Jen and I spent the next few evenings painting my new bedroom and
getting it ready to move into.  Josh joined us almost every
evening for dinner and helped us with the painting.  Things had
been awkward for Josh and me at first but we managed to work
through it.  Jen and Josh, however, settled into an easy
friendship and their constant banter made the work go quickly. 
Determined to convince me that we could be friends *and* lovers,
Josh was more touchy-feely with me than he used to be.  It was a
little unsettling to have him unexpectedly plant a kiss on the
back of my neck, but I was learning to like it.  My big worry was
Jen.  She was having trouble finding an apartment she could
afford.  She made jokes about it but I knew she was worried and
so was I.

I was loading the dishwasher one night when Josh came to help. 
He rinsed plates and handed them to me as Jen went back to work
in the bedroom.

"Lindsey, Jen hasn't found a place to live yet, has she?"

"No. I feel bad about it, kind of like it's my fault she's in
this situation."

"I do to, but I have an idea I want to discuss with you."

"What is it?"

"How would you feel about Jen moving in here?  It wouldn't take
much to finish off that third bedroom."

"Really, Josh?"

"Yeah.  I like Jen and we get along well.  It's been nice having
you guys over here each night.  The place is too quiet with just
me in it.  I think it would be nice to have her here with us, if
you agree."

"Why does it matter what I think?  It's your place."

"No, Lin, it's our place and you have a say in it."

A small part of me was worried.  What if they get together again?
 I still wasn't sure what my feelings were for Josh, but I didn't
want to watch him and Jen going at it either.  A wave of shame
passed over me at my jealous thoughts and I decided to trust my
friends.

"Then let's go ask her."

His grin matched my own and he drew me against him for a quick
kiss before we went to find Jen.

Jen was thrilled that we asked her to move in, but she put some
conditions on her acceptance.  We weren't to consider her a
permanent roommate because she was going to continue to hunt for
her own place.  If at any time any of us were unhappy with the
arrangement, we were to say so immediately.  She insisted on
paying rent.  Josh laughingly agreed and the move was on.

*****

After a hectic 10 days, Jen and I moved in.  The bulk of the move
happened over the weekend and we were just now beginning to get
unpacked and settled in.  Jen and I had lived together for years,
so sharing the small bathroom that connected our rooms was no big
deal.  Josh volunteered his huge shower and soaking tub for our
use if we agreed to leave his razor alone.  Sharing an impish
smile, Jen and I agreed.  Josh had a few things to learn about
living with women.  All razors were fair game -- he'd learn that
one soon enough.

Construction on my studio would wait for a week or two while Josh
finished up a custom project for an important client.  Not
minding the delay, I was planning to use the time to carefully
plan the exact setup I wanted and start ordering some basic
equipment.  Most photography was digital now so I could work
without a studio for a while without being at a serious
disadvantage.  I decided to keep plodding along in the cube farm
and save most of the money I earned there for construction costs
and the more expensive equipment I would need later.

Exhausted after a long day of lugging boxes, we ordered some
Chinese food and sank into the soft squishy couches to eat.  All
three of us were wearing the same tired but content expression as
we enjoyed the food and talked quietly about what else needed to
be done.  Jen had just asked me to pass the egg rolls when Josh
suddenly sat straight up and started looking around.  I looked at
Jen quizzically and she shrugged in response.  Since neither of
us knew what the problem was, I decided to ask.

"Uh, Josh? What's wrong?"

"Did we let the cat out by accident? Where's the cat?"

Alarmed now, I shot a quick look at Jen before continuing.  "What
cat, Josh?"

"Your cat.  You always have a cat.  Where is it?"

"I don't have a cat."

Josh stopped and turned to me.  His look clearly said I had lost
my mind.  Personally, I was beginning to think he had lost his.

"You don't have a cat?"

"No."

"You've always had a cat.  We had a very long talk about this
when we first met.  You said you could never live anywhere
without a cat."

The laughter bubbled out of me.  He looked so serious and so
upset that I couldn't help it.  He frowned as I giggled.  Jen
started to giggle too, infected by my own contagious laugh.  This
seemed to upset Josh even more.

"What is so damn funny?"

"Josh, we were all of 13 when we had that conversation.  I can't
believe you remember it, let alone wonder where my cat is. 
There's no way to take a cat to college, the dorms don't allow
pets and you know it.  I haven't had a cat since I moved away
from home."

"You don't have a cat?"  Disbelief was still evident on his
face.

"Nope."

Muttering something under his breath that I couldn't quite
understand, Josh grabbed the pepper steak and went back to eating
as Jen and I teased him unmercifully about the missing cat.

It wasn't long before the missing cat became a standing joke.  If
Josh left the door open to run over to his workshop, Jen teased
him about letting the cat out.  If he got groceries, I asked
where the cat food was.  Josh took it with good grace but every
once in a while I would catch him staring at me with a secretive
expression.  He looked at me like that quite a bit these days and
it always made me wonder just what it was he was thinking.  If I
asked, he grinned and refused to answer. Typical Josh -- he'd
always been good at keeping secrets.

