Was she flirting? No, no, she couldn't be! And not with Justin Boyd.

Sharon had no idea what came over her. She should be mad after what he put her through during school. She pulled away and attacked her pasta with gusto as she berated herself.

He might be less than the boy she remembered but one thing definitely hasn't changed. Justin Boyd the man was ever the same charming bastard as Justin Boyd the boy. Only he, with his closeness and that damn smile of his can make her woman parts sit up, pant and beg for a treat when she had every reason to push him into a meat grinder and grind him into paste.

And why did he have to look so fine. When she first realized he was standing by their table she nearly choked on her drink. His presence did more than surprise her. It was the way he looked in his shirt and tie and slacks. The shirt, a pale blue, wasn't as fitted as the one he wore to his session, but it still failed to hide his bulging biceps. The pants were a fail too as she could tell they hid powerful, muscular thighs. He probably even had a 'V' sexier than the little bit D'Angelo showed in his video. Her mouth watered at the thought and she itched to rip off his multi-colored plaid tie, tie him up and tear off his clothes to find out for herself.

When she finally came to her senses Sharon nearly died in embarrassment. She might as well been sitting in his lap she was. And it all happened in front of Casey too.

What did he think of her? She hadn't dared to look him in the face to find out.

Oh god, what did she do to deserve this?

And how, how was it that two of the men who have changed her life in the most horrible and drastic ways were before her at the same time?

And what was she thinking inviting Justin to join them. She wasn't thinking that's what. Sharon thought she could use him to somehow stop any more wedding talk.

But why did her body have to shiver like that when he wrapped his arm around her waist?

Her left hip still tingled like a slow burn from his touch. She could recall perfectly the warmth that spread like a blaze when he squeezed her waist and pulled her closer. And like the foolish moth, she hadn't fought to get away.

She didn't want to. Sharon cringed over her reaction. The man was a flame, so different from Casey. Where he made her feel calm, Justin had her hot, bothered and flustered. And until today, Casey had never hurt him with his words. But Justin, with his foul mouth and wanting revenge for something she couldn't remember ever doing something to him, made her into a leper. Not even the outcasts wanted to be her friends.

It'd gotten so bad she even started to question if the rumors were true. What if she did went that way?

And now here she was lusting after the man who turned her world upside down when she was nine years old? Kim was right, again. It's been too long and her body had needs to be met. Casey hadn't been available for months and now she knew why. Justin was definitely out of the question no matter how her body responded to him. Maybe she should go ahead and dust off the vibrator Kim gave her last Christmas.

"Sharon," prodded the soft voice.

"What?" Startled from her internal scolding Sharon tore her gaze away from her meal. Her gaze landed first on Casey, whose face was less lined with anger but still slightly suspicious. Then moved to Barbara who repeated her question to Sharon's horror.

"You two were school sweethearts right?"

Oh, my god. This woman has lost her damn mind, thought Sharon as her mouth dropped open in shock. No she must live on the corner of Soap Opera Drive and La-La Lane.

In what universe would her and Justin be fated lovers? It was a good thing she hadn't been chewing at the time. She didn't want to have another coughing fit in front of Casey.

"No," yelled Sharon a little too loudly. She cleared her throat and hoped this time it sounded normal. "No. We barely knew each other."

"Oh," pouted Barbara.

Apparently Barbara had mistaken Sharon's temporary moment of insanity to be more than it was. Which she thought she took care of. Until Justin had to add his two cents with his big fat mouth. It was St. Mary's all over again. Didn't his mama ever tell him that a tongue can bleed and wound more than any weapon?

"Well, that's not completely true."

"Really," asked Casey, glancing between the two of them. "Then what is the truth."

He looked determined to find out what was going on. Clearly, he wasn't happy that their conversation before was interrupted.

"We didn't know each other. But I did know of her." Justin winked at her and to her horror continued on. "Always seen her around school. Her hands flying away whenever she retold her dreams to whoever listen. Though it was cute."

Sharon lost count but wondered how many shocks can someone go through before seeking medical attention. He remembered her? When did he remember? When he came for his session? Afterwards or just now? Is that why he stopped at their table? To find out the truth?

And he thought the little, innocent girl she used to be, with the plaited hair, ribbons and barrettes, was cute?

