Taking Shape Part 2

He turned on the computer and went through her electronic files. There were a few financial statements that he didnat understand. That might be what they were looking for. If she was stealing money, she had to put it somewhere. He flipped open her email and logged on. The high whine of the computer as it dialed her phone line made Nick wince and move to the door, listening for Tally. He waited until the computer was connected then sat down and emailed Jameson the questionable doc.u.ments. He quickly deleted the note from her sent file and shut everything down.

Head look at the information tomorrow. For now, he had to go back upstairs, get his clothes and slip away. He closed his eyes and let his body reshape itself, once again taking on Richardas form.

Tally rolled over and rubbed her hand across the empty sheet. He was gone. d.a.m.n. A thread of disappointment swirled around her heart. Richard usually left after s.e.x or gently kicked her out of his apartment but shead hoped, thought, that after tonightas experience he might stay. Cool air tripped over her skin and Tally pulled a blanket over her, trying to make up for the warmth shead lost when Richard had left. She draped one arm over her eyes, letting her mind wander through the night. There had been something definitely different about him.

Head been exciting, commanding. s.e.xual. She tipped her head back, remembering the sweet pressure of his mouth on her s.e.x. For a man who claimed to not like oral s.e.x, he seemed to know his way around a p.u.s.s.y. Her s.e.x began to tingle. d.a.m.n, why tonight of all nights, when head miraculously turned into the lover shead always craved, did he have to disappear?

It was late, or early actually, but she wasnat sure she could fall asleep. She could always get up and work. She had a briefcase full of stuff that could be done. The thought sounded wholly unappealing. What she wanted to do was Richard.

A footstep on her top stair gave her a jolt. She sat up, clutching the blanket around her. He stepped into the room. The light of surprise in his eyes matched hers.

aYouare still here.a The breathless pleasure of her voice curled through his insides like streaks of fire. His c.o.c.k rose, stretching to reach her. Even as he told himself this was a bad idea, he placed one knee on the mattress and crawled onto the bed, unable to resist the chance to have her one more time. One last time.

One hand immediately went to her thigh, slipping up under the soft material of the blankets. aI thought youad left,a she whispered.

aHow could I leave you without one more taste?a He pushed the material up and out of his way, baring her p.u.s.s.y. aSpread your legs for me, baby. Let me see you.a A shiver zipped through her body and flowed into his like an electrical current. The intensity of the sensation penetrated the back of his minda"the center of his shifting power. The image of Richard wavered in his brain. Nick clamped down on the picture, locking it into place.

Tally pushed her legs apart and the intriguing scent of her arousal again commanded his senses. He bent over and placed a light kiss on the very top of her s.e.x, teasing her c.l.i.t with his tongue. Her body tightened, tensing with the delicate stroke. More liquid flowed down her p.u.s.s.y and Nick couldnat resist. He placed the flat of his tongue at her opening and licked long and up, gathering her taste. The picture in his brain shimmered. His forma"his natural form was fighting to come through. His jaw tightened as he struggled to control the shape.

He jerked back, knowing the abruptness startled her.

aWhaa"?a aDonat worry, Iam not leaving you, baby.a He pushed his finger into her p.u.s.s.y, filling the place where his tongue longed to touch. He should leavea"this was dangerousa"but there was no way he could deny his body this pleasure. He had to have her. One last time. aRoll over.a The heat in her eyes flashed for a moment and he wondered again if head made a mistake, if this was one of the ways that Richard didnat like to f.u.c.k. d.a.m.n, is the man just stupid? He has a s.e.xual, sensual creature like this to take to bed and he doesnat take advantage of it.

aWhatas wrong?a he asked when she didnat move. Head moved into another tricky area. Maybe she didnat like it from behind. Tension clamped down his shoulders as he waited for her answer.

aYouave just never wanted to do it like this before.a The blush on her cheeks made him harder.

