The loud crashing of a nearby clap of thunder woke Michele from a deep sleep. She sat up straight in bed, the covers tangled around her and slightly disoriented. A flash of lightning lit up the entire room and Michele jumped, her eyes immediately searching for the glowing green numbers of her bedside clock, but finding only darkness in their place. Another clap of thunder made her flinch and she threw the covers back, intent on getting the candles she kept stashed in the top drawer of her dresser. She knew she could never fall back asleep, not with the lightning harshly illuminating her room every few seconds. She decided to stay up and wait the storm out. She plucked a few candles from the drawer, fumbling with the matches until a streak of lightning provided her enough light. She padded into the living room, using one of the candles to illuminate the hall clock, finding it only to be just after midnight. She'd gone to bed early after receiving a call from Zac saying that he and his brothers had decided to do a little late night studio work.

Michele made her way into the living room, flinching with every clap of thunder and flash of lightning. The frequency of the crashes meant the storm was almost upon them, even though it hadn't begun to rain yet. Feeling wide awake and deciding it would keep her mind off the storm, Michele lit the pillar candles standing beside her favorite chair and dug a novel out of the bookcase.

She had made it halfway through the first chapter of a book she'd already read twice when she thought she heard the crunch of gravel in the driveway. She got up warily and peeked out of the kitchen window to see a familiar black truck just shutting off it's headlights. She smiled, thinking that Zac must've stolen his brother's truck again for a late night visit. But when the figure stepped onto the porch, a streak of lightning lit up the midnight sky, and a pair of deep blue eyes shone through the darkness.

Michele sighed, wondering what in the hell *he* was doing on her back porch at nearly one in the morning. She moved to answer the door, swinging it open before he even had a chance to knock.

"Anxious, much?" he asked smugly, his fingers hooked in the pockets of his jeans.

"What the hell do you want, Hanson?" she asked, trying not to jump as another clash of thunder resounded through the house.

"Just stopping by," he said, shrugging past her into the house, purposefully brushing as much of his body against hers as he could. "wanted to see what you were up to."

"It's after midnight, Taylor. What the hell do you think I'm doing?" She turned in disbelief to watch him waltz into her living room. She closed the door behind her, clicking the dead bolt shut.

"Walking around in your underwear?" he guessed, stretching himself out on her couch, propping his feet on the coffee table, careful not to disturb the candles.

Michele blushed, thankful he couldn't see her, and self-consciously tugged at the hem of her short chemise. She sat back down and picked up her novel, flipping to the page she'd dog-eared, intent on ignoring him.

Taylor caught on to her little ploy and busied himself trying to distract her. He lifted his arms over his head, groaning as he stretched and then settled his body deeper into the couch. Michele could sense his movement out of the corner of her eye, but she didn't let on. She shifted in her seat, making it possible for her to see him over the top of the book. Not that she was looking...she just wanted to keep an eye on him. His eyes darted over to her, briefly catching her gaze before she quickly turned her attention back to the book. Taylor sighed and stood up, his tall form nearly reaching the blades of the ceiling fan.

"All these candles makes it kinda hot in here, dontcha think?" he said, slowly unbuttoning his short sleeve navy shirt. Michele raised her eyebrows and hoped against hope that he had on another shirt on underneath. The shirt dropped to the floor, revealing a white wifebeater tightly hugging his body. Michele could feel her pulse slightly speed up and cursed her body for betraying her.

Taylor sank back down into the couch, running his fingers through his hair, and knowing full well that Michele was watching his every move. He purposefully licked his lips, making sure his bottom lip got more than enough attention from his tongue. He rolled his head back on the couch, his profile shadowed on the far wall by the candles. Michele's attention had absently wavered to the shadows, but her entire body flushed with warmth when he began to sing. She'd heard Zac humming the same tune, but Taylor's voice caressed the words, soothing them, stroking them, gathering them in his essence. The gentle rumbling of his voice in the stillness of the night sent a shuddering chill through her, even though his proximity and the candles had placed a light sheen of sweat over her skin.

She glanced briefly over at him, his eyes dancing with the same excitement she'd seen earlier coupled with the newfound heaviness of pure lust. She bit her bottom lip as she watched his eyes trace over her body, starting with her face and trailing down to her bare legs and back up again. His lean body, legs outstretched, hands resting on the couch on either side of him, seemed an open invitation. Michele's gaze turned back to the pages of her novel where the words were blurring together as her eyes fluttered in weakness.

Finally, she slammed the book shut and sent it clamoring to the floor. She rose from the chair, purposefully avoiding any eye contact with Taylor.. She swallowed, trying desperately to calm her ragged breath. She strode to the hallway, stopping when she reached the precipice where light met dark. She turned around slowly, the candlelight flickering on her skin, and met his gaze.

"You coming?"

--

Taylor shut the door behind him, sealing them into the candle lit room. Both sets of eyes turned skyward when the sudden outburst of hard rain began to pound on the tin roof. Michele turned around, her heart pounding so furiously she was sure he could hear it. The smug grin that had graced his lips when he rose from the sofa was still there, but was twisting into the pout of a man hungry with pure animalistic passion. She could see that a few pinpricks of sweat had formed along his brow and upper lip and she swallowed, suppressing the urge to lick them away.

The tiny space between them seemed like an ocean and Michele could feel her senses begin to drown in the heat that emanated from their bodies. They stood, eyes locked, for what seemed like an eternity, all practical thought dripping from their bodies with each hot breath exhaled.

"I knew you couldn't..."

