October 1998

Why, oh why had she agreed to go to this party tonight? She should have just said no when Emilia had asked her to go out. But she'd been so persuasive. Kate had this huge exam tomorrow morning and partying the night before couldn't be a smart idea.

Come on, Kate, you've been studying for this exam for the last two months. Everything you haven't remembered by now you won't remember until tomorrow.

That's what her friend had said. And technically she knew everything she needed to know for her exam. But she shouldn't party tonight. And she definitely wouldn't have more than this one drink she was currently nursing. She wouldn't kill any brain cells tonight and she wouldn't turn up hungover at her exam tomorrow.

Please Kate, this is the first day in months that I haven't felt like crawling under my blanket and cry because of Malcom. Please, I feel like going out tonight.

So maybe she'd looked forward to spent some fun time with her friend tonight after she needed to study most of the time the last two months and Emilia hadn't been the most cheerful person anyway because of her ugly break up with Malcom. And their evening had started of nice enough. They'd been able to talk over the drink they ordered, which they hadn't been able to do in a while. But now

Kate was sitting at the bar all alone, her friend intoxicated and dancing. She watched her giggling and dancing rather closely with some really hot guy. Kate couldn't decide if she was jealous, annoyed or just angry at herself for agreeing to come the day before her big exam.

She kept watching Emilia and that guy. He was tall, he definitely had a nice body. But then he turned his head a little and Kate could see the dumb look in his eyes. Well, she guessed she could rule out jealousy then. The guy looked liked he couldn't form a sentence that contained more than three words. Kate had always been one to find intelligence attractive. What use was a guy with a six pack if he could only count to four?

Kate sighed. She should have just stayed at the dorm. She could have relaxed there. She could have read this new book she'd bought. She looked around, Trying to find anything interesting that would distract her until she and Emilia could finally leave. Then she caught sight of her purse. There it was. Her new book.

She let her gaze wander around the place again. Most people were on the dance floor. Could she pull her book out and read in a place like this? People would think she was a nerd.

What the hell, she thought, I don't care what people think. She could either read now and relax a little or she could grumble over her friend and wait the next two hours until they would finally leave together.

She pulled out her book and opened it. Soon she was entangled in the mystery. James Patterson was a great author. Of course Kate wouldn't tell her mom that. She always wanted to persuade her into reading mystery novels. Kate had always refused but earlier today when she'd been at the bookstore she'd decided to try and had picked up the first bestseller in that genre she'd seen.

She was so absorbed in her book that she didn't notice anything around her. The loud music wasn't bothering her at all. She didn't notice when her friend started making out with the guy she'd been dancing with. And she definitely didn't notice the young man on the other end of the bar, falling just a little bit in love with her with every page she turned.

O-o-o-o-o

Rick was waiting for his blind date. This was a stupid idea.

His mother had convinced him to fly to California to see her play. And even if he would never admit it, it had been rather enjoyable. But when they'd gone out to dinner afterwards she'd been adamant that he would start dating again. And he really was over Kyra. Really. Mostly anyway. But letting his mother arrange a blind date with an actress definitely wasn't the way to dive into the dating world again.

But his mother had been insistent. Come on, Richard. You could use some fun. Meredith is a fun enough woman. Not a care in the world. What's wrong with some uncomplicated fun, Richard? You could really use it. And you know, you don't have to propose to every girl you sleep with.

He knew his mother ment well. He'd been quiet upset the last year because of his break up with Kyra. And his mother was right too. It was about time to put himself out there again. So he had agreed. Plus he really didn't want to talk about his (nonexistent) sex life with his mother. And that was definitely where the conversation was headed.

But now Meredith was late. That was just rude. Rick already didn't want to meet her anymore. Maybe he should just go back to his hotel. He decided that he would finish his drink and if she wouldn't show until then he would leave.

He looked around the place. The dance floor was packed, as were the sofas surrounding it. Surprisingly the bar was relatively empty. There was a man, drinking one shot after another, looking really upset. Rick could easily imagine his story. He probably just had had a break up or a big fight with his significant other. Not that interesting. And the three girls to his left were quite intoxicated too, giggling and having a great time. A girl's night out, Rick suspected. Not really story material either.

But then he caught sight of her. He was immediately intrigued. A gorgeous brunette on the other end of the bar. Her face was hidden from his sight as she was looking down and her hair was covering her profile. She was reading. In a bar! The music was way to loud to read. How could she read with so much noise around her?

Why was she reading in a bar? Rick had never seen someone read in a bar. He couldn't imagine why anyone would do that. Who did go out to a bar to read there? And why?

Normally he was very good at coming up with stories to explain peoples behavior. But he couldn't come up with a story that would explain why she was reading in a bar. She was a mystery.

And she was absolutely beautiful. Her hair was long and shiny and it looked so soft. And she had the perfect body too. But the sexiest thing about her was the way she was absorbed in the book. People came up beside her, shot her a strange look, ordered their drinks and walked away again. She didn't even look up once. Like she didn't notice at all.

