Hello all! Sorry for the delay, you know life and all that jazz...anyway, Sydney563 and I hope you lurve our new update and that you are all off to a wonderful start this year.

Chapter 7

I watched as her car pulled away and down the street. The ever shifting morning sun blinding the last glance of Bo's car as it hit the end of the street. I sighed hard, folding my arms against the sudden chill that snuck in. Replacing her body warmth with the early morning breeze. I looked up into the blue sky, allowing the beer headache to pound. War, mass traumas, marathon surgeries, even negotiating with hospital budgeting committees, all of it I had handled without so much as a hint of emotion. But standing on my front porch, battling it out with the one woman I knew I was in love with, it felt like I had gone through the ringer a million times plus. I never ever yelled unless it was in a hospital setting. I had never charged after anyone I was dating to tell them anything. I just let them all go without a second care.

But Bo, Bo was different. Her body was a magnet to mine and no matter how hard I tried, I could not be away from her. My heart had never pounded so fast or so hard for anyone in one simple glance. If this was what it felt like to fall in love with someone beyond repair, no wonder wars were started in its name.

I was exhausted as the chill forced me back into the house and to Betty standing in the kitchen with a bowl of cereal and a blank face.

Betty twirled her spoon around in the bowl, "So, yea."

I shook my head as I sat on the stool in front of the island Betty was eating at. I held my head in my hands, "Yea." It was all I could mumble out. No reason to try to tell Betty anything, she had a front row seat to the show. I looked up at her, seeing the infamous slight smirk that was her trademark creep across her face. Her soft brown eyes were full of something I couldn't place.

Betty sat the bowl of cereal down and pushed it towards me. "Eat up Dr. Cautious. I think you are going to need all the energy you can to wrangle that Bo later."

I dropped my gaze to the cereal bowl and started eating what was left, asking through a mouthful of corn flakes, "What do you mean?"

Betty giggled and slapped my arm, "Lauren. Really? I have known you for almost a year, intimately physically and emotionally. I have never ever seen you light up like you do when that woman is standing in front of you, even as she is accusing you of being a trollop, a whore, and a dick. You are in love, deep crazy only in the movies kind of love. Lastly the sexual tension between you, the government should be sending out warnings about that instead of global warming."

I cocked my head and looked at Betty. She smiled and walked to the cabinet to get more cereal. "I will bet you a hundred dollars that you aren't coming home tonight after your meeting at the café with her. You will be tangled in the bed sheets of that brown eyed busty lawyer this evening and maybe for the next few days."

I almost choked on the cereal I had dumped in my mouth. I coughed, "Betty!" I also shot her look, a silent one asking how much eavesdropping had she done.

Her smirk now even wider. "Lauren, for once in your cautionary tale of a life, throw the rule book out. You are in love, accept it and fight harder than you already have to keep that woman in your life." She looked at me with her eyebrows raised. I could tell how sincere and serious she was. "I mean it Lauren. It's time you let the future wash away the past. Let someone else have a room in that giant giving heart of yours." She walked around the corner with her giant bowl of cereal, kissing me sloppily on the cheek. "We need to get to the hospital before you're late and my dad starts eating in the cafeteria again. Mom is going to know he has only been eating doughnuts for the last few days." Betty spun around and trotted upstairs, yelling down that she was stealing more clothes.

I let out a breath, staring at the last few soggy flakes as they swam around in the white ocean of milk. Betty was right. Bo was right. It was time.

By the time Betty and I arrived at the hospital, the hangover had become just a nagging headache. I checked on Betty's mom with her, she was doing much better and had a positive outlook for a full recovery. I sat with Betty and her parents for a few minutes before I headed off to start the day. My mind would constantly shift back to Bo, then look at the clock and unconsciously note how many more hours I had until the café. My heart would race at the simple thoughts of seeing Bo and then race even more at what Betty had implied at breakfast. I did, once, entertain the image of her and I tangled in sheets. It made my stomach drop and a deep ache roll through my body. I was grateful for the daydream interruption by my intern handing me a stack of files.

