The Do Over

Macy stood over me, reading my messages. "You guys are so cute. It's really disgusting in an overindulgent, sweet way."

I brought my phone to my chest and shook my head. "Boundaries, Macy. Sheesh."

The lock jiggled, and the door opened. Beautiful and perfect Candace walked in. Her blonde hair flowed perfectly. With her makeup impeccably applied, she was wearing a stunning halter dress.

"I'm back," Candace announced, bringing her arms around us.

Three grown women squealed in giddy delight.

"Let's go, girls. I have it on good authority that there are Cosmos with our names on them."





Breathe was exactly as I remembered. Beautiful people were lined up along the roped entrance. When we gave the built-like-a-brick-wall bouncer our names, we were quickly ushered in, bypassing the crowd. The music was pulsing, and there was excitement in the air, but the energy was different, almost hedonistic.

I flashed back to that fateful night when everything had changed for me. Macy had dragged me through hoards of people as she'd zeroed in on Chris, and then my life had changed when I'd looked into those blue eyes. My heart fluttered at the memory. The only thing missing from tonight was the possibility of that life-altering chance encounter.

I pulled out my phone.



Dani: Breathe just isn't the same without you.



Liam: I made a lasting impression, huh?



Dani: The type that lasts forever.



"Give me that," Macy said, yanking the phone from my hand. "You're at a club, texting your boyfriend on a girls' night out." She tucked my phone into her clutch.

"Hey, why'd you do that? He might get worried if I don't respond." I reached for her purse.

"I'll take care of this." Macy took out my phone and started tapping on the screen.

This time, I was looking over her shoulder.



Liam: Don't have too much fun. XOXO.



Dani: Chicks before dicks. Love, Macy.



"Now relax and enjoy yourself," she said with a crisp nod.

Walking through the crowd, we were ushered up to the VIP section, and our drinks came out quickly. We lifted our Cosmos and drank to the sisterhood.

"So, tell me, what have I missed?" Candace asked. She sipped her Cosmo elegantly.

"Let's see," Macy started, "you've missed Dani's mood swings, hot flashes, loss of appetite, increased libido, living arrangements, and the best of all, her new pal, Madison the Piranha."

I rolled my eyes. Macy is so dramatic. I exhaled loudly. "Ignore her. I'm so glad you're back. We missed you so much."

Candace smiled, placing her hand on my arm. "Got it. Mood swings, hot flashes, loss of appetite, and increased libido. But what are your living arrangements? And who's Madison?"

"Side effects of my birth-control pill," I huffed. "I've been spending a lot of time at Liam's place."

"She's living there in an unofficial capacity," Macy clarified. "She stops by her place to pick up the mail and then heads back to his. She's even decorating."

"I hate you, Macy."

I felt exposed. I didn't want to have to defend my relationship with Liam, not to Macy, Candace, or Madison. I just wanted them to leave me alone. I finished my drink and ordered another one.

"Oh, come on," Candace said, scooting gracefully over to me, "you don't hate Macy, and I love that things with you and Liam are moving along so nicely." She wrapped her free arm around me as her head lay on my shoulder. "You deserve it all, Dani. It's your turn. Now, tell me about your new friend, Madison. Do you think I'll hate her as much as Macy does?"

"Dani, why don't you tell Candace why Madison isn't here?" Macy smirked.

"I'll state this again. I hate you." I took a long sip of my Cosmo. I could feel the effects of the alcohol on my body. "You would hate her guts, Candace. She's a whore. She has sex for sport, doesn't do relationship, and doesn't do friendships." I drank some more. "And she told me that I was using Liam as a placeholder until I had the guts to…" I took another sip. "To be with the man I really want. But to her credit, she's smart as a whip and can contort her body in ways that Liam would love me to do."

"You're right. I wouldn't like her," Candace said, tucking her hair behind her ear.

As she finished off her first Cosmo, I was ready for my third.

"And, you know, she's wrong about you and Liam. I've seen the two of you, and that bling around your neck tells me that a certain firefighter has the hots for you." She laughed at her own pun.

