One week later…

"Oh my God," I said, stepping into the living room of the West Village townhome where we'd be staying for the next week. "This is…quite the place."

And it was. It was a two-story home, spacious with tall ceilings. It was appointed with elegant furniture and decorated with tasteful art that Grace went bonkers over right away.

"When you said that Langford was renting a place for us, I figured, I don't know, something a little more modest."

"This is Richard's New York place, actually," he said, setting down our bags. "He told me that he hardly ever gets out to the States anymore, so this place is as good as ours while we're jetting back and forth."

I walked into the stately living room where a large fireplace dominated the space. I loved the home; it was an old-fashioned contrast to Sam's ultra-modern apartment on the Thames.

"So," I said, plopping onto an antique couch in the living room. "What's the plan for tonight?"

"Tonight," said Sam. "We actually have the night off. Nice of Richard to give us an evening after we had an all-day flight, huh?"

I let out a dry laugh.

"That's actually a little surprising," I said.

"He's a good man, but he can run ragged if you let him."

"Then tonight," I said.

"Ah, right," said Sam. "I was thinking that, since we have a little extra time, we could go explore the city a little with Grace. She found out that yes, this city has museums too, so she's been chomping at the bit to check out the Met."

"I know," I said. "I heard her in the car."

Sam smiled and shook his head.

"You've created a monster, I'm afraid," he said good-naturedly. "Anyway, after that I'm sure the jetlag will have caught up with her, so I hired the nanny that Richard recommended to come by and keep an eye on her."

"Oh," I said. "Does that mean an adult's night?"

"Indeed it does, if you're feeling up to it. I figure a little fun evening out before we get on with the business at hand tomorrow is warranted."

"Sounds great to me."

We spent a little more time relaxing and recovering from the flight, though Grace was more than eager to get moving and see the sights of New York. After a little bit of coffee on the lovely back terrace of the house, I felt ready to take on the world. The three of us went for a nice stroll along the length of the island, traveling from the Village up to Central Park. About halfway there, however, we gave up and called a cab.

Central Park was as beautiful as I'd hoped. It was a crisp day and the perfect sort of weather for walking. Sam and I were both in the mood to enjoy the stroll, but Grace was still eager as could be to get to the Met and see everything there she could. Once we arrived at the museum, I could see by Grace's eyes that she was in heaven. Just like at the National Gallery, she took off like a rocket as soon as we paid our admission; Sam and I could barely keep up. Once Grace had seen all she wanted, we grabbed a few things from the gift shop and headed to the nearest pizza joint for some slices. And as soon as Grace finished her pizza, I saw her eyelids grow heavy from the jetlag. After all, in London time it was far past her bedtime.

"I think it's time to send this one packing," said Sam as Grace rested her head on his shoulder.

"I agree," I said, taking the last bite of my slice of pepperoni.

We called a cab and headed back to the townhome. Sam coordinated everything with the sitter, and I went through my clothes, trying to decide just what to wear tonight. I settled on a simple little black cocktail dress with matching shoes, doing my hair up an equally-simple style. I thought I was, if anything, slacking on my look, but Sam's expression when I arrived back in the living room told a different story.

"Wow," he said, raising his eyebrows and looking genuinely shocked. "You look…amazing."

"Oh, stop it," I said, waving my hand through the air.

But I couldn't help but let a little smile appear on my lips.

"I'm serious," he said. "You've got a way to look glamorous, even when you're not trying."

I couldn't help but chuckle.

"How'd I look on the plane in my slippers and sweatshirt? Like I'd just stepped off the runway?"

He smiled and took a sip of his drink.

"You were the loveliest thing in business class."

"I hope that doesn't mean that you had your eye on some tourist back in coach."

"Wouldn't even dream of it."

He killed the last bit of his drink.

"Shall we?" he asked.

"We shall," I said.

Sam gave Grace, who was now awake and explaining in detail to the sitter our trip to the Met, a goodbye kiss. As we walked to the waiting car, I couldn't help but reflect on our back and forth just a little. It was like old times, almost. Though with a little more sexual tension.

Who am I kidding- a lot more.

And Sam didn't look so bad himself, either. He wore a stylish outfit of black trousers, a light blue button-up rolled up just a bit to expose his ropy forearms, and a pair of black leather loafers. I suppose if anyone knew about effortless style, it was him.

