Wildest Dreams
by Shea

Part Four

Shea groaned as the ringing of the alarm roused her from a 
sound sleep. She shut off the offending noise and turned to face 
Paul, who was yawning sleepily. "Hey you." he said softly before 
kissing her lips. 
"Hey yourself. Sleep well?" she asked 
"Like a baby. What about you?" 
"Great. Thank you for last nite. For being so understanding. Not many 
men would have been."
"I think you're worth it. Besides, I'm going to be here for a while, 
we've got time." 
"That's true. What time do you have to be at rehearsals?" 
"Nine. You wouldn't happen to have a spare razor would you? I need a 
shave." . 
"I'm pretty sure we should have a disposable in there you could use." 
"Great. What time do you have to be at work?" 
"Eight today. I have to work my shift at the health club today." She 
sighed. "It's my double duty day."
"You work two jobs?" Paul asked, surprised. 
"Yeah but its only temporary until I get some bills paid off. I'd 
like to go to working at just the dojo full time. Then I would have 
more time to pursue other things."
"Well, why don't you grab a shower first and I'll make the coffee. 
Ok?" 
"Thanks,. I won't be long. Coffee and filters are in the cabinent 
under the coffe maker. Just make yourself at home." 
"Thanks I will." 
Shea grabbed her robe and some fresh clothes before heading to the 
bathroom. Paul stretched, and rising from the bed, headed for the 
kitchen. He found the coffee and filters right where Shea said they 
were and began making a pot of coffee. He was looking in the 
refridgerator when he heard someone enter the kitchen. 
"Good morning Carol." Paul said.
"Morning Paul. Fancy meeting you here." she responded with a grin.
"I guess its not everyday you find little ol me in your kitchen huh?" 
Paul grinned back.
"No its not,"Carol agreed, still smiling. "I just want to ask you one 
thing Paul." 
"What is it?" Paul said, noting that she had turned serious.
"Please don't hurt her. I'd hate to see that happen again."
"I don't want that to happen either, I know she's been hurt before. 
She told me last night."
"Well just so you know. She's my best friend and I'd hate to see her 
hurt." 
"Believe me I understand." 
"Good. I think we have some bagels around her somewhere if you want 
to get the cream cheese and jelly out." 
"Sure, no problem," Paul said "How long have you and Shea been 
friends?"
"Close to twenty years. She's like a sister to me. Sort of like you 
and Gene say you're like brothers." 
"Friendship like that is rare isn't it?"
"Yes and very special."
"That it is." Paul said as he poured himself a cup of coffee. 
"To friendship." Carol said, holding up her glass of diet coke. 
"To friendship." Paul said, clinking his coffee cup gently against 
her glass. 
They drank in silence, unsure of what to say next as they fixed the 
bagels. Shea walked into the kitchen towelling her damp hair. Today 
she wore a blue gi with a white tshirt underneath. Paul handed her a 
bagel half with cream cheese and strawberry preserves.
"Mmmm good." she said before kissing him with strawberry flavored 
lips. 
"Now I need to take a shower. You said the razors were under the 
sink?" he asked. 
"Yes." 
"Thanks." Paul said.
Paul went into Shea's room to get his clothes and then made his 
way into the bathroom. 
"I take it things went well last night?" Carol said with a knowing 
grin.
"Well, if you're asking if we did it, we didn't...I'm still a bit 
scared Carol. But I don't think it will be much longer." 
"He seems to like you a lot. I hope things go well for you too.," 
Carol said. "After the luck you've had in the past with men you 
deserve it. Well, I have to go. See you this evening." 
"See ya later." Shea said as Carol grabbed her pocketbook and rushed 
out the door. 
Paul came walking out of the bathroom just in time to see Carol rush 
out the door.
"Just another day huh? Is it always this rushed in the mornings?" 
Paul asked
"Some mornings it's worse. And it's not 'just another day' This one 
is special because you're here." Shea said, wrapping her arms around 
his waist and leaning up to kiss him. Paul kissed her back, his 
tongue gently probing her mouth. His hands went around her waist to 
pull her closer to him. After a few minutes, they reluctantly broke 
the kiss.
"I gotta go. Call you later at the dojo?" Paul whispered against her 
hair. 