Why did Macy have to bring up Madison? Now, I had thoughts of my rendezvous with Rick playing in my head. Images of his dimpled smile, the way he'd placed his hand on my back as we'd walked, and the way he had looked at me flashed through my mind. He was romancing me. Madison's condescending voice was screaming at me to choose. When I closed my eyes, I saw Liam's loving gaze, and I could feel him close to me. I love him. Madison was wrong. But if I had to choose, I would choose Liam. It was as simple as that. I'd known earlier what I had to do, and there was no time like the present

"Hey, I was thinking that we should move our brunch closer to home," I said nonchalantly. I sipped my drink while my heart hammered in my chest.

Macy's head snapped and her eyes furrowed. "What the hell?"

"Dani…" Candace's eyes fluttered. "What brought this about? You love going to Lincoln Road, so you can see your freak shows. What about Françoise? You love him."

"I didn't think it was a big deal." I finished off my third drink. "I love Liam more. Macy, if we were closer to home, you'd have more time with Chris's dick." I turned to Candace. "You've never cared where we met as long as we did. It's the smart thing to do. We can meet in the Gables or South Miami. Why drive all the way out to the beach?"

This was the only way. I had to remove myself from the source of the temptation. I couldn't see Rick anymore. He'd talked about fate. Well, let fate have him cross my path again. I hated myself for wanting to see him one last time, but Liam didn't deserve that. I couldn't keep doing that to him. I had to stop, and then it would be over.

"We're cutting you off." Macy grabbed my glass out of my hand. "You're talking nonsense."

I had liquid courage. They had no idea that I was the most sane I'd ever been. My head started to spin. They were talking too fast. I wanted to have half a dozen babies with Liam.

"I have to agree with Macy here," Candace chimed in.

Great. They were ganging up on me.

"What does loving Liam more have to do with any of this?" Candace added.

Crap, she picked up on that.

"And Macy has enough exposure to Chris's penis." She paused. "As far as I'm concerned, I like going to Van Dyke's. I like tradition. So, explain what this has to do with Liam."

"This has nothing to do with Liam," I lied, saying my words very slowly. I signaled the server for another Cosmo. "I just want to do something different." I paused. "We've been going to Lincoln Road for almost two years." I lifted two fingers. "One. Two," I counted for them. "Life's changed since we started going there. I want to do things differently. We need a clean start."

"Clean start?" Candace raised an eyebrow in confusion.

Yes, I wanted clean because I was feeling dirty.

"Candace…" I said slowly. Shit, those Cosmos hit me hard. "It's New Year's resolution time." I giggled. "Out with the old, and in with the new."

"This is the crazy bullshit I've been talking about," Macy said, pointing at me. "See, Candace. I told you something's going on with her."

I let out a deep breath. "There's nothing going on. I just thought we could do things differently since you," I said, staring at Macy, "didn't even want to keep having brunch while Candace was gone. I'm just suggesting a closer venue. Whatever. I give up. Van Dyke's it is." I stood up on wobbly legs as my head spun. "If you'll please excuse me, I'm going to the bathroom."

"I'll go with you," Candace said, inching her way out of her seat.

"Please." I waved her off. "I'll be right back."

I made my way down the stairs, holding on to the rail. The crowd was thick. Bodies pressed up against me as I headed to the hallway near the bar. I was relieved to see the entry leading to the bathroom was empty. I needed space.

The hallway was dimly lit. I ran my hand against the black wall for balance, teetering from side to side. A light flashed as the bathroom door opened and two girls walked out. I blinked my eyes, adjusting to the change. I stopped for a moment, breathing slowly, as I willed myself to sober up.

"God, you look amazing," he breathed in my ear from behind me.

My pulse quickened.

"Rick, what are you doing here?" I asked, turning around. I was taken by surprise because I hadn't expected him and because I liked that he was here.

"Cariño, why wouldn't I be here? A better question is, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be curled up with a book next to your boyfriend?" He moved closer to me. "Fate must be telling us something." His lips curled into a dimpled smile.