aThat was before I saw your a.s.s in those silk pants you wore tonight.a He pumped his finger into her again and felt her grip him. aIave been thinking about it all night.a It was the truth, as far as it went. In reality, head been thinking about it since head first seen her wearing a skirt. He rubbed his hand across her stomach. aImagining how it will feel to f.u.c.k you hard and deep. Have you push back against me.a His words sent the images into his brain, weakening the control he had on his form. aRoll over,a he urged. She groaned and twisted as if the combined prompting of his hands and his words were too much. aThatas it, baby.a She turned, easing onto her stomach, her tight rounded a.s.s presented to him. Nick smoothed his hand over her skin, conforming his palm to her curves, loving the satin of her skin. The shy but excited look she flashed over her shoulder heightened the need in his c.o.c.k. He gripped her hips, pulling them high and easing his c.o.c.k between her spread thighs.

aHave you ever taken a man like this, baby?a Tally responded to the low sensual question. She shook her head. Shead been intrigued by the idea but had never found the courage to ask any of her loversa"until Richard, and he hadnat sounded interested so shead dropped it.

aIall feel even bigger inside you.a He pumped his c.o.c.k against her p.u.s.s.y lips, gentle pulses that promised more. Tally gripped her pillow and smashed it to her face. She couldnat believe this was happening. Energy spun through her body, pooling her p.u.s.s.y. Shead never felt so alivea"so wickedly sensual that every touch, every brush of his fingers was like a mini-o.r.g.a.s.m. aYouall be sore,a he promised. aBecause Iam going to f.u.c.k you. Hard. Is that what you want?a aYes.a The answer came out soft and breathless.

aI didnat hear you, baby. If you donat answer me, Iam going to think you donat want this. You wouldnat want me to leave, would you?a He punctuated his question by grinding his hips against her a.s.s. The rough hair around his c.o.c.k was like hundreds of little fingers stroking her.

aNo.a aSo tell me,a he commanded. aDo you want me to f.u.c.k you hard?a aYes!a aThatas it, my sweet Tally. Let me hear how much you want me to f.u.c.k you.a aYes, please f.u.c.k me.a She pumped back against him, feeling s.e.xy and wild as she offered her p.u.s.s.y to him.

He placed the tip of his c.o.c.k against her opening and began to push in. Just as head promised, he felt thicker and larger. She groaned, loving the almost painful sensation of being stretched.

aTally, you are so wet. Youall take me, wonat you, baby?a She nodded her head and rolled her hips, encouraging him deeper. He slid into hera"countering his slow, steady penetration with shallow delicious pulses that left her hungry for more.

aPlease.a Her plea was so quiet he barely heard her but the wiggle of her hips told him all he needed to know.

Nick pushed a little more into her and had to grit his teeth to keep from screaming. It was perfect. Like coming home. She accepted him and held him, pulling him deeper. He growled as he gripped her hips and punched forward, driving the last two inches deep into her p.u.s.s.y.

aRichard!a she cried, her face buried in the blankets.

The sound of another manas name on her lips while he was buried inside her made his blood burn. It should be his name that she cried. His c.o.c.k buried in her tight c.u.n.t.

Even as he thought the words he felt his body shift, flowing into his natural form. He clutched at Richardas image, the illusion head created, trying to stop the transitiona"but as he did, Tally surged back, f.u.c.king herself on his shaft. The wet heat of her p.u.s.s.y was too much for his overloaded mind. All his focus contracted to his c.o.c.k.

Distraction was deadly. He knew it but he couldnat fight it. His body swelled, stretching and filling out to his natural form.

aOh my G.o.d.a Tallyas fingers dug into the pillow. She groaned. aWhat did you just do? It feels like you grew two inches inside me.a The grip of her s.e.x tightened around his c.o.c.k. He opened his mouth, preparing the sensual command to relax and enjoy but realized he couldnat speak. When head slipped out of his borrowed form, his voice had returned to normal. He no longer spoke with Richardas smooth, slick tones.

aLet me have you,a he urged, deliberately keeping his voice soft and low. aJust like this, let me have this sweet little c.u.n.t.a He accented his words with a long slow retreat and a heavy penetration. He wished the lights were on so he could see the delicate flush of her skin because he knew she was blushing. aItas mine. Let me have it.a She nodded and hid her face between her hands. Words wanted to burst from his throata"how s.e.xy she was and how much he loved f.u.c.king hera"but he couldnat say them. He squeezed his lips together and let his body move, a small part of him secretly hoping she recognized the difference in her lovers.

