this lucky man that inspires you so much." His eyes fairly glowed with admiration. Nina shrugged her shoulder, pulling her arm gently from Hank's hold. She looked at the wood floor, suddenly shy to reveal her deepest desire "I suppose to some he just looks like the average guy. He's a terrific reporter for the Sun-Times." She paused, smiling as she remembered the last time they'd been together. Nina placed her finger softly against her lips. Her gaze caught the vivid interest in Hank's eyes. She sighed. "What I feel for him wasn't planned. It just happened, you know?" Jeff's image clarified sharply in her mind as she realized how many special moments they'd spent together. She'd seen him dressed in jeans and a ratty sweatshirt as he walked barefoot through her apartment carrying a box of pizza and a six-pack and her heart tripped just as much when seeing him in his designer suits and wild ties. 37

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Nina raised her brows as she realized she'd never seen him in anything that didn't make him look sexy...her thoughts screeched to a rubber burning stop when she realized that he probably looked even sexier without clothes— Yeah, she had it bad. Her gaze fluttered as her thoughts floated back to reality. She realized she stood in the middle of the gym and by the look on Hanks face, her worship of Jeff was clear as crystal. Hank's grin was mischievous. "He has impeccable taste in clothes." "That's what I figured you were daydreaming about, Nina." Hank grinned as he chucked her playfully under the chin. He draped an arm over her shoulder and guided her to the next workout. "Impeccable taste in clothes," he muttered softly. "Nina, I have a wonderful idea. Let's, celebrate this new you over lunch, my treat. We'll do something very healthy. What do you say?" Nina hesitated a moment before accepting. "Okay, let me go clean up." Hank had been such a good friend to her, what could it possibly hurt? *** "Peter, my friend, I have to cut our session short today. I have a very special client that I want to take to lunch. You don't mind finishing up here on your own, do you?" Jeff's arms slowed on the rowing machine as he glanced up at Hank. Not realizing that his expression might be reveal his curiosity, he averted his gaze, but not before catching Hank's puzzled expression. "Is there a problem, Peter?" Hank stopped in front of Jeff, hands loose at his hips, towering over him like some granite warlord. He contemplated his response and the thought of what Hank would do to him if he knew the truth. "Hank?" A voluptuous redhead beckoned to Hank from the "thigh buster." Jeff allowed himself the luxury of exhaling and stood for a moment, considering his options. He bet his jock strap that Hank’s lunch date was with Nina. She was the only one who'd been there any earlier than he had, and no one came until after him, which meant that they had at least a good hour alone everyday— Was there any other recourse? He grabbed his gear from the gym locker and darted down the hall, heading home to shower and be back there in short order. There was no way Hank was going to take Nina anywhere without him knowing where it was. 38

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Chapter Five

Hank glanced over his shoulder as if searching for someone behind him. "What is it?" Nina glanced up from studying the array of tempting salads on the menu. "Have you ever felt like you're being watched?" Nina chuckled. "Lately a lot. It's the strangest thing. But you Hank, you must get it all the time. Did you see how that waitress almost drooled on you?" She grinned. "Now you're imagination is running away with you." He grinned and tapped on her menu, averting her gaze. "I recommend the spinach and strawberry salad...the special vinaigrette here is superb." Hank folded his menu and rested his well-defined arms on the table. The outdoor restaurant was a popular place in the summer, usually requiring reservations and still having long lines. Hank, on the other hand, walked up to the host, shook his hand and turned, ushering Nina to follow the man. It did not escape her that almost every female in the place stopped to stare at the incredible looking man with her. Nina glanced over the top of her menu, and studied one of the most exquisite forms of the male species. His smile alone turned women's heads. He treated her with respect, his body was a Greek work of art, and when she caught his gaze, she smiled wondering why she felt nothing--absolutely nothing. Any woman in her right mind would kill to be where she was right now. "The spinach salad sounds wonderful. Do they serve it with crusty bread and olive oil?" She licked her lips, realizing how hungry she suddenly was. His smile broadened as he gently touched the tip of her nose. "For my star pupil, only the best. Would you like a glass of wine, Nina?" *** Jeff sat slumped on the bench at the bus stop across the street. He nearly wadded the paper in frustration when Nina leaned forward licking her lips and Hank tapped her nose. Public displays of affection? It had come to that? Jeff shook his head. His gut still churned from seeing her striptease in his bedroom. Why was he doing this to 39

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himself? Wasn't it abundantly clear that she'd made her choice? Choice? Jeff glanced around as though someone might point out the slip his mind made. With a purposeful frown he raised the newspaper a notch so the cutout holes for his eyes were level with his vision. An elderly woman shuffled over to the bench and deposited her bag next to him. With great effort, she eased herself into the seat, using his knee to give her equilibrium. Jeff glanced down, praying her hand wouldn’t slip. Her gaze, pale blue, but plenty alert, snapped to his. "Whatta you lookin' at, you peh-vert?" Jeff's mouth gaped slightly, tempted to remind the old woman that her hand rested on his knee. He scooted an inch or two away from her and in an attempt to ignore her, went back to his, uh, reading. Her pale blue eyes soon met his through the other side of the paper. "Look lady, I've got business here. Could you please just catch your bus or something?" With an indignant humph, she returned to her seat and her hand on his knee. "Ma'am, could you remove your hand from my knee?" Jeff returned his gaze to Hank and Nina across the street. This was becoming an entirely too chummy lunch. "Thought a guy like you wouldn't mind." She grinned. Jeff noted her dentures slipped slightly. "I'm reading." "Your papers got holes." she commented with raised brow. She was pretty sharp. "Want ads," he responded without expression, ignoring her frown. Fortunately, the bus came and he swore she copped a feel, before she grabbed her canvas bag and stepped up into the bus. Gratefully, his target across the street didn't take notice, or if they did they ignored the woman harassing the man behind the paper. Whatever the case, he was relieved when at last the bus chugged out a plume of black exhaust and started off down the street. Jeff choked on the fumes, his gaze startled when he glanced up at the back window of the bus and saw the old staring at him. Jeff flipped his paper with a snap as he returned his gaze across the street. He felt nauseated at what he saw. Hank had moved his chair closer to Nina and he had his hand over hers. Her expression was sweet, appreciative in the way a woman looks at a man when he pays attention. Jeff's brow knit together, he couldn’t remember her ever looking at him in that way. *** 40

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"I've known him forever." Nina told Hank. It felt good to speak openly about her feelings to another man. He wasn't offended, in fact he encouraged her to continue, his smile warm, prompted her on. "I've never thought of him as more than a friend. Maybe I thought I wasn't his type. He's has never chosen to date anyone remotely like me at all." Her hand rested on her chest as she smiled down at the table. Hank squeezed her hand. "He will notice you Nina. You're already quite beautiful, don't you know that?" Nina leaned forward and kissed Hank on the cheek. *** "Hey Nina...how's it going?" Nina heard the weariness in his voice. It was strained, pulled tight. "Jeff, are you alright? Are you home yet? Is the assignment over already?" "No. I'm calling long distance. It's looking like I'll be wrapping up things soon though. I'm thinking of going away for awhile after this, what do you think?" Nina's heart panicked. Should she just come right out and tell him the truth? No, she had to stay focused. This was one moment in her life when she wanted to see his reaction face-to-face. "A vacation sounds nice. When do you think you'll be home?" Nina bit her lip to keep from bursting into tears. Was there already someone else that he planned to go away with? "Yeah, haven't firmed up anything, but after this I need to get away, you know? What—" He coughed. "Have you been up to?" Nina sensed that he was preoccupied. "Not much, really. The daily grind, you know. Oh, I'm afraid I have some bad news. It's about Mango." "Oh, what's that?" His tone clearly indicated he was not the least bit concerned. Nina frowned. "Don't you care to know what happened?" "Sorry, what'd you say?" "It's about Mango. He bought the farm, caught the last big wave. Met the big Kahuna—" "Yeah, I get the picture. He died." “I had to give him a burial at sea. I don't know what happ—" "Hey, it was just a fish." Nina blinked. This apathetic response was not what she'd thought she'd receive. Jeff was passionate about that fish—in an owner and pet sort of way. 41

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"I'll get you another one." She offered with a weak smile that got no further than her face. Whatever was on his mind was causing an enormous chasm between them. "How's your project coming?" she asked twirling the phone cord between her fingers. "It's been interesting. I've managed to come to some thought-provoking conclusions." There was a drawn out awkward pause and Nina wanted to ask him how his new girlfriend was. She should have seen the signs even before he left. She sat forward and grasped the phone between both hands, summoning the courage to tell him that she was desperate to have things back to the way they were. Pizza and movies on Saturday night, the corner Pub and darts on Friday, the banter, the friendship, making coffee each day— why didn't she just open her mouth and tell him that she wanted things the way they used to be? Because she didn't want what they had—she wanted more. When he got home, if it wasn't too late—she'd tell him to his face how she wanted their relationship to be. From there she would let the chips fall were they may. "Sorry Nina, I'm really tired." Nina sat on the edge of her bed. It was wonderful to hear his voice. She imagined him lying on a bed in some seedy motel room in the middle of nowhere, complete with a sputtering neon sign missing the "O." "Well, I guess you need to get some sleep," she offered quietly wishing she was there to wrap her arms around him as he slept. His sleepy yawn emitted at the other end of the receiver. "You're right. See you in a day or two." And the line went dead. Nina replaced the receiver, her teeth worrying her lower lip. Perhaps it was only the stress of his current project. When she saw him again, she would waste no time in showing him how she felt. *** "So Hank?" Jeff pulled the hand weight to his bicep as he spoke. "Do you think there's much more than attraction to a guy that’s really ripped?" Hanks brows rose as he grinned. "I think most people appreciate a good-looking body, don't you, Peter?" Hanks gaze narrowed, causing Jeff to swallow hard. Jeff turned his focus back to the weight, uncomfortable with the look in Hanks eye. Did he suspect that he was here on a ruse? 42

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"And yours, in that regard, is responding quite nicely." Hanks words playfully tweaked Jeff's thoughts. Did he really say that? "Uh, yeah, thanks." *** Hank chuckled quietly as he walked past, glancing down at Peter with a friendly smile. He paused, wondering of Peter's curiosity as he helped place extra weights on the bar for another client. What was he interested in? Or whom? Hank wondered if most of his clients came here with the goal of impressing others or achieving something for themselves...perhaps the goals were not all that much different from one another. He regarded Peter with renewed interest and made plans to bring up the subject again at a later time. *** "Nina, you look fabulous. Hank held out his arms as he entered the bookstore. She responded to his compliment with a bright smile. "You like?" She twirled once for him modeling a short sundress. No doubt meant to impress the man she'd been sweating over—literally. "Gorgeous! If I was in the market Nina, I'd be enraptured." Nina stopped and looked at him quizzically. "Really? You would?" Her question reflected what he'd suspected all along—she had no idea how beautiful she was. "Sure Nina." He knew all the reasons she was going through this selfimprovement program. "I don't say things I don't mean. You should know that about me by now." She grinned as she leaned back against the counter, bracing her arms in a not-sosubtle pose. "So Hank, what does that mean? Are you looking or not?" Her smile teased. Hank grinned realizing she was attempting to come on to him. Heat rose in his face and he dropped his gaze to his shoes. "I'm sorry, that was really forward." Her lack of confidence in her physical attributes reared its ugly head again and he would not let her think what she was thinking—that she might just get the same response from her Jeff.

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He spoke with humble affection and hoped that this Jeff character would open his eyes soon to all the wonderful qualities that Nina possessed. "I appreciate your beauty, both inside and out—" She averted her gaze as though preparing for a "you're a nice girl, but—" speech. "We've become great friends." He rubbed his index finger along the edge of a nearby wooden book bin. "I want it to stay that way." He saw the gentle swallow in her throat, and swore mentally that he wouldn’t make her cry. He'd already made the last female he loved more than life itself cry, and he wasn't about to let that happen again. Hank stepped forward and turned her face to his. "It's time you knew." He glanced away and sighed deep, remembering the look of disdain on his sister's face. Becca's gaze told him everything he needed to know that he'd disappointed her as well as his parents. "How—how could this happen?" His mother stammered as she wrung her hands in worry. Hank had just completed his junior year at college and had finally gotten the nerve to tell his parents about the young man he'd met while in the college weightlifting competition. "It wasn't like I planned for this, Mom." He hoped a gentle, reasonable response would help ease the shock. But it did nothing to deflect the hurt in his father's tongue. "You get out. I didn't raise my son to be…" His voice trailed off as he shook his head and turned toward his favorite chair. Easing himself into its familiar comfort, his dad glanced up at him. "I think it's best if you leave." His mother walked quietly into the kitchen and his younger sister, Becca whose eyes always sparkled with unbridled joy, looked at him with such sadness that it broke his heart. That was nearly seven years ago and he had only heard from Becca by letter. Never his parents. He returned his gaze to Nina's and prayed it wouldn’t change anything. He didn't know if he could take it.

