Chapter 3

I open the door to our apartment, and Bay is sitting in the couch, reading a book.

"Boy, you look happy."

"I am. We are official. He's my boyfriend."

"Wow. That was fast. Wait... What are you doing here, then?"

"I just wanted to miss him a little. I'm going over there tomorrow morning to cook him breakfast."

"I'll be happy to be your maid of honor."

I giggle. "I know. I'm crazy. At least he seems as much into me as I am into him."

"Regina likes him."

"What about you?"

"Jury is still out. Boy that good looking, rich and smart? What is he doing alone?"

"I don't know. He ended high school with a very cool girlfriend, an artist and music producer called Peyton Sawyer."

"Let's check it out." Bay opens her computer. "Peyton Sawyer... there you are. Sire records, boyfriend Julian Baker, Indie movie producer. Here is a picture."

"Wow! Very pretty. Is there any of her art online?"

"She has a homepage... here. Hm. Interesting. Strong lines, deep feeling, visually creative. She's pretty good, Daph."

"Lucas is right, you're better."

"Thanks. I think so too."

"Check out Brooke Davis. B-r-o..."

"Brooke Davis, CEO of Brooke Davis Holdings, fashion designer, lingerie model, all right let's check... Holy shit, Daph. Will you just look at her?"

"You look a bit like her."

"I don't look like that in my underwear."

"You could, if you really hit the gym. Any significant others?"

"She's seen with pop singers and actors, but nothing constant."

"They broke up nearly four years ago. But she was his first love. They were pretty intense."

"Well... "

"All right, check out Lucas Scott."

"All right, basketball coach, transfer to UMKC, Unkindness of Ravens, Sports Illustrated. There. He was dating Lindsay Strauss, his editor. No recent reference. They probably broke up. Here is a picture of them. Hm. Very pretty. She looks a bit like you. Just older."

"They broke up six months ago, I think."

"Why?"

"He said he hadn't had sex in six months."

"You believe him?"

"Yeah. He came the first time in fifteen seconds."

"Ouch."

"Didn't take me much longer. I was halfway there just by the way he looked at me. It had been over a year"

She waves her hand, trying to clear the images from her head. "Anyways, given his looks, this means he is not a player."

I sigh. "That's right. Not a player."

"Sappy creature. You're disgusting."

"I love you too, sis."

I wake up with the alarm at half past six. At eight I'm knocking at his door, with a big supermarket bag in my hand.

"Hey, sunshine." He gives me a brief kiss in the lips.

"Hi, boyfriend. Hungry?"

"Starving."

"Me too."

I'm wearing a plain gray t-shirt, tight in the chest and a tiny red skirt that barely covers my behind, sockless white converses and a high ponytail. I can feel his eyes tracking me, as I sashay past him.

"Nice legs, girlfriend."

"Glad you like them." I serve him and myself a tall glass of orange juice, to sip while I cook. We can't hold a conversation, with my hands occupied with the food and having to keep an eye on what I'm doing. The silence is comfortable, and I can feel his eyes on me, as he tries to help, by anticipating my requests. It takes about half an hour.

"Voila. Goat cheese and herbs omelet, with a raspberry reduction, a dollop of creme fraiche and sauteed new potatoes with rosemary. And a cup of coffee."

"Impressive."

"Try it first, buster."

"Wow!"

I make a supercilious face, imitating my jackass chef ex- boyfriend. He laughs, a happy sound that makes my legs gooey.

"This is amazing. How did you learn it, sunshine girl?"

"I've always been a foodie. Worked a few months as an apprentice in a gourmet restaurant, slept with the chef, and ran a very successful food truck for a while."

"You know my mother is a very good cook too. Straight diner fare, but really top notch. I'm not a bad short-order cook myself. But I can't compete with you. Slept with the chef, hm? I'd like to know more about your past love life."

I laugh. "I'll tell you everything, Lucas. I must warn you. I've been a very bad girl at times."