Now that she found hard to believe. She noticed him, how could she not. Every girl did. So she knew he never noticed her. It just wasn't possible and not when there were rumors he was dating Patricia Little. And contrary to her last name, there was nothing little about her. Patricia had the biggest boobs in the whole school. Even bigger than the teachers. And even at twelve years old she looked like every man's wet dream in the forest green and grey school uniform.

Sharon didn't know what game Justin was playing but if he did remember her she was going to get some answers. Always, she wondered what wrong she did for him to say what he said.She'll make him spill his guts, even if she had to use the butter knife, dripping creamy sauce on her napkin, to do it.

"Who she was only hit me after I saw her come to your table." Justin turned and gave another of his heart melting smiles and damn it to hell her legs turned to jelly. Then his leg bumped hers and heat pooled low in her belly. He winked at her again."I was curious. And couldn't wait to find out if I was right. Even interrupted your lunch. Sorry, my bad."

The old Justin was back and in rare form. This man, winking and smiling, confident and swag was the complete opposite from the one she met before. This felt like the true reunion. She could see the boy who the girls flocked to like bees to pollen. The same guy from back then who was always surrounded by his boys, going off to the courts or the field to play some kind of ball.

Thankfully the waitress came with his food and Sharon made sure to steer the topic away from fated lovers nonsense. Instead they talked about what they did for the living, the weather, about the upcoming NFL draft and who should the Washington Redskins pick.

Soon the table was cleared. Justin had picked up the check, further impressing everyone, much to her dismay. And asked to box the rest of his al Forno and bread.

Casey grasped Barbara's hand and nodded goodbye as Barbara promised to talk more later. Sharon puffed out a breath of frustration from the bullet she almost dodged. Once they were gone, she set her elbows on the table, cradled her head in her hands and groaned.

Crisis averted for now.

"Hey. You alright," asked Justin. His voice an annoying, sexy caress that made her body tremble. And go into aftershocks when he grasped her shoulder.

Now for crisis number two.

Sharon lifted her head and brushed his hand off her shoulder. She ignored the jolt of lighting from the brief contact of their hands.

Enough was enough. She couldn't take anymore of the way her traitorous body responded to his smell, touch, hearing his voice and at the sight of him. Sharon didn't even want to think what'll happen if she got to taste him. And it'll never happen.

Justin seemed to affect her even worse than last time. Then they had a desk between them. But sitting side by side, set her hormones on overdrive. Finding out the truth no longer mattered.

Sharon thought she could handle being around him as his therapist despite their shared past. Which he didn't even remember but now seemed like he did. Now, after today she didn't know what irked her more. The rumours he started about her, if he remembered her or not or how fine he was.

Mind made up she stared into his face and willed herself not to drown in his chestnut eyes. Or lower her gaze to his mouth. "I'm sorry Mr. Boyd. I can't do this anymore."

**

Justin watched as Sharon's whole body sagged as if the wanted to disappear. A strange feeling settled over him, different from the lust he felt for her. Oh he did want to pull her into his arms but this time he just wanted to hold her there. Be there for her like no other man in her life ever had.

Confused and shaken, instead he touched her shoulder and asked if she was alright. He didn't think what she'd said next would make him feel three feet small.

"What?"

"I said I can't do this anymore."

"Can't do what?" His muscles tensed. He didn't know where this was coming from. Justin tried to recall what he did wrong. He came to her rescue and even made her smile. Not the forced kind she had on before but a real, I feel good down to my bones happy smile. He did that, amongst other things too he thought smugly as he remembered the way her eyes drifted down to his mouth. fisted his hands against his thigh and waited. Justin reached out for her hand but she flinched. Deciding to ignore it, he leaned back and asked, "What's going on?"

Justin's heart raced a mile a second but outwardly he was as calm as the eye of a storm. Funny enough, Rosa used those five words before a divorce. He hadn't seen it coming then. Didn't know what he did wrong either. But he hadn't. She was the one who did wrong but she hadn't wanted to admit it. Women must've been taught to say those things so they can put the blame on someone else. Shaking thoughts of ex-wife out his head, Justin focused on Sharon.

"You came to me for consultation."

