The Ice Princess

"Dad! I'm 18! I should be able to date now!" Hazel yelled.

Her father shook his head calmly and said, "Not if you want me to pay for your college you can't."

"Why? Why can't I?" Hazel asked, almost in tears.

"For the same reason I didn't let you date in high school or earlier, because I'm sure it will distract from your schoolwork. However, the same deal applies now as always: if your sister Veronica starts dating, so can you. She's very responsible and has never dated because she knows it will take away time from her studies. But as I said, if she does you can. Otherwise, you need to wait until you graduate college and have a job. Then you can do whatever you want."

Hazel knew that wouldn't happen. Veronica (who was a year and a half older than she was) had never dated and Hazel thought she never would. A few boys had tried to ask her out, but all of them failed. Veronica just did not seem interested in dating.

Hazel climbed the stairs to her room, trying to hold back the tears. All of her friends had been dating for years. She was the only one who couldn't. And now it was even worse because she had met a boy she really wanted to date. He was a year older than she and in college. They had met at her part-time job at the supermarket. She was a checker and he stocked shelves. They had even stolen a few kisses and cuddles in the storage room, but Hazel was so afraid someone would see them and tell her father that she didn't do it very often.

For his part, her love interest, Luca, couldn't understand why her father wouldn't allow Hazel to date. Luca wanted to date her very badly. He was certain if he could ever get her alone in the right place he would be able to talk her into having sex. And he wanted that, to the point of being obsessed with it. All he could think about was getting between her soft thighs and sliding his hard rod into her. He jacked off a couple of times a day to that mental image. He had tried to think of a way to talk her into ignoring her father, but every time he brought it up she refused, afraid her father might find out and stop paying for her college education.

Luca was sitting on the couch trying to figure out a way to get Hazel into bed when his older brother Wyatt grabbed him from behind.

"Hey little brother!" Wyatt said.

Luca jumped up and grabbed his brother in a hug, "Wyatt! You're home!"

"Yeah, the Army saw fit to let me go!"

"You're home for good?" His brother asked.

"Yep." Wyatt responded, "So what kind of trouble have you been getting into?"

"No trouble really," Luca said as they sat down.

"It looked like you were in deep thought when I came in. If it's not trouble, what is it?"

"A girl."

"A girl? What's the problem?"

"There's this girl, Hazel, who I really, really like and want to date... " Luca began only to be interrupted by his brother.

"Date? Come on little brother! I know better! You want in her panties, don't you?"

Luca gave him a sheepish grin and replied, "Yeah."

"Well, turn on the charm and get it done! What's the holdup?"

"Her father won't even let her date much less get her to a place that will give me a chance to get her into bed."

"What? How old is she?"

"18."

"Eighteen? And her dad won't let her date? What the hell??? Why doesn't she just ignore him?"

"He thinks if she doesn't date, she will put all her efforts into schoolwork. He's threatened not to pay for her college if she dates."

"Damn, that's tough. It looks like you are not getting her into bed."

"There is one way I could," Luca said.

"How?"

"If her older sister Veronica dates, her dad said Hazel can too."

"So, get someone to take her out!" Wyatt replied.

"Hazel and I have been trying to find someone to do just that! She won't though. She never has. I don't think she's interested in dating."

"Is she a lesbian maybe?" Wyatt asked.

"You know I never thought of that! Maybe she is and she doesn't want to date guys. I wonder if I could find a lesbian to ask her out?"

"I'm sure you can find one who will try. I have to run. I need to get to a job interview, but let me know how it turns out, Kay?"

"Sure thing!" Luca replied with a grin.

The next day Luca caught up to Hazel at her job and asked her if maybe her stepsister was a lesbian.

Hazel looked thoughtful, "Maybe that's why she's never dated. We talk, but Veronica has never told me why she won't date. She just says she doesn't want to. I'll talk to her and let you know tomorrow what I find out. We really need to get her on a date so you and I can go out."

Hazel glanced around to see if anyone was close, then stepped close to Luca, so close her breasts were pressed against him as she whispered, "I think our first real date alone will be memorable!"

Luca could feel the front of his jeans getting tight at her unspoken promise. He glanced around and found no one was close or could see them. He leaned down and kissed Hazel with a hunger that she felt all the way to her toes.

When he pulled back from the kiss, she smiled, a seductive, inviting smile and whispered, "Exactly!" then added, "I need to get back to work. Come see me tomorrow."

As Luca walked away, he knew he would be jacking off that night to fantasies of what waited in the future if they could only get Veronica to date someone.

That evening when Hazel got home from work, she found Veronica sitting at the dining table doing homework.

Hazel sat down next to her stepsister and said, "Hey Vee."

Veronica looked up from her book and smiled. Even though they were stepsisters, they had a good relationship and Veronica liked her younger stepsister.

"Hey Hazy. What's up?"

"You know Dad won't let me date without you dating first."

"Yes, I know and I'm sorry he did that to you."

"Luca and I really, really want to date."

Veronica sighed, "I know you do and I'm really sorry for you and Luca. He seems like a nice guy."

Hazel frowned as she said, "I know I've asked you numerous times, but you never give me an answer. Please can you tell me, why you won't date?"

Veronica sighed as she said, "Hazy, I can't tell you."

Hazel frowned and replied, "Can't or won't?"

Veronica looked at Hazel with a stoic expression as she said, "I won't. It's my business why I don't want to date. I know it affects you but that isn't my fault. Dad made that decision. I had nothing to do with it."

"Is it because you want to date girls and not guys?"

"Hazy! Do you think I'm a lesbian?" Veronica asked, amusement showing on her face.

"I don't know! I'm just trying to figure you out is all!"

"Well, for your information... wait, if you ever repeat anything I'm about to tell you, you won't be dating until you're 60, got me?"

"I promise I won't!"

"For your information I'm equally split on that subject."

"What do you mean?" Hazel asked with a frown.

"If I were to date, it wouldn't matter if it was a male or a female. I find them both attractive."

"What? Really?" Hazel said, her eyes widening in surprise.

Veronica smiled as she said, "Yes, really. But I'm not going to date either sex right now and probably not in the near future. So, you need to find another way around Dad's prohibition."

Hazel's shoulders slumped in defeat as she said, "I don't know if I can!"

"It was not right of Dad to use me to block you from dating. But I can't just do it because you want to. If you needed a kidney, I'd give you one. A life-and-death thing like that I'd do in an instant. But this is just a social convention and I'm not about to do something I don't want too just to conform to that convention."

"Okay Vee, I guess I'll keep looking for a way around it," Hazel replied in a subdued, defeated tone.

Veronica kissed her younger stepsister on the forehead and said, "Sorry Hazy. I just can't."

As Hazel left the room, Veronica watched her go and thought, 'Hazy I'd love to date someone, but I'm afraid too. And until I can figure out how not to be I'm not going to chance it.'

The next day Luca came to Hazel's job and met her on her break.

"So?" He asked.

"It was strange. She said she was attracted to females as much as males. That means she would, if she wanted to date either one!"

"But she still won't?"

"No! And she wouldn't tell me why either! All she would say was she won't. I think the best thing to do is find a way around Dad's rule without involving her."

"The only way is for us to sneak around and date without letting him know," Luca replied.

"We can't do that! If we get caught, he wouldn't pay for my college!"

"Okay, let me talk to my older brother. Maybe he has an idea."

Later that evening Luca called his brother.

"Hey Wyatt. Can you come over and talk to me? I need some advice."

"Sure. I'll be over in an hour."

"That'll work. See you then."

When Wyatt arrived, they sat down at the kitchen table and opened a couple of sodas.

"So, what's up little brother?"

"Well, you remember I was telling you about Hazel and her sister and how Hazel can't date until Veronica does?"

"Yeah, I remember," Wyatt replied.

"Well, Hazel talked to Veronica and she still won't date or tell Hazel why. We need to find a way to get her to date someone."

Wyatt grinned as he said, "You said 'we'. I take it Hazel wants to do the horizontal Mamba with you as much as you want to with her?"

"Yeah, I think she does. But we can't as long as this situation exists."

"Well find someone to seduce Veronica!" Wyatt said.

"A few have tried, but she's an ice princess when it comes to guys trying to get her on a date. The funny thing is, when Hazel talked to her, Veronica said if she was to date, she didn't really care if it was a male or female."

"She said that? I'd guess from that statement that she wants to, but there is something holding her back. That sounds intriguing. I tell you what, I love solving a mystery. Why don't I give it a try?"

Luca perked up and said, "Really? You would?"

"Yeah, why not? I think it would be fun to try to figure her out and see what makes her tick. But before I commit to this, what does she look like?"

Luca pulled out his phone and scanned through his pictures. He had one of Hazel and Veronica standing in front of the statue of a little boy peeing when they were on vacation in Belgium. As Wyatt looked at the picture, he saw an athletic-looking young woman with dark hair and light brown eyes who he found very attractive.

He grinned and said, "Yeah, I'll give it a go. I need to set up a way to meet her. Maybe... yeah, can you have Hazel see if she can get Veronica to meet her at Barry's Burger Bomb Barn for lunch? You and I will be there too. You can introduce me to Hazel and Veronica. "

"Sure. I'll talk to Hazel tomorrow about it."

"Just let me know when," Wyatt told his younger sibling.

A week later Hazel and Veronica were sitting at a table at Barry's. They had each ordered the Burger Bomb special and were waiting for them to be served. Hazel had picked the table and her seat carefully. Veronica had her back to the door, but Hazel had a clear view of it. She spotted Luca as he entered followed by a handsome, slightly older guy that she assumed must be his brother.

Luca walked to the table and said, "Hi Hazel! Hey Veronica!"

"Hi Luca," Hazel replied.

Veronica didn't say anything. She just smiled and nodded.

"This is my older brother Wyatt," He said, then to Wyatt he said, "This is Hazel, the girl I told you about and her sister Veronica."

"I've heard a lot about you," Wyatt said to Hazel, "but Luca didn't tell me you had such a gorgeous sister!"

Veronica had been looking at Hazel but as she heard his comment her gaze snapped to Wyatt. She saw a shock of sandy brown hair, gray-green eyes crinkled at the corners with laugh lines, a relaxed grin and wide shoulders. She was instantly attracted to him and knew she was going to have to shut down any more comments like the one he just made and stay away from him.

"So, you're a player, huh?" Veronica said with a sneer.

His grin widened as he responded, "That depends on how you use the word "player". If your meaning is a card player, or video games, I've been known to partake of those from time to time. If you mean a guy that chases women for the sport, not so much. The army life isn't conducive to that kind of game."

"You were in the military?" Veronica asked.

"US Army, six years, three months and four days," Wyatt said with a salute as he pulled out his phone and displayed a picture of himself in his dress uniform.

Veronica's eyes widened and she had a difficult time stifling the small gasp that tried to escape her throat. She knew instantly that she was going to have to shut this guy down hard and get away from him ASAP.

With an effort she frowned and said, "It looks like a bellboy's uniform."

Wyatt, barked a laugh and with a grin said, Bellboys uniform? I like that! You are a pistol!"

Veronica had expected him to be insulted. Instead, he had laughed. She was starting to panic because her normal cold, abrasive approach wasn't working.