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Chapter Six

"I'm gay." Nina blinked, unsure if she'd heard him correctly. Not wanting to appear ignorant, she did consider asking him to define gay. Wasn't that just someone who is overly happy? Hank stepped back as though sensing that this new information was going to change their friendship. On the contrary, Nina was thrilled. She'd been trying to secondguess her feelings for Hank from the first day. She stepped forward and grabbed his hand. "Oh Hank, that doesn’t change anything—except that hundreds of women are going to be terribly disappointed." They stood there for an awkward moment, smiling at each other. "Come here, you." He grabbed her around the waist, lifting her off the floor in a great bear hug. The warmth of his solid shoulder comforted her heart, weary from thinking about Jeff. Nina opened her eyes, surprised to see Jeff standing at the front window. His hand cupped against the window, staring at them. The look on his face bordered on anguish, but why? He turned suddenly and walked rapidly away. "Wait!" Nina wiggled from Hank's grasp and ran to the door, jerking it open. "Jeff!" she called to his departing figure, but he continued his fast gate. Hank joined Nina on the sidewalk, looking at her with a puzzled expression "Someone you know, Nina?" His gaze narrowed as he followed hers, as though studying the man for himself. "That is the guy I've been trying to impress." Nina folded her arms and glanced at Hank. She shook her head, if she ever understood men she'd be a millionaire. There was about as much chance of that, as the other. Hank blew out a breathy sigh and turned to her. "You're sure?" Nina laughed, albeit sarcastically. "Yeah, I'm sure." 45

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"Hum, well, if that's the case, then Nina we have a much greater problem." His gaze narrowed to the figure turning the corner. Hank attention turned back to Nina. She looked up at him with a quizzical expression. "What do you mean?" “It seems we've both been trying to impress the same guy." Nina's jaw dropped. Life around her came to a sudden and complete standstill. In one shattering cataclysmic moment, clarity, bright and dazzling blew away the clouds of confusion in her mind with regard to Jeff. Was Jeff gay? Suddenly, after all these years? Nina closed her mouth, placing her hand over it as she stared at Hank. Like a freight train, she came to the chilling realization of why Jeff had never paid attention to her as a woman, with the exception of a drunken grope. "Are you absolutely sure that's the same guy?" she asked carefully, praying he wasn't sure. "Oh, most definitely." His tone indicated there was no mistaken identity. Nina's heart died in the middle of the busy afternoon, surrounded by busy people, living their busy lives--oblivious that her entire world had come crashing down around her in the blink of an eye. "I'm sorry Nina...you didn't know?" Hanks arm came around her shoulder and he guided her back into the cool shadow of the bookstore. "Are you going to be alright?" Hank peered at her face with genuine concern. Nina's memory blurred with more than a decade of knowing Jeff, inside and out, and yet not discerning this one very intimate fact about him. Her mind reasoned that perhaps that’s why he couldn’t hold a heterosexual relationship for more than a week. Heaven knows she'd nursed his bruised ego through more than one failed relationship. Perhaps it was something he'd just come to accept and he wasn’t ready to tell her. Would he be like Hank and fear that their friendship would be changed? She glanced up at Hanks handsome, concerned face not wanting to ask the question dangling like a grenade form her brain, but she had to know. The future of a great many things hung in the balance—her sanity being one of them. "Nina?" Hank held her arms, as though propping her upright. She was grateful since she couldn't feel her legs. Nina swallowed and locked into Hanks gaze. "Has he—have you and he…" She stumbled over the words, afraid that she would break down in front of Hank. "Has he told you...you know?" 46

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His gaze returned the pain that festered inside her. She could see that he didn't want to hurt her. "Not directly, but he has made it clear that he is interested in me, if that's what you're wondering. I'm so sorry." She laughed at the irony—here she was busting her chops to get him to notice her and he goes for her personal trainer! A light flickered in Nina's brain. "How do you know him?" She realized that she'd never introduced them. Hank shrugged, frowning at Nina's sudden newfound strength. "He's been coming to the gym daily around nine each morning. I've been working with him professionally." Nina folded her arms over her chest; her expression mirrored the confusion on Hanks face. "I think we've been double–crossed." Hank stared at her a moment, a grin then lifted the corner of his mouth. "Nina, I know, you want to justify things…" "No, that's not my point." "Then, what do you mean, Nina?" Hank clasped his hands behind his back as though tolerating her explanation. "Because, Jeff told me that he was going on assignment this week and couldn't tell me where or what it was." Nina tipped her head, narrowing her gaze. Hank pulled himself up to his full six-four height. "You mean, Peter," he corrected. She shook her head, trying to fit all the confusing pieces together. "No, I mean Jeff." The clicking of the wall clock was the only sound in the store as she stared at Hank. "The man I saw walking down the street is my client, Peter Northwoods." His voice was quietly firm. "The man I saw was my friend, Jeff Thompson." Nina replied in kind. Hank cocked one eyebrow. *** Jeff fought the queasiness in his stomach. A near empty bottle of Jack Daniels dangled loose from his fingers. His world had gone into a tailspin a few hours ago when he'd seen Nina in Hank's intimate embrace. The guy practically had his hand up her dress. Jeff pouted and he didn’t care that it was out of pure jealousy. 47

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He gave a sarcastic laugh. He'd finally summoned the courage to tell her everything, to spill his guts about how he felt for her, at least so she'd have a choice between the hulk and him. It appeared she'd already chosen. *** For the next week he existed only. He didn't go to the gym, nor did he try to call Nina. Jeff returned to work, looking most days like death warmed over. He guessed she must be happy with Hank, as she hadn't made any attempt to call him either. That was fine. He knew the drill. When one of them was dating, the other stepped back. How many times had Nina been pushed aside? Damn He considered himself fortunate that at least Hank hadn't seen him that day and so it came as no surprise two weeks later when he received a phone call. "Is this Peter?” The voice on the other end was unmistakably Hank. Jeff swallowed hard knowing he would have to explain his absence. "You've not been coming to your sessions." Jeff stood in front of his living room window staring at the traffic below." "Uh...yeah, it's hard to explain Hank." Jeff's words struggled with his conscience. "Why don't you try me, my friend?" Jeff hesitated. "Better still, why don't you come down and have a session, we can talk about it." It was now or never. He'd simply explain the whole mess to Hank, wish him and Nina well, and hopefully he wouldn't use him for boxing practice. "Sure, I'll see you in awhile" Jeff replaced the receiver. He moved grudgingly through the apartment tossing items into his gym bag. He caught his reflection in the mirror and remembered Nina. She was the one he was most concerned giving an explanation to. *** Interesting, Jeff thought as he entered the dusky hallway, not many people here. A shiver slid over his shoulders. "Peter—" His head pivoted to Hank's voice coming from the exercise room. Jeff sauntered in with little to no enthusiasm. "You don't look well, my friend." 48

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Hank stared at Jeff thoughtfully. Jeff dropped the gym bag, placing his hands loosely on his hips. "Hank, we need to talk." Hank sat down on the edge of a parallel bar and crossed his arms over his chest. His gaze was silent, patient, as though he already knew— Jeff took deep breath. "You have feelings for me Peter. Is that what you're trying to say?" Jeff mouth dropped slightly and he blinked. "Uh…" "It's alright Peter, I've felt it too" "I'm not sure you—" Jeff shook his head as he backed away from Hank, his glasses slipping as his back thumped against the brick wall. Hank sauntered toward him with a wicked grin. "There's no need to pretend anymore." He braced his hands on the wall either side of Jeff's face. "No reason to be afraid," he spoke low. Jeff was going to hurl, the bile was rising in his throat. How could he have let this charade get this far? Wait a minute…when had he ever made a move on Hank? "Now listen I don't know what you're thinking, but I—" "Hank?" Jeff turned his face and slammed into Nina's shocked expression. Hank's gaze followed. "I'm sorry...I—" She shook her head, covering her mouth as she spun on her heel and ran from the room. Jeff closed his eyes with a heavy sigh. "That's just perfect." He slid down the wall, his shoulders slumped in defeat. Hank squatted down and peered at him. "Jeff, are you aware of the feelings that Nina has for you?" "Oh yeah, like that's going to matter now?" Jeff scratched his head. "You don't know Nina, when she gets an idea about—" He stopped scratching. "You…just called me Jeff." Hank raised a brow. "Well, we've answered one question." He dropped to the floor beside Jeff. "You want to start at the top?" With a low moan, Jeff pressed his palms to his forehead. ""I don't know why I did this to tell you the truth. Hell, at first I thought I'd be saving her from—" Jeff glanced up at the solidly built man. Hank stared at him with a blank expression. "The point is its over—the whole thing. I've been such an idiot." 49

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Hank pointed his index finger at Jeff. "We'll get back to that part—now let me ask you something, Jeff—Jeff, that is your real name?" Jeff nodded. "Jeff Thompson, I'm a columnist for the Sun Times." He held out his hand, grateful that Hank chose not to twist his fingertips off. "And you are really Nina's friend?" "Remarkable as it may seem, yes." Jeff answered. "How do you feel about Nina?" Hanks expression sobered. He held Hank's gaze for the first time, faced with the reality of speaking his feelings aloud. "It's weird, I've known her for so long, but lately I can't get her out of my mind. It's like she's driving me crazy being inside my head all the time." "I'm no expert, but it sounds like you may love her." Love? "It wouldn't be the strangest thing that ever happened—friends becoming lovers." "Well." Jeff pushed himself from the floor. "Whatever good that does me now. I'm sure she's going to love it when I tell her why I was prying into her life. Lying to her, watching her from the closet—" Jeff stopped and gave Hank a quick glance. "About that idiot thing—" Hank smiled. "Yeah, I know." Jeff picked up his gym bag. "Jeff," Hank called after him. "Only an idiot would let her get away." He paused, looking back at the massive man. "Does Nina think that you and I—" Hank smiled. Jeff groaned. "No offense." "Sorry, I was messing with your head." Hank stood, straightening to his full height. He really was quite impressive. "So, you're not really…" Jeff's words trailed off, realizing that he was more uncomfortable than he thought he'd be. Hanks brows lifted in surprise. "Gay? Oh, sure." He shrugged. "You're just not my type." He grinned. Jeff smiled, somewhat relieved. "Okay, then—friends?" "Sure." Hank reached for his hand and pulled him into a bear hug. "You got to get over your issues, Jeff." "One at a time, Hank. One at a time." Jeff smiled as he walked away. "Hey, maybe I'll stop in from time to time...as myself." "You do that and hey, say something nice about my gym in that column of yours."

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Chapter Seven

Jeff stepped from the gym into the sticky midsummer night. He pulled his cell phone from his jacket and dialed Nina, letting it ring the prescribed six times before her answering machine clicked on, asking him to leave a message. "This is Jeff, we need to talk." He walked toward the bookstore, wondering if she might be in the office, but the store was pitch-black. Perhaps it was a sign that he should let it alone for tonight. There would be enough time tomorrow for her to despise him. Self-absorbed in his woeful thoughts, he shuffled toward home, carefully dissecting his feelings. Had he been denying his feelings for her? Had she tried to tell him her feelings? Was that display in his bedroom because of him or Hank? Jeff's head snapped to attention, not to mention other parts of his anatomy. He stared up at the multi-window complex he called home and realized that life without her would be devoid of color—without hope. He had to find a way to explain his actions and hope that whatever ties they had would take care of the rest. Weary from the day and its emotional events, he pushed open his front door and dropped his bag in the entry. An eerie glow flickered in the murky darkness of his living room. He peered down the short hallway, trying to remember if he'd turned off his television. Nina turned to him as he entered the living room. On the glass coffee table was a box from their favorite pizzeria and two bottles of beer. His gaze bounced from the heavenly smell emitting from the box to Nina's concerned expression. "We need to talk." Her voice was quiet. Jeff stared at her. He'd never run from a challenge in his life. If he could explain this to Hank, then he could certainly handle this. "Sit." "Right." Jeff lowered himself beside her.

