"Steve!" Fatima greeted as she opened her front door to the latest arrival to her party.
"Happy Birthday, Fatima," Steve replied as he thrust a bottle and a card in the birthday girl's direction.
"Thank you," said Fatima as she took the gift and gave Steve a drunken kiss on the cheek. "Come in," she continued as she moved back to allow Steve to enter.
He closed the door behind him and followed Fatima through her house. She led him to the living room where the food and drink lay on a table. "Help yourself," she instructed loudly over the music that was playing.
"Thanks," said Steve as he looked around.
"There's a couple of the unit in the back garden," Fatima informed Steve, guessing he was looking for people he knew.
Steve nodded that he had heard before helping himself to some food and drink and made his way out the back where it was a bit quieter.
Jay, Mo and a few of the others were stood around as Steve made his way over to them.
"Hi!" He greeted noticing that Kate wasn't yet present.
"Hey mate," Jay replied as he slapped Steve on the back. "Good to see you,".
"Looks like a good party," Steve commented.
"It's ok," Jay replied. "Could do with some better entertainment though,".
"Kate! Wow!" Fatima greeted her colleague at the front door. Kate had taken an age to decide what to wear to this party, particularly as Steve was going to 'make a move' on her later. She eventually decided on a short skirt that came to her mid thigh, and a backless halter neck top. Judging from Fatima's reaction she looked good. She just hoped that Steve liked it.
"Happy Birthday, Fatima," Kate replied as she too handed over a bottle of wine and a card.
"Everyone's out the back," Fatima told Kate as she showed her around.
"Thanks Fatima," Kate said as she helped herself to a bottle of lager and plate of food before heading out the back. "Hi guys," she greeted the response unit.
"Looking good, Kate," Jay complimented as he took in Kate's choice of clothes.
"Thanks," Kate said before she took a swig of her drink. She noted Steve checking her out.
Steve hadn't really seen Kate in much other than her work clothes. He had no idea she looked so good. He started to sweat. Maybe this idea of his wasn't such a good one after all.
The work colleagues stuck around in the back garden for a bit, Fatima joining them every so often as she socialised with all her guests.
"Come dance with me?" Kate asked Steve as she liked some of the music being played. The evening was wearing on and if they were going to start flirting then they better get a move on. Steve seemed to have frozen so Kate decided to take charge.
"Ok," agreed Steve. He wasn't much of a dancer but he knew what Kate was up to.
Jay watched them go to the dance floor.
Finding a space on the dancefloor, the two friends faced each other and started dancing. As the time progressed, Kate got a bit more tactile and soon she had her arms around Steve's neck as she ground her hips against his.
Steve swallowed. The whole evening was proving awkward as he had realised it was Kate he was going to be flirting with. Kissing. Kate his best friend. Why on earth had he suggested this? She had been on at him all week asking if they should choreograph their tryst. Decide where hands could go and what was off limits. Too embarrassed to discuss it, Steve had kept putting her off and said it would look more convincing if they just winged it on the night. Did whatever felt natural. That had been a massive mistake.
"Start to look like you're enjoying yourself," Kate whispered in his ear. He had had a weird look on his face for most of the evening.
"Sorry," murmured Steve. He didn't want to cock this up and knew he had to get over his inhibitions and start putting on his act.
Gathering up his confidence he placed both his hands on Kate's arse as she danced. He saw her give him a look that he better behave himself, but didn't move them away.
"I need a drink," Kate said when the music stopped for a bit. With all the dancers on the floor it was starting to get really warm in the house.
Taking Kate's hand, Steve led them over to the drinks table where Jay was also getting some refreshments. "You two look like you're enjoying yourselves," he said.
"Steve's not a bad dancer actually," Kate complimented before excusing herself to find the bathroom. "Get me a G and T?" she asked Steve before walking off.
"You're in there, mate," Jay said to Steve.
"You think?" Steve asked.
"Totally," Jay encouraged. "Go for it!".
"I dunno," Steve said, wondering why Jay was being so insistent. Was he the blackmailer?
"What's the harm in one night if you're both up for it?" Jay questioned. Steve just looked at him. "You are up for it aren't you?". Steve didn't reply. "Bet she's fuckin' dynamite in bed,".
Kate returned soon after and with drinks in hand the two friends walked to somewhere a bit quieter in the garden. Kate coming to rest against a tree looking back at the house and Steve facing her with his back to the party.
"Don't make it obvious," Steve said as he took a sip of his drink, "but is Jay watching us?".
Kate looked around as she took a sip of her drink. "Yes. Why?" she answered, once she had swallowed.
"I think he's our guy," Steve said. "He was encouraging me to make a move on you earlier,".
"Maybe it's time to give him a show," Kate said as she looked into Steve's eyes. "Show me your best moves, Arnott,".
"Kate!" Steve said embarrassed.
"Sorry,".
"I'm not sure this was such-" Steve started to say before Kate tugged on his shirt and brought his lips in to contact with hers to shut him up.
Steve froze at first contact of his lips on Kate's but gradually loosened up and focused on the undercover op.
Kissing Kate was actually quite nice he realised. They went well together. No awkward clashing of teeth or noses.
He felt Kate asking for permission to enter his mouth and he soon tasted the sharp tang of tonic and lemon on her tongue as it entered his mouth.
Her arms wound around his neck, bringing his upper body flush against hers, her breasts crushed against his chest wall.
Tentatively he enveloped her in his embrace as he delicately let his hands wander over the skin of her back before tracing down the side of her chest, feeling the slight swell of her breasts as he did so.
Eventually the kiss came to a natural end. "That was nice," Kate said. Their kiss had surprised her as well.
"Err...yeah," was about the only two words Steve could string together.
"Maybe it's time we left?" Kate suggested.
Steve simply agreed by taking her hand and leading her away. They made sure to say goodbye to all their colleagues, advertising the fact they were leaving the party and together before walking off to Kate's flat.
They had decided that it was the best place to set their trap as it was a garden flat and left ample opportunity for any would be camera man to film as the bedroom was at the front of the building and below pavement level so would be well hidden.
Hand in hand, Steve and Kate walked back to Kate's stopping every so often for a quick snog. To anyone who saw them there wasn't much doubt about what they would be getting up to later.
"Are we being followed?" Steve murmured in Kate's ear as he kissed her neck, one hand on her thigh moving up under her skirt.
"I think so, yes," she moaned catching sight of someone dressed in black following them at a distance. It was impossible to tell who it was as he was wearing a dark covered top with the hood pulled up.
"Excellent," Steve said before tearing himself away from Kate's neck and tugging on her hand, walking the rest of the way home, arm in arm. "Onwards," he said.
They stumbled down the stairs to Kate's front door, Steve looking out for any sign of their videographer whilst Kate found her keys and let them both inside the flat.
Turning on the hallway lamp, Kate dumped her bag on he small table and looked at Steve.
"You ready?" Steve asked, checking one last time that Kate was happy to go ahead with his plan.
"Bring it on,".