"Shut up, Taylor," she breathed, lunging at him and closing her mouth over the smirk that had curled his lips. His hands immediately went to cup her face, his long fingers splaying across her jaw. Her lips craved him, desperate to devour him, take him in, taste him fully...finally. His tongue forced into her mouth, fiercely swirling with hers, competing for the space they shared

Michele moved her hands to his waist, tugging roughly at his shirt, lifting it from his jeans and over his head. He slung it across the room, backing them closer to the bed. Michele's lips found the warm skin of his chest, her fingertips swirling over his nipples. His large hands and nimble fingers groped wildly at her body, searing her flesh even through the satin gown. His hands roamed beneath the hem, tracing over her lace panties, fingers slipping beneath the rim. Their mouths were fused in a furious kiss, passion and lust running even between them. Michele tore at the buttons on his jeans, roughly slipping her hands inside and grasping the torrid flesh of his hardness.

Taylor growled against her mouth when she touched him and then broke their kiss, gently shoving her away from him. Michele backed away, stopping when her legs touched the soft cotton of the duvet. Her eyes traveled the length of him, pausing once at the bulge that strained against his jeans before settling on his eyes. They were dark and flashing, fiery sparks equaling that of the lightning. She bit her bottom lip, eyes narrowing as she ran her hands across her breasts and down to her bare thighs. She grasped the hem of her gown, slowly and seductively lifting it over her head and dropping it to a shimmering heap at her feet.

Michele grinned when Taylor's eyes widened and then glazed over. He closed the space between them, his mouth immediately covering one breast, sucking gently as she tunneled her fingers through his hair. He teased one nipple to hardness before working on the other, Michele sighing in pleasure. She forced her attention back to his waist, her fingers slipping through the faint line of soft hair trailing below his navel. She slipped her hands in his jeans, sliding them off his hips as he gently pushed her down onto the bed. He kicked his jeans off, his boxers joining them on the floor.

Michele opened her arms to him, splaying her legs for him to rest between.. He sank his body down on hers, his hardness pressing against the moist warmth of her panties. He licked a trail from her navel between her breasts to the hollow of her throat. His eyes met hers and he grinned wickedly, his mouth descending on hers again as his fingers trailed to the waistband of her panties. Gathering a handful of the lacy fabric, he literally ripped it from her body, causing Michele to bite his lip in surprise. She nearly laughed aloud, but her body stilled when she felt his long fingers gently probing the soft folds of the warm flesh between her legs.

She writhed beneath him as his fingers teased her, his hips instinctively beginning to thrust against her. She steepled her knees, tightening them around his waist, her fingers grasping his sweaty back, pulling him into her. He exhaled a long, ragged moan as he slid thickly inside her, Michele arching her back at the welcome invasion. The tight confines of her body sucked him in and he grunted his approval, long steady strokes creating a rhythm she matched. She met him thrust for thrust until a shuddering warmth threatened to take her over the edge. Her body tightened around him as she exploded, her emotions spiraling out of control. His hips drove furiously into her, his own body aching for release. His name left her lips in a scream and he abandoned his body to her, filling her with stream after stream of his warmth.

Taylor collapsed beside her, his palms resting on his heaving chest while he attempted to slow his racing heart. He swallowed hard and looked at Michele, her face flushed and tickled with sweat. He peeled a damp strand of hair from her temple and replaced it with a kiss. She raised her eyes to his, becoming lost in the shimmering pools of blue and satisfied by the look of contentment easing his features. She touched her lips to his, surprised when he pulled the duvet around their shoulders, his arm draped gently around her. She snuggled into him, his lips branding her forehead as her eyes fluttered shut. He closed his own eyes, the rhythm of her breathing matched with the steady rain lulling him into a content sleep.

"I wanna thank you again for helping me out tonight, Michele," Diana Hanson said as she handed Michele a bowl of carrots she'd just chopped and washed. "I don't know what I'd do without you girls."

Michele smiled, glad that she and Alexis, Isaac's girlfriend, could be of help. The apprehension she'd felt when she first walked into the Hanson home had slightly faded, now that she'd busied herself with other things. When she had first stepped into the orderly chaos of the house that was always filled with children and innocence, the house that smelled like Taylor, the house that fairly *resounded* with everything Taylor, an overwhelming sense of nervousness and anxiousness had washed over her. Needless to say, their encounter a few days before had remained squarely in the front of Michele's mind ever since Jessie had opened the door and invited her in nearly two hours ago. She'd stepped hesitantly into the den, discreetly looking for signs that Taylor might be around. His truck was in the driveway so she knew he was home. She hadn't seen him since she'd stood on her back porch in the dewy dampness of the early morning sunlight, nothing but a still-warm sheet wrapped around her, and kissed him good-bye. She remembered smiling when he grinned before turning and walking to his truck, his shirt slung over his shoulder. She had yet to see him this afternoon, but a long evening lie ahead and she knew a run-in would be inevitable.

"I don't mind. I'm glad we could help," Michele said. "It seems like forever since I've seen Zoe, anyway."

"Well, the meeting shouldn't last long," Diana said, taking a pot roast out of the oven with mittened hands. "I just didn't want the kids to have to sit through it - you know, boring business stuff."

Michele nodded, remembering Zac telling her *he* didn't want to have to sit through the boring business stuff. But, they had planned on recording their next album entirely in Tulsa, so they had to make sure everything was set with all the record people. Diana had suggested making it a dinner meeting at the house so as to make it more comfortable for all parties.

"My two favorite women," Zac's deep voice floated ahead of him as he entered the kitchen. He swiped a celery stick from the vegetable plate his mother had meticulously put together and greeted Michele with a kiss on the cheek. She let out a whistle when she turned and saw how dressed up he was, smiling when his ears blushed pink.

"Where are your brothers?" Diana asked her son. "Ya'll need to..." She paused when the doorbell rang, a flustered look washing over her features. Michele took the casserole Diana was holding and shooed her into the living room to greet their guests.

