Several hours later Colby collapsed on top of her, his body still jerking from the force of his climax. They were both covered in sweat and panting their hearts racing. “I think you killed me.” He told her their bodies and minds still merged as one. They laid there unmoving as their hearts and breathing slowly slowed back down. They were both startled to hear the door bell ring. They both reached out with their minds to determine who it was. Doug! They both thought at the same time.

“Don’t answer it.” Mindy mumbled out loud still penned beneath him.

“I don’t think I could move if I wanted too.” Colby responded as he rolled off her to lay on his back.

“I’m hungry.” She said stretching. Her body was sore from hours of lovemaking.

“Tough!” He mumbled. They were both aware of Doug making his way around to the back of the house. “Shit! The sliding glass door is unlocked.” He said jerking to a sitting position. Pushing the cover aside he got out of bed and searched the floor for his pants. Grabbing them he quickly jerked them on. Doug had reached the sliding glass door and was opening it.

“Colby!” Doug called out with a frown. He stared at the table in surprise. Breakfast dishes were still on the table. He had never known his brother to leave dishes on the table. The table cloth was bunched up, so that half the table was bare. Doug reached out to pick up a shirt that had been tossed onto the dirty plates. Unfolding it he saw that it was Mindy’s night shirt. What the hell? He thought turning as he heard Colby enter the kitchen. His eyes moved over his brother. Colby was dressed in a pair of sweats, no shirt or socks. His hair was a mess. “What the hell? Did you just get up?” He asked taking in all the signs.

“Yes.” Colby admitted noting that Doug was holding Mindy’s shirt.

“What’s Mindy’s Shirt doing in the middle of the kitchen table?” Doug asked angrily.

“She must have dropped it there.” Colby answered calmly.

“Really?” Doug asked. “Why are the breakfast dishes still on the table?”

“I haven’t cleaned up yet.” Colby said with a grimace.

“I’ve never known you to leave a mess like this.” Doug said still struggling to wrap his mind around what he was seeing. “I’m not an idiot! It’s pretty obvious what went down in here. You had sex with Mindy!” He accused angrily. “Dammit Colby!! What the hell is wrong with you!!” Doug asked when Colby didn’t say anything.

“Take it easy Doug.” He replied calmly. He moved toward the kitchen table and started picking up the dirty dishes.

“Don’t tell me to take it easy. You realize that you could go to jail for this.” Doug pointed out his voiced raised in anger.

“Yes.” He replied taking the dishes to the sink.

“Christ! I don’t believe this!” Doug said running a hand through his hair in frustration. “Why would you do something so stupid?”
“
I love her.” He answered rinsing the dishes off to put in the dishwasher.

“I don’t believe this.” Doug said shaking his head. “You’ve always been so level headed.”

“What are you doing here?” Colby asked going back to the table to straighten out the tablecloth.

“I came by to talk to you about Mindy. I was hoping to talk you out of doing something stupid!” Doug answered with a frown. “Dammit! I told Matt to stick around! What are you going to tell Mom and Dad?”

“Nothing.” Colby answered.

“You don’t think they’ll find out about this?” Doug asked.

“No. Not unless you tell them.” He answered opening the fridge.

“You think you can keep this secret?” Doug asked. “You’re crazy! Matt and Jeff will figure it out for sure if you keep sleeping with her! And if Jeff finds out your dead!” He said shaking his head at his brother.

“No one is going to find out, unless you tell them.” He said removing a package of chicken breast from the fridge.

“You think you can hide what’s going on?” He asked watching as Colby set the package on the counter.

“Yes.” Colby replied going to the cupboard to take down several jars of spices.

“Well you better learn to be a better actor then!” He snorted.
“What’s that suppose to mean?” Colby asked turning to face his brother.

“You’re not a good actor. I knew last summer you were headed in this direction. I could tell just by the way you look at her. I’m surprised Jeff hasn’t picked up on it!” He pointed out.

“He has a very good point.” Mindy told him through their link as she pushed back the covers to get out of bed. She had been listening to Doug through their link.