Two things about Josh changed.  The first was surprising.  Josh
became a flirt.  Jen was a bad influence on him and the two
teased each other and flirted constantly.  Suggestive phrases, a
pinch on the rear end -- it never seemed to end.  Josh would grab
Jen and make loud growling sounds while nibbling on her neck. 
Jen would offer him a "quicky" between her dates.  He always had
some smart comeback about needing a rain check.  They didn't seem
to take it seriously, but it never failed to create a strange
sensation in the pit of my stomach.  I couldn't help wondering if
there was more to it than what I saw.  It didn't make dealing
with Josh's second behavior change any easier.

Josh started asking me out on dates.  The first time it happened,
I was taken completely by surprise.  I was making coffee one
morning, still blurry with sleep, when Josh snuggled up behind
me.  Pulling me backwards into his arms, he dropped a quick kiss
on my temple before resting his chin on my shoulder. 

"Morning, beautiful."

Too sleepy to worry about him holding me, I rested the back of my
head on his chest and answered, "Morning."

"Did you want to catch a movie tonight, maybe grab some dinner
after?"

"Yeah sure. You want me to run it by Jen, see if she's up for
it?"

"No, Lindsey," his lips trailed a line of tiny, feather light
kisses up my neck to my ear, "I want to go with you. Alone.  Just
you and me -- on a date."  

He nibbled on my earlobe while my heart skipped a beat.  Josh and
me on a date?  His lips were doing incredible things to my pulse
that made it hard to think clearly. The sex had been great.  We
were still friends.  But what about Jen and the constant
flirting?  And what exactly were the feelings Josh had for me? 
'I want to have sex with you' feelings or 'I want you to be my
girlfriend' feelings?  I was so confused and Josh's lips on my
neck were not helping.

"Just say yes, Lindsey. Give me a chance."

I closed my eyes and made a wish.  Please, if this doesn't work
out, don't let me lose Josh's friendship.  I opened my eyes and
took a deep breath before replying.

"Yes."

*****

It went well.  The movie was great.  Dinner was wonderful.  Josh
held my hand and bought me a rose.  When we got home, he kissed
me at the door and asked me out again.  Each time I said yes. 
Every date was wonderful.  He always kissed me at the door.  The
kisses got longer and hotter each day, and just when I started
moaning for more, he would push me away gently and open the door.
 It was driving me crazy!

After yet another wonderful, frustrating goodnight kiss from
Josh, I flung myself onto my bed and tried to figure out what the
hell was going on.  I punched my pillow in frustration just as
Jen walked into my room.

"Lindsey, what the hell is going on with you and Josh?"

I sat up and leaned against the headboard of my bed.  Jen came
over and sat next to me while I thought about my answer.  Might
as well be honest with her.

"That's what I'm trying to figure out.  Why?"

"You guys have been out every night this week.  The two of you
get home; you come in here and Josh heads over to the workshop. 
He spends half the night over there and you're so closed up
anymore that you barely say hello to me.  So I repeat -- what the
hell is going on?"

"Josh goes to his workshop when we get home?"

Jen was clearly exasperated with me. She flipped her long, blonde
hair over her shoulder and made a face at me before answering.

"Yes!  He's over there right now sanding the crap out of
something and snarled at me to put some safety gear on before
entering the shop area.  So I come back over here and you're
sulking in your room and punching a pillow.  Now spill."

I didn't make a conscious decision to tell her anything.  I just
opened my mouth and it all came pouring out of me: the doubt, the
fear, my insecurity -- all of it.

"I don't know what's going on with us.  We go out every night and
it's wonderful.  He kisses me at the door and gets me all worked
up and then pushes me away.  He flirts with you all the time and
he never flirts with me.  He said a while ago that he has
feelings for me but never bothered to say *what* feelings.  Does
he like me, or does he just want to be friends with benefits?  I
think I may have feelings for him too, but I'm afraid to take a
chance and mess it up.  I'm so frustrated and horny and confused
I could scream."

"Okay, first things first, Lin.  Number one, Josh and I are just
friends, nothing more.  We've never done anything together since
that once.  Personally, I think he flirts with me because it
makes you jealous and he knows I'm safe.  I'm not going to
actually take him up on it.  Josh is great and under other
circumstances I would fuck him silly, but I'm *your* friend,
Lindsey.  I'm not going to make a move on Josh and mess up my
friendship with you.

"Number two, you told him you needed time.  Yes, he told me what
you two talked about in his bedroom that day.  I think he's
trying to give you the time you asked for.  Maybe he's trying to
get you used to the idea of being with him as a man, instead of
looking at him and only seeing him as your best friend.  I think
he wants you to trust him not to hurt you.  He told you that you
would have to come to him.  Maybe it's time you considered doing
just that.

"Last but not least, Josh loves you.  You love Josh.  Jesus, it
shines out of both of you so bright, it's like looking into the
sun.  How the two of you can be so blind about how the other
feels is beyond me.  Look at Josh, Lindsey, *really* look at him.
 The way you would right before you take a picture.  You won't be
able to miss how he feels about you, I promise.  Take the chance,
go to him.  You won't regret it."

