Robert swallowed his last mouthful of wine and contemplated his dinner companion with genuine appreciation. Anna was looking ravishing tonight. She wore a forest green dress that hugged her curves and accentuated her figure in all the right places. Her hair was down – the way he liked it best – the dark tresses spilling over her shoulders and back, and her eyes shone bright with pleasure.

"More wine?" he offered as he reached for the nearly empty bottle that sat between them on the table.

"No, thanks, I'm fine."

He poured the remnants of the bottle into his own glass and sat back with a relaxed sigh. The evening had been a success in every respect: excellent food, stimulating conversation, and just enough alcohol, not to mention the most remarkable, elegant, drop dead gorgeous companion one could ever hope for.

In short it had pretty much been the perfect date.

When was the last time he'd even gone on a date, he wondered. It had been years ago, certainly. Years since he had sat down and had a nice dinner with a woman, like this.

Although, of course, this wasn't a date.

Not with Anna.

Although they had finally been able to let go of the pain of the past, the passionate love they had shared – as remarkable, as life changing as it was – was behind them now. He had moved on, with Holly, and so had Anna. She was with Duke now, she had made a commitment to him and as far as Robert was concerned that was sacrosanct.

She was more beautiful than ever, though, he thought as he sat gazing at her with undisguised admiration, and the other evening on the docks, when they stood together and talked as the sun set behind them, she'd been absolutely radiant. And on top of that she was courageous, kind, funny, loyal, generous, and smarter than almost anyone he'd ever met.

In short, she was still everything he ever wanted in a woman. One day, maybe…just maybe, he could find someone else out there like Anna –

With a shake of his head Robert pulled himself out of his thoughts, chuckling at his own folly. There was no one else in the world like Anna.

"What's so funny?" asked Anna, who up until that instant had been basking in his silent attention.

"Nothing."

"It didn't sound like nothing to me," she replied with open curiosity writ across her face.

He shrugged. "Just a random thought," he said casually, not wanting to be pressed. To distract her he tossed enough cash on the table to cover the bill and rose. "Shall we?"

Anna blinked up at him in surprise. "Already?"

He glanced at his watch. "Well, I think they probably want the table."

She looked down. "The table? What do you mean?"

"Our reservation was for seven. We've already been here three hours."

Anna gasped. "We have?"

"I'm afraid so."

"Oh." Reluctantly Anna set down her napkin as Robert came around the table to hand her up from her chair.

She rose in a single fluid motion to stand close enough beside him that he could smell the delicate, flowery scent of her perfume and admire the gloss of her beautiful raven hair. "Has anyone told you how exquisite you look tonight?" he said as his eyes locked on hers.

Anna shook her head. "No, they haven't," she said softly.

He leaned close. "You look exquisite," he whispered, his voice suddenly dropping deep and low.

A slow smile stole over her face. "Why, thank you," she whispered, and to his delight he saw a delicate blush creep across her cheeks.

He didn't know how long they just stood together, gazing into each other's eyes. He was feeling the almost elemental pull of attraction that he'd always felt for her, and he knew she was feeling it, too.

Then someone coughed at his elbow and he looked up to see the waiter holding out his change. "Oh, right, thanks," he said, trying not to look as disoriented as he felt.

Beside him Anna giggled a bit, and just like that the waiter disappeared from his mind as if he had never existed. He dropped the bills and coins on the table for a tip and smiled at his companion. It was early, and somehow he wasn't ready just yet for the night to end. "Let's go dancing," he proposed impetuously.

"What?!" Anna replied with a startled laugh.

"My arm's fine," he added, in case she was worried about that. He lifted both arms and struck a dancing pose. "See, almost as good as new." In truth his re-stitched wound did hurt a bit, but he could manage. Especially when his prospective partner looked as delectable as she did.

Anna bit her lip, and he could see the temptation in her eyes. Yet after a moment she shook her head with firm resolve. "Not tonight."

"But it's your birthday," he wheedled, leaning down to press his face close to hers, hoping a liberal application of the old Scorpio charm would entice her to change her mind. "Well, the day after, anyway."

She reached up to smoothen his lapels, a small smile playing on her lips even as she shook her head again. Her eyes met his. "You're not entirely well yet, Robert," she replied with regret in her voice. "And since it's the day after my birthday, you'll let me have my way," she added impishly as his mouth folded into a pout.

"Rain check, then," he pursued, not willing to let the opportunity slip out of his grasp entirely.

This time her smile blossomed. "Rain check it is."

If this was a date he'd be feeling a little bit stung by her rejection of his offer to go dancing. But this was Anna and he was knew that she was only worried about him – albeit unnecessarily – and that she had his best interests at heart. So instead of continuing to pout he returned her smile, helped her into her coat, and quietly led them out of the restaurant.

Ten minutes later they pulled up outside the house and stepped out onto the sidewalk. Slowly they walked up to the house, neither feeling ready for the night to end. In unspoken agreement they lingered on the front stoop, standing together and simply enjoying the warm evening.

Robert slid his hands into his trouser pockets and gazed at the woman beside him. If this was a date he'd have to leave her here at the door. But this was Anna and happily he was still staying at her place, as he had since he'd gotten out of the hospital in New York City.

As he had since he had been shot – and since Anna had saved his life. Yet she hadn't spoken a word about it since, not that it made him any less grateful now. "I've never really thanked you, you know," he said.

Anna looked up at him. He was standing so close to her that she could feel the warmth of his skin and scent the light scent of his aftershave, leaving her almost lightheaded. "For what?"

"Saving my life."

"Oh, that," replied Anna faintly, still feeling his proximity keenly.

"Yes, that."

"Well?" she prodded with a playful note in her voice after he failed to say more.

"Thank you."

Her answering smile was sunny and amused. "You're welcome, Robert."

Robert smiled back, entranced. She always seemed so lit from within when she looked at him like that, like simply being with him brought her joy. Once again he felt the undercurrent of attraction between them as his body subtly shifted towards hers.

Her hand brushed his as they swayed almost imperceptibly towards each other. The touch of her warm skin felt as familiar as ever, but this time it sent the slightest tingle through his body.

He wasn't entirely surprised. There were times when he still felt so drawn to her. Times like right now, when he was finding her nearness intoxicating…

If this was a date he'd be leaning down now to kiss her goodnight, to press his mouth to those full, red, inviting, beautiful lips –

Anna stared up at him as his eyes drifted down to her mouth and he began to lean fractionally towards her. Oh gods, she thought as her heart began to thunder in her chest, was this actually going to happen?

The front door opened and Philomena poked her head outside. "Oh, Anna, there you are," she said. "I thought I see you from the window. Duke called about twenty minute ago. He ask you call him back."

Robert took a rapid step backward. Duke. For a moment there he'd forgotten about his ex-wife's fiancée. He pulled himself up sharply. What had gotten into him tonight? Best he get on inside so there wasn't any chance of forgetting again.

Anna grimaced. Duke was the last person she wanted to think about right now. With a sigh she looked across at the elderly woman standing in the doorway and forced herself to keep the frustration out of her voice. "Ok, thank you, Philomena. I'll be there in a minute."

She turned back to Robert, hoping to try and recapture the moment they had just shared, but he was already slipping past Philomena into the house and towards the guest bedroom.

As she followed him inside he paused and looked back at her. "Goodnight, then," he said in a soft voice. His hand was extended towards her and she reached out to clasp it briefly, trailing the pad of her thumb gently over the backs of his fingers as their palms parted.

"Goodnight," she whispered as she watched him disappear out of sight, feeling bereft.