Glad the drama was over, I stopped paying attention to the surroundings and focused on the CD collection Nate had in the car until the vehicle came to a stop. Looking out the window, the first thing I saw was at least 40 other cars parked on the grass, two dozen motorcycles and a dozen or so ATV's. My anxiety level was about to hit melt down. "Son of a..., look at all the vehicles!" On the right, I caught a glimpse of an enormous house. The white siding, grand 3-storey Victorian style home, with royal blue shutters. I was one of those home you would see on a cover of a home magazine. The stained glass double front doors encased in a white wood frame highlight by the wrought iron railing of the wrap-around porch. A turret stood at the back corner with elegant stained glass windows. "Whoa, look at that house." All I could do was sit there in ah for a moment, the house now held my full attention. The extreme amount of people waiting in the backyard forgotten, at least pushed aside for the moment.

Nate had already made his way out of the truck around to our side and had the doors

opened. "It's something else isn't it," he admired.

"Yeah..." Mady and Nate's eyes shined with amusement. "Don't get me wrong, your guy's house is absolutely gorgeous, but this...this is whoa." I didn't mean to offend them and by the look on their faces I knew they understood.

"No offence taken. It's an amazing house, just wait till you see the inside," Mady replied.

Once again remembering the large group of people, I pulled myself together, still wishing I could have avoided this till later, maybe even all together. Taking a deep breath and forcing a huge friendly smile that I was not feeling to ease Mady's reservations before she demanded we leave. Again.

Jumping out of the truck, it hit me like an explosion; air almost too heavy to breath in, skin crawling with the feeling of ants running up my skin, and a violent shiver that shot up my spine. Stumbling back a step, Nate's fast reflexes stopped me from falling on my butt.

Holding me up with his hands braced on my upper arms Nate bent down slightly to see eye to eye, he asked, "Sam, are you OK?" his voice laced with concern.

"Ah...yeah, just a little light headed for a moment." Even to me my voice sounded shaky. By the time the last word left my mouth the sensation was gone.

Eyebrow rose, clearly not convinced. Not that I blamed him. "You sure?"

Shaking it off, trusting my legs would not give out, I looked at both of them, then proceeded away from the truck. "Yeah see, I'm fine, just my nerves getting the better of me."

"If you're sure then? Let's go," Mady said, entwining their arms, and headed for the back of the house.

I couldn't hold back the winced from the contact. "Sorry got a shock." I explained as I pulled away from Mady's touch. The same feeling I had gotten shaking Nate's hand last night, only on a much lower scale.

Nate was watching me with suspicion before asking. "You sure...?"

I cut him off. "Nothing a cold beer and some window shopping won't cure," I said with a playful grin.

Laughing, stepping in between us, he offered his arm. "Ladies shall we."

I hesitated for a moment before taking his offered arm; tensing, waiting for the assault to come but didn't. See, no weird feeling. It's just in my head. I tried to convince myself.

Walking towards the back of the house, towards the sound of music, power tools, children playing, and a lot of laughter invaded my hearing and helped put me at ease. A little anyways. Rounding the corner, the first thing I saw were groups of people who seem to be enjoying themselves. That was until the wind picked up, whipping my hair forward, blinding me for a brief instant. Pulling my hair out of the way, I couldn't help but notice the noise that just invaded my hearing had stopped. The intense stares from most, daggers from a few, and a lot of curiosity from the rest had my fight or flight response kicked into flight so strong that I had to dug her nails into Nate's shirt covered forearm to prevent from running down the road screaming, and flaring my arms like a mad woman.

The sound of a deep growl averted my complete attention. Nearly jumping out of my skin and frantically looking around for the mean, psychotic sounding dog. That's all I needed to be bitten in the ass by Cujo! Loosening my death grip on Nate's arm in case I had to defend myself while looking around, but there was no dog in sight. Willing myself to calm down I looked back to see that everything was back to normal. Music was still playing, men back working, children running, and conversations continued; everything just the way it was before we walked around the corner.

"So was that just my imagination or was that a little intense for a minute, and where is that damn dog?" I asked nobody particular, taking one last look for Cujo.

With a nervous laugh Nate was the one to respond. "What dog? There is no dog, Sam. I will go get us some drinks." He said a little too quickly and walked away faster then that, to retrieve their much-needed drinks.

