CHAPTER 1

Vanessa Morano didn’t really want that much out of life.

She was happy the way she was. Most people would find that vexing considering she was just a nurse at a hospital in a town most people couldn’t even remember the name of.

Most people wanted to leave this town, chase bigger, grander things, and she understood that. She even thought that she was one of those people for a while, but at the end of the day, she was a country girl at heart, and it took working in the neon bathed streets of New York to figure that out.

Vanessa filled out the forms and sighed as she twirled a long strand of raven colored hair around her finger. Her dark brown eyes perused the patients file as she drank in all the information. She began chewing on her bottom lip as she tried to figure out how best to reach out to the disgruntled man in room 173. He had been brought in with severe burns, and it was a miracle he was still alive, but somehow he didn’t view it as such.

He grunted or simply made a non commital sound in the back of his throat whenever she asked him a question, and he always started out the window as if he was waiting for something. Or someone.

She had tried contacting his family, but the only person she could find was listed in Madrid. She knew it wasn’t hospital policy to follow up on that, but she felt bad for the man who sat there day in, day out staring outside at a world that would never look at him the same way ever again.  Before she could change her mind, Vanessa straightened up in her chair, pulled up her email and did a little digging.

She managed to find the name of the man on the list, and before she could think of the consequences, she sent an email to the man’s son Julio Nieto.

Long day again, eh Morano? Vanessa looked up and smiled at her coworker and friend Dustin Sherbourne who leaned over the counter as he spoke to her.

A nurse’s job is never done Sherboune. She ran her hands through her thick brown hair and sighed as she massaged her temples.

You look like you could use a night out, Dustin quipped as his hazel eyes sparkled. Vanessa had a bit of a crush on Dustin, but then again most of the other nurses did. He was the all American boy with sandy blonde hair, hazel eyes, high cheek bones and muscular body. He was charming, suave, flirty and smart in a way that made you want to look up things just to talk to him. Oh, yes. Dustin Sherboune was quite the man. In fact, a lot of their women patients actually pretended they were sick just to come in and talk to him.

Vanessa found it hilarious and always tried to suppress a grin when it happened, and she tried not to laugh at the silliness of it all. Dustin took it all in stride though, and even made fun of himself.

Vanessa however didn’t like him for any of those reasons. She liked him for reasons that everyone else would probably find odd. She liked that he was the clumsiest person she’d ever met. She liked that whenever he laughed, he’d slap his leg and then start guffawing. She liked that he had a long scar on his bicep that he’d sustained when he was in the military. She liked that he poked her whenever she ignored him, and that he always made sure that whenever she would cry over a patient, he’d be there to help her cope till she was ready to try again.

Vanessa was sure she was in love with Dustin, and yet she had nothing else to compare it to because she had never been in love. She knew that it was strange that at 23, she had never met a man who made her weak in the knees, but that’s because she was always so focused on her goals, her career, her dreams that she never took the time to look.

Most guys found that intimidating, and she didn’t have time to try to correct their patriarchal perspectives.

Oh, yes, I’d love that, Vanessa replied as she began rubbing her neck.

So, I’ll see you tonight at eight at Ricky’s? Dustin said as he leaned over, placed the file on the desk then stood back.

See you tonight at Ricky’s, Vanessa confirmed as she gathered her hair into a loose bun.

I’ll even throw in a back rub, Morano, Dustin winked as he flashed her a smile. Vanessa swallowed past the lump in her throat and nervously licked her lips. She noticed the way Dustin’s eyes darted to her lips, and the look of unmistakable desire that crossed his face had her wondering. His hazel eyes turned molten as she gave him a weak smile.

She cleared her throat before responding, I might just take you up on that.

I really hope you do, he suggested as he tossed her one last hot look before he walked off. Vanessa leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes as she tried to let the blush simmer down.

She felt like a hormonal teenager again, and yet somehow that feeling felt just right.

Vanessa’s eyes flew open as she heard her phone ping to signal the arrival of a new email. She frowned as she fished it out of her pocket, and she glanced helplessly at the email that was half Spanish, half English, half frantic with worry.

She couldn’t make heads or tails of much except that Julio Nieto was on a plane on his way to North Carolina.

Chapter 2

Vanessa nervously ran her fingers along the beautiful fabric.