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"Just when did you plan on telling me?" She shifted turning toward him. Her gaze, for all intents and purposes, appeared warm and understanding. Had Hank called her already? "That day, at the bookstore, I came to tell you But I saw you and Hank, and I—" He stopped when he saw her expression soften. "Didn't you think I'd understand?" She tipped her head causing her hair to swing just enough to expose the smooth column of her neck. His thoughts peeled down the flimsy material of her dress and kissed her soft shoulder. "I was hoping you would, but I know I owe you an explanation." "Jeff, you don't need to explain anything to me" "I don't?" "Of course not, I'm still you're best friend." She smiled, though her eyes appeared sad. Jeff frowned and narrowed his gaze. "What are we talking about here?" "Oh Jeff, don't you think it's about time you were open with your feelings?" Nina took his hand and pressed it to her cheek. As much as he was riveted by her genteel display of affection, he was struggling with what the heck she was talking about. Jeff withdrew his hand and gave her a questioning look. "It's alright Jeff, I'm not blind." She folded her hands in her lap. "I'm not so sure about that," Jeff cautioned as he fought the desire that consumed him. Her soft scent, the nearness of her warm body—all but fogged his power of reason. Nina turned to him with a puzzled look. Roy Orbison's “Now or Never” played in Jeff's head as he grabbed her by the shoulders and kissed her hard. Leaving no question to whatever absurd thoughts he had that it might be awkward. Her throaty sigh drove his libido into high gear. He pulled back to look at her and the words jumped from his mouth like salmon spawning upstream. "I want you." Her mouth gaped as her eyes widened. "What about, Hank?” Her brow furrowed. "He's a nice guy?" Jeff leaned forward, nipping her bottom lip as he slid the strap of her dress over her shoulder. Her breath caught when he cupped her breast, but her expression softened as he ran his thumb back and forth, catching her pebbled nub between his fingers. "I don't know if I can do this, Jeff," she sighed. 52

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He took off his glasses and laid them on the table. "Nina, you and I have known each other for so long, I just never thought I could feel this way about you." "I didn't know you were capable of having these feelings," she sighed, as her kisses grew urgent. Jeff eased her to the couch, ignoring the questions that her statement—like a snowplow shoved through his head. He tugged down the straps of her dress, exposing her milky white breasts already tense with arousal. His groin tightened as he slid his hand up her thigh shoving the hem of her skirt high over her hips. She reached up in one swift movement and jerked his shirt over his head. This aggressive side that he'd not seen before fanned the intense heat, driving them to tear off whatever clothing wasn't solidly fastened. "This is sort of strange, in an erotic sort of way," she sighed. One of her shoes whizzed past his head as he lowered his face, capturing her rosy areola in his mouth. Her hips rose, pressing against his arousal. It was like a miracle, after so long—this was Nina—his Nina. He drank in her scent, marking her with his kisses, her sighs branding his brain. Strange? He saw very little about this as strange— erotic, definitely that. Her hand eased between them stroking his crotch and he hardened at her touch. In the back of his mind he was checking his medicine cabinet for protection, as he savored every movement of Nina's fingers. "Sit up," she whispered. Curious he did as she requested, stifling a low moan when she reached out and tugged his jogging pants down around his knees. He held her shoulders relishing in the softness of her hands smoothing over his abdomen, circling his waist. She glanced up at him, taking his heated member between her hands. "Good lord woman—" He cast a gaze heavenward, a low moan issuing from deep in his throat as her fingers worked a sensational kind of magic. What had he been missing all these years? In a short few moments she managed to bring him to a state of an incredible hard-on and more than that, his heart was about to burst along with the rest of him. He looked down at her, watching as she placed soft kisses against his chest. "Your new bra does wonderful things for you, sweetheart." He kissed the top of her head. 53

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"New bra?" Nina glanced up at him, clutching her fingers around the back of his neck; she pulled him down on top of her and planted a sultry kiss on his mouth. "The green one, "he muttered, deepening the kiss as he gently parted her knees with his leg. His heart pounded in his chest, he hoped that the ancient condom in his wallet was still good. She turned her head, allowing his kisses to trail down the gentle slope of her neck. "How do you know about my green bra?" If lovemaking was like driving a car, the brakes on his libido pressed down hard and with a jolt, sent Jeff's brain tumbling past passion and right into reality. Her gaze held his in curiosity. "I never told you about my new bra." "Sure…you did." It was a weak lie, totally and undeniably lame, but perhaps he would luck out. She pushed his shoulders away from her and sat up on the couch. Her hair mussed from their passionate make-out session, made her look even sexier. Jeff glanced down. There was no joy in Mudville tonight, for the mighty Jeff had struck out. "No, I did not." Nina straightened, yanking up the straps of her dress and yanking down her hemline in two short moves. "Nina, I can explain—" She licked her well-kissed lips and gave him a side-glance. Jeff awkwardly pulled up his pants, his erection painfully strained against the confinement. "Ready when you are." Her gaze was no-nonsense. A far cry from the nonsense they'd been making. "Your explanation?" Nina stood and rounded the table, placing it between them. She grabbed one of the beers and took a deep swallow. "I'm listening." Adjusting himself as comfortably as possible, Jeff folded his hands over his knees, hoping to hide the sharp-angled jut in his sweatpants. "Okay Nina. I'm just going to give you the whole story and hope like hell you'll understand." He took a deep breath. "I saw you and Hank that morning you were late. You were standing on the sidewalk talking and laughing and there was something that just rubbed me the wrong way about seeing the two of you together. So I decided I'd find out what it was. You know, like all those times you pinned down what was wrong with my dates?" Jeff paused, collecting his thoughts. "So I decided to go undercover." "And that's when you met Hank?" she interjected. 54

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Jeff hesitated. "Yes. I gave a fictitious name and hired Hank to be my personal trainer." "So you could spy on him?" she added. Jeff nodded reluctantly. It wasn't something he was particularly proud of. "I didn't know until later that you were going there too. I saw you several times with him." Jeff swallowed. He knew the difficult part was coming next. "In the gym, at the outdoor café—" Her eyebrows peaked. "You mean, you followed us?" Jeff sighed staring past her into the sparkling lights of the city. He ran his hand through his hair, and returned to her expectant gaze. "Yes." He had yet to tell her about the closet. Nina leaned back against the windowsill, bottle in one hand, and waited. Jeff looked nervously at the floor "Anywhere else?" "Here," he said it quickly, hoping she'd let it slide. "Here?" Jeff grimaced. Taken this with the right amount of charm and persuasiveness, he could still maybe come out smelling like a rose. "You are so hot, Nina. My god, I had no idea you had this wicked streak—" "Here?" she repeated with greater firmness in her voice. Jeff cast his gaze to the ceiling. "The day you came by to feed my fish. You were earlier than I'd expected." "Imagine that. This just keeps getting more interesting." Jeff chewed his lip, tasting where her lips danced with his moments before. It might as well have been eons ago. "I'd been in the shower—" Nina frowned with a far off look in her eye. "The day Mango died?" Her head tipped as her gaze narrowed to his. His head suddenly felt like a bobble-head doll. "I remember the floor was wet. I thought your ceiling had leaked." Nina's steady gaze drilled into his. "No, wait, I thought you said you'd loaned the key to a friend? Where were you?" "Behind the bathroom door." Jeff pulled himself to the edge of the couch, resting his elbows to his knees. As long as he was spilling his guts she might as well know everything. "But I was in the bathroom, I didn’t see you." 55

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"I hid in the closet." Oddly, Jeff considered that her thinking he had accepted an alternate lifestyle might have been an easier to handle. He shook his head to dispel that notion, and looked up, his breath catching at the beauty of her eyes. Even though the same eyes had murder written all over them. Her eyes spoke volumes of what she could not say. Then you saw me in your bedroom? Yes, and I never saw you like that Nina, it did something to me. I trusted you. I thought you were in love with Hank...I was so confused by how that hurt. You lied to me. I love you Nina. Jeff scrambled for his glasses, wanting to see her reaction clearly. She looked hurt, betrayed—confused. The pain stabbed his very existence. She sat the bottle to the table with a thud. Jeff felt it like a bullet entering his heart. Pressing her fingertips to her temples, she spoke hurriedly, "I have to get out of here." She swept past him before he could grab her hand and snatched her purse from the hook in the hallway. "Don't call me Jeff. I need some time to think. It never occurred to me that it would come to this." She paused, staring at him as if debating her next words. "If you cared so much for me, why didn't you just tell me?" It was a simple question and one he could not answer. "And besides, I'm not sure I can deal with your bi-sexuality." The door slammed behind her, leaving an impact of a fist to his gut. Bisexual? Jeff stared at the door more confused than before. He glanced down at the dewy beer bottle on the table for a moment before curling his fingers around it and tipping his head back to take in a long draw. He slumped back to the couch. "What the hell just happened?" *** Nina played the whole scene over and over in her mind, her skin burning as she imagined his mouth gliding across her flesh. More times than not she wondered how he could be attracted to her and Hank at the same time. Try as she might, she ended up crying herself to a tormented sleep before realizing that she could well be jealous of Hank. 56

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Jeff had not called, as she had requested. Two excruciatingly long days had passed with little to no sleep. Nina rubbed her temples as she sat facing the sun that peeked through the cracker box brick apartment buildings. She felt like hell and probably looked worse. Her eyes lifted slowly as the thought came to her...Helga. The fresh air rolling in off the lake that morning was a welcome reprieve to Nina's overwrought thoughts. She kept a clipped pace as she headed for the gym with more purpose than she'd displayed for days. Even Hank was pleased to hear her voice when she called. "Nina, how are you love?" His voice was gentle and kind "I've been better." She knew she sounded as weary as she felt. "I was thinking Helga might do me some good." There was a slight hesitation before Hank replied. "Good idea Nina. Come on over, we'll be ready for you." A short time later, Nina entered the building, stepping lightly up the three flights of stairs to the gym, her disposition held a faint glow of optimism. For the first time in many days, her heart had purpose Her hopeful disposition came to a screeching halt as she stepped into the gym. Jeff lay astride the weight bench, shirtless and glistening, pressing the barbell in succession over his head, his face clenched in determination and drive. Nina's feet froze where she stood, unable to mask her reaction. Hank caught her eye. "Be right with you." And he left her standing at the door. She decided to find Helga herself. "Wait." A strange voice, deeper than Jeff's stopped her exit. "You're Nina, right?" A large man, every bit the size of Hank approached her holding out his hand in greeting. "Excuse me, do I know you?" She accepted his hand cautiously, wondering where Hank was. "I have been watching you here at the gym, Nina. I figure you are always alone and so I thought maybe there was a chance that you and I could get together sometime." His body loomed close, squeezing her between him and the wall. Nina held herself still as if a snarling dog had approached her. "No, I'm not interested, thank you." She hoped her polite refusal would discourage him. She tried to leave and he blocked her way.

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He tipped his head with a smile. "Now Nina, may I call you Nina? Maybe I didn't make my intentions clear. I just want for us to get to know each other better. Maybe I could offer you some private lessons?" He inched his face closer to hers with a rueful smile. Nina held the giant man's gaze. Where was Hank's burly presence when she needed him? "I don't believe the lady is interested." Nina closed her eyes. She knew the voice, though she could not see the person for the formidable force blocking her view. The mountain turned and peered down at Jeff "This isn't your business" His voice was cold as steel. Jeff held his stance, his gaze firm. He pushed his glasses up his nose. He's going to die. Nina reached out to caution Jeff. "It’s okay Nina. Stand back," Jeff spoke, not taking his gaze from the massive human that appeared to be sizing him up like an appetizer. "Is she your woman?" He nudged his head toward Nina with an inquiring look. A look of sadness flitted through Jeff's gaze, his face instantly hardening. "I don't own her. No one does, she can make her own choices. And it appears that you are not one of them, so back off." The bulk of a man cast a side-glance to Nina and then to Jeff. His mouth lifted slightly. "Too skinny anyway." He turned without a word and walked out of the gym. The silence hung in the empty gym as Nina stared at Jeff. For the life of her, she didn’t know what to say. It was like looking at a stranger. "Nina?" She tore her gaze from Jeff and saw Hank lumbering toward them. "Sorry, had to take a phone call. You ready for that massage?" He placed a light kiss on her forehead, smiled at Jeff as he placed an arm over her shoulder. "Helga is going to use the hot stones today. I think you'll find it very relaxing." She sighed as she leaned against him. "You look exhausted." "Tell me something I don't already know,” she muttered as she walked with Hank toward the exit. Hank stopped her, holding her gaze to his. "Can I give you some personal advice?" Nina blinked. Her mind still on the sadness she'd seen in Jeff's eyes. "He loves you, Nina." Hank searched her face, his gaze filled with compassion. 58

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"That crazy guy with the basketball biceps?" She stared at Hank, unbelieving that he would try to push someone like that on her, especially now, with all she was dealing with. "Nina, I'm talking about Jeff." She studied his face, pondering how much he knew. Nina's gaze lifted over Hank’s shoulder as Jeff came out of the gym. His startling blue eyes locked with hers for just a moment before he placed the towel around his neck and walked down the hall Hank's voice broke her from her reverie. "You are in love too, Nina." he spoke quietly. "I know." Nina returned her attention to Hank's concerned expression. "I have been for a long time Hank. But it takes more than that It takes trust. Besides, I'm not sure I can handle his bi-sexual lifestyle Hank." Hanks eyes popped open wide, staring at her momentarily before breaking out in loud laughter. "Nina, Jeff is about as "bi" as I am hetero-sexual. Oh, honey, where do you get these notions?" ""But the other day—you and he, here—" She blinked, obviously confused. Hank cupped her face. "Now, you listen close. I was forcing his hand; trying to get him to face his feelings for you and more importantly hoping that he would tell you those feelings, show you how he felt. Life's too short, Nina. Things happen, people drift apart—" "Oh he showed me how he felt all right, but he didn't tell me that you and he weren't seeing each other." "Nina, search your heart. Stop making excuses for how you feel. Your body, your mind, your wit, it’s a package that no man could resist." He grinned, "Except the body part, for me." He shrugged. Nina worried her lip. ”Hank, he used you and me. He spied on us, followed us all over the place. He lied about being gone! He set me up, and then proceeded to spy on me in private." Hank thought a moment. "It sounds to me like a pretty desperate guy afraid that he's about to lose his best friend to her incredibly handsome personal trainer.” He raised his brow. Nina pondered his words as she clicked her fingernail across her teeth. "You really think he cares about me?" Hank nodded, a faint smile played on his lips. "Go tell him. Make things as they should be between you." Hank smiled. "No," Nina grinned in return. "I have another idea." 59

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She left quickly, leaving a puzzled look on Hank's face. With any luck, she hoped what she had in mind would open up the way for a new relationship with Jeff.