"So, Zac," Michele began, coming to stand behind him and sifting her fingers through his hair, smoothing it back to the nape of his neck and letting it fall back around his shoulders. "You ready for tonight?"

He leaned his head back into her, sighing in the relaxation her fingers were affording him. "Not really, but if it means we get to stay in Tulsa all summer, then I'm all for it."

"Me, too," Michele grinned, circling her arms around his neck and resting her cheek against his. "I don't know what I'd do if you left me all alone this summer. I mean, whose ass would I kick at Mario Kart?"

Zac chuckled, a deep rumbling that resounded through them both. They sighed simultaneously, smiling at the contentment their mere presence had evoked in the other. Michele smiled when Zac snuggled his face closer to her, filling her world with his warm boyish scent, tinged with the slightest hint of Abercrombie cologne. She briefly closed her eyes, savoring the sweet moment.

But the unmistakable clunk of Doc Martens on hardwood floor caught her attention. She glanced up to see Taylor standing in the doorway, his blue eyes narrowing at the scene before him. Michele straightened, breaking all physical contact with Zac, save her hands which she left resting on his shoulders. Her eyes met Taylor's for an eternal moment, leaving her heart to start pounding and her palms to dampen. Invisible waves of electricity, heat, and desire flew between them, turning the tension in the room up to an unbearable level. Taylor opened his mouth to speak and Michele half expected some smart-ass comment to escape him. "Zac, company's here. We gotta go, man." Zac nodded, a look of utter surprise plastered over his features. His eyes stayed glued to Taylor as he stood, disbelieving what he'd heard. Like Michele, he thought Taylor would have completely ripped into him, especially after finding them in a somewhat compromising position.

"You gonna stick around after the meeting?" Zac asked Michele. "We could go do something."

"Um, yeah, " Michele said, faltering slightly after being broken from her Taylor-induced haze. "I'll be around."

"Cool," he smiled, lightly touching his fingertips to her cheek before shrugging past Taylor to go into the den.

Alone in the vast kitchen, Taylor and Michele simply stood planted to their respective spots. Taylor's eyes had remained fixed on her ever since he'd stepped foot into the kitchen. She tentatively raised her eyes to meet his and her body flooded with warmth at the sight of him. His hair was still damp from a shower he must've just stepped out of, and unlike his brothers, he'd chosen to dress more casually. His token silver cross gleamed in the fluorescent light of the kitchen, starkly contrasting the black of his shirt.

He took a step forward, his long legs quickly devouring the space between them. Michele's heart leapt into her throat at his proximity, and she placed her hand on the back of a chair for support as she felt her knees want to buckle.

"Yeah, you gonna be around later?" His perpetually raspy voice carried a new edge of huskiness she'd only previously heard from within the throes of passion. His eyes were locked into hers, denoting something entirely different than what Zac had meant. The knowledge that he wanted her again made Michele dizzy with desire. She entertained thoughts of shoving her lips to his right there in the center of the kitchen, but the low hum of chatter she could hear from the den kept her at bay.

"Yeah," she breathed, her heart rate tripling when she saw a flash of excitement pass through his eyes. Just knowing that she aroused him, someone so beautiful and sexual, made her insane with desire.

"Cool," he mocked his brother's motions, lightly brushing his fingers across her cheek, leaving her skin warm and flushed in their wake.

He strode purposefully out of the kitchen, Michele's eyes never leaving him.

--

"Go fish," Michele said, prompting Jessica to draw from the dwindling deck that lie between them. She, Alexis, Jessie, and Avery were going on their fifth consecutive game of Go Fish and Michele's eyes were beginning to blur the numbers as they passed before her. Little Zoe had tuckered out around 8:30 and Mackie was stretched across Jessie's bed watching the final episode of a Rugrats marathon, at one point caught using his fingers to hold his droopy eyes open.

"A ha, 7 of hearts," Jessie said triumphantly, fanning her cards out for the other girls to see. "I win."

"Again," Avie grumbled, piling her cards in with the rest. "I'm sick of his game. I'm gonna go watch cartoons."

"Sounds like a plan," Alexis said around a yawn, casting a glance of relief toward Michele. "Let's all go watch TV."

Michele picked the rest of the cards up as the group gathered in front of the TV, Jessie putting 'Anastasia' in after noticing that Mack had fallen asleep. "How 'bout I go make some popcorn?" Michele asked, receiving enthusiastic nods from everyone.

She tiptoed quietly down the stairs, the hum of voices and laughter from the den becoming evident as she neared the bottom. She slipped unnoticed into the kitchen and began looking around for the microwave popcorn. She found it in the last cabinet behind the hot cocoa, and placed a couple of bags in the microwave. She busied herself with getting juice boxes from the fridge while it popped, making sure to take one for Mackie just in case he woke up. She removed the popcorn when the microwave dinged and went about trying to figure out how to carry all the things up the stairs.

"Need some help?" Michele felt his warm fingers on her bare waist about the time she heard his hot breath on her ear. She nearly jumped in surprise, but the feeling of the length of his body against hers relaxed her immediately. She nodded and he placed a kiss in the hollow of her shoulder. Her head fell back against his chest as his mouth trailed up to her ear, sucking gently on the lobe as his hands crept around to her stomach. He had slid them just under her short shirt when the sound of laughter startled them. Michele covered his hands with hers and pushed them away, stepping from his grasp just as Diana and Walker strode into the kitchen.

Michele turned around, flashing her best smile to cover up the expression of guilt she knew had to be plastered all over her face. "How'd it go?"

"Awesome," Zac said, coming in behind his parents. "Everything's all set."

"Really?" Michele asked, her eyes widening in excitement. "That's wonderful." She stepped into Zac's outstretched arms, snuggling into his warm embrace. Her eyes met Taylor's over Zac's shoulder, and she saw a tinge of what she thought was jealously furrow his brow. She grinned and winked, relaying that a summer she could spend with Zac also meant a summer she could spend with him. He smiled back, his eyes relaying everything she needed to know.

