She woke up disoriented. She felt the weight of him on top of her. She knew she would remember this morning for the rest of her life. Sensing the change in her movements, he pulled her close to him, and she lay still until his breathing was even. She slipped out of bed and after a quick trip to brush her teeth and other morning necessities; she sat in the lounge and allowed herself to become lost in thought.
"There you are."
She heard his feet padding on the wood floor towards her.
"Mind if I join you?"
"It's your sofa."
He slipped in beside her and had one of those time is frozen stay up all night remembering your humiliation moments as he attempted to put his legs astride her and kicked her in the head. She rubbed her head and laughed.
"I'm awake already."
"God, I'm sorry. I am trying to create a perfect cuddle moment and just concussed you. Sorry, I'm a little out of practice."
"I totally believe you."
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him.
"That's enough out of you."
His body was warm and his scent enticing. Warm, musky, and that distinct male scent. His arms once again around her waist made her wonder how in the world she had gotten here.
His chest vibrated as he spoke.
"Can I ask you a question?"
"If you want."
"Were you and Calum ever a thing?"
"Are you sure you want the answer to that?"
"I can take it."
"I thought we were going to be. He had a girlfriend when we first met. But, they ended up ending things. He and I spent a lot of time together. He even spent holidays at my parent's house in Texas. It was constant flirting. My family loved him but he never made any definite declarations. Then, we had a guest star that brought a friend. And they start seeing each other right away. I can't say it didn't hurt but he is my friend and she makes him happy. Plus, she is super sweet."
"I'm sorry he hurt you."
"We are both adults and we remain friends. It's all I could ask for."
"Maybe I'm biased but he doesn't deserve you anyway."
"He is a good guy."
"He probably is but in my opinion, he is not good enough for you. But really, the more I find out the more I know that nobody is good enough for you."
"Thank you. It's always good news to know I'll have to settle."
"Always an answer for everything."
"Always ready for improvisation."
"That's right. The whole actress thing. I can just imagine a future argument over politics, religion or whether to send our kids to private school and me just bursting out "Quit acting with me!"
"Now, wait a minute. I never argue over politics."
He buried his face in her hair for a minute, breathed and promptly began to cough as it tickled his nose.
"So, what do you want to do today?"
"Today, I want you to take me to all the touristy places in the London."
"God, really?"
"Um, yes. I've never been and the next day we can go to all your hang outs. The real London."
"Is that sarcasm?"
"Never."
"So, basically, you're telling me to stop being a pretentious ass."
She stood up, stretched and then, leaned over to kiss him.
"I'm going to go take a shower."
As she let her hair air dry, she contemplated which pair of shoes were the best for a full day of walking around London. A knock and cough made her look up.
"I need to tell you something and I hope it won't be too insulting. I mean it probably will be and I will understand if you're mad."
"Just say it." Her throat had constricted slightly but she willed herself to control her emotions.
"I've invited Phil and our friend Louise to come with us. The reason is that inevitably someone with post a photo and if we are all together…"
"They will just assume I'm Louise's friend and not yours. So, you won't have to acknowledge me?"
She took two quick breaths and resisted the urge to pack her bags, call a cab and head to the airport to change her departure date to immediately. He crossed the room and pulled her into his arms.
"I want you to be special. Not sullied by internet trolls. My fangirls can get a little extreme. If they don't know that there is anything going on. You can be all mine and I won't have this terrible fear that I will explode any second and go off on someone being rude to you."
"So, really this is you being sweet and protective?"
"Yes."
She let him kiss her and then, shooed him away so she could finish getting ready. She still boiled inside a little. But, in reality, she was in the entertainment business as much as he was. She knew that sometimes public displays and love, they didn't mix. An idea came to her mind and she couldn't believe she was going to entertain it.
After hearing Dan answer the door for Louise, she knocked on the door to Phil's room.
"Hello there. What can I do for you?"
His eyebrows rose slightly as she shut the door behind her.
Raini didn't know the last time she had laughed so hard. She and Louise connected instantly. They were cry laughing before they had even left the flat. Dan had put his foot down about visiting the London eye. She dragged them to Parliament, Tower Bridge and Westminster Abbey. They took dozens upon dozens of pictures.
Then, they reached the one place she had been dying to see. Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. She stood in front of it and fought hard to remember everything about it. The sounds, the sights, and the smells. Her vision became a little blurry and she dabbed at her eye with her finger to contain any emotion.
Dan stood a few feet away watching her. Her smile made his heart do gallops and other runs in his chest. He was just about to capture the moment with his camera when she turned and spoke.
"Phil! Come here."
