“Hey, stranger!”

Smiling at the sound of her voice, Johnny turned his head to look across the dimly lit parking lot. Kelsey barely gave him time to shut the door and set his bowling bag on the ground before throwing her arms around his neck, firmly planting her lips on his. Caught off-balance, he grabbed her around the waist, stumbling backwards with her securely in tow, never breaking that all-important lip contact.

Backed into the side of the Rover, with Kelsey’s body pressed against his, Johnny pulled her even closer, feeling the curve of her breasts against his chest, and the provocative thrust of her hips to his. Her tongue flirted playfully with his mouth, wanting entrance. Running his hands up and down her back, he groaned in pleasure, opening his mouth to let her tongue slide in.

Exchanging hot, hungry kisses, their bodies responded to roaming hands that explored their most intimate places. Ogling stares of passersby, some plainly disgusted, some openly jealous, were blissfully ignored.

Finally regaining some sense of propriety, Johnny broke the embrace, gently pushing her away. It was all he could do to stop panting, and find his voice.

“I… I thought I asked you not to… to do that unless you’ll go out with me.”

“I’m out with you right now. I thought we were going bowling.”

“That’s not what I mean, and you know it.”

“Johnny, I can’t. I’ve told you before, just being around you gets me all hot and bothered.”

“Trust me, Kelse’, the feeling’s entirely mutual.”

“I’ve also explained that sleeping with a fireman…”

“… is against the rules.”

“And, a broken heart…”

“… isn’t on the list.”

“See, you got it.”

“Accountants don’t break hearts?”

“Sweetie, he’s not even in your league…” Kelsey’s eyes roved to the bulge in Johnny’s tightly fitted blue jeans, “… in more ways than one. But he’s safe and dependable, and I won’t have to worry every time he leaves for work in the morning whether or not I’ll ever see him again.”

“Safe is good. I guess. Kinda dull, though. Especially for a girl like you.”

“A girl like me? I guess I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Take it any way you like. You know… if you… ever change your mind....”

“… I know where to find you.”

“Right now, I… uh… don’t suppose you know where I could find a… a cold shower?”

Kelsey laughed at his good-natured attempt at humor. “Let’s go inside. I’ll buy you a beer. That’ll cool you down.”

“You think so?” With male lust smoldering in his eyes, Johnny reached for her again. “You seem to know how to start a fire, but you’ve got a lot to learn about putting one out, Kelsey.”

She snuggled close to him, conscious of the rise in his body heat, as well as the rise in a certain part of his anatomy. “I’ll bet you’re just the one to teach me, too,” she whispered, nibbling on his ear, knowing the invitation turned him on even more.

Breathing heavily again, Johnny nuzzled her neck, savoring her womanly scent that drove him to distraction. “Have you said ‘yes’ to him yet?”

“No.”

“Then, just give me the word, Kelse’....”

This time Johnny backed her against the Rover. Shielding her body with his, he deftly slid one hand under her T-shirt, silently thanking the women’s movement for burning bras. Kelsey moaned softly in his ear, as his fingers pulled and toyed with her nipples -- the harder they got, the harder he got. His tongue filled her hot, juicy mouth, exploring its delights. She almost whimpered in surrender.

“Hey, Johnny!” Chet shouted from the doorway. The man had impeccably bad timing. “You guys plannin’ on bowling sometime tonight?”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Geez, John. I’ve never seen you bowl so badly.” Chet’s eyes were dancing in devilish delight. “I couldn’t help notice you seemed a little… uh… stiff… tonight.” .

“Oh, shut-up, Chet.”

“No, seriously, John. Every time Kelsey got up off your lap, you were movin’ a little slower. She wasn’t cutting off your circulation, was she?”

Johnny stretched one leg out on the seat, resting his head back against the wall, while his gaze followed Kelsey and Liz as they disappeared into the ladies room. He was already feeling the buzz from a few too many beers, which still hadn’t managed to dull the throbbing ache in his… head.

“No, Chet. There ain’t nothin’ wrong with my circulation. I just have a headache is all.”

“Uh-huh. Maybe Kelsey’s got something she can give you. You know, to… uh… help relieve some of the tension.”

Closing his eyes, Johnny took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

“Chet?”

“Yeah, John?”

“Shut up.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Chet’s a sweet guy, isn’t he?”

Grabbing a paper towel to dry her hands, Kelsey smiled at Liz, Chet’s date for the evening. She thought Liz was the perfect match for him. Slender and petite, with soft, curly brown hair and large brown eyes, her doe-eyed, innocent look hid a mischievous sense of humor that rivaled his. Whenever Kelsey had caught a glimpse of Chet looking at Liz while they were bowling, the word “smitten” had come to mind. He was so different from Johnny, but she had to agree.

“Yeah, in a funny sort of way, I guess he is.”

“He makes me laugh. I have a good time when I’m with him. He’s one of the few guys I’ve ever known that I feel like I can just… be myself… when I’m around him.”

“Have you known him long?”

“No, not exactly. We’ve been going out for about a month now. I really like him. I think he likes me, too.” Liz looked in the mirror, putting the finishing touches on her lipstick. “Johnny’s cute. How long have you two known each other?”

“Just a little over a year now,” Kelsey paused, adding fondly, “I’ll never forget the first time we met.”

“Was it love at first sight?”

“Oh, god, no,” she laughed. Kelsey had to apologize when she saw the confused look on Liz’ face. “No, the first time I looked into John Gage’s eyes, he threw up on me.”

Liz’ eyes widened in surprise. “That would be a memorable introduction. How’d that happen?”

“I’m a surgical nurse at Rampart General Hospital. Johnny was in the recovery room, just coming out from under anesthesia, and I was checking his vitals when he started to get sick. I was so busy trying to make sure he didn’t aspirate, I almost got tangled up in his IV lines, and couldn’t get out of the way in time. He was so out of it, he doesn’t remember, though.”

“Well, at least you didn’t have to put up with any corny pick up lines.” Liz smiled in amusement, remembering the one Chet had used. It was so lame, she thought it was adorable.

“Oh, Liz, this is Johnny Gage we’re talking about. His saving grace is that he’s a genuinely nice guy, but he knows every corny line in the book. He probably even wrote a few of them.”

“Really? Well, I still think he’s cute. You two make a great couple.”

