AN: Sorry...I had to delete the last two chapters because I realized I hadn't put these up. My apologies!

Discovery

Her lips are soft beneath mine, damp breaths mingling as I sink deeper into her mouth, lightly stroking my tongue against her bottom lip. She sighs and lips part allowing me to deepen the kiss, sliding my tongue languorously against hers.

She tastes of vanilla and strawberry, cinnamon and spice, of whispered promises, new discoveries and potential dreams, of everything forbidden; yet everything I've ever wanted. She tastes of…salvation.

God, she's so sweet and I can happily live a thousand lives and die a thousand deaths as long as it's in her arms.

How could I have not seen this before?

~...~

Deny

This can't be happening. She told herself she wouldn't go here again. Not with one of them. Not with him. This complicates everything.

"You can't deny it," he whispers against her lips, lightly brushing his against hers. Their softness surprises her.

"We can't," she whispers back, heart racing as he trails butterfly kisses along her jaw.

"Yes, we can," he affirms, running fingers through her chocolate strands, wrapping them around his fist. Trailing the other hand along the small of her back, he presses her against him.

Eyes fluttering shut, her breath hitches when he continues his assault on her neck. Lips parting, she flicks her tongue over them, nervously gulping.

"It's not right…" she stutters, gripping his shoulders, head tilting back unconsciously to allow him better access. Her mind may be in turmoil but her body knows this is exactly what she wants.

"Nothing can be more right," he refutes, pulling back abruptly.

Her eyes fly open at the movement and he stares down into them, molten caramel searching smoky ebony, grunting in satisfaction at whatever he finds.

"But…" her weak protests are cut off as he captures her lips again, sliding his tongue along the seam of her lips, parting them to deepen their kiss.

"Deny it all you want to them. Lie to yourself if you must," he says firmly, mouth hovering over hers, eyes glittering with passion. "But don't lie to me. Never with me."

~...~

Weave

She was weaving up the driveway, having been dropped off by her co-workers, singing off key to God only knows what. Stumbling over the uneven sidewalk, she threw her arms out for balance as she swayed unevenly and giggled, clamping a hand over her mouth to muffle the sound as she tossed a wary look over at the apartments. It can't be.

I strode down the walk and took her arm gently, peering into her flushed face, her glazed eyes confirming my suspicions. "Are you drunk, Parker?"

Her eyes widened and she shook her head swiftly, molasses locks swinging, setting off another round of swaying and giggling.

"Sure," I snorted, putting an arm around her waist to keep her from falling over. "I believe you. How many did you have tonight?"

"S'only a sip or two," she slurred, holding up three fingers.

I snickered knowing that was more than enough due to her changed status. Holding her up, I started walking towards her apartment. "Come on Princess, let's get you to bed."

She followed me on unsteady feet, swaying off balance when her foot slid off the curb and she fell against me, arms wrapping around my waist for support. She giggled once more and finding her face planted in my chest, nuzzled it softly, making my body tighten with desire. Repressing a soft groan, I clenched my eyes shut, damning my body's response to her innocent movements.

Sighing, I moved to start walking again, but was stopped in my tracks when she pressed against my body tighter, purring deep in her throat and tipped her head back to look at me, smiling hazily. "I love you, Michael."

I let out a helpless groan and my lips quirked as I stared down at the tipsy woman, running my hand over her hair, my heart constricting at her words. It'd figure that Parker was an I-love-you drunk.

But knowing she was drunk and wouldn't remember this anyway, I smirked into her flushed face and played it off lightly. "Of course you do, Parker. What's not to love?"

"Well…" she drawled, giggling at my scowl. Even drunk the woman was a smart ass.

Bending at the waist, I grabbed her legs and cradled her in my arms, figuring we'd make better progress this way and was about to start walking again when she grabbed my attention once more.

She peered at me through her lashes, grasping my cheek and brought my face down to hers, her breath feathering over my lips softly. My breath hitched as those fathomless chocolate eyes gazed at me intently, crystal clear for the moment.

"I do, you know," she whispered against my lips. "I just never had the courage to tell you." Lifting her head up, she brushed her lips against mine, tracing my bottom lip with a light flick of her tongue, sending my heart racing before her eyes fluttered and she promptly passed out.

Swallowing hard, I looked at the woman in my arms, still tasting sweet mint as I tried to control my erratic breath and vowed she and I were going to have a long talk tomorrow. Tightening my hold on her, I carried her into the apartment, closing the door with my foot.