He held her hips and pulled her back as he thrust forward. The long slick slide of his c.o.c.k into her c.u.n.t was a sensual journey. He held himself inside her for a moment, savoring the tight grip, but he couldnat fight the need for long. The need to move and take her, consume her senses. He drew back and began to f.u.c.k her. Hard, just as he promised her.

Tally buried her face in the pillow as he pounded into her. Her body was screaming with exhaustion and future soreness but she didnat want him to stop. He felt so good inside her. Richard had never filled her this way before. Head never f.u.c.ked her this way before. Not just the position but with such intensity. It was as if he couldnat tolerate being away from her. That each time he withdrew he had to be back inside her.

And he felt huge inside her. She knew this position made a man feel bigger but he seemed to touch every inch of her p.u.s.s.y. He was silent with none of the s.e.xy words head used the first time theyad made love tonight. She found herself missing the guttural utterances, wanting to hear as well as feel his desire.

Without his voice, her mind took control, picturing him as he f.u.c.ked her. The hard deep thrusts continued to power into her p.u.s.s.y but it wasnat Richard who moved within her. It was Nick. Riding her, loving her. Nick with his mysterious blue eyes and seductive power.

She groaned and shoved the pillow into her mouth, fighting the urge to scream his name. A twinge of guilt drifted through her but the worry faded as he slid his finger between her folds and began to rub. The tiny pulses along her c.l.i.t perfectly matched the heavy thrusts of his c.o.c.k inside. Lights began to twinkle behind her eyelids. She crammed the pillow against her mouth to hide her screams, not wanting it to end but she was so close. Each time he slid into her he reached that one spot that made her eyes water.

aCome for me, my sweet lover. Come for me.a He punctuated the command with a deep thrust and Tally gasped. Molten waves radiated from her s.e.x, melting her body from the inside. aYes, thatas it.a As he thrust into her she had the vague awareness that it wasnat Richardas voice but then he burst inside her, filling her with his c.u.m. Heat and shock drove the concern from her mind. Her body, relaxed from her climax, struggled to hold her up but she collapsed face down on the bed. Richard quickly followed, rolling behind her and pulling her back against his chest. Even here, after his c.o.c.k had slipped from her body, he felt different. Larger. A different man entirely.

She mentally mocked the idea but the memory of his shout kept bringing it back. She knew that voice. Shead heard it before.

From Nick.

This was bad. Her fantasies of Nick were becoming too real.

Taking a deep breath, she rolled over, ready to face Richard. He lay beside her, his eyes shut, his jaw tense.

aWhatas wrong?a She waited, silently praying she hadnat called out Nickas name.

His eyes snapped open. The false blue depths looked stormy and dangerous. aUh, nothing.a The dismissive way he shook his head told her she hadnat cried out Nickas name but Richard was clenching his teeth for a reason. The warm, liquid satisfaction of her o.r.g.a.s.m quickly faded.

aYou didnat like it?a she asked, latching onto the only possibility. Head seemed to enjoy it. Drat, there went her chance of having him that way again.

aWhat do you mean, didnat like it?a He pushed himself to sitting, staring down at her with an intensity that brought a blush to her cheeks. aDidnat like what?a She shrugged and looked away. aThe position. I mean itas okay if you didnat, itas just that sometimesa"a His hand curled around her shoulder, turning her around to face him.

aBaby, I loved f.u.c.king you that way. Feeling that tight little a.s.s pressed against me.a He released her arm only to slide his hand between her legs. The warmth of his skin flowed through her aching p.u.s.s.y. aI could barely get it in you before I wanted to come.a He pushed one finger inside, timing the gentle pulses with his words. aBut you felt so good, so tight I couldnat stop. I had to have more of you.a He rubbed his fingertip along the inside of her p.u.s.s.y. She inhaled sharply and arched up. aYou like that, donat you? You like knowing how addicted I am to this sweet c.u.n.t.a She sagged back onto the bed. Nick moved over her but didnat try to penetrate her. He couldnat. His control over this form was tenuous. She was so f.u.c.king s.e.xy and her a.s.shole lover didnat seem to know it. He slipped a second finger into her, determined to give her one more climax before he disappeared from her life.

