Sorry for the long wait, but a lot has been happening in my life. Some good, some bad. If you follow me on twitter you know all about it. Let me just say that I appreciate all the support in both cases. You guys and gals truly are Faemily.

I don't know what I think of this chapter, but anyway, after much internal and external debate, the events in my life right now make me want to keep this story light and fluffy. So, however much is left, just relax and enjoy the sappiness of it all :)

Chapter 5

I closed the door behind me softly and fell back against the cold wood that kept the bustling sounds of my Sunday afternoon neighbors where they should be-outside. I leaned hard against it, my legs feeling like I'd run a marathon. My heart still racing at the quick and steady pace it had since the moment I laid eyes on her this morning. Now that she was gone I was spent. Breathing in and out slow and deep in an ever failing attempt to gain some kind of control over myself, the memory of her words, the look in her eye and the subtle graze of my hand as we parted ways just sent me back into overdrive. With heavy arms I pushed off the door and willed my lead legs to carry me to the sofa, falling hard into the cold, but supple leather with a groan.

It was never more evident that I was out of my element than right now. I was emotionally exhausted, yet oddly invigorated. I'd liken it to going to the gym and working muscles you hadn't used in a long time. In my case, emotions like these were like muscles I'd never, ever used. The experience of it all was exhausting mentally, and physically. Was I really so emotionally inept my entire life? So out of touch with what it meant to have human relationships? Having sex was one thing, but real, deep connections apparently escaped me until now. There were family and friends. I loved them and would do anything for them, but this was different. The only thing close was my connection to cars and my dealership, but even that couldn't compare to this intense longing that had taken hold of me the moment Bo Dennis drove onto my lot.

It was hard to let her leave today, both of us wanting to carry the date long into the evening. We still would, just in a different way than our primal urges were screaming for. Even now, my body reacted to the way she gripped my waist when we kissed. Her hands were possessive, yet passionate, strong, yet gentle. I couldn't get close enough to her, at least not clothed and in public. The kisses were everything a first kiss should be and the moment our lips met I was certain I'd never want to kiss any other. Her dark brown eyes, wild and intense when we parted, showed me everything I'd been missing and everything I could ever want for the rest of my life.

I squeezed my eyes shut hard. My mind played ahead to just before she got out of the car. Bo looked at me. No, it was more like she was looking right into the deepest parts of me I didn't know I had. She smiled a smile that made my body do so many things; heart skip, stomach flip, thighs clench. Her hand covered mine, the warmth spreading up my arm as she spoke. Just a simple "thank you" and "can't wait to see you later," yet every word, as simple as they were, was like a scripture. I was a lost, but now I'd been saved.

"Oh my god." I covered my face with my hands and let out a ridiculous laugh. I was a cliche. A love at first sight romantic movie cliche. I didn't even recognize myself right now, but somehow, I was happy being this stranger. I liked the way she made me abandon everything I'd ever known or believed about myself, and even though we hardly knew one another, I was sure she was enjoying whatever I did to her as well.

There were a couple of hours until dinner and I still had to shower and get dinner ready, but it wouldn't take long. At the moment, I lacked the energy to get up anyway. I reached for my phone and set the alarm before placing it on my chest. My eyes drifted closed as I let sleep find me, if only for a little while. The last clear thought I had was how I couldn't wait to see Bo again.

XXX

When was the last time I was this nervous? I couldn't honestly recall. Maybe never. Question after question raced through my mind while I prepared dinner. Would Bo show up? I was pretty sure she would. After all, she did ask me out tonight too. Plus, her eyes lit up at the invite. She would show up.

Would she be on time, or fashionably late? Many so-called "important people" liked to make an entrance. It was hard to read her. She had that stereotyped public persona, but what I saw today was a complete opposite.

Was it too soon to have her for dinner with my friends? We only met three days ago and today was our first date. Talk about moving fast. Hope she didn't bring the uhaul. Wait, would I even care?

Yeah, I would care. I may be head over heels, but I still have some sanity.

