The saga is continued with:

Juliah's Recipe For a One-Night Stand

CHAPTER 1:
Note: unedited

My name is Juliah Henderson, and I'm a twenty-five year-old virgin.

Sounds like an ad for Sexaholics Anonymous, doesn't it? Wait. It gets better. I still live at home. A twenty-five year-old virgin, still living at home with her parents, and her grandparents. Granted, I own the fancy house we live in, but that's not the point.

The point is: it's abnormal. Especially because of my profession. I'm a writer. It doesn't sound all that glamorous, but it serves a purpose. I make a living. My original goal was to write romance, but I'll never get there, having got caught in a money trap. I'm a famous author (while using a pen name) in an erotica line.

Unfortunately, writing erotica gives men the wrong idea. Lots of wrong ideas, as a matter of fact. One of those ideas is that I have lots of sexual prowess and that's how I know about the stuff that I write. The opposite is true. I'm a poser. A fancy term for someone who lurks on Internet sites, learning about the relationships of others without ever actually experiencing them.

My writing is fanciful, a stretch of my perverted imagination. It leans toward the sensual instead of the technical; I leave that for the experts who have actually tried sexual stuff. Being a sensual writer in the erotic field has made me tremendously popular, probably because I'm different. When the money started rolling in, I knew I'd never be able to leave this job. Trapped, the scent of green dangling before my nose.

That's only one reason why I'm a virgin, however.

The other reason is that I grew up with four older brothers and an older sister, all extremely protective, and all extremely successful. An attorney, a judge, a financial advisor, a police officer, and a doctor. By the time I was ready for real relationships, it was too late. Being the youngest and only unattached female in my family, I took the responsibility of caring for my parents and elderly grandparents.

I dressed carefully today, wondering if I might run into Officer Chris Vitale. Chris was my policeman-brother Jake's ex-partner on the force. Unfortunately that partnership withered when Jake had a fling with Chris's wife Alexis.

Despite the partnership, I hadn't met Chris until my sister-in-law Tori introduced me to him at her and Jake's wedding. Oh, I'd had phone conversations with him, but I was surprised to actually see him in person. There's no easy way to describe him, except for hot. Smooth and lean, tall and dark, exactly like you'd expect a hot-blooded Italian to be. He has a full lower lip which gives him a pouty expression, and a scar that slashes an eyebrow. It gives him a hard, masculine appearance.

Tori and Jake had left for their honeymoon, and Tori had talked me into house-sitting for her. Not that there was anything to worry about, she was just a little paranoid. She'd had a string of mishaps in her neighborhood, and couldn't bear to leave her home empty.

Meeting Chris at Tori's would be to my advantage. He wouldn't know what my house looked like, and I could pretend to have a normal, menial job for just a brief period of time. It also was advantageous because I was planning on losing my pesky virginity to Chris. Not that he knew.

My biggest fear in a real relationship was the bedroom. My fear went past the normal, I'm a twenty five year old virgin fear. The fear was that I'd done quite a bit of research to write erotica and quite frankly, I wasn't sure if my views on sex were normal anymore. I mean, I wrote about sexual situations like bondage and spanking, but is that normal sexual behavior? For some reason, I can't imagine my parents doing that. I'm afraid I'll break the rules during the height of passion, shocking my partner into stunned disbelief.

Oh, well, maybe I could experiment with Chris a little. With any luck I wouldn't remain a 25-year-old virgin past my next birthday. I certainly don't want to be stuck as a 26-year-old virgin either.

I pulled into Tori's driveway. Unlocking the front door, I threw it open wide, and went back to my car to retrieve my suitcases.

"Sweetheart, dearie, hello?"

I looked up at the quivery old voice. It was an old, old lady. Two old ladies, as a matter of fact, but only one was speaking. Her hair was white, and she looked a little like an Easter egg. The other was dark haired, dyed an unnatural jet-black, with thin arms and legs that stuck out at bony angles.

I waved at the old ladies. It was enough encouragement to cause them to scurry over. The white haired one walked with an aggravated limp, her hips swinging all over the sidewalk.

