Kieran’s first thought when he saw the Grand Floridian Hotel was that it didn’t look like a hotel at all. In fact, with its vaulted red roof and conical spires, it reminded him much more of a castle, or perhaps some sort of old-timey mansion. Everything about it, from its soaring towers to its huge bay windows to the literal red carpet laid outside its front entrance, screamed of elegance and luxury. Kieran couldn’t help but gawk at it. He knew he looked ridiculous, knew he looked as provincial and naive as a rural farmer coming to the big city for the very first time, but he just couldn’t muster the energy to care right then.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Katie asked.
“It’s amazing,” he agreed. “I knew the hotel was going to be nice, but I wasn’t expecting…this.”
“If you think this is impressive,” she said with a wink, “just wait till you see what it looks like on the inside.”
“Just so long as you promise to catch me if I faint,” he replied drily.
She giggled. It reminded him of small crystalline bells tinkling. “Of course I will, if it comes to that. I know you’d do the same for me.”
That and more,Kieran thought, but he didn’t dare say it aloud.
The moment Kieran pulled up outside the hotel’s front entrance, a man–dressed in what was unmistakably a valet’s uniform–seemed to appear from nowhere. By the time Kieran put the Porsche in park and switched the engine off, the valet was already hurrying over to attend them.
“Welcome to the Grand Floridian Hotel!” he said, with a big smile. “Do you have a reservation?”
“We do,” Katie said, fishing her phone out of her pocket to show him the email confirmation she’d received. “We just need to get our bags and check in at the desk.”
The man peered at her phone’s screen. Whatever he saw appeared to satisfy him. “Wonderful! We’re so happy you’re staying with us, both of you.” The way he said it, it didn’t sound rehearsed. “Shall I park your car for you?”
“Er…yes, please,” Kieran said. “Just let us get our stuff out first.”
“Of course, sir,” replied the valet. He took a step back, waiting patiently, as Kieran popped the trunk and began getting their luggage out. Katie’s suitcase, he noted, was about twice as heavy as his own. Kieran was used to lifting heavy things in his father’s shop, but even he struggled a little with its weight.
He was so focused on the task at hand, he didn’t see Katie turn to the valet and discretely hand him a $50 bill. “Whatever he wants, whatever he asks for, give it to him,” she said, with a conspiratorial smile. “There’s more where this came from if you do. Make sure the rest of the staff know, okay? I want my friend to get the royal treatment.”
The man took the tip eagerly and stuffed it in his lapel pocket. “I’ll see to it, ma’am,” he replied, in an equally quiet voice. “He will lack for nothing.”
“Thank you so much.” Katie beamed, and walked back over to Kieran just as he finished unloading their bags. He made to carry them inside, but the valet nearly fell all over himself to do it first. “Oh, no, sir. Please, allow me. We’ll take your bags up to your room once you’ve checked in.”
Kieran tried his best not to let his relief show and failed miserably. “Thank you.”
Katie elbowed him playfully. “Awww, what’s the matter? My bag too heavy for you?”
“As a matter of fact, yes. What’d you put in there, cinderblocks?”
“Just the necessities,” she assured him.
“Necessities for what?” Kieran drawled. “A zombie apocalypse?”
Katie rolled her eyes good-naturedly but said nothing. The valet led them inside–even stopping to hold the door for them both despite the bags he was carrying–and Kieran promptly stopped dead in his tracks.
If the outside of the Grand Floridian was elegant and beautiful, the inside was breathtaking. The entryway opened up into a cavernous space dominated by the huge, elegant chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The floor was made of swirling marble tiles, polished to a mirror sheen, and the chairs, couches and other furniture were all of the most decadent kind: huge, velvety cushions and dark hardwood that gleamed with shine and care. A huge gurgling fountain, surrounded by bronze statues of children frolicking, stood near the center, and the whole of the place was laid out in gleaming white walls and decorative plaster. It put Kieran in mind of the art deco style of the 1920s, but only of the most decadent sort.
“What do you think?” Katie asked, coming to a stop beside him.
It took him a second to regain the power of speech. “Reminds of the inside of the Titanic.” Hesitantly, he walked over and placed a hand on the arm of a nearby chair, feeling the soft, luxurious texture of it. “I’ve never seen anything like this. Not in real life. First the Porsche and now this. This isn’t just a hotel. This is the kind of place where millionaires and movie stars go to get away from the limelight. No wonder the nightly rate was so much! “Have you stayed here before?”
“Nope! It’s my first time, just like you.” She twined her fingers in his, and Kieran fought against the urge to groan with pleasure. His cock immediately stiffened and he was thankful for the relatively loose-fitting jeans he was wearing. Anyone watching would have mistaken them for a young couple.
Deep down, in his most secret heart of hearts, part of Kieran wished it were so. That part of him, immune to all logic and reason, persisted no matter how many times he attempted to stamp it out. This didn’t dissuade him from trying again–he pushed such thoughts away and tried to focus on the grandeur around him instead.
