Too Hot To Handle Ch 1

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Subject: Too Hot To Handle Ch 1 - 5
Posted By: OKDeanna - ezOP
Posts: 303
Posted At: (8/21/03 8:21 pm)
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Too Hot To Handle

Rated: R

Author: Deanna (OKDeanna)
Email: asjfan@cox.net

Things to Note:

Luis is 25, Sheridan is 24. Luis is not a cop in this one. He's a construction worker. Um, he doesn't hate the Cranes. His father owns the construction company where he works. His mother is a Spanish Teacher at Harmony High. Sheridan's father (name to be determined later) is a judge and her mother (Don't know yet) is a doctor. She's been living in New York City, but she's staying with her aunt and uncle Julian & Ivy, and her cousin Ethan for the summer. She just broke up with her beau of two years because her folks kept pressuring her to marry him. She is staying in Harmony so she can get out from under her parents’ watchful eye. Everyone thinks she's little miss innocent, but she plans to shed that particular image before the summer is over.

Luis is known as a bad boy that's hell on women. Hmm, can't you see the fireworks already? Ethan and Theresa are around the same age as Sher and Luis. Theresa is 23 and Ethan is 25. Okay, on with the story!!

Chapter One

LUIS LOPEZ-FITZGERALD used his right forearm to wipe the sweat from his brow, then turned back to hammer another nail into what would soon be a doorframe. The pool house he was renovating for the Cranes was by no means going to be an easy task, but he knew it would be a fun one. After all, his best friend Ethan always had a lot of parties during the summer and that meant plenty of hot girls for him to meet.

Luis grinned and hammered the last nail into the doorframe. Then he turned and sat the hammer on the pile of wood beside him. He needed a break, he thought running a hand through his sweat drenched black hair. He'd been working nonstop since seven this morning. It was now, he paused and glanced at the watch on his wrist, noon. He shook his head and decided to stop and relax a bit before he tackled the next job. He grabbed the bottom of his white T-shirt and used it to wipe the sweat off his face. Then decided to just take the shirt off altogether. It was too damn hot to wear one anyway. He pulled the shirt over his head and wiped the sweat off his back and chest before throwing it on the ground beside his toolbox.

It had to be at least ninety-five, ninety-six degrees outside, he thought in disgust. He turned and stared at the water to his right. A dip in that pool would sure feel good right about now, he thought his mouth practically salivating at the mere thought of cooling his heated skin. Ethan had told him to use it whenever he wanted. Hmm, maybe a swimming break was just what he needed. He was certainly glad he had the forethought to wear his swim trunks under his jeans. Something told him, he would want to take a swim today. Luis pulled off his boots, unbuttoned his jeans, and reached for the zipper. Just as he started to pull it down, a voice called out. "Hey, Luis."

He turned to see his sister, Theresa, walking toward him. "Hey, sis." He said removing his hands from his zipper and placing them on his hips. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see Ethan of course." Luis just shook his head. He should have known. Theresa and Ethan had been dating for the last few months and from what he could tell it was getting pretty serious between them too.

"So," he said raising a hand to wipe the sweat off the back of his neck. "Where is Ethan today? I haven't seen him all morning."

"You forgot, didn't you?" Theresa asked shaking her head. "His cousin, Sheridan is coming in today and he went to pick her up at the airport."

That's right, he thought. Ethan had mentioned something about that the other day. "Yeah, I did forget. So when are they supposed to be back?"

"Should be soon." Theresa said glancing toward the back door of the main house. "Sheridan's flight got in over an hour ago."

"Ah," he said glancing back toward the pool. "Well sis, I'd like to continue this chat, but I'm a little hot. I was just about to jump in the pool and cool off."

"Oh good idea." Theresa said turning back to him with huge smile. "I'll go get my suit on and join you. Maybe when Ethan and Sheridan get here they will want to join us too."

"Sounds good to me." Luis said as he started walking toward the pool. Frankly, he didn't care who joined him as long as he got to cool off. He threw off his jeans and dove into the deep end of the pool. The water was perfect, he thought as he swam back to the surface. In fact, it was better than perfect. It was heaven. The only thing missing, he thought as he started swimming toward the diving board at the end of the pool, was a beautiful woman to share it with. He briefly wondered what Ethan's cousin looked like, but then realized it didn't really matter. From what little Ethan had said, she sounded as if she were just two steps shy of joining a convent. Definitely not his type of woman, he thought. He liked his women on the wild side and the wilder they were the better he liked them.

* * * * *

SHERIDAN CRANE set her bags down just inside the guestroom her aunt and uncle had prepared for her. It was just as she remembered, she thought looking around the room. A room fit for little miss innocent, right down to the frilly lace curtains and too-many-flowers-on-it bedspread. God, when would they realize she was not who they thought she was. Oh she had tried to be, but it was just too damn hard to pretend to be the "good girl." She was tired of living the life everyone else wanted her to live. She wanted to cut loose. She wanted to have fun. She wanted to know what it felt like to drive a man wild.

She smiled at that last thought. If her parents or her aunt and uncle knew the thoughts that went through her head, they would lock her up and throw away the key. She laughed. She may be little miss innocent right now, but by the end of the summer she planned to show this town just how wild she could be. Maybe then her family would get off her back and let her make her own decisions. Maybe then they wouldn't continually set her up with boring country club losers. Just once, she'd like to meet a real man and know what it was like to feel his hands on her body. Maybe that would erase the memory of Mike he ex-boyfriend and first lover. God, how could her parents have actually expected her to marry him? He was BORING and... Even worse, he was predictable.

"Sher," Ethan said as he entered her room. "Theresa is downstairs. She and Luis are fixing to enjoy the pool and wants to know if we'd like to join them."

