9 comments/ 22948 views/ 11 favorites Unusual Companions By: xelliebabex Author's note: Thank you so much to AisieLynn who's help in being my proof reader/editor is invaluable. I Hope you enjoy the story. ~ellie * "Why do you have to do this to me? I'm not exactly going to fit in with that crowd," Josie complained. "Because you love me enough to come with me, plus you're hot and I get to have a crack at all your cast-offs," Mica laughed self-deprecatingly. "I don't want to go," Josie complained, knowing that Mica wasn't listening to her properly. "I think you should go alone. I haven't been single that long and what if..." "Exactly, it's time you stopped moping around here and got out there and met some new people," Mica rolled her eyes. Josie's breakup had been bad, but it had been long enough since then for her to be moving on already. "I can't go alone. You have to come with me, please!" She could see that Josie was about to say no for the umpteenth time. "Okay, I am begging. I will owe you a favour. A big one. I promise if it's lame we will only stay an hour at the most." "Mica, I just don't think..." Josie tried again. "Don't forget who it was that showed up with Nutella cheesecake and cocktails when you needed a friend to cry with," she pulled out her guilt card, hating herself for it. Josie groaned and flopped down onto the couch resigning herself to a Valentine's Day of fending off dirty old men and creepy nerds who used the same dating sites as her friend. "Okay, you better tell me about it then," she sighed. "Josie I love you! You won't be disappointed, I promise," Mica said excitedly as she sat on the other end of the couch. "I haven't said yes yet. I just meant that I would listen to you tell me what exactly you are asking me to do with you," Josie said warily, already regretting her decision to sit down and hear her friend out. "Online dating is not like it used to be. Lots of people do it now. There are professionals and tradies who are just too busy to go out all the time or don't like the club scene. It's not just losers who can't get a date," Mica said seriously, noting the suspicious look on her friend's face. "Honestly, come have a look," she got up and walked towards her computer. "You don't have to show me a bunch of profiles to convince me. If anything, it will do the opposite. I think they are mostly fake or photoshopped, and if I go with you, I will be even more disappointed when they aren't all tall dark and handsome," she sighed again. "Fine, it's a meet and greet. They are holding it at the Bay Beach House, so it's even local, and you don't have to go all the way into the city. We can go early and just stay for the breakfast. You don't even have to talk to anyone else if you don't want to. I promise it's not like what you're imagining," Mica tried to soothe Josie's concerns. "Breakfast?" She looked at her friend sceptically. "Don't most of these things happen at night?" "I guess, but they are doing breakfast this year," she hesitated and Josie crossed her arms knowing there was more. "Actually, they are doing three events this year, sort of like a rolling date, breakfast lunch and dinner at three different venues. I will buy the tickets for the day, but you only have to come to the breakfast, if that's all you want to go to." "Breakfast and we are out of there," Josie said tersely, not believing she was letting herself get talked into this. "Sure but with the option to stay and go to the second event if you have a good time," Mica stressed the word you. "Yeah, that'll happen," Josie retorted with a look of disdain. ***** Josie had spent the Friday night before Valentine's Day bundling up all the keepsakes and letters from her ex that still sat on or around her desk and room. Her friends were right. It was time to move on, not that there were many prospective dates on the horizon. She laughed to herself, "Maybe Mica was right, and tomorrow wouldn't be so bad." Shaking her head, she dismissed the thought. It was going to be awful, and she knew it. Having completed her weekend cleaning and laundry as well as a general clean out of her small home office space, Josie went to bed happy that she wouldn't have to come home after breakfast and do it tomorrow. She continued to try and convince herself it wouldn't be so bad. Helping out a friend was all that she was doing. It just happened that there would be lots of singles tripping over each other to grab a date or at least a sexcapade at the same event, and she could ignore that if she had to. It might even be fun to people watch for a bit she thought as she dozed off into a restless slumber. "At least it wasn't a fancy dress thing like so many of these types of meet and greets were," she thought, trying to find all the positives she could. Her alarm went off too early for the weekend, and she dragged herself out of bed and into the shower as the sun lit the horizon. Mica had been here during the week to organise an appropriate outfit for her, and Josie groaned as she looked at the dress hanging on her closet door. It was more of an evening dress. It was way too formal for a breakfast meet and greet. Still, she had promised she would be Mica's wing woman after a heartfelt talk about how lonely Mica felt during the holidays and with Valentine's Day looming. "It's going to be fun. You are going to have fun. You are not going to ruin this day for your friend," Josie told her mirror reflection as she did her makeup and hair. The knock on her door was soft, and she hurried to answer it. "Hey there, Gorgeous," Mica beamed as she looked at Josie. "You're looking pretty fabulous yourself," Josie grinned. "I am pretty much ready if you want to call a cab," Josie said as she walked back into her room to grab her bag and phone from where it was charging. Josie's place was closer to the venue so it made sense that Mica would leave her car, and they would catch a cab from there in case they wanted to drink mimosas at the breakfast event. With the Australian summer fading, the morning air was a little cool as Josie stepped from her apartment building, and she shivered wondering if she needed a coat. She paused and looked up at the flight of stairs she had