The day had started smoothly at the hospital and as I was about to walk out, I was pulled to help in the emergency room. A multi-car accident had brought us more patients than expected. As I pulled off my fifth paper gown of the evening I glanced at the clock and saw that I was already fifteen minutes late. I cursed, throwing the gown into the bin as I ran down the hallway texting Bo just as fast. This was not how I wanted to start this starting over date. She replied to me equally as fast as I had sent mine. A simple I am here waiting. I grabbed my bag and jacket and raced to my car. Breaking multiple traffic laws I made it to the café fifteen minutes later.

I rushed through the door of the café and spotted Bo sitting at the same table I had when she first approached me only two weeks ago. I slowed my steps, my eyes locked on her. Bo was reading a magazine, her face concentrated on whatever bit she was reading. I could see the gentle frustration of me not being there on time. She was beautiful, beyond beautiful. Her hair was down, rolling over her shoulders and oddly framing the low cut button down top she was wearing. I liked her in her lawyer suits, but this Bo, the relaxed, causal Bo was something else. This Bo was the one who ignited my heart like a Molotov cocktail with one look.

I walked to the table and slid into the seat. "It seems I have a habit of being the last to arrive for our dates."

Bo smiled at me as she glanced over the top of the magazine before setting it down. "It appears so, doctor. But then again, I always have to be first, in everything." She gave me a look that sent shivers down my entire body. It was a simple comment, but her tone led me and my body to believe everything else. I smiled lightly, ordering a large coffee from the waitress. When I thanked the waitress I turned to say something to Bo and I caught her mid stare at me. She was looking at my scrubs that I had forgotten to take off. I could feel her eyes run over my exposed neck since my hair was still up in a ponytail from the emergency room. I watched as Bo blushed when she met my eyes. I went to pull my hair down when she shook her head. "Leave it, I like it up."

It was my turn to blush as my hands returned to the table. "Bo, I want to apologize for everything. My behavior and how I acted this morning. This is all so out of character for me." I bit my lip as I struggled with everything I wanted to say, when all I wanted was to tell her that I was in love with her and it scared me, excited me and gave me something to fight for other than lives of my patients. It gave me something to fight for within myself. I kept on, "Betty is my ex, yes, but her mom is very ill and at the hospital I work for. I can never ignore when someone I care about asks for help." I was talking quickly. I looked up in Bo's eyes, "Not that I care about her more than just a friend. She has been staying at my house to be closer to the hospital, her father too." I took a shaky breath as my coffee was set in front of me. "Nothing was going on between us this morning. I got drunk talking about you and passed out on the couch while she slept in the spare room."

Bo sat there quietly, holding my gaze as I felt my heart bouncing around in my chest. I clenched my jaw. "I've never met anyone like you. One look and you threw my world into a tailspin and I have yet to grab the controls." Bo couldn't hold back the smile that pulled across her face. I swallowed and it came out as a whisper, "I want to start over with you, Bo." I reached my hand across the table to her, "Hi, my name is Lauren Lewis. I am a doctor. I have made mistakes in Afghanistan and in my personal life. I have made huge mistakes with you and I would like to ask, will you give me a third chance?"

Bo's smile never left her face as her hand slipped into mine, sending tingles through every inch of skin she touched. "It's nice to meet you Lauren Lewis, my name is Ysabeau Dennis. I am a lawyer and I have made mistakes in my life, too. The biggest one is not introducing myself to you sooner." She held onto my hand tightly, both of us giving off the feeling neither of us would ever let go.

As I was about to say something, the waitress came back with a glass of wine for Bo. Forcing our hands to separate. I was trying to calm down so that the next bit of conversation was not so rushed and hyper when the waitress asked to double check Bo's ID, making Bo giggle in a way that made me ache even more. I wanted to make her giggle like that in more ways than one. Bo reached for her wallet and handed it to the waitress, making a slight comment that she was well above the age of drinking and other things, turning to meet my eyes.

I smiled and shook my head when the wallet suddenly landed in my lap, followed by profuse apologies from the waitress for essentially throwing it in my lap. "Oh my god, I am so sorry! Eddie bumped me with the bus tub. I didn't mean to throw it at you."