It was Kelsey’s turn to look amused. “We’re not a couple. We’re just friends. We went out a few times after he got out of the hospital, but like most nurses, I have a pretty hard and fast rule against dating firefighters and cops. Johnny’s just kind of hard to say no to. We see each other at the hospital, and talk when we have a chance, but we don’t date any more.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I… just assumed....” Liz looked embarrassed. “The way you look at each other. The way you touch each other. You know. Like… like that.”

“There’s no question I’m attracted to him. Just thinking about being with him makes me… well, let’s just say there’s something about Johnny that makes me want to take him home, and have my way with him. He’s tempted me to break the rule more than once. It’s why I stopped going out with him,” Kelsey sighed dreamily, “One more date, and we would have ended up in bed.”

Liz giggled a little. “That doesn’t sound like such a bad thing to me. What is it nurses have against firemen and cops?”

“Aside from the fact that as a whole, neither are known for their fidelity? For some of us, it has to do with the fact that we experience a lot of work-related stress, and see a lot of untimely death on our job, and it’s not a heartache we need to face at home, too. One stressful occupation in a marriage is more than enough in my book. Other nurses have other reasons, but those two are tops on my list. I want a faithful husband with a safe, normal job.”

“You think Chet and Johnny are like that?” Liz asked apprehensively. “You know, that they’d cheat?”

“I don’t know Chet well enough to answer that, Liz. Johnny says he’s a good guy, though. The way Chet looks at you… I don’t think you have anything to worry about. And, Johnny… no, I don’t think he’d be unfaithful in a serious relationship, but I don’t see him as the settling-down type, either. Besides, his job is way too dangerous for me. He’s landed in the hospital more than once, courtesy of that.”

“I’m kinda glad I’m not a nurse.” Liz laughingly regained her sense of humor. “I’d hate to have a rule like that, and miss out on all the fun I’ve been having since I met Chet.”

Kelsey’s internal temperature notched up a degree or two, thinking how much fun it had been getting all hot and bothered with Johnny in the parking lot. Attracted to each other like magnets to metal from the moment Johnny was conscious enough to be coherent, she sort of wished she didn’t have the rule herself. But rules, like accountants, kept things ‘safe.’

“So, Liz…, you and Chet…?”

“Why, Kelsey. I’m not one of those girls that kiss and tell. But, since you asked....”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“What do you think women talk about when they go powder their noses?”

Johnny gave Chet a sideways glance to see if he was being serious. “I dunno. Same things we talk about, I suppose. Baseball scores, the weather.” Johnny rolled his eyes, but Chet didn’t seem to notice.

“I don’t know, John. I asked my date about it once.”

“Yeah, and what’d she tell you?”

“She just kind of looked at me and casually said, ‘We talk about sex. What do you talk about?’”

“And, what did you tell her, Chet?”

“I can’t remember. Something like, ‘men don’t powder their noses.’”

Johnny shook his head and laughed “I don’t suppose she went out with you again, did she?”

“No. How’d you know?”

“Chet, sometimes you amaze me.”

“Yeah, well, I amaze myself sometimes. Hey, you know, John, Kelsey’s a great chick. She still won’t go out with you, huh?”

“Would you believe she’s thinkin’ about gettin’ married? To a… a pencil-pusher who works in accounting at Rampart. Man, I don’t get it. That girl is incredible. She could have any guy she wants, and she’s gonna settle down with a bean counter. She says he’s ‘safe.’ What does that mean? I just don’t get it.”

“Well, maybe she’s one of those that goes for the brainy type. That would explain why she dumped you.”

“She didn’t du....”

Johnny’s train of thought was momentarily derailed, as he watched the ladies make their way back across the crowded room toward the table. Kelsey effortlessly managed to turn the head of every male in the pizza parlor without even noticing. Five-seven and perfectly proportioned, her long blonde hair, deep blue eyes, and lightly tanned skin, combined with the face of a freckle-nosed angel, set more than hearts a-throbbing. The hip-hugger jeans that hugged more than her hips, and the baby-pink T-shirt loosely knotted in front, only added to the sexy image. She looked more like an eighteen-year old surfer girl tonight than the twenty-five year-old professional, wearing green surgical scrubs he saw at the hospital.

From halfway across the room, the sultry, seductive look Kelsey gave him made him swallow hard. Chet, it ain’t my brains that woman’s thinkin’ about.

Liz slid into the booth next to Chet, and gave him a peck on the cheek.

He blushed when he noticed her wink at Kelsey. Geez, maybe they do talk about sex. “What was that for?”

“Just because… you’re sweet. Did you order the pizza yet?”

Johnny moved his leg off the seat so Kelsey could sit down. He almost choked on his beer when she put her hand on his knee, and lithely drew it up his inner thigh, giving his crotch a gentle squeeze before finally letting it rest there with just the slightest bit of pressure. “No… uh… yeah… it… uh… should be here… in a… a minute,” he stammered, then reached for his glass again. “Is it gettin’ warm in here, or is it just me?”

“Gage, you said the same thing at the bowling alley earlier. You are lookin’ a little flushed and shaky.” Chet conjured up his most serious frown. “You aren’t getting sick, are you?”

“I… just… uh… need somethin’ to eat.”

Kelsey took the beer glass from him and set it on the table, then put her hand under his chin and turned his face towards hers. The fingers of her other hand lightly brushed the hair away from his forehead. “Your eyes do look a little glassy, Johnny.”

“It’s the… beer,” he mumbled. “Kelse’, it… it’s time to stop.”

“Um-hmm.” She put her hand across his forehead, then caressed his cheek with the back of her fingers. “You feel a little warm to me.”

‘Kelsey,” he said quietly, grasping her wrist. “I said it’s time to stop, unless you’ve changed your mind.”

She faltered slightly, and shook her head.

The sexual electricity that had charged the atmosphere all evening suddenly dissipated into thin air. Liz poked Chet in the ribs with her elbow just in time to keep him from making another smartass comment. It was obvious some line had just been crossed, and it wasn’t funny anymore. Gage was mad. Knowing the look all too well, Chet rubbed his ribs and wisely opted to keep his mouth shut.

