Standing on the back porch, Kate breathed deeply of the fresh air. Her arms were loaded down with firewood for the evening fire she had planned for her first night home, though her mind was on the call from Chris. I hope he does call tonight, she thought, while she gazed at the beauty surrounding her. Everything was green and growing, after its long winter sleep. 

Though she had a desire to enter into nature's realm, the heaviness of the wood begged to be put down. Kate had just turned to go into the house when she heard a car pull up out front. "Who could that be?" she wondered aloud. As she entered the house, she kicked the door closed at the same time a tentative knock sounded on the front door. Kate stood with the wood in her arms for a moment, wondering what to do first, drop the wood by the fireplace or answer the door. The second's indecision was quickly followed by a shake of her head. Of course I drop off the wood first ... where's my brain today?

Kate dropped the wood into the bin, as another knock sounded at the door. It was followed by a muffled conversation and the footsteps of someone leaving the porch. Kate walked over to the door, calling out, "Hold on ... I'm on my way!" 

She opened the door to a startled young man who had been looking off toward the end of the cabin. "Hi, is there something I can help you with?" Kate asked, when the man only stood there. 

Seeming unsure of what to do next, he smiled shyly, and said, "Hi ... uh ... could you wait there just a minute?" When Kate nodded, Lance ran to the end of the cabin and yelled, "Get back here, man!" As he calmly made his way back to the porch, he smiled again, "Sorry 'bout that. My friend thought you might be around back." 

"No problem," she said. "Would you like to come in while you're waiting for him?" Just then, a scrambling sound came from the end of the cabin, and a form came shooting around the corner. The man slid over the ground, then gained traction before racing to the porch. As he was taking the steps two at a time, his shoe caught on the top step, sending him sprawling in front of the two at the door. 

"You certainly know how to make an entrance," Kate said, as she reached down to give Chris a hand up. "Either that or you have a liking for bodily damage." 

Chris immediately pulled Kate into a hug, then kissed her briefly. "Hi Katie," he said, as he pulled away to introduce Lance. "This is Lance ... one of my best buds. Lance ... this is Kate." 

"Chris, she doesn't need any introduction," Lance said, while taking her hand. "From everything you've told me about her ... she couldn't be mistaken for anyone else. I'm very happy to meet you, Kate." 

Kate smiled as they shook hands, then moved back into the house while waving them inside. "Come on in you two. Make yourselves at home." They entered the house and Lance took a quick look around. He was subtly impressed by the atmosphere of the room. It made you feel welcome and at peace. 

Attempting to play the hostess, Kate began to show them to the couch, but Chris forestalled her by jumping over the couch and landed upon it in a lounging position. She shook her head while rolling her eyes. Lance stood staring at Chris, until Kate started laughing. Coming over to Lance's side, she patted his shoulder, "And you have to deal with him on a daily basis." Kate sighed dramatically, then said, "I don't know how you've retained your sanity." 

"It's been a hard-fought battle," Lance said, "but we try to keep him at a distance as much as possible." He grinned when an affronted 'hey' was heard from the couch. Lance took Kate's hand and led her to the chair sitting at a right angle to the couch, then helped her into it. "We asked management if we could have a truck with a cage on it for his traveling home, but they thought it would look bad," Lance said, as he pushed Chris' feet off the couch and sat close to Kate. 

"You do realize I'm here, right?" Chris asked petulantly. 

Kate and Lance pretended not to have heard him and continued with their conversation. "He does have a wonderful sense of humor, though. So, I should guess that it helps outweigh some of his more elaborate actions." Kate's lips twitched as Chris made another offended sound. Her hand gripped the chair arm where Chris was unable to see, and every time Chris showed his displeasure her grip tightened. 

"Yes, it does help," Lance said. He had turned himself so he was looking at her, and his face was hidden from Chris. "Though we still find it necessary to warn people about him before we allow him to meet them." Lance almost burst out laughing when Chris jumped up from the couch only to flop back onto it, giving up. Tears were gathering in Lance's eyes from the effort it took to keep his laughter from bubbling over. 

"I can see where that would be a problem," Kate said, then read Lance's lips as he mouthed 'I can't take much more' to her. She reached over and gently dug her fingernails into the arm he had propped on the arm of the couch, then leaned to the side and out of Chris' sight. 'Shhh ... you're gonna have me laughing,' she mouthed back to Lance, then said aloud, "I don't know how...." 

Chris pushed himself off the couch when she began speaking and cut her words off with his mouth as he kissed her. The kiss started as a silencing gesture, but soon the passion that burned within the two ignited, turning the touching of lips to a sensual dance. All time ceased while they were caught up in the erotic sensation. 

