Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 Title: Bring on the Wonder Ch.  01


Summary: Their love was unexpected but strong and deep.


Keywords: inc,fic





   She knew her twisting and writhing body would overload his senses.  He
grasped her hips and tried to still her movements but she let out a cry of
protest.  Her body undulated beneath his and he clenched his jaw.

   "Are you trying to kill me?" His words were interspersed with grunts as
he continued to thrust.

   She giggled, the sound dying on a gasp as he moved hard and fast for
several strokes.  She laid her hands over his, where he held her, and kept
her gaze locked on his.

   He loved looking down into her flushed face as he slid in and out of her
tight sheath.  He adored the way she bit her lip or the way her eyelashes
fluttered when he struck just the right spot deep inside.  He drank in the
sounds she made, gritting his teeth to stave off orgasm a little bit
longer.

   She knew him as well as he knew her.  She knew that when she clenched
her muscles around him, it would take him to the brink in an instant.  She
knew it would make him stretch himself out above her, so their bodies would
rub together for those last few, hard strokes.  Her arms would go around
his shoulders, her heels would dig into his ass and he would moan her name
while rubbing his lips over the skin of her ears, neck and chest.

   He recognized the mischievous look in her clear-blue eyes.  "Don't do
it."

   "Don't do what?"

   "You know what."

   But it was too late.  He felt the first flutter of her insides clenching
around him.  His movements faltered.  She did it again.  His arms began to
shake and they both knew he was seconds from sprawling over her body,
letting their naked and sweaty skin slide together as he fucked her to
climax.

   Then she squeezed again and he moaned her name, sliding down to wrap his
arms around her.  She kissed his face as her arms went around his
shoulders. Her feet slid up his legs to wedge in tight against his ass and
still she was tightening her pussy around his rigid cock.

   "God, Lizzie, you feel so fucking good, so tight..."

   She sighed into his ear and a shudder rippled up his spine.  She traced
it with her fingertips, rocking her pelvis up and against him as he kept
moving in her.

   "Does it feel good, Nate?  Hmm?  You like how wet and hot I am for you?"

   He couldn't nod, couldn't speak, couldn't do anything but keep thrusting
his cock in and out of her perfect body.  She kissed his face and lips,
stroked his back and all the while kept whispering naughty things in his
ear.  When she felt his breathing quicken, her voice faded and she let her
head fall back against the pillow to watch him.

   He looked into her face, her beautiful, rosy-cheeked face, the face he'd
known and loved his whole life.  He took in the sight of her tousled hair,
strands sticking in sweaty clumps to her forehead, her sparkling eyes,
filled with passion, and her lips, forming the words that always sent him
over the edge.

   Today was no exception.

   "Lizzie!" he cried and arched as he started to come.

   He shot his load into her, emptying more and more of himself with every
pump of his hips.  She held him close, her arms and legs tight around his
body.  He could feel her lips on his skin as she continued to press
affectionate kisses to his cheek and chin.

   When he caught his breath, he turned his face and kissed her on the
mouth.  "I love you, Lizzie."

   She smiled.  "I love you, Nate."

   He buried his face against her neck and she squeezed him with all her
limbs.  Then he shifted and slipped free of her body.  He kept his arms
around her, drawing her with him as he rolled to his back.  She draped
herself over his chest with a contented sigh.

   "I could stay here like this all day."

   Lizzie's laughter stirred the hair on his chest.

   He tickled her side.  "Why are you laughing?"

   "You say that every time we make love."

   "I mean it every time."

   She propped her chin on her hand and smiled into his eyes.  He reached
out and brushed the hair from her face.

   "I know you mean it.  I wish we could stay in bed all day too." She laid
her cheek back on his chest.  "But we have to go to Winnetka." Her eyes
flicked to the clock on the bedside table.  "Ugh.  And we'll have to leave
in less than an hour if we're going to be on time."

   "Who cares if we're late?"

   "Dad might."

   Nate closed his eyes.  She was right, of course.  His father was all
about punctuality and sticking to commitments.  "Fine.  We'll get ready."
He opened his eyes to see Lizzie watching him.  "But we'll save time if you
shower with me."

   She laughed as she moved to her knees and pushed his chest with one
hand. "You've got it, my love.  Now get that sexy ass in the bathroom
before I change my mind."

   Not one to pass up an opportunity, Nate scrambled from the bed, Lizzie's
bright laughter chasing him.

   Showering together probably didn't save time but it sure was a hell of a
lot of fun.

   ****

   Later, in the car, Lizzie fidgeted more and more the closer they got to
the house.  She gnawed on a thumbnail until Nate reached over and took her
hand in his.  She didn't look at him.  Couldn't.

   It was always the same.  She could never shake the nerves that consumed
her when they went to Winnetka.  She was always afraid they would all look
at her and Nate, and see it.  They'd see right away what they'd been up to
and judge them.  Nate always tried to reassure her but it did little good.

   "We won't stay late, Lizzie."

   She nodded, still unable to look at him.  If she looked at him, if she
took in the way his dark, brown hair flopped onto his forehead - because he
hadn't gone for a haircut in months - it would make her tell him to pull
over so she could run her fingers through it.  They both enjoyed that. 
Then his brown eyes would grow darker and she wouldn't be able to keep from
kissing his perfect, full lips.  After that, it would be mere minutes
before he'd be inside her, moving, bringing them both pleasure.  By the
time they'd get going again, it would be even later and they'd arrive with
kiss-swollen lips and the scent of sex all around them.

   So instead, she kept her eyes on the road ahead and he held her hand. 
They drove the remaining twenty miles like that, silent, fingers tangled.
Then he turned onto that old familiar block and she flicked her hand away
from his.  He let her go and she knew he wasn't hurt.  He was too used to
it after so many months.

   They rounded the bend and he turned into the long, shaded driveway. 
They parked and eyed the old brick-faced house with matching expressions.
Then Nate looked at her, and Lizzie looked back at him.

   "Let's go."

   She nodded and climbed out of the car.  Nate walked up to the house, not
waiting for her.  She reached into the back seat to grab the pie she'd
promised to bring, and followed Nate up the walk to the front door just in
time to see Ingrid almost bowl Nate over.

   "Whoa!" Nate laughed and caught the little girl around the waist.  "Slow
down."

   Ingrid laughed and squirmed in his grasp as he moved a few more steps
into the house.  Lizzie followed and shut the door behind her.

   "Hi, Lizzie!" Ingrid all but shrieked.

   Cringing at the little girl's tone, Lizzie managed a wink for her.  "Hi,
Ingrid."

   "Did you know it's my birthday?"

   Nate laughed and tickled the little girl's sides.  "Everyone knows it's
your birthday, squirt.  Why do you think we got all dressed up?"

   "Auntie Clara says it's because Uncle Davis makes you."

   Lizzie and Nate exchanged a look and nodded.  "Auntie Clara is very
smart."

   "Auntie Clara is Mom to you, young man."

   Nate grinned at the older woman who came down the hallway, dusting her
hands off on her floral apron.  "Hey, Mom."

   "Ingrid, I think your father wants to show you something in the
backyard."

   Nate set the little girl down and she bolted down the hall.  He turned
to his mother to give her a hug.  "You look lovely."

   "You look thin.  Are you eating?"

   Nate pulled back to give her a wry smile without answering.

   Clara turned to Lizzie then and grinned.  "Sweetie, you remembered the
pie!"

   "Of course." Lizzie hugged the older woman as she scooped the pie from
her hands.

   "But you couldn't remember to make your brother get you both here on
time?" Clara said, her eyes flicking towards Nate.

   Lizzie felt the word like a whip cracking across her shoulders.  Her
spine snapped straight and she shot a wide-eyed look at Nate.  Nate gave
her a narrow, knowing smile in return and she knew he understood.

   "Mom, we're only five minutes late."

   "Five minutes late isn't on time, is it?" Their mother tossed them both
another accusatory look before turning to walk away.  "Why you don't find
your own place to live now is beyond me, Elizabeth.  You can't live with
your brother forever, you know."

   Her voice trailed off as she rounded the corner and headed for the
kitchen.  Lizzie looked up at Nate as he moved closer and managed a weak
smile.  He reached out and wrapped his fingers around hers, giving them a
comforting squeeze.  She wanted to throw herself into his arms and run away
and never come back.

   Well, that wasn't entirely true.  She loved all of her family and she
loved her brother, Nate, most of all.

   "Lizzie, will you come help me in here?" Their mother's voice carried
down the hall and Lizzie jumped, jerking her hand out of his.

   She hurried away from the foyer to help their mother in the kitchen.

   ****

   In fact, they were half-brother and sister.  Nate is the only son of
Davis Allen Whittenberg III.  Davis' first wife had been diagnosed with
breast cancer when Nate was a baby.  She'd lived until he was three before
passing away.  For another two years, it was just Nate and Davis.  Then,
while overseeing the grand opening of another Whittenberg hotel and spa
resort, Davis had met Clara.  She'd been impervious to his advances at
first but when she'd first laid eyes on Nate, precocious and pensive Nate,
she'd been a goner.  She'd become a mother in that moment.

   Davis had been reluctant to pursue a relationship with her after finding
out how taken with his son she'd been.  He'd thought it was some elaborate
ploy to get him to propose.  When they'd met, Davis had only wanted a
dalliance.  After seeing how Clara acted with Nate, he worried that she
wanted something more.  As they got to know each other, and he got to see
how Nate opened up with Clara's nurturing, Davis realized Clara was the one
for him.

