The alarm went off at 3:30AM.  I rolled out of bed and groaned.  My head was pounding and my whole body hurt because of it.  I dragged myself into the shower and then dressed, ate my high protein breakfast of a bagel and peanut butter, a banana and a large glass of milk then I left the house and went to the radio station feeling like I’d been beaten senseless the day before.  I tossed my jacket down on the chair in the studio and rubbed my temples.  Andy, my sidekick and engineer came in and stopped dead when he saw the look on my face.

          “What the fuck?”  He said and came over to me.  “Are you okay?”  I stood straight and forced a smile.

          “Yeah, I’m okay.”  I said and grabbed a pile of mail and started to go through it. 

          “How was the concert last night?   Too much for you?”  He said and then laughed.  “Man, that Groban guy, he rawks out.”  He laughed again.  I looked at him straight-faced, my eyes throbbing.

          “He was very good if you must know.”  I flipped through the mail.  He leaned on the desk with one arm and raised an eyebrow.

          “Oh, is that why you have a headache?   You tied one on with Groban and did the nasty, didn’t you?”  I sighed and dropped the envelopes on the desk.

          “Andy, fuck off. The reason my head hurts is because I hit it.” 

          “Mmmhmm, on the headboard or what?” 

          “Knock it off or I’ll make you suffer today.”  He grinned at me.

          “Oh please do.” 

          “You got it!”

          “So I heard you went to see Opera Boy last night Lor …”  Andy said over the microphone.  I frowned at him when he mentioned it.

          “Yeah, I did.  And since your deadly curious Andy he was great.”

          “So you think he’ll be touring with Slipknot next?”  Andy poked fun.

          “No Andy … I don’t.  I do want to play one of his songs though.”  Andy laughed and the phone lines began to light up.

          “Oh no, no, no …   I like my job Lor, no thank you!”  I frowned and narrowed my eyes into slits.  Do it, I mouthed.

          “Oh you will and you’ll like it.”  Behind the glass Andy put the song into motion.

          “If I lose my job because of you …”  Oh the scandals that would cause, here on the RAT, Los Angeles heavy metal playing Josh Groban.  I laughed as the song began to play …

I finished my shift and left the station.  Instead of shopping I went straight home, changed into my running gear then went running.  My head was still pounding and as I rounded the curve and headed home I decided that if it still hurt tomorrow I would see the doctor.  I went in, showered and changed into my pajamas.  Before heading into the extra bedroom where I kept my computer I grabbed an apple and a bottle of wine.  I set the bottle of wine down and chomped into the apple as my computer booted up.  I sat back in my chair.  The house was quiet.  It would be the perfect backdrop for me to get some writing done.  Did I mention I was a writer?  Yeah, I am.  I even have had some books published.  I smiled.  I loved writing.  I started back in high school when I realized I was quite the romantic at heart.  I started writing romance novels set to the tone of some music.  Like Elton John singing Bernie Taupin’s romance, I just take that theme and write it … making it long, a bit more involved.  Oddly enough you wouldn’t expect me, metal head Lori to be such a romantic but I am.  Well, take Evanescence for example, yeah, they are metal but the lyrics to their songs are poignant, meaningful, the pain and suffering in them is immense and a challenge to a writer.  I sit and listen and try to imagine how I would describe that angst and hurt.  I finished my apple, poured the wine and delved into the latest story I was writing.  I wrote until I heard a warning that I’d gotten a new email message.  I checked my inbox and saw that Andy emailed me.  I opened the message.

          “Hey …

          Smooth move on the show today Ex-Lax, I think we’re gonna get our asses kicked.  Hey, you have an extra bedroom right?  I think I might have to move in.”    I sighed and replied.

          “Yeah, I have an extra but it’s occupied.  There’s always the garage …  Let’s do it again tomorrow …”  I sent the email then went back to my story.  I was getting into it when my computer signaled me that I had new mail.  I sighed and checked the messages, another one from Andy.

          “Oh no!  I’m not playing that geek’s music anymore.  I like my job.  I don’t know about you but it pays the bills, and quite nicely as well.  Andy”  I sighed and then replied … again.

          “Andy, stuff like that makes for good radio.  Trust me, I know what I’m doing.”  And then I sent it.  I started typing again and again I got new mail.  I sighed and ignored it.  If I kept reading his emails and replying to them he wouldn’t leave me alone all night and nothing will get done.  Half the bottle of wine and four chapters later I was spent.  It was after 7PM and I was getting tired and a bit hungry.  I stood up, yawned and stretched before saving my story and shutting down the computer.  I strolled down the stairs to the kitchen and made myself a salad.  I curled up on the couch and watched Law & Order while I ate.  Afterwards I watched the news, washed my dishes and then headed off to bed.  I brushed my teeth and washed my face before slipping between the cool sheets.  I settled my head into my pillow and felt my temples still pounding.  I swore I’d gotten a concussion when Josh knocked me to the floor.  I smiled to myself.  It was well worth it to have that hot, young man with the most amazing voice ever lying on top of me for even a moment.  I could still smell his cologne in my nostrils and the soft tickling sensation his hair made as it grazed across my face when he held me.  I sighed and before I knew it I was sound asleep.

          “You’re not seriously going to play that song again today are you?”  Andy asked as we went back and forth on the air about Josh.  I told the fans that I’d gotten a memo about playing “that type of music” on the RAT and that I was going to play it again.

          “Oh hell yeah!”  I said and then laughed.

          “We’re going to get fired.”  Andy said with a sigh. 

