I AM NOT TRYING TO PROMOTE TEEN DRINKING. IT IS A COMMON THING AMONG TEENAGERS SO I DIDN'T FEEL IT WAS OFF BASE IN THAT SENSE. I'M TRYING TO KEEP THEM IN CHARACTER AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE WHILE STILL MAKING IT MY OWN STORY. IF THE DRINKING OFFENDS YOU I APOLOGIZE.

CHAPTER 10

VALENTINES DAY – SWEET 16

PATCH

I was pulling out of our driveway when my dad waved for me to stop.

"Hey son, I know you're on your way out to meet your friends I just wanted to remind you that your mom and I won't be home tonight so we expect you on your best behavior, no bringing strange girls home."

"No girls with tattoo's and piercings. Got it." I smirked at my dad who rolled his eyes.

"That's not what I meant by strange, Patch." He chuckled.

"I know, I won't bring anybody home that I don't know."

"Patch." My dad warned me. "I don't want anybody here while we're gone whether you know them or not."

"Can Nora come over? She can be kind of strange." I grinned.

"You really are something kid." He shook his head and chuckled. "Your mom and I love you, have a good night with your friends and you know that Nora is always the exception, she's welcome here anytime. Be careful and we'll see you tomorrow afternoon."

"I love you too, give mom my love. Have fun spoiling her and I'll see you tomorrow." He tapped my door and gave me a little wave which I returned and then eased my jeep out of the drive before turning to head to the Devils Handbag where everyone was waiting for me.

I pulled into the parking lot and immediately saw Nora standing with Vee in the first parking space by the door. I had to smile, only Nora would show up early and save me the best parking spot and I bet Vee had complained the whole time.

It was so good to see Nora, I couldn't wait to spend the night out with her. I really had missed her, enough to forget the reason I had missed her, the reason she had avoided me. I barely had my door open and my feet out before Vee was complaining.

"Hurry up Cipriano! I've got a hot boyfriend waiting for me in there and I wanna get my groove on."

"It's his birthday, leave him alone." Nora defended me.

"I'm pretty sure the 'groove' thing went out in the '70's, Vee." I smirked.

I could hear the music and the people already from the parking lot. It was going to be packed tonight. They had a DJ spinning tunes for the night and since it was Valentines day songs about sex and romance would be the menu, by romance I mean sex since that's pretty much what romance means to most teenagers. I held the door for the girls and a split second later Nora was dragging me behind her and she was being pulled through the throng of kids by Vee to what I assumed would be Rixon, she must have spotted him. Her height gave her an advantage most girls don't have, she was almost six feet tall, that's quite tall for a girl. When the girls finally came to a stop we were standing by a booth that Rixon had somehow snagged us.

The girls had their coats on since it was cold in Coldwater Creek in the winter. When Nora started to remove her jacket I immediately did the gentleman thing and held it for her to remove her arms. With her back thankfully to me I drew in a sharp breath when I took in her outfit for the night. Any chance of forgetting the reason I hadn't seen her flew right out the window and all I could think was how her skin had felt under my hands. Not exactly best friend friendly thoughts. Against my own better judgment my eyes gave her a full body scan before resting for a few moments on the tantalizing exposed skin between her shirt she had tied off at her belly button and the top of her low slung black leggings. In that brief time the room temperature shot up ten degrees and my pants got slightly uncomfortable. With the song Bad Girlfriend blaring in the background I needed a few minutes to collect myself away from Nora, the best way I could think to do that was to offer everyone drinks. Her and I were both going to need one if she was going to have enough confidence to dance and me enough sanity to survive the night.

"I'm going up to the bar to get something to drink, do you guys want anything? It's on me."

"I'll take a shot of Tuaca." Nora said without hesitation.

"Starting with the hard stuff already? You don't exactly have a high tolerance for alcohol, are you sure that's what you want?" I cautioned her.

"Quit parenting her and get her damn drink, we're here to have fun tonight. I'll take a strawberry daiquiri with coconut, please." Vee stuck up for Nora.

"I'm NOT carrying a girly drink like that across the bar." I have a reputation to uphold that did not include pink drinks in girly glasses that should never have made its début in a bar like The Devils Handbag.

Rixon laughed. "I'll go with you, I'm secure enough in my manhood to carry her drink."

