Standing at the back of the car Olivia shook her head. For an SUV as big as the one they rented, Olivia thought there would be more room in the back than there actually was, but with Charlotte's travel crib, bag, and stroller, Maddie and Roland's suitcases, her nan's bag, and a box of her aunt's things they were taking to London for her, there was little room left. Olivia sighed and shoved her luggage to the small open space to the side, but something from her bag caught, and she looked over to see her water bottle fall to the ground. Just as she was about to turn and reach for it, she found someone else there.

Her gaze went from the bottle up into Sebastian's green eyes. Besides his smile, he wore khakis and a plaid blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

She blinked. Was he everywhere?

Realizing she hadn't moved, Olivia took the bottle from him. "Oh, thank you."

His lips pulled up into a crooked smile before he said, "Ah, so she does speak. Not a problem."

She could feel the heat rise in her cheeks, but in the back of her mind she heard her mother's voice, The way he was looking at you, he probably thinks you're cute too, and holding his gaze, she smiled.

"You're leaving already?" he asked, eyes shifting to the car and back.

"What?" Her head tilted, then her eyes widened. "Oh, no. We're just going to London for a couple of days with my aunt."

"Well that's a relief. I was looking forward to some of that birthday cake." He grinned.

Her mouth dropped open slightly. What does she even say to that? She tried to think of something - something her mom would say to her dad - but the best she could come up with was, "Well, I hope you like dairy-free cakes or you're going to be disappointed."

With eyes holding hers, he replied, "Well I expect I'd like just about anything if it came from you."

Wait, was he flirting with her? He reached up and rubbed the back of his neck, and Olivia bit her lip, ducking her head down. Now she knew she was blushing.

"Hey, Sebastian!" Olivia looked up at Roland who waved at them from the front door. He came running down the steps and over beside them. "We're going to London!"

Sebastian chuckled and clapped her excited brother on the back, then gave her a wink. "Fancy that, you'll have a great time, little mate."

Her smile came back along with some of her courage, and she tucked her hair behind her ears, about to ask what he was up to the rest of the day, but her dad's voice came from behind her.

"Hello, Sebastian."

Olivia noticed Sebastian take a step away from her. "Mr. Locksley."

Her dad laughed, then his forehead wrinkled as he took in the sight of the disaster that was the back of the car. He put his and her mom's own bags on to the ground and said, "Mr. Locksley is my father. Robin will do."

Sebastian grinned at him. "All right, then."

Her dad began shifting things around, adjusting the bags and the box. Sebastian stepped up to help him, holding things while her dad rearranged, and she smiled watching their exchange until her mom came carrying Maddie on her hip and Charlotte in her car seat. Going over to her side, Olivia took the car seat and gained a relieved sigh from her mom.

"Thank you, sweetheart."

When they neared the car, she met her mom's knowing smile and looked away.

"Hello Sebastian, how are you?" her mom asked.

"Lovely, thank you." He smiled. "And you?"

"Very good. What are you out doing today?"

"It's an open day at the university. I'm off to meet with some of my professors."

"What are you going to be studying?"

Olivia would have guessed from the little she knew of him that it was something like medicine because of the way he cared for his grandmother, or maybe even theater, because well, come on… he was really good-looking.

"Astronomy."

Olivia's brows rose at that.

Her mother, who also looked equally shocked, said, "You must not mind Math."

He laughed and shrugged. "It's not so bad once ya get a knack for it." With a glance over at Olivia, he took another step back. "Well I better get off. I hope you all have a good time." With a wave at them all, he turned and headed over to his car parked across the street.

"He's a sweetie," her mom remarked.

"He's a good kid," her dad replied, coming over to Olivia and taking the car seat. "All ready?" he asked her, and she nodded.

"More than ready," Olivia told him.

She was ready for it all. Ready for Buckingham Palace and London Bridge, the British Museum and the River Thames, but she was also ready to go so they could come back here and see other things.

"So?" Her mom came up beside her and bumped her hip against hers. "I saw you talking to him before. Was that so hard?"

She fought a smile, but it broke through. There wasn't much she could keep from her mother, and now that she knew, it was nice having someone other than Paige to share it with. Watching him drive away, she sighed and admitted, "I guess it wasn't as bad as I thought."

Her mother hummed a hum very reminiscent of an I told you so, as she walked away and Olivia laughed under her breath. Pulling her phone out from her back pocket, she brought up her messages with Paige and typed, So maybe I do like him a little bit.