just walked down and decided to go without, hurrying after her friend who had made a beeline towards the waiting cab. The venue was packed even at that early hour on a Saturday morning, but the organisers had cleverly placed large marquees across the road in a large park along the foreshore that were filling quickly as well. Mica bubbled with excitement as she climbed from the cab and, intertwining her arm with Josie's, walked them towards the venue to check in. Having pre-booked and paid for their tickets, the girls were shown to seats within the venue itself and were given complimentary mimosas. "There are so many people here," Mica leaned over to talk to Josie, "Even you could find at least one person to talk to here, Miss Fussyboots." "I'm fine. Go mingle and have fun," Josie laughed looking around. "Let's grab some breakfast first. Otherwise these mimosas will go to my head," Mica smiled and stood up from their seats, leaving her unfurled napkin in her place to show it was taken. Walking along the breakfast buffet with a partially loaded plate, Josie felt a light tap on her shoulder and turned to face a tall, middle aged man. His smiling eyes danced as she regarded him warily thinking he was about to try out a pick up line on her. "Hi, I am pretty sure we've met before," he said in a strong jovial voice. "Not the most original line I have ever heard," she replied, "But I don't think so." She attempted to dismiss him by turning back to the buffet and moving along with the line of people before her. He wasn't so easily deterred though and moved with her, brushing against her in the crowded room. "That wasn't a line," he laughed, "Though in a place like this I can understand you thinking that. What I should have asked was, you wouldn't happen to be Chuck Wildings' daughter would you? Jojo?" She turned and looked at him properly then wondering how this guy knew her father and even more so how he knew her name when she didn't seem to recognise him at all. "No one has called me Jojo since I was twelve," her brow furrowed trying to place him but failing. "I think you have me at a disadvantage, I don't recognise you at all." "I would bet Chuck still calls you Jojo. When he showed me the Christmas photos, I am pretty sure his exact words were, 'and there's my Jojo.'" The man smiled his eyes dancing merrily as she fought to put a name to his face. "Yeah, you got me there," she grimaced. "So you are?" "Steve," he replied still smiling, knowing that was no help to her at all. "Well, it was good to see you Steve. I'll be sure to ask Dad who you are exactly, you know he has nicknames for everyone," she sighed. "I doubt I know any of his friends' real names, for all I know they could all be named Steve and that's why he gives them nicknames." She turned back to the buffet hearing him laugh with genuinely good humour as she picked up two small pastries to finish off her plate and turned to walk away. That was all she needed, someone telling her Dad she was at a desperate and dateless mixer. "Wait," he said as she went to walk away. "I worked with your Dad for more years than I like to admit, I was his apprentice once. He calls me Donald. He shrugged, went with the surname I guess." He didn't elaborate any further. "I thought you said your name was Steve?" She turned to regard him sceptically again. "Since when has that ever mattered to your Dad," he laughed. "Hoolie's name is John Smith. I shit you not." He continued to laugh and was pleased when a smile finally lightened her face. "Look, I'm not here to make you crazy or stalk you crazy or anything. It was just nice to see a face I knew, come find me when you're done eating, and we can catch up properly, okay?" "Sure," she agreed, having no intention of doing anything of the sort and walked back to the table. "Who's the Clooney you were talking with?" Mica immediately began the inquisition. "Apparently a friend of my Dad's who was just saying hello, not picking me up or anything," she hastened to explain. "That's a shame you always preferred the older, suave, sophisticated Clooney's. I'd be happy with a Clooney or shit a Sean Connery if it came down to it as long as they made me smile," Mica laughed. "I am over searching for my Skarsgard, pretty boys want super models," She rolled her eyes. "I am starting to see why you always dated older guys. They're more discerning and less concerned with the packaging." "Will you stop that?! You're gorgeous. You just haven't met the right guy yet. It's not like you never get asked out or date." Josie scolded her friend who seemed to be in a constant battle with her insecurities. "Here's to finding someone fun," Mica raised her glass and Josie lifted hers in the toast. "Here's to you finding the one who makes you smile," she replied. Once they had finished eating, they stood up and began to mingle. Josie stood behind her friend quietly for the most part encouraging and supporting rather than flirting with anyone herself. It was the reason she had agreed to come, after all. The noise and push of the crowd who seemed intent on rubbing up against as many people as they possibly could soon became too much for Josie. "I'm going to go get some fresh air and see what's in the marquees across the road," she whispered in her friend's ear. "I'll come," Mica said happily and linked arms with her again as they made their way out of the noisy, crowded restaurant. "There wasn't much happening back there anyway," she said once they were out of earshot. They crossed the road and peeked into the first of the marquees. A small bar had been set up with tea, coffee, juice and mimosas. The girls picked up another drink and walked around the outskirts, chatting briefly here and there as they went. The second marquee held several photo booths and Josie could see flushed looking faces emerging from behind curtains to snatch at photos and in some cases write on the back of them. In the days of Instagram and facebook, photo booths like this were a bit of a novelty, and they seemed to have people cued around them. "It could be fun if you met someone for the first time," she laughed, "to have that memory." Another marquee had a more formalised and organised speed