I smiled and waved at the girl, "It's completely fine." Bo said the same to the girl as she rushed away to yell at Eddie with the bus tub. I grabbed the wallet and saw that it was open to Bo's driver's license. I smiled wider, taking the unsolicited opportunity to sneak a peek at her license. Bo tried to reach for it, realizing what I was doing.

"Lauren, it's a horrible picture! I forgot to renew my license until the day after it expired. I am not wearing any makeup in that thing."

I leaned back out of her reach, laughing lightly at her groans of protest. That's when I noticed the date of birth. I glanced at my watch and back at the license. I looked up at Bo, "Why didn't you tell me it was your birthday today?"

Bo turned a beet red and hunched down in her seat, "It's not my birthday."

I held up her wallet, pointing at the date in the corner. "You cannot disprove the word of the DMV and their legal authority to know your true date of birth. You should know this prosecutor." I glanced at the date again before looking at the incredibly embarrassed woman in front of me. "It is undoubtedly your birthday."

Bo began to pout slightly, trying to hide deeper in her seat. "Fine. It is my birthday. But it doesn't matter, it's just another day and I have been so busy with the new case and you…" she paused, "anyways it's not important." She held out her hand, signaling she wanted her wallet back.

I smiled, setting her wallet down on the table, gently pushing it towards Bo. As Bo snatched it up, I stood up from the table and walked over to the front counter where one could order sandwiches, bagels and all sorts of items the small café had to offer. Bo uttered something, but I smiled at her and held up my hand. I leaned over the counter, talking to the older woman with the big hair that had been a part of the café since day one. I pointed to one of the largest cupcakes on the top shelf. "Can I maybe borrow some candles? At least one, and a box of matches." I looked over my shoulder at a confused and still flustered Bo.

The older woman smiled and tossed a matchbook at me. "You two have been coming in here for weeks eyeing each other like a dog eying a thick fat steak."

It was my turn to grow red and look down at the counter. I picked at the sticker on the counter telling me organic was the way to go with my coffee. Had it been that incredibly apparent that Bo and I were smitten with each other to the world and yet, somewhat oblivious to it all as we struggled with our feelings? I was pulled from my picking when the cupcake was slid towards me with a giant, colorful, kid's birthday cake candle jabbed in the middle. It was the number one. I looked up at the older woman, who shrugged, "Best I got kid. Don't worry, it's never been used." She winked at me and shuffled away.

I grabbed the plate and held it behind my back as I walked back to Bo, who was still confused. I smiled wider at her. "Sorry for the short notice, if I had known it was your birthday I would have made a better attempt and gotten you a true cake." I set the cupcake onto the table and lit the candle, watching as Bo's face lit up like a little kid. I slid into my seat, "Singing is not one of my strong suits…."

Bo stood up suddenly, leaning across the table, careful not to disrupt the cupcake or the lit candle. She grabbed my cheek with her free hand as she steadied herself against the table edge. I caught her dimple right before she kissed me. Catching me off guard as her lips mashed against mine. The kiss was over before I could react and return it. She looked in my eyes with her soft, glassy brown ones. "This is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for my birthday." She ran her hand slowly down my cheek, sending small shivers through my body.

Bo flopped down in the booth as I choked out, "You better make a wish."

Bo looked up at me, with a deep intensity that made my heart skip. "I think my wish already came true." She blew the candle out and swiped her finger across the frosting on top.

I involuntarily licked my lips, smiling at the lingering taste, I whispered, "Cake batter lip gloss."

Bo licked the frosting off her finger as she dropped her wallet back in her purse. I saw her phone light up in the side pocket. The name on the screen, I recognized it. I didn't hesitate to ask, since this was our attempt at a clean slate and a new start. I lightened my smile as I asked, "Who is Allie?"

Bo's smile faded a little. "Allie is my ex, my co-worker and one of my best friends." She looked up and met my eyes. "She is also a mistake I made, with you and her. I was so hurt when you pushed me away in the diner and in Denver. I reacted like a child and wanted to go back to something and someone who was easy. Allie was safe, easy, because of our past." Bo reached for me, her fingers resting on the edge of my forearm. "Then I realized I had to fix things, with you. Because of what I feel for you and that I am sure I am falling for you." She swallowed hard. "Allie is my friend, just my friend. I made sure she knew where my heart was."