"What do you do now for work?" She asked.

"I just got out. I'm still looking for a job," Wyatt replied.

Veronica smiled, putting as much coolness into it as she could, "I heard the hotel on 5th Street is looking for a doorman. Since you like garish uniforms you could apply for that job."

Wyatt's grin widened as he shot back, "I might do that!"

Veronica could tell she wasn't going to stir Wyatt up or get him angry and that bothered her because it was destroying her usual defense.

"I have to go," she said as she scooted out of the booth.

"Vee! Your burger is on the way! Aren't you going to stay and eat it?" Hazel called after her sister.

"No. I'm not hungry. I lost my appetite. The company isn't conducive to good digestion," Veronica called over her shoulder as she headed out the door.

"What a stone-cold bitch!" Luca snarled.

"She's usually not like that!" Hazel said defensively, "She's usually a really nice person. I don't know what got into her."

Wyatt stood staring pensively out the window, watching Veronica walk across the street as he said in a low voice, "Yeah, that was rather abrasive of her. But... there's something about her... "

He let his statement trail off to silence as he turned to face his brother and Hazel.

"Hazel, I take it Luca told you I'm going to try to get your sister on a date so you and Luca can do the same?"

Hazel nodded, a bit embarrassed to be talking about the problem with someone she just met, but not so much she wouldn't.

"I'm going to need your help doing this," Wyatt told her, "Anything you can tell me, no matter how small that might give me an in to talk her into a date will help. Can you do that?"

Hazel nodded a second time as she said, "Yes. I can do that."

"Your sister is going to college, right?" Again, Hazel nodded.

"I need an itinerary of her classes. Does she also have a job?"

"Yes. She works part time, in the evenings and weekends at Imperial Materials sewing shop on 7th Street."

Wyatt grinned, "Great! That will help. I'll tell you two this: I volunteered to do this to help you two get together and date, and I'll do my best. But after meeting her, I think I'd try to talk her into a date even if I hadn't made that promise!"

"Why? She's an ice queen for Christ's sake!" Luca replied.

"Maybe, but I sense something else. She's smart, quick-witted, and confident all wrapped in a very pretty package. I find all of that to my liking."

"You know there are some guys she doesn't react that way to," Hazel said.

"Okay. Can you write down who those guys are and your observations of them? It might help," Wyatt asked.

"Sure. Do you think you really can get her to go out with you?" Hazel's voice was hopeful.

As he looked up from the table Wyatt's gaze stopped on Hazel's hand held in Luca's. He also noticed Luca's arm around the girl and how she snuggled in close to his brother.

"I can't guarantee anything. All I can say is I'll try. Now I have to go. I have an interview in half an hour."

As Luca watched his brother exit, he felt Hazel's hand on his leg. The warmth of her hand soaked through his jeans and instantly made his young manhood grow hard.

"I hope he can get her to go out with him," Luca said.

"Me too!" Replied Hazel as she squeezed his inner thigh.

Wyatt's interview at the college admissions office lasted two hours. By the time he left he was signed up for three classes a week. He had taken some college classes while in the Army and had 61 credits. As he sat down on a bench to rest, he spotted Veronica coming down the side walk.

"Hey there!" He called to her.

She stopped, confused for a moment as to who he was, then recognized him as Luca's brother.

"Oh, hi, Walter, is it?" She asked intentionally getting his name wrong.

"Wyatt." He corrected her with a grin, "An easy name to forget. Going to or coming from a class?"

For the second time his easy, calm manner surprised her. It made her feel uneasy. Not because it felt threatening, but because she found she liked it.

"Why should I tell you? What are you doing here? Are you following me?" She asked, trying to put as much abrasiveness into it as she could.

Wyatt raised his arms, stretched and calmly replied, "No. I had an appointment and stopped for a rest. So, going or coming?"

"Is that a double entendre? Are you trying to be offensive?" Veronica snapped.

"Wha... " Wyatt started to reply before he understood what she meant.

When it hit him, he let out a bark of laughter as he said, "Really? You took that single word as a double entendre? Oh, my lord! You must have such a sex centered mind!"

Veronica was stunned. Not because she was offended, but because his comment held more truth than he knew.

"I... you... I... " she stammered, then turned and started to walk away.

"Wait! Wait!" He called running after her, "I didn't mean to offend you! Let me make it up to you! A cup of coffee? Dinner? Let me make it up to you!"

Veronica stopped and turned to face him. She was again taken by his gray-green eyes and the laugh lines at the corners of them. Most guys, by the time she dished out the insults she had to him had given up. This was new territory for her. But she just couldn't go out with him no matter what.

'How can I chase him away?' she thought.

She looked at Wyatt with as cold a look as she could muster as she said, "I told you, I don't date! Especially losers!"

Wyatt stared after her as she walked away and muttered to himself, 'Why? Why are you so adamant about not dating anyone? I've watched you with Hazel and I can tell you love your sister. Hazel says you're not a lesbian, maybe bisexual from the comments you made to her but not a lesbian so that's out. There's no reason I can tell for you to be so set against dating a guy. And you've been cold and abrasive from the moment we met.'

He watched Veronica until she turned a corner and was out of sight.

'In the beginning this was all about helping Luca and Hazel. It just turned into a challenge. I will find out why you are so set against it. And by God, I will get you to go on a date with me.' He muttered as he headed home.

The next day, when Veronica arrived home from class Hazel was sitting on the couch scrolling on her phone.

As Veronica walked past her, Hazel said, "You had a delivery."

"What? I didn't order anything," Veronica replied with a frown.

Hazel shrugged and without taking her eyes off her phone said, "Maybe not, but you had a package delivered. I put it in your room."

As Veronica started up the stairs, Hazel glanced up at her with a knowing half-grin.

Veronica found a long rectangular box lying on her bed. It was wrapped in white tissue paper. A white satin ribbon was tied around it, ending in a large bow on the top. There was no address or name on the box. Veronica slid the ribbon off and slowly pulled the top from the box. Inside she found more white tissue paper and when she folded it open saw there were two yellow roses. As she bent closer to examine them, the scent of roses filled her nostrils. She knew that most roses from a florist didn't have a scent, but these did and wondered where they came from. As she inhaled the sweet, delicate fragrance, she instantly knew she liked it. Lying between and tied to the rose stems with a gold-colored ribbon was an old-fashioned skeleton key. Under the key she saw a small envelope.

She pulled the envelope from under the key, opened it and read the card it contained: "Two is a perfect number and you and I make two. The key is the key to my heart."

At the bottom was the cryptic phrase: "From a not-so-secret Admirer"

"Wyatt!" She huffed, "This is so corny! Do you really think you're going to impress me, get me to go out with corny crap like this? No way!"

But as she sat there with the delicate smell of roses wafting around her, staring at the yellow blossoms and the old key, a tiny smile curled his lips.

"Girl, you have to be very careful with this guy!" she muttered to herself, "Very, very careful!"

When she came downstairs Hazel asked, "So, what was in the box?"

"Flowers and a corny note!" Veronica huffed.

"It seems your wannabe boyfriend's brother is putting pressure on me to go out! And I'm sure you and Luca are behind it! You need to stop because I AM NOT GOING TO GO OUT WITH HIM!" She yelled.

Veronica stormed off into the kitchen. At first Hazel was stunned at how angry her sister sounded. As she thought about it, she realized she had never seen Veronica so angry and wondered why. Hazel made a quick notation on the "notes" app on her phone, then went back to scrolling.

Later that night she sent Wyatt the observation notes she had taken of Veronica. Included were the notes on the guy's Veronica seemed to be the most hostile with. When he received them, Wyatt read them. He was lying on his bed and staring at the ceiling as he mentally went over each one. It appeared from the observations Hazel made that Veronica was hostile toward most single men, except gay men. She had several gay male friends. And she didn't seem to mind being around married men.

To Wyatt that appeared to show she didn't want to be around young, single heterosexual men. Did that mean she was attracted to older men? Married men? Or was it something else he was missing? His brain worked on it until he drifted off to sleep.

The next day was Monday and Wyatt had his first class in Psychology. As he sat listening to the professor's lecture, he found his mind filled with thoughts of Veronica. Why was she so resistant to dating? What was the reason behind such resistance? And why the dislike for young, single men? Wyatt knew if he could find the answer to those questions it would be the key he needed. He didn't realize how long he had been thinking about the problem until the rustle of papers filtered through to him as the students stood to leave. He had thought about her the entire class and totally missed the entire lecture!

'Damn it!' He thought, 'I can't be doing that or I'll fail!'

As he trudged along on his way to his truck, mentally grumbling about messing up his first class he saw Veronica coming from the opposite direction.

"Hi there!" He greeted her.

"Oh, it's you," she replied, a frown on her face.

"Yeah, I just got out of my first class, Psychology 201."

"And I suppose you think it's going to be an easy one to pass because you're so smart, huh?"

"Actually, no. I find I'm having a heck of a time concentrating on the lecture. My mind keeps wandering off to other things. Do you have any secrets on how to stay on task?"

Veronica was taken aback. Wyatt had totally ignored her dig and had asked a civil question. She could have insulted him again, but she felt his question had not been asked to impress or engage her, but because he was truly having problems. She knew it was against her better judgment but decided to answer him.

"It's difficult at the best of times, and more so when the subject is dry and boring. I usually try to empty my mind and focus on what I'm there for before going to class. If I have things going on that I keep thinking about there are a couple of Zazen techniques to help you put them aside."

"Really? Like what? Where can I learn those? And what is Zazen?"

"Zazen is a Zen meditative practice. I meet with a Zen group in the central garden Wednesday afternoons."

"What is it you practice?" Wyatt asked.

"Sitting and walking meditation."

"And that helps you concentrate on the lectures?"

"Yes. It helps empty my mind so I can absorb the lectures, among other things."

"Great! Can I join?"

"Anyone can. Just show up at 6:00 P. M. in the central garden."

As the words left her mouth, a realization that she had just invited Wyatt to be around her for a couple of hours at a time hit her. 'No!' She thought, 'What have I done??'

"Okay, cool. I'll be there," Wyatt replied.

Flustered because of what she had done Veronica replied, "I'm late for class! I have to go!" and hurried off.

Through class Veronica had a difficult time keeping the conversation with Wyatt out of her mind, but managed to by using some of the Zazen techniques she had learned.

Wednesday, just before 6:00 P. M. Veronica was standing in the central garden talking to a friend, Eluned, about one of their shared classes when she saw Wyatt walk in. He spotted her and walked over.

"I made it," he said with a grin.

"I see you did," Veronica responded coolly.

Wyatt looked at Veronica's friend, held out his hand and said, "Hi. I'm Wyatt."

"Hi," Eluned replied with a smile as she took his hand, "I'm Eluned."

"That's a pretty but rather unusual name. What's the origin?" Wyatt asked.

"It's Welch, from an old Arthurian legend. Eluned was the handmaiden of the Lady of the Lake. She had a ring that made whoever wore it invisible."

"Interesting," Wyatt replied.

Addressing both women he asked, "So what do I do? Check in with someone?"

"No. Just take a seat and follow what the group does," Veronica replied, a cold note in her voice.

