Love is a Tricky thing.

Josh and Brittany had been going out for a while.  In fact, it was over a year since they first noticed each other during college orientation.  They had tried to be physical before, but they were always too scared to go beyond kissing.  Tonight was Valentine’s Day evening and Brittany was intent on escalating her and Josh’s relationship.  They had just gone out to a nice dinner where the tension between them was nothing less than the gravitational pull of a black hole.  Brittany was being mischievous all though dinner to the point where Josh could barely hold himself back.  More than once, Josh had chills and shivers travel from the point of contact with Brittany all the way up his spine to the back of his head.  Brittany’s favorite move of the dinner was to take her naked foot and run it up the back of Josh’s leg, causing him to jump from the stimulation.  Josh was very frustrated, both emotionally and sexually by the end of the dinner. 
This was all part of Brittany’s plan.  Brittany had used the dinner to help in her plan to seduce Josh.  Josh was used to Brittany’s little games, but this one was a little more than what he had expected, even for Valentine’s Day.  But Josh was not about to let Brittany have her way unimpeded.  He had tried to give it back, but she seemed to feed off of the attention he gave her. Every time he would do something, she would do something back.  Every time he thought that they had reached her limit, she opened the gate to another level of intimacy and physicality.  She was an enigma to him tonight.  He knew that they had been talking about this lately and setting up to some kind interaction; they had even talked about kids and the desire of a family.  But Josh was not about to let caution go to the wind…would he?  He had resolved himself that he would remain in control the entire evening and that nothing would happen outside the norm.  He was not to be trifled with, but Brittany had other plans.
Outside the restaurant, things proceeded as normal.  Josh and Brittany walked to get the car, holding each other around the waist the whole time.  Josh thought nothing of this.  After all, he thought, it’s Valentine’s Day. I can show a little more PDA.  Josh saw nothing out of the ordinary, but Brittany was sizing up her prey for the night.  She could tell that Josh cared about her.  She even pretended to slip so that Josh would catch her and she could gage the care for her in his eyes.  Not only was it genuine, but his care for her was more than what she could see before.  This was her ticket to him.  When getting into the car, Brittany sprung the first of her surprises on Josh. 
“Dear?” She said.
“Yes?” Josh said, but noticed what she had called him.  His mind raced in that split second before he dismissed it: She called me “Dear.”  She has never said that.  I may have expected “Darling” or “Sweetie”, but this is unique. This tone is completely different from her usual playful voice.
“Could you drive me home?  I’m not feeling well.” Brittany said with a slight pout to her lips.
“O…kay?  What’s wrong?”  Josh’s EMT training was kicking in.  What could be wrong?  He thought. What did she have to eat? What did she do today?  Did she take anything she wasn’t supposed to?  What does it feel like?  Maybe I should ask her…duh.  “What doesn’t feel well?” 
“Well, I seem to be a little warm.  But I’m just nervous.  We leave for Chicago on Saturday.”
“Ya, I can’t wait to show you around.  I wish that we could have a little more alone time.  With your mom coming, I don’t know how much we will get.”
“Don’t worry Dear.  She won’t be a problem.”  Brittany assured him.
She did it again!  This has to be something. But what?  What is out of the ordinary?  She’s closer than before.  But it is Valentine’s Day, that is bound to happen.  Stop worrying. You will both be fine.
“Ok, I guess if you really want, I can take you home.” Josh said reluctantly.  He was really hoping to take Brittany out for a walk and maybe get lost.  He thought that she would be up for the idea of a taste of dessert at a quaint little café where he had a surprise for her.  But he loved her too much to say no, so he brought her back home.
All through the ride back to her house Brittany could not stop with the innuendo laced comments.  Josh would have been annoyed, but he had grown to like her little mind games.  Every so often Brittany would fire a comment at Josh to some statement he didn’t realize he left right open.  But that was her charm.  Brittany was very quick witted.  She always had a one liner ready.  Brittany was an attractive woman.  Her 5’ 10” stature left her an inch shorter than Josh, unless she had heels on.  This was always a teasing point for her.  She would call him “her little Joshie” until he got fed up, or kissed her just to keep her from continuing.  She was smoothly toned, with curves that made Josh’s mind race.  Her long, silky legs she left uncovered tonight so that she could feel Josh touch her unprotected skin.  Her shapely figure drove Josh’s mind into overdrive on a regular basis, and left him with a wild imagination.  Brittany made sure that every part of her was utilized for the maximum effect against Josh’s defenses. She did the same with her language.
During the ride Josh and Brittany had such a great time that Josh had forgotten about Brittany’s illness and let himself drive on auto pilot.  He asked about her day and what she thought about the rest of the semester.
“I’m doing ok.  My classes are interesting and I am keeping up with my work.  What about you?”
Josh replied, “I don’t know.  I think I am keeping up, but with my final project coming up…I just don’t want to look like a fool.”
“Everything will be fine,” said Brittany calmly. “You are the smartest man I know.  You are at the top of your class and have more capability to write papers than I could dream of.”
“I just don’t see myself where I want to be.  I was hoping to leave the stress.  Now, it just seems to be piling up.”
