"You sure you won't be able to do anything about it right now?"

Tifa was on the phone with her power company. Thanks to the heat wave going around the city of Edge the power company was overwhelmed with calls about failing or even failed air conditioning units. The 7th Heaven was no better. The heat had fried the electrical systems and now, just like the rest of the neighborhood, the bar was a sweat box. Luckily Barret had taken the kids to the pool at the edge of town to cool off while Tifa remained behind to try and get it in working order.

She wasn't having any luck.

She sighed and rubbed the back of her neck, her silver wolf right on her left hand hot to her skin. "Okay. You'll be out as soon as you can. Thank you." She hung up the phone and wiped the sweat from her forehead with a towel. She had just wasted over sixty minutes and got nowhere. Her raven black hair sticking to her shoulders and back where her skin was exposed. She wore a black sports bra and short shorts and she looked like she had just gotten out of the shower instead of talking on the phone for nearly an hour. Thing was she had taken a shower twice in the morning and hadn't been able to get dry afterward. Turned out the heat in the air wasn't the only enemy of the day, as the humidity was off the charts as well.

She left the upstairs office and down into the bar. Due to the heat wave Tifa had made the decision to close the bar until the air conditioning was fixed. She didn't want her customers to be miserable, even if it put money in the register. They didn't deserve that and she wouldn't want them to be. So she decided to wash the dishes and shot glasses as a way to wait until the electricians arrive to fix the problem. Whenever that happened.

The loud roar of a motorcycle caught her attention and Tifa smiled lightly. She knew that engine and who was finally back from his errands. She turned in time to see Cloud walk on into the bar, pushing open the saloon styled doors and went straight to the bar and took a seat. He looked exhausted and was drenched in sweat. He wore his usual black attire, though he had for the sake of comfort worn only the black vest on his upper body which was only zipped up a quarter of the way.

"I'm home."

Tifa had a bottle of ice water ready for him, "I heard." She handed the bottle to him, the last one that was still cold. "Here you go, for a hard worker on a hot day."

He took the drink with thanks and took it down in one go. He set the bottle down and sighed, "Thanks."

"So, you had enough of being outside?"

Cloud had tried to push through the heat and try to get the deliveries he had been asked to do in spite of it. Despite the air moving when he was on the bike, the humidity still made him feel miserable. "Yeah, I am done. I should have listened to you."

Leaning on the counter Tifa allowed him to wallow. He kind of deserved it, having told her that he would do the deliveries they had promised to do today in spite of the heat. Now he was suffering for his insistence and paying for it. "Just don't do it again. I don't want to see you fall on the side of the road just to bring someone a package."

"Ditto." Cloud got up from his chair and unzipped his vest the rest of the way and started to pull it off. "Damn its hot out there-huh?" Out of the corner of his eye he saw Tifa looking at him with a satisfied look and smile. "What?"

With a light laugh, Tifa answered with a playful, "Nothing."

The fact was that, in spite of their relationship being public knowledge and no longer needing to hide it, Cloud was still a bit clueless about Tifa's affection towards him. Right now her physical attraction to him was showing thanks to her able to see his muscled upper body glistening with sweat. He was a girl's dream made real, and Tifa was enjoying every second of it.

It took Cloud a second to realize what she was up to and he took his vest off. "Like the view?"

She didn't hide her appreciation, "Very much so."

The two had a physical attraction to each other that was never lost on them, though Cloud tried not to like her body more than her personality. He loved her either way but to him Tifa was more than looks. She had a big heart and that is what ultimately attracted him to her, and how he let his feelings out after so many years of hiding them. "Glad you like me."

"I enjoy my man when he's glistening," she teased.

Cloud couldn't hide his smirk, "Your man, huh. Glad to be called that."

"Just like you can call me your woman if you ever want to."

"I wouldn't be comfortable calling you that. You're not a piece of property."

"And yet you let me call you mine? What's the difference?"

"You could kick my ass faster than I could swing my sword, that's why."

They both laughed, the air freshen up even in the humidity.

Tifa went around the bar and towards the stairs that led up into their home above the bar. "I have to make sure the windows are opened. You going to wash up?"

Cloud went around and started to follow her up the stairs, "A shower I think is in my future."