“What?”

“You’re very obvious.” She answered picking her robe up from the floor. “My parents think we’ve already been doing it.”

“What? Why?” He asked in surprise.

“Because of the way you behaved when I was in a coma.” She said leaving his room to go down to her bathroom.

“It’s obvious you’ve got a thing for her!” Doug said drawing Colby’s attention. “Matt knows for christ sake!”

“I’ll be more careful about the way I look at her.” Colby said after a moment.

“Why didn’t you tell me about your parents?” He asked.

“Because I was still mad at you. Besides it’s not a problem anymore. I’ve been openly dating Todd for several months.” She replied. Her Dad was a lot more worried about her doing it with todd. Crap! She thought, what was she going to tell Todd? Maybe I should keep dating Todd as a cover.

“No.” Colby said firmly.
Doug had left his baby on the front porch, Mindy thought suddenly. Wrapping a towel around herself she stepped out of the shower. Since Doug was busy yelling at Colby she went to retrieve the baby from the porch. She carried the baby carrier back to her room. The baby was sleeping in the carrier. She got dressed and dried her hair. The blow dryer woke the baby. “I’m going to need a bottle, I think he’s hungry.”

“His name is Alec.” Colby reminded her. Going out into his living room he retrieved the diaper bag from the couch. Pulling a can of formula from the bag he retrieved the bottle as well.
“What? No. I might have to go back to the hospital. I told you I have a patient that isn’t doing well.” Doug reminded his wife. “So I can’t keep Alec all day.” Shit! He had left his son on Colby’s porch! “I gotta go.” He told her before hanging Colby’s phone up. He started out of the kitchen, coming to a halt when Mindy entered carrying Alec.
“Did you forget something?” Mindy asked with a grin. She was dressed in red shorts and a white tank top that to Doug’s way of thinking dipped to low. No wonder Colby had caved. “Is the bottle ready?” She asked when Alec started rooting around her breast for food.

“Here.” Colby said handing the bottle to her. She went to take a seat at the table.

“what’s up?” Matt asked coming into the kitchen.

“Thanks for knocking.” Colby commented. Did Doug have to stare at her breasts?

“You do.” She said cradling Alec in her arms. She fed him his bottle.

“Hey Mindy I didn’t know you were pregnant. When did you have the kid?” Matt asked her.

“The stork brought him this morning.” Mindy replied. Alec head was resting against the upper curve of her breast.

“Lucky baby, you going to breast feed?” Matt asked still looking at her breasts.

“You’re so bad.” Mindy told him patting the baby’s back.

“Here.” Doug said handing Matt a towel.

“What’s this for?” Matt asked.

“So you can wipe the drool off your mouth.”

“Brutus wants in.” Mindy told them. Matt opened the door to let the big beast in. Brutus went right to Mindy who held the baby down to him so he could smell him.

“What the hell are you doing? He might bite him!” Doug said grabbing his son from her hands.

“He won’t bite him. Brutus loves kids.” She exclaimed.

“If you need to hold something to your breasts I’m willing.” Matt told her drawing a glare from Colby.

“Can you please set the table.” Colby asked her.

“Sure.” She said ignoring matt’s comment. She hurried over to the cupboards to get down plates. She set them on the counter and turned. Colby grasped the counter on either side of her caging her in. “I think you should put something a little less revealing on.” He told her staring into her eyes with a frown.

“Why? They stare at my breasts when their fully covered!” She told him with a grin.

“I don’t like them looking at your breasts.” He answered.

“You do it all the time.” She pointed out with a shrug.
“That’s different.” He replied his eyes moving over the swell of her breasts. He leaned down to capture her lips unable to resist the temptation. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he pulled her body up against his. The kiss deepened, and he could feel himself hardening again.

“What about your brother?” She asked as he continued to kiss her.

“He already knows about us.” He told her his mouth never leaving hers.

“I thought you said I killed you off this morning?” She said she could feel his hardness pressing into her.

“It wasn’t a one time thing.” Colby said picking up on her thoughts.