#

Dressed only in her robe, Regina let out a long sigh as she stared into the eyes of her husband. He was halfway dressed; he had on a white tee underneath his unbuttoned, freshly pressed shirt and black slacks. She was the last one to be dressed, but the time consuming things, like her hair and makeup, were done. All she had left was to put on her dress and put on the gorgeous pair of diamond teardrop earrings Alex let her borrow, because apparently she had to have a little sparkle besides her ring.

With time ticking away, getting closer to the time they had to leave, she dragged her feet as long as she could. Holding her baby girl against her, Regina dropped kisses to her cheeks while she babbled nonsense to her. She just finished feeding her after giving Maddie a vapor bath, and before that, she'd played a few rounds of Plants vs. Zombies with Roland.

Finally, she'd been sent to change and that was over an hour ago.

Which was why her husband stood in front of her with his arms held out to take her baby girl from her, which was the last thing on Earth she wanted have happen. His look at her was amused but also sympathetic.

Her hold on her daughter tightened gently. "What if she cries herself to sleep?"

His lips tugged up. "Olivia knows to call us if that's the case."

"And if she runs out of milk?"

It was a weak argument. She pumped more than enough through the day to get her through until they returned tomorrow, but still, she tried. He didn't buy it though.

"There's more than enough, but if she does, we'll come back."

Holding the baby out, she gazed up at her daughter and said, "Baby girl, tell Daddy that Momma needs to stay home and cuddle with you because you're in such a good mood, and Momma will miss it."

"She's in a good mood every day," he countered, making her frown.

"But she's so love-y right now," she said, holding Charlotte so her cheek was against hers while putting on a small pout. The look he gave her, the raised eyebrows and humoring smile, told her he wasn't buying that either. "Maddie still isn't feeling well…"

That was better. She was technically still sick with a stuffy nose, but her fever was gone and her energy was better than it had been the day before.

"My mum has movies and fever medicine and popsicles. She's going to be fine."

Nimue stopped in the doorway, her voice scolding, "Regina, you're still not dressed?"

"She's going." Robin called out without looking back at his sister and took a step closer to her. "One night, love. One night and then I promise we'll stay in the rest of the year. Think Judi Dench…" he said, but the name did nothing, only made her roll her eyes. "Nimue said she thinks Sarah Jessica Parker might be there."

Regina let out a soft whine. He pulled out the big guns. He used her love for all things Sex and the City. "I'm going," she grumbled, and then to Charlotte added, "Daddy doesn't play fair."

Dropping another kiss to her baby girl's cheek, she begrudgingly handed their baby girl over to her father and headed out of the room. She paused in the doorway, though, watching Robin as he held Charlotte up and talked to her. Her legs kicked, and she smiled down at him, stretching out her arms to reach for him as he told her how much he loved seeing her smile.

Going out may have its perks, but so did staying in.

#

With a splash of cologne, Robin looked into the mirror in his sister's tiny bathroom and nodded. He looked all right. It'd been a while since he'd worn this particular suit. He made sure before they left New York to stop by the tailor and make sure it still fit him right, and while he was there, he purchased a new white button-up shirt and a black satin tie to go with it.

He'd never been into bow ties and thought the regular tie made the suit stand out more. He looked smart, if he did say so himself, and with that thought, he flipped off the light and went in search of his gorgeous wife.

Stepping out into the living room, Robin was stopped by his son who popped up from the floor, where he'd been drawing with Maddie, and exclaimed, "Wow, Dad, you look like James Bond!"

Robin smiled and adjusted one of the cuffs of his jacket. "You think?"

"Yeah!"

Just then, Olivia came in the room from behind him and went over to stand by Roland. She looked him over, then gave him a thumbs up. She elbowed Roland with a gentle nudge to the arm and said, "Wait until you see Mom."

As if on cue, her voice sounded from the hall behind him, her heels echoed in the hall until they came to a stop. "Okay, let's do this."

"Whoa! Mom!"

Roland's hands came up and covered his eyes making Robin laugh.

Turning on his heel, he was nearly knocked off his feet. Her dress was a light blush color with a full length skirt that flowed around her. It wasn't the color or the material that captured his attention, however, but where it lacked. The rhinestone encrusted capped sleeves and a plunging neckline that reached nearly to her navel left very very little to the imagination, emphasizing her chest and inside curves of her breasts.