That announcement gave Tifa a devious idea, "Would it be okay if I joined you?"

She looked down at him with an innocent looking smile and Cloud felt his breath hitch in his chest. He and Tifa were lovers no doubt and they had seen all of each other before, but if there was one thing Cloud noted ever since he and Tifa became an item it was how much of a flirty side she had. She would show herself to him and play with him whenever she had the chance and he would try to do the same but would come off as awkward and embarrass himself.

She still appreciated him for trying.

Now he saw an obvious invitation and he surprised even himself with what he said next. "Sure."

Tifa hadn't been expecting such a blunt affirmative and her mouth opened slightly. "Um, you're okay with that?"

Cloud walked up to the same step she was on. "The kids are going to be out for a while, so we have the place to ourselves."

His answer was to the point and with it came enough assurance for Tifa that they could go ahead with it. She smiled excitedly, "I'll get my stuff together then. See you in a bit." She ran up the stairs and into the bedroom.

Cloud only hoped that he could maintain himself with what was to happen. And he also hoped he wouldn't make a fool of himself.

The following minutes went by quickly as Cloud and Tifa each got themselves ready for their shower together. Cloud had gotten in first and while the water was originally going to be cool to make up for the humidity it was hot and more comfortable for him that way. He washed his hair within the first few minutes, just so he could enjoy the feeling of the water on his stiff muscles. He didn't hear Tifa come in and he closed his eyes when he heard the shower curtain move behind him.

Pushing them back Tifa took notice that Cloud had his back to her but she didn't say a word. Instead she put her hands on his back before pressing the rest of her body up against him.

Cloud's entire body shuddered. Her skin was hotter than his!

Still, he didn't panic and slowly turned around. The first thing he saw was Tifa's dark red eyes and that soft encouraging smile on her lips. He dared not look lower than her chin, he was trying to keep himself composed.

Tifa brought her hands to his upper arms, a sign of tenderness as well as her cue to take things slow.

The water ran down Cloud's shoulders and water sprayed onto Tifa's cheeks but she kept her gaze on his eyes. He surprised her by running his hands up the entirety of her back, through her hair and up to her neck.

It was a pleasant surprise for Tifa. 'He's made great progress,' she thought proudly. Usually she was the one to move the sensual nature of their relationship forward but this was a nice change of pace. She didn't even have to tell Cloud it was okay to touch her. That was progress.

His hands had a soft and tender touch to her neck and he leaned in and kissed Tifa. This surprised her even more than before. He had been making strides, that or he was feeling courageous today. Either or Tifa was more than happy with him right now.

She took the kiss and the ones that followed with unhidden delight, bringing her arms up and around his neck to keep him close. His hands then went down to her hips, avoiding touching her chest. He knew that was where they wanted to go but he denied himself that for now.

Tifa had to pull back to get some air but only a few inches separated her lips from his. They could feel each other's hot breath on their faces.

"Wow...you've gotten better at this," she said with a big gulp of air.

Cloud chuckled, "You think so?"

"After what I just experienced, without a doubt," she replied before going in for another kiss. He didn't deny her, more time to show off, and his hands did more exploring of her body. Touching her wherever he could but avoiding the most obvious part.

Too bad Tifa knew what he desired and she decided to throw him a bone. "Cloud, you can touch me however you want. No need to be shy."

For Cloud, though he was granted permission, he still wanted to show her that he enjoyed every inch of her. "I know, but that's-"

She put both her hands to his cheeks and made him look at her. She meant what she said. "It's okay. I love you and wouldn't want you to hold back just because you feel like you have to."

With her persuasion skills Cloud found himself nodding, "Just making sure." Tifa had proven, once and for all, that she was the mature one in the relationship.

She nodded back. "Let me help you." She took half a step back and turned to have her back to him. To emphasize her intentions she raised her arms over her head.

With an audible gulp Cloud stepped forward and put his hands on her hips once again. They began a journey of their own. Slowly and methodically then went around her hips and to just below her navel. Tifa found herself holding her breath as she felt his hands slowly go up her stomach towards her chest.

With but a moment of hesitation Cloud brought his hands under her breasts and held them in his palms. The shock she felt went up her spine and she moaned loudly, surprising Cloud, and she laid the back of her head on his shoulder.