“I won’t have to wait until I’m eighteen before we do it again?” She asked out loud.

“No.” He replied quietly.

“You’re worried?”

“Yes.”

“I won’t tell anyone.” She assured him.

“Will talk about it in the morning. Right now I just want to enjoy the feel of you in my arms.” He said pulling her into his arms. She rested her head on his shoulder.

“I love you.” She said leaning back to gaze into his eyes.

“I love you too, I always have.” He replied quietly, pulling her closer he kissed her.

“I want to do it again.” She told him as the kiss deepened.

“It’s too soon after your first time.” He replied groaning into the kiss as she straddled him. “If you want to do it again will have to go back to the bed.”

“Why? I want to do it here.”

“I don’t have a condom.” He told her.

“So? I’m on the pill.”

“We need to be extra careful. I can’t afford for you to get pregnant.” He told her breaking their kiss with a frown.

“Okay, then will go back to bed.” She replied with a sigh. Moving off of him she climbed out of the tub to grab a towel. She quickly dried off.

“Are you sure about..” He started to ask but was silenced by her kiss. She pushed him onto his back, her lips and hands moving slowly over his body. Their connection allowed her to read his every response so that she knew just how and where to touch him. She drove him wild with her hands and mouth. He endured it for as long as he could before rolling her onto her back and grabbing a condom. Moving between her legs he reached down to guide himself into her. He entered her slowly mindful of her newly broached virginity. She wrapped her legs about his waist meeting his every thrust. She was so hot and tight that it snapped his control. He thrust hard and deep completely out of control. He could feel her muscles tightening around him the tension building until finally they exploded as one.

Chapter Eight

Colby woke to the feel of a warm snout on his face. Groaning he opened his eyes Brutus was licking his face. Mindy was curled up next to him, her head resting on his shoulder. “Alright I’m getting up.” He told Brutus, as he shifted Mindy over. He sat up with a groan.

“What time is it?” Mindy mumbled.

“Nearly nine.” He answered glancing at the clock. Sliding out of bed he walked naked to the kitchen to let Brutus out the sliding glass door. “I’m going to take a shower.” He told her as he passed the bed on his way to the bathroom. He took a quick shower.

“I’m hungry.” Mindy’s voice whispered in his head as he toweled off.

“I’ll make you something to eat.” He told her.

“Crepes, with strawberries and whip cream.” She requested with a smile.

“I’ll see what I can do.” He replied with a smile.
He pulled on a pair of sweatpants before heading into the kitchen to cook breakfast. He couldn’t ever remember feeling half as good as he did this morning. Making love to Mindy had been pure heaven.
“Breakfast is almost ready.” He told her.

“Can’t you bring it in to me, I don’t want to get up.” She replied.

“No, you need to get up.” He replied setting the plates on the table.

“You’re so mean.” She complained sitting up in bed. Pushing the covers back she got up. She picked her nightgown and robe up. They were draped a crossed the foot of the bed. She wandered down the hall to her bathroom. She needed a shower. By the time she finished Colby had breakfast ready. She entered the kitchen wearing her favorite night shirt. She walked up behind Colby to wrap her arms about his waist.

“Morning.” He said turning around to kiss her. It was a long leisurely kiss. “Did you sleep good?” He asked when he finally lifted his head.

“Yes.” She replied as he guided toward the table to sit down. They enjoyed a breakfast of crepes with strawberries and whip cream.

“We need to talk.” He said when they had finished eating.

“About what?” She asked sitting back.

“Last night for starters.” He answered.

“Are you sorry that we made love?” She asked with dread.

“No.” He assured her. “But it changes things.” He said. “We’re going to have to be very careful.”

“I know.” She agreed. “I won’t say anything to anyone.”

“More then that we have to watch how we act around other people. We can’t give people any reason to think were more then friends.” He told her.

“Okay.” She said.

“Especially around my brothers.”

“What about Matt?” She asked.

“Matt already knows we’ve been fooling around. But I would rather he didn’t know how far things have gone.” He answered after a moment. “I know this is going to be hard for you.”