   They got married when Nate was six and when he was almost seven,
Elizabeth Anne was born.

   Nate had loved her from the very first time he'd laid eyes on her.  She
was so cute with her scrunched up face, wailing every ten minutes for milk
or a diaper change.  She smelled delightful and felt so soft and light in
his arms whenever he'd held her.  From the first moment, he'd wanted
nothing more than to protect and love her.

   She loved him back, he knew.  She'd happily played his games and tagged
along to the park or to play basketball in the driveway.  She loved digging
up worms to go fishing and she never grew tired of playing catch.  When
she'd started to become more interested in boys as something other than
playmates, Nate had become her self-appointed bodyguard.  He supposed it
was around then that she started to dislike him.

   They never stopped loving each other.  Siblings always loved each other.
It was a rule.  But she started to avoid him, give him one-word answers
about her day at school, and when he went away to college, she rarely
called or sent him letters.  He didn't mind so much.  College was a new and
exciting experience.  He had more than enough to occupy his days - and
nights - and what young college man wanted to think about his baby sister
when he had so many other activities to look forward to?

   When Lizzie turned sixteen, he came home for the party and brought his
girlfriend to meet the family.  Lizzie spent much of the party squealing
and laughing with her friends, or making eyes at Thomas, the boy she liked
from her math class.  Nate spent much of the day receiving impromptu gropes
from his girlfriend.

   When Lizzie turned eighteen, Nate was abroad, traveling with a group of
male friends and couldn't make it back for her party.  He called her on her
birthday, but the line was crappy and he was pretty sure she'd been
drinking.  He remembered thinking that their parents must have let her try
champagne, just like they had for him on his eighteenth birthday.

   The two of them stayed in touch over the ensuing years, as she chose a
college and while he settled into his career.  They saw each other at
holidays and special occasions and grew to become friends as well as
siblings.  They didn't tell each other their deepest, darkest secrets but
they were close enough that when Lizzie needed a place to stay after
graduating from college, Nate didn't mind offering his place.

   Now, in the house they'd grown up in, with their little cousin, Ingrid,
clapping in excitement over her mound of presents, Nate didn't know how the
entire family didn't see that they were in love.

   Maybe it had something to do with the fact that they hadn't spoken since
arriving and barely even looked at each other.  Maybe everyone was so
distracted by Ingrid's enthusiasm over her eighth birthday that they didn't
care about the electricity crackling in the air every time Lizzie slid past
him to go into the kitchen.

   Nate's fingers clenched around his bottle of beer and he slammed back
the last half with a grimace.

   "You all right, son?"

   Nate glanced over to see his father standing beside him.  He swallowed
around the bitter taste in his mouth and nodded.  "Why?"

   Davis shrugged.  "You seem tense.  How's work?"

   Nate smiled.  His father thought being an accountant was boring but
stressful, usually around tax season.  Nate was a contracted accountant for
a few large companies and several private clients and enjoyed his four day
work week with all the benefits of a sixty-hour week.  "It's great, Dad. 
Really."

   "Are you sure you're not working too hard?"

   "No.  I work a forty hour week, I've told you that.  Sometimes less."

   "Are you making enough money?"

   Nate laughed and clapped his father on the shoulder.  "I don't make as
much as you but that doesn't mean it's not enough."

   Davis nodded and patted Nate's hand before glancing around the room at
the rest of the family.  "I'd forgotten what it's like to have little kids
running around here."

   He sounded almost wistful.  Nate glanced at his father before looking at
Ingrid and her two brothers, twin three-year olds, named Flotsam and
Jetsam. Or at least, that's what Nate called them.  His aunt, Clara's
younger sister, Juliette, had named them John and Theo in reality.

   "You're not going to start badgering me about grandkids, are you?"

   "Good lord, no." Davis smiled at that.  "I'm not ready to be called
Grandpa just yet.  And besides, you're not even seeing anyone right now."

   That wasn't true but Nate nodded and let his eyes wander over the
family. Lizzie sat on the other side of the room, speaking in low tones to
their Uncle Phil, Juliette's husband.  As he watched, Phil said something
that made Lizzie toss her head back and laugh.

   Nate had to look away or risk sprouting a boner right there beside his
dad.  He couldn't seem to control himself when it came to Lizzie.  She'd
smile, wink or toss that glorious head of mahogany brown hair over her
shoulder, and he became a blithering idiot.  He muttered something about
getting another beer and beat a hasty retreat from the living room.

   He stood alone in the kitchen for several minutes, a fresh bottle of
beer in his hand.  He stared out the window over the sink and sipped the
drink but his mind was a million miles away.  Lost in his thoughts, he
didn't hear someone approach from behind and when the hand landed on his
ass, he jumped about a mile.

   Spinning, he scowled at his half-sister who gave him an impish wink in
return.  "What the hell is wrong with you?"

   "Relax, everyone took the kids outside to play." She smiled and moved
closer, the warmth of her body making his skin prickle.  "We're alone,
Nate."

   He swallowed with some difficulty as she lowered her hand to stroke the
front of his belt.  "Lizzie, don't." He covered her hand with his and
cleared his throat.  "We can't, not here."

   She gave him a pouty look through her dark lashes and he shook his head,
trying to remain calm.  She ignored his protest and cupped him through his
pants.

   "Lizzie!" Nate darted sideways out of her grasp and slammed the bottle
on the counter.  "What's gotten in to you?  You were nervous as hell when
we got here.  Why the sudden change?"

   Her cheeks turned pink and she caught her bottom lip between her teeth.
Nate could see the nervousness and apprehension come back into her eyes as
they stared at each other and he felt like an ass for snapping at her.

   "I know." Her voice was low as she spoke and she twisted her hands
together in front of her.  "I just...  I wanted to feel close to you, just
for a minute." She spread her hands, palms up, and shrugged.  "It's so hard
being here around everyone and wanting to tell them how happy we are.  But
our happiness would just upset everyone."

   That was the understatement of the year.  Nate could see how torn up she
was and he knew the same thing was reflected in his eyes.

   "I wish we could be here like our parents, or even Phil and Juliette."

   "They fight all the time."

   Lizzie smiled and shrugged again.  "But they also hold hands and give
each other looks when they think no one else is looking." She looked down
and away from him for a long moment.  When her face turned back to his, her
eyes shone with moisture.  "I want that, Nate.  I want to be in love with
you, in front of everyone else."

   Her words, the tremor in her tone, made Nate's insides twist.  He'd
never expected their lives to take this turn but it had and they were
helpless without each other.

   "I do love you, Lizzie." He stepped closer so he could put his arms
around her.  "I love you with all my heart and I wish we could do the same
things."

   She rested her cheek on his chest and wrapped his arms around his back.
"Yeah?  Like bicker and tease and then steal kisses whether or not someone
is looking?"

   "Yup.  Just like that."

   They fell silent, listening to each other breathing.  Nate bent his head
and kissed her hair as she rubbed her hands over his lower back.  Then
lower.

   "Lizzie..."

   She turned her face to his chest to silence her giggle but she didn't
stop touching him.  She squeezed his ass and he knew she could feel his
erection pressing into her stomach.

   He pulled back far enough to look down into her face.  "We don't have
time for anything."

   As if to punctuate his words, the voices and noise rose outside as
someone opened the back patio door.  The two of them spent another second
in each other's arms before moving apart with reluctance.  When their
mother came into the kitchen, Lizzie was looking in the fridge for a drink
and Nate was staring out the window again, hiding the tent in his pants.

   "Are you two going to come outside?" Clara asked without looking at
them. She bustled over to the tray of snacks left on the counter and lifted
it.  "It's a beautiful day."

   "I'll be out in a minute, Mom." Lizzie glanced over her shoulder.  "I'm
just trying to decide what to drink."

   Clara tsked at her.  "Well, hurry up and decide, Elizabeth.  There's
enough air conditioning in this house without you adding to it."

   As the older woman turned to leave, Lizzie made a face that Nate saw. 
They shared a smile and Lizzie closed the fridge door when their mother
disappeared.  They waited another few seconds while Clara went to the back
door and left.

   After that, it was if something snapped between them.  One second, they
were on opposite sides of the kitchen, the next, they were in each other's
arms.  This was no chaste hug.  Their mouths were seeking, their tongues
thrusting, and their bodies coming together.  Nate turned and pressed her
against the counter.  She twisted her mouth from his to moan his name and
Nate caught her chin in a firm grip.

   "If you want this, you have to keep quiet, you understand?" His voice
was low, a growling whisper and she shuddered at his tone but nodded.

   Then he covered her lips with his and silenced her for good.  His hands
went to her hips and he started to bunch up her skirt.  When his fingers
pushed between her thighs, he found her slick and so hot.  And she wasn't
wearing any panties to get in their way.

   It was his turn to break their kiss.  He gave her a searing look and
slid his free hand up to her hair to tangle his fingers in the long
strands. "Look at me."

   She opened her eyes and Nate loved seeing the way she looked at him,
desire fogging her gaze.  He pressed his lips to hers, keeping his eyes
open.  "I want to look into your eyes when I make you come."

   She shuddered.  "Please, yes."

   He had never been one to deny her anything.

   He twisted his fingers in her and stroked the contours of her damp core.
She whimpered and Nate moved his hand from the back of her head to cover
her mouth.  Her eyes flashed to his and narrowed.  He stared into her eyes,
watched as the motions of his fingers made her lose focus.  She squeezed
her eyes shut and lifted her hand to clutch his wrist.  She didn't pull his
hand away and he could feel the clenching of her fingers as she got closer.
He didn't slow down.  He did exactly what he knew she needed to come hard
and fast.  Still, when she did, he trembled with the force of his desire
for her.

