I'd like to take this opportunity to thank every one of you who have left a review. I was going to remain silent, but the response to this story has been so positive, I couldn't write another chapter without first saying thank you. Your comments have been encouraging and motivating. I am not a 100% sure how many chapters this story will have, but I look forward to finding out. Thank you once again for the feedback, and without further delay, I give you chapter 5.

-Chapter 5-

-One Month Later-

Bo rolled over in her bed, stretching her tired muscles. She yawned loudly as she sat up, letting the sheet slide down her naked body. She reached across the bed to her night stand to check her phone. She looked at the time it was only 10:30, she chuckled as she realized this was the second week in a row that she was up before noon. She knew there was no way she'd be able to go back to sleep, she got up and headed for the shower. As she stood under the shower head, hot water cascading over her body, her mind drifted to how adorably clumsy Lauren was while she bused tables. She never spilled or broke anything, but she sure came close. Bo smiled as she thought of the cute face Lauren had when she was trying to concentrate on carrying the tray filled with drinks, or how her brows would furrow as she took notes when Bo was teaching her various drink recipes, or the sexy way she'd bite her bottom lip and smile when Bo would complement her on making a drink correctly. Bo only wished that Lauren wouldn't look away or down when she spoke to her. Bo wondered how such a beautiful, sexy, smart woman could lack so much confidence.

Bo couldn't understand what it was about Lauren that made her feel the way she did. She was so drawn to Lauren, like a magnet to a piece of metal. Sure Lauren is a beautiful woman and naturally Bo was physically attracted to her, but there was something more, something that she couldn't quite explain or understand. Every time she was close to the blonde she could feel her heart race, her breath hitch, her stomach would flutter. Every time they brushed by each other or touched, Bo would feel warmth radiate through her body. The effect that the blonde was having on her was overwhelming and a little bit frightening for Bo. No one has ever made her feel that way. The first time they met and shook hands Bo felt the spark, the jolt of electricity as their hands touched.

Bo really only had two long term relationships, Kyle and Dyson. Bo and Kyle started dating when they were freshmen. He died in a car accident their senior year of high school. Back then Bo was young and in love. But it was puppy love and Bo knew it. She really thought that her and Kyle would get married, have kids, the house the white picket fence. But that fantasy died with Kyle. From then on Bo guarded her heart, she never wanted to feel the heartache she felt when Kyle died. If it wasn't for Kenzi, Bo would have truly lost herself. Bo settled for one night stands and short term flings until she met Dyson. He pursued her for months before she caved and went out with him. Kenzi talked her into giving a relationship with the detective a try since it had been so long since Bo was in a relationship. They dated for about 6 months before Bo finally ended it. She was never fully committed to the relationship, she didn't cheat, but her heart just wasn't in it. She cared for Dyson, but she just wasn't in love with him. She didn't feel the sparks and the chemistry, for her, it just wasn't there.

Once Dyson professed his love for her and hinted around at marriage, Bo knew it was time to end it. She couldn't continue to string Dyson along knowing she could never love him the way he loved her. The only reason Bo stayed with him so long was because it was convenient. Quite simply, Bo loved sex. She had an insatiable appetite for it. Although Dyson had a hard time keeping up with her sometimes, he was pretty good between the sheets. She figured if nothing else, at least the sex was good.

Bo ended things with Dyson over a year ago, but he was still pining away for her. Always looking at her with sad wolfy eyes, or following her around like a puppy. Bo wished he would move on and find someone else to focus on. When Bo would voice her frustration about Dyson to Kenzi, Kenzi would remind Bo that it was her own fault, due to the fact that she would occasionally sleep with Dyson, when the mood hit and there weren't any other prospects around. Dyson claimed that he could do the whole "friends with benefits" thing, but Kenzi warned Bo that he was in love with her and would never move on so long as he thought there may be a chance of them getting back together.

