Mich slowly walked across the room, her eyes fixed on Horatio trying not to smile and lose her composure as she saw him swallow. Slowly she pushed him back until his legs connected with the chair and then gently put pressure on his shoulders to make him sit down.

H was staring at her, not sure whether he should be concerned or not. All evening Mich had been giving him little sideways glances, shy smiles and the occasional wink with a glint in her eye. Although she had been asked to dance several times, she had danced with him only. H had done his duty, dancing with the Countess on two occasions, but then she had sent him back to Mich, "Never leave your lady for too long Horatio, lest she thinks that you have forgotten her."

Everyone at the ball had passed on their congratulations, along with best wishes and good luck for the team. At first Mich had smiled graciously, but after 10pm, when she had left for a short while to put Amber to bed, he had sensed Mich becoming agitated, dragging him to dance on several occasions so she didn't have to speak to anyone.

The Countess had left at midnight, sending a look in Kyra's direction that sent a strong message. Within moments, Kyra had come to wish them goodnight and left, David also leaving shortly after for his own room. Mich had sighed, "At last, we'll be able to leave soon. Dad will do the honours of host tonight."

Within half an hour, the two of them had escaped, Mich leading him to their room. He had asked what the hurry was, to be met with an amused smile and a raised eyebrow. Now, sitting in the chair, he realized that Mich had plans for the evening that were just for the two of them. As she closed her eyes and gave him a soft kiss, H could feel her fingers gently tugging at the bow tie until it slowly slipped undone.

As she slowly pulled away, he wanted to reach up and pull her back for another, deeper kiss, but her eyes snapped open and he froze, paralysed by her gaze. A quick twist and she had undone the top two buttons of his dress shirt, "Just to make you a little more comfortable…" She had then stepped away and slowly began to remove the jewellery she was wearing, turning her back to him as she carefully put each piece away in its box on the dressing table.

Normally H would have moved to help, but there was something about the slow deliberate way she was moving that stopped him, add to that the look in her eyes as she watched him in the mirror. H took a deep breath wanting to say something, but couldn't. His brain was screaming something at him, something about Mich's training, but he couldn't work it out.

Finished with her jewellery, Mich walked back towards him, again that slow deliberate movement, finally H found his voice. "Mich, I…" he stopped, she had placed a finger on her lips in a gesture for him to stay quiet. He was glad Mich had loosened his collar because he was suddenly feeling very warm.

One corner of Mich's mouth lifted into a half smile as she gave him another soft kiss, whilst removing his jacket. Instead of just putting it to one side, she carefully hung the tux on its hanger and placed it in the wardrobe.

Stepping back slightly, Mich gradually unzipped her dress and let it slide slowly to the floor, H had flinched, obviously wanting to get up to help her, but a sharp look had stilled him in his chair. She allowed herself a smile, H's reaction to her underwear was exactly as it should be. She had thought very carefully about what to put on, knowing that H liked black, but wanting to do something a little different.

She had spotted the basque and suspenders in an Oxford Street lingerie shop and had hesitated between the red and black. Pure silk, it had warmed to her skin immediately and she had fallen in love with it. Eventually she had chosen the red, because she wanted to take her time – and the black would have provoked an instant reaction.

Not that she wasn't getting one. She had left her shoes on and was standing sideways on to H, so he got a good view of her legs, long and shapely due to the riding, enhanced by the heels she was wearing. A quick glance out of the corner of her eye as she bent at the waist to pick up the dress carefully showed that her movements had the desired result.

Walking back to where he was sitting in the chair, she gave him a soft smile when she saw the questioning look on his face and gave him his answer. "Honey, two weeks ago, you loved me like never before, now it's my turn… I want to say thank you."

H stared at her, everything slotting into place. Mich was slowly seducing him as if they had never met, putting him first, her glance reproving if he tried to make a move. Sitting on his lap, she leisurely undid the buttons of his shirt, and removed the cufflinks carefully, standing up and walking back to the dressing table to place them next to her own things.

