Brian & Sarah

"Sarah, I'm so sorry," Brian said apologetically as he sat down in his car. Sarah didn't say anything. She stared out the window with her arms crossed. Brian reached over and gently pulled Sarah's face towards him. "I just wanted to make sure she was ok," he said. "Forgive me?"

Sarah looked into his eyes and her anger dissipated. "Let's just forget about it," Sarah said, "and get on with our date." Brian heaved a sigh of relief. As Brian headed out of town, Sarah said, "Where are we going? There are no restaurants out this way." "I know," Brian said. "I'm taking you to Chez Brian." He looked at her and grinned.

"What?!?" Sarah exclaimed. "You mean, your place? The ranch?"

Brian thought she sounded put out. "Yes, is that a problem?"

"Well, if I would have known this date was on your ranch, I wouldn't have gotten all decked out."

Brian reached over and patted her hand. "Don't worry, you'll fit right in." "What about Nick?" Sarah asked.

"The last time I saw Nick, he was wearing jeans, a Fubu top, and a baseball bat. Nah, he won't fit in."

Sarah giggled. "No, silly. I mean, will Nick be there?"

"Nope. He left at ten this morning and drove up to Lexington to spend the day with Kev. He won't be back until tomorrow afternoon."

"How convenient," Sarah commented, smiling.

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

"Oh my!" Sarah exclaimed as she stepped into Brian's living room. The lights were dimmed very low. There were vases of fresh flowers everywhere, candles, and soft music playing on the stereo. Brian was thrilled that she liked what she saw. He watched her walk around, smelling the flowers. He certainly liked what he saw. Sarah turned around and faced him. "This is incredible, Brian."

Brian couldn't help his smile which spread from ear to ear. "Now aren't you glad that you got all dolled up?" Sarah nodded. Brian took her hand and walked over to the fireplace. In a Southern drawl, he said, "Miss Sarah, may I have this dance?"

Sarah giggled as she curtsied. In a drawl similar to Brian's she said, "Why, you certainly can, Mr. Littrell." She kicked off her shoes. Brian slid his arms around her waist while her arms snaked up and locked around his neck. Silently, they swayed to the music, listening to one another's breathing. Brian loved the way she felt in his arms. He felt an unexplainable connection to this girl and had ever since he first met her last weekend. When the song ended, Sarah pulled away and looked into Brian's crystal blue eyes. She held his gaze until Brian lowered his lips to her mouth. They kissed tentatively for a minute. As the passion grew so did their kiss. Brian slid his tongue deep into her mouth and savored the taste of her. Sarah sighed, enjoying the feel and taste of his tongue. When they finally broke apart, they were both breathless.

Without a word, Brian took her hand and led her into the dining room. He held her chair as she sat down. Sarah's eyes widened in pleasure as she looked at the table. It was set with a white, lace tablecloth, a vase of orchids, vanilla-scented candles, and beautiful silver serving platters. From the look on Sarah's face, Brian knew that she was impressed. "Brian, you've managed to leave me speechless three times tonight -- and I'm rarely without speech. What else should I expect?"

Brian's eyes twinkled merrily. Instead of answering, he said, "How about we eat?" Sarah removed the cover from her plate and gasped. "Oh my! Is this...?"

"Yep! Roast Duck with baby potatoes, baby carrots, baby haricots, and a fine red wine sauce." Brian boasted proudly.

Sarah shook her head in wonderment. "You made all this yourself?"

"Sure did!"

"Consider me speechless times four!" Sarah said. She took several bites. "Mmmm, this is delicious, Brian! Where did you learn how to cook like this? And when?"

"My mom taught me when I was younger. This recipe happens to be one of my faves. I called her yesterday for the recipe."

"I'm definitely impressed. How Leighanne could leave a guy like you I'll never understand, but her loss is my gain."

Brian's expression grew grim. "Can we please not mention her name? Let's talk about us."

"Fine by me!" Sarah said happily. He was already referring to them as an "us." This made her very happy.

Brian interrupted her thoughts. "How long have you been a fan of the BSB?"

"About a year. My younger sister, Missy, got your first CD in 1998 and made me listen to it. I really liked it and started going on the Internet to find out everything about you guys. I think you're all very talented."

