"You smell of garlic," she commented.

He grinned, "That's your fault, that is."

"Gotta play the odds, Robbie. Know your opponent's weaknesses," her eyes twinkling.

"Mmm, so I'm an opponent now, am I?" he flirted back, leaning closer until their lips were just inches apart. "I had hoped we'd at least be on the same team by now."

She pulled her hands free of his and ran them up his arms, across his shoulders until they joined at the back of his neck, curled into his hair slightly.

"Are you sure about this? Us?" she asked, trying not to plead for the final piece of reassurance but needing it anyway.

"Very," he replied simply.

She sighed as he closed the distance between them, their lips gently coming together before they both gave into what had been missing for the last few days. A deep and passionate kiss that spoke of deep longing and absolutely relief. He grabbed at her waist, pulling her forward so he could wrap his arms tightly around her, comforted and aroused by her body pressing into his, her hand slipping under his collar to caress the soft skin to be found there. A hum of satisfaction reverberated through them as they were forced to break apart for air, grinning at one another as they saw their own desire reflecting back at them.

"Spare room?" he dared to ask cheekily.

"Better than that," Laura replied, her eyebrow half cocked as she leant closer to whisper in his ear, her fingers already unbuttoning his shirt, "The sofa.

She slipped a white disc from its tiny hole, the crisp white fabric loosening to reveal an inch of flesh which widened as she slowly worked her way southwards, her lips tangling in a delightful dance with his. His fingers laced into her hair, holding her close, the other hand winding an intricate path down her back, a thrill of excitement to ripple through her as his touch collided with the sensitive spot at the top of her spine. She felt his smile through their kiss as he realised the effect he'd had and determinedly sought it out once more, and she couldn't help the sigh that escaped as he did.

She tugged at his shirt, releasing it from the waistband of his trousers, slipped her hands underneath where it lay on his shoulders and, letting the fabric pool over the back of her hands, pushed it free, smoothing her palms over the length of his arms as she did so. Forced to let go of her to shake it free, he switched his attention from her lips to the corner of her mouth, her cheek, the curve of her jaw. She shivered as he reached the soft skin in front of her ear.

"Robbie?" she murmured.

"Mmm?" he replied, his lips now trailing down her neck, titled as she gave him greater access.

"I've changed my mind," she replied, stifling a laugh as he froze. "I'm now thinking the sofa might be too small."

Robbie chuckled with relief and drew back, his eyes burning into her with such intensity that it was all she could do not to blink and turn away. She shuffled away and stood, reaching out a hand to haul him up, their eyes locking again for just a moment before she turned, her hand still clutching his as she led him silently towards the stairs.


He took several deep breaths as they crossed the living room to the hall. The turbulence of the last few days still echoing through his mind, his guilt at what he'd got wrong, his need and want of her still left unsaid, but he felt it diminish with each step she took, and he couldn't help but be slightly mesmerised by the notion that he was allowed to be here at all, the joy of their previous encounters still fresh enough for him to delight at what awaited them once they reached her room.

With a step to go, she stopped and turned, her touch on his bare chest, warm and sensuous as she buried them into the greying hair that she found there, before trawling them up to behind his neck, pulling him into her, their eyes level so that as they locked he could see quite clearly the mischievous look she was giving him.

"What?" he asked, his eyebrow rising with suspicion.

"Oh, nothing," she replied, lightly.

He watched as she stepped up, her hands leaving him bereft of her touch but that turned quickly to the buttons of her blouse, her nimble fingers making as light work as they had of his own, his breath hitching as the lace of her pale blue bra came into view.

"Just levelling things up a little," she teased, the fabric drifting to the floor.

He smiled appreciatively, her slight body toned thanks to a combination of running, yoga and turning heavy cadavers.

"Still not quite even though," he said, hoping she'd respond by removing the obvious.

"Oh, I don't know..." her fingers now toying with the button of her jeans.

As she undid them and wriggled them down her, her hand on the wall for support as she pulled her bare feet free of them, he couldn't help but smirk, waiting for whatever plan she had for him to make itself known. He didn't have to wait long, his blonde siren with her flashes of blue, both satin and optical, turning once more and with a backwards glance silently called him to her as she disappeared from view.


As Laura pulled the curtains closed, blocking out the dark, clouded sky, it was her turn to breathe deeply, to steel her nerves. She'd not done this with him, been so forward, so direct, but she'd felt the moment called for it, for her to send a clear message of what she wanted. And that was simple. Him.