"Why don't you guys get out of here," Diana suggested. "Go out and celebrate or something."

Michele glanced from Taylor to Zac and shrugged, "Sounds good to me, if you guys are sure you don't need anymore help, to clean up or something."

"Don't worry about it," Diana waved them away. "You kids just have fun. I've already sent Isaac up to get Alexis."

"Don't have to tell me twice," Zac said, taking Michele's hand and all but dragging her out of the kitchen, leaving Taylor to trail behind them.

They met up with Isaac and Alexis at the foot of the stairs, saying a goodnight to Walker and Diana as they carried the snacks Michele had prepared up the stairs.

"Where to?" Isaac asked once they'd all stepped out into the balmy night. They all looked at each other and kinda shrugged, not really caring where they went. They were just glad to escape the house and all the business stuff that went along with it.

"How bout Jack's?" Taylor suggested, referring to a bar and pool hall not far from where Alexis lived. They all nodded their approval and made their way around to the driveway.

"I think we're gonna take Lexi's car," Isaac said. "We're gonna stop by her place later on."

They all nodded, knowing what Isaac meant. "Oh," Alexis stopped suddenly. "What about you, Chely? How're you gonna get back?" She just remembered that she'd picked Michele up on her way to the Hanson's.

"I'll take her home," Taylor's voice surprised them all, especially Zac who shot his brother a confused glare. Michele's eyes met Taylor's, a hint of things to come glistening into the darkness between them.

"So, let's roll," Isaac said, unlocking and opening the passenger side of Alexis' Camry and escorting her in. "See ya'll there," he added before climbing in himself and backing out of the driveway.

An awkward tension filled the spaces where Taylor, Michele, and Zac walked to his truck in silence. The secret shared by Tay and Chely left them stealing dartingly brief glances at each other and Zac was still confused as to why his brother was suddenly acting so nice and un-Taylor-like.

Taylor unlocked the doors via his key chain and walked around to the driver's side. Zac opened the other door, urging Michele inside. She climbed in hesitantly, her eyes meeting Taylor's as he slid in the driver's seat and she slid in beside him. With Zac's tall frame beside her, Michele found herself pressed tightly against Taylor, the coarse fabric of his jeans rubbing against the expanse of flesh left bare by her shorts. He leaned over her to grab a CD from the floorboard, purposefully letting his palm settle on her knee as he did so. Michele could smell the soft, soapy scent of his shampoo as he reached in front of her, and suddenly her mind was filled with visions of their night together - the way he'd buried his face in her neck as he came, his hair falling in damp strands all around her. She was sure she flushed under his touch and was grateful it was dark. The last thing she wanted was for Zac to find out. As much as she loved him and trusted him, and as much as the feeling was mutual, there was no way in hell he could find out she was fucking his brother.

Taylor popped the CD in, letting the strands of Van Morrison fill the air as he backed his truck out of the drive. The ride to Jack's was a fairly long one, around 30 or so minutes once they got out of town. The truck remained silent for the most part, save Zac's absent tapping of a beat on his thighs. Michele sighed, not believing the position she'd unwittingly put herself in. She felt trapped between the two brothers, and completely not understanding her relationship with either of them. She felt fairly confident in the specialness she and Zac shared, but was unsure of how he would react if he knew of her escapades with his brother. But she hated keeping things from him, even something as potentially damaging to their relationship as this. And Taylor - she had *no* idea what to think about their relationship, if you could even call it that. One night of meaningless sex didn't necessarily constitute a relationship, no matter how hot and wild and utterly satisfying it was. But then, there arose the question of exactly how meaningless it was. She and Taylor had never really gotten along, but she'd always chalked that up to typical 18 year old boy arrogance coupled with reluctant sexual tension on her part. She knew she felt *something* that night, she just didn't know what.

Deciding that silence equaled idle minds which, in turn, spawned evil, and way too stressing thoughts, Michele broke the tension just as the truck was crossing the county line. "So," she began. "Ya'll are gonna be recording in Tulsa."

That seemed to get Zac's attention. "Yep," he said. "And I absolutely cannot wait. We're gonna have so much fun." He placed a hand on Michele's knee and squeezed gently, winking when she turned to grin at him.

"What about you, Tay?" Michele said, trying to lighten the thickness that hung between them. "Excited about staying here?"

"Of course," he nodded. "It'll be kinda nice to actually sleep in my own bed for a while."

"I hear that," Zac amended. "Gonna be nice."

"Be even nicer if I had someone to share it with," Taylor grinned, and Michele blushed, forcing her eyes to stay straight ahead.

"I hear that," Zac repeated, laughing as Michele playfully slapped his chest, her eyebrows nearly migrating off the top of her head.

Taylor chuckled, reaching behind the seat to ruffle Zac's hair, leaving his arm resting on the back of the seat. Michele tensed immediately, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. She shifted in the seat, but Taylor only managed to slip his arm further down the seat, his fingertips lightly touching her bare shoulder. She wanted to look at Zac to see if he noticed Taylor's actions, but she was afraid of what his eyes might hold..

"So, when do ya'll start recording?" Michele asked, trying to distract from the attention Taylor's motions had gotten. Zac shrugged, his gaze fixed out the passenger side window.

"Probably won't be for a while, at least a month, I'm guessing," Taylor said, his fingertips absently swirling on Michele's shoulder as he spoke. "Still got a lot of tech work to get done, get the studio ready, stuff like that."