My head dropped, shaking it as I laughed at myself in disbelief. "Uhaul," I whispered to no one. Damn if Mandy and Shawna didn't rub off on me sometimes. I took a deep breath. Take it one step at a time, Lauren, just like closing a deal. Things had a way of going south when you focused on the end and not what was going on right in front of you. Tonight it was dinner, then we would see where we stood. It could be a total disaster. Then I'd be back to just me and my cars.

And there's the old Lauren everyone knew so well. The one always looking for a way to get back to the solitude of her career, her professed "love of her life."

The last of the chicken cordone bleu was assembled and I set it in the oven. As I washed my hands, the click of the front door signaled the festivities were now in session. Six forty- five. Mandy and Charlie were in the living room calling out for me as if I were lost in a crowd or something.

"In the kitchen, as usual," I answered just as loud. How many times would we do this? Judging by the fact that it had been this way for the last many years, probably every time.

"There she is." Mandy rushed forward and crushed me in a hug. "Charlie's turning on the end of the game, so tell me everything quick, before Shawna gets here."

"A lady never kisses and tells," I joked as she finally released me.

"So you admit there was kissing. Excellent." She reached around me to grab a wedge of cheese off the platter. "And that's bullshit. Ladies tell one another everything." She winked and gave me a cheeky grin.

"Well not this one." I folded my arms and smirked as leaned on the edge of the counter beside her.

She pouted. The chubby cheeks she had made it cute when she did that. It was killing her not to know. I'd be telling her anyway, it was just fun to torture her a little.

"It was great." I smiled. Well, I more than smiled. Talk about cliches, it literally reached my eyes. I was practically squinting from the ridiculously big smile I had right now. "Better than great. It was amazing. She's not at all like you'd imagine. And the way she makes me feel..." My eyes fell shut, suppressing the wave of feelings that were becoming my norm when anything related to Bo came up..

"Holy shit, Lauren! You're completely red. You've really got it so bad. And that's so good." Her grin was a mild wide as she bumped me with her shoulder. "And the kiss? Fireworks?"

"The kiss..." I sighed and rolled my eyes. I couldn't think of a good enough word to describe it. "More like atomic bomb. I've never felt my entire body turn into an instant inferno like that before."

She stared at me, a goofy grin on her face but she stayed silent.

"I'm sorry." I shook my head and looked away. "This is weird to say to you. I shouldn't-"

"Lauren, its fine. We talked about this already. How long have we been friends?"

"I don't know. Feels like forever." I turned back to her. She didn't seem fazed.

"Exactly, so I want you to have that. You deserve it. We don't have that spark and we both know it. Its just fun for us. I hope I find that spark with someone one day too."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." She didn't even flinch.

Her answer was concrete and that made me feel so much better. We'd always shared girl talk, but until now, I'd never had anything close to my heart to share. It was frightening to let it out to such a great friend that had also been more than a friend on so many occasions. "Thanks Mandy. I do love you, you know."

"What's not to love? Come here." She held her arms open for me and I gratefully accepted it. "I love you too, Lauren. I hope it works out for you. I think she's good for you."

"Me too."

"I can't wait to meet her."

"Good because shes coming to dinner."

"Fast mover. I like it!"

I moved out of the embrace and gave her a playful smack to the shoulder. "No. She invited me to dinner tonight and I had you guys coming over, so I asked her to join us."

"Uh huh. I get it. You didn't want the date to end. You totally plan to have your way with her in that car don't you?"

"What? No!" Kinda. Maybe. Yes. "And yes, okay, neither of us wanted the date to end."

"Well I'm excited to meet her. I looked her up online. Smoking hot. You two as a couple will be melting all the lesbians panties."

"Oh god. Please don't say anything like that when Bo is here." I'd probably die on the spot.

She laughed loud and slung her arm over my shoulder. "Sure thing."

Shawna walked in. "What did I miss? Why is Lauren redder than my glass of Pinot?"

"Guess who's coming to dinner?" Mandy sing-songed.

"Who?" She set her glass on the counter and quirked her brow.