dating circuit that changed players frequently as people came and went. There were a few vacant tables as they went by, and a young, vivacious girl tried to coax them in to sit down. "You do it Mica. I'm happy to just walk off that breakfast ad look at the water for a bit, I will come pick you up in a little while," Josie encouraged and Mica grinned. "I've always wanted to try speed dating," she bubbled excitedly. "Then go silly! What are you waiting for?" Josie laughed and watched as her friend was seated, and a new round began before wandering off. She walked out towards the sea wall, such that it was. At only a couple of feet, she wasn't sure it could be called a wall despite its stone and mortar construction. The calm water lapped at the edge, and she stood quietly gazing out at the islands that dotted the bay. She loved the bayside. Her grandmother had a house close by when she was younger, and she had spent many wonderful summers with assorted cousins and siblings catching crabs and playing in the mangroves. Lost in childhood memories, she jumped in fright as Steve appeared beside her. "Whatcha doin' over here, all alone?" He asked a small touch of concern in his voice. "If someone here..." "No, nothing like that," she laughed. "But thank you for the sentiment." She smiled softly, "I was just lost in memory. I spent a lot of summers here as I grew up." "Didn't find the love of your life over there?" He smirked. "I'm here more as support crew, speaking of which I should go check on my friend," she replied. "Stay, I'm sure another few minutes won't matter one way or another," he placed his hand on her arm. "Tell me about what's going on in your life. I haven't seen you in years." "Walk with me, I will feel better if I check on her," and be in a crowd she thought. "Sure," He agreed happily. They reminisced about mutual acquaintances and laughed a lot. Josie was surprised at how naturally witty and disarming he was and began to let herself enjoy his company. After a small time watching the speed dating while chatting to Steve, Josie signalled to Mica to let her know where she was. Seeing the answering wave from Mica, she indicated which direction she was moving in and moved away again. Steve found a vacant bench seat on the outskirts of all the action and invited Josie to sit with him as they talked. "This finishes at ten or is supposed to, are you moving on with the crowd to the lunchtime event?" he inquired. "I only signed on for the breakfast, so I guess it depends on my friend. She talked me into this, and if she is determined to go I would never let her go alone, not with all these..." She was about to say losers and caught herself realising that the man she was talking to had probably come here looking for love as well. "It's okay, I understand," Steve smiled. "It's not usually my thing either but after two years of separation the divorce finally came through a few months ago. So I thought, what the hell, sink or swim, and if I got a good blow job out of it I would be happy." Josie gasped at his candidness and burst out laughing. She liked that he didn't try and schmooze her. He was just himself, goofy and sweet in a rough-edged sort of way. "That was so much fun!" Mica bubbled as she approached the pair sitting on the seat. "You have to be Mica," Steve smiled, standing to offer her his seat and extending his hand in greeting. "And you are tall, handsome and all things Clooney," she flirted outrageously. "I always thought I was more Anthony Edwards, but I'll take Clooney," he winked at her. "I'm just Steve though. It's nice to meet you." "Nice to meet you too, Just Steve. You sit, I've been sitting for ages, I'm gonna grab a drink you want one Josie?" She asked. "I'll get them. Mimosas?" he waited until they nodded and strode off towards the beverage tent. "He seems nice," Mica watched him go. "He is," Josie answered, "But seriously would you date one of your father's friends?" "You've dated guys his age before. It seems that's all you date, come to think of it. Maybe not quite as old as your Dad but somehow I don't think Steve is either," Mica countered, her arguments based on age alone. "It's just too weird, what if I ended up at a dinner party with my parents!" She grimaced. "Shit you haven't even gone a date with the guy yet and you're already thinking about dinner parties. Hell, get him in bed first and see if you're compatible for all that other shit. For all we know he might even be a lousy kisser. Have you tested that out yet?" Mica crossed her eyes and pulled a face making Josie laugh. Steve returned with another man and handed the girls a drink each before retrieving his own from his friend. "This is Dan, it seems it's not only women who travel in pairs these days," he grinned. "Josie and the lovely Mica," he said by way of introduction. "Hey," Dan nodded his head at the two women. "So Mica, apparently it's your decision whether we all go onto the next venue or not," Dave said without preamble, stunning the women. "How do you reckon that?" Mica had just about choked on her mimosa but played along with his countrified style of speech. "Steve said that Josie had only planned to come for the breakfast with you but that you could probably talk her into the lunchtime shindig," he shrugged. "Oh?" She bubbled, turning to look at Josie, who had rolled her eyes and given Steve a killer look. "What's that got to do with whether you guys go?" Josie returned the question without answering Mica. "Steve said he'd go if Josie was going to be there and he's my ride," Dan shrugged noncommittally. "Got the tickets, may as well use them I reckon. Came in from out west for this, reckon I could take home a few more stories if we carried on a bit longer." "Shit, your Dan!" Josie said wide-eyed making the men turn and look at her strangely. "I mean I know you told us your name but I just realised who you were, in relation to me. The farm and the creek and oh man I still have a scar from that feral cat I tried to pat." She held out her arm for them to see. Dan looked confused. "Chuck's daughter, Jojo," Steve laughed at his friend. "Crickey! Are you shitting me? Little Jojo is not old enough to be at a desperate and dateless