"With that innocent face?"

I get up and take him by the hand. "Don't be fooled. Looking innocent is part of the fun."

I remove my panties and give them to Lucas. "Is this a gift?"

"Do you want them?"

He takes them to his nose and smells them. "Sweet girl smell. Tart and fresh, with a hint of raspberry..." I start laughing. "Yes I want them. I want you too. Can I have a taste?"

"Not now. I want you inside me."

He picks a condom from his nightstand and gives it to me. "It's your show."

I slide down his pants and underpants in one swift motion. He is already standing to attention. Biggest lover I've had. I push him to the bed, place the condom and straddle him, impaling myself to the hilt..

I look into his eyes, foggy with pleasure, and give him my biggest smile. "Welcome home, little Lucas."

I rest my hands on his chest and start a very slow back-and-forth motion with my hips, keeping my eyes on his. He rests his hands lightly on my hips.

"You look very nice from this angle, girlfriend."

I lean forward and kiss him, hand on the sides of his face, while keeping a bit of my hip motion. He gives a deep moan. "Daphne!"

I slow it even more. I begin to feel myself getting there. "Lucas, darling, just hold it in a little longer." Deep up and down motion now. It's my turn to moan. "Ah, Lucas! Aaah."

I begin to crash. "Let it go now, beautiful boy." I see his pupils dilated and hear his little strangled moans, as we finish it together. I stay there for a few seconds, eyes on his eyes, trading smiles.

I climb down and lay in his arms, half on the bed, half on his broad chest. He wraps his arms around me and we just stay there. I can feel the beat of his heart on my face and I wonder how his voice sounds like. I'm falling hard for this beautiful man with big gentle hands and deep blue eyes.

We nap for a while, and when we get up, we have our first shower together. I'm a big girl, five seven, hundred and forty lean pounds. I find out he is the first lover I've ever had that can pick me up and carry me around as if I weigh nothing. We wash and rinse each other, taking our time to get to know each others body. I love the feel of his big rough hands on me, and I love his soft golden skin and the hard muscle under it.

We pack lunch on a backpack and walk to my home, so I can change. We walk to Swope park, past the Zoo and into the wooded area and the mountain bike trail. It's rough, and very pretty. We sit on a fallen log to eat our lunch and talk.

"On Sundays, Mom and I attend mass near home, and then go to lunch at Katryn and John. Do you want to join us?"

"Officially as a boyfriend?" He seems a little surprised.

I giggle. "Yes!"

"Suit and tie?"

"Not necessary. Button down shirt and slacks will do fine."

"What time?"

"A quarter to nine, in front of the cafe."

"It's a date. I have an invitation too. An extremely boring one."

"Wow. What?"

"Thursday night the English Department is hosting a reception in my honor. It's at half past seven, at the President's room, central admin building. Would you be my plus one?"

"Sure! Why are you inviting me?"

"If you come, it wont be boring. And I'm dying to see you in a fancy dress."

"I'm gonna have to buy one."

"I can go out with you to pick one. I'll even buy it for you, if you'll let me."

"I've never been clothes shopping with a boyfriend."

"Well, your previous boyfriends didn't know what they were missing."

"What were they missing?"

"Well, a very pretty girl, showing off in dress after dress. What's not to like?"

I squeal and then jump him, with a fierce kiss. "Lucas Scott, I'm falling for you, so hard. You better stick around to catch me, you hear?"

"I falling pretty hard for you too, sunshine girl."

"We should run, if we want to do some serious shopping before our date."

We get to Macy's and he leads me straight to the Brooke Davies outfits. Not the Clothes-over-Bros, stylish and affordable stuff, but the coutoure line, with four digit prices.

"You're a size four?"

"Yes."

"We want to show off those curves, without being sluttish. And, with your colloring, greens and dark blues."

"Lucas."

"Yes?"

"This one." It's midnight blue with silver accents, spaghetti straps, backless, empire waist, right above the knees. The price tag turns my knees to water.