"I'm Ginny Ann Sheraton," she said proudly. "And this is my roommate, Elena Valientos."

"Hello, ladies. I'm Juliah, Jake's sister. I'm house-sitting while they're on their honeymoon."

"Well, you're just the prettiest little thing," the dark haired lady - Elena, said. "So tiny. And all that blond hair. I think I met you at the wedding, you hair was down then."

"Oh, were you both at the wedding then?" I said, smoothing my hair to make sure it was still tucked neatly into my ponytail.

They nodded, faces eager to share their stories.

"I declare your grandpa is just the most handsome man," Ginny Ann said on a sigh.

"Oh, yeah, I guess he is." Actually, I wasn't sure, but I was loyal.

"We'd met him before, you know. At the senior center. Too bad he married that shrew of a woman."

"Shrew? You know Michele?"

"Do I know Michele? She's had her talons sunk into every wealthy widower that walks her way. In fact, I heard she cruises funerals, looking for her next victim, hunting down her prey. Unfortunately, your grandfather was the latest."

I nodded, my eyes still wide. "So she hangs out at funerals? Looking for men to pick up on?"

"Oh, definitely... definitely, dearie." She leaned in for a juicier bit of news. "Rumor has it she only hits on the rich ones."

Well, that would explain Grandpa Joe. She would have assumed that the Mercedes dropping him off at Grandma's funeral was his. She'd probably wrangled an invitation to our home and assumed the house was his, too.

"Well, ladies, I need to get inside, unpack, stuff like that. And my laptop's getting a little heavy." I was sure they noticed my left shoulder drooping six inches lower than my right, but still they talked.

"Come on over later. Stop by for dinner." Ginny Ann said.

She looked over at Elena, who was nodding eagerly.

"Yes, stop over for dinner and we'll introduce you to the neighborhood people. There's Tina next door to you, with the cutest little girl, Jenna - hide your jewelry. There's Aaron next door to us - oh, but I forget. You know Aaron, don't you?"

I nodded to knowing Aaron; he was my brother's current partner, and Tori's best friend. Until Tori had moved back here, Aaron was a permanent fixture in my house. I don't think Jake had missed Aaron's lack of constant presence lately, since he'd been filling his own time with Tori. Still, I was just about to refuse the invitation when Elena said something interesting.

"I can invite that nice Officer Chris over. He hangs out a lot in the neighborhood too, something to do with all the action on the block."

I knew about the action. Trouble seemed to follow Tori around.

My ears perked up at the mention of Officer Chris. I nodded again, half enticed by the invitation to run into him and the other half thinking I had nothing else to do anyway, and old people I was definitely used to. We made final plans, and I told them I would head over after unpacking.

I put away my clothes, and headed across the street to Ginny Ann and Elena's house. Tori and Jake would be gone for two weeks, so I might as well make friends in the neighborhood. I tugged my sweater tighter around me. The evenings were getting cooler.

I knocked on the front door, and pushed it open at the come in.

Chris was already seated at the table. He rose to meet me, giving me a chaste little kiss on the cheek. His lips burned an imprint on my skin, and I squelched the urge to wrap my arms around his neck and meet his lips with my own.

Ginny Ann was fanning herself. "Oh, I'd better check the dinner," she said, scurrying into the kitchen.

Elena stayed behind, staring unabashedly. Her glasses magnified her eyes, and the woman never blinked.

Bratwursts and meatballs were served. Together, on one plate. It was an odd combination for the main dish, and looked oddly obscene, two meatballs surrounding each brat. I would have assumed it was a low-carb meal, but there was also potato salad, baked beans, and coleslaw.

"So, Officer Chris," Elena asked. "How are things going now that your supervisor Jake is on his honeymoon?"

Chris had to forcibly relax his clenched jaw just to speak. "Actually, he isn't my supervisor, Elena," he said.

"Whatever, whatever," she waved her hand up in the air. "Here, sweetie, have an oyster," she said, and slid one onto his plate.

"Juliah," Ginny Ann piped up, not to be outdone. "Have a brat."

