Chapter One: "Am I Really Doing This?"

Gasping from the warmth of her shower, she pressed her head against the shower letting the water flow down her back. Feeling the warmth of water caressing her dark hair, darkening into blackish brown. Her brown eyes closed in pure relaxation as the thoughts of the recent events played through her mind. 'A boyfriend, she really has a boyfriend? And the surprise of it all he was suppose to marry her best friend. What actually happened between the both of them? Why did Sport pick her?' It all sank in her friends would think she was weird, Sport was hot according to her friend's an Asian decent mixed with Spanish, and Japanese. It was obvious in his facial features and physical appearance. She remembered him telling her his bloodlines of a Noblety line, who had been a part of the Emperors house. His bloodline was of greatness, and honor his ancestors had moved to America before he had even been born. Loving their new country they choose to stay and grow in this country. Which she had thought that had been fascinating Gem had the bloodlines of Dutch, German and British just common folk. She had never told them her bloodlines due to specific wars and assinations that had happened to her ancestors a mixture of Noblety and Royalty. Her family had sworn never to talk about just incase an old enemy would change their mind and try to destroy what had been left of her bloodlines. Luckily a few men and a lot of women had been born within her bloodlines. Lots of cousins, nephews and nieces her family had increased in numbers through the years, not a huge family, yet big enough. She had always thought why hide the bloodline, the wars had been over a hundred years ago. Yet her mother had politely asked her not to say anything about it. She had agreed yet not by promise or vow she had just not wanted to mention it. Moving her fingers through her long hair she grabbed her shampoo and conditioner and scrubbed her hair vigorously. Cleaning up she turned her shower off, stepping out and grabbing a few towels wrapping her hair up, than tied a towel around her small frame. Wiping the steam off of her mirror, she quickly brushed her teeth with a scope rinse. After drying off she hung up her towels and put on her under garments, than grabbed her flowered robe. Stepping into her bedroom as the smell of food filled the air, her stomach growled.

Quickly putting on some sweats, she brushed her hair putting it up into a tight braided bun. Headed towards the kitchen in high spirits, finally accepting what had recently happened guess if his my boyfriend might as well enjoy this while it lasts. Unfamiliar with the dating method, she hadn't dated for quite a few years. She encouraged herself to just go with the flow, and enjoy the time daily. Walking into the kitchen the table had been already set with teas and juice, it had looked like cranberry juice. She had bought some a few days back when she needed to go grocery shopping. Watching him season the steak and stir the vegetables she sat down quietly watching him cook while in deep thought. He had been so deep in thought he hadn't even heard her, she smiled pouring some juice into her cup and taking a drink. He bent over opening the oven to her surprised he had made twice baked potatoes. That sounded delicious with steak. She went to the fridge checking to see if they had any sour cream, finding it she smiled as she grabbed it placing it on the table. When large hands grabbed her hips than moved around her waist, pulling her back into his chest. Pressing his cheek to the side of her head kissing the tip of her ear softly whispering,

"I love the way you smell after a shower." He hugged her tightly to him than he kissed the curve of her neck.

She felt something change in her, as tingles moved through her body. O' goodness he had to kiss her neck, really of all places her neck? Ugh, she thought that had felt wonderful, her mind went into a pure 'take it all in.'

Suddenly their dating wasn't feeling so weird, now it felt very real, an attraction between a man and woman.

That surprised her, she hadn't felt that way before with Sport, he had never done anything like that to her, always focusing on Gem just as it should have been.

He had always tried to avoid touching her and keeping a respectful distance from her. Keeping it friends and only friends, she had respected him for those actions due to he had been her best friend's Fiancée.

Yeah, she had heard of men sleep with friends, even cheated with friends, or friends with benefits. She had never done anything like that, she had considered herself unique, different, loyal and devoted. She enjoyed being that way, heck she loved being that. Why would she want to be anyone else other than just being herself. To her surprise he kissed down her neck than pressed the side of his face against hers. His eyes closed taking in the moment. He wondered if she knew who he had been talking about when he explained the park, with a woman so perfect to him that he could feel it spark between them. The air around them seemed to come alive when he stood beside her so many times, he rememberedthat feeling refusing to forget it.

He had to turn away focusing on Gem just to control the attraction he had for Winter. His master had taught him much, yet it had only been apart of defense and offensive for fighting. Now he used it to control his behaviors around Winter which had been working with perfection for years. Yet a few times he could still feel it, watching her in cover as for no one to even be aware of his attraction towards her.

Now he had to use it more than ever, 'his girlfriend,' he thought, 'finally.' Finally he could have her, staking claim on his new girlfriend. Excitement streamed through him, all those dreams he could make a reality. That made him smile and tighten his grip on her he whispered,

"One heck of a touch down, baby. That's a win through and through."

