"All right! All right! I'm coming!" Niles yelled. He climbed out of bed and pulled on his robe and slippers, wondering who in the world would be banging on his door at 3am. He
padded downstairs and went to the door, thrusting it open.
"Daphne..." he said, almost fainting at the sight of her. "What are you doing here? Not that I mind of course."
She rushed past him and entered his apartment. "I couldn't sleep. I-I mean I tried, but I just couldn't stop thinking about you."
Niles' throat went dry. "Wh-what?"
"I know we barely know each other, but I just can't help meself." She said, laying a hand on his chest. "You're so... handsome and... sexy and I just... I want you, Dr. Crane. I
want you bad."
In a daze, Niles stumbled over to the fainting couch and sat down, doing his best not to hyperventilate.
"Something wrong, Dr. Crane?" she asked.
He swallowed hard, finding it difficult to breathe. "Um... no... I just..."
"Relax, Dr. Crane... I'm here now."
"I can see that." He said nervously.
She moved closer and closer until her mouth was inches away from his. "Do you want me as much as I want you?"
Dear God...
Suddenly she pulled away. "Oh... I almost forgot... I have something for you."
"F-for me? But what could you possibly have for me?" He asked, his voice trembling.
"Let me show you..." She said with a grin. He watched as she unbuttoned her coat and let it fall to the floor, and his eyes widened at the sight. He looked her up and down,
gasping at the vision of her electric blue satin nightgown that hugged every curve of her body.
The fainting couch definitely wasn't working.
She came closer and closer and ran her finger down his cheek. "Kiss me, Niles." She breathed.
The glass of wine he held in his hand went crashing to the floor at her request.
Unable to control his emotions any longer, he pulled her to him, their lips coming together in a scorching kiss.
Niles woke suddenly, his heart beating rapidly.
Dear God...
He'd been dreaming about her. But the dream was so real... he could feel her lips on his and her hands running her fingers through his hair.
God, it was hot in here.
He rose from the bed, drenched in sweat and opened the window, grateful for the blast of cool December air that entered the room. But it did nothing to cool his
overheated emotions.
Perhaps a shower... Yes! Surely that would do the trick. He walked into the expansive marble bathroom and within minutes felt more relaxed than he had in a long
time. His refreshing shower finished, he wrapped himself in a plush terry cloth robe and returned to his bedroom. Finally dressed and ready for bed, he climbed under
the comforter, hoping that sleep would soon find him. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw her... How gorgeous she'd looked in that sexy red dress. Her lips the
color of roses and her hair with its intoxicating scent. Even now he could imagine it vividly. And then there was the balcony. He was so horrified at breaking her gift and
he knew it was unforgivable. He'd been so humiliated at having to ask for the present back. But then she'd stunned him with her admission that she knew about his
feelings for her. She said that they were better off as friends. But what about that kiss?
And finally he realized...
Sleep was not in the cards.
