Darkest Before The Dawn *reserved for RP519*

The morning was dark and depressing, and totally reflected her mood. Tammy curled up on the couch, pulling her plaid blanket tighter around her, as though its warmth could seep into her and warm her heart., while she flicked aimless through the music channels playing love song after love song .

She got up and stretched, her shoulder aching from the time she had spent in one position., and she made her way to the shower. Perhaps then she might feel better. Turning on the shower, she didn’t’ wait for the water to heat, she simply stepped under the icy water, allowing it to cascade over her back, before she threw back her head and took the icy jets right in the face, as her body formed goosebumps all over.

Gradually the water grew warmer, and she soaped her petite body and shampooed her waist length black hair, piling it high on her head, while she scrubbed her back

She had done the right thing, and she knew it. Nick was wrong, the time was not right for them, and now it never would be - she’d broken up with him. Wrapping herself with a towel, she went into her bedroom and dried herself, dressing almost mindlessly in jeans and a sweater, as her preoccupied mind replayed last night.

She had met Nick, right after graduation, while the ink on her degree in social studies had still been wet. He had swept her off her feet, and she had fallen for him hard - At six foot, three he was a full foot taller than her, his dark hair falling across his face, always seeming in need of a cut, and his dark eyes seemed to swallow her up. He was wonderful! But, she knew she needed to keep her head. She was young, and she had no intention of getting tied down at 23. She had her full life to live, and she had her Mom’s experience as a life lesson. Mom and Dad had married young, at only 22 - by 32 Dad went out and never came back, the magic having long since waned, and Tammy had no intention of falling into that trap! They had talked about it and had agreed that they would keep it simple, and just let things play out.

Eighteen months later, Nick had seemingly forgotten that, and last night he had proposed, spoiling everything!

Nick was sitting at his window when the sun came up, barely doing anything to brighten up the morning. Somehow the weather had decided to mirror his mood today, sad and dark, which was fine with him; He didn't need to go out for anything himself, so he didn't need it to be pleasent out, and as for anyone else...frankly, he couldn't care less how their day was going to be.

He'd been awake all night, mostly thinking about his relationship with Tammy. Lack-there-of now. Nick loved the beautiful, petite young woman almost from the first moment he saw her, the feeling only growing with time. She had confided in him early on that her parents had met, married, and seperated in quick succesion at a young age, and that for that reason she was resistant to the idea of marriage. Nick understood, his own parents being divorced, and agreed that keeping things light would be best, letting things happen as they happen. Then, last night, Nick had proposed because, well...he felt that was the way things between them was going. Moreover, he had hoped Tammy could know and trust him enough to believe that Nick, unlike her father, wasn't going anywhere.

Tammy, clearly, did not share Nick's view on their relationship; She had endded it.

Nick went through the morning routine, despite not needing to work today. He showered the past day away (or as best he could, anyway), the hot spray bringing him to a fully awakened state. He changed into fresh clothes. Lastly, he made himself an omelette and coffee which he barely tasted. Then he turned his attention to the problem of what to do and where to go from now. What he settled on was to try and deal with his things at Tammy's apartment, and her own here at his. He called a mutual friend of their's, Jessica, and left her a message.

"Jessica, hey, umm...not sure how to say this except to say it, and maybe you already heard it from her, but Tammy and I split up last night. Nothing ugly, just looking for different things, but all the same I'd rather not need to see her for a while, so...listen, I just want to know if you'd be willing to go over to her place in the next day or two, pick up the things I have there; Some clothes, bathroom stuff, it's not that much, and when you bring it I'll give you Tammy's things. Or I can meet with you to make the trade off, if you don't want to come here, whatever's easiest for you. Thanks, and I'm sorry, I'm sort of rambling here, it's just...I dunno, it's just still quite a lot to process. Call me back."

Nick hung up and shook his head. He'd always hated answering machines and voice mail; For some reason his mind shut down as soon as he heard that "beep" and whatever he'd planned to say went straight out the window, and this was one more example of that. But, well, nothing he could do about it now...the message was out there now. Nick settled onto his couch to try and find some morning garbage on tv to occupy his mind, and was only halfway through the news when he managed to doze off a little.

The afternoon passed with excruciating slowness, and Tammy checked her watch repeatedly, desperately wanting the day to be over. She kept repeating that with each passing day, it would get easier, and that she had done the right thing.

She was pretty sure that Nick would be gutted, and she checked both her email and her phone several times to see if there was a message from him. There wasn’t. That lack of a message surprised, and oddly irked her, and if she was totally honest, it also hurt a little. Conversely , it convinced her that she had absolutely done the right thing in finishing their relationship, before they got in to deep, and both ended up being hurt a whole lot more. She was way to young to settle down.

Slumping into an armchair, with a tub of Ben and Jerry’s Phish Food in her arms, she kept telling herself over and over that it was time to move on. Sooner or later she might believe it, but she knew she had made the right decision. She had. She was certain.

A knock at the door, at 7 pm startled her out of her despondency. Nick! She lept up and almost ran to the door, and was a little deflated, to find Jessica on the doorstep. “Oh hey Jessica, c’mon in!” she tried to hide her disappointment.

Jessica hugged her and said simply “I heard! And I’m sorry! I really thought you guys would get hitched, sorry it didn’t work out, is it off for good? Do you think you might get back together?” Tammy managed a facsimile of a smile, “Nah, it didn’t work out, and no, we’re not getting back together!!” even as she said it a little voice in her head asked if she was absolutely sure about that!!