He understood their son's reaction and swallowed.

Christ, she was a goddess.

Somewhere he heard Nimue say, "She looks bloody fantastic, doesn't she?"

Her eyes held his. She held out her arms, then tucked a curl behind her ear, almost as if she wasn't sure about his reaction, and asked, "Well?"

He took a step, then another and another. "I'd say you were stunning but even that doesn't do this dress, nor the woman in it, justice." Lowering his voice, he told her, "I've never wanted to keep looking at you in something and simultaneously want to take it off you so much since we've been together."

She blushed then and smiled one of those ones he thought about every time he closed his eyes. Closing the distance between them, she kissed his cheek and whispered, "Later."

Robin nearly groaned. It was going to be a long bloody evening for sure.

#

The red carpet was a mess of energy and people, lights and cameras, journalists and stars. It was everything she imagined it would be and then some, and she itched for her own camera. Not that she had never taken a photo of a celebrity in her own career; she had, just never at an event like this, and never anyone as prodigious as the ones in attendance. For God's sake, Liam Neeson was just twenty feet away from them!

Regina's eyes scanned the crowd gathered behind the gates, calling out the names of their favorites and taking pictures. Shaking her head, with the biggest grin she could ever remember having, she asked, "What is this even?"

She felt his kiss against her cheek and then his low chuckle in reply. "Soak it up, darling. You look absolutely ravishing tonight."

Turning to him, she smoothed out a nonexistent wrinkle in his tie. Her eyes traveled from his face down, taking in and enjoying the sight of her husband. "You don't look so bad yourself. I don't think I've seen you in a tux since our wedding."

His eyes left hers as they began to move again. "Sadly, no. I think we should give up our day jobs and become actors. Then we could dress up like this every weekend."

She chuckled. "There's no way we could do that. I don't think either one of us can act."

He hummed, and with a mischievous gleam in his eyes, said, "I disagree, darling. I've seen your acting skills…"

She pursed her lips, hoping to God the heat she felt in her face didn't show. "Role playing doesn't count."

"When I'm in charge of the camera it does," he murmured in her ear, and she turned her face to his, grinning like an idiot.

"Hey, the couple lovin up on each other!" Someone called out from behind the gate. "Can we get a picture?"

Robin nodded and said, "Yeah, of course."

"Robin…" she began, as he pulled her in close to his side, and giggling, she murmured, "We're not celebrities."

"They don't seem to care, do they?"

"Hells yeah, eat it up," Nimue called out, coming toward them, having been hung up by a journalist a while back. Once the photographer had his fill of shots, Nimue stepped in front of them and shook her head. "Christ, you both look smashing."

Alex wrapped her arm around Nimue's waist and must have sensed how overwhelmed by everything Regina felt, because she took one look at her and laughed. "Regina looks like she could use a drink."

"I could use several," she chuckled in response. What she wouldn't give to have a glass of wine to take the edge off her nerves. "But you'll have to drink one for me."

"Ah, shit, that's right." Nimue's bottom lip pushed out into a pout and shifted her gaze to Alex. "She's nursing."

Regina felt Robin's hand pulse on her hip. He tried to promise her he wouldn't drink either but she told him no. There was no reason why he shouldn't enjoy a drink or two. Continuing to nurse was her decision, and she knew she could if she really wanted to and wait a couple days for it to leave her system but decided a couple drinks wasn't worth upsetting her daughter's digestive system just because mommy wanted to enjoy a night out.

There were other things she could drink.

Alex shook her head, her black ringlets bouncing as she did. "That's rotten luck, babe."

Nimue shook her head. "S'all right, I'll drink for her. But first let's get our seats and find the loo!"

Meeting one another's amused gaze, Regina and Robin followed the couple up the stairs and inside.

#

Standing up at the bar, Regina could not stop smiling if she tried.

Having just been accidentally hugged by Lily James (one of Olivia's faves) who thought she was someone else, and then literally bumping into Hugh Grant on her way to the bathroom, she'd call it a win for the night. Not to mention, she'd seen so many of her favorite actresses and actors. She'd been starstruck for most of the evening. Then came the after party, and seeing the stars milling around talking and laughing like anyone else, Regina was finally able to let go and just enjoy being there with her exceptionally handsome husband who had not stopped checking her out the entire night.