   She pushed herself against his hand, making muffled sounds of pleasure
against his hand.  Then he felt her squeezing tight around his fingers and
his senses went into overload.  If he'd been touching himself or inside of
her, he'd have come minutes ago already.  As it was, it wouldn't take much
to make him go off.  But this wasn't about him.  He stroked her, firm and
sure, and felt her trembling and convulsing increase as she started to
climax.  He kept his hand over her mouth as she rode the wave.

   As she came down, Nate stepped back, listening to the wet sound of his
fingers sliding away.  He adjusted himself in his pants and watched with
narrowed eyes as Lizzie half-turned from him, straightening her skirt.  She
gave him a sweet little smile that damn near broke his heart.

   "Was that what you wanted?"

   Her eyebrows lifted at his question and she shook her head.  "Not
exactly."

   His expression must have shown disbelief because her smile widened and
she brushed a hand down the front of her skirt.

   "Don't get me wrong, Nate, I want all of you, any way I can get you, but
this wasn't what I meant when I said I wanted to be in love in front of
other people."

   Nate pressed his lips together into a thin line.  Lizzie saw his look
and frowned.

   "Are you mad at me?"

   "No." Nate shook his head and turned away.  "Yes.  I don't know."

   "What's going on?"

   "I don't know, Lizzie.  I just...  I want to be free to be together too.
But this is what we have." He turned and gestured with widespread hands at
the kitchen.  "Quick gropes in the middle of an empty room."

   "You didn't want to do that just now?"

   If that didn't take care of his uncomfortable arousal, nothing would
have.  The note of hurt in her voice made Nate want to punch something. 
Maybe himself.  He took two quick steps and clutched her arms.  Lowering
his head, he met her gaze.

   "You listen to me, Elizabeth Anne Whittenberg.  I want you every minute
of every day.  I want you in my sleep and when I'm trying to work.  I can't
think of anything but burying myself in you over and over again, no matter
where I am or who's around me." He drew in a deep breath.  "And I love you,
with everything in me.  I don't ever want to let you go.  Do you
understand?"

   Tears filled her eyes again but she nodded and gave him a tremulous
smile.  "I love you, too, Nate."

   "I know."

   He kissed her forehead and let her go.  Without another glance, he
walked out of the kitchen and into the bathroom.  He couldn't face his
family just yet, not with the scent of her lingering in his nostrils.  At
least when he joined the family, they'd be outside in the fresh air.

   Out in the hall, he heard Lizzie shuffle past and a moment later, the
patio door opened and closed.  Leaning his palms on the counter, he stared
hard at his reflection and cursed himself for the way he'd reacted in the
kitchen.

   He'd been a jackass to Lizzie when he knew she was already feeling
vulnerable.  He shouldn't have allowed that to happen in there, and he damn
sure shouldn't have made her feel unwanted or unloved.

   Ever since they'd started this...  thing between them, he felt like he'd
been unable to get anything right.  He knew the situation was all but
hopeless but then a moment like the one in the kitchen came along and he
couldn't seem to help himself.  He meant every word he'd said to her.  He
never wanted to let her go.  He didn't think he could.

   ****

   Lizzie joined the family in the garden and bent to kiss her father on
the cheek before taking a seat next to him.

   "Where's Nate?" Davis glanced at the patio doors.  "Is he all right?"

   "I guess so.  He's just in the washroom, I think."

   They fell silent and Lizzie adjusted her seat.  She couldn't concentrate
on anything going on in front of her, not with the sensation of what Nate
had done still lingering.  With every move she made, she could feel the
moisture between her thighs and she'd feel lightheaded all over again.

   "How is he doing, Elizabeth?"

   Her father's voice brought her back to the present and out of the
kitchen.  "Who?"

   "Nate." Davis smiled and patted her hand.  "I know you probably live
your own lives and everything, even though you're in the same house, but he
seems a little off today."

   "Off?" Lizzie hoped her face revealed nothing.  For all their family
knew, they were nothing more than ships passing in the night.  "I don't
know.  He seemed fine to me."

   "Hmm.  Is he working a lot?"

   "Dad, I don't know." Lizzie lifted her shoulders in a nonchalant shrug,
hoping he'd buy it.  Then she told herself not to worry about it so much.
There was no chance the family would ever suspect what was going on.  "I
work, he works, we talk sometimes.  He seems fine."

   Davis looked over at her and nodded.  "You're right.  I'm probably
worrying for nothing." He squeezed her hand and smiled.  "I can't help
worrying about both you kids."

   Lizzie had to laugh at that.  "We're not kids anymore."

   "To me, you'll always be my little girl."

   Lizzie softened and leaned over to hug her father, thinking that he
wouldn't still call her his little girl if he'd known what she'd just been
doing with his first-born in the kitchen.

   "You're an old softie."

   Davis chuckled.  "Don't tell Phil.  He'd never let me hear the end of
it."

   "Don't tell me what?" Uncle Phil sank into the chair on the other side
of Davis.

   Lizzie sat back on her chair and smiled at the other man.  "Nothing,
Uncle Phil.  Just father-daughter talk."

   "How is Ingrid enjoying her birthday party?" Davis asked.

   Phil groaned.  "I think she's having a little too much fun.  Juliette
had to make her take a time out."

   "Uh-oh." Lizzie looked over at her mother, Juliette, and the children.
Juliette had a hold of Ingrid who was on the brink of a colossal meltdown.

   "How are Flotsam and Jetsam?"

   Lizzie's heart flipped at the sound of Nate's voice as he walked out
onto the patio.

   "They're fading fast, I'd say." Phil leaned forward and rested his
elbows on his knees.  "I think we're going to get ready to go soon."

   Before he'd even finished speaking, a shriek rose from the garden and
they all looked over to see Juliette holding Ingrid's hands while the girl
wailed.

   "That's my cue." Phil pushed himself to his feet and hurried into the
garden to help his wife.

   "Thank God you two weren't like that," Davis said and a few minutes
later, the family approached with three squirming, whiny children.

   Lizzie and Nate exchanged a look over their father's head and Lizzie
felt a flush of warmth.

   "Thank you guys so much for hosting the party." Juliette had to raise
her voice over the din.

   Lizzie hid a smile and stood up with her father and brother.  They all
walked into the house, trying to talk and say their good-byes over the
sounds of screaming children.  Apparently John and Theo couldn't let their
big sister cry alone so it was a cacophony of screams.

   Phil gave a cursory wave to everyone before taking the boys out to the
car first.  Juliette stood Ingrid on her feet and bent over to speak to her
daughter in a firm tone.

   "Ingrid, you have to say good-bye and thank your aunt and uncle for
having a birthday party for you."

   Ingrid pouted, red-faced, and refused to look at her mother.

   "Ingrid.  Be polite now."

   After another long moment, Ingrid sniffled and turned to Clara and
Davis. "Thank you for my party."

   Clara bent low to embrace the little girl.  "You're welcome, sweetheart.
Be a good girl now, and we'll see you soon."

   Ingrid managed a smile for her aunt and uncle.  Juliette hugged and
kissed everyone before heading out to the car with Ingrid.

   "Well, that was fun," Clara said as the four of them stood on the front
step watching their relatives drive off.  She turned to Lizzie and Nate. 
"Do you have to run or can you both stay for coffee?  And maybe dinner?"

   Nate glanced at Lizzie before answering.  Lizzie lifted one shoulder to
indicate that she didn't care if they stayed or went, even though ten
minutes ago she'd wanted nothing more than to get away from here.  While
they remained with their parents, they couldn't be themselves with each
other.  However, they didn't have any reason not to stay.

   "Sure, Mom.  I could go for a cup of coffee."

   They all walked back into the kitchen together.  Lizzie helped her
mother with clean-up and the coffee, while Davis and Nate hovered by the
table.

   "It feels like I've hardly spoken to you today, Elizabeth.  How's work?"
Clara smiled at her daughter as she turned on the taps over the sink.

   "It's good, Mom.  Busy though." Lizzie grabbed a towel.  "I'm behind
this week on a few manuscripts but that's because I had to take a couple
sick days." She worked at a publishing house as a cover artist.

   "You've been sick?"

   No, I just wanted to stay home to be with my brother, Mom.  Lizzie
swallowed and gave her mother a weak smile.  "Just overtired, I think.  I
had the sniffles early in the week and opted out of work for a couple days
to catch up on sleep."

   "Don't overdo it, dear.  You have your whole life to work.  There's no
reason to push yourself so hard.  You've only been out of college for what?
A year?"

   "About that, yeah."

   "Well, regardless, you're only twenty-three, Elizabeth.  You should be
spending just as much time going out and dating as you do working."

   Lizzie had to laugh.  All her life, her mother had been a staunch
advocate of education and early curfews.  Growing up under that sort of
restriction had been no fun but now, later in life, Lizzie could appreciate
what her parents had done.

   "What's so funny?" Davis walked over to kiss his wife on the cheek.

   "Mom was just telling me that I need to party more and work less."

   Everyone laughed at that, even Clara.  She gave her daughter a
mock-stern look before flicking soapy fingers in her direction.

   "Mom!" Lizzie laughed and dodged out of range, only to bump into her
brother.

   Nate caught her in his arms and let her go in a moment.  But she'd felt
the heat of his touch and their eyes met over her shoulder.