Lance leaned back on the couch, unsure if he should be feeling the peace he felt while watching his friend kiss the woman who held his heart. They had no idea that he sat there. Nothing mattered to either of them at that moment, only the touch of their lover's mouth upon their own. Though Lance tried to turn away, maybe even go into the next room, he felt held in place by the shear beauty of the moment. He was finally seeing the joy Chris had spoken of during the past few days. 

Several minutes later, Chris and Kate eased apart, continuing to look deeply into one another's eyes. A movement on the couch brought their attention back to the moment. Lance coughed to cover the silence that descended during the time it took for Kate and Chris to bring themselves back to the present. Chris knelt down on the floor in front of Kate, draping his arm over her knees. "Sorry about that, man," he said. "I ... uh ... well...." Chris looked at Kate and shared an abashed grin with her. 

"Yeah, Lance, we didn't mean to ... uh ... you know," she said, as a blush colored her cheeks. 

"Please, don't worry about it," Lance said. "I wasn't sure what to do, but now I can see why Chris was so set on coming back to see you. Not that I meant it was for sex ... I mean not only because of ... I mean ... oh hell." By the time Lance sputtered to a stop, his face was as red as Kate's. 

"Well, now that we're all properly introduced ... how about I get us some drinks," Chris said, as he stood and headed for the kitchen. He had learned where she kept everything he would need to fix them drinks when he had been there before, so, in no time, they each had drinks in hand. 

The fire Kate had started while Chris made the drinks, crackled cheerfully before them, as they made themselves comfortable. Kate was reclining against Chris on the couch as Lance relaxed in the chair Kate had occupied earlier. "I would have thought it would be too warm for the fire," Lance said, stretching his legs out, "but this feels great." 

As the day moved into night, the air outside the cabin had cooled making the fire a nice addition to the evening. It was one of those spring days when everything was warm and alluring while the sun was shining in the heavens, but turned a chill shoulder as the sun left the sky. Kate snuggled further into the curve of Chris' body, delighting in the touch of his arm draped around her. "I was already planning the fire, but this is much nicer," Kate said languidly. 

Chris squeezed her, then whispered in her ear, "I've been dreaming about being here with you." He kissed her lightly on the cheek, while he brushed his fingers over her shirt at her waist. 

They talked for a long time, speaking of whatever came to mind, and Lance found another reason to find Kate's company pleasurable. There was no artifice in her when she spoke. Her laughter filled the room many times during the hours they rested before the fire. Each of them felt completely comfortable saying whatever came to mind, which Chris took full advantage of by regaling them with many of the unusual thoughts that entered his mind. 

At the end of one particularly funny story, Kate was wiping the tears from her eyes when she noticed how late it had become. "Dag, I had no idea it was that late," she said, attempting to sit up. 

"Hey, it's only ten ... that's not so late," Chris said, pulling Kate back against him. A few hours would never be enough time to spend with Kate. Chris felt totally alive with her. Every aspect of his life was beginning to reform around her, making her a vital part of his existence. He wanted to stay right where he was for a very long time to come. Though his work was one of the most important things in his life and he would never give it up, he wanted to share it with her. 

"Chris it is pretty late," Lance said, after looking at his watch. "Maybe Kate has something she has to do in the morning?" 

"No, it's not that," she said quickly. "Actually ... you see ... I was going to suggest that the two of you could spend the night here tonight. If you wanted to, that is." Kate turned in Chris' arms, then looked at him questioningly. Seeing the answer she had hoped for, she turned to Lance. "Would you mind staying over? We could all go swimming or something tomorrow, perhaps even a cookout." 

Lance looked at the two of them, knowing what was going through their heads, and feeling completely out of place. "Hey, I could always drive home and come back tomorrow. I wouldn't mind at all," he said, then started to get up. 

Leaning down to Kate's ear, Chris whispered, "Could you give me a couple of minutes with him? I think I know what's wrong." 

Kate looked up and nodded, then kissed him lightly on the lips. "I'll be back in a bit. I don't know about the two of you, but my tummy is arguing with me. Would either of you like anything while I'm in the pantry?" As soon as both men answered in the affirmative, Kate left the room. 

"I know this has got to seem a little awkward for you," Chris said, as he leaned forward in his seat, "but I don't like the idea of you driving those roads at night. Besides, I'd really like you to stay. I like the idea of you getting to know Kate. You've tried to hide it, but I could tell you had reservations where Kate's concerned." 

