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"Hi, Dylan. I just wanted to call and let you know I still
haven't heard anything from Janice."

"Damn, I thought she would have decided by now."

"I know, but she assures me I'll know by tomorrow morning.
I'll see you at ten right?"

Brooke did send a text Friday afternoon to set up a time for her
to come over Tuesday morning. “Yeah, we’re expecting you.”

"Good. I can't wait. I’m on my way to court now, but I’ll see
you tomorrow.”

We hang up, and I admit, I'm even more anxious to find out how
often we will be seeing Brooke now.

The next morning I get the kids up and ready. I had them all pack
for the trip the night before so we can just leave for Oklahoma City right
after the meeting and pick up Jax at his place. By ten, we’re all waiting anxiously
for Brooke to show.  The kids are excited about giving her the gift they picked
out, and I can’t wait to give her mine either, and no….it’s not the keys to a
69 Roadrunner, but it may be close.

When we finally hear her knock Michael and Gabby race each other
toward the door with Toby hot on their heels.  The rest of us follow and greet
her at the door, but it’s different than old times because everyone’s not
standing at some crazy attention.

Brooke looks excited to see them and leans down to hug them both,
not so much Michael, who I just notice is almost as tall as Brooke. Huh, Luke
and I better watch ourselves.

Brooke smiles and greets the rest of us, and we all go to our
places in the living room.

Brooke places the bag she’s carrying at her feet. "Merry Christmas
you guys. Are you excited about going to Oklahoma?” Everyone starts talking at
once about the trip, what they want for Christmas, and plans for Christmas day.
I have already explained to Gabby about us doing something entirely different
for Christmas dinner since Brooke was going to be in Florida and wouldn’t be
able to cook.  She offers to leave me a detailed menu for cooking a perfect
dinner, but everyone is excited our plans to help serve and have dinner at one
of the homeless shelters in downtown Kansas City. It was a funny suggestion
that Cassie made, and after a lot of discussions back and forth we all agreed
to do it, even Jax is joining us.

Finally,
Michael jumps up and
yells presents and grabs the gift certificate that everyone chipped their
allowance in to pay for and hands it to Brooke, it’s a for a full spa day. I
had suggested it because of all the pressure, and work Brooke has been putting
in at her job.  Cassie immediately agreed and knew the exact one to get it
from, because well, she’s a girl and knows that shit.  We three guys just
nodded, because well, we don’t know about that shit.  This is one time I took
direction and orders from my 15-year-old sister.  Gabby went out on her own and
drew a picture of her, Toby, and Brooke playing in the backyard.  She had given
it to me and asked me to frame it for her to give to Brooke for Christmas,
which I happily and promptly jumped to do.

Brooke grabs her bag and begins pulling out the gifts she got for
each of us, and I secretly relish in the fact that I know without a shadow of a
doubt she didn’t do this for any other family.  The kids immediately begin
ripping paper, and Brooke leads me a little to the side.  "I talked with
Janice this morning, and she has decided we should go to bi-weekly meetings."

Well,
Merry fucking Christmas
to me.
I huff out a short laugh and scratch
my job. At least, it’s better than monthly. “Starting when?"

"Well, now. I actually won’t be seeing you guys next
Tuesday.  I won’t get to see you again until January 5
^th
.” Looking
at her face, I can see a little sadness and disappointment.
Thank God,
because
it would suck if she could so easily just walk away from this.

“Wow, okay. So, two weeks, huh? Seems like an awfully long time to
me."

“I know,” she whispers sadly. Then she squares her shoulders and
tries to comfort me, and I need it but just not this way. I tune out the
bullshit progress and how happy the judge and her supervisor are with the way
everything is going. All I hear is blah, blah, blah, blah and then she
surprises me, "I have to admit that I’m bummed about this too.” She laughs
shortly and shakes her head. “I’m a little bummed, but it's a good thing. I
mean it was unorthodox to have weekly meetings, so you clearly pissed off the
judge, but he couldn't argue how well everything has been going for you.”

I nod at the good news that I’m not feeling at all.  I still
focused on two fucking weeks without seeing Brooke. "So I won't see you
til next year?"

She laughs, "No, but I imagine we’ll both be pretty busy
until then. You guys won’t forget about me will you?”
Is she kidding?

“Oh, come the fuck on, Brooke. Do you even think that’s possible?
How about we get lost in the shuffle of these fucking bi-weekly and then
monthly meetings, should we be worried?”