Before I could ask Mady about the dog, Mady said, "Look, there's Jack and his wife Abby," pointing to the mid 40's couple walking our way. The look in her eyes and the excitement in her voice, I knew my friend had the utmost respect for this couple.

Jack was around 6' tall, well built, and moved with power and grace. Wearing grey trousers, pale yellow dress shirt with sleeves rolled up that looked amazing against his tanned skin. His golden brown hair, kept short and professional with a hint of grey creeping up at his temples that gave him more of a distinguished look. Meeting his pale green eyes I knew this man oozed of intelligence and demanded obedience. He held power. A lot of it.

Abby was wearing a cute floral sundress that showed off her 5'5" athletic frame. Her white blonde hair cut into a cute pixie cut that set the stage for her round, friendly, bright blue eyes, and petite facial features. Where Jack's eyes held power hers held adoration.

"Hey Jack. Hi Abby. I would like you to meet my friend Sam McDowell. Sam this is Jack and Abby Trace."

"Hi, nice to meet you. Thank you for having me." Who says I can't be proper!

"We are so happy to finally meet you Sam. It's nice to put a face to the name," Jack said, as he reached out to shake my hand.

As soon as their hands touched, I gasped, locking my knees before they gave out and tightened every muscle in my body to withstand the assault, but not unpleasant shock that surged up my arm and through my body, along with the sensation of crawling of ants. Really trying hard not to seem rude by pulling my hand back too soon. I was able to hold on for second longer before loosening my grip on his hand.

"Are you Ok, Sam?" Jack asked, with a raise of the eyebrow.

Pulling my hand free and shoving it into my jean pocket. "Yeah sorry, just nerves. Plus I have been getting a lot of shocks."

Nodding to Abby, each hand in a pocket now, not wanting to touch anybody else. "Nice to meet you, Abby."

Thankful, Abby didn't extend her hand, just nodded back with a very bright and friendly smile.

Nate came to the rescue from the intense looks Jack was giving me, handing them both a drink, he said, "Hey Jack and Abby, the guys are making good progress I see."

Glancing over at the men working on the glorified shed, Jack confirmed, "It looks like it will be done in a couple of hours." Looking at Nate. "Well if you will excuse us ladies, I need to steal Nate away for a few minutes." Kissing Mady on the check, Nate followed Jack and Abby.

"Come on Sam, I want to introduce you to a couple of my friends," Mady said, as she waved to three very attractive women. Nodding in response, I followed on shaky legs, hand tightly on the beer as I noticed a slight tremor in my hands.

Kissing and hugging each of the women. "Good afternoon ladies, this is Sam," Mady introduced each of the women when she pulled back from the last. "This is Shayann, Bethany, and Alexis."

Shayann was a tiny thing, almost fragile looking, maybe 5', and 100 lbs. soaking wet. She had dark, curly brown shoulder length hair, golden brown eyes with porcine complexion, and a shy smile. She wore a red tank and black walking shorts. She looked nice, comfortable, and at home. Bethany was not much taller. Built more like Mady, with black shiny hair cut in a bob that lay just below her jaw line, with long black lashes that framed her blue almost black coloured eyes. Wearing a pair of loose fitting faded jeans with a black little tee, that looked casual but very put together. Then there was Alexis, your typical blonde bombshell. Flawless rosy complexion with long lustrous hair, bright blue eyes, and full lips; at 5'10" the women would be able to stop traffic with those legs that went for miles. In her very form fitting ice blue halter dress, she left nothing for the imagination. Also, looked ready to go out clubbing instead of a BBQ.

"Nice to meet you." I started to feel on the inadequate side.

"So you're Sam," Alexis sneered, checking me out, from head to toe. "The males will have their fill of you within 5 minutes."

Raising an eyebrow. "Alexis was it...umm I don't recall Mady every bringing you up before," I gave her my best smile, pleased to get in a little dig. "Are you and Mady friends?"

One second she was glaring daggers at me, and the next she was sweet as pie. "Hi, Dmitri," Alexis purred, staring over my shoulders. Those daggers she called eyes were now filled with sex and lust.