"Theresa is your girlfriend, right?" Sheridan asked picking up her suitcase and laying it on the bed. She unzipped it and found her favorite bikini lying on top.

"Yes." He said his eyes lighting up at the mention of Theresa's name. Did he know he was in love yet? If he didn't he was in for one hell of a surprise. "And Luis is her brother and my best friend."

Ah yes, Luis. Wasn't he the guy that Ethan was telling her about on the way up here? The love 'em and leave 'em, Mr. I'll-break-your-heart-in-a-New-York-minute guy? "Is that the playboy you warned me about?"

Ethan's eyes widened and he swiveled his head around to check to see if anyone else heard her comment. When he saw no one else was around he relaxed. "Sher, don't say things like that. The guy is my best friend, not to mention the fact that he's also my girlfriend's brother! Besides, I didn't say he was a playboy. I just said he was hell on women. "

"There's a difference?" Sheridan asked raising a brow. "Forget it. Don't bother answering that. I don't care that he's Mr. Heartbreaker. I don't plan to fall for any guys while I'm in town. The only thing I expect to do this summer is discourage my folks from trying to marry me off and to have fun. That's my only request for the whole summer. I just want to have fun and if Luis love 'em and leave 'em Lopez-whatever is the man to help me have that fun... then that's great. If he isn't then that's fine too. Regardless, I plan to kick up my heels this summer and by the time I'm done, no one will see me as little miss innocent anymore."

"Sher, you don't -"

"Ethan." she said interrupting him. She already knew what he was going to say. 'Don't go messing with Luis. He would only break her heart.' Ha, he had to have her heart before he could break it and there was no way in hell she was giving it up without a fight. "My mind is made up. Besides, the more you badmouth your friend the better he sounds."

That said she grabbed her bikini out of her suitcase and walked into the bathroom to change. She hoped Luis was as good looking as she pictured him. From what little Ethan had told her, he sounded like a dream. And who knows, she thought throwing off her light blue T-shirt and faded blue jeans, he might just be the man she was looking for. The man that would help her to ruin her good girl image once and for all.

Chapter Two

Luis climbed the ladder at the end of the pool and made his way toward the diving board. He wanted to work on his back flip. Luis perched himself on the edge of the diving board then jumped. He went high into the air, did a flip, then splash. He thought he heard a scream as he hit the water, but he couldn't be sure. When he came back up a few seconds later, he looked around and found a pair of wet, perfectly shaped, well-tanned legs standing by the edge of the pool.

Letting his gaze slowly travel upwards, he saw barely there blue bikini bottoms. He paused slightly then let his eyes travel higher until they landed on two well rounded breasts covered by two thin pieces of material. He let his gaze linger there a fraction of a second before moving up to see who the owner of the delicious looking body in front of him was. He noticed her ruby red lips first, then he raised his head until his eyes connected with hers. There was an instant electrical connection and then... she blinked and it was gone.

Luis shook his head then gave her a killer grin. "Sorry sweetheart, you should really watch where you're standing."

Her eyes widened then narrowed as she placed her hands on her hips. "Sorry? That's all you have to say? If you'd learn how to dive I wouldn't have to watch where I was standing. You do know you're aren't supposed to splash that much, don't you?"

He raised a brow at her in challenge. "Well if you think you can do better, I'd love to see it."

"What you think I can't?" She asked already walking toward the diving board. "Watch and learn splash boy, watch and learn."

She walked to the diving board and Luis couldn't contain his grin as he watched the sway of her hips. The girl was definitely hot. He watched as she jumped twice then went into a perfect dive. No splash. Damn, he thought as she broke the surface a second later, she was good. He clapped then sent her an appreciative smile. "Wow, sweetheart, you wanna do that again?"

He thought she was going to say no, but then she grinned. "Sure, are you gonna take notes?"

"Nah," he said pointing his right forefinger to his temple. "I have a photo graphic memory."

He wiggled his brows suggestively. She laughed then climbed back out of the pool and made her way toward the board again. She perched herself on the end, jumped twice, then once again did a perfect dive - no splash. Before she broke the surface, Luis made his way closer to her. When she came up for air, they were just inches apart.

Her eyes widened in surprise and then she broke into a beautiful breathtaking smile. "How was that?"

He looked into her eyes and swam a little closer until they were almost touching. "Perfect. Absolutely perfect."

She nodded unaware that he wasn't talking about the dive. "Good."

Luis reached out to move the hair back off her forehead and she shivered the moment his fingers touched her. He smiled. "So sweetheart, are you gonna tell me who you are now?"

She swallowed hard. "But I thought you - "

"Hey, Luis" Ethan called as he and Theresa made their way toward the pool. "Would you quit hitting on my cousin and come help us carry these drinks."

Cousin? She was Ethan's cousin? The girl Ethan had said was two steps shy of joining a convent? He couldn't help the laugh the bubbled out of his mouth. "You're little miss innocent?"

He knew he'd made a mistake as soon as the words left his mouth. Her jaw hardened and her eyes narrowed. "How dare you call me that! Innocent! Hmmph! I'll show you innocent!"

With that said she wrapped her arms around him and settled her lips over his. The moment their lips touched, his body kicked into overdrive. She kissed him expertly, yet at the same time, he could feel her innocence. Her hands moved over his back and he groaned as her nails lightly raked his skin. He slid his tongue along the edge of her lips and when she parted them, he slipped it inside. All thoughts fled his mind as she met him stroke for stroke. He pulled her close, rubbing his body against hers, letting her feel how much he wanted her. And just like that the moment was broken. She pulled away gasping for breath.