Her p.u.s.s.y tightened around him and his c.o.c.k lengthened, responding to the delicate grip. He shoved his arousal away and concentrated on her, on making her come. It didnat take longa"her body was primed and slick. He countered the firm thrusts of his fingers with a light ma.s.sage of her c.l.i.ta"all while he stared at her, watching the pa.s.sion illuminate her face.

aThatas it, baby. I love watching you come. Let me feel it again. Let me hear you.a His words encouraged her along. She moved against his hands, her fists pulling him to her. Her thighs slid open and he knew she would accept him if he wanted to f.u.c.k her. He shook his head, gently rejecting her silent offer but he would make sure she didnat go without. He increased his pace, f.u.c.king his fingers into her. The soft cries flowing from her mouth were too much for him. He leaned down and captured her lips. Her tongue whipped around his, drawing him in, binding him to her.

He accepted her scream as she came and felt the soft flutters of her c.u.n.t along his fingers. He didnat stop moving. Kept pumping into her, slower, drawing out each bit of pleasure.

When she finally seemed done, he lifted his head. Her eyes were wide and gla.s.sy and a delicate blush had bloomed across her cheeks and b.r.e.a.s.t.s. She looked sated and s.e.xual. His c.o.c.k stretched. d.a.m.n, he wanted her again. Him, not this made-up version of a body he was inhabiting. He wanted to f.u.c.k her, ride her until she screamed his name.

aSleep, baby,a he whispered. Silently, she curled into him, her legs entwining with his. He ground his teeth together as her smooth skin slid over his, hoping she settled soon. He had to get out of there. Before she woke up and looked at him with those warm green eyes and he said to h.e.l.l with the case.

Chapter Four.

Nick walked into the office at nine, grateful to be back in his own body and his own clothes. Without greeting his brothers or sister, he went into his office and shut the door. He wasnat in the mood to talk to anyone. His mind was still trying to come to terms with last night.

He dropped into his chair and stared up at the ceiling. Head managed to successfully avoid thinking about it all morninga"focusing on escaping from Tallyas house and getting to the office. But now there was no escaping it. His conscience was screaming and it asked the same question repeatedly. What the f.u.c.k had he done? Head had s.e.x with a target. That alone wasnat that big of deal. Sometimes that was the best way to get close to a marka"but doing it in her boyfriendas forma It was just wrong. Unethical. And quite possibly the most erotic experience of his life.

He couldnat even blame it on anythinga"except l.u.s.t. Head known what he was doing. He hadnat run when head had the chance.

She had no idea who shead been in bed with last nighta"whoad come inside her body. His stomach did a slow, sickening roll.

A light tap on the door was the only warning he had before his door opened and Devon walked in. He shut the door behind him. The grim look on his face warned Nick that his brother was going to ask the same question head been asking himself.

aTell me what you found,a Nick said, hoping to forestall Devonas inquisition. He needed to get this case moving, get Tally off his target list and what? Into jail? Into bed?

Devon didnat take offense at Nickas brusque question. aLike I said last night, nothing unusual. Work-related stuff. I couldnat find anything proprietary. She spends her time dealing with the financials. Seems to be interested in this plant in Georgia theyare selling but again, that didnat seem to be cla.s.sified information.a Devon dropped into a chair. aMaybe theyare looking at the wrong person.a Nick didnat like the way his stomach clenched at the idea. He was supposed to be proving her guilt, not searching for the reasons she might be innocent.

aOr she might keep the information with her,a he said. aShe carries a briefcase. Itas either with her or itas locked somewhere safe. Iam guessing sheall have any important information there.a Devon shrugged. aYour call but from what youave said and what I saw on her computer, I think weare heading the wrong direction.a Nick stared at his brother. He trusted Devonas instincts. aWhile I keep working on her, letas try to find out as much as we can about the guys whoave hired us.a aSure.a Devon nodded but didnat move.

aWhat?a Nick finally demanded.

aWant to explain what you were doing in a targetas house at two a.m. when you left with her eight hours earlier in her boyfriendas form?a Nick knew there was no way he was getting out of this discussion. Devon would keep pushing.

aI slept with her.a Devon waited but Nick wasnat going to fill in the silence. aAsaa Devon finally prompted. He knew the answer but wasnat going to give up until Nick admitted to it.

