Laws of Motion – Book 1
Written by: Ms Maggs / Edited by: KJT

Chapter 7

August 29, 2005
Nick and Carrie's Apartment
6:27 p.m.

Initially, Nick was ticked when Carrie invited Sofia to dinner, but once he saw how grateful his ex sex buddy was for a home cooked meal he was glad that she stayed. It never dawned on him that her brother's suicide had torn apart Sofia's family and that her mother blamed her for not preventing it. Family was a thing of the past for her and his newly acquired knowledge about Sofia reminded Nick that everyone had a little something they kept hidden.

Sitting there alone at the table full of chatty women, Nick wondered if Michelle Anson Travers was in Naperville dining with her husband tonight and acting like she didn't have a secret…a dirty little secret she kept hidden from him and the world…one that she wouldn't get to keep much longer.

"Nicky…" Jillian elbowed her boy. "Care to join in the conversation? Surely you and Sofia must have an interesting story or two from your time spent together…working in the field."

The phrasing of his mother's statement momentarily caught him off guard. "Uh…well…I'm not talkin' because the three of you have the conversation covered." He set his fork across his empty plate. "It's like being back at the ranch for dinner when dad's out of town…just me surrounded by all that estrogen."

"How sweet." Jillian smiled. "You think of Sofia like one of your sisters."

Carrie choked on the sip of iced tea she just swallowed. "Okay…game over. We've teased him enough."

"What?" Nick looked at the three laughing women.

Placing her hand over Nick's, Carrie confessed, "I know about your ancient history with Sofia and she knows I know…and your mom knows because I told her. I figured it out last week at Wendy's when the two of you were so snippy to one another. We decided to have a little fun with you."

"Oh." Clearing his throat Nick said, "Y'all really stink you know that." Laughing at himself he stood ready to grab his plate and head to the kitchen for seconds. "Damn…my own fiancée yanking my chain..."

"Awww…yeah…about that..." Carrie lifted her glass of wine. "Sorry, Sweetie but I asked why you were so cranky when it came to Sofia a bunch of times and you always skirted the subject, but when I asked her if the two of you had a thing at one time she told me the truth. You deserved the ribbing."

The door buzzer caught his ear. "This time I really hope it is a Jehovah's Witness because y'all could use a lecture on salvation." After looking through the peephole he grinned. "Woo hoo…even better. Right here's your karmic punishment, Carrie." Upon opening the door he beamed, "Howdy, Betty Sue…what can I do you for this evenin'?"

"Hey there, Handsome." She winked, smiled and posed like a Playboy pinup girl against the door frame. "I bought me a new TV…one of those fancy plasma ones, and I was fixin' to hang it on the wall but…"

Jillian craned her neck to catch a glimpse of the naughty neighbor Carrie had described. "You're right…she's barely wearing any clothes."

"Damn…what size are those melons?" Sofia asked while peering down at her meager breasts. "Cowgirl's boobs make Tawny's look small."

The Townhouse
6:36 p.m.

Six hours. Lying in bed staring at the clock on Greg's nightstand, Tawny realized that's how long it had been since Greg bolted out the door.

Six hours without a word from him. Not since Greg was trapped in the basement by Tucker Mifflin had they gone that long without speaking.

She knew it took four hours to get to San Marino and wondered how he had been spending the two since then. Was he driving around? Was he with her? Had Becca already won?

Her gut told her something was happening. Her head told her it was the end of her happiness. But her hopeful heart clung to the dream that Greg would return to her arms and their love would be even stronger than the one they had when he walked out the door.

Becca's House
6:47 p.m.

Locked in the bathroom, Greg stared at his reflection in the mirror and wondered how things had gone this far. It was supposed to take fifteen minutes to face Becca, decline her offer and be on his way to happily ever after with Tawny. Instead, forty-five minutes later he was naked and feeling horribly guilty.

"Hey!" Becca knocked on the bathroom door. "Are you sure you're just changing into your swimsuit in there? I know I made you tense when I kissed you in the driveway, but you don't have to hide, Hoj. I was hoping that drink you had calmed you down a bit."

After fifteen years of wondering what it would feel like to have Becca's pouty lips pressed to his, Greg finally had his answer…fantastic. They were as soft and sweet as he always imagined they would be and he quickly got lost in the overdue kiss that, until now, had only occurred in dreams.

But, a minute into the kiss, Greg realized he was ready to leave the past behind, so he broke the amorous moment by lightly gripping Becca's shoulders and gently pulling away. The guilt already festering, he waited until her eyes fluttered open, then said in a broken whisper, "Becca, I'm sorry. This…"

"Oh!" She covered her tingling lips with her palm. "I swore I wouldn't rush anything and here I am jumping you in the driveway. You look totally freaked out. Please…can we just pretend that didn't happen?"

"Absolutely," he said with relief in his voice. "Because…"

"Saved by the beep," she joked when the pager on her waistband went off. "Grab your stuff and I'll finish the margs while I make this call."

