We exchanged knowing smiles.

“Far be it from me to stop you from surprising me one night by flying me somewhere, for dinner, some dancing, and sex, of course, in a unique setting that I’ve never been in!”

She chuckled. “It’s a date!”

We got to the front door. As I unlocked it, she gave me a hug from behind, and whispered, “Honey, I wanted to do that for you if only to show you how sorry I am that I had to put you through everything today. After we get inside I’ll try to explain that I had few choices and little time … but I know that even with some sort of explanation, it would do little to ease the pain and confusion you must have felt.”

I leaned against her warm frame and rested the side of my head against her cheek.   “No less pain than what you probably felt, baby.” I felt her nod her head, and kiss my hair.

After a beat, I pushed the door open and walked in, my fingers interlaced with hers. I drew a breath in nervously as I dragged her in. After she walked through the threshold, I shut the door behind her and keyed the code into the alarm system.

Without a word I walked through the darkened open space area of the living room, heading towards the staircase.

She brushed against my arm as she caught up with me, and, all of a sudden, the arousal and electricity that had been crackling between us blazed like a fire that gasoline had been thrown into. We paused simultaneously at the landing of the staircase and looked at each other. Without warning, she drew an arm around my waist and pulled me roughly against her. My arms wrapped around her neck and my hands clasped behind her head, hers tangled in my hair.

Our mouths crashed against each other in a hungry kiss. After a beat, we slowed the kiss down and our lips caressed the other in a dance of seduction and dominance. When we broke the kiss to breathe, I said hoarsely, “bedroom.”

I turned to mount the stairs, and she followed right behind me.

When we got to my bedroom door, Aerin knocked the door open, and slipped her arm around me again, spun me around and pulled her to me. I dug my hands through her silky mane, tugging on the hair gently, and started guiding her backwards until her legs bumped on the edges of the bed. I nudged her backward until she sat the edge of the bed. I released my hold on her hair and took several steps back. She eyed me curiously; I looked at her steadily as I slowly began to remove my clothes. I wanted her to want me; to desire me so deeply that she would take me without reservation.