Elle hadn't seen Athos the rest of the day. She brought the groceries in and looked for him, but he was nowhere to be found. She made her way to the barn and saw that two horses were gone and decided he probably went for a ride with Aramis.

She went back inside to finish up some things. Rebecca was sitting at the kitchen table writing in a notebook. As Elle passed she grabbed her arm.

"Elle, do you mind if I ask you something?"

"Feel free,"

"Is there anything between you and Athos?"

Elle pulled her arm free, "No offense, but I don't know you and that's none of your business."

"I was just curious. He's definitely been sending me signals. I don't want to steal another woman's man." She gave Elle a sympathetic look.

Something told Elle that Rebecca would have no problem stealing another woman's man.

"Athos is a big boy. He can make his own choices."

That night as she lay in bed all Elle could think about was her exchange with Athos in the kitchen that morning. It certainly seemed like he was implying he had feelings for her. Then, Rebecca's words itched her brain.

"Sending me signals,"

Elle might have believed her had Athos not had his arms wrapped around her that morning. She was in deep trouble. Now that she knew what that felt like...there would be no going back. As she tossed and turned she became even more restless.

Finally, she grabbed her phone and sent Athos a message.

Are you awake?

She held her phone in her hand in the darkness of her room waiting for a reply. It was midnight. From what she knew of Athos he was probably sitting at his desk nursing a glass of something. A few minutes later...

Yes.

Elle's hands shook and she typed out her next message.

Can I come over?

She couldn't believe she was putting herself out there.

Yes.

Was the reply that came. Elle quickly threw back her covers and dressed herself. She didn't know what she was thinking, all she knew was that she needed to be with Athos tonight.

She drove up the drive and before she reached the front door Athos met her. He'd been watching for her. Far enough away from the city, a million stars lit their faces. Athos couldn't stop smiling.

"What brings you here this late?"

"I had to know, Athos. When you were holding me this morning...were you telling me you had feelings for me?"

Athos chuckled warmly. "It's freezing out here. Come inside."

He took her hand and lead her inside and quietly up to his bedroom. He shut the door without a sound and then leaned against it. Elle was suddenly nervous. Although being with Athos was everything she ever wanted she wasn't sure she was quite ready to go that far. Not tonight.

Sensing her apprehension, Athos took a seat in a chair by the fireplace and asked her to join him.

"Elle, my life is...difficult. You know this. You've been here with me for years. In the beginning it was easy to ignore my...attraction to you because honestly, I was so full of self loathing. Then, as time went on we became good friends. I really value that. I didnt want to lose you. I still don't."

Elle looked down at her hands clasped in her lap.

"But, I'm not going to let you think I have feelings for anyone else. It's only been you for a while now. And now that I'm pretty sure you feel the same way...I don't see why we shouldn't pursue a relationship."

Elle laughed quietly, "Leave it to you to lay it all out so precise."

She stood and stepped in front of him. She touched his face, delicately tracing the scar on his lip. "Athos,"

He closed his lips around her fingertip, surprising her and making her gasp. The feeling of his wet lips was enough to make her head feel light.

He wanted to take it further. Oh how the man in him wanted to take it all the way. He wanted to feel her lips against his, and her hands exploring his body. He wanted to see her the way he had only imagined, but what he wanted more was to make it work. So, he took her hand in his and kissed it.

"It's late, and you should get some sleep."

The fire crackled and her eyes were shining in the firelight, "Not without you."

Athos looked from her to the bed, "That might not be a good idea."

She gently pulled him with her to the king sized bed. She let go of his hand before slipping out of her jeans and sliding quickly under the blankets. Athos nearly groaned in frustration as he climbed into the bed beside her.

"Goodnight, Athos."

She rolled over away from him and soon he heard her breathing even out. What a turn of events this whole day had been. Now, even more so he couldn't wait to get this case wrapped up.

The next morning Rebecca was up early. From her window she spotted Elle's SUV parked in the drive. Instantly, her blood boiled. This would not work! Her plan was going to fall apart if something didn't change soon. She'd tried nearly everything she could think of to get the pesky housekeeper to stay away.

Nothing had worked.

As she made her way downstairs she heard Elle in the kitchen making breakfast. She put on a happy face and greeted the bane of her existence.

"I see Athos had an extra houseguest last night." She said with a wink.

Elle blushed but didn't say anything. It was none of Rebecca's business, anyway. While Athos was out checking the horses his phone rang. Elle could hear it chiming from his desk upstairs. She thought nothing of it and continued cooking. When it rang three more times she marched herself upstairs and grabbed it off the desk.

Porthos.

Before she could answer it she felt a stabbing pain in the back of her next. Like a bee sting. She sat the phone back down, and tried to steady herself on the desk.

Soon though, she couldn't breathe, and after that...it all went dark.

Thank you to everyone who has reviewed! I appreciate your feedback so much :)