Her fingers pressed gently against my skin to emphasize. I could tell she wanted to grab my hand, but was going to wait for me. I swallowed hard at the tentative back and forth of us. One moment she would not hesitate to kiss me for a cupcake, the next she was fearful I would not reciprocate the smallest of touches. Her voice dropped slightly, a small tremble as she spoke, "Lauren you are the only one I want." She slowly drew her hand back. Filling it with a fork, handing it over to me. "Share my birthday cupcake with me, Doctor Lewis?"

I smiled, taking the fork and held it. "Bo, ditto." It was all I could muster out of the feelings that were running rampant in my body along with the increasing desire I felt with this woman who had me on a roller coaster of emotions for almost three weeks.

I waited for her smile to bring out the dimple, shaking her head at my silly remark. I stared at her as she dug into the cupcake, enjoying the massive sugary treat with satisfied moans. "So, where did you grow up Bo?"

The rest of the evening we spent telling stories about high school, first prom, our hometowns, and our first loves. It was the conversation that we should have had before everything became so intense and muddied. It had grown late and the older woman gently asked us to get to getting, it was closing time. Bo and I laughed and apologized for lingering for too long. I held the door open for Bo, watching her shiver slightly at the cold breeze that filled the night. She sighed, "I should have driven tonight, but it was far too nice of a day to not walk."

I glanced at her, "You walked?"

She nodded, "I did. The courthouse is only a few blocks away. I needed the fresh air to calm my nerves." She pulled her coat closer around her. "I will snag a cab."

I shook my head and pulled out my car keys. "Oh no you won't. Here, you are the birthday girl. You can drive my car." I held out the Maserati's key fob to Bo as her eyes grew wide.

"The Maserati?" I could see the child like excitement build in her. She had mentioned once or twice how she had envied the car. I nodded and grabbed her hand, pressing the keys into her palm. "Yes. The Maserati. It's your birthday for a few more hours; a girl should rip through the city streets in a sports car meant for such things." I shrugged, "Plus I drive like a grandma, it would take us hours to get you home."

Bo giggled, linking her hand into my elbow. "Not that I wouldn't mind spending hours with you trapped in a car." Before I could say much, she yanked me towards the black car.

Bo drove like she stole it. I had to grip the door a few times as she expertly handled the sharp city corners and the little bit of traffic left. She had a huge smile on her face and at one point took her hand off the wheel and placed it on my thigh, squeezing it to try to get me to settle down. All it did was make my heart race faster and it wasn't because she was driving like a maniac. I had to swallow hard, my resolve to touch this woman more than just in simple ways was eroding as fast as the rubber on my car's poor tires.

The car came to a stop in front of a large, fancy modern apartment building that housed large lofts. I smiled; it was actually one of the buildings I had looked at before I found my house. Bo revved the engine one more time before she set the Maserati to silence. She handed me the keys, still smiling. "Wow. That was amazing! Second best birthday gift ever."

I gulped and tried to smile. My heart was settling down from adventurous ride and how the look in Bo's eyes was driving me insane. "You are very welcome." It came out raspy. I pushed the car door open as I mumbled, "I will walk you up."

I waited for Bo to come around, thankful that the cool air was easing some of the heat running through my being. I instinctively grabbed her hand in mine as soon as she was close and allowed her to take the lead. I held onto it as she dug in her purse for the keys while we rode up the elevator and the last few steps to her door. She slid the key into the lock and opened the door, turning to me, smile still on her face. "You want to come in for a last minute birthday drink?"

I had to race through all the reasons why I should not, why I should hug her goodnight, walk back to my car, race home and sit in a cold shower until I froze. We were just starting over. We were trying to build something more with the intense initial attraction we stumbled over. All logical things I should be doing, instead, I nodded yes slowly and followed her into the large and oddly cozy loft. Bo tossed her purse on the couch and headed into the kitchen, "I have wine and whiskey?"

I mumbled, "Whiskey." I had to fold my arms to keep them from shaking, one more inch of my resolve burning away as she flashed that one smile I would get after we kissed.

