Part 1

****phone rings*****

"Sarah...........Sarah............"

Sleepily, Sarah responds, "Yeah...."

"Phone for you."

"Thanks, Bec.........Hello."

"Hey baby! Were you still asleep?"

"Yeah, ‘D’, we WERE out late last night and I don’t have to work today so I figured I’d sleep in."

"I’m sorry. I offered to let you stay with me."

"Don’t start, Howie, please."

"Okay....look, I need your help planning the birthday party for Kevin. Can you meet me at the club later today?"

"What time?"

"Well, it’s noon now. How about in a couple hours?"

"Ummmmm.........okay. That’ll be enough time to get a shower and something to eat."

"Don’t eat. I’ll fix you something at the club."

"Okay."

"See you soon, ‘Angel’."

Sarah hung up and looked at the clock. Damn, noon already! Howie never seemed to be tired no matter how late they partied.

The shock of Howie’s and Sarah’s breakup seemed to have been softened by the fact that they still saw each other frequently but no one could get over the fact that she was also seen around town with Kevin and AJ just as often. Occasionally they were all seen together and having a good time. Sarah had been dating all three of them now for the last several months. Last night had been one of those times that all four of them had been together at ‘Tabu’ and the ‘party’ had lasted until almost six in the morning.

Sarah wondered if Howie had even gone home at all. He had been drinking more since their breakup and AJ or Kevin would make sure that he didn’t drive the hour back to his condo in Cocoa Beach or at least had one of the bodyguards take him. None of them wanted to see him get hurt or into trouble.

Sarah got up and went to get her shower. When she got done, she decided to wear her white sundress that Howie loved so much on her. She still wanted to make him happy and loved seeing his eyes light up when she came into the room. With her hair in a loose braid and sandals, Sarah headed downstairs to talk to Becca.

"It’s about time you got up. Was that Howie?"

"Yeah. I’m meeting him at the club to plan Kevin’s birthday party. It’s a week away. You know, now that you’ve stopped traveling so much, maybe you can join us at one of the parties."

"I’d love to but I’m still going to be busy with the choir."

"Too much to meet your FAVORITE group?" teased Sarah.

"You know the answer to that," laughed Becca.

"Nicky’s available again. Maybe Kevin’s birthday party would be a good time to hook you up with him. What do you think?’

"When’s the party?"

"October 3rd."

Becca looked at her calendar that hung on the wall. She and Sarah had started writing down important things there so they could both keep track of what the other was doing. Plus, Becca had learned that if she didn’t REMIND Sarah frequently of choir practice, she’d forget completely. Ever since breaking up with Howie, Sarah hadn’t been herself and Becca was concerned about her. When she tried talking to her, Sarah would blow it off and change the subject. It was obvious to Howie’s friends and Sarah’s that the two were still very much in love but NO ONE seemed to know what was going on and the two of them weren’t talking.

"I’m free."

"I’ll talk to Howie about introducing you to Nick!"

"Thanks. Now, when are you suppose to meet Howie?"

"He said in a couple hours but I’m sure that if I left now, I’d find him at the club."

"Then why don’t you go spend some time with Howie?"

Sarah eyed Becca suspiciously. "Why should I spend time with Howie? I was just with him last night and I’ll probably be with him most of the afternoon."

"What about tonight?"

"AJ and I are going out."

Becca shook her head. "I can’t believe you."

"What?" said Sarah defensively.

"You were head over heals in love with Howie and now you’re going out with AJ. Why don’t you tell me what’s going on?"

Sarah downed the drink she had gotten from the refrigerator and said, "Because there isn’t ANYTHING to tell. I’ll see you later."

"DON’T FORGET WE HAVE CHOIR PRACTICE TOMORROW MORNING!" yelled Becca as Sarah left the house.

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

At the club, Howie was sitting in his office staring at a picture of Sarah and him together at the last benefit the night everything had come crashing down. God, he loved her so much. Why had he been so stupid? She had trusted him from the minute she had met him and he had let her down. He knew how she felt about being faithful but he had pushed her into it and he had only himself to blame. He knew how Russell had felt when he first met Sarah.

Howie heard her footsteps on the stairs and he turned to the door in time to see her come in. Damn....she was wearing that dress. "Hey, ‘Angel’. You’re early."

Sarah gave Howie a kiss, "And you haven’t been home. ‘D’, if you don’t stop doing this to yourself, you’ll never be ready for the tour."

"The tour isn’t for another month and a half. I’ll be ready."