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Chapter Eight

It just about killed Jeff to see Nina. Wishing he could take back the companionship they once knew, the jokes, and the Friday nights at Scully's. He'd much prefer at least a platonic relationship to this damnable silence. She hadn't said a word to him—not even thanks, though that's not what he wanted—he wanted her. Jeff glanced up, spying the dark ominous thunderclouds. They signaled the onset of a whopper storm that only the windy city in summer can produce and the prospect of another lonely Friday night at home. It was by his own choice he reasoned. It would be hard to find someone to fill the gapping hole that Nina had created when she slammed the door permanently, out of his life. Jeff had never known the heartache of losing love and friendship at the same time. The doors to the elevator swung open to his floor. His leather book bag seemed heavier this evening, as did the weight that had settled on his shoulders. He pulled the keys from his pocket and jammed them in the lock. Jeff's eyes adjusted from the bright hallway lights to the murky shadow of his dark apartment. In the distance, he could hear the deep penetrating roll of thunder. He dropped his bag on the couch and stood at his picture window, staring out across the sky. He could almost feel the impending storm combined with the chaos roiling inside him. Sighing loud, he ran his hands through his hair, rolling his shoulders in an attempt to eliminate the stiffness and fatigue. He took a deep breath and paused, considering he might well be going over the edge. Jeff took another breath, inhaling deep—it was unmistakably Nina's perfume. His gaze darted around the living room, searching the shadows, but there was no one, no sound...only the alluring scent of her perfume. Cautiously, he walked past the kitchen, glancing in to see if she was there. From there he stepped into his bedroom and his heart tumbled when he met Nina's gaze in the reflection of his dresser mirror. 61

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"I've been waiting for you to come out of the closet." She smiled as she slowly worked at the buttons of her dress. He stood transfixed, the flicker of a few tiny candles winked in the stormy afternoon darkness. Jeff placed his hand on his chest, hoping to slow the rapid pace of his heart. She looked absolutely beautiful. The seductive glint in her eye had him hard and thinking of a multitude of creative ways to relieve it. If only he had a loincloth Outside a flash of lightening snapped like a flare, bringing with it the splitting of the sky as rain spattered hard against the glass. His feet were like clay as he moved toward her. He held her gaze in the mirror as he stood behind her. "I thought I'd lost you." God, how he wanted to touch her. Like he'd seen her that day as he watched from the closet. He placed his hands on her shoulders, cherishing perhaps for the first time, how soft she was. She tipped her head, accommodating him as he lifted her hair from her neck and placed a warm kiss there. "I'm sorry," he whispered against her skin. Jeff sensed her shiver and watched her close her eyes as she leaned into him. "I'm so sorry, I should have told you sooner how I felt." She sighed as she lifted her hands to frame his face. "I'm as much at fault, Nina. I should have told you." Jeff's arms settled around her waist and he drew her against him, wanting her to feel what she did to him. "Told me what?" she whispered as she ran her hand down his thigh. He wanted to take her right there at the dresser. The fabric of his dress pants stretched tight with his erection. Jeff forced himself to move slowly, take his time, and cherish these first moments of what he prayed would be many. "Everything, but mostly what I feel for you." He gently pressed her hands to her sides, and reached around her, finishing the unbuttoning she started. Jeff's gaze roamed over where the dress parted allowing her alabaster flesh to peek through. "Good lord, Nina, you're breathtaking." He peeled back the fabric, revealing her satiny skin. The lacy, emerald green bra and matching thong outlined her curves, showcasing her plump breasts and tempting his imagination. "I only feel this way when I'm around you, Jeff." He relished in how her flesh was like warm velvet beneath his fingers, breathing deep the scent at the base of her neck, he slid his hands over her stomach, letting his grasp rest just below the gentle slope of her breasts. Savoring the warm kisses over her 62

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shoulder, he cupped her, weighing her perfectly in his palms, raking the lacy edge back and forth over her taut nipple. "I'm grateful for that, Nina. I don’t think I could stand the idea of you with another man." A clap of thunder rattled the windows Nina's hooded gaze indicated she welcomed his exploration and her smile spurred on the fact that she was blissfully enjoying it. "I'm as much at fault for not being truthful. I went through this entire workout just to get your attention." She turned in his arms, pressing up against him, her warm flesh searing through his dress shirt. "From the beginning, it was all so that you might see me as more than a friend." Her confession heated his desire. Jeff swallowed hard realizing how blind and foolish he'd been. "I've been such an idiot." He backed her against the dresser, gently trailing kisses over her shoulder, lifting the thin strap over her shoulder, and following its path with more kisses. This was his Nina, and he wanted this moment to be special. He glanced down, grinning at how her breasts filled the bra like perfect white mounds beckoning to be cherished. "Even the bra?" He gave her a wicked grin. "Just for you." She smiled with a wicked glint. "And were you thinking of me that day?" He suspected as much, but he wanted to hear the confession from her lips. His brow raised as her hand reached between them and she stroked his length beneath his pants. "Amongst other things." That was enough. He claimed her mouth, setting free the fears and concerns in his heart, unaware of the ferocity built inside him. Drinking in what she offered, he cushioned his hands behind her warm bottom, pressing her against the dresser as he filled the mundane void that had plagued his days—maybe forever. He knelt before her, glancing up as he unsnapped the teasing bra. Her breasts bobbed free and with a guttural moan, he grasped them in his palms, lowered his mouth, flicking each pink nub with his teeth and tongue. She grabbed his face, lifting it to hers. "Your glasses." Nina plucked them off and placed them on the dresser. "I love you—" he sighed against her skin as he trailed kisses down her belly. Her hands stilled on his shoulders. 63

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"What?" He glanced up at her, seeing her pouty lips, rosy from their kisses. Her dark hair tumbled haphazard around her bare shoulders. It was epiphany moment for Jeff. "I said, I love you. I think I've always loved you." Jeff lifted his gaze to her beautiful green eyes alive with passion, meant for him, caused by him. He realized suddenly one very important fact. He didn't want to go through another day without her. "Marry me." Her brows rose. "Did you just ask me to marry you?" Her perfect breasts framed her face as he stared up from where he knelt in front of her. She leaned over and unbuttoned his shirt, frustrated after the second one. She pulled open the shirt, buttons flying in all directions. "I most emphatically did." Jeff grinned, taking her face in his hands as he kissed her hard. "I like this side of your personality, Nina." "Nina, we've done everything together. God knows our friendship has already been through hell and back. Marrying me would be the next natural step." "We haven't done everything." She pulled his face to hers in a kiss that fused with the electricity of the storm outside with thunderous fury, thrashing rain against the glass. Jeff couldn’t believe he was hearing the words coming from Nina. But hadn't he always known there was more passion simmering beneath her friendly exterior than she allowed most people to see? He watched the hunger in her gaze as he unzipped h is pants and let them pool at his feet. Sliding his shirt off, he grinned as he reached out sliding his fingers beneath the skinny waistband of her thong. "Your turn." She parted her legs slightly as he drew them over her hips, bracing her hands on the dresser as he slid them down her long legs. Her soft dark curls greeted him as he knelt before her. With patient reverence, he lifted her leg over his shoulder, gently turning his mouth to the inside of her thigh. He kissed the inside of her knee, moving his pleasuring slow so as not to rush her. "Nina, I want to love every inch of you." She threaded her fingers through his hair as he teased her womanhood with his kisses. Never before had he thought about the pleasure of being with her like this. It was a lethal combination of exhilaration and danger taking their friendship to this new level. Lost in her bliss, she writhed as he cupped her backside, lifting her hips to accommodate the pleasure he was giving her. "Jeff—I—" A low moan emitted from her throat, as she arched her hips against his mouth. 64

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Hail and wind pelted like snare drums to the apartment's windows. The storm was increasing in intensity. "It drove me crazy watching from the closet that day." He knew she was perched on the edge and he wanted to see her tumble over. A loud crash of violent thunder shook the building, lost to the heated passion within the third story tiny apartment. Nina lifted her head, her fingers tangled in Jeff's sandy hair. "I think—oh god—there's someone at the door." The words came in short gasps as she clamped her hands to the edge of the dresser and let out a sensual deep sigh. "Ignore them, they'll go away." Jeff kissed the soft slope of her belly, working his way to her sweet breasts, more than ready to consummate this longing between them. The pounding became more insistent. Jeff stood, his chest heaving, once again his plans to bury himself inside her interrupted. He shirked on his shirt, and pulled on his pants, pausing as he reached the door. "Don't move a muscle. I'll get rid of whoever it is." *** There was little chance that Nina could move. Her dress lay draped at her elbows and except for her shoes; she waited, exposed to his pleasure. The mere thought of his tongue doing delightful things to her made her wet. She prayed he would hurry. Her desire for him to take her hard and quick the first time caused her body to tremble. Much later, when their bodies were satiated, their fierce desire placated, they could take their time. Right now she wanted to feel him buried deep inside her. "Jeff?" she called her voice raspy with thoughts of unbridled sex. "We need to hurry" Another man’s voice prompted her to slip on her panties and begin the task of refastening her dress. The one time she wished she'd chosen her slip over sundress instead. "Nina, come on, we've got to get to the basement." Jeff appeared at the bedroom door, urgency in his voice. He held out his hand with a look of concern on his face. "Let's go, come on. I'll explain on the way." Jeff grabbed her hand and tugged her into the living room. As she frantically searched the floor for her purse, she spied a pair of familiar large feet in equally large sandals. Nina followed the muscular hairy legs upward and found Hank smiling down at her. "So this is why you ran out on me?" He grinned. 65

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Jeff's gaze bounced from Nina to Hank. "Hank came by to warn me about a tornado sighted not far from here. He thought I might know where you were." Nina face heated with embarrassment Jeff gently took her hand and kissed her knuckles. "Nina, let's go. I don't want anything to happen to thwart my plans. I fully intend to finish what was started here today." Hanks brows rose with an "oh really?" look. Nina licked her lips, wanting to finish now, but clearly there were more pressing matters. A siren began to wail down the block as the wind, filled with gravel and bits of debris tapped against the windowpanes. *** Huddled in the damp musty basement between two gorgeous males was not the worst thing that Nina had ever experienced. It was the look of twenty-four sets of eyes that stared at her disheveled look as they entered the room that had her self-conscious. They found a spot, near the corner, across from an elderly woman with bright blue eyes. Interest sparked in her gaze as they trio settled in. Unable to avoid the woman's blatant staring any longer, Nina met her gaze squarely. "It's not as bad as it looks," she reassured the woman. The woman raised her sliver gray brows, but her gaze indicated she was willing to hear Nina's story. "You see, Hank is my good friend, but he's gay. Jeff," She placed her hand on his arm. "Jeff, is my fiancé" Nina felt it was a most logical explanation given the fact she was squeezed between two handsome men as she clutched her half-unbuttoned dress in her fists. She smiled to the wide-eyed shock of the older woman. "I've heard of them threesome things, but never actually met anyone who did it though." Nina's mouth gapped. "No, you don't understand." She grinned. "We're just friends—I mean, he and I are friends—" "And he's bi-sexual, right?" The woman pointed at Jeff. Jeff glanced up from fastening his buttons and for the first time looked at the woman. "What are you doing here?" "I've lived here since before you were the glint in your daddy's eye, young man." 66