"It has nothing to do with my manhood and everything to do with my principles." I told him as we weaved our way to the bar.

"Tell yourself whatever makes you sleep better at night." He laughed.

"Thanks." I said dryly.

Before he could respond with another comeback the bartender was in front of us. "What'll it be?"

"I need two beers, two shots of Tuaca.."

"And a strawberry daiquiri, double the alcohol." Rixon pitched in.

"I could have ordered it."

"I know, but I didn't want you to do anything that was against your principles." He smirked.

I rolled my eyes at him.

"Nora's looking hot tonight." Grrr. I trusted Rixon, but I didn't appreciate guys noticing her like that, even if the guy was me and even if it was true. Misinterpreting my face he added, "Oh come on, you can't tell me you didn't notice!" I punched him in the arm in response. Hard.

"You have a girlfriend, stop checking out MY friend out." I grabbed my beer the bartender just sat down, paid and took a long swig of it.

"Hate to break it to you, but she's not yours, Patch."

"Yes she is, she'll always be mine." I growled.

"No she won't. Look, I know how close you guys are, but she's over Scott and some guy tonight or two years from now is going to scoop her off her feet." I already knew that, that didn't mean I wanted to have it thrown in my face.

"You really know how to make a friend feel good on their birthday."

"Are you saying now would be a bad time to tell you that I saw Scott here tonight and he's helping the DJ? Or that the minute he spotted Nora he hadn't taken his eyes off her?"

"Just fucking perfect." I muttered before pushing my way back to the girls with our drinks.

As soon as I saw Nora I felt a bit better. Her face lit up when she spotted me and she jumped up grabbing the first shot, held it up in the air waiting to make a toast.

"Italian liquor from an Italian stallion, my kind of celebration." She smirked and winked at me.

"You know what they say, if you want a stallion you have to go Italian." I teased her.

"Happy Birthday to my best friend. Your sweet sixteen so this night is to honor you." We clinked glasses and bottles. "I don't know about you but I plan on getting a buzz and letting Vee drag me all over the dance floor." Nora threw back her shot and made a face.

"That good?" I laughed.

"Feeling the burn. A couple more and.."

"You'll be feeling the floor?" I raised my eyebrow at her.

The next song that came on was Porn Star Dancing by My Darkest Days. As soon as the first few notes played Vee was grabbing Nora's arm excitedly.

"Hurry up and take your other shot, I love this song, I wanna dance!"

Nora dutifully downed her shot and followed Vee out into the crowd of kids dancing. I could still see her from where we were and while she had improved some since the last time we danced she could use a little more help. She looked like she was starting to have fun and that's what mattered. When the next song came on she looked like her buzz was settling in.

Vee and Nora stayed out dancing through quite a few songs before Nora came back to the table saying she needed a drink. After that shot she returned to the dance floor just in time for the song Cyclone to come on. Her and Vee were dancing together when I saw a blonde guy that looked a few years older come up behind Nora and place his hands on her hips to dance. I didn't see him ask her and I could tell by the look on her face she was instantly uncomfortable, buzzed or not.

"I'm going to dance with Nora after I get that creeps hands off her." I told Rixon over my shoulder as I headed into the crowd.

When I reached Nora I looked the guy, who was a couple of inches shorter than me and nowhere near my build, in the eyes and asked Nora who her friend was.

"I don't know him. I haven't met him before."

"Did he ask you before he put his hands on you?" I was still speaking to her, but looking at him. He finally spoke up.

"Who are you? Her boyfriend?" His tone was mocking. He had already irritated me, next I would be angry and that could lead to pissed, not pretty.

"Something like that. Nora, would you like to dance?" This time I looked at her. She still had that tightness around her eyes, but she was visibly more relaxed by my presence and that gave me a good feeling. In the background I could still hear the song playing. It probably wasn't the best song to be dancing to, but this guy needed to learn respect before he leaned it the hard way. By hard, I mean my fist.

"Do you want to dance?" The blonde turned to Nora. For a minute I saw the old insecurity pass across her face and then she reigned it in and told him no, I had asked her first. Liquid courage or bravery it didn't matter I was proud of her.

