a/n reviews are much appreciated

"You're the bane of my existence, I hope you know that."

"I hate you, I hate that I want you."

Not the usual words spoken in the heat of passion, but typical enough for them. Both were aware of the others feelings towards them, it was no shock to hear it. But desire was stronger than any other feeling that was felt and so it tied them to one another, unyielding. She moaned, calling out him name, climaxing. He felt her spasm and thrusted a few more times until he climaxed as well. He rolled off her and watched as she stretched her lean body, sweat shimmering from the sun. She lay there for a few moments and then got up and began collecting her clothes. She dressed and left him room, letting herself out of the posh upper-east side apartment. He had given he a key, so she locked the door behind her. The doorman greeted her when she came downstairs, offering to call her a cab. She got in and gave the driver directions to her office. She strolled into the building, greeting those she recognized. She got into her office and started looking through her messages. Her phone rang, startling her.

"I need to talk to you." He never had bothered with hello.

"I just saw you twenty minutes ago; you couldn't have said something then? I have things that need to be done." She replied

"Tonight then?" he asked "Dinner."

That was a new one. She had never been out anywhere with him. She had no desire to see him in any capacity but that of a...well lover she supposed, but there was no love in what they had. The only time she saw him socially was when they were at an event hosted by someone they both knew; at these events they would always play childish games with each other, until one would cave in and drag the other, unseen, into an empty room. It was reminiscent of their behaviour over the summer. But of course it was not often that both would appear at these functions. "I suppose that could be acceptable." She answered

He gave her the name of some swanky place, telling her to be there at eight. The rest of the day she immersed herself in work. At six she left the office and went home to shower and get ready. She dressed in a black dress and black stilettos. She did her hair in a messy, tousled looking, bun and applied her usual minimal makeup. She walked outside and hailed a cab, arriving at the restaurant at exactly eight. The whole place was dimly lit, most light coming from candles on the tables. She was taken over to a table in a dark corner, and saw that he was already there. She sat down and ordered a cosmopolitan, feeling that she was going to need the alcohol. He was already nursing a scotch

They sat there, engaged in shallow, meaningless conversation when he drink arrived. They had made their choices regarding meal and so gave the waiter their order. She picked up her drink, sipping it and looking around the room. She put the drink and looked back at him. The atmosphere, being there, was making her nervous. She took another sip of the drink.

"So obviously I asked you to come here tonight for a reason." He began

"Obviously" she answered dryly.

"I'm moving to London for awhile. I want you to come with me." He stated bluntly.

She just stared at him unable to speak. She grabbed her drink, gulping down the rest in one swallow. She signalled to the waiter to bring her another.

"You want me to come with you to London?" she was still unable to do anything but repeat what he had just said. "Why?" she was finally capable of a question.

"I thought that would be obvious. I want you. I want to go to London and to still be able to fuck you as often as I do here. The only way that this can be done is if you come with me there."

She knew she should be insulted. But they had always been blunt with each other. She harboured no romantic fantasies about who he was, what was going on between them. She was happy with the way things were, it suited her perfectly. She knew that the girl she had been could not have even recognized the woman she was now, but that girl had died many years before. The woman now saw the practicality of his idea. She too, was not keen on the idea of not being able to have him whenever she fancied. Her boss had recently told her that should she wish it, she could have a position in any number of locations, including London. She had told him this once in passing. She realized that this was why he seemed so confidant that she would accept his offer; she would not have to give up her life to go with him, but rather she would be taking advantage of an excellent work opportunity while being able to keep her quasi-relationship with him.

All of this went through her head in a matter of seconds. He watched her face as she thought about his offer. She was right; he had remembered her telling him about her bosses job offer. He had been thinking of ways to convince her to come when he remembered what she had said. He thought it was perfect.

The rest of dinner was spent in more shallow conversation and long periods of silence as she contemplated her decision. The more she thought about it, the more it seemed to be an acceptable idea. She had always wanted to go to London. She had a job waiting for her there if she wanted. She had, in actuality, been seriously considering going there for the job before he had even made the offer. It just seemed to be the final push she needed to go. The waiter brought over dessert. She had made up her mind at this time, but had not yet told him. She started eating the chocolate cake she had ordered and sighed in pleasure after each bite. He could not help but watch her. When she was done, used one finger to wipe a bit left over on the plate and slowly licked it off, holding his eyes with hers as she did it. She picked up the cup of espresso and took a small sip, once again eyeing him seductively. She slipped off her shoe underneath the table and began to run her foot up his leg. With every sip she took and every movement of her foot he found himself getting more and more aroused. He had forgotten how good she was at things like this, it had been awhile since he had seen her anywhere but one of their bedrooms. He was in a playful mood so he let her continue with her game.

She continued for a few minutes, finishing her coffee. The fire in her eyes grew more intense and she smiled at him, a lazy, seductive smile. He quickly signalled for the check, which he promptly paid. She got up and let him help her with her jacket. His fingers brushed her bare skin and she shivered. They walked to his car where he opened the door for her before getting in himself. If nothing else, he had good manners. The drive home was quiet, uneventful, and a soft rain began to fall, almost freezing. They arrived at his apartment and he parked in the garage. The elevator ride up to his place was quiet as well, but not uncomfortably so. While the usual heat between them was still present, tonight it seemed to be under control. Neither felt that overriding need to just have the other, right there and then. Tonight they both felt like taking it slow.

He took her coat from her and dropped it onto the couch. She walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window and just stood there, watching the rain get heavier. He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He lowered his head to the back of her neck, kissing it softly. He felt the goose bumps rise on her skin. He began stroking his hands up and down her torso. She shivered again, smiling to herself. She turned and looked at him, their eyes holding for a moment, all other movements halted. She leaned forward and pressed her lips gently to his. She pulled back, licked her lips, and kissed him gently again. This time she kept her lips to his continuing the kiss. The sensation of the slow kiss was something he had never experienced with her. He just stood there for a moment, enjoying it, and then began to kiss her back. She wrapped her arms around his neck, using her fingers to play with the hair at the nape of his neck. She parted her lips and he deepened the kiss, but maintained the slow pace. She leaned back against the glass and he followed her, wrapping his arms around her again, getting himself closer to her body. She pushed herself against him, all the while, still kissing him. They stayed like that for what seemed like forever, just enjoying the kiss. After a while she broke away, smiled at him, grabbed his tie and started walking to the bedroom, with him in tow.

Every action, every movement was done with deliberate slowness. Neither was in the mood to rush or hurry and so focused on every small detail. There slow pace allowed for each to show the other the full range of their skill, and enjoy even the gentlest touch. The night was filled with the soft murmurs of lovers, instead of their usual harsh cries. Their passion kept at a simmer instead of being allowed to rage at it usually did, both were able to keep going until dawn, where exhausted they fell asleep, tangled in each others limbs, fully satiated.