Lucy had no choice but to finish her shift so Jack stood and kissed her goodbye. She came round and hugged each one of the Callaghans in turn, Midge coming round for a second hug as Jack ushered them away, promising to call her later.

The rest of the afternoon went by in a blur, she could have let 50 people through the barrier without tokens, she had no idea. She had never been so happy in her life, she turned her head down to the side for a second, taking a deep breath she could smell his aftershave that lingered on her collar, the most magnificent woody scent that made sparks fly in her lower abdomen.

She couldn't wipe the grin plastered on her face, her muscles just wouldn't cooperate and a couple of afternoon commuters looked at her as if she might be high on something other than life!

Finally 6pm came and with a heavy heart Lucy clocked out of her last shift at the 'L'. Jerry came to say goodbye, she filled him in with everything that happened during the day and she promised to invite him to the real wedding!

She left the station and walked out onto the street excited to get home, Jack said he would call but she thought she would surprise him by getting in first.

As she looked up to cross the street her heart leaped, there was Jack leaning up against his red truck, arms folded across his chest. She walked towards him with a shy smile, he truly was the most gorgeous man he had ever met.

"Hey, fancy seeing you here" she said, looking at him through her eyelashes as she moved closer towards him.

He pushed himself off the truck, "Well, I didnt like the idea of my fiancee walking through the streets of Chicargo at night. I thought she might need protection" He quipped as he snaked his arms round her waist and pulled her towards him.

A kaleidoscope of butterflies frantically beat their wings inside her stomach, she prayed that he never stopped having this effect on her.

He brought his lips down to hers and she met them enthusiastically, the kiss was slow and soft but no less full of passion. He held her face with both hands, his rough fingers slipping into her hair at the temples. The kiss ended slowly and naturally but neither moved and they remained so close that he was able to rest his forehead on hers.

Lucy closed her eyes and took a breath, contentment washing over her body. Jack placed a small kiss on the tip of her nose then leaned back slightly, the better to look at her.

"So..." He said smiling,

"So..." She replied, the grin was back, she really couldnt control it.

"I was thinking, maybe you would like to come over to my place? I mean you have never been there before, I could cook you dinner." He looked rather self conscious, then added quickly "or we could go out for a meal if you would rather!"

She decided that she would play with him a little, he suddenly looked so nervous and she needed to do something to break the tension. They had never had this before, their times together had always been so easy, so jovial but the stakes were higher now and she knew that could add more pressure.

She looked at him with a serious face, "hmm I'm not sure I'm ready to come to your house yet..."

His face fell slightly and he gave a small nod, trying not to look disappointed.

She was trying desperately to keep a straight face as she added very seriously "I mean I don't even know if you can cook yet, you might give me food poisoning on my first night as an engaged women!"

The grin erupted again across her face and a giggle burst out. A smile of realisation spread across his lips as he grabbed her tighter round the waist,

"I'll have you know I'm a excellent cook, I can't believe you would doubt my skills!" He said in mock outrage.

"Well..." She said placing a light kiss on his lip,

"You" she kissed him again, "will have to prove it."

"Challenge excepted" he moved away and held the truck door open for her to climb in.

Once they where moving, they fell into conversation as he asked about her day. She couldnt go on any longer she needed to tell him about her job, so she it blurted out,

"I've resigned from the 'L', that was my last shift." She looked over at him sheepishly.

He turned to look at her in surprise, "What? Why?"

She should tell him the truth, no lies, not anymore, though the thought saying it out loud made her squirm with embarrassment.

"Hmm well...OK its just that I knew Peter was on the mend and would probably be wanted to get back to work soon and well I couldn't sit there seeing him every morning after what had happened, so I quit!" She took a breath and looked at him waiting for his response.

He looked at her for a second and then turned to concentrate on the road. "I'm sorry you felt you had to do that, but I do understand. So what we're you planning to do next?"

Lucy let out the breath she hadn't realised she was holding, he didn't think she was stupid, or he didn't say so anyway, it gave her the confidence to continue.

