"Good. Let's just lie here for a minute."
They did just that and afterwards, he made love to her so slowly, so gently that it had her weeping in his arms.
*****
"I wish you would stay."
"I have things to do, and you have an early meeting." She pointed out as she slid on her boots.
"I could reschedule." He could not believe his heart was wrenching at the thought of her leaving. He didn't want to behave like a lovesick idiot, but that's where he was heading.
"I can't."
"What about a day in the week?"
Panic came and went.
"I'll let you know."
"Are you having second thoughts Melanie?" he asked her quietly.
He was sitting on the bed next to her, watching her closely.
"You know that's not the case." Rising, she came to stand between his thighs. "You have me hooked."
"Is it just the sex?"
"And if I say yes?" Wrapping her arms around his neck, she played with the hair at his nape.
"Then I'd say good for me. It doesn't matter what got you that way, as long as you stay hooked."
"Is that right?"
"Hmm. Christ, I already miss you." He groaned, running his hands up and down her back.
"I'll be back. I'll try and swing it for a day in the week."
"Is that a promise?"
"Rodney."
"Right." Drawing her close, he inhaled her scent. "Let me take you home before I end up tying you to the bed."
"Unless you're going to be tying yourself there with me."
"Not a bad idea." He drew her down on his knee and nuzzled at her neck before closing his mouth over hers.
"Rodney." She felt like crying. "Rodney."
"Yes." He took her lips again, driving the kiss even deeper. When he finally lifted his head, they were both dazed with passion.
"All right." He had to take several deep breaths to try and steady himself. "All right. Let's go." Plucking her off his lap, he gripped her hands for a minute, face harsh, eyes a molten gold.
"We're going."
The drive home was done in partial silence, each busy with their own thoughts. Melanie could not relax. If things were different and there was no way she was ever going to regret having her son! If things were different, she would be inviting him inside to spend the night.
But none of it was real. She should really quit while she was ahead. But wasn't it too late? She thought in despair. She was already caught up in the intrigue, the damn romance. The novelty of a man who made her feel as if she was the most beautiful woman in the world.
