Chapter Two

Your love is thick and it swallowed me whole
You're so much braver than I gave you credit for.

Alanis Morissette – Head Over Feet

The glasses on my forehead slipped down onto my nose causing me to wince as I kept my eyes focused solely on the research in front of me. My dark green silk robe was wrapped tightly around me as I flicked through the pages thoughtfully. I only read with glasses when my eyes got tired. Underneath my robe I was matching black pyjamas. Tonight was one of my working nights.

Sipping the tea from my cup was interrupted by the insistent ring of my cell phone. I sighed picking up the paper and the cell phone at the same time.

"Hello?" I said picking up my pen and jotting down part of the connection I'd spotted previously.

"Eva? It's me Tim." I jerked my eyes from the paper surprised as there was a gently rapping on the door, the back door. I stood up and walked slowly towards it, with a grin on my face.

"I thought you were busy tonight." I teased him, still speaking into the phone.

"And I was…" I could almost see his smile. "Come to the back garden, I want to show you something." I put down the phone and unlocked the back door. He was standing there looking glorious in a black suit, buttoned down to the top of his chest. A smile crossed my own lips.

"Tim?" I quizzed. He raised a finger to his lips.

"Close your eyes." He spoke quietly. I obeyed without argument. He took my hands and led me down the garden path. I felt the cool wind lick at my robe, I welcomed it.

"Do you trust me?" Tim's voice soothed any qualms I may have had about walking around in the garden in the dark.

"Yes." I answered honestly. Tim stopped and moved away from me. Suddenly I felt totally alone.

"Open your eyes." His soft voice made my heart move. I opened my eyes. It was bathed totally in candles, all giving it a warm glow. I let my gaze fall to Tim who was kneeling on the ground in front of me. His eyes were intent on my face.

"Surprised?" he asked quietly. I wrapped my arms around myself, my mind from reeling.

"It's beautiful." I said as I nodded. Tim looked down taking something out of his pocket. I found my mouth drop open, as he took out a small, delicate black box that looked a hell of a look like a ring box.

"Eva Black would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?" I was suddenly speechless; I had no idea what to say. My mouth was just staring at him open in surprise,

"Eva?" Tim's voice was cautious. I tried to speak. Nothing escaped my throat. Tim's smile deflated into a grim flat line, before he looked down.

"Yes." I said hoarsely. Tim was on his feet suddenly. Before I knew it the ring had been slipped on my finger and he had lifted me off my feet and was planting tiny kisses all over my face.

"You've made me the happiest man in the world." He told me between kisses. Our lips met suddenly, a small eruption of fire passed between us. He kissed my bottom lip biting it gently. I groaned, moving against him. He lay me down on the grass with care. The cool feel of it on my skin caused me to shiver. Tim's hands slowly moved down from caressing my face to gently running them over my breasts.

"Tim, we in the garden." I said as his mouth smothered mine. Pulling away he met my eyes full on.

"So?" The mischievous glint in my eyes told me that we weren't going to be moving out of the garden in the next few minutes.

"I had a feeling that this might happen so I brought this." He held up a bottle of expensive champagne with a large grin.

"And this…" he pulled from nowhere a blanket draping it over himself, as he bent down and kissed my lips again. I moved against him feeling his smooth skin as I slipped my hands under his white shirt.

His mouth moved to my ear kissing my hair gently. I could feel his hot breath on me. As his lips fastened on my throat, I realized that the last few minutes had truly been heaven. I wished with all my heart for more of them.