Tammy poured two cups of coffee, and handed one to her friend. “its so good of you to come over, but you know what? I’m okay, I really am - I was the one who ended it, but I appreciate you being here for me.”

Jessica looked a little uncomfortable, and then said “well, actually Nick rang me, he asked me to come over and collect his stuff, and he’ll get your things together and give them to me, to pass on to you!” Tammy felt her jaw slacken. He wasn’t coming over himself, for his stuff?? He didn’t want to see her? She was really knocked back, wow, she hadn’t expected that. “Oh, sure, of course!” she said with an enthuasiam she didn't feel, and went into the bedroom to gather up his stuff - a few items of clothing, his shaving kit, several dvds and a couple of cds, and finally a pair of gloves. It looked pathetically small given all they had had together.

She handed them to Jessica with a smile, and said good bye to her friend.

Deciding she needed to get on with her life, she decided to go on out to one of the bars in town. She showered again, and spent the next two hours getting herself ready, before she left her house and went to the liveliest pub in town, loud music pumping out, just what she needed.

For Nick, the day had been long, slow, and filled with a string of bad televion. He had seen two different mops that would de-gross a bathroom covered in blacklight sensitive fluids...three different food processer that were the best on the market...a chef who told him the secret to making an 'easy' four course meal for eight...and he had heard the expressions "my baby-daddy" and "You ARE the father!" more times than he could count. The talk shows, bad as they were, actually did provide one major up-shot to his day; Things were bad for him, but at least he wasn't on national televion telling America he had slept with five guys in under a week and didn't know which one got him pregnant and made him miss him senior prom.

Well...okay, yes, he knew that wasn't even possible, but the concept was sound. Nick-World sucked, but it did not utterly suck.

By mid-afternoon, Nick was getting hungry again, and figured he'd forage for some late lunch/early dinner sustainence. Remembering his call to Jessica, he decided to put the two tasks together, and get greast drive-thru. He dressed in a pair of beige slacks and a white polo shirt...his usual attire, landing him somewhere between casual and preppy, at least to his mind...and set out.

After a quick trip through a burger joint drive-thru, Nick pulled his dark red Mustage (a graduation gift from his parents, and easily the nicest thing he currently owned, or ever expected to have) up in front of Jessica's apartment. He went up to the door with a box of Tammy's things...clothes, some books, movies and music. It reminded him of a song he heard a few times, but didn't quite have the words down. Something like, "The pots, the pans...something, my socks. All of my life in one little box." That wasn't right, but it was close. Balanced on top of the box were two take out bags. Nick had picked up a typical greasy, fatty, over-sized burger with fries, and also a green salad with ranch dressing. He'd offer Jessica both, and have the other himself.

Nick pressed the button next to Jessica's name, buzzing her apartment in hopes she was there. Too late it occured to him he should've called. He'd kick himself later. He pressed again, leaning in to the speaker.

"Jessica? It's Nick...hoping you're in. I have things for Tammy, and some dinner if you're hungry." Nick stood outside, waiting (hoping) for a response back. If there was nothing after three or four minutes, he'd go back from whence he came, and settle in for a night equally as dull as his day.

Waiting, images of Jessica came into his mind. His first impression of the tallish, dark haired woman when Tammy introduced them had been wide-eyed surprise at her impressive chest, coupled with a slender waist making her look all the larger. After stumbling through an introduction, blushing fiercely and forcing his gaze to stay above her neck, they had been good friends through his girlfriend. Now, he wondered if they would still be friends after the break up, or if Jessica might side with one or the other of them. Also...he wondered if he could avoid looking her figure over yet again, as he did almost every time he saw her.

Jessica

Squeezing the last bit of conditioner out of the bottle, Jessica worked it through the snarls in her shoulder length blond wavy hair, and let the hot water cascade over her, while she replayed the scene from earlier. She had been totally shocked when Nick had asked her to get his stuff from Tammy's place. She had really thought those two would head to the alter, but it was not to be. Tammy had not seemed a fraction as distraught as she ought to have been. Her words repeated in Jessica's mind.

“Nah, it didn’t work out, and no, we’re not getting back together!!”

That seemed pretty definite! She was thinking over the morality of making of making a play for her friend's boyfriend - EX boyfriend. Those two letters changed everything, at least insofar as Jessica was concerned. If they had been likely to get back together, or if her friend had been crushed, it would of course have been different, but Tammy seemed keen to put it all behind her, so surely it was okay, then, for Jessica to sound out whether or not Nick was interested in something with her? Hmm, perhaps it was a little soon, she'd give it a little time, and see what happened.

She had towel dried her hair, and combed it through with her fingers, when she heard the door.

"Jessica? It's Nick...hoping you're in. I have things for Tammy, and some dinner if you're hungry."

She threw on a robe and went to the door as she tied the sash. Flinging open the door, she looked at Nick and smiled, "Hi Nick, this is a surprise! A good one! C'mon in - Ooh that smell's good!!"

She led him through to her kitchen, and pulled out some plates and glasses "I have white wine, beer or coke - do any of those appeal to you?" she asked him, as she looked in the fridge.

Tammy

Tammy steeled herself, taking a few deep breaths, readying herself for walking into the bar with out Nick. It would be a first for her, well, the first in quite some time.

She walking in and went straight to the bar, and order up a cocktail for herself - sex on the beach, and she blushed a little at the barman as she said it. She swung around her back to the bar, her elbows braced on it, and she surveyed the bar, with its crowded small dance floor, and lively crowd. This was just what she needed!!! She smiled for the first time in over 24 hours, and tugged the front of her halterneck top down a little, so that only an inch or so of her middle showed.