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Nina stared at Jeff. "You know this woman?" "We ain't like that, missy. You have nothing to fret about." She patted Nina's leg. Jeff coughed as he tried to hide his grin. "So how do you know each other?' "We met at the bus stop the day he was spying on you two." Nina and Hank turned their collective gaze to Jeff. "Nina knows, it’s a long story," Jeff mumbled. "I want you to be my maid of honor, Hank." Nina grabbed Hank's arm, hoping to dissuade the conversation away from the old woman and thus Jeff's embarrassment. Hank glanced at the elderly woman, a smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "The two of you are getting married? That's wonderful." He grabbed them both around the shoulders squeezing them until Nina could barely breathe. "Looks like one of them threesome things to me," the old woman muttered. "Hey, wait a minute. I wanted him to be my best man." Jeff leaned over Nina's shoulder and his hand clung to the curve just a respectable notch below her breast. He caught the disapproving glance of the woman seated across from them, smiled and settled against the wall. "She's my best friend," he informed the woman. "But I thought he was her best friend." The old woman pointed at Hank. "Well, he's my friend too," Jeff replied with an arched brow. She gasped. "I knew it. I hear that it can get kinky—" She wiggled her silver brows and Jeff looked like he wanted to blend into the wall. "So, were you spying on him…or her?" The old woman frowned, her gaze narrowed on Jeff. "Neither—I wasn't spying." "I'd watch this one, honey. He seems to have some reality issues." She turned to Nina and spoke as she folded her spindly arms over her chest. "I don't have reality issues—" Jeff started. Nina's brow cocked in warning. "Ok, maybe some, but the reality is that I love her, dammit! And I love him, too—just not in that way." He nodded his head once as if affirming himself to the entire crowd. After a brief silence the room erupted in applause. "Sorry Hank." "No problem, you're not my type." "I've been meaning to ask you—" 67

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"Let it go, Jeff." Nina touched his arm and turned his face to hers. "Madam, do you workout? You look wonderfully fit." Hank leaned forward speaking to the old woman. Her delighted facial expression gazed at Hank no doubt captivated with his all-American smile. "Why, I walk a bit," the old woman stuttered, blushing profusely. He placed his beefy arm around her shoulder. "I have a gym, with a wonderful masseuse. Perhaps you'll come by and see me sometime?" He took her hand between his palms and patted it with all the precision of a well-trained son. He had her at hello. Jeff grinned and glanced at Nina as he shook his head. "Maybe I will." She smiled shyly. Hank responded with a friendly smile. "Perhaps you would do me the honor of allowing me to escort you to the wedding of these two." He raised a brow to the flustered old woman. Nina and Jeff blinked in surprise. Another round of applause issued from the avid onlookers. "I'm sure the happy couple would be pleased to have you." He couldn't have had any more magical power over the woman if his name had been Obi-Wan. "Sure, we'd love to have you," Nina and Jeff spoke simultaneously. The woman's face brightened and she turned with a sweet smile toward Jeff. "I didn't really think you were a pervert sitting there at that busstop like a spy peering through that newspaper." She slapped Jeff's knee and smiled as if they were old friends. "A newspaper?" "Oh, it was quite clever, he had little holes—" the old woman rambled excitedly. Hank leaned past Nina, giving Jeff an incredulous look. "Safe to go on back home folks," The maintenance man of the building sauntered into the basement, hands tucked leisurely into his coveralls. Jeff pulled Nina to her feet, giving her a let's-get-back-to-where-we-were look. "I hope you don't mind, I want to get home and call my mom, she's going to be so excited." She kissed him soundly on the mouth, hoping it would last them both until she could get back. "That'll give Jeff and me a chance to hear about these new plans." Hank slapped Jeff on the shoulder. *** Jeff pressed the save key and leaned back, stretching his arms high over his head. That should appease the burly beast. 68

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He smiled at the article he had just finished touting the benefits of his time spent at Body Repair by Hank. Leaving out the fact that he was able to retrieve the friendship of his best friend, as well as gain her as a fiancé through the experience. "Line three." Dottie the receptionist waved at him over the cubicle. He pressed the blinking read light and cleared his throat. "Hello, Jeff Thompson." "Is this that sexy reporter that works for the Times?" The voice was low, but unmistakable. Jeff grinned. "I sure hope no one is listening in, you jerk." Hank's deep laugh resounded on the other end of the line. "Hey, just checking to see if we're still on for the great diamond hunt this afternoon." "Yeah, I just need to call Nina to see if she can get away for awhile." Jeff smiled. A week ago, he never thought he'd be having this discussion with this man. And even less that the topic would be about picking out engagement rings for Nina. "Two o'clock?" "See you in front of the bookstore" *** "You're sure you don't mind?" Nina checked herself for the hundredth time in the small mirror behind the counter. "I think I can handle it," the huge man answered Nina glanced up at his face and grinned. "Try not to scare the customers, Dirk" He grinned mischievously and playfully tapped her cheek "What's he doing here?" Both turned to the sound of Jeff's irritated voice. Nina spoke as she rounded the counter, placing a hand to Jeff's chest. "His name is Dirk, a friend of Hank's. He needed some part-time work, and I needed some time with my fiancé." Nina slid her arms around Jeff, snuggling her body close to his, rightfully turning his attention to her presence, instead of the three-hundred pound weight trainer. Jeff tore his gaze from the human Mount Olympus. "Isn't he that guy from the gym?" he whispered as he embraced her protectively in his arms. "That was Hank's idea to get us back together." Nina smiled "Seems our friend was playing cupid."

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Jeff glanced up at Dirk, who was grinning from ear to ear. "Sorry." He narrowed his gaze and shook his head with a sigh. "Nina, from now on, I always want to be straight with you." "That might be a good idea, if you're planning to marry her, my friend." Hank smiled as he sauntered up behind them. "Or you'll have me to contend with." "Hello, Dirk." Hank raised a hand in a friendly wave. Dirk nodded in response. "Are we ready my little love birds?" Hank clamped a hand down on Nina's and Jeff's shoulder's, offering a gleam in his eye with a satisfied smile.

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Chapter Nine

Jeff leaned his elbows on the counter and watched as the two of them gawked over the tray the jeweler had set before them. "Look at this one, Nina." Hank held out his hand, displaying the shiny bauble that would only fit the tip of his pinkie finger. "It's one of our most popular." The jeweler gushed. Jeff glanced at the thin-man, his silvery hair slicked back in gracious waves over his ears. He had a feeling that the clerk knew he had a pair of 'live ones' drooling over the polished glass display cabinet. Nina tipped her head, studying the ring. "What do you think?" She tugged Hank's hand closer to Jeff for inspection. Jeff frowned. "I think I'd rather see it on your hand." He cast her dubious glance. "Touchy, isn't he?" Hank raised his brow and plucked the ring, slipping it on Nina's hand. "It's lovely," the clerk announced as he reached for Nina's and Hanks hands, forcing them together in a clasp. "And we make a groom's ring as well." He smiled with glee. "Oh." Nina blushed pulling her hand from Hank's. "This is my fiancé" She looped her arm through Jeff's and squeezed. It marginally made up for the twenty minutes he had waited patiently while they 'oohed' and 'aahed'. His preference was to get the ring and celebrate quietly back at his apartment. "Oh, Mr. Grumpy," the clerk muttered. "Well, then—" He rearranged the pairs of hands and stood back as if deciding how hers and Jeff's hands looked together. "I like that one." Jeff pointed to a sapphire surrounded pear-cut diamond. Nina's eyes widened like saucers "Jeff, it's absolutely exquisite." She placed it on her finger and turned her hands to catch the light. "Absolutely," Hank offered. "Mr. Gr—" 71

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Jeff glanced at the clerk with a look of warning. "Excellent choice, sir." He pasted a wide grin on his face. "Thank you everyone." Jeff gently took Nina's hand and kissed the ring. "Now if we're finished here." Jeff brushed a strand of hair over her shoulder; his gaze he hoped revealed that he wanted to get her alone. "We'll just have it sized and you can pick it up next week, sir." The jeweler took Nina's hand. "How about this one?" Jeff laid his hand on the jewelers. The jeweler tipped his head and examined the fit to Nina's finger. He glanced up with a smile. "It is a perfect fit. If you're happy with it, then so are we. Let me just get your receipt." He turned back. "You'll want insurance on this I presume?" Jeff smiled. "I'll check into it thanks. Meantime, see this guy? He's my insurance broker." *** Much to Jeff's dismay, they stopped at Scully's to celebrate the upcoming wedding. Nina snuggled beside Jeff in the booth, and Hank sat across from them, relishing in their happiness. He was glad that Nina had suggested they make a quick stop for a celebratory beer. He wasn't ready to go home yet to his empty apartment. "To many years of happiness." Hank lifted his beer and grinned. The piano man in the corner of Scully's bar entertained Friday night guests every weekend according to Jeff and Nina. It was a pleasant atmosphere, comfortable, where everyone knew the regulars and the bartender knew exactly what your order was. It was clear that Jeff and Nina had been patrons of the establishment for some time given the number of people Hank was introduced to as they made their way to the booth. Hank listened to the pianist for a few moments, enjoying this special moment with his friends—friends, the likes of which he'd never anticipated having. And though he was alone, his heart was full for them and what they had. "Hang on, I'll be right back." Hank pushed from the booth and snaked his way to the man at the piano. With a smile, he returned to the booth and stood, clapping his hands together to garner the attention of the bar patrons. "Ladies and gentleman, I'd like you to all raise your glasses tonight to my good friends Nina and Jeff. Today they made their engagement official. Please join me in a toast to their happiness." He raised his glass as cheers rose from the crowd. Hank smiled as he watched Nina hide in her face on Jeff's shoulder, but he didn’t miss the quick kiss as she raised her gaze to look at him. 72

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Nina stood, clasping her arms around Hanks neck, her feet lifting from the floor as he straightened to his full height. "I love you, you big lug." Though he wished that his relationship with Becca could be the same, his heart was at peace with Nina's friendship. "We have a musical request from the couple's best man." The man at the piano began to play an old fifties tune, "Only You" He paused momentarily, holding his hand up to beckon Jeff and Nina to the small dance floor. Though Nina's cheeks burnished crimson, Hank smiled as they made their way past handshakes and raised glasses. An image of Becca flashed in Hank's brain and he hoped her wedding would be filled with as much joy and friendship. *** Jeff twirled Nina once, and pulled her close giving her a kiss that brought another round of applause from the patrons. Nina curled her fingers through his as he brought their clasped hands between them, drawing her close. Except for the occasional clink of a glass, the easy melody of the song echoed clearly throughout the establishment. "I love you," Jeff whispered. He pressed his lips against her cheek. She tightened her arms around his neck soliciting another round of whistles from somewhere in the bar. Nina glanced up, catching Hank's broad smile as he sat across the bar from them. In the shadows behind him, Nina noticed two figures entering the bar. She glanced away, but from the corner of her eye, she was drawn back by the action of one of the men jabbing the bouncer in the stomach with a long object. Nina's eyes widened as the pair came into full view. They wore ski masks drawn over their faces and guns poised on the crowd. Nothing like this had ever happened in this neighborhood before, though there had been a rash of unexplained robberies in the city as the temperatures soared. "No one move and we can take care of this quickly," one of the men warned as he snaked through the tables and slipped behind the bar. He tossed a dirty canvas bag to the bartender and held his gun to the bartenders head. "Fill it." The other man stood near the front door, his gaze darting periodically toward the street. Silence hung in the room. Many of the patrons were older and sat very still as the bartender went to the task of filling the bag. "Play piano man, it's too quiet," The man yelled as he waved his gun over the crowd. Several patrons gasped, dropping to the floor beside their table as they covered their heads. Nina's gaze met the older gentleman's frozen one. 73

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"Come on, play," the robber insisted with a growl. He kept his aim on the crowd as he made his way to the piano player. "What's the matter?" Jeff gently pushed Nina behind him, though it appeared the gunman scarcely paid attention to them as his focus was on the man seated at the piano. Nina held her breath, praying he wouldn’t hurt him. Gratefully, the man began to play. "We got to go!" the other man yelled from the entrance. The masked gunman grabbed the filled bag from the end of the bar and started across the dance floor, stopping briefly as he glanced at Jeff and Nina. Something had caught his eye. "What's this?" He closed the distance to Jeff and snatched Nina's hand dragging her from behind. The barrel of his gun held Jeff from interfering. "Give it up." Nina bit her lip, knowing it was not yet insured. Tears began to well in her eyes. "I said give it up, bitch." "It's my engagement ring, "she whispered. "What? Are you messin' with me, bitch?" He pushed Jeff aside with the end of his gun. *** Hank sat motionless, watching the nervous gunman at the door. He had no grand ideas of heroism and he hoped that Jeff would follow suit. Just give him the ring Nina. Hank willed to her. "Give him the ring." She glanced at Jeff hearing his quiet steady voice. "Yeah, listen to the man, give me the ring" Nina tugged at the ring, freeing it from her finger. She held it out to the gunman, great tears rolling down her face. He hesitated, before grabbing it from her hand. As he tried to stuff it in his pocket, Jeff plunged for the man's gun. Hank sprang from his seat, glancing over his shoulder as he caught the other robber about to level off a shot at Jeff. With his only thought to stop the man, Hank stepped up on an empty chair and flung himself toward the man. Startled, the masked gunman gave out a yell as he dropped his gun, sending a shot into the air. *** 74