   Then Nate cleared his throat and moved away to sit at the kitchen table.
Lizzie forced herself not to look at him as she went back to helping her
mother with dishes.  Idle chatter rose in the kitchen and Lizzie felt
herself begin to relax.

   Minutes later, she sat at the table with her fingers wrapped around a
warm mug and couldn't help but be aware of Nate sitting beside her.  She
wanted to touch his hand, or his arm.  She wanted to run her foot up the
inside of his pant leg and give him a sexy look that no one would think
twice about seeing.

   Her heart ached for all these things and for the complications that
prevented them from having that.

   At one moment, Nate did look at her and she felt the brush of his toes
against her foot.  His mouth quirked at the corner and she knew he was
giving her a look that he hoped she'd like.  She did.  So much more than
she probably should.  Her look back to him very clearly told him that she
knew what he'd meant by it.

   God, what are we going to do?

   ****

   They left after dinner and on the drive home, Lizzie held Nate's hand,
sliding her fingers around and through his.  She craved this closeness with
him after the long day of pretending they were nothing but siblings to each
other.

   When they got home, they went up to their bedroom without saying much of
anything.  Nate left the overhead light on while Lizzie turned on the lamp
on her nightstand.  As Nate unbuttoned his shirt, she stood by the bed for
a minute.  She stared down at the covers and wondered how they'd ended up
here.

   She knew exactly how.

   With a small sigh, she turned to her dresser and reached up to take her
necklace off.  She heard Nate approach and smiled in the mirror over the
dresser as he came up behind her.  His strong arms came around her waist
and he rested his chin on her shoulder.

   "Are you all right?"

   She nodded.  "Yeah."

   He kissed her neck and she leaned back against him.  He squeezed her
once, hard enough to make her gasp, and then shifted back.  She felt his
fingers slide up the insides of her arms and back down her sides, over her
ribs.  He wasn't trying to tickle her but she shivered at the tender
caress.

   "You're so beautiful." He pressed another kiss to her neck and shoulder.

   She smiled and turned her head to meet his lips with hers.  "I think
you're pretty awesome too."

   He chuckled and kissed her before lowering his eyes to his hands.  She
felt him tug the zipper at her back and drag it down.  He eased the straps
off her shoulders and the dress fell from her body.

   She turned around and lifted her arms to his shoulders.  "I love you,
Nate.  So much."

   "I know, Lizzie.  I love you, too."

   They stayed like that for a long minute, just holding each other. 
Lizzie savored the feeling of his naked body pressed to hers and sighed as
he rubbed his hands up and down her bare back.  Then he bent and scooped
her into his arms.  He turned, took two steps, and laid her down the bed.

   He stood and stared down at her.  She smiled and beckoned him with a
finger.  He didn't need to be told twice.  Crawling into bed, he wrapped
his entire body around hers.  She turned to press her face to his chest and
let out a contented sigh.

   Right here, right now, this was what she wanted.  It was what she
needed. Maybe it wouldn't last forever and one day, they'd both want more.
For now, it would have to do.

   ****

   EIGHT MONTHS AGO

   Nate looked up from his newspaper when Lizzie stormed into the house. 
She muttered to herself and slammed a few doors.

   "Lizzie?"

   "What?"

   Nate stifled his laughter at her tone.  In the past few months, he'd
grown used to her mood swings.  She was an artiste and lived like one.  He
didn't mind.  Ever since he'd suggested she live with him until she could
save enough money to settle on her own, he'd been glad for doing it.  He
loved her and loved having the company.

   He set the paper aside and stood up.  When he walked into the kitchen,
he found her dumping her purse and laptop case on the kitchen table.  He
leaned against the doorjamb with a smile.  "Tough day?"

   Apparently it was the wrong thing to say.  She turned on him with
narrowed eyes.

   "I don't need your crap right now, Nathaniel." She whirled away and
opened the fridge.  She faced him again with a drink in her hand.  "You
want to know about my day?  Lose the smirk."

   Nate raised his eyebrows at her use of his full name but pasted on a
sober face.  "I'm sorry, Lizzie.  What happened?"

   She let out a noisy sigh and jerked a chair out from the table.  Nate
crossed the room to sit down with her.

   "I've told you about Curtis, the editor from the science division,
right?"

   Nate nodded.  He recalled every story Lizzie had related about the
stubborn, sexist copy-editor.  He was a med school dropout who now thought
he owned the publishing house, or so it seemed from the way Lizzie spoke of
him.

   "The bastard made a pass at me today."

   Nate felt his shoulders and neck tense up and he didn't even notice he'd
clenched his hands into fists.  "Oh.  Really?"

   "Yes!  The perv stood at my desk and ogled my tits while suggesting we
go to karaoke night at the bar downstairs." Lizzie jumped to her feet and
paced around the kitchen.  "He wouldn't even listen when I said no thanks."

   Nate snorted.  "Why were you so polite?"

   She rounded on him with a glare.  "Because I've only been there for four
months.  I didn't want to get into it with a senior editor!"

   "You can't just let him keep doing this.  What was it he said to you
last week?"

   She sucked in a breath and clenched her fingers around the bottle in her
hand.  "He asked if I could feel how tight my skirt was."

   Nate narrowed his eyes and shook his head.  "Fucking degenerate."

   "I know, right?!" Lizzie threw herself back into the chair and dropped
her head onto folded arms.  "What am I going to do?"

   Nate leaned over and took her hand in his.  "Come on, Lizzie-bean."

   "Ffmm-mhh-thmm." Her arms muffled whatever response she was trying to
give him.

   Nate tugged her hand.  "What?"

   She sat up.  "I said, don't call me that."

   "Sorry.  I couldn't understand you all around the self-pity."

   "Screw you."

   Nate chuckled and squeezed her fingers.  "Come on.  You're a smart girl.
I'm sure you can come up with some way of deterring him."

   "Yeah?  Like what?  Turtlenecks and wool slacks for the rest of my
career?"

   "Not exactly." Nate tried to picture his pretty, voluptuous sister
covered with frumpy clothing and couldn't.

   They fell silent as they considered.  Then Nate slammed his free hand on
the table, eliciting a startled yelp from Lizzie.

   "I have a client who used to be a college football player."

   Lizzie's dark eyebrows shot up to her hairline.  "Wow.  That's... 
impressive, but I thought we were still talking about my problems."

   "We are."

   "Nate, if this is some roundabout way for you to come out of the
closet-"

   "Hey!" Nate dropped her hand to the table with a thump.  "I am NOT gay."

   Lizzie stared at his face for a second before bursting into laughter. 
"God, you should see your face."

   He scowled and sat back to cross his arms over his chest.  "Is it
something like this?"

   "No, it was more like this." She pointed and affected a goofy
expression.

   Nate wanted to push her laughing ass right out of her chair.

   "Oh, Nate, I'm sorry."

   He scoffed and looked away.

   "I am.  I'm sorry.  What were you going to tell me about your... 
client."

   Nate glared for another moment before responding.  "His name is Lance.
He played football in college so you can probably imagine how imposing he
would be."

   Lizzie nodded, but looked confused.  "I still don't see what this has to
do with me."

   "Why don't I talk to him and see if he'd be up for pretending to be your
boyfriend?"

   "What?  Nate, you're crazy!"

   "Why?  He can pretend to date you and come by your office a few times.
You could even arrange a visit for those times you know Curtis will be
around."

   Lizzie laughed but stopped short.  Nate watched her and could see the
wheels turning in her head.  "You know, that might just work."

   Nate nodded.

   "He could be very possessive and jealous.  Give every man in my office a
dirty look.  I wouldn't want to single Curtis out."

   "Why?  Are you being harassed by others?"

   "Not exactly.  He's definitely the most persistent and disgusting."
Lizzie pondered for another moment before jumping up and hugging her
brother.  "Thanks, Nate.  I can't wait to meet him."

   Nate hugged her back with a smile.  He had no idea at that point that
his life would be turned upside down in just a few short weeks.

   ****

   As promised, Nate talked to Lance and when the other man agreed, Nate
gave him Lizzie's mobile number.  He didn't see his sister for a couple of
days after that, as he had a company function late one afternoon and she
was out for a couple of nights with friends.  The next time he saw her, it
was as she was coming home.  First thing Saturday morning.

   He sat at the kitchen table, drinking his coffee and reading the morning
paper when he heard the lock on the front door click.  Looking up, he
listened as the door creaked open and he heard Lizzie's careful footsteps
on the hall carpet.

   With a grin, he waited until she'd locked the door again and started to
walk down the hall.  When she walked past the kitchen doorway, he called
out.

   "Good morning!"

   She screamed and Nate heard a few thumps and clatters as her purse and
whatever else she'd been carrying scattered on the floor.  She stomped into
view and glared at him.  "Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

   Nate raised his eyebrows but didn't respond.  He lifted his coffee mug
to his lips and took a sip as he eyed her appearance.  She was wearing a
work outfit; a straight, dark skirt with pinstripes and a fitted, lavender
blouse.  However, the front of her blouse was buttoned unevenly and he was
pretty sure her skirt was on backwards.

   Noticing the direction of his gaze, her eyes narrowed further and she
tugged at the hem of her blouse.  "What are you doing up so early?"

   "What are you doing coming home so early?" he countered.

   "I...  I asked you first."

   Nate chuckled at her stammer.  "I'm usually up this early on Saturdays.
You're the one who likes to waste half the day lounging in bed."