"Try it."

His eyes light up when I come back and twirl around. "So?"

"Breathtaking. Risk of heart attacks in some of the older faculty."

"It's perfect then."

We add a pair of three-inch silver Manolos, black lacy, strapless push up demitasses. black thongs

and a pair of dangly silver earrings. By now, our saleswoman was being quite helpful. He gives her a black amex and another black card with gold letters.

"What was that other card?"

Lucas laughs softly. "I get a family discount on Brooke Davis wear."

"Do you think Katryn and John will be there?"

"I don't know. It's possible."

"Katryn is going to die if she sees me in this. She is always trying to get me to be more feminine."

"You're plenty feminine enough for my taste."

"So I've noticed."

I get back home and Bay is at the dinner table, working some sketches.

"Hey, sis!"

"Oh, hi Daph." She takes in the four Macy's bags in my hands. What's all that?"

"Well..."

"All right, tell me everything. From the beginning."

"I made him breakfast, we made sweet love, cuddled and napped , had a shower together, went on a hike in Swope Park. He is joining us tomorrow for mass and lunch at John and Katryn. He asked me to go with him to a formal University function in his honor, and I said I needed an outfit. We went to the Mall, and he bought me this."

She frowns. "He bought you an outfit."

I giggle. "Yes he did. My darling sugar daddy."

"Can I see it?"

I pick out the box with the dress and open it.

"Wow. That's incredible. It's a Brooke Davis."

I can't help the silly grin in my face. "Yes it is."

"You mean this dress was designed by his amazingly beautiful, talented and rich ex-girlfriend?"

I stare at her. "Yes. You think that's a problem? She is a great designer."

"Doesn't it make you uncomfortable?"

"It didn't until now. What a buzz killer!"

"Sorry. I'm probably being silly. Can I see the rest of the loot?"

"Sure. Check out the shoes."

"Silver Manolos! Damn."

"Hey, you're awfully into haute couture for a fake biker chick."

"I clean up well."

"I know you do. And here are the undies."

"Holy shit, girl! I think I'm in love."

"Hey! He is mine."

"Not him, dumbass. These thongs."

"I never used thongs. Doesn't it feel weird?"

"A little at first. But that dress deserves it. You have to promise me one thing."

"What?"

"Let me do your hair and your make-up."

"I was going to ask you."

"Thursday. What time is he picking you up?"

"A quarter past seven."

"I'll get out of work a little early. Meet you here at half past five."

"Thanks."

"My pleasure, little slut. I just hope Mom gets to see you in that outfit."

"What about Dad?"

Bay just gives me an evil little grin.

I go to my room, get ready for my date. I do my nails and shave my legs and put mt hair up, with black lacquer chopsticks holding it up and two thin bits framing my face. I decide to wear a light blue. Low cut sundress, low white wedges and a bit more make up than I usually use. When I get back to the living room, I see Bay is reading Ravens. She lifts her head as I come in.

"What do you think?" I rotate around on my tiptoes.

"He won't know what hit him."

"So, you decided to read his book."

"You two seem to be getting serious, so I decided to give it a try. He's pretty good, in a talky sort of way."

I laugh. "That's fair, I guess."

A couple of minutes later he buzzes, and the light above the door tells me he is here. He is wearing a huge smile, plus a navy sports jacket, white button shirt, tan slacks and black shoes. He also brought a dozen red roses, which he hands to me. My brain freezes.

"Lucas, uh..."

He laughs softly. "It's customary to say: "thank you"."

I giggle. "Sorry. Lucas, thank you. They are beautiful." I go on tiptoes and give him a kiss in the lips. This boy is killing me. Nobody ever brought me flowers.

Bay comments from the sofa. "Please forgive my sister. She was raised by wolves. Let me get a vase for those flowers."

"You're stunning, sunshine girl."

"You look pretty nice too. Should we go?"

