"How do you feel about me?" asked Alex coyly, as they sat together in his office, late in the evening, still poring over piles of paperwork, alone. "Do you find me attractive?"

"Bolly, obviously I'm attracted to you, but you are also highly irritating," Gene replied, loosening his tie and removing his jacket, before leaning back in his chair.

"What do you mean 'attracted'?" she countered.

"I also said irritating. Well, you're a pretty bird, I can't deny that. Way out of my league, I know, but I can't let my feelings for you cloud my judgement. It wouldn't be professional," he said, lacing his hands behind his head, but eyes following her every gesture.

"Hang on Gene. I'm not asking for any special treatment. I work as hard as any man in this department," she added, shaking her head.

"Well, I suppose that's not difficult," Gene conceded with a wry smile.

"I think you're a very attractive man. You're funny and honest and deep down, a decent man," she said, with heartfelt honesty.

"You're too in love with yourself to notice anyone else," he responded with touch of bitterness in his voice.

"That's not fair Gene. I'm pre-occupied at times, that's true, but I've always tried to be honest with you. I trust you. I look forward to seeing you every day. You're always in my thoughts. You're in my dreams quite a lot too," she argued.

"Oh, really? Tell me more," he smiled.

"Look, what I'm trying to say is…can we go on a date?" said Alex, flustered.

"Are you asking me out Drakey?" grinned Gene.

"I am," she confirmed playfully.

Gene looked at Alex for a long while, appearing to be checking to see if she was serious. Finally, he seemed to reach a decision.

"You're on."

"That's wonderful," exclaimed Alex, throwing her arms around his neck for a close hug. Gene at first was awkward and unreceptive, but even he began to appreciate Alex's warmth and happiness, expressed in this uncomplicated gesture. His arms found their way to her waist and held her slim frame, marvelling at his good fortune. God, she did things to him. Alex, in no rush to break the mood, laid her head on his chest and inhaled his scent, aftershave mixed with single malt and smoke. She could hear the beat of his heart, regular and reliable and soothing. She closed her eyes, body suddenly heavy with exhaustion mixed with desire.

She felt, rather than saw, his eyes explore her face, as his body shifted slightly. They had worked late many times together, but Alex had begun to feel more strongly about him lately and wanted to act on it. Watching the woman from the dating agency kiss him had made her realise that she also wished to feel his lips on hers. She knew he wouldn't make the first move, that he thought too highly of her to try anything on, despite all his lewd comments, and that he was old fashioned and a bit shy, so it would be down to her to steer this thing. She felt thrilled.

She drew back, slowly, unwilling to lose the closeness of his hold. Meeting his intense gaze, she saw desire clearly written there and it fuelled her own. "Oh Gene," she exhaled thickly, and her hands lifted to his face, stroking the rough stubble while still watching his gaze. He looked briefly at her lips and then flicked back to her eyes. She carried on, stroking his cheek, then his jaw and then his mouth. She saw a glimpse of uncertainty, which she countered with a genuine wide smile at this man, this warm and beautiful man.

A gentle tentative kiss followed, finding its way, exploring and tender. Alex closed her eyes and relaxed into it, enjoying the moment and thinking of little else. She savoured his arms, which remained on her body and the feel of him as she leant into him. His lips were rough but moved lightly and she smiled again in enjoyment.

"Oh God Alex," Gene said eventually as they broke apart, gasping for air. Paperwork forgotten, she reached over to find his hand and hold it. His hand felt warm and strong, and she didn't want to let go. His other hand remained on her, where it sent shivers of desire up her body. Her blood rushed in her ears and her stomach felt like a net of butterflies had been released in it.

She realised it was a cliché, a man and woman who worked together yet can't keep their hands off each other, but she felt things were different with Gene. They had both taken the time to get to know each other properly and she trusted him. Since she had told him the truth, she had sometimes caught him looking at her in a distant and puzzled way, when he thought she wasn't looking. She knew he was considering what she had said. Of course, it didn't make sense. It didn't even make sense to her. But maybe she had come back to find love. The way she felt about Gene, it could easily be love. What had Jim Keats said? The chemistry between them was obvious. She felt the sparks every time they clashed, and she never regretted the honesty in every interaction. Of course, Gene had his secrets, but she knew that he was trying to protect her.

"Come to mine," she invited quietly, looking at him, half expecting him to decline.