As the night wore on, a couple of guys asked her first where was Nick, and hearing that she was celebrating being young, free and single once more, proceeded to take her round the dance floor, chat her up, and generally give her a good night. But Tammy was on a mission. She wanted to prove to herself that she had shut the door on her relationship with Nick, and the best way to get over one guy, was to get under another.

She surveyed her options - John, Steve, Adam and Zak. John was out, as he was married, and she didn't mess with married men, Steve and Adam were both fine men, but, she sensed that both were looking for something a little more long term, than what she was interested in. Nick was a great guy, and she didn't break up with him, to run into a relationship with someone else! So that left Zak. He was certainly up for it, anyway. She must be one of the few women in town he hadn't already been with - in a word he was the town bicycle, on whom pretty much everyone had had a ride, and he would not expect anything beyond one night, if it even lasted all night!

Being such a player, he had smooth lines, and fast talk, he was buff and good looking, and God, did he know it! But he was just what the doctor ordered, and Tammy zeroed in on him. Almost immediately the other guys fell back, realising perhaps, what she was seeking, and she and Zak went to sit in a booth, down from the bar.

Zak upped his game, and sat with his arm around her, his fingers "accidentally" skimming her breast, and when she didn't object he began to kiss her in earnest, before he whispered, "let's go back to your place". She started, unable to visualise him in the rooms still haunted by Nick, "perhaps your place would be better!" she said, and kissed him back, trying to get used to kissing someone other than Nick. It felt wrong. But she was single minded in her determination, and Zak was the ticket to step one.

Taking his hand, she pulled him to his feet, and he put his arm around her waist, and led her toward his car.

It was a bit of a surprise to Nick when Jessica came to the door in just a robe, her hair still slightly damp. Apparently she had just gotten out of the shower when he arrived...the smell of the food he had brought took a backseat to a scent coming off the young blond, a sweet, floral smell from the soap and shampoo she'd used.

"Hi Nick, this is a surprise! A good one! C'mon in - Ooh that smell's good!!"

"Actually, after being cooped up in my car under a cloud of french fry...I was just thinking you smelled nice; Is that creepy to say that? It didn't sound so bad until I heard it out loud." Nick frowned,turned a light shade of red, and followed her inside. Along the way, he couldn't resist glancing down at her swaying butt as she walked. There was a familiar twinge of guilt as he did so; Nick couldn't help but notice attractive women, and to give their bodies a once-over look...it was human nature...but whenever he did, he felt bad over what he considered 'eye-cheating'. Then he realized there wasn't any real reason for that anymore, since things with Tammy were over now. He could look to his heart's content...or, to the content of any other parts of his anatomy for that matter.

"I have white wine, beer or coke - do any of those appeal to you?"

"I'll have whatever you have, Jessica. Though I think white wine and fast food might be a strange combination." He moved alongside her to pick up the plates, intentionally stepping too close so he brushed her side in the process. Back at the table, he set out the two meals, and stayed standing to let her sit at whichever she wanted. "I wasn't sure what sort of mood you might be in, so you get first pick; Fattening guilty pleasure, or a responsibe heart-healthy salad. I'm fine with either one, so..." Nick smirked, and took on a flirting, teasing tone before he himself even knew he was going to. "...Do you feel like being a little bit bad tonight, Jess?"

Zak couldn't believe the way his night was playing out. He'd been shot down twice at the bar, and was thinking of leaving to seek green pastures or to just go home when Tammy came in. She was dressed especially sexy tonight, in a halter top and skirt which both hugged her shape nicely, and as far as he could tell she was alone. He didn't have long to wonder why before Tammy was telling him and the others about her split from Nick. That suited Zak just fine...he'd had more than one fantasy about petite little Tammy, and if she was single now, maybe he;d get a shot at acting them out.

Seeing how Tammy reacted when she ordered her drink, getting just a little embarassed, Zak made his way over to sit beside her. Pushing her embarassment further, he smiled to her. "I see you have a drink already, but if that doesn't help you forget Nick well enough, let me know; I'd be happy to give you some 'sex'." It was a bad line, a variation of a line he'd used before, but with luck it'd get a laugh. If nothing else, it got him talk to Tammy.

A little later on, Zak had an arm around Tammy's shoulders, and he had a hand down on her chest in what was obviously no accident, yet she was allowing it. Hell...more than allowing it, she was agreeing to go back to his place. The two got up and headed for his car. Zak's arm slid down off her waist so he could cup her ass and squeeze. Tammy let out a startled squeak which got the attention of the other guys, exactly as Zak had hoped, so it was clear to all that they were leaving together.

John, Adam and Steve had gathered at one of the side tables, and now they were momentarily speechless. After some brief debate, it was decided that no, Nick shouldn't hear about Tammy's rapid rebound, especially given her poor choice of guy. Instead, John sent a text off to Jessica, one of Tammy's friends.

<Jessica: Out at the pub, just saw Tammy. She and Nick broke up last night, now she's leaving with ZAK! Think she's making a hasty mistake...talk to her?>

At about that time, Zak was pulling into his driveway after the quick drive from the pub. He had pushed the car's engine to it's limit, showing off with how fast he'd risk going, while rubbing Tammy's thighs every time they came to a red light. Inside the house, his arms were around her as soon as the door shut after them, kissing her neck from behind. The buldge of his stiffness was pressed to Tammy's ass, while his hands explored her chest.