I didn't know what was more intoxicating, his scent or the Cosmos I'd had. I thought of Liam. I loved him, honestly and truly. But, at that moment, I just saw those smoldering eyes and that dimpled smile, taking me back to another time. Beyond better judgment, I found myself wanting this moment. It wouldn't mean anything. It would be over before it started.

Is it fate, serendipity, or coincidence? What is he doing here? This wasn't part of my plan. I couldn't escape him even though I was trying to. Providence was making this impossible. Whatever resolve I had left was quickly fading. The buzz from the liquor mixed with my curiosity and the mystery behind these encounters created an unbridled yearning. I wasn't thinking of the past, the present, or the future. I was in the moment, and I wanted whatever this was. It would only be a minute, a brief flash in time. Nothing was going to happen.

I blinked my eyes, trying to gain my composure. "I'm here with the girls. My boyfriend, who I happen to love very much, is working."

The gap between us was gone, and his eyes were focused on my mouth. I instinctively licked my lower lip and bit it. He chuckled seductively, causing a tremor to vibrate in my chest. When he brushed the side of my face with the back of his hand, a shiver coursed through my body. My eyes closed at the sensation. When I opened them, his piercing gaze was focused on me.

In a low husky voice, he said, "I'm still no threat…unless you want me to be."

The energy between us was electric. As my eyes lowered to his lips, my mouth parted slightly. I needed to pull away. This was getting too intense.

His other arm wrapped around my waist as he pulled me closer into him. "Daniela, tell me to stop. Tell me to go away, and I will. Just say the word. I'll do whatever you want."

Passion and desire burned inside of me as I gently squeezed my legs, my body longing to feel his touch.

"Tell me what you want. I want you to stop denying what we both know you feel. Stop ignoring what you want…what we both want."

This was the moment I thought I could handle. The erotic passion that flowed between us was overwhelming. I wanted him to take me right there. I knew he could. He could slide up my dress and f*ck me against the wall. I remembered what it had felt like to have his head buried in my neck as his dick entered me. As I thought about him touching me, my eyes fluttered, and I gasped. This was so wrong.

I closed my eyes and pushed him back. Looking away, I straightened my dress. Trembling, I said, "Rick, we've both had too much to drink. Please. We can't do this. I love Liam. I would never do anything to hurt him. You need to stop."

He leaned in and kissed my cheek, grazing the corner of my lip. "You're right. I'm so sorry. I got carried away. Please forgive me." He sounded sincere. He ran his hands through his hair as he glanced away. Looking back at me, he said, "I value our friendship. It was a slip-up. I'm sorry. When I saw you here, I remembered another time. Please don't be mad at me." He lowered his head and pouted. He slipped his hands into mine.

"I'm not mad at you." My heart beat loudly. "But this can't happen."

"When I see you, it's like how we used to be." He laced his fingers in mine. "Don't you feel it, too?"

When I looked away, he moved in closer, pressing his body into mine.

"It's wrong," I mumbled.

"Cariño, let's make it right. I'll do whatever you want," he whispered in my ear. "Think about it. Fate brought us back together. Stop fighting it."

The moment had quickly turned into a mistake. Letting go of his hands, I cupped his face, looking in his eyes. "Why are you doing this?" I didn't want to know. My head was spinning, and my body was craving his touch. I had to get away. "My friends are going to wonder what's taking me so long." I closed my eyes and then I slowly opened them. "I love him."

"Go." He brought my hands to his mouth and kissed them.

My legs were wobbly as I moved slowly away from him.

"Daniela."

I looked back over my shoulder.

"Just think about it."

I walked away and hid in the bathroom. Behind the closed door of a stall, my body trembled as I throbbed, longing for his touch. I couldn't shake off the feeling of Rick's presence. I felt him on me and in me. His scent lingered on me, causing a shiver of desire to shoot through me. I was desperate for release. My legs were pressed tightly together as my heart pulsed wildly.

When I closed my eyes, I saw Liam's adoring face. My head dropped to my hands. This was all so wrong. I needed to stop. I thought I'd wanted that moment with Rick, but then I didn't. Am I fighting the inevitable? How can I love Liam so much but want Rick so badly? My head was spinning.