"That would be great. I hope you have a good day today." 
"I hope you do too." 
With that they gathered their things and made their way out 
of the apartment to their cars. Paul gave her a quick kiss before he 
got in his car and made his way toward downtown. Shea tossed her gear 
bag in the back seat and followed him out of the parking lot. Shea 
waved at Paul before he turned left toward the interstate that led 
downtown. He waved back before merging with the early morning rush.
Shea turned right and drove toward the health club, where she 
would work until two pm before going to the dojo until eight then 
coming back to help close up the health club. She would be glad when 
Sunday arrived because then she had the day off since both the 
health club and the dojo were closed that day. She wondered if Paul 
would have rehershals all that day as well. 'Thank God I only have to 
do this one day a week' she thought to herself. 'Well, we'll have to 
wait and see.' she thought to herself as she pulled into the parking 
lot of Sports Fit. She parked her car and grabbed her gear bag 
before going into the health club. 
Greg told her that Melissa had a doctor's appointment and 
wouldn't be in until around eleven.
"So we're a little short handed today. I called Julie but she doesn't 
answer her phone or even her cell phone.," he said. "Could you work 
the floor until your class? I should be able to take over then."
"Sure, no problem. If all else fails you could call Eddie in for half 
a day. He wouldn't mind the overtime." 
"True but the big boss won't like it."Greg said. 
"Well, try Julie again. Maybe she just had her cell phone turned 
off." Shea said over her shoulder as she made her way to the ladies 
dressing room. She put her bag on the floor and opened her locker so 
she could put her street clothes inside. She closed her locker and 
got ready to go to work. She grabbed her bag and went out to the 
workout floor, stopping in the classroom to drop off her bag of gear. 
She went and sat down behind the desk in the center of the 
room where all the workout machines were and started to read a book 
on nerve centers and pressure point attacks. It wasn't long until the 
first custumers needing help arrived. She instructed a young man in 
how to use the rowing machine and took an older woman on a tour of 
the club, showing her some of the machines available for her to use.
Julie came in about ten minutes before her class was to start all 
out of breath and all apologies.
"I'm so sorry, my cell phone needs recharging and I overslept this 
morning." 
"It's ok Julie shit happens. I would love to chat with you for a 
few minutes but I've got a women's self defense class to teach." Shea 
said as she closed her book. 
"No problem. Thanks for holding down the station until I got here. I 
appreciate it."
"Glad to do it. I got caught up on some reading for a change." Shea 
said as she held up her book. "See you later." 
Shea made her way to the classroom where self defense, 
aerobics and other classes were held. She put the top to her gi on 
over her t shirt and tied her belt. 
'May as well start stretching before the students get here' she 
thought to herself as she slid into the chinese splits then the 
american splits each way before returning to the chinese splits. She 
then sat down with her legs far apart and leaned first to one knee 
then the other before leaning to the center. As she was stretching 
her first students began to arrive. 
"Hey Laura, ready for class today??" Shea said to a petite woman in 
her late thirties. 
"Yeah, what are we working on today?" Laura replied.
"Hold breaks basically. That's important to know if someone grabs 
you. And you get to beat up on Greg a bit today" Shea said with a 
grin. 
"Sounds good to me." 
The rest of the class came in as they were talking, followed 
by Greg with a large canvas bag filled with protective padding. He 
would be the "attacker" for today's class, the first where the 
students would actually put in to practice some of the techniques 
they had learned.
She spent ten minutes of class demonstrating a few simple 
hold breaks and had the class choose partners to work on them with. 
The last twenty minutes they took turns fending off their "attacker", 
Greg in full body padding he'd borrowed from the police department. 
When class was over, Greg took off the head gear and wiped 
his sweaty face with a towel. 
"I think that went well. You're a good teacher." he told her.
"Thanks. I need to get ready for the little dragons. Having the 
mothers let their kids take classes while they're in class works 
well."
"It does. Good thing the boss let the aerobics class use the 
basketball court." 
"Thanks Greg I appreciate your help."
"It's no problem. If you'd seen the domestic disturbance cases I've 
seen you'd know why I'm so willing to do this. If I can help keep one 
woman from being beaten it's worth it." 
"Melissa is lucky to have you." Shea said, giving him a hug around 
his waist. 