shindig," the astonishment was clear in his voice. He bent down and picked her up hugging her tight and twirling her around while she squealed in both terror and delight. "Well, fuck me, small world huh?" Dan had changed in moments from a quiet, serious seeming man to an animated country boy who was whooping it up. "Last time I saw you I was giving you rides on the back of my quad." "Scaring me to death and almost killing me was how I remember it," Josie laughed. "Valentine's Day reunions," Mica clapped happily standing with the rest of the small group. "I'd love to say yes but we caught a cab this morning. We probably won't be going on unless," she turned and smiled widely at Steve, "Someone wanted to offer us a lift." "That goes without saying," Steve smiled. "Good we're all in," Dan checked his watch, "Let's hit the road then, the next place is about to swing into action." "Oh, one last thing before I accept your kind offer," Mica grinned at Steve. "I need you to kiss Josie for me, just as an experimental thing." "Better you than me mate, she's like a little sister to me," Dan laughed and winked at Mica. "I'll kiss you though just to even the playing field if ya game." Unusual Companions "Hell yes, but first I wanna see this," Mica laughed, the champagne in the mimosas making her giddy and giggly. "A proper kiss, not a peck," she frowned at them as Steven had leaned in to give Josie a quick peck. Josie had turned her head to give Mica a mouthful of deserved bad attitude when she felt Steve's large hand curl around the side of her neck and cheek. He lowered his head to her startled face pressing his lips to hers, slowly building the kiss in strength and passion. His other hand joined the first to hold her head in place, and she found her own hands lifting to grip his wrists. It was not an act of trying to pull his hands away but a touching skin that completed the cocoon in which his kiss wrapped her. When he finally pulled away, she was breathless. "Yeah, not bad but I can do better than that," Dan wrapped an arm around Mica's waist and pulled her to him. Pressing their bodies hard against each other, he lowered his head to devour her mouth in a crude but just as passionate style of kissing. "Okay, I think we can go now," Mica said breathily, dazed from the experience. "And that, ladies and gentleman, is how you do it," Dan took a bow and taking Mica's hand started walking toward the road. Carried along by the enthusiasm of the little group Josie didn't have the heart to argue, so she let herself be led down the road to Steve's car. The effect of the kiss Steve had given her lasting on her lips and making her smile along with them. She felt Steve take her hand in his, and she didn't pull away. She wasn't sure what this was, or could be, but that kiss had been something else. ***** A huge section of the city parklands had been fenced off for the lunchtime event. People surprisingly still cued for tickets, even though, the sign clearly said sold out. Josie was surprised by how popular the whole thing was. Mica had been right, online dating had come a long way from its sleazy hook up beginnings. Not that there weren't sleazy hook ups happening everywhere, but there were also a lot of people just having a fun day out and meeting new friends. A band played loudly in the amphitheatre and the majority of younger people had headed in that direction. The much older people had taken up shady spots under trees at the other end of the huge area, Josie noticed as they walked around trying to see what was there. It seemed the majority of people who fit neither range at the extremes of the spectrum meandered around the marquees and stalls or sat on blankets eating picnic style lunches. Marquees once again dominated the centre of the space offering food and housing two bars. Smaller tents dotted the area like small market stalls offering temporary tattoos, hair colouring, love potions and mystical aphrodisiacs like powdered rhino horn and the like as gag objects. While there were quite a few couples hiding in out of the way spots doing naughty things to each other, many more actively tried to suck each other's faces off wherever they stood or sat. The general vibe of the place though was one of fun and frivolity. Josie began to enjoy the fact that Steve often took her hand as they were walking or place a hand in the small of her back to guide her over uneven ground or through crowds. She wasn't sure if she liked it so much as for the man himself or the illusion of having coupled up with someone that kept other date hunters at bay. They grabbed some food and found a shady out of the way spot to sit and eat with the complimentary picnic rugs that seemed to available everywhere. "Let's go get tattoos," Mica grinned at the small group. "Not me," Josie said shaking her head. "I can't wear one to work and I am not about to expose a hidden part of my body to the crowd here. Plus what would be the point if it's hidden?" "It could be fun trying to find it," Steve grinned, "Well for two of us at least." "Two?" Mica frowned at him. "I can guarantee if I am searching her body that closely for a hidden tattoo she will be enjoying it," he laughed loudly. "Now you have to get one with me," Mica laughed merrily at the surprised look on Josie's face. "How about I just come and watch," Josie said recovering herself. "I'm just as happy to search for an invisible tattoo," Steve smirked, "If you decide not to get one." "I've got enough real tattoos," Dan said with a deadpan face. "None and that's the way I like it," he chuckled. "Even temporary ones make me think of needles," He grimaced. "Let's go find the bar and leave the ladies to it," he nudged Steve. "How will we find you when we're done?" Mica asked, suddenly worried Dan was giving her the brush off when she quite liked him and had already decided to take him home tonight. "Give me your numbers, and I'll text you, so you have mine," Steve said pulling out his phone. "I wouldn't leave you stranded here, Mica." He said reassuringly, wondering what was up with his friend who he knew liked the bubbly young woman. "Geez, hanging with Mr. Chivalrous here makes me look like a bloody idiot. I