"Okay. Shall I sit next to you?" Wyatt asked with a grin.

"Only if you have to!"

"I may not have to, but I want to!" He shot back.

The three of them stood and talked for a few minutes before the session started. As people began to sit, Wyatt saw a pile of foam pads stacked in the center. He grabbed one.

As he did, Eluned leaned close to Veronica and whispered, "The origin of my name must be true."

"What do you mean?" Veronica asked.

"Because I was invisible to him. His eyes were on you the whole time!"

A chill ran through Veronica as she realized what Eluned meant. It was what she feared.

Wyatt came back and sat down next to Veronica. For the next two hours he watched and copied, with an occasional whispered direction from Eluned. At the end of the session he felt like he might be able to get used to doing meditation.

When they were done, Wyatt took the pads from Veronica and Eluned and returned them to the pile.

When he came back, he asked, "Would you two like to grab a drink or a snack before going home?"

"I'd love to, but I need to be somewhere." Eluned replied, thinking, 'I know from the way you look at her that you want to be alone with Veronica.'

Veronica's face was dark with a frown as she replied, "No thank you!"

"Okay," Wyatt said with a smile, "Maybe next time. Until then, adieu to you!"

As he walked off Eluned whispered, "What the hell Veronica! Why didn't you go with him?"

"Because he's a jerk and I don't like him!"

Eluned looked at her friend as she said, "You are twisted, you know that? That guy was nothing but pleasant, and he had his eyes on you all night! Damn girl, he likes you!"

"Too bad for him!" Veronica replied.

"You need to loosen up, girl!"

"I can't afford to," Veronica replied, a wistful note in her voice.

The next day at the end of her first class, as the students rose to leave, Veronica realized she didn't remember anything about the lecture that was just presented. She had allowed thoughts of Wyatt to take up the entire hour.

'What did I do?' She thought, 'I can't be around him for two hours at a time! Even if we will be meditating!'

She hurried out of class and quickly sent Hazel a text: 'I need Wyatt's phone number. Do you have it?'

Hazel answered in less than a minute: 'I can get it from Luca. Why do you need it?'

'I just need it! Send it to me! Now!'

Hazel was puzzled by her sister's text but sent Wyatt's number.

When she received it, Veronica took a deep breath and called him.

When Wyatt answered Veronica said abruptly, "You can't join my Zen group."

It took a second for Wyatt to figure out who it was and what she was talking about.

When he did, he said, "What? Why not?"

"You just can't! That's my space and I don't want you there!"

Wyatt got the feeling she was teetering between anger and hysteria.

"Okay. Calm down. I just wanted to find a way to help me get through the lectures. Is there another group like this one I can join?"

"Not that I know of, but I'll try to find one. You just can't be part of this one."

"I don't understand why I can't. Can you tell me why?"

"No! You just can't!"

"Do you think that's fair? I'll be happy not to go to this group if you can give me a good reason not to. But 'You just can't!' isn't a good or rational reason."

'I don't care if it's not rational! You can't!'

"Okay, okay! I won't be there again."

Wyatt wondered if he would get a 'thank you' for what he did.

What he did get was, "I know it sounds irrational and mean, but I just can't be around you."

Wyatt read the text, then read it three more times.

'She can't be around me? Why not?' He thought.

He mentally chewed on that thought until it felt like his brain was mush without ever understanding why.

Wyatt, true to his word, didn't return to the meditation circle. He did try to run into her between classes but she seemed to know where he would be and avoided him. After three weeks of classes Wyatt realized he was failing. He just couldn't keep his mind on the lectures. The years he had spent in the Army had conditioned him for action, doing things, not sitting and listening.

He stopped by one evening to see how his little brother was doing. Luca was sitting on the couch in the dark.

"Hey little brother, what's up?"

"Hazel and I have quit seeing each other."

"What? Why?"

"Wyatt, we can't even hug without her being afraid we'll be seen. I want her so much I can't be around her without touching her! I hate her father and his stupid policies! Have you made any progress with Veronica? If you can't get her to date, I don't know what I'll do!"

Wyatt sighed, "No progress yet. I've hit a wall. I don't know what else to do."

"Then I guess Hazel and I are through," Luca said, his voice full of sorrow.

"Let me give it one more try. Maybe I can convince her to go out with me."

Luca's eyes lit up with hope, "Really? You'll try again? Thank you!"

As he left, Wyatt sent Veronica a text: 'We need to talk.'

An answer came back a few minutes later: 'No! I don't know what we have to talk about.'

An answer appeared on her phone shortly, 'Because your sister is hurting. My brother is hurting. WE NEED TO TALK! I'll meet you at Barry's at 8:00 PM tonight. Be there.'

It took almost an hour before she answered: 'Okay.'

A few minutes before 8:00, Wyatt was sitting in a booth waiting for her. There were only 4 or 5 people in the place. All of them were seated close to the front so Wyatt sat in a booth in the back. When Veronica walked in Wyatt waved at her.

She slid into the seat across from him and said caustically, "I should have ignored you! I don't know what we have to talk about!"

Wyatt smiled grimly as he replied, "I should tell you to stifle yourself and quit with the asshole remarks, but I won't."

Veronica was stunned. Others had talked to her that way, but Wyatt had always been polite.

"What? I..." She began only to be stunned to silence by Wyatt's hand slapping the table.

"I have had it with the barbed remarks! We need to talk seriously and we can't do it when you're sniping at me! We have a problem. I have a problem. We need to work out a solution to the first one and I need your help with the second. So can we talk civilly for once?"

For the first time since she met him, Veronica felt embarrassed about how she had been acting. Up to this point she always saw it as self-protection. Now, after Wyatt's outburst she realized how bitchy it was.

"Okay, I'll... I'll be polite."

"We have to do something to help Luca and Hazel. The two of them are extremely depressed. They want to be together but can't even hold hands because of your father's prohibition against dating. We need to get them past that. The only way to do that is for you to go on a date. You keep insisting you won't. I need to know why you won't so we can figure out a way you can."

Veronica stared at him as she replied, "I can't tell you."

"Can't or won't?" Wyatt asked.

She looked down at the table and in a whisper said, "Won't."

"You do know you're hurting your sister, yeah? And it's for what? Some stupid reason you won't tell anyone? That's really selfish!"

Veronica kept her gaze down as she replied in a small voice, "I know, but I can't."

Wyatt was losing patience as he grated, "Then tell me why you can't and maybe we can figure out a way to make it happen!"

Her gaze came up and locked to his as she said, "You want me to tell you so you can use it to force me to go on a date."

"Oh, for fuck's sake!" Wyatt snarled, "Think about someone besides yourself for a moment! I'm not here to force you to do anything! I'm here to try to figure this out so my little brother and your sister can get on with their life! I'll swear I'd never use what you tell me against you, but you wouldn't believe me, would you? You trust no one."

Ever since her father had come up with the no-dating policy for Hazel Veronica had felt badly about it. But she didn't trust anyone to help her solve it. Here was Wyatt telling her she could trust him. Should she? To do so would mean opening herself to being hurt if he chose to.

"You... you promise you won't force me to do something I don't want to do?" She asked.

"I promise! I'll swear on a stack of Bibles if you want me to! All I want is to help Luca and Hazel."

Veronica made a decision.

She took a deep breath and said, "I'm afraid to go out on a date with someone I'm attracted to."

"Afraid?" Wyatt asked puzzled, "Afraid of what? Afraid of what they might do?"

"No," Veronica sat silent for several seconds before answering in a tiny voice, "Afraid of what I might do."

"Now you really have me confused. What is it you might do you're afraid of?"

"I don't want to tell you. It's... it's too personal," Veronica replied, her cheeks turning pink.

"Then I don't know how we're going to get anywhere if I don't know what the problem is."

Wyatt stared off into space for a minute or two, then sighed as he said, "Okay, so far I know that whatever you're afraid of is your doing. And I know the fear is only with someone you're attracted to. The way you've treated me, I'd say you aren't attracted to me at all, so maybe we could figure out what kind of minimum date it would take to satisfy your father."

"Well... aw... the truth is... you're not that bad." Veronica stammered, then added, "But not good either!"

Wyatt grinned and said, "It's nice to know I'm not on your do not call list! Okay, we still may be able to do something to nullify this stupid rule. Hmmm... how about this: we go out to dinner and a movie or the theater for a play. I pick you up so your father can see me do it. We go to the restaurant and eat, then go to the theater, then I take you straight home. No possible patty fingers. Would that work for you? Would that be a situation where you would be afraid of doing whatever it is you're afraid of doing?"

Veronica stared at him for several seconds, then said, "I think I could deal with that. Okay, dinner and a movie."

Vernonia could feel the fear creeping in so she reverted to her angry responses, "It better be at a 5-star restaurant!"

Wyatt grinned and replied, "Done! I'll call you when I have the reservations."

Veronica was very nervous even thinking about such a date with him.

Because of that, she stayed in her nasty persona, "This is not really a date, I hope you know! It's to help Hazel get on with her life! You will not come and pick me up! I will meet you at the restaurant and we will dine together, but that is all it is, dining together! I will pay for my dinner! When we go to the movie theater, we will sit at least one seat apart! This... is... NOT... A... DATE! The only one who will think it is should be my father!"

Wyatt nodded wearily, "Well, your dad needs to see me pick you up and drop you off or he might question if it even happened!"

Veronica knew he was right.

She frowned, nodded and said, "Yes, you're correct. You need to pick me up and drop me off, but everything else is still going to happen. I'll pay for my meal and we will sit a seat apart at the movie! No getting handsy with me!"

Wyatt grinned, "Okay. I'll accept that." Then with his voice dripping sarcasm he added, "And I'll strive to be the gentlemanly type!"

As Veronica walked away it came to her that what she had just done was dangerous. She was going to be in his company all evening! That was the danger, for she could feel a tiny bit of warmth in her chest as she thought about it, because no matter how she verbally protested, she felt Wyatt was a gentleman and she was very attracted to him.

That evening Wyatt was watching a game in his apartment when a knock sounded on the door.

"It's unlocked, come in!" Wyatt yelled.

Just as Luca stepped in, Wyatt began yelling profanity at the screen because his team had committed a very stupid foul.

"Geez, Wyatt! That kind of language could make the devil blush!"

"It's one of those things you get proficient at in the military." Wyatt replied with a grin, "What's up little brother?"

"Any progress with Veronica?" Luca asked.

"I told you little brother, this might take some time. Are you getting blue balls?"

"Not just me! Hazel is really frustrated too! We're both going crazy! Every time we had a chance to make out, which isn't very often because she is so afraid of getting caught by her dad, we have a heck of a time stopping! And now we can't even be with each other because she's so afraid of her father finding out!"

"Well, I am taking her to dinner," Wyatt said smugly.

"Really? A date? Really?" Luca replied excitedly.

"No, not a date. She insists it's not a date. She even said she is going to pay for her own meal."

"Oh," Luca replied, dejection plain in his voice, "I thought you might have found a way to cancel this damned rule of her father's."

"Well, the fact that Veronica insists it's not a date is the bad news. The good news is she has agreed to make it look like it's a regular date to her father so Hazel can get past this stupid rule!"