"I've got a couple of interviews lined up for part time jobs and I've got some savings but I thought that I'd, hmm... Well I want to go back to school and finish what I started before my dad got sick."

Jack smiled as he continued looking at the road, then he reached over and put his hand on her knee "I think that's a fantastic idea."

They sat in companiable silence for a few moments, while she internally revelled in how lucky she was to have such a supportive fiancé...husband to be, God she liked the way that sounded. She glanced down for a second at the ring on her left hand and smiled.

"So what are you interested in studying?" He continued.

"I started a course in business and finance in Indiana, it was a long time ago but it has always interested me."

"Well that would be very useful seeing as you have a fiancé who is about to properly start his own business making bespoke furniture" He said laughing.

"What? You spoke to your dad? He is happy for you to leave the family business?"

"Yep. He thinks I'm nuts but he has given his blessing. I'm gonna do both for a while, I've got orders for my stuff already but Pop is gonna need a bit of help with the heavy lifting until he can find a buyer for the business. It just means I'm gonna be putting in the hours for a while." He looked over at her anxiously.

Lucy thought for just a moment, it was her turn to be supportive now, she placed a hand on his knee just as he had done a moment ago and softly said, "don't worry I'm not going anywhere!" He squeezed her hand briefly in response but then he removed it as he brought the truck to a stop.

Surprised that they had arrived already Lucy looked out the window. They were in a neighbourhood that she didn't recognise, but she liked what she saw.

Jack's house, though smaller than his parents was huge compared to her little 2 bedroom apartment. It was brick built with a separate garage. It had a large sloping roof with a dormer on each side, large white windows and a lovely little, well manicured garden at the front. It was perfect, just like him. She looked round and all the houses on the quiet little street all appeared well cared for and she could see a couple of children playing in the drive ways.

She turned to him, "your house is gorgeous, how long have you lived here?"

He looked out the window at his home, "about 4 years, I suddenly realised that being 30 years old and still living with your parents was a bit pathetic, so I brought this place."

"Hey, I lived with my dad til I was 30" she challenged,

"Yes but your dad was sick, he needed you and so you were there for him. My mum was still doing my laundry, ironing my bed sheets and making my packed lunch every day" He put his hand across his face, shaking his head laughing.

Lucy laughed too, opening the truck door and climbed out.

He lead her up the path and they climbed the the few steps that lead up to the front door. Finding the key he slipped it into the lock but before he pushed it open he stopped and turned, wrapping his arms round her waist.

"I hope you do like it here, I want you to feel at home" He said sincerely.

Her heart melted at his words and she whispered "I'll always feel at home where ever you are" and she lifted up on tip toe to give him the gentlest of kisses.

He gave her a bashful smile and pushed open the door.

Inside, the house was so Jack. It had wooden furniture, comfy sofas and cozy carpets, it was tidy but not sterile like Peter's apartment had been. He proceeded to show her round, there was a lounge, dining room, kitchen and laundry room on the ground floor and upstairs 3 good sized bedrooms, 1 with an en suit and a family bathroom. Lucy felt slightly flustered when Jack opened the door to his bedroom to show her inside. The butterflies swooped in her lower abdomen as she looked at his neatly made bed with its maroon coloured duvet, the image of her lying there with him, the covers crumpled around them made her feel flushed. She hoped he hadn't noticed!

She stepped back, allowing him to close the door and they made their way down stairs.

"I presume you like Italian food" He said raising and eyebrow,

"My favourite" she laughed

"Good, pasta it is then" busying himself opening cupboards and pulling out ingredients.

"Can I do anything to help" she asked feeling guilty that he was doing all the hard work.

"You can open the bottle of wine in the fridge if you like and pour us a glass" He indicated to the fridge and the cupboard that housed the glasses.