          “Andy …”  I said.  Andy pretended not to hear.  “Andy!”  I said louder.  He answered this time with a ‘yeah.’  “Cue the music.”  I said and Andy played another Josh song I’d picked out earlier.  The phones had gone nuts after the show yesterday, many of the listeners liking what I’d played and wanting to know who it was.  Some of them were appalled but it was mostly good attention for the station and therefore I got a pat on the back from the station manager.  He usually gave me the thumbs up on the stuff I said on air.  I was his pet, I didn’t know why but I was.  I took off my headphones and shook my hair out from behind my ears.  My head was feeling 90% better today and when I woke up and could think clearly I was relieved.  I rubbed my eyes and then watched as there was some commotion out in the hallway.  The door opened into the studio and Josh smiled as he came in.  I laughed.

          “Oh my God, what are you doing here?”  I asked him.  He held his arms out to me and I stood and accepted his hug.  He squeezed my head like a melon.  It was still sore and I winced.

          “How’s the noggin today?”  I pulled my hair back into place and slyly rubbed the back of my head without him noticing.

          “It’s good.  How are you?   Any bruises or anything?”  He smiled and we both sat.

          “Nahhhh …”  He said with a wave of his hand.  “I’m a big, tough man.”  He made a muscle for me and I giggled.  He frowned and squinted his eyes.  “You making fun of my muscles?”  I shook my head quickly and took a gulp of my water. 

          “Nope.  Far be it for me to make fun of anyone’s physique.”  He eyed me appreciatively.  I pretended not to notice.   “So,”  I said when it had gotten uncomfortably silent.  “What brings you to the metal side of town?”  He chuckled.

          “I was told that you totally blew your program and played one of my songs on the station yesterday.”  I laughed.

          “And today!”  His eyes opened wide in surprise.

          “Oh yeah?”  I laughed again.

          “How about right now.” 

          “Get out, you are not!”  I flipped a switch and the chorus to Never Let Go filled the room.  He clapped and then laughed.

          “God, you are awful!  If I listened to this radio station and heard me I’d be pissed!” 

          “You would not!”  I said.  “Some of these metal heads really need some culture.  It’s up to me to give it to them.”  He shook his head and his curls flopped around his face.  I felt my pulse quicken.  I gazed at him a moment and then Andy signaled to me that the song was about to end.  “Hey, do you mind going live on the air?”  He smiled again, that perfectly white, toothy smile.

          “I would love to!”  I squeezed his hand then handed him a pair of headphones.   ‘Thank you’ I mouthed as we went back on the air.  Josh, Andy and I bantered back and forth and Josh gave me his take on metal music.  As it turns out he likes some pretty heavy music.  His latest favorite being System of a Down.  My eyes opened wide when he said it.

          “Is not!”  I said to him. 

          “Is too!”  He replied.  My mouth dropped open in surprise.  “You’re going to catch flies with your mouth hanging open like that!”  He said and then reached over and closed it with a finger under my chin.  I giggled and caught a glimpse of Andy rolling his eyes behind the glass.  I cleared my throat and caught the ‘wrap it up’ signal.  I turned to Josh.

          “Thank you for stopping by Josh.”  I said to him.  He winked at me.

          “The pleasure was all mine.  And be very, very careful when running down hallways, you never know who you’re going to bump into!”  Josh said and then I signaled Andy to start the music.  Josh pulled off the headphones and stood.  I pulled off mine and stood too.  We stood there like teenagers at the end of a date, him staring at me, me staring at him, no one spoke for what seemed like eternity. 

          “What time are you through?”  He asked quietly.  I pulled up the sleeve of my sweater and checked my watch.

          “In an hour.”  It was 8 in the morning.  Josh nodded.

          “Would you like to have lunch with me today?”  I felt myself blush and immediately felt stupid.

          “I would love to.”  I said.  He headed towards the door.

          “Great.”  He said and looked at his watch.  “I’m going to go home and take a nap then I’ll meet you at Pacho’s at 11:30.”  I nodded in agreement and wiggled my fingers at him in a sort of wave as he headed out the door.  I sat down in my chair and slipped the headphones back onto my ears.  I sat transfixed, staring off at nothing until I heard Andy’s voice in my ears.

          “Earth to Lori.”  I jumped and glared at him through the window.  “What the fuck planet are you on?”  He said.  I growled at him.

          “Uranus.”  I said dryly and then perked up when the music ended and I needed to talk.  

After the show was over I was called into the Station Manager’s office.

          “Sit!”  Ben said as I came in.  I closed the door behind me and sat across the desk from him.  “Lori, the last two days here at the station have been wicked!”  I smiled and nodded.  “This whole Josh Groban thing has gotten us quite a bit of attention.” 

          “Pretty cool.”  I said with a proud smile.

          “Whatever you’re doing, keep it up.” 

          “Okay!”  I said.  “Is that it?”  He nodded and turned his attention back to the schedules and books that were spread out all over his desk.

          “Yep.  See you tomorrow.”  He said.  I left the office and went home where I showered and changed before I had to meet Josh downtown.  I made sure I looked my best again, I wore jeans with a pink tank top and a matching sweater, this time pulling my long, straight auburn hair back and clipped it with a barrette.

I met Josh in front of the restaurant and we were seated at an outdoor table.  He had changed as well, he looked like he was freshly showered, his hair was still a bit damp.  The waiter handed us the menus and disappeared quickly.  I flipped open the menu and quickly scanned the page for drinks.  When the waiter came back I ordered a glass of white wine.  Josh decided to have the same.  I set down my menu as I already knew what I wanted, Josh did the same.  I sat back and watched him as he set his cell phone down on the table accompanied by his keys.  Thank God I was a woman and could carry a purse!  He finally settled down and leaned his elbows on the table and clasped his hands in front of him.

