Sorry for the delay but I made this one "a little longer" and I hope I do your expectations justice.
Thank you for your reviews and that you stick with the story! :)
Let me know what you think

Disclaimed as always

The next day she was stuck in a meeting with her bosses and coworkers but instead of paying attention to what was said she thought about the movie she would choose for the night. She also had to get rid of all the meat in her fridge in case he would take a look and knowing him he probably would. Her article was due in two weeks, she had six days left and no positive results so far. Scrawling movie titles on a sticky note, she didn't noticed that her boss was calling out for her several times.

"SCOTT!"

Her head shot up in alarm and she found her colleagues looking at her in half amusement and confusion. "Yes?"

"The topic of your next article?"

"How to lose a guy in 10 days, Sir."

"Provocative, but refreshing.", he murmured, nodding. "Your topic is based on what exactly?"

She cleared her throat, her eyes wandering from the stare of her boss to a pop art portrait that, against any expectation, didn't ease her mind.

"My personal experience.", she replied in a somewhat embarrassed tone.

"You lost a guy within 10 days?", he asked, wrinkling his brows in bewilderment.

"No, but I'm working on it."

"As sad as it is that you obviously don't get your life back together I must say I love the theme. You get two special pages in our next edition!"

"Thank you!", she said, sinking down her chair in unease. It sounded actually more absurd and immature when someone else phrased it. Her notes weren't helping her either. As odd as Raymond was he would most likely enjoy a good 'chick flick'. She didn't catch enough sleep last night. Somehow the thought of Raymond lingered on her mind and she couldn't let go of it. He was slowly driving her insane.

While walking to her office Samar, who was another good friend of hers, joined her and didn't even try to hide the bug-eyed expression. No one except Aram knew about the subject until now, and to her dismay Cooper liked it.

"Provocative, but refreshing. Two special pages in our next edition."

Fantastic!

Well aware that Samar wouldn't go away until she got answers she threw her a pointed look while pushing open the door.

"Who is this guy? How long are you doing this already? How does it go? Is he good looking? What have you done so far?", she asked, the questions erupting from her lips like lava coming out of a vulcano.

"Raymond, 4 days, crappy, yes, don't ask."

"Raymond? How old is he?"

She shrugged, "Don't know. Around 50 or so."

"Wow wow wow, you're dating a middle aged man and want to push him away on purpose? Honestly Liz, he could get a heart attack and die!"

"I can assure you he is resistant.", she said candidly, sitting down on her office chair and pulled open a mini fridge. "Also he's in his 50's and not 80."

"Resistant?", she wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

"I'm not bedding him and I don't plan to do that."

"So he's attractive but not that attractive?"

"He is attractive but get him to bed wouldn't help me here.", she said, grabbing a beef sandwich and unwrapping the tinfoil. "I tried everything to creep him out. Last night I told him I wont't eat his meal because I'm frutarian.", she added while taking a bite.

"You? A frutarian?", she giggled. "What else did you do?"

"I annoyed him at a basketball game with buying me drinks all the time, I criticized his clothing, I talked to other men while he was there and I manipulated his dinner."

"And he's still around?"

"Yes, we're gonna watch a movie tonight. Any suggestions?"

"What a man!", she whispered to herself but loud enough for her to hear.

Ignoring her reply she nibbled pensively on her upper lip. "Titanic, The Vow, P.S I love you, Dirty Dancing, Pretty Woman, The Notebook, Love Actually..."

"What about one of those indian love stories?"

She flipped her the bird, snorting. "Forget it! I plan to torture him and not myself."

"P.S I love you."

"My choice as well.", she said, finishing her sandwich and watching Samars expression change from neutral to scrutinized. "What?"

"Is your Raymond perhaps a well dressed man with a fedora?"

Turning around in shock she stared wide eyed how he easily strolled down the aisle to her office, carrying two tupperware containers in one hand and a bouquet of flowers in the other. Was he going to bring her lunch? Did he buy her flowers? Her heart hammered violently in her chest as he leaned against the door with his upper arm and entered the room.