aAs her boyfriend.a ad.a.m.n it, Nick, are you crazy?!a Devonas shout shattered against the window. He slapped his open palm onto the desk. aThe first rule of shifting is no intimate contact with a target while in another personas form. You know that.a aOf course I know that.a The door swung open. aWhatas all the commotion?a Nick glared at Devon, warning him not to say anything to their sister and brother who stepped curiously into his office. It only took him a moment to realize theyad been waiting outside for a chance to burst in. Theyad obviously known something was up. There were no secrets in this family.

aNick slept with a target while he was in her boyfriendas form,a Devon announced.

aWhat?a Caitlin laughed. Her wide eyes locked on Nick. aBut the first rule is noa"a aI know the blasted rules. I wrote them and yes, I know it was wrong.a aThen why did you do it?a The logical question came from Jameson, the youngest in their family.

Nick faced the wide-eyed stares of his brothers and sister and wasnat sure he could explain. h.e.l.l, he couldnat explain but maybe he could come up with a plausible excuse. aI hadnat planned on it but there she was and she was so s.e.xy and her boyfriendas such an a.s.shole. Heas f.u.c.king his secretary and Tally doesnat even know it. And from her reactions, heas lousy in bed anda"a aAnd you thought youad show her what she was missing?a Caitlin asked. The smirk on her face inspired Nick to glare right back.

aI think it was better than what sheas been getting.a aDid you manage to hold your form?a Devon asked. Nick didnat respond for a moment. He wanted to tell them it was none of their business but it was. If he screwed up, they could all be exposed. Finally, Nick shook his head. ad.a.m.n it,a Devon threw himself out of the chair. aAnd now we have toa"a aWait. I donat understand.a Jameson had only recently begun shifting and didnat grasp all the nuances or hazards.

Devon sent another disapproving glare to Nick before turning back to Jameson. aThe problem with having s.e.x with someone while youare in another forma"besides the tacky moral complications,a Another glare at Nick. ais itas difficult to maintain the form youave chosen. All those endorphins running through your body make it difficult to hold a complex shape. Especially another human.a Jameson looked confused but nodded. aBut if you lost your form, what did the lady say?a aShe didnat notice.a Caitlin coughed as if his answer choked her. aHow could she not notice something like that?a Nick felt his cheeks heat up and waited, hoping that someone would change the subject. Or that aliens would land on the roof and distract his family. Nope. Nothing.

All three siblings stared at him, eagerly awaiting his answer. Finally he sighed.

aI was behind her at the time.a Caitlin held up her hand. aMore information than I needed to know.a aAnd more than I wanted to share but you were so d.a.m.n curious.a He waved his hand, indicating he was done with this conversation. aLetas forget it happened and move on. Devon checked out her office computer last night and found nothing. I searched her home office and there was nothing. I sent Jameson some information last night from her home computer.a Nick looked up and raised his eyebrows.

aStill working on it. Nothing looks out of the ordinary.a aKeep on it. She carries a briefcase. I need to see the inside of it. Might have what weare looking for.a aWhat are you going to do?a aGo back into her house.a aHow?a Caitlin rested her hip against the desk and smiled innocently. aThe boyfriend?a aNo. Heas out of town,a Nick answered, ignoring her att.i.tude. aI could fudge it for one day but I canat risk it another. I thought Iad have her aboyfrienda send her a present while he was gone. A little something to remember him by. It will get me inside and then Iall be able to search as sheas sleeping.a He looked at his family. They nodded and shrugged in agreement but he could see a mixture of concerna"and in the case of his sister, amus.e.m.e.nta"at his situation.

aWhat are you going in as? Flowers?a Devon said with enough mockery to show he didnat approve of Nickas plan.

Nick shook his head. aToo complicated. Too many separate pieces.a aA box of candy?a Jameson offered.

aShe might eat mea"donat say it,a he said to Caitlin, knowing the words were on her lips.