The front desk was as luxurious as the rest of the Grand Floridian–an antique-looking piece of dark red wood and gleaming brass. The young woman behind it was gorgeous, but compared to Katie she looked rather plain. “Good afternoon,” she said cheerfully. “Welcome to the Grand Floridian. Do you have a reservation?”
“Yup!” Katie chirped, using her phone to show the other woman the details of their booking. “It’ll be under Petersen, a reservation for two. Right here, see?”
“Let’s see…” The woman glanced at Katie’s phone, then tapped out something on the computer in front of her. “Yes, here it is. You’re all set, Ms. Petersen. Though…” Her eyes flicked to the screen and back to Katie. “You’re, ah, certain these details are correct?”
“Absolutely.” Katie said, and discretely slid the woman another $50 bill. The clerk glanced at it, then at Katie.
“Not a word,” Katie murmured very softly. “Please?”
The clerk took the tip and slid it into her lapel pocket with a single nod. Kieran, of course, noticed none of this–he was still taking in the sight of the hotel. “Everything seems to be in order, ma’am,” she said. “Here are your room keys.”
She held out two plastic cards, one for each of them, and gestured at the elevator. “You’ll find your lodgings on the top floor. Please enjoy your stay, and let us know if you need anything.” She gave Katie a meaningful glance. “Anything at all. Here at the Grand Floridian hotel, we pride ourselves on the highest possible level of quality and customer service.”
“We will,” Katie assured her. She turned to him, smiling. “Shall we?”
Kieran nodded, still a little dazed. “Yeah, of course! I don’t know about you, but I could really use a shower.”
“Tell me about it,” Katie said.
The elevator was just as grandiose as everything else Kieran saw so far, with doors the color of polished brass. Soft music played from hidden speakers as he and Katie stepped inside it–though to Kieran’s surprise, the valet was already waiting for them. “Going up, sir?” he asked.
“Er…yeah.”
“Very good, sir.” He pressed the button for the top floor with a flourish and the elevator began rising. It was the smoothest elevator Kieran had ever been in–there was no lurch when it began its ascent nor when it came to a halt. The doors opened with a soft ding, and the valet stepped aside to make room for them. “You’ll find your bags already inside, as promised. Please, don’t hesitate to let our staff know if you think of anything else we can do for you.”
The man’s almost fawning subservience made Kieran a little uncomfortable, but Katie rescued him from having to reply. “Of course. You’ve been very helpful so far. I’ll make sure to let the manager know, too.”
“That is most kind of you, miss.” The man grinned from ear to ear. “Thank you!”
The doors slid shut again, leaving them alone in the spacious hallway with room after room lining either side. “I’m getting the feeling you do that kind of thing a lot,” he said. “Compliment people to their manager, stuff like that.”
“Yes.” Katie’s normally-cheerful expression turned serious. “Dad always taught me that good service should be rewarded. I’m not naive–my family’s been lucky, really lucky, and it’s incumbent on us not to let that go to our heads. Honestly, one of his greatest fears is that we’ll let money corrupt us, turn us into snobs who take everything and everyone for granted. I’m not going to let that happen–I can’t stand people who think that having money means they can treat others like trash. I’ve seen so many YouTube videos about rich assholes acting like everyone’s beneath them, Kieran. It really, really makes me angry.”
“So you go out of your way to be the exact opposite,” he finished. “That’s a great mindset to have–your dad raised you well.”
“As did yours,” Katie said. “He raised his son to be an honest, hardworking, good-hearted and down-to-earth guy. It’s one of the reasons I love hanging out with you so much. You’re so genuine.“
Kieran felt his face grow warm. I should say something, he thought, but could not find any words. If that bothered Katie she showed no hint of it–she led the way, bold as always, to one of the larger suites and unlocked the door key. “Welcome to our home for the next three weeks!” she said, and pushed the door open.
Kieran paused as the implication sank in. “We’re–we’re sharing a room?”
“Didn’t I mention that?” Katie asked, her face a picture of innocence. “I am so sorry, I thought you knew. Yeah, it’s just one room. I hope that’s okay with you. I promise, I’m not a bad roommate or anything…are you angry with me?”
Kieran couldn’t reassure her fast enough. “Of course not! No, it’s–it’s fine, honest. Just a little surprising, that’s all. We’re good, okay?” And now that I think on it, I guess it makes sense. One room in this place costs an arm and a leg. It’s no surprise that they used one room instead of two, when one is more than big enough.
He was about to say as much, but then he saw what the room looked like. And for the umpteenth time that day, Kieran was struck dumb. The suite was considerably bigger than the small house he and his father lived in–at least 2,000 square feet in area, if not more. It looked more like a luxurious apartment than a hotel room, with gleaming marble countertops, elegant and comfortable-looking furniture, a spacious kitchen and living room complete with a large flat-screen TV mounted on the wall, and a bed large enough to fit at least three people at once.
One bed.
His blush deepened and he swallowed, his throat suddenly parched and dry. “Katie?” he rasped, his voice cracking.
