Author's Note: Chapter 2 of my story. I hope you enjoy. Let me know what you think. I'll write as many chapters as you guys like to read. I love this lovey-dovey story stuff.

Rod understood that Mackenzie was working for his father and he didn't want to put her in a compromising situation, so he made no advances towards her. Mackenzie likewise didn't want to push her luck, so she kept her distance as well. That didn't stop them from flirting whenever they got the chance: a smile when she caught his eye, a wink when he caught hers. Rod had even made it a regular habit to visit his dad's office when he knew he wasn't there and chat with Mac while he was "waiting on him."

The weeks flew by and before they knew it, months had passed. The fall term was coming to a close and Rod was itching to find out if this game he and Mac had been playing could finally become more than a game.

Now, over time, Rod had come to realize that Mac had a pretty strong personality. In fact, it was one of the things he liked most about her. When she wanted something, she just went for it and damn the road blocks if they got in her way. Still, though he knew this about her, he was surprised (and excited, mind you) to find her making the first move.

Rod entered his father's classroom for the last time, took his seat, and awaited his final exam. He wasn't worried; he had done well this semester and had no anxieties about any of his finals.

Mackenzie arrived just before eight and began handing out the tests. As she reached Rod, she handed him a stack of papers. "Take the top one," she whispered in passing. He did as he was told and began working, not knowing what to expect. Hours passed and flipping the packet to reveal the final page, he found two lines written on a pale pink sticky note:

21 Rockford Place #18

7:00 PM

He could feel his heart beating faster just thinking of seeing her tonight.

Rod finished his exam, dropped it on the desk at the front of the room and breezed out the door.

6:45 That Evening

Mackenzie was sitting at her bar, watching the hands of her clock slowly turn, and anticipating 7 o'clock. When Rod finally arrived, she opened the door, and with a sweet grin, stepped aside for him to enter.

Rod noticed that the room was dimly lit. Most of the light was coming from the fireplace and the candles lining the mantle. It was beautiful, romantic. And she was beautiful in it. The amber in the room made her skin glow and brought out the brown lowlights in her auburn hair.

Without a single word, Mackenzie removed a single white rose from his hand and placed it on the table beside the door. She then took his hands in hers and wrapped his arms around her back. As she wrapped hers around his neck, their lips met for a more perfect kiss then either of them had dreamt of.

Her lips were full and soft; her skin was smooth and flawless; her hair was cool and fragrant. Rod had felt something for Mackenzie the moment he saw her and he felt something more each moment he spent with her, but this moment…at this very moment, he felt love.

Their kiss broke and Mac laid her head on his shoulder, burying her face in his neck. She too had felt something in that moment. Could she be falling in love? As goal oriented as she was, it wasn't something she had been looking for. At the same time, it wasn't something she was opposed to finding. With this man, she felt vulnerable yet safe. Vulnerable in a sense that she felt like she could let go of every care in the world and safe in knowing that as long as she was in his arms, she could survive wholly off his strength. It was a comforting feeling, not one she had ever allowed herself to feel.

Mac pulled back to look him in the eyes. He had beautiful eyes. He had a beautiful smile, a beautiful face…a beautiful heart. Yes, she was in love. And she couldn't help but smile.

"Hungry?" she asked.

"Starving," he replied.

They retired to the blanket she had laid out on the floor in front of the fireplace. Mackenzie placed Rod's rose in a vase and set it on the floor as well. They ate Chinese take-out and talked. They had gotten to know each other very well during Rod's visits to his father's office. They knew histories, they were familiar with personalities. Now they talked about dreams, feelings, directions…until they fell asleep in each others arms.