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At that moment, a storm of police cars screeched to a stop in front of the building and a swarm of blue uniforms spilled into the bar. In little time, they had secured the area and handcuffed the suspects. Only one person lay on the floor. "Call 911, we need an ambulance." One of the officers shouted to the bartender. Jeff's gaze darted toward the booth where Hank had been moments before. He grabbed Nina's hand, feeling a slight sting in his shoulder as he pulled her through the crowd gathering around the fallen victim. The one man who had saved his life, and possibly others. "Omigod—" A gasp rushed from Nina's lips as they approached Hank lying on the floor. A patch of red soaked the front of Hank's white knit polo shirt, his expression was quietly serene. "Please, let us through." Jeff pushed through the wall of people as he knelt beside Hank "Will he make it?" he asked an officer who was holding a white cloth compress to the wound oozing from Hank's stomach. "He's got a pulse." The policeman frowned as he glanced up at Jeff. He nodded toward Jeff’s shoulder. "You better have that looked at." Jeff followed the man's gaze, aware suddenly of the tingling sensation in his shoulder. Blood soaked through the fabric of his shirt. He stared at it as thought it was someone else's arm. "Omigod, Jeff. You're hurt." Nina grabbed a bartender’s towel and placed it over the wound. "You know him?" The officer nodded toward Hank. Jeff nodded. “He's with us. We were celebrating—my fiancé…and—" His thoughts jumbled as a wave of lightheadedness washed over him. "This guy was pointing his gun at me" Jeff rubbed his eyes, trying to clear his vision. "He must have jumped him...oh god..." Jeff's voice trailed off. He turned to Nina and leaned his head on her shoulder. He was so tired. The ambulance crew strapped Hank onto the gurney and hooked him up to oxygen and fluids for the blood loss. Another attendant worked on Jeff, prepping him for the ride to the hospital. He held his arm around his waist as they walked toward the ambulance where they were loading Hank. "You' ride back here." The attendant ordered Jeff to the back of the ambulance. The policeman who'd cared for Hank appeared at his side. 75

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"Can you take my fiancé' to the hospital, officer?" Jeff turned to the policeman. "No problem, the squad car is just over here, ma'am." He motioned as he headed toward the car. Nina gave Jeff a quick kiss as attendants helped him into the ambulance. "I'll meet you there. Wait…Nina?" She turned to Jeff and he grabbed her face, kissing her hard on the mouth. Nina stared at him, sorrow radiating in her beautiful eyes. His mind reeled with how quickly life could turn from one of life's happiest moments to one of the most tragic. She hugged his neck tight, her arm tangling with his IV bag. "It's okay, sweetheart. It's all over. I'll see you at the hospital. It's going to be okay." He assured her as he glanced at Hank lying beside him. "I love you," Nina mouthed the words as the door closed between them. The flash of blue lights accompanied the whine of the siren as the ambulance started on its route to the hospital. "You idiot," Jeff whispered to Hank's still body. "You damn well better hang on. Your butt is going to be in serious trouble with Nina if you don't." He laid his hand on the big man's shoulder. "Besides, I have a few things to say about being a hero." *** Nina rubbed her arms. Her entire body was numb. The image of Hank lying on the floor, the shrill sound of a woman’s screams, the echo of a gun firing. The myriad of images and sounds pressed in on her and Nina wrapped her arms around her trying to protect her emotions from the assault. "Are you okay, ma'am? You feel nauseous, I can stop." Nina shook her head. "Will he be all right? You saw him; you must see lots of things like that." She was digging for information that she knew deep down he could barely speculate on, but she was looking for some speck of hope she could cling to. The officer sighed, but his focus remained on the back of the ambulance. "He will have the best in Chicago working on him, ma'am." Nina wouldn't allow the tears to come. Fear replaced the urge to cry. Jeff's words of comfort seeped warm through the icy dread. "It will be okay." Nina closed her eyes, hugging herself tighter as she rested her head against the back of the seat. *** The ambulance flew through the city streets, roaring into the emergency entrance at a breakneck speed. Jeff wished Hank was awake to see the hoopla generated on his behalf. The big lug, thought Jeff wearily. His chin dropped to his chest and Jeff was aware of the attendant’s hands holding him upright. "We're almost there, sir. Just a few more minutes. Hang in there with me." 76

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The ambulance doors swung open and a rush of cool night air hit Jeff full force. Reality filtered slowly back into his brain, pulling his thoughts back to the present. The attendant helped him from the ambulance and he watched as they wheeled Hank through the sliding doors. In his mind, Jeff saw Hank's cocky smile and friendly salute he'd given to them from where he sat in the booth. Jeff followed with the aid of the attendant, and stood in the middle of the emergency room hallway and stared at the hordes of medical personnel barking out instructions as they rolled Hank away. Jeff wondered if he and Nina would ever speak to him again. "We better get that taken care of" Jeff blinked as an older nurse placed her hand on his arm. She guided him into a wheelchair, and moved him to a small exam room, where a younger physician joined him seconds later.

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Chapter Ten

Nina stared down the dimly lit green hallway. It was deserted except for the occasional nurse scurrying from one emergency room to another. No one noticed her standing at the admissions desk, and if they did, they were too busy to tend to her questions. The policeman had dropped her at the emergency entrance, saying he would park and join her in a moment. He needed to ask her a few questions, if she was up to it. "May I help you?" One of the busy nurses emerged from an exam room. She tossed the clipboard on the countertop, made a short entry, and glanced up at Nina with a questioning brow. "I came with my fiancé. He has a wound on his shoulder…" Her voice trailed off and she stared at the nurse as the impact of what happened crept into her brain. Nina brushed her shoulder, gesturing half-heartedly. "There was a lot of blood. And they brought in another man, my good friend, Hank?" Nina's thoughts froze as she remembered the crimson stain spreading over Hank's new white polo shirt. This wasn't how this night was supposed to go. "Why don't you wait in here?" She guided Nina to a small waiting room off the hallway. "I'm sure he's being attended to. Let me see what I can find out." Her smile was warm as she ushered Nina to a small couch in the waiting room. Time ticked by slowly. Nina's thoughts and emotions ricocheted from Hank to Jeff and back to the events that lead them there. "Are you ready to answer a couple of questions, Miss?" The policeman who'd brought her in now stood in the doorway. "I'm Officer Stiles." Nina nodded and proceeded to recite to the best of her memory what unfolded. He nodded periodically, jotting notes as she explained. Nina looked up when the nurse returned with a smile. Jeff stood next to her, his arm in a sling. "Is this the guy you're looking for?" I understand he was quite the hero this evening." The nurse patted Jeff's good arm. "This was nothing. The real hero is down the hall fighting for his life." Jeff's voice was gruff as he gathered Nina into his embrace and kissed the top of her head. 78

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The policeman frowned as he held out his hand to Jeff. "Officer CJ Stiles, sir. Looks like you both took quiet the risk tonight. If you're up to it, Mr. Thompson, I’d like to get your statement." Jeff nodded and glanced back at the nurse. "Is there any update about Hank Bateman?" "I'll see if surgery can give me an update" She headed down the hall and Jeff focused his attention on the waiting officer. "What do you need to know?" "Let's start with why you and your fiancé' were at Scully’s with Mr. Bateman." *** Hours later, Nina dozed, her cheek pressed against the warmth of Jeff's chest. His good arm was wrapped protectively around her and he too dozed, due primarily to the pain medication they'd given him. She didn't want to stir and awaken him, instead she snuggled closer, enjoying the warmth against her face. "Not exactly my idea of a romantic evening." Jeff shifted, grimacing quietly as he drew her close to his side. "You're lucky to be alive." Nina glanced up, searching his face. "When I think what might have happened—" Tears stung as they welled in her tired eyes. The corner of Jeff's mouth curved slightly as he smoothed a strand of hair from her temple. "But we're okay, and Hank is tough. He's going to pull through, you'll see." Nina squeezed her eyes tight and great fat tears rolled down her cheeks. "He better come through—" She sniffed, biting her lip to keep the tears at bay. "Yeah," Jeff chuckled. "I told him he was subject to your wrath if he didn’t get well." He kissed her forehead. A doctor in green scrubs, splattered with blood appeared at the waiting room door. Nina helped Jeff up from the couch and stood next to him, her arm wrapped around his waist. She held her breath in a silent prayer. "You're waiting for Mr. Bateman's condition?" They nodded in silent unison. "He's one lucky man. We've just finished surgery a few moments ago and it may be awhile before you can speak to him, but I can take you to see him, if you like. We have him stabilized and he's being taken to intensive care." "Thank you. Yes, we'd like to see him." Jeff nodded as he took Nina's hand and guided her through the doorway following the surgeon and a nurse down the now empty hall. 79

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The doctor spoke as they walked. "It was a clean shot. By that, I mean the bullet went clean through the body. I frankly don't know how, but no major organs were hit. He sustained damage to his stomach lining, but beyond the subcutaneous wounds, he's one fortunate man." They entered a dimly lit hallway leading to a nurse's station surrounded by several rooms with large plate glass windows. Through one, Nina saw Hank propped peacefully against a pillow. Tubes attached to three IV poles, and wires leading to an array of blinking machines stuck out of his flesh like some science fiction movie. Nina's grasp on Jeff's hand tightened as the nurse led them to the doorway of his room. "Not too long, folks." The surgeon jotted a note on Hanks chart. "My suggestion is that the two of you need to get some rest also." "Thank you, we will." Nina followed Jeff into the dark room, save the small light above Hank's bed. The temperature inside the room was cool and the air was sterile, smelling like a box of freshly opened band-aids. With a twinge of sadness, Nina knew that it would take a lot more than a band-aid to make things better again. They stood in silence staring down at hank as the nurse made a routine check of his fluids. Another physician entered the room and picked up Hanks chart. "Dr. Grugen. You guys family?" Jeff glanced at Nina. "Good friends. He's to be our best man." Jeff stared at the doctor, involved in flipping through the chart. "And you are?" "The weekend doc. I hear he's pretty lucky." The doctor finished reading the information and hung the chart at the end of the bed. Jeff glanced at Hank. "What's your opinion?" "From what I've read, I say congratulations and it looks like your best man has a lot of stamina. He will he need his rest though." The doctor ushered them to the door. Nina paused. "May I?" She leaned down and kissed Hank's cheek. "I hope that was alright." "That's the best kind of healing there is." The doctor smiled as he held the door for them. Once in the hall he turned toward them. "He'll have a rough go of it for a few days, light on eating, but it missed his vital organs, damaging the stomach lining. He'll be in here a few days and then we'll move him to the floor." The doctor glanced at Jeff's shoulder. "How are you doing?" 80

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Jeff shrugged, his attention drawn back to Hank in the next room. "Pretty good, actually." "You two go on home, he'll look better tomorrow and you guys look like you need some rest. Watch that shoulder. It's going to hurt like hell once the shock wears off. You have your pain meds?" Jeff nodded as he reached out to shake the man's hand. "Thank you." They left the smell of disinfectant and bandages behind as they stepped into the bright sunlight and fresh air. Saturday morning. Friday night at Scully's seemed like an eternity ago. Spotting a yellow cab dropping off a visitor, Jeff hailed the cab and gave him directions to his apartment. *** Jeff and Nina slept most of the day, exhausted from the events that left Hank in the hospital and Jeff flat on his back, unable to roll to his side in his sleep. Hours later, Nina watched the steady rise and fall of Jeff's chest as she leaned against the wall in the living room. The stark change from terror to the tranquility of his peaceful slumber caused mixed emotions inside Nina. He'd kissed her with warm weariness and he opted to nap on the couch where he would be less likely to turn on his side. She wanted to be closer to him, in light of the traumatic events. Coming so close to losing him made her realize how fragile life is. No more games, no more hiding her feelings. Life is simply too short, she reasoned later as she showered while Jeff slept. Wrapping in Jeff's plush terrycloth robe, she'd called Dirk and made arrangements to stay with Jeff if he could watch the store. Nina did her best to pacify the angry weight lifter. "Where did they take those losers?" "I think the police have a handle on this Dirk." Nina cautioned "Listen Dirk, we would like to get over to the hospital in the morning, is there anyway you could do me a great favor? Would you mind stopping by my place on your way home tonight?” Nina went on to explain her needs and where she kept a spare key to her apartment hidden at the store. "Not a problem. I'll get your things to you. Don't worry, Nina. Everything here has run smooth as glass." "Dirk? Does Hank have any family nearby?" Nina twisted the phone cord between her fingers. Being without her family for many years after they were killed in a boating accident, Nina had gotten used to Jeff being her "family." Still, she could 81

