Clint leaned against the wall in the faculty lounge. The retirement party was much as he expected. Lots of speeches. Not much food. Lots of alcohol. He was never much of a wallflower, but he so badly wished that April could be with him that he didn't engage in conversation much.

"Not having fun?"

Clint looked up. "Ms. Darkhölme, nice to see you.

"I've asked you to call me Raven."

"Sorry."

"You didn't answer my question."

He shrugged. "I still don't know anyone very well, you know? Hard to jump into the cliques." He pointed around the room. If anyone had told him that academia would be like high school he would have run away from the idea of teaching.

"Well, maybe if you'd spend more time at functions and less time grading papers. Isn't that what your T.A. is for?"

Clint almost choked on his drink. Just the fact that someone mentioned his T.A. sent his pulse racing.

"I try not to take up too much of her time. She's got a heavy course load."

"Can't she handle it? Maybe you need to find someone else."

"She can absolutely handle it. I just remember what it was like to be on her side of the T.A. position."

"Come on. I'll introduce you around."

"Oh, you don't have to—"

"I won't take no for an answer."

Raven took Clint's arm and pulled him from group to group. He was grateful for the introductions, but not the way she was hanging onto him. He saw a few people glance at her arm draped through his, but he couldn't pull away without actually removing her grip. He finally decided that the best way to get away was to leave.

In a group of history professors, Clint checked his watch.

"I think it's time for me to head out."

"It's early," Raven said. "They haven't even cut the cake yet."

"Unfortunately, I can't wait. Thank you for introducing me. It was nice to meet you all."

Clint shook a few hands, and when Raven's grip loosened he moved out of her reach.

He shook a few more hands on the way out, stopping periodically to say goodbye to a few people he enjoyed speaking with, hoping that Raven wouldn't try to grab him again. He didn't risk looking back.

Clint glanced at the clock on the drive home. 9:30. When did he become the home-before-10:00 guy?

He tossed his wallet on the table, and realized the light upstairs was on. He was sure he turned everything off before he left.

He crept up the stairs, listening. There was no noise, but his bedroom light was definitely on. He pushed the door open slowly, then froze and let the door fall open all the way.

April lay on his bed in a red, sheer, lace teddy.

"Welcome home." She patted the bed as she turned onto her side.

"I'm so glad I gave you a key."

"Yeah?"

"Oh, yeah."

"Come show me how glad you are."

Clint closed the bedroom door and leaned against it.

"Why don't you come to me instead?"

April raised an eyebrow, but walked over to Clint. His eyes raked over her entire body. Was it possible that he was truly this lucky? She was absolutely gorgeous, and she was his.

"Stop there," he said.

She stood just out of reach. Clint unbuttoned his shirt while he stared at her. Her breasts were held firmly by the sheer material, with only her nipples hidden from sight. Her hips were the same. Every curve was visible, but that most sacred part was covered by fabric less sheer.

"Turn around."

He finished undressing then walked up behind her. He caressed her rear through the fabric, and he leaned into her to press his lips to her ear.

"Do you have any idea what this is doing to me?"

"Some."

"How attached to this thing are you?"

"What?"

"Do I help take this off carefully and slowly, or is it ok if it tears?"

April swallowed hard. "Your choice, professor."

Clint groaned. "I'll reimburse you for it."

—

Clint nuzzled her nose with his. Buried deep inside of her, waiting for her to ride out the final waves of their release, he couldn't think of any place he'd rather be. He peppered kisses across her face until her lips found his, and they kissed slowly and deeply.

He looked down into her eyes.

"Clint…"

"Yeah, baby?"

She opened her mouth to speak, but then shook her head.

"Nothing. I think I'm just a little fuzzy-headed."

"Hey." He gently grabbed her chin and waited for her to make eye contact. "Tell me."

She closed her eyes and sighed, but he was still waiting when she looked back into his eyes.

"I love you, Clint."

He smiled and brushed his nose along hers.

"I love you, too."

April smiled and caressed his face. "You do?"

"So much, baby. I missed you tonight. Wished you were with me. So, when I got home and you were here waiting like this?" He kissed her. "I'm yours, sweetheart."

Clint finally separated and rolled her next to him, and he lay on his side with her in his arms.

"I'm yours," she whispered.

Clint looked at the time.

"Almost midnight, you've never stayed this late,"

"I'm staying even later." She smiled.

"April…."

"No, listen. Tomorrow is Saturday. Neither of us has plans. No early wake up call. I had a taxi drop me off. I can have one pick me up when I leave after dinner tomorrow. No one can prove I didn't leave and come back."

"Thought this through, have you?"

"Mhmm."

"What about the work you had to do?"

"Done. And I worked on my paper a little."

He wrapped her tighter in his arms.

"I get to hold you all night?""

"If you tell me I can stay."

There was a little nagging part of Clint's brain that said it was a dangerous idea. He told that part to shut up, and he kissed to April's ear.

"Stay."

He said it like a command, but he was begging. She wanted authority and security and he would give it to her on his hands and knees if that's what it took. Because for all the confidence he gave off, April had him wrapped around her finger. He would give her whatever she wanted. All she had to do was ask.

She smiled and buried her face in his neck.

"Get some sleep," he said. "You'll need your strength tomorrow." He kissed her head and squeezed her thigh. "You're mine."