Really!!" Luca's eyes lit up with joy, "I need to call Hazel and tell her!"

.

"Oh no! Hang on there! Don't do that. Let's get this date done and the rule cancelled before you tell her. Something might go wrong. If you tell her about it now, you'll be building up her hopes and if it goes south then you'd have to tell her the bad news."

"Okay, I'll hold off telling her about it. But if it works, this is fabulous!" Luca said as he flopped onto the couch.

The next day Wyatt stopped by the fanciest restaurant in town to see if he could make a reservation. When he walked in to the reception desk, the host gave him a withering look because Wyatt was dressed in work clothes.

"Hi, I'd like to make a reservation for two," Wyatt said with a smile.

"I'm not sure we have any available," The host said in a cold voice.

"Would you check please? It doesn't have to be right away."

The host flipped through the gilt-edged register in front of him, then said, "I'm sorry Sir, but we are booked up for a year."

Wyatt could tell a brush-off when it was used on him. He knew it would do no good to argue. He had come prepared to deal with that.

"May I ask your name?" Wyatt said.

The host frowned as he replied, "Reginald."

Wyatt nodded, pulled two $100.00 bills from his pocket and placed them carefully on the desk as he said, "Reginald, would you be so kind as to check again?"

The host stared at the money, covered it with his hand as he said, "I believe I was mistaken. We have an opening this Friday at 7:00 PM that I missed."

"That will be fine." Wyatt replied with a smile adding, "Thank you Reginald."

The host looked startled for a moment, then smiled and said with more warmth in his voice than before, "You are welcome, Sir. I will receive you and your guest at 7:00 PM Friday."

Wyatt called Veronica that evening.

"Hey. I made reservations at C'est si bon. Is that high-end enough for you?"

" C'est si bon? You got dinner reservations there? How did you do that? I heard they are booked out for a year!"

"It's amazing what good manners can do. You know, the kind that gentlemen naturally have and I need to cultivate," Wyatt said with a grin.

"WHAT? I... you... I never..."

"Well, us ungentlemanly types gotta work at it you know. But sometimes we gets it right!" Wyatt interrupted her, "Just be ready at 6:30 Friday. I'll pick you up then. Am I supposed to get out and open the car door for you? I can never remember what civilized men do!"

Before she could answer, he said, "See you Friday!" and hung up.

Veronica sputtered as she stared at the phone, "He's an ass! A pure unadulterated ass!"

A moment later her lips curled in a smile as she realized it was funny. He had turned her cruel comment into a joke! As she smiled, she also felt that little bit of warmth inside her grow.

Friday, as 6:30 approached, Veronica stood in front of a full-length mirror and looked at her image. She had chosen a simple black dress accented by a gold chain necklace with a pendant. She turned from side to side, appraising her image. The dress accentuated her ample bust and the flowing curve of her buttocks. She wasn't sure if she was pleased or disturbed by how she looked. She finally sighed and started downstairs to wait for Wyatt.

At exactly 6:30 a knock sounded on the door. When she opened it, Wyatt was waiting. He was dressed in a dark suit and a red silk tie with a powder blue shirt. Veronica was stunned. She had secretly thought he was a handsome young man, but dressed as he was she had to admit he was even more so.

Veronica's father stood in the hallway entrance watching his daughter as Wyatt held out his arm and said, loud enough for her father to hear, "Ready for our date?"

Veronica didn't trust her voice, so she just nodded. As they walked toward the curb, her father watched from the window. There was no car in sight as they stopped at the curb.

Veronica looked puzzled as she asked, "Where's your car?"

Wyatt grinned as he pulled a small object from his pocket and pushed the button on it saying, "Oh, I didn't bring my car."

"A taxi then?" She asked.

Wyatt's grin widened as he shook his head, "No. Wait a moment. You'll see."

Less than a second later, Veronica's eyes widened in surprise as a limo rounded the corner and stopped in front of them.

Wyatt opened the rear door, bowed and said, "Please enter my lady."

When she slid in, he closed the door, walked around to the other side and slid in next to her.

As he closed the door she huffed, "What are you doing? This is outrageous! You could have just brought your car!"

Wyatt nodded, "I could have, but I wanted to make sure I convinced your father it was a real date. And since this is probably the only time I'll get you out on a date, Opps! a non-date, I wanted to go all out and enjoy it."

": I... I... I..." Veronica was at a loss for words.

She hadn't expected Wyatt to do such a thing.

"Look, we have to do this for Luca and Hazel. Just because we have to doesn't mean we can't enjoy it, right? So, relax and try to enjoy the evening. We made a deal. I will do nothing without your permission. N-O-T-H-I-N-G!" He slowly spelled every letter of the word, "so please, relax and enjoy our non-date."

Veronica stared at him for a moment, then slowly nodded, "Okay. I'll... try."

Wyatt grinned his easy grin as he said, "Cool! Let's see what they have in the bar!"

He pushed a button on the barrier that separated them from the driver and a small shelf folded out revealing several bottles and crystal glasses in velvet holders in a compartment. Wyatt took one of the glasses, pulled out a bottle and poured amber liquid into a glass. He handed it to Veronica and filled another for himself.

He held his up and said," Here's to an evening of fun and laughter."

Veronica slowly held hers up. Wyatt touched his to hers, grinned and took a sip. Veronica did the same.

"All this must be expensive," she said.

Wyatt shrugged, "Yeah, but I have some savings I wasn't doing anything with. When you spend years in a place where you can't spend money because there is nothing to buy, a person tends to just let it accumulate. And I've never had a meal at a high-end restaurant or ridden in a limo like this. I figured since we had to do this, I'd go all out and enjoy it. It's a whole world away from riding in a hot Humvee and eating MRE's at every meal. Oh, and by the way, we aren't going to a movie. We are going to see the play "Cats". I managed to get tickets."

"Cats? We're going to see the play? I thought it was sold out for months!?"

Wyatt nodded, "It is, but a friend works at the theater and got us tickets."

"You bought them?"

Wyatt shook his head, "No. Bill gave them to me."

"Why would he do that?"

Wyatt stared out the window as he said, "For no special reason. He's just a friend."

He looked back at her, held up his glass and said, "Drink up. We're almost at the restaurant."

They both drank the last sip, then Wyatt put the glasses back in their velvet-lined holders and closed the compartment. When they pulled up in front of the building, Wyatt got out and opened the door for Veronica.

When they arrived at the reception desk Wyatt smiled and held out his hand.

"Good evening, Reginald," he said.

"Good evening, Sir and madam," Came the reply as Reginald took Wyatt's hand.

Veronica could just see the flash of green as Wyatt pressed money into Reginald's hand.

The greeter smiled, bowed and said, "This way please."

They were led to a table and helped to be seated.

"Your waiter will be with you in a moment. Please enjoy your meal." Reginald said as he left.

"I saw you give him some money," Veronica said in a whisper, "How much was it?"

"Enough," Wyatt replied with a grin.

"Tell me! I need to know! I'm going to pay half!" She came back.

"$200.00."

"WHAT?" Veronica gasped," That's... that's outrageous!"

Wyatt shook his head, "Not in this place. The people that dine here don't even think about dropping $1000.00 on a meal. If we want to play in the big dog park, we have to pay like the big dogs."

Veronica was stunned. When she had insisted on a high-end 5-star restaurant, she had no idea how expensive it would be. She wondered if she had enough money to pay for her meal.

"How much is this going to be? I need to know so I can pay my part!"

Wyatt took a drink of his water and calmly said, "I gave Reginald $200.00 just to get the reservations. I gave him another $200.00 when we arrived. I'll probably give the waiter $400.00 as a tip. My guess is the meal is going to cost about $1,800.00, or more."

Veronica was shocked, "You have enough money you can throw it around like that?"

Wyatt grinned, "I told you, I have a few bucks saved and I don't mind spending it for something I want."

"But... I can't pay for half of that! I don't have that kind of money!" She insisted.

"And," Wyatt said with a grin, "You don't want to owe me, huh? Well, don't get spun up. I don't expect you to repay me. This is my treat. I told you, I've never done this and I want to experience it at least once. Part of that is company to enjoy it with me. With your presence you have given me almost everything I wanted this evening. I told you, I spent years in places that were sparse and uncomfortable. A fancy supper, good entertainment, in the company of a woman, you, is payment enough."

For the very first time since she met him, Veronica apologized, "Wyatt, I am sorry. I didn't know it was going to be this expensive or that you were going to spend your savings on this evening."

Wyatt grinned," Don't worry about it and don't feel sorry. I could have picked a less expensive place, but as I've said, I've never been to a place like this. This was my choice. It's for me as much as to comply with your request."

The waiter arrived and they ordered. When their meal arrived, Veronica was surprised by the size of the portions. They looked small enough for a child. As they ate Wyatt prompted her on what classes she was taking and how she was doing. Before long Veronica found herself comfortable and began talking freely.

By the time the Cherry Chapel dessert arrived, she found she was enjoying the dinner as well as Wyatt's company. She had relaxed and was enjoying his sense of humor, even if sometimes it was off base and ribald.

When he chuckled and she asked him what was funny, he glanced around, leaned closer and whispered, "I love a cherry for dessert."

It took her a moment or two to realize he was making a sexually explicit double entendre.

Her first reaction was to revert to her practiced nasty persona, but after a moment of reflection, she decided to try to shock him.

"Well, no matter, that's the only one you'll be having."

"Yeah, don't I know it!" He shot back with a grin.

"I don't think you understand. These," she pointed at the two desserts, " are the only ones at the table, unless you are."

Wyatt blinked, confused for a moment, then a grin broke out on his face as he replied, "Not me, not by a long shot!"

Veronica laughed. That exchange seemed to break any ice left between them. She began to relax.

When they were done with the dessert, Wyatt dropped cash for dinner and tip in the tray, then held out his arm for her.

As they passed the reception desk Reginald nodded and said, "Sir, Madam, I hope to see you again soon."

Wyatt smiled and replied, "I'd love to, but you probably will never see me in here again. I just blew all my savings on this evening."

Reginald looked surprised, but only for a moment as he responded, "Then I hope it was up to your expectations Sir."

"The service was impeccable, the best I've ever had. The food was fabulous. The only complaint I have was the portion sizes. After eating MRE's for years, the tiny portions left me hungry."

Reginald blinked at his comment, then a slow smile crept across his face as he said, "I will pass your comments on to the owner. Thank you for the compliments on the service and food. And thank you for your service."

Wyatt smiled and waved as they stepped out the door. The limo was waiting for them at the curb. The driver took them straight to the theater. When they pulled up to the building there was a man dressed in a suit waiting for them. Wyatt got out and walked around the car. Veronica could see him speaking to the man in the suit. Before they finished speaking, she opened the door.

As she did, she heard the man say, "... to a couple of seats in the C5 balcony."

"Bill, you didn't have to do that. The original seats were fine," Wyatt replied.

Bill grinned and said, "You've never asked me for a favor. Now that you have, I'm going to make it the best one I can do for you."

"You didn't have to."

"I don't think I need to, but I do!" Bill said, turning to Veronica, " And this is your lady, I presume. Care to introduce me?"