"It's not as much reservations," Lance said quietly. "It's just worry. I don't want anyone to hurt you again." Lance matched Chris' position by sitting up so their heads were closer together. "I've really enjoyed talking to Kate, but I don't think I should be here when the two of you ... well, when the two of you need to spend some time alone together." 

"Afraid you'll learn something new?" Chris asked, grinning evilly. "I'm just messin', Dude." Chris patted Lance on the knee. "With four other guys living in close quarters over the years, you've already heard more than you probably ever wanted to." 

Shared memories of loud moaning and noises coming through the walls of hotel rooms had them laughing in seconds. As they calmed, the current situation came back to Lance's mind. "I'm just not sure I should be here. You and Kate need time alone ... you know ... to further your relationship. It's not like you've had a lot of time to do anything about it so far." A thoughtful look came to his face, then he shook his head. "I still find it incredible that your relationship has gone so far for the two of you in such a short time. You two haven't even been together more than a night." 

Chris grinned and shook his head in a dazed manner, "I know what you mean, bud. I think about it all the time." He stood and walked over to the fireplace, tracing his fingers over the small figurines lining the mantle. His voice turned thoughtful, "It shouldn't be possible that I could know her for a day, an hour, and know that she's someone I could happily spend my life with." Chris turned to look at Lance. "It scares the hell out of me sometimes, but then her face comes to my mind, and I hear her voice ... and I know. Everything feels so ... right." 

Lance stood and came to stand next to him. "Are you sure this is the same man who said ... 'If I ever even think about getting involved with a woman again, shoot me!'?" Lance grinned when a blush came to Chris' cheeks. Taking Chris by the shoulders, Lance said, "I really think it's wonderful that you've found someone who brings the light back to your eyes. I've been worried about you, but I think those days are over." Lance smiled, then pulled Chris into a hug. "I'm happy for you, very happy." 

"Thanks, Lance," Chris said, then pulled away. "So, you're gonna stay, right?" 

"Is the couch comfortable?" Lance asked, glancing at the furniture. "You know how sensitive my back can be." 

Shooting Lance an incredulous look, Chris said, "Your back? You could sleep sitting up in an airport waiting room, then jump up when they called the flight! And, I have no idea about the couch." Chris' grin was full of male satisfaction. "So, you'll just have to find out for yourself!" 

Lance laughed, as he walked back to the chair beside the couch and sat down. "Uhm ... has Kate taken up residence in the pantry for a reason?" he said, looking at the pantry door. Kate had done as Chris had asked and given him time to talk to Lance, but her excuse left her standing in the pantry until they were done. "You might wanna check on her, maybe the doors stuck." 

"Actually, I asked her to give me a chance to talk to you," Chris said, then headed toward the pantry. "I didn't expect her to stay in there until called, though." When he reached the door, he leaned against the wall, and knocked on the door. "S'alright?" he said in a cartoon voice. 

From inside the pantry came, "S'alright," in the same voice. 

Chris opened the door, then said, "Butter?" 

"Parkay," Kate said, as she poked her head through the doorway. She glanced over to Lance who was steadily shaking his head with a look of 'Oh Lord, there's two of them' on his face. Kate came out of the pantry, and Chris took her in his arms, hugging her tightly to him. "Everything okay?" she asked quietly against his ear. 

"Yeah, everything's fine," Chris said, then kissed her on the side of her neck. 

They slowly pulled away from each other, and Kate asked them, "So, what do you guys wanna eat?" Kate reached back into the pantry and grabbed the few things she had pulled off the shelves for their meal and showed them her bounty. "I picked out this stuff, but I can change it if there's something else you'd prefer." 

"Baby, we're men," Chris said. "If it's food ... we'll eat!" 

"Speak for yourself, Chris," Lance said, as he came over to where Kate and Chris stood. "Those look great, Kate. Here, let me take 'em. I'll give you a hand getting everything ready." 

"I'll just go sit, nice and comfortable, in front of the fire while you two work," Chris said, smiling at them. He crossed toward the couch with Lance and Kate following him with their eyes. 

"If he thinks I'm going to wait on him hand and foot ... he's nuts," Kate said to Lance. Raising her voice, she said, "Well, baby, you get nice and comfortable. Lance and I won't mind you watchin' us eat." 

In seconds, Chris was by her side, "Okay, okay ... I'll help!" 

The three of them worked together in Kate's small kitchen, creating a meal to share at the cozy dining room table. Ingredients spilled over the counter and onto the floor when Chris got a bit enthusiastic with the seasonings. Lance was taking the jug of milk from the refrigerator as a grin covered his lips. Casually, he opened the freezer and grabbed a piece of ice, then walked back to where Chris was stirring steaming mashed potatoes in a bowl. 

