Bobby was first to wake the following morning. He blinked slowly, his eyes still felt heavy with sleep as he tried to remember where he was. There was no noise from outside, no honking cars or screaming drivers, it was unsettling. He could see the large digital numbers of the clock, the alarm would be sounding soon. With a sigh he closed his eyes again, keen to enjoy the last few moments of sleep before the day began. Without realizing it he pulled Sophie closer and dozed off.

Wait… his eyes popped back open and looked down. Her long brown hair was splayed around her, tickling his arm that rested between her head and the pillow she had pushed aside to lay on him. It wasn't all that uncomfortable. It had been a long time since he woke up next to a warm body—not just a body, a beautiful, scantily clad woman- there was a very good chance this morning would end in embarrassment for him.

BEEP BEEP

Quickly Bobby loosened his hold, allowing her to shift and reach the clock. Without opening her eyes she turned in his arms, blindly reached out and hit the snooze button. With the offensive noise silenced she snuggled back in against Bobby. Her body was soft against him, wiggling slightly in an attempt to get comfortable again, the small moan of contentment led to less than surprising reaction.

"Mmm…" she mewed quietly, pressing her bottom against his front. Bobby froze, trying to stifle his own groan. He was awake and had no excuse for enjoying the feel of her brushing against his erection.

"Soph, Sophie roll over."

She did as he said, freeing his arm and allowing an escape from the bed. Bobby retreated to the bathroom, locking the door behind him. He didn't bother waiting for the water to heat up, climbing straight into the shower in the hopes of some relief, but it didn't help. There was only one option left. The fantasy came quick and easily.

"Bobby?" Came her low voice as she peeked into the bathroom.

"Sophie, what are you—"

"Shh," she grinned, closing the door behind her and reaching for the hem of her tank top. "Don't over think it."

Bobby nodded to his imagination and reached down to take himself in hand. He allowed his mind to continue to wander, imagining her bare breasts pressed against his chest in the shower. Her long curly hair would become a shade darker as the water soaked the shiny locks. His pace sped up as his thoughts turned to the thought of cupping the full backside he was given an ample view of earlier when he noticed that her pajama shorts had ridden up during the night. He wanted to lift her up, feel her bare legs wrap around him as he took the first thrust into her. The gasp of pleasure she would make rang in his ears as he came closer to climax. He wanted to kiss her hard, until her lips were slightly swollen from the eager embrace. The imagined picture of her looking thoroughly debauched, her cheeks red with exertion, lips full and parted as she tried to catch her breath, chest heaving in time with his, Bobby felt his release come and fought to suppress the loud groan that tried to escape.

Leaning against the tile he switched the water back to warm and quickly finished showering. Shutting off the tap he dried off and dressed for the day in the clothes he set out on the counter. Back in the bedroom he found a sleepy Sophie sitting in the middle of the bed, trying to regain her bearings.

"Morning," he offered with a small smile. Sophie looked beautiful in the morning light, her face was bright, free of makeup and her hair mussed and wild.

"Morning," she replied, her voice still hoarse with sleep. "Have you been up long?"

"Just a little while. Coffee?"

"Coffee good," she nodded, pushing a few curls away from her eyes. "I'm going to shower."

The next few hours passed rather quietly, it became clear that Sophie wasn't a morning person. They spent most of the day reviewing points of the case that might come up over dinner. There were times when undercover work closely resembled being in school again. Studying and memorizing facts, the material was a bit different.

"We should probably start getting ready to go," Bobby suggested.

There was something almost domestic in the routine of preparing for a night out. Bobby changed into a dark suit and white dress shirt, foregoing the tie and simply leaving a few buttons undone. He was eager to get out of Sophie's way and wait a safe distance downstairs, trying not to focus on the fact that she was upstairs… taking her clothes off… He had to get a grip on himself, this was not professional behavior.

With a sigh Bobby turned the pages of the rather thin local newspaper. There was nothing interesting enough going on in the town to distract his imagination from turning to Sophie. Who at that moment was coming down the stairs. She had changed into short, red skirt that clung to her like a second skin. The leopard print blouse she wore dipped low in the front, giving him a glimpse of her cleavage. Flashes of the fantasy he had constructed in the shower came unbidden, prompting him to wonder how she might react to his teeth nipping at her collarbone, tracing down to her nipples. Then for pure torture she had chosen a pair of black pantyhose with the seams traveling up the length of her legs. The black, peep toe ankle boots had a four-inch heel, putting them almost face to face.

"You look—" he stammered, trying to find the words while contain his arousal.

"Oh, I know. It's not my usual style, but playing the part," she shrugged.

"Looks good on you," Bobby finally managed.

"Thanks," she blushed, nervously adjusting her top again. "You look very handsome. I like you without the tie."

"Thanks."