          “So …”   He began.  “What were you doing at the concert the other night?  I’m sure you didn’t come to see me since you like the heavier music.”  I raised one eyebrow at him.

          “You could be wrong you know.”  He smiled, a little embarrassed.

          “I could be.”

          “I was there because Phil asked me if I wanted to come.  I had just started listening to your music and I was curious.”  He nodded.

          “Excellent.  And well … you know what curiosity did to the cat?”  I laughed.

          “Knocked her flat on her ass?”  He laughed.

          “Yeah, and God, can I tell you how sorry I am about that?”  I growled at him.

          “If you say it one more time I’ll pummel you.”  He threw his arms over his face and giggled.

          “Please, no!”  I laughed.

          “Your brother is cute.”  I said as just then the waiter brought our drinks.

          “He sure thinks he is.”  Josh said.  The waiter asked us if we wanted to order and since we were ready we did.  Josh took a sip of his wine and I did as well.

          “He thinks he is?”  Josh sighed.

          “Yeah, I’m just teasing.  He’s a good kid.” 

          “Did he tell you I thought he was you?”  Josh laughed.

          “No, he didn’t.  I’m sure he loved that!  Did he play it up?”  I giggled.

          “No, he didn’t … I think it was probably because Phil was there and Phil knows him.  Otherwise he might have …”

          “Oh he would have!  He’s a horny little devil.”  I smiled slyly at him out of one side of my mouth.

          “And you’re not?”  He blushed and leaned back in the chair then laughed.

          “Can I plead the fifth?”  I sipped my wine.

          “Most certainly.”

          “Good.”  He muttered and looked off down the street.

          “So how’s the tour going?”  I asked, changing the uncomfortable subject.

          “Great, I’ve got a few weeks off now.”

          “Well what are you going to do with yourself?” 

          “Have lunch with a gorgeous lady for starters …”  He smiled.  I looked around.

          “You’d better find one then.”  He kicked me under the table.  I jerked my leg back and yelped.

          “What was that for?”  I snapped.  He laughed.  “God first you bang my head on the floor now you kick me …” 

          “So how long have you been on KRAT?”  He asked.

          “Going on 5 years.”  He nodded and sipped his wine.

          “I listened to that station when I was in high school.”  I chuckled.

          “So that was what, about 5 years ago?”  He sighed.

          “I’m older then that.”

          “You have a baby face.”  I said.  He rubbed his chin.

          “It’s because I shaved.  When I don’t shave I look older.”  I nodded.  Our lunch came and the conversation ended for a short time while we ate.

          “So really, Josh, what will you do with all your free time?”  He finished his wine and set down the glass. 

          “I’m not really sure.  I’ve had an offer to join one of the guys in my band at some local bars playing drums.  Other then that I guess I’ll spend some time with my family, beat the crap out of my brother at video games …”

          “Sounds relaxing.”  I said. 

          “What do you do in your free time for fun?”

          “I write.”  He smiled.

          “I heard that you have been published.”  I nodded.

          “Yes I have.”

          “Would I have read anything you’ve written?”  He asked curiously.  I shrugged.

          “If you like romance novels then maybe you have.”  He made a gagging face.  “Probably not then.”  I laughed.  “I also like to run.”  Josh nodded.

          “I could tell since I almost broke my toe when I kicked you.”  I snickered.

          “Good, you deserved that.”

          “I may have to have that checked out soon.”  I rolled my eyes and smiled.  The bill came and both Josh and I reached for it.  His hand closed over mine and held it tightly.  It was warm and strong.

          “I’m paying.”  He said sternly.  I glared at him.

          “No, I am.” I said.  His hand squeezed mine.

          “Please?”  He said softly.  I felt butterflies batting in my abdomen and I sighed.

          “Fine.”  I said and let go of the bill.  His hand slid across mine as he took it from me.  I suddenly felt weak.  His hands were so soft.  I wondered how they’d feel sliding across my bare back ….

We walked down the street together towards my car.  We were silent mostly and so I thanked him for the wonderful lunch. 

          “It was my pleasure.”  He said.  We’d reached my car.  I stood with my back against the driver’s side door.  He leaned against the car with one arm, the other hand he stuffed in his back pocket.  “So what are you going to do with the rest of your day?”  I looked up at him, his big, sable eyes focused on me and my insides turned to Jell-o.  I cleared my throat before speaking.

          “I have some commercials to tape.”  I said.

          “And then?”

          “And then I’m going to go home, run, shower, then write.”  He nodded, his eyes never leaving mine.  “Umm what are you going to do?”  He shrugged.

          “I am going to go see my parents and beat up on my little brother.”  I laughed softly.

          “Okay, well good luck with that.”  He leaned down slowly and kissed me, his lips barely brushing mine.  I shivered as though I had just encountered an icy wind.  He touched my face lightly and then pinched my nose.

          “Would you have lunch with me tomorrow?”  He asked quietly.  I nodded, still in a daze over that slight kiss.  There was nothing to it but still it lingered on my lips.  Josh stood up straight.  “Meet me at Chili’s.  Same time!”  He said as he walked away.  I got in my car and stuck the key in the ignition.  I sat there a moment giving my senses a chance to recover.  When I felt I had regained control I drove back to the station.