Giving me a saucy wink, Jen strolled out of my room and left me
to think about everything she just said.  It was a long, long
time before I fell asleep that night.

*****

When my alarm went off the next morning, I was remarkably
clear-headed.  I decided Jen was right and I should just let Josh
know I was ready to be his lover.  Even if things didn't work
out, I was confident we would be able to maintain our friendship.
 I had nothing to lose by trying to make it work.  After a quick
shower, I pulled on my favorite tartan mini-skirt and blue v-neck
cardigan before heading out to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. 
I was trying to decide how to tell Josh about my decision when he
rushed out of his room carrying a necktie in his hand and wearing
a suit.

"Can you help me with this?  I can't get the damn thing tied
right."

I couldn't help but smile at Josh's snarl of frustration.  Taking
the tie from his hand, I worked it under his collar and looped it
into a Windsor knot.

"What are you wearing a suit for?  I haven't seen you in anything
other than jeans or chinos since graduation."

"I have a meeting with my grandfather this morning.  He wants an
update on the repairs and renovations for the rental units in the
building.  Then we're going to interview some applicants for the
property manager position.  I have to wear this get-up according
to Grandfather to make a good impression during the interviews."

I stepped back to get a good look at him.  The dark gray suit set
off his olive skin to perfection while the cut of the jacket
emphasized his broad shoulders and narrow, tapered waist.  Josh
looked amazing.

"You're making a hell of an impression on me.  Yummy."  I stepped
close and pulled him down for a teasing kiss.  He groaned as we
separated, pushing me back from him a little.

"Lindsey, why must you tease me?  You're standing there in that
short little plaid skirt that reminds me of a schoolgirl, you
smell absolutely divine, and if you keep kissing me like that I'm
going to be very, very late.  Be a good girl please, or I'm going
to have to spank you.  I can't be late this morning."

Josh's tone was firm and brooked no argument as he gathered up
his files and keys before heading out the door.  I grinned as I
watched him depart.  Josh had just given me a very wicked idea.

*****

I hurried home from work that afternoon, desperate to get there
before Josh, and put my plan in motion.  I had already talked
with Jen earlier in the day and she had graciously agreed to give
us a little privacy.  Fumbling in my haste, I quickly pulled off
my shoes and stockings, replacing them with white ankle socks and
white canvas sneakers.  Next to go were my bra and my panties. 
The skirt I was wearing, while short, wasn't quite short enough
so I rolled the waistband to expose another inch of long, lean
thigh.  I unbuttoned the top two buttons on my cardigan sweater
and studied the effect in the mirror.  Perfect. After pulling my
hair into a ponytail and tying it off with a white ribbon, I
hurried to grab the note I had prepared earlier and one of the
straight-backed chairs from the dining area.  I dragged the chair
into the hall that separated the two lofts and placed it outside
the door to Josh's workshop and office. Just as I sat down in the
chair, note clenched tightly in my hand, the elevator doors
opened with a soft ping and Josh stepped out.

"Lindsey, what in the hell are you doing sitting out here in the
hall?"

"Principal Horton, sir, my English teacher, Mr. Lewis, sent me
here for discipline, sir."

Josh halted in mid-stride, his mouth hanging open.  I could see
his eyes drift from my face to my outfit and on down to my long,
bare legs.  His eyes flicked back up to lock on mine and I saw
comprehension dawn in the brown depths.  Josh visibly
straightened and took on an air of authority before coming to
stand next to me.

"Well then, Miss James, why don't we go into my office to discuss
your infraction."

Josh opened the door and led me over to the small office area he
had set up.  An antique oak desk dominated the center of the
room.  After setting his files down near the computer on the
other table, Josh sat behind his tidy desk and gestured for me to
hand him the note I was holding.  I shifted nervously as he read
it.

"Stop fidgeting, Miss James.  It says here that you are to be
disciplined for 'dress code violations.'  Now I can see for
myself that you are not wearing a bra, Miss James.  Is that your
only violation of the school dress code?"

Answering in my best shy, schoolgirl voice, I replied, "No sir,
it's not."

Josh moved from his chair and came to sit casually on the front
corner of the desk.  He crossed his arms and studied me again.

"Well your skirt appears to be much too short, is there anything
else you care to tell me about?"

"Please, Principal Horton, don't make me tell you.  It's so
embarrassing to be caught, sir."

"Miss James, you are aware that dress code violations earn you
five swats, correct?"

I nodded.

"Then I suggest you tell me before you earn another five swats
for insubordination."

"Yes, sir.  I'm not wearing any panties and Mr. Lewis saw my
bottom when I bent over to pick up my pencil, sir."

"Show me."

Josh's command was firm and it sent shivers up my spine.  Slowly,
I reached for the hem of my tartan skirt and lifted it to my
waist.  His nostrils flared slightly as he took in the view of my
bare pussy.

"Turn around, Miss James."

Obeying his command, I turned and showed him the firm, bare
globes of my posterior.  I could feel Josh as he came to stand
beside me.  His hand drifted across my bare butt as he whispered
in my ear.