Chris put down the spoon when Lance sat the milk on the counter. Before Chris touched the jug, Lance slipped the ice down the back of Chris' shirt. The resultant high-pitched scream and dance was a sight to behold. Chris had tucked his shirt into his pants, so the cube slid along the skin right about the waistband of his jeans. "Oh, oh! Damn, that's cold!" Chris said, as he pulled out his shirt. When the cube struck the floor, Chris rubbed his back trying to bring the warmth back. "I can't believe you did that," he said, facing Lance. 

Backing up with his hands before him, Lance said, "It was too good to pass up! Chris ... man ... come on ... it was a joke..." Chris had walked calmly over to the sink and filled a cup with cold water, and was stalking Lance around the dinning room table. Hoping for assistance from Kate, Lance called out to her, "Kate ... help! He's gonna get me!" 

Kate leaned back against the counter with her arms crossed over her chest. "You started it, why should I help you? Long as you guys don't wreck my house or get everything wet ... go for it!" Kate said, laughing. She went back to the stove and was just taking the meat from the oven when she heard water hitting something behind her. Turning around, she saw Lance wiping water from his eyes and face while Chris stood by with a satisfied smirk. "If you two are done playing, I think supper is just about ready." 

Coming up behind her, Chris wrapped his arms around her waist and hugged her into the curve of his body. He sighed happily after breathing in the scent of her hair. "I could get used to this," he said, squeezing her gently. 

Turning her face toward his, she said, "So could I." The look in her eyes and the smile on her lips touched Chris in a way no other had. She turned in his arms, then put her own around his shoulders, while pressing herself into his body. "It feels so nice to be able to hold you, but ... if we keep this up, Lance is going to be eating alone." 

Chris swatted her on the behind, "Then let's get this food to the table." As Kate turned and passed in front of him, Chris thought, Though my appetite has turned to a far more enjoyable dish. If she heard me say that, she would kick my butt. When Chris chuckled, Kate looked back over her shoulder at him, and stuck out her tongue. He smiled devilishly at her, then followed with another dish in hand. 

Lance came from the table to grab the glasses of ice and the drinks they had each chosen for dinner. As he passed Chris, he said, "You're smiling like a Cheshire cat. Are you sure you're gonna make it through supper?" 

"Just get the drinks to the table, man," Chris said, shaking his head, then moving to pull out a chair for Kate. When he had her seated, he leaned down and kissed her gently, before taking a seat next to her. "Shall we get down to the meal?" 

The three ate in silence until the greater part of their hunger was abated, then returned to the conversation they had enjoyed in front of the fire. Between laughing and eating, they spent a while at the table. When all were full and leaning back in their chairs, they discussed who would do the dishes, eventually opting to put them in dishwater and leave them for the morning. 

Throughout the meal, Chris and Kate had been touching beneath the table, each touch bolder than the last. Before supper was over, both of them were ready for something other than what lay on the table. 

Chris pushed back from the table, then grabbed his plate and glass and took them to the counter. A heated glance over his shoulder to Kate had her quickly following suit. Lance stayed where he was, and smiled. He had noticed the heated looks and surreptitious touches during the meal, and was betting with himself on how long it would be before they were setting him up with bedding for the couch. 

Lance pushed back from the table and took his dishes to the counter, "That was a great meal, even if we did let Chris cook." They all chuckled and Chris rolled his eyes. 

"At least he didn't burn anything," Kate said with a side-long glance at Chris. She turned on the hot water, then held her finger under the flow until it heated. 

"What is this? Pick on Chris night?" Chris asked, then nudged Lance in the ribs. "For that, you can get the rest of the dishes from the table." 

Kate put the dish tub in the sink, letting it fill part of the way with hot water before putting in the soap. When Chris would have dropped one of the plates into the water, she took it from him. "Don't splash," she said, slapping his hand. 

"How about I take this over for you, and you go get Lance some sheets, blankets, and a pillow?" Chris said, his arms snaking around her waist. "I want to spend some time with you ... alone." 

"He told you he would go home, but you asked him to stay," she said quietly, while leaning back against him. Kate put a few more dishes in the tub. 

"I seriously didn't want him driving those roads at night," he said, shrugging. "I just don't know what to do with him now that he's here. Especially when my mind is on a different type of dish." Chris' overly seductive voice was followed by a nip on Kate's neck. 