Bay comes back with the vase and picks up the flowers. "Just a second." She goes on tiptoes and gives Lucas a kiss in the cheek, whispering something in his ear. She also gives me a hug.

"Have fun, guys."

"We will. See you tomorrow."

"What did she say to you?"

"Nice going, stud. Keep it up."

"I agree."

"I like your sister."

"She likes you too. In fact, I suspect that if I hadn't gone with her to the coffee shop yesterday, she would be the one going on a date today."

"I doubt that."

We get in the car. "Why?"

"I usually move slower. The only reason I asked you on a date this fast is that you may be in my class soon, and I didn't want to miss the opportunity. With her, there would be no pressure and I would take it slower. Then I would have met you and been smitten anyways."

"Smitten."

"Yup."

"Nice word."

"I know."

"I'm smitten too."

"I suspected that."

"It's good we are on the same page."

We go to a nice seafood place, with valet parking. "Do you have reservations?"

"Scott, party of two."

They seat us and give us menus. I start to look at it, but Lucas interrupts. "A small tradition for first dates. We each order for the other."

"Charming."

"Do you like oysters?"

I make a face. "No. Slimy."

Our waitress is a pert blonde about our age, clearly attracted to my boyfriend. "Can I get you something to drink?"

He looks at me. "Cranberry soda, do you have it?"

"Yes. What about you, cutie?" He frowns at her. "Sparkling water, ice and a twist."

"San Pellegrino?"

"That's fine."

"I'll be right back with your drinks."

"If she doesn't stop flirting with you, I'm going to kick her in the shin." I'm smiling as I say it, so he knows I'm kidding.

"Wait until her hands are empty, otherwise..."

I laugh. "Can I tell you the specials?"

"Sure."

She speaks too fast. "I didn't get it." She was going to begin again, but Lucas interrupts her. He signs and speaks slowly. "Three dishes. Grilled swordfish with veggies, Steamed lobster with french fries and a baked sole with mashed potatoes."

"Ok."

"Do you know what to order?"

"He will have a garden salad for starters and the steamed lobster."

"She will have a lobster bisque and the swordfish."

"Anything else?"

"No."

"I'll be right back with your soup and your salad."

He reaches for my hand and interlaces our fingers. Under the table, his leg is slowly caressing mine. I look into his eyes, and I feel I'm floating. "I'm a little scared, Lucas. I've never felt like this before."

He lets go of my hand. "Have you ever been in love?"

"I thought so. Now, I'm not so sure. What about you?"

He smiles. "I've been in love."

"Peyton."

"No. I was never in love with Peyton. I've only been in love with one woman. But with you, I hope I can move on. I haven't felt like this in a very long time."

"Smitten"

"Yup."

"So, you're still in love with Brooke?"

"I gave her my heart when I was seventeen. I never got it all back. But that's in the past. I hope that's ok with you."

"You gave me a dress she designed."

"It's a beautiful dress."

"Yes it is. And it's ok. You're with me now. I can see that."

Our food arrives, we eat and exchange looks. He pauses to ask me "You want to study medicine."

"That's right. I see myself as a primary-care physician and an advocate for the hearing impaired in the medical community."

"There are no deaf doctors?"

"Very, very few. The training track for new doctors is very rigid."

"I see. It makes it very difficult for the deaf to become doctors, even if there is an obvious need for it."

Does he really get it? "Do you find it obvious?"

"Yes. Seing a doctor with an interpreter is a very clumsy solution, for one. Also, I imagine you can get all kinds of diagnostic clues from the ASL speech, just like a hearing doctor can get it from the voice and speech pattern of an english speaker. What about the verbal instructions you get on an MRI machine? An arm cast that doesn't make you mute, treating deaf stroke patients... The need is pretty glaring."

He gets it. Damn. "Why did you learn ASL?"

"There was a kid, maybe two years younger than me, born deaf, no talking and no lip reading, who used to come to the Rivercourt to play with us. I wanted to be able to talk to him."

"Did you?"