"Dani, are you in here?" Candace asked.

"I'm over here," I said, opening the door. "I need to go home. I don't feel good."

She came over to me and helped me to the sink. I splashed some water on my face and then stood there, looking at the reflection. The pendant Liam had given me sat perfectly over my heart.

"I meant it when I said I was back. I'm here for you." Candace rubbed my back.

I smiled flatly. "Thanks. I need to go home."

She turned me gently toward her. Her delicate hands rested on my arms. "Has Liam done something?" Her eyes were searching for the truth I was hiding.

"Liam is too good for me." I turned away and walked to the door. "I'll meet you out front. Can you bring my purse? I need some fresh air."

"Dani?"

"Candace, Liam is wonderful and perfect. I've had too much to drink. I'm having a low self-esteem moment. Stop trying to be my mother. Everything will be back to wonderful in the morning."





I kicked off my shoes as I walked through the door, heading straight for the bedroom. I didn't have the energy to get out of the dress. I sat on the bedroom floor, hugging my knees, as I rocked back and forth. I had too much to drink.

Oh my god, what was I thinking? I had been five seconds away from becoming a lying, cheating whore. As I looked around the dimly lit room, my stomach turned. After I grabbed my phone, I crawled to the bathroom and propped my head over the toilet.

What have I been reduced to? When my body heaved, I tasted the vileness of my actions. Tears streamed down my face as the secrets spewed from my body. The lies by omission choked me. I gasped as my body convulsed, the reflex constricting my stomach. I couldn't take any more of it.

What if Madison was right? She couldn't be right. She was wrong. I loved Liam, but maybe it wasn't over with Rick.

I stood up and stared at my pale reflection. My mascara had streaked down my face. I rinsed my mouth out and washed my face.

My phone rang, startling me. The emotion storming in my soul erupted into a fresh stream of tears. I wiped my face with the back of my hand.

"Hello?" I answered, making my way to the bed.

"Baby, are you okay? You sound like you're crying," Liam said with concern. "Chris sent me a text to check up on you. Something about you being sick."

"I'm fine. I just had too much to drink," I lied again, sort of. "Please don't worry about me. You should be sleeping."

"Why are you crying?" he asked lovingly.

"I had a rough day. Madison said some hurtful things. Macy and Candace ganged up on me. I'm about to get my period. Mix in four Cosmos, and I'm an emotionally hormonal mess. Just ignore me and go to sleep."

"I love you. I hate it when you cry. Your smile's too beautiful to hide behind tears." He paused. "We'll talk about what happened with your friends when I get home."

"Liam, I love you so much. I do. I really do." I clutched his pillow to my chest.

"I know. I love you, too. I can stay on the phone with you until you fall asleep. I want you to have sweet dreams."

"You're my dream come true, Liam. Now, don't worry about me and go to sleep. I'm fine. I'll see you in the morning."

"Good night. I love you."

"I love you, too."

I was emotionally exhausted. I crawled under the covers and fell fast asleep.





The next morning, I woke up when I felt the bed dip. His loving arms wrapped around me. I rolled toward him, staring into his beautiful blue eyes.

He caressed my face, smiling. "Good morning, beautiful."

Reaching my arms around him, I hugged him for dear life. "Beautiful? I've got bed head and morning breath."

He pulled back, tucking my hair behind my ears. He brought his lips to my mouth. "Don't you dare talk shit about the woman I love. You're beautiful."

When my lips parted in a smile, he kissed me with love, passion, desire, and possession.

His love was so real, so deep, and so passionate.

I was suffocating in my deceit.





Martini Bar was packed for New Year's Eve. When I saw Bruce at the bar, he motioned with his head that Madison was in the back. We were going to celebrate tonight. Meeting her was a godsend. She'd created the right amount of doubt in Daniela's head and then told me where she would be the other night. I was a little behind schedule, but considering the big picture, I couldn't complain. Everything was falling into place.