“Dylan, no, no, no.  Don’t even think that for a minute.” Her eyes
are shiny, and I wonder if those are tears she’s holding back. “Please promise
me you will call me for anything.  Promise me that right now, please so I don’t
worry.  I’m already going to miss you so much.” I nod and promise her. Then she
continues worriedly. “We have to tell them about the new meeting schedule.  Do
you want me to do it or would you rather do it yourself?”

“You. They’ll want to hear it from you, so we might as well do it
now.”

We rejoin the others oohing and awing over the gifts. “Look at
these, Dylan,” Luke comes over to me and shows me four tickets to KC MOTO in
late March. “Holy shit, we’re going to be guests of Adam Shriller.” He
surprises us all and causes Gabby to go into hysterics laughing when he picks
Brooke up and swings her around a few times.

Michael shows off a new Kindle with a 50-dollar gift certificate.
Cassie is declaring her undying love for Brooke over a wallet looking thing, I
think she said something about Rebecca Minkoff and wristlet, but that means
absolutely nothing to me.  I look over at Gabby, who’s wearing a new sweater
and struggling to put a matching one on Toby; hers says pet, and his says,
master. I’m wondering if maybe she doesn’t have them mixed up. But since she
looks happy and then jumps up to squeals before reaching out to Brooke I think
I’ll let it go.

Finally,
Brooke looks at me and
then asks them all to have a seat so she can discuss something with them.  She
breaks the news about the bi-weekly meetings and explains exactly what it
means.  Happy faces from moments ago disappear even though Brooke does her best
to reassure them she’s only a phone call away.  She finally looks at the clock,
and I know she’s getting ready to go.  She hugs each of the kids and wishes
them a merry Christmas.  When she gathers her stuff, I tell the kids to do a
last minute check to make sure they have everything they need for the trip then
follow Brooke.

Before she can get to her car,
I grab
her hand. “I have something I want to show you in the garage, come with me.”

I open the side door to the garage and let her in first, and when
I hear her gasp and squeal with excitement I know I’ve hit myself a home run. 
She walks slowly around the newly restored and painted ice blue 69 Roadrunner,
her dream car. “Oh my God, Dylan.  When did you do this?”

“I found it when I went to check on a car for a customer.  He
wanted to restore it for himself, but I persuaded him to sell it to me. You
like?”

She’s made her away all around the car and is standing in front of
the hood. She bites that bottom lip in that sexy-as-fuck way that has my cock
going instantly rock hard. “Yeah, I definitely love it.”

There’s no way to stop the three steps it takes me to close all
the space between us.  She has nowhere to back up to except the hood of the
car, and I just keep pushing forward until her back is lying across it.  “I’m
gonna fuck you on this car,” I say with determination.

She reaches up and grasps my biceps as best she can with her tiny
hands.  I don’t know if it’s to push me away, for support, or to pull me
closer, but I’m going in closer. Her eyes move to my lips, and I absolutely
give her what she wants.  Hard and fast I take her lips with mine, and when she
opens on a gasp I move my tongue in for a taste of every part of her mouth. 
She moans, I groan, and the kiss ignites a fire in both of us that’s going to
burn us up.  My hands slide from the hold they have around her waist, under her
loose blouse, and then to the underside of her breasts.  My mouth abandons hers
and begins the journey of moving down her neck to her collarbone, nipping,
licking, sucking, and kissing everywhere it lands to get the full taste of her
skin.

Her hands have found the back of my head, and I feel her fingers
rake through my hair to pull me closer.  “Dylan, the kids.  We have to…”

“Shut up,” I growl. “I don’t want to hear a single word from you
unless it’s ‘Yes, Dylan.'” My hand works her blouse off her right shoulder, and
then further, exposing her breast to my ravenous mouth. I bite the top of her
gray lace bra and drag it down to expose her perfect tit to my hungry mouth. I
give her nipple one soft lick before I go in with exposed teeth and bite enough
to make her cry out in what sounds like pain, but I know it’s pleasure when she
says, “Again, Dylan.  Please.” I oblige.  I take as much of her in my mouth as
I can and suck hard knowing that it will leave a mark, and with that knowledge,
I find I want to mark her all the fuck over.  I move to the top of her breast
and suck hard there as well.  The sounds of praise and encouragement she’s
making cause bolder moves by me.