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remember the look of concern in her parent's eyes the first time she had to tell them she wrecked their car. Perhaps Hank's parents would want to know that he was in the hospital. "A sister, I think. You know that was a bad scene. He hasn't spoken to his family in months, hardly mentions them. Only when Becca writes." "But his family would surely want to know his condition wouldn't they?" A sadness touched Nina deep down. She'd taken so much for granted in her life. Taken for granted that Jeff would always be there, and that her new friend Hank was invincible "See what you can find out for me, will you?" "You got it. Helga should have access to Hank's office. Maybe there's a phone number in there." "Great, I think we need to try to contact his family. See you later." Nina was reading the newspaper, curled at the end of the couch when Jeff finally stirred. He grimaced, stretching his good arm over his head. Jeff reached his hand out to her reached for her. "I need some help to sit up." Nina grasped his arm and held tight as he pulled himself upright. He blinked as he frowned at the twilight sky outside. The city lights sparkled in the glow of a painted sunset. "Good morning? Evening? What time is it anyway?" He yawned as he moved his legs to the floor. "I feel like I've been drugged" He brushed his hand through his hair. Nina moved to his side and slid an arm around his back still warm from sleep. "You are on drugs." She smiled and kissed his. A sigh escaped Jeff's lips. "Oh, right." He glanced at her, his eyes gorgeously sleepy and grinned. "You look wide awake." He leaned back against the couch, pulling her with him. "Have we heard anything from the hospital?" Jeff toyed with a strand of Nina's hair as they stared out of the large picture window overlooking the city. "I called earlier. There'd been no change." Jeff nodded. "Maybe that’s a good sign. At least the news isn't worse." He frowned as he lifted the rolled collar of her robe. "Dirk is bringing my clothes over." "Damn, Mt Olympus to the rescue" "Hey now," she admonished. Jeff smiled through his tired expression. "I was hoping he'd refuse." 82

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"You certainly seem to be feeling better." She smiled, glad to see him smile again. "Is that my robe you're wearing?" "It's all I could find after my shower." "You could have found me." He teased "I'm afraid even with all of this pent up passion writhing around in me, you wouldn't have been much good in the state you were in. You were into some heavy duty sleeping" "Pent-up passion? Sounds painful." He tugged at the tie of the robe, loosening the knot. He slipped his hand beneath the fabric, gently taking her breast in his palm. Nina straddled his lap facing him, nuzzling the warmth of his neck. The shadow of his beard rubbed rough against her cheek. The glorious sensation awakened her heart, numb over the past few hours with sorrow and concern. "This could get creative, "he whispered against her hair. "Dirk will be here soon," her voice trailed off with a sigh as he rolled the rough pad of his thumb over her sensitive nub. "We don't have to answer the door, maybe he'll think we're not home." Jeff kissed her flesh in reverence, worshiping her body, making her want to forget everything but this single moment. But she knew that Dirk would be efficient in her request. "He knows I'm here," Nina whispered touching his cheek. "I came too close to losing you last night." His face went pale with the realization. "God, I just realized how fragile life is…how much time we've—" She hoped he wouldn't say wasted. Their friendship had been solidified long ago; this new aspect was like icing on the cake. He brushed a strand of hair over her ear. "I've only just begun to explore these feelings I've suppressed for so long. I can barely breathe when I think about you." "I know." Nina's eyes glazed with tears. One thing she knew without a doubt, she would never again take for granted the precious gift of friendship turned to lovers that she and Jeff had. Nor would she look at anyone close to her in the same way again. "I want you." His blue gaze searched hers. The simple admission of his desire caused her heart to flip. For years she'd only dreamt of those words coming from his lips. "Last night scared me. I don't scare easily, but it made me realize not to waste another minute letting you know how I feel about you. Is that paranoid?" She raked her fingers through his hair listening carefully, knowing she felt exactly as he did. "No, it’s not paranoid. It makes perfect sense." Once again, she was being the 83

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rational one. Was she nervous about giving herself to Jeff? She gazed at his face, traces of sleepiness gazed back at her. No, she wanted him as much, but she wanted him to be fully awake and rested when she did. "Dirk is sure to be here any moment." Nina held a finger to his lips when he started to protest. "Meantime, I'm going to run you a warm bath and get you something to eat." She kissed him softly, lingering near his mouth, feeling the power of desire sparking between them. Jeff stared at her as though debating. "You're right." His smile was warm and sexy, inviting her to lean her forward and enjoy another leisurely kiss. The front door buzzer rang. "As if on cue—Mt. Olympus—I'll get it." Jeff pushed from the couch and headed for the door. *** The heat from the overfilled tub steamed the bathroom mirror and windows of the tiny bathroom. Nina sat on the tub's edge swirling her hand leisurely through the bath salts that she'd discovered in the cabinet. The scent of lavender mixing with the humidity created a sauna-like affect and she toyed with the idea of joining Jeff in the tub. "I'll just lay your clothes on the—" Jeff appeared at the bathroom door, a smile appearing on his face. "This is nice" Nina glanced up. "I won't ask where you got the lavender bath salts." She grinned mischievously as she looked back at the steam rising over the water. She reached to firmly turn off the porcelain faucet handles. Jeff crossed over to her side, lifting her chin to his smoky gaze. "Dirk says hi, and not to worry about anything. He's got the store covered and he's going over to the gym now to talk to Helga." "Great, I think we need to see if we can find Hank's family." "I think you're wise and beautiful, and by the way, the bath salts were a generic Christmas gift at last year's office party." He kissed the tip of her nose. "In case you still wondered." "Is that a ploy to get me in the tub with you?" She grinned as she laid the clean towels near the tub. "Did it work?" Jeff grinned in return Nina shrugged. "Not this time." Still for some idiotic reason, the fact that it wasn't left by some former girlfriend made her happy. He sat on the edge of the tub and began to undress. "Can you help here, Nina?" he muttered through the fabric of the shirt halfway over his head. His sling tugged at the 84

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fabric and she realized that neither of them had noticed the splatters of blood on his clothing. Her fingers fumbled, trying not to nudge the sling any more than necessary. She managed to get one sleeve out and the neck opening over his head. Jeff sat with the shirt partially wrapped around his neck, and hooked beneath the sling. He looked like a cock-eyed scarecrow. "How am I supposed to get you out of your clothes?" She sat back and studied him with an amused expression. He gave her a wicked grin. The one that caused women to come running to his side. She knew that she was going to have to give up the past, and focus on their future. What she knew of his playboy tendencies needed to be replaced with the trust that those days were over for him. "I've been asking myself the same question. Though I'm still working on ideas." "You do that." She gave him a dubious smile as she walked through into the bedroom. "I'm going to find some scissors." *** She fixed them dinner as he bathed and afterwards they sat together on the couch picking at their food, engrossed in watching the media recap the events at the bar and update the conditions of the victims. Nina stared at the reporter on the screen, her thoughts riveted back over the past twenty-four hours. She wondered if it would do any good to call the hospital again. They did say last time that they would call if there were any changes. Nina clicked her fingernail over her front teeth, concerned with what kind of luck Dirk had in locating Hanks next of kin. "Nina?" Jeff placed his plate on the coffee table and touched her sleeve. She jumped like a shot from a gun. Jeff stared at her, concern etched on his handsome face. "Oh, sweetheart." His voice was gentle as placed his hand on her shoulder. "Come here, let me hold you." He slid his good arm around her as she snuggled her close. This was what she needed, his protectiveness, sheltering her from the harsh reality of the outside world. Just to be here with him, alone was all she wanted at the moment. "It's over Nina. I think we need to focus on other things. It's important we be strong for Hank, he's going to need us." He kissed her temple. "You heard the nurse indicate that he was coming around and the surgery looked good so far." "I just keep seeing him lying there covered in blood. I can't get the picture out of my mind." 85

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"I know, I know." His voice soothed her frayed nerves. "Come on, it's bedtime. A good night of normal rest will do us both a world of good. Hey, I wonder though if you'd help me with one little thing?" He struggled to get up from the couch and fell back, his laughter punctuated by a quiet groan. "I'll get your medicine." She stood and helped him to his feet. Jeff reached behind her and flicked off the television, plunging them into darkness. He nuzzled the warmth below her ear, causing her to squirm. "You smell so sweet." "What is it you needed help with?" She turned her face to his allowing him to capture her mouth in a sizzling kiss. "I want to shave," he whispered, trailing kisses down her throat. Shirtless, wearing only his knit pajama pants, Nina felt the heat radiating from Jeff's body. "I agree. That’s a good idea." "Some women find stubble sexy." "Really?" She glanced at him with a grin. "I'll remember that next time I go to shave my legs." He cocked a brow. "You go ahead and get set up.” She shooed him toward the bathroom. "I'll put this food away and be right in." "Don't be long." He kissed her again and tugged at her robe tie. She swatted his rear with her hand. 'I liked that." He called over his shoulder. Nina laughed and shook her head as she carried their plates to the sink. *** Jeff had managed the foam, creating a mound to the edge of the sink to work from and had done a relatively successful job of shaving the greater share of his face. There were still a couple of places, normally done with both hands that he was having trouble with. His mind kept wandering to Nina and how amazing she felt in his arms. For years she'd stood by, consoling him break up after break up, in her quiet unassuming way. Now that he'd discovered his heart had always belonged to her, he wasn't about to let her go. As soon as Hank was out of the woods, he wanted to make plans as soon as possible to get married. He hoped she felt the same. Nina walked into the bathroom and silently watched him from the doorway. It was one of the most stunningly erotic moments in his life. 86

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"I can't get under here." Jeff stretched his chin up showing Nina the spot and handed her his razor. "I usually do this with my right hand." She maneuvered her body between him and the vanity, balancing against the edge of the countertop. "Please keep yourself focused." He taunted, playfully bumping up against her leg, his semi-aroused state clearly evident. "Egotist," she remarked as she tipped his chin higher. With a gentle hand she slid the razor in a slow upward thrust, pausing just long enough to swish the blade in the sink of hot water behind her. Jeff rested his fingertips near her hip. He glanced down causing his chin to drop and she grinned, tipping his chin up with the foamy ends of her fingers. "You need to keep it up." "Give me a chance, and I'll do my best." He raised his chin with a grin. She cast him a side-glance aware then of her Freudian slip. "You know what I mean" "I most certainly hope so." He mocked her gentle reprimanding tone as he checked his reflection in the mirror behind Nina's head. "Okay, now I had trouble on just this side." He turned his face and pointed to the tiny swatch of lather left on his face. The rest was smooth and clean. "Here?" She hesitated with the razor in mid-air. "Go ahead" "Ouch" His teeth clenched at the precise moment Nina's hand froze. "Damn, I'm sorry. You're bleeding." She grimaced, as she swiped a pin dot of blood with her fingertip. Jeff reached for her hand, kissing her delicate knuckles. "Wait until you see what I do to myself when I haven't had any coffee." She smiled apologetically. "Try again, its okay" He glanced down catching the uncertainty in her eyes. "Are you're sure?" "Yes. Very." Nina bit her lip and approached his face as though excavating for fossils. The shadow removed, Jeff tipped his head and surveyed their combined work. She picked up a hand towel, gently dabbing away the remaining residue of lather, paying careful attention to the nick on his upper jaw, just below his ear. ***