just assumed you'd come find us at the bar," he laughed. "You have much to learn young grasshopper," Steve grinned as he sent text messages to both girls. "Now I have both their numbers and you have?" "Fuck!" Dan slapped his head, "See this is why I needed you to come today. You got the girls. You got the numbers, so I guess I'll get the drinks." The small group split up with the girls heading toward the tattoo tent. "Do you think Dan was trying to give us the brush off?" Mica asked as soon as they were out of earshot. "I doubt it, I mean look around at some of these women. I don't see him as being into the cougars and most of the younger ones," she rolled her eyes. "Well, they already look like they've given it to anyone who wanted it," she looked pointedly at a girl who was staggering from a portaloo followed by a guy who was smiling widely. "Oh god, they did it in a portaloo!" Mica grimaced and put a hand on her tummy as if feeling ill. "He'd have to be crazy to brush off a fabulous girl like you," Josie put an arm around her friend's shoulder as they walked. Seeing that they had a small alcove hidden behind a screen Josie agreed to get something simple and poured over the books with Mica. "We better choose something soon," Josie warned, "That's the second text I have got from Steve wondering if we ditched them." "Okay, the butterflies, let's do it," Mica laughed. They each got a butterfly that fluttered in the indent of their hip bones just above their pantie lines. Standing behind the screen with her dress raised on one side, Josie cursed Mica for having made her wear a dress as Mika herself merely lowered the level of her skirt to have the tattoo applied. When they appeared in the bar tent, Mica's face fell as she saw Dan talking to a group of ladies a few feet away from where Steve stood leaning on a high bench. "Dan," Steve said loudly enough for him to be interrupted, making Dan look around and see the girls returning. Smiling, he waved them over. "See ladies, this is the dazzling creature who has already won me over. Had you only come to the breakfast event you might have beat her to the line," he commiserated with them. "Alas, you will have to find another country boy to take advantage of." He grinned and turned to where Steve stood with Josie laughing at his antics and Mica's radiant blush. "Alright, so do we have a winner?" Dan looked at the girls and raised an eyebrow. "Winner?" Josie asked. "Did you get one?" He asked clearly frustrated that she didn't understand. "Oh yes, I did. We got matching ones, so she isn't allowed to tell you where hers is either," Josie grinned. Dan had obviously had more than one beer in their absence. "Winner, winner, chicken dinner," Dan held out his hand to Steve, who gave him twenty bucks. "I knew you couldn't resist a game of hide and seek with him later," he winked at Josie. "As for you young lady," he turned his attention to Mica, "If I guess where it is can I see it?" "Sure but you only get a limited amount of guesses," she laughed. "I don't want any clues for later so I will go and get you ladies a glass of champagne," Steve smiled. "I'll come, I could use some chilled water as well," Josie said and took his hand. Looking down, he squeezed her hand and smiled. The crowd began to dwindle in the late afternoon as people either left for home or to converge on the evening event. Newly formed couples enjoying their first moments together seemed to be among the people who were settled into comfortable couches and not eager to move at all. "To be honest, with having champagne for breakfast and again this afternoon I am wearing out quickly now. So why don't you guys go to the evening event and I'll just catch a cab home, so I am not a wet blanket," Josie confessed feeling heavy headed. "I'm glad you said it," Dan agreed. "I'm not a regular night clubbing hipster, in case you hadn't noticed. I'd be just as happy going somewhere for a nice steak dinner where we can sit at a proper table and relax, instead of buffets and juggling plates. Maybe talk where we can hear each other without having to yell." "All good with me as long as Mica doesn't mind," Steve chimed in, not ready for the day to be over yet. "There's a pretty good steak house on the way home, they do great ribs. If you don't mind driving that way," Mica smiled. She was happy standing there with Dan. There was no reason to show up at the last event of the day. It was bound to be nothing short of a real meat market for the more desperate than dateless crowd. "Should we drive by and see if the line-up to get in is there like it was for this place? We could make someone's day by giving them our tickets," Josie suggested. "That's a nice idea, I sure got my money's worth," Steve took her head in his hands again and kissed her as deeply as he had that morning. When he came up for air he murmured, "I've wanted to do that again since this morning. I don't think I could have let you just leave and take a cab home." Josie blushed under his intense stare. He had told her he was a friend of her father's, but she didn't remember him that way at all. At that moment, she decided to firmly bury that fact in the bottom of her mind as she leaned forward and returned his kiss with one of her own. "We'll go get the car and pick you up at the entrance," Dan offered, "Your feet have gotta be killing you in those silly shoes." "That will give us time to go to the ladies' room and meet you out there," Mica agreed instantly, no longer concerned that Dan would ditch her. Once again the small group parted company with the girls linking arms and heading to the bathrooms. "Okay, so he's a great kisser, can I worry about that other stuff now?" Josie asked her friend half-jokingly. "Nope, not until you sleep with him," Mica shook her head. "You know we have a three-date rule," Josie groaned. "So date him, where's the harm?" She grinned. ***** They sat in the quiet restaurant after a big meal deciding on whether to have dessert or not. The two couples had engaged in their own intimate conversations during the meal as well as general chit chat. It was a relaxed way to end such a full day. "You guys look pretty beat and Dan and I thought we might