"You know what, I'm out of here. Your loss." He turned to leave and I heard Nora say 'good riddance' under her breath and I had to chuckle.

"You get em' tiger." I smiled down at her.

"I thought you asked me to dance?"

"I did."

"Then shut up and dance with me!" She laughed. I didn't have to be told twice. The song was almost over so I turned her around and pulled her back towards me with my hands firmly on her pants and I could barely contain the groan threatening to escape me when I realized just how low those form-fitting pants sat on her hips.

The song continued to play as I very gently guided her hips helping her find her rhythm.

She moves her body like a cyclone

She makes me want to do it all night long

Going hard when they turn the spotlight on

Because she moves her body like a cyclone

A mighty cyclone

We danced to several more songs before we decided to go get another drink.

I slid into the booth next to Nora who was talking animatedly to Vee. She was riding a pretty good buzz and the changes she had made to herself intensified. I had to smile at how happy she looked in that moment.

"Drinks are on me this time." Rixon announced. "What does everybody want?"

I took the last long drink of my beer and almost choked when Nora said she wanted two shots of Tequila.

"Nora, Tequila? You can't drink two shots of Tequila back to back, you're going to be lucky if you survive one shot." I warned her. I didn't want her getting sick. She looked buzzed yes, but not drunk, that was a good thing at least.

"I don't want both of them." She rolled her eyes. "One's for you, it's your birthday and we're going to celebrate with a body shot." If I had anything in my mouth I would have choked for sure.

"You want to do a body shot? Are you serious?" Vee sounded as shocked as I felt. "With Patch. As in your going to let him lick salt off of you, down the shot with no hands off of your BODY and then suck a lemon out from between your teeth?" She looked almost sick and that took me from not wanting to tempt myself to prodding the proverbial bull, the bull being Vee.

I smirked. "Do you know another way to do a body shot?" I raised my eyebrow in question at Vee.

"No." She sighed.

"That's what I want so Rixon, two shots of Tequila with Lemon and salt." She beamed up at him with a look of excitement. It was a good thing I could hold my alcohol because I had a feeling Nora would be doing the one tequila, two tequila, three tequila floor pretty soon IF she kept it up. Just because she was riding the happy train now didn't mean that a couple more shots wouldn't find her praying to the porcelain Gods.

"Anything else for you, Patch? Vee I'll grab you another Daiquiri" Rixon asked me.

"I'll take a honey flavored Jack Daniels straight." That was my drink of choice.

Rixon left to round-up our drink order and I sat back listening to the girls for a few minutes before making a sweep of the cluster of people. As soon as he arrived back with our requested drinks Nora was up and out of her seat.

"Your first, Patch!" She handed me the salt shaker and my shot of tequila, but kept the wedge of lime they had instead of lemon to place when we were ready.

"Alright, alright. If you lay down I can place the glass on your stomach." Her stomach was flat enough that I would have no problem sitting it there and taking the shot.

"No! It's your birthday we're doing this right. It goes right here between my cleavage." She reached for the shot.

"Nora.." I started to warn her. This couldn't possibly end well.

"Don't Nora me, we're going to do it my way." She could be a bossy little thing. Fine, if she really wants to play it this way we'll see what she thinks of this...

"Lean back so I can put the salt on. " People were starting to look. She wanted a show, she'd get one. I put my beer bottle against the exposed skin of her abdominal muscles so the condensation would wet the skin just enough to make the salt stick.

"Hey! What was that for?" Nora almost jolted up off the table, but I pinned her hips faster than she could move.

"You wanted to do body shots and since it's my birthday and you picked where the shot glass is going I'm picking where the salt goes." I smirked at the shock that crossed her face before she covered it and her eyes lit up with a determination.

"Fine, but it's your turn next so remember that." Her eyes narrowed as if her threat would scare me. I almost laughed. "I'm glad you find this amusing." She said dryly, but her tone had an under current of her own amusement.