"What did Mr. Lewis see, Miss James?  Was it your lovely ass?" 
He stroked my rear again, "Or was it this beautiful, damp little
slit of yours?"

Josh's warm breath on my neck as he asked his soft question was
nothing compared to the feel of his fingers drifting over my
mound, teasing my neatly trimmed curls.

"Just the rear, sir. I would never show Mr. Lewis my slit, sir."

"But it's such a lovely slit, I can't seem to keep myself from
touching it."

Josh's finger slid between my legs and briefly stroked my damp
slit, before trailing up to toy with the buttons on the front of
my sweater.

"What about your breasts, Miss James?  Are they just as lovely?"

"I'm not sure, sir."

"Well let's just take a look then, shall we?"

One by one, Josh tugged the buttons on my sweater until it hung
open, clinging to my breasts.  Pushing open first one side of my
sweater, then the other, Josh bared my breasts to his gaze.  My
skin prickled under his scrutiny and I could feel my nipples
start to tighten.  Josh caressed each of them in turn before
stepping away from me.

"Yes, they are beautiful but there is still the small matter of
your punishment.  Five swats for each violation of the dress code
and you have three violations: no bra, no panties, and your
much-too-short skirt.  I believe that makes fifteen swats, Miss
James."

I felt a moment of panic; I hadn't counted on a lengthy spanking
and Josh seemed intent on administering it.

"Y-yes, sir."  Josh noticed the hesitation in my tone.

"Tell you what, Miss James.  Why don't we do five and then
perhaps we can negotiate an alternative punishment to cover the
other ten.  Now brace yourself on the side of my desk and bend
over."

I dropped the hem of my skirt, covering my bare ass and walked
past him to the side of the desk.  Bracing my palms against the
edge I shifted my feet until I was bent over, my pert rear
sticking out.  Josh came to stand beside me and flipped my skirt
up onto my back.

"I want you to count each swat, Miss James.  Is that
understood?"

"Yes, Principal Horton."

Josh caressed my left cheek before letting fly with the first
swat.  It stung just enough to make me wince.

"One."

Smack! Josh's hand landed on my other cheek.

"Two."

Smack!  Ouch, that one hurt!  I jumped and yelped as it landed.

"Three."

Smack!  My ass was really burning now.  Josh was casually
twisting one of my nipples and the mixture of pleasure and pain
was exquisite.

"Four."

Smack!  The last one; I sighed in relief that it was over.

"Five."

Josh rubbed my stinging ass gently before sliding two fingers
into my drenched pussy from behind.  His other hand continued to
play with my breasts as I remained in my bent over position.

"You seem to have enjoyed this, Miss James.  Shall we continue
with the spanking or would you care to discuss an alternative
now?"

"Please, sir, no more spanking.  I don't think my bottom can take
much more."

"Very well, stand up."  Josh removed his hands from my body as I
pushed myself to a standing position.

"So what are we going to do with you, Miss James?  You still have
ten swats to work off."

"If I may be so bold, sir, it looks as though you have a lump in
your pants."

"And what would a naughty girl such as yourself do with that lump
in my pants?"

Josh was looking at me speculatively.  I blushed under his
scrutiny.

"Well, sir, I could lick it.  I could suck it until you explode
in my mouth.  Or, you could bend me over the desk and ram it into
me from behind, sir."

His eyes darkened as he loosened and removed his tie.  Jerking me
against him, Josh replied, "Now those all sound like fine ideas,
Miss James, but first I want to find out if those lips of yours
taste as good as they look."

With that, Josh lowered his lips to mine and kissed me
thoroughly.  His hands moved underneath my sweater to caress the
bare skin of my back before moving lower to slide up under my
skirt and fondle my still-warm butt.  Moving of their own
volition, my hands reached up and unbuttoned Josh's shirt,
opening it to expose the hard muscles covered in skin that felt
like silk under my fingertips.

Trailing a line of kisses along his jaw and down his neck, I felt
Josh shudder as I scraped his nipples with my fingernails. 
Shoving him back against the desk, I unfastened his suit pants
and slid them from his lean hips.  Pulling his boxers down
revealed that Josh was more than ready for a continuation of our
activities.  I knelt between his feet and caressed his jutting
member.

"Permission to continue with my punishment, Principal Horton?"

"By all means, please proceed Miss James."

I took his hard cock into my mouth, swallowing him in one smooth
gulp.  Sucking hard, I started to slide his cock in and out of my
mouth, swirling my tongue around his glans with each stroke. 
Josh groaned and leaned heavily on the edge of the desk, his
knees quivering under my hands.

"Lindsey, stop."  Josh tugged gently on my ponytail to get my
attention.  "I need to be inside you."

Pulling me to my feet, he turned and sat me on the edge of the
desk.  Taking my face between his hands, Josh traced my lips with
his tongue before kissing me passionately.  Pushing me back, he
laid me on the desk and positioned himself between my hips. 
Looking into my eyes, Josh hesitated briefly.  I reached up to
touch his face, letting my fingers play over his cheekbone and
along his jaw.

"This is what I want, Josh.  I've waited long enough."

