You are a heel Armitage Hux…

he told himself as he pulled her closer.

Do you really think she would be kissing you right now if she knew who you really were?

Hux told his stupid brain to shut up because at that very moment he wouldn't have stopped kissing Rose for all the tea in England. She was so soft and tempting and her lips fit against his perfectly. She let out a gentle moan and he felt his body respond enthusiastically.

His mind started to conjure up all sorts of erotic images but he tried to squash them in case he started to show the embarrassing signs of physical arousal right there on the pavement.

He would make it right, he thought as she grasped her neck and tilted his head to the side. He would do right by her. Maybe in time she could be persuaded to take him up on his offer and come work at First Editions. The thought of working side by side with Rose everyday sent a little thrill through him. Then Rose slipped her tongue into his mouth, and he lost his train of thought entirely.

Rose felt as if she were floating. How could she possibly have found an attractive, available, sweet perfect man like Armitage?

But what about your General?

Her brain helpfully reminded her. But he wasn't here. Armitage was here, wrapping his arms around her and tentatively massaging her tongue with his.

Oh god. That felt good.

They were going to have to stop. People were going to complain about their very public display soon.

As if on cue, an elderly lady tried to pass by the conjoined pair with her shopping basket and tutted loudly. Armitage and Rose parted and apologised with gleeful smirks. The old lady shook her head at them as she passed which only made them laugh harder when they knew she was out of ear shot.

'I should head back to feed Milli,' Armitage announced.

Rose felt a little disappointed it was still quite early.

'Do you want to come meet her?' he asked hopefully.

Rose thought for a moment. What would happen if she went back to his apartment? Was it safe? But then Armitage seemed like a gentleman. She was sure he wouldn't force her into anything she didn't feel comfortable doing. She certainly enjoyed kissing him. She would be very comfortable with more of that.

She took a while to respond and Armitage interjected quickly.

'Only if you want to of course.'

'I want to,' she answered at last.

Armitage smiled.

'Let me order us a taxi.'

As Armitage made the phone call, Rose took out her phone to text Rey:

Date is going very well. We are going back to his place! :-) x

Rey replied almost instantly:

Ahhhhh! I want details in the morning! Send me his address so I know where you are. x

Rose smiled. Rey was always so protective of her. She heard Armitage reciting his address into his phone and quickly texted it to Rey, who swiftly replied:

Cheers me dear. Don't do anything I wouldn't do! (which isn't a long list.) ;-) x

Rose giggled.

Armitage hung up the phone.

'Just a few minutes to wait,' he informed her.

As they waited, Armitage moved closer to her and seemed to be debating over whether or not to put his arm over her shoulders. Out of the corner of her eye she saw his arm continually rise and fall behind her back. Rose pressed her lips together to keep from laughing then decided to take pity on him. She shivered and declared loudly that she was cold. Armitage took the bait and draped his arm over her shoulders, pulling her closer to his side. Rose had to admit that she was more comfortable pressed up against his warm body.

The taxi arrived and they got in. Armitage repeated his address to the driver and ever so casually slipped his hand onto her thigh as he leaned back into his seat.

Rose felt her cheeks heat up. His fingers gently squeezed her upper leg and she almost squealed. She told herself to stop acting like a schoolgirl and get a grip. It wasn't like she hadn't had relationships before, but somehow, she sensed this one was different.

The taxi stopped and Armitage announced their arrival. Rose eyed the impressive apartment building as he helped her out of the car. Armitage was clearly making good money at his store to be able afford to stay somewhere like that.

'This is nice,' she said as Armitage paid.

'Oh, it's just temporary. It's closer to work.'

Rose nodded. If this was his temporary home what did his permanent residence look like?

They crossed the lobby and entered the lift. Armitage pressed the button for the top floor.

Rose lifted her eyebrows at him.

'The penthouse was all that they had available,' he said by way of an explanation.

'Business must be very good,' she observed.

'I get by,' Armitage said with a shrug.

The lift pinged their arrival and the doors opened straight onto the most luxurious apartment Rose had her seen. Her mouth fell open.

'Okay, there's no way you own a little independent book store. Look at this place!' She said holding her arms out to her sides.

'Ahhh it's a franchise,' he said dismissively.

Luckily for Hux, Milli appeared from nowhere as she often did and began to meow at the newcomer who had dared to enter her home without stroking her. Rose knelt down beside the cat.

'Oh she's so sweet! Will she let me hold her?'

Milli passes backwards and forwards in front of Rose and blinked at her a few times.

'Who's a gorgeous girl? You are! Yes you are!' Rose cooed.

Millie meowed happily. Pleased that the visitor had recognised her beauty.

Hux watched his girls with a besotted grin. Then caught himself. Rose wasn't his girl, he couldn't call her that. He wasn't even sure Milli would allow him to call her that.

'Can I get you a drink?' he asked.

'Sure, do you have any Diet Coke?'

'I do.'

Armitage moved to the kitchen to pour their drinks but kept peeking at Rose as she chatted quietly to Milli.

He returned holding two glasses and helped Rose up off the floor before handing her the drink.

Milli looked up at him and meowed angrily.

'Oh yes, you want your food now do you? Where's my nice greeting? Or do you just save those for the pretty guests?'

Milli meowed again.

'Oh alright.'

Armitage put down his drink and returned to the kitchen. Milli trotted happily after him.

Rose looked around the room. Tall ceilings, a huge TV, two plush couches, and at least five cat beds that she could see littered the large living space.

'Can we talk shop yet?' she called through to the kitchen.

Armitage froze.

'Ahhh not yet, I have something else that might interest you.'