Mandy looked at me and winked before turning to Shawna. "Just the mystery lady that bought us bottomless booze."

"So you did bang her!" Shawna jumped up and down clapping her hands like an exuberant five year old.

Mortified. That's the word for it. These two were determined to torture me. "No! Oh god. This was a bad idea. You guys please try to refrain from embarrassing the hell out of me."

"No promises. Mandy, come fill me in. I can tell Lauren's reached her limit on sharing tonight."

They left the kitchen and me alone to my thoughts. I ran my fingers through my hair. Hopefully my friends could find a filter for their usual blunt banter and not cause Bo to run off wondering how she got involved with these crazy people.

Just as I reached into the oven to pull out our dinner, the doorbell rang. That would be Bo. Of course she would show when was busy.

"I'll get it," Mandy yelled.

I hurried and set the tray down. "No, I'll get it." I ran into the living room and blew past her, stopping at the door to collect myself. Mandy chuckled, mumbling something that made the girls laugh as she leaned back on the couch. "On your best behavior ladies. Lauren might want to keep this one."

I narrowed my eyes at her and gave them each a pointed stare. The doorbell rang again and I opened it slowly. She was just wearing simple blue jeans and boots, but I was speechless none the less. And of course everything fit her to a tee, but it was toned down more than usual, making me both appreciative and disappointed by the fact. On one hand I'd have a better chance of getting through the evening without drooling or gawking, but on the other, I was looking forward to that. Just a tad bit anyway.

"Hi."

One simple word but the way she said it made my stomach drop. I swallowed hard, my eyes traveling up to meet hers. She looked a little nervous, her weight shifting side to side, but it was adorable. Her smile was every bit as warm as earlier though and it was quite the feat just to find my voice. "Hi," I managed slightly more than whisper. We stood there staring, who knew how long, lost in one another. It was a pattern that seemed to keep repeating itself when ever we met.

"You look great, Bo."

"Yeah? Thanks. So do you. I love that blouse on you."

"Oh, thank you." We were silent once again, still standing in the doorway when a clearing of throat brought me back to reality. "Sorry, Please come in." I stepped back and pulled the door open wider for her to enter. Why was this so awkward? We'd just been together for hours. Even shared two amazing kisses. It was just a friendly dinner for Pete's sake.

She walked past, flashing me a shy smile as she brushed my shoulder whispering a soft thank you. She stopped inside with just enough room for me to shut the door and stood there waiting for me as the group stared at her.

"Everyone, this is Bo. Bo this is Mandy, Charlie and Shawna." I pointed each one out.

"There will be a quiz later," Shawna joked, drawing laugh from everyone including Bo.

I was happy for the ice breaker. After seeing Bo so confident with me, it was weird to see her so shy around my friends. Maybe she was feeling them out first, like I usually did with strangers. Or maybe she wasn't sure how to act around normal, non-billionaire folks like us. Or maybe it was because she was just as taken with me as I was with her and she wanted to make a good impression. Whatever the reason, it would be interesting to watch the night unfold and based on what little bit I knew about her, I was pretty sure it wouldn't take much for her to fit in.

Bo smiled and handed me a bag. "I brought a little something for dinner."

"You didn't have to, Bo." I opened the bag and pulled out a bottle of Crown Royal XR which made Mandy and Charlie express their gratitude with a fist pump.

"I know." Bo laughed. "But judging by the way you gals cleaned me out of this the other night, I knew it would be welcomed."

"Heck yeah. Thank you, Bo, and thank you for the other night. That was very sweet of you."

"You're welcome." Bo set her keys on the end table and moved toward the sofa and Mandy. "And congratulations on your award. Well deserved after the season you had." Bo was already starting to warm up as every eye in the room moved towards her. It was impossible for her not to be the center of attention with her beauty and aura.

I set the bottle down and sat in one of the chairs, motioning for Bo to come sit in the one next to me.

"You watch soccer," Charlie asked.

"Yes, when I can. I played a little in college and I enjoy following it still."

"Wow college? Nice." Shawna said.