"Are we doing this or talking?" She laid back and I put the bottle to her again since our conversation had given her body a chance to absorb the water droplets. I shook the salt shaker all around her belly button. Being friends with someone as long as we had been you learn a few things about them...Like where they're ticklish. I suppressed a smile when I saw her shiver. I put my face almost touching her and looked up at her eyes, she was looking down watching me so with our eyes locked I slowly licked all around her belly button several circles before dipping the tip of my tongue in it. I heard her give a soft moan and buck up into my hands that were still on her hips. That little sound shot straight to my groin. With my eyes still holding hers I bent and removed the shot glass from her full breasts. I downed the shot and leaned down to get the lime wedge that Rixon had placed in Nora's mouth. I bit into it and let my lips linger there for just a moment longer than necessary. She wanted to do body shots I might as well make it worth the torment. The crowd that had gathered to watch erupted in cheers and whistles. Nora's chest was rising a little faster than it had been.

"My turn." She looked like she was aiming for confidence, but it came out as breathless.

"Do you worst." I bowed my head dramatically.

"Lay down on the table." The shyness had passed and she was back in control. This time it was her that wore the expression promising trouble. I wasn't worried, what can she do to me that I hadn't done to her? It wasn't like I was going to be holding a shot glass in my cleavage.

"As you wish." I laid down on the table.

"Rixon can I borrow your beer please?" I heard her ask.

"Yes ma'am."

I started to pull my shirt from the waist band of my black jeans when she stopped me.

"Allow me." She finished untucking it and raised it up my stomach. I didn't fail to notice the way she let her thumbs both trail up over the lines of my six pack as she slid it up. She was really playing with fire.

"Nora.." I let my voice carry my warning.

"Yes?" She asked in a voice too sweet to be good.

"Be nice."

"Oh I plan on being VERY nice, just like you were to me."

This was really not good. I suppressed a groan. She ran the cold bottle along my neck leaving a trail of condensation from just below my ear lobe down my neck after the contour of my jaw line. She applied a generous amount of salt and I closed my eyes for a minute to prepare myself. Before I'd even opened them I felt the first swipe of her warm tongue grazing up my neck. When she reached my ear she nipped it and I almost yelped. That would not have been manly. I took a shallow breath and felt her lick me again, removing all the salt, but before she pulled away she nipped my chin. My eyes locked on to hers and I could see the smile she was trying to control. It's almost over I told myself. She had placed the shot glass fairly high on me so that was good, less torture then if it were lower.

"Happy birthday, Patch." I heard her whisper, then she lifted the shot glass with her mouth, only she spilled the Tequila somewhat all over my stomach. It didn't drench me, but it did leave a mess and by the look on her face she'd done that on purpose. I was about to raise up to wipe myself off when she bent and with her eyes on mine ran her tongue along the waistband of my low slung jeans. I growled which did nothing to stop her, if anything she seemed to think it was funny and her hot little mouth started tasting every inch of the skin she had uncovered. With every flick, sweep and... did she just bite me?! I felt my self grow impossibly harder. When she reached the hem of my raised shirt she rose off of me and Rixon handed me the lime.

Right before she bit into it I heard her whisper to me. "Pay backs a bitch." Then her mouth was on mine. Holy Fuck...

The group of people around us grew loud again, but I was locked within Nora's gaze. Her eyes were dark with...desire? She was obviously very buzzed and I wanted to shake my head clear, to gather my thoughts but I couldn't look away.

"Want to dance?" I saw her lips move and unconsciously licked my bottom and saw her eyes drop to follow the path of my tongue. Her words were lost among the warnings my brain was firing at me. The problem was, I was just as buzzed now as she was.

"What?" My voice came out a little to husky to be friendly.

"Want to dance?" I heard her repeat with a chuckle.

"Sure." I swallowed. Dancing was safer than more body shots. I tucked my shirt back into my pants and followed her to the dance floor.

The notes of the next song started to play as we reached the floor. Casual Sex by My Darkest Days flooded the room.

...I'm never gonna fall

but I'm never hard to catching

She say's she's cool with it

She's down with it

There's nothing wrong with it

It's easier this way

She so cool with it

She's down with it

There's nothing wrong with it

Don't want it any other way

Just your typical hardcore casual sex

We're single but we're lovers

Crazy for each other

Just your typical hardcore casual sex

We're wild under the covers

Crazy for each other

Everybody wants a lover like that...

I tried not to think about the message of the song, or about the way my mind was enticed by the thought of having a friends with benefits relationship with Nora. Before I knew it the song ended and a new one began. I hadn't heard this one before, it was slower and I was buzzed enough, or stupid enough to stay, turning Nora around to face me and pull her in closer.