Josh drove straight to his parent’s house, parked the car in the drive and went in.  He searched the rooms on the first floor of the house only to find no one.  As he ascended the stairs he heard music coming from Chris’ room.  He opened the door to find Chris sitting in a wing chair, music coming from a small stereo behind him, a large text book in his lap open.   His feet were propped up on his bed.  He looked up when Josh came in.

“Hey.”  Josh said.

“Hey.”

“Where’s mom?”  Josh said sitting down in front of Chris’ computer.

          “She’s at a meeting this afternoon.  Where’ve you been?”  Josh couldn’t contain the smile that spread across his face.

          “I had lunch with Lori.”  Chris pulled his feet off the bed and sat up.

          “DJ Lori?”  He asked.  Josh noticed a change in his demeanor and was suddenly uncomfortable.

          “Yeah, why?” 

          “She is so hot.”  He sighed.  That guilty smile spread over Josh’s face again.  He tried to hide it and failed miserably.  Chris snapped his book closed.  “I was thinking of asking her out.”  Josh cleared his throat nervously.  “We have so much in common.”  Josh nodded.

          “Hey, give it your best shot big guy.  How’s school?”  Chris sighed.

          “It’s good.”

          “I have to admit.  I’m almost jealous that you are still going to school and furthering your education.”  Chris made a face and opened his closed book.

          “Well you can do it too, no one’s stopping you.”  Josh snorted.

          “Oh yeah, tell me how.”

          “Ummm you postpone your tour and register for classes …”  Josh headed to the door.

          “Sure, how about this; you tell Foster and Avnet that I’ll be postponing my tour and see what they say.”  He opened the door.  “I’m going down to get something to eat.”  He said and went out.

*****************************************************************

Josh and I had lunch the next two days in a row.  I really enjoyed his company.  When he walked me to my car on Thursday he asked about lunch for Friday.  I shook my head.

          “No?”  He asked cautiously.

          “Nope.”  I said.  “How about you come over Friday night and I’ll make us dinner?”  He smiled.

          “Okay, that sounds great.”  I pulled a pen and piece of paper out of my purse, jotted down my phone number and directions to my house and then stuffed the paper into the front pocket of the baseball jacket he wore.  He leaned down and gave me one of his soft, light, ticklish little kisses.  I yearned for more but it would have to wait.  He hugged me before leaving me and I went home to run and to write.

There was a knock at the door at quarter to seven.  I smoothed down the sweater I was wearing nervously and went to answer it.  When I opened it, Josh was standing there handsomely in a black zip up sweater and jeans, he held something behind his back.

          “Hi.”  I said.  “What have you got behind your back?”  I asked.  He smiled and brought forward a bouquet of flowers. 

          “For you.”  He said. 

          “Ooooo …”  I gushed and took them from him.  He stepped inside and kissed me on the cheek.  “Come on in.”  I said and led him to the kitchen.

          “Wow!  Something smells great in here.” He said as I put the flowers in a vase full of water.

          “I hope you like chicken.”  I said as I opened the oven door and pulled out a baking tray.

          “I sure do.”  He said.

          “There’s beer in the fridge, do you want to get some for us?”  He went over to the refrigerator and pulled out two bottles.  He poured the drinks into glasses while I got the finished meal ready on the table.  I brought in the plates in and set them on the table, Josh brought the drinks.  I turned off the lights and we sat in the darkened room lit only by candle light. 

          “This is wonderful.”  Josh said as he ate the chicken and rice dish I’d prepared.

          “Thank you.  It’s my mom’s recipe.”  I said.

          “Where does your mom live?”

          “Well she lived in the Bay area but she’s dead now.”  He dropped his fork and stared at me.

          “I’m so sorry.”  He said, he seemed genuinely upset.  I set down my fork and touched his hand lightly.

          “It’s okay.  She’s been gone about 15 years now.  I’m not upset any more.”  He smiled at me and then resumed eating.

We chatted over the meal and then when we were finished Josh helped me load the dishes into the dishwasher and then we decided to go to the media room and watch a movie.  By the time we’d gotten down there though we changed our minds and played Xbox games instead.  I pulled it off the shelf, plugged it in and asked him what game he’d like to play.

          “It doesn’t matter what you pick I’ll kick your ass as it …”  I said.  He snickered as if he had some secret unknown to me that he was a video game god.

          “Let’s play ….  Halo 2.”  He said.  I took the box from him, put it in the player and after we settled on the floor sitting Indian style we began to play.   I was doing all right for myself but Josh kept sneaking up on me and killing my character so I kept dying.

          “Josh!”  I hollered at him.  He laughed.  “Stop killing me!”  He fell backwards on the floor laughing.  I kicked at him.  “You bastard.”  I grumbled.  He sat up and stopped laughing.  He looked at me serious.

          “Okay, I’m going to play right now.”  He said and stared at the screen.

          “You’d better.”  I said and we began to play.  It wasn’t long before my soldier was killed.  I tossed my controller down.  “That’s it!”  I said and crawled towards the Xbox.  “I’m shutting it off.”

          “No!”  Josh  howled.  “I’m doing very well!”  He crawled after me and grabbed me.  I pulled myself forward but he wrapped his arms around my waist and held onto me.  I rolled over, grabbed onto him, flipped him onto his back and landed in a sitting position on top of him.  He shook his head and looked up at me.  I smiled.

          “How the hell did that happen?”  He asked and then laughed.  I pulled up the sleeves of my sweater and flexed the muscles on both arms for him.