His eyes met hers and he groaned inwardly as he saw the desire in them. He knew she had no idea what she was revealing to him. He lowered his voice so that only she could hear. "Sweetheart, don't look at me like that. Unless, of course, you plan to finish what you started."

Her eyes widened once again and then like lightning she was out of the pool and walking into the house. Luis watched her go, then caught Ethan's bewildered look and Theresa's icy glare. He smiled and shrugged a shoulder, then dunked himself under the water praying it would help cool his overheated body.

* * * * *

SHERIDAN walked into her bedroom mortified at her own behavior. She had never done anything like that before. It was exhilarating, but at the same time, it had terrified her. She had kissed him like she'd only dreamed of kissing a man and he had responded. She knew he wanted her, she had felt his desire when he'd rubbed himself against her. She had wanted him too. That was why she pulled away. I mean how could she want him? She didn't even know him!

Sheridan turned and shut the door, then untied her bikini top. There was no way she was going back down there while Luis was there. She would be too embarrassed. But then again, if she didn't her plan to prove she wasn't little miss innocent would back fire in her face. Damn, she thought walking toward the window and glancing toward the pool. She was glad her window faced the backyard that way she could see what was going on out there without their knowing. She saw Ethan and Theresa, but she didn't see Luis. Had he left?

She turned away from the window and sighed. Then let her top fall to the floor. The guy had a body to die for, she thought remembering how the black swim trunks he wore left nothing to the imagination. When she'd walked outside she'd been so distracted by the sight of him she hadn't even realized she was standing so close to the pool. When the water from his dive hit her, she'd been so shocked she screamed. Then Luis had broke the surface and looked at her. She shivered as she remembered the way his eyes had slowly traveled up her body. Then she remembered the look in his eyes when he finally raised his head to her face. It had been pure male appreciation.

A sudden knock on her door interrupted her thoughts. "Who is it?" She asked grabbing a towel and wrapping it around her body.

"It's Luis."

Luis? What did he want? Surely, he didn't come up here to... finish what she started. Isn't that what he had said in the pool right before she ran? "Um, Luis I... What do you want?"

"Can I come in? Or do you plan to just talk to me through the door?"

She swallowed. He wanted to come into her bedroom? Why? "Um... just a second."

She dropped her towel, then picked her bikini top back up off the floor and retied it around her neck. Then she walked toward the door and opened it. Luis was leaning against the door jam with a white cotton towel wrapped around his hips. She hadn't thought he could look any hotter than he did in those black swim trunks, but... she was wrong. Because right now he looked sexy as sin.

"Hi," he said as his brown eyes meeting her blue ones. "Is it... is it okay if I come in?"

"Um," she glanced around the room then decided it really couldn't hurt anything. She stepped back from the door and waved him in. "Yeah."

"Great thanks." He walked in then turned back around to look at her. "Good, you're still wearing your swim suit."

Her swim suit? What did that have to do with anything? "Yes, I was just about to change when you... when you knocked on the door."

"Oh," he said giving her a boyish grin. "Then I guess I got here just in time."

She raised a brow. "Time for what?"

"In time to stop you, of course. What did you think I meant?"

There was no way she was going to tell him what she thought. No way at all. "It doesn't matter. Just tell me what you want."

"Sweetheart, that's a loaded question."

She stared into his eyes and nearly groaned when he winked at her. The man was just too much. "Get to the point already." Preferably, before she did something stupid like kiss him again.

"I wanted to apologize for what happened out by the pool."

He wanted to apologize? She was the one that had attached herself to him! "You have nothing to apologize for."

"Yes I do. I shouldn't have... I shouldn't have said what I said when you pulled away. And if I offended you I'm sorry."

Offended her? He thought she ran away because he offended her? She laughed. She couldn't help it. When she saw the surprise in his eyes, she laughed even harder. "You didn't offend me."

"I didn't? Then why did you come in?"

She stopped laughing at that. She couldn't tell him she'd been embarrassed by her own behavior. She couldn't tell him she'd come in because she'd wanted to take him up on his offer. Wait, she thought looking back into his deep brown eyes, why couldn't she tell him what she wanted? She wanted to shed her good girl image and he obviously was willing to help her out. It was perfect. But could she tell him without showing how inexperienced she really was? "Luis, I -"

Forget it, she thought shaking her head and walking toward him with a steady purpose. She would never be able to say the words. She could, however, show him. She stopped a few inches in front of him then without even thinking about what she was doing, she wrapped her arms around him and pulled his head to hers.

Chapter Three

"LUIS, I -" She shook her head and broke off without finishing. Then before he even knew what hit him, she had wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his head to hers. He was too startled to do anything at first, but then when he finally got his bearings and tried to pull back... she wouldn't let go.

Damn, he thought as she tightened her hold on his neck, he sure hadn't seen this one coming. He'd only meant to apologize to her for that comment he made about starting what she finished. He never dreamed she would actually take him up on it. She slid her tongue expertly along his lips and he groaned with the need for more. She was no little miss innocent, he thought sliding his hands up her back. He didn't care what Ethan said. He'd kissed his share of women before and he knew the difference between a woman who knew what she was doing to a man and one who didn't. And this one knew.

His hands slid up her back toward the ties of her bikini. He pulled a string and it gave way easily. He felt her stiffen and froze, then dropped his hand realizing things were fast becoming out of control. He backed up intending to pull away from her, but she refused to let go and ended up coming with him. His knees hit the back of the bed and before he realized what was happening he was lying on his back and she was on top of him.

Her hands made their way down his chest, toward the knot of his towel and with a flick of her wrist, the towel was gone. He still had his swim trunks on, but he knew she could feel how much he wanted her. She pressed herself into him and he lost complete control. The match had been lit and it's flame was burning out of control.