Johnny took Kelsey’s hand and placed it firmly on the table, then reached for his beer again, finishing it in one long draw. The arrival of the pizza did little to save everyone from an awkward few moments.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Chet and Liz really seem to go good together, don’t you think?” Kelsey watched them drive away, a little nervous now, left alone with Johnny. His mood had lightened up while they ate, but he’d made it perfectly clear she was to keep her hands to herself.

“Yeah, they do. Come on, it’s getting late. I’ll walk you to your car.”

They walked across the foggy parking lot in gloomy silence. She unlocked her car door, then stood back while he opened it for her, waiting for her to get in. Kelsey knew he had every right to be mad at her, and tried to find a way to apologize.

“Johnny, I… I’m sorry. I was just having fun, and got carried away. I didn’t mean to....”

“You didn’t mean to what? Make me horny as hell?” He angrily slammed the car door shut, making her jump, but it helped take a little edge off his frustration. “You can’t… Kelsey, you can’t play with a man like that all night, and then just walk away because you’ve got some… some stupid rule that you never intended to break. You’re lucky I care about you so much. Pull a stunt like this with some other guy, and you might find your world isn’t so safe, after all.”

Kelsey felt tears sting her eyes. “I’m sorry. I… I get you around you, and I don’t know what comes over me. You make me crazy, and I can’t keep my hands off you. Johnny, don’t be mad at me, please. I’m sorry.”

He wondered if she knew what a sucker he was for tears. Calming down, he put his arms around her, drawing her head to his shoulder. “You make me crazy, too, Kelse’,” he whispered hoarsely, burying his face in her hair. “Lord, you make me crazy.”

It felt good to be in his arms. Natural. Even so, Kelsey surprised herself when she heard the words come out of her mouth. “I want to have sex with you, Johnny. Come home with me.”

She was even more surprised when she heard the word that came out of his mouth.

“No.”

She pulled away in confusion, startled to see anger in his eyes again. “I don’t understand. You just said....”

“Kelsey, you make it sound so… so goddamned clinical. You know, if all I wanted was to… to get my rocks off with a woman, I’d go over to that bar across the street and buy a few drinks, and wait for someone to make me an offer. But, Kelse’, I don’t do that. My mother taught me to have more respect for women than that. Don’t get me wrong, I love taking a willing woman to bed and fucking the hell out of her, but I don’t do it unless it means something.”

“But, Johnny.... I… we....”

“I’m not talking about a relationship, Kelsey. I’m just saying that… that I have more respect for the act and for the person I’m with, than to just ‘have sex.’ I like to make love to a woman, and have her make love to me. There’s a big difference.”

Kelsey had never heard a man talk like that before. From her experience, she’d just assumed that all men were the same -- attracted to a pretty face and shapely body, wham, bam, thank-you-ma’am, see you later. She didn’t know what to say.

Watching the tears stream down her cheeks made him feel like a real heel for lecturing her. Johnny held her face in his hands, tilting it upward. “Ah, Kelse’, I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have yelled at you.” He kissed her lightly on the lips, and gently wiped away the tears with his thumbs. “I just… you just… make me… crazy.”

She looped her arms around his neck, looking into dark eyes burning with intense desire. Seeing how badly he wanted her, she was sure it wasn’t half as much as she wanted him now. Kelsey drew his head down and kissed him, slowly, passionately, until she felt his resistance melt away. Rule forgotten, her hand slid between them and began massaging his erection, until it strained to be freed from his jeans.

“Take me home,” she whispered in his ear, “I want you to make love to me, Johnny.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Kelsey repeatedly pushed the button for the third floor as the old elevator door slowly slid closed. Like two impatient teenagers with raging hormones, they were all over each other before it even started to move upward. Johnny lifted her shirt, staring hungrily at her breasts. She pulled his T-shirt free from his waistband and raked her hands across his bare back, growing dizzy with excitement as he took a nipple into his mouth, nipping and sucking until it was swollen and hard, then moved to the other.

The elevator opened to an empty hallway. Somehow, they made it to the door of her apartment. Kelsey frantically dug in her purse for her keys, while Johnny wrapped his arms around her from behind, unzipping her jeans. He was so hard, she could feel him throbbing against her, even through the thick denim of his Wranglers. Just as she produced the key chain, his hand groped under her panties, probing the warm, wet spot between her legs. Already fumbling to get the key in the lock, she let it drop to the floor, gasping loudly when his middle finger and thumb zeroed in, stroking the intended target, driving her insane when his finger suddenly drove inside her.

Johnny turned her around to face him after he picked up the key. With her back against the door, Kelsey furiously grappled with his belt, trying to unbuckle it, while his mouth found hers again. He sucked greedily on her offered tongue, then forced his as far back in her mouth as he could until he heard her almost choking for air. It took everything he had to stop long enough to get the key in the lock and open the door. Once inside with the door closed, Johnny kissed her again, breaking contact only for a second, while he first pulled her shirt off over her head, then did the same with his. The feel of her hardened nipples and soft, supple breasts rubbing against his bare chest, had him ready to take her right there on her living room floor.

Johnny quickly tugged the jeans down her hips, pulling her underwear off at the same time. She stepped out of them and stood naked in front of him. Her body was everything he had fantasized it would be, exciting him beyond his wildest imagination. Between the two of them, their trembling hands managed to unzip his jeans and get them off, bringing freedom at last for his swollen, aching cock. He inhaled sharply when Kelsey lightly rubbed the pre cum that was oozing from the tip with her palm, then slipped her hand along the full length of his shaft, stroking it slowly at first, making it grow even harder as she increased the rhythm of her hand movement.

Caught up in their impassioned frenzy, she was stunned when Johnny grabbed her wrist.

“Kelsey, stop,” he groaned, pushing her away.

The momentum broken, she looked at him in surprise. “St-stop?”

Johnny took her hand and wordlessly led her to the couch. Kissing her again, his hands firmly gripped her from behind, pulling her into him. He rocked his hips, rubbing against her, until he felt her grow hot and dripping wet with anticipation. He stopped her again when she reached for him.

“Kelse’. I can… give myself a hand job any day of the week. I want you… I want to come in your mouth.”