“Please, this is hardly the first secret I’ve had to keep. You forget I have a lot of celebrity friends.” She replied with a shrug.

“Do you have any concerns?” He asked.

“No.” She said not meeting his eyes. She did have one worry, but she didn’t want to go into it. She kept thinking about what Jeff had said about Colby’s lack of interest in sex. She wanted it more then a couple times a month. But what if he didn’t?

“I wasn’t very interested in sex with Teri. That won’t be the case with you.” He told her quietly. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get enough of you.”

“I can have it whenever I want.” She asked.

Colby swallowed hard at the look of hunger in her eyes. He nodded slowly.

“Really?” She said pushing her chair back she rose to her feet and moved toward him. “Because I want to do it again right now.” She said sitting on his lap so that she was facing him. Colby didn’t say anything he kissed her instead. His hands moved under her night shirt to cup her breasts. Pulling back Mindy pulled her shirt over her head. Colby groaned his mouth moving over her neck and down to her breasts. He pushed the tablecloth and dishes back. He lifted her to sit on the edge of the table, pushing the tablecloth and dishes further back She leaned back as his lips drifted lower, she moaned in delight as his head settled between her legs. She cried out from the force of her climax.

“We need to move this back into the bedroom.” Colby told her with a grin.

“Why?” She asked trying to catch her breath.

“I don’t keep condoms in the kitchen.” He answered.

“I have some in my purse, side pocket. It’s behind you on the counter.” She told him spotting her purse. She didn’t feel like moving.

“What brand?” He asked opening her purse.

“I got them from your bathroom.” She told him raising up on her elbows to watch him.

“You stole condoms from my bathroom?” He asked taking one of the packets out.

“Yes.” She said simply watching as he put one on. He didn’t say anything more as he moved between her legs grasping her hips he slid into her. Mindy moaned laying back on the table as he started to move in her.

I have a serious problem and am wondering if there are any Lawyers out there that can help. I have two children by my Ex and we have a Parenting Plan as required by Law. I couldn't afford a Lawyer so my Ex's Lawyer drew up our Parenting Plan. I recently learned through my EX that there is a clause buried in the plan that restrains my Dad from having contact with my kids. I didn't even know that this was buried in the plan. So I have been in violation of this order since 2003 when it went into affect. My Ex is climbing all over me about how I violated this order. He has even followed me to prove I am in violation of this order. Clearly my Dad is very upset over being banned from his Grandchildren lives but as I don't have much money there is not much I can do. My Ex's grandmother covers all of his legal expenses I don't have that option. Please respond if you can give some advice on this matter.

“What do you mean?” He asked.

“You say you want a relationship with me, does that include having sex with me?” She asked him point blank.

“Yes.” He answered.

“I’m not talking about having sex when I turn eighteen. I want a sexual relationship right now.” She told him.

“You’re asking me to do something that could get me in a lot of trouble.” He replied with a sigh.

“I’ll take that as a no. If you can’t offer me a full relationship then I don’t want to be with you. I’ll find someone else. End of discussion.” She replied heading for the door.

“I didn’t say no.”

“What?” Mindy asked stopping. She hadn’t been expecting this.

“I love you and I’m willing to do whatever I have to do to make this work.” He answered.

“I need to sit down.” Her head was starting to spin. She walked over to the couch to sit. Was he serious? There was only one way to find out, she would have to force his hand. “In that case I want to have sex right now.” She told him when she was finally able to locate her voice.

“Whatever you want.” He said with a smile starting toward her
Shit! He’s serious! She thought wildly as he walked toward her. “I need to take a shower first.” She said jumping to her feet.