   Lizzie rolled her eyes and walked into the kitchen to get herself a
coffee.  Nate remained silent as she fished out the sugar and cream.  When
she faced him again, she looked less on edge.  She walked over to sit down
across from him.  "I don't think of it as wasting half the day.  It's more
like catching up on sleep."

   Nate laughed at her logic.  "Sure.  Whatever you say." He laid the
newspaper aside and rested his elbows on the table.  "So?  Fess up.  What
were you doing out all night?"

   "If you must know, I was out with a guy."

   "Really?" Nate hoped he sounded less shocked to her than he had to his
own ears.

   "Yeah.  We met up for dinner and drinks after work and we just got to
talking..." She waved a hand in the air as her sentence trailed off, a
dreamy look crossing her pretty face.

   A vague feeling of unease settled in Nate's stomach.  He swallowed,
unsure of what it was.  "So you...  talked all night?"

   Lizzie's gaze focused on Nate again and she shook her head.  "Not
exactly." She pointed a finger in his direction.  "And get your mind out of
the gutter, Nate.  I didn't sleep with him."

   Well, you didn't sleep here.  He just managed to keep the words from
escaping.  It was a little too much like something an angry parent would
say, which would just be weird.

   He cleared his throat and met his sister's direct look.  "What's his
name?  Don't tell me it's Curtis from the science department."

   She laughed and shook her head, her shoulders hunching in a mock
shudder. "Good lord, no.  Never.  Not in a million years." She sipped her
coffee before going on.  "It was Lance."

   It took Nate a moment to process that.  "Lance.  Lance Jorenson?  My
client?"

   "Do you know any other Lances?"

   Nate gaped at her.  "Lizzie, I suggested you meet and pretend to be a
couple around your office, not all Friday night when Curtis wouldn't even
be around!"

   Her expression was surprised before she frowned.  "Well, he called me on
Tuesday, after you guys had talked and we spent almost an hour on the phone
that time." She paused and smiled, her fingers twisting around the handle
of her mug.  "I called him back after work and we talked for another couple
of hours before deciding to meet up for coffee.  Then we met for lunch on
Wednesday and Thursday, and talked both those nights too."

   "How do you go from that to sleepovers?" Nate realized he was starting
to sound more and more neurotic with each word but his vague feeling of
unease had become a gut-wrenching sense of this being wrong, all wrong!

   Lizzie stared at him.  "It's usually how these things go.  What's the
big deal?"

   "I only introduced you two so he could pretend to be your boyfriend to
get pervy Curtis off your case.  You guys aren't actually supposed to
date."

   "Why not?" Lizzie scowled at him.  "He's single.  I'm single.  He's
funny and good-looking and he thinks I'm sexy."

   "Sexy?!" Nate just about choked on the word.  He felt his face heat up
and his skin prickled as he broke out in a sweat.  Is it hot in here?  Did
I turn the heat up this morning for some reason?

   "Yes.  Sexy.  He told me that last night.  Several times."

   "Stop!  Just stop right there." Nate jumped up and paced around.  "I
can't believe you, Lizzie, going home with some guy you hardly know.  Don't
you know how incredibly stupid and dangerous that is?"

   "Excuse me, but I'm an adult, Nathaniel, and I don't need you lecturing
me on how to date guys, OK?" She stood up and brushed past him on her way
out of the kitchen.  "Lance is coming to pick me up later and we're going
out again.  If you don't want to know about it, then stay the hell away."
With that, she stormed off.

   Nate stood in the kitchen, staring after his sister and wondered what
the hell had just happened.  He shoved his hands through his hair and
turned to look out the window.  He liked Lance, he seemed like a good guy.
Since he was Lance's accountant, he also knew the guy had the means to
treat his sister well.

   Why, then, was he reacting this way?

   He shook his head, no answers forthcoming.  Maybe it was because he'd
never really been around his sister while she dated.  They'd only been
living together for a short while, both of them so busy with work that
social lives had taken a back seat.  Before that, he'd been working while
she was in college, then before that, he'd been the one in college while
she was in middle and high school.  Maybe it was just his latent big
brother tendencies kicking in.

   Better late than never.  A rueful smile touched his lips and he sighed.
Scrubbing a hand down his face, he wandered back to the table and picked up
his half-finished coffee and dumped the remainder down the sink.  After
that, he went upstairs to shower and change.  He needed to get out of the
house before he picked another fight with his sister.

   ****

   PRESENT DAY

   Nate woke sometime during the night and found that Lizzie wasn't in bed
with him.  He sat up and rubbed his eyes with one hand.  As his eyes
adjusted to the dimness in the room, he saw that there was light coming
from the hallway and Lizzie had left the bedroom door open behind her.  He
swung his legs over the side of the bed and switched on his bedside lamp.

   After he stopped squinting in the sudden brightness, he located his
pajama pants and stood up.  He went to find Lizzie but he already knew
where she'd be.  A few weeks after she'd moved in, she'd asked if she could
turn his den downstairs into an art studio.  He never used the room as he'd
converted one of the upstairs bedrooms into his office instead.  So he'd
agreed and she'd made the small space entirely her own.

   Most of the time, Nate avoided the room.  It often appeared to have been
hit by a hurricane or tornado or rampaging elephant.  Or all of the above.
When she left the bed in the middle of the night like this, he knew where
she could be found.

   Tonight, the room looked much the same as it always did, except with
less light.  Lizzie had turned on one lamp by the window seat that looked
out over the back yard.  She was seated there, her back against the wall.
She wore one of his button-down shirts and probably nothing else, though
Nate couldn't tell for sure from the way she was sitting.  She turned to
smile at him as he approached and lifted her face for a sweet kiss.

   "Hey you."

   He smiled and sat down facing her, his back leaning on the wall.  "Hi,
sweetie.  What are you doing down here?"

   She shrugged and glanced down at the big coiled sketchpad in her lap. 
Nate followed her glance and noticed that her fingertips were black from
the charcoal she'd been using.  "I'm just drawing some dreams."

   "Yeah?  What kind of dreams?" Nate was always interested to hear about
his sister's dreams.  She would tell him such interesting tales in the
morning.  Sometimes, he didn't know if he could believe her.  Then she'd
sketch something, or paint it, and he'd get to see what she'd seen in her
sleep.  It was always a fascinating trip.

   She shrugged again, her smile slipping.  "Dreams of us."

   Nate's stomach clenched at her words and the look on her face.  It was
how he felt a lot of the time.  Hopeful and yet lost, all at once.  What an
impossible situation they were in.

   "I like when you dream of us."

   Her dark eyes lifted to meet his and she nodded.  "I do, too."

   They fell silent for a long moment and simply stared at each other. 
They communicated so much without words.  When Lizzie looked away, Nate
felt more hopeful than lost for a change.

   As Lizzie scratched and rubbed her fingers over the drawing on her
sketchpad, Nate took the opportunity to look around the room.  One wall was
covered with shelving that had once been used for his books and reference
volumes.  It was now littered with rags, paint containers, brushes of every
imaginable size and not a few books on art.  Against the other wall were
several canvases of all different dimensions.  Some were blank and some
covered in colorful swirls.  On the floor all around the room were easels,
small tables, a few chairs and stools and even more canvases laid out.

   To Nate, there was no order to this room, no form.  He used to itch
whenever he'd walk by the open door, wanting to tidy the room up, even a
little bit.  He'd refrained and even grown used to it.  He could sit in the
room, like now, with Lizzie and not be bothered at all.

   Well, for the most part, he pondered and narrowed his eyes at the rags
heaped on one corner of a desk, several brushes poking out at random in the
pile.  It was all ready to topple to the floor at the slightest touch.

   Lizzie nudged his foot with hers.  "Stop glaring at my ordered chaos,
Nate."

   He scoffed and turned to her.  "There's no order in here.  It's just
straight-up chaos."

   "I know exactly where everything is whenever I need it.  That's
ordered." She looked around, her hands stilling against the paper in her
lap.  "Well.  Sort of."

   Nate chuckled and nudged her foot in return.  "Be honest, sweetie. 
What's really keeping you up so late?"

   She sighed and brushed her fingers over a line on her drawing.  She
scraped the side of the charcoal in her hand up the page and then stopped.
With a gentle exhalation, she blew off the page and handed it over to Nate.
"I dreamt that you and I were together in that place."

   Nate took the pad and looked at the scene she'd created.  There was a
long stretch of driveway with a few trees shading one side.  At the top of
the picture was a lake, shining somehow, even on plain paper with charcoal.
Between the drive and the lake was a small house, with one door, one window
and a lonely chimney, churning smoke from the top.  "It looks..."

   Lizzie tilted her head to one side and crossed her arms over her chest
while she waited for him to finish his thought.

   Nate glanced at her, then back at the picture.  "Rustic."

   "Remote, Nate.  It's remote.  There's no city, no neighbors, not even a
single animal nearby." She let out a noisy, frustrated sigh.  "We were
there alone."

   "Lizzie, sweetie, I know what you're going to say-"

   "Really?" She jumped up from the seat and walked a few steps away before
turning back to face him.  "You know I'm going to say that what we're doing
is crazy?  Hopeless?  Complete and utter insanity?"

   Nate sighed and set the pad down on the seat.  He turned to face his
sister but didn't rise.  "Lizzie..."

   "Don't tell me it'll all work out." She wasn't moving or crying.  To
Nate, she looked resigned.  "We know there's no happily ever after for
this. In the stories, Hansel and Gretel don't ride off into the sunset to
get married."

   Nate fought the sudden urge to laugh.  "Well, that all depends on where
you read the different variations of that story."