She spent an enjoyable 45 mins, sitting at the island in Jack's kitchen, sipping wine and chatting while he worked. The smell was amazing and she loved being here with him doing something normal. As much as she had enjoyed all the time she and Jack had spent together before, none of it could have been called normal. But here and now they were both relaxed and comfortable in each other's company, they laughed, they flirted and it really did feel like the last few awful days were behind them.

After they had eaten and cleared away, (Jack wasn't lying, he really could cook) they made their way into the lounge. He had told her to make herself at home so she slipped off her shoes, made herself comfortable on one of the brown leather sofas and tucked her feet under her bottom. Wine glass in hand she scanned the room looking properly for the first time. As she had already found out, the sofas looked inviting and really were comfy, a large wooded coffee table stood in the centre of the room and a matching book case was slotted in an alcove in the corner. The fireplace was brick and housed lovely wood burning stove. It was a lovely room but it was missing something, there was no art on the walls, no photos in frames, no trinkets or memorabilia on the shelves, what this room needed was a women's touch. Then she thought with a thrill she would change that, how beautiful would her snow globe look on the mantle next to her fathers clock. Her fathers globe would look fantastic in the corner and one of Jack's gorgeous handmade rocking chairs in front of the fire would just finish it off.

"Penny for them..." He said as he sat down next to her on the sofa

She looked around startled that she had been caught day dreaming and smiled.

"I was just taking in my surroundings, this really is a lovely house, you could just do with a few pictures or something around the place."

He shuffled closer to her, she moved her feet so that she could get closer to him, he brushed a few stray hairs from her forehead and gazed deeply into her eyes,

"Well I hope you will remedy that when you move your stuff in here" He said in a whispered voice.

Excitement shot though her at his words, it was like he could read her mind and she said with a coy smile,

"I actually was thinking how well some of my things would fit into this room and one of your rocking chairs over there" she pointed to the space in front of the fire, "would look wonderful."

"I'll have to see what I can do then" He chuckled.

She snuggled into him resting her head on his chest, he ran his fingers through her hair and it was heaven. She closed her eyes, listening to the beating of his heart and feeling the rise and fall of his chest. If someone had told her two days ago this is where she would be today, lying on the sofa in Jack's house, warmed by his body, with his engagement ring on her finger she would have thought it a cruel joke.

"Are you tired?" He breathed into her ear.

"Hmm a little" she replied sleepily. Actually a lot she realised, was it the early rise for work? the excitement of the day? the wine? Or the stress of the past week? Whatever it was sleep was now coming over her in waves.

"Will you stay?" He asked in a voice so quiet it was barely audible.

She opened her eyes slowly and raised her head to look at him, he seemed tense awaiting her answer. She sat up slowly and began to brush his fallen hair from his face, she lifted up onto her knees and whispered in his ear,

"I thought you would never ask!"

She pulled away slightly for just a second to give him a wicked grin then crashed her lips down on his with renewed vigor, all ideas of sleep forgotten. He responded in kind and wrapped his strong arms round her gripping her tight. Despite the embrace, suddenly she still didn't feel close enough and without breaking the kiss she moved so that she was straddling him, one knee each side of his. He let out a groan as she shifted and produced pressure in his groin. Her lips parted and soon he was exploring every inch of her mouth with his tongue, he tasted amazing, her fingers gripped his hair as the butterflies turned to sparks, need erging her on.

His mouth left hers and she extended her neck as he ran a line of kisses down her jaw, then her neck to her collar bone allowing his tongue to linger and slide over the smooth skin he found there. Shifting slightly over his lap she pressed harder into him, feeling exhilarated by the sensation and the reaction from him that her small movement had produced.

He continued his procession of kisses back up her neck, his hands cupping and massaging her butt pushing her closer too him, then he slipped his fingers under the hem of her shirt and ran his hands over the soft bare skin on her back. She let out a breathy moan with the skin on skin contact and quickly forced his head back, finding his lips and taking them in hers once again, kissing him hard and fast with an urgency she had never felt before.

His hand moved and found the waistband of her jeans, fingers dipping under it he stroked her lower back and the cleft of her buttocks sending electricity coursing through her body which resulted in her writhing in his lap, the heat she found there was tangible.