Sarah eyed him. "Okay."

He pulled her into his lap and put his arms around her burying his face in her neck. His beard tickled her and she laughed softly. "You smell so good."

"And you smell like Jack Daniels. Come on. Let me drive you home so you can get a cleaned up."

"Only if you promise to take one with me."

Sarah sighed, "Let me make a phone call and we’ll go."

Sarah knew by Howie’s voice that it would be a long night. It was always like this after the four of them had been together and it broke her heart. She called AJ and told him that they would have to go out another night. It infuriated AJ to no end but he didn’t push the matter. He made her promise that they would go out the next night and she agreed.

When she hung up, Howie handed her the keys to his corvette and they went out together arm in arm. He was leaning on her because he was still very drunk and Sarah told the manager as they left not to expect Howie back that night.

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

The drive to Howie’s was quiet mainly because Howie had passed out shortly after getting into the car. Sarah looked over at him as she drove through town and thought how sweet he looked. God....why did he do this to her? She wasn’t able to concentrate on getting her life straight with him like this. Hopefully once the tour started, Howie would be okay and she’d be able to think things through. She REALLY hadn’t been doing that. She’d been living for the moment. It was fun to have all three of the guys’ attention and the sex had been awesome.

At the house, it was all Sarah could do to wake Howie but she managed to do it. John had to come out and help get Howie into the house because he was still really out of it.

"What’s going on, Sarah?" asked John after they had gotten Howie into his room.

"Nothing. Why?"

"I know better. You moved out and Howie hasn’t been himself since. This isn’t typical of him."

Sarah looked at Howie asleep on the bed. She said, "I needed some space."

John eyed her suspiciously. "Yeah...that’s why you keep coming back to him. I’ll see you later. I’ll be gone for a couple days."

"Bye, John," said Sarah as she gave Howie’s brother a kiss on the cheek.

When John was gone, Sarah went to the living room and called Kevin. She needed to talk to him desperately.

"Hey, Kev. Are you busy?"

"No, what’s up?"

"Can you drive out to Howie’s? I really need to talk to you."

"He’s drunk again."

"Yep! Passed out. I don’t expect him to wake up for a while."

"Aren’t you and AJ suppose to be going out tonight?"

"We were but I called and cancelled. AJ was pissed too."

"You know, I’m not sure this is going to be able to go on much longer. AJ and Howie have been at each other’s throats ever since this all happened."

"No, I didn’t know that. Please come out so we can talk."

"I’ll be there in an hour, baby. Hang tight."

Sarah hung up and went to get something to eat while she waited. Howie had promised to make her lunch so she was starving now. There were leftovers in the refrigerator so she got them out and heated them up.

Kevin arrived exactly an hour after hanging up with Sarah and the two went out to the beach to talk. They walked together for a long time in silence until Sarah finally decided to speak up.

"Kev, I can’t keep doing this. Howie tells me he’s okay with the way things are but after a night like last night, he pulls this. He never went home after we left last night and he kept drinking."

"He’s not over you, Sarah, and he never will be. Did he ever tell you WHY he had to be with you?"

"No, just that he had fallen in love with me the minute he saw me."

Kevin smiled. "I didn’t think he would. Well, about a month before you two met, Howie started having dreams about this girl. He described her to us one day at my house and then not long after that, he met you. Sarah, he descibed you perfectly from the dress you’re wearing now to your blue eyes to the color of your hair. He calls you ‘Angel’ because you were the angel of his dreams."

"Why didn’t he ever tell me?"

"Probably because he thought you’d think he was crazy. It broke his heart when he took you to Fernandina to visit your daughter’s grave and I think he was happier than you when your divorce was final. I also know for a fact that he was going to propose to you before everything happened."

Sarah looked up at Kevin. "You’re kidding?"

"No. I’ve seen the ring."

"Oh my god! What am I going to do?"

"Look, my advice would be to cut it off completely with Howie until you can decide what you want."

"You’re serious?"

"Very. I can’t stand seeing what this is doing to BOTH of you. You two are in love with each other and it’s not going to get any easier the longer you two keep doing this ‘dance’."

"Thanks, Kevin."

The two had made their way back to Howie’s and Kevin gave Sarah a kiss. He held her in his arms for the longest time and said, "I want you for myself, Sarah, but I’m not willing to be the one to hurt either you or Howie. Get things straight in your head and make your decision."

"Thanks. By the way, what are you doing for your birthday?"

"Howie’s throwing me a surprise party at ‘Tabu’."