When Chris turned toward Elena, trying once again to explain that Jake wasn't higher in rank than he was, Ginny Ann grabbed her bratwurst and sucked the end of it. It looked obscenely like a sexual innuendo. Did she know what my occupation was, I wondered, my heart thumping with panic.

Then Ginny Ann bit, ruining the picture. "It's awful to get old, dearie. You have to soften up everything just to take a bite."

Chris stopped talking and looked at Ginny Ann, his face slightly green.

I guess I needn't have worried about Ginny Ann knowing my profession. I must be paranoid, trying so desperately to hide it.

A warm thigh pressed purposely against mine. Ginny Ann and Elena had the table pushed up against the wall so one side wasn't in use. Each old lady sat at an opposite end of the table, leaving Chris and I seated close together on one side.

There it was again, pressing against me. Hard muscles clenched and unclenched, a slight rubbing. I might have been insulted if not for my earlier decision to lose my virginity to him. Besides which, each little clench sent a thrill of pleasure up my thigh.

I let him play, primly pretending I didn't know what was going on. I did, however, reach for some odd green Jell-O mold on the table, rubbing my breast against Chris's arm as I did so. It caused his thigh to clench, and stay locked in the tightened position against my leg.

I left the Jell-O untouched on my plate. It had mayonnaise frosting. Yuck. Dinner was finished, and I asked the ladies if I could help clean up.

"Oh, no, no, dear. No, no, no. When you get to be our age, you can't stand another woman in the kitchen. You just run along home, but be careful crossing that street. It's awfully busy. In fact - Chris, would you mind taking Juliah home?"

How could the street be busy? They lived at the edge of a cul-de-sac.

Chris looked at me, a leer on his face. "I'd love to take Juliah home," he said, and my head tilted at the double entendre.

"It's only across the street," I reminded everyone.

"Yes, but with all that's happened to Tori, we'd feel awful if something happened to her sister-in-law right under our noses."

Elena was sweet. She placed her hand over her heart, and placed her left hand directly on mine. "Juliah, honey, it was my husband that caused most of the tragedies in the neighborhood. Please, please let me make up for his indiscretion. Let us make sure you get safely home."

Indiscretion? I believe he kidnapped, tied up, and beat my sister-in-law. But, ah, geez, her huge round owlish eyes behind the thick lenses of her glasses filled up with tears. How could you say no to that?

I nodded.

"Thank you, my dear, thank you," she said gratefully, dabbing at her tears.

Chris stood and held his hand for me. I slipped my hand into his so he could help me from the chair and then he wrapped it around his arm, an old fashioned gesture that twittered the old ladies, I'm sure.

I saw them exchange a glance as they scooted us toward the door.

"Well, on your way then. Good seeing you both. Catch you later. Bye."

I rolled my eyes at Chris, even as they shut the door.

"You don't really have to see me home." I told him.

He didn't say a word as he guided me across the street. Sexy, mysterious guy, that was him.

We had reached Tori's front door and I pushed it open, intending to turn and say goodbye to Chris. Surprisingly, he entered with me.

"Was that the only goodbye I was going to get, Juliah?"

"Well, uh-"

"I got more of a goodbye at the wedding."

My cheeks burned as I thought of what he was referring to. I'd felt so bad for Chris, his marriage being broken up by my brother and I was a little too nice. It helped that he was looking so good.

When most of the guests had gone home or were smashed drunk, Chris and I had spent the remainder of the reception making out. Necking like teenagers. Which is why I'd chosen him to lose my virginity to.

"Well, just because we've kissed a couple times, Chris--"

"Couple?" he raised his eyebrows.

"What? One make out session and you expect more kisses?"

"Just a couple," he smiled, then whispered seductively, "tell me you don't."

He nuzzled my jaw and I felt his breath at my neck. He started to kiss my skin, and by the time he worked his way up to my lips, my arms had wound around his neck. He'd maneuvered me to the sofa, and we were finishing our session there.

It was getting hot and heavy, my breath coming in pants. Chris's shirt disappeared, and his hand found its way underneath my bra.