He captured my hand in his and kissed my palm as he slid his
shaft into my body.  I wrapped my legs around his waist as he
plunged in and out of me.  Josh placed one of his hands on my
smooth belly and began to circle my clit with his thumb, while
his other hand teased and pinched my nipples.  Every time he
tweaked one of them, I could feel the jolt run through my body
straight to my clit.  Continuing his smooth, steady thrusts, Josh
set up a pattern of tweaking my nipple, rubbing my clit, and
burying his cock to the root inside me.  The sensations he
created were incredible and I could feel my body begin to
tighten, all of my muscles clenching as my orgasm began.  I
looked up into Josh's eyes to find him watching me intently as he
relentlessly drove me toward release.  My gaze locked on his as
my world exploded.

"Joooossssssshhhhhhhh!" 

I wailed his name as I came.  Josh gripped my hips with both
hands and started slamming himself into me furiously as my pussy
spasmed around his cock.  His pubic bone beating on my pulsing
clit sent me into another devastating orgasm.  Josh roared as his
climax hit and he poured himself into me, pounding his cock
against my cervix as he drove as deep as my body would allow.  I
could feel him spewing his seed inside me and watched him as he
slowly stopped thrusting.

He put his hands on the desk, leaning on them heavily as he
recovered.  It took a few moments before either one of us was
capable of moving.  Josh shook his head slightly as he came to
his senses.  He sat me up and wrapped his arms around me, pulling
me tight against his chest.  With effortless grace, he picked me
up and turned around, seating himself on the desktop and settling
me in his lap, his softening cock still embedded in me.  His
breathing was still somewhat ragged as I nestled my head on his
shoulder.

"Now would you care to tell me what brought that on?"  His voice
was a low rumble right above my ear.
	
"You did."

Josh pulled back and looked at me intently.  "How so?"

"I've been so darn frustrated lately. You kiss me at the door,
get me all excited, then push me away.  This morning you made
that comment about my outfit and spanking me; I decided enough
already."

"Thank god!  I was going out of my mind with wanting you,
Lindsey.  After every date, I would go to my workshop and spend
half the night working until I was too exhausted to even think
about making love to you.  I knew you needed time but the waiting
was driving me crazy.  I hoped by sending you off to bed
frustrated, you might make a decision a little quicker."

I grinned at him in response.  "Well, it worked."

"Are you sure this is what you want?  I don't want to pressure
you into a hasty decision."

The concern in his eyes touched something deep within me.  I
couldn't put my finger on it but in that moment something changed
and suddenly Josh wasn't just my best friend, he was my lover.  I
lifted my lips to his and kissed him, a whisper of contact that
became a tentative caress and deepened further to a dizzying rush
of emotion.

Breathless from the heady exchange, I pulled away and whispered,
"Does that answer your question?"

Josh looked more than a little dazed and I could feel his limp
cock begin to twitch.

"Uh, yeah. I think that about covers it."

My impish giggle snapped him back to full awareness.

"Little witch, you wouldn't be laughing at me, would you?"

"Oh, no sir.  I would never do that, sir."

"I should hope not.  Now, how about we get cleaned up and
continue this someplace a bit more comfortable?"

I nodded my agreement, my ponytail bobbing with the motion.  Josh
reached behind me and deftly pulled the ribbon and the elastic
from my hair.  As it spilled around my shoulders, he smiled.

"That's so much better.  Now hop down."

Carefully, I turned and slid from his lap.  On wobbling legs, I
helped Josh refasten his pants for the trip across the hall. 
Checking the hall quickly for any unexpected visitors, Josh
grabbed the chair and we sprinted over to our apartment.  Once
inside, Josh and I hurried to his shower, shedding our clothes as
we went.  Laughing as he pulled me into the hot, misty spray, he
nibbled noisily on my neck.  I squirmed with delight as we
tickled and stroked each other.  Picking up the shower gel and
the scrunchie sponge I kept in his shower, Josh methodically
covered my body with a layer of soap bubbles.  Blocking most of
the sprays with his body, he pulled me up against him for a
slippery kiss.

"Mmmm, I've wanted to do this ever since that morning after our
first time.  You were so hung over that day that I didn't dare,
but now I've got you right where I want you."

"Oh?  And what do you plan on doing with me?"

His eyes darkened as he looked me over from head to toe.

"Let's get the soap off and I'll show you."

After soaping and rinsing my pussy completely, he pushed me down
onto the tiled bench that ran along one wall.  Kneeling in front
of me, Josh pushed my knees apart and started running his fingers
over my slit.  Sliding first one, then a second finger into me,
he gently pumped them in and out.  I moaned and spread my legs
further, allowing him to thrust deeper.  Josh leaned down and
started licking my outer lips, slowly working his tongue between
them.  I yelped when he dragged his tongue over my clit the first
time and hissed when he did it again.