The woman was definitely not what she appeared to be. Ethan was wrong. She had more experience than he thought she did. But even if she didn't what the hell did he care? She was the one coming on to him. It was the least he could do to accommodate her.

Luis wrapped his arms around her waist then flipped them over so that he was now the one on top. She gave a startled gasp against his lips, but then quickly relaxed. He ran his hands up her sides, then took her arms and placed them above her head. He pulled his lips away to kiss the hollow space where her neck met her shoulder and she arched against him. He smiled against her soft skin then started to kiss a path over her shoulders toward her breasts. She softly moaned his name and he thought he would go insane.

He let go of her hands and had just started to untie the strings at her neck, when he heard the creak of the door behind him and a voice ask, "What the hell is going on here?!"

Ethan. Oh hell.

* * * * *

SHERIDAN stilled instantly. That was Ethan's angry voice. She looked up into Luis apologetic gaze and realized what had been about to happen. Oh god, she thought closing her eyes and leaning her head back against the bed, things had definitely gotten out of control. All she meant to do was kiss him. How was she to know he'd respond like that?

But you should have known, a voice instead her head admonished, you should have known because Ethan warned you. Sheridan realized Luis was used to women throwing themselves at him. What would he say if he knew she'd never done anything like this before? Sure, she'd slept with a guy before, but only after they had been dating for almost two years.

Luis slowly backed up off her and nodded toward her chest. She looked down and saw that her bikini was no longer covering her breasts. She blushed then reached behind her back to tie it back in place. Once she had it situated, Luis moved out of the way. That's when she came face to face with Ethan and Theresa. She really wasn't sure who was more shocked, Ethan, Theresa, Luis or her. It was probably a toss up.

"Ethan -" she stopped unsure of what to say next.

But then Luis didn't give her the chance to say anything else either. "This is my fault."

Ethan's eyes narrowed and his hands balled into a fist. "No kidding! We thought you left! We were coming to make sure Sheridan was okay. Hell, Luis I thought I knew you, but I had no idea you'd stoop so low as to take advantage of my cousin!"

Luis' whole body tensed and Sheridan knew she had to do something before he and Ethan said something they would both regret. "Ethan, this was my fault not Luis. I'm the one that started it. Luis was just following my lead."

Ethan grunted in disbelief. "You don't have to lie for him Sher. I know how he operates! Hell, I used to be just like him until I met Theresa!"

Luis shook his head and turned to meet her eyes. "Forget it Sher. He obviously isn't going to buy it and you know I wouldn't either. This should not have happened. I should have stopped it and I'm sorry I didn't."

"Sorry? You're sorry." She walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. He jumped back as if she'd burned him. Now it was her turn to shake her head. "I'm the one that should be sorry, Luis. This was my fault. I didn't mean for things to go so far."

He nodded and glanced toward the window. "Don't worry. It won't happen again."

"Luis, that's not what I -" he didn't let her finish. He just turned, picked up his towel, and walked out of the room.

Sheridan started to go after him, but Ethan stepped in her way. "Let him go, Sher."

"Damn it, Ethan!" She said placing her hands on her hips. "This was not his fault. I came on to him. He tried to stop me, but I didn't let him. Now let me by so I can apologize to him."

Ethan looked at her for a minute then shook his head. "You don't owe him anything, Sher. I'm the one that flew off the handle. So I'm the one that needs to apologize."

Sheridan nodded as Ethan turned and left the room. She hoped he really was going to apologize. After all, it wasn't Luis fault. She had started it. All Luis had done was respond. She turned and saw Theresa sitting on the bed looking at her with a curious expression on her face. Sheridan had no idea what she should say. She'd never done anything remotely like this before. God, she thought running a hand through her short blond curls and walking over to sit beside Theresa, if she really wanted to ruin her good girl reputation, she'd certainly found the right man to help her do it.

Chapter Four

LUIS walked out of the house calling himself every name in the book. Ethan had warned him that Sher was off limits. But did he care? No, he'd almost had sex with her right there in the house. Hell, he'd been so caught up in the moment he'd totally forgot that they'd left the damn bedroom door open. How could he have been so stupid? He knew better than to get involved with Ethan's family. He and Ethan had been this same route when Ethan started dating Theresa all those months ago. Luis knew exactly how Ethan felt right now. That's why he didn't really blame him for the things he'd said. Yeah, it had hurt hearing Ethan think that of him, but what could he do? He'd thought the same exact thing when he'd caught Ethan and Theresa in bed together. It was definitely not a moment he wanted to relive again that's for sure.

Luis walked over to where he'd thrown his jeans earlier and picked them up. Then he made his way toward the pool house where the rest of his clothes were and started to get dressed. Had he really just met Ethan's cousin today? God, he thought pulling on his jeans and running a hand through his thick black hair, what the hell had he just done? She may have acted like she had a lot of experience, but he'd seen that blush and that look in her eyes after they'd pulled apart. She'd been shocked by what had almost happened. What would have happened had Ethan and Theresa not interrupted them. Maybe she had just been caught up in the moment too. Maybe all she wanted was a kiss and he'd... he'd, being the player that he was, took it to mean she wanted more.

He felt like a heel. Maybe Ethan was right. Maybe he had taken advantage of her. Hell, he knew how to get a woman to respond to him, he'd been around the block enough times. But... he'd really thought she wanted him. He shook his head and pulled on his white T-shirt. That was probably just his arrogance talking, he thought. If she had wanted him, really wanted him, then why would she had looked at him with fear in her eyes? That's what that look had been. Fear. He could kick himself for putting it there. One thing was for sure. He was not going to go near her again. He wouldn't risk his friendship with Ethan just so he could get laid.