After a pleasant ride through the evening city, we arrived at a modern building of glass and steel that reached up into the sky. The driver let us out, and soon we were up the elevator and entering the restaurant. The place was a chic, upscale location of contemporary elegance. Well-dressed men and women sat at tables of light brown wood, a jazz quartet played on a small stage, and black-clad waiters darted here and there. But the real star of the place was the view. Floor-to-ceiling windows made up the back wall of the restaurant, and the sweeping view of Manhattan at night just about took my breath away. And to my delight, the table that the waitress led us to put us was right near the window in a spot with a killer view.

"I figured you'd like a place that allowed you to take in a bit of the city," said Sam, settling in his seat. "Especially since our last trip was so hurried."

"It's incredible," I said, craning my neck to get the best view of the glittering cityscape as possible.

"The food's not bad either," he said. "Get whatever you'd like."

Moments later, the waitress arrived and Sam ordered a bottle of something red for the table. I selected the fish special, and Sam ordered a medium-rare steak. Soon, we both had a glass of delicious wine in our hands, and I felt calm and relaxed after the long day behind us.

"This is nice," I said, taking a sip of my wine.

"It really is," he said. "Enough to make me forget about the work ahead."

"That bad?" I asked.

"It'll be busy for the both of us, but if we can pull off what Langford is asking…it'll be quite the coup- a career-making success. And not just for me; if you can put something like this on your resume, that'll be something that'll land you a job at whatever firm where you'd care to work."

Silly as it sounds, my stomach tightened a bit at the idea of no longer working with Sam. Though it had only been a short while, I was truly enjoying our time together.

"Maybe down the road," I said. "For now, I think you and I make a great team."

Sam responded with a little half-smile.

We finished our first glasses, and the waitress was quick to fill us up again. The warmth of the wine was now working its way through me, and I felt as good as I'd felt in a long time. Looking up, I spotted Sam glancing over my shoulder. I turned and saw that he was looking at a handful of couples dancing with slow sways in front of the jazz band.

"Care for a spin?" he asked. "I think we can squeeze in a little fun before the food arrives."

I couldn't help but smile at this.

"Sure."

Sam stood, giving me his hand, and we were soon on the modest dance floor. The band played pleasant jazz standards at a slow pace that was easy to move to. Sam wrapped his arm around my lower back and pulled me close, leading me with gentle and effortless movements. His body was wonderfully firm against mine, and I couldn't help but take in that manly scent of his that I'd grown to love over the years. Though now it was dusted with a hint of an intoxicating cologne.

We held each other for a time, moving slowly to the music.

"You know," I said, "I think this is the first time you and I have ever danced like this."

"You mean in a fancy restaurant overlooking New York?"

"No," I said giving him a playful little slap to the chest. "I mean, actually dancing. Not the sort of stuff we used to do at those bars years back, where everyone's just rubbing up against one another and the music's so loud you can't even hear yourself think."

"You know," he said, "I think you're right. But we were younger back then."

"Indeed," I said.

Then I let the music wash over me once more. The wine now taking a little bit of a hold, I rested my face on Sam's chest, savoring the feeling of him against me. Soon, however, the band drew the song to a close, and Sam gave me a nod back to the table where our food was waiting for us. We returned to our seats and started in on our meals. Everything was wonderful- delicious and simple. We finished the meal off with a crème brule and, after one last song on the dance floor, we were back out onto the city streets.

"I told the driver to meet us on the other side of the park," said Sam. "Weather's perfect for a walk."

"I agree," I said with a smile.

So, the two of us started off through the winding, hilly paths of the park. And sometime during our walk, I'm not quite sure when, my hand found itself wrapped in Sam's. At first, I was a little startled. I wasn't quite sure who had initiated it, and I couldn't help but feel there was some impropriety taking place. But between the wine, the city, and Sam, I was ready to put those concerns aside.

We made our way across the park, the glittering luxury towers around us reaching up into the night sky. And soon we were back to the car, where I placed my head on Sam's shoulder as we rode back to the townhome.

"This has been a really lovely evening," I said, the car driving in quiet comfort.

"I agree," said Sam.