He kept at it, circling my clit and then dragging his tongue over
it until I was pleading with him to make me cum.  He pulled it
between his lips and scraped it lightly with his teeth before
sucking on it hard.  It felt like I had been hit by a bolt of
lightning.  Every muscle in my body stiffened, my back arched,
and my ass lifted off the bench and as a sound of pure animal
pleasure poured out of me.  Josh grabbed my hips and held my
writhing pelvis still as he continued to tongue my clit.  Wave
after wave of pleasure crashed over me as my orgasm surged
through my system.  When I could take no more, I reached down and
pushed Josh away from my hypersensitive nub.

Grinning like a kid on Christmas morning, Josh sat next to me on
the bench and waited patiently until my breathing returned to
normal.

"You are so beautiful when you cum."

I flicked a glance at him, still not sure I could speak clearly.
His cock was completely erect, jutting upward from his lap.  I
reached for the soap and carefully lathered my hands until they
overflowed with soap and bubbles.  Turning sideways on the bench,
I wrapped both hands around Josh's cock and began to stroke him.
The bubbly lather created a wonderful suction effect as I moved
my hands up and down his shaft.  Josh groaned as my hands slid
over him and started to hump his hips in time with my hands.

I leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Do you like this,
Josh?"

"Oh god, yes."

"Would you like me to keep doing this? Or would you like me to
push my tits together so you can fuck them?  Maybe you'd like me
to climb into your lap so you can shove your hard cock into my
tight, wet pussy.  What would you like me to do, Josh?  Tell
me."

"Option D, all of the above."

Josh picked up the soap from the bench and began soaping my
breasts as I continued to stroke his cock with a slow, steady
motion.  He rolled my nipples between his fingers, bringing them
to full erection before he tugged me off the bench.  I moved
between his legs and squeezed my breasts together on either side
of slippery shaft.  Josh continued to play with my nipples as I
slid my tits up and down on his cock, both of us watching the
head of his cock disappear repeatedly into my soft mounds.

"Shit, Lin, that looks so damn hot, but I need more friction
baby.  Let's rinse and go to the third option."

I backed off and pulled a hand sprayer from the wall bracket. 
Quickly, I rinsed both of us off and replaced the sprayer. 
Giving silent thanks for Josh's foresight, I picked up the hand
towels from just outside the shower and placed one on each side
of his hips before straddling his lap.  Sinking down on his hard
cock felt incredible.  I moaned as Josh gripped my hips and began
to move me up and down on his hard shaft.  Capturing one of my
nipples in his mouth, Josh sucked and nibbled on it as I bounced
on his lap.  Twisting my hips slightly with each thrust brought
Josh's cock into full contact with my g-spot on every stroke. 
Panting and yelping as he stroked into me, I started squeezing
his cock with my pussy.

"Lindsey," he groaned through gritted teeth, "I'm not going to
last much longer."

"Me ... either," I panted, grinding myself against him harder. 
Josh increased our pace, almost pulling me off him with each
stroke before driving my hips back down.  My orgasm hit with
sudden and ferocious intensity, causing my pussy to tighten and
spasm around Josh's cock.  Pulling me down for passionate kiss,
he stroked into me twice more before I could feel him start to
cum inside me.  Still shaking with the aftereffects of my own
orgasm, I collapsed against Josh's chest as he slumped against
the wall.  I could feel his heart pounding underneath mine as we
both struggled to recover.

I pushed away from him slightly and kissed him tenderly, cupping
his face in my hands.  My fingers felt funny on his skin and I
glanced at them as I ended the kiss.  The tips were completely
wrinkled from the water.  I showed them to Josh and grinned
wryly.

"I think we need to get out of the shower now."

Josh laughed and helped me off his lap.  My legs felt like rubber
as we quickly cleaned up before stepping out of the oversized
enclosure.  Each of us picked up a large fluffy towel and started
to dry the other.  It wasn't necessarily the most effective way
to get dry but we laughed and played as we toweled each other
dry.  I wrapped a towel around me and admired the view of Josh's
naked backside as I followed him into his bedroom.  He went to
the bed and sat down as I continued on out the door to my own
room.

"Where are you going?"

I stuck my tongue out at him over my shoulder.  "To get my comb
silly, I'll be right back."

Once in my room, I picked up my comb and turned to head back down
the hall to Josh.  Sitting there on my dresser was the new camera
I had just purchased a few days ago.   Without pausing to
question why, I picked up the camera, and took it along with me.
Josh was sitting with his back against the headboard of his bed,
the blankets tucked around his waist.  He pulled the covers back
and patted the bed beside him before he saw the camera in my
hands.  I set it down on the nightstand as I dropped my towel and
climbed into bed next to him.  Josh eyed it warily.

"How did I know at some point you would bring a camera into
this?" 

"Because you know me so well."

"Not possible.  Here let me do that."

Josh took the comb from my hand and turned me so that he could
work on my hair.  It was comforting to have him gently work the
tangles from my wet curls.  By the time he finished, I was
completely relaxed and half asleep.  Josh pulled my still damp
hair off my neck and nibbled just below my ear.

"How about you and I get a little nap?  We can have some dinner
later, make a little love.  What do you think?"