Luis pulled on his socks and shoes, then started collecting his tools. He wanted to get out of here before Ethan and Theresa came out and laid into him for what they'd walked in on. He was doing a good enough job all by himself. He put all his tools in his toolbox and started to pick it up when he heard someone walk up behind him. Damn, he thought straightening up, he'd taken too long. He turned and found himself staring into Ethan's hooded eyes.

Just great. He'd better head this conversation off and quick. He didn't want to get into an argument with Ethan. "Look you don't have to say anything. I know I screwed up. I don't care what Sher said. It was my fault. I should have backed off and I didn't. For that I'm sorry."

Ethan shook his head. "From what Sher said, she wouldn't let you back off."

Luis looked at him a raised a brow. "You buy that? I mean with both know had I wanted to back off, I would have."

"Yeah, we do know that. The only thing I want to know is why you didn't? I told you Sher was innocent that she wasn't that experienced and yet you still went into her bedroom. Why?"

If he'd known what was going to happen he wouldn't have gone up there. Well, maybe he would have, but he wouldn't have given her the chance to... okay maybe he would have done that too. Ah, hell, he couldn't tell Ethan this. He'd kill him. "I only went to apologize for something I said to her earlier. I thought maybe she ran off because I offended her. I wasn't expecting her to..."

"Wasn't expecting her to what?" Ethan asked when he didn't continue. "Attack you?"

"Attack me? Did she tell you that? Hell, Ethan the only thing she did was kiss me. I took it from there."

Ethan shook his head. "I'm not so sure about that. Sher is different than she was when I last saw her. She's not what exactly who I thought she was anymore. I don't know what's going on with her exactly, but I do know that she had a major role in what happened up there. I know you buddy. And no matter what I said upstairs, I know you wouldn't have taken advantage of her."

Luis wasn't so sure he agreed with him, but he smiled just the same "Thanks buddy. I have to admit she caught me off guard up there. But I won't let it happen again. I'm not going to get involved with her. No matter what she does, I know that deep down, she's too innocent for me."

Ethan raised a brow. "I'm not exactly sure 'too innocent' is the description I would use to describe my cousin anymore. She certainly didn't look that innocent to me. But then neither did Theresa when I first started dating her."

He grinned. "Yeah, but you and I both know Theresa is one of a kind. She wasn't about to make it easy for you to say no."

Ethan laughed. "Ain't that the truth? I still can't tell her no."

"Yeah, I know the feeling." Luis said joining in his laughter. "All right Crane, why don't you help me clean this stuff up? I'm think I've had enough one day. I'll make up the work tomorrow."

Ethan nodded and helped him start putting the tools and wood inside the part of the pool house that actually had a roof right now. Luis knew he still had a lot of work to do, but he could save it for tomorrow. He wouldn't get much more done today anyway. At least, not while a beautiful blond with short curly hair and bright blue eyes was still plaguing his mind.

* * * * *

"SHERIDAN, you mean to tell me that you kissed my brother and he tried to pull away? And you wouldn't let him?" Sheridan could see the disbelief on Theresa's face and wondered why. Luis was her brother. You would think she would believe in him a little more.

"Yes, that's what I'm telling you. Theresa this really wasn't Luis doing. He came in here to apologize for something he said earlier. He'd thought he'd offended me. I told him he didn't and then I kissed him."

"And that's when he tried to pull back?" Theresa asked with a raised brow.

"Yes that was the first time he tried to pull back."

"First time? You mean there was more than once?"

"Yes." Sheridan nodded. "He tried to pull back a second time and I wouldn't let go then either. We ended up falling back onto the bed and... Well, things got a little out of control after that. I think we both got too caught up in the moment."

"But Luis really tried to pull away? Wow."

"Why are you so shocked?" Sheridan asked, her confusion finally getting the better of her. "I mean he's your brother."

"Yes and I love him dearly" Theresa answered. "But I also know how he treats women. Sher, he isn't the type of guy a woman wants to get involved with. He doesn't do serious. He doesn't get involved with a woman long term. The longest he's ever been with a girl was two months and that was only because she was out of town for three weeks."

Theresa didn't know she had just made her brother sound even better. The last thing she wanted to do was get involved with a guy, especially one that wanted more than a summer fling. That would totally ruin her plan. All she wanted was to find a guy to help her ruin her good girl image. She was almost positive that guy was Luis. "Theresa, I'm not looking for anything serious. The only thing I want to do for this whole summer is to have fun. That's all. Just have fun. Luis seems like a fun guy. Why shouldn't I have fun with him?"

"Because." Theresa said standing up and starting to pace the room. "I'm not sure how to explain this, but I'll try. Luis is not your average guy, Sher. Yeah, he loves to play the field, but he's also a great guy with a good heart. I've seen women, women who wanted the same thing as you, to have fun, no strings attached, fall for him without even realizing what was happening. After a few dates, they get attached to him. The reason being, Luis isn't like what they first thought. He's a lot of fun, but he also treats them with respect. Once they realize he isn't just a pretty face, that's he really smart and has a really good heart, then they start to want more and that's when Luis ends things. Because he doesn't want more."

Sheridan thought about what Theresa said for a minute then got up and walked toward the window. She knew what Theresa was trying to tell her. She was worried that she would fall for Luis. But that wasn't going to happen. Giving him her heart wasn't part of her plan. She kept that closely guarded. No one, not even Mike the guy she had dated for two years, had managed to get past its high walls.