hang around here and have a few more drinks. Get to know each other better and maybe test out his kissing technique again," Mica said with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer. "My place is pretty close, and Dan can have the couch there if he wants and you can pick him up in the morning or I can drive him home." "I think we're being told to leave," Steve chuckled to Josie. "You sure you're all good mate?" He asked Dan. "Yeah mate, fuck off and let me try some of my awesome moves out on this chick," Dan said with a chuckle. "Well if you wanted dessert, it looks like it will have to be a sundae at the Macca's drive through," he grinned at Josie. "Oh, that sounds pretty good right now," Josie laughed before turning back to Mica, "And what about the rule?" She raised her eyebrows questioningly. "I have that all worked out. You see first there was breakfast. Then the whole lunch thing and now dinner, see three dates in one day," she bubbled as if it was obvious to everyone but Josie. "Alright, if you have got it all worked out, we'll leave you to it," She shook her head laughing. "I guess we'll organise getting your car back to you tomorrow?" "Oh, shoot I forgot about that. Yeah, I'll call you in the morning, now shoo!" She continued to giggle. Steve and Josie left the restaurant and headed for his car, "McDonald's huh? You know how to spoil a girl," she continued the light joking mood that had been around all day. "Nothing but the best," he quipped sliding into the driver's seat beside her. "Tell me about this rule?" He asked, unable to hide the curiosity in his voice. "Gosh, since high school my friends and I have had this rule to never sleep with a guy until the third date. It's like a failsafe to stop us doing things we will regret. You know like the old joke about going home drunk with what you think is an Adonis and then wishing you could chew your arm off," Josie explained. "I see, and Mica thinks that today should count as three dates," he nodded in understanding. "I have to admit that's pretty creative reasoning but I like it, for my own selfish reasons, of course." He grinned as Josie turned her head to look at him with a stunned expression. "Oh, come on look at me and then look at you, I'd be lying to say I haven't been thinking about fucking you all day," Steve said bluntly. "Like I said right at the start of the day though, I'd be happy to get a blowjob at the end of the night." He pulled into the McDonalds drive-through and turned to look at her waggling his eyebrows, making her laugh despite herself. "Let's not forget that game of hide and seek you owe me as well." "I owe you?" Josie feigned incredulity. "Sure the moment you put that fake tattoo somewhere on your body, you owed me that game," he teased, "What flavour sundae would madam like this evening?" "Caramel please," she said momentarily distracted. They fell into an awkward silence as they ordered at one window, paid at another and stopped to get their sundaes at yet a third. Steve then pulled into an out of the way carpark beside the building next door and shut off the engine. The green interior lights of the dashboard gave off just enough light to see each other across the central console as they ate their ice cream. "So you went today as a wingman as well I take it?" Josie said into the silence of the car. "Yeah, not much opportunity to meet girls out on the farm and I think Dan has a bit of a reputation with the local girls," Steve admitted then noticing her reaction explained further. "He tends to jump in boots and all, go too hard too fast and scare the girls off. He loves being in love. That's why he was a bit nonchalant earlier in the day, trying not to scare your Mica or show how much he liked her." "They'll make a great couple then. Mica wants that sort of clingy live in each other's pockets type relationship too. Maybe her living and working in the city will slow them down a bit," Josie said thoughtfully. "I don't want to talk about them, do you?" He asked, for the first time sounding a little unsure of himself. He reached out and wrapped a hand around her neck his thumb caressing her cheek. He didn't need to pull her closer, she moved of her own free will and their lips melded together again. Cold tongues dancing against each other as they took their time enjoying the first kiss while being alone. His free hand slid up to grasp her breast, and she murmured into the kiss softly. "Trying to cheat on the hide and seek game?" She smiled and broke the kiss leaning back again. "Oh no, I am looking forward to doing that later," he chuckled. "I can barely wait to tell you the truth." He placed his sundae in the cup holder and turned on the engine. "Some directions right about now would be nice." Josie pulled out her phone and clicking a few screens she put the phone on the console between them as it began talking for her. Then she sat back and enjoyed the rest of her sundae as he raced through the suburban streets to her apartment. She knew this was crazy, that she shouldn't be even contemplating this. He was so much older than her. He was a friend of her father's. She had only met him today because she couldn't remember ever having met him with her father. The kisses though and the whole atmosphere of the day had only served to remind her of what she had lost with her ex and that she had been alone for far too long. When they pulled up in front of her apartment building, she suffered a moment of terrified self-doubt. As if reading her mind, he leaned over and kissed her. "You don't have to invite me up. I am not saying I wouldn't be disappointed, and frustrated, but I can respect your rules," he said softly. "For all our joking, I can honestly say that no matter how desperate I am to fuck you right now, I would never force you into anything you didn't want to do." "I love that you don't pull any punches," she laughed. "You talk about fucking me like it's for the pure pleasure of the act, nothing more. Gosh, I don't even use that word when I stub my toe in the middle of the night." She blushed and laughed. "I think that's why I want to fuck you so badly. It's like corrupting a sweet innocent young woman. It gives me an added