I turned and kissed him, my lips drifting over his in lazy
indulgence.  When the kiss ended, Josh pulled away and smiled
that secret smile I'd caught him wearing from time to time.  I
reached for the camera and quickly changed the settings,
adjusting for light and exposure.  On an impulse, I programmed it
for black and white.  Josh watched me with one eyebrow raised.

"Does this mean no nap?"

"Shush. I want one picture and then we can nap all you want."

I reached over and drew him to me again.  Kissing him with long,
slow desire, I waited until I felt him relax against me then drew
slowly away.  As expected, Josh favored me with that special
smile again.  I quickly focused and triggered the shutter before
his expression could change.  I replaced the camera on the
nightstand and climbed back into the bed.  Josh pulled me into
his arms, tucking my body against his as we drifted off to
sleep.

*****

The next morning I woke up alone, Josh's alarm making an
incredibly annoying din.  I reached over to turn it off and found
a short note propped up against it.

Lindsey,

I'm working out of town today and will be home late.  Don't wait
up, but I hope to find you right where you are now.

Josh

Humming a happy tune, I picked up my camera from the nightstand
and went to get ready for work.

Work was busy and we were incredibly backed up.  I called Jen and
then left a message on Josh's voice mail to let them know that I
was going to stay late at the office.  After enduring Jen's
good-natured teasing about my night with Josh, I hung up the
phone and went to lunch.

I returned with 15 minutes to spare and pulled out the mini-CDR
from my new camera.  Putting the disc in my computer, I looked
over the pictures I had taken with a critical eye.  The last
picture, the one I took of Josh, was perfect.  I printed it out
and even though the printer and the paper were clearly inferior
to photo quality, the picture took my breath away.

Jen was right.

Josh's love for me was written all over his face.  I felt my
breath catch just looking at the raw emotion I had captured. 
Looking at the love in his eyes and the sweet, sexy smile on his
face allowed me to admit what I had been fighting all along.  I
don't know when it happened, but I knew it was true. My heart
belonged to Josh.

"I love Josh."

I said the words quietly to myself, savoring the taste of them,
giddy with the feeling behind them.  I couldn't wait to tell
him.

*****

I sailed through the rest of my day.  Work was never easier and
the extra hours I put in that day flew by.  I arrived home a
little after eight, eager to see Josh and tell him how I felt.  I
opened the large steel door and stepped into the apartment.

My body came to an abrupt halt as my brain processed the scene in
front of me.

A man and a woman were on the sofa.  The woman was Jen.  She was
naked, her face clearly showing her mounting pleasure as she
straddled a man whose face I could not see.

A man with short black hair, beautiful olive skin, and broad,
strong shoulders.

My man.

Josh.

I couldn't take my eyes off the sight of them.  Head thrown back,
blonde hair streaming down behind her, Jen was moving up and down
on him in an act I didn't have to see to recognize.  They moved
as one; thrusting, moaning, writhing in pleasure.  My stomach
lurched and I gagged in response.  Inside my head I could hear a
voice screaming to get away from the sight of their betrayal. 
The picture in my hand fluttered to the floor, the image before
me replacing it in my mind as I turned and fled.  

I didn't know where to go.  All of my instincts were telling me
to run.  I'm not really sure how I got there, but I found myself
standing outside of The Bullfrog.  The place was quiet, only a
few people scattered here and there.  I sat down in a corner
booth and asked the waitress to bring me some water.  I didn't
think my stomach would accept anything stronger.

The image of Jen riding on Josh was burned into my brain.  I
didn't see the bar, didn't see the other patrons.  All I saw was
them.  How could they?  Jen swore she wouldn't touch Josh.  Josh
said he didn't want Jen that way.  How could he look at me with
love in his eyes and then screw Jen the very next day?

I had everything I ever wanted within my grasp: a beautiful home,
my own business, a man I hoped to spend the rest of my life with;
and now it was all in ruins.  The Lindsey James curse, part two:
how to screw up your life by trusting your friends.  My eyes
filled with tears as the pain of Josh's betrayal set in.

Someone slid into the booth across from me.  I blinked and
quickly wiped the tears away before I looked to see who had
joined me.  It was Roy, the head bartender.  He sat a glass of
water in front of me, a look of concern touching his handsome
face.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

I shook my head, unable to find my voice.  Roy looked at me
sympathetically before he stood to leave.

"You stay here as long as you like. We aren't busy tonight. I'll
make sure you aren't disturbed."

I smiled at him weakly in thanks and he left me alone.  I sat
there for hours, trying to make sense of the whole rotten
situation.  My cell phone started ringing around 11:00 p.m.  It
was Josh.  I turned my phone off and tossed it back in my purse.
Damned if I was going to speak to him before I was good and
ready.  I had too many other things to decide first, like where I
would find an apartment I could afford on such short notice.

Memories of the evening the three of us spent together in this
bar haunted me.  This is where it all started and now this is
where it was ending.  My stomach couldn't handle that
realization.  I just barely made it to the Ladies Room in time. 
When my stomach finally stopped heaving, I rinsed my face and
headed back out to the bar.  I rounded the corner next to my
booth only to find Josh standing there waiting for me.  The sight
of him was a physical shock that rooted me in place.  Josh was
wearing a haggard, pleading expression.