Sher looked out the window and saw Luis talking with Ethan. Luis had put on a pair of faded blue jeans and a white T-shirt. He had looked hot in his black swim trunks, but she had to admit he looked extremely sexy now. She really hoped Ethan had apologized to him. They didn't look as if they were arguing. They actually looked like they were laughing. Luis had a really sexy smile she thought, the kind of smile that would make a woman be tempted to sin. She shook her head and laughed. She had been tempted. More than tempted actually.

She watched as Luis and Ethan turned and started to put pieces of wood and tools inside the pool house. What was he thinking? Was he sorry about what had happened between them? She hoped not because she wasn't. If anything, she wished they hadn't been interrupted. Oh sure, she'd had a moment of panic when she realized what had almost happened, but then she realized she had wanted it to happen. She had wanted Luis.

Luis picked up a toolbox and he and Ethan started walking toward the front of the house. Just before they walked out of her view, Luis looked up and their eyes connected. She smiled, but he didn't. He just looked away and walked out of sight. Well, at least now she had a answer, she thought shaking her head, he regretted it.

Sheridan sighed then turned to find Theresa watching her with interest. "What?" she asked walking toward her suitcase and pulling out clothes so she could go and change out of her bikini.

"Nothing." Theresa said shaking her head and walking toward the door. "I'm going to go talk to Ethan. But I hope you'll think about what I said?"

"I'll think about it." Not that it was going to do any good.

Theresa nodded and walked out into the hall. Sher started to make her way toward the bathroom, but stopped when she heard Theresa ask Ethan about what happened between him and Luis.

"Well," Ethan was saying. "He pretty much said what he said up here. That it was his fault. That things just got out of hand. That it wouldn't happen again. He said that he thought Sher was still too innocent for him."

Too innocent? Luis still thought she was too innocent for him? Ooh, she thought walking into the bathroom and slamming the door, she was going to make him regret he said that. Tomorrow she would make him see that she was anything but innocent! She may have had a brief moment of panic when Ethan and Theresa interrupted them, but she would make damn sure it didn't happen tomorrow. Oh yes, she thought taking off her bikini and turning on the shower, it was time to step up her plans. After tomorrow Luis would never see her as innocent again. In fact, she thought stepping under the shower spray, after tomorrow no one would ever think of her as little miss innocent again.

Chapter Five

The sweat glistened off Luis back and her fingers itched to touch him. She smiled when she realized he hadn't noticed her standing there yet. An idea suddenly formed in her mind and as quietly as she could, she walked up behind him. The moment she was close enough, she ran her forefinger down his back stopping at the edge of his jeans. He gave an involuntary shiver and slowly turned around. Then
he smiled and without warning took her in his arms. His mouth came down hard on hers and started them in a soul-searching, heart-stopping kiss. By the time he finally pulled away, her heart was hammering in her chest.

Wait, Sheridan thought as she slowly started to wake up and open her eyes, that wasn't her heart hammering in her chest. No, the noise she was hearing sounded like it was coming from outside. Sheridan threw back the covers and walked to the window. Sure enough, there was Luis hard at work. He was currently hammering in a nail, which she now knew was the noise that had woken her. He looked just as he had in her dream. He wore faded blue jeans, no shirt, and she could see the sweat glistening off his body even from her second floor window.

In her dream, she'd run her finger down his back and he'd given an involuntary shiver. Then he'd turned around taken her in his arms and kissed her. She smiled remembering the feel of his lips as they met her own. God, the man could kiss. She watched as he bent down to pick up another nail and felt an idea forming in her head. She'd often heard the phrase dreams do come true. Maybe it was time to see if it was really true.

She walked to the closet and pulled out a pair of faded cutoffs and a white tank top that allowed her to show off her belly button. She smiled. Luis was in for a big surprise today, she thought walking into the bathroom to change out of her nightgown. She doubted that he would be expecting to see her this morning. But that didn't bother her any. In fact, she rather liked catching him off guard. She laughed and pulled on her cutoffs. Ah, yes, Mr. I'll-break-your-heart-in-a-New-York-minute wouldn't know what hit him.

Sher finished dressing, then brushed her hair and teeth. She put on a small amount of makeup and a touch of her favorite perfume then started to make her way downstairs. She stopped when she passed Ethan's door and heard him say her name.

"No, Sher doesn't know. I thought I'd let it be a surprise. Hey who knows, maybe she'll meet the man of her dreams at this party tonight. Maybe, if we're lucky, she'll even change her mind and stay away from Luis."

Fat chance, she thought, as she stepped away from Ethan's door and made her way downstairs. She had already made up her mind and there was nothing Ethan or anyone else could do to change it. Luis was the perfect man to help her ruin her good girl image. He'd already proven himself twice now and if she was really lucky... he'd prove it again today.

* * * * *

Luis wiped the sweat off the back of his neck, then started to hang another board. He stopped when he realized he couldn't hold the board and hammer in the nail at the same time. Damn, he thought shaking his head, it was times like these when he wished he'd taken Ethan up on his offer to help him. He supposed he'd have to go inside and ask him now.

Luis had just started to lower the board when he felt someone run a finger down his spine. "What the -"

"Need some help?" A voice asked interrupting him.

Oh hell. He wasn't ready to see her yet. In fact, he had hoped he could avoid seeing her all day today. Evidently, she didn't share the same sentiment. "I'm not sure your helping me is such a good idea."

"Why?" She asked walking her fingers up his back. He had to force himself not to react. But then, just as he thought he had himself under control, she stepped closer and whispered in his ear. "Because you don't trust yourself?"

He shivered as her warm breath hit his ear. Then again, a second later, when she slowly ran her hands down his arms and over sides. He nearly groaned in agony when she wrapped her arms around his waist and slowly started running her hands up his chest. God, he thought gripping the board in his hand until his knuckles turned white, the girl was trying to kill him. "Sher, don't -"

"Don't what?" She asked as she softly bit his ear. "Don't do this?"

