Damian arranged for a car from the hotel for him and Emily. They were surprised to see the driver's nametag on the lapel of his suit.

"Is your name really Karl?" asked Emily excitedly.

"Yes," the blond drive answered politely, wondering why that was an issue.

Damian explained, "We had a cabdriver before by the same name. He and the drive were memorable." He and Emily exchanged a mischievous smile.

In the back seat of the car, Damian watched her anxiously. She was becoming more nervous as they neared Julian's hotel. It made her chatty and she engaged Karl in her banter.

He stopped in front of the hotel and Emily moved toward the door. Damian pulled her back in a tight hug. He kissed her as though he was afraid it would be the last time.

"I love you," he said passionately. "Don't forget that while you're up there."

She looked at him, wanting to give reassurance. "I love you," she responded, "don't forget that while you're down here."

She headed for Julian's room. She had the key card to return to him. She chose not to use it at his door, but knocked instead.

Julian smiled when he opened the door and saw her. The smile faded as he realized the uncomfortable look on her face. "Are you sure, Emily?" he asked. "You were so hurt before."

She gave a small nod. "Yes, Hon, I'm sure. We understand things better now. We're not going to make those mistakes again."

He looked as though he wanted to dissuade her then changed his mind. He took her hands. "Alright, my beautiful friend, I guess I understand how you feel. Even if I'm with someone, I'll drop her in an instant if you ever come back."

He walked over to a box against the wall. "I had a feeling you'd need your things," he said.

Emily took the box and said "You're a wonderful guy, Julian. Knock 'em dead tonight."

Outside by the car, Damian was nervously pacing. Karl glanced at the clock and said, "I'm supposed to have the car back at the hotel in half an hour."

Damian tossed him a large bill through the window and Karl didn't mention time again. After a few minutes Karl looked toward the door and said to the younger man, "She could use some help with that."

Damian looked up from checking his watch again and felt his heartbeat quicken, as he saw Emily struggling with the door and a box. He ran to her and put one arm around her and took the box under the other one. He signaled to Karl to open the trunk and laid it in there, then turned his attention to her.

"That was the longest 18-and-a-half minutes of my life," he said, holding her close.

She looked doubtful. "Really," she said.

He grinned. "Like you've said—I've had a pretty easy life, except in the last few months, when I decided I wanted a hot, older woman more than I wanted my sanity."

You've gotta breathe her, really taste her
'til you can feel her in your blood

He kissed her deeply until Karl honked the horn. Damian slammed down the trunk. "He's got bottle," he said, as he opened the car door for Emily."

"He's cute," she said.

Damian got in the car after her. "Yeah, I noticed you noticed," he stated wryly, sliding into her open arms.

Karl looked back at the couple with a sly smile. "I'm glad you came back," he said to Emily. "I don't know how I could've handled him if you hadn't."

"Shut up Karl," Damian said good-naturedly, as Emily stretched her neck for a kiss.

"Silly boy," she cooed, smiling sweetly, "of course I was coming back. I have to take care of the monster I created."

Damian looked at her adoringly. "Who in this car isn't starving?" he asked. "Karl, find a good restaurant then something to flatten a tire. Lunch is on us."

The lunch was light-hearted and filling, then the déjà vu continued, as Damian gave Karl a huge tip and Emily gave him a kiss on the cheek. They left him to tend to the car and walked the remaining blocks to Emily's apartment hand-in-hand, with Damian carrying the box and Emily pulling his wheeled luggage.

In her apartment Damian set the box down and said, "I'll call in a reservation for us for later tonight but right now…where's my bed, Woman?" he asked in his huskiest voice, running his hands all over her.

"In California?"

Damian shook his head and continued his pawing. "I mean my New York bed. This is my New York place. That's my hook for my jacket, that's my coffee table, that's my accursed love seat. I may put up posters," he said with an impish grin.

She loved how his aggression was mixed with playfulness. This was the Damian whom she couldn't get out of her head when she opened a computer file bearing his name, who handled situations and people with an assurance far beyond his youth, the Irish charmer no one could resist, least of all her.

She jumped into his arms and locked her ankles against his back. Pointing behind her, she said with more sex appeal than team spirit, "Go United."

He held her possessively and followed her direction, singing the latest from his songs for Emily repertoire…

When you love a woman, you tell her she's really wanted….