Part Two

Jessica's heart was racing as Shawn parked his car in front of his house, a huge white structure right on the beach. Very sleek. Very modern. In one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Tampa.

What the hell was she doing here?

She was painfully aware of the fact that she didn't belong. She wasn't a trust fund princess, wasn't famous. She was twenty-three, a dirt-poor grad student, barely able to pay the rent on her shabby little apartment while living off mac and cheese and Top ramen. The only way she paid for tuition at the University of Central Florida was through scholarships and a teaching assistanship. And yet here she was, on a date with a guy whom the girls in the freshman writing course she taught probably idolized.

Katyryn knew exactly what she was getting into. She didn't buy Shawn's ''getting to know her'' story for a minute. When he'd suggested dinner at his house, it pretty much confirmed her suspicions. She knew what he wanted from her, and the truly frightening thing was, she was still going through with it. Anticipating it. Feeling a shiver of excitement every time she thought of his silvery-blue eyes and full, sensuous lips.

Imagining how those lips might feel against her own lips...on her neck...on her body...

How that silky blond hair would feel when she ran her fingers through it...

Those big hands, those long graceful fingers, against her bare skin...

What was she thinking?

Lust, she told herself. Pure and simple lust. Shawn Michaels was a very attractive guy. And she had lied earlier that afternoon. She was a fan. A big one. Every time she heard him sing, chills rippled down her spine. Maybe she did have a bit of a crush on him. So of course she'd wonder what it might feel like to sleep with him...especially considering that she'd never slept with anyone else.

And I'm not going to for a while, Jessica told herself firmly. She vowed that she was going to walk out of the house and still be a virgin.

Or would she?

Did she really want to?

Jessica couldn't believe the things going through her mind. You don't love him, she reminded herself. You barely know him. He's not your boyfriend.

And yet...

You'd just be one of many.

She knew the score. She knew that if she did sleep with him, it would be nothing more than a one-night stand.

But to know the feeling...to finally understand what went on after the movie scenes faded, to know what the big deal was all about, to know what her female friends talked about in their mysterious, cryptic conversations...

It was a sin. She wouldn't. She couldn't. But she was so curious. She was twenty-three, with less experience than most high school girls. Really, what was she waiting for?

You don't have to, she told herself. If you said no, he'd respect that. She trusted him.

It was herself she didn't trust.

Shawn led Jessica in his house, exercising considerable willpower to keep from staring at her. She looked beautiful tonight, breathtakingly so. Her chestnut-brown hair was pulled back from her face, just as it had been that afternoon, and was pinned in a neat twist. A few strands had escaped and framed her face in soft, curling tendrils. She was wearing a sleeveless red dress that showed off her slender arms and shapely, bronzed legs. The neckline dipped just low enough to expose the tops of her small perky breasts. Already he could feel himself growing aroused.

Patience, he told himseld. The time would come soon enough.

He opened the door for her, allowing her to precede him into the house. He pretended not to notice the look of awe on her face as she stepped out onto the patio. The table was set and waiting for her, with a bottle of ridiculously expensive red wine sitting at the center. He'd place a candle on the table and strung lights around the railing, bathing the patio in a soft golden glow.

Jessica looked up at him, overwhelmed. "Oh Shawn...you didn't have to do all this for me...''

"I know,'' Something stirred inside of him as he looked at her. ''I wanted to.''

She wet her lips nervously. He moved closer, resting his hand on her elbow. ''Come.''

He felt a shudder move through her. She let him guide her to the table, his hand still on her elbow. He pulled her chair back for her and poured her a glass of wine.

''Did you make all this yourself?" she asked shyly, after taking a sip of wine.

He shook his head. "I ordered out,'' he said sheepishly. "I'm not much of a cook.''

''That's okay...neither am I,'' she confessed. "What did you get?"

''Italian. I hope that's all right with you.''

''Oh, it is...I love Italian,'' she assured him. Smiling gratefully, she waited as he served her.

Jessica was jumpy throughtout the entire dinner. They didn't talk much, but whatever they said, Shawn wasn't paying much attention. Every little thing seemed loaded with sexual signigicance. Blue eyes found brown ones across the table, and each time, the anticipation seemed to build. Once, her foot accidentally touched his under the table. He gave her a knowing smile, and her face reddened. She was so shy. Nowhere near his type. But damn, he wanted her. She was different. Smart. And after what happened at the coffee house, clearly a challenge.

He was definitely up to that challenge.

After dinner, Shawn took Jessica inside. He walked over to the stereo and switched it on, and the soft strains of Buena Vista Social Club filled the room. He reached out his hand to her and smiled. "Dance with me.''

Jessica gave a nervous smile. "Okay...'' she said softly, and placed her hand in his.

He pulled her close, leading her as they swayed to the sensual music. He heard her soft sigh as his arms slid around her narrow waist, and she placed her hands on his broad shoulders. After a moment she rested her head on his shoulder. It felt so incredible to be holding her this way, to feel her slim, supple body against his. He breathed in the heavenly scent of her hair, felt the warmth of her body through the sheer fabric of her dress. He swore a silent oath as he felt his pants get tighter. Patience, Shawn reminded himself. He traced a finger over Jessica's shoulder, along the strap of her dress, and was pleased to feel a shiver pass through her.

Now was the time to make his move. He bent and lightly grazed his lips along her ear. He heard her sharp intake of breath, but she made no move to resist. he kissed her neck, savoring the taste of her soft, tender skin. Her eyes slid closed and she gave a sweet little sigh. His hands reached up and tugged the pins from her hair, letting it fall in a long, wavy mass down her back. It felt like silk against his fingers as he brushed it aside. Slowly, deliberately, he lowered the strap of her dress, then kissed the place where it had been. Then he gently tipped her face up and touched his lips to her.

Heaven. Her lips were every bit as soft as he had imagined, warm and pliant, tasting sweetly of red wine and lipstick. She seemed disappointed when he pulled away first. Perfect. He kissed her again, more deeply this time, letting his tongue glide across her lips before coaxing them apart. She willingly opened her mouth to him, inviting his tongue to sweep deeply inside. Her arms slid around his neck and her finger tangled in his hair. He pulled her closer and kissed her more deeply still, his mouth moving sensuously across hers, his tongue stroking hers. A soft sound of pleasure escaped her throat. At that moment, he knew he had her. He had accomplished exactly what he's set out to achieve.

Her surrender.