"Thanks. I know I'm lucky to have her." he said. 
Soon the air was filled with the laughter and voices of small 
children chattering away with their mothers as they entered the 
classroom. The children were learning what to do if a stranger 
approached them and the ways they might do so. 
"So if a stranger comes up to you and asks you to help find a lost 
puppy, do you go with him or her?" 
"NO!!!!!!!" a chorus of little voices yelled. 
"Do you go tell your parents or a teacher about this person?"
"YES!!!" the voices yelled once again. 
"Very good. We've learned that not all strangers look mean and 
scary and that's a good thing to know. You're such a good class. 
We've done so well today I think I'll let you guys play tunnel tag 
until class is over." 
Shea chose two team captains and the kids chose sides. Soon 
the air was filled with running feet, delighted laughter and the 
calls of "unfreeze me!!!" She loved watching the kids having fun, 
it was a joy to teach them, even if it did require loads of patience. 
Soon class was over and she was repacking her bag to go to the 
dojo. She decided to grab a quick burger on the way to karate 
classes. She hoped that Paul would call her again and maybe they 
could get together again if schedules allowed. 
She walked into the dojo, gear bag slung over one shoulder 
and her soda in one hand. She finished her soda and tossed the cup 
into the trash before heading out to the workout floor. She finished 
getting ready for class just as the first students were arriving. She 
would be working with the orange and yellow belt kids on stick 
defense while Bo would work with the green belts and up on a more 
advanced form. 
She worked with the classes until time for brown and black 
belt class, one of the classes she took herself. She worked with Mr 
Donnie, who was teaching her some sacrifice throws, that is throws 
where you had to go to the ground as well in the process of taking 
your opponent to the ground. Then they and the other black belts 
worked on the new black belt form they were learning. By the time 
they finished up with a few grappling matches, she was pretty 
sweaty. 'Maybe I'll have time to grab a shower or a soak in the 
jacuzzi before I go home.' She thought to herself. 
Once more she made her way to the health club, glad her day 
was almost over. Greg and Eddie were the only ones there, save a few 
people finishing their workouts. 
"Can you finish locking up once these guys leave? We'll stay here 
until then. I need to get home to Melissa, she called a few minutes 
ago and she's having contractions." Greg said excitedly. 
"Get on out of here you! Eddie and I can handle it can't we Eddie?" 
Shea said 
"She's right. You need to be there in case you have to go to the 
hospital.," Eddie said, making a shooing motion to Greg. "Shea and I 
have this under control." 
It was her turn to lock up this night and she was glad of 
the extra help that had cleaned out the locker rooms. Only a few 
customers remained and they were getting ready to leave. 'Only 45 
more minutes then I can go home' Shea thought to herself. 
"Hey Shea, I know its almost closing time, but Nancy's not here and 
we have a customer wanting a rubdown. Could you do it?? I promise 
there's a big tip in it for you." Eddie's voice interuppted her train 
of thought. 
"How big of a tip?" she asked, eyes widening as he showed her a $100 
bill. 
"And believe me, the guy isn't some old geezer either!!" He said 
grinning mischeiviously. 
"Who is he??" she asked, curiosity aroused.
"Oh you'll see." Eddie said with a knowing look before saying "Go 
ahead. He's in room three. I'll lock up and turn on the alarm." She 
looked at him suspicously wondering what sort of prank he had in 
mind. She stopped in the women's locker room long enough to put the 
top of her gi in the bag. She then went and opened the door to room 
three, steeling herself for the worst. There was a tall, dark haired 
man lying on the massage table, a white towel around his waist. His 
face was turned toward the wall, but she could clearly see a rose 
tattoo on his shoulder. Shea smiled and walked into the room. 
"Hi. Paul. I'm going to be giving you your massage." He turned to 
face her, warm brown eyes gazing into hers.
"Hi Shea, fancy meeting you here.," he said with a grin "I hope 
I'm not imposing on your time. I realize its late..." 
"That's ok. I don't mind", she managed to reply, drinking in the 
sight of his lean body covered only by the towel, she 
suspected. "want me to start on your back and shoulders?" He nodded 
and turned over. Shea picked up a vial of massage oil and warmed it 
between her palms. She moved his hair off his shoulders and began to 
work the oil into his smooth skin, her surprisingly strong hands 
kneading the tense muscles. She worked her way down his back, trying 
to ease the tension she felt under her hands along his spine. 