          “I’m ripped, that’s how!”  I said.  He stared up at me, his face had gone sober and he licked his lips.  I suddenly felt him thickening underneath me and I shivered as though icy cold hands were running up and down my back.  He reached up and pulled me down to him.  I leaned my elbows on either side of his head and pressed my lips against his.  He ran his hands up my arms and then around my neck as he settled in for an erotic kiss.  He pressed his mouth gently on mine at first, then as his passion heated up he sucked at me, his tongue sliding between my lips, his arms pulling me down and then he flipped me over onto my back and slid his hands up underneath my sweater.  He ran his hands up and down my torso and slid the tips of his fingers underneath my bra.  He worked his hands around my back and worked at unhooking my bra.  I leaned forward and Josh pulled my sweater up over my head and tossed it behind him then he unhooked my bra and slipped it off my arms.  He took my breasts into his hands and buried his face between them.  I lay back and sighed as I felt his tongue sliding up the swell of my breast and then he slid upwards and over my taught nipple.  He swirled his tongue around it and then sucked it into his warm, wet mouth.  I groaned as I felt an electrical surge strike from my nipple all the way down to my groin.  He worked on it for some time before moving over to the other.  I slid my fingers into his hair and scratched his scalp.  He slid his hands down my belly to the button on my jeans where he fumbled with it until he got it undone.  I sighed as he worked his tongue down my stomach.  He unzipped my jeans and pulled on them.   I had just unsnapped and unzipped his jeans when suddenly the sound of the phone ringing burst through the silence of the house.  We both stopped what we were doing and, panting, stared at it.

          “Do you need to get that?”  Josh asked.  I shook my head.

          “No, no …”  I breathed and unzipped the sweater he was wearing over a tee shirt.  He slipped out of the sweater and tossed it.  I pawed at his shirt and nearly ripped it off his chest.  The answering machine clicked on and I heard my voice ….

          “You know what to do …”  I said and then the sound of the tone.

          “Lori, hey it’s Dan.”  It was a familiar male voice.  “Apparently you’re busy.  Call me when you get a chance babe, love you!”  And then the caller hung up.  I buried my face in Josh’s neck and nibbled at him lightly when suddenly he grabbed my shoulders and pulled me away.  He sat up and crawled over to where his shirt lie and slipped it on.

          “What’s wrong?”  I asked sitting up on my knees.

          “I can’t do this, I can’t.”  He said sitting down on the ottoman nearby and put his head in his hands, his elbows resting on his knees.  I crawled over to my sweater and pulled it over my head and then crawled over to where Josh sat. 

          “Josh?”  I asked softly.  He ignored me.  “Hey …”  I said pulling at his hands.  I tilted his head up to look at me.  “What is it?”  He looked at me solemn.

          “I, I didn’t know you had a boyfriend.  I’m sorry.”  He whispered.  I looked at him, confused for a moment and then as realization dawned on me I giggled.  “What’s so funny?”  He asked.

          “You are talking about the guy on the machine?”  I asked.  “No, Josh, no, he’s not my boyfriend.”  Josh squinted his eyes at me and searched my eyes for truth.

          “Then who’s Dan?”  I giggled again.

          “Dan?  Dan is a friend, Josh, just a friend.”  His face relaxed a little and his brows unfurrowed.  “And believe me, he’d much rather sleep with you then with me!” I began to laugh.  A smile slowly spread over his face.

          “Oh my God, he’s gay!  Dan is gay!”  He began to giggle and then we both began to laugh.  When our giggles subsided to just a laugh here and there I moved closer to Josh and took his hands and slipped them around my waist then I pushed a few wayward curls from his eyes.  "Now what was that b.s. you were saying about not being able to do this?"  He blushed furiously and smiled out of one side of his mouth.  "Well ... I  ...."  I stopped him from talking with my mouth on his, kissing him feverishly.  His hands moved down my back to the hem of my sweater  and then slipped it off of me, I was half naked again.  I did the same to him, ripping his shirt off and tossing it away.  He slid off the ottoman onto his knees in front of me holding me in his arms, kissed my mouth, my neck, my shoulder then my breasts.  I moaned as he made circles around my nipples with his tongue and then sucked my breast into his mouth.  I reached to the front of his pants which were still unzipped and tugged them down.  His erection which was stifled by the tightness of his jeans now sprang free.  I slid his boxers down over his hips and wrapped my hand around his hardness.  He groaned and leaned towards me as I stroked it  I pulled away from him, leaned forward and wrapped my mouth around the large, throbbing head of it.  He gasped loudly as I ran my tongue around the rim then dipped into the little hole at the top.  He sucked air into his mouth through his teeth.  He grabbed my arms and pulled me up.  He kissed me roughly plunging his tongue into my mouth seeking my own tongue, I presented it for him and he licked at it and sucked it all the while with one arm behind my back and the other out for balance he lowered me backwards onto the floor and kicked his jeans off of one leg then lifted the other and kicked them all the way off, his mouth never leaving mine, kissing and sucking hungrily leaving wet marks all over my cheeks and chin.  Once I was safely on the floor and he was naked he reached down and slid my jeans downwards.  He moaned as his hands, pulling my pants down over my ass noted that it was bare save for a string that ran along my crack.  He pulled them off and then ran his hands down my ass again, his fingers delving into my crack feeling the elastic in the middle.  I raised my hips to him and he slid his fingers down to my wetness.  "Oh Lori ..."  He breathed as he slid the tips of his fingers inside me feeling the slickness. He hooked a finger in the string and pulled, it came off easily and it was then he noticed I had no pubic hair.  "Oh dear God."  He said and ran his fingers down the front of my belly to my wetness and then slid them inside me.  I gasped loudly. He had two fingers inside me working them in and out as his other hand was wrapped around himself and stroked it.  I moaned and writhed on the carpet.  "Oh Josh,"  I sighed, "take me baby, take me."  I begged.  He withdrew his fingers and wiped them on his boxers which were near my head and then bent down over me.  I raised my legs for him and, lifting me off the carpet slightly he entered me quickly and easily.  I gasped at the feeling of his huge, hard, hot erection sliding inside me filling me up.  He pumped me a few times and then took my hands and pulled me up. I draped my legs around his waist and he placed his hands under my ass and held me as he raised himself up onto his knees.  I wrapped my arms around his neck, kissing him, sucking his tongue, sucking his lip, biting his neck, leaving red marks while he made love to me furiously and right before he came his eyes closed, his brows furrowed, his lips parted, he let out a soft moan...  He held me against him tightly as we both came down from the ecstasy of orgasm and our breathing became normal.  He lay me back on the floor and lay down next to me.  He sighed.  “Wow!” He said.  “Yeah, wow.”  I said and sighed too.  We lay there in silence for a little while.  I was so relaxed I started to feel like I was going to drift off.  I rolled over towards Josh. He lay with his eyes closed.  I touched his curls and he opened his eyes and looked at me.  He smiled.   “Are you sleepy?”  I asked.  He shrugged. 