"So Tammy, feel like that sex I offered you before...or maybe you want a drink?"

"...Do you feel like being a little bit bad tonight, Jess?"

Nick's words wrapped around her warming her inside, unfortunatley, they also warmed her outside too, and her face shone beet red!! Mentally, she chastised herself! Good one Jess, why dont you just leap on the guy!!!

She turned her back and went to look for something in the fridge, the cold air would help kill the red quickly.

She called to Nick over her shoulder," how about we're both a little bad, split both the burger and the salad?" she proposed, thinking that she had successfully taken the tension down a notch.

Finanlly producing some mayo and some Italian dressing she set them on the table, smiling at Nick. "Thank you, by the way, for bringing dinner! I do appreciate it!" she set two cold beers on the table also.

She was just cutting the burger down the centre, when her cell phone beeped. "Will you get that for me Nick", she said, burger sauce all over her hand as she turned on the kitchen tap, "I'm expecting a text from my sister, she in labour now! Well," she called over her shoulder "is it a boy or a girl??"

Tammy felt so strange to be with Zak, to be with anyone other than Nick, really, and that was all the more reason to see this through!!!

They drove to his place at breakneck speed, before screeching to a halt in the driveway. They hopped out, and Zak was quick to open the front door. The house was pretty much was Tammy expected, and it screamed batchelor pad. Black leather sofas and an enormous flat screen TV mounted on the wall,

"So Tammy, feel like that sex I offered you before...or maybe you want a drink?"

She was having serious doubts, and was keen to steel her nerve, and she suspected that Zak would be great in the sack, taking her over a line, so she could officially feel that she had moved on and that thoughts of "first sex" with someone else would be a thing of nothing, as she would deal with that now.

"I think I'd like to skip the drink and go straight for the main event, Zak!" she thought perhaps she ought to butter up his ego a little, "all the girls talk about how good you are Zak, wanna give me a hands on demo??"

This was it, she was moving on!!!

"Well, is it a boy or a girl??"

Nick picked up Jessica's phone off the table and clicked the New Massage notification with a smile, anxious now to see if his friend was going to have a new niece or nephew. His brow furrowed when he saw that the text was not from her sister, but from their married friend John. He thought of putting the phone back down and letting Jessica get it herself...it wasn't the message she had expected about her sister's baby, and thus not his business. Unless this WAS that message, in which case John was in for a serious talk with his wife. That thought made Nick chuckle and smile wider, and he pressed to open the text, knowing it couldn't be anything overly personal and private. He glanced over as it was openning.

"It wasn't her, so you'll just have to keep waiting in suspence, Auntie Jessica. It's from John, he says that..." Nick looked back down at the phone message, ready to relay it, and just went stone stif and quiet for a moment. He went on after a pause. "Uhh...yeah, John says he's out at the pub, and he saw Tammy. She's walking out with Zak."

He set the phone back down and just sat, numb. He knew Tammy had wanted to end things between them, and that the two of them would be seeing other people now. But he had expected more than twenty four hours worth of time mourning the relationship before she moved on.

"I guess she's taking the break up better than I am, huh?" Nick picked up a fork and poked around at his half of the salad. He wasn't really all that hungry anymore, but felt the need to go through the motions. Part of him was saying to leave and go be alone with this thought, knowing he wasn't going to be such good company for Jessica now. On the other hand, he thought he might like staying to have her for company. Nick decided that was the way he'd go, and took a bite of salad, watching to see Jessica react to this news.

"I think I'd like to skip the drink and go straight for the main event, Zak! All the girls talk about how good you are Zak, wanna give me a hands on demo??"

Zak nodded from his place behind Tammy, and began to guide her towards the bedroom. It was surprisingly neat, aside from a few random pieces of clothes that didn't quite make it to the hamper, and one or two empty beer cans here and there. He slipped off his shirt and lightly tossed it aside, where it joined the aforementioned group. Moving around to the front of the newly single young woman, he smiled down towards her face, drawing her close with his hands on her hips.

"I'd love to give you a demo, Tammy. But it's going to involve a bit more than just hands."

Leaning in to give her a kiss, Zak's hands began a slow exploration around Tammy's waist until he found the zipper securing her skirt in place. Tugging it down, he felt the skirt fall away to pool around her feet. He broke the kiss so he could step back, taking in the sight of her. The panties she'd chosen for tonight were very clearly designed for being seen. No doubt Tammy had come to the pub with the plan to go with somebody and didn't care who that person was. For a second or two, that sort of upset Zak, that this had nothing to do with him except that he had happened to be there; Just a warm body with a hard cock. Then he realized...frankly, he didn't care about the hows and whys, just that he was getting the rewards.

Jessica was totally shocked. That couldn't be right, surely???? Tammy and Zak??? If she was with Zak, it was for one reason, and one reason only!! Surely Tammy must have known that Nick would hear of it? She must really want to underline that their relationship was over with a capital O.

Jessica looked at Nick, who was more pushing his food around the plate, than actually eating anything, and she reached across and took his hand in hers.

"I'm so sorry Nick!! I know that must hurt something terrible!" she squeezed his hand, and ran her thumb along the side of his wrist in a gesture of comfort. What on Earth was Tammy thinking, less than 24 hours after he proposed marraige, she was sleeping with someone else??? If Jessica hadn't been such good friends with Tammy, and known how out of character her recent behaviour was, Jessica would have said that Nick had dodged a bullet.