Soon, we were back at the townhouse. Grace was long asleep, and Sam paid the sitter and sent her on her way.

"Care for a nightcap?" asked Sam.

"Sounds great," I said.

"I'll pour the wine, you meet me on the roof."

The roof? I thought. Haven’t been up there yet.

I made my way up the circular staircase of the home, the upward ascent ending in a small wooden door. Opening it, I was greeted with the sight of the West Village spread out around me. It wasn't the epic, sweeping view of the entire city that the restaurant afforded, but it was more quiet, cozy, and intimate. I took a seat and soon Sam arrived, a pair of glasses in his hands.

"Lovely little neighborhood, is it not?" he asked.

"It's great," I said. "You should talk to Richard about taking this place off his hands."

I was joking, but Sam tilted his head and raised his eyebrows in a manner that suggested he was at least considering it.

"I was joking," I said with a smile.

"Worse investments to make," he said, returning my grin.

A silence fell over us. A chill wind blew, and I found myself scooting closer to Sam, bringing myself near his heat.

"I'm happy you're here," he said. "And not just because you're a killer employee."

"I feel the same way," I said.

Between us, I couldn't help but notice that there was something that wasn't being said. Over the course of the evening, the two of us had slipped into something like old times. The sort of comfort and intimacy between us had long crossed the line of appropriate behavior between a boss and his employee. And neither one of us had even thought about it; it was normal, natural, and wanted.

So, that's why I wasn't surprised in the slightest when Sam took my chin into his hand and gently turned me towards him. He looked at me with those blue eyes of his in a way that froze me, made me his to do with whatever he wanted.

And what he wanted was a kiss.

Pressing his lips to mine, he moved me close to him. At first, I didn't know how to react; that little anxious voice inside of me that tended to shout and stomp at things like this was there, but I was able to hush it up with ease. I fell into Sam's kiss, savoring his taste, taking sweet pleasure in the feeling of his body against mine. Soon, his hands moved up my legs and came to a rest on my hips.

Then, before things could go any further, the little anxious voice made itself known and demanded that I say something, anything.

"I," I said, "I don't know if this is a good idea."

Sam pulled away slightly, enough for me to see that naughty smirk on his face.

"I think it's actually the best idea the two of us ever had."

Couldn't argue with that; he was right.

The anxious voice, realizing that it had been able to say its piece to no avail, silenced and retreated. And Sam and I went right back to kissing. My breathing became heavier as the intensity of our kisses rose, and I felt something like a need rise in me. I needed Sam close, I needed his hands on my body, I needed…more.

His lips moved from mine, kissing me along the curve of my neck in the way he knew that I loved.

"You haven't forgotten a thing," I said, through a smile, my eyes closed.

I ran my hands through his thick, golden hair as he kissed me. Sighs escaped my mouth as his lips moved down my neck then up and along, kissing me behind my ear in a manner that caused gooseflesh to break out across my skin. His hands were busy, too, moving up along the curves of my body and coming to a rest on the small of my back. He pulled me as close as I could get, and as his lips moved back to mine I did a little exploring of my own, feeling his hard, taut body through the thin fabric of his shirt.

I grew more aroused by the moment. The kissing was wonderful, but he and I both knew where this was going, and I wanted to be there now. But Sam, the tease as always, kept me right where I sat. And I loved it- his kiss was intoxicating and the tension built by the second. Minutes flew by in each other's embrace, and the feeling of hot arousal soon grew in me to the point where I could no longer stand it.

"I think," I said, hardly able to form the words, "we should take this inside."

"I'm inclined to agree."

We both hurried back into the house, down the stairs, and into the bedroom. Each second that we weren't in each other's arms was torment, and as soon Sam shut the bedroom door behind us, I attached myself to him like a magnet. Our kissing resumed with haste, growing more intense as we moved in side-steps towards the bed. When we finally reached the soft surface, Sam placed his hand on the zipper of my dressed and slowly worked it down, the air cool on each new exposed bit of skin.

I couldn't believe how impatient I felt as the zipper inched down; part of me wanted to burst out of the dress like a beast and pounce on Sam right then and there. Soon, the zipper was down and I shimmied out of it. I wore nothing now but a pair of black thong underwear and the matching bra. Sam's eyes locked onto my body, scanning it eagerly.