Her lips pulled up thinking about how his eyes would linger on hers but always strayed right where she wanted them. It was her intention when she bought the dress. She knew he'd love it. As obnoxious as her breasts were at the moment, their fuller size worked in her favor. And the more his gaze strayed, the more she was ready for other things.

As wonderful as this was, she was ready to go. She anxiously waited at the bar for Robin to return so she could not so subtly suggest he take her somewhere a little more intimate.

There was a flash of black out of the corner of her eye, and she smiled as she started to turn.

"Can I get you a drink?"

That was not her husband.

Looking up, she gazed into a set of dark brown eyes and a glowing white smile. The man's eyes held hers a moment before lowering, and she suppressed a sigh.

"Thank you, I have one," she told him, but something about him had her eyes narrowing. She knew him from something… and then it hit her. "Aren't you…"

His smile never dwindled but pulled up further. "Damion Madison."

"Right," she returned the smile, then held up her glass with her left hand, just in case he had missed her wedding ring before. "Thank you, but as you can see, I have one."

But he either didn't care that she was married, or he thought the jewelry was for show; either way, he leaned against the bar, his smile a lecherous thing that made her internally roll her eyes despite the thrill that ran through her (she couldn't look that out of shape if she was catching his attention).

With a tone as smooth as silk, he asked, "Are you here with someone?"

She sat her drink down and raised a brow. "You don't waste time."

He chuckled. "What can I say, I like to live life like we won't see tomorrow."

Okay, really? There was cute and then there was cocky.

"I bet that gets you into trouble," she remarked, turning slightly away from him toward the bar.

His chuckle reminded Regina of one of the villain's in a Disney movie Maddie watched recently. Over confidant and narcissistic, like he did it often because he loved hearing it. Two things she found equally unattractive. "Nothing I can't handle."

"Well, again, thank you, I'm here with my husband."

"Just my luck. All the…" he began as his eyes slid from hers and down her front again, stopping and lingering on her breasts, "beautiful ones are taken."

And that was where her appreciation of his attention ran its course. She just hoped Robin got back soon before she had to tell him to move along in words he would be sure to understand.

#

Robin Locksley was not a jealous man by nature. All in all, he was secure in himself, his looks, and more importantly, his marriage.

The moment she walked into the room back at Nimue's flat, he knew all eyes would be on her tonight. Once he had mostly recovered from his own wonder of how it was possible that she was his and his alone, his chest had burst with the pride he felt - not only in that moment but during their walk down the red carpet, inside as they met with the cast of his sister's play, the after party… - and during that time he never crowded her. He let his hand linger on the small of her back and just let her enjoy the looks and the attention when someone would ask what she starred in or who had designed her dress.

Regina had turned to him a few hours into the evening and said that it was him who was attracting all the attention, but he shook his head at her and told her it was her.

It was all her.

And it was that attention that stopped him in his tracks as he came back from the loo.

His wife, his gorgeous, sexy, goddess of a wife, had drawn the eye of one of Britain's most eligible bachelors. Mr. all abs and brooding looks was right next to her, leaning on the bar and eyeing his wife's curves, not even bothering to be subtle about it.

He'd been fine with every man and woman's head that had turned in her direction, every man except this one. He didn't keep up with much of the celebrity rumor mill, only what his sister and Alex spoke of, but he knew enough to know the man standing beside his wife was a cad. And if he didn't stop undressing her with his eyes he was going to get knocked on his famous arse.

His steps were unhurried, and he took a glass of champagne from a passing tray on his way before coming to a stop beside her, placing a kiss on her cheek. "Hello, love."

Regina straightened, and her gaze slid from her drink and into his eyes. "Robin, this is Damion-"

His words were out, interrupting her before he could stop himself. "Ah, yes, Damion Madison, right? Congratulations on the award. You played a very believable womanizing arsehole."

The man's eyes held his, then placing his drink on the bar, looked over at Regina and said, "And that's my cue. Pleasure to meet you, Regina."

When he was gone, Regina turned to him. Though she looked relieved, her tone held a bit of an edge to it. "Was that necessary?"

His head tilted, and noting the seriousness in her eyes, pointed after him. "Did you see the way he was looking at you?"

"I did, in fact, and I enjoyed it."

He couldn't have been more gobsmacked if she'd have told him his team had been sold to Tottenham. She couldn't be serious. "Enjoyed it?"