When he bent his head to kiss her again, she couldn’t suppress the sting of disappointment, but neither could she resist the fiery urge to keep going. Kelsey got on her knees, where the sight of him, swollen and hard and throbbing, made her forget her momentary hesitation. One hand squeezed his balls, while her tongue first licked and teased his sensitive head, then slid sensuously back and forth along the underside. She could almost feel Johnny go weak in the knees when she suddenly took him in her mouth, sucking hard, while her hand continued to play with his balls. He was hard as a rock, and it wasn’t difficult to tell he was close to coming. Wrapping her hand around the base of his shaft, Kelsey added a little thumb massage while she stroked and sucked, eliciting a loud, euphoric groan in response.

His pulse skyrocketed with the added sensation. Reaching down with both hands, Johnny held her head steady, feverishly pumping himself in and out of her mouth. Driving as deep as he could get, as deep as Kelsey could take him, his orgasm finally burst free, exploding in her mouth, spurting his hot, sticky liquid, forcing it down her throat. He froze, holding his breath for an instant, relishing the sublime moment of release; his body shuddering in ecstasy, he let her suck him until he was finished. Johnny fell back on the couch, pulling her off her knees with him, holding her tightly, while he tried to regain the ability to breathe.

When his senses finally came back to earth, he realized she was crying.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Johnny waited a few minutes before following her. She had thrown on a robe, and was leaning over the bathroom sink with the water running, furiously scrubbing her mouth with her hand.

“Kelse’....”

Her head lifted. Reflected in the mirror was a face filled with hurt and anger, spelled out in every feature from the red, teary eyes, to the thin line of her lips, to the set of her jaw.

“I thought you’d be different from the others,” she accused, in a thin voice quivering with emotion. “You should have just gone across the street to that bar.” She grabbed a towel and buried her face in it, trying to disguise the fresh tears that threatened, and the sob that crept from her throat.

Putting his arms around her, Johnny felt her stiffen.

“Kelse’, turn around and look at me.”

“Go ahead and leave,” she suggested bitterly. “Just be sure to drop a twenty on the night stand on your way out. I guess you’d know better than me. Is that the going rate these days, Johnny? I don’t do things like that for free.”

He took the towel from her hand, and forced her to turn around. Johnny lifted her chin, frustrated at her resistance.

“Kelsey, I want you to look at me.” His hands rested on her shoulders, his tone soft, yet demanding. “Look, I don’t know what you’re thinking right now, but whatever it is, you’re wrong. I’m not leaving.” Johnny felt her relax a bit, but when she lifted her eyes, they were defiant and defensive.

“I want you to go away.”

“Listen…, maybe… maybe what I did was wrong, but you didn’t give me the impression I was forcing you to do something you’ve never done before. I wouldn’t have done that to you, or to any woman. I’m not like those other guys, Kelse’, whoever they were. I’m just a guy who… who can’t think straight while a sexy, gorgeous woman is giving him the most incredible blow job of his life.”

Johnny watched her shoulders sag, and her lower lip tremble in resignation. He put his arms around her again, feeling her defenses crumble, stroking her hair until the tears stopped. “I’m not gonna hurt you, Kelse’, and I’m not gonna leave,” he said quietly.

She drew back, and wiped her eyes, and blew her nose on a tissue, attempting to regain her composure. When she finally had the courage to look at him again, Kelsey saw he looked as miserable as she felt.

“What do we do now, Johnny? I’ve made such a mess of this whole night. I wouldn’t blame you if you did want to leave. It’s not your fault. You didn’t do anything wrong. You just didn’t know you were getting mixed up with a mixed-up girl.”

“No, I… I was being selfish. It’s just hard, you know? I’ve thought about being with you for a long time now, Kelse’ and it was better than I ever dreamed.” He gave her small smile of apology. “People have accused me of being a little mixed-up myself, so maybe between the two of us, we can both get straightened out.”

“That could be a big job. Where do we start?”

“The first thing you need to know is that… you’re not a girl.” Johnny slowly pulled her robe open and slipped it off her shoulders. The crimson blush that graced her cheeks when he openly admired her body stirred him again. His hands gently cupped her breasts as he softly kissed her. “Don’t ever forget that you’re a woman… a beautiful woman, Kelsey, and I want you like I’ve never wanted anyone before.”

The frenetic excitement of the earlier encounter was replaced by something deeper, by a heated passion and heart-stopping desire she’d never experienced before. His light kisses and gentle touches slowly filled her with an unbelievable craving, until she ached again with the need to have him inside her.

Picking up the towel, he took her by the hand. “We have something we need to finish…, but not here. In there.” He tilted his head toward the bedroom. “I want to make love to you, Kelsey. I want you to feel just how good it can be.”

No man had ever treated her so tenderly, or made love to her so thoroughly. Johnny left no inch of flesh unkissed or untouched, taking his time to discover all the places that made her moan and writhe in impassioned delight. She begged him to take her, but he ignored her pleas, continuing to take her to the brink with his mouth and his tongue, his hands and his fingers. Kelsey was about to lose control, almost unaware of what he was about to do, until the last second.

Johnny felt her tense up and heard her desperately whisper, “no.” He was surprised by the fright in her eyes, and helped her sit up. “Kelse’… what?”

She felt embarrassed, almost ashamed. “Johnny, I… I’m not a virgin, but I’m not the sexually accomplished woman I’ve tried to make you think I am, either. I don’t want you to think I’m naive, but I’ve never… let a man do that to me before. I don’t… think I can. I’m sorry.”

“If you don’t want me to, I won’t. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do, but I promise if you let me, I’ll stop if you don’t like it.” Johnny grinned, wanting to reassure her he was okay with her decision, but not giving up. “I have to tell you I can really get into it, though, so you might have to whack me over the head a few times until I get the message, but I’ll get it eventually.”

His gentle teasing made her think twice. “Johnny, I don’t know what to do. I mean, how to....”

Pushing her back down on the bed, Johnny kissed her and caressed her until she relaxed again. “Just close your eyes and don’t even think about what I’m doing. Let your body tell you if it feels good, and you’ll know what to do.... trust me, you’ll know.”

Trust him. He was about to do the most sexually intimate thing imaginable, and it scared her. Kelsey didn’t know how to tell Johnny a man had never brought her to orgasm, and wasn’t sure she’d recognize whether what she felt was the real thing, if it did happen. Nervously submitting to his offer, she worried more about disappointing him, than disappointing herself again.