"Whiskey it is." She grabbed a tumbler and I felt my heart drop, in a good way, when I saw she had a brand new bottle of twenty-five year old Jameson in the cabinet. She did listen; she did pay attention to the little things. As she poured my drink, she looked at me. "Lauren, thank you. For the cupcake and the drive. I meant it when I said this was one of my better, if not best, birthdays. I haven't had one that I enjoyed in years." She walked over to me with a half full glass of Jameson, handing it to me. "It also helps that the company was amazing." Bo held up her glass. "A toast, to you, Lauren Lewis. The most beautiful, courageous, selfless, thoughtful woman I have ever met."

We clinked glasses and I took a large sip, spilling a little down my chin. Bo giggled and reached up, her fingers delicately wiping away the little bit I had wasted. The giggle mixed with her warm fingers, I broke. I set the tumbler in my hand down on the counter with a hard clank. Startling Bo, I didn't let her finish the words that were forming on her lips before I covered them with mine. I grabbed Bo by the hips and pulled her hard against me, so hard she grunted lightly and dropped the tumbler in her hands to the floor. I barely heard the glass shatter as it hit the floor; I was far too lost in the taste of whiskey on her lips and on her tongue as it met mine.

Her hands found my upper arms, gripping me hard as I kissed her. Biting her bottom lip ever so lightly that it made her moan and bite me back. I wanted her now and there was no reason or excuse in the world I could think of to drag it out any further. My hands on her side moved to the front of her dress shirt. I pulled at the buttons as fast as I could without actually ripping the shirt. I pushed her against the counter, pinning her so I could let my hands run over skin that I dreamt about since that first day in the café. Bo gasped as my warm hands found her warm skin under the soft fabric of her shirt, she pulled away from my mouth, kissing down to my shoulder and lightly biting the space between my neck and shoulder. Her teeth finding a sensitive spot just as I covered her breasts over the bra that was soon to be out of my way. As my fingers found the top swell of her breasts, I felt her fingers dig into my hips through the thin material of my scrub shirt. It made me gasp and push my hips deeper into her.

Just as my fingers were about to touch all of her breast, she mumbled something and I felt her push me back. I kept moving, until I realized she was mumbling my name in a way that made me stop. I pulled back and looked in her in the eyes. She was panting; flush with desire, shaking her head. "Lauren, I can't do this. Not like this...it's...I want it to be right."

I paused, licking my lips and feeling the air hit what I knew were small bite marks on my upper shoulder, bringing a sting to my skin. "Bo, this is right. I have never felt so right about anything in my life. I want you." I reached up and held her face in both my hands, searching her eyes and what came out of my mouth next matched exactly what I saw in her eyes. "I love you, Bo. I am in love with you, fallen head over heels in love with you."

Bo smiled as she squeezed her eyes shut, covering my hands with hers. "I know. That's why I can't do this like this."

I hung my head down, my heart racing backwards as I began to panic that my confession of love had just scared her off.

XXX

My head was spinning, her velvety, whiskey tinged tongue gently teasing mine. The way she took control of me was electrifying, igniting something inside me. A desire that burned like none other and fueled my desperate need to remove all the barriers between us as quickly as possible. I vaguely remember hearing the tumbler shatter when I released it; my hands preferred the feel of her warm, slender hips to the cold glass. I felt the buttons of my blouse come undone one by one, my heart racing faster as the possibilities of what the night could hold flooded my mind.

When the warm touch of her finger tips grazed my stomach, I lost my mind. My body hummed with a sensation I have never felt with anyone that's ever touched me before. It was even better than my wildest dreams, of which I have had more than a few since I first laid eyes on her in the café weeks earlier. I wanted to devour her, my mouth sucking, biting it's way down her to her shoulder, focusing on the one spot that made her moan and press her body even harder into me as I'm held powerless in her arms up against the counter. She had me pinned and there was nowhere else I would rather be, but under her. This is everything I have been waiting for, everything I've wanted and yet I can't do it. Not now, not like this, not after the tumultuous week we have had together and this, our first night of starting over. I want her, more than anything, and in this moment I am more than certain that she is the only one I will ever want, that I am in love with her, if possible, more than that. If chasing her across North America and putting my heart on the line twice wasn't sign enough, this was confirmation. While I wanted nothing more than to fully experience her naked body against mine, explore every inch of her soft, creamy skin and taste her, I also craved her on an emotional and spiritual level. I wanted it, no needed it, to be right, like a first time should be. Being with her feels like a first time for me. The first time with someone I was truly in love with. I don't know how to make her understand that, but as I mumbled against her skin and slid my hands up, gently pushing her away, I said words I never thought I'd have the strength to say, "Lauren, I can't do this. Not like this...it's...I want it to be right."

