April lay at Clint's side, running her fingers along his chest while he absent-mindedly stroked her hair. He stared at the ceiling, content, for the first time in years.

"You're quiet," April whispered.

He took a deep breath. "Just enjoying the moment." He smiled at her. "I love having you here like this."

"Me, too."

Clint turned onto his side and pulled her into his arms. He brushed his thumb over her cheek.

"You ok?"

"I'm better than ok."

A smile tugged at Clint's lips, and he pressed his forehead to hers.

"I wish I could keep you here all night."

"Who's stopping you?"

"Your roommate might find it odd if you don't get home until morning."

"Actually… Nat knows."

"You told her?"

Clint sat up, eyes wide. April sat up and pulled the sheet tight against her chest.

"I didn't have to. She figured it out."

"Come on, April."

"Really. She walked in while I was getting ready. I told her I had a date, and she just… called me out on it. She's my best friend. She knows the consequences if we're discovered. She won't say anything."

Clint sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"This isn't good. We just started this, and someone already knows."

April took his hand in hers.

"Clint, I promise… she'll keep our secret."

Her eyes pleaded with him. Clint lay back down and pulled her into his embrace.

"If you trust her…"

"I do."

"Then I'll trust you."

April buried her face in his neck and sighed.

"That means a lot to me."

"This will only work if we trust each other. You've given me no reason to doubt you. And I'll do my best to make sure you never have reason to doubt me."

April rested on an elbow and ran her fingers through Clint's hair. She stared down at him for a long while.

"Something on your mind?" he asked.

"Just questioning my beliefs on fate," she said.

"You believe in fate?"

"I didn't. But then I met you, and walked away never expecting to see you again. Now, here we are." She brushed her thumb over his jaw. "I never expected to find someone so perfect for me. And I found you twice."

Clint pulled her face to his and pressed a soft kiss to her lips.

"Do you think we'd be right here now if we hadn't met on the cruise first?"

"So soon? No," she said. "Not with the whole teacher/student thing, but..."

"But?"

"I can't imagine being around you long and not…"

Clint raised an eyebrow.

"Wanting you."

He brushed her hair away from her face.

"I feel the same way."

April smiled. "Do you, Professor?"

Clint growled and flipped April onto her back. She yelped and laughed before Clint's lips crashed onto hers.

Clint wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her on top of him, and he realized how gone he was. The urge to give April everything, to protect her, to care for her…. he'd never felt anything so strong. He knew he had to be careful, or he would completely lose himself in her.

He broke the kiss and pressed his forehead to hers.

"It's getting late," he said. "We both have class in the morning."

"Yeah."

April brushed her lips over his. With a sigh, he sank back into the kiss. When she wiggled her hips, Clint groaned and pulled away.

"We can't start this again."

"I could stay the night."

Clint smiled and brushed his thumb across her chin.

"It's too risky. If anyone sees you leaving here in the morning…"

"You're right. Ugh, I know you're right." She flopped onto her back. "I hate to leave."

"I hate it, too, but we have to be careful." He ran his finger over her bottom lip. "Can you be careful for me?"

April smiled and closed her eyes.

"Yeah, I can."

"That's my girl."

—

By Thursday night there was no sign of their desire for each other being tempered. Third night in a row. Third round that night. They were still burning for each other.

Face down, April tried to smother her moans in the pillow, but Clint turned her face to the side as he slowed the roll of his hips.

"Don't hold back, baby. I like the noises you make." Clint brushed her hair back so he could see her face better. "One more time, sweetheart. Gimme one more."

She nodded, and Clint snapped his hips so hard that she lurched forward and reached out for the headboard to keep front sliding up the bed. Then Clint's hand was on her back.

She laughed, but the laugh quickly turned into a moan. No one ever made her feel like Clint. He made her feel wanted and protected, even now with him holding her down while he took what he needed, she knew she was perfectly cared for.

She only wished she could see what he looked like in this position. That thought sent her over the edge, and Clint's hips stuttered until he lay on top of her.

"Amazing," she mumbled into the pillow.

Clint kissed along her shoulders and up the back of her neck.

"How'd I get so lucky?" He whispered in her ear. "Sexy, smart, and insatiable."

He moved to her side and pulled her into his arms.

"Only for you," she said.

"Even better." Clint checked the time. "It's getting late."

"I don't care."

April snuggled against his chest, and he sighed.

"I've got that retirement party tomorrow night. So, I won't see you besides class."

"What about office time to grade papers?"

Clint ran his fingers up and down her arm.

"I think I'd be too tempted... knowing I'm not seeing you later." He tipped her head up with his thumb on her chin. "What have you done to me?"

"What do you mean?"

"I can't stand being away from you."

April smiled. "I know the feeling."

"So, what are you going to do while I'm at the party?"

"Homework. I have a couple of assignments due next week, and I want to work on my paper a little more."

"Have I been keeping you from your work?"

"Not enough to hurt my grades," she said with a smile.

Clint brushed her hair away from her face.

"You let me know if I am. I don't want to drag you down. You've got a great future ahead of you in the field."

"Thank you."

"I'm serious, April. If I'm interfering with your work, tell me. You won't hurt my feelings. I know you want to see me. I won't doubt that. Got it?"

April smiled. He knew exactly what her worry would be in choosing her schoolwork over him for a night or two.

"Yes, sir. Understood."

Clint touched his lips to hers for a soft kiss, then stood and pulled on his pants.

"I'll go grab our clothes from the hall."

"And the living room."

"Don't worry. I'll follow the trail."

He winked as he left, and April burrowed her face into his pillow. His scent made her stomach flip. Every time he passed her in class. Every time he sat next to her. Especially when he kissed her or they made love. Everything about him surrounded her and she fell deeper into him.

He put her clothes on the bed, but tossed his shirt to the floor by the bathroom door.

"Want a ride back to the dorm?"

"Only if I can kiss you when we say goodbye."

"April…"

"I know. That's just my way of saying I'd be too tempted if you brought me home. I'd have to kick Natasha out and sneak you in."

Clint laughed. "I'm sure she'd love that."

April got up and slipped her clothes on while Clint sat on the edge of the bed. Once she was dressed he pulled her to stand between his legs, his hands on her thighs.

"You know if we could, we'd be open about this, right?"

"I know," she said.

"I just don't want you to think I'm hiding you away like I'm ashamed, or—"

"Clint, baby, I know. Believe me."

"Sometimes I worry you'll think I'm just using you."

"If you wanted to use me you could have talked me into a one night stand on the cruise. You had me alone, on the bed. Probably could have convinced me to keep going if you really only wanted to sleep with me. But you didn't." She brushed her thumb over his cheek. "I know you care about me."

"Good."

She kissed the tip of his nose, and he sighed.

"But I do have to go," she said.

"Yeah."

"I'll see you in class tomorrow, professor."

Clint groaned and squeezed her thighs. "You know you drive me nuts when you call me that."

April winked as she walked away. "See ya."