Outside the bathroom door Becca teased, "Hoj, are you doing something in there to make you less tense…like you used to in high school?"

Grabbing the conservative marina blue Eddie Bauer swim trunks Tawny had packed so he wouldn't look quirky in front of his dad at the country club, Greg asked, "Uh…what do you mean?" Next he fished out a t-shirt from his bag and tossed it on.

"I was kidding. Just get your ass out here already." When he finally emerged she handed him the large margarita glass. "Round two. I made this batch a little stronger since you don't have to worry about driving home tonight." Winking, she playfully said, "Because you can sleep it off on my couch."

"Right." Taking the drink he explained, "Sorry I kept you waiting, I was checking voicemail and had to call in on a case. I didn't want you to hear the gruesome details so I stayed in the bathroom." It was a necessary lie because telling her the truth…that he was in there feeling guilty about kissing her even though his girlfriend told him to, wasn't going to cut it.

Walking down the hall towards the kitchen she inquired, "How do you talk about corpses and grisly murders all the time without falling into a deep depression?"

"Sometimes it's…"

"Oh!" Rushing over to the fridge she buzzed with excitement. "Check this out!" She grabbed an invitation off the stainless steel door. "Speaking of depressing…Howie Green is getting married!"

"No way." Greg looked at the fancy parchment invitation. "In high school the poor guy was voted most likely to die alone in his apartment and be discovered by a neighbor." He always felt sorry for him because Howie was even more pathetic with women than him.

"He's still a total dweeb but…he's a plastic surgeon now and since his practice is even more successful than Peter's, I'm sure his bank account is anything but depressing." Dipping her finger in the frozen margarita Becca said, "You should see his fiancée, Bebe." She rolled her eyes while stirring her drink with her finger. "Staci and I call her Miss Stripper Tits because rumor has it that she used to dance at some sleazy gentleman's club. Apparently she met Howie when she went in to get a little work done. Ugh…I guess he slipped enough money in her g-string and promised her a lifetime supply of silicone so the tramp agreed to marry him."

Gripping the stem of his margarita glass Greg listened in horror.

"Can you imagine the look on Howie's mom's face when he brought her home instead of the demure Jewish girl Myra always dreamed of for her son? But since Myra's name is on the invitation, I guess she's not protesting the match." Shaking her head she sighed, "To make matters worse, they look horrible together because he's what…five five tops and a hundred pounds soaking wet? Bebe is five ten in heels and her one-hundred pound chest comes right to his face…but I suppose that's why Howie likes her because he's obviously not marrying Bebe for her intellect. Since she had to take her clothes off for money you know she's a brainless bimbo with no education." Waving the invitation she said, "Maybe I can coerce you into being my date for the freakshow…believe it or not, it's being touted as the social event of the season."

Without realizing it Greg had downed the entire margarita. Then he recalled Dr. Myers advice not to drink until he had his mental health straightened out. "I'd like another," he announced while pointing to the blender. Then he remembered he hadn't actually gone into McDonald's to get food when he stopped earlier and the only thing he had in his stomach were the two candy bars he inhaled that morning. "Fill it to the rim, thanks."

After topping off their glasses Becca tossed the wrap she had over her sexy black thong bikini and headed for the back door. "Let's relax in the Jacuzzi."

For a moment he was mesmerized by the formerly off-limits ass he always dreamed of seeing and caressing.

"Hoj!" she yelled from the patio. "Ready to take the plunge?"

"Uh…" Clutching his drink like a security blanket he stepped onto the patio. "Wow…this yard and pool area makes my parents' look small and theirs is huge." Small talk is good.

She raised her glass. "Because Peter had the maid…I got the house. Serves the bastard right. I'm going to remodel everything so it doesn't remind me of him. I hired the best decorator in LA. He's a total flamer so you know he'll be awesome. He costs a fortune but, hey…that's what the ex's money is for, right?"

"You still sound a little angry over the divorce," Greg stated in between generous gulps of his frozen drink.

"The pain is gone but the embarrassment is still there." After a quick sip she put down her drink and said, "But, Hoj…I don't want get depressed tonight. Tonight I just want to forget everything stressing me out… forget I'm a grown up with responsibilities and just have fun. I need it. I had a shit day at the office and then…you heard me on the phone…my friend Priscilla pages me to call her and when I do, she goes on and on about her new guy when she knows I'm still licking my divorce wounds. I'm just tired…I feel crushed under the pressure of life." Sighing she headed for the Jacuzzi. "Have you ever felt like that?"

"Oh…I've had a few bad days." He tossed his t-shirt to join her in the hot water. "And if I had known how hard things were going to be as an adult, I would have done a hell of a lot less complaining in high school. About a week ago I was working this case and things got…"

"Mmmm…how's the temperature for you?" Submerging her body up to her shoulders she moaned with pleasure.

"It's hot as hell in here," he answered while taking a seat across from her. She had just used her wet hands to slick back her hair and looked ready for a sultry Sports Illustrated swimsuit photo shoot.