She could see out of the corner of her eyes as he entered her room, not three paces behind her, the sound of him loosening his belt, the jangle as it hit the floor muffled slightly as she pulled back the covers on the bed. She noted the half hop as he removed his socks and stepped behind her, his hands seeking out the curve of her hips and drawing her back against him, the feel of his flesh as it pressed against her own, the heat pouring off him as she leant back and let him take her weight, her neck exposed and ready for his lips. She sighed contentedly as they caressed her skin, so tenderly that if her senses had not been heightened she may not have felt them at all. That changed as his tongue entered the game, and she gasped as it wove its way across the back of her neck, finding the furrow that marked the path of her spine and meandered its way slowly downwards, the clasp of her bra unclipped so that it never left her. But as it dipped under the edge of underwear, she squirmed.

"What is it?" he whispered, his breath hot and ticklish against her.

"Nothing," she breathed, fighting the urge to pull away.

"Are you sure?" he asked quietly, his fingers now gently edging down the material from across her bottom, delicate kisses to the dimples she knew he'd find there.

"Yes," she answered, her tone rising, her hips giving an involuntary jerk as he sank his attention lower. "Stop," she called suddenly, "I can't..."

She pulled away, turned and grabbed at his shoulders to bring him to her, barely noticing his grimace as something clicked as he stood. She brought his face to hers, a hand to the back of his head to press their lips together, a moan on her lips as they devoured one another, but she needed more.

One step back and the back of her knees collided with the bed, she climbed up and leant back, taking him with her, his body half collapsed against her, wonderfully heavily, pressing her deep into the mattress. She pulled at his boxers, wanting them gone. He responded, lifting himself just briefly as they worked together to rid them from him, a shared smile before they were on each other once more.


He'd wondered if she'd cave, allow him complete control and had been surprised he'd got as far as he had. He had no wish to dominate, only to tease and provoke. He may be older than he liked but what she stirred up in him was akin to that of a younger man, one without creaking body parts and greying hair. And while she was fit and vibrant, the one with the energy and drive, he knew he had a few tricks up his sleeve too.

He loved how she felt under him, her breasts soft yet firm in his hand, her nipples bold and hardening under his touch, the way she groaned as he nipped and licked at her collarbone. His madness in resisting this, her, for so long came in waves, the pangs of regret were real. But now they were here and it was everything.

He ran his hand down from her neck, the valley between her breasts, his thumb along the underside of one. He shifted against her, his own desire obvious now as it pushed against her, the tip sliding gently closer to where he'd hoped he'd be welcomed. He reached down to where her legs joined, the heavenly feel of her excitement wet on his fingers as he elicited another moan from her, teasing her folds to feel for something buried deep, the apex of pleasure that he longed to coax from her.

"Yes, there," she groaned as he found what he sought, watching as her head was flung back, her eyes closed, a tiny crease of concentration etched on her face.

God, he loved her like this, that he could love her this way, wholly and without restraint. He continued his attentions to her, the sounds of her breath rising as he continued to rub, dipping his fingers inside her to tease and delight. And as she drew close, her hands grabbed at his hips to bring him towards her.

He heard a groan of pleasure leave his own lips, her eyes suddenly open wide.

"Please," she begged, "Robbie. Together."


He didn't need asking twice, her request fulfilled immediately as she felt him slide deliciously inside of her, her athletic legs wrapping around him, pushing him deeper. She felt him pause, adjusting, before he withdrew and surged forward, a hand at the small of her back, creating the perfect angle so that when he moved again he hit the right spot. Again and again he thrust into her, her orgasm building each time, harder and harder until, at last, she couldn't hold on and surrendered utterly and completely, their mutual cries of joy merging and filling the room as he thrust a final time and spilled into her.

He felt his involuntary reaction as she exercised some secret muscle deep within, smirking to himself at the thought that if he asked she'd no doubt explain the exact mechanics to him. But that she found him attractive, wanted him to touch and hold and caress her, to bring her to the brink and send her over the edge? Well, that was all the detail he wanted.

He took his time in drawing away, releasing his hold on her, only to gather her to him as their breath began to even out, sharing heady grins with one another. Placing a kiss to her forehead, he attempted to hook the sheet with his big toe, but her delicate chuckle as he floundered was enough to cause him to give up, reaching down instead and drawing it over them. Her head snuggled into his chest and, with sleep descending quietly and contentedly over them both the moonlight freshly emerged from his cloudy hiding place simply shone on, unnoticed.