"You're even lovelier than I remember," he said.

"Why don't you show me just how much you missed me," I said.

He smirked again, taking this as a challenge that he was eager to accept. Sam closed the distance between the two of us, his hands reaching up to my bra and undoing the clasp with the same deft skill that he'd always shown. An instant later, the bra was undone. I pulled it down, my breasts tumbling free. Sam didn't waste a moment; he scooped my breasts into his hands and latched onto my left nipple with his mouth, lashing it with his tongue as he sucked the delicate skin. I moaned, the sensation beyond words. Running my hands through his hair, he moved from one breast to the other, giving it equal attention.

"Not fair," I said, pointing to the clothes that were still covering his body.

"I suppose you have a point," he said, moving his hands over his buttons and opening the shirt bit by bit.

I bite my lower lip, watching eagerly as he exposed more and more of the killer body that I knew was under that shirt. Soon, he reached the lowest button, pulling his shirt open as he did. I let out a little gasp as he slipped the shirt off over his broad shoulders. Sam's torso was cut and lean, the solid squares of his pecs set over twin rows of tight abs. His shoulders were thick, and his biceps were to die for. He'd always been in good shape, but he must've been taking advantage of that company gym of his. There wasn't an ounce of fat on his body, and if he ever decided to drop finance and get into the underwear modeling game, he likely wouldn't have any issues.

"You OK?" he asked, apparently noticing my wide-eyed expression.

"Um, fine," I said. "You, uh, just look really good, is all."

"And you look as gorgeous as ever," he said, looking into my eyes with those piercing blues of his.

I felt myself blush.

But before I could say or think anything else, Sam turned his attention back to my body, setting upon me with more kisses. Placing his hand on my lower back, he guided me down to the bed. As I lay there facing up, he covered my body with kisses. He moved over my breasts, my shoulders, my stomach and my hips; it was as if he didn't want a single bit of my body to go unnoticed. As he reached the lower part my stomach, he slipped his fingers under the waistband of my thong panties, gently pulling them down along my legs and off. I felt a little nervous at first, now being totally nude, but that comfort that I'd always felt with Sam soon came rushing back.

My arousal had been growing at a steady pace since he first laid those lips on me, and now that my sex was exposed I could sense just how wet and hot I'd gotten. And Sam noticed too; a devilish little grin formed on his lips as he moved his lips closer and closer to just where I wanted them.

He started with slow kisses along the sensitive skin of my inner thighs, moving closer to my sex at a pace that drove me so wild with anticipation that I knew there was no way it wasn't intentional. I ran my hands over my body as he teased me, dragging my fingers over my breasts and belly before settling them onto his head and gently guiding him towards where I needed him.

"Patience, darling," he said. "Good things come to those who wait."

"I think I've waited enough for one lifetime," I said, my eyes closed as I took another deep breath.

But he continued to tease. Right at the moment, I thought I might explode with tension, however, he decided to give me what it was I was nearly begging for. Sam started with my lips, licking them slowly and sensually, the feeling beyond compare. Then, he opened me just a bit, enough to slip a finger inside of me. A sharp gasp of air rushed into my lungs as he entered me, and though it was only a shade of the part of him I really wanted inside of me, it was enough to drive me wild with passion.

Sam continued to tease me with toying little licks, sliding his finger in and out of my slick pussy as he did. Eventually, he opened me up more, holding my lips apart with one hand while he moved in and out of me with the other. His tongue moved up and down my lips, eventually coming to a stop right over that magical little spot where I wanted him to give all of his attention.

And he was happy to do just that.

Sam stared with quick darts of his tongue over my clitoris, each contact of his tongue against me sending waves of hot pleasure through my body like a pulse. The steady rhythm of his finger moving in and out of me was a sensual companion to the action of his tongue, and as soon as he built his pace I knew that it was only going to take a minute or two of this before I came.

Soon, Sam's quick darts of the tip of his tongue against my clitoris turned into long, slow, lazy drags. The sensation of the flat length of his tongue pressed against me was nearly too much to bear, and I found myself rubbing my breasts, squeezing them hard as he pleasured me. As Sam brought me closer and closer to orgasm, the only thought able to take hold in my mind was just how much of a goddamn artist he was with that tongue of his.