Next she gently pulled off his shirt and proceeded to massage his shoulders, the pressure causing H to close his eyes in enjoyment. The next moment he could feel the soft butterfly kisses moving along his jaw and down his neck. He hissed as Mich's nails scratched down his spine, though she had not pressed that hard.

Feeling her moving, he noted that her kisses were descending, preceded by her fingers, gently caressing his chest, ribs, waist. He shuddered when her finger reached the waistband of his trousers and he lifted slightly as Mich undid the button and removed them. He opened an eye long enough to see her carefully placing the trousers over a chair before she returned to him, an amused smile on her face.

Removing his shorts, Mich couldn't help but give a wicked chuckle in her throat as she renewed her kisses on H's chest and began to work downwards. Dipping her tongue quickly into his belly button, Mich felt H squirm between her hands and caught hold of his hips to stop him from moving again.

Reaching her target, she opened her mouth and enveloped him slowly and completely, hearing the sharp intake of breath and the soft sigh that followed. She withdrew slightly, drawing her teeth gently across the sensitive skin and felt H shudder before drawing him deeper again, her tongue once more playing with him, sliding under the foreskin.

Drawing him back in, H stiffened in pleasure, his head falling back slightly. He couldn't remember the last time someone had done this to him, dominated him so completely. As Mich released him slightly, a sudden awareness came to his mind. He was the dominant partner in their loving, not because he took the lead, but because Mich allowed it.

A tear came to his eye as he finally appreciated how much Mich trusted him, letting him take control, especially after what Jack had done to her. Feeling her drawing him in once more, H moaned softly, eyes opening wide as he realized how deeply she was pulling him. Many of his past lovers had been afraid due to his size, yet Mich continued, slowly but surely.

His fingers ached to run through her hair, to hold her head so he could push himself in completely, but he resisted, if Mich trusted him this much, then he could trust her too. He forced himself to relax, keeping his hands by his sides.

Mich smiled, finally H understood what she wanted. As she withdrew, she again played him with her tongue, feeling him flinch. Closing her mouth more tightly around him she started to pull him in, sucking gently on the flesh, she swallowed, pulling him in more deeply, hearing the sigh issue from his mouth.

H was stunned as Mich kept pulling, feeling her swallow again, he realized that she was drawing him more deeply than he had ever felt. The next moment he could feel her lips at the base of his shaft and moaned as she continued to suck, feeling his tip against the back of her throat.

A few moments more and Mich began to sense H quickening, his hips involuntarily starting to move against her. Not wanting him to release just yet, she stopped what she was doing and began to return her kisses upward. She could sense his slight disappointment and chuckled, "Not yet sweetheart, I want you to enjoy much more…"

Returning to her position on his lap, she attacked his lips with hers, kissing him deeply almost savagely as she caught a lip with her teeth. "Mich…" H's voice was hoarse in her ear, begging her to let him do something other than just sit in the chair.

Smiling, she caught his hands and placed them on her thighs, allowing him to begin caressing her softly, slowly. The contact was electric, persuading Mich that she did not have to hold back, so when H began to pull her tightly to him she chuckled and stood, allowing him to remove her panties.

Settling on to him slowly, Mich couldn't help but take a deep breath at the sensation the movement provoked within her own body, arching her back in reaction. As she began to move herself against him, Mich could feel H tightening his grip around her hips, pulling her onto him harder.

H gasped, Mich had caught him by surprise, but he exulted in what she was doing. The fact that she was still dressed in most of her underwear was a bigger turn-on than he had expected, feeling the pressure building inside, he fought to control it, suppressing the sensations rising through his body, wanting this to last as long as possible.

Caressing Mich's thighs, he found the stocking top and smiled, sliding his fingers along until he found the fastening he was about to snap it open, releasing the nylon when Mich nipped his ear, "Don't you dare…" Sliding his hands around her thighs, he felt another shiver of pleasure as his hands moved between stockinged leg and soft skin.