He watched as she took a deep breath, then with her eyes on his, in a voice that sounded slightly irked, explained, "Robin, twelve weeks ago I gave birth to your third child. Tonight, is the first time I haven't smelled like baby wipes and spit-up and despite the weight I need to lose, I think I look good."

"You do. You look better than good..." he started.

She held up a hand. "I'm not done."

He raised his hand and rubbed the tip of his thumb over his lip. "Right, sorry."

"I love you. There's no one I want but you. So I admit I enjoyed the way he looked at me for the entire three seconds I thought he wasn't a complete pig. It made me feel sexy. Not that you don't make me feel sexy, but you also think I'm sexy when I'm a mom mess."

"You're right, I do."

She seemed to deflate at that. Her shoulders sank. "I'm sorry if it bothers you. You do make me feel good and sexy, but I haven't been feeling it lately." She closed the distance between them. "If it makes you feel any better, if you hadn't shown up soon I was planning on busting out the Brooklyn girl in me and telling him to hit the road."

"The Brooklyn girl, yeah?" His lips pulled up. Not the New York girl, but the Brooklyn girl. All right, so she liked someone looking at her, he really did get why she would get a thrill from it. He supposed if he caught the eye of an attractive celebrity it would boost his ego up a touch.

He was pulled out of his thoughts when she brought her arms up around his neck. With hands cupping the back of his head, she brought his brow down to hers. "Your eyes are the only ones I care about."

He sighed and placed his hands on her hips, letting out a sigh. "Ditto, my love." Their lips met in a soft kiss and it was then a thought struck him. "You know what, I have an idea. Stay here a moment, I'll be right back."

"Robin, where-"

He kissed her once more, and assured, "I'll be right back."

#

She hadn't been thrilled to be left standing at the bar again, but whatever he thought about doing seemed like it was important enough to do so. She couldn't imagine what that could be, but she hoped it involved finding his sister to tell her they were leaving.

"Here you go, Miss. The guy at the end of the bar thought you could use another drink."

Oh, wonderful, another one.

Pushing the drink back, she began, "Tell him thank you, but I-"

"Cranberry seltzer and lime?" The bartender arched and eyebrow and gestured with a tilt of his head. "He was pretty insistent."

Her eyes followed the bartendar and she looked over and sure enough, there was her husband. He smiled for a heartbeat and then his top teeth sank down into that bottom lip of his before he pushed himself away from the bar and made his way toward her.

Her heart knocked hard in her chest, knowing what was coming.

"Is this seat taken?"

Her lips tugged up around the the edges. "I'm not holding it for anyone."

He took a seat, then his eyes fell to the bar where she took her fresh drink. "I hope I wasn't too forward, but now that I'm over here I can't help but notice you're wearing a ring."

She looked down at her hand and splayed her hand open, the white gold and diamonds glittered back at her as they always did when she admired it. "This old thing? It helps keep me from being bothered."

"Oh, I see."

"But you're not bothering me," she assured.

"Glad to hear it," he began, smiling at her then paused to take a drink before adding, "So, which show are you from? You'll have to forgive me for not recognizing you, I haven't been to many shows as of late."

"What makes you think I'm in a show?"

"Aside from the fact that you're extremely beautiful?" She gave him a look. A look she would have given him had they just met. One that was flattered and coy, and encouraging. "Well I at least know you're not from Hamilton because my sister's in that and I doubt I'd ever forget meeting you."

Now this... this was better. This was how you came on to a woman. Still, she pretended to remain unaffected by it. "Are you always this smooth?"

"Not normally, no, but I think it's the company."

"Sounds like I'm in for an interesting night." She held out her hand. "Regina Mills."

"Robin Locksley."

They shook hands, and then she took hers back and then leaning against the bar tucked her hand under her chin and asked, "So what do you do, Robin, when you're not hitting on women at your sister's award show?"

"I'm an architect," he said simply, leaving it at that.

"Oh? Design anything I'd know about?"

"A few small buildings in New York and San Francisco, nothing to write home about."

Ever so humble, her man. She tilted her head and ran the tip of her finger around her glass of seltzer. "You just work in the US?"

"Live there, too. What about you?"

"I'm from New York."

"Small world, I'm in Brooklyn." He looked genuinely pleased by that and it made her giggle quietly. They could never be actors.

"What the bloody hell are you both on about…" Nimue said reaching between them to put her empty champagne glass on the bar. She looked back and forth between them and then she must have understood the way they both looked at one another, because her eyes widened. "Oh, are you roll paying?" A light burst from her and she clapped Robin on the back. "God, I knew you were both kinky, but here? Sorry, brother, didn't mean to ruin the moment. I just came to tell you both we're off. Enjoy whatever it is that you're doing."