"Veronica, this is William Carlisle Humphry the 3rd. Bill, this is Veronica Santoro."

"Delighted to meet you," Bill said, taking her hand with a smile, "But please, call me Bill. All my friends do."

As he let go of her hand, he said, "If you will follow me, I will escort you to your seats. The play is about to start."

They followed him into the theater, up a flight of stairs and out onto a small balcony with two overstuffed chairs. The balcony was in the center of the theater and the view of the stage was fabulous.

Bill smiled and said, "During intermission you needn't go down to the lobby. There will be an attendant to take your orders so you may stay in your seats and relax. I'll see you at the end of the play."

He waved goodbye as he left. Veronica was stunned by the luxury of the balcony. The seats were padded and comfortable. There was a pair of opera glasses sitting on the arm of each. At the rear, the balcony was isolated by a set of heavy curtains that Bill had drawn closed as he left.

"How in the world did you manage to get us into these seats?" Veronica said a note of wonder in her voice.

"Not my doing. I thought we were going to be down there," Wyatt pointed at the main floor, "Bill said he upgraded us from those seats, so he's the one responsible."

"But he must have done it for a reason!"

"Well, Bill and I are close. We served together in the army."

"He was in the army? He doesn't look like the type to enlist."

Wyatt grinned, "A long story. Bill is rich. He actually owns the majority interest in this theater."

"So why did he enlist?"

"His father and mother wanted him to go into the family business, real estate development. He thought it was boring and wanted some adventure, so he enlisted."

"But still, why did he...," Veronica started to ask but stopped as the lights were dimmed, indicating the play was about to start.

"Time to take our seats. I'll explain later."

The play started and through the first half Veronica was thrilled. She had read about the play and it was as good as she had heard it was. At intermission, a young lady in an usher's uniform stepped through the curtain and asked what they would like to drink.

"Will you let me handle this order?" Wyatt asked.

"Aw... okay," Veronica replied uncertainly.

"I have a feeling that no matter what we order, Bill has something in store for us." Wyatt turned to the young lady and said, "Will you check with Mr. Humphry? I think he might have an order ready for us."

The young woman smiled as she replied, "My instructions were to take your order, then ignore it and bring you what Mr. Humphry has arranged for you."

Wyatt's smile widened as he said to Veronica, "See? Didn't I tell you?"

He turned to the young lady, "That will be fine. Thank you. Before you go, may I ask your name? I would much rather address you by your name than 'young lady'."

"My name is Julieta."

"Thank you, Julieta."

The girl smiled as she disappeared through the curtain. She reappeared 10 minutes later with a small folding table, an ice bucket holding a bottle on ice, a covered dish and two glasses on a tray. She set up the table and put the ice bucket on it with the covered dish and glasses in front of it.

"Will that be all, sir?" She asked when she was done.

Wyatt nodded as he handed her a folded $100.00 bill and said, "Thank you Julieta."

Again, she smiled as she slipped out through the curtains.

"You shouldn't have given her so much for a tip!" Veronica protested.

"She did a good job and besides, it's expected in a place like this."

"But aren't you afraid you'll spend all your savings?"

Wyatt shrugged, "Maybe. But if I do, I'm going to enjoy it!"

"You're just going to blow all the money you have saved?" Veronica asked incredulously.

Wyatt grinned, "Yes. That's what I saved it for and tonight is a great night to spend it!"

Veronica let out an exasperated sigh, then indicating the table asked, "What's this?"

Wyatt pulled the cover off the dish to find a small bowl of Strawberries. He pulled the bottle out of the bucket and saw the writing on the label was in French.

"What this is," He said, holding the bottle up, " Is Dom Pérignon champagne. I can't read the title because it's in French, but I'll bet it isn't some cheap brand. Damn him! I told Bill not to go out of his way for this! Well, we might as well enjoy it."

"Why Strawberries?" Veronica asked, "Is there some meaning to that?"

Wyatt chuckled and replied, "Not really. Bill told me you use the Strawberries to cleanse your palate between drinks of champagne."

The lights were dimmed, indicating the play was about to resume. Wyatt poured them each a glass full and sat down. Through the last half of the play, they sipped the champagne and nibbled on the Strawberries. When the curtain came down on the last act, both of them jumped to their feet and applauded. When the applause died down and the crowd readied to leave, Bill stepped through the curtain.

"This might go a little way in paying what I owe you," he said to Wyatt.

"Damn it! How many times do I have to tell you, you owe me nothing," Wyatt replied with a frown.

Bill grinned and said, "Even if you don't think I do, I do. Was it enjoyable?"

Before Wyatt could answer, Veronica asked, "I have to know: why do you owe him and why did you enlist in the military?"

Bill grinned, "I enlisted because my grandfather insisted. I was a spoiled little rich kid. My parents were rich, but my grandfather was even more so. I expected that when my grandfather died, I'd get some of his inheritance and I could spend my time partying. He told me I'd get nothing unless I went into the military, served my time and got an honorable discharge. I figured it would be easy. I learned the first day in basic it was going to be hard, very hard, at least for me. This guy," Bill pointed at Wyatt, "took me under his wing and helped me through basic and the next 4 years of my hitch. Without him I'd never have made it. That's why I owe him."

"Did you get that inheritance from your grandfather?" Veronica asked.

"No, not yet anyway. He's a tough old coot! He's still kicking. But he did give me a stake to buy into this theater and advised me how to succeed when he did."

Bill turned to Wyatt, "The crowd has thinned enough; you can leave now. Anytime you want the same treatment, call me."

Wyatt sighed and nodded, "Okay. It looks like I can't convince you that you don't owe me anything."

As they left the theater Wyatt called the limo driver. The car was waiting at the curb. Wyatt opened the door for Veronica to enter, then slid in next to her.

As the car pulled away, Wyatt smiled and asked, "I hope you enjoyed the evening?"

Veronica was silent for several long seconds before replying in her usual brusque manner, "It was... acceptable."

Wyatt barked a sharp laugh and shook his head, "Acceptable? Really? I guess there is no way to break through that icy exterior of yours."

He shook his head a second time as he said, with a tone of incredulity in his voice, "Acceptable! Damn! Well, did you at least enjoy the meal? The play? Or were they both just acceptable?"

Veronica was surprised at his sharp manner and was about to reply in kind when it came to her that he had been a gentleman all evening. At heart she wasn't mean and even though she feared being around him, she really didn't want to be mean to this guy who was trying to help her sister.

"I'm sorry Wyatt. I shouldn't have phrased it that way. It was fabulous. The dinner was something I've never had before and the play was, well, I loved it."

Wyatt nodded, "I accept your apology."

That hit Veronica hard and the anger boiled up in her as she thought, 'Apology? For what? I didn't apologize!'

She was about to unleash one of her verbal blasts but stopped as the thought came to her, 'You were sorry. It was an apology.'

She swallowed the anger, biting back the words she was about to throw at him and said nothing. They rode the rest of the way to Veronica's house in silence.

As they pulled up to the curb, Wyatt got out and helped her out of the car.

"I'm sure your father is watching, so take my hand and let's pretend it was a real date," he said in a low voice.

Veronica hesitates then reached out and took his hand. As they walked to her door she could feel the warmth of his palm.

When they stopped on the porch, he leaned close and whispered, "To sell this thing to your father, you need to let me kiss you goodnight."

"We can't..." she began to protest, but felt him pull her close and a moment later his lips were on her's.

Wyatt was expecting her to stiffen and feel like a manikin which was what happened, but only for a moment. After the initial contact of their lips her body did stiffen, but it was no more than a moment later Wyatt felt her tremble, then her arms circled his neck, she pushed herself against him and he felt more then heard a deep moan come from her as she kissed him back. Wyatt felt her lip's part and a moment later their tongues were touching as she began to grind against him and her moans increased.

It hit Wyatt that all evening, actually every moment since he met her, she had been cold and standoffish but now, here, at the last moment of their date she was teasing him. He broke the kiss and stepped back staring at her flushed face.

"That is despicable! I put everything I could into this, hoping you would enjoy it! I've tried to be a gentleman thinking you might respond in kind. Instead, you've been a stone-cold bitch and here, now at the last moment you decide to tease me! Screw you bitch!" He snarled, then turned and stalked stiffly back towards the car.

As he stalked away Veronica called after him, "Wait! Let me..." the slam of the car door cut off her last word,"... explain."

Veronica watched the car until it rounded the street corner. She went slowly into the house to find her father waiting in the front hallway.

He was smiling as he said, "Did you enjoy your date?"

Veronica didn't feel like smiling or even talking to anyone, but she put on a good face as she responded, "Yes. It was perfect!"

For the next 15 minutes she detailed to her father what they had done. When she was finished, he said, "It sounds like a great date! Are you going out with him again?"

That startled Veronica because it was something she had never considered. This was supposed to be a one off date to get Hazel past their dad's prohibition on dating. That's the only reason she had gone out with him. But now, after the kiss on the porch something she had feared was happening, she wanted to do it again and more.

"Well? Are you?" Her dad asked.

"Maybe," She responded as she turned to go to her room," but right now I want to get out of these clothes."

As she passed Hazel's room, she saw her sister sitting on her bed.

"Hey Hazy," Veronica said as she stopped in Hazel's doorway.

"So?" Hazel asked excitedly, "did Dad accept it as a date?"

"I think so," Veronica replied, "But you should ask him yourself."

Before the last word was out of her mouth, her sister was hugging her.

"Thank you! Thank you! You don't know how much this means to me! You're the best sister ever!"

Veronica hugged her sister, "Settle down! Go talk to Dad, then I think you can call Luca and you two can go on a date. But," Veronica stepped back and looked at her sister, "be careful huh?"

"Oh Vee! I'll be careful! I've been ready for months!" Hazel replied as she headed down stairs.

Hazel ran into the living room where her father was and hugged him as she said, "Thank you daddy! I'm going to call Luca right now and arrange a date for tomorrow!"

"Not so fast. I'm not sure I think you should date even after your sister did," Her father replied.

Hazel looked stricken.

Her eyes filled with tears as she cried out, "Daddy! You promised that if Veronica went on a date I could too! You promised!"

"I know. I should never have set that requirement. But your sister didn't show any interest in dating so I assumed she wouldn't for a long time. I don't think I should allow you to even though she has."

Tears dripped from Hazel's cheeks as she screamed, "You're a liar! I hate you!"

She turned and run up the stairs to her room. Veronica was sitting on her bed thinking about Wyatt and the date they had, when she heard her sister run by sobbing. She got up and followed Hazel into her room.

"What's up Hazy?"

"Dad... dad says I still can't date! He lied! I HATE HIM!" Hazel sobbed.

Veronica sat down on the bed next to her sister pulled her close and held her as she cried.

"Let me talk to him," she said as she comforted her younger sister.

"Thank you," Hazel sobbed.

Veronica went downstairs and found her father in the kitchen.

"Dad, you can't do this to Hazel. You promised if I went out on a date she could too."

Of a sudden it hit her why her father didn't want his youngest daughter to go out on a date.

"This isn't about studies, is it?" She asked.

"No, it isn't." Her father replied, " I'm afraid for her. I'm afraid she'll have sex and get pregnant."

