Author Note: Warning – a little bit of smut ahead

Chapter 10 – How Could You?

The drive back to Kenosha was almost unbearable. Jackie wouldn't speak to him for nearly the entire ride and he felt like such as dumbass for jumping to conclusions. All of the headway they were making as friends was crashing down like a card house.

She parked her car and waited for Eric to get out. He refused to leave the car. "Jackie, just let me explain."

She turned to glare at him – her blue/green eyes flashing. "What's to explain? You think my life is so boring that I have to go check on why your marriage failed? Is that what you were thinking? I had my own failed relationships but I got over them. How can you assume…"

"Jackie - stop." He dared to put a finger to her lips. "I am sorry. You are right. I'm an ass. But give me one minute. I'm divorced – I'm not dead and there were certain scenes in that movie that reminded me of my old life. You remember the trailer? The evil Casey Kelso affair – the movie had some elements that reminded me of the old days. I'm trying to shake that off but when I saw all the parallels…."

Jackie's eyes softened just for a moment. "Can't you just see that I was using the movie for research? I never experienced a cowboy anything. The movie was Brooke's idea."

Eric grabbed her hand. Beg for her forgiveness! "Jackie, I don't want to ruin any chance at building a friendship with you. I'm so sorry."

She huffed and put her arms over her chest. "You're gonna owe me for this one Forman."

Eric could feel the relief coursing through his chest. "Then you forgive me?"

She opened the car door and got out. "I'll have to think about that. Lock my door when you get out." With that said she grabbed her purse and cowboy bag and walked up the stairs to her apartment. Eric collapsed against the passenger seat. At least she didn't throw him out on the freeway and he was still alive and breathing…that was a good sign – right?

*

Eric spent most of his Sunday with his folks. He told his mom about the fight with Jackie and she clucked her tongue. "Eric, you should know by now that Jackie is not the same little bratty girl she used to be. She's grown up and you're father and I am proud of her. She wouldn't - what did you call it – research you? Why go through all that trouble when she could just ask you?" Kitty pushed a plate of brownies towards her son.

Red put down his morning paper. "So you said they're barbecuing Angus beef? Those are some mighty fine cows."

Kitty smiled. "Is there square dancing? Oh, I love to dance - don't I Red? I love dancing!" she said as she twirled back to the stove.

"I don't know, Brooke is teaching her how to do line dancing." Eric replied.

Kitty gasped. "No! I have to be there! I've always wanted to dance with a group of women like that! Red, call Jackie and get me a ticket! Oh, gosh – I can bring back some steak too!"

Eric grinned at his mother's excitement. "Mom, this is some rich guy's party. I don't think he'll just let you in."

Red coughed, "Then you don't know Jackie very well."

Kitty was jumping up and down in anticipation. "Eric you call her right now! I need to be at that party!"

*

Jackie was reading her latest bride magazine while soaking in some bubbles. She noticed a Wedding Consultant convention was coming to Chicago. That might be worth a visit. She bookmarked the page and reached for the jewelry catalog. She had heard that Black Hills Gold rings were becoming popular.

The phone rang.

Crap.

She wrapped a towel around herself and caught it just before the answering machine clicked on. "Hello?"

"It's me. Please don't hang up."

"What do you want?"

Eric could see his mom eagerly waiting for him to ask the question. "What are you doing?" He couldn't just ask straight out, that would be rude!

"I'm standing here naked because the telephone rang."

The phone nearly fell out of his hands. "Um, sorry about that - the phone slipped. I'm at my folks and mom wants me to ask you a question." She was naked and on the phone with him?

"Well?"

"Mom wants to go to the barbeque and line dance with Brooke."

"Okay. Ask if she still has her Event Staff badge."

Eric put the phone against his chest. She was naked! "Er, Jackie wants to know if you still have your badge."

"Mom is nodding her head yes." Kitty was dancing around the kitchen and kissing Red's bald spot. "Kitty stop it, I'm trying to read the paper." She plopped down in his lap, "I'll get a really pretty dress with a petticoat and feed you steak." She sing-songed.

Red smiled, "Hey tell Jackie I have my badge too! I like Angus beef!"

Eric looked forlorn – did everyone have a badge but him? "Dad wants to come."

"Fine – tell him to wear a hat so he doesn't get sun burnt. Is there anything else? And if you say you're sorry one more time I'm hanging up on you."

