She was baking like she would so often and he was going through some office paperwork. He hated that he couldn't dedicate more time to the two of them like he so much wanted but his work had always been very demanding and that certainly wouldn't change now. Thankfully, she had never made the slightest of complaints to make him feel guilty like she would be right to. Even at those few moments that they got to themselves, something would come up and ruin it all but still she didn't say a thing and he loved her even more for it.

Despite their inability to go outside a lot, they would cherish each other's company even at home, most times spending their nights together simply curled up on their loveseat reading. Neither of them felt the need to go out very often. They were content to stay in and spend quality time together.

It felt like a weight had left his shoulders that he had finally admitted the full depth of his feelings to her. Like he had showed her all his cards and so had she. He now felt closer to her than ever and he very often found himself lying awake at night, entertaining sentimental thoughts about their future together and clinging onto the hope that she might never understand how unworthy he was of her presence and most importantly, her love.

She gently laid a plate in front of him and he was immediately intoxicated by the wonderful smell, turning his gaze to look at her masterpiece. She giggled at his response. "Are you hungry, tesoro?" she whispered sweetly in his ear and her breath tickled him a little.

He hadn't eaten for a while now so there was no way he would say no to her proposition looking at the magic that laid in front of him. "What's this?" he asked gingerly and she took a seat right next to him, anxiously waiting to see whether he liked it.

"Cannoli, amore. It's a Sicilian sweet. Do you want to try?" she smiled coyly at him and all he could do was nod. A single bite was enough to make his day. She never failed to surprise him with her extraordinary culinary skills, especially when it came to pastries. She stared at him with huge eyes, nervously waiting to see his reaction. "It's amazing." he leaned in to kiss her and she smiled with satisfaction before getting up again to get back to her task.

"Rosa?" his voice rang through the small space that her living room provided, chiming and bouncing off the walls. The blonde appeared from behind the wall, her hands and cooking apron covered with flour or some other similar substance he couldn't really tell apart. Her cheeks were burning and had turned a very bright crimson red, most likely because of the overwhelming heat that had started to fill the house due to her actions in the kitchen.

"Si, tesoro. What is it?" she picked up a towel from the counter and did her best to clean the mess all over her. "Do you have any plans for tonight?" he asked hesitantly. "No, I haven't planned anything yet. Why, do you have something on your mind?" he gestured for her to sit on his lap, wrapping his arms around her and bringing her onto him.

"Well, we were going to get a drink tonight. Liv, Elliot, Fin and I. Are you up for joining us?" he begged her with his puppy eyes. He couldn't really read her expression but he could tell she was startled by his preposition. "Really? Drinks with your partners?"

"They want to know you and I couldn't think of a better opportunity. Besides, my heart wouldn't take it to go out and leave you alone here when we have spent so little time together this week." he swept her hair away from her neck, filling it with kisses as he moved up to sip and suck gently her earlobe, making her shiver in pleasure. "But are you sure this is a good idea? I mean, will they like me?" she tried to ignore his affectionate gestures and get to her point despite his strenuous efforts to disrupt her thoughts.

"Sweetie, who could possibly not like you? You are the most lovable person in the whole world." his hands moved down her shoulders and continued their journey down the curve of her waist before ending up on her bottom, constantly teasing her. She slapped them away playfully and he pretended to look hurt placing a hand over his heart. "Tesoro! I'm serious! I know how much your partners mean to you. I don't want to embarrass you." his playful look was erased from his features as he turned serious.

"Embarrass me? Darling don't you ever say that again. You could never embarrass me. All I do is brag about how lucky I am that I somehow managed to get you. Let me tell you something. My friends are going to love you because they will see how beautiful and intelligent and kind you are. And they are going to love every single little thing about you just like everyone else does. Do you understand me?" he looked deeply into her eyes and she knew he meant every single word because his charming, brown eyes always hid nothing but honesty and love in them.

She nodded her head and smiled at the beauty of his words. His hands found their place back where they were before and he continued to tease her while kissing her fiercely, passionately. He pushed away all the papers on his desk, making room for his arms wrapped around her waist – he was stronger than he looked – and suddenly she was lifted off the floor and placed on the hard wood as he continued her to kiss her breathtakingly.

"John..." she can barely speak. "I thought you had to work to do." she giggles against the softness of his mouth. "Work can wait." he answered strictly, grinning ever so saucily.

amore / love

Jesus! When did I become so productive in the fanfic business? If only I was that energetic when it came to doing things in real life. That would be real useful. Anyways, enough with my chattering. Hoped you guys liked this chapter as well. For a couple chapters now, I've realized that my story is turning more into different drabbles that succeed one another in the storyline rather than one full story, haven't they? I just wish to skip some time into their relationship sometimes so that way it's easier for me. I hope you don't mind. Plz let me know what you think, because I love your feedback.