"I love this song!" I heard her say. "You have to listen to the words." Her eyes twinkled. I felt her tighten her grip around my neck and her fingers were playing with the longer hair that was just starting to curl at the bottom along my neck. Warnings should have gone off louder this time, but I was to sucked in to our own personal world.

"This song goes out to all the lovers out there. Happy Valentines. Enrique." The DJ announced.

As the notes drifted louder I instinctively put my hands low on her hips, bringing her almost flush with my body. I told myself it was to guide her movements, to help her since she hadn't been dancing very long. That's what I told myself anyway. The words reached my ears at the same time her body reached mine and the room fell away as a bubble descended on us. It was only us and the almost haunting words of the song as she softly sang.

Heartbeat

[Enrique]
Heartbeat Heart-heartbeat[Enrique]
I saw you talking on the phone,
And know that you were not alone.
But you're stealing my heart away,
Yeah you're stealing my heart away.[Nicole]
You're acting like you're on your own,
But I saw you standing with a girl (hmm)
Stop tryin' to steal my heart away
Stop tryin' to steal my heart away[Enrique]
I don't know where we going
I don't know who we are[Enrique]
I can feel your heartbeat
I can feel your heartbeat (he said to me)
I can feel your heartbeat (running through me)
Feel your heartbeat
(She said:)
[Nicole]
I can feel your heartbeat (she said to me)
I can feel your heartbeat (she said to me)
I can feel your heartbeat (running through me)
Your heartbeat, feel your heartbeat[Enrique]
Maybe it's the way you move,
You got me dreaming like a fool.
That I could steal your heart away,
I could steal your heart away.[Nicole]
No matter what it is you think
I'm not the kind of girl to blink,
And give my heart away
Stop trying to steal my heart away

[Enrique & Nicole]
I don't know where we going
I don't know who we are[Enrique]
I can feel your heartbeat (he said to me)
I can feel your heartbeat (he said to me)
I can feel your heartbeat (running through me)
Your heartbeat
Feel your heartbeat
(She said:)
[Nicole]
I can feel your heartbeat (she said to me)
I can feel your heartbeat (she said to me)
I can feel your heartbeat (running through me)
(Feel your heartbeat)[Enrique & Nicole]
Stop stealing my heart away
Stop stealing my heart away
Stop stealing my heart away
You're stealing my heart away[Enrique & Nicole]
I don't know where we're going
I don't know who we are
It feels like we are flowing
High above the stars (stars, the stars, the stars, the stars...)Ooooooo;
OooooooHeartbeat, heart-heartbeat[Enrique & Nicole]
I can feel it, I can feel it, I can feel it
I can feel it, I can f..

can feel your heartbeat (he said to me)
I can feel your heartbeat (he said to me)
I can feel your heartbeat (running through me)
Your heartbeat
Feel your heartbeat
(She said:)
[Nicole]
I can feel your heartbeat (she said to me)
I can feel your heartbeat (she said to me)
I can feel your heartbeat (running through me)
(Your heartbeat, feel your heartbeat-beat-beat)

[Enrique & Nicole]
Stop stealing my heart away (Just tell it to me girl)
Stop stealing my heart away (Ooo) (Give it to me boy)
Stop stealing my heart away (Just say it to me girl)
You're stealing my heart away

Stop stealing my heart away (I can feel your heartbeat)
Stop stealing my heart away (I can feel your heartbeat)
Stop stealing my heart away (I can feel your heartbeat)
Your heartbeat, your heartbeat.

I was mesmerized by the words of the song. I could see why she liked it. The next song began without a thought of backing away. Down On Me by Jerimih featuring 50 Cent... I spun her around so her back was to me, but kept the space between us close.

...Girl you are a beauty well I am a beast

They must have been trippin

to let me off the leash

I like the way you grind with that booty on

Shorty you a dime why you lookin

lonely

We'll by another round and it's all on me...

…...

Gurl all I really want is you down on me

Put it down on me

We were so caught up in the song that when it was ending I didn't even see Rixon approach until I felt him tap on my shoulder.