"No! I wasn't going to say that. I was thinking maybe I could take you out for coffee or something?"

"Pick up me at 5:00." And that said she hung up the phone.

*

Eric made certain he was knocking on the door promptly at 5:00 o'clock. Jackie opened the door, "I'm almost ready. Have a seat." She left the door open and went back to what Eric assumed was her bedroom.

She quickly came out sliding on some strappy heels that matched her silky sheath of a dress. Eric knew for a fact that she wasn't a bra. He was unnerved again! She picked up a lacy scarf and wrapped it around her shoulders.

"Are you paying or am I?"

Eric didn't expect her to be so blunt. Okay she was still a little pissed at him but that was okay. "I invited you so I'll pay." She grabbed her clutch and gave him a dazzling smile and stepped through the door.

Eric was confused. "Are you being nice or just polite right now? I mean you smiled at me and I thought you were mad."

Jackie locked her door. "Oh, I'm still mad but it doesn't mean I can't be polite now can it?"

Eric didn't know how to deal with that little bit of information so he followed her down the stairs instead.

She waited patiently by the passenger door of the Vista Cruiser and Eric hurried to unlock the door. After she slid in, he closed the door and hustled to the driver side. He started the engine. "You look very pretty tonight."

She glanced at him. "Save it."

Eric reversed out of the parking space and onto the highway. He selected a quaint little coffee shop that was just outside the city. His main thought was that he didn't want to run into Fez and Rhonda.

There were little tables out front under shady trees and the smell of coffee was wafting out to the street. Jackie was impressed with his choice of coffee house. He parked close by so she wouldn't have to walk far in those spiky heels of hers.

He held the door open, "After you." She chose a booth near the window and Eric could see her eyes scanning the room for possibilities of planning some kind of event. He slid in beside her and said in a low voice. "If the menu is sticky or has disgusting faded pictures…we'll be out of here so fast!"

Jackie giggled. That was what she said about his hotel restaurant. She put her hand on Eric's arm which startled him. "I can't stay mad at you for very long. I'm impressed that you remembered what I said about the menus!"

Eric grinned – Yay! His friend was back. His sexy, utterly gorgeous friend was back! "Do you know what you want to order?"

She looked at all the choices. "I think I'd like this French Vanilla drink." The waitress came over and Eric could see Jackie timing her. She whispered, "It took 30 seconds. I'm impressed."

"May I help you? Our coffee of the day is Season's Wonder. It's a blend of Hawaiian coffee beans and some Peruvian."

Eric went safe. "The lady will have French Vanilla and I'd like some regular ground with creamer." The waitress wrote down the order and left the two to chat.

"May I ask a question?" Eric remembered that she liked politeness. She looked at him with a twinkle in her eye. "Yes you may."

"Why do my folks have Event badges? I mean my dad never goes anywhere! How did you do that?"

Jackie leaned back against the booth and chuckled. "Well, I was just starting my business and I needed someone who knew something about football. I think I was doing a birthday party for the daughter of one of the Green Bay Packers owners. I can't remember the name, but anyways, the party was being held in the owner's box and your dad said he'd coach me on the names and certain kinds of game positions."

"A party in the owner's box? l'll bet my dad was having a stroke!"

Jackie grinned, "He had a great time and they even gave him a game jacket. I learned more than I needed to know about football."

"What about my mom?" he asked again. Jackie leaned forward. "A Betty Crocker Bake off. I knew nothing about cooking and your mom got to be a guest judge. They paid her a couple thousand dollars. She was so happy."

Eric shook his head. "Damn, they never shared good stuff like this with me." Jackie almost felt sorry for him. "Well, maybe they thought you were…busy…you know…being married and all."

Eric felt like that was a burn but it couldn't be because he really was in the best three months of his life back then. Then it was over without so much as a whimper – from Donna.

*

The waitress came back with their drinks and left quietly. Jackie appreciated the expediency and the lack of chatter that most waitresses put on the patrons. "Leave her a nice tip. She was quick and efficient."

Eric tried his coffee and was pleasantly surprised. He wasn't normally an afternoon coffee guy, but this was nice and he was semi-back in Jackie's graces again. "How did you find this place?" she asked.

"I was driving around, getting familiar with the area and just stumbled on it actually. There's some nice little café's in the area."

Eric smiled when she told him she liked this new flavor of coffee. "Jackie, can I ask you another question?"