"Dad, what if I guarantee she won't? I'll make sure she doesn't." Veronica replied.

Her father's brow knitted as he thought, then he replied, "If you can assure me of that, she can go out with her boyfriend."

"I can promise she won't," Veronica replied.

Unbeknownst to her father they weren't talking about the same thing. Her father though she had just promised that Hazel wouldn't have sex. Veronica on the other hand by knowingly using some rather vague language had promised her little sister won't get pregnant.

"I'll let her know," Veronica said.

When she walked into Hazel's room the girl was laying on the bed in a fetal position.

"He... he refused to let me go huh?" Hazel asked between sniffles.

"Actually, I got him to say you can," Veronica replied with a grin.

Hazel jumped up and squealed," He did? Thank you, thank you!"

"Hang on a second. He demanded I promise something. You and I need to talk."

Hazel stopped and slowly sat down on the edge of the bed, "What did you have to promise?"

Veronica smiled, "Dad thought I promised you wouldn't have sex."

"But... no! Just no!" Hazel sputtered.

"Settle down sis. I didn't promise that. I said dad thought I did. What I promised was you wouldn't get pregnant. We need to get you on birth control before you and Luca go out."

"Oh Vee! I told you I've been ready for this for a long time! I've been getting birth control shots for the last six months! I am ready! I can't get pregnant!"

"You what!?" Veronica asked shocked, "Really? You've been getting birth control shots for six months?"

Her sister nodded with a grin.

"Well, I guess I have nothing to worry about in that department. But Hazy, please be careful, okay?"

"I will Vee, I promise."

When Veronica went to her room Hazel called Luca.

With no preamble she said, "Tomorrow! 4:00 PM right after class! You. Me. A date!"

Luca had talked to Wyatt and knew what she meant.

"Absolutely!" Luca replied, "Have you talked to Veronica about their date?"

"No. We haven't had time to talk about it, why?"

"When Wyatt stopped by to tell me that he and Veronica had just finished the date and you and I could now go out, he was angry, really angry. When I asked him why all he would say was one word."

"What word?" Hazel asked.

"'Bitch!' That was all he would say. I'd kind of like to know why he was so angry."

"Let me talk to Veronica about it. I'll see you tomorrow at 4! Don't stand me up!"

"Not on your life!" Luca replied.

When she hung up, she went to Veronica's room and knocked on the door.

"Vee, can I come in and talk?"

"Sure come in."

Veronica was sitting on the bed when Hazel entered. The younger girl sat down next to her.

"I called Luca and we're going out tomorrow afternoon."

Veronica smiled and replied, "I'm happy for you Hazy."

"I know you are sis. But Luca said Wyatt was very angry and when Luca asked him about the date the only thing he would say was 'Bitch!'. What happened? Why did he say that and why was he so angry?"

"It was... it was just something that happened," Veronica replied slowly.

"Vee I can tell when something bothering you. And this is. Talk to me. I won't tell anyone, you know that. Now that we're past this stupid thing dad put between us, talk to me."

"The date was fabulous. Wyatt went out of his way to make it special and to be a gentleman. But I was... I was cold to him through the whole date."

"Why were you? Why have you been that way with most guys? You're so warm and friendly with family and me. I could never understand why you were like that with guys."

"You haven't had sex yet have you?" Veronica asked.

"No, but that will be remedied tomorrow!" Hazel replied with a giggle.

Her sister nodded, "I'm sure it will be. While you haven't yet I have."

Hazel was puzzled. Her sister had never mentioned she had done such a thing.

"Really? When? How?" Where?"

"It was right after my 18th birthday. Remember I went with some friends to check out Western Science College? There was a government conference going on at the same time. I met a guy who was there for that conference. An older guy."

"How much older?" Hazel asked.

Veronica smiled and replied, "He was 35."

"Oh my goodness Vee!" Hazel replied.

"He was charming and invited me to his room. I went knowing full well what he had in mind. I wanted it to. In fact, I had gotten on birth control before the trip hoping something like that might happen with a college guy. He turned on a small stereo he had, mixed us a drink and we talked for an hour or so. Then he asked me to dance. As we did, he began to let his hands wander. It felt really good to me. After a while he kissed me and began to work getting my blouse undone. I let him. I hadn't worn a bra and when he got my blouse open and cupped my breasts it was fabulous."

Veronica paused then continued, "I won't give you a step-by-step description but it wasn't long we were on his bed naked and he... aw... he had his tongue in me."

"You let him lick you? Really? How was it? Tell me! I've seen videos but I want to know how it feels in case Luca wants to do it to me."

"Oh, Hazy it was wonderful! He licked me until I had a climax. The problem was that climax and the other two I had that evening."

"Three? On your first time doing it you had three? Vee! What the heck! But what do you mean they were a problem?"

Veronica stared off into the distance as she said, "When I climaxed it was a huge surprise. It not only felt fantastic, but I also saw lights and heard music. Or at least sounds that were like music."

"Lights? Music? What do you mean?"

"I talked to a doctor about it later and found out I have sexual synaesthesia. I see colors and hear sounds as part of my orgasm."

"My god! That sound like a dream! Really? Sounds and colors?"

"It is. It was. Had I had sex with a guy that wasn't as sexually adept as Carson, a guy that made me climax only once it might have been different. But Carson was fantastic in bed. He gave me three orgasms. And each came with color bursts and music. By the time I had the last one I wanted more, lots more. I would have had sex with him until we both were too exhausted to move. But after the third one he was done in. I left. Later that night I masturbated, thinking I could do it on my own. I did but it was a very pale comparison to doing it with Carson. It scared me. I thought I might get addicted to it and want it all the time. That's why I never wanted to go out with a guy. I was afraid I'd jump him and demand sex until I couldn't move."

"I can see why you'd want it lots! But why was Wyatt so angry?"

"Because I was afraid of him. He was nice. He was a gentleman. He went out of his way to do things to make our date special. Because I was so attracted to him, I was cold to him through the entire date, worse than I ever have been with any other guy. When we got to our house, he said I should give him a good night kiss to convince Dad it was a real date. He didn't wait for me to say no, he just kissed me. When he did, I wanted to tear his clothes off and do him right there on the porch. I was pushing against him and kissing him as much as he was kissing me. He thought I was teasing him and his calm composure that had held for our entire date, actually for the entire time he's been trying to get me on a date, crumbled. He called me a cold bitch and stormed away before I could explain."

"Well why didn't you call him and explain?"

"Because if I see him, or talk to him, I'm afraid I won't be able to control myself. Hazy, if I see him again, I don't think I'll want to. Wyatt is a good guy and I'm tired of fighting this."

"Well stop fighting it! Just go do it!"

"I can't! I'm too afraid of what I will become!" Veronica said a tear sliding down her cheek.

Hazel pulled her sister close and whispered, "Oh sis I am so worry. I wish there was something I could do for you."

They sat that way for a long time, then Veronica sat up, dried her eyes and said, "I need some sleep. Thanks for listening Hazy."

"You're welcome sis," Hazel replied as she left.

The next day at 4:00 PM Luca knocked on the door. Hazel opened it immediately.

"Ready?" He asked.

"Ready!" She replied.

As they climbed into Luca's car she asked, "So where are we going?"

"We could go to a movie," Luca replied with a grin.

"A movie!? Really?" Hazy came back.

"Or we could go to Wyatt's apartment. He's staying with a friend and told me we could use it."

"Wyatt's apartment it is!" Hazel replied with a giggle.

When they got there Luca kicked the door shut, picked Hazel up and ran to the bedroom. A frenzy of clothes being shed followed and within a minute they were naked on the bed. Luca got between her legs and put the length of his rod against her slit.

"Hazel," Luca groaned as he slid the head of his hard rod up and down her warm groove, "If I get into you right now, I won't last long."

"Are you trying to tell me you can only do it once?" Hazel asked.

"No! No! It's just... just that first time I might be a little, you know fast," He groaned.

"Do it," She whispered, "I want it. I want you."

Luca put the tip of his hard rod at her entrance, then with a pushed was buried inside her.

"Oh my god Hazel! It feels... feels...,"

"Fantastic!" Hazel finished for him as she pulled his mouth to hers.

True to his word Luca lasted six strokes before his cock exploded. As it throbbed to stillness, he sighed, a long, satisfied sigh.

He laid still for several minutes enjoying the feel of her around him, then he began to move pushing his still hard shaft in and out of her. This time it took minutes for his climax to rise. He lasted long enough that just before his cock exploded the second time Hazel dug her fingernails into his back and she cried out as a climax filled her. Half a minute later Luca's cock exploded a second time. When their climaxes ebbed, Luca rolled from between her legs and laid on his back next to her.

"Hazy? That was... was..."

"Yeah, me too!" She finished for him as she moved up and kissed him.

As they snuggled Luca asked, "When do you have to be home?"

"Why?" She asked.

"Well, Wyatt said we could stay the night. I'd love to spend the entire night with you. We could do this again and again!" Luca replied with a grin.

"Well, I don't know," Hazel said, then with a sly grin replied, "I think if I call Veronica, she can tell dad I'm staying at a friend's house tonight."

Luca grinned as he grabbed her phone off the night stand and handed it to her.

Veronica answered her phone, knowing it was Hazel.

"Hey sis, how's it going?"

"Vee, it's fabulous! Wyatt let us use his apartment and we're lying in bed together!"

Veronica smiled as she said, "You sound happy. Have fun be please be careful!"

"I will but can you do something for me?"

"Sure. What do you need?"

"Luca and I want to spend the night together. Can you tell dad I'm staying with a friend?"

"Really? You want me to lie for you?" Veronica replied.

"It really wouldn't be a lie. Luca and I are friends."

Veronica chuckled, "Yes you are, but you should know I'd tell him even if it was an outright lie. You and Luca deserve to be happy and have some fun."

"Thanks Vee. Do me a big favor though? Think about what it is that you want. You deserve to be happy and have fun too!"

"I will. When will you be home tomorrow? Dad might ask."

"About 1:00."

"Okay. Good night sis."

When Hazel hung up, she snuggled close to Luca.

"What is it she wants? I heard you ask her to think about it," Luca said as he pulled her closer.

"I can't tell you, but I want you to tell Wyatt something." She said as she ran her hand lightly over his chest.

"Tell him what?"

Hazel sat up and looked into Luca's eyes, "Tell him not to give up. Tell him Veronica really, really likes him, but she's afraid. Tell him she wasn't teasing. That's all I can really say without breaking a promise."

"Okay, I'll tell him. But for right now, would you like to try the top?" Luca said with a grin.

Hazel smiled and slid astride of him. She began to rub her warm, wet slit up and down his hard shaft. Luca pushed his hand down between then and pulled the tip of his hard shaft to her entrance. With her lower lip caught between her teeth, the tiny moan she let out as she slid down onto it was almost inaudible.

They had sex three more times before they fell asleep exhausted. Luca woke the next morning against Hazel's back, with an arm over her and his morning wood cradled between her ass cheeks.

'This is fantastic!' He thought as he began to rub his hard cock up and down against her ass cheeks.

