Chapter One The stream of profanities hissed at the catering firm wasn't helping her cause. Melanie cast a critical eye throughout the main floor of the house. How was this party ever going to be pulled off in time for tonight? It had been an unending succession of Murphy's Laws that led to her despair.

"Tsk, tsk. . . such language from a lady."

Howie's calm attitude was usually the salve for her more temperamental nature. Today, it just irritated her. She turned on her heel, spinning to walk away from him before she lost her temper again.

He crossed the kitchen to get himself some coffee, leaving well alone. He'd seen that look before. She was in a foul mood. He poured them both a coffee, handed her a mug and gently prodded for the source of her anxiety.

"What's wrong, sweetheart? Is there anything I can do?"

Her anger was immediately replaced with frustration as she faced him. His warm eyes caressed her face with their soulful expression as he stroked her face with the gentle touch of the back of his hand. When she leaned into him, he knew he'd quelled the storm.

"Oh Howie, the caterers got us mixed up with another booking. They'll be three hours late. Their cleaners and decorators will be arriving at the same time. It's going to be a madhouse and I don't think we'll be ready in time for the guests. Who knows what they'll be serving, but it might not be what we requested."

"Babe, it will be ok. I can help, and I'm sure I can get some of my family to help do this the old fashioned way, without all the caterers' people."

He kissed her eyes as he slid his arms around her, further soothing her frayed nerves. It wasn't hard to understand her anxiety about their first party together. After all, he too was a perfectionist.

"There are things to be picked up in advance too," she muttered against his cheek.

Stroking the unruly black curls off her face, he gave her a reassuring smile.

"Mel, we can pull this off. Nick came in from Tampa early this morning. Maybe he and AJ can help pick up stuff. Why don't you go get dressed while I give them a call."

Howie watched her streak up the stairs without a stitch of clothing on. He marveled at her comfort with her body. AJ's like that too, he thought. Maybe it's because they're only children. He wasn't sure if he was reaching with his correlation but nudity was uncommon in prudish Catholic families. Not that he was critical of his family, they'd been his backbone, his support and his haven. But they were also very discreet about their bodies. Being the baby, and an entertainer, he was less shackled by their modesty but even still, he seldom roamed the house without some attire.

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"You want me to help you?" Nick chuckled at Howie's request. "Are you willing to trust me, bro? I like this."

Howie waited patiently, letting Nick gloat.

"Yeah, man, I guess I owe for all those evil things I do to you. When do you need me?"

"Now. What are you doing?"

"AJ's still asleep and I was taking a swim. I'll leave him a note. Nah," he reconsidered wickedly, "I think I'll wake him up."

Nick arrived a half hour later, alone. AJ wouldn't be available until late afternoon. Bowing gallantly when the door was answered, Nick's goofiness stood in the face of Melanie's distress. His sense of fun, when not annoying, was infectious.

"I heard you needed help and that I was the man that you needed."

"Nick, honey, you know how much I need you," she grinned despite herself and flirted back.

"I'm here for you, baby. I came running."

He gave her an impudent smirk as his eyes appraised her, getting himself swatted for his mischief before being handed a list of destinations and instructions.

"Get your own girlfriend, dude," Howie interrupted jovially. He was used to their easy banter. Melanie had met them all on the same night and although she and Nick had a playful friendship, the chemistry between her and Howie was electrifying, visible to any onlooker.

Nick raced off, with list in hand, and a promise to return quickly. The pieces were coming together already, she thought with relief.

The door bell heralded the arrival of some of the Dorough clan and a plan of action was implemented. Everyone worked feverishly bringing the normally immaculate house to its sparkling best. Howie, Mel, Polly and her boyfriend, Rick, moved the furnishings to accommodate the entertainment plans. Exhausted, they all stood proudly surveying their handiwork. It was a job well done indeed.

Howie kissed his mom fondly on the forehead. She always came through for him. Melanie gave them a benign smile. The adoration between son and mother was no threat to her. His family had generously welcomed the one he loved. Howie had once told her that they had never let him down. He was a blessed man.

"Thanks, Ma. You're the best."

She gave him an affectionate squeeze, beaming at him with pride.

"Howie, you come pick up the Rizzo Con Pollo for the party later on."

"Mom, you don't have to make food. We'll have plenty of food."

"Will you have Puerto Rican food?"

Howie grinned, the answer evident in his sheepish look. Polly laughed and gave him a poke.

"That's what I thought. I started it last night. It's almost done. You pick it up later, ok, son?"

"Mrs. D, that's so sweet of you. Thank you."

"Call me Mom, dear. You're almost family now," said Mama D, patting her son's girlfriend's shoulder.

They hugged each other before everyone was herded out as efficiently as they had been herded in.

"Mel, don't forget our appointment this afternoon. I'll be by to pick you up in an hour after I drop everyone off."