Phil closed the distance between them and began taking several pictures at her request. They laughed together and Dan dismissed it as excitement on her part.
Viewers had come up as they anticipated and Raini handled them like a pro. She gave nothing away other than friendship within the quartet. Although, he couldn't help but notice that she made it a point to stand next to Phil and on more than one picture (five not that anyone was counting) they had wrapped their arms around each other and on the last two they had come away hands clasped together walked ahead of Dan and Louise. He heard Louise giggle as he let out an aggravated groan. The last straw was when they sat down to a drink at a local café. They sat next to each other and whispered in each other's ears and giggled. Giggled. He knew she was a little hurt by the way things were but really now.
He did his best to ignore what was happening and engaged in conversation with what he hoped was indifference. The time came for Louise to catch her train. Phil stated he would go with her. She and Phil left in one cab and Dan and Raini in another. They remained uncharacteristically silent as he paid the driver and the climbed the stairs in his flat.
She kicked off her shoes by her guest bed and wandered into the lounge where he was sitting expressionless flipping through the channels on his tv. She sat gently next to him.
"Thanks for today."
"Welcome."
The chaffing silence continued. Dan shifted in his seat and side eyed her. She looked completely miserable.
"What was that about then?"
"I don't know what you mean."
"Oh, don't you? If I didn't know 100% for sure my best friend would not betray me, I would be pissed. Never mind my Raini. Whom I know to be a sensible and intelligent woman acting like she had to make a point about people's perception."
"I mean, if anyone thinks that Phil and I are together. They won't think you and I are, right?"
Raini received no direct response and got up off the coach. He pulled her to him and adjusted her until she sat astride him and they were face to face.
His tone deepened and his voice lowered as his eyes held hers.
"And I know you weren't trying to make me jealous."
"Because you weren't."
"If it hadn't been Phil, I would still be at the local constabulary on assault charges."
His fingers twisted through her hair and brought her face to his. The fire that had built up in him all day consumed her with that kiss. She heard herself moan. She placed her palms flat on his chest. Her hips slipped over the quickly hardening shape in his jeans with a few quick thrusts.
"I take it you won't be sleeping in the guest bed tonight."
"Shut up."
He lifted her up and starting carrying her to his bedroom. He kissed and nipped at her neck.
"What about Phil?"
"He can find his own woman."
"I mean won't he be home soon."
He placed her on the bed and pushed the door closed. He swept off his shirt and gave her an absolutely devilish smirk.
"He is off to Louise's for the night."
The room was exceptionally quiet except for his zipper releasing. She started to have inane thoughts about whether her hair looked alright or if she was sitting at an attractive angle. He moved towards her, clad in just his underwear, and knelt in front of her.
"You are so beautiful."
She helped with her top and bra and they moved up towards the head of the bed. He placed kisses all over her in an inconsistent fashion. She slid off her pants and he slipped his hand into her underwear. He started making small circles over her clit with his index finger. He stopped ever once in a while to check if the warmth at her center had become moist as well. When the first signs of wetness appeared, he exchanged fingers for tongue. The rough surface of his tongue made her jerk slightly but soon; all thoughts of texture gave way to thinking if it would be rude to ask for this for breakfast tomorrow. Suddenly, it all stopped and she looked at him.
"I'm sorry I can't take it anymore."
His red face had a tell tale sheen. He fumbled in his drawer at the bedside and pulled out a condom. He rolled it gently down his shaft. He moved between her legs and felt the tip stabbing her in the pelvic bone. She reached down and guided him to her opening. He gentle thrust into her until she was wet enough to accommodate him and not be in pain.
He placed his legs underneath her and brought her to a sitting position on top of him. They found the rhythm of each other. Sweat slipped down his temple and she flicked it away.
"I suppose I should be trying to talk dirty to you." He breathed. "But I don't think I could last and you know you can only make one first impression."
"Stop talking." She squeezed her eyes shut.
He noticed increased wetness between them.
"Did you like that? The sound of my voice?"
She nodded quickly. Eyes still shut. He picked her up and pressed her against the bedroom wall. His thrusts became quick and erratic. He shuddered slightly as he found release.
After a clean up, they lay in bed, legs entwined. They talked about the next day's plan.
"Dan?"
"Do you think Louise and Phil did the same thing we did?"
Dan snorted.
"I honestly hope so. They drive me crazy acting like they don't have feelings for each other."
"I think it's sweet."
"And I think you have bloody exhausted me mentally and physically today and I am going to sleep."
"Oh. So, no round two?"
"I didn't say that."
He dragged her towards him as she giggled and batted at him.