“Good idea.” Colby told her quietly.
She nearly ran to the bathroom. She enjoyed a long hot shower. She dried her hair with a hair dryer, before going into the guestroom where all of her stuff was neatly packed, and stacked on the bed. She had come to the conclusion that Colby couldn’t be serious. He was trying to spook her. Well she wasn’t going to let him get away with it. She was surprised to find a present on top of the stack. It was wrapped in pink paper. The card said. Happy Birthday, Love Always Colby. She quickly tore the wrapping off the large package. Opening the box she found a beautiful silk nightgown with matching robe. Both were white. The bodice of the nightgown had intricate beading that sparkled like diamonds. The matching robe also had intricate beading that shined in the light. Unwrapping her towel, she dropped it to the floor. She pulled the nightgown over her head. The bodice was cut very low over her breasts. The gown fell to the floor, a slit up the side that reached nearly to her hip. She slipped the robe on, belting it loosely about the waist. Why had Colby given her this? She wondered studying her reflection in the mirror. She arranged the robe so that her breasts were on display. She intended to torture him with his gift. Digging through one of the boxes she found her perfume. She lightly dabbed some on her wrists, neck, and between her breast. She applied lip gloss carefully. Leaving her room she wandered down to the kitchen. Colby was there loading the last of the dishes. His back was to her. He was wearing a dark blue robe. She glanced at her watch, it was a little after nine. Why is he wearing a robe? A little shiver ran down her spine.

“Ready for bed?” He asked turning to look at her. His eyes moved over her slowly, lingering on the rise of her breasts. Her nipples hardened under his gaze.

“Isn’t it a little early to go to bed?” She asked feeling hot.

“No” He said taking her hand he led her toward his room.

“I’m not going to keep my hands to myself.” She warned him when they reached the doorway to his room.

“I hope not.” He replied guiding her into his room. Her eyes wandered over the room in surprise. The room was, lit by candles that covered his dressers. She stared at the bed. Gold satin sheets covered the bed. Along, with a gold satin comforter. The pillows were enclosed in gold satin cases. Music was playing quietly in the background.

“A girl’s first time should be special.” Colby commented as her eyes moved over the room.

“What? You were serious.” She was speechless.

“I want to make love to you.” He replied pulling her toward him.

“Are you teasing me?” She asked not believing for one minute that he had changed his mind. He didn’t answer her. He kissed her instead. His arms pulled her close as the kiss deepened. His mouth devoured hers as he pulled her up fitting her against the bulge evident under his robe. His mouth left her mouth to wander over her neck. “You better finish what you’ve started.” She moaned as his lips started down over her shoulders.

“I will I promise.” He told her undoing the belt on her robe; he pushed the robe off her shoulders. His lips moved over her naked shoulder as the robe fell to the floor. He pushed the straps to her gown off her shoulders, and it pooled at her feet. Untying his robe he allowed it to fall to the floor, before scooping her up, and carrying her toward the bed. He, lowered her onto the bed, the covers were pulled back. The sheets felt cool against her hot skin. She sank back into the pillows. Colby’s lips were every where setting her on fire as he stroked and kissed his way down her body. He cupped her breast, taking the nipple into his mouth. She cried out as he sucked gently at her breast, her hands moving into his hair. She held his head there, arching her back as he sucked even more of her breast into his mouth. His hand moved slowly up her inner thigh until it settled between her legs. She cried out as his fingers slipped up inside her. He knew just where and how to touch her. Her hands moved over him touching and stroking. She cried out her body bucking from the force of her climax. But he wasn’t through with her yet. Pushing her legs apart his head settled between them. His tongue moved over that secret spot that drove her wild. She was panting still panting from her first climax, and already she could feel another one building up. “Colby stop, I can’t take anymore.” She moaned thrashing about. But he wouldn’t stop; he continued to torture her until she cried out in release. She was panting her body covered in sweat. Colby smiled moving back. He picked up a condom from the night stand. He couldn’t hold back any longer, he slipped the condom on.

“Mindy, are you sure this is what you want?” He asked pushing her legs apart. He settled between them. He was close to exploding, but he held back.

“Yes.” She replied trying to catch her breath.

“It’s going to hurt.” He warned her.

“I know.” She answered, bracing herself for the pain.

