The loft was a lot bigger than Mia expected. She stood in the doorway with the surprise written all over her face. Michael chuckled softly behind her. That laugh could have snapped her back to reality no matter where she was. It made her feel warm. She smiled up at him before moving to the side to let him into his own home.

He dropped the keys and wallet onto a side table further into the room. When he turned back to look at her, his face lit up.

"What?" Mia asked as a smile matching his slid across her face.

"I can't believe you're finally here," he said walking back to her.

"I'm more than happy to actually be here," she said. She dropped her clutch purse on a nearby chair and kicked her heels off underneath it.

"He slid his arms around her shoulders and pulled her closer to him. Instinctively, her arms wrapped themselves around his waist. She could feel the new muscles under his shirt. Her fingers began to knead at his back a little to get a better feel of them.

Michael laughed low again, "What?"

"The muscles are new," her voice was unintentionally low to match his laugh.

He slid out of her arms. She made a quiet noise in protest but the smile on his face told her not to worry. He would always be back. In a fluid motion, Michael lifted the shirt he was wearing up and over his head. He tossed it onto the chair. Mia stifled a choke at the sight of his broad chest and shoulders. She averted her eyes to avoid looking down at his abdomen or even lower.

The laugh was back and so were his arms. Suddenly, she found herself pressed up against the bare flesh. His hand cupped her chin and pulled her up to meet his eyes. She could see the familiar need in his eyes. He was hungry for her and she was starting to melt at the knees. His toned arms were beginning to be the only thing keeping her standing.

Without another word, Michael filled the gap between their faces and pressed his lips firmly to hers. Now she felt that need. She kissed him back just as hard and just as passionately. Her hands began exploring the expanse of his back. They both pulled each other closer as if they were too far apart despite being on top of one another already.

Eventually, they broke the kiss. Mia kept her eyes closed out of fear this wasn't real. His lips pressed to hers once more but the kiss was gentler. He trailed kisses from her mouth to along her jaw, then down to her neck. He kissed and sucked lightly at the flesh over the pulse point. She couldn't fight the moan that escaped her lips.

Her eyes snapped open and she slapped a hand over her mouth. With her other hand, she pushed back and away from him. The look on Michael's face was confused and a little hurt. He managed to keep one hand in one of hers. Their fingers were barely entwined but he had a strong grip on hers.

"I'm sorry," she said through her fingers.

"Mia, what's wrong?"

She began to squirm under his gaze. She looked away from his face and out the window on the far side of the loft. It showed a beautiful view of downtown.

Speaking more to the window than to Michael she said, "I can't."

He still wouldn't move. He didn't want to scare her anymore than she already was. "Can't what?" he asked carefully.

She finally looked at him but only briefly. Her body squirmed under the weight of his dark eyes, "I can't… I'm not ready."

Michael tugged on her fingers. He was guiding her back to him by lacing his fingers through her own. She was close to him once more but still wasn't looking at him. He gently placed his hand along the side of her face.

"Mia, please look at me." Her eyes flicked up to meet his and he was still smiling down at her. That surprised her. He continued, "We don't have to do anything you don't want to tonight. I am just so happy to have you here. With me."

A small smile spread across her face although doubt still ate at the back of her mind, "Really?"

"I love you."

"The smile grew even bigger, "I love you too."

Before she could stop him, they were making out once more. The next time they broke for air, Michael made the suggestion of getting into bed, "But just to sleep. You must be tired."

"Not as much as you'd think," she laughed.

"Well, I still think your mom would want to see her daughter at some point tomorrow. That or your dad might have Lars and the rest of the Genovia body guards break down my front door. I don't really want to get tased either," he joked.

"Okay, okay. Fair enough." she said.

Michael kissed her one last time and stepped away to a dresser. He rummaged through a few drawers and pulled out a pair of shorts and T-shirt. He brought them back and offered them to her, "As good as that dress looks on you, I don't think it'll be that comfy to sleep in."

"Good point," Mia said taking the clothes from him.

Once they were in her hands, though, she wasn't sure what to do. She could see the bathroom from where she stood and thought of hightailing it in there so Micheal didn't have to see her undress but some part of her told her to stay where she was. He took his shirt off without a second thought. He wanted to see her without clothes. It was obvious he still wanted to sleep with her. She couldn't help feeling guilty about wanting to hide. At the same time, she didn't have much to be ashamed of if he respected her decision.

Before her resolve broke, Mia reached up to lower the straps of her dress off her shoulders. Quickly, she lowered it down the rest of her body and let the cloth pool around her feet on the floor. She reached over to grab the shirt and slid it on over her head. The shirt wasn't too big on her. It hung just past her hips. It didn't look like a sack on her but it didn't fit her tightly anywhere.

Then she grabbed the shorts. She unfolded them and looked at them. They were regular basketball shorts.

Michael finished changing into a pair of plaid pajama pants and putting his clothes away. He walked over to her and saw her studying the shorts, "What's wrong?"

"What? Oh, nothing. I just think they might be too big." Then she realized that she was standing in his loft apartment in his T-shirt and no pants and panicked. "Whoa, wait, they're not that big."

Mia lifted a leg to step into them when a hand on her forearm stopped her. She put her foot back on the floor to balance herself. Her gaze then met Michael's.

"Mia, it's really okay. I'm not going to do anything. I'm happy you were comfortable to change in front of me. Baby steps," he smiled softly at her.

She nodded a few times, a little too fast. He could see she was trying to convince herself he was right but the panic was still on her face. He took the shorts from her and placed them on the end of the bed.

"I haven't run out the door nor have I kicked you out. It's more than okay. The shorts will be here, though, if you really want them," he offered. "Plus, the lights will be off soon and there's a blanket here."

He led her around the side of the bed. He kept one of her hands in his as he slid the blanket down for her. Then he helped guide her into the bed. She lay down and he half tucked her in. Michael kissed the back of her hand before placing it gently next to her.

"Do you want anything? Water or a snack?" he asked as he circled the bed.

"No, thank you," she mumbled.

Michael turned out the light and climbed into bed next to her. He wrapped both his arms around her and pulled her as close as he could. He buried his face into the back of her neck and inhaled. She smelled wonderful to him. He snuggled closer and whispered into her ear, "I love you, Mia."

That broke her out of her stupor. She turned in his arms and kissed him hard and deep, "I love you too." Then she snuggled into the warmth and scent of his and drifted off to sleep.