Katie, who was already starting to unzip her suitcase, didn’t look up. “Yeah?”
“…There’s only one bed here.”
“Oh.” She looked up, saw what he meant, and bit her lip. ”Oh. I didn’t expect that.” Her face, once again, was the very image of angelic innocence. It was also a facade.
Kieran didn’t know it at the time, and wouldn’t for some time afterward, but Katie had actually gone out of her way to ensure the room only contained one bed. It was all part of her master plan–a plan he was still blissfully unaware of.
For now.
“Let me go down to the front desk,” she continued. “I’ll see if they can put us somewhere else. But, Kieran, I have to warn you: this place often takes reservations six months or even a year in advance. There’s a good chance they won’t have a spare room to put us in, so please don’t get your hopes up, okay?”
He nodded. “Yeah, I understand. And I appreciate you trying.”
“Of course! You’re my friend and I know you’d do the same for me.” She stood and headed for the door. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Those few minutes seemed to drag on forever, but in truth she was back in less than five. “It’s as I feared,” she said, with an apologetic smile. “They don’t have any spare rooms, unfortunately.”
Unbeknownst to Kieran, this too was something less than the truth. In fact, Katie had slipped the concierge another $50 to make sure that their room wouldn’t be switched–and to tell Kieran all the rooms were booked up in the event he asked about it further.
“I guess we’ll just have to share, huh?” she continued. “But it’s no big deal.”
The thought of sharing a bed with Katie made Kieran’s pulse skyrocket. No big deal? No big deal?! How is sharing a bed with someone of the opposite sex no big deal? “I don’t know…are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“Why?” she asked, putting her hands on her hips. “You planning on copping a feel or something while I’m asleep?”
“God, no!” Even the suggestion mortified him. “Of course not!”
“Then calm down and relax, Kieran. We’re both adults and I trust you. We can be mature about this.”
Easy for you to say, he wanted to retort, but he kept it–and his lingering doubts and fears–to himself. “You, er, brought pajamas and stuff, right?”
Katie rolled her eyes. “Of course. Didn’t you?”
“Yeah.”
“Then we’ve got nothing to worry about! Let’s be happy, okay? We’re here, we’ve finally arrived, and we’ve got all evening free to do whatever we want!” She nodded at the bathroom. “Mind if I take the first shower? Once we’re both refreshed, we can talk about what we’d like to do.”
“Go ahead. I’ll get a snack or something while you’re in there.”
“Sure,” she said, “just don’t get lost and be back soon, okay? I know there’s, like, a stereotype that girls take way longer in the shower than guys, but that’s not really the case for me. I’ll be in and out in like twenty minutes or less.”
“Good to know. Want me to, um, grab anything for you?”
“Sure! Cheetos, if they have them. The spicy ones if possible, regular if not.” She licked her lips, apparently oblivious to how seductive the gesture looked to Kieran’s male eyes. “I can’t wait to taste them. I’ve got years of super-healthy eating to make up for.”
Kieran chuckled. “Got it. One bag of Cheetos, coming right up.” He rose, went to the door, and paused. “Katie?”
She stopped halfway through the bathroom door. “What’s up?”
“I’m…really glad to be here with you. I’m glad you and I are friends.”
She smiled. It made Kieran’s knees wobble. “Me too, Kieran. More than you know.”
Kieran watched her shut the bathroom door. A moment later, the sound of water running was heard.
Kieran stood there for a good few minutes trying to make sense of Katie’s cryptic words. Far better, he was sure, to focus on that rather than the fact that Katie was naked less than ten feet away from him.
More than I know? he thought, turning the phrase over and over in his mind. More than I know?
What the heck does that mean?
Katie spent longer in the shower than was probably necessary. It wasn’t just a matter of getting herself clean, it was a matter of reasserting her self-control and regaining her focus. Spending so much time with Kieran, knowing what lay ahead for both of them, brought Katie’s desire for him to a white-hot burn. She wanted him with an intensity unlike anything she’d ever felt before, and it was all she could do to keep from jumping his bones the moment they were alone in their room together. She was proud of herself for maintaining her composure, but Katie also knew everyone had their limits and she was no exception.
I want to touch him, she thought, as jets of hot water sprayed over her naked body. I want to touch him, and I want him to touch me and kiss me and hold me and–
Frustration boiled over and she slapped the wall of the shower helplessly. I never thought taking it slow would be so hard. Every time he’s near me I want to leap on top of him. Every time he smiles, every time he laughs, I feel my pussy get soaking wet. Good thing I brought lots of spare panties!
She took a deep, shuddering breath and tried to gather herself. It’s okay, Katie. You can do this. You just have to hold out a little longer, okay? Just let him get comfortable, let things settle now that you’ve arrived, and make your move as soon as the moment feels right. Don’t rush, though. Don’t show your hand too early. A girl loses her virginity only once. Your first time should be as special and magical as possible.
