Jesse surveyed the scene in front of them. Four men were sprawled over the furniture, relaxing. "God, but you guys are a lazy bunch. At least I've been out looking."

"Yeah, maybe so, but at least we're clean," Bobby winked at the new arrival. "One of us will sweet talk her while you're gone."

"Not if I take her with me." He looked at Britany. "How that sound, Wolf?"

She pursed her lips, then said slowly, "Well, Felix, I would love to oblige, but, I promise, they won't change my mind. I've already decided what I want." Then leaning closer to him, she added, "And you're the only one I see that's got it, kitty."

"There's a full moon out tonight, don't go howling at it without me. You need a cat, don't you?"

"Yeah, yeah."

Ashton doubled over, "Shot down again, Cutter! Can't even get a girl to take a shower with you!"

Jesse laughed with them, "Hey, Ash. Ever been to a Wolf's den?" He pointed Britany to an empty chair on the other side of the room. Swatting her rear as she walked past, he said, "I'll let you explain that one, Britany. Be back in a few minutes."

They were all quiet as he disappeared through another door. One of them spoke up, "Hi, Britany is it? I'm Rusty." He laughed, "please do explain. We want to know what the guy's got himself into this time."

She felt mildly nervous as she began, but soon overcame it when she realized how easy going they all really were. "Well, my whole name is Britany Linn L'Wulf. My family calls me Brit, but most everybody else calls me Wolf."

Bobby looked interested, "Well that's definitely different. I like it, though. I wonder does it also mean what it sounds like. Are you as fearless as a wolf?"

"Didn't I stand up and give my brother away?" She felt defensive, but then realized what he had meant. "But yeah, I guess I am pretty fearless to be the only girl in a room with four gorgeous guys." She tilted her head back slightly and tossed her head invitingly. In her heart she knew that she wanted only Jesse, but why not have fun. He wouldn't care, she was sure. "How about some music, guys." She laughed playfully as she ducked the four couch pillows that came flying at her. "Just kidding, just kidding."

Eventually, after they had all introduced themselves and accepted her presence, they sat around talking. As the conversation slid to other things, she privately observed each of them. Thinking to herself, she mulled the different things over in her mind. "They're all gorgeous. If I didn't have Jesse, I think my second choice would be Ashton. He's so big. He could be fun to make out with. It would definitely be an experience. I wonder if he's that big all over. I like his hands, too. Big, yet deft and quick enough to bring out the best in a guitar. I'd be curious to find out how gentle they are. And that long, silky blond hair. It fits him perfect."

Her eyes shifted slowly from him to the other blond, besides herself, in the group. "Bobby. I love that name. Sounds so forceful. Nice, very nice. He would come close to being a second possible choice. His hair is longer that Ashton's. I like it, though. His eyes, they could turn the coldest person on. He looks kind of small sitting next to Ashton, but then, who wouldn't. He's huge compared with Jesse. Being a drummer, I'll bet you that he can use his hands pretty good. Long, sensual fingers. Nice tan, too. He looks good in those white shorts and no shirt." She turned back to look at Ashton and see what he had on. "Tight black jeans and a white T-shirt. Looks good."

Her attention turned to the other two men. "Rusty and Craig, they both look good in their own way. I like Craig's hair. It looks so soft. Rusty has the cutest face, though." She wasn't really interested in them. But then, their girlfriends, if they had any, would probably appreciate that.

She jumped as Ashton jerked her out of her thoughts.

"Well, you've suddenly gotten very quiet. Are we not good company? Jesse won't like to hear that we're not keeping you entertained."

"No, you're perfect company. How many other guys do you know that would sit around talking among themselves while there was a girl in the room that was checking out everything about them? Appraising the merchandise if you like."

"Oh okay. So you're hunting a back up in case Jess doesn't meet your expectations?"

As if by magic, at the second Ashton spoke, Jesse walked in the room.

Hearing his name he asked, "What was that? Something about if I don't meet someone's expectations?"

Britany rose and walked toward him. "Oh, Ashton, I wouldn't worry too much about my needing a back up. I think what I've got is just fine." She put her arm around his waist then let her hand slip lower in the back. "Do you agree, Felix?" She dropped her head to look up at him through half closed eyes. Then slowly drawing the word out, "Fe-lix?" She lightly flicked her tongue over her parted lips as she finished.

Smiling he took her hand and led her back to the chair where she had been sitting. As he sat down in it, he pulled her into his lap and put one arm around her back.

Resting her head on his right shoulder, Britany watched passively as his free hand slid onto her thigh. She could feel the heat of his body from the hot shower under her bare legs. As his finger tips traced circles on her skin, she lifted her head just enough so she could reach his ear. Lightly kissing it, she felt his shoulders tense, then quickly relax.

Britany had never done anything even close to this before. All of this was new to her. She didn't actually believe everything she had heard, until right then. She had been told by friends how to really get to a guy. She had never used those things before, but, then, she had never had the chance.

But now, when she did, she planned to find out if they really worked. And so far, so good. She had learned how to use her blue eyes to the fullest.

Whispering, she let her breath play over his ear as she spoke, "Hey you might better watch that. This wolf's getting warm. Don't you think your friends might get jealous?"

Easing back so that he could face her, he said, "I don't really care if they get jealous or not. This animal's mine." Slowly winking at her, he added, "Is that okay?" Before she had a chance to answer, he quickly said, "Let's leave this place. I want to get to know you in a little more private environment."

"Sure, where can we go?"

"Well, I don't live around here and we can't exactly drive all the way to the town where I do live, so I was hoping that you would know somewhere."