Caitlin snapped her fingers. aIave got it. A vibrator.a All three men stared at her and Nick knew his brothers had the same stunned look on their faces.

aWhat?a he asked.

aA vibrator. Itas all one piece. Sheas going to take it out of the package because no womana"particularly not after a night of really wild s.e.x, which Iam a.s.suming is what you had but I really donat want any more detailsa"is going to be able to resist. Even if she doesnat use it, sheall open it up.a She fluttered her eyelashes. aItas a s.e.xy gift from her guy when heas out of town.a Nick tapped his fingers against the desktop and considered the idea. The objections rose fast and furious in his head. One, he hated the thought of aRicharda sending Tally anything remotely s.e.xual. He didnat want to end up making Tally like the guy even more. Plus, inanimate object shifts m.u.f.fled the senses and bound the shifter into the form. Nick wouldnat be able to bring himself out of the shape. He would have to wait until the form released him. Something that small would probably be about four hours. Physically, he could do it. It had been years since head attempted anything this complicated. Images of Tally, stretched out on her bed, rubbing a vibrator up the insides of her thighs, slipping it into her p.u.s.s.y. He could almost feel the heat enveloping his body. He knew just how hot and wet her p.u.s.s.y could be.

aWhat if she doesnat open the box?a Jameson asked, interrupting Nickas fantasy. aSome women arenat into s.e.x toys or might feel shy about using it. What if he comes out of the form, she hasnat opened ita"he bursts out of the box and scares the s.h.i.t out of her?a Caitlin swallowed and Nick could swear she was trying to hold back her laughter. aTrust me. Sheall open it. If sheas not into s.e.x toys, sheall leave it downstairs and youall have free reign of the house.a aIam going to pop out of the form about four hours after Iam put into it.a Larger shapes didnat blind the senses quite as much, making them a little easier to control.

aWeall deliver it at bedtime.a aWhat about in the morning? How am I going to get out of her house? Iall be naked and she mighta"a aYouare just stalling because you donat think women should play with s.e.x toys,a Caitlin huffed dramatically.

aI donat believe that. h.e.l.l, I love to watcha"a Caitlin held up her hand. aWhy am I suddenly discussing my s.e.x preferences with my sister?a aI donat know but itas creeping me out. Iave given you a viable option. Youare the only one in the family who could possibly do this.a Nick nodded. It was true. He had an affinity for shapesa"any shape, any size. None of his siblings could shrink their bodies into tiny forms. They were stuck with almost equal-sized objects and even then, Jameson hadnat mastered being inanimate.

But turning into a vibrator? It seemed a little tawdry, he thought righteously, but no other option came to mind and that image of Tally sliding a thick c.o.c.k into her p.u.s.s.y dug itself into his mind and wouldnat let go.

aI guessa"a aGreat,a Caitlin interrupted before he could finish his thought. aNow, you just have to go buy one.a aWhat?a aWell, youave got to have something to sample, unless youave turned into a vibrator at some point in your life, which Iam a.s.suming not. And you need something to leave behind when you disappear tomorrow morning.a d.a.m.n, she was right. To turn into an object, he needed to touch it, copy its shape and energy into his body.

aSo you go pick it out.a Caitlinas lips squished together as she considered her brother. aOkay.a Trepidation filled Nickas chest as she walked away. That had been way too easy.

The concern was still weighing on his mind when he walked into the coffee shop thirty minutes later. Being a Sat.u.r.day morning, it was crowded with the weekend late breakfast crowd but he immediately found Tally sitting in the corner. She stared out the window. He watched for a moment, trying to gauge her mood. The relaxed, s.e.xually satisfied woman head left a few hours ago had disappeared. This one had a deep thought crinkle building in her forehead.

As if she sensed his stare, she turned and looked toward him. The grim set of her mouth disappeared and she smiled, though some hesitancy lingered in her eyes. He worked his way through the tables and sat down across from her.

aGood morning.a aMorning,a he replied.

The low s.e.xy greeting sank into her core and a warm shiver slid down Tallyas spine. It would be so easy to imagine him rolling over in bed, greeting her in that bedroom voice and then making slow lazy love on a Sat.u.r.day morning.

ah.e.l.looo, Tally.a She snapped to attention and smiled at Nick. aI lost you there for a moment.a aOh, sorry. I have a lot running around my head this morning.a She pushed the second paper cup toward him. aI got you a coffee. The line was getting long.a He smiled his thanks. aGreat.a She watched his lips as he carried the cup to his mouth and took a sip. Her p.u.s.s.y fluttered with a strange combination of memory and antic.i.p.ation. Trying to ease the ache, she rocked forward in her chair. The subtle motion only made it worse. d.a.m.n, you would think Iad be immune after last night but it seems great s.e.x makes me crave more.