He finished plating Milli's food and placed the plate down in front of the impatient kitty. He returned to the living room where Rose was eyeing the silk drapes with a suspicious eye.

Uh oh.

He needed to distract her and fast.

'Ahhh, I think you might like this come with me.'

Hux led her to a door.

'Now, this is just some of my collection, the rest are back at the house. But I find I can't live without at least some of my home comforts.'

Armitage opened the door to the smallish room and Rose gasped. Every wall in the room had ceiling to floor bookcases and every shelf was stocked. In the centre of the room was a large armchair and a small table.

'This is my sanctuary,' Armitage said with a sigh.

Rose entered the room and looked around. She ran her fingers over the book spines in awe. There were first editions, books that were over 100 years old, books by brand new authors and even some unfinished manuscripts.

'This is amazing,' Rose uttered.

'If you like this you have to see the library back home sometime.'

'Do you come from old money, Armitage?'

'Something like that,' he said with a smile.

'May I?' Rose asked pointing to the armchair.

'Please do,' Armitage replied gesturing for her to sit down.

'This is comfy,' Rose said as she sat down and jumped up and down a little.

Armitage's eyes widened as he watched her bounce.

'Ahhh yes! It's the best seat in the house.'

Rose lay back and let her eyes close. Armitage didn't waste a second. He drank in every detail of her form before she reopened her eyes and he averted his gaze.

'Would you read me something?' Rose asked.

'Yes, if you like.'

Armitage walked around the room looking at the many choices.

'Do you have a favourite genre?'

'Nope. I'm eclectic.'

'Me too.'

'How about poetry?'

Poetry? He was offering to read her poetry? Was he real?

'I love poetry,' Rose replied happily.

Armitage knew the exact book to pick.

He plucked it from the shelf and moved to the chair. Rose stood up and gestured for him to sit.

'I'll stand…' Armitage protested.

'Just sit down,' Rose said gently.

Armitage did as she requested and Rose carefully positioned herself in his lap, placing an arm across his shoulders and resting her legs across his. Armitage felt his heart beat out of his chest. He almost dropped the book he was holding.

'Is this okay?' Rose asked quietly.

'Yes,' Armitage managed to whisper.

A thousand times yes…

Armitage cleared his throat and tried not to be distracted by the way his arms grazed Rose's sides as he opened the book to the correct page and began to read aloud:

Let me not to the marriage of true minds

admit impediments. Love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds,

Or bends with the remover to remove:

O no! It is an ever-fixed mark

That looks on tempests and is never

Shaken;

It is the star to every wandering bark,

Whose worth's unknown, although his

height be taken.

Love not Time's fool, through rosy lips and cheeks

Within his bending sickle's compass come:

Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks.

But bears it out even to the edge of doom.

If this be error and upon me proved,

I never write, nor no man ever loved.

'I love Shakespeare,' Rose sighed.

'Yes, he certainly had a way with words.'

Rose looked at Armitage.

'I could listen to your voice all day,' she breathed.

'Did I imagine you?' he asked.

'I was going to ask you the same thing,' Rose replied.

She leaned towards him, and Hux closed the few inches between them to join their lips once more. The kiss was slow and full of promise.

'Meow!'

They both looked down as Milli jumped up on top of them and started purring happily. To Milli, the only thing better than one lap to sit on, was two laps to sit on.

Armitage chuckled.

'Seems you're a hit with everyone in his household,' he said to Rose as he tickled Milli's chin.

'I'm glad,' Rose replied.

'Should I read you some more?' He asked.

'Please do.'

Rose snuggled into Armitage's shoulder as he began to read 'Shall I compare thee to a Summer's day?'

She sighed contentedly lulled into a state of complete relaxation by Armitage's gentle, rhythmic voice.

She thought to herself that she could stay like that forever, hidden away in that tiny little corner of joy with Armitage and Milli.

Armitage finished reading and closed the book.

He leaned towards her and kissed her again, then placed his forehead against hers.

'Can I keep you?' he whispered.

Rose giggled.

'Yes. So long as you keep reading me poetry.'

Armitage pulled away and looked at her seriously.

'What if something comes between us?'

'Mill is between us right now and we're doing just fine,' She joked.

Armitage smiled.

'Can I see you again? Tomorrow night?'

'Yes.'

'And the night after that?'

Rose laughed.

'Yes.'

'And after that?'

'Yes.'

'Good,' he said, sounding relieved.

'I'd better get going,' she announced as she noticed the time. She scooped up Milli and disentangled herself from Armitage.

'I'll call you a taxi.'

Armitage disappeared into the other room and Rose took the opportunity to have another look through the many books around her while she hugged Milli goodbye.

When the car arrived, Armitage walked her down to the lobby and helped her into the cab. He kissed her hand and wouldn't let go until the last minute. As she pulled away, Rose glanced out of the back window and their eyes met once more.

She looked at her phone and noted she had three texts from Rey asked how things were going. She typed out a quick message and pressed send:

I've just had the most amazing date of my life! Heading home now to dream about him. x

Her phone buzzed almost instantaneously and she knew it would be Rey demanding details, but she decided not to reply just yet. She wanted to stay in the blissful romantic haze just a little while longer.

'We're here, Miss,' the taxi driver announced and Rose smiled as she handed over the fare. The elderly driver smiled back at her.

'You look like a woman in love,' he observed.

Rose blushed and avoided the question, but her heart sped up in response.

Back within the walls of her small apartment, Rose threw herself down onto the bed and sighed.

She checked her phone and smiled as she saw a text from Rey and one from Armitage that read:

Parting is such sweet sorrow... Ax

She held the phone to her chest and sighed before replying to his message:

The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again. Until tomorrow. Rx