She ran a hand over his butt and he barely managed to keep himself from groaning aloud. A second later, she ran her other hand down his chest toward the button on his jeans. Then she slowly circled the button with one slender finger and he lost all self-control. He threw the board down in front of him and turned to pull her roughly into his arms. Then he kissed her - hard. If she wanted to play games, then she had learn that there were consequences. His forced her mouth open with his tongue then explored her mouth with determined thoroughness. She didn't pull away. In fact, she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him closer. Okay, he thought as her tongue dueled with his, this approach was definitely not going to work. He pulled back a moment later and looked into her eyes. He saw, not fear this time, but burning desire. The same burning desire that was, at this very moment, coursing through his veins. Ah hell. "Sweetheart, you're playing with fire and you're about to get burned."

She laughed. She actually laughed. "Really? Well, at least I won't be burning alone."

This time he did groan aloud. Damn it, he had to get control of himself. He had told Ethan that what had happened yesterday wouldn't happen again. He had to be stronger. He couldn't... wouldn't jeopardize his friendship with Ethan. He shook his head and stepped back away from her. "This is not going to happen, sweetheart."

"Why not?" she asked her blue eyes sparkling with mischief. "I promise it will be fun."

She started to reach for him again, but then they heard the back screen door open and she stopped her hand in midair. He glanced around her and saw Ethan and Theresa walking toward them. Thank god. He didn't know how much more he'd be able to take or how much longer he could resist.

"Hey Ethan, I could really use your help over here." In more ways than one, he thought as he turned around and grabbed the board he'd thrown down a few minutes before. "Can you hold this board up while I hammer in a few nails?"

"Sure thing buddy." Ethan walked over and held the board up with both hands while Luis hammered in the nails. When all the nails were in, they both stepped back to survey what they'd done. But when Luis stepped back he didn't know Sher was so close behind him and almost knocked her over. He reached out and grabbed her arms to steady her. "Sorry. I didn't know you were so close."

She gave him another one of those flirty smiles and ran a finger up his chest. He narrowed his eyes about to say something when Theresa interrupted them. "Hey Sher, Ethan and I are going into Boston today. Why don't you join us?"

Please say yes, he thought letting her go and walking over to grab another board. If she stayed here and they were alone, who knew what would happen. "I don't think so." He heard her say. "I want to stay here and work on... my tan."

Tan? Did she say tan? Oh hell. She had to go. If she stayed... Well, he wasn't even going to think about it. "You have the whole summer to work on your tan." He said turning around to face her. "Why don't you go into Boston with Ethan and Theresa. I bet it would be a lot of fun."

She laughed. "No thanks. I've been to Boston before. I don't need to go again. Besides, I really want to work on... my tan."

He caught the slight hesitation in her voice, but he had no idea what it meant. He wasn't sure he wanted to know either. "Suit yourself."

"That sounds like a great idea. I think I'll go change into my suit right now." Oh god. That wasn't what he meant! He couldn't take seeing her in seeing her in another bikini all afternoon. He just couldn't. She was halfway to the house when she turned around again. "Have fun in Boston guys. I'll see you tonight at the party."

With that, she was gone. He turned to look at Theresa and Ethan, who both had a surprised look on their face. Had he missed something? 'You guys okay?"

Ethan recovered first. "Yeah, I just... I didn't know she knew about the party tonight. Did you tell her?"

"Me? No, I wasn't even sure it was still on until just now."

Theresa nodded. "Yeah, it's still on. Ethan wanted to surprise Sher and introduce her to everyone, but I guess that's out of the question now. I wonder how she found out."

"Who knows." Ethan said shaking his head. "One of the maids could have let it slip or something."

"That's true enough." Luis said barely able to hide his smile. The maid were really good at spilling secrets. In fact, that's how he'd learned where Sher's bedroom was yesterday. "Well you guys I've got to get back to work. Have fun in Boston."

"Thanks." Ethan said taking Theresa's hand in his. "We'll be back in time for the party. But if anyone arrives early, you know what to do."

"Yeah, I'll take care of it."

Ethan nodded. "Good. We'll see you later then."

"Okay." Luis said watching them walk back into the house hand in hand. An image of a blond in a barely there blue bikini flashed in his mind, but he immediately forced it back out again. He had a lot of work to do today. He wasn't sure he could get it all done as it was. He knew he wouldn't if he let her continually invade his thoughts. He shook his head then turned back around more than ready to lose himself in his work.

* * * * *

Sheridan walked into her bedroom intent on finding the perfect bathing suit. She knew Luis was going to try and ignore her this afternoon, but there was no way she was going to let him. She walked to the dresser and pulled out the red bikini she had purchased a few weeks ago. She knew red was a good color for her and she knew she looked good in this particular bikini too. She laughed as she tried to picture her parent's reaction if they knew she'd bought it. They still thought of her as a little girl. The last bathing suit her mother bought her was an unflattering turquoise one-piece that she had only worn once - the day her mother had given it to her. After that, Sher had bought all her own bathing suits and kept them hidden in a special box in her closet. She'd been saving them for this summer.

Her parents were so concerned about appearances that they would totally flip out over the thought of her wearing such a revealing bikini. Too bad, she thought throwing off her tank top and bra and putting on her bikini top, they would just have to learn the hard way that she was old enough to make her own decisions. She smiled and slid her shorts and underwear down her legs then pulled on her matching bikini bottoms. She was going to teach them that she was her own woman and that she made her own decisions. She was through allowing them to control her life. She knew that even though they weren't here watching her every move that Julian and Ivy would relay what was going on. Ah, yes by the time she was finished, her parents or anyone else would never look at her the same way again.