“A little.” 

“I am.”  I said.  “I didn’t know if you wanted to .. umm stay the night but you are welcome to.”  I pushed myself up off of the floor.  He sat up. 

“I don’t know if I should.  Do you want me to?”   I laughed.  “Would I have asked you to if I didn’t?”  I went around the room collecting my clothes.  Josh put on his boxers.  I pushed his sweater into his chest.  He went to take it and I pulled him in for a kiss.  “Well you could go home and sleep by yourself or you could stay here and wake up and have another romp.”  I started to walk towards the stairs.  “Your choice.”  He laughed and followed me.  We went upstairs to my bedroom.  I glanced at my watch and yawned.  “I’m so sorry but I’m tired.  The bathroom’s over there.”  I said pointing. 

“Do you mind if I take a shower?”  Josh asked.  “Oh shit!”  He said, his face dropping. 

“What?”  I asked, not really wanting to know. 

“I don’t have a toothbrush!”  He said and then made a face.  I smiled. 

“Don’t worry about that!  I have extras – I buy them 10 at a time so I don’t have to buy them that often.”  I went into the bathroom and retrieved one and handed it to him.  He kissed me. 

“So do you mind?”  I blinked. 

“Mind what?” I asked. 

“If I take a shower?”  I smacked his ass. 

“Nope.”  I said and grabbed a couple of towels and a wash cloth out of the linen closet and pressed them into his chest before heading back out to the bedroom.  As I heard the shower go on I snuck into the guest bathroom and brushed my teeth and washed my face.  I slipped a tiny, pink, silk nightie over my head and crawled into bed.  It was soft and the sheets were cool.  I sighed satisfactorily as I lay back on my pillows.  I couldn’t believe I had such a hot young man in my house, in my shower and between my legs.  I could still smell him and my nipples tightened in response.  I smiled.  Before long the shower turned off and I heard him brushing his teeth.  He came out a short time later in his boxers, set his clothes down on a slipper chair next to my make-up table and crawled into bed next to me.  He smelled so clean and his hair was flat against his head.  I giggled.  “What?”  He asked self-consciously. 

“You look different without all that curly hair around your face.”  He squinted his eyes at me.  I squeezed his cheeks and kissed his lips.  “You are still adorable!”  He smiled and pulled me into his arms.  I glanced at the clock – it was after 11 already.  My body needed sleep.  “Oh shit!”  I said. 

“What?”  He asked. 

“I have to call Dan quickly before we go to sleep.”  I reached for the phone and dialed Dan’s number.  “Hey babe.”  I said as he answered.

 “Hi girlfriend!”  Dan said.  “Where were you all night?”  He asked.

          “I had a date.”  I said.

          “OooOOOo  … anyone I know?”  I looked over at Josh and smiled.

          “Well yeah, as a matter of fact.”

          “Who?”  He pressed.

          “His name is Josh.”  I said.  I heard him gasp and the he squealed.

          “Tell me you are not with my man!”  He said loudly.  I giggled.  “Lori!  You did NOT go out with my man!”  I laughed harder.  “You went out with Josh Groban!”  He yelled.  Josh chuckled because I held the phone away from my ear and let him hear Dan’s tirade.

          “Dan.”  I said, interrupting.  After a second time of calling his name he fell silent.

          “He’s still here.”  I said and winked at Josh.  Josh made a face.

          “Oh you go, girl!  Was he good, is he good, will he be good?”  Dan pried.

          “All of the above?”  I asked.  Dan sighed.

          “Oh baby.  To be you right now.”  I giggled.  “Hey, are we still on for lunch tomorrow?” 

          “Yeah!”  I said.  “Do you mind if Josh comes?”  I heard Dan gasp on the other end.  I turned to Josh.  “Do you want to go to lunch with me and Dan tomorrow?”  I asked him.  Josh nodded.

          “I would love to, that would be great.” 

          “Oh be still my heart, did he just talk?  Oh God, you have Josh Groban in your bed.”  I giggled again at Dan’s attempt at drama.  “He’s coming tomorrow?” 