She moves her hand to my back to work it under my shirt.  I feel
her nails dig in and leave rivets on my skin.  The sting on my flesh spurs me
on.  My left hand finds the bottom of her skirt and inches it up to her hips. I
would check and see if the lace I encounter is gray like her bra, but I don’t
want to lift my lips from her chest, and frankly I don’t give a shit, it’s just
in my way. I tease around the tops before slipping toward her pussy and
encounter nothing but wet heat. Finally, I lift my head and meet her lustful
stare. “Shit, baby.  You’re soaked.  You want this.  You want me to fuck you as
much as I want to fuck you.” I harden my voice and tell her with determination
while I move my thumb over her clit. “It’s gonna happen, Brooke.  There is no
getting around the fact that we are going to fuck, and when I get inside you I
promise I’ll leave a permanent mark.” I grin down into her hooded eyes. “You’ll
never want another man to fuck you after I do.”

I slam my mouth back to hers, and the kiss builds. I increase the
pressure on her clit to keep in time with the thrust of my tongue.  I want to
make her come all over my fingers. I can feel her getting close.  She’s
breathing hard, clenching my hair tighter, digging into my back harder, moaning
louder, and trying to move against my fingers.  She’s chasing her orgasm....

“Dylan, Jax is on the phone wondering when we’re heading over.” I
hear Luke’s voice come over the intercom that runs from the house.

Brooke freezes in arms.
Fuck, I’ve lost her.
“Dylan, we
have to stop.  One of them could come out here if you don’t go in there.”  Her
breaths are still coming hard.

I put my forehead to hers. “This isn’t over, and I’m not going to
let you deny it or run from it.  It’s too good; we will be too good.  If we
don’t do something about this it’s going to turn us to ashes over the next six
months, so just give in to me.”

“I’m scared what will happen if I do, Dylan,” She whispers.

“Me too.”  I give her one more kiss before helping right her
clothes. Then I lead her to her car. I open the door and let her slide in. 
“Merry Christmas, Brooke.”

I am not going to make it two weeks.

Brooke

I relax in the warm morning sun while I lounge on the lanai of
Alex’s parents’ home.  We arrived last night, and now it’s Christmas Eve.  Of
course, you wouldn’t know it because of the hot weather and lack of snow on the
ground.  The longer I lie here, the hotter my skin feels, but it’s not near as
hot as Dylan’s mouth was just a couple of short days ago.  My breathing speeds
up at the memory of him pushing me against the hood of the Roadrunner. And what
the hell? When did he get a Roadrunner?  Better yet, why?  Dare I think it was
because I said it was the car I wanted most in the world?  I can’t delude
myself like that.  That is totally not his style.  I probably just piqued his
interest in something different.  Not a lot of people, especially guys, think
that a Roadrunner is the sexiest muscle car ever made.  So again, why did he
get a Roadrunner?

I'm up way too early because I couldn't sleep. This situation with
Dylan is constantly in my head. Every touch, every kiss has ignited a fire in
me, and there's nothing more I'd like to do than to say to hell with, and then
lick every inch of him. Explore every tattoo, every muscle, every single part
of Dylan Monroe.

Mmmm, the way he pushed me flat against the cool hood and kissed me
like he wanted to devour me.  The way he touched me like he wanted to own me. 
The way he commanded my body to give in and accept everything he did, biting
and sucking my breast to the point of leaving marks.
I lift my left hand to my right breast and touch the places where
Dylan unleashed his tongue and teeth on me. Touching the small bruises around
my nipple and the top of my breast allows the memory to feel so real like my
hand is his skilled mouth.  I moan out loud as a tremor runs through me.

It makes me love and curse my job. Without my job, I would never
have met Dylan, but because of it I really can't allow anything to happen, so
I'm left to flirt shamelessly and fantasize about him every waking moment.
Don't judge me until you've been near the man.

I feel a hand on my shoulder, and I jump, "Oh honey, I'm
sorry I didn't mean to startle you, but I heard you moan.  I hope you’re not
ill." I’ve just been caught with my hand on my boob and moaning by my best
friend’s mother. How embarrassing is that?

"Good morning," I answer sheepishly. “And no, I’m not
ill.  Just getting lost in all this gorgeous weather.”

She sits in the oversized wicker chair next to me, "What are
you doing up so early?"

"Just thinking."

She smiles, "Oh, yeah? About?"

I've never lied to Marjorie, and she truly is like a mother to me,
so I decide to confide in her, "Honestly? A complicated situation I've
found myself in with a guy at work."

She nods like she already knew, "Dylan?"

My mouth falls open.
Holy shit, how does she know?
I nod
slowly, "Yes, how did you..."

"Alex has told me quite a bit about this boy."