"Hello ladies, I hope I'm not interrupting?"

"No! No, you're not.", she said quickly, looking over to Samar who eyed him with a appreciative gaze. "Raymond, this is my co worker Samar, Samar this is Raymond."

"Nice to meet you. Liz talks about you all the time."

'Shut up!'

"Really? I hope it were only good things.", he winked, putting down the containers before turning towards her. "I thought I bring you some lunch. Yesterday was a complete flop and I wanted to make it up with pumpkin soup and a fruit salad."

"Oh, that's nice but you don't have to do this."

"But I want to and these are for you too.", he smiled softly and handed her a bouquet of lavender colored roses.

"They are beautiful, thank you!"

She closed her eyes and breathed in. They smelled of musk and hints of blue - and blackberry. He was really cute and thoughtful and chivalrous and handsome, and - No! He was just her 'lab rat', nothing more.

"Just as you are, Lizzie."

"Are you just here to throw compliments into my face or is there another reason?", she asked, turning away to get a vase and releasing a shuddering breath. Samar tried to appear busy by checking her phone but she knew her ears were on high alert.

"I'll need your address or should I pick you up from here?"

"No, we meet at my place.", she answered, putting the flowers into a vase and wrote him the information on a another post it note.

"Thanks, I see you then.", he tipped his hat to Samar, letting his eyes drop down her body for a brief moment. "It was nice to meet you, Samar."

"Likewise.", she responded, waiting until he was out and giving her a meaningful glare. "Screw your article and pick him!"

"Don't you have anything to do except hanging out in my office?"

"Nope!"

"But I have to work.", she said openly annoyed, pointing to her notebook.

"Okay, but I want a full briefing tomorrow, Lizzie.", she grinned while walking out.

She lifted the cover and sniffed at the soup before closing it again and shoving away the container. At least the fruit salad looked mouth watering. He had really thought of everything, it contained pears, pineapples, apples, oranges and honeydew. She found herself smiling at the thought of him preparing the dish and frowned as she noticed that she was indeed happy while thinking of Raymond. Damn!

There hasn't been another man since Tom and she forgot how it felt when someone cared about her. There was so much distrust and uncertainty within her that there wasn't enough space for someone new. For gods sake she couldn't even look or place something onto that darn kitchen counter. She didn't know what she tried to achieve with this 'thing' that was currently swallowing her whole but it distracted her from the brutal reality.

Trying to stitch a broken heart back together took its time.

She was finally in control, able to control this strange relationship between them. It just lacked in control of her own mind. What the future would bring she didn't know, yet but she was sure that Raymond wouldn't be a part of it, specifically not when he found out what she was doing all the time. She knew that she was playing an unfair game but what is fair in life anyway?

Accepting that it was useless to spend more time at work she went home to do some house cleaning and replaced the contents in her fridge with fruits and vegetables. Then she changed into a pair of comfortable leggins and a simple white tank top and lit a few aromatic candles on her coffee table, leaving the room in a soft orange glow along with a heavy fragrance of vanilla. All in all it was horrifically cheesy and the scent disturbed her even now. By the time her doorbell rang she quickly plumped the cushions on her couch up and hurried to the door. "You're late!", she exclaimed, ushering him in.

"It's 8.01!"

"Today it's just a minute and tomorrow you won't show up at all."

He followed her and palmed off his hat. "That's true but only because I have a meeting tomorrow that cannot be postponed."

"With another woman?"

"No with 4 other men, scotch and a cigar in my backyard.", he explained as calmly and slowly as possible.

"Yeah and then you chit-chat about your last visit at a strip club or whatever."

"Have I ever left the impression that I am interested in someone else?"

"You've been checking out Samar."

He set his jaw as he placed his hat on the couch. Only an hour before he had 15 needles stuck into his skull and he was as relaxed as one can be.

"Speechless, huh?"

"It is natural to look at someone from the opposite sex and if I had the intention to meet another woman, I wouldn't invest so much time in you!"