"But is it good?" she asked while raking him over with her brilliant blue eyes. Snuggling up next to him she coyly whispered, "Tell me…is this better or worse?"

"It's too soon to tell," he cryptically replied.

"Let's get rid of some of that tension you're obviously still feeling even after two drinks." Placing her hands on his shoulders she kneaded his muscles with her fingers. "Wow…you really are knotted." She worked a little harder.

"I've been stressed at work," he answered. "But I won't bore you with the gory details."

Smoothing her palms over his skin grafts Becca remarked, "Dr. Dan is going to be thrilled when he checks your scars this summer."

Greg chuckled, "You mean when he inspects me poolside and calls everyone over to see his handiwork." Dr. Dan White was a close family friend of his parents. After the lab explosion he flew to Vegas at his parents' request to consult and then later, when Greg was well enough to fly to California, Dr. Dan handled all the necessary cosmetic procedures. "Um…" The tequila and her hands were both working their magic and he momentarily lost focus. "Wow…that feels…"

"How does it feel?" she asked with her lips grazing his earlobe. Grinning, she decided to evoke some memories. "Did you ever have this fantasy when we were in our teens, Hoj? All those times we were in your parents' hot tub, did you ever drift off and imagine my hands all over you?"

"Yes," he answered honestly.

Lingering her mouth on his ear lobe Becca whispered, "Did I do more than massage your shoulders in the fantasy?" Sliding around, she straddled Greg's lap. "Remember that day we were playing Boggle in the living room and your mom came home and went nuts because she found a wet spot in your bed and thought we had sex?" Giggling lightly she asked, "Were you running the Jacuzzi fantasy in your mind when you were playing handball before I came over that day?"

"Uh…"

"I played dumb, but I knew why the spot was there. I also knew why you sometimes took a little too long in the bathroom in the middle of our movie nights. Aww…have I flustered you?" she asked in a pouty voice while running her fingertip over his parted lips. "You look distraught. Don't be embarrassed…everyone does it." Locking on his eyes she purred, "I thought of you last night when I was alone in bed working out a little tension."

"Uh…no…I'm not embarrassed." Dropping his voice an octave Greg answered, "Yeah, it was the Jacuzzi fantasy that day."

"Tell me all about it," she urged while gently rocking on his lap. "Every last detail so I can do it just right. Because after all these years…I really want to do it right for you, Baby."

Under the bubbles he let his hands glide over her thighs and come to rest on her hips, coaxing them to a steady grind. "We'd start in the Jacuzzi but always end up in the pool house."

Grinning wildly she ground into his lap to welcome the ultimate proof that Greg wasn't gay…not that she ever thought he was because he always snapped to attention whenever she toyed with him over the years. "Tell me what happened in the Jacuzzi to get us hot enough to run to the pool house and make love."

"This…" Crushing his lips to hers he demanded a kiss.

Mandalay Bay
Presidential Suite
7:01 p.m.

While Lina showed Sara to the guest bedroom in the palatial suite, Gil was standing in the living room speaking privately with his father. "Dad…when we were at the BBQ yesterday I speaking to Sara and Nick about their B-PAC charity. I know Sara glossed over her time in the foster care system, but it was very hard on her…the most difficult part being the loss of a permanent home." Slipping his hands into his pockets Gil sadly said, "She was moved around quite a bit, that's why when I bought the house for her this year as a permanent home it was a huge deal."

Ron placed a hand on his son's sagging shoulder. "And that's why having to stay here is a huge deal too. I understand. Lina and I will do our best to make this as pleasant as possible."

"But without going overboard so she feels pitied or abnormal," he clarified, knowing his wife hated feeling like a freakshow attraction because she had enough of that in school after word got out that her mother killed her father.

"Understood." Ron glanced at his watch. "What time should we expect you back from work?"

"I'll leave around midnight, come here, catch some sleep and then take Sara to work at six-thirty." He glanced toward the hallway where Lina had walked Sara and hoped Lina's motherly touch would make the transition easier on his wife.

"It's a beautiful room," Sara politely nodded. "Thank you for the fresh flowers." She sniffed the cheery mixed bouquet. "And the chocolate." She opened the box of truffles and snatched one. "I'm fine…really. You don't have to wait for Gil to come back."

Lina knew she was lying but didn't want to push. "I don't mind because all those eggshells I've been walking on around Ron are quite noisy. I'm enjoying this quiet time with you."

"Are the two of you…"

"No."

"Has he said anything since…"

"No."

"Well…if the father is anything like the son, then he'll be able to go for months without acknowledging something awkward happened between you." When she saw Gil in the doorway Sara announced, "We were just talking about you."

"I could feel the burn on my ears." Gil stepped into the room.

"I'll leave you two to get comfortable." Lina hurried out the door, closing it behind her.

Taking his wife's hand Gil gave it a squeeze. "It's cozy."