"That feels good.." Paul moaned softly, eyes closed. She turned her 
attention to those wonderful legs, working the tension out. Paul 
turned over and looked at her carefully. He thought her dark red hair 
was beautiful and remembered what she looked like without her 
glasses. Shea warmed more massage oil and began to work on the front 
of his shoulders and chest. She hoped he didn't notice the slight 
tremor in her hands as she ran her fingers through the surprisingly 
soft hair. There was a light knock at the door. 
"Shea, I'm locking up, will you be ok??" Eddie's muffled voice came 
through the door. 
"Yeah I'll be fine" she managed to stammer.
"Ok see you tomorrow then." Eddie replied.
"You're good at this" Paul said huskily, raising up to one elbow. 
Shea looked at his face and could see he was regarding her with a 
hungry look. 
"Thank you." she whispered as he cradled her face in his hands and 
brought her closer to him. Shea closed her eyes as his lips claimed 
hers, Paul's tongue gently probing her mouth. He pulled her onto the 
table with him. Pauls hands slid under her t shirt and unfastened 
the front clasp of her bra. He released her long enough for her to 
take off her glasses and remove her top. Shea bent down and kissed 
him hungrily, her hands working to take the towel from his 
waist. "Easy baby. We've got plenty of time..." he said 
breathlessly. " I take it we're alone now??" 
"Let me check" Shea whispered as she reluctantly got up from the 
table. She grabbed a robe that was hanging on the back of the door 
and made a quick check, stopping at the front desk to read the note 
she found there. 

Shea, 
Have fun and don't do anything I wouldn't do!! 
Eddie 
P.S. Just make sure not to set off the alarm when you leave. 
wink wink 

She had to laugh at how she'd been set up by Eddie but it was 
shaping up to be a good night after all. She felt ready to take that 
big step with Paul. It had been too long and the last experience 
wasn't something she wanted to remember. She returned to the room to 
find Paul had taken the towel and draped it loosely over his 
middle. 
"We're alone....would you like to move to the hot tub?? I think the 
one in the ladies locker room is still on." Shea told him. 
"Lead the way fair lady." he said as he got up from the table, 
holding the towel in place. They made the short trip to the hot tub 
and she quickly took off the robe and her remaining clothing. Paul 
watched with great interest before he slowly removed the towel. He 
dropped it on the floor and made a come hither motion with his 
finger. She walked up to him shly. 
"Don't be nervous baby, I won't hurt you." he whispered in her ear 
as he picked her up and stepped into the warm swirling water. 
"Hungry for love baby???" He whispered sexily. 
"Just for you Paul" she replied. 
"Well you've got me Shea." 
Afterwards they held each other close as they came down from 
their lovemaking with the warm water swirling around them.
"Your place or mine??", Paul whispered against her damp hair.
"It doesn't matter.," she whispered. "Yours might be better since 
we'd have more privacy" 
"True. Let's get dressed and you can follow me to my place. I've got 
an apartment not far from here." 
"Ok." she responded as she got up to get out of the tub. Paul 
followed suit and watched her get dressed.
"Don't go anywhere" he said before he walked out of the locker room 
without bothering to put the towel back on. She couldn't help 
thinking of a line from the movie 'Thelma and Louise': "there he 
goes.....I just LOOOOOVE watching him go..." 
Paul re-entered the ladies locker room dressed in faded jeans and 
a t shirt. A black leather jacket hung over one shoulder and he had a 
gym bag in one hand. Shea picked up her gear bag and headed for the 
door. 
"Here, let me take that." he said, reaching out for the bag. She 
handed it to him and had to smile when he realized it was heavier 
than it looked. 
"What have you got in here? A set of weights?" he joked as he easily 
slung the bag over his shoulder "Sparring gear and a few martial arts 
weapons" she responded with a grin. 
"Well," Paul joked," I'm glad you're on my side!" Shea laughed and 
they headed for the back door where she turned off the alarm so they 
could get out without setting it off. Paul stood close by as she 
reset the alarm on the outside key pad before they walked toward 
their cars as a light snow began to fall.