A/N: So… I wanted to write and post this last night, but as soon as I sat down with my computer, I found that I couldn't keep my eyes open. So it was an early night for me. Hence no chapter yesterday. ;( Anyway, here is the next part. Sorry, I know it's shorter, and I was hoping to get more parts out, but fingers crossed for tomorrow. :)

~~ Steff ~~

When Cole stepped out into the garden to take a work call, Steff couldn't help but explore his house. It was an impressive Georgian-style villa that he said he'd inherited from his parents. She could only imagine how much it would have cost.

Often, they'd sit in the main room with the fireplace, so she'd never had the chance to see all the rooms. He had always been a little mysterious, so it wouldn't surprise her if he had things hidden in the other rooms. Peering into the rooms she passed, she marvelled at the artwork and the interesting patterns on the walls and light fittings. It was spacious, and had a large backyard, and she thought it would be a good place for children to grow up, before she quickly pushed the thought away. She was certainly getting ahead of herself. After all, she didn't know if he even wanted kids.

Pausing at the library, she walked inside. It was one of the rooms he had introduced her to, allowing her to borrow books whenever she'd like. Of course, she'd already made use of his offer, having found many books that weren't at the library she worked at. Walking past the old shelves, she ran her fingers lightly against the spines of the books, not minding the light speckling of dust that floated into the air. It only added to the atmosphere. Smiling slightly, she found she was glad that he liked to read as well. She didn't think she'd be compatible with someone that didn't like reading, she thought in amusement.

Picking up a book about France, she brought it over to one of the seats by the window, starting to read it. She'd always liked the thought of visiting Paris, although she didn't exactly have the funds to go. She wasn't sure how long she'd been reading, before she noticed movement in the corner of her vision, and she looked up. Realising Cole had found her, she smiled, hoping he didn't mind her going to that room.

"I thought I'd find you in here," he remarked, starting further into the room and taking a seat at one of the desk chairs. She realised he'd likely been watching her for a while, before she'd noticed. He often did like to watch her, and she hoped it was because he found her interesting.

"I am a little predictable, aren't I?" she remarked, closing her book as she turned to meet his gaze. "Did your work call go okay?" she asked.

"It was fine. Just some problems to sort out," he responded, not sounding like he was keen on elaborating.

"Do you need to go in?" she questioned, placing the book down on the seat beside her.

"Not today," he answered, and she felt a little relieved. "But I will tomorrow."

Nodding, she tucked some hair behind her ear, that had fallen out of her plait. "Someday when you're free, I thought it would be nice if you met one of my friends, Ember."

Cole seemed to contemplate this for a moment, and she wondered if he was unkeen on the idea. "I mean… just if you wanted to," she added, quickly, not wanting to force him to.

"Sure. I'll meet her," he replied, keeping his tone and expression even, so she couldn't tell what he thought of the idea. "Let me know a time that suits."

"I also thought-… maybe you'd like me to meet some of your friends?" she suggested, and it ended up sounding more like a question.

"I don't have close friends," he replied, a little dismissively. "There isn't anyone to introduce you to."

"Oh… Okay," Steff replied, trying to hide her disappointment. She wasn't sure whether it was true, and he really didn't have many friends, or whether he just didn't want them to meet her. She hoped that she wasn't embarrassing to him. She'd just been thinking that they'd been dating for months, and they hadn't yet met anyone else in each other's lives, which was perhaps a little unusual.

Studying her for a long moment, he then beckoned her over with his hand. "Come here," he urged, giving little away.

Obliging, she rose to her feet, walking over in curiosity. He took her hand to tug her closer, and she inhaled, allowing him. Slowly, he raised his hand to her hair, taking the hair tie out, and running his fingers through the strands to untie them. Once her hair was loose, he made a pleased sound. "Your hair looks nice out," he remarked, and she blushed, in self-consciousness. She wasn't sure why, but the gesture almost felt intimate. "I don't know why you always tame it."

"Maybe I will wear it out more, then," she remarked, and she almost went to say more, before he tugged her down closer to him. Surprised, she rested her free hand against the desk, her face near his, and he leaned forward to kiss her. She froze for a moment, before kissing him back, finding it a pleasant surprise. She had wanted to kiss him for a long while, but she'd been nervous, as she hadn't kissed anyone before. She hadn't known if he'd even wanted to – or whether he even found her attractive - as he had never initiated anything, and she couldn't bring herself to ask. It was nice, and she smiled slightly against his lips as he curled some of her blonde hair around his finger. She could almost believe that he was fond of her. Her cheeks felt warm when he finally pulled away, and she straightened, resisting the urge to raise a hand to her lips.

As if he wasn't sure of what to say, he took a stack of papers from his desk, busying himself by organizing it. "I'm free on Saturday, if you want me to meet your friend then."

"Okay," she replied, after she had collected herself. "I'll let you know when I organise a time."

He nodded, and she walked back over to her seat by the window to pick up the book again and keep reading. While they both read in silence, she was sure that she felt his gaze on her a number of times.