“Relax.” He told her his lips brushing over hers. She had stiffened beneath him. “Kiss me.” He whispered before his mouth settled over hers. The kiss deepened and she began to relax. He continued to kiss her drawing all her passions to the surface. Finally unable to hold back any longer he thrust into her tearing away her virginity, claiming her as his for all time. Mindy cried out the pain was worse then she expected. But then in a flash it was gone, and her senses were blurred with his. They were one in every way their thoughts and senses blended together. It was intense and totally unexpected. When it was over Mindy lay panting under Colby.

“That was intense!” She thought her hands stroking his back.

“That’s an understatement.” Colby answered her without words. He rolled onto his back pulling her into his arms.

“You can hear me?” She asked in surprise.

“Yes.”

“But how?”

“I don’t know. I guess it’s a result of making love. When our bodies joined, our minds formed an even deeper connection.” He reasoned.

“Does this happen every time you make love to a woman?”

“No, this is the first time.”

“Cool, at least I’m your first at something.” She responded happily.

“You’re my first and only love.” He told her quietly holding her a little closer.

“Did you enjoy being with me more then Amber?” She asked out loud her voice hesitant.

“Yes.”

“Why did you change your mind?” She asked feeling relieved by his answer.

“I couldn’t stand the thought of someone else touching you.” He replied with a sigh.

“It hurt a lot.” She was still hurting.

“I’ll run a hot bath that should help.” He replied before sitting up. He moved out of the bed and walked naked toward the bathroom. She sat up to admire his naked body. She noticed the blood stains on the sheets. “I’m bleeding.”

“That’s normal.” He said. He was bent over the tub testing the water.

“This is cool. I can talk to you when you’re not even in the same room. It will save us a ton of money on cell phone calls.” Mindy commented.

He came back into the bedroom; taking her hand he guided her into the bathroom. They both climbed into the tub leaning back against the edge. The hot water felt good. They were both silent lost in their own thoughts.

“Mindy have you considered hiring a professional?” Amber asked her.

“What do you mean?” Mindy asked.

“Hiring a guy from an escort service.”

“You’re kidding right?” Mindy asked.

“No. My friend Michelle hired a male escort for her sister she was a virgin. The guy was really good.”

“I don’t know. I don’t think I could pay someone to have sex with me.” Mindy replied with a frown.

“I did and believe me it was worth every penny.” Amber told her.

“What? You paid for sex? That is just wrong.” Matt told her.

“I was lonely.” She replied with a shrug.

“Why the hell didn’t you call me? You could have gotten it for free.” Matt said .

“I can’t believe you paid for sex. I don’t think I could have sex with a complete stranger. I’ll stick with Todd.” Mindy said.

“You’ll regret it. Sex with a teenage boy is quick and clumsy. They have no control and are only interested in getting off. I’ve been their, I lost my virginity in high school it sucked. It hurt like hell and I got nothing out of the experience. If you want to gain experience you need to be with someone who knows what their doing. This guy is an expert at pleasing women, and he’ll make sure you’re protected. His whole focus will be on making you feel good.” Amber advised.

“How much does he charge?” Mindy asked mulling over the idea.

“Five hundred dollars.” Amber answered causing Doug to choke.

“Christ I should have went into prostitution.” Doug said.

“Paying for sex is illegal.” Matt reminded them.

“And dangerous.” Colby put in. He glared at Amber. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“Do I have to sleep with him? What if I chicken out?” Mindy asked thoughtfully.

“It’s up to you. He won’t do anything you don’t want. You set the pace.” Amber assured her.

“Have either of you heard of Aids?” Doug asked. “Not to mention the number of sexual diseases you can catch.”

“This is a professional escort service all of their employees have been fully screened.” She answered

“Do you have his number?” Mindy asked still mulling it over.

“I have their card. I’ll give it to you.” Amber promised.

“I don’t think so.” Colby said.

“It’s not up to you. It’s my body.” Mindy told him.

“She’s only sixteen. The escort service won’t accept her anyways.” Matt put in aware that Colby was about to blow.

“They don’t check your I.D.” Amber said.