"I just thought you should know that Scott has watched you two like a hawk, especially since the two of you took shots from each other and he's headed this direction right now." He tilted his head to the right and I caught sight of him. Scott is 6' 7 putting him a good five inches over me in height. He's strong, but I'm stronger and if he want's to challenge me over Nora he better believe I'll bring it. His little gold earring in his right ear and his 'boyish charm and money' won't stop me from wiping the floor with him. Compared to me, Scott was a wimp.

"I knew you'd never be able to keep your filthy hands off of her." Scott sneered. "Isn't there one girl in this town you don't have to seduce?"

"I'm not seducing anyone and even if I did it wouldn't be your business."

"When it comes to Nora it IS my business." He glared.

"Not anymore, she broke up with you, she's moved on."

"She's moved on to you you mean? That's a step in the wrong direction. I wouldn't want to be associated with you."

"Then it's a good thing we don't associate. Get lost Scott, you're not welcome here."

"You don't own or control me, I've never pledged fidelity to you." Scott looked at me with disgust clear on his face.

"This is your last chance. Get. Out. Of. Here. Leave Nora alone or you will pay for it." My voice was hard as steel.

"When you break her heart, and you will, it's going to be me there to pick up the pieces and put her back together."

I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. I wasn't going to break her heart, was I? We were just having fun, I wasn't seducing her.

…...

NORA

When I saw Scott approaching I thought for sure there was going to be a fight. Neither of them were one to walk away. I didn't appreciate Scott's implying that he had ownership of me, that I would ever take him back, and worse of all that Patch was seducing me. It had been my idea to do the body shots and my idea to dance, not Patch's.

Patch looked so tense, here it was his birthday and we were out having a great time together and Scott had to go and blow it. I'd spent a month ignoring him before getting my nerve up to face him, the least I could do was make his birthday a good one. I just had to figure out how to get us back on track and my mind was still hazy with alcohol.

I was deep in thought when the lyrics of the song playing reached my ears. They hadn't been playing rock tonight and the irony of the song wasn't missed by me and I gave a little snort as the next bar was sung.

NEXT CONTESTANT

BY: NICKELBACK

Is that your hand on my girlfriend?
Is that your hand?
I wish you'd do it again
I'll watch you leave here limping
I wish you'd do it again
I'll watch you leave here limping
There goes the next contestant

I wasn't Patch's girlfriend, but I knew if Scott or anyone else laid a hand on me they'd leave here limping...or worse. Then my drunk mind spoke for me before my rational thinking could process what I was saying.

"The thing is, Patch, I'm not his anymore. Maybe I should teach him a lesson." The words sliding somewhat slurred from my mouth.

"What kind of lesson did you have in mind?" Patch's face that had looked so grim a moment ago started to light up with amusement at the thought of me teaching Scott a lesson.

"Well..." I started out slowly, not sure how to put what I wanted to say into words without letting my inexperience and lack of confidence in this area sway his answer. "He thinks it's you seducing me...so what if it was me seducing you..." I looked up at him from under my eyelashes.

"What?! You want to seduce me?" He laughed.

"Do you have a problem with that?" My indignation sparked. "I'm not good enough is that it?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Nora." He held up his hands in mock surrender. "If you want to try to seduce me by all means have at it. It's just a bit of a shock to me, the whole night has been. First it was the body shots, now you're proposing seduction. My brain is trying to keep up."

"I know, I don't know what I'm doing I..."

"You want to have some fun and you want to make him as angry as he made you. Trust me, I get it. You don't have to explain to me. You know I'm down for anything devious, especially when it involves pissing Scott off." He gave me a lecherous grin.

"I don't know what to do though, this isn't exactly my strong point, maybe I should forget about it."

"Nora, stop. You're over thinking it. You were doing a fine job of making him jealous before he interrupted."

He was right, Scott hadn't known it was me initiating all of it, but it had caught his attention. With a smug look I asked Patch for another dance.

"You just can't keep your hands off of me tonight." He teased.

"Where's the fun in that?" I said coyly, earning me a laugh.

"I like seeing this side of you, she should come out and play more often." He teased.

"Less talk, more dancing." I drug him back on to the dance floor that was packed with bodies. When Scott had charged towards us we'd met him off to the side of the throng of people, if anything happened we wouldn't be right in the center of things, not that we wouldn't be in the center once people realized there was a fight to see.

