Author's note:- None episode based but there's likely to be occasional mention of events in the first few series. I love the idea of Grace being given a challenge by her peers that could make things very difficult and if a little, or in this case quite a lot, of smut can get thrown in it can only make it better! Rated for adult themes, sexual content and all the usual stuff. I own nothing.

Ladies who Lunch Ch 8/10

"Work place fantasies? I'd say they're pretty common wouldn't you? I suppose it depends on your definition though. Mel and Frankie's fantasies could be classed as work place based don't you think?" Boyd said quietly the fact she was now so close combined with the alcohol and desire running through his blood making his heart race.

"Umm. What I want to know though is was yours a work place fantasy? You said we don't know woman. I think you lied. Why don't you tell me another of those fantasies you have about her and I'll try to work out who it is." Grace replied the air between them suddenly buzzing with electrical energy as he stared into his glass for a second.

"Only if you talk too. This friend you argued with before he asked you not to leave him. Does he play a part in many of your fantasies? Do I know him?"

"He plays a part in all my fantasies just like your mystery woman and just because the one I described earlier was all about anger and raw lust doesn't mean they all our I have ones just as loving and tender as yours."

"You didn't answer my question. Do I know him?" Boyd asked seeing her hesitate before resting her head back on the sofa and sighing heavily. "Grace come on do the rules not apply now it's just the two of us?"

"Of course they do. Yes you know him but you didn't answer my question either. Do I know her? If you feel that strongly about someone you really should tell them."

"Yes you know her and I can't tell her."

"Why?" Grace asked meeting his eye again as he held her gaze for a second before replying.

"I can't lose her. If I told her that's exactly what I've always believed would happen. I can't live without her in my life even if she has no idea how I really feel about her. Why haven't you told his guy you like. Are you in love with him?"

"Oh god yes, more than I have ever been with anyone in my life but like you it frightened me before now that he wouldn't feel the same. You just said it yourself having someone in your life even if it's not in the way you'd like is better than living without them."

"Is it though? You said you were frightened before now. Has that changed? Is it still worth living a lie?" Boyd asked suddenly feeling very brave not sure if it was the alcohol or the way she looked at him giving him the courage to push her a little more. "You know going back to "go to" fantasies do you want to hear one of mine? The one I go back to most often?"

"Yes should I get my notebook?" Grace replied smiling as he shook his head.

"I'll tell you if you tell me one of your more drawn out fantasies you play in your imagination when using one of those toys you were talking about earlier."

"If I do will you tell me who your mystery woman is?"

"If you tell me who your "friend" is. I think I know but one more fantasy and I'll be sure then I'll tell you if you tell me." Boyd said quietly refilling both their glasses letting his fingers linger longer than was necessary on hers where they rested on her glass. "Ok. This woman Grace she's stunning, she takes my breath away on a daily basis. She's so intelligent and challenging and she drives me crazy physically and mentally at times but I'm completely addicted to her. I have been since the first day I laid eyes on her and I've loved her for almost as long."

"She's a lucky woman you really should tell her." Grace replied hearing the husky edge to her own voice as he nodded. Her head was actually light with the desire coursing through her but she still couldn't move. The voice in her head was screaming at her that she knew it was her he was talking about but her heart wouldn't believe it. Not yet.

"Well in my go to fantasy I do. We're working late there's only the two of us in the unit, we're sharing a bottle of wine. I love the nights we do that it always feels like in that minute she might actually know. We're trying to pick apart a really complicated case, she's sitting on the floor surrounded by photos and evidence, she says it helps her think better I always think it just looks uncomfortable. She goes to get up and loses her footing..."

"Clumsy."

"No that's exactly the point she's the most poised elegant woman I've ever know. Clumsy is the last word I'd use to describe her but I reach for her to stop her falling and she ends up on the sofa beside me."

"You don't have a sofa in your office."

"No...but she does." Boyd replied knowing he was no longer doing anything to hide the fact it was her he was talking about and praying she won't run physically or emotionally from the information. If she did he knew he'd blown it forever if she didn't he might just get exactly what he wanted and hoped she did too.

"Clearly she likes her home comforts." Grace smiled sipping her wine her eyes never leaving his.

"She does and in that moment I've never been more grateful for it. She's so close it's like my senses are being invaded by her and I can't do anything but kiss her. She's shocked at first but then she's kissing me back. I finally think we're going to make it then she pulls away and I'm completely confused . She tells me she can't do it, she can't be just another woman I sleep with and it totally blows my mind that she doesn't realise what she means to me, that she could never be just another anything to me."

"She's probably scared."

"She is but one of the best and worse things about her is that she thinks too much. I love that about her but it drives me mad at times."

"And yet you're in love with her?"

"I challenge any man to spend time with her and not be." Boyd replied quietly the moment of silence between them seeming to last forever.

"So do you convince her?" Grace asked setting her glass aside and giving him her full attention.

"I can't stop myself. Now that I've felt what it's like to kiss her I can't pretend anymore. I tell her that she's the most important thing in my life, that I'm in love with her and I know she's not in love with me but I don't care she could never be another woman I slept with. I don't want...no I can't live with the lie anymore. Then I kiss her again and this time there's no resistance from her."

"How could there be when she obviously loves you too or she wouldn't have stopped in the first place."

"You think that's why she stopped?"

"If it was me that why I would have."

"And if it was you would you believe me when I told you I loved you?" Boyd asked holding his breath as he waited for her to answer. In that moment she'd never looked more beautiful to him and he'd never wanted or loved her more. With all his heart he wanted to close the distance between them and start acting on what he was thinking instead of talking about it. He just needed her to say yes. One word and they'd both have what he was now sure she wanted as much as him.