I laugh because Dylan is hardly a boy, "Alex isn't a fan of
him, but she doesn't know him like I do."

She reaches out and puts her hand on top of mine, "So you
tell me your side of it then."

"Well, he's a client, and he will be for an entire year.  And
it would be completely unethical and wrong to be with him, not to mention I
would lose my job if anyone found out."

She grins over at me, "But?"

"He's just such an incredible man, and he makes me forget all
the reasons I should say no.  He's strong, smart, successful, witty, and kind.
I mean most people wouldn't say kind when you first meet him, but he is. He
cares so much about his siblings that he gave up his life in Oklahoma to move to
Kansas to raise them.  He still has his business there, but then he and his
business partner decided to start the second one in Kansas, and they are doing
so well. And he is so good with the kids even though he has no idea what he’s
doing, and I’m gushing.” I trail off.  I can feel a blush creeping over me.

Her smile has grown even bigger, "Wow, it seems like you care
a great deal about him."

I've never said any of that out loud before, and it feels
fantastic to say it. "I do."

"Brooke, I’m going to be perfectly honest with you, I haven't
found anything more important in my 56 years than love. If you think this is
the real deal do not let anything get in your way, even my meddling
daughter."

I told you she was an amazing woman. No judgment. No telling me
what to do. But do I love him? That's crazy because I haven't even known him
that long. "Alex thinks it would screw up my life, and she’s not wrong.”

She laughs, "Oh honey, the best things in life
"screw" it up. Love is messy, but the best kind of love is also very
simple. At the end of the day if you love someone then that’s all there really
is. Your career is not going to keep you warm, and your career can’t hold you and
love you. You can’t let a job dictate who you love. You be with them no matter
what, because it will be you and him against the world. The heart wants what
the heart wants, and if you follow your heart, then everything else will fall
into place. I promise."

There is that love thing again. Everything she says makes sense,
but I have worked so hard to get where I am, and I would be risking it on
someone who doesn’t even believe in relationships or doesn’t want a
relationship. "I'm so confused about what’s right and wrong anymore."

“There’s nothing to be confused about, Brooke. We’ve been over and
over this, and you would be stupid to risk everything for sex.” We both turn to
look back at Alex standing in the door.

“Alex, for starters don’t call your best friend stupid. Secondly,
who’s to say this is all about sex.  You don’t think people are capable of some
deeper emotion. I didn’t raise you to believe that way.  Have you learned
nothing from mine and your father’s 30 years? Brooke is a smart girl, and I
trust her to know her mind and heart. And she no doubt has a better knowledge
of this young man’s mind than you do.” She sighs and looks at the two of us.
“Honey, it’s not your place to say who she chooses to be with.  As her best friend,
it’s your place to support her decisions and be there if she makes the right
one or doesn’t.”

I stare at Alex, silently begging her to hear her mother’s words
because I do need her support no matter how the cards may fall because I think
I know what my choice is going to be.  Deep down I know for a fact that I’ll
never feel anything like I felt for the brief moment I was in Dylan’s arms, and
I think I’ll hate myself more if I don’t take advantage of this opportunity
than if I do, and things go south for me.

Because we have years of silent communication between us, Alex
understands and walks to my lounge chair.  I stand up hugging her. “Thank you.”

“Okay, you two.  Let’s get breakfast going and see what we can get
up to before your brother shows up tonight.” We all three link arms and head
inside where Alex's father is sitting at the kitchen table reading the paper. 
He greets us with a smile. “I didn’t want to interrupt the moment for you guys,
but now that it’s over how about breakfast.”

“Coming right up, my love.” Marjorie loves to cook as much, if not
more than I do. Needless to say, we end up with more than any of will ever eat.
No doubt when Trevor gets here he’ll polish off the leftovers. It is no secret
the boy can eat.

Alex pushes her plate away and groans after she’s had her fill and
yawns.  “How can you be sleepy?” I ask her.  “You slept nine hours.”

She grumbles at me, "I couldn't sleep. You were tossing and
turning way too much!"

The condo is only two bedrooms, so Alex and I had to share the
guest room which has two twin beds.  I know I was restless last night, but I
didn't realize it had affected Alex. My thoughts were all over the place, but
still with one major theme, Dylan. I hope she doesn't sense that.

I can't stop wondering how their trip went. I also can’t deny that
I’m plagued with jealousy over the thought that Dylan may have run into some
woman he had been with while he lived there, which I’m sure there were many.  I
mean God only knows how many women he's slept with in that city. My mind is
racing again thinking about the countless number of women that could throw
their selves at him. Women that wouldn’t have consequences attached to being
with him, like getting fired from a job that they’ve fought so hard for.