They were playing a slow song I hadn't heard before so I wrapped my arms around Patch's neck and let him pull me close to him. We still had a couple of inches between us, but it would be impossible for anyone to see that wasn't up close to us. It felt good to be close to Patch again. I realized how much I'd missed it. We still hadn't had that talk, how would he feel finding out that I had dreamed about us having sex? I could feel the blush start to creep into my face and buried my head in his shoulder to hide it.

Patch always offered me that feeling of safety, things with us were comfortable. He kept me on my toes, often leaving me tongue-tied or furious, but never for long. We hadn't fought like other people do, we just sometimes had very different opinions on how to handle things, but that had nothing to do with how we felt or thought about each other, it had everything to do with whatever the subject was that we were debating.

I took a quick peak at Patch and he caught me, giving me a sweet smile that he reserved only for me. He hadn't worn his trademark baseball cap tonight so it was easier to get a good look at him. He really was gorgeous. I could see why the girls flocked to him. His face alone was a picture of perfection, strong and masculine. The solid feel of him as he held me was doing strange things to my body again. I was so lost in thought that I hadn't noticed the music change again until he suddenly spun me out away from him and pulled my back against the front of him. I squealed in surprise.

Then things started to really heat up. We found our rhythm together, his hands guiding my hips since I was still getting the hang of this. I could tell already that confidence was the key to this type of dancing, you couldn't be afraid to touch your partner. Every brush of his finger tips on the strip of skin between the hem of my shirt and the waistband of my pants had shivers racing through me. Several times I had brushed against his groin and I was sure I felt the tale-tell signs of arousal. It had started out as innocent fun, then turned to a game of 'paybacks are a bitch', now it was...a slow burn. It felt like somebody was turning the dial on the heater higher and higher, little by little as each song ended and another began. We had started out as one couple among countless, now we were one couple all alone, flowing like a river into the sea we were being swept along by the romance of Valentines day, the celebration of his birthday, the energy of the room, the hormones of the teens and young adults around us, the fog of alcohol and feel of each others bodies.

I closed my eyes and let the words of the song that was beginning wash over me echoing in my ear, then I realized it was Patch whispering the words of the song in my ear...

STRIP

BY: CHRIS BROWN

...Nice thighs, nice waist, and you know I can't forget about your face
But don't none of that matter I'm about to make your pockets fatter

[Chorus:]
Girl I just wanna see you strip, right now cause it's late, babe
Girl I just wanna see you strip, girl take your time with it
Girl I just wanna see you strip God damn you're sexy (for melee)
God damn you're sexy! (babbyyy) God damn you're sexy!
Girl I just wanna see you...

I let him pull me closer still, his hands were traveling lower on my back side than they had ever been. His breath was tickling my ear and wetness was starting to pool below.

The next song came on and he spun me around so that my backside was once again pressed to the front of him. I tilted my head back against his chest.

KISSES DOWN LOW

BY: KELLY ROWLAND

...I like my kisses down low
Makes me arch my back
When you give it to me slow
Baby just like that …

… Yeah, baby get a little rough that's okay
Baby go ahead do your thang, ride on away
And I love it when we misbehave
Me and you together babe, we can do everything
Boy, if somebody could see the way you kiss on me
Oh they won't believe it, cause even I don't believe it but I love the way I'm feeling

I felt Patch's lips moving softly along the column of my neck where he swept my curls away. The slow burning fire was quickly turning into a blaze as his lips stoked the fire every place they touched. Any hopes of common sense or danger were obliterated to ash when he nipped my earlobe gently before soothing it with his tongue. I moaned softly, arching into him. What was he doing to me? Never mind, I didn't even care, I just never wanted it to stop. His hands gripped me a little rougher, when I turned my head his lips crashed into mine. They were firm, but soft, rough but gentle. They were passionate and tender all at once. He tasted so different from Scott, so completely Patch. No words could ever encompass a guy like him and no words could describe his taste. He smelled of mint, earth, leather and spice.

The notes drifted away and new ones started.