Michele nodded, swallowing around the lump in her throat as Taylor fingered the thin strap of her halter top, his warm fingers igniting her skin. As entranced as she was by the soothing rhythm of Taylor's fingers on her skin, she noticed that Zac had tensed and was pretending not to notice the scene that was unfolding beside him. She knew he must have been confused by Taylor's actions and by her own. Normally, she would have told Taylor to go fuck himself, or something equally as vulgar, but now...now, everything was different. Now, she was torn between punching him in the jaw to keep the proper appearance up in front of Zac, and snuggling closer to him, planting her lips on that sensitive spot beneath his ear and sighing in utter contentment. So, she resolved to just sit there in silence, trying not to focus on the fact that Zac had slightly turned away from her, or the fact that she was positively aching to have Taylor inside her again.

They rode the rest of the way in silence, Taylor pulling into the parking lot of Jack's right after Isaac and Alexis. Zac opened the door before Tay cut the engine, helping Michele out, keeping her fingers woven tightly in his as he slammed the door. The group walked into the club, one of the waitresses instantly recognizing them and leading them to their usual table in the back. Isaac and Alexis slid into one side of the circle booth, leaving Michele to once again be sandwiched between Taylor and Zac.

The waitress brought them a round of drinks right away: wine coolers for Michele and Alexis and virgin daiquiri's for the guys since they were underage and driving. Michele settled back in the seat, taking a long swig of her drink, trying to free her mind of all the stressing thoughts that had been plaguing her all day. She took another swallow to wash down the first and sighed.

"Long day?" Zac asked, running his palm soothingly along her thigh. She merely nodded. You have no idea.

Another round of drinks and a couple of games of pool later, the group found themselves sitting around the booth, telling stories and laughing. The alcohol had calmed Michele's nerves a bit, but still not enough that she wasn't affected by Taylor's presence. He had managed to stay by her side the entire night - keeping his arm stretched out on the seat behind her in the booth, "accidentally" brushing by her on his way to the jukebox, and purposefully pressing his pelvis into her ass when he pretended to help her make a particularly difficult shot while they were playing pool. The combination of the warmth of his breath as he hovered near her and the slight stiffening she could already feel in his jeans nearly made her melt.

Zac had apparently forgotten about being angry, for he'd laughed and joked with both Michele and Taylor the entire evening. He'd even joined Taylor in snickering when Michele had leaned over the pool table to make a shot, her short shorts riding up even higher. He'd received a punch in the shoulder for it, but that was their way of showing that everything was okay.

"What? Oh my God," Michele burst into laughter, quickly followed by Zac and Tay. "I can't believe you did that." Isaac had just entertained them with a story of one of his more daresome hotel room antics, this one somehow ending up in him being naked on the balcony at 4 in the morning. "Zac, I could definitely see. Maybe even Taylor," she absently placed her hand on his outstretched forearm as she referred to him. "But, you, Isaac? That's just...unreal." She grinned when she noticed Alexis blushing.

As their laughter died down, an after-party lull settled over the booth. Isaac had taken Lexi's hand in his and was whispering in her ear, causing her to blush even more than before. Zac was absently raking a straw through what was left of his drink and Michele was trying her damnedest to keep her thoughts, and her hands, off of Taylor. He had settled his palm on her knee the last time they'd sat down, and it had remained there, gently squeezing at times, and at others, swirling random patterns with his fingertips. Presently he was creating long, slow strokes from her knee to her inner thigh, each one creeping ever closer to the apex between her legs. Michele released a ragged breath as Taylor let his fingers ever-so-faintly tease the spot below her zipper. She pushed his hand away, but she knew he was quite satisfied by his actions. A quick glance from the corner of her eye revealed the smug smile she knew would be there.

"Well, guys, it's been real, but I think we're gonna get going," Isaac said, standing and pulling Alexis up beside him. He threw a twenty down on the table, which Taylor matched, amid protests from Michele. They all said their good-byes, leaving the threesome once again alone in silence.

Zac tried to stifle a yawn and Michele checked her watch, seeing that it was almost 1:30. Taylor took the hint and slid out of the booth. "I guess we'd better get going, too. It is getting kinda late." He stood and stretched out his lanky form, his arms raised over his head affording Michele a glimpse of his bare skin where his shirt rode up. He downed the remaining swallow or two of Michele's drink, finishing it off with a grin. She smiled back and took his outstretched hand as she slid out of the booth. Zac followed, noting that Taylor held on to Michele's hand a moment or two longer than he needed to.

Zac threw his arm around Michele's shoulders as they walked across the nearly empty parking lot to Taylor's truck. She smiled and leaned her head on his broad shoulder. "You gonna be doing anything tomorrow morning? I could use some help getting my equipment down to the lake."

"Sorry, my pet," Zac smiled. "But I shall be deep within the confines of my warm comfy bed."

"I figured as much," Michele shrugged. "Maybe I can con one of the other Hanson men to help me." Taylor grinned from his position ahead of them. He unlocked the doors and climbed into the driver's seat, still smiling as Michele and Zac came around the back of the truck.

"If you can wait till around 3 or so, I'll be available," Zac offered, somehow uncomfortable with the prospect of Michele spending any time alone with Taylor. He knew Ike would still be with Lexi, leaving only Taylor to help.

"Sorry, Zaccy," Michele said, sliding into the truck beside Taylor. "I need some early morning light for these pictures. Maybe next time."

"I could conceivably get up, you know," he pressed as Taylor started the engine and headed home.

"Zac, honey, don't worry about it. You guys need your rest, especially with all the record stuff coming up. I'll get my brother to help me. It's not a big deal."

"K, "Zac sighed, satisfied that she'd found someone other than Tay to help her. He yawned, closing his eyes, and rested his head on her shoulder.