Despite being caught, Regina gave her smile. "Have a goodnight and thank you."

"Night," Robin grumbled.

Nimue blew them a kiss and walking arm in arm with Alex both ladies made their departure.

Regina's eyes fell to Robin who took a sip of his drink. Her heart sank at how put out he looked and she couldn't have that."You know what?"

Setting down his drink, he turned to her. "What's that?"

"While I was enjoying the game," she began as she stepped up to him, placed both hands on his chest and slid them up and up, and crossed her arms around his neck, "I really just want to flirt with my husband."

His eyes dropped away as he smiled, then she felt his hands warm on her back as he asked, "Do you?"

She hummed and ran her fingers through his hair. Her eyes taking in his handsome face, she told him, "He's got these dimples, you see, and this... hair that's been turning this incredibly sexy silver near his temples and peppered through it and…" she sighed looking into his eyes, "his eyes are pretty great, too. A girl could get lost in them."

His hands that were still on her back began to slowly caress up and down sending a shiver down her spine. "My wife's also pretty amazing, really. She's got this hair, she just cut recently... It's short and sexy, I haven't even gotten the chance to really fill my hands with it yet. And she's... stunning... Christ, she's bloody gorgeous, sometimes I look at her, she'll be doing something like making coffee or reading a book and I almost feel knocked over feeling so lucky she's mine." She tried really hard to keep from crying, she really did, but the moment his hand came up and cupped her cheek, with the slow drag of his thumb over her skin, the tears she'd been holding back fell. He must have been just as affected as she because he swallowed hard, and then with a half smirk added, "And she's got the best arse. Top notch, really just bloody amazing."

She laughed through her tears, and wiping them away, said, "Sounds like we're both very lucky people."

"That we are." He nodded once, and then paused. Their eyes held for a heartbeat and then drifted towards one another. They kissed and kissed some more. Right there in the middle of the Olivier after party. When they did finally come up for air, he said, "You know, if this room wasn't filled with people I would show you just how incredibly sexy you are."

That was more than fine with her.

"Well then, how about just take me back to our hotel room and show me?" she suggested, with a daring lift of her eyebrow.

#

He didn't need to be asked twice. Downing his drink, he waited as she did the same.

He placed his jacket over her shoulders and took her hand. The hotel wasn't far, a few blocks away. They walked down the cobbled sidewalk. Their steps were slow, there was no need to rush. And when they came to a small side street he pulled her from the hustle and bustle into the quietness and brought his lips down on hers.

Her mouth softened under his, and he was only vaguely aware of the soft music that played from a nearby restaurant. When they eased from their kiss, their foreheads met and they simply stood there for long moments, swaying to the gentle tune.

"Okay, maybe London is a little bit more romantic."

"I think it's just us."

#

When they reached their room, Robin slid the key card into the door and with a soft click, he pushed it open. She walked inside, neither of them bothered with lights. The window drapes were already open. A view of the Thames, the lights of the boats and the city gave the room a soft glow, but it was the large, canopy four poster bed that took her breath away.

The thick, dark wood against sheer cream curtains that carelessly hung beside the bed posters made her belly flip imagining them in it. Imagining Robin above her, rocking into her as she clutched at the sheets and pillows.

Licking her lips, she turned to face him.

Stepping up to her, his lips pulled up into a soft crooked smile as she reached up and began undoing his tie. And as his hand came up, they ghosted over her arms, giving her goosebumps and making her belly flip. Looking up into his eyes, she couldn't believe how nervous she felt. This wasn't their first time. This was her husband. All these years and she still felt the newness. The attraction and the want for him was as strong as ever if not more so, and if the way he was looking at her, the way he never stopped looking at her was any indication of the way he felt…

Suddenly, his lips were on hers.

Gentle and burning with a slow intensity that had her trembling. He must have known because in the next moment his arms were around her, pressing her against him, and lifting her off her feet. Her mouth softened as his tongue licked over the seam of her lips and a moan, hers… his…theirs, she couldn't be sure, but it filled the room around them. She slid her hands up his arms, and around his shoulders, fingers threading into his soft hair.

Her heart thumped hard in her chest, and she felt liquid heat pool in her belly.

God, she wanted him.