"Okkaayy." Justin nodded, seeing where this was going.

"As a patient-therapist relationship, we cannot have a personal relationship outside the already established relationship. So I-"

"But, you were the one that broke that 'established relationship.'"

"Again, I apologize," replied Sharon. She bit her lip and looked down at her hands for several seconds.

Then it dawned on him. He made her nervous. She was trying to run away from whatever this thing they had between them.

giving him a curt nod. "I think it's best we don't meet again. I'll refer you to another colleague. I wish you well in resolving your issues. Bye Mr. Boyd."

"Wait, hold on a second." Justin stumbled into her chair in a mad dash, grabbing her elbow to keep her from leaving. Sharon wrenched out of his grasp, a flash of fear flit across her face.

She must be really afraid of him thought Justin as he stood in shock he didn't notice when the waiter set down the brown paper bag with his take-home container inside. He'd thought she'll say something like they can't do this again. Not dump him. They weren't a couple but that's exactly what it felt like. Granted he'd started searching for a new therapist yesterday, but still.

Justin wanted to reach out to her again. But thinking of her reaction before he fisted his hands inside his pockets instead.

"Sharon, I don't understand." Justin cleared his throat and hoped the next words he said will be enough for her to agree to see him again. Fine they can't have a patient-therapist connection anymore. But the way she said goodbye didn't feel right. Too final. "It was only one meal."

"Wait, fine," said Justin, cutting off Sharon when she opened her mouth to speak again.Grasping at straws, he said the last thing any man should say to a woman. "You can't be my therapist. So, can I be your friend then?"

. Why the hell did he say that?

Justin inwardly groaned. Any chance of having some kind of link with Sharon just flew out the window. 'Can I be your friend?' He might've well said he wanted to fuck her.

"No, thank you." Sharon's brow drew together in a fierce line. If she wanted to roast him alive she would. "I have enough friends. Bye."

With nothing to say to unstick his foot Justin watched helplessly as Sharon walked away from him and marched out the restaurant without a backwards glance. Just like a shoulder marching off to war. Except she was no soldier he's ever seen. Not with those curvaceous hip that swayed just the way he liked. And with a bubble butt to match.

Damn. He couldn't let things end like this. Grabbing his bag of take-home food he rushed after her but couldn't find her. D.C. in the afternoon was just as bad as in the morning and evening. The nation's capitol was in the early stages of tourist traffic. Sure to get worse when the Cherry Blossom Festival start. He wouldn't be able to find Sharon in this crowd even if she dressed like Waldo.

Giving up, he walked to the corner, waited for the light and mulled about his next step. After the whole stupid friend thing, Sharon would have her guard up. There was nothing he can do but wait awhile until she cooled down some. Then call her office and try to apologize. Hopefully Sharon wouldn't be the type that held a grudge and make him suffer.

Nah, thought Justin as he swerved around other crossers and in between cars, towards the parking lot across the street. That was Rosa's specialty. Now that woman knew how to mess with a man's mind. Make him feel like a king one minute then a dethroned, broken, bloody and unrecognizable mess the next.

His problem with Sharon was that she didn't mix business with pleasure. But now that business was off the table so were the pleasure. He had to work around that. There's no way he can let her get away.

Not now when he knows what it's like to touch and smell her. Not when he wanted to do so again this time with her on her back, tangled in sheets and thick thighs around his waist. That's if they'd make it to a bed. And not when he knew she wanted the same too.

Something held her back. Or else they'd be discussing something entirely different now that the complication of him being a patient of hers was gone. He had to find out what exactly was stopping her from letting go and get Sharon in his bed. Fast.

He was done denying it. He never wanted a woman so much. Not before or since his ex-wife. Sharon will be his.

And this time he'll keep his heart out of it.

Sorry, this time Justin's part is a bit short in this chapter.

Anyways, I decided that this chapter's video should be the very one Sharon mentioned when she recalled in embarrassment how her mind went into the gutter when she met Justin again. 

I've always loved this song by D'Angelo and always, always wished for and moaned over how the camera should go a little bit more lower. Guess like Sharon I'm a pervert too. ;-D

As always, I hope you've been enjoying the story so far. And any votes, comments and feedback will be much appreciated!