“What do you mean?  You are doing fine in your classes.  You have a successful job.  Let’s not forget a dead sexy girlfriend.”
That last phase brought a smile to Josh’s face. “I don’t know what it is.  I do have a lot of things to be thankful for.  Thank you sweetie.”
As they pulled up to the front of Brittany’s house he noticed something wasn’t right.  The lights weren’t on and the front door was open.  This was a bad sign.  “Stay in the car.” 
Josh knew something amiss.  Brittany’s mom was supposed to be home. He thought, Where was she? She didn’t just vanish.  Josh opened his door and left his suit coat on his seat.  He grabbed his big, metal flashlight from out of the door pocket.  He had left it in there from his last concert, where he had to run security.  He dropped his tie next to his coat and handed Brittany his cell phone and wallet. “Call the cops if this turns bad.”
Brittany was scared now.  Her playful self left the area as soon as she saw the open door.  She knew her mom wasn’t going to be home, but this was new to her. 
Josh entered the home carefully.  He didn’t use the flashlight so that he could move undetected.  He could hear something in the back of the house, upstairs where the bedrooms were.  He slowly climbed the staircase.  The light from the moon outside was making shadows across the wall as Josh shifted his weight from foot to foot, making sure that no sound was coming out of the steps as he ascended. 
As he made it to the second floor, Josh could hear noise coming from a corner of the house where Brittany’s room was.  He approached the door cautiously, making sure to do things deliberately and slowly.  Josh opened the door to Brittany’s room.  The dark wall color and red sheets made the room an ideal place to hide.  Josh slowly peaked in and saw a shadowy figure.
Suddenly, the shadow jumped at him. It was too small to be a person.  Josh flicked on his light and saw Abby, the family dog, cowering in his arms.  Josh carried the frightened pooch downstairs after checking the rest of the rooms to be safe.  He examined the front door one more time.  The door had been blown open by a gust of wind.  This scared Abby, who raced up to the farthest corner of the house and cowered in the corner.  Josh walked out the front door, flicking on the porch light as he passed through. 
“It’s okay,” Josh called to Brittany.  “The wind blew in the door.  I guess your mom was out for a while and didn’t lock up well enough.”
That crisis over, Brittany was not done with her plan. She opened the car door, stepped out onto the curb, and promptly fell to the ground. “Ow,” She yelled.  Josh raced over to help her.  She quickly covered her ankle, knowing that it was not hurt.  “I think I twisted it.”
“You beautiful klutz,” Josh said jokingly.  “How bad does it hurt? Can you walk?”
Brittany responded, “It hurts pretty bad, I don’t think I can.” Josh kneeled beside her.
“Then let me give you something for the pain.”  Josh moved forward and kissed her.  Brittany knew it was coming and was satisfied that her plan was working so well.  Josh’s head was spinning.  This kiss was different, because this was the kiss he had been waiting for. “Dear?”
“Yes?”
“Do you love me?”
“Of course.”
“No, I mean do you really love me?”
“Yes, why?”  Brittany was now befuddled.  He had never pressed her for an answer to a question like this.
Josh reached into his pocket and pulled out a little box.  “You remember that night when we were walking to Rite-Aid and I asked you if you were serious about this relationship and asked you to marry me?  Well, I will never forget your answer.  This time I am asking you for real and forever.  Brittany June Sims, will you marry me?”
Brittany was taken aback. This is unexpected, she thought.  Finally, through tears and swelling emotions she answered, “Yes. Yes, I will marry you.”  She flung herself into his arms, knocking them both over.  They kissed passionately.  Every bit of Josh’ nervousness melted away, and there was only love.
After their fond embrace, Josh could see that Brittany was getting cold. “Let’s get you inside,” he said.
Josh, still thinking of the injured ankle on his soon to be bride, picked up Brittany and cradled her till they were inside her house.  Josh sat her on the couch in the living room and went back outside to get his coat and belongings from the car.  He got his things and locked the car.  When he walked back inside, Brittany was trying to crawl up the steps. 
“Where do you think you’re going?” Josh said playfully with a smirk on his face.
“I was trying to get to my room.  I’d like to change; if that is okay with you.”
“Sure.”  Josh picked up Brittany and carried her into her room. “Is there anything else I can get you, my wife?” Josh smiled.  Even he was giddy with the idea that he would be married to such a beautiful woman.  Josh set Brittany down on her bed and turned around to leave.
“Well,…” Brittany said, “There is one thing.” 
“What is that?” Josh turned around.
“Come here.” Brittany said as she propped herself up on her bed.  Josh came over and leaned over her with his hands on the bed on either side of her hips.
“Yes?” he said.
Brittany pushed herself forward, wrapping her arms around Josh’s head and neck and kissing him passionately.  She let herself fall back in the bed with Josh on top of her.  For what seemed like an eternity, they explored each other’s mouths and tongues.  Their feelings now had a release as they were enveloped in passion.  Suddenly, Josh stopped.
“Wait, where’s your mom? Shouldn’t she be at home?”
Brittany pulled him close again. “My mom went to a friend’s house in Northern California. We have 2 days by ourselves.  Now, I need help out of this dress.”
“I guess I could help with that.”