"Lindsey, it wasn't me.  I swear to God it wasn't me.  It was
Dickhead over here."  Josh jerked his head at the man standing
next to him.

"Dickhead" looked enough like Josh that he could have been his
twin.  He was the same height, had the same dark hair, and his
skin was the same olive tone as Josh's.  His facial features were
a little different and it took me a minute to realize I knew who
"Dickhead" was.  It was Mark, Josh's older brother.

Mark was wearing a sheepish expression.  "It's true, Lindsey.  It
was me.  I dropped in for a surprise visit and found Jen at the
apartment having lunch.  She took the rest of the day off to show
me around and, well ... you know the rest."

I looked from Mark to Josh, my thoughts whirling with the
implications of Mark's admission.  Finally my throat opened up
enough for me to speak.

"It wasn't you?  You and Jen didn't ...?"

Josh took two long strides and gathered me into his arms as the
tears began to flow freely down my face.

"Oh god no, Lindsey.  I love you.  I would never do that to you,
to us.  When I got home, I saw that picture lying on the floor
and couldn't find you anywhere.  Jen and the dickhead were in her
room, doing the same thing you walked in on.  I put two and two
together and realized you must have seen them and thought it was
me.  We've been looking everywhere for you since then."

Josh loves me.  It wasn't him.  Josh loves me.  It wasn't him. 
Those two thoughts kept pounding in my head as Josh lowered his
lips to mine and kissed me tenderly.  I was never so glad to be
wrong in all of my life.

"C'mon, let's go home."  Josh leveled a dark look at Mark.  "Call
Jen and let her know we found Lin and we're on our way home."

"Josh, you're not ever going to forgive me are you?  I said I was
sorry man."

"You almost cost me the woman I love, be happy I haven't beaten
the shit out of you yet."

Josh tucked me under his arm and led us out of the bar.  He never
released me the whole way home.  Jen met us at the door of the
apartment and hugged me tight.  It was obvious she had been
crying.

"Lindsey, I'm so sorry.  I didn't think about you walking in and
seeing us.  I know it must have looked bad, but you have to know
I wouldn't do that to you."

"I'm sorry too, Jen.  I'm sorry I jumped to conclusions and
didn't trust you.  It'll never happen again, I swear."

"Let's just call it even, okay?"

"Deal," I sniffled and returned her fierce hug.

A thin, high-pitched mewing noise cut though the air.  I released
Jen and turned to look at Josh.

"What was that?"

Josh sighed and shook his head.  "That was your surprise.  Hang
on while I go get it."

I shot a questioning look at Jen and Mark, but they both just
grinned in response.  Josh went to the kitchen and picked up a
box that was a little larger that a shoe box.  It had holes
punched in the sides and the top was held on with a bright red
ribbon.  Josh sat the box on the dining room table and motioned
me over.

"I've been planning this for a while now, Lin.  It was supposed
to be more romantic with candles and flowers, but I realized
today I couldn't wait any longer.  Go ahead and open it."

The bow was a simple affair and came off easily.  I lifted the
lid to find a tiny kitten, not more than three months old inside.
 He was a beautiful yellow tiger kitten and he was wearing a
bright red ribbon around his neck.  He was so adorable!  I know
the smile on my face was huge as I lifted the kitten out of the
box and cuddled him against my chest.

"Oh Josh, you shouldn't have!  He's so cute.  I love him.  Thank
you."

I grabbed the front of Josh's shirt and pulled him to me for a
kiss, the kitten mewing between us.  Josh kissed me until my
knees were weak before pulling away.

"That's not all, Lin.  Look at the ribbon he's wearing."

I carefully examined the kitten, paying special attention to his
ribbon.  There, tied in the knot of the bow, was a stunning
diamond ring.  I stared at it in shock as Josh sank to one knee
in front of me.

"Lindsey James, I love you.  We've always been friends and now
we're lovers, but I want more.  I want you to be my wife.  Will
you marry me?"

I looked into Josh eyes.  The love shining out of them was
unmistakable.  I couldn't believe what a fool I had been to doubt
him.  I reached down and tugged him to his feet.

"Joshua Horton, I love you too.  Of course I'll marry you."

Josh let out a whoop of joy, scooped me into his arms, and swung
me around in dizzying circles.  I could hear Jen and Mark
laughing and yelling congratulations as Josh set me on my feet
and kissed me senseless.  His hands trembled slightly as he
untied the bow and slipped the ring on my finger.

Jen hugged us both as she cried tears of joy.  I know my own
cheeks were wet as I hugged her and Mark.  Jen and I laughed as
we wiped the tears from each others faces.  Mark looked at the
kitten cuddled against my chest.

"So what are you going to name him, Lindsey?"

I looked at the small yellow kitten and grinned.  There was only
one name I could give him, considering the occasion.

"I would think that's obvious, Mark.  His name is Cupid."

Mark and Jen both laughed but I didn't care what they thought. 
Josh wrapped me in his arms and whispered, "It's perfect." 
Cupid, snuggled against my neck, was purring loudly in
agreement.