“So, I'm sorry, is what I'm trying to say."

“and it's okay, is what I'm trying to say," Maria said, smiling back at her. Jeremy was struck once more by her exotic beauty.

“I know how suddenly finding someone irresistible can make you go crazy," she continued, ruffling Alex's hair fondly.

“Trust me on this one. When he showed up on my doorstep a few days ago, Looking good enough to eat and asking for my help with his play, I thought I'd cream my panties then and there." She made a show of fanning herself with one hand while

Sarah giggled, Alex blushed, and Jeremy laughed outright. "Dios mio!"

She let her voice turn low and sultry, like one of the Latina actresses on a cheesy telenovela.

“Oh, Senor Sunderman, esta bonito. Me hacer que su mujer.”

“What ?"

“Make me your woman," Jeremy translated, then snorted as the incongruous words emerged from his mouth.

“I oughta spank you," Alex said. He squeezed one slender ankle warningly.

“Ooh, promise?" Maria teased, a dimple appearing in each cheek. She ran her fingers up Alex's neck, then draped her legs across his chest, her dark skin contrasting with the plain white t-shirt he was wearing

"You," Sarah said, pointing at her older brother, “are way luckier than you deserve."

“Tell me something I don't know," he observed cheerfully. He took a deep swallow of his wine, then stroked Maria's legs fondly. "But I'm not arguing. I'm just going to enjoy it.

“Besides,” he continued. "The same thing could be said for you. How the hell did an unemployed slacker like you manage to trap this fine, upstanding young man?" He winked at Jeremy

"Well," he said slowly. "It might have been the other day, when she offered to take me upstairs and screw my brains out. Or on Memorial

Day, when she actually did screw my brains out. You know how weak men are, man. We're helpless against a woman's feminine wiles." He flinched theatrically as Sarah slapped at his arm playfully, and sighed mournfully.

“And this is the thanks I get. Violence and abuse. I should have found myself a nice girl. One like Maria. Tell me," he said, waggling his eyebrows outrageously, "do you have any sisters?"

"Four," she replied, giggling, as Sarah looked on, a Look of outraged horror on her face. "Inez, Rachelina, Sophia, and Bianca. But I don't think trying to set you up with any of them would be a good idea."

“Why not?"

“Well, first of all, none of them are older than sixteen," Maria said, her eyes twinkling.

“That would put a damper on things," Jeremy agreed gravely. He found much to his own surprise, that he was enjoying flirting with his girlfriend's brother's girlfriend. He lowered his voice, whispering hoarsely. "Maybe we can ditch these two later and hook up. What do you think?"

Beside him, Sarah flounced back in her seat, her arms folded over her small bust. "Just try it, Laughing boy. All that means is that I'll be alone with Alex here. What's good for the goose is good for the gander."

A silence fell over the room, as they all suddenly realized just where the conversation had brought them.

"So," Alex said, drawing out the word. "This is awkward."

"Really?" Maria said. She ran her hands through her lover's hair. "Why?