MOTIVATION

BY: KELLY ROWLAND FT LIL WAYNE

… I just wanna feel your hands all over me, baby
but you can't stop there, music still playing in the background
And you're almost there
You can do it, I believe in you, baby
So close from here

Baby I'ma be your motivation
Go, go, go, go
Motivation
Go, go, go, go

The wildfire went from an inferno to a volcano when his hands glided up and down my sides, tracing his fingers along each of my ribs, down to my hips where he pulled me roughly back into him so that there was no escaping the impact the music and our movements were having on him. I was coming undone again, only this time we were both wide awake.

"Wanna get out of here?" I heard him say in a low, husky voice.

Oh God yes did I ever. "Yes." My voice was more breath than sound.

He grabbed my hand and after speaking a few words in Rixon's ear that I could only gather was to let him know we were taking off and Vee was in his care before we were headed out the door.

He still had a hold on my hand and his keys were in the other. Patch quickly unlocked the door, but before he opened it to let me in he shoved me gently so my back was pressed against the shiny black jeep. His arms effectively caging me in so similar to what he had done on New Years before everything had turned so...awkward. This time, this time there was no blonde, no Scott, no hidden fantasies and dreams. There was only us, our lust, our desire. He captured my lips in another heated kiss as my fingers wound themselves around his neck raking through his hair, tugging him closer so my lips could devour his. It felt so good. So right. Red flares warning of danger should have gone off, but all I felt was thirst and Patch was the water in my desert oasis. I needed him. All fear of my first time had evaporated with the heat he was bathing me in.

I pulled back to catch my breath. The moon cast an eery glow over his face, lighting it just enough for me to see his dark eyes black with desire. Desire for me.

Patch opened the door, waiting for me to slide in and fasten up before closing it and climbing in the driver's seat. Without a word he turned it on and backed out, heading to his house in silence, each of us lost in thought, or better, lack of thought.

When we pulled into his garage he was out and at my door before I could blink. He held his hand out to help me out of the jeep, then used it to pull me in to him.

"You're gray eyes have always been surprisingly irresistible, and that killer curvy mouth of yours has begged for me to kiss it." Patch's voice was gravely.

Without warning, I flung myself into his arms. He pressed me back against the wall with the force of his kiss. A shudder of relief rippled through both of us, and I sank my fingers into his shirt, dragging him against me, needing him close in a way I never had before. His mouth pressed and tasted mine. There was nothing expert about the way he was kissing me now; in the cool darkness of the garage, hot urgency bound us together. I kissed him, frantic and bold, my mouth crushing forcefully to his. I pressed deeper, drowning in his taste. His hands tightened around my back, pulling me closer. I shaped my palms to his shoulders, to his arms, to his thighs, feeling his muscles work, so real and strong, alive with power and energy. His mouth ground against mine, bright with needy pressure.

When I found myself in need of air again he laid assault on my neck, kissing down to my collar-bone, nibbling just above it before biting into my shoulder with a low growl that had me shivering in a way far from being cold. I whimpered in response and hooked my right leg around his, using it to pull his lower body into mine. He responded by sliding his hands down, cupping my ass and lifting me to wrap my legs around his waist.

"Please..." I moaned. "Please." He knew what I wanted, I didn't fully understand, but I knew that I was a wet and trembling mess and he was the cure. I was more than ready for him.

He closed his eyes and seemed to inhale like he was capturing my scent. I used my tongue to play with his earlobe, slowly tracing the contour of it."Please." I whispered, and I felt his body shiver at my words.

With my legs wrapped around him I ground into him. Just like he had in my bed a month ago he pushed back into me. It was like a ball of fire was circulating inside of my body.

"You're so perfect...so perfect, Angel." He mumbled softly, making me smile, even as a whimper escaped me.

My nails were digging into his shoulders, I couldn't stop; it was like I had no control over my body. Our hands were making hasty work of learning each others topography. We were everywhere on each other touching and teasing. I could feel his prominent erection straining against the confines of his jeans, pulsing against me with need. His hands had untied the knot on my blouse and was sliding along the sensitive skin of my stomach and chest as they sought out my breasts that were heaving against his chest. The thumb on his right hand brushed against my hardened nipple making me cry out...then his cell phone rang and our world shattered...

Patch's parents had just been killed in a head on collision when a drunk driver had crossed the medium when they were on their way back to their hotel.

The high we had been riding screeched to a halt as time stopped. Somewhere in the distance I heard screaming...