"By the time I could communicate, he had moved away. But, over the years, I met a few deaf people I enjoyed getting to know using my clumsy signing."

"It's already gotten noticeably better. You're a fast learner."

"You are an amazing motivation, girlfriend."

"You are a writer and a basketball coach."

"And a teacher."

"Is this it? Life ambition achieved?"

He laughs. "Writing is a road, not a destination. That's my primary occupation, my art. I love basketball, and coaching is just a way to stay close to the game. It's like if the person you love wants to be just friends. You'll take it because you just want to stay in his or her life. Teaching is a hobby. I do it because I enjoy it. I can live without basketball or teaching, but writing is like breathing. I can't exist without it."

"I loved Ravens. Are you writing another book?"

"I'm supposed to. I signed a contract with my publisher for three books. But I've been missing inspiration. Sports Illustrated offered me a bi-monthly column on basketball. It's very good money, but not the kind of writing I like best. I haven't decided yet."

"Would it get in the way of the kind of writing you like?"

"It might, if I was actually doing it. I need to make a living, though. Right now, Ravens is still generating a lot of money. But that won't last."

"You are young, Lucas Scott. Now is the time to reach for your dreams. Don't settle yet."

"Good advice, Daphne Vasquez. I told you you were a wise woman. I'll inform Sports Illustrated that I am passing."

The entrees arrived. Lucas' lobster came with a bib, which the slutty waitress decided to tie around Lucas neck herself, and rest a hand on his shoulder afterwards. "Enjoy, guys".

Lucas turns to her and says something which makes her stiffen and walk away briskly, without looking back. He notes my puzzled look and explains. "I told her to quit it, that she was making my wife uncomfortable."

I blush. "Thank you, boyfriend."

It's not easy to eat lobster elegantly, which is one of the reasons I ordered it, mischievous creature that I am. Much to my pleasure he doesn't even try. He just makes a mess, people turning around for the slurping noises, and he has a lot of fun while doing it. I keep stealing his fries, which seems to please him.

"You don't like fries?"

"Yes I do."

"Why do you enjoy me stealing them?"

He looks embarrassed.

"What?"

"One of the main rules of dating is not to mention your exes."

"That's ok. Mention your ex."

"Brooke would always steal my fries, even when she had fries herself. I always complained, but I loved it that she did it."

I see the look on his face when she mentions her, and it breaks my heart a bit. Yes, maybe not mentioning your exes on a date was a good rule. At least if you still have feelings for the stupid ex.

We split a raspberry cheesecake and leave. Despite the slightly bad note near the end, It was an amazing dinner date. I could feel him snuggling closer and closer around my heart. And the night is just beginning.

We kiss while waiting for the car. As we drive home, he fingers me, and we kiss as we enter his apartment, with increasing urgency.

"Wait."

"What, sunshine girl?"

"Before... everything, I want to dance with you."

That peaks his interest. "Really? How that works?"

"Give me your I-pod." I hunt through his music list, until I find something that suits me.

I set the volume near maximum, and put the phones in my ears.

"I can feel the vibration and the rhythm, and even the melody a bit. You will be able to hear the song too if we dance close."

"And what song you picked?"

"The look of love, Nina Simone."

He looks at me and gives me the brightest smile I've seen on him yet. "Good choice."

The look of love is in your eyes

A look your smile can't disguise

The look of love is saying so much more than just words could ever say

And what my heart has heard, well it takes my breath away

I can hardly wait to hold you, feel my arms around you

How long I have waited

Waited just to love you, now that I have found you

You've got the Look of love, it's on your face

A look that time can't erase

Be mine tonight, let this be just the start of so many nights like this

Let's take a lover's vow and then seal it with a kiss

I can hardly wait to hold you, feel my arms around you

How long I have waited

Waited just to love you, now that I have found you

Don't ever go Don't ever go I love you so

We dance, and, what can I say? It's magical. Just like the sweet loving and the night in each other's arms that follow.