It's all in the Timing
Vicki had gone to bed well after 2 AM and fell into a fitful sleep. She didn't know what made her wake up but as she laid there with her eyes closed something made Vicki grab her glasses from the nightstand and open the window to the fire escape. "You might as well come in Henry, I know you're out there."
Henry climbed through the window, "I know you didn't see me, and I know you didn't hear me. What gave me away this time?"
Vicki shoved her glasses back up her nose, took a deep breath and said, "Smell."
Henry raised an eyebrow sputtering, "I most certainly don't smell."
"Sweet, spicy and sexy. I smell it every time you're close."
"No one in 490 years has ever said that."
"Maybe no one ever paid attention."
Henry came closer, "Really? You pay attention to me?"
Vicki laughed "I had no choice., you've been hanging round for months."
Henry lifted his royal chin, "I don't hang around. I'm being useful with your investigations."
"Yeah you are useful, but you do hang around."
"Well if my presence is not appreciated, I'll leave."
Vicki pointed to the bed and said, "Sit down and tell me why you were outside my window."
Henry sat and held out his arms for her to join him, "I've been trying to get you alone. Either it's Mike, or Coreen, or your mother that keeps me from saying and doing what I want with you."
"You think I don't know? I've known from the first night in your condo what you want from me."
His arms tightened around her as he said, "Vicki, it's not just about blood and sex."
Vicki leaned into his arms and listened to the slow beat of his heart and tried to pull in the scent of him, "Don't say it."
Henry sighed, "I have to."
"I'm afraid I can't give you what you need."
Henry moved his head from side to side rubbing his chin against her shoulder, "You've already given me more than anyone has in centuries. Not since Ginevra have I felt what I feel for you. You accept me for what I am without question, without demands. I don't have to pretend with you. Vicki, I love you."
"You can't take those words back now you've said them. I've heard them and they'll be in my heart forever. I've never said them to anyone. If I say them to you, there's no going back."
Henry understood the power of words, he had learned at his father's knee and he himself had written stories that melted hearts. "Say them to me, my love and I'll find a way for us to be together forever."
Vicki placed her hands on his cheeks and ran her thumbs over his lips before giving him a tender kiss.
He felt her heat, her desire and leaned in to hear the words that were even now forming on her lips and said, "Bloody Hell. It's dawn!" Then fell in a lifeless heap on her bed.
Vicki looked down at him and almost cried as she said out loud, "Our timing sucks."
She did the best she could to pull him up in the bed, and straightened his arms and legs. She closed her drapes making sure no light could get in and laid down beside him. Just before she fell asleep herself she whispered, "Henry I will always..."