   Lizzie narrowed her eyes but started to laugh a second later.  "God, I
hate it when you make me laugh even when I'm upset."

   "Really?  That might work in my favor then.  I am only an accountant,
after all.  I can't compete with all the comedians and football players
you've dated."

   Lizzie laughed again and walked over to him.  Nate lifted his hands and
rested them on her hips as she came to stand between his legs.  "I never
dated a comedian."

   Nate lifted his eyebrows.

   She smirked.  "And the football player wasn't all that funny.  Sexy,
and-"

   Nate shut her up with a kiss.  She laughed against his lips but her it
dissolved into contented murmurs as he delved into her luscious mouth. 
They savored each other for a long minute before stopping to catch their
breath.  Lizzie exhaled and rested her forehead on his.  He closed his eyes
and listened to the ragged sounds of their breathing.

   "I'm so scared, Nate."

   "Scared of what?"

   She shrugged.  He opened his eyes to see her big blue eyes staring right
into his.  "Scared of losing you."

   He slipped his hands around to her back and pulled her down until she
straddled his lap.  "Am I going somewhere?"

   "You know what I mean."

   He did know.  He made light of it when he could because it was his way
of coping with the same fear.  If they could joke about it, then it wasn't
a real concern.  They could pretend it was like being afraid of thunder or
moths and not a fear of having your beating heart ripped from your chest.

   "I love you, Lizzie."

   Tears slipped over her lashes and ran down her cheeks.  He brushed his
cheeks over hers, catching the moisture.  God help him, but her skin was so
soft and warm.

   "I love you, too."

   He turned his face and kissed her wet cheek.  "I can't live without
you."

   She gave him a weak smile.  "I know.  We already went through that once,
remember?"

   "How could I forget?  It felt like I'd had my legs taken from me." He
reached up with one hand and brushed the hair back from her face.  "My
legs, arms, most of my vital organs."

   Her smile widened a fraction and she kissed him.  "I'm familiar with the
feeling."

   "I don't want to lose you either which is how I know we're going to
figure this out."

   That pained expression crossed her face again but Nate kissed her,
kissed the look away.  When he pulled back a moment later, she still looked
upset, so he kissed her again.  He slid his tongue past her lips, teased
hers with it and retreated.  He did that over and over, twisting their
mouths together with a hand holding the back of her head until her face
relaxed into desire.

   "Nate..." she whispered against his lips and wrapped her arms around his
neck.  "I need you."

   He didn't need to be told twice.

   Reaching between them, he found her wet and hot.  She gasped as he
spread her open and he plunged one finger inside.

   She rocked on his hand, throwing her head back and clutching his neck.
He grinned as he watched her reaction, pushing and pulling his hand until
her moisture was coating his fingers.  When he felt her body tightening,
barreling towards that release she craved, he jerked his hand away and
fumbled at the waist of his pants.

   Lizzie dropped her head to watch him as he pulled his cock out.  Without
waiting for an invitation, she took hold of his rigid length and aimed him
right where she wanted him.  Then she pulled herself down on him, covering
and surrounding him with sudden, silken heat that made his eyes roll back.

   "God, Nate, that feels...  so good."

   "Umhmm," was all he could manage.

   She rolled her hips and squeezed.

   "Jesus, Lizzie." His eyes flew open to see her wicked grin.  "Don't. 
I'll go off way too fast."

   "Maybe I want you to." She did it again and Nate dropped his hands to
dig shaking fingers into her hips.

   "Lizzie, please."

   She leaned closer, pressing their chests together.  The contrast of her
bare legs and covered torso against his bare chest and clothed legs wasn't
lost on him.  She licked the outer edge of his ear and breathed hot breath
over the damp line she'd made.  "Maybe I want you to come, Nate.  I want it
now.  I want to feel you let loose inside of me.  I want to walk upstairs
and feel you dripping down the insides of my thighs."

   Every one of her whispered words jolted him until he no longer felt that
he had control of his body.  He moved her hips up and back, then slammed
himself up as he brought her down again.  She buried her face in his neck
and met his every move.  He could feel her inner muscles tensing around him
but as her breathing stuttered, she lost all rhythm, just as he did.

   They rode the crest of the wave together then, coming apart while
wrapped up in each other's arms.  Nate turned his head and gave her neck a
gentle bite.  She squeaked in surprise but cupped the back of his head as
he soothed the tiny hurt with kisses and licks.  All the while, their
bodies kept moving, straining to release every last drop of sensation.

   After a time, Nate lifted her into his arms and carried her from the
room.  He carried her upstairs and back to their bed.  Then he stripped
them both naked and traced every curve of her beautiful body with his mouth
and tongue.  By the time he got back to her lips, she was moaning and
begging to be claimed again.  So he did, his mouth covering the mark he'd
made on her neck, making it more noticeable.  Making it so that anyone
looking at her would know that she belonged to him.

   ****

   EIGHT MONTHS AGO

   Lizzie fumed in her bedroom as she got ready for her night out with
Lance.  She'd been replaying her argument with Nate over and over in her
head since it had happened.

   Who does he think he is, anyway?  Even Dad didn't give me this hard a
time when I first started dating.  Those thoughts and other, less
complimentary ones, crossed her mind along with all the words they'd spoken
in the kitchen.

   She tried to turn her mind to the evening ahead as she walked into her
bathroom.  She'd been having a wonderful time getting to know Lance.  He
was kind, courteous with that old-fashioned Southern charm, funny, and
hotter than hell.  The fact that he could hold her off her feet with one
arm was a major turn-on as well.  Her face heated as she recalled other
ways he'd turned her on just the night before.  Even though they hadn't
'gone all the way,' they'd been very creative with their time alone.

   A knock sounded on her bedroom door, jolting her from her memories.

   "What?" She didn't bother sounding polite.

   "Can I come in?"

   Lizzie stared at the mirror over the sink and made a face.  She let out
a noisy sigh and walked out into the bedroom.  "Fine."

   Nate opened the door and poked his head in.  He smiled, a look she
didn't return, before stepping all the way in.  "You're not ready yet. 
When's Lance coming?"

   Lizzie's eyebrows rose in surprise at his tone.  He sounded genuinely
interested.  Or at least, he feigned interest.  "He said he'd be here at
seven."

   Nate nodded and looked her up and down, a glance that left Lizzie
feeling a little off.  She became acutely aware that she was standing there
in her snug shorts and tank top.  She crossed her arms over her chest and
gave Nate a pointed look.

   He cleared his throat and looked away.  "I'm sorry I reacted the way I
did before.  When I introduced you and Lance, I didn't think you'd actually
end up liking each other."

   Lizzie laughed.  "Really?  You'd hoped we'd hate each other?"

   "No, not hate.  I just didn't...  I didn't think one way or another
about it.  I guess I didn't consider the possibility of him liking you that
way."

   Lizzie's smile disappeared and she scowled.  "Why?  Because no straight,
good-looking, well-off guy would ever like me?"

   "What?  No.  No!  That's not what I meant."

   "Then what did you mean, Nate?  Because I'm a little lost here."

   They stared at each other for a tense minute.  Nate's eyes dropped first
and Lizzie threw her hands up in the air.

   "What's going on?  Do you not want me here anymore?  Is that it?"

   "No." Nate paced around her room for a minute, pausing by her dresser to
look over her assortment of pictures.  "I like having you in the house with
me.  It feels less empty."

   Lizzie blinked, surprised by his words.  "It felt empty because you
bought a two-story, five bedroom, three bathroom house.  For yourself."

   Nate faced her.  "I know.  I think I bought it for the family I assumed
I'd have one day."

   "Are you lonely?" Lizzie came forward and hugged her brother.  "Nate,
you'll find someone great one day."

   He laughed and hugged her back.  "'One day'?  Thanks for the pep talk,
Lizzie."

   She turned her head to kiss his cheek.  "You will.  I mean, maybe you
should stop working ten-hour days, six days a week for a start."

   "That means a lot coming from someone who spends most nights scribbling
in her art room until three in the morning."

   Lizzie laughed and pushed him in the center of his chest.  "That's not
work.  That's my passion."

   He wiggled his eyebrows at her and she pushed him again.  "Your passion
seems to include former football players now."

   She rolled her eyes and walked over to her closet.  "He's a great guy,
Nate.  I like him." She turned back in time to see him frown and then try
to hide it.  She decided to ignore that look and faced her open closet.  "I
don't know what I should wear tonight."

   "A turtleneck and wool slacks?"

   "Hardy har har."

   Nate let out a noisy sigh and came to stand beside her.  "Whatever you
wear, be comfortable.  It could be another late night, from the way you
were talking earlier."

   Standing so close to her brother, Lizzie looked at him.  He was staring
at her clothes and reached out to brush through the hangers, the same
unreadable frown on his unshaven face.  His face was so familiar and yet,
the way he'd been acting today, and the expression on his face, was
suddenly foreign.  Lizzie eyed his fingers slipping over and between her
clothes as she considered.  Maybe he'd not been himself for longer than one
day.

   "If you want, I can cancel with Lance." The words were out before she'd
even thought about them.

   Nate whipped his head around to look at her in surprise.  "What?  Why
would you do that?"

   Lizzie shrugged and brushed a hand down one jacket sleeve.  "Because we
haven't hung out, just the two of us, since I first moved in.  Maybe we're
overdue."

   Nate stared at her for a moment and then smiled.  "It's fine.  You go
out with Lance, and I'll sit around at home tonight, thinking of all the
ways I can get laid."