I couldn't not turn around to see who was able to change this woman's attitude in 0.03 seconds. The most amazing looking man I have ever laid eyes on was walking our way. He was absolutely breathtaking. Standing at about 6'5" mountain of a man with his long midnight black hair, ocean blue eyes surrounded by the longest thickest lashes I have ever saw...and those lips! The most kissable full lips ever made. All of that was centre stage of a square face with a sharp jawline, softened slightly with the cleft in his chin. This man just oozed danger and sin. Pleased my body was frozen on the spot from the mere sight of him, because I so badly wanted to run my fingers through his hair among other parts of his body. The intensity of the lust coursing through my body was enough for me to snap back to reality. This had happened twice before and that was two times too many. This man was in the "stay the fuck away" list.

"Hello Ladies," Dmitri said, his velvet voice reached spots no hands could, staring right into my eyes with a devilish smile. Taking my hand, bringing it to his lips, placing a gallant kiss on my knuckles. I was too slow to stop what was about to happen. Knowing this man was on the list helped but as soon as our skin touched that was what really snapped me out of my daze. Gritting my teeth when the uncomfortable sensation hit me like a Mach truck. Once again the feeling of ants crawling up my skin, shiver going down my spine, but this time there was also a jolt of electricity shot to areas that made my knees weak for a completely different reason. My skin crawled and shivered worse with Jack but the feeling I got from Dmitri was more unnerving. A hell of a lot more intimate. Just back up Sam. Walk away from this man. My head screamed but my body wouldn't listen. Finally releasing my hand, I was able to breathe again. My hand still tingled where he placed the kiss.

"Ah...hi," I sputtered out. Thank the heavens Mady still had a brain around this guy, because everyone else just stood there, all puppy eyed.

"Sam, this is Nate's brother Dmitri," she introduced.

Hormones back to a more manageable level with the news of being Nate's brother seemed to help the reality check. Finally my brain, once again, back in working order. I managed to say, "It's nice to meet you." Yeah me, a five word sentence!.

"Dmitri!" Jack bellowed, from 50 feet away.

"That man does have impeccable timing," he said sarcastically, never taking his eyes off me. "I will talk to you later," he added with a wink.

"You know where to find me," I joked to cover up the intense irrational feeling I was having towards him, the extremely sexual intense feeling. Then I wanted to kick myself in the ass. Nate's brother or not I had to stay clear from that man.

"That I do," Dmitri purred, with a glint in his eye, turning to walk away giving the ladies an eye full of that marvellous tight ass.

"Well damn, who could not appreciate a view like that?" Still staring at Dmitri's rear end, I didn't realize I said that out loud until the other ladies giggled and had a some kind of verbal agreement. All accept Alexis.

Invading my personal space, Alexis snarled, "He is mine. You stay the hell away from him. Do you hear me?"

To stunned for words at that moment, my hero, Mady, jumped in, "I didn't know you guys were dating. When did that start?" Mady asked, with mock surprise.

Bethany gave a harsh laugh, "They're not, she just wishes."

"Hey," I blurted out, getting Miss Dual Personality's attention, "Listen, I am not interested in going after your next victim." Finally coming out of my stupor. "Now get out of my face!" My voice was low so not to cause a seen but definitely on the hissing side.

"Why don't you go back to what every trailer park you came from." Alexis did not have any problems causing a scene before she turned and walked away.

It came out before I could even think about it. Not that I ever thought before I spoke to begin with. "Why don't you bend over so I can help you get that stick out of your ass?" I could feel the smile spread across my face and it felt fabulous.

For a second, I thought Alexis was going to turn back and smack me a good one and boy was I ready. Watching the muscles tense in her back, but she just kept walking. Hearing muffled laughter all around her I realized I was the one who was causing a scene. I could not have been more ashamed and embarrassed over my behaviour. Swinging around I found Mady. I was so pissed at myself for the lack of control I have over my own mouth. This was not acceptable. Expect she was one of the muffled laughs I heard, hand covering her mouth, wide eyed and just stared at me. "I'm so sorry Mady. My behaviour is inexcusable even if that woman was a real bitch." Shit I couldn't even apologize properly! That seemed to make them all laugh harder.

"No need to apologize at all," Mady started to say before the giggles took over again. "She is a bitch." This time I couldn't help join in.