Johnny slid a pillow under her, coaxing her to spread her legs for him. While his hands traced her thighs, he kissed her stomach, his tongue licking and dipping into her navel, before lavishing his undivided attention on her ripe, sensitive womanhood.

Squeezing her eyes closed, Kelsey first felt his warm breath, then his fingers gently parted her. From the second the tip of his tongue touched her there, slowly swirling, licking, probing, she was aroused in a way she’d never imagined possible. Never had she experienced anything so exquisitely enjoyable as when Johnny began sucking on her. So overwhelmed, she almost cried in utter disbelief that no one had ever made her feel this way before. Carried away by the incredible pleasure building inside, she was lifting her hips to his mouth, demanding more, telling him to suck faster, until she was throbbing so hard it was almost painful. Suddenly understanding how he had felt, Kelsey reached for his head to hold it between her hands, while she moved her hips in rhythm with his tongue, as it worked in and out of her.

She thought she was going to scream when he stopped.

Sitting back on the bed on his knees, Johnny took her hand, placing it where his tongue had been. He pressed her hand harder, making her feel for herself how hot and wet and swollen she was. “Kelse’, I wanna watch you finish yourself.” He stroked his own growing erection, inviting her to watch him do it.

Even though part of her was excited by what he was doing, she swallowed in panic. “Johnny… I… I can’t… I’ve never done it with anyone watching.... and I’ve never been able to.... I need you to do it for me. Oh, god, please, I need you to do it now.”

He shook his head, and continued to slowly stroke himself. “No one else can make you come if you can’t do it yourself. Don’t think about it so much, just let yourself feel it. Close your eyes or watch me, it doesn’t matter. Just do it. Come on, Kelse’, I want to come watching you do yourself.”

Kelsey bit her lower lip and closed her eyes, fighting tears of frustration again. She felt his body hover over hers, his hand taking hers, pressing her finger inside her, forcing her to pull it out, and pushing it in again. He repeated it until she took control, plunging her fingers in as deep as they could go. Her eyes flew open in surprise at how good it felt, soon focusing on matching him stroke for stroke, harder and harder, faster and faster.

She cried out as she brought herself to climax, her body shuddering as wave after wave of her first orgasm flooded through her. There were no doubts left. This was the real thing. Hearing Johnny moan, she watched breathlessly as his milky cum shot through his fingers, spilling onto her stomach. She waited until he caught his breath and stole a glance at her, before she closed her eyes again, smiling in deep, lovely satisfaction.

Using the towel, he cleaned her off, then wiped his hands. Johnny lay down beside her, and pulled her close to him, not saying a word, holding her tenderly until she fell asleep in his arms.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Johnny,” she whispered in the darkness, “are you asleep?”

“No, I’ve just been laying here watching you.” He trailed his fingers down her arm, softly kissing her neck and bare shoulder. “You’re even more beautiful in your sleep.”

The line was mentally scratched from corny list forever. Here in the dark, lying in his arms, with their legs intertwined, it sounded heavenly. She snuggled her back against him, feeling his arm tighten around her waist. Kelsey sighed in contentment, enjoying the warmth and closeness of his body next to hers.

“Johnny?”

“Yeah?”

“What made you decide to become a fireman?”

Johnny propped himself up on his elbow, resting the side of his head in his hand. “I liked fire engines when I was a kid. I don’t know, though. A lot of things, I guess. Helping people, doing something worthwhile, being a part of something kinda special. I like the challenge of rescue work. There’s some private reasons, too. It’s hard to explain the rush I get when I hear a siren, or smell smoke. I do know one thing… from the minute I fought my first fire, I knew I’d never want to do anything else. Except when the paramedic program came along, but I didn’t have to give up fire fighting to do that. Got the best of both worlds.”

“But, it’s so dangerous.”

“That’s part of the attraction for me, Kelse’. It’s what gets the adrenaline pumping.”

“Don’t you ever get scared?”

“Sure I do. If we’re smart, we all do. But… I don’t know… you don’t think about it until later. You do what you’re trained to do -- you just do what you have to do to get the job done. That’s kind of a rush all its own.”

“I can’t imagine taking a risk like that.”

“Life’s full of risks, Kelsey. I prefer to face them with my eyes wide open, and tackle things head-on. You miss out on a lot of great stuff, otherwise. If I died tomorrow, I’d at least go knowing that I lived life on my terms.”

She fell silent again for a while.

“Kelsey?”

“Yeah?”

“You got anything good to eat?”

She rolled over, and kissed him seductively. “Why don’t you tell me?”

“Lord, I’ve created a monster.” He playfully pushed her away. “I’m talkin’ about food. You know, the stuff you find in refrigerators.”

She drew her fingers across his chest, kissed him again, then sat up. “Let’s go see what I’ve got. Something tells me you’re going to need to keep your strength up tonight. I’m not finished with you yet, cowboy.”

“Well, in case you haven’t noticed, I’m no cowboy,” he grinned. “But, I’ll be glad to let you ride my pony later.”

She got out of bed, and pulled her robe over her shoulders, giving him an appreciative look. “That ain’t no pony you got there, mister. And just so you know, I prefer to ride bareback. I like the feel of the horse between my legs, all hot and sweaty after a full gallop. Think you can handle me?”

“Feed me, and you’ll find out.”

“Last one to the kitchen does the dishes in the morning.”

Johnny lay back in bed after she left the room, hoping the night would last forever.

He hated doing dishes.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Tell me, Kelse’, why’d you decide to become a nurse?”

“It was really my third choice. My plan was to have been a world-renowned brain surgeon by the time I was fifteen. You want some coffee? Of course, I was all of ten when I decided that.”

“Brain surgeon, huh? At fifteen. That would have been quite an accomplishment. I can make the coffee. Where do you keep it?”

“Refrigerator. Top shelf. One day, I figured out how many years I’d have to go to school to be a brain surgeon, so I decided I’d settle for being a general surgeon by the time I was thirty. That didn’t work out either, so I’m doing the next best thing.”

“Do you know you’re almost out of milk? How’d you get interested in medicine, anyway?”

“My dad’s a doctor. He retired from private practice a few years ago, after he had a serious heart attack, but he still volunteers two days a week at a free clinic in downtown Seattle. He’s a pretty amazing man. Do you like your eggs-”

“-scrambled’s good.”

