“You sure know how to clean up after a good forking.” I joked while he tossed the last bag into the trash bin.

“I’ve had a lot of practice this week,” he said as we stood in the dark by the side of the house.

“Just this week huh?” I couldn’t stop with the kidding. Forking was now my favorite form of vandalism.

“Funny,” he laughed. “It’s been a big problem this week and a sign that someone likes you.”

“What?” I asked. “They like me?”

“Most of the forking victims have been the pretty senior girls in town. A group of boys is going around forking them for a Halloween prank. Basically they really are saying, we want to fuck you. I mean fork you.”

I leaned against the trash bin for support. Those words out of his mouth made me weak. “So someone wants to fork me?”

“I think there are more than a few someones, Trish.” He winked at me and I was speechless and soaking wet.

“Officer Brooks.” A voice came through his radio.

“Yes.” He turned his head and spoke into the contraption on his chest.

“There’s been another forking incident reported at thirteen-fifty five South Fort. We need you to respond. Officer Tillman is still on his last call. Damn forkers.”

Thomas and I both laughed at the dispatcher’s comments. He cleared his throat before responding. “On my way.”

“Looks like I have to go save another lawn.”

“Duty calls.” We started walking toward his squad car with neither one of us in a hurry.

“Heard you were going to Mel’s Peckers fundraiser tomorrow. Mel text me this afternoon.”

“Yes. I can’t pass up a night full of peckers.” I said with a giggle.

He placed his finger under my chin and lifted so he could stare into my eyes. “Wear something tight and skip the bra. I met a couple of friends tonight that I’d like to see more of tomorrow.”

Stunned, I watched him get into his car and pull away. My mouth still gaping open as his taillights faded in the distance.

The neon Peckers sign blazed as I pulled into what was usually Mickey’s Bar. I took one last look into the car’s visor mirror to check the lipstick I’d applied ten times. Yep, it was still red.

I inspected my chest to see if my nipples were saluting. Bingo. I think my appearance will be Thomas approved.

My hands sweat as I walked across the parking lot in my stilettos. I opted for the pair that screamed, “do me” the loudest and these won. After seeing Thomas last night, I realized I had no shame where he was concerned. I wanted him and I knew he wanted me.

Smoothing my dress and blown out hair, I opened the door, walked inside and found the placed packed. Nothing said Girls Night Out like a room full of peckers supporting a hooters’ fundraiser.

I spotted Mel standing by a pub table. She was talking to what appeared to be a doctor. A hot, hot doctor I might add. He was undressed in just his scrub pants with a stethoscope wrapped around his neck. Something told me he’d like to have Mel’s legs wrapped around them instead.

“Hi Mel,” I broke into their conversation.

“Trish,” she shouted above the TV in the bar. The damn thing was blaring loud.

“Mel,” I hugged her back and helped her stand. “Looks like you starting the party early.”

“Dr. Talbot insisted I take shots off of his abs.” Dr. Talbot gave me a knowing smirk. The kind that says I’m getting lucky tonight.

“I bet he did.” I laughed. “Hi, I take it your Dr. Talbot.” I held my hand out to him, he took it in his, and kissed it. The hot doctor appeared to have quite the bedside manner.

“Nice to meet you,” he replied to me. “Mel told me you were here. Welcome back.”

Dr. Talbot turned to Mel and held her hand in his. “I need to get back to being a Pecker. Remember I’m driving tonight.” He kissed her on the cheek and I swear she swooned.

I watched her watch him walk away. Yep, she was a goner like me.

“So Dr. Talbot,” I thought she could finish my sentence and fill in the blanks for me.

“Yes. He’s so dreamy.” I didn’t know who she was. Mel didn’t do swoony or dreamy. “He’s the one.”

“The one? As in china and linens?” I asked and wondered why I was just hearing about him now.

“Already picked them out and I’m wearing ivory,” Mel giggled. “Mrs. Jared Talbot. Sounds perfect.”

“Who are you and when did you meet this man?” I placed my hands on my hips and waited for her reply.

“This is our first date sort of. I stopped by work today and he told me he was driving me to the event. He also told me we are going out tomorrow night as we drove here. I have a date for Halloween!”

“Oh my God. I think you’re either drunk as hell or in lust. Likely both.” I started laughing. Amused at how bossy her hot doctor was. Must be a common trait found in the men here.

“I’ve had a crush on him for two years. Two long years!” I saw her looking over my shoulder and smiling at someone. The angle of her eyes meant they were likely tall and looming right behind me.

I felt a hand on the small of my back and knew in an instant who it was. A shiver ran through me before I turned. I glanced down at my chest and saw all systems were a go with his simple touch.

I turned around and his hand followed across my body as I did. “Hi, Thomas.”

“Hi,” he said in a low, sexy voice as his eyes found that I’d obeyed him in the bra department. “You look great. Nice dress.”

He took a strand of my hair between his fingers and twirled it around one. “Beautiful.”

“Thanks,” I could barely speak as I stood there in front of him. His shirt was missing and my brain seemed to have disappeared too.

He was perfect. The kind of man who makes Michelangelo’s David look like an out of shape sloth. A toned chest, led down to a distinct six-pack with hard ridges that needed exploring or licking. I bit my tongue to control myself.

Gathering all the will power in the world I could muster, I brought my eyes back up to his. I swear his eyes were laughing at me. I reached up to give him a teasing tap on his arm, but my traitor hand wouldn’t leave his body and my fingers tightened around his bulging bicep.

“Hey remember me?” I heard a voice calling from somewhere and realized it was Mel. I’d completely forgotten she was standing there with us. A lust trance perhaps?

“Hi Mel,” Thomas said. A smile busted across his face. “I wanted to tell you that the silent auction is swinging into gear.”

“Well, well, well.” She glanced back and forth between Thomas and I. “There is definitely something major going on here between you two.”

“I agree,” said Thomas. I’d turned around to face Mel and felt Thomas backing into me. He wasn’t touching me but I knew he was super close. I was tempted to back into him fully… And I did. Why not?

“I agree too.” I said in a shaky voice.

“Trish, remember what we were talking about yesterday?” I knitted my brows confused. “Better start picking out the china and linens.”

A woman about forty came up to Mel and told her she was needed to help with something up by the front door. Mel followed behind the woman and I realized then that she did go as Kim Kardashian. She had to have been packing a couple pillows up the back of her dress.

“I can’t believe her,” I couldn’t stop laughing. “I thought she was kidding about going as Kim.”

“I think her doctor friend approved though. Who are you supposed to be?” Thomas asked.

“Me?” He nodded. “I’m Gretchen Rossi from the Real Housewives of Orange County.”

“You’re nothing like those gals because you’re definitely real in the areas that count.” I loved his blunt, bordering on dirty, talk.

“Been watching Housewives shows in your spare time?” I teased and he pointed to the TV screens above the bar. Real Housewives shows were playing on all of them.

“I came in earlier to help set the place up and suffered through about fifteen minutes. Like I said the real housewives aren’t that real.” He lowered his lips to my ear. “I prefer what you have baby.”