"My…you are just too inquisitive today aren't you?" she teased. She turned sideways to give him all of her attention. "Ask away…"

Damn she sure looked pretty. Eric's heart started beating wildly. How did she do that – go from bitchy and bossy to sweet and innocent? "I'm sorry I just lost my whole train of thought." Damn, she did it again!

*

The coffee was long over and yet Eric was enjoying himself and didn't want the Sunday to end. They left the coffee shop and lingered in front of the car. "Do you want to take a little walk?" he asked.

She smiled. "Sure why not?" She said nothing as Eric grabbed her hand to steer her around a fire hydrant. The heat of the day was cooling and as they walked under the trees, Jackie was glad she brought her shawl. "Say, do you need to go home right away or anything?" he asked suddenly.

"Well, no…why do you ask?" What was Eric up to now?

"I figured we could grab something to eat while we're still out and about."

She stopped walking and looked at him. "You did it. You actually did it." He looked puzzled, "What did I do?"

"You let a coffee date turn into a dinner date and you didn't have to even think about it. How cool is that?"

Eric paused. "This is good… because?" Jackie squeezed his hand. 'It's good because you are finally starting to do the dating thing!"

"I am? Hey – I am. Look at me on a practice date!" he said proudly. Jackie swatted him on the arm. "Don't go getting an ego about it – you're still taking baby steps. Now…where is this restaurant because I am starving!"

*

The dinner club was busy – the line was out of the lobby and around the corner. Jackie looked at Eric, "Are you sure you want to eat here?" He looked down at her hopeful expression and knew this was the perfect place to bring her. He squeezed her hand.

"Yeah, I heard the food is great and I think you'll like it." He tried to sound confident.

Jackie smiled. "Okay, but I'm going to see how long the wait is or these shoes are coming off!" Eric watched as she walked to the entrance and he also watched all the male heads that turned to watch her pass by. Apparently he wasn't the only one affected by that silk dress!

She came skipping back and grabbed his arm. "The Head Waiter was at one of my parties and suddenly has a table opened with our name on it!" Eric smirked as he heard the couple behind him groan. He presented his elbow, "Shall we?"

*

The table was actually an intimate little booth cleverly masked by large palm leaves. There was a piano playing in the background and hushed conversations hovering softly in the air. Eric slid in after Jackie and the stiff collared waiter set menus on the table and quickly returned with ice water. "This is nice." She whispered.

Eric tugged the collar of his shirt. It looked like it was going to be pricey too! He quickly scanned the menu and gulped at the prices! Egad – this was not going to be a place to bring regular dates! Jackie was looking at the prices too and couldn't believe they would charge $15 for a salad! She didn't want to ruin Eric's new found confidence by suggesting they go elsewhere.

She nudged him with her shoulder. "Eric, this place is really expensive – would you be offended if I suggested we go Dutch?" Eric breathed a sigh of relief. "Really - you wouldn't mind? If I had known the prices before hand… well… I mean I still would have brought you but…"

Jackie touched his arm. "Eric, you're my friend. This is a practice date for the real thing. Let me help out okay? All those people out there are probably freaking out about the cost just like you are."

"God Jackie, you are the best!"

Jackie smirked, "If I don't like the food, you can bet we'll get a discount and someone is going to get fired!"

The waiter came back and Jackie ordered the Caribbean Jerk Chicken plate and Eric ordered some veal. Jackie was seriously looking at the dinner club as a wedding shower location. The live band was just off a semi-dance floor and the tables could be rearranged…hmm, she wished she had her notebook with her!

*

The dinner was pleasant and although they spent more than the allotted hour Eric took the long drive back to their respective apartment building. Jackie was talking to him and he was learning more about his folks then he ever knew. Especially that they were fun people was totally over his head!

Eric paused at Jackie's door. He didn't want the night to end and fortunately for him she said, "Come in for a moment. I need your point of view on something."

He followed her in and shut the door while she turned on a couple of lamps. She kicked off her shoes and dropped her shawl on the back of a chair. "I got the soundtrack to that movie and I want your opinion on one of the songs I'm playing while I ride the bull."

Eric's mouth dropped. "Wait, you're riding the bull? I am SO coming to this party." Visions of Debra Winger flashed through his brain. Jackie patted him on the cheek. "Well then I guess I'll have to give you a badge."

She pulled the Urban Cowboy soundtrack out of the paper sleeve and put in on her stereo. She looked at the back of the album to see what track number it was. "Okay, Eric, you can either sit there with your eyes closed or you can dance with me. But give me your candid opinion of the song okay?"