“When I was little, I would hang out in his office every day after school. By the time I was eight, I’d read just about every book he had in his library, and diagnosed every illness in the neighborhood. He always used to talk about my taking over his practice some day.”

“So, your dad really influenced you, huh?”

“Yeah. People loved him. Dad was one of those old-fashioned doctors who believed in making house calls. Sometimes, he’d let me go along with him, if the people didn’t mind. I just loved the whole idea of being able to make sick people well again. I practiced my skills on my poor cat until he ran away.”

“What made you decide you wanted to be a surgeon? What the… is your toaster broken?”

“No, you… just plug it in. One day, when I was ten, my dad took me to the hospital and we got to observe an operation. It was something simple, like an appendectomy. I remember thinking then it was about the greatest thing I’d ever seen. I still do. I love being in the operating room. I just wish.... Johnny, I just wish you would keep your hands to yourself, or you’re never going to get fed.”

“Ow! Why didn’t you become a doc.... Hey, be careful, Kelse’. You can … you can practice your skills on me any time you want, just not now. You’re gonna burn the… stop it, you’re gonna burn the eggs.”

“Then don’t get so close to me. Especially when you’ve just got those cute little boxers on. Like they hide anything. What’s your excuse?”

“Can I help it if you’re not wearing anything under that robe? I can see right through it.”

“That bothers you?”

“No. Well. Yes. As a matter of fact it does. Anyway, why didn’t you become a doctor?”

“I was premed in college, and had already completed a full year of medical school before I had to drop out. My folks were paying my way through school, but when my dad had his MI, it took almost every penny they had to pay his medical bills. It just about broke my dad’s heart, but there wasn’t any way we could work it out. Johnny, you stop it. I can smell the toast burning. So, I went to nursing school, and the rest, as they say, is history.”

“Why’d you come to LA?”

“Is the coffee done?”

“Yeah, where’s the cups?”

“In the cupboard. Do you take sugar in your coffee?”

“No. Black. Why’d you come to LA?”

“You wanna get the plates down, too? The eggs are ready. No, they’re not burned. I can’t say the same for the toast. Some fireman you are.”

“Your fault, not mine. You’re not gonna tell me why you came to LA, huh?”

“I came to LA because the sun shines here more than it does in Seattle. I like the sun. Let’s eat.”

“Okay… does it matter where I sit?”

“At the table is fine.”

“You’re a real comedian, Kelse’.”

“It’s a good thing, because I’m not much of a cook, am I?”

“Some shifts we get so many runs, I’ve learned to eat what I can, when I can. The eggs are fine, don’t worry about it. So, you… Uh… you ever think you’ll go back?”

“To Seattle?”

“Well, that too. But, I meant medical school. Can’t you get a scholarship or something, to help with the costs?”

“Johnny, the competition is really tough. I had the grades, but money for women still isn’t very plentiful. Especially not for a woman who wants to work in what is traditionally a man’s world. Besides, I’m… I’m happy being a nurse. I still get to be in the operating room. I’m just not the one doing the operating.”

“You’d give up your dream just like that? There’s gotta be a way.”

“I told you. I’m happy with the way things have worked out. You want some more coffee?”

“Yeah. No… thanks. So, instead of being a world-renowned brain surgeon, you’re going to settle for being a County nurse, married to an accountant, living in the land of sunshine and smog. What are you afraid of, Kelse’?”

“I’m not afraid of anything, Johnny. What’s so terrible about my life, anyway? What’s wrong with wanting normal things, like putting down roots somewhere, with a husband who comes home to me every night?”

“Nothin’ wrong with it. If that’s really what you want. Are you going to marry him?”

“He’s not such a bad guy. You might even like him if you got to know him.”

“Is that what you want on your headstone? ‘Here lies Kelsey Winters, she settled for living an okay life with a guy who wasn’t so bad.’”

“Johnny, that’s mean.”

“I’m sorry, Kelse’. I just… I don’t understand why you’d settle for anything less than what you really want. Anything less than… than what you deserve.”

“What will yours say? ‘Here lies Johnny Gage, he lived life with his eyes wide open, but it killed him anyway.’”

“Well, no. I hope not. But, if it happens, I’d like mine to say ‘Here lies John Gage, he died the same way he lived. Doing something he loved.’”

“We aren’t all lucky enough to have the chance to do what we love. You know, you have to be careful. I’ve been blind sided more than once. Life has a funny way of tackling you from behind while you’re looking forward, Johnny.”

“I can take care of myself, and I got friends to watch my back.”

“You know, I… I’m sorry, can we… can we not have this conversation any more? There’s nothing I can do. Things aren’t going to change.”

“Kelse’, things won’t change unless you make them change. So, does… does that mean you’re going to say ‘yes’ to whatshisname? You know, I… I don’t believe in sleeping with another man’s woman. It’s not right.”

“Well, don’t worry, I’ll still respect you in the morning.”

“That’s not funny. I’m serious, Kelsey.”

“So am I. Johnny, I’m no man’s ‘woman.’ He doesn’t own me. The minute I say yes, if I say yes, is the minute I’ll be faithful. Until then, I do what I want, with whoever I want. And right now… I want to do it with you.”

“Then come sit in my saddle, sweetheart. I’ll give you a ride you won’t soon forget.”

“Bragging, are you?”

“You tell me. Here, grab onto my saddle horn and slide on down. There. How does it feel?”

“It feels good. Oh. Ooohhh. This is different. Oooohhhh. I kind of like… riding… on top.”

“Lord, Kelse’, you’re so hot and tight, you’re makin’ me crazy again.”

“Don’t… don’t stop. Oh, god, Johnny, I… I love it… when you… you touch me that way.”

“Kiss me again, then I want you to get up.”

“Are we gonna do it right here on the kitchen table?”

“Maybe later. Right now, I’m taking you back to bed. I want you the old-fashioned way, Kelse’. I want to be inside you when you come this time. I want you to come so hard you’ll think your insides are going to explode. I want to make you come over and over, and then I want to hear you tell me you want me to do it again. I want to fuck you until you can’t walk anymore, then come when I’m buried so deep inside you, you’ll feel it all the way to your toes.”

“Johnny?”

“Yeah?”