Kate butted Chris away suddenly, then turned in his arms, "That's definitely not the way to say ... 'I want to make love to you'." Since she had pulled her hands directly from the dishpan, her hands left wet prints on his shirt when she again pushed him away. Kate crossed the room in the direction of her bedroom, but continued down the hall. 

Chris watched her go with a look of frustration clouding his eyes, as he leaned over slightly from the contact she had made against a rather sensitive part of himself. Slowly straightening up, he grimaced then adjusted his pants.  "I can't believe I did that," he said aloud. 

Placing the last of the dishes on the counter, Lance asked, "Whatcha do now ... and why are you all wet?" 

"I'll explain later," Chris said, then patted Lance on the shoulder absently before heading after Kate. He found her leaning against the wall near the doorway at the end of the hall. 

When his shadow crossed over her, she looked in his direction, then turned away. "Chris, I don't think I should talk to you right now." She turned her back on him. 

Chris curled his hands around Kate's shoulders. He felt her stiffen under his touch, but rubbed them anyway. "I'm sorry, Kate," he said, then bent his head to the back of hers. "I'm always saying things that I don't really mean, or saying things without thinking about it first. I ... I guess it's a defense mechanism most of the time. People are always trying to get 'close' to me, but they don't understand that I don't feel comfortable letting all of them that close. I let my outward personality rule ... that way, they see what I want them to see, the mask I put on. Only problem is, I forget how easy it is for that mask to slip into place. I end up hurting the people I ... care about." Tension was radiating off him in waves. It was more than a desire to get her into bed; it was a need for her to understand and forgive. 

She sighed deeply, letting the stiffness melt away. Kate knew she was as guilty of hiding behind a mask as he was, if not more so. There was no way she could hold his actions against him, when seen in that light. "I'm sorry, too, Chris," she said, reaching up and covering his hands with her own. "I don't know why I'm so sensitive tonight." 

Turning her in his arms, he speculated, "Maybe it's because everything seems to be moving so fast between us?" She shrugged briefly, while looking over his shoulder. After taking her chin in his hands and bringing her eyes to his, he said, "It has been moving fast ... really fast. If you're anything like me, you're probably feeling pretty scared right now." She smiled slightly, then opened her mouth to speak. "Let me finish," he said, grinning to take the sting out of his words. "I let my mask come out instead of facing what I'm feeling ... the attraction ... the desire ... but even more, it's the feeling of being home, of everything being right." 

"So, it's not just me?" she asked. He shook his head. "I thought ... well ... that it was just me, that I was expecting too much ... kind of like I was making more of what has happened between us than I should." Kate's head tilted as she smiled. "Since you came to into my life, things have been crazy, and, though we haven't spent much time together, it's been as if you're always with me. That didn't make any sense," she said, as she shook her head and laughed quietly. Her hand, which had crept up to his chest while she spoke, moved to caress his cheek. 

"It makes more sense than you know," Chris said. "How about we go get Lance settled for the night so we can talk without worrying about him sitting in the living room by himself?" 

"Now, I didn't expect that," Kate said, "I thought he would be the last thing on your mind." The devilish look in her eyes and grin on her lips showed the joke it was. 

"Okay, you caught me. I'm not all that worried about him, I just don't want him interrupting our talk when he's looking for a blanket," he said, then put his arms around her. As he hugged her to himself, he said, "I want you all to myself for a while." He leaned back from her enough to look deeply into her eyes. "I want you." The desire in his eyes took her breath away. 

Pulling away and taking Chris by the hand, Kate said, "I think Lance is getting tired ... didn't he just yawn?" 

"I believe you're right," he replied. "Feed that boy and he's down for the night." Both were laughing as they went back to join Lance for a moment. 

In no time, Lance was comfortably ensconced on the couch with all the blankets he could need for a night in the dead of winter. After they had dropped off the covers, Kate had wished him a good night, then had gone into the bedroom. Lance took off his shirt, shoes, and socks, then slipped under the covers before trying to draw Chris into an explanation of what had been going on. Chris only grinned and asked him if he was comfortable, before he too bade him good night. 

The fire was banked, but still a cheerful glow in the darkened room. Lance lay back with his arms behind his head. Hmmm, maybe I should turn on the stereo, he though to himself, as he heard the door to the bedroom close. If they start getting a little too ... vocal ... I will. He laughed quietly, then turned thoughtful. For a while there, I figured Chris'd messed it up for both of them, but ... looks like it's gonna work out just fine. Lance turned over toward the fire and smiled while watching the dancing flames. 

---

Copyright © 2000-2001 Virtual Mirage ... All Rights Reserved