When she turned a page she shifted a little and tucked her hair behind her ear. Rick could see most of her face now. God, she was so beautiful. He watched her read. He couldn't see the title of the book but what he could see was her reaction to the things she read.

She was biting her lip, frowning her eyebrows in confusion, smiling at something. At some point she went back a few pages to reread something, then going back to the place where she'd been, smiling triumphantly like she'd just figured something out.

So many emotions played on her face while she was reading and it was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.

Oh god, he was already starting to fall in love with her. He didn't even know her. He had never talked to her but he thought he might be in love already. With her. With the woman who was reading a book in a bar.

He wanted to get to know her. He wanted to know why she was reading in a bar. He wanted to start solving the mystery of her. He finished his drink, took all his courage together and made his way towards her.

O-o-o-o-o

Wow, this book was so good. She decided that this was her new favorite genre. Mystery novels. She should have listened to her mom.

She was already half way through and she was almost sure that she knew who the killer was, what she hadn't figured out yet was why he'd done it. It was great. She loved this book. Tomorrow after her exam she would go back to the bookstore and buy another one. And maybe she'd swallow back her pride and tell her mom that she was right. She could already hear the I told you so, Katie. But when she admitted to it she could ask her to send her some more books.

„Must be some book" a deep voice beside her stated and she startled. She inwardly groaned. Who dared to interrupt her reading?

She looked up, planning to get rid of whoever interrupted her. But when she finally caught sight of the stranger the words stuck in her throat. Beautiful blue eyes were looking at her. The man attached to the eyes was pretty handsome too. His posture was confident but in his eyes she caught a glimpse of nervousness. Somehow she found that endearing.

There was more in his eyes too. Interest, like he really wanted to get to know her and something she couldn't name. Something that was softer than she'd ever seen in a man's gaze before. Unconsciously her lips turned up into a smile.

„Yeah, it's pretty good" she said, remembering his remark.

He gave her a smile that light up his whole face. „Mind if I sit down?" he asked, pointing at the stool next to her.

She made an inviting gesture. „Help yourself." She looked down at her still open book, memorized the page she was on and shot it closed.

„What are you reading?" the handsome stranger asked. She'd tucked the book back into her purse.

She was just about to answer when he changed his mind. „Wait, don't tell me. I want to guess."

Kate decided to play. „You've got three tries to figure out the genre. If you don't get it right on the last try, I'll go back to reading my book" She didn't really plan to follow through with that but he didn't need to know that.

He gulped. „you drive a hard bargain, …" he waited for her to give her name.

But she shook her head smirking.
„No'o" she singsonged. „I'll give you my name if you can figure out the author inside the genre"

He laughed, his eyes sparkling with joy.

„Don't worry, Miss I'm-not-telling-you-my-name-yet. I'm very good at solving mysteries"

„Well, go ahead then, Mystery-Man"

„The book you were reading is…" he made a dramatic pause which had her roll her eyes. „… a romance novel" he smirked, eyes sparkling mischievously.

She huffed. „Please"

„Recipe book?"

„You are either pretty sure that you already know the genre or you just decided that you don't want to talk to me any longer if you are suggesting something as ridiculous as that"

„Oh, I am" he grinned. She pulled one eyebrow up as if to challenge him. „You were reading a mystery novel" he exclaimed triumphantly.

Kate rolled her eyes but internally she was delighted that he'd figured it out. „Well, I guess we can keep talking then" she shrugged as if she didn't really care but his bright blue eyes saw right through her.

„I guess we can" he grinned back, knowingly. „But I want to change our agreement. If I figure out the author, I want to know why you were reading in a bar"

Kate contemplated that for a moment. This guy was interesting. Very. And handsome too. Very much so too. And there was a spark between them she'd never felt before. Talking to him, flirting with him was easy and fun. She grinned.

„Sure. Why not?" she agreed to his suggestion.

„Okay, the author, let me think…" he made a show of contemplating the options. But he already knew who's book she'd been reading. He knew what the competition's books looked like.

„James Patterson"

Kate's jaw hit the floor. How did he know that? There was no chance he could have caught the author's name on her book. „How do you know that?"

He laughed and shrugged. „I know the genre pretty well. There are other great authors there. Better than Patterson. You should try"

„Maybe I will" she told him.

„You really should. But now I get to know why you were reading in a bar."

„Can't figure it out, can you?" she asked sassily, without knowing how right she was. That was exactly what had interested him in her, why he'd been so drawn towards her.

„Not really, no" he said with a lopsided smile, it was almost shy. And Kate couldn't help but find it adorable.

„I came here as a favor for a friend but she abandoned me. Then I discovered that I still had the book I bought this afternoon, so I thought I could use the time until we leave to read" Kate shrugged as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

Just when he wanted to point out what a crappy friend she had, a petite blonde woman came walking towards them. She seemed to be drunk, pulling a grinning guy behind her. Both of them were laughing drunkenly. He'd seen this often. They were going to leave and have a one-night-stand.