Sarah laughed, "How did you know?"

"Nick let it slip. I promise, I’ll act surprised."

"Would you be my date for that night?"

"Am I going to be your only date?"

"Yes. It’s your birthday so the night will be yours, I promise."

"Then you’ve got a date. I’ll see you later."

"Kevin, you’re a REALLY good friend. Thanks."

With a quick kiss, Kevin said, "You’re welcome. Now go take care of Howie."

Sarah watched as Kevin got into his car and left. Then she went back inside where she decided to take a nap. She was still tired from partying all night.

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

Later that night, Howie woke holding Sarah in his arms and he kissed her on the neck.

Sarah rolled over and said, "How do you feel?"

"Hung over. How long have I been asleep?"

"A few hours. John had to help get you into the house."
"Why are you here?"

"You asked me to come with you. Howie, I’m worried about you."

Aggrivated by that comment, Howie let go of her and rolled onto his back. "If you’re so worried, why don’t you come back to me?"

"You won’t let it go, will you?"

"NO! I love you and I’ve told you I was sorry...that you didn’t do anything wrong and I don’t feel like you were cheating on me."

"Let’s not go through this again."

"Fine! I’m going to get a shower."

"I’ll go fix you some dinner then."

Sarah got up and went to the kitchen leaving Howie in his room. He watched her and then got up to get a shower. As he stood under the hot water, he thought about the whole thing and wished like hell he could do it over. Kevin had warned him that night but he hadn’t listened.

As he stood there, he heard the bathroom door open and then turned to see Sarah stepping into the shower with him. God, she was more beautiful then ever and he felt the familiar stiffness of his cock. She had never stopped having that affect on him.

Sarah stepped into his arms and ran her hands across his chest. She kissed him lightly just below his Adam’s apple and whispered, "I’m sorry, baby."

"There’s no need to apologize, Angel," said Howie as he ran his hands over her body. "Mmmmm....I’ve missed the feel of your body next to mine."

Sarah continued to kiss him along his neck and collarbone as she ran her fingers lightly over his back. "I was just with you last night, baby."

"And Kevin and AJ...."

"Don’t please. It’s just you and me now," she said as she took his cock into her hand. She stroked him as she moved her kisses down his chest until she reached his erection. She took it in her mouth completely and began to move up and down on him sucking him hard.

Howie moaned, "Oh god baby! You’ve never done this to me before."

She pulled back and looked up at him, "It only gets better."

Sarah continued to suck on his cock, easing him in and out as he wound his fingers in her hair letting her go at her own pace. With one hand, she caressed his balls and with the other, she ran it over ass pulling him into her. She ran her tongue the length of his shaft and then back to the very tip. Oh, god! She missed this..the feel of him tensing in her hands, the feel of his cock, the soft murmers from him.. The first few drops slid out and Sarah licked them hungrily but before she could do any more, Howie took her hands and pulled her up to him.

"Baby, you do something to me that no woman has ever done before or ever will again," he said as he kissed her neck.

Easily, Howie lifted Sarah into his arms and she wrapped her legs around his waist. His cock was right on the edge of her wet cunt, teasing. He slowly lowered her onto him and she felt the fullness within her.

"Oh, god.....Howie! I need more!"

Howie used the wall to help balance her in his arms as he stroked in and out. The feeling of being in her, knowing that she was in *his* arms tonight was more than he could stand and he exploded inside her almost immediately.

He set her down gently and cut the shower off. Sitting down , he buried his face in his arms and began to cry. Sarah couldn’t understand what was wrong but she knew that something wasn’t right. Howie never stopped that quickly. She knelt down with him and put her arms around her.

"D, what’s wrong?"

"Sarah, I can’t keep doing this. I love you so much that the thought of having you in my arms to myself drives me over the edge. I wanted tonight to be good for you and I came like a teenager his first time out."

Sarah laughed softly, "Howie, it’s okay! We have all night."

Howie looked up at her, "You’re going to stay with me?"

"Yeah. I told Tito that you wouldn’t be at the club tonight and I cancelled my date with AJ. He’s ticked but he’ll get over it."

"Why?"

"Because I want to be with you."

"And tomorrow?"

"I can’t make any promises, Howie."

"I’ll take what I can get."

The couple finished showering together and then went out to fix dinner together. It was the first time since they’d broken up that they had been comfortable together but in the back of Sarah’s mind, she knew this was the last time she could do this until she was sure of what she wanted.

Part 2            Prelude Index            The Dance Saga Index