A pool of heat gathered deep inside my body, scaring me past my haze of lust. There it was, acknowledgement of my plan. I was determined to lose my virginity, and this was it - finally...

My thoughts were interrupted when the front door opened. I yelped, pushing Chris's hand from my breast as Aaron, my brother's current partner, walked in.

"Little Juliah," he said, raising his eyebrows. "And...Chris? Is that you?"

Chris turned his head to face him.

"Yeah, it's me."

"Holy shit," Aaron said. "Does Jake know?"

Chris was about to snap a retort when I answered instead.

"Oh, God, no. He doesn't know and I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention it. Not that I'm keeping it from him, but I'll let him know on my own."

"Don't ask me to lie for you, Juliah. He asked me to keep an eye on you."

I swore beneath my breath. What was I, seventeen? Aaron and Jake made good partners, straight-laced goody two shoes, always covering for each other.

"I'm not asking you to lie for me, Aaron. I'm asking you to not run with information."

"I can't make any promises." He said calmly, making me grit my teeth.

"They're on their honeymoon, and my sex life is my own."

"Not exactly the wordage I needed to hear."

Despite my earlier resolution to lose my virginity, heat burned in my cheeks. There was only one mission on my brain - retreat.

"Well, look at the time. It's getting really late." I faked a yawn.

Actually, I needed alone-time. Time to think, and time to write my experience down for the new deadline that was nearing. The Italian Stallion.

"Anyway," I said, picking up Chris's shirt and flinging it at him. "It was good seeing you both." I was ushering Chris out the front door, pushing Aaron along in the process. "Ta-ta." I blew a kiss at Chris.

I shut it, barely realizing that it was nippy outside and Chris was standing bare-chested in the crisp autumn air, clutching his shirt in one hand.

It was okay, I assured myself. I had two weeks for my plan. Plenty of time. No need to panic. Not yet.

* * * * *
I noticed the police car as it drove slowly down my street. It was Chris inside, I knew it. I stood out on the front porch and waved, and he pulled alongside the curb.

"Hi," I told him.

"Hi." His eyes took in every detail, from my hair tossed up into a ponytail, to the fact that I was barefoot, the hot pink polish still drying on my toes.

"Do you have plans tonight?" he asked.

"Actually, I do. Aaron's invited me to his house for dinner so I can meet Tina and Jenna. I mean, I met them at the wedding, but..." I trailed off, remembering the wedding and the time I'd spent with Chris. I blushed.

"Are you blushing?" he asked incredulously.

"No. How's work going?" I asked in a sudden attempt to change the subject.

"It's good. Listen, if you don't mind, I'd like to stop by tonight."

He looked into my eyes as he said it, as if searching for the answer in there.

I nodded, and smiled, just a little. We gazed at each other for just a minute, and then I stepped backward onto the curb, letting him pull away. I hurried inside, fighting the childish urge to run and skip. I stopped dead in my tracks. Did he mean he'd come over to my place after dinner? Or was he coming to dinner at Aaron's? What were his exact words? I had no idea.

I could tell you how his face looked though. How his lips were shaped, and how masculine his jaw was.

I wore a sundress with a sweater, because the nights were getting cooler. I walked across the street, noticing neighbors looking out their front windows, watching me. What a nosy neighborhood.

I let myself into Aaron's front door, fighting the urge to look back over my shoulder at all the faces in the windows.

"We're in the kitchen, Juliah," Aaron called out.

I went for the kitchen, and saw him with a beautiful redhead. I remembered her from the wedding.

"Hi," I told them.

She smiled warmly at me. "Hi. I have good news for you. Much as I love my child, I'm eager to tell you that she decided unexpectedly to stay the night at her father's."

"That's good news?" I asked, startled.

"It is when you consider that Chris called and is stopping by for dinner too. I didn't know you two were involved, by the way. Aaron and I thought we could all hang out tonight."

"We're not actually involved."

Aaron glanced my way and I couldn't admit that he'd never asked me out, now could I? I also couldn't admit that I planned to sleep with him.