“Giddy-up, cowboy.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

They hadn’t fallen asleep until after the sun came up, then slept soundly until mid-afternoon. She’d promised to cover a friend’s shift that evening, and quietly crept out of bed, without waking him, to shower.

Kelsey stood under the shower head with the hot water shooting at her like fine-point needles glancing off her back. It hurt and felt good at the same time. It kind of described the way she felt all over. Johnny had been true to his word. Walking was difficult, but the cause of the discomfort had been well worth the price.

She reached for the shower head, adjusting it to a pulsating massage, feeling the muscles between her shoulders loosen as the water beat rhythmically on her back. She lifted her hair and leaned back a little, letting it knead the knots from her neck as well. Not that it was noticeable at the time, but getting screwed on the kitchen table, while great fun, had been hard on backside. They’d done the dirty deed in almost every position, in almost every room of her small apartment, even in a closet in total darkness. She thought that had been the best of all. Being unable to see each other heightened their other senses, and, while not the most electric, they had agreed it had been the most gratifying union of the night for both of them.

Feeling the soreness begin to wash away, Kelsey adjusted the shower head again to a fine, gentle mist. She lifted her face to the water, as the steam rose, filling the small room. It combined with the soft music on the radio to lull her into a state of total mental relaxation. She had never felt so complete as a woman. She and Johnny had talked and argued and laughed and made love for hours on end. It had been more than sex, just like he promised. Kelsey silently thanked his mother, wherever she was, for raising her son the way she did.

The softly falling water and swirling steam enveloped her in a cloud of tranquility. Feeling almost drowsy and lightheaded, Kelsey placed her hands against the wall in front of her, and leaned forward, closing her eyes, reliving every touch, every kiss, every emotion. Lost in her own world while the water caressed her, she didn’t hear him slip in behind her. Not startled, though, when she felt his hands glide down her back, she smiled to herself. The bathroom hadn’t been christened yet, but she knew it was about to be, and knew just how she wanted to do it. An intimate night of lovemaking would end the way it began -- in the most intimate way she knew.

Turning around to face him, she kissed him, then pulled away and put her fingers to his lips, then to hers as a signal not to talk. Kelsey held out his hand and poured some soap into it, then poured some into her own. Communicating only with their eyes, they slowly spread the soap over each other’s bodies in slow, sensuous motions. She loved the feel of his engorged member in her hand, and loved the glazed-over look in his eyes as she worked the soap into a foamy lather. Her own eyes glazed over when Johnny’s finger slid in and out of her with ease, while the fingers of his other hand circled her nipples until they were full and taut.

Guiding him under the water to rinse away the soap, she kissed him long and hard, keeping him from saying anything. She didn’t want words to get in the way of their last time together. Kelsey turned the water off and silently invited him to follow her outside the shower. Still dripping wet, she pulled him down onto the plush rug and pushed him onto his back, straddling him, kissing him passionately until he struggled for breath. Letting Johnny come up for air, she turned around so she was straddling him backwards, hearing his groan of pleasure once again as he pulled her down to him. His fingers instantly rubbed her into an explosive orgasm.

Johnny felt her take him in her mouth at the same time he slid his tongue into her. Tasting her triggered an ancient primal instinct, rooted deep in the male psyche, for sexual dominance, sending him into an frenzy of raw, overpowering lust. Grabbing at her, he roughly rolled Kelsey over onto her back and lifted her hips, penetrating her with brute force, ignoring her cry, slamming himself into her over and over until his own blinding orgasm erupted, leaving them both weak and spent and completely breathless.

Shaking so badly he couldn’t support himself on his hands and knees any longer, Johnny collapsed on top of her. Stunned, silent, they laid there, waiting for their racing pulses and pounding hearts to return to normal.

Kelsey finally started to squirm under his weight. Still requiring effort to lift himself, Johnny managed to sit up. Their eyes met -- his remorseful, asking forgiveness -- hers forgiving, offering understanding. Words were no longer necessary.

Johnny leaned his back against the wall, thoroughly exhausted. She crawled into his lap and they held each other for a long time.

“Kelse’?”

“Um-hmm?”

“Can I… can I talk now?”

“Sure.”

“I didn’t think it was possible, but I’m pretty sure you just busted this bronco. I think you need to turn me out to pasture for a while.”

She lifted her head, and smiled at him.

“Does that mean I can’t sell you for stud?”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Johnny, will you call me?”

They were standing in the bowling alley parking lot, where they’d left her car the night before. She felt like a nervous cheerleader again, having just given her virginity away underneath the bleachers to a high school football jock, knowing, while bragging of his conquest, the guy would never give her a second thought.

Fidgeting with his keys in his jacket pocket, Johnny finally looked at her. “I… I don’t think that’s such a good idea, Kelsey. After all, you’re about to get engaged. I don’t think he… Michael would appreciate it.”

She smiled at Johnny’s use of Michael’s name. “No, I don’t suppose he would.”

There was an awkward moment when he stared at the ground and didn’t say anything else.

“I… uh… I have to get to work, Johnny.” Tears pooled in her eyes. “I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything, Kelse’. Like I told you, the… the feeling’s mutual.”

“I know.” Her voice was almost inaudible.

Johnny took her in his arms and held her. Then he kissed her tenderly, and wiped the tears from her cheeks.

“Kelse’, you’ve got more important things to do with your life than spend your nights with someone like me. I’m just a fireman, and you… you’re special. You have a real talent… and I’m not talking about your talent in bed… I’m talking about what you could do with these.” He held her hands in his. “You shouldn’t let it go to waste.”

She gathered herself, and dried her tears. “It’s too late, Johnny. But, I love you for saying it. I wish things could be different. I… I’ve gotta go.” She kissed him one more time, then quickly got in her car, and rolled down the window. “I’ll see you around, huh? And, Johnny…?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you, Kelse’. You have a… a good life. Be safe.”

He got back into the Rover, and sat there for a few minutes, staring out the window, before turning the key in the ignition. He was worn out, and ready to head home to get some sleep. He had to be on duty again in the morning. Johnny saw her car turn the corner and watched the tail lights disappear from sight.

“It’s never too late, Kelse’,” he said quietly.

Johnny smiled to himself, knowing what he wanted to do.