Instead, he briefly looked about, considering whether his office might just do, and then grabbed her hand and pulled her along, scooping up his jacket and her coat as they left. She smiled to herself as she saw the effects of the kiss in his trousers.

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

They made their way through her flat, towards the bedroom, shedding clothing as they went. Alex found Gene to be intuitive and gentle, and she wondered why she hadn't insisted on this years ago. His hands roamed her body exploring carefully, with a degree of adoration, and his mouth feasted on hers hungrily, with a pent-up passion she hadn't believed he was capable of. She relaxed in his caress and felt loved and cherished. For the first time, she realised that he really cared about her, and it brough tears to her eyes.

She took his hand and led him to the bed, and stroked his chest and shoulders. There was a lump in her throat, as she looked at him, and he returned her gaze with a smouldering look.

"Gene, I really want this," Alex admitted.

"Me too Bolly, me too," he replied huskily.

They lay back on the bed and found each other in love and passion, and the comfort of two lost souls, searching for relief in a cruel world.

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Alex lay awake in the fading darkness, with streetlights outside gently illuminating the outline of the man next to her. He slept quietly, his chest rising and falling under her cheek. She lay across him, comforted by his feel and smell and stroked his body, unable to keep her hands off him. Although she had not been sleeping well for some time, she had slept deeply with Gene in her bed, and was feeling more refreshed than she had in months, despite the early hour. She was unwilling to leave his side, even though she wanted a sip of coffee. He blinked and she realised that he had actually been watching her for some time too.

"Morning Bolly," he said, his voice deep and husky in the darkness.

"Gene," she breathed, hands still tracing patterns on his skin.

"You keep doing that and I won't be responsible for my actions," he responded. "That really gives me the horn," he added.

"God, Gene. You were wonderful last night," Alex commented.

Gene smiled. "That's what you call making love Bolly." He leaned over and kissed her, lingering for a long time. She felt her heart might burst with the intensity of the gesture, and she responded without hesitation, feeling her body desperately seeking his loving touch.

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

They were late into the office that morning, drawing comments from the others. Alex was determined to keep their new relationship under wraps at work, but Gene was so kind and caring towards her, it was quite clear that there had been a major shift in their relationship. Shaz asked her as she made tea if there was anything up, and Alex just smiled, telling her all she needed to know. Gene was on the phone, and as the call ended, he called her into his office. She brought the tea for him and sat on the edge of his desk. With an obvious determination, Gene resisted his urge to touch her and instead tried to focus on the task at hand. Alex could barely keep her eyes off his lips and wondered how she could be expected to concentrate on the words coming out, as she found her gaze returning to his mouth time and again. She realised Gene had stopped talking and was waiting for a response, but she had not heard a word that had been said.

"I'm sorry," she responded with sincerity, "I can't stop looking at your lips, Gene."

Gene looked at her for a long while. "I know what you mean," he finally admitted, before planting a soft kiss on her lips. The door was open, and the blinds were up in his office. "I don't care who knows," he challenged. "The way I feel about you, I want the world to know."

She took his hands in hers. "How do you feel?" she asked quietly.

He took a deep breath before answering. "You know I'm not great with this stuff, Bolly. But I think I've fallen in love with you." Gene looked conflicted, both afraid, but also glad that he'd been able to explain his feelings.

"Me too," reassured Alex. She stepped towards him and melted into his hug, her head leaning on his chest and her arms holding him tightly. "I never want to let go," she whispered.

He kissed her hair, and then her throat. "Oh God, how are we going to be able to work together now?" he said with a tinge of something undefinable.

"Chris? Ray? Shaz?" Alex called. "Are you guys alright to get some work done while me and the boss take a breather?"

Chris came to the door of the office, his mouth hanging open slightly as he contemplated what he saw, brain slowly catching up to his eyes.

"Are you…are you guys really hugging?" he asked incredulously. "And kissing?"

"Yes, Chris," said Gene, kissing Alex's neck this time.

"Okay, right," said Chris, leaving the doorway sharply, stumbling slightly. He returned to Ray, eyebrows raised.

"Come on, Bolly," said Gene, taking her by the hand and leading her out of the office. "Let's go for a drive."

Ray looked at his friends. "Woah," he said with his usual understatement, while Shaz just smiled indulgently.

"I always said they should get a room," she reminded them. "Good for them."