The woman, more a girl, stopped in front of Kate.

„I'm leaving. See you tomorrow" Emilia said and kissed Kate on the cheek. Then she hurried away faster than Kate could reply. The guy followed behind her.

Great, Kate thought. She'd been sitting in this bar for three hours just to be left alone now. This wasn't how she'd imagined this night to go. She'd thought she would go out with her friend, have a drink or two and then go back to the dorm together.

„I don't think I like your friend" the man beside her said.

„I don't really like her either right now." Kate grumbled. „I didn't really want to come here in the first place" she said more to herself than to him.

„Want to get out of here" he asked and their eyes met. His were full of hope, excitement and nervousness. And something softer, something Kate couldn't name but something she wanted to explore.

But she really should go back to her dorm now. Get some sleep to be well-rested for her exam tomorrow. She shouldn't spend more time with the handsome stranger tonight.

Nonetheless she found herself agreeing and the happiness that sparkled in his eyes had her think that she made the right decision. Never had somebody looked so happy at the prospect of spending time with her. It made her feel special.

When he carefully took her hand in his and looked at her to check if it was okay, the spark she felt banished all thoughts of law exams out of her mind. They both smiled and their smiles were way to soft for people who had just met. But she didn't care. It just felt right. She let him pull her out of the bar, into the cold October night. And he was just the kind of guy to lent her his scarf when he noticed her shiver.

She thanked him and tried not to inhale to deeply. But he just smelled so good. It made her whole body tingle with excited energy. She didn't feel cold any longer.

Soon they found themselves in a cab, on their way to his hotel. They talked about everything and nothing at once. She'd never felt this strong of a connection with another person before. And when the cabbie made a fast U-turn she fell into his side. He caught her and didn't let go of her again, hugging her to his side. She found herself looking at his lips more often than not. When he caught her staring at his lips a strange moment passed between them before he leaned down to brush his lips in a featherlike kiss to hers.

It was so sweet, so careful. And he pulled back again. He was holding back himself. But Kate didn't want that. She wanted him to kiss her. She wanted more of the feeling she'd experienced when their lips had touched. She couldn't name how he made her feel. But it was warm and energizing and nothing she'd experienced before.

She tilted her head back, brought one of her hands to the back of his and pulled him down. Their lips met again. She'd never liked tender, slow kisses but he made her love them.

The cab stopped and they parted. He paid the driver and pulled her out of the car behind him. He held her close to him while they walked inside a very expensive looking hotel. In the elevator they kissed again, still slower than she'd ever kissed anybody else but getting a little more heated the longer they continued. A loud ring announced that they'd arrived their destination.

He took her hand again and they walked down the corridor until he stopped, pulled out his keycard out of his wallet and they closed the door behind them.

Now that they finally were in a private place she took more control of their kisses, heating them up a little but without rushing.

How they made their way to the bed she did not know. But when her hands started to open his belt he stopped her.

„Are you sure?" he asked like he would seriously stop if she said no. His gaze bored into her. She felt like there was more meaning behind his words than he let on. But right now she only wanted them to get naked. For him to show her what sex could feel like. Because she already knew they would be amazing together. Their kisses alone where better than any sex she'd had until now.

„I'm sure" she breathed against his skin, sighing happily when their lips met again.

O-o-o-o-o

Kate woke up feeling safe and warm. She blinked her eyes open and closed them at the brightness of the light. God, why was it so bright? Normally it wasn't this bright when she got up to go to her lectures or test.

Oh god, her exam! Her really huge, really important law exam! It was today. And it was so bright already. Something couldn't be right. And then she remembered. She remembered why she was feeling so warm and safe. Last night had been amazing. Really amazing. Like the best night of her life.

But now she woke up way to late, way to far away from campus. And her exam started in an hour. She needed to hurry. Really hurry. Carefully she slipped out of his embrace, immediately missing the warmth. But she couldn't think about this right now. She needed to hurry. She collected her clothes and put them on before she slipped out of the hotel room, ran down the stairs, stopped a cab and promised the cabbie an extra large tip if he got her to her campus in time.

Mentally she tried to pull back to the forefront of her mind what she knew about law. When the cab finally reached her destination the only thing in her mind was her exam and law. Perfect. She was ready and she still had ten minutes to run to the class room. She paid the cabbie and got out.

Slightly out of breath she arrived there five minutes early. You got this, Katie, you will rock this exam. Kate could hear her mother's voice inside her head. I've got this, she thought in agreement with her mother.

She was ready, still in yesterdays clothes but since she had only worn them for about four hours that wasn't too terrible. She only wished she had had time to brush her teeth. But that wasn't important right now. The only thing that counted now was her exam. With everything else she could deal later.