When she was satisfied that Zac's eyes were momentarily occupied, Michele turned her attention to Taylor. He was focused intently on driving, his eyes narrowed at the road ahead of him. She briefly wondered what was running through his mind, though she had a pretty good idea - the same thoughts that had been controlling her since he'd touched her cheek in the Hanson kitchen hours ago. She cautiously placed her hand on his thigh and gently squeezed. His eyes drifted to meet hers, smiling when she seductively bit her bottom lip and raised her eyebrows. Michele grinned when his eyes went back to the road and his foot shoved the accelerator to the floor..

--

"I'll call you tomorrow afternoon, okay?" Michele said, planting a good bye kiss on the corner of Zac's mouth. He nodded sleepily, sliding out of the leather seat. "'Night."

"G'night, baby," Zac said, gently closing the truck's door. "'Night, Tay.."

"Later, Zacman," Taylor called through the open window. He waited until Zac had made it into the house before backing out of the drive. He threw his arm around Michele, who'd stayed pressed beside him despite Zac's departure.

Michele replaced her hand on his thigh, this time sliding it closer to the bulge that had been growing since they'd been at Jack's. She teased him like he'd teased her in the booth, smoothing long strokes down his thigh, before covering her palm over his straining erection. She squeezed him through his jeans, Taylor shifting under her touch.

"Mmm," he licked his lips as her exploring fingers thoroughly massaged his crotch. Her lips attached to that spot beneath his ear and his eyes briefly fluttered shut. They popped open, however, when he heard the jingling of his belt buckle. He looked down and the sight of Michele's fingers snapping open the buttons on his jeans sent a surge of blood to his dick and it twitched beneath her hands. Her lips continued their assault on his neck, licking and sucking his sweat-dampened skin, as her hand slipped beneath the waistband of his boxers. She grasped his stiffened manhood and pulled it out into the open air. She teased the tip with her thumb, his hips bucking into her hands. She formed a fist around him, beginning a devastatingly slow up and down rhythm.

"God...Chely..." he managed to choke out. The thought of how he was managing to stay on the road briefly crossed her mind, but she pushed it aside as she trailed her lips down to his collar, her tongue darting underneath his shirt. She pulled her lips away from him, seeing his eyes narrowed on the road, one hand steadying the wheel. He had tangled his fingers in her hair and gently tugged every time she squeezed his dick. She suddenly increased her pace, and he sucked in his breath, his head falling back on the headrest, his breathing hard and ragged. She slowed again, teasing him, before leaning down and placing a kiss on his t-shirt-covered stomach, just below where she suspected his navel to be. "Oh, God..."

Michele grinned and brought her lips back to his neck. "You know you want it," she breathed in his ear, her tongue licking it's curve. Taylor tore his eyes from the road, furiously shoving his lips to hers, his tongue violently entering her mouth. She roughly squeezed him in surprise and he ripped his lips from hers, throwing his head back against the seat as he felt his insides begin to tighten.

Michele realized at that moment that she had never wanted anything more. Her body flooded with warmth at the sight of him sweaty and panting and hard as a rock beneath her fingers. Dizzy with desire, she lowered her mouth to him, her hot breath mere inches from his throbbing manhood.

"Fuck, Chely...please..." his sentiment was interrupted by the overwhelming warmth of her mouth on his cock. She started a gentle suction as her fingers continued stroking him and within seconds, he filled her with his seed. She held him until he softened, then sat back up, discreetly wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

"Fuck, baby..." he grabbed her head again and covered her mouth with his, his tongue thoroughly searching for any remaining traces of his release. He jerked away when the truck rambled slightly off the road. He pulled it back on and sat back, taking deep breaths, his body still recovering from the unexpected orgasm. He draped his arm around Michele and tugged her closer to him. "Come here, baby."

Michele snuggled up to him and he placed a kiss on her forehead. She gently tucked him back into his jeans, her lips curling into a grin when she saw the speedometer jump.

--

"Oh, God...Taylor...." Michele's scream resonated through every room of her two-bedroom house. She lay spread eagle on the linoleum flooring of her kitchen, Taylor's body furiously driving into hers. After their encounter in the truck, they'd barely made into the house before he was ripping at her clothes and she was outright begging him to fuck her.

"Fuck..I'm gonna cum, baby...shit..." he growled as her body tightened around him and he spilled inside her. His movements gradually slowed, and he rested his head on her sweaty chest. Michele smoothed his damp hair as she swallowed, taking deep breaths to regain control. They lay in silence, savoring the fulfillment that only a good fuck brings, before Taylor pulled out and stood on shaky legs, tugging his jeans up from around his ankles.

Michele extended her arms up to him and he pulled her up to meet him, his lips instantly covering hers. "That was amazing, baby," he said between kisses. "You are amazing."

"Come on," she whispered. She turned and walked down the hall, his eyes never leaving her naked form. He dropped his pants in the bedroom when she went into the bathroom and turned the shower on. He followed her in and slipped beneath the warm stream, his arms immediately circling her waist. Michele leaned her head back against his shoulder and sighed. He lathered up his hands and ran them delicately over her breasts, her stomach, her calves, her inner thighs. She did the same for him, briefly kissing his manhood on her way up his body.

After their shower, they lay in the coolness of Michele's air conditioned bedroom, the soft strains of Otis Redding floating from the stereo. Michele lay on her stomach, a wisp of a sheet covering her bare bottom. Taylor lay on his side, his head propped on his elbow, his fingertips swirling random patterns on her bare skin.

She sighed and turned to look at him, his bright blue eyes standing out in the nearly darkened room. Her eyes searched his features as his magical fingers caressed and stroked her back. Though her mind was fairly spinning with contentment and something close to adoration, confusion was muddling it's way to the forefront. She was fully aware that this "thing" she'd started with Taylor was based purely on sex. There was no doubt that they craved each other physically and had no reservations about satisfying each other. But it was what came after that had Michele anguished - the way he held her, so comfortingly, so adoringly, so...lovingly. The night they'd spent together, he'd held her till dawn, his arms never failing to surround her and keep her warm. And she was equally as eager to snuggle up to him, as well. She had no problems with his actions, she just didn't know where his motivations lay. Relationships based on sex generally revolved around...sex, and not letting certain feelings and emotions worm their way into the bed.

