8 years ago...

Lizzy looked across the table at Brian, who sat joking with some of his employees. This was not what she had in mind when she had insisted on a date. As if reading her mind, he looked over at her and smiled.

Her blood was boiling, everyone around her had asked for a beer, but when it came her turn Brian ordered her a soft drink. She knew what he was up to, he was purposely trying to make her feel like a kid, reminding himself and her that he was too old for her.

Brian had a couple of women on his crew, and this fact had impressed Lizzy, until she realized that they were all in love with him. After that, all she could do was see them as a potential problem for him and her. In fact, at that very moment one of the women sat down next to him and was continuing to inch herself closer to him by pretending that she was having a hard time hearing him.

Eventually, he excused himself and headed to the men's room to get away from the situation.

"How long have you known Brian?" the fake redhead asked as she watched him walk away. Lizzy was surprised she wasn't licking her lips.

"For a while." She sipped her drink.

"You're lucky, he sees you as a sister. You don't have to worry about looking your best so you can just be yourself."'

Like hell he saw her as a sister. Not after the kiss they had shared.

"Several of the women on the crew have tried to catch him, but he's very picky." She kept watching the door for Brian's return.

Lizzy wanted to ask her what made her different from all of the rest but thought better of it and remained silent.

"What's it like working side by side with him in the office?"

"He's rarely there. Most times he's out on job sites." Lizzy was pleased that she didn't have to lie about it, and the redhead looked pleased by her revelation.

She didn't have to turn around to know exactly when Brian was returning, the redhead pushed her hair behind her ear and leaned forward towards Lizzy, exposing her ample bosom.

When Brian returned, instead of sitting next to the redhead he sat next to Lizzy, and just as he sat the young man on her other side asked her for a dance.

Lizzy loved to dance, and since Brian was doing his best to make this a group outing she saw no reason she shouldn't dance with the man, so she stood up and let him lead her to the dance floor. He was very polite as he placed one hand on her hip and took her hand in his. They were a few steps into the slow number when the song changed to a fast one, 'Stagger Lee'.

Lizzy grinned and looked at him to see if he was up for it, his return grin told her all she needed to know.

He was an excellent dancer, and after they both realized that they each could carry their own on the dance floor. they let go and it was a blast. He dipped and twirled Lizzy as he walked her across the floor, and Lizzy's was enjoying herself so much that she was oblivious to the fact that as she spun her short dress twirled up showing off her long legs.

When the song ended she fell against him laughing and the entire bar erupted in cheering. They bowed and he escorted her back to the table.

"Where did you learn to dance like that?" he asked after she was seated.

"Believe it or not, my mother. She insisted all of her kids know how to dance."

"I thank your mother then, I haven't had that good of a time on the dance floor in a long time."

She no sooner sat down then Brian asked her if she was ready to leave, and she was pleased to see that he looked upset. Nodding, she said farewell to the table as he led the way out of the restaurant.

As soon as they rounded the corner to the parking lot he grabbed her and kissed her hard.

Lizzy had no clue why he had a sudden change of heart, but it was what she wanted most so she kissed him for all she was worth.

Brian's hands were in her hair and he had backed her up against the wall of the building. Lizzy's hands were around his neck and in his hair before she even knew it. She had no clue how long the kiss went on for before he stepped away from her, but when he did they were both breathing heavy.

"What the hell was that?" he growled.

"It felt like a kiss to me."

"Not the kiss, the dance."

"I was asked to dance, so I danced. What's the big deal?" She had danced with her brothers the same way plenty of times, it was fun.

"You were all over him and your skirt...let's just say you gave everyone a show."

Lizzy fought a blush. "They didn't see anything different then what I wear to the pool in the summer."

He muttered something then grabbed her arm, pulling her towards the truck.

"I have no idea how your brother's aren't in jail for murder." He unlocked the truck and held the door open for her.

"Well, it's not as if any of the boys I went out with got very far. One of my brothers always managed to butt in somehow." Lizzy pulled herself into the truck. "It was as if they had some kind of radar," she mused.

"Great, just what I want to hear right now," Brian said as he slammed the door.

He climbed into his side of the truck but before he could even put his seatbelt on she climbed onto his lap. "Why are you fighting me Brian? I haven't even begun to try yet."

He was sitting so still she didn't even think he was breathing.

"Lizzy, you have no idea what you are doing right now." His stern eyes met hers.

"Brian," she wiggled, "I am very aware of what I am doing, and the point I am trying to make is, why fight this? I always get what I want in the end," she leaned forward and put her lips right by his ear, "and what I want is you."

"Lizzy return to your seat." There was something desperate sounding in his voice. She pulled back to look at him, but his features were schooled into an uninterested look. Sighing, she returned to her seat and buckled her seatbelt. "Where to now? I'm not in the least tired."

He was silent for a moment before he started the truck. "Dinner."

It took another week of dates and verbal sparring before she got what she wanted.

Eventually, she did win, and Brian stopped fighting, and everything about the winning was glorious.