It was too much, she needed his skin, there was too much material in her way. She ripped her lips from his and leaned back to look at him. His face was red, his lips were slightly puffy and his hair all mused up and she had been the one who caused it, it sent a wild thrill of excitement through her. Leaning forward she slowly started to undo the buttons on his shirt, once she has finished she threw it open and reached down to unstuck his tshirt from his jeans.

Lucy lifted her head and locked eyes with his, she ran her fingers along the skin she found under his hem, grazing her nail softly over the sensitive area, he closed his eyes and leaned his head back a look of elation on his face. Taking advantage of the opportunity in front of her she leaned forward and kissed his jaw, running a trail of kisses across his cheek til she found his ear. She ran her tongue over the shell and nibbled the lobe, forcing him out of his reverie as he squirmed and chuckled at the sensation caused.

She leaned back again and stared earnestly into his eyes, the raw need in her had built so much it felt as though it were emanating from every pore.

Jack was a gentleman and although they were engaged, this was technically their first proper date, (strange as it sounded), maybe he throught she would want to take it slow, not assume that she would give everything tonight. She had said she wanted to stay but still she had to make it clear that she wanted him, all of him and as much as she enjoyed sitting on the couch snogging like teenagers it wasnt enough, no where near enough!

She decided to be bold, be brave, she could already tell from the heat and bulge from his trousers that he was feeling it too, it was time to give him a little help.

She reached down and took the hem of her shirt, slowly she pulled it over her head and threw it aside. Then throwing caution to the wind she reached behind her and unclasped her bra, she allowed the straps to fall as she pulled it away and let it land with her tshirt, never losing eye contact with him.

He placed his hands round either side of her rib cage, slowly he moved his thumb and softly stroked the swell of her breast. He ran his hands down her naked sides, as he slid his hands back up he cupped her breasts with both hands and flicked his thumbs slowly over her taut nipples and trailing his finger tip round its edge.

She bucked against him in delight at his touch, she threw her head back, closing her eyes. She could feel the pressure and the need developing stronger inside her panties.

Then she felt a shift and he leaned forward and took one of her nipples in his mouth, he sucked and flicked the hard, sensitive flesh until she was moaning with pleasure.

Leaning back slightly she brought her hand down and started to stroke his length through his jeans, it was hard, very hard and the heat radiating though the material was so seductive. He moaned at her touch and she followed the length and made circles at the tip when her path came to an end. She wanted to see it, touch his manhood, the pressure and moisture between her legs was getting too much and she needed release.

She grabbed his belt buckle and started working to open it, quickly he put his hand on top of hers to stop her, she looked up surprised and found a smile on his face and a glint in her eye,

"Shall we go upstairs, I think we would be more comfortable"

Lucy's mind flashed back to earlier this evening and her image of a tangled mess of bodies in the maroon duvet. She smiled, "That is an excellent idea" and she climbed off him and put out a hand to pull him up.

Once they were both standing, she pushed the shirt off his shoulders and it landed on her floor, she reached down and started to pull his tshirt up but she could only reach so far and he helped her complete the job.

She marveled at his naked torso, he was so God dam sexy. He was very well defined but not excessively muscley, he had a liberal smattering of sandy hair that tailed off into a thin line that disappeared into his jeans, man she couldnt wait to be able to follow that line of hair to see where it would lead.

She ran her hands over his chest then down his arm and grabbed his hand in hers and pulled him towards the hall. As they reached the stairs she started to climb first still leading him by the hand, they kept eye contact throughout as she gave him her best sultry look through her eye lashes.

As she continued her climb Lucy was stunned as she realised she didn't feel awkward or self conscious at this moment. She was walking through a house she had never visited before, half naked, to make love to this man for the first time. Ordinary she would have been a barrell of nerves and much more reserved, but with Jack things were different. She felt comfortable, she could be herself and she knew by now that he had the same reaction to her touch as she did to his. Nothing had ever felt so right. As she reached top of the stairs and found the door handle to his room nothing but excited expectation was on her mind, he followed her into his room and closed the door behind them.