Eric got up – he was always ready for a dance with Jackie. She set the stylus on the record and the piano chords for Boz Skaggs Look What You've Done To Me started playing. She put her hand on his shoulder and he took her other and curled it to his chest.

"Listen to the lyrics and then the rhythm" she said softly as Boz started to sing.

Hope they never end this song
This could take us all night long
I looked at the moon and I felt blue
Then I looked again and I saw you

Eric just held her as close as he could as they moved to the tender song. All of his senses were acutely aware of how small she was in his arms, how nice she smelled and how good she just plain felt moving with him to the music.

She looked up, 'I love the next chorus" and she smiled at him with that devastating smile that made his legs weak. She snuggled closer and laid her head against his chest.

Love, look what you've done to me
Never thought I'd fall again so easily
Oh, love, you wouldn't lie to me
Leading me to feel this way.....

Eric was wondering why he didn't notice this song during the movie and how did the singer know exactly how he was feeling at this moment?

Jackie and Eric danced the slow dance even though the song had ended. He was reluctant to let her go and she didn't want to move. He whispered in her hair. "Jackie."

She smiled against his shirt, "Hmm?"

He stroked her hair, 'This is killing me."

She looked up and smiled. "I know…think of it as practice."

He hugged her again. "Practice for what?"

She grinned. "The real deal." She let go of his hand and went over to turn off the record. Eric was still puzzled. "What?"

She looked at him with a smile playing around her lips. 'Silly boy. Your first real date – you're almost there!"

Eric grabbed her hand and pulled her back. "Then what do you call this?"

She tugged his collar, ""Practice with a friend."

Eric leaned in to brush a piece of hair from her face to behind her ear and let his fingers linger there. "What if that's not what I want?"

She moved to him and slipped her arms around his waist, resting her chin on his chest and sighed. "Eric, I don't think you know what you want yet. You still need some time to figure that out."

She wasn't going to get rid of him that easily! He pulled her tightly against his body and whispered, "Shhh," pressing his lips to hers. "Don't say anything." Eric was twisting Jackie's own words against her. "Just for this one exquisite moment you're not Jackie Burkhart and you are just a girl I took out to coffee …and dinner… and all I am going to do is kiss you goodnight."

Jackie smiled at his play on her words and closed her eyes as his lips softly touched hers and his hands slid down the sides of her silky dress. His hands felt so good and she hadn't been touched like this in a long time. His lips were busy and his breath was warm against her cheek. He lifted her hair and ran his fingers through the length of it – moving it out of the way so he could suck on the soft skin of her neck. She shivered.

Eric could literally feel Jackie melting in his arms. The slinky little dress was as close to naked as he could ask for and every curve his hand touched was soft and wonderful. He dared to brush the little spaghetti strap from her shoulder and nipped the tender skin along her collarbone.

Jackie was pleasantly surprised that Eric had such a wonderful mouth. He used his lips to kiss, his teeth to nip and he grazed so gently and hungrily. Her head fell back when his started kissing her throat and she could feel his big hands stroking her ribs.

Her heart was racing partly because this was forbidden between friends, but his attention to her body was so very welcome! His hands came up to cover her breasts and she sighed – she knew he was going to see how he affected her and she didn't care. If this was a practice date so be it!

Eric almost moaned when he felt the little buds press against his palms. He went back to ravage her mouth and he felt her tiny hands pulling his shirt from his pants. It was done so subtlety that her soft touches gave him shivers.

His stomach was in knots – this was farther than he thought she'd let him go and he struggled with himself to end this and then she stroked him through his pants. He was going to come undone! After 15 months of no female contact he was dying here. He wanted Jackie so damn bad but this wasn't the time or place. God – this was too cruel.

Eric swept her up in his arms and she gave a little yelp. "You're making me crazy woman." He growled. One last stolen kiss and he unceremoniously dumped her on the sofa. "Good night Jackie."

Jackie watched with a smile as he hurried out the door. Who would have thought that Eric Forman could kiss with such passion? Damn – why did he have to leave so soon?

Eric shut the apartment door and leaned against it with a frustrated groan. Practice? She called this practice? Where in the world was he going to find another woman that made him feel like this? And if this was practice what was the real thing going to be like? Damn! Look out cold shower – Eric Forman is running!

*