Richard. Remember Richard. It was s.e.x with Richard that made you feel this way. She looked at Nick, trying to remember what Richard looked like. The memories from the night before washed over her but instead of Richardas body, Richardas voice, it was Nick. Over her, inside her, his mouth tasting her p.u.s.s.y. The hungry growl as he pumped inside her.

aTally? Are you okay?a She flinched and felt her cheeks burn. aSorry.a aYou keep wandering off. Something you want to talk about?a aYes. No. I donat know.a Nick leaned back in his chair. aCome on. You can tell me anything.a There was no smile in his eyes. Something seemed to be weighing on his mind. Maybe her minor problemsa"having great s.e.x shouldnat be a problem, right?a"would take his mind off whatever was bothering him.

And it would help to have a second opinion. aOkay, so I had a date withaa My boyfriend? No. That didnat sound right. She wasnat planning to continue the relationship, was she? One night of hot s.e.x couldnat make up for the months boredom. Or maybe it could. aWith Richarda"this guy Iave been seeing.a Nickas lips tightened at the corners and she almost stopped but she needed to talk to someone. aAnd well, it was great. We had a wonderful time. Or I did. Iam a.s.suming he did.a aHe did,a Nick said, moving forward and propping his elbows on the table.

aHow do you know?a He licked his lips like he was thinking through his answer. aBecause you exude positive energy and if youare happy, itas hard for the people around you not to feel the same way.a Unexpected tears p.r.i.c.ked her eyes. It was so sweet. He knew the right thing to say.

aThank you.a Nick nodded. aSo you had a good time, whatas the problem?a aIt wasnat right. This wasnat Richard. I kept expecting a sn.o.bby comment about the pizza place or my house but it never came.a She sank down, feeling her body collapse onto itself. aAnd the s.e.x.a She remembered who she was talking to and straightened. aSorry. Shouldnat have said that.a He tensed but shook his head. The words sounded a little forced when he said, aNo, itas fine. Think of me as one of your girlfriends. What about the s.e.x?a Tally laughed. She could barely imagine him as one of her male friends let alone a girlfriend. But head asked and he was here.

aIt was great. Amazing.a aAnd itas not usually like that?a aG.o.d, no.a She slapped her palm across her mouth, stopping the flood of words. aSorry, I shouldnat have said it quite like that.a Nickas eyes twinkled but it didnat look like he was laughing at her. More that he was pleased with her outburst.

aItas just, Richardas always been very, traditional, I guess is the best way to say it.a aAnd last night he wasnat?a aNot at all. It was like he was a different man. All night. Not just the s.e.x.a She fiddled with her empty coffee cup. aNow I donat know what to do. I mean, I was all set to break up with himaa aYes.a aabut now? I donat know. Last night he was the man Iad always dreamed about and I donat want to miss the chance with him. And why am I telling you this?a She rubbed her hand across her eyes. aIam sorry. Itas rude, isnat it, for me to be talking to you about another guy.a aI wouldnat be sitting here if I wasnat willing to listen.a aIam done with my wishy-washy stuff.a She looked around the coffee shop, anxious to find a new topic of conversation. aIave never seen it so busy here. Iam usually only downtown during the week.a aGoing into your office this afternoon?a aI was but itas too nice. Plus, I didnat ever find my access badge, so Iad have to sign in and itas not worth it. I keep all my files on a disk so I can work anywhere.a aYou work too much,a he said, reminding her of their conversation yesterday. aYou need to have fun once in a while.a She laughed. Last night had been fun. Lots of fun. She could do with that kind of fun but she wasnat going to say that to Nick. Head heard enough of her issues this morning.

Determined to keep her thoughts away from her night with Richard, she asked about Nickas plans for the weekend and listened as he talked about his house. The sound of his voice was almost hypnotic, holding her attention until she finally jerked back and looked at her watch. It was almost two.

aEek. I have errands to run,a she said, smiling.