All at once a wave of frenzy hit them, he grabbed her tightly and their lips collided, mouths open their tongues danced together in frantic motions, each devouring the other, unable to get enough.

Lucy reached forward and again started to undo his belt, this time he didn't stop her, but continued kissing her as if his life depended on it. She finally succeed in her goal and the belt flew open, next she started on the button and zip as Jack edged her back until she felt something soft then he lowered her onto the bed.

She lay there for a second before he moved to her jeans, he slowly opened the fly and pulled them down, making sure he had her panties caught too so they came away together. The look of adoration she saw in his face as he took in the sight before him stuned her. His gaze ran over her body then met her eyes and she felt completely overcome with emotion. No man had ever made her feel more beautiful, more wanted.

Jack moved into the bed, he had finished the job of removing his jeans and lay next to her on his side head proped up on his elbow. He ran his fingers over her body starting at her collarbone, continuing over breast and down just lower than her naval. She gave out a breathy sigh at the pleasure this touch evoked,

"You are so beautiful, I love you so much" He murmured softly in her ear.

"I love you back" she giggled as she repeated the words he had used earlier.

He smiled and bent down to kiss her stomach, as he did his hand travelled down further and his fingers brushed the delicate folds at her centre, she let out a gasp as he repeated the motion, this time going a little deeper until he touched her liquid softness.

Her hips jolted and her head flew back as he continued massaging the bundle of nerves at her core, she could feel pressure building, begging for release, then he stopped and ran his hand back up her body, grazing her nipple on the way.

Though she desperately missed his touch, Lucy saw this as an opportunity to do some exploring of her own. She flipped him over so that he was now lying flat and kneeled over him, with a satisfied grin on her face.

Looking down she saw he was still wearing his tight, white boxers which were now bulging at the seems. She carefully hooked her fingers over the top elastic and pulled them down slowly.

This wasn't something she would normally have done she has to admit to being quite passive in the bedroom but there was no fear in this room, just love and passion and freedom.

Her eyes followed the intriguing trail of hair that was previously hidden, uncovering it slowly, she shot him a gleeful smile as she gave a firm but gentle tug and she free'd his straining manhood from the material. She watched him lying there and she had never been so aroused in her life, quickly she liberated her fingers and stoked his length, running her fingertips back and forth, all the while watching the look of ecstasy on his face. She gripped him lightly in her hand, thrilling internally as she massaged him slowly up and down, hearing a deep moan escaping his throat.

Lucy leaned down and peppered kisses on his beautiful face, his eyes flicked open and she fell into his gaze. She never strayed from his eyes she climbed over him, straddling him again, but this time she was open, wet and ready. She lowered herself onto him slowly until he was buried to the hilt, then began rotating her hips. His groans did nothing to stem her arousal as he grabbed her butt, guiding her movements around him.

She threw her face to the ceiling as sensation took over, he felt amazing inside her, she had never felt so full. She moved over him faster, unable to control herself, unable to go slow, the pressure was building in waves.

Then in a swift movement he flipped her over so she was now lying flat on her back, but now he was in charge. His thrusts were slow at first but quickly became so powerful and overwhelming that she was more than happy for him to take control.

They moved together in a frenzy of passion and ecstacy, urgency taking over all else. She could feel the tidal wave of sensation building until it threated to engulf her. He continued thrusting with impressive agility, stroking her sensitive area with each movement. She could take no more, with a power she didn't know she possessed, she screamed his name as the wave washed completely over her and she fell hard. He continued to move one, two, three times letting out a guttural sound, she felt his throbbing release deep within her and he was still.

They lay together completely spent, arms and legs tangled, hot and sweating with breath ragging in their chest, but Lucy had never felt so alive.

Sleep came easy to both Lucy and Jack as they slept in each other's arms under the maroon duvet.