"Make no mistake about it, Juliah. Chris has his sights set on you." Aaron's voice was definite.

"How do you know?" I asked.

"I know Chris. He's standoffish, even at work. He's been different around you, and I'll bet the only thing standing in the way is your last name."

Tina looked at Aaron questioningly.

"Jake will jump to the conclusion that Chris want to go out with Juliah to get him back for Alexis. Chris is probably waiting for Jake to return so they can see each other face to face over this."

I was worried. Chris sent a little thrill of excitement through my midsection. But right now I got a stab of disappointment when I thought of him possibly using me. The fact that I wanted to use him as a virgin-breaker didn't occur to me.

"Aaron, do you think he wants to go out with me to pay my brother back?"

"No," said a deep voice behind me. Great.

I turned to see Chris.

"I'd like to see you despite your last name, not because of," he continued. He was angry, and I didn't blame him. Nothing like hearing yourself being discussed.

He was wearing a black t-shirt and jeans; a thin silver chain encircled his neck. I watched as he walked toward me, grabbed me by the back of my head, and pulled me to him for a kiss. It was a brief one, the anger still evident.

Aaron cleared his throat. "Now that everyone's here, let's eat."

We sat to eat Aaron's specialty. What was it with this neighborhood that they ate bratwurst on a regular basis? For some reason, however, they looked odd without the accompanying meatballs, one dangling on either side of a brat.

Tina turned toward me. "I'm thinking about having Ginny Ann and Elena over to scrapbook tomorrow night. Would you like to come?"

I nodded. I had nothing else to do.

She continued on. "Tori asked me to keep an eye on those two. You never know what drama they'll get into on their own. In fact, Ginny Ann has decided it's time to go man-hunting, but Elena's dragging her feet, having gotten her first taste of freedom in thirty years."

"Man-hunting?" Aaron asked. "Do they make them that old?"

"'Course not," I told him. "The ladies will have to settle for younger men." I eyed him. "Thirty to fifty age range."

"You're not too old to spank."

My heart jumped. Spank? Did he mean-? No, he couldn't. Could he? I studied Aaron beneath my lashes. No emotion on his face. No, he couldn't have made a sexual reference. He couldn't know about my job.

We'd finished dinner, and Chris finally started to warm up. I helped Tina with the dishes, and then rubbed lotion into my hands. My hands were slick; I'm always generous with someone else's bottle. I took one of Chris's hands and smoothed some lotion onto it.

"Men don't wear lotion." He told me, but he let me rub.

"Sure they do. Why else would Aaron have it in his kitchen?"

"Um, it's Tori's?" Aaron said, thinking fast. I grinned, as that proved my point.

"Thanks for dinner," Chris said to Aaron as he stood. "I'll see Juliah home."

Aaron glanced my way protectively and I smiled at him. I wanted to be alone with Chris. "Yes, thanks. Tina, I'll call you tomorrow."

He walked me home, and I invited him in. "Chris, I'm really sorry you heard me asking that. But I had to know."

"Then you should have asked me."

"You're right. I should have. I'm sorry."

He was quiet, and I stepped toward him. He still stayed quiet, although I saw the pulse pound at his throat.

"Kiss me again," I demanded, raising my lips. "Please," I begged.

His lips swooped to mine. He pressed insistently, his lips forcing mine to open. I was only too happy to oblige. His tongue stroked mine, tasting, touching, taking. I inserted my fingers into the top of his waistband, and pulled him closer to me. His hands cradled my face.

His cell phone shrilled, making us jump apart. He swore, and flipped it open.

"Yeah? Dammit, Alexis, what now? It's not my problem, it's yours...then fix it-"

I watched him while he spoke on the phone, until he swore again and disconnected.

"I'm sorry. My ex-wife. I wanted to spend time with you tonight, but..."

"It's all right. Don't worry about it." Especially because I knew Alexis. I'd met her when she'd gotten engaged to Jake.

"Tomorrow?"

I smiled. "I'd like that."

He pulled me to him, letting me feel the erection that pressed to my belly.

"I need you," he said simply, and then left.

Wow. This would be easier than I thought.