          “And tonight.”  I said lewdly.

          “Don’t even tell me, I can’t take it!” He was silent a moment.  “Okay DO tell!  I have to know!”  I laughed.

          “Well not right now.”  I said.

          “Okay, I understand.”  He said slowly, knowing.  “All right mi querida, I will see you manana.  Love you, and love Josh!”  I giggled and then hung up the phone.  I scooted down in the bed and snuggled into Josh’s arms.  I sighed against him, his skin was soft and smelled of wild flowers.

          “You used my body wash?”  I asked, sniffing.  He laughed.

          “It was the only thing in the shower to clean with!”  I giggled.

          “Well you smell pretty.”  He sighed.  Once he stopped moving around I began to drift off.

I woke up sometime around 1:30 to an empty bed.  I began to worry that Josh may have snuck out sometime after I fell asleep. I got up and slipped my satin robe over my shoulders and headed for the stairs.  As I approached the first floor I could hear the TV on in the living room and tiptoed in.  Josh sat on the couch, slumped down, his feet up, staring at the screen.  He sat up at my approach.

          “Did I wake you?”  He asked softly.  I knelt down over his lap and pushed him back on the couch.

          “Is everything okay?”  I asked.  He smiled.

          “Oh yeah, it’s just that I’m not used to going to bed so early.  I sleep late.”  I nodded.

          “I get up really early for work, I have to be there around 4:30 so I usually go to sleep early.”  I said and leaned forward, kissing him.  He slipped his arms around me under my robe and slid his hands down my back and over my ass.  I moaned as he slid his hands up my nightie and stroked my bare skin.  I slid my hands into his hair and toyed with his curls as I ravaged his mouth and tongue.  He hardened underneath me, I could feel it rise. I ran my hands down his neck to his shoulders, underneath his arms and down his body.  I tugged at his boxers and he lifted his hips slightly so could slip them down.  I lifted myself up slightly then slid down onto his hardness.  It was hot.  I gasped and settled myself down onto him.  He closed his eyes and leaned his head back on the couch.  I held his shoulders while I rode him, sliding myself up and down in rhythm.  He moaned as I let go of his shoulders and arched myself backwards, riding him.  His hands touched my breasts through the silk fabric.  I rocked my hips against him, exciting myself and before long felt myself reaching a powerful orgasm.  I rode him harder, rubbing myself faster and soon I came, my body wracking with shockwaves that caused Josh to cry out and explode inside me.  I leaned forward against him as he kissed me.  I lay my head on his shoulder.  He pulled up his boxers and I lay sideways in his lap.  He held me in his arms and kissed my forehead as I slumped against him.

          “Are you sleepy yet?”  I asked.  He nodded and kissed my forehead again.

          “Yep.”  He said and holding me tightly in his arms, lifted both himself and me off the couch and carried me upstairs where he lay me gently down on the bed then crawled in on the other side.  We curled up together and went to sleep again.

I opened my eyes and squinted at the clock.  It was 8.  I yawned and stretched.  I couldn’t believe I had slept so late!  I looked over at the man who lay sleeping next to me and smiled.  I slept the best I had in over a year and I was certain it was thanks to him.  Not wanting to disturb him I slid out of bed and padded down the hallway to the guest bathroom then I returned and retrieved a pair of shorts and a tank top.  I changed in the hallway so I wouldn’t wake Josh.  I went down to the kitchen and made a pot of tea.  While it was brewing I fixed myself a bagel then took my tea and my bagel to the guestroom where my computer waited anxiously for me.  We had a date every Saturday morning and I didn’t want to let him down today, so while Josh slept I wrote.  I typed until my brain didn’t want to think anymore.  I sat back in the chair and glanced at the time.  It was just after ten.  I rubbed my eyes and took my tea cup down to the kitchen.  I rinsed it out in the sink then while I brewed some coffee for Josh I cup up some fruit into a bowl.  When the coffee was done I poured it into a mug and brought both the coffee and the fruit upstairs to the bedroom.  Josh lay on his back, the covers pulled up to his shoulders.  I smiled as I knelt down next to the bed, a sliced strawberry between my fingers.  I ran the strawberry along his lower lip, the juice slid down the curve and into the corner of his mouth where it pooled then slid down the inside of his mouth.  He licked his lips and then his eyes flickered open.  He frowned, unsure of where he was and, lifting his head off the pillow glanced around the room then back at me.  He sighed and lay his head back on the pillow. 

          “What time is it?”  He asked as he rubbed his face with his hands.  I slipped the strawberry between his lips again.  He sucked it into his mouth and chewed it.  “Mmmmm …”  He said.

          “It’s after 10 already.”  I said.  “Sleepy head.”  He lay his arm over his eyes and groaned.

          “Oh no …”   He whined.  “And what do you mean ‘already’?”  He mumbled.  I pulled down his lip and stuffed a blueberry into his mouth.  He ate it obediently.

          “It’s getting late!”  I said and set the bowl of fruit down on the nightstand before flopping down on the bed next to him.

          “No, no … it’s too early!”  He said.  I slid under the covers next to him and pulled the blanket down exposing his chest.  I ran my hands over the soft fur that covered his skin and saw goose bumps spread over him quickly like a wild fire. 

          “Late.”  I said and ran my hands downward under the covers and over his warm belly to find him already hard.  “Oh what is this?”  I teased.  He sighed, a slight smile playing on his lips.  I slid my hand over it and then wrapped my fingers around him.