After a few moments he felt her legs part, then felt her hand guiding him to her entrance. As he pushed into her, he reached around and filled his hand with one of her firm breasts. He rolled her nipple between his fingers as he slid in and out of her. It took quite a while before he came. As he did, as his cock throbbed, shooting his cum into her, he pushed as deeply into her as he could. As he pulled out Hazel glanced at the clock and saw it was a quarter to 12:00.

"I have to be home by 1:00. We should shower and clean up." She said.

With a grin Luca responded, "Shower? Together I hope!"

Hazel giggled, jumped out of bed, wiggled her ass at Luca and ran toward the bathroom.

They spent the next 1/2 hour in the shower soaping, fondling and making out. By 12:30 Luca was again hard and ready for more.

"Once more," He murmured to Hazel over the noise of the splashing water, "Just once more."

Hazel didn't say anything, she just nodded, then pulled his mouth to her's. Luca picked her up and carried her to the bed dripping water over the bedroom floor. He fell onto the bed with Hazel under him. She had her legs spread so he landed with his hard rod against her warm slit. Their lips were still locked together, their tongue dueling as he reached down, put the tip of his rod against her opening and lunged forward. Hazel moaned and used her legs to embrace his hips as he began to slam into her. Hazel broke the kiss and pulled him down so that her firm breasts were smashed against his chest.

From her lips came a breathy "oh" each time he slammed into her. As her climax approached the "oh's" got louder and louder until finally her arms tightened around his neck in a death grip and a long quavering moan spilled from her lips as she came. Luca was an instant behind her, slamming as deep into her as he could get, his cock throbbing in her slick, tight tunnel. As their orgasms faded Luca rolled off and lay next to her. Hazel rolled until her head was on his chest, a soft hum of satisfaction coming from her. A few moments later she looked at the clock and saw it was a quarter to 1:00.

She jumped up as she said, "Damn it! I have to be home in 15 minutes! I have to jump back in the shower and wash you off me!"

"You want help with that?" Luca asked with a leering grin.

Hazel giggled and replied as she headed for the bathroom, "Not on your life! You know as well as I do, we'd be right back here on the bed doing it again! And I have to go!"

Five minutes later they were standing next to the door. Luca pulled her close for a kiss.

Hazel avoided his lips and pecked him on the cheek as she said, "No way! You kiss me and I'll be right back on that bed! Save it for next time!"

Luca grinned, "When will that be?"

Hazel giggled and replied as she slipped out the door, "Whenever we get the chance!"

Luca watched her go and wondered when that next time would be.

"Tomorrow if I can help it" He whispered to the air.

He spent the next two hours cleaning up, scrubbing the shower, stripping the bed and washing the sheets. He didn't want to leave the apartment in a mess for his brother, hoping Wyatt might let them use it again. He had just finished making the bed when Wyatt came home.

"Well little brother, how did it go?" Wyatt asked as he opened the 'fridge and pulled out beer.

"Fantastic! It was as good as I imagined it was going to be!" Luca replied enthusiastically.

"Did Hazel enjoy it?"

"Absolutely!"

"Great! Now you two can give it a rest," Wyatt replied.

"What? No... I mean it's... we can't do that!" Luca huffed.

Wyatt burst out laughing, "I know that! You two are in heat and once isn't going to dim those flames!"

"HA, HA!" Luca replied sarcastically, "that was funny!"

"Settle down little brother. You and Hazel got yours. At least she wasn't an Ice princess and teased you!"

"You mean Veronica?"

"Yeah, who else would I be meaning?"

"Funny but Hazel mentioned that. She said she couldn't explain why because she promised not to, but she told me to tell you not to give up, that Veronica liked you and that she wasn't teasing."

"Not to give up? She likes me? What the hell does that mean? And if it wasn't a tease, what the hell was it? After all her coldness and then to kiss me the way she did, push herself against me the way she did, it had to be a tease!"

"Wyatt all I know is what Hazel wanted me to tell you!"

"That makes no sense!" Wyatt said, "But after what I did to meet her demands I think she owes me an explanation! I can't confront her at the college; there are too many people around there. And I can't go to her house her father might be there and that wouldn't look right to him."

Luca nodded, "What if... what you could get her to come here? You could confront her in private."

"How can I do that? She'd never come here voluntarily."

Luca thought for minute and replied, "What if she thought she was picking Hazel up here and you wouldn't be here? That should work!"

Wyatt looked thoughtful, "Hmmmm... yeah, that might work. Tomorrow is Friday. Can we set something up to get her here tomorrow evening? Say 6:00 PM?"

"Let me ask Hazel, " Luca replied already busy typing out a text.

15 minutes later Luca said, "Okay, Hazel is going to tell Veronica that she is going to be here at your apartment tomorrow afternoon with me. Instead, I'll pick her up and we'll go to the Burger Bomb. At 5:30 Hazel is going to send a text to Veronica that she and I had a fight and I stomped out. She'll ask Veronica to come pick her up. She'll also say she wants Veronica to come up to the apartment to get her because she is too afraid to wait on the street. I'll let you know when Veronica is on her way here."

Wyatt nodded, tipped his beer up and finished it.

He threw the beer can at the garbage can and hit the edge. The beer can bounced off and rolled under the table.

"Good! Tomorrow I'm going to find out what the hell is going on with her!"

Friday at 5:30 Hazel and Luca were sitting in a booth at the Burger Bomb. Hazel had the text all typed out and ready. She had tried to make it sound as tearful as she could.

"Should I send it?" She asked.

"Do it!" Luca replied.

Haze punched the send button and nodded. She expected it to take 10 or 15 minutes before Veronica would answer. It took less than two. When her phone buzzed Hazel was surprised by the quick reply.

As she read the text from her older sister Luca asked impatiently, "What's it say?"

Hazel grinned as she replied, "It's pretty short, 'I'll be there in ten.'"

Luca grinned back as he quickly typed out a cryptic message to Wyatt, 'Ten minutes out.'

Hazel took a sip of her soda and said, "Luca, it's killing me to keep this secret an I have to tell someone, but I don't want to tell just anyone. Will you think I'm bad if I tell you?"

Luca looked somber as he replied, "No I won't tell anyone and I won't think badly of you for telling me."

Hazel detailed to Luca what Veronica told her.

When she was done Luca said, "You mean all that coldness and bitchiness wasn't because she dislikes guys, but because she was afraid of what she might do?"

Hazel nodded, "Yes, exactly. And she said she is very attracted to Wyatt and when he kissed her, she was ready to do anything he wanted!"

Hazel smiled and whispered as she squeezed his hand, "I know that feeling!"

Luca giggled and replied, "Me too!"

"I think... I think," Hazel paused, then added, " If he kisses her again, she's going to tell him all of it."

"Maybe she shouldn't be so afraid of it." Luca said, "The first time was fabulous for her. I know my brother and if she lets him, it will be just like that."

"I hope so," Hazel said.

Luca looked thoughtful, then said, "Let's help make it happen."

"No! You can't tell Wyatt what I told you!"

Luca stared at her for a moment then typed furiously on his phone. He turned it so Hazel could see what he had wrote.

After she read it, she nodded and with a grin said, "That will work!"

In his apartment Wyatt's phone buzzed. When he opened it there was a one-line text from Luca, 'Whatever you do, you MUST kiss her again!'

_________________

Wyatt was waiting when the knock on the door came.

When he opened the door Veronica's eyes widened in surprise, "Wha... what are you doing here?"

"Waiting for you," Wyatt replied as he took hold of her arm.

Veronica had been primed and ready to comfort her sister and was so shocked by this turn of events she didn't resist as he pulled her in to the apartment.

Veronica fell into her old familiar role as she said in a cool voice, "So what do you want?"

Wyatt shook his hand as he replied in a voice as cool as hers, "So you're going to be the ice bitch still? That's okay with me. But we need to clear the air. I tried being the gentleman with you. On our date that wasn't a date I tried to comply with all your requirements. I thought I did a pretty good job too. But what did I get? Not a 'thank you' or even a nod. I get a tease. You were an icy bitch all night, but that last moment you see fit to tease me instead of being a civil human. Then your sister drops an enigmatic statement that 'it wasn't a tease' but refused to say any more about it."

Wyatt's frown deepened as he added, "All I want to know is if it wasn't a tease what the hell was it? You owe me an explanation. At least that much, nothing more but at least that much. So, what was it?"

Veronica was stunned. Wyatt was right, everything he said was true. She had never stopped to think how her act was received by other people. And she also realized that Wyatt was a decent guy. The date was to help his brother and her sister. He could have taken her to some cheap restaurant and they could have glared at each other all night and it would have accomplished what they needed. Instead, he had made the night special. For the very first time she felt deeply guilty about being such a bitch. She knew what she had to do. She needed to tell him why.

"It... it wasn't a tease. When you kissed me it... aw... it caused a reaction."

"Reaction?" Wyatt asked, his brow knitted in a question, "What kind of reaction?"

Veronica took a long breath, then before she could change her mind launched into the story. She talked for almost 10 minutes without pause, telling him everything. Wyatt sat stone faced listening to her.

When she got to the end, his kiss, she said, "When you kissed me it was like a dam breaking. All those years of trying to keep in penned, trying to deny it, flooded through me. I wanted it. I wanted... I wanted...," her voice fell to a whisper, "you."

Wyatt sat still for a moment then said in a neutral voice, "You mean all these years you've hid behind that ice bitch because you were afraid of something? Afraid you might like it too much?"

Veronica could only nod.

Wyatt stared at her for a long moment then said, "I don't think that's the truth. I think it's because you don't want to trust someone."

Veronica's eyes grew wide as she said, "What? No! That's not it!"

Wyatt nodded, stood, took hold of her arms and pulled her to her feet. He didn't say a word; he just pulled her mouth to his. Like the first time, Veronica was stiff with surprise, then Wyatt felt her body relax felt her push closer to him and felt more than heard a low moan come from her. He broke the kiss and stepped back.

"From what you've told me, I'm sure I could wheedle, coax or just drag you to the bedroom right now and have my way with you and you would let me. You know that don't you? But I won't. I won't because if I do it will verify your fears. I want you in my bed. I want YOU! But it has to be your choice. Are you going to let fear rule your life? You can come with me or you can leave and let it. Choose!"

He held out his hand. Veronica stared at it, the fears she had known for so long swirling in her mind. Was he correct? Was she afraid of what she would turn into or afraid of trusting someone else? The fear was there in her mind, but under it were the memories of that one time, that one time she had relaxed and let it happen. She looked at his extended hand then looked up at him.

He locked eyes with her and said, "It's not mine to do. Choose."

Veronica looked at his extended hand, then slowly turned toward the door. Behind her she heard a sigh and the sound of Wyatt's hand hitting his pants leg as he dropped it to his side. As she stepped toward the door, the memories of how it had been with Carson filled her mind. From somewhere a surge of courage or want or desire, she couldn't tell which, filled her. She whirled and charge back at him.

As she slammed into him her arms circle his neck she whimpered, "I want it, but I'm afraid."

Wyatt smiled, gently kissed her lips, then said softly, "You can't live in fear," as he took her hand and pulled her toward the bedroom.