He shuddered as Mich tightened against his length feeling a corresponding shiver in her own body. He felt her pushing a little more strongly, noting that she had changed position slightly, heightening her own pleasure to match his.

Returning his hands to her hips he pulled at her again asking her to quicken, but she refused, maintaining the rhythm she had achieved. Sliding his right hand further around her back, H dropped his left to where they were joined and began to rub Mich gently with his thumb. She snapped her eyes open and chuckled indicating that he could continue.

A gentle stroke and Mich gasped, feeling the fire burning inside of her, catching the back of the chair with her hands, she dipped her head to catch H's lips with her own, shuddering as he continued to tease her with his thumb. She began to drive against him more forcefully, feeling her own body beginning to shake.

Knowing she was close, H stopped teasing and held Mich's hips tightly, a groan escaping his lips as she began to catch him with each drive. Encouraging her H closed his eyes and bit his lip as he could no longer restrain the sensations within, "Sweetheart, just a little more…"

Mich doubled her efforts, it was the first time H had let her take over completely, though he had shared a little. As she felt the tremor building in his muscles, her own began to tremble and she could not stop the soft cry releasing from her throat.

H erupted within her, the shock waves consuming both of them as Mich herself burst around him, the two of them climaxing together. Breathing heavily, Mich dropped her forehead to Horatio's shoulder, afraid to move, lest her legs not hold her upright after such effort.

She shivered as an aftershock caught her, stimulating a response in H, making him chuckle softly. Gently pushing her hair out of her eyes, he gave her a tender look, "Will you please remind me of tonight when I start taking the lead too often?"

Mich smiled and kissed him softly on the forehead, "Maybe… I could do this on special occasions." H chuckled and gently pushed her so he could get up, leading her to the bed, he smiled, "Well in that case, I guess it's my turn now…"

At first he was unsure about whether he would be able to perform again, Mich had emptied him so completely, but smiled when he saw her half clothed body and felt himself stirring once more. By the time he had removed the remainder of her underwear, he was sure to be ready and he knew what to do to make sure Mich was ready too…

He paused, looking at her, a soft smile on his face, wondering where he should start. Mich winked at him, making him chuckle, pulling her close, he kissed her deeply, feeling her melting into his arms at his touch. In his bare feet, she was almost as tall as him with her heels on, the thought made him smile and he slowly began to inspect what she was wearing, his fingers caressing her shoulders at first, dropping lower as he looked her up and down.

Looking closely at the basque, he saw he had two options –either undoing the laces at the front, or undoing the hooks at the back. He decided to leave it for now and began to push Mich back towards the bed, where she first sat, then lay down.

H took his time, running his fingers down each leg, feeling Mich quiver, a smile appearing on her face. Taking off first one shoe, then the other, he began to massage her feet gently, noticing the sleepy look she gave him in return. He knew she was not sleepy, but enjoying what he was doing – after an evening of dancing, his light touch must be a relief to her aching feet.

Slowly his hands traveled to her thighs, resisting the urge to continue to a more intimate place, stopping at her stocking tops. He quickly released the fastenings and leisurely began to roll down the stockings, one at a time. He was surprised to hear a sharp intake of breath and glanced at Mich's face, realizing that her eyes were closed. His touch must have been lighter than he thought.

Mich squirmed as she felt H's kisses traveling up her legs, his touch so light she could barely feel it. She was surprised that he hadn't undone the basque yet, but said nothing, enjoying what he was doing. When H caught her hips tightly, she knew exactly where he was going and bit her lip in anticipation.

Thrilling at his light touch, Mich could not help letting out a sigh as he gently began to suck and nibble at her most sensitive of areas and when he brought his tongue into play, she couldn't help arching off the bed in pleasure.

Feeling himself hardening in reaction to her move H had an idea and smiled to himself. Rolling her over onto her stomach and kneeling between her thighs, he began to caress her body up to her shoulders, where he began to massage firmly. Mich sighed again in response to his actions. Continuing the massage down her spine H almost chuckled to himself knowing he was about to surprise her.

