The weekend was over way too quickly, and before she knew it, Liza found herself squeezed onto a seat on the subway, headed uptown to the office. Leaning her head back against the wall of the train, the tracks rumbling loudly, she reflected on the last two days…

With the exception of the unexpected Josh visit, it had been a perfect weekend. After dinner on Saturday they had retired to her bedroom and made love again, slowly, but passionately. They had slept soundly in each others arms in Liza's little bed. She smiled at the memory of Charles sprawled out on Sunday morning, his feet hanging off the end of the bed. They had breakfast at their favorite diner, where they had decided, after a lengthy conversation, to stay in their "relationship bubble" at work for a little while longer. They needed to figure out the issue with Liza's age, including how to tell Diana. They would give it a few weeks thought, and go from there.

Liza felt immensely guilty that she was putting Charles in the position of having to lie for her, to lie to people he trusted. She knew he wasn't good at pretending. But he insisted that this is what he wanted, and she knew she could trust him. They had parted on a happy note, and Charles had left to go spend the day with Bianca and Nicole. They had texted on and off all day, Charles sending her pictures of the girls playing at the park and the three of them getting ice cream. They reminded her so much of Caitlin as a young girl, and she couldn't wait until she could spend more time with them. Not as Liza, the babysitter, but as Charles' girlfriend.

Diana was already at the office when she arrived, and she groaned inwardly. She made it a point to try to get there before her. She was in an especially edgy mood, complaining about Richard's college age son, who was apparently crashing at her apartment. It was going to be a long day.

She didn't see Charles until moments before the morning meeting, where they were listening to a pitch from Sophia Bell, a relationship guru with a massive Instagram following and a chart topping podcast. They exchanged sidelong glances and small smiles that sent waves of electricity surging through Liza's veins. She couldn't get over how he could make her blood run hot with just a single glance. Neither David nor Josh had ever accomplished that.

She led the way into the conference room, quietly edging in front of Diana to take the chair next to Charles. Kelsey made eyes at her from across the table and she shot her a pointed glare. She settled in next to him, scooting her chair a little closer.

Sophia made her introductions and dove right into her presentation.

"For too long, couples have been told that open communication is the key to an enduring relationship. Now they'll know the truth. Love is actually feuled by mystery."

Charles shifted in his chair, angling slightly towards Liza. He reached under the desk and lightly trailed his finger over her thigh. He saw her swallow and blush slightly, and traced his finger higher, along the hem of her dress as Sophia continued.

"Mystery is where the erotic thrives. A healthy relationship should feel a little illicit." Emboldened by these words, Liza shifted again so that her leg was pressed against his underneath the table. She saw him breathe in sharply, and smirked.

"Then the question is, what's the line between dangerous and destructive?" Sophia paused for a moment, and Diana impatiently interjected.

"What? What is it?"

Sophia smiled at her and crossed her hands, "Chapter 12."

Everyone laughed, and Charles reluctantly pulled his hand away, but not before resting it on Liza's thigh and squeezing lightly.

Liza sat up a little straighter, crossing her legs. "But doesn't real intimacy come from unltimately requiring real honestly and openness?", she asked, with a sidelong glance at Charles.

"No. Think of intimacy as a place instead of a condition." Sophia leaned on the table. "A place that you go to only with your partner. And it's secluded, it's private, it's like your bubble. And when you are together in that bubble, then what is more exciting than sharing your secrets?" She stepped back and smiled out at the room, seemingly satisfied that she had peaked their interest. Charles stood and shook her hand.

"Thank you so much for coming in. You'll be hearing from us soon." He filed out and everyone followed suite, heading to their respective offices.

A few minutes later, Liza's phone vibrated on her desk. Her heart flipped in her chest as she read the text from Charles.

Stairwell? I need you. Liza glanced up and saw Charles leaning up against the doorframe to her office, phone in hand. Almost imperceptibly, she nodded, and watched as he pocketed his phone and strode casually towards the hall to the stairwell. Liza got up and smoothed her dress. She leaned into Diana's office.

"Diana, I'm going on a coffee run, do you want anything? She shook her head and waved Liza away absentmindly.

Charles was leaning against the brick wall of the stairwell. He strummed his fingers against the railing, waiting for Liza. His Liza. He had had every intention of staying professional at the office today until that damn romance expert had started talking. He hadn't been able to think of anything besides being alone with Liza since he had walked out of the room. She was like a high to him, and he was definitely addicted.

She slipped into the stairwell a moment later, skipping down the steps to where he stood. Charles grabbed either side of her face and kissed her, pushing her up against the wall. Liza mewled underneath him, and he pushed his body up against hers, grinding into her hips. He kept her mouth covered with his as his hand slid down her body and under her skirt. Liza slipped her hand between them and deftly unbuckled the belt on his trousers and slipped her hand inside. Charles growled, biting down on her lower lip as she took ahold of him. His hand continued to roam under her skirt and his fingers found the edge of her panties. He pulled them aside as Liza pushed his pants and boxers down. He pulled back from their kiss and grazed her cheek with one hand as he entered her. Liza moaned again and lifted her leg to wrap around him as he thrust into her. His hand grazed over her mouth, and she bit onto one of her fingers to keep from letting the whole 27th floor know what was going down in this stairwell.

A few minutes later they both leaned against the wall, tidying themselves up. Charles leaned over and smoothed down Liza's hair as she straightened his tie. Neither could contain their smiles.

"That was fun." Liza smoothed down Charle's tie. He was wearing that purple paisley tie she had picked out for him months ago.

"Yes it was. Want to do it again tonight? I'm supposed to have drinks with a friend, but that," he paused, "can be rescheduled." The hopeful look on Charles's face made Liza laugh.

"Down, boy. I would love to, but I'm having dinner with Caitlin tonight. Her art class came to the city today for a tour of the Whitney. I'll call you when I get home from seeing her."

"I can't wait to meet her."

"You will, soon. You'll like her, Charles. Bianca and Nicole actually remind me a lot of her when she was their age."

Charles smiled and kissed her gently. "Until tonight, then."

"Until tonight."