"Yeah…"

"I know it's still displacement, Sara but…there's a big difference this time." Tenderly he grazed his fingertips over her cheek. "Sure, you'll be in a strange room in a strange bed with almost no possessions but…this time you have family with you. You have a father-in-law, you have a husband and you have our baby inside you." In a soothing voice he reminded her, "It's not like before because you're not alone, Sara."

Slipping her arms around him she relaxed into his loving embrace. "You're right. I don't have my home but I still have my family."

"And I have a little time…" Taking her hand Gil led her to the bed. "How about a quick snuggle so later, when you're tired, you'll have the memory of being in this bed with me and not feel like you're here alone?"

Smiling for the first time since they arrived she said, "Do you really think that kind of manipulative psychology will work?"

"I don't know." He landed on the bed, pulling her down with him. "But what do we have to lose? The worst case scenario is I get ten minutes holding my beautiful wife."

Facing him she burrowed into his embrace. "This feels risque with your father and Lina down the hall."

He chuckled lightly. "We've never been in bed together with other people around."

"Actually…" Sara jogged his memory. "There was the time when Greg slept on our couch when he was a wreck over finding out Tawny was pregnant and was worried his life was ruined."

"I forgot about that." Gil nodded. "Thankfully he finally has his act together."

Becca's house
7:12 p.m.

"What happens next?" Becca's eyes were chock full of desire as Greg backed her into the pool house. After exchanging urgent kisses in the Jacuzzi they had raced there to fulfill the second half of the fantasy.

"You lose your bikini top on the way to the couch," he answered while gliding his hands over her damp body.

Without hesitation Becca unclipped her suit top and shucked it. "How's this?" At the couch she struck a seductive pose, inviting Greg to join her.

"Perfect." Blanketing her body with his Greg wasted no time enticing her with his mouth and hands and grinding against her thigh.

Burning with desire Becca moaned, "You feel a hell of lot different than you did in high school…when we'd be snuggled watching a movie and I'd feel you knocking on my back door. Damn, you had no self control, Hoj." She also couldn't believe how smooth his moves were, it was like he had professional training. In record time he had her hotter than hell. Amazed by her body's reaction, she wondered if it was really him or the fifteen years of foreplay responsible for her fierce burn.

Only swimsuit bottoms away from merging Greg rasped in her ear, "How could I not get turned on back then…I was a horny teen and you kept squirming your sexy body against my crotch."

"I loved driving you wild back then, Hoj…like you're driving me wild right now. I can't believe what you're doing to me." Frantic for more she slipped her hand into his wet trunks. "Oh yeah…second base…how often did you wish that would happen?"

"Daily," he groaned while rolling on his side to give her better access. "Why did you get me hot and bothered all those times on the couch at my parents' house only to pull away? Look at the fun we could have had."

"It happened accidentally the first time and when it did, I got such a rush from watching you squirm." On a jagged exhale she confessed, "Then I got addicted to the rush and couldn't stop doing it. The look on your face when I'd be pressed against you was priceless and you never made a move no matter how much I teased." Removing her hand from his shorts she winked. "But I'm looking for a new kind of rush with you tonight."

"Do you have any idea how all that teasing made me feel?" he asked while sliding on top of her. Immediately he began working her into a deeper frenzy by strategically bumping against the scrap of material also known as her bikini bottom.

"I bet you felt pretty god damn frustrated…like I do right now. We need to lose these suits ASAP." In his ear she seductively rasped, "This is fifteen years of foreplay coming to a head. I know I was a colossal tease but don't worry, Baby…the waiting is over and I'm going to repay you for any suffering I caused…I'll repay you all night long…all week…any time you want…any way you want. Just think how hot it will be after wanting it for so long."

"Mmm…how bad do you want it, Becca?" he growled in her ear while letting her wantonly explore his body.

"I want you so bad it hurts." Tugging down his trunks she grinned at the sight of him. "Well now…it looks like I'll be enjoying the restitution process as much as you." Reaching down she coiled her fingers around the strings of her thong bikini. "Time to make my first payment."

"Don't worry about payback, Becca." Pulling away he said, "Because I just got it on my own…which is fitting since on my own is where you always left me hanging."

In shock, she watched him yank up his trunks and head for the door. "Hoj! What the hell!"

In the doorway he paused, "Now do you have a better idea of how you made me feel all those years? How it feels to think something is definitely going to happen and then, a breath away from fulfilling the desire, the other person pulls back just to mess with your head?"

Stunned by the realization she gripped the back of the couch. "You were leading me on this whole time?"

"No, I came here to see if there really was something undeniable between us." He omitted that both his pregnant girlfriend and his therapist thought he needed to explore his feelings. "The kiss in the driveway was real because fifteen years of fantasy build up was hard to resist, and after the stress I've been under lately, it felt good to be seventeen again." Turning icy he informed her, "But whatever spell you've had over me all these years started breaking after that kiss and the last of it disappeared when I heard you say you knew why my mom thought we had sex. It proved you knew all along how I felt…how much I wanted you. I lived to breathe the same air as you and you knew it." Flashing to anger he shouted, "You just admitted you manipulated me and used me for your enjoyment, Becca. You did it for fifteen god damn years! I just did the same thing to you for fifteen minutes and you feel like shit. Do the math, you selfish bitch!"