"Tay?" she asked, her voice a sweet whisper. He brought his eyes to hers and they both smiled. "What are we doing?"

Taylor started to say something silly about how it was quite obvious what they were doing, but his eyes locked into hers. He knew what she was getting at, but he was just as confused. His initial intentions were to make Michele admit she wanted him, but after he finally succeeded, and after they'd made love the first time, he found himself face to face with the realization that he wanted her, too. He'd never intended to sleep with her that night he showed up on her back porch. He just wanted to tease her, make her squirm. But when he'd seen that lust in her eyes, his own animal instincts took over. He hated to admit it, but he had been in it only for the sex. That is, until he'd woken in the night and his heart swelled at the sight of her lying naked and peaceful beside him.

"I don't know, baby," he answered honestly, smoothing a strand of hair away from her face. "I don't know."

She turned over, facing him and propped herself up. His eyes wavered to her bare breasts and she grinned, tugging the sheet up over herself. He pretended to pout and draped his arm over her waist. She scooted closer to him and intertwined her legs with his.

"I mean, I like...being with you, " she began. "..like this..."

"Me, too.." he interrupted with a kiss.

"But, what does all this mean? Are we together? Are we just having sex? What?"

"Well," he smiled. "we're definitely having sex." Michele smiled wryly at him. "But, I dunno... I like being with you, too. Like this, and like tonight, at Jack's. That was fun."

"Yeah, it was," she agreed, moving to sift her fingers through his hair. "We should do it again sometime."

"We should," his voice muffled as he began to nuzzle at her neck. "..definately.."

"Are you asking me out on a date, Taylor Hanson?" she asked in mock surprise as he rolled on top of her, his lips trailing down to her collarbone..

He raised his head to look at her, his eyes shining and becoming dark with lust. He pressed his lips to hers, and answered sweetly, "Yeah."

Michele grinned back at him as his lips began to trail down her body, between her breasts and lower. She rested her head back on the pillow and sighed, her body tingling to life with the touch of his warm lips, her heart fluttering with the knowledge that she was slowly and surely falling in love with Taylor Hanson.

"Yeah?"

"Chely? Bad time?"

"Zac? Hey, no, I was in the darkroom."

"Sorry. You need to get back?"

"Nah, it's cool. What's up?"

"Just wondering if you wanted to go bowling tonight?"

"Bowling?"

"Yeah, Clint and Mandy are going. They invited us to tag along."

"As much fun as that sounds, Zac, I...um, I can't. Not tonight."

"Oh. You feeling okay?"

"Yeah, it's just...I kinda already have plans."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"Anyone I know...?"

"Zac..."

"Yeah?"

"We need to talk."

--

"Could you *not* do that?" Michele said a little louder than she'd intended and Zac instantly paused the beat he'd been tapping out on the coffee table. She was practically pacing the floor in front of him and had yet to tell him what she'd insisted was so important that he rush right over. She hadn't said a word and all he'd gotten was irritated.

"God, Chely, what the hell is your problem?" He stood abruptly and started stalking towards the kitchen.

"Zac, wait," she said, reaching out to him. "I'm sorry. I..." She ran her hands through her hair, exhaling a ragged breath.

He turned around to face her, his brow creasing at her distressed features. "What is it, baby? You begged me to come over here cause you had something *so* important to tell me and you haven't said anything. Just tell me what's wrong."

Michele could feel hot tears began to well behind her eyes. The thought of Zac's reaction when she told him she was seeing his brother made her want to turn tail and run. She could just see him getting angry and storming out, vowing to never forgive her or never speak to her again. But she knew she'd rather him hear it from her than find out some other way.

"Zac..." she opened her arms and pulled him into a tight embrace. He crossed his arms under her shoulder blades and stooped so she could rest her chin on his shoulder. She sighed heavily, mentally preparing herself for what she was about to do. "I'm sorry."

Zac pulled away and Michele cupped his face in her hands, placing a tender kiss on his lips. "Come sit with me." She took his hand and led him to the sofa where they sat, their fingers still intertwined.

"This is bad..."

"No, it's not. I promise," she said, smiling sincerely. "It's just something...something I don't quite know how to say."

"You can tell me anything, you know," his squeezed her hands in his and captured her eyes with his. "I love you."

"I know you do," she touched his cheek with her fingertips, her eyes searching his. "And I love you, too, Zachary."

"So, just say it."

Michele exhaled, her heart finally ready to speak. "You know I told you earlier I had plans for tonight?" He nodded. "Well, actually, I have a date.." His eyes stayed fixed on hers and Michele swallowed around the lump in her throat. "....with Taylor."

The silence that followed in the few minutes after Michele's confession was deafening. Zac's eyes had left hers and fixed dazedly on a spot somewhere across the room. She placed her hands on his knee, but if he noticed, he didn't respond. The even rhythm of his breathing echoed about the room, not managing to break through the tension. Michele's mind was spinning, the blank stare on Zac's face giving her no clues as to his thoughts. She suspected that her worst fears were coming true.

"I have to go," he said suddenly, his voice harshly cutting into the silence. He stood abruptly and didn't meet her eyes as he headed for the back door.

"Zac, don't go...please..." Michele called after him, but the screen door had already slammed and the tires of his brother's truck had already squealed by the time she made it to the kitchen. She slumped into one of the chairs, rested her head in her hands, and cried.