“Maybe I’ll give it a try.” Mindy told her.

“Over my dead body.” Colby told her.

Mindy ignored him and concentrated on Amber. She searched her memories wanting to see if the escort guy was as good as she claimed.

“You slept with Matt?” Mindy said out loud as she encountered the memory. She was shocked to her core. Amber had slept with Matt on several occasions.

“What? How did you find out?” Amber replied in surprise.

“Crap.” Mindy muttered picking up her phone. “Hi Grandma. I have caller I.D. I’m feeling much better.” Mindy said rubbing her temples; her head was beginning to throb. “Playing cards with my friends. Everybody say hello to my Grandma.” She told them handing the phone around.

“This is getting creepy. The phone never rang. How did she know someone was calling.” Doug muttered after passing the phone to Colby.

“I can’t believe you told her!” Amber said glaring at Matt.

“I didn’t tell her.” Matt replied innocently.

“I can’t believe you guys slept together! Jeff will freak when hears about this.” Doug commented with a frown.

“Then how did she find out?” Amber demanded.

“Hell if I know. Unless Colby told her.” Matt replied looking at Colby who was frowning at Mindy.

“I didn’t tell her.” Colby answered rubbing the back of his neck.

“I’d like a private word with you.” Amber told Matt rising from her chair.

“If you use one of the bedrooms, try to stay out of bed.” Doug teased earning a glare from Matt and Amber.

“It’s for you, it’s the hospital.” Mindy said handing Colby’s cordless phone to Doug.

“What?” Doug nearly jumped out of his seat when the phone started to ring. “Hello…This is Doug Morgan.”

“Grandma, I’ve gotta go. My head is starting to hurt. I need to lie down.” Mindy said getting up from her chair. “Don’t worry, Doug’s here. I love you too.” She said as she walked into the living room. Hanging up the phone she laid down on the sofa.

“Okay! How the hell did you know that was the hospital?” Doug demanded coming into the living room.

“Lucky guess.” Mindy replied rubbing her temples. “Colby can you get my Tylenol.” She asked.

“I’ve gotta go to the hospital. One of my patients is doing poorly.” Doug said running his hand through his hair. “Lucky guess my ass! I’m sick of this weird shit! First you and now her, knock it off!” He told them heading toward the door.

“I’m leaving too, here’s the number for the escort service.” Amber said. Her face was red from yelling at Matt. She followed Doug out.
“Thanks a lot.” Matt muttered coming into the room.

“Sorry.” Mindy said from the sofa. She stared at the card Amber had given her.

“What the hell is going on around here? Since when is she psychic?” Matt demanded. Getting his ass chewed off by Amber had not been pleasant. She was convinced he had bragged to Colby about her.

“I’m not.” She replied still rubbing her temples.

“Really? How did you know your phone was going to ring before it did?” Matt asked.

“I don’t know.” She muttered. “I just did.”

“Great! Two psychic’s under one roof!” Matt muttered heading for the door. “I’ll see you later.”

“So much for the card game.” Mindy said.

“That wasn’t very smart.” Colby replied sitting down beside her. He gently rubbed her temples taking the pain away.

“I didn’t mean to blurt that out. It just took me by surprise.” She answered. The pain was beginning to fade.

“You shouldn’t have been nosing through her thoughts.” He told her.

“I couldn’t help it.” She muttered.

“We only pick up surface thoughts. It takes a lot more concentration and energy to delve deeper, which is why you have a headache. You invaded her privacy deliberately.”

“I was curious.” She replied with a shrug. “You do it to me all the time. I don’t have any private thoughts from you.” She said sitting up.

“That’s different.” He replied.

“How?”
“You can read me as well.” He said.

“I didn’t used to be able to do that.” She pointed out with a frown.

“But you’ve always been able to block me when your defenses were up.” He told her. “Reading someone’s mind is an invasion of privacy. Remember that the next time you push yourself into someone’s mind. Why did you do it?”

“I wanted to get to her thoughts on you.” Mindy admitted.