Grabbing a nearby towel she covered her body. "I can't believe you're doing this."

"You know what I don't believe?" he snapped. "I don't believe for a second you were looking for something long term with me. I think you heard I was coming out for Labor Day and decided that spending time using me would be just what you needed to get back on your feet." Returning to her side he viciously tossed accusations. "I think this week was going to be the climax of your fifteen year plan. You were going to sleep with me, invite me to stay, and then on Labor Day you were going to do a little house cleaning, telling me it was nice but we both know it wouldn't work out. That wedding invite…it was bullshit and you know it. You weren't going to show up at the biggest social event of the season with me on your arm, telling everyone you're proud I make thirty-five grand because I'm helping make the world a better place. No, you're planning to get the richest, hottest, most successful guy you can snag to take you."

"I'm really sorry you think that," she weakly replied, still stunned from his ploy and the truths she knew he was telling. "But I wasn't..."

"I don't believe you!" he screamed while backing away. "You said you got off making me wish I could get off with you. Well, old habits die hard and I could still hear the pleasure in your voice when you were talking about it." On a roll he kept on going, "And that stuff you said about being proud of my job and not needing a wealthy guy…that was just more of your manipulative bullshit because you couldn't be more shallow and materialistic."

"Where the hell are you getting this!"

"The evidence doesn't lie, Becks!" His temper flared. "The very first thing you said to me was 'nice wheels' when you saw my sports car. When you were talking on the phone to your friend, you couldn't stop gushing over the diamond bracelet you just bought with your ex-husband's money. You asked me about my job, but you cut me off before I could answer. And your diatribe about Howie and his fiancée…that was the clincher. Yeah sure, they might both be users but, did you ever consider that maybe they just might be happy to have found each other in this fucked up world where self-absorbed people like you really don't give a rat's ass why some girls have to strip to make a living or why a sweet guy never has a date for Saturday night!" Realizing he was raging Greg took a deep breath then said, "One of the requirements of my low-paying job is to be observant and I've been observing your phoniness the whole time."

"Hoj…please…I'm really sorry. You're right, I'm a bitch…but calm down because I've never seen you angry and you're scaring me." Feeling vulnerable, she pulled the towel tighter against her naked chest. "The divorce messed me up and I'm bitter. I'm sorry. Maybe I…"

"Save it, okay. You needed to feel better about yourself and remembered a surefire way to do it…by making me feel like shit. Only problem is…I'm not desperate anymore so, game over. But don't worry, Becks…" In a voice dripping with sarcasm he asked the question she had posed to him years earlier…the one she had asked just two days before the prom, when she informed him that she had made up with her boyfriend and didn't need him to take her to the dance after all, "We're still buds…right?"

"Yeah…sure," she replied in a distant voice just like he used to every time she'd crushed his hopes.

"Fifteen minutes in exchange for fifteen years." Marching out the door he barked, "Since I'm a generous person I'll consider us even. See ya at the club!"

The Townhouse
7:36 p.m.

Seven hours since Greg's hasty departure, the ache in Tawny's heart started growing a little stronger with each passing minute.

Getting out of bed she decided to page Dr. Myers again, thinking a few words of encouragement would get her through the next hour or two…although she hoped it wouldn't take that long for Greg to arrive at a decision.

Before making it out of the bedroom she heard her cell phone ringing in her purse. As she yanked it out to check the display her heart skipped a beat but when she saw it was a blocked name she quickly deflated…then she panicked…what if it was Greg calling from Becca's house to say he'd be staying there?

The suspense killing her, Tawny clicked the TALK button. "Hello…"

She immediately heard Nick's voice boom through the phone. "Tawny…please don't hang up until you hear me out."

"Uh…okay." She couldn't believe how thick his accent was getting from hanging around his mom.

"I know I pissed you off."

"You did?" she asked with a lilt in her voice.

"Hell…you were angrier than a wet cat."

Her brow knitting she queried, "At the party?"

"After the party…when we were alone and…hell…I know you were wasted but, I'm shocked you don't remember throwing a shoe at my head and breaking that lamp, among other things. I had to pay four hundred dollars in damages to the hotel."

Her already fraying nerves splitting in frustration, Tawny yelled into the phone, "What the hell are you talking about, Nick!"

"Nick?"

Her eyes flapped open. "Who is this?"

"It's Drew, Babygirl. Damn, that was messed up…you called me by my brother's name. Did a guy named Nick piss you off too, Darlin'? You want me to kick his ass for ya?"

Of all days for him to crawl out from the rock he sleazed under, she couldn't believe her luck. "Drew? Ugh!"

"There you go…." He laughed a little harder than the time before. "I'm starting over…don't hang up until you hear me out."