Whatever her past relationships were like, one thing Bo knew for sure was that no one had ever made her feel the things Lauren did in such a short time. She had never been nervous nor had butterflies the way she does with Lauren. She had only known Lauren a month and she couldn't get her out of her mind. Lauren was never far from her thoughts. She found herself wanting more than just a one night stand or a fling with the blonde. She found herself actually wanting to get to know all about her, and wanting the blonde to get to know her in return. She just had no idea if Lauren returned her feelings. Trick had told her Lauren had been through a lot and didn't need anything else on her plate. So for the time being Bo decided to bottle up her feelings and just be a friend. She would give Lauren some time to adjust and maybe open up about what happened to her. She wouldn't push Lauren to open up, but she would be there for her when she did. Bo was determined to help the blonde find her confidence again.

After Bo finished getting dressed, she made her way to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. As she approached the kitchen she saw Kenzi sitting at the island enjoying a bowl of cereal.

"Morning Kenz." Bo said in a sing song voice.

"Whoa, somebody alert the media, BoBo is up before noon and she's in a good mood!" Kenzi joked "Wait, did you bring somebody home last night? Are they still in your bedroom? Oh god is there more than one?"

Bo placed a hand on her hip as she turned toward Kenzi. "What? I can't just be in a good mood?"

"Sure, it's just the last time you were this chipper this early, you had a hot couple in your bedroom for 4 hours straight. I think the girl had to be carried out of here by here equally exhausted husband."

"That was one time and it happened like 3 years ago." Bo said as she took a seat across from Kenzi with her coffee mug in hand.

"Well if your mood isn't associated with the adventures of wondersnatch, then what gives?" Kenzi inquired. "Oh and BT-dubs, I'm gonna totally trademark that, create like a comic book, get t-shirts, the whole nine!"

Bo laughed as she listened to Kenzi's ridiculous plans. "Honestly, I don't know why I'm in such a good mood. Maybe it's because I've been sleeping well and I'm not hungover? Or because I-"

Kenzi cut off Bo before she was able to continue, "Haven't gone out in forever, because you're too busy spending your nights drooling over a hot blonde?"

"What? No….I mean….yeah, Lauren's hot, but I don't drool. I just make sure she's doing her job and occasionally enjoy the view." Bo shrugged

"I call bullshit, you totally spend most of your night staring at hotpants."

"Hotpants?" Bo chuckled

"Dude, have you seen her ass in jeans? You know I don't swing that way, but even I could appreciate her ass in the jeans she wears." Kenzi said.

"Oh my god, her ass is amazing! Is it wrong that I want to just grab it!?" Bo said demonstrating with her hands.

"Down girl, wow, you need to get a hold of yourself." Kenzi laughed in amusement.

"Hey you brought it up, I was just agreeing with you." Bo countered.

"So, Bobalicious, you and hotpants? What's going on between you two?"

"What do you mean? There isn't anything going on, it's strictly professional."

"Yeah okay, and I was born yesterday. Dude, for real, a blind man can see the sparkage between you two."

"Kenzi, it's nothing really. Besides she's got too much going on in her life. Even if I wanted to go there, I can't, not right now anyway." Bo said looking down at her coffee.

"Okay, I just wanted to ask. But to be honest, I'm surprised that she hasn't been in your bed yet."

"No, she's different Kenz. I don't know what I feel, but what I do know is if it became something, and that is a big if, I would want more than just one night with her." Bo admitted sheepishly.

Kenzi looked at her wide eyed, "Wow….I'm kinda speechless right now. I think my bestie is growing up." Kenzi pretended to wipe tears from her eyes.

Bo threw a waded up napkin at her, "You see, I knew I shouldn't have said anything! I'm going downstairs, I'll See you later."

"Ah, BoBo, don't be mad, I still love you!" Kenzi said as she laughed.

As Bo made her way down to the bar, she couldn't help but think about what she just admitted to Kenzi. Was she actually ready for a real grown-up relationship? Could Lauren be the one she would want to try with? Would Lauren want a relationship? Bo shook the thoughts from her head, she was looking too deep into things, she was starting to get a headache.

