Cael braced his weight on his forearms, each of his large hands on either side of Red’s face, his calloused thumbs soothing her cheeks. His hips moved in rhythm, sliding his cock in and out of her warm sex. Her legs were wrapped around his waist, her heels pressing on his ass. Her hair flowed out across the pillow, creating a halo.

Staring into his eyes, neither speaking, she focused on the movement and friction, not on the emotions sliding through her. This was supposed to be simply sex…fun…casual. But the intense look in his eyes as his body moved in hers, was so much more than casual. As her core wound tighter, she emptied her mind of everything but the physical sensations, allowing her orgasm to take her to heights she had never experienced before. Her fingers dug into his shoulders as she cried out her body’s response.

Watching her face, as she gave herself to him, struck Cael as the most beautiful thing he had ever witnessed. Her channel tightened and he resisted the desire to thrust harder and faster, instead forcing himself to prolong the intensity. As she slowly relaxed and her eyes drifted open once more, he planted himself deep inside, his muscles tensing, his orgasm flooding from his body into hers. Dropping his head to the side of hers, he sucked in raspy breaths until his heartbeat slowed. Lifting his head again, he peered down at her, seeing a lazy smile on her face. Meeting her grin, he rolled off, pulling her close.

“No way.”

“Yes, I’m telling you that’s why she only did two movies for him.” Red popped another piece of popcorn in her mouth.

“But—” Cael began.

“Serious, Titan, I know what I’m talking about. Hitchcock always had a thing for his leading ladies and when Tippi Hedren did The Birds, he creeped her out. Part of her contract was to go around and promote the movie with him and he put the moves on her.”

He shifted his eyes from the TV screen where the big, black birds were perched on the playground equipment and watched her grinning at him. A dollop of butter was on the corner of her mouth and her tongue darted out to lick it off. His heart pinged, but he pushed that thought away. Leaning forward, he grinned, “Let me get that.” Kissing her mouth, his tongue darted out, tasting the salty butter. Smacking his lips, he sat back and said, “So, Tippi and Alfred?”

“Well, he wanted her to do more movies for him but she only did one more. It was Marnie with Sean Connery.”

Cocking his head, he said, “I thought I knew all of Hitchcock’s movie, but that one doesn’t ring a bell.”

“I, personally, didn’t like it. It was creepy, like most of his, and Sean played a real dick. But anyway, afterwards, Tippi refused to do any more movies for Hitchcock.”

“Okay, what’s your favorite Hitchcock movie?”

An embarrassed grin slid over her face, and she said, “Well, it’s not my absolute favorite, but he did one that was really different. It was more of a mystery comedy titled Family Plot. William Devane, Karen Black, Barbara Harris, and Bruce Dern.”

Laughing, he said, “Oh, my God, I forgot Hitchcock directed that.”

“It was his last film.”

She pushed the empty popcorn bowl away and said, “God, I’m stuffed.” Curling up to his side, they lay entwined, reclining on the bed.

“What other movies do you like?” he asked, with his head propped up on one hand and the other hand trailing paths over her hips.

“I love old movies. Like really, really old movies.” Looking at him hesitantly, she added, “I actually studied them in school.”

Wide eyed, he said, “Seriously?”

“Well, I do restoration on old films. I turned a love of old films into a career.” They were quiet for a moment, as she worked up her courage and asked, “Can you tell me about your house? The one you’re working on?”

His eyes held hers and the air changed between them…something tangible, taking them further from their bubble of anonymity.

“Bought it for a song when I got out of the service. There was nothing wrong with it…just old. The former owners had had it for years and decided to move to a retirement community so they were ready to sell. The bones of the house were solid, it just needed to be brought into this century.”

He watched as she smiled, glad that she was interested, and continued, “I had to deal with the bathrooms and kitchen, refinished the hardwood floors and put in new windows. With paint, indoors and out, it’s been a nice house to own.”

“Are you all finished with working on it?”

Barking out laugh, he said, “Nah. It’s pretty small, so I’m adding an addition to the back. It’ll have a large den and laundry room on the first floor and a master suite on the second floor.”