The pleasure soon cascaded into a rushing orgasm. I moaned as the twin sensations of his finger and tongue pushed me over the edge, ecstasy taking hold of me and not letting go. My legs shook and screams slipped past my lips as Sam brought me deep into the orgasm.

When I was done, I was ready for more. Sam lifted himself up from below me, wiping the glistening evidence of my orgasm off his mouth with a drag of the back of his wrist.

"I need you to fuck me right now," I said, the demanding tone of my words surprising me.

"I think someone's run out of patience," he said, standing up and going to work on his belt.

"Oh my God," I said. "You have no idea."

Thankfully, he wasn't in the mood to waste any time. Looking down, I saw the long length of his cock strain against the fabric of his pants, and I bit my lower lip in anticipation of what I was about to see. Once the belt and zipper were undone, Sam yanked his pants and underwear down with a swift pull, removing his socks along with everything else. His heavy, long cock sprang out, pointing right at me. I'd seen his prick before, and knew just how thick and long it was, but seeing it again after so much time was almost too much to bear.

"Bring that to me, now," I said in a playful voice.

"As you wish, your majesty," he said with a smirk.

Sam came closer to me, placing his weight on his arms as he climbed on top of me. My eyes flicked from one shoulder to the other, the muscles of his upper body tensed and flexed with the strain of supporting his weight. Once he was completely on top of me, his muscular torso gloriously spanned out, he lowered himself down and kissed me once more, right on the lips.

Then, reaching down, he took himself by the base of his prick and slid into me. The sensation of the head of his cock touching my sex sent shivers of pleasure through my body. And once he entered me and plunged the entire length of his thick, hard cock inside of me, it was like nothing else I'd ever felt before. Sam and I had made love countless times before, but something about this now, after all the time, after all the tension, after all the uncertainty…it was different. Feeling Sam fully buried inside of me was an ecstasy that I didn't even think was possible.

His thrusting was steady and sure at first, at an even pace that saw him plunging the entire length of him into me over and over, deep and full. I reached around him, wrapping my arms around his strong, muscular back, bringing him down and close to me, so close that he brought his lips to my neck again, kissing me harder this time. I took in his scent as he kissed and fucked me, growing intoxicating from every sense.

Sam's pace gradually picked up, and the pleasure began building and building yet again. There was something magical about Sam's cock; it never failed to bring me the orgasm that I craved.

"Don't stop," I said, my words coming out in a low voice that I whispered into his ear. "Don't stop fucking me."

"Wouldn't dream of it," he replied.

And he didn't. He continued driving into me, spearing me deeply in a way that I could hardly bear. Sam lifted himself up, sitting back on his legs and grabbing me by the ankles. He held my legs apart, this new angle hitting me in exactly the spot where I knew I needed to be stimulated. It was as if he had some sort of psychic intuition about just how to pleasure me.

I knew another orgasm was right around the bend. At the speed and power with which he was fucking me, there was no way that I'd be able to hold it back, even if I wanted to. Opening my eyes just a bit, I watched as the powerful, taut muscles of his upper body flexed and tensed. His face was tightening into a wince of impending orgasm, a thin sheen of sweat forming on his brow. He was getting close, very close, and I was right there with him.

Then, almost without warning, my orgasm arrived. Squeals and screams shot out of my mouth as my body seized up in pleasure yet again. My toes curled, and I grabbed onto the bed sheets as hard as I could, as though I might rocket off from the sheer, unbridled pleasure that had me fully in its grip. My body was tight and tense as the first waves of the pleasure ran through me, replaced soon by a feeling of limp-limbed pliability. Sam's orgasm arrived soon after, and with a series of quick thrusts and manly grunts, he emptied himself into me. I took an extra taste of ecstasy at the feeling of him erupting inside of me, emptying himself out completely as he remained buried fully into me.

Soon, he was spent. His thrusts slowed and finally stopped. Once he was done, he collapsed onto the bed next to me, and we both spent the next few silent minutes regaining our breath and lingering in the afterglow of the incredible lovemaking we'd just finished. I laid there completely blissed-out, a feeling of total relaxation now slipping into my limbs.

"Well," I said, finally breaking the silence. "I suppose that was the reunion that I'd been waiting for."

Sam smiled.

"And not a second too soon."