As she followed him, her hand in his, the fear was still in her mind, but with each step closer to the bedroom the memory of what happened before and the expectation of what was to come grew. By the time they stepped through the bedroom door the fear was almost drowned by those memories and expectations.

Wyatt pulled her to him and again kissed her. This time there was no hesitation on her part, she crushed her body against his and hungrily kissed him back. His hand slid down over her back to come to rest on her ass. He pulled her mound firmly against the lump of his hard rod, which brought a moan of desire from her.

She pulled back because the fear was still there, surfacing from time to time through the desire and sexual fire like a Dolphin breaching for air.

"You won't... you won't think I'm a slut afterward, will you?" She panted.

"A slut?" Wyatt asked as he slid his hand around her side to cup one of her breasts, "No. You are a long way from that."

The fear breached again, and to stall further she said, "I.... aw... I'm not protected. I'm not taking birth control. Do you have...?"

Wyatt shook his head, "Nope. I haven't been out with anyone since I got out of the army. But that's why they make morning after pills. Now, let's..."

She felt his hand slid up her back under her blouse and a moment later felt the release as he popped her bra clasp open. A moment more and she felt his other hand slide up the front of her blouse, then the feel of her breasts settling as he pulled the cups free.

"But... ooooh..." she began but was interrupted by the feel of his fingers gently rolling her nipple.

Wyatt leaned close and put his lips close to her ear, "Time to quit stalling. You can't live in fear."

She wasn't sure exactly when it happened but as his fingers rolled her nipple, as the thought of what was coming filled her mind, the fear disappeared. With trembling fingers, she began to unbutton his shirt. Wyatt took that as the sign he had been waiting for. He did the same for her. Two minutes later they were both naked. Wyatt pulled her close and again kissed her. As he did the feel of his naked skin against hers caused Veronica's body to tremble. Wyatt picked her up and put her on the bed, then climbed on settling between her soft thighs.

"Mmm...," Wyatt hummed as he breathed in her scent, "I haven't smelled something as fragrant as that in a long time. Time to see how you taste."

He bent and slipped his tongue gently into her slit. He had no trouble finding her clit. The hard engorged little nub was standing tall. He began to alternately lick and suck it as he slipped two fingers into her tunnel and began to finger fuck her as he worked her clit with his tongue.

Veronica could feel it approaching, could tell it was going to be huge. When her climax hit her, her vision was filled with color and music filled her ears as the pleasure of the climax filled her body. She couldn't hear it over the internal music, but she screamed, a high piercing wail as she grabbed the back of Wyatt's head and pulled his mouth to her pussy, hard. Wyatt responded by slamming his fingers into her as he sucked hard at her clit. As it ebbed, she collapsed with a whimper.

When he felt that, Wyatt moved up and slid into her with a groan. He knew he wouldn't last long. He hadn't had sex for 4 years and the build up to this had been long. As Veronica felt him enter her, she wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his hips. A dozen strokes later Wyatt groaned as his cock exploded. When his rod throbbed it's last, he slid off and lay next to her.

"So?" He asked.

"So, what?" she came back.

"You know so what! So, was it all right for you?"

Veronica rolled up on her side, looked at him and replied, "Wyatt, it was fantastic!"

"All right then!" He replied with a grin.

"The problem is what I feared would happen has happened."

"And that is?"

"I want more, much, much more!"

"You know I've tried to be the gentleman ever since I met you. At first, it was to try to get you on a date. Later it was because I thought that was how I should be. Now, I'll be the gentleman still and acquiesce to your desire."

"What?" Veronica asked, a bit confused because she was still in the warm blanket of post coitus bliss.

Wyatt grinned as he used one fingertip to gently circle her nipple and said, "To put it in army vernacular, I'm a gunna fuck you until I can't get it up again!"

"What? You... I..."

Wyatt filled his hand with her hair and pulled her mouth to his. It was a long very erotic kiss and after a moment she responded in kind.

When he pulled back their eyes met and he said softly, "Let's just enjoy this. We can figure the rest out later."

Veronica stared into his eyes and know he was right. It was time to just let it be what it was. Wyatt pulled her on top and astride of him, nestling his semi-hard rod against her warm, wet slit.

He took hold of her hips and moved them back and forth, causing her wet groove to rub up and down the length of his rod, which in turn rubbed over her clit with each stroke.

"Like that," He sighed.

Soon she was moving on her own, her eyes closed, her lower lip caught between her teeth and a low moan leaking from her closed mouth. Wyatt filled his hands with her breasts and rolled both nipples between his fingers.

"Time to cum again. Cum for me, cum for me, cum for me," he chanted in time with her hip movements.

It took another 3 or 4 minutes before her second climax peaked. Her body trembled and again the colors and music filled her senses. When he saw she was climaxing, Wyatt reached down and moved the tip of his rod to her entrance then pulled her down onto it. As it slid into her Veronica's climax was ebbing. He pulled her down against his chest, and held her tightly as he began to thrust into her.

Seconds flowed into minutes as he slid in and out of her. As he did Veronica couldn't believe it but she felt a third climax building. She panted and moaned as it grew. Wyatt had paid attention before and knew what those sounds meant. He kissed her again, a hard, demanding, erotic kiss. She responded and it added more fuel to her building climax.

He pulled his mouth from her's and pulled her tighter to his chest as he slammed into her.

He put his mouth next to her ear and whispered, "Cum for me again baby, cum for me See, come for me baby!"

For the third time she let out a garbled cry as a climax filled her. A moment later Wyatt groaned, pushed up into her as far as he could as his cock exploded. As their climaxes washed away, Veronica lay limply on his chest.

Wyatt gently stroked her hair and smiled. She finally rolled off and lay on her back.

"Well?" He asked, "Do you still feel afraid of it?"

She stared at the ceiling as she replied, "Afraid? A little. Humiliated, a lot."

Wyatt rolled up on an elbow to look at her as he asked, "Humiliated? Why? About what?"

Veronica didn't answer. The silence stretched until Wyatt asked again, "About what?"

"About... about being such a bitch. About being cold and abrasive trying to make you go away. You were always the gentleman. Like the date we had, you spent much of your savings on it! And all I could do was try to freeze you out! I feel so bad about that!"

A grin stole over Wyatt's face then transitioned into a laugh.

"What are you laughing at? Me?" Veronica asked as anger rose inside her.

Wyatt's laugh slowed to a chuckle as he said, "Yes, I'm laughing at you, but not for the reason you think! I was a gentleman that's true, but there were times I wanted to wring your pale beautiful neck! You think I was a gentleman just because that's who I am? Oh, hell no! I was that way with an ulterior motive. At first, I felt it would be fun to try to get you on a date. As I got to know you and you kept me at arm's length with your Ice Princess act, I found it to be a challenge. When that happened, I not only wanted to get you on a date but I wanted to seduce you. I wanted to fuck the Ice Princess to say I was the one who did."

Wyatt could see the corners of her mouth and eyes drawing down in a frown. He waited for it, knowing what was coming.

"You... you only had sex with me because I was a conquest? For bragging rights? YOU BASTARD! WHAT THE HELL? I... I," a tear slid down her cheek, "opened myself to you! I showed you what I was afraid of!"

Another tear stained her cheek as her voice dropped to a whisper as she repeated, "I trusted you."

Wyatt pulled her close, circling her body with his arms. She began to struggle to get away, but he was much stronger than she was so held her tightly.

"LET ME GO!" she yelled.

Calmly Wyatt responded, " Not until I'm finished talking. If you will settle down, I'll finish and then I'll let you go."

She struggled for a few seconds more then stopped, huffing for breath.

"Then finish and let me go!" She grated.

Her eyes were on the ceiling as he said "Look at me."

She didn't respond, keeping her gaze on the ceiling.

"Look at me so I can say what I need to, then I'll release you."

Finally, her eyes moved to his and he began to talk.

"Yes, I wanted to fuck you silly to prove I could conquer the Ice Princess. But I hit a snag. The date we had, all the money I spent was only 10% because I wanted to do those things so I wasn't lying when I told you I wanted to. But it was 90% to impress you and maybe work my way into your panties. But when we went out, you dropped your guard and I got a look at the real person under the ice. I enjoyed that date more than any I've ever been on. I saw you that night and wanted more.

When we returned to your house and I kissed you, I was hoping I could continue to get you to gradually come out of that cold exterior you projected. When you kissed me back, I assumed you were going to pull away and the Ice Princess would skewer me with a barb before going in. But that kiss hurt because I wanted what I felt in it, warmth and desire. "

Veronica's body had been stiff before he began to talk but now, he could feel her relaxing.

"I was really pissed. I thought you had out gamed me. I also wanted to see more of that person I saw on our date, the one who put herself out there for her sister. The one who came running when you thought she was hurting.

When you opened up about what things really were I felt bad, really, really bad because I understood at that moment you were playing your game to protect yourself and I was playing for my benefit. When I coaxed you to my bed that wasn't a conquest, it was a rescue mission. Because of what I had done I wanted to help you over that hurtle that had curtailed your sex life."

As Veronica said, "But..." Wyatt replied sharply, "Stop! Let me finish then you can lambast me with any comments you want to make!"

Veronica closed her mouth as he continued, "Yes I wanted sex with you. I haven't been with a woman for years. But it wasn't all about the sex. It was about helping you, and maybe in some small way redeeming myself for what I did."

"Now," Wyatt released his hold on her and moved back, "You can say what you want to."

Veronica stared at him, then said slowly, "Where do we go from here?"

"I guess the answer to that is where do you want it to go? It's up to you."

Veronica looked down at the bed as she said, "What we did was fantastic. It was... better than my first time. And.... uh... I don't want it to be the last time."

Wyatt put his finger under her chin and pulled her head up so she was looking at him, "I will forgive you all the cold, nasty things you did to me if you forgive me for being trying to manipulate you."

A slow smile crept across her face as she said, "Okay."

"Shall we start over?" He asked.

Her smiled widened as she nodded.

Wyatt held out his hand and said, "Hi. I'm Wyatt. And you are?"

Veronica looked at his hand for a moment, then took it as she said, "Veronica."

"Well Veronica, can I talk you into going on a date?"

Her smiled widened into a grin, "Sure."

"Well, we'll have to go to the Burger Bomb. I can't take you out to an expensive place. It seems I blew all my savings."

A giggle came from Veronica as she replied, "The Burger Bomb is perfect!"

"In the meantime, would you like to engage in another round of sex with me?"

Veronica locked eyes with him and replied in a low sultry voice, "How many times?"

Wyatt grinned, took hold of her arm and pulled her to him as he said, "As many times as I can get."

Veronica smiled as she replied, "Are you sure? You might have awakened something you can't handle."

"Maybe, But I'll give it my best!" He replied with a grin.

She pushed him onto his back and straddled him, settling down with her pussy lips cradling his cock between them.

She bent down and gently kissed his chest as she said, "How much?"

"How much what?" he asked puzzled.

"How much of me do you want?" She said in a low voice.

He grinned and began to move, rubbing his cock up and down her groove, sliding it over her clit with each stroke as he replied, "All I can get!"

She leaned down to kiss him.

Before her mouth met his he heard her whisper, "As much as you want; anytime that you want."