"Until you meet a person who is more special than me."

"Oh, I think you're very special."

"Really?", she asked in a small voice, pouting.

"Really.", he reassured while wrapping an arm around her and dropping a kiss on her hair. "Let's not waste our time. I think you said something about a movie."

"Why don't you make yourself comfortable and I get the wine?" She patted him on the shoulder and went to the kitchen while rolling her eyes as soon as he was out of sight. So she was not only special but very special. He was either as nuts as she pretended to be or sarcastic. It didn't sound sarcastic though.

"What are we gonna watch?"

"DVD is on the table.", she yelled from the kitchen.

He picked up the case and read the title. 'PS I love you'. He had never heard of it before but the title said it all, a tearjerker but it was his own fault. They would do something she wanted. Moreover, the smell of vanilla was penetrating too.

She returned with two glasses and smiled at the image before her, he was sitting on the edge of a rather large sofa, wearing his three piece suit. He appeared completely out of place. He stared back at her, unblinking but obviously muddled. "What?"

"Nothing. I was just thinking of my definition for the word 'comfortable' and mine doesn't include shoes and a suit."

"My Lizzie, do you want to get me naked?"

"You couldn't handle me.", she said in a challenging voice, placing the glasses on a coaster and sitting back on the couch. "But do as you wish."

He was already toeing off his shoes and unfastening his tie. It was too warm for so many clothes anyway. "I do as you wish. Always!", he said while scooting back. "And if your former comment was an allusion to my age, you'd be surprised what I'm capable of."

"How old are you anyway?"

"What do you guess?"

"That's a dangerous game.", she countered, bending her legs to the side and regarding him curiously.

"I like danger."

She supported her head on her arm and eyed him intensely what made him not a single bit uncomfortable. He had some odd mannerisms though, his ongoing head tilting with this self satisfied smile was the most annoying and cutest of them all, on the other hand he should better stop chewing on his cheek. That can't be good for his teeth and mucosae.

"Are you counting my wrinkles? I'm not a tree, you know?", he said with an appealing smile while grazing her forearm with the back of his finger.

"I'd say fifty."

"That's flattering."

Her eyes followed his hand which left a chilly sensation on not only her arm but also down her spine. If he wanted to play she wouldn't stop him. Leaning in and slightly tilting her head she whispered against his lips, "Spill."

Their lips touched for not even a whole second as she spoke but it was nearly enough to drive him mad. Despite the tension between them or rather what was left of space between them they were both breathing calmly. Her Blue eyes were staring into his green ones, neither of them willing to look away and lose whatever game they were currently playing.

"What's the reward?"

"Answer and you'll find out!", she whispered, licking her lips and watched how his pupils dilated.

"I'm fifty five.", he breathed and closed his eyes as she crawled closer to him, her hand slowly sliding down his torso to his chest. The warmth of her palm spread directly through his shirt, making his heart beat faster in anticipation. He waited for what felt like minutes until she moved past him and pressed her cheek against his. "You can't always get what you want.", she breathed into his ear, started the movie and sat back against the cushion, smiling victoriously.

"Words can't express how much I hate you right now.", he groaned, throwing his head back, fully expecting he would land on the pillow but instead he banged his head on the wall. "OUCH!", he cried out, running his hand over the spot on the back of his head.

"Karma!", she sang-song. Taking pity on him she observed the back of his head and scratched along the reddened spot with her fingernails. "If I were a nice person I'd offer you a head massage with your head in my lap."

"Do you?"

"NO!", she replied, laughing and pointed to the screen. "Now shut up or you'll miss what the whole story is about."

He was still groaning and rubbing his head which drove her insane. This wasn't how she planned this to happen. She continued to run her hand over his head and the growling sounds he was making left her almost breathless. How could she have missed how deep the timbre of his voice was all the time? It had to stop.

"Shhh!"

"I'm breathing.", he said, his eyes never leaving the TV.

"You are growling!"

"Shhh, Holly just got a message from Gerry!", he cut her off.