Katie reached for one of the many scented body washes the hotel provided and began lathering herself, making sure she was both clean and fragrant.
I’ll take him out to a nice dinner, she thought. Her rampaging libido calmed somewhat as she focused on planning her next move. Somewhere nice but not too formal. If things go well, if the vibe is really positive and if Kieran’s not too tired, I’ll go for it when we get back.
Her hand slipped between her legs and she bit her lip to keep quiet, strumming her clit like a skilled guitarist. Katie knew her body well enough to bring herself to orgasm very quickly, but even then it felt hollow, a pale imitation. It was like settling for a cheap beer instead of an expensive, rare wine. Still, it was better than nothing and at least it helped her let off some steam. As she toyed with herself, Katie wondered how many time she’d be able to make Kieran cum when they went to bed together, and how many loads he’d blast into her willing, fertile body before he ran out of endurance.
She turned the water off and stepped out, steam curling seductively around her naked form. Katie made sure to dry her hair carefully and dress in a clean set of clothes–a simple T-shirt and blue jeans this time, rather than the more stylish ensemble she’d worn on the plane. I love that outfit, but I want to wear something a little more comfortable.
She emerged from the bathroom just as Kieran was returning, his arms laden with snacks. Katie’s stomach growled hungrily as he laid bags of junk food onto a nearby table.
Kieran gestured at it a bit sheepishly. “I wasn’t sure which kind you’d want, regular or spicy or spicy with lime,” he explained. “So I got all three just to be safe.”
Katie’s heart did a barrel roll in her chest. It was such a small thing, but the gesture meant a lot and it showed in a nutshell the kind of person Kieran was. How very like her quiet, shy friend to do something like this in order to make sure he got exactly what she wanted. He’s going to make some lucky girl very, very happy.
And yet, for reasons she couldn’t articulate, Katie found the idea of Kieran getting some other girl Cheetos, or holding some other girl in his arms, distinctly unpleasant. So unpleasant, in fact, that she couldn’t contemplate it for more than a few seconds. This was most unexpected, and it even rattled her confidence a little before she managed to reassert it.
The tiniest hint of uncertainty began to creep in. Katie tried to banish it by directing her attention elsewhere. It worked…mostly.
“Thank you,” she said, taking the little plastic bags from him. She tore open one of them and began wolfing down its contents in a most un-ladylike manner.
Kieran watched with clear amusement. “Pretty good, isn’t it?”
“Oh, God,” Katie moaned, closing her eyes in sheer bliss. “Yes. Junk food always tastes the best when you haven’t had it in forever.“
“So…” he cleared his throat a little awkwardly. “What do you want to do?”
Katie tapped her chin, which was now smeared with greasy orange powder. “Hmm…Well, if you’re not too tired, I’d kind of like to go see an aquarium. Orlando’s supposed to have a good one. Then maybe we could go get something to eat. We can go to Disney tomorrow. It’s better to have the whole day to spend there.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Excitement crept into his Kieran’s voice. “Never been to one of those before, either. An aquarium, I mean.”
Sympathy for him welled up inside her. Katie got up, wiped her hands and mouth on a nearby napkin, and drew him in for a tight hug. He inhaled sharply, but Katie ignored it. She pulled him so close she could hear his thundering heart beneath the material of his shirt. As she listened to it, she marveled at how different his body was so completely different from hers–lean and firm and strong.
Slowly, cautiously, as though she were a rare and exotic animal he didn’t want to scare off, Kieran returned the gesture. Katie nearly saw stars as she felt his strong arms wrapping around her. It felt so natural, being with him like this. It felt as though a piece of her she’d never even known was missing was suddenly rediscovered. It felt right in a way so fundamental it was impossible to describe.
“I’ve missed out on a lot, huh?” he mumbled.
“Not anymore,” Katie assured him softly. “You’ve got me now.” Her own heart was pounding too. Something crackled between them, something elemental and terrifying and wonderful.
She felt it, and she knew he felt it too. It was a good omen.
The close embrace lasted a few seconds longer than was probably appropriate for two people who were “just friends.′ Katie broke it only with extreme reluctance. When she pulled away, Kieran’s face was beet-red, but he didn’t seem too embarrassed or uncomfortable. Another good sign. He’s come a long way.
“Let’s be off then, yeah?” she said, taking a step back from him. If we don’t get somewhere public soon, I might not be able to control myself. “The valet will bring the car around.”
“I still can’t believe you rented a Porsche.”
“Believe it!” Katie said with a wink. “Was driving it everything you thought it’d be?”
“Everything and more,” Kieran assured her. “It’s like piloting a small spaceship or something. And the ride is so smooth!”
“Did you ever work on one in your auto shop?”
He shook his head as they headed to the elevator. “Never had the pleasure, unfortunately. I would’ve loved to crack one open and see what it looks like under the hood.”
“Well, I can ask my dad to take in his Ferrari the next time it needs any work done. It’s not the same thing, but it might be just as fun!”