"Oh, don't worry…" Her eyes narrowing she snipped, "I'm all ears." She wanted to add, 'As a matter of fact, I'll take copious notes to share with your Mama!'

"I know I shoulda told you I was married when I met you..."

Sarcastically she replied, "Yeah…that really would have been the responsible thing to do before taking me to bed and leading me on for three months with your 'I'm relocating to Vegas soon, Babygirl and we can be a real couple' bullshit story you gave me every time you flew into town."

"I know…I know…guilty as charged. That's why I want to make it up to you, Darlin' and propose something a little different. This morning I found out my Mama's in Vegas visiting my brother. I just wrapped up my business in San Diego so I'm gonna make a surprise stopover to pay them a visit but, that's just an excuse…it's you I really want to see. I've been cravin' you, Babygirl. I've been with a hell of a lot of women but nobody has ever rocked my world like you."

"I'm so flattered." She rolled her eyes.

"Now that we're not playin' games anymore I'll just lay the cards on the table…I think you'll see it's a better deal for you than the girlfriend thing. Here's what I'm proposing…I've got a suite at that brand new place, The Tempest, lined up for three nights. How about you pack a bag and we'll have us an extended sleepover party? Whenever I'm busy with my family you can hang out, order up room service…go to the spa…shop, do whatever you'd like. I'll arrange it so you can charge to the room and I'll leave you plenty of spending money. I'll spoil you rotten, Babygirl and we can make it a regular thing, so it would be like a relationship but only dealing with the good stuff…the fun and the loving. I even bought you a beautiful present to mark the first day of our new arrangement."

Disgusted by the offer, she played along and changed her voice to a sexy whisper, "Hmm…tell me what you bought me first, then I'll give you my answer."

"A Tiffany lace bracelet."

Faking excitement she asked, "Oooh, does it have any diamonds on it? Because you know diamonds are a girl's best friend."

"Ten thousand dollars worth, Darlin', and I can't wait to see you wearing it…only it."

"And what do you expect lil' ole me to do for seventy-two hours in exchange for that generous gift and all the other perks you mentioned?" As if she didn't know.

He chuckled, "I only expect your discretion and your unbridled enthusiasm for the duration of your stay. If you don't think that's a fair deal, please feel free to re-negotiate the terms of the arrangement."

Sickened by the thought of being his beck and call girl she covered the phone and screamed into a pillow, "Pig! Pig! Pig!" Recovering she purred, "Well, in all honesty, I've never done this sort of thing before but…I've heard from top dancers that the going rate for a three day playdate with a woman of my caliber is ten grand per day so how about, the ten thousand dollar bracelet, the ability to charge things to your room and a five thousand dollar per day shopping allowance? That's what it will take to secure both my discretion and my unbridled enthusiasm. Those are the terms and they're non-negotiable."

"You've got a deal, Sweetheart. Let's see how you're feeling after this visit goes and if you'd like, we can talk about future arrangements. I could set you up somewhere nice."

Letting her emotion accidentally show, her voice cracked, "You're right, Drew…it is much better now that we're being honest about who and what we really are."

"Hey, now…" In a softer tone he advised, "I know it's not what you originally wanted from me but it's all I have to offer. Look…you're too young and beautiful to be someone's wife anyway and what you have is too good for you to be givin' it away for free. I'll spoil you rotten just like before so please don't worry things will change. I promise I won't make you feel cheap or do anything twisted…we'll have the same great time, only now I won't be lying to you and you'll have something for yourself every time we part ways."

Ready to puke from his rationalizations over why whoring was a solid career option for her, Tawny brought the call to a close. "Okay, Baby…greet me at the door with that bracelet at ten and I'm sure I'll be in the mood to give you a real big surprise. Until then…" After blowing a kiss she clicked off her phone and threw it at the wall, breaking it. "You son of a bitch!" Then she covered her mouth, feeling guilty for inadvertently calling Jillian Stokes a bitch. "Asshole!" she shouted instead. "You are so going to pay for asking me to be your whore."

"Ugh!" Stomping her foot she seethed, "He picked the wrong damn day to piss me off because I'm a woman on the edge, and as of today I'm living my life without taking bullshit from anybody! First I'm dealing with that sleazeball and then…it's Becca's turn, because how dare she show up fifteen years later and finally tell Greg what he's always wanted to hear. She's not going to get my man without a fight!"

Catherine's House
9:17 p.m.

After exiting the shower, Catherine saw that Warrick had remained in bed and fallen asleep again even though he had told her he was getting up to make coffee. "Hey!" When he didn't move she grabbed a nearby shoe and flung it at his back. Then she pounced. "You're the supervisor and I'm the lackey, why the hell am I being the responsible one in this scenario!"

"You make one hell of an annoying alarm clock," he groaned before breaking into a smile. "Now where is that snooze button?" Pawing her freshly showered body he started to laugh. "Wrong knob…wait…that's the wrong one too."