Suddenly an idea occurred to her and she slipped her cutoffs back on over her bikini bottoms. What would Luis do if she were to strip for him? She could just imagine the look in his eyes as she slowly slid the shorts down her legs. She could just see the way his eyes would darken. Would he come to her then? Would he take her in his arms and kiss her again? She hoped so. She loved kissing him. She smiled and raised a hand to touch her lips. Even now twenty minutes later, she could still feel the heat from that kiss he'd given her. The man definitely knew how to kiss a woman. She supposed he'd had enough practice at it.

She had to admit that his experience bothered her some. She knew he was way ahead of her in that area and she briefly wondered if he could tell how inexperienced she was. She hoped he couldn't. It would ruin the whole effect she was gong for. She knew Ethan had told him she was innocent, but she hoped that she had given him enough reason to doubt that description. If not, she certainly planned to do it today. She knew she was being rather forward in her pursuit of him and she couldn't really say why. She had the whole summer to destroy her reputation and yet the moment she saw him climb the diving board and dive into the pool, she'd made the decision to get his attention. She wasn't sure what had prompted her to kiss him or the episode in the bedroom later on, but she knew she didn't regret it. She couldn't. He was way too hot for her to regret doing anything with him.

Sher shook her head to clear her thoughts. "Come on Sher, get down to that pool. It's time to put your plan in motion."

Operation seduce Luis was about to begin!

* * * * *

"Luis?" Sher called from behind him. "This water looks awfully good. Care to join me for a swim?"

Luis stopped his hammer in midair and turned around even though he told himself he shouldn't. Sher was standing at the edge of the pool, wearing a very revealing red bikini top and a pair of daisy duke cutoffs. God, she was hot. He watched mesmerized as she slowly unbuttoned her shorts and slid them down her legs. Then he continued to watch as she kicked her shorts out of the way and walked to the edge of the pool.

She gave him a sexy little smile and dove into the water. He tried to turn away, but he found he couldn't. He watched as she slicked the hair back away from her face and climbed the ladder, making her way toward the diving board. He could see the beads of water clinging to her skin and felt his groin tighten in response. When she glanced at him and winked, Luis dropped the hammer in his hands

He reached down to pick it up and nearly had a heartattack when he straightened back up just in time to see Sher untie her bikini top and let it fall to the ground. At first, he thought he was dreaming, but then he realized he wasn't. He shook his head and forced himself to turn away from her. It took everything he had but he managed finally managed to do it. He knew if he didn't get himself under control and fast that he would walk over there, take her in his arms, and start a fire neither one of them would be able to put out. He groaned and decided the best thing he could do would be to concentrate on his work. Just as he was about to hammer in another nail, her bikini bottoms hit him in the face and he heard a splash. Oh god, Sher was naked in that pool.

* * * * *

Sheridan knew she was going a little overboard, but she didn't care. She was fighting for control of her own life and the only way to win was to make her folks - and Ethan - realize she was through playing little miss innocent. Sheridan watched as Luis turned toward her, her red bikini bottoms dangling from his right forefinger. "Did you lose something?"

She grinned. "I sure did. Would you mind bringing it to me?"

She swam to the edge of the pool and the moment he got close enough for her to reach, she grabbed his pant leg and pulled him in. He came up sputtering and she grinned. "Why Luis you're all wet."

He shook his head. "Sher, be careful. You're on dangerous ground here."

She grinned again and swam closer until she was just an inch away from him. "How dangerous?" She asked as she closed the gap between them and wrapped her legs around his waist.

"This dangerous?" she asked settling her hips over his.

"Or maybe this dangerous." She whispered pressing her breasts against his chest and staring into his eyes. "Which is it Luis? Because the curiosity is killing me."

* * * * *

Luis groaned and did the only thing he could. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her as if his life depended on it. The moment she opened her lips to him, his tongue darted inside to mate with hers. The kiss went on and on until they were both out of breath and begging for more.

Sher rubbed her breasts against his chest and Luis felt his groin tighten even more... if that were possible. The woman had to know what she was doing to him. As he finally raised his head, he saw that she did and that she was enjoying every damn minute of it. Well, he thought, two could play at that game.

Luis placed his hand under her buttocks and raised her so that her breasts were even with his face. Then he took one nipple into his mouth and began a gentle sucking that had her moaning in pleasure. She wrapped her arms around his neck in an attempt to hold his head to her breast. He continued his slow torture of her breast then moved to the other side to give it the same treatment. He ran his tongue over one taut nipple and Sher lost it. Her head flew back, her legs tightened around his waist and she climaxed right there in the pool. He smiled, he'd made her lose control. The thought alone caused him to go right over the edge with her.

Luis held her until the tides ebbed then slowly lowered her to the ground, letting her body slid against his own on the way. He pulled back to look into her face. There was a sense of wonderment in her eyes that he knew he had put there. It made him feel as if he were the greatest man alive. She smiled a brilliant I've-been-kicked-in-the-gut smile then lowered his face until her lips touched his. He was so lost in the kiss that he didn't hear the back door open. In fact, he didn't even know they had company until he heard the wolf whistle and a male voice say, "Well, well, well, what do you we have here?"

Oh god, he thought pulling away and standing in front of Sheridan to hide her body from the two pairs of male eyes standing at the edge of the pool. It was just his luck to be caught in such a compromising position by Hank "Big Mouth" Bennett and Josh "The Babe Hunter" Edwards.

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Too Hot To Handle Ch 1 - 5	OKDeanna	8/21/03 8:21 pm
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