"Yeah, uh," Bo chuckled. "I wasn't really that good, but it was a small private school and it probably looked good to have me on their team given who my parents were. But it was fun. Some of the most fun I've ever had."

"You should come out to one of our games or practice. I'll let you play."

"Oh lord no. Its been too long, but I'd love to go to a game now that I'm here. Although, L.A. isn't that far to see you either."

Shawna piped in, "So, do you do a lot of red carpet events? I've seen your sister a few times at events I've attended."

"I do a few. Some of them are more of a requirement due to business relationships, but mostly I'm more of a home body. That's really more my sister's thing. She really loves the socialite life. Though I do enjoy a good night out from time to time."

Shawna nodded. "So, you plan on staying here a while then?"

"I do usually move quite a bit, but I like it here and enjoy what I'm doing, so if things work out," she looked at me," I could see making my home here."

Everyone looked at me. The sudden attention brought a nervous heat to my face and neck. I suddenly wanted to run and hide in the kitchen. "Bo, do you need a drink?"

"Sure, that'd be great thanks."

I escaped to the other room. The muffled voices of the group carrying on were barely audible, but I wasn't listening anyway. All I could think was how I needed to get myself together and make it through the night. I'd done it before and I could do it again. I think. But that was before our date. That was when I was challenging the entitled rich girl I first met. That's not who she really was and I found myself falling much to hard, much too fast and it only made it worse the longer I was around her.

"Lauren?" Shawna's high pitched voice cut through my silence.

"Hmm?" I turned around and looked at her, a blank stare. I hadn't really heard what she said.

"I asked how long till we eat? The girl's are starving."

"Oh, umm, we could eat now. It's ready. I'll just get a-"

"Here, let me help you." She swooped in next to me and pulled out the pan while I bent over to grab the salad from the bottom of the fridge.

"She's really got a hold on you doesn't she?"

"Who?"

"Who?" She rolled her eyes. "Bo. Who else?"

"Am I that obvious?"

"Oh yeah, but so is she. That girl's got it just as bad as you."

"You think so?"

"Definitely. She's hardly taken her eyes off you since she got here and she's got that far away 'ga-ga' look on her face."

"Do you need anymore help?" Her voice was silky smooth and it made me shiver with excitement. Even without seeing her my body knew exactly who it was.

I looked over my shoulder. Bo was openly admiring my ass. She caught me looking and her face dropped as she flushed with embarrassment. I couldn't help but smirk at her behavior. Getting to see the effect I had on her first hand made me brave again. The usual confidence was returning as I winked and stood up. "Sure Bo. Thank you. You could put the vegetables on the table."

She smiled wide and picked up the bowl. I caught Shawna trying to contain her giggle at our behavior. When Bo left she leaned in and whispered, "That ass of yours gets'em every time."

I shoved her playfully. "Take the chicken out there before girls get rowdy. You know how those two can get."

"Yes ma'am." She scrunched up her face and trotted out with another snarky, "Anything you say ma'am."

I laughed and set my elbows on the counter, leaning over far enough to see around the corner and into the living room. Bo was amazing with people. She was laughing and carrying on as if she'd always been one of us. It made me fall that much more and I'd suddenly accepted the fact that I'd stopped trying to catch a limb on the way down.

I sat next to Bo and across from Mandy. Dinner went well and once the food was long gone, we still found ourselves laughing and chatting about anything and everything until late into the evening. Bo and I stole glances and looked for any excuse for contact. Mandy nudged me under the table and gave me a thumbs up. Clearly Bo had won her approval. It was safe to say she had all of ours.

Eleven thirty and we began to call it a night. Mandy and Charlie had a plane to catch, the rest of us faced long work days. I found myself in the same spot I was hours ago, not wanting my time with Bo to end. They helped bring everything to the kitchen, but I shooed them away. I didn't need the help. Clean up was a time of solitude for me. I kind of enjoyed it and my OCD loved it.