Jessica was feeling pretty bad; what had begun as a gesture of comfort was turning into something quite different in her mind, as she stroked his skin, she imaged herself doing something similar as she lay naked and sated in bed with him. Quickly removing her hand she smiled at him, in what she hoped was a reassuring and friendly smile.

"I guess she's taking the break up better than I am, huh?"

Nick's words tore at Jessica's heart, and she could not contain herself.

"Oh Nick! She is the one who has lost out here! You are such a great guy, any girl would be proud to be with you, lucky to get you! I have no idea what Tammy's thinking, but she has lost a wonderful, kind and considerate guy, who'll be snapped up in a second!" and she leaned across and hugged him hard, kissing his cheek, and rubbing his back in comfort.

Tammy

Tammy ran her hands over Zak's chest, and smiled at his remark.

"I'd love to give you a demo, Tammy. But it's going to involve a bit more than just hands."

She began to unbutton his belt "I was kinda counting on that!" She tugged the open belt out of its loops, and threw it behind her, as she unsnapped and unzipped his jeans, teasing her fingers insider the waistband before pushing them firmly down his thighs. She stepped back and undid the side zip in her top, and then pulled it off over her head.

She stood before him now in just her tiny thong and leaned into him, kissing him once more, his chest rubbing against her nipples.

It all felt so wrong, terribly wrong! He was not Nick - everything about him seemed different, and wrong, and she felt like she was cheating on Nick. What he doesn't know wont hurt him, she told herself firmly, determined to see this through, a line of demarkation, signifying the beginning of her new single life. She felt a twinge of guilt for using Zak so, but he had a different girl most nights, so she didn't think he would be overly put out by providing what was little more than a stud service.

Finally, she hooked her fingers in the waistband of his boxer shorts, and ran her thumbs across his flanks a time of two, before pulling them down, catching for a moment on the head of his swollen cock.

She needed to push on, get this done, as she was afraid she might chicken out. She pushed him back on the bed, and quickly yanking off her thong, she crawled from the foot of the bed up his body, with a single minded purpose.

Nick

"Oh Nick! She is the one who has lost out here! You are such a great guy, any girl would be proud to be with you, lucky to get you! I have no idea what Tammy's thinking, but she has lost a wonderful, kind and considerate guy, who'll be snapped up in a second!"

Nick smiled at Jessica's words, and at the comforting affection she was showing with her hug and the kiss on his cheek. The way she had been rubbing her thumb along the side of his hand had been nice as well, until she pulled her hand back a moment ago. Briefly, he had started to wonder why she had been so quick to yank her hand away, or if maybe he was just imagining that it had been a yank. Now however, her closeness drove the thought from his mind. As she leaned across the table to embrace him, Nick had a perfectly clear view into Jessica's rather impressive expanse of cleavage. From the look of things, the robe she was wearing was all she was wearing; Nick was glad the table blocked her from seeing the growing buldge at the front of his pants as he got hard for her.

"Thank you Jessica. It's good to hear stuff like that sometimes...especially from a good looking woman." He gave her cheek a kiss in return, and looked at her with a slightly wider, warmer smile. "You've always been a good friend to me, and..." Nick hesitated, not sure if he should say what he was thinking or not, but he pushed on in the end. "And, if the break up wasn't so fresh, I might be tempted to let you be the one to snap me up."

Nick felt he might be blushing just a little, a small twinge of embarassment for saying such a thing as soon as the words were out of his mouth. Still, he kept his eyes on Jessica's, so she'd know he wasn't just teasing her.

Zak

Zak grinned, looking Tammy's naked figure up and down while she climbed up onto him. He had imagined how she would look on several occasions, and the reality did not disappoint. The hungry need she was showing was a bit of a surprise however; She was approaching sex as if it were a cold beer in the middle of the desert. Again, not that he minded, but it crossed his mind once more that he was simply being used.

When she was in roughly the right possition, Zak manuevered Tammy's legs to either side of his hips. He grasped the sides of her stomach and brought her down, sliding her tight pussy onto his stiff shaft with a low groan. From there, his hands made their way up her sides before snaking onto her front to cup her breasts. Tammy's nipples poked into the palms of his hands as Zak squeezed and fondled her chest, telling him she was just as anxious as he himself was.

Jessica

It's good to hear stuff like that sometimes...especially from a good looking woman."

Jessica blushed, ridiciously pleased at Nick's compliment. She sat there beaming like a fool, her heart skipping a beat. She had to consciouly get a grip on herself, stop herself from making a complete fool of herself. He was probably just being nice! But the feel of his lips on her cheek was wonderful, and sent little tingles through her.

"You've always been a good friend to me, and..."

Jessica's smile froze in place! Oh No! He was about to give her the brush off, before ever she made a move!! She flushed with embarassment, as Nick continued. "And, if the break up wasn't so fresh, I might be tempted to let you be the one to snap me up." He was blushing! Not a lot, but she could detect it! She hugged him hard, relieved, and kissed him again.

"Nick, I'd snap you up in a second, if I thought you'd have me! Tammy's my friend, but she told me herself it was over for good, and now she has gone with Zak, so I think that clears the field. I know its probably too soon for you, and I'll admit to feeling a little weird about it, but I like you Nick, a lot, a whole lot" she blushed "and whenever you feel ready to move on, if your interested, I'd like to be the one to snap you up!"

She was bright red by the time she finished, her fair colouring showing her blush up to the full extent, from her breasts to the roots of her hair, she was crimson. She smiled, hoping that she hadn't come on too strong. She realised she was still touching him, stroking him, and she quickly pulled back, sitting into her place, resuming her meal. As she glanced down, she realised her robe had become loose, and was gaping a little at the front, showing all of her clevage, and the swell of her breasts. Trying not to be too obvious, not to make an issue of it, she surripticiously tugged on the side of the robe, tightening the gaping neckline.

