Following a nasty breakup, Lauren becomes a recluse, determined never to be hurt again, and it will take a very special man to get her to change her ways.
***
An aborted love affair was the cause of Lauren's reclusive lifestyle. She vowed never to be hurt again, and would never give her heart away as she had done too many times in the past. No chances would be taken again in the arena of love.
Then the unbelievable happened. It was a big deal for the central plains, especially so close to Christmas. An earthquake had hit, a 5.8 shocker of a quake. Lauren was busy dusting up the fallen plaster when there was a knock on the door.
"It's Mrs. Smathers. May I come in, dear?" Evidently one of the other tenants had called her to report the damage.
"I'll have an electrician stop by to fix the problem as soon as possible if that's okay with you."
Although Lauren was less than thrilled about her privacy being breached, she had to let some stranger named Don inside her quiet abode.
When Don arrived, it took less than an hour to complete the task, and he also re-spackled and re-painted the walls.
"If you turn on the ceiling fan, the walls should quickly dry enough to re-hang your pictures. May I take a shower before I rescue my overalls from the dryer?"
"Sure. Towels are on the shelf."
While Don showered, Lauren mixed a pitcher of martinis, something she hadn't done since her bad breakup, and was waiting for Don when he emerged from the bathroom. "For a job well done!"
"Thanks."
Don set his martini on the end table and plopped down into Lauren's vibrating chair. He flicked the switch and the vibrations started. "If I had this chair, I'd be sitting in it every night. I'm so relaxed. Care to join me?"
That was too much for Lauren to pass up. The sight of the sexy painter without his shirt caused her wall of isolation to crumble. She had forgotten the excitement a kiss could bring... the anticipation of more bodily satisfaction, the scent of a man... and all the things years of isolation had buried deep inside her memory rushed to the surface.