If it hadn't been for Polly's reminder, Melanie would have forgotten that they were going to get their hair and nails done. She looked at her hands and grimaced. Thank goodness someone had a memory.

"Great! See ya soon. What time do you think we'll be back?"

"Probably around 4:30."

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When Polly returned, there was flurry of activity throughout the house. The caterer's preparations were in full swing. Nick had returned from his errands, and AJ hadn't arrived yet. Typical.

Freshly bathed after all the manual labour, Melanie quickly kissed Howie goodbye, waved to Nick and left the rest of the preparations in the hands of the experts.

Nick was restless and not ready to leave. When Howie asked him if he had his clothes in his car, Nick nodded.

"Come workout with me. Burn off some of that energy."

"Awww, man, don't you ever take a break?"

"We've got a tour soon, bro. It's time to get fit or you'll want to die when we get back to rehearsals. I know I put on some weight over Christmas."

Nick grumbled but went out to grab some things from his luggage. He wouldn't be driving home to Tampa until tomorrow. Like most people, he doubted that he'd be able to drive after a New Year's Eve bash.

They worked out strenuously, losing track of the time. When the phone rang in the workout room, Howie was doing his cool down. He jumped to answer it.

"Yes, mom, I will, I'll pick it up soon. I've just got to hop in the shower and I'll be right over."

"Nick, I gotta go to my folks. Here's some towels. When you're done you can take a shower in the master bathroom. I don't want to be you if you mess up any of the other washrooms, or the rest of the house, for that matter. If Mel gets mad. . . " Howie's voice trailed off as he shook his head just thinking about it.

Nick was running hard on the treadmill. Perspiration matted his hair and his usually fair complexion was florid from the exertion. His muscles ached and he was exhausted but Howie had been right, he did feel good.

"Yeah, yeah, I got it. Master bath, " Nick replied, waving Howie off. The treadmill slowed to a halt twenty minutes later. Nick stopped to dab his face and catch his breath. The third floor had only the gym and the master bedroom. It wasn't hard to figure out where the bathroom was.

So this is their room, he thought. It was enormous, decorated in soft tones of lavenders, plums and taupe and had a two sided fireplace between the bathroom and the bedroom. Nick was so used to the opulence of 5 star hotels that he seldom noticed beautiful surroundings. This room was different in that it made him think of the couple to whom it belonged. It suited them, right down to the carefully hidden entertainment centre.

The bathroom was luxurious with it's granite and brushed silver appointments. The huge step up whirlpool tub looked tempting for his weary muscles but he opted for a quick shower. Stripping down, he threw his clothes in a careless heap on the floor and turned the water on.

The steamy hot water cascaded over him as he rubbed shampoo through his hair. He could feel his body relax as his mind wandered aimlessly through the events of the last six months. A voice broke through his thoughts. Panicking, he quickly lowered the intensity of the water, slowing it to a halt. The voice was Melanie's, singing "What Makes You Different."

Not bad, he thought, before realizing his predicament. He opened the shower door to warn her of his presence. What he saw through the steam made him hesitate. Mel stood in front of the mirrored walk-in closet, two outfits in her hands, and naked. The clothes she wore to the salon lay by her feet as she evaluated her choices for the evening.

Damn, he thought. What should I do? It'll be embarrassing, but I have to tell her. He opened his mouth to speak but words eluded him. His feet were riveted to the spot as he watched her. It was as if his body had a mind of its own.

He found himself looking at her as a man would a woman he found attractive. Her long black curls had been arranged in careless disorder and hung casually down her back. Her mocha complexion looked good enough to eat. He could tell she worked out but her build was still very feminine.

Jesus, he thought, I'm getting a hard-on. Shit. This is not cool. He couldn't tell her he was there now. She would see what affect she had on him. He stood back, hoping she'd leave the room so that he could escape unnoticed. Watching her from the mirror in the bathroom, his body ached for her. To his utter disbelief, he saw her hang up her evening clothes, stand in front of the mirror and gently hold her breasts as she assessed her body. If she touched herself anymore intimately, he knew he would surely burst from wanting her.

A shriek suddenly pierced his eardrums. Nick shouted in response before realizing it was Melanie screaming at him.

"When the fuck were you going to tell me you were here? How dare you?"

"How did you see. . . ?"

"I saw you in the Goddamn mirror! What the hell are you doing in here? Getting off or something? From the looks of things, I must have interrupted you."

As mad as she was, she felt herself flush from more than fury. He was in quite a state. His statuesque frame even more appealing as he stood nude before her like a blonde Adonis with drops of water glistening on his golden perfection.

"Howie told me to shower here so I wouldn't mess up the other bathrooms before the party."

Her face softened visibly as she heard Howie's name. Nick was furious that he was the brunt of D's suggestion especially when it was evident from her expression that Howie, not him, would be pardoned for the error in judgment.

"Nevertheless, you should have told me the minute you knew I was here too. Just get out, Nick," she said in an ominous growl.