thrill shall we say," he took her hand and put it on his rock hard erection. "Does that make me a bad man that I want to do such naughty things to you? Things that will give you as much pleasure as they give me?" "I am probably not as innocent as you seem to think I am," Josie gave a sly smile and squeezed his cock through the thick denim of his jeans. If she wasn't horny before she certainly was now. "I'm counting on it," his voice had become husky. "I can only imagine how talented that sweet mouth is but I am still hoping to find out if not tonight then the by the third date." "Alright," she whispered, "We shall see about that blow job you asked for, then you can see if you have the stamina to convince me to let you fuck me." She couldn't believe she had said that out loud, that was not how she talked but at that moment with this man she felt like being the sexy tease. If he thought her innocent and corruptible maybe she could surprise him a little. Josie got out of the car before he could reply, leaving him staring after her wondering what had just happened to the sweet girl he had been talking to all day. After a moment of stunned immobility, he adjusted himself and followed her from the car up to her apartment, moving close behind her as she stopped to unlock the door. He grabbed her as soon as they entered and kicked the door closed with his foot. Kissing her roughly, he held her close one hand around her neck, not allowing her to break the kiss. Surprise registered on his face as her hand began to fiddle with his belt buckle and the buttons of his jeans. "So the sweet seeming girl knows her way around a pair of pants," he groaned as he felt her hands pull his cock out of his pants and stroke it lightly. "Mm, suck me," he put a little pressure on her shoulder but she sank easily to her knees and began to tug off his jeans which he kicked aside. She smiled up at him and wrapped her fingers around his cock, gently stroking as her tongue slipped out past her lips and over the large fleshy head. She dipped her head lower to lave that tongue over his balls as her hand continued to stroke his cock. She heard him groan and smiled inwardly continuing to work over the pebbled sack sucking each gently into her mouth. Pulling back a little and looking up at him again as she licked from the base of his balls up along the underside of his shaft. She then paused at the tip to roll her tongue around the fleshy head before taking it into her mouth and sucking on it like a lollypop. Unusual Companions After a few moments, during which her hand didn't stop working him, she reversed the process moving back to his balls again and proving to him what a talented tongue she did indeed have. She could feel his legs tremble slightly as he picked her up roughly and strode over to the couch, sitting down and depositing her on the floor between his legs. After settling for a minute, she slipped her fingers around the base if his cock holding it up and away from his body and looked into his eyes. A small wicked smile tilted at the corners of her mouth as with extreme slowness she leaned forward licking up and down his shaft covering ever centimetre until it gleamed wetly. Kissing the tip and with infinite patience, she slowly widened the kiss moving down at snail's pace to engulf the swollen purple head. She could see from the corner of her eye his fists balling to grip the couch cushions as she rolled and fluttered her tongue around him. With practised care, she slowly began to bob her head slowly taking more and more of him into the warm wet cavern of her mouth until her lips met the fingers at the base of his cock. Holding her head still, she purred deep in her throat making her tongue vibrate against him. A small trick she had learned courtesy of her ex and his answering groan made her wriggle happily between his legs. She could feel his legs stiffen at the feeling and pulled her head back enough to gulp at some fresh air before moving back down over him again. The deep answering groan was all she needed, and she began to suck him in earnest moving her head up and down his cock. Lifting her free hand from his thigh where she had left it she stroked his balls, cupping and squeezing them gently. Only when she knew he was close did she feel his hand move to her hair, brushing it from her face and pulling back into a ragged ponytail with which he altered her pace. Pulling her suddenly off his cock and tilting her head to look up at him he grimaced, and she knew he was finding it difficult to hold back the orgasm that built in his balls. Long strands of spittle hung like ropes between her mouth and his cock, and he groaned loudly, "Fuck!" then pushed her head down on him again. With Steve now setting his own pace, the slow, deliberate teasing of her earlier movements were wiped away, and he began to buck up as her head came down on him. She gagged slightly as she took all he gave her, knowing he was so close to coming. The hand in her hair gripped harder turning her attempts at purring into feeble whimpers. He froze with just the fat head between her lips and her swirling tongue gathered up all the precum she could suddenly taste as her eyes looked up to his grimacing face. He was fighting and losing his battle with himself. He wanted this moment to last, she knew but the pleasure of her warm and wet suctioning mouth had gotten past his defences. Just as suddenly the pumping action of his hips and her mouth begin again, and she could feel every ridge and vein as it rolled over her tongue. Moments later he pulled her head back up his shaft and the first spurt of cum landed on her tongue. "Fuck yes! Swallow it, baby!" He moaned as his hips pumped upwards with each spurt. His cock jerked and twitched in Josie's mouth as she sucked him dry, swallowing each drop as it was deposited on her tongue. Finally unable to take any more of the exquisite pleasure he pulled her off his cock and up into his arms kissing her deeply and tasting his cum on her breath. "That was so fucking great," Steve breathed raggedly into her ear. "Now about that game of hide and seek." He reached behind her to undo her dress. He slid the straps from her shoulders