Damn those expressive brown eyes of hers. I could almost cry when she said that she was in love with me, an emotion that reflected in those eyes so brightly that I knew it to be true. She was right, nothing ever felt so right in my life either, but I was also still reeling from her behavior last weekend. As much as I wanted to give her everything, I knew that I wasn't ready. That and the fact that I was determined not to jump right into bed with her the way I have with everyone else. Never mind the fact that my body was screaming at my brain to get over it. I knew that there would be little sleep tonight with the sensations coursing through my veins as if I've had twenty cups of espresso, my heart about to leap out of my chest onto the floor.

I saw her hang her head, her panic rising and I was afraid I just made a horrible mistake in her moment of vulnerability. She stepped back, slowly letting her hands slide out of mine. It felt like I was losing her for good this time. All this back and forth between us has taken its toll on us both and now that she has let me in, I was not ready to let go. I had to act fast. I couldn't let her leave like this, or I was sure we had missed our chance, becoming star crossed lovers who keep missing one another, or some other fairy tale cliché. Reaching quickly on instinct, I closed my fingers around the tips of hers, not letting her completely out of my grasp. She didn't look up, but she didn't need to. I knew I had hurt her deeply. I didn't need to see it. I could feel the energy in the air shift around us. I gently held her hands in mine, pulling them up to my lips and placing soft kisses on both knuckles.

"Lauren." I hardly recognized my own voice, the desperation was heavy even though it was a whisper. It was enough to make her look up, exposing the tears that were threatening to fall, making my gut wrench that I was the cause.

"Please." I tug on her hands, silently asking her to step closer. It was all I could do to speak, fearing I wouldn't have the strength to muster more than a whisper. My racing pulse made me light headed and breathless, or maybe it was just her. I always felt a little short of breath when she was near. She took a deep breath and looked to the ceiling. I could tell she was trying to collect herself. She had probably hoped to get out the door quickly so that I wouldn't see her reaction, but I stood strong. I wouldn't let either of us walk away this time. I was in love with her just as much, even though I had trouble saying it. "Lauren, I feel what you do. So much so that it makes me crazy. I can't sleep, work, eat or breathe without thinking about you. I am so in love with you, too." I had never said the words and meant it the way I do with her, intensely, unconditionally. She was part of me now. It was impossibly fast, completely unexpected and absolutely wonderful.

Her eyes flashed when I said the words, echoing her feelings moments ago. It was slight, but I saw her relax, letting out the breath she had been holding. Her mood had lightened, but she knew there was more or else she would be having her way with me on my kitchen counter instead of stumbling through words again. I was too stuck in my head, watching the wondrous beauty before me and thinking of so many things I wanted to do with her. Travel, wake up next to her, and hold her while we watch TV and some other not so innocent thoughts.

"But," she utters, a cautious smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. She squeezes my hand gently, supportively, urging me to continue.

"But...I'm scared." I almost can't believe I said it aloud, so worried that this confession would chase her away. After all of our back and forth, I feared she would take it as a bad sign that I was scared. I can see the confusion shown in her expression, her brow creased as her mind races to decipher my meaning.

"Of what? Of us?" Her voice was soft. The fear and judgment I was expecting was absent. There was only the two of us doing our best to navigate this tricky road they call relationships.

