"Yes. I respect the need to protect your son. I'm not completely oblivious, Vincent."
"I know. I'm sorry." He drew her close. "Can we finish eating and we go back to bed?"
"That's something I can absolutely work with," she told him with a smile.
"Good." Leaning over, he kissed her softly before letting go.
*****
They fell into the routine of their former roles of friendship. He made love to her with a restless energy that fired her response, and afterwards they journeyed to the past.
"I did not!"
"You did." She was sprawled on his chest, hands cupped beneath her chin, eyes sparkling with humor.
"You were the one who dared me to put the frog from the chemistry lab into the teacher's desk," he pointed out. The warmth of her body was seeping through his own, bringing him a sense of contentment he had not felt for a very long time.
"I made the suggestion, not realizing that you would actually do it."
He gave her a narrow-eyed stare. "Thea, you specifically told me to do it. Your exact words were: 'Mr. Prince is an old meanie and ought to be taught a lesson.'" He quirked a brow at her. "Well?"
She bit down on her lip to keep the laughter from escaping. He looked so aggrieved. "I would never have said meanie. That does not sound like me."
"Do you or do you not recall that you specifically encouraged me to put the frog into that man's desk?"
"I plead the fifth." She burst out laughing when he simply hauled her on top of him.
"What are you doing?"
"I also recall how very vulnerable you are to tickling." The purposeful look on his face had her screaming.
"Don't you dare!"
"Then admit that you got me in trouble and ran away and left me to face the consequences." His fingers were poised above her ribcage. "Or bear the wrath of my hands. You know how you get when this happens. Admit it." His hands drifted lower.
"I admit it," she choked out, gasping when he still started tickling her.
"I admit it. Vincent! Stop." He was merciless, tickling her until tears were running down her cheeks.
"I'm going to get you for this," she warned.
"I think you already have." His grin had faded to be replaced by the lambent look of desire that was unmistakable. One hand lifted to cup her cheek. Using his thumb to wipe away the moisture, he bent his head to rub his lips on hers. A sigh escaped her, nipples tingling in anticipation. Drawing her up against him, he deepened the kiss until the only sounds inside the room were the crackle and pop of the fire and their labored breathing.
*****
She was so happy. She knew it would not last and there were things that needed to be worked out between them, but for now, it was the happiest day of her life. The rain continued, which wasn't a hardship for them, as they barely budged from the bed except to get something from the kitchen. She insisted on making lunch which consisted of thick ham and cheese sandwiches, pickles, and slices of an almond cake she had baked.
They made love in between meals, with the rain pattering on the windowpane. He could not get enough of her. The lovemaking went from slow and sweet to quick and desperate. It was as if he wanted to leave his brand on her.
As the evening hour approached, she felt the quickening of fear and sadness. He was leaving tonight to go and collect his son. He was leaving her and she knew he wasn't going to be making any promises.
She had decided not to pressure him into making a commitment. It was enough that he had spent the weekend with her. She had to be satisfied with that for now. She was in love with him and wanted more than one weekend or whenever he could spare the time to be with her.
They were both busy individuals. He had a multi-billion-dollar company to run, and she was just starting out. He also had a son, who took priority. But she could not help but feel despondent.
She wanted more, and now that they had been together physically, she knew she could never turn back to what was. She wanted him as her husband and father of her children.
It frightened her how much she wanted it.