I weaved through the crowd and walked down the long familiar corridor. Madison's door was slightly opened, and I pushed it back all the way. Wearing my black Hugo Boss suit and a crisp white button-down shirt, I leaned against the doorway as I watched her. She was standing behind her desk, shuffling papers. Maddy was rocking a little black sequin dress. When I cocked my head to the side, I saw that her dress didn't go much lower than her ass. Maddy was on the prowl tonight.

When she looked up at me, her expression changed completely. "What are you doing here, Rick?" she asked, placing her hands on the desk for support.

The bracelet I had given to her for Christmas dangled on her wrist as her blonde hair cascaded down the front of her dress.

"Well, Maddy, it's New Year's. You're here, so I'm here," I said, stating the obvious. "By the way, you look beautiful tonight." I winked.

Walking around her desk, she gestured for me to enter her office, and I closed the door behind me. She reclined against it. Yes, that dress is way too short.

"Hon, do you know how I ring in the New Year?" Madison asked coyly.

I sat down in the leather chair right across from her and admired the view. "Enlighten me. Most people do it with champagne. I see you have that right there," I said, pointing at her desk. "And a kiss at midnight."

She threw her head back, elongating her neck, and laughed. She then straightened up and looked at me. "Well, I'm not very traditional. I like to have a dick inside of me, so I can ring in the New Year with an orgasm."

This whole discussion was bothering the shit out of me. She deserved better than that, and I had been working damn hard to protect her p-ssy.

"Let's do New Year's different this year," I suggested.

She tilted her head to the side and pouted her lips. "Hmmm, why is that?"

Madison was my best friend, and I cared about her. I stood up, got closer to her, and held her hands. Looking her in the eyes, I said, "Let's make New Year's resolutions. You deserve better than your one-night stands."

She ripped her hands out of mine. Her brow furrowed, and her blue eyes stormed with intensity.

"Maddy," I said, caressing her face with the back of my hand, "you deserve more."

"F*ck you!" she yelled. She walked behind her desk, putting some distance between us. "Do I deserve what Daniela has? Because the last time I checked, she was getting her mind f*cked by you. She's been manipulated and lied to. For what? So that she can f*cking lose a man that adores her with all his heart? So that she can become your guaranteed f*ck? Yeah, that's exactly what I want. So, what's your goddamn New Year's resolution? To not be such an a*shole?"

Those were fighting words. Where the hell is all this coming from? "What the f*ck is your problem, Madison?" I yelled. "Daniela isn't going to be my guaranteed f*ck. Maybe that's what you need instead of whoring yourself to every Tom, Dick, and Harry."

She got violent and threw her stapler at me. I ducked, and it hit the wall.

"Are you f*cking crazy, throwing that shit at me? You could've hurt me."

"F*ck you, Rick, for calling me a f*cking whore. At least, I'm not delusional. I know who I am. I f*ck who I want when I want. I'm the one calling the shots. I'm not like the Danielas of the world who have the illusion that their guaranteed f*ck is anything more than that. They actually think that your type gives a shit about them, but it's a lie. You dumped her sorry ass because it was getting too real for you, and now, you want her because she's with someone else."

"You are one f*cking bitter bitch. I'm not the same man I was then," I said, spewing the same venom that she did. "I want to be with her and have the life we were meant to live. F*ck you for saying this shit." I ran hands through my hair. I was so f*cking pissed off. Shit. I was ready to throw something at her. I just wanted her to f*cking shut the f*ck up.

"You're still the same old Rick. You're the crazy one to think that you're different. You're a selfish bastard and an a*shole. That fact, my dear, has not changed. When she finds out what you've done, do you really think that she'll see you as the man you sold to her? Then what? She'll be left with nothing. You've f*cked up everyone's life here. And you know what?" She paused and took a drink of champagne straight from the bottle. "I'm a f*cking coconspirator for helping you. Now, f*cking leave." She waved to the door with one hand as she held the champagne bottle in the other. "It's almost midnight, and I want to get f*cking laid."