Catching her hips, H thrust himself deeply inside, pulling Mich tightly to him. Crying out in astonishment at the sudden move, Mich lifted off the bed into H's arms as he had anticipated. With her resting on his thighs, H continued to push deeper inside, hearing her moan in pleasure. Encircling her waist with one arm, H pulled Mich closely to him, the other traveling upwards.

Sliding his hands inside the silk, he freed first one breast then the other and began to stroke the nipple gently, Mich shivering at his touch. He added the soft kisses he knew she loved along her shoulder to her neck, hearing her gasp as a result.

Her body quivering, Mich had to bite her lip in reaction to H's latest move. She could feel every slight movement he made, yet he held her so tightly to his chest she couldn't do anything in return. She was about to say something when she felt the hand at her waist move downwards, a finger circling gently. As he caught her sensitive spot, H gently bit into Mich's shoulder and continued stroking with his fingers, feeling the shiver through her body.

In a few moments, her breathing became heavy and ragged so he pushed a little harder into her body, feeling the muscles stiffen around him. He tightened his grip, pulling Mich more tightly into his chest as she convulsed against him, hearing her cry out in ecstasy, her whole body shaking.

"Horatio… please…"

The sound of Mich's voice stirred him further, so he released her from his grasp, watching with predatory interest as she turned over. Moving slowly, Mich locked his eyes with hers as she deliberately closed the distance between them, raising herself up before settling down onto him, carefully sliding her legs around his waist one at a time before beginning to move against him firmly.

"I had my turn; you had yours, now… shall we share?"

H nodded, "As long as you let me finish…" The smile on her face was the only answer he needed.

As Mich attacked his lips with her own, he could feel her tightening against him returning the pleasure he had given her before, hands now free as hers encircled his neck, H began to unhook the basque slowly, struggling to concentrate as Mich moved against him.

Pulling the basque away from Mich's body, H tore his lips away from hers and began to suckle, Mich leaning back, allowing him to envelope his lips around her breast, knowing the enjoyment he took from the move. In turn, she began to push against him more firmly, loving the length and width of him inside her body.

As a moan issued from her throat H took over, lowering her to the bed gently, building his drives more strongly, Mich at first running her fingertips down his sides, then up his spine as he dropped to his elbows. Tightening his grip around her shoulders, H could feel that Mich was already shaking and smiled as her eyes opened and closed enjoying the sensations that were close to overwhelming her.

Pushing in more powerfully, H snarled with gratification as Mich lifted to meet him, again and he felt her shudder, his own muscles protesting at the abuse he was inflicting upon them. Once more and Mich called out involuntarily, but neither were quite ready for the final onslaught.

Feeling the pressure building in his loins, H called out to Mich for her help and got it, her fingers digging into the muscle either side of the base of his spine. In turn, he drove in forcefully causing Mich to arch her back in rapture.

The final movement caused them both to explode simultaneously the next second, each being carried on a separate journey of exultation, yet each knowing on some primeval level they were still together. Mich, her body pulsing with euphoria was the first to return to reality, holding H tightly to her as his breath, ragged and heavy, slowly began to return to normal.

Feeling her shudder beneath him, H opened his eyes and gave Mich a soft tender kiss as she looked up at him in wonderment. "Where have you been hiding that away all these years?"

H laughed quietly as he slid slowly off her body, pulling her with him, "Thought I'd keep it for a special occasion…" Mich chuckled in return and snuggled under his arm, head resting between his chest and shoulder. As Mich began to caress his chest H turned, kissing her deeply, his free hand sliding through her hair, catching the back of her head.

Mich's response was automatic, leaning into him, responding in kind. Hesitantly releasing her lips, H chuckled once more, "Again sweetheart? I might need a slight rest first, but I have to know, how can I repay you for keeping me young?"

Giving him a tender look Mich sighed, "I think I need to get my breath back first too… As for payment, I get that every morning when I wake up in your arms."

The soft tender kisses that followed became deeper and ensured that it was a while before they fell asleep.