"I may know of somewhere. It's about an hour from here, but I'm sure that won't matter. Okay?"

"Fine, I want to get away form this whole atmosphere."

"Where's a telephone? I need to make a call first."

"There's one in the next room. Through that door."

Jumping up, she walked to the door he had indicated. Nervous, she pulled it closed and quickly reached for the phone. Impatiently, she dialed her best friend's number.

After what seemed like an eternity, Rachel picked up the other end. "Hello?" she answered groggily.

"Rachel!"

"Wolf? It is almost one in the morning! What do you want at this hour? And it better be good."

"I need you to go to my house and get Robert. He's there and I need to be rid of him before I get home."

"I'm scared to ask, but why?"

"I'm bringing somebody home."

"Who?" Rachel gasped, now fully awake. She shared her best friend's passion for hard rock and the guys that play it.

"Jesse Cutter, a.k.a. Felix. He's a guy in the band I came to see tonight."

"You're kidding. I know this is a joke."

"No, I'm serious. You don't believe me? Hang on just a second." Laying the phone down, she ran to the door, "Jesse, could you come in here for just a second. I had to call my best friend to get my brother out of the house. She won't because she doesn't believe me. Will you speak to her." Then picking up the phone again, she spoke again to her friend, "Rachel, do you remember what that guy sounded like on the tape I've got?"

"Yeah, sure. That's a voice you can't forget."

"Well here it is in real life. He's standing here beside me waiting to prove to you that your best friend is not a liar." Britany handed the phone to Jesse. "Her name is Rachel."

Taking the phone, he winked at Britany. "Rachel? This is Jesse Cutter. Your friend really is here with me. I think we are going to her house tonight. If everything works out, I promise that the other guys and I will meet with you and Wolf tomorrow. Do you believe her now?" Laughing, he handed the phone back to Britany. "I think she does."

"Rachel, are you still there? Now that I've given you proof, please go get my brother out of the house. Tell him that I said he's to spend the night at your house tonight. Leave me a note saying that you did get him and keep him there until you hear from me again. Okay?"

Still shocked, Rachel managed to pull her thoughts together enough to answer, "Yeah, sure. Uh,... see you tomorrow."

As Britany hung up the phone, Jesse grinned slightly, "Well?"

"She believes us. I'm still not sure I do, though."

Pulling her to him, he kissed her for the first time. Feeling her tentative response, he drew back. "Britany,...? Never mind."

"What? Is something wrong?"

"Yes and no. There are a few things I need to ask you. But not right now. We'll talk on the way to your house. That is where we headed isn't it?"

"Yeah." She looked at his face. In his liquid brown eyes, she could see the emotions that he was feeling. She knew because she was having many of the same ones herself.

As they sank into the plush interior of the car Jesse had 'hi-jacked', Britany sighed. This was still unbelievable to her. They were headed for her house.

As the driver stepped in, he turned back to face us. "Okay, Jesse, I agreed to drive you two, now where are we going?"

"Britany, you'll have to tell him how to get there."

"Do you know how to get onto highway 91?"

"Yeah, sure. Been living in this area all my life. Just tell me simply, where do you live?"

After she had told him, he knew where to take them so that she could direct him from there.

Jesse pulled her back down in the seat beside him. He slipped an arm around her shoulders.

Snuggling into the curve of his body, Britany felt warm. She loved being this close to him. Breathing his warm scent, just the essence of his being. As a calm peace came over her, she wondered what he had wanted to say earlier when he had stopped. Even as she said his name, he stopped her.

"I know what you're going to ask. Britany, when I kissed you, I felt your tension. Was that your first?"

"Will it make any difference?"

"Possibly. Was it?"

She was terrified of that 'possibly'. But Britany had to be honest. "Yeah, it was. But, will that matter?"

"Yeah. Not much, but it will some. I'll be more careful. That's all."

She had heard stories, but she didn't understand many of them. "In what way?"

"Every way. A more experienced girl would know a lot more." He paused, contemplating how to phrase what he had to say. "See, what I'm trying to say is, that if things aren't done right, it could turn out to be an awful experience for you. And that would kill it for me too. You understand?"

"Kind-of. Our teacher got into a long tirade in Health about all that one day. I've heard so much that I'm sort-of mixed up and scared. Friends tell you one thing and adults tell you others. Sometimes I can't figure out what to believe."

Jesse looked down at her face. Her almost total innocence was enough to excite him. He loved a time like this. He knew he could show her things that she didn't believe were possible. Not being stuck on himself or anything, but he was good and he knew it. Even at the first time, he could make it a thrill. If he did everything right, he knew he could keep it from being the hell most girls expected. "Britany, if you really and truly want me to, I can show you everything. I can give you the truth. I know you're scared." He moved to face her. "Most girls are the first time. I haven't met one yet that wouldn't tell you she wasn't. I think everybody is. Even guys."

"You?"

"Sure. I thought it was going to be everything that all my friends said it would. And it was, after the first time. But truthfully, I was stark raving terrified. It was fun though." He laughed at the memory, "But with a girl, see, it's totally different. The guy is the one who has to be gentle and really know what he's doing. Yeah sure, parents say that you should stay pure until you get married. But hell, do you want your wedding night fucked up with a terror of having sex?"

"No."

"I personally think that it's a lot easier on a girl if her first time is with somebody who has experience. A man who knows what he's doing and cares how the girl feels will make it a lot better. Have I terrified you even worse? I'm sorry if I have. But Brit, I'm just trying to tell you like it is. Understand?"

"Jesse," her eyes glowed in the dim light in the car. "I'm willing to trust you. Please, don't let anything hurt me."

Continued on Page 3...