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Disclaimer: Not ours. The real ones at least. Just wild imaginary spinnings.

Summary: Hmmm, about technophobes and friends who mean well.

Chapter Eleven

Billy was torn between amusement, intrigue and exasperation from one minute to the next. He either wanted to slap a big piece of tape over her mouth to shut her up or kiss her. The kissing part was what he longed to do the most. He wondered what she would do if he just reached over to jerk her closer and kiss her senseless. Probably smack him one right up side the head, but damn if it wouldn't be worth it.

"I know that ye're havin' a hard time, love, but try to contain yerself till we get inside. I wouldna wanna to cause a scene."

That was it. She had taken all she could. Michelle turned in her seat so fast, he was surprised she didn't get whiplash. She was about to fire off at him that would no doubt set his ears on fire, but he effectively shut her up before she could take a breath. Billy grabbed her arms, tumbling her toward him. He saw her blue eyes widen in surprise and gasp, when she realized just how close he was.

Billy took his time, reaching up to brush a strand of her hair back from her face, and let his finger slide down to brush against her parted lips. When her tongue slipped out to lick the path he had just traced, Billy groaned, pulling her up till their lips met.

Michelle sighed and leaned all the way into him, her lips parting for him when his tongue came out to lick at them. Someone moaned, but neither one really cared, when she shifted her hips, bringing them in perfect line to his. Billy wrapped one hand in her hair and the other gripping her waist, as he deepened their kiss. She tasted like the cappuccino she had sipped on at the café and cherries. Pulling back, he nipped at her bottom lip, tasting the cherry lip gloss she had coated them with earlier. He let out a gruff sound, then tasted her again.

Michelle just tried to concentrate on staying conscious. Her head was filled with the blood rushing through her head, the smell of him…his taste. Oh God, how was it possible for a man to feel, taste and smell so good all at one time? This was too much for her. She felt him pull back from her gently, and Michelle forced herself to open her eyes. She gasped for some air, her lips throbbing.

"Ye're home, love," he murmured, his eyes still on her swollen lips. It looked as if he was having trouble gaining his breath as well.

Michelle swallowed. "Oh. Want to come up for awhile?" she asked, hopefully.

She saw his smile start at his lips, those luscious lips, and then spread upwards. "Aye, I would love to."

Before Michelle could rethink her decision to let him in her house, she scrambled out of the cab after him, going up the steps, while he paid the driver what she assumed would be a hefty cab fare. Her fingers fumbled with the keys, finding that it wasn't because she was cold.

She felt Billy come up behind her and she dropped her keys again. "Damnit," she muttered to herself.

Billy waited patiently while she picked them up and fit them into the lock, swinging the door open wide. He stepped in behind her, noticing how nervous and quiet she had gotten all of a sudden. He much preferred her angry chatter.

"Do you want something to drink?" she asked, turning to face him, her hands wringing together.

"I dinna think so, love. Do I make ye nervous?"

"Of course not! Why would you say something like that?"

"Because ye act it. I never woulda thought I make ye nervous."

He saw her cheeks flush. "You don't. Now, if you don't mind, I want to change clothes. These are soaking wet."

Billy didn't say anything as she stomped down the hall to her bedroom. He laughed when he heard her slam her door, and then made himself comfortable on her cushiony couch. She had a nice little place, but still too cramped for him. He liked room…lots of it. Made it easier to move around. Billy wondered briefly just what she might come out wearing, knowing she was probably thinking that they might take that kiss a little further. Not that he didn't want to, but he didn't want to do the expected with her either. Michelle was accustomed getting her way…but not this time.

In a few minutes time, Michelle was coming back down the hall, taking Billy by surprise at what she wore. She didn't have on the sexy lingerie he thought she might come out in, but rather a pair of flannel pajamas that looked as if they had seen better days. Her face was completely bare of makeup and her hair was pulled back in a hasty ponytail. Ah…so she was going for the scare approach. Well, he hated to disappoint her but it wasn't working on him. She still looked pretty good to him.

He saw that she was still standing there, hesitating as if she wanted to see him bolting for the door, but he merely smiled and patted the couch next to him.

"Come sit, love. Now that ye are comfortable."

"Are you sure you don't have to be somewhere more important?"

"Nae. Now come here."

She hesitated, and Billy was almost sure she was going to run back down the hall, but she met his challenge with a tilt of her head and crossing of her arms. She walked over and sank down on the couch, making sure there was a fair amount of distance between them. Billy turned so that he was able to face her, his arm stretching out along the back of the couch.

"Did ye invite me in to just ignore me, or are ye gonna ravish me instead?"

Michelle drew her knees up to her chest, looking down at her sock clad feet. "I don't know why I invited you in, to tell you the truth. I was…mixed up."

"And now?"

"Now…I still don't know."

"Well, if it makes ye feel any better, I have no intention of stayin' long."

Michelle jerked her head up, her eyes wide with surprise. "Why not? I mean, you…"

Billy leaned closer till he could grab onto the length of her ponytail and pull her closer. "Have nae designs on doin' what ye thinkin' 'bout. I just wanna talk. Can ye handle it?"

"Of course," she said, pulling away from him slightly. "I just never know what to think around you."

"That's the point, love. Ye're not supposed to."

"You like messing with my head, don't you?"

"Aye, I do. But I mostly wanna see ye relax and talk to me."