I was a man possessed. I heard the countdown as I walked behind her desk. Standing inches from her, I was close enough that I could feel her heart beating. I tilted up her chin. In a commanding voice, I said, "Don't f*cking take your eyes off of me."

When the clock struck twelve, I took the bottle out of her hand and drank from it. Then, I ran the tip over her mouth, teasing her, until she seductively wrapped her lips around it. She tilted her head back as the champagne spilled into her mouth and dripped down her chin.

I placed the bottle behind her, and then I reached for her. As I crushed my mouth furiously on to hers, her lips parted, opening for me. Our tongues explored and danced together. I dragged her body into mine, pressing my f*cking hard-on against her. Her fingers raked and tugged through my hair. I ran my tongue along her chin, licking up the remnants of champagne. F*ck, she tastes delicious.

I weaved my hands through her hair, pulling her head back, as I nipped behind her ear. My lips trailed down, blowing softly on her neck. Purring, she ran her tongue along the shell of my ear and then sucked on it. My hands slid to her chest. I grabbed her tits and kneaded her nipples until they pebbled for me, just the way I liked them.

Pulling back, I stared at her with crazed desire. Our breathing was quick and frenzied. I yanked down her dress, exposing her swollen tits. F*ck. Her nipples were pink and hard. I licked my lips and wrapped them around one. Feeling her inside my mouth, my tongue swirled and sucked. She whimpered as my thumb and forefinger pinched her other nipple. I felt f*cking alive.

I pushed her up onto the desk, watching as her eyes darkened with intense passion. Her little black dress rode up to her waist, exposing her lacy black thong, as her legs wrapped around my hips. I had to touch her. I reached my hand between her legs. As I cupped her p-ssy, my dick throbbed.

She moaned. "Ahhh, Rick, that feels so good…Rick."

She felt f*cking incredible. I wanted to devour her p-ssy with my mouth, tasting, licking, and eating her.

My eyes focused on her pouty lips. That mouth had cursed me and driven me insane. It was the one I hated and loved. I licked her lower lip and sucked on it. Running my teeth over it, I bit her, and she whimpered in my mouth. F*ck. I almost came in my pants. She tugged at my jacket, and I let it fall to the floor. She unbuttoned my shirt, untucked it, and started running her hands over my chest. When she reached for my pants, I held her hands, pinning them behind her back.

"Don't move them." I was calling the shots.

With her eyes still focused on mine, my fingers started teasing the seam of her thong. Pushing the fabric aside, I slid my finger over her drenched p-ssy, flicking her *. I slipped two fingers inside of her, hooking them, as I found her G-spot. Her mouth was open as her eyes glazed. F*ck. She was grinding against my hand.

In a husky, low voice, I asked her, "Do you like it when I touch you?"

The sounds coming from her mouth were f*cking hot. "Yes," she panted. She leaned back and moaned. "Please don't stop. Oh god, this feels so f*cking good."

"Beg me, Maddy," I whispered in her ear. I licked along her collarbone before I moved down to her tits. F*ck. I couldn't get enough of her tits. I wanted my dick to be squeezed between them.

"F*ck you," she hissed between moans, still grinding my hand.

"You want me to f*ck you?" I rubbed my rock hard dick against her leg. "Beg me."

"I'm almost there, Rick…yes."

I slid my fingers out slowly and spread open her p-ssy. Bending down, I licked my lips and then ran my tongue along the inside of her thigh. She placed her heels on my shoulders. Her p-ssy was calling for me. I needed to taste her and feel her against my mouth.

Instead, I pulled back and stood up, staring at her. Her legs slipped down along my waist. My dick throbbed. F*ck. I was so pissed at her, but at the same time, I was starved for her. I hated her, but I couldn't get enough of her. She was so gorgeous, and I knew she would be the end of me. What the f*ck is she doing to me? I brushed my chin against her neck as I closed my eyes and inhaled her perfume.

With my fingers still stroking her p-ssy, I whispered, "Think about me when you're getting f*cked tonight." I pulled them out and licked them. F*ck, she tastes phenomenal.

I walked out and slammed the door behind me.

F*ck my f*cking life!