Tammy

Tammy lowered her pussy onto Zak's hard cock with determination. Mission accomplished. She had moved on. A baptism of fire, a born again single girl. She giggled. What a choice of metaphor!! This was hardly a washing clean of her sins, by any stretch of the imagination! In fact, it felt like she was committing the greatest sin of her life!

It seemed so strange to be doing this with Zak! With anyone other than Nick, really. She waged an internal war with herself- but the part screaming "What are you doing? You fool!" was drown out by the part insisting that she move on, that it was over with Nick, and this act with Zak cemented that.

As her body responded more and more to Zak's expert and experienced touch, she shut off all thoughts, except to give and receive physical pleasure. She began to ride Zak hard, arching her body, and bracing her palms on his thighs, squeezing her internal muscels hard, massaging his shaft as she raised and lowered her body with vigor.

"Oh Zak! That feels so good!! You're so hot, so hard, filling me Mmmmmmmmmmm Oh Yeah!" she cried as she threw back her head, and cried out as she came.

"Nick, I'd snap you up in a second, if I thought you'd have me! Tammy's my friend, but she told me herself it was over for good, and now she has gone with Zak, so I think that clears the field. I know its probably too soon for you, and I'll admit to feeling a little weird about it, but I like you Nick, a lot, a whole lot. And whenever you feel ready to move on, if your interested, I'd like to be the one to snap you up!"

Jessica's statement took Nick by surprise, and he was still and speechless as she once more kissed his cheek and sat down again. Clearly it had been as much a push for her to say as it had been for him to tell her how he felt, that he'd gladly be with her. Nick went back to eatting his salad, keeping his eyes averted as the brightly blushing blonde drew her robe closed more tightly; It would seem she had noticed him noticing her, and was taking steps to prevent giving him quite so much to look at.

There followed a minute, maybe as much as two, where they were both silent. Nick looked up frequently with a smile, lest Jessica feel uncomfortable in the quiet, or that she might regret putting herself so far out there emotionally. In the end, Nick lay down his fork and stood up, moving around the table to take her hand and pull her up to her feet as well.

"You know what Jessica, the Hell with it; I think you and I can find something better to eat than this if we tried. Obviously we're not going to run into Tammy and have some akward moment if we go out, so how about getting dressed and coming out with me?" Nick threw on an overly dramatic look of sadness. "If I have to, I'll play the sad and lonely card. It's your obligation to make me feel better tonight."

...Okay, that sounded a tiny bit sexual, I hope she doesn't take it that way.


"Oh Zak! That feels so good!! You're so hot, so hard, filling me Mmmmmmmmmmm Oh Yeah!"

Zak was nearly over the edge when Tammy's climax hit her, and he continued to hold in the sensation. It wasn't an easy thing to do...there was a lot of wild fit into the petite woman riding him. He took over by lifting himself from the bed, moving Tammy back until she lay beneith him, and thrust his cock as deep into her body as it would go. As his hips pistoned against her's, Zak was grunting and groaning, his own inner wild animal taking charge of his mind.

He couldn't be sure how much longer he was able to resist his orgasm...no doubt less than a minute, built up as it was, but it felt longer. However, he couldn't hold it in forever, and eventually he was spurting his sticky warmth into her core. When he finished, drained of every drop, Zak sighed and gently lowered himself to lay on top of his latest conquest. He kissed her lips passionately, if a bit tiredly at the moment, and looked into her eyes with a grin.

"Oh wow...you're pretty damn incredible, Tammy. I mean, I've thought about getting with you plenty of times, but I never imagined anything like that."

Zak lay there with Tammy, running his hands over every inch of her body he could reach, waiting for the energy to come back to them both for another round. Hopefully the next of many, many more.

Jessica

" I think you and I can find something better to eat than this if we tried. Obviously we're not going to run into Tammy and have some akward moment if we go out, so how about getting dressed and coming out with me?"

Jessica smiled and leaned in and kissed Nick's cheek again. She just couldn't help herself! She had always thought he was such a swell guy, and now she had her own shot at him!!

"If I have to, I'll play the sad and lonely card. It's your obligation to make me feel better tonight."

Jessica grinned at him "You're not gonna have to twist my arm, Nick!! Trust me, going out for a meal with you, is more than fine by me!! I cant wait!! Give me five to throw on something!!!" and with that, she took off to the bedroom.

Quickly going through her wardrobe, she wanted to select something nice, seductive, but not slutty, and something that wouldn't make it look like she was trying too hard!!

Finally, she selected a little black dress, one that could be dressed up or down. She pull on a pair of thigh highs, and knee length boots, and clasped a necklace around her throat.

Then quickly she put on some mascara, a little eye liner, and some lip gloss. Her hair had dried in a mess, while she sat there with it in a towel, so she brushed it through, and did it in a loose updo, her hair falling softly round her face. Pleased with her appearance, she went out to Nick, and twirled around, grinning. "well, what d'you think? will I pass?"

**************************************************************

Tammy, in Zak's apartment, his bed to be precise!

**************************************************************
"Oh wow...you're pretty damn incredible, Tammy".

Tammy grinned at Zak and kissed him! His comment made her feel warm and fuzzy and it was a great boost for her confience. She was enjoying this, at least physically, and she had shut her emotions down completely, this was all about feeling good, about the here and now, and she intended to have the full Zak experience.