"Yes and no." I shrug, glancing around my apartment as I grasp blindly for the right words to explain my feelings. I sigh and find my throat suddenly parched as if I had been in the desert for days. "Umm, "Us" makes me giddy."Us" makes me want to run around and yell to the heavens and anyone whole will listen that I love you, Dr. Lauren Lewis. "Us" makes me feel whole." I let me gaze settle back on her, taking in her subtle gasp at my words and the way her chest rises and falls quicker when she's trying to control her emotions. "But I am also scared to death right now that there will be something else that makes you shut me out like last weekend and once we take this last step, which I really, really can't even tell you how much I want to take that step with you, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to take it. We just started over tonight. I'm not asking for much, heck it might even be just till tomorrow, but I want it to be perfect, for both of us, and there be no hesitation, or regrets, or whatever might spoil what I know will be the most perfect moment of my life."

She closed the distance between us with one quick motion, pressing her lips firmly against mine. The comforting squeeze of her warm hand on my own brought me an overwhelming sense of calm amid my current emotional storm. It was soft and sweet. I heard her sniffle as she moved to my cheek and whispered in my ear, "I want that too, all of it, with you and only you, Bo." I felt her buttoning up my shirt while she stayed close to me, her soft breath on my neck making me shiver. The memory of her hands on my skin just moments earlier made me flush and feel foolish, but I know this is the right thing for me, for us. I closed my eyes when I felt her step back. Her hand slid up my neck and cupped my jaw. I pressed into it and smiled softly, my eyes still shut as I let my senses take her in. My hand covered hers. Opening my eyes I found her smiling adoringly back at me. I slid down to her wrist, not willing to let her go just yet, my chest tightening at the thought of her leaving me tonight.

"Come to my place tomorrow night. I'll make dinner and we can just relax, maybe watch a movie. Just the two of us."

It wasn't a question, nor was it meant to be. She didn't allow me any leeway to decline. You'd think she was the lawyer here. It hardly felt like an order though, I wanted to see her again tomorrow. I wanted to see her every second for the rest of my life. In a perfect world, she would stay the night, fall asleep in my arms, just sleep, but I knew that neither of us had the will power for that at this point. The intense, escalating attraction between the two of us was like a wildfire that had grown out of control. "I'd like that. I'll bring some wine, maybe around seven?"

"Perfect."

Her eyes lit up and I know my mine shone just as brightly. Allowing my eyes to soak her in for another moment, I pulled her in close, wrapping my arms around her waist loosely, but with a sense of possession. Lauren Lewis was mine. She said so herself and all I could think was that my wish really did come true already. My lips pressed to hers, a soft, lingering kiss, both of us careful to keep our rampant desires under wraps. I felt the heat of her body against mine and it took all of the resolve that I had left to release her, immediately feeling the loss reverberate throughout my being.

She looked down at the mess on the floor, blushing at her impulsiveness. "Sorry about the glass, Bo. I'll help you clean it up before I go."

I forgot all about it and I truthfully could care less. "Don't worry about that. I'll get it. It's a shame that whiskey went to waste though." I looked up from the glass to see her smiling at me,

She nodded. "Yes. Yes it is. I promise never to let that happen again," she chuckled.

"Don't make promises I don't want you to keep. I am sure there are certain times when the liquor gods will forgive us if we spill." I winked at her, feeling the ache roll through my own body as she cleared her throat at my innuendo. Content that my point had been made, I brushed my hands down her arms, taking one last opportunity to touch her before she left. "Thank you again for the best birthday ever, Lauren."

She rolled her eyes in that endearing way that I have come to love so much. "I don't know about that, but you're welcome."

"No really, it was. What could ever top you telling me you love me?"

"I don't know, but we can try next year," she smirked seductively and bit her lip.

An uncontrollable moan slipped out from deep within me from her smoldering look and just like that, we had returned to light and flirty, a side of her I absolutely couldn't get enough of. "It was a pretty good night for me too, Bo. I will see you tomorrow and I will do my best to be on time."

"Well, I may not like to share, but I am willing to make an exception when you are saving lives doctor."

"Sweet dreams, Bo."

She gave me a light peck on the cheek. With a smile and a gracious nod, she walked out my door. I watched her disappear from sight as my heart pounded wildly in my chest.

I touched the spot her lips had been and whispered to no one, "Always of you."

XXX

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