   Gaping at him, Lizzie felt an uncomfortable squeezing in her gut.  Nate
laughed at her expression and walked away.  She stayed by her closet,
staring after him, feeling overexposed.

   ****

   As promised, Lance showed up at seven.  Lizzie had - after much
deliberation - settled on a colorful, paisley A-line skirt and a fitted
black top.  It was perhaps a little more low-cut than she would have
normally selected but she was feeling a mixture of adventurous and defiant.

   When she descended the stairs, she could hear low voices in the front
hall.  Lance and Nate were chatting while they waited for her to appear. 
She rounded the corner and Lance had his back to her.  Nate met her gaze
over the other man's shoulder and she was taken aback by what she saw in
his eyes.

   A few seconds later, Lance turned around.  Nate looked away and the
moment was broken.  Lizzie's heart was pounding but she smiled at Lance as
he stepped forward.

   "Elizabeth, you look wonderful." He bent to kiss her and she returned
it, feeling strange as she did so.  She smelled his cologne and felt none
of the reactions she'd had to him earlier that week.

   Shaken, she took Lance's hand and managed a smile for her brother as
they walked out the door.

   All evening, she felt distracted.  Lance was charming and attentive. 
She looked at him and decided that he was still attractive.  When they went
back to his place, she started to relax.  Something about being in private
with him helped and she was able to remove herself from whatever had
happened back at home.

   He poured them each a glass of wine and led her to his living room. 
There, he asked if she'd prefer to listen to music or not.

   She smiled and shook her head.  "Why don't we just talk?"

   He laughed but sat down on the couch with her.  "That's what we always
do."

   Lizzie looked down at the glass in her hands.  "We do.  I enjoy that.  I
like you, Lance."

   "I like you, too, Elizabeth." She saw his hand come from the corner of
her vision to rest over hers.  "I never thought Nate would have such a sexy
sister."

   The mention of Nate jolted Lizzie and she turned to Lance to eradicate
her brother from her mind.  She all but climbed into the man's lap and laid
her mouth over his.  She sighed in relief or discontent when his tongue
found hers, she didn't know which feeling was stronger.

   They kissed for several minutes like that, her perched on his muscular
thighs, he clutching her ass and then stroking her sides.  She closed her
eyes and concentrated on the taste of his tongue in her mouth.  She focused
on the way his hands felt, sneaking up under the hem of her skirt.  She
thought she was successful but when his fingers hit her lacy panties, the
name that almost fell from her lips was not Lance's.

   The shock of it almost drove her backwards onto the floor.  As it was,
she grabbed his shoulders and jerked away from his face as confusion swept
over her.  He blinked and gave her a curious smile as his breathing slowed.

   "Is everything all right?" He reached up to brush some hair back from
her face.

   "Yeah." She stared down at his hand as he moved it away again.  "I think
I think I'm not...  feeling very well.  Would you take me home?"

   He looked surprised but nodded and helped her to her feet.  They made
small talk in the car on the way home and Lance walked her up to the front
door.  He kissed her tentatively, as if afraid she might hit him, and
promised to call the next day.  Lizzie watched him walk away, wondering
what had just happened.  The longer she stood there on the front step, the
angrier she became.

   Turning, she slammed into the house and went in search of her brother.

   "Nate!" She kicked her shoes off and stomped down the hall.  He wasn't
in the living room or kitchen.  She paused by her studio but continued to
search for Nate.  She wouldn't be able to focus at all on her art if she
was still stewing about what had happened.

   What did happen?  Asking herself now as she made her way upstairs didn't
yield any more answers.

   "Nate!"

   "What?" His voice drifted out of the open doorway to his office.

   She walked in and found him standing up from his desk, a bewildered look
on his face.

   "What's wrong?"

   She went right up to him and pushed him hard with one hand in the center
of his chest.  "Damn you.  You ruined my date."

   "What the hell did I do?" He scowled and batted her hand away when she
tried to strike out again.

   "You!  You...  you..." Lizzie stopped and turned away, struggling to
find the words now that she was standing before him.  Her heart raced so
fast that she had to press a hand to her chest in an effort to calm
herself. She took a few deep breaths and all she could smell was the
distinctive odor of Nate's cologne, the dusty smell of his books, and the
leather of his desk chair.  Her stomach lurched and she clamped a hand over
her mouth.

   How is this possible?

   His hand landed on her shoulder and he urged her to turn around. 
"Lizzie, sweetie, what's wrong?  What happened?"

   She let out a sob and threw herself at him.  His arms went around her
without hesitation and he rubbed her back in slow, soothing circles while
she cried.

   "Do I need to go have a talk with Lance?"

   In spite of her inner turmoil, a laugh bubbled out of her.  She lifted
her head and Nate brushed his hand over her cheek, wiping away tears.

   "Lance would mop the floor with you."

   Nate looked offended for a moment but then he gave her a rueful smile.
"Probably.  I'll take some friends and then go talk to him."

   "Yeah?" She sniffled and put her head back on his shoulder.  He was just
the right height that she could do that, put her cheek on his shoulder, and
if she turned her head, she could rub her nose against the base of his
throat.  What she wanted to do, what confused her and sent a thrill through
her all at once, was hold her face there and open her mouth-

   "I'd do anything to make you stop crying, Lizzie.  Now tell me how many
friends I need to call."

   She smiled.  "You don't have to do that, Nate.  Lance didn't do anything
wrong.  He was a perfect gentleman."

   "Good.  I hadn't planned on castrating anyone tonight."

   Laughter escaped her again in spite of herself.  She'd come in here,
ready to tear a strip off of him.  Nate had a way of making her forget her
anger and annoyance.  She recalled the way he'd spoken to her earlier and
how she'd managed to hold on to that irritation all day.

   Had it really only been that morning?  It felt like a lifetime ago.  The
world had tilted on its axis and she felt as if she was looking down at the
sky.

   With thoughts and emotions rocking her upside-down, Lizzie lifted her
head and kissed her brother.

   ****

   PRESENT DAY

   Lizzie spent much of the following day in her studio.  Nate checked on
her once or twice but when his soft-spoken questions went unanswered, he
realized she was deep in artist mode.  He stopped and watched her for a few
minutes.  She had paint spattered on her bare neck and shoulder.  She
usually painted wearing only a thin-strapped tank top and underwear, saying
that splattering paint all over her clothes was frustrating.  Nate found it
arousing.  Of course, he found most things about Lizzie arousing.

   For his part, he spent that Sunday catching up on some work.  He'd
ceased working the long days and weeks he had before, but it left him with
homework on occasional nights or weekends.  He didn't mind.  When Lizzie
got wrapped up in her art, whether painting or sketching, she barely spared
him a thought.  It left him with hours to fill.

   It was strange to think of how he spent his days before.  Before Lizzie
had come home from that date with Lance in a frenzy.  Before they'd
admitted their feelings had taken a drastic turn.  Before they'd fallen
head over heels in love.

   He supposed he'd spent his quiet days reading the newspaper, then going
for a jog or to the gym.  Sometimes he'd meet up with a friend for a round
of golf or he'd go out with a random woman or two.  Now, he can't imagine
spending his downtime any other way.

   With Lizzie, it wasn't just about the sex, though the mere thought of
what they did to each other was enough to make him hard in seconds.  They
spent as many hours watching movies or reading together in silence as they
did making love.  He spent as much time jogging or working out as he did
before, which just happened to coincide with the time Lizzie spent
engrossed in her studio.  But it was different.  Everything was different
now.

   He spun around in his chair and propped his feet up on the window sill.
The sky was cloudy in this direction but warmth seeped through the glass
anyway.  It was only May but already the heat rose exponentially during the
day.  He crossed his hands on his stomach and stared at the clouds as they
moved through his field of vision.

   He thought of Lizzie and wondered for the thousandth time if there was a
way out of their situation.  Or rather, a way through it.  He didn't want
out.  He wanted a lifetime with her.  He couldn't remember his days before
they'd become lovers but he damn sure didn't want to contemplate life
without her in it.

   Lost in his thoughts, he didn't hear Lizzie approach.  The touch of her
hand on his neck startled him and he dropped his feet to the floor.

   "Hey you." She smiled and crawled into his lap.  She still wore her
artist outfit and all that exposed skin heated Nate's.

   "Hey." He kissed her cheek and forehead before kissing her lips.

   She sighed and relaxed against him as the kiss deepened.  Nate spread
his hands wide and ran his palms from her hips to her shoulders and back
down again.  She wriggled in his lap and he grasped her ass in his hands,
loving the warmth of her against his body.

   After a time, their ardor cooled and their lips parted.  Lizzie turned
her head and rubbed her nose against his throat, a move she'd done since
they'd started this whole thing.  He didn't know why she liked to do it,
but he enjoyed it well enough.  They sat like that in silence, arms around
each other, hearts beating together.

   "What were you staring at out here?"

   "Nothing, sweetie." He brushed a kiss over her forehead.  "I was just
thinking about you.  About you and us."

   "Yeah?  Come up with anything good?"

   He smiled and ran a hand over her thigh.  "Well, this crossed my mind."

   She giggled and squirmed until he moved his hand away.  "This wasn't
what I meant."

   "I know.  I couldn't come up with anything.  Not yet."

   She nodded but didn't say anything.  What was there to say?  They were
constantly saying the same things and they knew that nothing would change
until they changed it for themselves.

   "Maybe we could just move to Brazil."

   Nate laughed.  "Brazil?"

   "Or Australia."

   "The spiders there are huge.  You'd hate it."