Bo entered the Dal from the rear entrance and went straight to the kitchen. She was hoping to find Trick so he could make her lunch. But what she found instead was Lauren, in an apron, frosting cupcakes. Bo leaned against the door frame taking in the scene. Lauren was biting her bottom lip as she meticulously applied vanilla frosting to a chocolate cupcake. Lauren's hair was lying loosely over her shoulders. She was wearing a white tank top that showed off her toned arms, and a pair of jeans that hugged her ass ever so deliciously. Bo definitely agreed with Kenzi, the nickname hotpants fit perfectly. Bo felt a little moisture pooling at the edge of her mouth, she wiped her mouth realizing for the first time she was actually drooling. She was just glad Kenzi wasn't around to witness it. Bo smiled as she noticed a smudge of flour on Lauren's cheek. Bo pushed off the door frame and knocked lightly to get the Blonde's attention. Lauren's head snapped up as the sound of the knock reached her ears.

"Bo, you scared me, I didn't hear you come in." Lauren said looking at the brunette.

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to scare you. You look so intense frosting those cupcakes." Bo grinned

Lauren chuckled lightly. "Yes, I tend to get a little OCD when I bake, especially when I apply the frosting. If I put on too much or too little then it completely throws off the balance of the entire cupcake, thus creating a less enjoyable tasting experience, from the baker's stand point that is."

Bo smiled widely as she listened to the blonde's rant. She made her way over to Lauren, stopping in front of her. She looked down at the cupcakes then back up to Lauren. "Well, I'm sure they'll taste great either way. Lauren, you have a little flour right on….." Bo gently cupped Lauren's face, using the pad of her thumb to wipe the flour off of Lauren's cheek. Lauren flinched at first contact, then relaxed and allowed Bo to clean her cheek. "There all clean." Bo and Lauren locked eyes. Bo eyes traveled to the blonde's lips then back to her eyes. She noticed Lauren was doing the same thing. That gave Bo the confidence to lean forward, stopping just a fraction of inch away from Lauren's lips. She waited for a moment, giving the blonde an opportunity to back away, when she didn't she moved to close the gap. Just as her lips brushed against Lauren's they heard the slamming of the backdoor and immediately jumped apart. They both looked to the doorway, eyes widened, as Kenzi entered the kitchen.

"Okay, what where y'all doing, you both look guilty?" Kenzi asked as she approached the pair, hands on her hips.

"We weren't doing anything; I was uh, just about to taste Lauren's cupcakes." Bo said, picking up a cupcake.

"I bet you were." Kenzi said sarcastically, as she too reached for a cupcake. She eyed the pair as she unwrapped the treat and took a big bite. "Holy shitballs! This is freakin' delish! Hotpants, who knew you could bake." Kenzi stated dramatically.

Lauren looked at Bo then Kenzi confused, "Hotpants?"

"Don't ask" Bo responded and took a bite of the cupcake in her hands. "Wow! Lauren, these are great!"

"It's the CO2 bubbles; it gives the dough its light, airy texture. You add just the right amount of baking powder and ensure the fat content to retain the gas bubbles, then throw in the eggs as a binding element and-" Lauren blushed in embarrassment, putting her head down immediately to avoid looking at the pair in front of her. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"

Bo placed a hand on Lauren's forearm, not letting her finish her apology. "Hey, don't apologize; you have nothing to be sorry for." Bo lifted Lauren's chin so that she could look into the Blonde's eyes, "Besides, I love it when you totally geek out." Bo smiled and winked at Lauren.

"And on that Oh please factor of ten, I'm outta here." Kenzi turned to leave, looking over her shoulder at the blonde, "They really are great cupcakes Lauren, feel free to make me some anytime." Lauren grinned and shook her head as she watched Kenzi make her exit.

"How about I clean up, while you continue to frost." Bo offered

"No, I couldn't ask you do that, it's my mess I'll clean it."

"Lauren, you didn't ask me, I offered. I mean, I'd offer to frost, but I have a feeling I'd mess up your cupcakes. Let me wash the dishes while you finish the cupcakes, we do have an industrial dishwasher, so I won't be working that hard." Lauren nodded in agreement.