“Did you get what you wanted?”

“Yes. It hurt.’ She commented rising from the sofa.

“Where are you going?” Colby asked her getting up as well.

“To my car, I’ll pick my stuff up tomorrow.” She answered heading toward the garage.

“I don’t think so.” Colby said grabbing her arm and turning her to face him. He took the card she was holding away from her.

“You can’t keep me here.” She said. “Give it back.” She said indicating the card.

“I don’t think so. We need to talk.”

“Here we go again.” She said rolling her eyes.

“Sit down.”

“I prefer to stand.” She replied crossing her arms. “What do you want to talk about?”

“Our relationship.” He answered with a frown.

“We don’t have one.” She stated firmly.

“How can you say that when you’ve spent the last six nights in my bed with me?” He asked.

“We slept together, big deal. It’s not like you’re the first guy I’ve slept with.” She said with a shrug.

“You’ve slept with Todd.” It was a statement. He knew full well the answer. He had been able to read her while she was hurt and her defenses down.

“You know I have.” She told him. “Sleeping with someone is no big deal.”

“We’ve done a lot more then just sleep together.” He pointed out.

“What about the lake?” He reminded.

“That was a mistake.” She said calmly. She refused to think about the lake and what had transpired there.

“How can you say that?” He asked in surprise.

“It was all one big lie.” She told him facing him squarely.

“No it wasn’t. Yes, I had sex with Teri on the beach I admit that. It was a mistake, and it will never happen again. But everything I said to you that night on your boat was true. I love you, I always have. And I did break it off with Teri, just like I said I would.” He told her quietly.

“And Amber?” She asked quietly.

“I only slept with her once. She was upset over her break up with Jeff. I went over to her place to comfort her. One thing led to another and we ended up in bed.” He answered reluctantly. It was Amber that was keeping them apart he knew. “It was only one night, and I told Amber that it couldn’t go any farther then that. I didn’t say anything to you about it because I didn’t want to hurt you.”

“How many times you were with her doesn’t matter? You cheated on me three time that I know of.” Mindy said.

“Where do you get three?” He asked with a frown.

“Let’s see how about the day you skipped classes to go over to Teri’s after fooling around with me on the couch.” She answered. “Did you think I wouldn’t figure out where you were?”

“Technically I wasn’t cheating on you; we weren’t dating when all these incidents occurred.” He told her calmly.

“I don’t believe you! God you’re just like Jeff and Matt!” She cried before heading to the door. “Let me go!” She cried when he grabbed her arm to stop her.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.” He told her quickly.

“I think it was pretty clear what you meant.” She said struggling to get free.

“It’s not like you haven’t cheated on me.” He told her refusing to let her go.

“I never cheated on you.” She told him.

“Really? I haven’t been with anyone else since we spent that night together out on the lake. And we both know you’ve been with several guys since then.” He told her finally releasing her arm.

“That doesn’t count. I did that because you cheated on me.” She said crossing her arms again.

“I haven’t been with another woman since the night we spent together on the lake.” He replied.

“How do I know you’re telling the truth?” She asked.

“Merge your thought with mine.” He said softly holding out his hand to her.

“No.” She replied shaking her head.

“Why? You’ll see that I’m telling you the truth.” He said with a frown.

“So? It wouldn’t matter if you were. I can’t trust you.” She said with a frown.

“Yes you can. I’ve been faithful to you, even though you’ve been running around with other guys.” He answered her reaching out to lift her chin so that she was looking into his eyes.

“I didn’t have sex with any of them.” She stated.

“I know.” He said quietly. “We’re meant to be together.” He leaned down to kiss her.

“No were not.” She replied pushing him away. If he kissed her it would be all over and she knew it. Clearly Colby was not going to give up.

“Why are you fighting me?” He asked.

“I want to believe you; I want to be with you more then anything else.” She finally admitted.

“Then what’s the problem?”

“My career.” She said simply. It was time to lay it all out on the table she decided.

“I don’t understand.” He said.

“I can’t wait for you.” She told him quietly.