She gawked at him slack-jawed while he seemed to enjoy the movie enormously. He sat with his hands clasped together in his lap and looked absolutely adorable She took the initiative and rested her head on his shoulder while wrapping an arm around him. It shouldn't feel so good to be close to him and she shouldn't feel so comfortable around him.

He peered at her when he heard her sob and his smile was barely visible but clearly there. Another movie would have been better since this one made her cry like a baby every time she saw it. She expected that he would make fun of her like Tom used to do but he unclasped his hands, pulling her closer against him and nuzzled her head with the tip of his nose.

"Tissue?", he asked and handing her one.

After wiping away the tears and blowing her nose she braced herself for her last attack today. If she was already crying, she could take advantage of it. "It is just... these letters...", she cried.

"Yes?"

"Would you write me letters before you die?", she asked, looking up to him.

"I - um ... well"

"Of course you wouldn't!"

He had her still in his arms but she caught him a little off guard. With his mouth parted he thought of a clever reply that would satisfy her but he wasn't over the fact that she asked him this. It was so absolutely surreal. He cocked his head to the side, brushing away a tear with his thumb. "You let me finish what I'm going to say. Clear?" He waited for a moment and when she nodded he continued. "We know each other for 3 days and I'm not making promises I can't keep but I will promise to leave you a handwritten note every day from now on, okay?"

"Wow, are you serious?", came her reply but it was barely a whisper.

"I promised and I'm a man of my word."

His other hand cupped her still moist cheek as he lowered his head and put his lips onto hers. He didn't know what has gotten into him or more precisely how she had gotten into him with her shenanigans but his heart made a flip whenever he was with her. She was utterly over the top, even insane sometimes but the world they were living in wasn't normal either.

They stayed like that for mere seconds until she started to move her lips against his. It was so soft and characterized by mutual want between them, and it was probably the first moment they had mutual interests. His tongue ran ever so gently over her bottom lip, coaxing her to invite him in. Their tongues tenderly caressed each other, eliciting a moan from her while her hand on his neck tugged him even closer. He couldn't stop himself from exploring her mouth. She tasted of wine, mint and something that could only be described as Lizzie.

His hand was tangled in hair while the other wandered down to the hem of her tank. Hers caught around his wrist and they parted with a smack. He had expected this but he was by far not disappointed since he'd fall asleep with her taste on his swollen and still tingling lips.

"Sorry but I can't. I - ", she began quietly with a downcast look.

"I understand. Do you want me to leave?"

"No. Can we just lie down and sleep ... on the couch I mean?"

"Sure.", he said, buttoning down his dress shirt in the process. "But you do have a bed, don't you?"

"I have but I sleep rather here until I buy a new one." She blew out the candles and turned off the TV. "It's just, I don't sleep pretty good in there since Tom."

"You don't have to explain yourself. The sofa is fine.", he replied, unbuckling his belt and shoved down his pants.

He lied down and held up the blanket so that she could cuddle up with him. He tried to think of a time when he just slept next to a woman instead of with one. The ashamed answer was that he had no idea. She huddled up against him with her back pressed against his chest. His arm slipped around her middle and he let out a content sigh. "I don't know if spooning is the best idea in my position."

"Didn't you tell me you like danger?"

"Not that kind of danger.", he replied, pressing a kiss onto the side of her neck. "Sweet dreams, Lizzie."

"You too, Ray."

It had been the first time in months that she had a rather peaceful nights without interruptions and a part of her knew that it was Rays presence that made it possible. When she awoke the next day he was already gone as well as the wine glasses from last night. She checked the time on her cell and felt happy that she had woken up before her alarm would go off.

She stretched out on the couch with a satisfied sigh and went to the kitchen to prepare her morning coffee. What she found there made her smile brightly. There was a filled coffeepot on the counter with a note attached to it.

"Drink me! P.S Thank you for a wonderful night. Ray"

Tbc...

The quote "You can't always get what you want" is borrowed from the Rolling Stones Song as well as from the TV show House. Shame on me. ;)