In general, Vanessa didn’t really dress up, but she had splurged on the figure hugging blue dress eons ago, and hadn’t worn it since. She figured tonight was a good night to take it for a test drive.

She loved the way the dress hugged her curves in all the right places showing off her petite waist, and tall model’s legs.

She had asked her roommate for help applying make-up because she was hopeless when it came to that stuff.

Stop fidgeting, Bridget commanded as she pursed her lips and began fiddling with something in the makeup kit.

Bridget may have looked like a cute petite blonde with crystal blue eyes, but she was a force to be reckoned with if you got on her bad side. She and Vanessa had hit it off the minute they met when Vanessa put up a roommate wanted sign. Even though they were as different as night and day, they still had each other’s backs.

Bridget placed her hands on her lips and cocked her head to the side as she perused her handiwork.

Aha, she snapped her fingers as she rummaged around in her bag.

Vanessa fidgeted in her chair as she placed her hands neatly in front of her, wondering just how much makeup Bridget was planning to use because it felt like she had used the whole kit.

Okay, I know you have naturally long eyelashes that are beautiful, but a hint of mascara won’t hurt.

She swiped the mascara on Bridget’s eyelashes, leaned in close to look and nodded to herself in satisfaction.

Now for the finishing touches, She picked up a tube of lipstick, a fiery red shade that Vanessa tended to avoid.

Bridge, are you sure that isn’t too much?

Bridget snorted as if that was the most ridiculous question on the planet, No, it isn’t. It’s a big night for you. She paused and winked at her. Besides, Nessa with your Latina looks, Dustin will not be able to keep his hands off of you.

Vanessa blushed deep down to the soles of her feet. Even though she had never been in love, she had of course had her fair share of lovers, but no one ever made her feel the way Dustin did. Safe and protected. She knew this was still their first date, but she wouldn’t stop him if he tried to kiss her.

Bridget grinned in triumph as she spun Vanessa around so she could take a look at herself in the full length mirror. Vanessa’s mouth dropped open as she stared at herself.

Vanessa didn’t think she was ugly, but then again she tried not to spend too much time dwelling on her looks, but tonight for the first time, she thought she actually looked good. She liked that feeling.

It was empowering.

Bridget blew her a kiss as she sent her out into the night with a coat and her clutch as she made her way to Ricky’s.

It was a low key club that a lot of people from work hung out at. She had hung out there before with Dustin and some other colleagues, but tonight was the first time it would be just the two of them.

*******

Vanessa paid the cab driver as she got out and stared at the neon sign. She took a deep breath and nodded at the bouncer who knew her well enough by now. The second she walked in, the smell of alcohol wafted into the air.

She spotted Dustin a few feet away, and his entire face lit up as he spotted her. He made his way towards her, and she found herself taking stock of the way his pants hug on his hips, the way his button down blouse was rolled up to his forearm, and the way his sandy blonde hair was a tangled mess that made it look like he just rolled out of bed.

You look stunning, Nessa. He offered as he handed her a drink. It was her favorite, long island iced tea. She grinned as she took a sip, So do you.

What are you having?

Dustin laughed, Gin and tonic, I know it’s not exactly hard core or anything, but it’s just enough to take the edge off.

Vanessa smiled as a small smile played on her lips, I don’t think it has to be hard core for you to let loose and enjoy your time.

Dustin cocked his head to the side, Do tell.

Vanessa nervously toyed with her drink as she searched her mind for what to say, Well, you know how some people have this natural high about them?

Dustin considered her words carefully before responding, Yes, I guess you could call it a natural high.

Well, that’s where my theory comes from. That you don’t have to do what everybody else is doing just to have fun yourself. You can have fun doing things that other people might call or think of as vanilla or lame. That doesn’t make them any less fun, nor does it make their type of fun too much or whatnot. It’s just all a matter of perspective.

Dustin studied her slowly, But how can doing something vanilla be considered fun?

They had moved towards a pair of comfy looking bean bags in the corner, and they were sitting facing each other.

Vanessa took a sip of her drink before responding, This is where the perspective part comes from.

Aren’t some perspectives considered more fun than others? More valuable if you will.

Not really no, it’s probably that way just because it’s cool to think that way, so we blindly follow the crowd not wishing to be viewed as the black sheep.

"With good reason, I mean who would ever want to be the black sheep of the group?