She lay beside him for a little while, drawing little circles on his chest and stomach with her finger, then, she began to work her hands lower, grazing over his cock.

Throwing back the covers, she began to work her way down along his body, licking his ear, nippinging his earlobe, small, sucking kisses along his jawline, and down his neck. She nibbled his collar bone, and kissed her way down over his chest and abdomen. She scored him lightly with her fingers, and lapped at his navel, then moving lower, she began to nibble on his hip bones, teasing him, and deliberatley ignoring his twitching cock.

She massaged his thighs, and calves, and then nipped the arch of his foot. and licked the back of his knee, and then kissed her way up his inner thigh, finally reaching his heavy balls, which she began to nuzzle and lick. Sucking them into her mouth, one by one, massaging with her tongue, she finally realeased him, and went to where he wanted her most.

She began by running her tongue along the head of his dick, licking away the glistening bead of precum, running her tounge around him, like she was licking an icecream, before she finally took his length into her mouth, bobbing to take progressively more.

She ran her her finger nails lightly over his flanks, over his hips, and down along his thighs, stroking him with the backs of fingers over his balls, and twisting her mouth on him, until she was able to take him to the root, the head of his cock piercing her throat. She relaxed, and suppressed her gag reflex, accommodating him in full, as her nose grazed his abdomen.

She lifted her head. He was fully hard and swollen now, and she grinned at him, "you want me to finish you with my mouth, or would you rather something else, and we can save that for later??"

"You're not gonna have to twist my arm, Nick!! Trust me, going out for a meal with you, is more than fine by me!! I cant wait!! Give me five to throw on something!!!"

Nick laughed a little at the happy enthusiasm Jessica showed for the idea. His mood was picking up considerably from the low level it had reached in the wake of the break up and the text regarding Tammy and Zak. While she went to get changed, Nick put away the remains of their fast food, and sat down in the living room.

After a little while, Jessica came back out, looking just as good as ever in a black dress and boots with her hair up. She did a quick spin in front of him, giving him a view of all the angles, by the end of which his own grin was as wide as her own.

"Well, what d'you think? Will I pass?"

Nick stood up and rested his hands on Jessica's hips. The feel of soft fabric under his fingers was very pleasent, and for a second or two he let his mind linger on how much nicer it was going to feel when he could touch those hips more directly. Not if he could, but when, not intending to let Jessica slip away now that it appeared he had her.

"No, I don't think you'll pass, because pass doesn't nearly say it. What I think is that you're going to have a whole lot of eyes on you, from a whole lot of appreciative men and their angry girlfriends, and of course you're going to have my undivided attention."

He stole a soft kiss on her lips then, feeling that this was a perfect moment for what could be the last first kiss of his life, and lingered there for a nice, long moment. When he reluctantly drew back, one corner of his mouth was tugged up into a teasing smirk, and he gave her a gentle, playful squeeze.

"Well...unless Anna Paquin were to walk into the restaurant; Then you might have to share my attention."


Zak lay with Tammy for some time, basking in the afterglow, until it seemed she decided she was in the mood for more. Tammy pulled the covers away, exposing his entire naked body to her inspection, and then began to explore him. He kept still as she kissed, licked, and touched him all over...still, save for his dick, which stiffened and throbbed back to full attention.

It was almost maddening the way Tammy was focusing herself everywhere except for the one place it mattered most. More than once he had considered just taking her, having his way and relieving the need that was welling up in him. Zak resisted each time such thoughts crossed his mind though, letting her do as she pleased. It would just be all the better when the time finally came. And, when he finally came too.

At last, it looked like the moment was arriving, as Tammy turned her attention to his shaft, working the moist magic of her mouth upon him, taking the whole of his length. Then, she looked up along his frame towards his face.

"You want me to finish you with my mouth, or would you rather something else, and we can save that for later??"

Zak smiled and reached down to run his fingers through Tammy's dark hair. "After that little preview? Your mouth is just what I want...and maybe, if you're good enough at it, I might repay the favor."

Jessica

Jessica was thrilled as they set out, Nick's warm compliment replaying in her head, as she clung to his arm, and they made their way up the street toward La Brisa Mexican bar and grill.

"No, I don't think you'll pass, because pass doesn't nearly say it. What I think is that you're going to have a whole lot of eyes on you, from a whole lot of appreciative men and their angry girlfriends, and of course you're going to have my undivided attention."

Somehow, it didn't ring false, like empty flattery, when he siad it, it seemed so real, so genuine, and her heart wrapped the statement around it, tucking it away forever. She impulsively leaned up and kissed him, before they continued on up the street.

"You know, I'm pretty hungry! I fancy chicken fajitas and a margarita! Maybe a few Nachos, does that sound good??! I think that sound like a great beginning to a wonderful night" she said meaningfully.

*************************************************************
Tammy and Zak
*************************************************************

"After that little preview? Your mouth is just what I want...and maybe, if you're good enough at it, I might repay the favor."

Tammy grinned up at him, "That sounds like a plan!!" and she bent her head again, taking him to the root, swirling her tongue over him, and hollowing her cheek and she drew her mouth back to the very tip before taking him to the hilt once more. She kept eye contact with him, watching his reaction to everything she did.

She played with his balls while she blew him, her nails running very lightly over his heated flesh as her throat massaged him, feeling him swell and twitch under her attentions.