   "You're probably right." She let out a big, dramatic sigh.  "Russia?"

   "Too cold."

   "Egypt?"

   "Too hot."

   "Paris?"

   "Too French."

   Now it was her turn to laugh and Nate smiled as she shook in his arms.

   "I guess I don't want to live in another country, either." She lifted
her head to look into his eyes.  "But how can we do this here, forever?"

   Nate looked into her beautiful blue eyes and wished he had an answer for
her.  "I don't know, sweetie.  I just don't know yet."

   "Yet."

   He nodded.  "Yes.  We will figure something out.  If in the end, people
closest to us can't be happy that we're happy, even if they don't
understand it, then that'll be their loss, not ours."

   "I don't want to lose you."

   He tightened his grasp on her.  "You won't, Lizzie.  I promise you.  I
swear on my life."

   She nodded, blinking back tears, and settled against his chest again. 
They didn't do more than hold each other.  After a while, she shifted out
of his arms and offered to make him lunch.

   They sat at the kitchen table, side-by-side instead of across from each
other, and ate her offering of sandwiches and potato chips.  At first, they
spoke of work, his newest high-maintenance client and the latest manuscript
she was working on the art for.  After they were done eating, Nate offered
to clean up so Lizzie could get back to her studio.

   "You're so awesome, Nate."

   He sighed.  "My cross to bear."

   She hugged him from behind as he wiped off the counter.  "Love you."

   "Love you, too."

   She hurried back to her studio and he finished cleaning the kitchen. 
After that, he headed back up to his office to finish his own work.  All
the while, his thoughts danced around and around their situation.  He tried
to push those thoughts back so he could get his work done.  It took longer
than he'd thought it would.  Before he knew it, Lizzie was calling him to
dinner.

   After dinner, they settled on the couch to watch a movie, with a big
bowl of popcorn between them.  Later, the went to bed together, just as
they had for months.  For once, they didn't rehash their situation.  They
didn't despair and they didn't ponder the outcome of possibly 'coming out'
to their family and friends.  They held each other and slept.

   ****

   The next day at work, Lizzie was just putting the finishing touches on
the graphic design she was working on when a knock sounded at her door. 
She looked up, expecting to see Mary-Anne from across the hall - they were
supposed to go for lunch - and was shocked to see someone else.

   "Lance!"

   The big man stood in her doorway, looking somewhat shy, a strange
expression on a man his size.  "Hello, Elizabeth."

   She gaped at him.  "Lance," she repeated like an idiot.  "What are you
doing here?"

   He glanced over his shoulder and stepped inside her office doorway. 
"Can I come in?"

   She nodded.  "Yes, of course.  Come in.  Close the door."

   He did and walked a few steps closer to stand in front of her desk. 
"You look nice today, Elizabeth."

   She blushed, pleased by his simple praise.  He'd always been good with
the sincere compliments.  "Thank you."

   "Do you mind if I sit?"

   "No, go ahead."

   He looked too large for the chair and uncomfortable in it.  Lizzie
couldn't help but smile at the picture he made.  He returned her smile and
leaned forward in the chair.

   "I'm sure you're surprised to see me here," he said.

   "You could say that."

   That handsome smile again.  "Maybe as surprised as I was to never hear
from you after you moved out."

   At that, Lizzie flushed and looked down at her hands.  She remembered
their last conversation.  It had taken place about one month after their
first one.  About three weeks after she'd first kissed her brother. 
"Lance, I-"

   "It's all right, Elizabeth.  I didn't come here to accuse you or to
demand answers."

   She lifted her head to meet his steady gaze.  "Then why did you come
here?"

   "Mostly, I just wanted to make sure you were OK."

   "Lance, I'm sorry.  I never meant to make you worry about me."

   "Then returning one or two of my hundred phone calls after you took off
would have been a good idea."

   She dropped her eyes to her desk again.  "I'm sorry." It was feeble but
she couldn't think of anything else to say.

   "Second, I wanted to find out what happened."

   Lizzie sighed and lifted a hand to rub her eyes.  "It's a long story. 
But believe me when I say it had nothing to do with you."

   His light laugh drew her attention again.  "Right.  It's not you, it's
me?" He didn't sound malicious.

   She offered him a crooked smile but nodded.  "Really.  But not in the
usual cliched sense of the term.  You are a great guy.  If I hadn't..." She
paused and cleared her throat.  She couldn't just blurt out the truth to
him.  His reaction would be horrified at best, as she suspected most
people's would be.  "If I hadn't fallen in love with someone else first, I
think you...  could have been the guy for me."

   Lance regarded her in silence for a moment, settling back in the chair.
"So it was another guy."

   She nodded.

   "And it was nothing I did that turned you off?"

   "God, no!  Lance, you're wonderful.  I had so much fun with you, all the
time."

   "Except when you just had to leave."

   "Lance." Lizzie shook her head and spread her hands wide on her desk. 
"I told you when I came to stay with you that it was only temporary.  I
promised you it was temporary.  That's the only way you agreed to let me
stay, remember?"

   "I remember.  I also remember telling you after a week that you could
stay as long as you needed to."

   "Only because you couldn't get enough of my body."

   Lizzie wanted to suck the words back in the moment she spoke them.  They
were harsh and no matter how Lance was acting like the wounded boyfriend
now, he didn't deserve this from her.  He looked mildly surprised by her
words and tone but not shocked.

   Lizzie narrowed her eyes and sat back, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Why are you here, Lance?"

   He considered her for a long moment, his pale blue eyes scanning every
part of her face.  "When you came to stay with me, you told me you needed a
place to stay because you'd had a falling out with your brother."

   Lizzie tried to remain impassive but she could almost feel where this
was going.  "Yeah.  I said that."

   "That he'd said things that you couldn't forgive.  You'd never be able
to see him again."

   Lizzie shifted in her seat.  "Yeah.  So?"

   "Then you just up and took off from my place.  You moved back in with
Nate."

   "I know all this.  Why are you repeating it for me?"

   Lance shrugged.  "I'm just trying to understand."

   "Understand what?"

   "Understand how I got passed over for your brother."

   Lizzie sucked in air like she'd been punched in the stomach.  "W-what?"

   Lance leaned forward again.  "You heard me."

   "How did you-"

   "Does it matter?"

   She stared at him.  Swallowed around the lump in her throat.  Stared a
bit longer.  He didn't look like he was disgusted.  In fact, he looked
resigned, even somewhat amused.

   "What do you want?" She could hardly speak for the tension in her
throat.

   He drew back, shocked by her words.  "I don't want anything."

   Lizzie let out a dry laugh.  "Are you kidding?  You come in here after
seven months and expect me to believe you were just curious?  Come on,
Lance.  Tell me why you're here."

   "I was worried.  Honestly.  And even more worried when I came by your
house one day and saw you two."

   Lizzie felt her throat constrict.  "Saw us what?"

   Lance's smile came back.  "Nothing crazy, Elizabeth.  But I knew there
had to be a mighty good reason for why you'd have moved back in there."

   She shook her head.  This was all a little too much for her.  "I'm
sorry. I still don't understand why you're here."

   Lance stood up and paced around in front of her desk.  He stopped and
leaned against the side of it, looming over her.  "I'm worried.  Nate's a
good guy, and I know you're an amazing lady.  I just worry that you both
have got yourselves tangled up in something you can't find a way out of."

   She wanted to laugh.  This was all so ridiculous.  She and Nate were
tangled up and they couldn't find a way out, but it wasn't that they wanted
to 'untangle', at least not the way Lance viewed it.

   "I don't want to see you end up hurt." Lance gave her a weak smile. 
"Nate just doesn't seem to be your type."

   "My type?  What is?" She let out a laugh.  "Lance, do you know I've
dated football players, artists and actors?  I've been out with plumbers,
lawyers and unemployed frat boys.  I've dated taller than me, shorter,
hairier and bald.  Funny guys, serious guys, whatever.  I've never had a
type."

   "But how can your brother be your type?"

   Lizzie stared at him, trying to figure him out.  "Is it just curiosity?"

   He flushed and looked away.  "Maybe a bit.  I really do worry that
you'll end up hurt though.  I don't see how you two can make it work long
term."

   She snorted.  "You aren't the only one."

   They fell silent at that, regarding each other without speaking.

   "You're in love, aren't you?"

   Lizzie blushed, a warmth she felt through and through.  She wasn't
embarrassed as she nodded.  She felt relief at being able to admit it to
someone, anyone, even a one-time lover and a client of Nate's.  It made it
real, somehow.  Or at least, more real than it had felt so far, with their
love wrapped up in a tight little passionate bundle that never left the
house.

   "I am in love, Lance.  And he is too."

   They didn't say anything for a minute and then Lance nodded.  "Then I'm
happy for you."

   "Really?"

   "Really." He shrugged and winked at her.  "I might have preferred if
you'd stayed with me but I understand." He straightened and clapped his
hands together.  "Now, can I treat you to lunch?"

   She laughed and stood up to give him a hug.  "Give me a minute, Lance.
I'm supposed to go out with my colleague but let me see if Mary-Anne
doesn't mind rescheduling our lunch."

   "Hmm.  Is Mary-Anne single?"

   Lizzie blinked.  "Uh...  I think so."

   "Then I'm fine with being a third wheel." He lifted his eyebrows.  "Or
will you be fine as a third wheel?"

   Lizzie just walked out of her office, laughing and shaking her head.



   to be continued....


   pics---->> http://bit.ly/1D1q3qp