--

"What's wrong, baby?" Taylor asked Michele, tucking a wind-blown strand of hair behind her ear as they dined on the back deck of Ruby's. She'd had a distant look in her eyes ever since he'd picked her up nearly an hour ago. "You okay?"

"Hmm?" Michele snapped out of the daze she'd been in and looked at Taylor, seeing the concern in his eyes. "I'm sorry. Just got a lot on my mind, I guess."

"Is it about us? You're having second thoughts..."

"No, no," she assured him with a smile. "You're actually the one thing that makes sense to me right now." Taylor smiled and she felt a little of her despair melt away. "It's just..."

"Zac," Taylor finished for her. She nodded, pinpricks of tears beginning to form behind her eyes. "I wondered why he was acting so strange this afternoon."

"Is he okay?"

"I don't know. He wouldn't talk to me," Taylor said. "Every time I went into a room, he left it. He wouldn't even look at me. I figured you must have told him."

"Yeah, I did," Michele sighed. "This afternoon, I invited him over. He didn't take it that well. I know he's probably just confused. I mean, hell, we're not even all that clear on it ourselves. I just...I don't know what to do, Taylor."

"Maybe you should talk to him, explain things a little." Taylor suggested.. "He has to know that both of us love him, and we're not trying to hurt him or anything."

"Maybe..."

"Look, why we don't we go over to the house. I'm sure he's home. We'll talk to him. How about it?"

Michele had no idea what to say to Zac, but she figured it couldn't hurt to try. She couldn't see the situation getting any worse, so she agreed.

--

"Well, well, well," Isaac grinned from his perch on the couch. "if it isn't the odd couple themselves."

Michele smirked as she and Taylor walked hand-in-hand into the living room where Ike and Lexi were watching TV. Taylor ignored his brother's comments and sat in the recliner, pulling Chely to sit on his lap. "What are ya'll up to."

"Babysitting," Lexi said, snuggling closer to Isaac. "The kids are already in bed."

"Uh huh," Michele smiled knowingly, causing Alexis to blush. "Where are Walker and Diana."

"They went out to some play or something," Isaac said. "What've ya'll been doing? Or do I not want to know?"

"We just went out," Taylor said, changing the subject. "Zac's still here, right?"

"Yeah, he's upstairs. Just came down for a drink a few minutes ago," Lexi said.

"I'm gonna go talk to him," Michele said to Taylor, receiving confused glances from Ike and Lexi. She placed a quick kiss on his lips before rising and heading up the stairs.

"What's that all about?" Isaac asked his brother.

Taylor sighed. "Long story."

--

Michele exhaled a deep breath as she stood in front of Zac's closed door. Apprehension had built with every step she'd climbed, and now her palms were sweating and her heart pounding. Reassuring herself that this was Zac - Zac who'd taken her ice skating on Miller's pond, who'd lain in bed with her reading Cosmo aloud when she was sick, who'd kissed away her tears, Zac who loved her - she took a deep breath and knocked.

"Zac.."

"Go away," his muffled voice gave the response she'd expected, but she was determined so she cautiously turned the knob and pushed the door open.

Her heart fell when she saw Zac lying face down on his bed, his long hair fanned out on the pillow. He had insence burning on his dresser and Jimi Hendrix coming from his stereo. A three-wick candle on his night stand provided the only light. His room was the typical cluttered mess it usually was, but it somehow seemed more chaotic and angry. Clothes littered nearly every available surface and a slew of magazines and CDs were strewn about the floor.

"Zac, I..." He turned over and hit the volume button on the stereo's remote, keeping his eyes closed so as not to meet hers. She sighed and sat on the foot of his bed with her back to him. She picked a t-shirt from the floor and twirled it over and over in her hands. His reaction had been pretty much what she'd expected but the tension that filled the short distance between them was gut wrenching. She sat slumped on the edge of the bed, her stomach rolling with utter nausea until silent tears streamed from her eyes.

The sudden silence when the music stopped startled Michele. She could feel Zac shifting on the bed, but she didn't turn around. Stillness enshrouded the room so tightly she could hear Zac's breathing and the thumping of her own heart resounded in her ears.

"Why him?" Zac's voice was a vulnerable whisper she'd never heard from him. She turned around and met his steely gaze, a torrent of conflicting emotions running wild inside her.

"I don't know, Zac," she answered honestly. "Things just...happen."

His features softened when he saw the hurt in her eyes. "I just don't get it, Chely. I thought you couldn't stand him."

"I...I just...it's complicated," she struggled to explain. "I don't know what's going on. I don't know how to explain it, Zac."

"Do you love him?"

"No...I mean, I don't know...maybe.." she said, nervously picking at the threads of his comforter. She had no clue how to explain something she'd didn't fully understand herself. She knew she felt something for Taylor, but she didn't know if "love" quite covered it.

Zac pulled himself from the bed and stood in front of the stereo, keeping his back to her. He stood there silently for a few moments, absently fiddling with the stereo. He took a few deep breaths and exhaled in a long, ragged sigh. Michele's heart ached at the thought of the hurt she knew he was feeling.

"Zac, I want you to..."

"Are you fucking him?" His words cut through the air with a bitter harshness and Michele felt as if she'd suddenly been punched in the stomach. A mixture of disbelief, anger, and nausea rose to her throat.

"Zac..."

"Cause I know Taylor's reputation," he turned around, his eyes and his words intentionally hateful. "and you..."

"Fuck you," she spat, her eyes flashing with anger and building with unshed tears. He stood stonily before her, his eyes cold and unlike she'd ever seen them.

"Honest question," he shrugged, smugness tarnishing his usually sincere features.

Michele turned on her heel and stormed to the door. "Don't ever talk to me again, Zac. Not until you fucking grow up." She slammed the door, leaving the walls rattling in it's wake.