"Alright, I'll get started then." Bo said as she collected the dishes and made her way to the sink.

Now it was just her and Bo alone again in the kitchen. Lauren began to feel nervous and self-conscious about her every movement. She usually got nervous around Bo, but after that almost kiss, it intensified tenfold. Lauren felt her stomach flutter and heart racing. She couldn't believe that Bo told her she loved her geek outs. Nadia hated them, she used to mock and ridicule Lauren whenever she went on a nerdy rant. But here was Bo, telling her she loved it.

Since meeting Bo for the very first time, Lauren had experienced feelings that she never had before. The spark that she felt whenever she touched Bo, the rapid heartbeat, the instant arousal when Bo looked into her eyes, the way Bo could make her feel like she was the only one in the room worth listening to when she talked. The way her body responded to Bo whenever they were close to each other was unreal. When Lauren met Nadia there was an attraction, but it couldn't even come close to what she was feeling for Bo.

Over the past month Lauren found herself staring at Bo more often. She would find herself imaging what Bo looked like underneath those leather pants, or what Bo's perfectly rounded breasts would feel like in her hands. Many nights she went straight to her room after work and took a cold shower to calm her raging hormones. Lauren tried to convince herself that all of these feelings were a result of the lack of intimacy. It had been roughly 8 months since she's had sex, and even longer since she's had an orgasm. Whatever it was that she was feeling at the moment for Bo, she was terrified of it, because it defied all logical reasoning. She had only known Bo for a month and she couldn't come up with a concrete theory as to why this woman had such an effect on her. As bad as she wanted to explore this thing she had with Bo, she consistently talked herself out of it. She didn't believe that Bo would want her once she found out that Lauren was damaged goods. And Lauren was petrified that Bo would only want her for a fling or a one night stand and she emotionally couldn't handle that type of arrangement.

"All done?" Bo asked as she stood across the prep table from Lauren.

"Yup, that was the last one." Lauren motioned to the cupcake she just settled on the plate.

"So, uh Lauren?" Bo sighed nervously. "Since we are both off tonight, I was wondering if I could take you to dinner?"

Lauren was surprised by Bo's invitation for dinner. "Like a date?"

"Well, yeah, if that's okay with you. If not, it doesn't have to be a date, date. It could be just coworkers grabbing a bite to eat…." Bo took a deep breath.

"Bo, I'd love to, I really would, but I don't think that would be a good idea." Lauren looked away.

"Oh…..can ask why?" Bo said deflated.

"It's….it's just that….I don't want to complicate things. Bo, you've been such a good friend to me this last month, I don't want to jeopardize that."

"Lauren, I know you could feel what I feel when we are around each other. There is an undeniable draw between us. I'm not asking you to marry me, I'm asking you to dinner just to see if this…." Bo waved her hand back and forth between them. "….is something more than just a crush, or infatuation, or whatever fancy word you want to use to describe whatever this is. I have never felt like this around anyone I've ever met before."

"Bo…"

"Lauren, please…..go to dinner with me, let's just see what happens from there. Hell, we might go out and find out that it really was just a crush and nothing more. At least we'll know, at least we can stop wondering."

"I'm sorry Bo, but I just can't." With that Lauren turned on her heel and quickly made her way to her room, closing the door and locking herself away for the night.

Bo stood in the kitchen, disappointed that Lauren rejected her. After their near kiss, Bo was convinced that Lauren felt the same way she did; in fact she knows Lauren feels what she does. 'Damn Kenzi! If she hadn't interrupted, this might have turned out differently.' Bo thought as she contemplated what just took place. What was Lauren so afraid of? Bo began to get upset, she completely embarrassed herself with Lauren. She felt humiliated because of the blonde's rejection. Bo decided to do what she does best, go out, get drunk, and take somebody home. If the blonde didn't want her then somebody else surely would. Bo headed upstairs to get ready for an all-nighter downtown. She and Kenzi would paint the town red if it was the last thing she did. She was going to do her best to forget all about Lauren tonight.