Chapter 3

When they spoke on Sunday, Dave and Kayla both agreed it would be beneficial if they kept their intentions towards one another on the down low, until the academy was over in a few weeks. They figured that they didn't need the extra ribbing they would get from their peers. Plus, they already had enough to deal with on their own with Kayla's issues; they didn't need anyone else's input or opinions about their situation. They also figured that since the academy pretty much left them wiped each night, they would only see each other on the weekends until they were done. They had put so much time and effort in the past few months; they didn't need any distractions when it was time to be serious.

But, this didn't mean they weren't going to tease each other as much as humanly possible. On Monday morning, as they were doing laps, Dave ran up next to Kayla and whispered "I never thought I'd have a girlfriend who was a virgin when I was 27."

Kayla looked at him cross. "What are you talking about?"

"You."

"Um, okay crack baby, didn't we discuss this all weekend, I'm not."

"Well, technically you are. At least in my eyes. I'm of the opinion that it doesn't count. Not like doesn't count in the sense of what you've been through doesn't matter, but given the situation and circumstance of events, it didn't count towards your first time."

"And how do you figure this?" she queried.

"Well, because you were forced, and you didn't want to, so it doesn't count. But, when we sleep together, it'll count, because you'll be begging for it," he winked as he sped up, leaving Kayla behind to contemplate the intensity and sensuality behind his words.

That started a week long game of who could drive who nuts. When they'd do stretches in the morning, Kayla would stand in front of Dave so he had a perfect view of her ass. There were intentional brushes up against each other, gentle squeezes, and quick stolen pecks, all in an attempt to keep their budding relationship hush hush. Then at night, there were intense phone conversations that oozed sexual flirtation, as well as deep discussion. Kayla got to know Dave better in that week than she had known any man. She was also beginning to allow herself to have feelings for him. And again, this was new to her as well. She'd become deeply attracted to him. But, as much as she was trying to be open with him, she didn't know if she could take their relationship to the next step-actual physical intimacy.

Friday night rolled around, and another week of the academy was down. They went out to dinner to an Italian place on Friday night, and made it an early evening, both tired from being up since the early morning. Kayla fell asleep in Dave's lap, and he gently picked her up to carry her to bed. He placed her down and pulled the covers up over her. When he kissed her forehead goodnight, she woke briefly, grabbing his hand to pull him down on the bed with her. Dave snuggled up close behind her and they slept together, much the same as they had the previous weekend.

When she woke Saturday morning, Dave was gone from the bed, and the house was filled with the smell of coffee and bacon. She breathed it in deeply and her stomach growled its approval. She paused at the entrance to the kitchen, watching Dave cook in just his jeans. He lean, muscled back was facing her and she long to touch him, to feel the ridges of his physique. She walked up to him and ran her fingertips down his back, encircling his waist, and placing a light kiss between his shoulder blades.

"Well Good Morning," her said, looking back at her, his hair a little tousled as it was starting to grow back in a bit longer. He placed his right hand over hers that were entwined at his waist and asked, "Sleep well?"

"Yea and it must have taken a lot out of me cuz I'm starving now."

"Well sit down my dear. Breakfast is almost ready," he kissed her lightly on her hairline and returned to his cooking.

After they ate, Kayla offered to clean up. Dave eagerly took her up on it, for as much as he loved to cook, he hated to clean up. He placed his hands on her shoulders as she was washing the dishes and turned her around so she faced him. H moved his hands up from her shoulders to cup her face and gave her a lingering, passionate kiss. Kayla's head dropped back, her eyes closed, and she wound her soapy hands into Dave's hair. Dave pushed her back against the counter, and tangled his hands in her hair, pulling her deeper into him. She moaned into his mouth, as he continued kissing her till they were both left breathless. When he pulled away, her kissed the tip of her nose, told her he had errands to run, and that he'd be back later. He left Kayla weak-kneed, holding onto the counter for support, and more aroused than she probably ever had been.

Kayla spent the day cleaning up, but her mind was clouded by that kiss. She loved the feel of the heat of his mouth and tongue on hers, and shuddered when she wondered how it would feel on other parts of her body. She took a long, hot shower after she finished cleaning up, and decided to paint her toenails. She selected a dark red, and had just sat down on the couch when Dave knocked on the door. She was happy he was back, but saddened that her girly moment was interrupted. She gave him a quick kiss when he walked in and returned to the couch.

"Whatcha doin?" he asked.

"Well, I was going to paint my toenails, but then you rang the doorbell, so now I'm sitting here, talking to you," she said smiling.

He saw the bottle of red polish on the table, and picked it up. "Gimme your feet," he said.

"Why, are you gonna draw on me with that stuff?"

"If you don't stop being a smartass, then yeah. Now, gimme your feet."

Kayla stretched her legs out across his lap, and settled comfortably in the corner of the couch. She watched him as he started on her right big toe, and slowly and carefully worked his way across her foot. When he finished the first one, he slowly blew a stream of air across her toes to expedite the drying process, and tease her. She pulled her foot back.

"Stay still or you're gonna mess it up."

"Well it tickles." She smiled and get out a giggle, thinking about how this macho soon to be cop was sitting on her couch, practically giving her a pedicure.

"What are you laughing at?" he asked.

"You, you're just not at all what I expected you'd be." Kayla tilted her head into the couch cushion and smiled. "I mean I don't have a lot of experience with guys. I really don't know that many well at all, but I just never expected you to be like this."

He picked up her left foot and began working on it. "And how did you expect me to be?" he asked curiously.

"I don't know, more macho I guess. Not as sensitive and caring as you are. You're sincere and real, and I like it, but I just never expected it. Maybe it's not just that I didn't expect it from you, but I guess I didn't think any man could be like you are."

"Awww, and to think there for a second I thought I was special," he said as he began to blow on the other foot.

She jerked up again, startled by the gentle tickling. "Shut up, you know what I mean. I didn't say you weren't special. You are... I guess that I just never thought anyone would make me feel that way too," Kayla said, baring her soul to him, no longer able to look him in the eyes.

"Hey look at me," he pleaded. When she did, he told her something she probably needed to here for a long time. "You are amazing. You deserve the best that life has to offer and all the happiness you can handle. You've been allowing your past to dictate your life for too long, and as hard as it is to do, you need to let go of the pain and allow yourself to feel again, because if you don't, you're gonna miss out on a lot of great experiences."