Frolicking ensued quickly…and so did Lindsay pounding on the bedroom door yelling, "Attention adults engaging in noisy activity! Should I bother to get my I-Pod and put on the headphones or will you be done soon?"

Catherine collapsed against the sheets. "We're consenting adults, Lindsay!"

"According to the Bible you're fornicators and you'll burn in hell. As an impressionable teen that leaves me conflicted. I guess I'll bring it up in therapy. I'm going to grab my notebook from my room so I can add it to the list so feel free to carry on your immoral activity."

Warrick covered his face with a pillow to block the laughter. "She's so your daughter!"

"Ugh!" Catherine threw a pillow at the door. "I tell her we have to go to therapy to work things out and now she's making a list to nail me!"

"Wouldn't you do the same exact thing if you were her?" he asked while propping up an elbow and staring her down.

"Yes!" She rolled her eyes. "Sometimes it would be so much easier if she took after Eddie and was stupid."

Swirling his fingers over her chest Warrick wiggled his brow. "Since she already busted us…you wanna fool around?"

"I don't know." She glanced at the clock. "I don't want to look irresponsible in front of my boss."

"I wouldn't worry about that…" Pulling her on top of him he pointed out, "…the boss thinks you're lookin' mighty fine and if all goes well here, he'll be showing up for work in a real good mood."

"You know me, I love a relaxed work environment…and you."

"I like this version of your wake up call much better," he whispered while meeting her lips. "I love you too, Baby."

Nick and Carrie's Apartment
9:51 p.m.

Taking a break from trial preparation for a few minutes, Carrie and Jillian relaxed on the couch reviewing wedding plans in detail for the first time.

Smiling at her future daughter-in-law Jillian remarked, "Nicky's gonna die when he sees you walking down the aisle in that heavenly dress."

"Well…I need to start working out more and eating less junk or I won't fit into it." Laughing she explained, "I normally wear a petite four, but I ordered a size two thinking I'd get in great shape for the wedding, but when I weighed myself this morning I found out I gained five pounds…I did eat a lot of bad food on vacation." Recalling the memories she listed a few. "Bread dipped in cheese Fondue, bread pudding, French fries, Cheetos, booze, ball park hotdogs, candy…yeah…I think I figured out why I gained five pounds."

Staring at a photo of the flower girl dress Jillian asked, "I was thinking Nicky put on almost ten since you two got together. Now I know why…he's snitching your carbs."

"But he pretends he doesn't." Giggling she said, "It's kind of cute."

"The problem is, the boy can't eat bad carbs without ballooning…he gets that from me. When he first moved here he gained twenty-five pounds from stuffing his face at the buffets. His carb snitching may be cute now but, it won't be when he needs an extender for his cummerbund at the wedding." Shaking her head she recalled, "My goodness, when he came home for Christmas that year his brother picked on him mercilessly for that. By next Christmas Nicky's body fat was eight percent." Patting Carrie's knee she teased, "You ever need him to accomplish something in record time, all you have to do is ask his brother to laugh in his face and say…there's no way you can do that."

When she heard the phone ring Carrie reached for the cordless on the coffee table. "Wow…talk about someone's ears burning." She showed the display. Stokes, Drew.

Jillian reached for the phone. "Allow me." She rolled her eyes. "It's your Mama, son."

"I know that tone. I swear I didn't do it, Mama. Whatever it is you think I've done wrong."

"Hmm…" She rolled her eyes. "Your brother isn't here. He's helping a girl in need move some furniture even though he was shot in the arm last night. But you know your brother…he's tough."

"You never told me I have another brother besides Nicky."

"Very funny."

"When I called home to check on the kids, Lissa told me you were out there visiting. I'm in Vegas taking care of business and wanted to invite you and Nick and his fiancée out to a nice dinner tomorrow evening. I've yet to meet Carrie and I'm feeling badly about that…" He chuckled, "…although it's probably a good thing because as soon as she sees me she'll realize he's a runt."

Jillian dropped her head on the back of the couch. The last thing Nick needed while working through things was his domineering brother on his case.

The Tempest
Suite 1411
9:59 p.m.

Standing outside the door to Drew's suite, Tawny nervously fiddled with her seductively styled hair while taking deep breaths. Wearing a flirty baby doll dress in an enticing shade of red and strappy high-heeled sandals, she knew Drew would like what he saw the moment he opened the door. "Okay…I'm ready. I can do this."

After rapping twice Tawny placed her overnight bag on the floor and waited.

Seconds later the door flew open and Drew, still wearing his black business trousers and a midnight blue dress shirt, appeared with a Texas-size smile plastered on his face. "How is it possible that you look even more gorgeous than when I saw you in July?" While she still had the youthful appearance he enjoyed, she had cleaned up to a more sophisticated, less stripper look. "Damn…you're a sight for sore eyes."

"You're lookin' mighty handsome yourself," she replied with an equally radiant smile. "I love you in your business clothes." Giggling like the schoolgirl he wanted her to be, she added, "But you know I love you out of them even more."