She frowned not willing to argue, becoming slightly hesitant to touch his hands, yet she did entwined their fingers together rubbing her thumb over his hand memorizing ever vein and scar on his hands in silence. She leaned back pressing herself against his chest, he lightly nipped her neck than kissed it gently stating confidently,

"You'll warm up to me babe, I know you will."

"Yes, your right Sport it just feels a little unusual right now. I'm sure I will, BTW becareful about where you place your kisses big guy." Winter responded she didn't want to be entrapped by the pleasure she had been feeling lately. She had to go with the flow with a touch of caution for the moment. It needed to sink in, to face the reality that is now coming into existence. She had to admit it, it is very enjoyable. Yet why did she feel she had over step boundaries. She thought quietly to herself caressing his hands with her thumb. Winter raised a brow stating with slight humor,

" What's that smell Sport?"

He let her turning to the stove immediately his eyes widened as he quickly flipped the steak and shut the oven door. Grumbling under his breath he quickly got back to cooking, his new girlfriend was going to be quite the distraction. So much of a distraction that he just burned a part if his steaks...damn there goes perfection. He thought, hearing her chuckle as she began to laugh,

"This time I won't rate your meal, how's your focus Sport?" He blushed at her words grabbing the plates he filled them up with a three course meal. Placing them on the table after he shut everything off, he answered with a narrowed gaze honestly stating,

"My focus...is a ten with you, our dinner most definitely a two." She covered her mouth suppressing her laughter as she began to eat. She tapped his glass stating gently,

"Your forgiven, by the way we need to go grocery shopping tonight so we'll have to make a list. I received my paycheck, the bills have been paid we have a budget of about six hundred dollars for groceries. We need to get Knight some food as well as a holiday blanket it's almost Halloween. The children will be stopping in so candy is a must."

Sport nodded in agreement as he began to eat, he couldn't hide his smile. So she had to point out his focus, perhaps later tonight he'll have to give her an example of his focus. That thought satisfied him, she thinks I have difficulty focusing. Hmm..sounded like a challenge to him, he would accept that challenge as he thought about a specific dream. Well, he thought who's going to be losing focus tonight. He's eyes sparked with a slight touch of a mischievous nature. He nodded to her statement yeah, they did need groceries without a doubt. Sales with multiple advertisements had been sent in the newspaper from Walmart and several other stores, the holiday sales would be a good start.

Sometime later she helped put the dishes away, as he sealed the leftovers thinking what he could use them for in their next meal. It had been three days since he had been home, yet it hadn't concerned him. Getting away from nosy neighbors was a delight to him, no minor girls watching him from a distance trying to flirt with him. Being here with his new girlfriend was an enjoyable experience as he began to learn about his new girlfriend.

After putting everything away, with a quick wipe on the table he couldn't resist, tossing the wash cloth into the sink. He grabbed Winter spinning her in his arms to make her look at him. He leaned forward watching her lips than kissed each corner than gently took possession of her lips. She hesitated only for a few seconds, than slide her hands over his chest than shoulders gripping his hair lightly pressing hard against him. One heck of an invitation he wouldn't resist her touch that brought him to life. He almost sighed by the sweetness of it all. He gripped her bun deepening the kiss, her lips so warm, so soft he liked them lightly going into a very needed French kiss. He needed her to accept their relationship to let go of her devotion to her best friend. Because he needed Winter to treat him like her boyfriend not her friend. He choose to put aside their friendship, making a dream come to life. He wasn't going to give it all up, just because of her devotion to Gem. He had fallen in love with Winter not Gem. He had to show her his reality, who he had always wanted, needed. All the phones calls, all the visits just feeling the presence of Winter was giving him what he loved, her time. Moving his hands down her back gripping her hip he pressed her gently against the fridge. He gridded her lightly making her gasp into his mouth, she lifted her foot caressing his ankle. Placing his knee gently between her thighs he pressed against her picking her up. In response she wrapped her legs around his thighs, that gave him the drive he needed. Taking her to the couch he laid her down gently taking his place between her thighs releasing his kiss. Kiss each corner of her lips than her jaw line, than down her neck to her collarbone. Feeling her responding to him with a lift of her hips, he grabbed her waist pushing her gently into the couch. He smiled whispering,

"We still need to go shopping beautiful, I'm indeed enjoying this damn you feel good."

That snapped Winter back she stopped pressing her hands against his chest with a light caress. Memorizing every detail under his shirt with a light yank she slide her hands under his shirt taking in every detail. He gasped slightly surprised closing his eyes he laid on top of her. Breathing in her scent while his face buried in the curve of her neck. His eyes almost teared up, it was really happening. He didn't dare give this moment up just yet, they still had time to go shopping. Damn he regretted it at that moment, the warmth she spread through him. Increased his heartbeat, could he actually focus on control at this moment, did he even want to end it?