We said our goodbyes one by one. From the corner of my eye I caught Bo lingering off to the side. We were both nervous. How would we say goodnight in front of the others. I knew what I wanted to do, but I wasn't into giving them a show. Shawna and Mandy shared a look then ushered Charlie out in a hurry, yelling goodbyes, thank you's and nice to meet you's over their shoulders. The door slammed shut and it was just us. And silence.

"I'm really glad you invited me, Lauren."

"I'm really glad you accepted."

She stepped closer, looking down to her feet then back up at me. "I had a really great day. Best one in a long time."

I did the same as she did, looking at my feet as I closed the distance a little more before meeting her eyes. "Me too." My stomach was doing more flips than a gymnastics team. My hands fidgeted. I wasn't alone.

She shifted her weight side to side as she tore her eyes away and looked around the room. "I guess I should be going."

"Yeah. Long day tomorrow?"

"Oh yeah." She chuckled.

"When can I see you again Bo?" I got right to the point. I was hoping for soon.

"Umm...sooner rather than later I hope." She smiled.

God that smile. It would be the death of me.

"That would be preferable." I smiled back, moving closer still. Her breath hitched and she froze in place. We were arms width apart now and it seemed awkward. Neither of us sure what to do next.

"Tomorrow night?"

"No, I have a family event to attend." She frowned. "How about Tuesday night?"

"Sounds good. Eight-ish?"

"Sure." Her smile returned. "We can figure out where later." Bo fumbled with her keys and bit her lip, weighing her words carefully. Was there anything she did that wasn't sexy? "Would it be weird if I told you all I could think about since this afternoon was kissing you again?"

In a moment of clarity I closed the gap, pausing an inch from her lips. My gaze was drawn to them, loving the way they quivered slightly before my eyes traveled up to her darkening brown ones that were staring back at me with the same mix of emotions that was swarming me-desire for the one we're falling for and fear of the fact it's happening so fast. But we couldn't stop it, or at least I couldn't, and I didn't want to. This was the first time in my life I wanted to throw planning out the window and let the crazy ride called life take me where it may. I wanted Bo. For a night. For a week. Hopefully for the rest of my life and I'd felt that way from that very first glance.

My body carried me closer, eliminating the frustrating inch that separated us and quickly surrendered itself to the thrilling sensations that only Bo could elicit. She was just as eager as me. The faint sound of her keys hitting the glass end table registered in my mind before all sound vanished. All thought gone. My left hand cupped the side of her face, my right brushing up and down her shoulder as her arms enveloped me whole. Our bodies pressed as close as clothes would allow as we slowly, softly tasted one another, breaking only for a moment to catch our breaths before falling right back in.

Bo's mouth drifted toward my jaw and down my neck. I was quickly losing all control. I'd have to take her right here if she didn't let up soon. My body was begging for it, but before I could move she stopped. My eyes fluttered open, surprised, yet happy that one of us had the willpower needed to stop this train before it was too late, even though some parts of my body was cursing that very same fact.

Her forehead came to rest against mine, her eyes shut tight as we both tried to catch our breath. She licked her lips and the corners of her mouth pulled up into a small satisfied smile. She took a deep breath in, then blew it out and opened her eyes. "How sad are we?" She giggled. The sound setting my heart afire. I wanted to hear it every minute of the day.

"Disgustingly sad." I giggled with her, unable to contain myself. I brushed her dark hair from her eyes. "But I wouldn't change a thing."

"Me neither. See you Tuesday?"

"Yes."

She tried to step back but I still had a firm grip on her. Her eyes lit up. "You'll need to let me go."

"I don't think I can." I meant that on so many levels.

She seemed to understand as she kissed me hard and fast and full of passion, pulling away and leaning over to brush her lips over my ears as she whispered, "Until Tuesday..." She slipped from my grasp and gave me a wink.

I just stood there as she walked out the door, not moving until the roar of her powerful V12 faded away. It wasn't as powerful as whatever it was that was coursing through my veins, making me want to run around the room and shout my enthusiasm to the world. Rather than jumping for joy, I closed my eyes and smiled, touching my lips and whispering, "I can't wait."

XXX

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