Kieran perked up. The idea of working on the governor’s car was more than a little intimidating, but he also knew what a potential boon it could be. A good review from Katie’s father would bring in waves of new customers. “That’d be awesome! You really think he will?”
“If I ask him to, yeah! I’ll be sure to give your place a lot of good press when we get back–if nothing else, he’ll go just to make me happy.” The elevator doors opened into the lobby, and the receptionist was instantly alert. “Will you be needing your car?”
“Yes, please.” Katie said.
“Of course, ma’am. I’ll have the valet bring it around right away.”
Moments later, the two youngsters were clambering into the silver convertible with the warm Florida sun shining down on them. Katie hooked her phone up to the car’s navigation system and typed in the aquarium’s address, and off they went.
Kieran looked, and was, happier than he’d been in years. He was grinning from ear to ear as he drove–something he’d been doing a good deal more since Katie waltzed into his life. For the first time in years, he didn’t have to worry about work or school or being covered in oil and engine grease at the end of the day. Katie was absolutely right, he thought. I needed this.
They kept up the relaxed, easy conversation the whole way to the aquarium. Kieran’s skin still felt tingly from the hug she’d given him earlier, and his cock–though he did his best to hide it–was as hard as a rod of iron. Getting close to her like that, being touched by her like that, was more intense every time. And every time, the temptation to go further and touch her more grew stronger.
If I tried to do something like that, how would she react? There was no denying it anymore. Something was growing between them. She feels it too, or at least I think she does. But what if I’m wrong? The idea of ruining their friendship that way was intolerable. Kieran was hardly an expert on this sort of thing, but even he knew that there was no going back from that. Once you tried to turn a friendship into more, there was no un-crossing that Rubicon.
Such thoughts threatened to dampen his mood, so with an effort he pushed them away and focused on driving instead.
The Orlando Aquarium was a large, bright blue building with murals of sea life painted across its exterior walls. Kieran was able to find a parking space close to the entrance and he made sure to hold the door open for Katie as she got out of the vehicle. The gesture earned him one of her dazzling smiles.
“Always the gentleman,” she purred. “You know, you don’t have to do that every time.”
“I know,” Kieran replied. “I do it because I want to.”
Something sparked briefly to life in Katie’s bright blue eyes for the briefest moment, a flicker of heat like the blue flame of a torch being turned on and off. “I know exactly what you mean,” she said.
“How so?”
She avoided the question and answered with one of her own. “Let’s go on in, shall we? I’ll cover the tickets.”
Kieran frowned. “It’s okay, I can pay for mine.”
“If that’s what you want,” Katie shrugged.
“It is.”
She quirked an eyebrow with dry amusement. “Is this one of those ‘guy things’ I’ve heard so much about?”
“Yes.”
A giggle escaped her. “Well, at least you’re not trying to sugar-coat it.”
They paid for their tickets and walked inside, though Katie made sure to get a brochure with a map of the aquarium on the way in. Kieran was glad of it, because the place was huge. A life-size mockup of a great white shark hung suspended from the ceiling, while dotted around were other things of interest: shark teeth laid out in net rows in clear glass boxes, huge cylindrical water tanks teeming with brightly-colored schools of fish, even a pair of massive jaws that could only have come from a shark of colossal size.
Kieran’s interest was immediately piqued. “What the hell is that?” he asked, pointing at it.
“Those are the fossilized jaws of a creature called Otodus megalodon,” said Katie. “The largest known shark in the fossil record. Possibly the largest ever to have existed.”
“How large are we talking about?”
“Forty to sixty feet. Longer than a school bus. It preyed on whales.”
“…Holy shit.”
“That’s probably what the whales thought, too,” Katie said drily.
Kieran’s expression turned thoughtful. “We humans got pretty lucky when you think about it–by the time we showed up, a lot of the really scary stuff was already extinct.”
“Oh, we still had our struggles,” she assured him. “Sabertooth tigers, dire wolves, short-faced bears…”
“Short-faced what now?”
“Short-faced bears. Think of an 11-foot-tall grizzly with anger management issues.”
Kieran chuckled. “I love how you’re able to describe it in a way that’s both funny and terrifying at the time.”
She winked at him. “It’s a gift.” But nothing compared to the gift you are going to give me, Kieran. A gift I’ll never stop being grateful for. “Speaking of sharks, though, let’s go see some live ones.”
“You read my mind,” said Kieran. Katie looped her arm through his as they walked and he faltered slightly, but soon recovered. It was another excellent sign, and Katie felt a nervous, excited flutter in her stomach. Compared to when I first met him, Kieran’s really coming out of his shell.
The shark exhibit was quite large, consisting a massive tank running across the entire wall. Behind it, dozens of sharks circled and swam with lethal, predatory grace. A small visual guide nearby listed the different species contained within the exhibit, but Kieran was too preoccupied to use it. Katie watched with amusement as he stood there in awe. “This is awesome,” he breathed. “Look at them all! Look at that one there with all those teeth!”
