Disclaimer:  No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without written permission from the author.  All rights reserved.  Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

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From the moment she walked in the room, he wanted her.  He wanted her more than he ever wanted anyone, or anything, in his entire life.  Maybe it was the circumstance.  He was, after all, just coming off of a very detrimental relationship.  Or maybe, it was just her.

She was tall and thin, brown hair to her shoulders and a red dress flowing over her seemingly perfect body.  She stood in the entranceway, surveying the room with confidence and prowess.    He straightened on his stool and ordered another drink.  Glancing back over his shoulder, she caught his eye.  Almost every person in the room watched as she strode over to the bar.

"You're a handsome one to be here all alone," she said, taking a seat.

"You're a beautiful one to be here at all," he replied in a seductive tone.

"I'm Melissa," she said, extending her hand.

"I'm…Ryan," he replied, kissing it.

"Ryan…?" she asked, eyeing him.  "Hmmm…you don't look like a Ryan."

He smiled. "Well, in that case, you don't look like a Melissa," he replied. 

She flashed him a sexy smile.  Not the kind that made his heart melt, mind you.  Rather the kind that made his pants tighten. 

"Can I get you a drink?" he asked politely as she turned to face the bar.

She pursed her lips and shook her head.  "No…I like to be sober for these," she replied, pulling her straight hair behind her ears.

"These?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Look, Ryan.  You and I both know this isn't a place you come to meet your soul mate.  So…"

He stared at her, not believing what she was proposing.

"I mean…" she continued, taking the drink from his hand.  "You're an attractive fellow…and I don't see gold on a certain finger…." 

He licked his lips.  "I…I don't know you," he stammered, trying to ignore the ever-present warmth growing in his pants.  The last thing he wanted to do was drive her away.  She obviously knew what she wanted and he was surprised that out of a crowed bar, she wanted it from him.

He swallowed in a moment of regret as she stood up from the stool.  She ran her fingertips down his shoulder and arm, and then picked up his hand.  She kissed his skin and he could feel her tongue brush against the hairs on his flesh.  It sent chills down his spine.

"You don't need to know me.  That's why 'these' are called 'one night stands.'"

He bit his lip with a sly smile.  "I do believe I'm being seduced."

"Indeed, you are," she replied.  That was all he needed to hear.

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"My god," he growled, rolling over and separating himself from her warm body.  She stared up at the ceiling, wide-eyed, and savoring the last moments ecstasy.

When he could muster the energy, he groaned, "Was that…."

"Uh. Huh," she interjected. 

He shook his head slightly.  "I mean…"

"Yes," she said, as her eyes rolled back into her head.

"I've never…" he moaned.

"I know," she agreed.

He sighed in audible appreciation.  "I should be asleep right now, you know that?"

"Me too," she replied.

"I'm not tired though…"

"Me neither."

"You probably want me to shut up so you can leave, right?" he asked, anticipating her answer.

"I'm not going anywhere…not for a while," she murmured.

"Good."

They lay in silence and measured breathing for several moments.  He could feel things returning to normal.  The euphoric sensations were dispersing from his body, and she too was regaining the usual senses. 

"My name's not Melissa," she said after some time.

"Hmm?" he groaned from behind closed eyelids.

"I just thought you should know…."

He shrugged.  "Doesn't matter, this was just a one time thing," he said with a hint of sadness present in his voice.

"I dunno…" she said, reaching under the sheets and putting a hand on his thigh.  "I wouldn't mind trying that again…"

He let out a sigh of relief.  "Phew.  Cause I'd have to hunt you down otherwise."

She smiled and rolled closer to him.  He put his arm around her slender waist and pulled her close.  Sensuously, he kissed her earlobe as she curled into his strong embrace.

"My name's not Ryan," he whispered.

"I figured," she replied looking into his deep brown eyes.  "Who is Ryan?"

"One of my friends…" he answered.  "Who's Melissa?"

"Same.  Actually, she's the one who told me I should have a one-night stand…. said it'd be good for me cause I never do this sort of thing."

"Was it?" he asked, kissing the top of her head.

She nodded contently under his chin.  "Yes.  Very, very good; but I don't see it being a one-night stand for long."

He smiled and gently stroked her back.  Then he moved a lock of hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear. 

"How do you feel about the fact our best friends just slept together?" he asked with a sly smile.

"I think it's great…our friends don't get enough action.  And, by the way Melissa described it I would have thought I was actually there," she joked.

He nodded in content agreement as she kissed him gently on the lips.  Suddenly, he broke away.

"Greg," he said, taking her small hand in his and squeezing it gently.

"Jennifer," she said, running her fingers down his chin.  She could feel a hint of stubble starting to appear on his features.  He smiled and kissed her again. 

"Care to go get some breakfast Jennifer?" he asked.

She shook her head.  "Let's order in."