“Wow, I’m so impressed,” Regina said, enjoying Titan’s animated expressions as he talked with such affection about his home.

Shrugging, he said, “I get to do what I love, not only in my job but making my home fit me.”

She nodded, but remained quiet, a soft smile curving her lips.

Cael wrapped his arm around Red, pulling her close as their Hitchcock marathon continued. She felt good in his arms, her head resting on his chest and her hand gently laying on his abs. There was something so strong, and yet so fragile about her. His fingers slid through her hair, the play of light on the various colors of red and blonde holding his attention.

Everything about her captured his attention. She was funny, smart, and so beautiful. But tomorrow he was back to work and, hopefully, back to visiting his niece soon. No names and no regrets. So why was he already feeling them?

Standing in the lobby the next morning, Regina forced a smile as she peered up at Titan. Placing her hand on his wide chest, her fingertips were now used to the play of muscles under his shirt. Something had happened that morning in the early light. When he woke, instead of wild sex, he had moved over her body reverently. Their movements had been slow…deliberate…almost…making love. Soft kisses. Gentle touches. Regret snaked through her but she pushed it back.

“This has been an amazing weekend—” she began.

“I want more,” he announced suddenly, his intense stare holding her in place. Seeing her hesitation, he said, “This. Whatever this is…I don’t want it to end here.”

She continued to stare at him, uncertainty filling her soul. Still, desperate to see him again, she waited to see what he proposed.

“I have work during the day, but my nights are free. At least for now. My friend in the hospital can’t have visitors for a few more days.”

“Won’t this just make it harder to say goodbye later?”

“I don’t care about later. I just want more of now.”

His face, already so familiar to her, was filled with longing. She had no idea what this was. They still had not shared names. Even friends with benefits know each other’s names. Her heart beat faster as she acknowledged she wanted to see him again. With everything going on in my life…I just want something that I can hold on to when things get rough. Even if it’s just memories and regrets. Nodding slowly, she agreed silently, then smiled as relief flooded his eyes.

Bending, he kissed her lips and said, “I get off work at about four o’clock. I’ll meet you here in the lobby at five. Is that okay?”

“Okay. Here, tonight at five.” Lifting on her toes, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips against his. “See you later, Titan.” With a wink, she turned and walked through the glass door and into the waiting taxi.

Cael stood, solid, for a moment, hands on his hips, watching as she walked away. “Bye, Red,” he whispered, hoping she would appear that night.

The day dragged on and by four o’clock Cael was antsy. As he drove home to shower and change, he called his sister, hating to hear the fatigue in her voice. “Are they still keeping other visitors out?”

“Yeah. It’s not been a good day. She began throwing up and has felt horrible all day. She keeps asking for you and can’t understand why the hospital won’t let you come.”

“Shit, sis. She probably thinks I don’t want to be there—”

“No, no, Cael, I explained to her that you really wanted to be here but they wouldn’t let you.”

They were silent for a few seconds and he became uneasy. “Sis, what aren’t you telling me?” He heard a quick intake of breath, before she replied, her voice quivering.

“Her hair started falling out over the weekend. So much faster than we thought it would. I was brushing and a lot came out…some in clumps.”

“Fuckin’ hell!” he cursed, feeling helpless, not an emotion he liked at all. “What can I do?”

“I don’t know. Nothing I suppose. Wait…yes. Can you buy a scarf or something like that? When you come we can tie it around her head. She sees other kids here with those and said she would like one too.”

“No problem. I’ll have it for when they finally let me visit. Tell her I love her, and sis…take care of yourself too.” Disconnecting, he pulled into his driveway, his heart aching. The thought slid through his mind that perhaps he should stay home. What the hell am I doing with Red anyway? It can’t go anywhere. Climbing the stairs to his small house, his steps were as heavy as his heart.

Regina sat in the lobby on a red leather sofa, her eyes trained on the front door. Wiping her hands on her clean jeans, she looked down, straightening her blue blouse. She had considered not coming, but she had said she would and did not want to break a promise. What am I doing? Could the timing possibly be worse?