-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-

She entered the quiet hospital room and moved to the bed. The professional nurse in her took in the drip of the IVs and the silent, steady blips on the heart monitor, before touching the shoulder of the other man dozing in the bedside chair. Dixie tried not to startle him.

“Roy, you should go home. It’s late. You’ve been here for hours. You must be exhausted. Johnny’s in good hands.”

“I know. It’s just… he… he was awake a little while ago. He was in so much pain he couldn’t even talk, but he hates the morphine, you know? Dix, they said he… Johnny never even saw it coming. He was working overtime at another station, and we… I… wasn’t there to cover his back.”

“It was no one’s fault, Roy. You know that.” Dixie pulled up another chair, and sat down, resting a comforting hand on his arm. “The paramedics that brought Johnny into the emergency room told me two people are still alive because of what your partner did. If I know Johnny, he’d say it was worth it.”

“Yeah. I suppose he would.” Roy looked at the envelope and the rose in her other hand. “You got a secret admirer, Dixie?”

“No, it’s for Johnny. Lauren, one of the ICU nurses, asked me to give it to him. She said it’s from Kelsey Winters. Do you remember her?”

“Yeah. Johnny was always disappearing upstairs to see her whenever he had a chance. He was crazy about her, but as far as I know, she never went out with him. When he told me she moved, I kinda kidded him about her leaving just to get away from him.”

“Well, he can be persistent, but Johnny knows the meaning of the word ‘no.’ Kelsey went home to Seattle about a month ago. Lauren said she started back to medical school last week. I was going to leave the letter here for Johnny to read when he’s feeling better, but Lauren said that Kelsey wanted me to read it to him, if he wasn’t up to doing it himself. You think he’d mind?”

“No, Dix…,” Roy smiled tiredly, “I don’t think he’d mind. Go ahead.”

Dixie laid the long-stemmed yellow rose on the bed, then opened the envelope. She looked at Roy one more time to make sure they were doing the right thing, before reading out loud.

Dear Johnny,

It’s raining in Seattle. It always rains in Seattle. I miss the sun, but it’s good to be with my folks again. It’s good to be home where I belong.

If you’re reading this, then it must mean you’re doing better. If someone else is reading it, then I pray that you’re still around to hear it. Lauren called me as soon as she heard they brought you in. She said it was bad, and thought I’d want to know. I’ll be talking to her every day to see how you’re doing.

Johnny, I didn’t mean what I said about your headstone. I understand now how important it is to do what you love, and know that life doesn’t reward you if you aren’t willing to take a few risks. I have you to thank for helping me see that.

I’ll always treasure the night we spent together. Not only did we have the most incredible sex I’ll probably ever have in my life...

Dixie hesitated for a second when she heard Roy clear his throat, but then continued, her smoky, subdued voice softly filling the otherwise silent room.

… but you also made me feel more like a woman, more like a person, than any other man ever thought of doing. I will always cherish you for that, and more.

I owe Dr. Brackett so much for the letters of recommendation. I had no idea he’d even written them. When he called me into his office that day, and gave me the letter from Dr. Hendricks, offering me a fellowship grant and a chance to return to school, he wouldn’t tell me how he had found out.

Johnny, words can’t begin to express how much this means to me. I know it was you who told Dr. Brackett. You were the only one who could have. I never would have had the courage to do this, if you hadn’t taken that first step for me. My only regret is that there wasn’t time to see you again before I had to leave.

I missed my chance to be a world-renowned brain surgeon at fifteen, but I won’t miss my chance to be a doctor by the time I’m thirty, thanks to you. I guess things can change, and dreams can come true, but only, like you said, if you make them. You believed in me more than I believed in myself.

I promise, I won’t let you down.

You need to promise me one thing, too. I want you to be here for my graduation. It’s still a few years away, so you’ve got plenty of notice to get the time off work.

Promise me you’ll make it, Johnny.

I hope you like the rose. I asked Lauren to pick out the prettiest one she could find. I know guys don’t usually get roses, but then there aren’t many guys like you around. Trust me, I know. By the way, I’ve listened to that song a hundred times since you told me to buy it. Every time I hear it, I think of you. The words are incredible, just like you.

You were right about a lot of things, but wrong about one. There will never be anything so important for me to do that I couldn’t spend another night, or a hundred nights, with you. You’re not “just” a fireman, Johnny. You’re an amazing lover, a special man, and a true friend that I’ll always keep in my heart. You have a soul mate out there somewhere. I wish it was me. Keep searching, and when you find her, be sure you never let her go.

Until then, you’re welcome to make me crazy any time you want, cowboy.

Remember me in your dreams.

Love, Kelse’

PS - Dixie, if you’re reading this to him, would you give Johnny a kiss for me?

Roy and Dixie sat in contemplative silence for a few minutes before getting up to go home. The letter had been a sobering reminder of the tremendous depth of Johnny’s character. So easygoing on the surface, it was easy for even his closest friends to forget that he was a man of many layers -- one who amused them with his quirky logic and endless enthusiasm, one whose personal history and intimate affairs remained steadfastly private, one who loved his job, and would willingly give his life to save a complete stranger.

Dixie leaned over the bed, and kissed him gently on the forehead. “That’s from women everywhere, Johnny Gage. And, another thing…, you’d better be at that girl’s graduation, young man,” she admonished softly, as his eyes fluttered open for a second, “or you’ll have to answer to me, and you don’t wanna do that.”

He nodded, and mumbled a confused ‘kay, before falling back to sleep.

Dixie turned out the light as she and Roy left the room, pausing for a moment to quietly call over her shoulder, “Sweet dreams, Johnny.”

She smiled when she saw he had the rose clutched in his hand.

-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-

Some say love, it is a river that drowns the tender reed.
Some say love, it is a razor that leaves your soul to bleed.
Some say love, it is a hunger, an endless aching need.
I say love, it is a flower, and you its only seed.

It’s the heart, afraid of breaking, that never learns to dance.
It’s the dream, afraid of waking, that never takes a chance.
It’s the one who won’t be taken, who cannot seem to give.
And the soul, afraid of dyin’, that never learns to live.

When the night has been too lonely, and the road has been too long,
And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong,
Just remember in the winter, far beneath the bitter snows,
Lies the seed, that with the sun’s love, in the spring becomes The Rose.

~Bette Midler~

The Rose

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