Katie saw the one he was pointing to and nodded. “A sand tiger shark. Very fearsome-looking,” she agreed. “There’s some kind of hammerhead over there on the left, too. See it there?”
“I see it,” he said. The excitement in his voice was almost palpable. He seemed to realize it too, because he winced a little. “Man, I’m really showing how much I don’t get out, huh?”
“Pfffft.” Katie brushed his self-deprecation aside. “Don’t even think like that. You’re fine, Kieran. I’m really enjoying this too!”
“When was the last time you went to an aquarium?” he asked.
“Two years ago, for my sixteenth birthday.” Then she had an idea. “Mind if I take a selfie of us? The sharks would be an awesome background.”
Kieran seemed a bit flustered but went along with it. “Sure, okay. You’ll have to do it, though–I’m awful at taking those.”
“Fine by me. Now c’mere.” She put an arm around his waist and pulled him close, holding the phone out with an ease borne of practice. “Say cheese!”
“Uh–”
Katie didn’t wait for him to finish. She fired off several shots in quick succession, then pulled up her photo gallery to see them. Not bad. Not the best I’ve taken, but not bad either.
Kieran was much more impressed. “Those look great! Can you send me one too?”
“Absolutely!” She did so, and his phone dinged a moment later. “There you are, one for each of us. Can we keep going now, please? I’d love to see the jellyfish next.”
“Ugh.” Kieran made a face. “Those things creep me out.”
“Why? Jellyfish are cool! The way they just float along, bobbing gracefully…it’s beautiful!”
“And it’s even more beautiful when they stay the hell away,” Kieran retorted. “I hope the beach doesn’t have one when we go.” He glanced at her as they resumed walking. “We’re still going to the beach while we’re here, right?”
“You know it!” Katie chirped. She took his hand in hers and gave it a little squeeze. “We’ll have to go to at least a couple. We’ve got three whole weeks to spend here so we’ve got lots of time! I’ve got this brand new swimsuit too. I’m really excited to wear it!”
Kieran blushed a little, to her satisfaction. If you think I’ll look good in a swimsuit, wait till you see me in nothing at all, she purred. Tonight is the night. I can feel it. We’re going to go to bed together, and then we’ll keep doing it every day as much as we can for the rest of the trip. The thought of having so much sex with Kieran made her loins ache with delicious anticipation. My journey to motherhood begins at nightfall. After all this time, after all this work, I’m finally going to be a mom!
Passion threatened to overwhelm her, and she forced herself to take a mental step back. Her hands curled into fists, unclenched, curled again. Breathe, Katie. Just breathe. You’re almost there. Just a little longer.
The jellyfish exhibit was very dimly lit, the better to see the creatures housed within. More than a few of them seemed to give off their own luminescence as they pulsed and bobbed gracefully in the water.
“Awww!” Katie said, pointing at one of them. “Look at that one, Kieran! See how little and round it is, how tiny its little legs are? So cute!”
Kieran grunted noncommittally. “Yeah, I guess.”
“Oh, come on. You don’t find them interesting at all?” She gave him a skeptical look. “I doubt that.”
Kieran sighed. “Okay, they are a little cool, in a bizarre, otherworldly sort of way.”
“Now was that so hard to admit?”
“Yes,” came the deadpan response.
Katie rolled her eyes, but the smile on her face made it clear she did so only in jest. “Men.”
Kieran placed a hand over his heart in mock outrage. “That cuts me deep, Katie. Right to the heart.”
She laughed, and he laughed with her, and the sound of their mirth blended together was wonderful to Katie’s ears.
In the end, they spent nearly three thoroughly fun and enjoyable hours at the aquarium before their growling stomachs forced them to leave in search of somewhere to eat. Katie, as ever, already had a place in mind.
“The Cheesecake Factory?” Kieran asked as they got back into the Porsche. “Never been there.”
“Oh, you’ll love it,” Katie assured him. “It’s one of my favorites.”
“I hope cheesecake isn’t all they serve.” He made a face. “I don’t like cheesecake very much, honestly.”
“I’ll do my best not to hold it against you,” she assured him with faux seriousness. “Trust me, Kieran, you’ll really like it. The menu is huge. You trust me, don’t you?”
“Yes.” The reply was swift and firm. “I do.”
“And I trust you,” affirmed Katie, placing a gentle hand on his bicep while he drove. I wouldn’t want you if I didn’t.
The restaurant wasn’t far, but the drive was still very pleasant. Everything seemed pleasant when Kieran was around to share it, Katie reflected.
Someone else might have read a deeper meaning into that. Someone else might have wondered why, precisely, that was the case. Someone else might have engaged in a moment of reflection and wondered if, perhaps, her own feelings were growing deeper than originally anticipated.
Katie Petersen was not someone else. She was a woman on a mission, and now, so close to that mission’s completion, she wasn’t in a very reflective state of mind. Her mind was preoccupied instead with all the things she wanted to do to and with him, and vice versa, once they got back to the hotel. It took an effort for her to concentrate when Kieran pulled into the restaurant’s parking lot.