revealing a pretty white lace bra. "If you've got matching panties on I am gonna have no trouble rising to the occasion again," he grinned. She stood up from the couch letting the dress slip down over her slender hips revealing the small temporary buttery tattoo and matching white lace panties. She blushed and smiled shyly as he overtly inspected every inch of her before reaching out to touch the small butterfly on her hip. "That was a short game, but I have another we can play," he grinned. She watched as in seconds he had dispensed with his shirt leaving him naked. Josie was amazed by the hard sculpted lines of his naked body. Her shy but fascinated gaze roamed over every inch of him, from his wide shoulders to the broad, muscular chest liberally sprinkled with dark hair. She shivered in her excitement, still stunned by how he made her feel. Her curiosity forced her to look lower to where the evidence of his arousal at the sight of her body grew once again between his muscled thighs. Josie smiled, not moving her gaze away and then he stood deftly removing what little she still wore as he caressed her curves with appreciative murmurs. He picked her up and carried her into the bedroom. Wrapping her hands around his neck, she kissed along his jawline admitting she wanted this more than she had realised until that moment. He placed her on the bed gently, and she looked up as he crawled up the length of her body to kiss her deeply."You are so hot," he murmured softly his voice full of awed appreciation of the young woman who lay below him. Steve was leaning over her, his strong hands caressing her and trailing down the length of her body. Completely naked and totally exposed to his fiercely glittering gaze, she blushed and shivered again. He slowly dragged the tips of his long fingers sensually back up her legs, sending shock waves through her that made her quiver with a need she could no longer deny. "Steve," She whispered his name. "Ssh," he responded. His hand caressed her hip, the indentation of her waist and rose up over her breast to her throat. He lifted himself up above her by supporting himself on one elbow, his wide shoulders leaning over her as his dark head bent down, and his mouth found hers once more. They kissed with a passion that made her legs go weak. His hand swept over her body again, his agile fingers rolling her hardening nipples, first one and then the other before caressing lower over her flat stomach to the soft curls at the juncture of her thighs. No man had ever touched her so carefully before and for a second a semblance of inferiority surfaced, he was older and more experienced perhaps she would disappoint with her naivety. Those thoughts faded from her mind when his head dipped to the hard bud of her nipple and sucked it into the heat of his mouth, his teeth teasing at the sensitive flesh. She gasped out loud, her body trembling with pleasure that was almost pain, and then he soothed with his tongue, sending her heartbeat hammering against the wall of her chest. Josie hadn't felt this craving for sexual satisfaction in a long time, if ever. It wasn't that her past lovers were bad it was just that this felt so different. She reached for him, her hands curving around his wide shoulders, stroking down his broad back and round to his chest. She discovered the thick hair on his chest that she had seen earlier was soft and curly. His body held a fascination for her. She couldn't control her response. She wasn't sure she wanted to, as the sensual expertise of his hands and his mouth led her deeper and deeper into a state of hot need. Steve's face loomed over hers again and crushed her swollen lips once more under his. His fingers traced along her slender thigh and sought the moist heat of her tender flesh, while his tongue plundered her mouth with a rhythm she felt throughout her body. "Fuck me... Please," Josie whispered lewdly, surprising herself. She looked up into his face, the dark blue eyes showing his desire, and she knew it was all for her. "Fuck, yeah!" Steve growled as he rose above her and surged hot and hard into her pliant body. For a moment he froze as he registered his harsh entry and her muffled cry, but her hands clasped around his back, she kissed the skin of his shoulder and neck. She cried out again with pleasure as he surged back into the hot wetness of her. Josie discovered the true meaning of fucking as opposed to making love. Her body knew instinctively how to respond to his movements, arching into him, meeting every thrust of his hips with such pleasure that her fingernails dragged down his back. Higher and higher she flew, soaring into the feelings he gave her. Her heart was thundering, her greedy hands held him fiercely, terrified he would stop too soon, and deny her the ecstasy she could feel building within her, she was so close. Then it happened. Her body convulsed, jerking and twitching in wave after wave of orgasmic release as he surged into her one last time. She could hear his low moan in counterpoint to her own cry as she felt him shudder in his second explosive climax. Steve collapsed on top of her, his head resting in the curve of her neck. She lifted a trembling hand and smoothed the dark sweat-damp hair of his head, loving the way he rested against her, loving the heat of his hard body against her. "Wow," she breathed heavily. "Yeah, wow," his voice was ragged. He rolled onto his back taking her with him, so she half lay across his body. "You realise this isn't a one-night stand type of deal." He said quietly. "I would like to see you again and again and again." "You're just saying that because you think I'm easy now," she gave a dry half laugh. "I gotta admit that's a definite bonus plus you give a killer blowjob, but I would have called you even if you hadn't invited me up tonight. I would have called you all day every day until you agreed to see me again," Steve wrapped his arms around her and held her close. "I'm glad," she whispered, exhaustion from the early morning and full day beginning to sweep over her. She closed her eyes, not wanting to think about how complicated this relationship could get and wondering if Mica felt as lucky as she did tonight.