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Nina leaned forward placing a kiss on his injury, taking in the fresh soap scent of his skin mixed with the sporty-scented shave cream. Jeff captured her chin between his fingers, easing his mouth over hers in a kiss full of purpose. His hand slipped between them, tugging at her robe tie as he lips coaxed hers, drugging her senses. A cool rush of air wafted over her warm exposed flesh, her body honed to Jeff's nearness. "Take off my pants, Nina," his voice stroked her senses as his fingers stroked her skin. She held his penetrating gaze as she hooked her fingers in his waistband and drew them down his muscular hips. His semi-aroused state invited her to an exploration of her own. Wanting to show him how much she cared for him, she took him between her lips, her tongue teasing his velvet tip. "Oh god, Nina." His voice, broken with a pleasured moan touched her deep inside, giving her greater courage. She'd dreamed many nights of such fantasies. Jeff balanced his hand on the wall above her, giving her the freedom to do with him as she pleased. Holding him fully engorged in one hand, she rose, perching on the countertop, spreading her legs wide as he stepped between them. Her world rocked off its axis in the wake of Jeff's passion. So many times she'd wanted this—wanted him. His kisses, deep and powerful, pulled from her sensations she'd never experienced with any man. She turned her face, taking a deep breath as she closed her eyes releasing herself to the ecstasy of his fingers brushing over her wet heat. "Look at me." She opened her eyes and his lapis blue gaze held hers. Nina's mouth went dry, her heart thundered in her chest as he slipped one, then two fingers inside her. She leaned back, bracing on her arms, as she held his smoldering gaze. "How did we miss each other for so long?" He kissed her softly, his fingers working magic between her legs. Nina knew how long she'd had feelings for Jeff. In truth, they'd be laying the foundation for this moment much of their adult lives. She kissed the solid, warmth of his chest. "We haven't missed anything. We've just been honing the friendship side of our relationship." "When did you know?" Her hips rose to meet his caress. "Know that I loved you as more than a friend?" 88

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He leaned forward capturing her mouth, tongues dancing in unbridled passion. Her robe slipped haphazard over her shoulders pooling at her wrists. "I have a confession to make. I used to fantasize about what it might be like with you." "Really?" She sighed as he trailed kisses down her throat, his mouth closing over the pebbled nub of her breast. Teasing with teeth and tongue, he glanced up at her with a wicked grin. Molten heat pooled beneath his coaxing hand. "You never had fantasies about me?" "You really think you're something special don’t you?" Nina gasped as her body responded to his pleasuring. His mouth teased her other breast. Nina's breath caught in her throat. "Oh god, okay. Yes, I did, and lots of them. Are you happy?" "Ecstatic," he murmured, his tongue dipping into her navel. Nina leaned back; her face upturned abandoning freely to his worship of her body. "Duck." Jeff reached in the cabinet and drew out a foil packet. Nina plucked it from his hand, holding his gaze as she worked it over his solid erection. Liquid heat pooled between her thighs in anticipation. "You're beautiful, Nina," he whispered, kissing her hard as he shifted her hips closer to the edge of the counter. Her breath caught at the sheer ecstasy of his touch. Capturing her mouth with blinding kisses, he teased her clit with his tip. Pleasured currents coursed through her system at the thought of him buried deep inside her. She clamped her hand around his neck, wanting more, knowing that any moment his kisses alone would send her over the edge. Jeff curled his hand beneath her hip, lifting her leg around his waist. Deepening his kiss he pushed into her, moving his hips to accommodate the difference in height. Nina was drowning in the sensation, their combining sighs, an affirmation of pure ecstasy. "So…sweet—" He squeezed her buttock, pushing deeper as he held her gaze. "You are a remarkable woman." "It's about time you noticed." She braced a hand on the countertop, the other curled around his neck pulling him into a scorching kiss. Every moment they'd had together spiraled in a dizzying vortex of imagery, fusing emotion and their bodies as one. "Jeff, I—" Her body crested with an orgasm. "Oh, it's—yes—" 89

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Nina glanced up through hooded lids, seeing his pleased expression, his blue eyes bright with desire. She knew from the ferocity of his thrusts that he too was closing over the edge. With a final guttural moan, he pressed against her, squeezing her bottom causing another ripple of an orgasm to shudder through her. Once, then twice, he pumped into her heat, finishing with a sigh. He dropped his head to her shoulder and chuckled. "How many years have we known each other?" Jeff kissed her shoulder. "Twelve years, I think." Nina sighed as he stepped back, gently lowering her leg. "That’s a hell of a long time to wait." "It was worth it, don't you think?" She grinned handing him a towel. He grinned as he leaned in to kiss her softly. "Yeah, but there's no way I'm going to wait another twelve." Nina smiled. "I'm going to like this." He touched his forehead to hers. "My shaving you?" "The whole thing. Waking up next to you. Seeing your face before I go to sleep. Taking you on the kitchen table—" Jeff wiggled his eyebrows as he leaned in to kiss her, moaning contentedly against her mouth as she opened, readily deepening their kiss. "Me too." She pulled back, placing her hand against the warmth of his cheek. "Hum, close shave." "Let's not prolong this wedding. I want to get started on a lot of things." "We need to get our best man out of the hospital first." Jeff nodded. "But right now, I want to ravish you in my bed." "Ravish?" She grinned. "I like the sound of that." "Just as soon as I find some way to prop up my shoulder." Nina grinned. "Of course." "And I take my pain meds." He stepped from his pants pooled at his feet. Nina edged off the counter, drawing the robe around her. "They're in the kitchen. Meet you in the bedroom in five." Nina chuckled as she checked the dosage on the bottle. For many years they'd been taking care of one another in the daily things. There was enormous comfort in the thought that should she ever be ill or in need of care, Jeff would be there for her, as she was for him. "So do you need a full dose?" she called as she padded back to the bedroom. Jeff lay in bed, his good arm propped behind his head, the sheet pulled to his waist revealing only his muscular torso. 90

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The sexy glint in his eye caused her breath to catch. "Of what?" he asked flipping back the covers and patting the mattress. Nina crawled onto the end of the bed, purposely leaning over him to reach the glass of water on the nightstand. "Your meds." Excitement rippled through her as his hand peeled back the gap in her robe. "On second thought, I'm not sure I'm going to need them. Let's try this without and see how it goes." He leaned forward placing a kiss in the valley between her breasts. She'd never thought of herself as well endowed before, but Jeff made her feel she was the most voluptuous woman on earth. "You're going to make me lose track with what I'm doing" Nina sighed as he spread open the robe. "That is the idea, sweetheart." The warmth of his palm cupping her caused a sigh to escape from her lips. "Here, how about half a dose, before you get too carried away." He took the pill from her and dutifully swallowed half the glass of water. She adjusted a pillow beneath his shoulder, and replaced the glass on the nightstand. "Will you always wait on me like this once we're married?" She gazed down at him, his hair tousled and sexy, his blue eyes, sans glasses, shining with desire-for her. "What do you think?" She cocked her brow. "I think I better milk this for all that its worth now." Jeff grinned. "Good plan." She trailed a finger down the hard plane of his abs. His brows arched as her fingers closed around his penis. "Are you taking advantage of the fact that I am flat on my back?" Nina grinned as she stroked him, delighted in watching his response to her lover's touch. "Let me show you my version of ravish." She shirked off the robe, tossing it over her shoulder, as she lifted her leg over his hips. "I am but a slave to you, woman." He whispered as he slipped his hand around her neck and drew her into a passionate kiss. His body was meant for her pleasure, pure and simple, he was an Adonis in her eyes. She hadn't thought about her physical appearance in days and she realized that it wasn’t her physique that Jeff was in love with—it was her. All the attributes that made up who she was. And she realized, perhaps for the first time, she didn't need for Jeff to 91

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have a buff body to be attractive. To be healthy, yes, but there was so much more that turned her on about him. Like the look now in his gaze as she straddled his manhood. "Will you always be like this once we're married?" Nina guided him, rubbing his dewy tip to her wet opening. She eased down on him, letting him fill her completely. Beyond the pleasure of his body, but surrendering herself to him heart and soul. Now and forever. "This was my fantasy, in case you want to know." She moved back and forth, resting her palms on his chest, closing her eyes to the myriad of sensations both physically and in her heart. This was where she wanted to be, where she belonged. She held his heated gaze in silence as they moved together in a rhythm meant for them alone. Jeff's hand grasped her thigh, his hips rising to meet her. "Nina—" he hissed between shallow breaths. He sat up just as she toppled over the edge, grabbing her backside and burying him full within her, he spilled his hot seed. With a single last shudder rippling through her body, she held his face in her hands and smiled. "That far exceeds any fantasy I've ever had." He grinned. "Well, you certainly feel free to keep having them, my love." He kissed her gently. He smiled tucking her in under his arm as they snuggled under the sheets. He smiled, brushing back a hair from her face. "I never thought that I would be saying good night to you like this.” He kissed her temple, lifting her chin to meet his mouth in a kiss that spoke of an eternity of nights just like this. "Good night sweetheart." Nina kissed his shoulder. "Good night, my love slave."

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Epilogue

Hank was awake when Nina and Jeff arrived the next morning. "I have a bone to pick with you." Jeff's voice was gentle but firm as he looked down in Hank's face. "Yeah, well it can wait until I have the strength to kick your butt. What the hell were you thinking going after that guys gun?" Jeff shook his head. "Doing what I thought I had to do, I guess." He shrugged. "Same here, bro." Hank raised his hand and Jeff clasped it. "Where's the gorgeous part of this couple?" Hank smiled up at Jeff wearily. "Right here." Nina came from around the corner of the door where she'd stopped to speak to Dirk. "You look good." His smile was strained. "You've looked better," she replied kissing his cheek. "They tell me only a few more days of liquid food and then I can start back on soft food." Nina glanced up at Jeff and smiled. "I'll be ready for that wedding Nina, sweetheart. Don't worry about a thing." He squeezed her fingers and Nina's tears spilled over, splashing his hand. "There's still going to be a wedding, isn't there?" Hank misunderstood her tears. His fingertips touched Nina's chin, lifting her gaze to his. He glanced at Jeff. "Sounds like you'll have two weddings this year." Nina arched a brow at Hank. Realization flitted across his face and he averted his gaze to the tube sticking out of the back of his hand. "I'm guessing that Dirk told you about Becca," he spoke quietly. "Well, at first—" Nina was interrupted. "Mom and dad will have it no other way, big brother." A slender, dark-haired woman paired with a young man, not much older in appearance stood at the entrance of the hospital room. Nina attempted to pull her hand from Hank's, but he held it tight looking up at her as if to say, "don't leave." 93

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"Becca, I'm sorry to cause you concern. I'm fine—or will be. Really, you should be back home planning your wedding." "You know, when we were little I used to call him Mr. Bossy Pants." Jeff grinned at Hank. "That fits." His sister approached the other side of the bed and looked down at Hank with a soft expression. "I've missed you, you big lug." Nina smiled at Jeff. "I told Mom and Dad about you being in the hospital and they paid my flight out here to check up on you. Dad can't travel with his double knee surgery just done and well, Mom…you know how she hates planes." She took Hank’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "They said that they insist you come home to recuperate. None of us are getting any younger you know. And I sure as hell want my brother to be standing at that alter next to me." Tears rolled down the big man’s face and he laughed, pulling his sister into his embrace. Nina hugged Jeff, as together they watched brother and sister reunite. "I hear we have a new patient." A raspy elderly voice emitted from behind those standing around Hank's bed. Jeff turned and found the satisfied grin of the old woman in his building. Today she was wearing a bright red smock that dipped below her hips. Her bright blue eyes shone with mischief behind her thick lenses. "Don't you look fetching?" Jeff gave her a wicked grin. "Hospital Auxiliary. Got my seventy-five hundred volunteer hours pin just this week. Going for the whole enchilada. Eight thousand big ones." She pushed Jeff aside and gleamed at Hank. "'Sides, I had to come see how my boy was doin.'" Hank took her hand and gave her a boyish smile. "Who the heck is this pretty thing?" She turned to Becca. "This is my sister. She's getting married." "Really? Seems to be a popular pastime in this group. Are you sure you're his sister? You seem so good looking." The old woman squinted, adjusting her glasses, as she peered at Becca. She let out with a joyful cackle and stopped as quickly as though remembering something. Her silvery head bobbed as she fished in side pocket pulling out a variety of treasures. Amidst a wad of Kleenex, a chewing gum wrapper, a penny, and a rubber band, she pulled out a tiny silver engagement ring, shaking the lint from its prongs. 94

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"Nice young cop who was here when they brought you in, said I could give this ring to its owner. He wasn't sure just who it belonged to and frankly, I can't say as I blame him. Brains a little fuzzy, doesn’t grasp things quite as well as it used to." She held up Nina's engagement ring as she glanced at each of them. Nina swore a mischievous glint sparkled in the old woman's eye. "Now—explain to me again. Who’s marrying whom here?" The old woman glanced around at the small crowd and grinned.

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Author Bio

Every woman is part angel, part demon. Amanda McIntyre is no exception. Her pen flows from a dark side where few rules apply, and sensuality is vital to her readers' enjoyment. www.pamelajohnson.net/amandamcintyre.html *Multi-published in several romance sub-genres and non-fiction works. *Recipient of numerous awards, finalist positions, nominations, with work featured on television and RT conferences, including RTR's Reviewers Choice, nominated for the Dorothy Parker Award, and winner of the Romance Studio's CAPA Award for Best Mainstream. *Speaker on writing and creativity. *Member: RWA, Divas, All Star Scribes, The Romance Studio, World Romance Writers, Moongoddesses, and several writers groups.

See other works by this talented author at www.Venuspress.com

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