He, ever the chivalrous one, held the door open for her when she got out of the car, and again when they walked inside the eatery. Kieran’s first impression of the place was that it looked rather classy. He paused, glancing at some of the cakes on display in a big glass case near the doors. “This place does takeout, huh?”
Katie nodded. “Yeah. You can order a cake, come in, and pick it up over there. My dad gets one every year for my birthday.”
“They look delicious,” admitted Kieran. “I know I said I didn’t like cheesecake, but…damn. Look at that one there, it’s got so many strawberries on top you can barely even see the cake beneath it!”
“Yup! Neat, huh?” Katie turned to the hostess, who smiled at her–and smiled even more at Kieran, her eyes flickering up and down as she subtly checked him out. The girl was only a few years older than Katie herself and quite cute. Kieran, thankfully, seemed oblivious to the scrutiny.
Katie wasn’t, and she bristled at the nerve of this girl looking at Kieran that way. She moved a little closer to the podium where the hostess was standing, making sure the other woman’s attention was on her rather than her friend, and gave her a look that could have melted a hole in the armor of a battleship. The message, though unspoken, was clear.
This one is mine. Back off.
How and when and why she’d come to think of him that way…never even crossed Katie’s mind.
The hostess swallowed, her smile faltering. “T-table for two, ma’am?”
“Yes, please.” Katie treated her to a winning smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “That’d be awesome.”
“Of course. Please, follow me and I’ll show you to your seats.”
The seats were in a quieter corner of the restaurant, which was just fine with Katie. It meant she didn’t have to raise her voice to be heard over the other customers, and gave them some measure of privacy.
Kieran stared at the menu he was handed. “That’s not a menu, that’s a book.“
“Hey, at least you’ve got a lot of options.” Katie opened hers up and began to scan it. Kieran did the same, saw the prices, and winced.
“I think I understand why I haven’t been here before.”
“Well, there’s a first time for everything.” As you will soon find out. “So, what looks good to you?”
He thought for a moment before answering. That’s one of the many things I like about you, Callaway. You’re so mature and serious–a man, where so many of the guys at our school are still boys. “I guess…would it be all right if I had one of those smoothies and a Coke?”
“Of course! Kieran, we’re on vacation. Order whatever you want. I know I will! Hey, want to get some nachos for an appetizer?”
He licked his lips, utterly unaware of how much it turned her on. “Now you’re talking. What about you?”
“I’ll have the same, but with Dr. Pepper instead of Coke. And for the main course…hmmm….I think the four-cheese pasta looks pretty good.”
“You’ve had it before?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Then that’s what I’ll have too.”
“You sure? You can get whatever you like.”
“I’m sure,” he said. “I’d rather get something with the Katie Petersen stamp of approval than take a chance on something I might not like.”
“Awwww!” She put a hand over her heart melodramatically. “That really hits me where I live.”
“Good. That means it worked.”
The waitress came by and they placed their orders. The drinks arrived first, then a truly massive plate of nachos. Between the two of them, the teenagers demolished it completely and still had plenty of room for the pasta that followed. The nachos were delicious, but when Kieran took his first bite of penne noodles, his eyes closed and his expression became one of pure rapture. “Oh. My. God.” He looked down at his place. “This must be what angels have for dinner or something. It’s incredible!”
“Told you so,” Katie said sweetly. She took a bite of her own food and then another. “Oh, yeah. That’s the stuff.”
“Think we’ll have room for dessert?” he asked.
“I have no idea, but we’re getting it anyway.”
Kieran took a long slug of his smoothie. “I love the way you think.”
“Flattery will get you nowhere, Callaway,” she teased back. You have no need for flattery. You’ve already proven you don’t need it. You’ve shown me the kind of person you are. You’ve earned the right to touch me in a way no one ever has before.
Between them they demolished their meal, as well as the delicious confections that followed. Kieran ordered a decadent-looking slice of warm apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, while Katie ordered the titular cheesecake. It was absolutely sinful, and she savored every last bite. After all those years of scrupulous healthy eating, it felt great to cut loose and just eat what she wanted for a change.
By the time the check came, both of them were full. Katie paid for the meal, gently overriding Kieran’s objections in the process, and they left the restaurant soon after. As they walked past the hostess on the way out the door, Katie took Kieran’s hand in her own and made sure the other woman saw her do it.
Her excitement and anxiousness kept building during the drive back to the hotel. Katie’s heart was pounding in her chest. Ironically, the thought of laying all her cards on the table and telling Kieran what she wanted him to do to her frightened her more than actually having the baby. This was the riskiest, most unpredictable part of the plan. There was simply no way of knowing how Kieran would react, and that terrified her. What if he left, or pushed her away, or worse, cut off their friendship completely? Six years of hard work would be undone in an instant, but more than that, the thought of not seeing him again was more than she could bear. She didn’t want to lose him! More to the point, the idea of doing it with some other guy was unthinkable. She wanted Kieran. She wanted his baby, not someone else’s.