Blowing out a breath, she puffed her hair from her face, before sliding her hand over the long tresses, smoothing them down. Several men walked by, appreciation on their faces, but she ignored them. There was only one man she was interested in and she kept watch, hoping to see him coming through the front door. With no sight of him, she looked down at her clasped hands.

Suddenly, the sound of heavy boots on the floor reverberated through her and she did not have to look up to know who was making that sound. A smile curved her lips as she finally lifted her head to see his massive body, clad in jeans and a dark green polo, stalking toward her. He was the hunter and she, the prey. She had never desired to be caught before but, now? All she wanted was for this man to claim her.

Standing as he approached, he moved directly into her space, his arms enveloping her into his embrace as he bent to kiss her lips. She clung to him, unheeding of any passersby in the lobby.

As they separated, he grinned down at her. “Glad you’re here, Red.”

Laughing, she replied, “Back at you, Titan.”

Slinging his arm over her shoulder, he said, “I’m in the mood for a big, juicy burger.” Leering down, he added, “For starters.”

Arm in arm, they walked toward the hotel’s restaurant. Once settled in an intimate, corner booth, their orders given, he admitted, “I have to confess, the idea of not coming ran through my mind. I feel like I should apologize for that.”

Holding his sincere gaze, she said, “I understand. What we’re doing doesn’t make any sense. I wondered if I should come as well. But, once I got here, I really wanted you to show up.”

They reached out, at the same time, fingers linking together on the middle of the table. “I have no idea what we’re doing, but I wasn’t ready to give it up yet,” she said.

The candlelight sent shimmers through Red’s hair, capturing Cael’s attention. The similarity between her hair and his niece’s shorn tresses caused his breath to catch in his throat. Blinking, he said, “Let’s enjoy our time.”

Two hours later, she was settled between his thighs, her head back against his shoulder, as the hot water in the garden tub rose closer to the top. The room was lit with scented candles and they both sighed in relaxation.

“Tell me more about the man who can quote Gulliver’s Travels,” she asked, her hands moving in circles in the water, watching the play of the candlelight on the surface.

He was quiet for a moment, then, shared, “I had a brother who used to read to us every night. He had several abridged books of classics and fairytales. So, I grew up listening to shortened versions of famous novels and stories. After a while, quotes came naturally to me, especially when they applied to life.”

“I loved fairy tales when I was growing up, too,” she said. “I loved the classics…the ones that Disney later turned into movies, but then I also loved the little-known ones as well.”

They remained silent for several minutes, each to their own thoughts. Twisting her head around, she asked, “Why do you think we love fairy tales so much?”

“‘Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.’”  Seeing the unspoken question in her eyes, he shook his head. “No, that’s not from me, although the words are exactly what I feel. It’s from a British writer, Neil Gaiman.”

“His words are so true,” she agreed, relaxing against his chest again. “We all want to feel that we can beat the dragons in our lives.”

Taking the washcloth, Cael gently soothed it over her skin, now pink from the warm water, wondering about the dragons in her life. He opened his mouth, ready to ask…putting himself out there to tell as well. Hesitating, he was about to speak, when she twisted completely in the water and straddled his hips. His cock, already at attention, jumped at the contact of her channel.

All thoughts flew out of his mind as she lifted up and asked, “Do condoms work underwater?”

“Fuck,” he cursed, standing while plucking her up in his arms at the same time. Stepping sure-footed onto the bathmat, he reached over to grab one. “They might tear in the water but, damn, the sight of you about ready to sink down on me nearly had me forgetting all else.”

It was on the tip of Regina’s tongue to say that she was clean and on the pill, but she stayed silent, knowing that it was not worth the risk with a man who was still a mystery to her in so many ways. Before regrets set in at that fact, he stalked to the bed, lying her on her back gently.

Pushing her hair from her face, Cael stared down at her beauty. With slow reverence, he caressed her body, discovering every sensitive spot along with every curve. When finished, long hours later, she lay languid in his arms all night.