As if obeying his wish, Michelle did feel some of the tension leaking out of her body and she sank back into the cushions, turning to face him. She laid her head on the back of the couch.

"So, what do you want to know?" she asked, for once inviting his questions.

"I wanna know why ye feel like ye have to pretend with me. I dinna like it."

He saw her cheeks flush slightly. "Sorry, bad habit. I'll try not to do it around you."

"Thank ye. How do ye know Jennifer?"

"She's one of my closest friends. We met in high school and despite our differences, we have remained pretty close since. I'm worried about her, though. You don't think I should call and check up on her do you?"

Billy's brows rose slowly. "Do ye honestly think that she would appreciate the interruption?"

Michelle bit her bottom lip and smiled. "No, probably not."

"I assure ye, Orli's takin' good care of her."

"It's all my fault. I should have never gotten her mixed up in the personals," Michelle moaned, covering her face with her hands.

"Ye put her ad in the personals?"

Michelle peeked at him through her fingers. "Yes. I did. I just wanted to help her get out of the house more!"

"Good reason. I put Orli's in."

She dropped her hands and laughed. "You're kidding! You put his ad up on the Internet?"

"As well as gettin' an e-mail account set up for the wanker. Nae that he appreciates it. He needed someone to talk to and since he canna find anyone who willna rip his clothes off, then that was the best way, in me opinion."

"Absolutely right! Did he give you a hard time about it? I mean, I know I read somewhere that he hates computers and such."

"The worst. Still have the bruises to prove it."

Michelle gave him a fake look of sympathy. "Oh, poor baby. So sorry."

Billy's smile spread across his face. "Wanna kiss 'em and make 'em better, love?"

"Not in this lifetime," she fired back easily.

He laughed and moved to take his coat off, seeing as how he looked to be staying a wee bit longer than he had originally thought. Michelle dragged an afghan from the back of the couch and wrapped it around herself.

"Still cold, love?"

"Yes. I think the water was the final touch."

"Come here," Billy motioned for her to come closer to her, which caused her to hesitate for a moment.

After all, what did she really know about this man?

Sliding over to him, she let him draw her up to his side, finding a comfortable place for her head right on his shoulder. Sighing, Michelle shifted closer, liking the way they fit together. His warmth seeped right into her, chasing away the chill she had.

"Why is it that all men are like personal space heaters?"

He laughed, which rumbled in her ear sweetly. "Dinna know about that, love. I get just as cold as the next person."

"But you're not right now."

Nae, he thought, far from it.

"Was Jennifer upset with ye when she found out what ye had done?"

"Oh, very. But she got over it quick. She's such an Internet buff, I don't think she could resist the temptation of having it. Of course, she's probably gotten rid of it by now."

"Orli too."

Michelle closed her eyes and let out a huge yawn. "Think he'll ever forgive you?"

"Maybe by mornin'," Billy laughed, softly. "But I dinna think he'll let me forget it."

"Probably not. Probably still bring it up on their wedding day," Michelle said, her voice full of sleep.

"Probably so," Billy sighed, his own eyes closing against his will. "I should go."

"No…you can stay a while longer."

"Okay. But dinna let me fall asleep," he said, stretching out more and settling her against him.

"Okay," she sighed.

It was the last thing either one of them said, as they drifted off to sleep.

Jennifer woke to the sun shining right in her eyes. It was a rude awakening considering she had been having the most wonderful dream about Orlando. Stretching her body slowly, she felt every delicious ache and throb deep inside, but it was worth every ache and throb. Last night she would never regret.

***********************

Feeling a hand slide up to cup her face, Jennifer smiled and opened her eyes into a pair of dark ones that showed everything he was feeling. Her smile faded at what she saw there. He did. He regretted it all.

His smile didn't quite reach his eyes, as it usually did. "Morning," he said.

She sighed heavily and laid flat on her back to stare up at the ceiling. "Why does this happen to me? Every time things start going my way, something bad happens to just ruin it all."

Orlando frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"You," she said, flinging back the covers and hopping out of bed. "You're regretting it. I know I can see it in your face."

Orlando sat up and watched her prance around the room naked, pulling clothes out various drawers. "I don't regret it."

"Yes, you do, and don't lie to me, Orlando Bloom. You may be a good actor, but I can still tell when you're lying," Jen said, stopping long enough to point a finger in his direction.

"You don't understand, Jen. Something happened last night-"

"Damn right something happened! Something pretty wonderful I thought! But now you're going to mess it all up by saying some stupid thing that will just ruin the whole mood, so don't even start. I don't want to hear it."

"What the bloody hell are you doing?!" he shouted out, watching as she pulled on clothes hastily, some even turned backwards.

"I'm taking Merlin for a walk, damnit! At least he still appreciates me. And I'm sure the only regret he has this morning is drinking all that water last night."

"There's nearly five feet of snow out there, Jennifer," Orlando said, pushing back the covers to stand up.

Jennifer fought not to blush at seeing him bare. God, he was beautiful. Did he even have a clue what a wreck he was making her?

"Doesn't matter, Merlin still has to go. And I need some air."

With that, Jennifer took off for the door, stopping only long enough to grab Merlin's leash and Merlin. Orlando listened to the front door slam, his anger just hovering below eruption.

"Fuck," he sighed, rubbing his face wearily.

They had to talk about this…and the broken condom. He was sure that they would have time, because from the looks of outside, he wasn't going anywhere today. Not that he wanted to anyway.