Chapter 8

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It was difficult for Belle and Chris to see each other over the next few weeks. Between the Dodgers Schedule and Chris having Jack there wasn't a free moment besides the gym. And even that was difficult for Belle to sneak away to. Hutch had noticed her out of the office more often and made a comment about where she kept running off to.

Monday afternoon, a week after their first official gym date Belle was sitting in her office looking over the Dodgers on the road schedule when an incoming text message caused her phone to buzz on her desk.

PRATT: I'm going through withdrawal. Need to see you.

Belle smiled before replying.

BELLE: I'd love to see you to. But what about Jack?

PRATT: Come over tonight after he's asleep?

BELLE: Seems Risky....are you sure?

PRATT: Absolutely!

He sent her his address and said he would call her around 8:30 Jack was usually asleep around then.

Belle got home that evening, took Killen for a good long walk and made herself some dinner while waiting to hear from Chris.

Laying on her couch Killen snuggled up next to her, she had just dozed off when at 8:45 her phone rang.

"Still up for coming over?" He didn't even bother with a hello.

"Of course." She couldn't hold in the yawn.

"You were asleep!"

"I was....I'm up now. I'll see you in 20." She hung up before he could reply.

Before heading out the door she looked at her self in her door length bedroom mirror. Sweats and a snug tank top was what she had put on after Killen's walk. Her hair was in a messy bun and her makeup smeared. She quickly tried to clean her makeup up and grabbed a hoodie from her closet. Killen followed her to the door expecting to go as well.

"No bud, you have to stay this time." She said softly bending down to scratch behind his ear. He looked at her for a minute before yawning and retreating to his oversized plush bed in the living room.

25 minutes later she pulled up at Chris's condo. It was a million times nicer than hers but what did she expect. He answered the door before she could knock.

"Welcome to Casa De Pratt." He grinned swinging the door open.

"It's very fancy." She looked around as she slid past him walking into the foyer. He leaned back against the door shutting it behind them.

"Thanks. I designed the whole thing myself."

Belle raised an eyebrow.

"No, I didn't" He laughed. "Lawd have mercy." He whistled. "You look.... good enough to eat." He wiggled his eyebrows at her.

Belle laughed. "Do I?" She spun around taking a step closer to him. She tugged on the hem of the bottom of his t-shirt and pulled him closer to her.

Chris nodded enthusiastically. Standing on her tiptoes her mouth met his and the kiss was anything but innocent.

"Whoa whoa whoa." Chris pulled his head back but slid his arms around her waist resting his hands on her lower back pulling her hips against his. "Did you just come over to make out with me?"

"Hell yeah." She bit her lip seductively.

"Oh Thank God." His hands slid up her back and into her hair as his lips crashed back into hers.

They somehow made it to his couch where they tumbled back on to it and made out for what felt like hours.

"I should tell you." Belle said propping her head up with her hand as she laid on her side opposite of Chris on the huge overstuffed couch. "I don't normally do stuff like this."

"What? Make out with incredibly handsome, talented men?" He flexed a muscle and winked at her.

"Ummm....well yeah actually." she admitted.

"I don't either." He shifted to lay flat on his back tilting his head to face her. "And I don't usually make out with beautiful women either."

Belle smiled and leaned over her face inches from his. "This feels different." She turned serious.

"I know what you mean. Feels like I've known you forever.....and forgive that immensely cheesy line."

"Forgiven." She bent down kissing him softly. "Don't hurt me, ok?"

"Never. Goes both ways."

"Never." She repeated. "I should get ready to go. It's past 11."

Chris stuck out his lower lip. "But I don't get to see you again until....."

Belle shrugged with a pout.

"What if Jack and I accidentally run into you at the dog park tomorrow?" Chris suggested.

"Don't you think it's a little soon for me to meet Jack?" Her eyes looked concerned.

"I'll just tell him you're a friend. I have lots of friends."

"Oh yeah and how many of them do you spend the evening making out with?"

"All of them actually." He teased and then playfully pinched her side.

Laughing she tried to escape but finally relaxed in his arms and he kissed the top of her head. "So what do you say? You want to accidentally bump into us tomorrow?"

"Sure." She agreed. "Guess I can stand being your dirty little secret." She looked up at him with a teasing look in her eye.

"My dirty little secret you are!" He lowered his mouth for another kiss.

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