I jump when Alex snaps her fingers, "Hello. Are you
okay?"

Oh, damn. Right, I'm supposed to be present and talking to Alex.
"I'm sorry, I guess I had a hard time getting used to a different
bed."

She has a suspicious look, but she doesn't call me on it,
"Well hopefully you get used to it tonight."

I smile and pop a strawberry in my mouth, "I'm sure I
will."

After we clean up, we all take turns in the one bathroom to get
ready for the beach. There’s no way I can get away with wearing my bikini top
alone, so I reach for a tank top. It wouldn’t be hard to miss all the little
bites that Dylan attached to my right breast. I smile at the thought and get
turned on all over again. With his filthy talk, talented mouth, and rough hands
touching my body he has made me feel sexier than I’ve ever felt in my life.
Just the way he looks at me singes my skin wherever his gaze lands on me.

After Marjorie has put the roast on that she’s fixing for dinner,
we walk the two blocks to the beach. I lay my towel down and get comfortable.
“Aren’t you taking off your shirt?  You’ll get hideous tan lines if you don’t.”

Shit, I don’t know what to say.
“Uh,
no. I’m feeling a little bloated.  I don’t want anyone to see my stomach.” I
laugh.
I’m so utterly lame when it comes to lying.

“Okay, then.  I think you’re totally nuts, but if you feel more comfortable
then by all means.” I want to laugh because she bought that stupid excuse. I
just let her settle into the soft sand and take her beach nap.  I sigh in
relief for dodging that bullet, because Alex can be like a pit bull. Thank God
for jet lag and horny, restless roommates to wipe her out.

In my bag, I hear my text notification and hope it’s Dylan. I just
want to know if he’s thinking of me as much as I’m thinking of him. And I know
that makes me sound like a school girl, again don’t judge. I’m disappointed
when I don’t see his name, but I still smile when I read Cassie’s name.

Cassie: Merry Christmas Eve, Brooke! We miss you!

“Who is it?” Alex asks.

“Cassie,
” I answer her before
replying.

She smiles, "That girl adores you."

"I adore her too."

Me: Merry Christmas Eve to you too, Cassie! I hope you all have a
wonderful Christmas, and I miss you too.

I hit send, and since I’m dying to know, I send another.

Me: How was Oklahoma? Are you home now?

Cassie: It was okay I guess. Lots of guys just talking about cars.
One girl that works for them was all over Dylan. Yes, we got home an hour ago.

My heart sinks.
Stop it, Brooke. He can do whatever he wants.
That’s the rational part of me. The irrational, crazy part of me wants to find
this bitch and tell her to keep her damn hands off of Dylan.
Okay, be
professional
.

Me: Sure Dylan can handle himself. Glad you guys had fun and are home
safely.

Cassie: It was soo funny. He spent the whole time trying to get
away from her, but she would not take the hint! We just watched the show. Total
skank. Hope you’re having fun.

I smile. Okay, so Dylan didn't want her. I sigh in relief and hope
his disinterest was because of me. I can feel the lines blurring, and I'm not
sure I want to fix it.

Me: I am, but will be happy to be home in a few days. Tell
everyone I said Merry Christmas for me.

I put my phone back in my bag and settle back in to soak up
Florida’s rays.

After several hours lying on the beach and soaking up the warm
rays of the Florida sun, we make our way home to shower and finish up dinner
before Trevor arrives.  Just before we get ready to eat, he calls saying he’s
delayed and to eat without him.

Alex and I clean up after dinner and begin our Christmas Eve
tradition of hot cocoa, cookies and watching
It's a Wonderful Life
.
About halfway into the movie, Trevor finally arrives. Marjorie jumps up to hug
and kiss him after not seeing him for the last year while he was touring.  He
greets the rest of us before making his way to the kitchen for leftovers. I’m
still feeling a little uncomfortable with him after the way he acted on
Thanksgiving.  I know eventually everything will go back to normal, but for
right now I don’t know how to act around him.

It’s late when the movie ends, and since we always get up early on
Christmas morning, we decide to call it a night.  I change into PJs after
brushing my teeth and climb into bed hoping that I get some sleep tonight. 
Alex is right behind me, and I let her turn off the light. The room is dark, so
I close my eyes and try to surrender to the exhaustion of a sleepless night,
the sun, the beach, good food, and the movie running late.