"Well then, why are you still standing in the hall, Babygirl? If you come in I promise I'll let you take 'em off me as fast or as slow as you'd like."

Waving her finger she scolded, "Ah…ah…ha…first things first." Batting her eyes she extended her right arm. "I want that gift you promised me on my wrist. I may be new at this, but I'm not naïve. Under this new arrangement, you have to pay the price for my admission, remember?"

Reaching into his pocket Drew said, "Sure thing, Darlin'. I was planning on giving it to you in bed but…" He produced the diamond drenched bracelet. "Do you like it? I picked it special for you."

"Wow." There was no denying it was a spectacular piece. "I love it," she feigned bliss while he fastened it around her wrist.

"And I'm gonna love having you in my bed for three days before I return to the Artic North and the Fat Ice Queen Bitch, also known as my home and my wife. Sorry, Sugar…I promise I won't bring that up again. Now where were we?" His eyes fixed on Tawny's ample chest he groaned, "Please tell me you have my favorite red leather panties on under that dress."

"Of course I do, Baby." She oozed sensuality while stepping across the threshold. "Before we…I have a confession…I'm real nervous since this is my first time as a…" After glancing over her shoulder to see who was around she whispered, "…professional call girl…and well…I hope you don't mind that I asked a friend to meet us here…someone to help me start things off right because…" Slinking closer she shyly said, "You're paying so much, I don't want to disappoint you, Drew. So, is it okay if my friend joins us?"

"Hey now, I told you there was no reason to be nervous. I may be a lyin' cheatin' bastard but I'd never physically hurt a woman or force you to do something against your will. I'm gonna be real sweet with you." Taking her hand, Drew pulled Tawny close chuckling, "…and just a little kinky, but we won't be doing anything we haven't done together before…well, maybe one thing." Sliding his hands over her ass he gave her enticing cheeks a squeeze. "But hey…I don't mind if you invite a friend because I've met some of your friends and they like to party."

Placing her palms on his chest she moaned pleasurably. "Yeah…since you wear me out every time we're together, I figured you'd have no problem handling a little more action."

Nibbling her neck he chuckled, "You've got that right. What's your friend's name, Darlin'? Was she at the party we had in my suite the last time I was in town? What does she look like?"

"Mmm…dark hair, intense brown eyes, five ten, fabulous body…" With her ruby red lips she pressed a Judas Kiss to Drew's cheek and said, "My friend's name is Nicky and I think you'll find you have a lot in common…with him."

As Tawny stepped back, Nick moved from his position flattened against the wall outside the suite and flippantly said, "You got a bracelet for me too, Stud?"

Drew stared in disbelief and uttered the first word that entered his stunned mind. "Oh shit."

Tossing her overnight bag over her shoulder Tawny winked. "Thanks for the diamond bracelet and the career opportunity…I'll only be keeping one." After hugging Nick, Tawny turned to his pig brother still standing stunned in the doorway and blew a kiss. "See ya at Nick and Carrie's wedding, Drew." And as she walked away she yelled, "I can't wait to meet your wife and show her the purty bracelet you gave me. Have a nice night!"

Staring at his morally vacant brother Nick's voice and eyes turned icy. "You make me sick."

Author's Notes:

I hope the Greg and Tawny fans didn't stop reading before the turnabout. He was following Dr. Myers orders to take some time, really be observant and make an informed decision. Although I'm sure she would have wanted him to keep his shorts on the whole time and skip the tequila. LOL but he's a guy and well…

When Greg first walked into Tweeters with Grissom back in chapter 6 of Feasibility Study and was mesmerized by the girls, Grissom said… "You ever read The Odyssey, Greg?" Since then, Greg has been on a journey, and facing down the Becca demon, was another piece of that journey that's still not over. So much of the story isn't about the outcome of an event (i.e. most people knew I wouldn't write him choosing to sleep with her) but what the character learns along the way or who they impact along the way. When Greg walked out of the house on Via Diabla (Way of the She-Devil) I think he was substantially more knowledgeable, not just about himself but, about other people in his life. More of this in Chapter 8…

At the same time Tawny went to confront a demon of her own, Drew (who represents all the cads she fell for over the years) to say I won't be disrespected and underappreciated anymore. She took 'a friend' to help and the Laws of Motion are in full force as Tawny walks away and Nick steps in and thanks to Tawny (just like Greg), Nick is about to see a person he has worshipped for years in a whole new light.

Sara's journey also continues as she starts to realize her biggest fear, losing her home, was only symbolic for losing her family.

I hope you enjoyed the peek into the Willows/Brown household…their journey is just beginning.

Next chapter…it's a stormy night and things get a little intense. Posting: Tuesday (due to the U.S. Labor Day holiday weekend and the need to BBQ and party LOL)

I hope everyone has a good weekend! And my thoughts go out to anyone caught up in the aftermath of the U.S. hurricane disaster. Hang in there!

Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts,

Maggs