          “That …”  He said softly.  “Is something that occurs naturally when a man sleeps.  Which I should be doing right now.”  I stroked him slowly.

          “Oh … well that’s good for me then.”  I said and hoisted myself up on top of him.  He grabbed me around the waist and flipped me over onto the bed.  He held me down and lay his head on my chest.

          “No, it’s time to sleep.”  He said.  I struggled against him, not trying too hard.  If I wanted to I could have gotten free.  He pressed me down onto the mattress.  I giggled. 

          “I can get free you know.”  I said.  He snickered.  I sighed.  “I can.” 

          “Mmhmm.”  He said.  As I went to pull myself free he climbed on top of me, grabbed my wrists and held them together over my head.  He stared down at me and smiled slowly.  “Well look at that.”  He said.  “Looks like I win.”  My whole body responded to being held captive by him, my heart raced and my thighs tingled.  He leaned forward and pressed his mouth against me, his hands releasing mine as he grabbed my head and pulled my mouth up to his.  I slid my hands over his soft chest then down to his throbbing hardness.  He was so excited I thought he was going to burst.  He oozed from the end, I ran my thumb over it further accentuating his passion.  He moaned into my mouth as I stroked him, his breath coming faster.

“Oh God baby …”  He groaned.  Moments later he moved down between my legs, slid my shorts off, and entered me quickly.  As he made love to me, he buried his face in my neck and nipped at me, his unshaven cheeks stinging against the soft skin of my shoulder.  I sighed as his body moved against mine.  He plunged himself deeper inside and groaned, his climax evident.  Finally he collapsed on top of me, satisfied.  I slid my fingers into his hair and massaged his head.  He sighed and then rolled over, facing me.  I pushed the curls from in front of his eyes and he smiled.  He leaned on his elbow and held his head with the palm of his hand.

          “Good morning sunshine.”  I said and rolled over to face him.  He leaned forward and kissed me.

          “Now that’s the way to wake up.”  He sighed.  I smiled.

          “Aren’t you glad you stayed?”  He nodded.

          “Very.”

          “I brought you some coffee.”  His eyes opened wide and he grinned.

          “I’m really glad I stayed.”  He said.  I slid off the bed and while he sat up I retrieved the coffee I’d left on my dresser and handed it to him.  He sipped it slowly.  “Ahhhhh …”  He said happily.  I climbed into bed next to him and grabbed the bowl of fruit off the nightstand.  I stabbed some fruit pieces with the fork and held them up to him.  He opened his mouth like a well-behaved boy and I fed him then handed him the bowl.  “Where’s yours?”  He asked as he ate

          “I’ve already eaten.”  I said.  “Not to mention we’re going out to lunch with Dan in like …”  I glanced at my watch.  “An hour.”  He nodded.

          “I’d forgotten about that.”  He said.  I smiled at him as I thought about Dan.  I think Dan was one of his biggest fans and had gotten me interested in Josh’s music.  I couldn’t wait to see the look on Dan’s face when they met in little over an hour. 

          “I should tell you a little about my best friend.”  I said.  He raised his eyebrows.

          “Go ahead.”  He said and continued eating. 

          “Well, first off, he’s one of your biggest fans.”  Josh smiled and nodded.

          “Cool.”

          “He’s been listening to you since I don’t know when …  He’s the one who introduced me to your music.”   He pulled me close and kissed me lightly.

          “Then I have to thank him appropriately.”  He said and after setting the empty bowl down on the side table next to his coffee slid back down under the covers and pulled me with him.   I lay on my back and he lay on his side.

          “Well … just so you know …”  I eyed him, not sure if I should say it or not.  “He uhhh …”  I trailed off. 

          “What?”  He asked smiling as I giggled.

          “He thinks you’re hot!”  I said and burst out laughing.  He rolled his eyes and flopped backwards on the bed.

          “Oh no!”  He said and rubbed his face with his hands.  I laughed and crawled back up onto his chest.  He slipped his arms around me.

          “So thanking Dan ‘appropriately’ would mean …”  He grabbed the pillow and conked me on the head with it.

          “Don’t say it!”  He said.  I giggled.

          “You would have to …”  He grabbed my head with one hand and covered my mouth with the other.

          “No!  No more!   I’ll shake his hand and say ‘thanks’ just please don’t say anymore!”  I  pulled his hand off my mouth and laughed.

          “You’re funny.”  I said.   “But really, he’s my best friend and I adore him.  I hope you like him too ‘cause I know he’s gonna love you!”  He sighed again.  I slapped him playfully.  “Not like that!”  I said and sighed.  “I wonder if he slept at all last night.”  I said quietly.

          “Oh come on!  He can’t be that excited.”  I sat up and raised my eyebrows at him.

          “You don’t know Dan.  He’s totally enthralled with you.”  He squeezed his eyes closed and cringed.  I got up and headed towards the bathroom. 

          “How am I supposed to live up to his expectations now?”  He teased as he sat up and finished off his coffee.  I undressed and stepped into the shower letting the water run over my head.  I had just begun to lather my head when the shower door opened and Josh slipped in.  I smiled and stuck my head under the spray to rinse off.

          “What are you doing?”  I asked with a giggle.  He slid his arms around my waist and pulled me to him.

          “What do you think.”  He said.  I giggled again and pulled him under the water.  His curls, dampened, flattened against his head.

          “You just showered last night.”  I said.  He bent his head to mine and kissed me, his mouth lingering over my lips then kissed me again.

          “Yeah, but I think I need another one today.”  He said softly and pulled me tightly against him then kissed me with passion.

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