"You know, I'm pretty hungry! I fancy chicken fajitas and a margarita! Maybe a few Nachos, does that sound good??! I think that sound like a great beginning to a wonderful night"

Nick felt like he must have been walking a foot off the ground, so light was his heart having Jessica holding onto his arm as they made their way to the restaurant. The kiss she had given him, close on the heels of the one he had given to her in the apartment, was like a nail in the wall he was building up in his mind, to put memories of Tammy in an out of the way place of their own. He hoped there would be enough more such 'nails' soon to keep the sad parts locked away good and tight.

"I think that sounds very great, Jess. As long as you're sure; I mean...you and Tammy have been close since before I knew either of you. She and I aren't getting back together...not after tonight, deffinately...but I don't want you to lose that friendship if being with me would do that."

He looked over at Jessica, down into her eyes. Momentarily, down into her dress, a habit he'd probably never break, but didn't think he'd have to hide anymore, but back to her face after only a second. There was still a smile on his face, but it was just a tiny bit shakier than it had been. Nick was sincere in what he said, Jessica could walk away from things now if there was a risk to her friendship. He just hoped she wouldn't want to. In an effort to sway her decision, Nick slid his arm out from her's, and wrapped it around her waist instead, drawing her close to his side.


Zak was watching Tammy, just as she was watching him, looking deep into her eyes. Her mouth felt warm and wet as she sucked her way down his cock, taking every inch, and she was able to suck with more force than any woman he'd been with before. He put one hand behind his head, propping it up to better observe her skills, and wrapped his other hand in a mass of her hair. When he felt close to cumming for the second time, he raised her head until only the head of his dick was between her lips, and spurted with a groan. Finished, he guided her back down to keep him in her mouth, wanting her to swallow every sticky drop.

"When you're all done down there sexy, sit on the edge of the bed; You were plenty good enough to earn a turn...and I think you're due for some real cumming after so long with Nick."

JESSICA & NICK, IN THE RESTAURANT

Jessica released stepped away from Nick's arm, letting his hand fall away, as they entered the restaurant. The selected a little booth, and sat down. She glanced up at Nick, and, partially answering his earlier question, and partially explaining her behaviour as they entered the restaurant, she leaned across the table, taking his hand.

"Nick, Tammy and I are very close friends, we have been for years, and I love her like a sister, and I'd never, ever consciously do anything to hurt her, but I like you Nick. A lot. I have for a long time, and while I would never have done anything about it while you and Tammy were together. But now, she told me herself that it was permenantly over, she has already moved on, and I think that I am entitled to consider my happiness too, Nick. What if you are the one for me?? Should I bypass every chance of happiness, on the basis you being an Ex of Tammy's?? I have no desire to flaunt it, to rub it in Tammy's face, but I would really like to see where this could go, if you feel the same of course!"

She order up her Nachos, for them to share, her Margarita and fajitas, while Nick placed his order, and the waitress left.

She looked up, guaging Nick's reaction, her heart beating hard, feeling so exposed from having laid her cards so openly on the table.


TAMMY AND ZAK

Tammy was totally focussed on the here and now, and she eagerly swallow every drop that Zak gave her, feeling oddly connected to him, as they maintained eyecontact while she sucked him off. When she was done, she sat up and grinned at him, licking his lips.

Zak spoke:

"When you're all done down there sexy, sit on the edge of the bed; You were plenty good enough to earn a turn...and I think you're due for some real cumming...."

Tammy eagerly went to get into position, sitting on the edge of the bed, spreading her thighs wide apart, his words making her hot.

"...... after so long with Nick."

Just like that, she felt her heart somersault, and her arousal fizzle. What was she doing??? She felt the urge to rush to Nick's defense. He was a good lover, thoughtful and caring, tender and loving. How dare Zak slag him off???

Then she reminded herself she was moving on! It was over, dead and buried, and Zak represented the first step on the road away from Nick, so she said nothing and smiled. She braced her hand behind her and glanced at Nick.

"What are you waiting on Lover!! Come and eat my pussy, and start delivering on some of those orgasms you were bragging on!!"

Nick had ordered himself a burrito with carne asade when the waitress came around, as well as a bottle of Blue Moon. He smiled to Jessica, and squeezed her hand, his fingers trailing over her skin. They came upon her wrist, where he felt her quick pulse.

"You're right, neither of us should pass on something that could be great, just to avoid upsetting someone else. And...I'd like to see where thing between you and I could go too."

When the food arrived, Nick ate a few of the nachos and sipped at his beer, keeping hold of Jessica's hand as much as he could. "You know, Tammy and I actually had an arguement about you once or twice, about a month after she introduced us. She felt sort of insecure about me spending time around you, because...well..." Nick gestured up and down along Jessica's figure. "As much as she trusts you, back then I think she was still learning to trust me. Probably didn't help that I gave you a little once-over look nine times out of ten."

Nick hoped that an admission like that would balance things out a little, after Jessica had been so honest and up front about her feelings towards him.

- - - Zak and Tammy - - -​

"What are you waiting on Lover!! Come and eat my pussy, and start delivering on some of those orgasms you were bragging on!!"

Obediently and eagerly, Zak leaned his face in between Tammy's thighs, pushing her legs open to their widest. He started in softly, just barely lapping at her wet pussy, then began to lick her more vigorously. Every once in a while, he would nose at her clit before resuming his tonguing.

When he thought he had prolonged it long enough, he finally let his tongue slither inside those soft pink folds, working in deeper and deeper. Tammy's nectar was very sweet, and Zak did his best to 'clean his plate' so to speak. But as much as he was licking out of her, Tammy just kept supplying him more and more.

Not that Zak minded the challenge.