It was no surprise that her chest was the sensitive part of her body, and fortunately for her it was where Cloud's hands had wanted to go for the longest time. She had always seen men take a glance at her at her when in the bar but made sure that was all they ever got. Only Cloud was allowed to touch her.

Her arms went back and pulled Cloud's head in closer to her. She instantly felt his heavy breathing in her ear, and it was hot, overloading her senses.

Cloud had his hands full, literally, as his fingers dug into her flesh, pulled on her skin, and rubbed her in sensual ways. Soon the tips of her breasts became hardened nubs against his fingers and palms.

Tifa slowly moved her hips back and forth, slowly but surely she was losing her mind with all the sensations going through her body.

That and she felt a hardness against her backside that made her smirk, courtesy of Cloud, but she didn't mention it because she didn't want to make him feel weird.

"Cloud...I need you..."

Her plea came on heated breath, and she emphasized her desire by rubbing her hips against his.

Cloud grunted heavily against her ear, his hands tightening their grip on her breasts, almost painfully.

"No..."

Tifa held in her breath, thinking she had been denied. That Cloud began to have second thoughts.

That apprehension disappeared instantly with his next words, "Not here..."

The smile returning to her lips Tifa agreed with him. The shower stall wasn't exactly where she'd like to finish this, though the idea of doing so didn't make her feel any less aroused. In fact, she might have preferred the shower to the bed. But she wanted Cloud to be in control this time, and thus she went with his decision. "Then what are we waiting for?"

Cloud was already ahead of her and began to climb out of the shower, and he took her hand as soon as she turned off the water. His impatience was showing as much as his body was.

It took the two mere seconds to reach the bed, though Cloud took a moment to make sure the bedroom door was locked before he returned to the waiting woman sprawled out on the bed. Seeing her like that, skin dripping wet, hair sticking to her skin, and that gorgeous body waiting for him made his entire body twitch with excitement. Especially when she reached out for him with waiting arms, beckoning to him like a siren to a sailor.

He took the invitation, climbing on top of her, their lips crashing together lustfully at first, before they softened with each kiss shared. Cloud's hands returned to exploring Tifa's body. Feeling her hips before once again grabbing at her chest. Thanks in part to the cold air of the house as well as her high state of arousal her nipples were rock hard and erect.

Between heated kisses, Tifa pleaded with him more than once to just take her. She was ripe to explode, and Cloud held the switch to let her go.

He understood and wasted little time after that, spreading her legs and placing himself between them.

Tifa gave him a nod when she saw the look he gave her, like he was asking if she was ready. Yet no words were necessary. She was aching for him.

The two locked eyes, and only after Tifa put one of her hands over her mouth did Cloud give her what she wanted.

Good thing she covered her mouth, otherwise Tifa may not have been able to hold in the scream of pure ecstasy that followed.

A few hours later, and the two were still in the bed, their naked bodies spent and dripping with sweat and totally exhausted. While Cloud laid on his back Tifa was on her side with her chest against his ribs. The tips of her chest were red and sore, but still hard when she brushed against his skin. The thin sheet covered only from their waists down, a conscious decision that Tifa had made, just in case someone were to barge in. Even though she knew the door was locked, she knew Barrett would probably smash it down if he even had an inkling of something being wrong. And if that were to happen she wouldn't be able to live it down.

Cloud had his eyes closed and though he was breathing steadily Tifa could tell he wasn't asleep. She gently tapped his chest, just to make sure, "Cloud..."

His voice was groggy, his body totally tired, "...yeah?"

"You were terrific," she said, her words truthful. Granted this hadn't been the first time they had made love, but it certainly had been the best in Tifa's mind.

"...so were you," said Cloud, a smile creeping onto his lips.

Tifa noticed it too. "What are you thinking, Cloud?"

His eyes opened and he slowly sat up. Tifa followed him up not bothering to cover her naked chest, though one could argue she did so because she knew Cloud's eyes would go to her breasts when given the chance.

At first that is exactly where Cloud's eyes went, but quickly enough they went to Tifa's face. Then he leaned over and kissed her on the lips.

Tifa moaned softly, savoring the act.

Then Cloud answered her question from before. "Thinking of you."

She smiled gratefully. "Thank you."