Vanessa nodded as she leaned forward and placed her glass on the table, I completely understand your point, but if it means giving up your principles, turning your back on who you are, would you really want to blend in, or would you rather stand out and be true to who you are.

For some people, it’s easier and smarter to keep your head down.

Of course.

They lapsed into silence as each took a peek at the other person discreetly. Vanessa could tell he was pondering what she said, and she wondered if maybe she had said too much, was too opinionated. A lot of people told her she was, that she was too idealistic for her own good. It used to bother her at first, but over time she realized that she was who she was, and she could spend her time apologizing for it, and hiding it, or she could fight for what she believes in, and find a group of people who loved her exactly the way she is, and that was what she had accomplished this far. Except in the romance department. That was the one area where she was still struggling.

I like the way you think, it’s different. I’m not sure, I agree. I think life’s hard enough as it is without trying to fight passionately and make a difference, but I think it’s an interesting perspective.

Vanessa looked at him squarely making his gaze meet hers, I think we only get one life, and we should make the most of it. I know that sounds cliché, or whatever, and maybe to some people it is, but I for one, don’t intend on wasting my life chasing after other people’s opinions.

You’re really sexy when you’re all fired up like this, Dustin murmured flashing her a smile. Vanessa instantly flushed, and she felt a familiar rush of desire pour through her.

Dustin pushed himself closer and leaned in, so there wasn’t an inch of space between them, All that passion boiling beneath the surface, didn’t know you had that side in you.

Vanessa swallowed past the nerve, There’s a lot you don’t know about me.

Dustin chuckled, a deep husky sound, I’m sure that’s true. His arm came up around her shoulders, and in one swift movement, he had her sitting on his lap. With her heart thundering in her chest, Vanessa struggled to keep calm and not freak out. Dustin placed his hand on either side of her shoulders and began lightly kneading.

Vanessa’s eyes began to flutter as she felt her body respond to his touch, Wha- she swallowed drily, What are you doing?

I’m giving you that massage I promised.

Vanessa’s arms came up around his shoulders and clutched him to keep herself anchored. I seem to recall you saying you’d wait for me to say it, she managed to choke out.

Dustin’s hands stopped their magic, and he looked at her seriously, Do you want me to stop?

Vanessa looked into his eyes, took both of his hands, and placed them on her shoulders, Don’t you dare.

Dustin chuckled, As you wish.

Dustin continued what he was saying, and Vanessa leaned into him. For once not caring that she was in a public place, and that there were certain moral and social standards she had to adhere to. She didn’t want to think about any of that. All she wanted was to enjoy Dustin’s touch, and the feel of him pressed against her body.

One of Dustin’s hands began to trail up and down her back before moving to rest lightly on her buttocks. He squeezed them gently before moving back up.

His hand moved to the front before coming to rest atop her breasts. He gave a light squeeze on top of her dress, and Vanessa yelped in surprise. She knocked her clutch over, and they both looked down at the mess on the floor.

They began to laugh like little kids as they both knelt down on the floor, on their hands and knees to pick up the contents of her bag. Vanessa checked to make sure that she had everything before she noticed that one thing was missing. Perhaps it had fallen further away. She glanced up at Dustin only to find him clutching the book she was looking for, and perusing the synopsis with barely concealed amusement.

Vanessa blushed furiously as she tried to grab the book out of his hands. Dustin held it out of her reach as he continued to read the synopsis. The corners of his mouth upturned into a smile, and Vanessa could feel the mortification spread through her. Steamy novels were her guilty pleasure, and she never left her house without a book. She just never imagined he would come across it. Particularly this particular book.

It was a book that had a threesome. She was mildly intrigued when she picked it up, and as she started to read, a small part of her became curious, and she didn’t know yet how she felt about that. She always thought she’d like just the vanilla stuff, but after reading that book, she was filled with the desire to experiment.

Dustin looked up at her and handed her the book, Well, Morano, I have to say, I didn’t see that coming.

It’s just a book, Vanessa muttered as she avoided his gaze.

It’s not just a book. You once told me that books reveal a lot about a person and their interests.

Vanessa cursed herself for saying that, but she was also touched that he had actually remembered, Not in this case. In this case, it’s just a book.

Dustin gazed at her expectantly, "I think you and I both know that isn’t true. Judging by your reaction earlier, I think it’s fair to