Everything was balanced on a knife edge, but it was too late to back out now. She was committed, and she knew if she didn’t make her move tonight, she might never get a better opportunity. So Katie laughed and joked with him as she’d come to love doing, all the while keeping her mask firmly in place and doing her best not to let her fraying nerves show.
When they got back to the hotel, Katie had to fight not to simply jump out of the car. Instead, she let Kieran open the door for her before they headed inside, though he paused to drop the keys off with the valet on the way. As she passed the front desk, she paused and asked in a soft whisper, “Do you guys have candles?”
“Yes, ma’am.” The person behind the desk was the same one she’d given a hefty tip to not long before. “Why do you ask?”
“I need some.”
“Ma’am, those candles are hotel property–”
Katie slipped him another $50 bill. The receptionist halted in mid-sentence, took the money, and put it somewhere out of sight. “Of course, ma’am. I’ll see them delivered up there. How many?”
“At least 10, preferably the big round ones. Send them up in about an hour or so, please, and light them. Thanks!”
“Of course, ma’am. Happy to be of service.”
“Katie?” Kieran called from the elevator. “You okay?”
“Yeah!” She hurried over to meet him. “Sorry about that, I just needed to ask about something. Don’t worry about it.”
“Oh, okay. No problem.” He pressed the button and the elevator slid smoothly upward. “This was an awesome first day,” Kieran went on. “You were right, when you first asked me to go with you. If I hadn’t done this, I’d definitely regret it forever. I can’t remember the time I had this much fun!”
You ain’t seen nothing yet. ”Me either. It’s so nice to get away from it all for a while.” She swiped her key card and opened the door to their suite. “And seeing the look on your face when you tried the food was worth every penny!”
“You’re sadistic,” Kieran retorted good-naturedly. “Hey, wanna watch a movie? The TV has Netflix, HBO, Hulu…”
Katie drew in a breath and met his gaze squarely, though her warm, friendly expression never changed. Here goes everything. The die is cast–forward and into the breach!
“Maybe later, Kieran. But first…there’s something I want to talk to you about.”
Kieran immediately picked up on her serious tone and frowned. “Is something wrong? Are you feeling sick? Did you eat too much?”
“No, no. N-nothing like that.” Katie was shocked to hear her voice tremble a little. Just nerves. Just ignore it and keep going. “I’m fine, honest. I just…I need to be open with you about something. Something really, really important.” She took a seat by the bed and patted the mattress next to her. “Will you come sit with me?”
“Um. Okay.” He sounded perplexed, and she didn’t blame him. I’d be perplexed too. She reached over and placed both hands gently on one of his. “Do you remember,” Katie began in a soft voice, “when I said that I would always be a straight shooter with you, Kieran?”
“Yeah. Of course. And you have been.”
“I know, and that’s not going to change. What I’m about to tell you, what I’m about to say–I really, really, really need you to not freak out, all right?”
He paled. “Oh, God. What’d I do?”
“You didn’t do anything! In fact, it’s just the opposite–this is about what something I want you to do. Just let me talk for a few minutes, all right?”
“…Okay.”
“Thank you.” She cleared her throat. “Kieran, I want you to know, first of all, that what I’m about to say…the only reason I didn’t tell you about it right off the bat is because I wanted to get to know you first. I wanted to know you, the real you, before having this conversation. And now that I do, I can finally tell you something I’ve never told anyone else. Not even my parents.”
Kieran stared in confusion and growing anxiety, but didn’t try to interrupt.
“You know what it’s like to have goals–to want something with all your heart, and strive to achieve it. You did that when you fixed up the truck your dad gave you, and you’re still doing it as you prepare to take over the family business. You know what it’s like to you work your ass off to get where you want to be. That’s one of the things I like most about you, though there are many more. You’ve shown me the kind of man and the kind of person you are–you are so sweet, and so kind, and you’re always such a gentleman. You are a good person, down-to-earth, and just a lot of fun to spend time with.”
“…And?”
“I have a goal too, Kieran. I have something I want too, something I’ve wanted for a very long time. I’ve worked hard in pursuit of it, just as you have. Your father’s been grooming you to take over the family business for years. Do you know what I’ve been doing during those years? I’ve been preparing for this day. Everything I’ve done–the beauty pageants, the martial arts tournaments, getting excellent grades…it’s all been to help me get closer to achieving the objective I set for myself. I just need one more thing to get it–and that’s you.”
Katie took a second to compose herself, fighting to keep her roiling passion and emotions in check.
“What’s your goal, Katie?” Kieran finally asked.
Blue eyes met his brown, and he saw in their cerulean depths the sincerity with which she spoke, the firm determination, the warmth and affection she felt for him. Katie didn’t break the eye contact for almost thirty seconds. She wanted him to see it.
“What I want,” she said quietly, “is to be a mother, Kieran. I want to get pregnant. I want to have a baby–and I want you to be the one to give it to me.”