"Why thank you," Brian said.

Sarah continued. "I went to your concert when you came here to Kentucky. It was amazing. You and Kevin were crying from all the love that your hometown fans showed you. How did that make you feel?"

"Very loved! I was so moved. It was truly amazing!" Brian said. "Tell me about Miss Sarah."

"Well, Miss Sarah was born on September 28, 1975. You know Melissa, my baby sister -- she's 18. My mother is a surgical nurse and my father is a lawyer."

"His business must be booming," Brian commented.

"Oh, you must be talking about Manor Butler." She laughed. "Did the size intimidate you?"

"Not at all. It's just that most lawyers don't do that well here in Booneville. It's a small town."

"Actually, we're from Lexington and we lived there up until three years ago. Most of my father's clientele is still there."

"What kind of law does he practice?"

"Family," Sarah replied.

Brian put his fork down and looked deep into her eyes. "So what about you? What are you like? Personality-wise?"

Sarah looked pensive. "I guess I would describe myself as a go-getter, aggressive, wild, daring, impulsive, and..." her voice trailed off.

"And what?" Brian prompted.

"...a virgin," she finished.

Brian looked stunned. "Are you serious?"

Sarah eyes flashed in anger. "Yes! I am serious," she said indignantly.

"Whoa, chill! I didn't mean anything by that. I just meant, well, the other night in the poolhouse, you..uh...you didn't come across as a virgin." He winked at her. "And you failed to mention that you have quite the temper."

Sarah calmed down and laughed. "That's the Libra in me. Sorry, I didn't mean to go off on you. You're the first guy I've ever admitted this to."

"What did you do when you had a boyfriend and he wanted to go all the way?"

"I gave them blowjobs. That's as far as I would go. When things started getting too intense for me, I broke it off. It's embarrassing to tell a guy that you're over 20 and still a virgin." She looked down at her plate.

"No, it's not," Brian said softly. "It's something to be proud of. Can I ask you why you never did it?"

Sarah looked up at him. She knew he wouldn't go spill her secrets. "I don't honestly don't know. I almost did a few times and then something just stopped me. It's as if my body wanted it, but my brain wasn't cooperating. I can't explain it. It just felt wrong at the time."

Brian nodded understandingly. "Would you have let me if I wouldn't have stopped the other night?" "I don't know," Sarah said honestly. "People think I'm a slut. All the guys I've dated told their friends that I had sex with them so their egos would remain intact. Meanwhile I have a reputation that I did nothing to deserve."

"That's awful!" Brian said. "But don't worry about me. I would never make you do something that you aren't ready to do."

Sarah smiled gratefully. "I know. Thank you. So what about you, Brian Thomas?"

"I'm not a virgin," he said innocently.

Sarah burst out laughing. "I should hope not! Tell me, honestly, how many girls have you slept with, approximately?"

Brian's eyes widened. "I don't think you need or want to know that."

"Come on, spill it Littrell!"

"Well, this last tour, AFTER Leighanne and I split up, I went crazy and I must have bedded at least two girls in every town we played in."

Now it was Sarah's eyes that widened. "Shit! You player, you!"

"Well, I ain't proud of it." He looked upset.

Sarah changed the subject. "Hey, we're done eating. Why don't we go for a walk in those woods behind your house?"

Brian was glad she didn't pursue that topic. "Yes, let's. It's a beautiful night."

They had been walking hand and hand for a few minutes when Sarah got the oddest feeling. A tremor ran down her spine and she shivered. "Are you cold?" Brian asked.

She couldn't stop trembling. "I, yea, I guess I am." Brian put his jacket around her shoulders. "Do you want to go back?" Sarah looked at Brian. Her face wore a frightened expression. "What's wrong, Sarah?"

"I don't know. I just got the weirdest premonition that something happened in these woods. Something very bad."

Brian put his arms around her and started to lead her back to his house. "Come on, let's go," he said.

Sarah nodded, but turned back around. "Whose house is that?" she pointed to the light in the distance.

"That's my cousin Kellie's place."

Sarah looked at it, seemingly mesmerized. Another slice of fear rippled through her. "Take me home Brian," she said in a scared voice.