"We should—"

"We probably should—" They both laughed nervously as they spoke over each other.

Bobby hadn't seen much of the area yet, not that there was all that much to see. There was a main street, which housed a lot of local restaurants and stores. Further out there were chain restaurants and a mall. In the other direction were a series of old factories that had been closed and abandoned for years. Other than that there were the three main structures of a small town: houses, churches, and bars. There were two elementary schools and two high schools, a private and public of each.

The restaurant they were going to was located on the main drag at the end of street. They parked along the curb and walked through the few inches of snow to the front door of the building. The lighting was dim and the walls a dark red. It was an intimate setting, a place that would normally be perfect for a date.

"Bella Sophie!" The grinning old man greeted them as soon as they entered.

"Ciao Franco!" She greeted, giving him a kiss on each cheek.

"You're the last to arrive," Franco told her, taking her by the arm and leading her to a flight of stairs, leaving Bobby to follow behind.

"Beauty takes time."

"A wonder you arrived at all, Bella." With that Franco left them, nodding to Bobby as he passed.

"These guys have watched a little too much Godfather. Backroom dealings and what not," Sophie explained as soon as they were alone. Bobby chuckled in understanding, following her up the black metal stairs. It was not a view that he had a problem with, especially considering her tight skirt. Stop thinking like this, he scolded himself, trying to keep focus on the job. The second floor was empty save for one long table, which was only occupied at the end closest to the windows facing the street. Charles sat at the head, with two men sitting to his right and one to his left.

"There you are! We were beginning to think you weren't going to come at all," Charles greeted.

"Or that you were coming in a different way," one man whispered to the other.

"Oh, there's that razor sharp wit I love," Sophie remarked sarcastically as she slipped into the chair Bobby pulled out for her.

"Gentlemen, this is Robert, Sophie's very lucky husband," Charles introduced. "Over here is the ever witty Fred Foley."

Fred was middle aged, short and stocky. His hair was thinning though he made a valiant attempt to comb it over. Next to him sat Gregory Matthews, a man in his early fifties, completely gray and looking as though he had been propped up and a glass of wine positioned in his hand. Next to Sophie was John Bartlett, he was closer to Bobby in age. John was relatively good-looking compared to the other masterminds at the table, save for the large scar down the right side of his face.

"Good to see you, Soph."

"You too, John."

"Nice time in the city?"

"Great time," she replied, turning to grin at Bobby and rest her hand on his leg under the table. "How has business been?"

"Slow," Charles answered for the others. "We've got impatient clients. Monday morning you need to get back to work, Sophie."

"Two steps ahead of you, Charles. I've got five open houses this next week, all in neighborhoods near the high school," Sophie explained, reaching for her wine glass. Bobby was quick to grab the bottle and fill the glass for her.

"Good, maybe we can find something for Robert to do while you're at work."

"He could help down at the club maybe?" Sophie suggested, looking to John who had the singular responsibility of keeping the club running.

"Sure. Ever work security, Robert?" John asked. Bobby exchanged a grin with Sophie, to the men at the table it was just an exchange between husband and wife.

"I think I can handle it."

"Bring him down tomorrow night," John instructed. "We'll see what we can do."

"I appreciate it," Bobby nodded.

The conversation reached a standstill when a waiter appeared at the table with a tray full of family style platters.

"How're things going, Lee?" Sophie greeted the waiter.

"Pretty good. You?" The tall slender man replied, setting plates down.

"Can't complain. Is Jennifer here tonight?"

"Just got here a few minutes ago."

"I'll be right back," Sophie announced standing up and starting down the stairs after Lee.

"Jennifer have a daughter?" Fred called.

"No, I'm keeping up the pretense. I get commission either way," Sophie laughed before continuing downstairs. Bobby watched her go, openly admiring the tight skirt she had chosen. Turning back to the table he found he wasn't the only one.

"You guys mind? That is my wife," Bobby warned casually.

"Sorry man," John was the first to offer. "We sometimes forget that Soph is married."

"You're a lucky son of a bitch," Gregory laughed, stubbing out his cigar before reaching for a plate of veal parmigiana. "Gorgeous young thing like that."

"Age difference?" Fred asked.

"About 10 years," Bobby got a sly grin on his face, "The age makes all the difference."

The table laughed, except for Charles who looked less than amused. Bobby was beginning to wonder if maybe the man had made a play for Sophie but struck out given the way he behaved towards her.

"Don't mind him," Fred gestured to the Australian. "He's going to be in a bad mood until that girlfriend of his gets into town."

"You've got a girlfriend?" Bobby asked.

"She isn't my girlfriend. She's a preying mantis; I'm not stupid enough to get involved with Nikki." Bobby leaned back in his chair, waiting for him to continue. Finally he might get a bit more insight on the woman who had eluded him for so many years.