"Did you know that they use motion sensors for the lighting in the trees? It lets the actors know when to come out. I was talking to one of the zombies about it," Sam said and Violet nodded along with him. He'd been talking about his journey through the hayride for the vast majority of the trip home, and while Wade peppered him with questions and asked him to go on, she stared out the window, thinking over her night.

Not that there was all that much to think about.

So she'd fallen on Wade. So she'd held his hand. What was this, middle school?

And yeah, okay, there was some definite tension between them now, but wasn't it possible that it was all in her head? Tensions had been running high all night long, and it wasn't insane to think that maybe--just maybe--the mix of adrenaline and panic had made her go a little haywire.

At the end of the day, nothing had changed. She was the nanny and he was the guardian. He was her boss. The guy who'd never stuck around.

Except for now he was. He'd said he was going to stick in for Sam...

She glanced at the little boy and realized with a start that he'd fallen silent. His candy wrapper was still crinkled in his hand, but his chest rose and fell silently as he leaned sleepily against the passenger side window.

The car stopped and when the noise of the engine halted, Wade turned around and said, "Looks like someone finally tuckered out."

Silently, Violet nodded. "I'll carry him up."

Wade shook his head. "Don't be silly. I've got him."

He moved from the drivers seat then, gently, opened the passenger door and unbuckled Sam. Though the little boy stirred, he didn't protest when Wade heaved him into his arms and carried him up the path to the front door.

Wordlessly, Violet followed them then sprinted ahead to open the door for Wade to carry the little boy inside.

For a moment, she stood in the open doorway, allowing the crisp autumn air to blow in while Wade made his way up the stairs toward Sam's room. Then, catching herself, she clicked the door closed behind her and bee-lined for the kitchen in search of a much-needed drink.

After a glass of wine, she'd be able to put this whole weird night behind her. Then, in the morning, they could head off to the parade and...and...

And what? Wade would still be there, standing beside her. Maybe he'd make some joke and offer her his lopsided grin or he'd brush against her with his toned, tree trunk of an arm.

Hastily, she pulled a bottle of wine from the cabinet and uncorked it, but as she reached for a glass in a nearby cupboard, she heard heavy footfalls coming down the hall toward her and her heart froze up again.

Maybe the wine was a bad idea after all. Maybe she should just go to bed right now at--she glanced at the clock--eight thirty. That wouldn't be so odd, right?

"He's out," Wade's deep voice sounded behind her and she turned, her hand still on the cabinet in front of her.

"Oh, uh, good. He'll be well rested for the parade tomorrow. He's been looking forward to it all week."

"I know. I've had to argue with him every day that he can't wear his costume until then." He let out a little laugh, and Violet forced herself to open the cabinet, if only to avoid looking like she'd suddenly had a catatonic episode.

Pulling one glass from the shelf inside, she cleared her throat and said, "Um, did you want any wine?"

"Sure, why not?"

"Okay. Great." She busied herself with filling the glasses, trying to eye them until they were exactly measure with each other, then, as she held his glass out for him, his fingers brushed against hers and another surge of awareness rolled through her body.

Danger. Danger.

Red lights were flashing in her head, and she knew she had to get out of here before she made a total idiot of herself. Stuffing the cork back in the bottle behind her, she said, "I think I'm going to read for a while before bed. So. I'll just--"

She tried to skirt past him through the kitchen archway, but he didn't move. Instead, he held out one huge hand and said, "Come on, let's just have one drink together."

She glanced down at her glass, suddenly wishing that the minuscule portion she'd poured for herself was even smaller.

"Look,” Wade said. “I'm sorry for scaring you tonight, but you do have to admit--it was kind of fun."

"Which part? The zombies or the headstones or the nightmares that will follow me for the rest of my days?"

He laughed. "You and I both know that wasn't the part that scared you the most."

"I...I don't know what you mean? Like, when Sam--"

He shook his head. "This has nothing to do with Sam. You know, it took me a long time to figure it out, but I get it now." He took a sip of his drink, and then moved to set it on the counter behind her, practically boxing her in with his body.

"Well apparently it took you less time than it took me because I don't know--"

"The thing that scared you most about tonight was being alone with me. I couldn't figure it out, why you refused to spend any time near me unless Sam was there. But I get it now. You're scared. What I don't understand is why." The deep rumble of his voice was almost silky now, and it rolled through her senses like the purr of thunder.

She let out a laugh she very much did not feel. "You must be pretty full of yourself to think--"

"Tell me, what's so scary about me, Violet?"

"You're not--" She started, but then his hand was on her bicep, caressing her gently.

"You get goose bumps when I touch you."

Her heart beat a little faster, but she shook her head, willing herself to stay calm, to remain focused. "What point are you trying to make exactly?"

"I'm trying to show you that you don't have to be afraid. This tension you feel? I feel it too. Ever since you came back into my life, that kiss has haunted me and I'm dying to know if anything has changed. I know you have the same feelings. I see it whenever you look at me."

"So, maybe there is some weird, I don't know, tension between us,” she stammered. “I'll admit that. But if we just move forward we can--"

"Can what? What's the worst thing that can happen if we give in?"

"Wade..." She practically whispered. He was so close now, close enough that she had to crane her neck up to look him in the eye. Still, she couldn't deny the truth of his words. Whenever she looked at his chiseled lips, she wondered what they'd feel like, what they'd taste like.

"Violet." The low purr of his voice was enough to make her close her eyes, and they she knew he was coming closer, could feel the smell of him growing stronger, the heat of him warming her own skin. Within seconds, his lips would be on hers, and when they were?

She wouldn't be able to tear herself away.

Bracing herself she leaned back against the countertop, and then his lips were on hers, warm and soft and sending waves of need through her like she’d never felt before. She breathed into him, willing his to deepen the kiss, and as she pushed and pulled along with him, she found herself melting into his touch, sighing with every move he made.

It was fast, too fast, she knew that, but she couldn’t hold herself back. It was like every sinful thought she’d had since he’d walked through the door had finally come to life and she was hurdling toward something that neither of them could control.

Gently, his tongue dipped between her lips, and as she tasted him, she lifted herself onto the counter and spread her legs just wide enough for him to position himself between them. Already, she could feel his tiff length pressed against her, covered only by his jeans, and she shook with the need to touch him there.

With every kiss, he murmured something to her, but it wasn't until he nibbled on her earlobe that she could make out the words. "God, I want you."

She didn’t know what had come over her, but before she had the chance to think twice, she was nodding against his lips, whispering words she could hardly believe were coming from her lips. "Slide my panties off," she managed, and then his hands were on her thighs, tracing the tender, heated skin as she slowly dragged her skirt higher up her hips.

When his thumb hooked around her panties, she expected him to tug them down or pull them aside, but instead, he yanked at the lace until it snapped, first one side, then the other.

"Give me your wrists," he said, and she obeyed without thinking. She placed them in front of her, and he wound the white lace around them until it held taut, and tied it. Then, in one fluid motion, he gripped the lace and pushed her arms above her head.

"You like this?" he breathed, but she was lost for words. All she knew was the pounding of blood in her ears and the fierce desire ripping through her. She positioned her legs wider, hoping he'd take her without teasing. That he'd give her everything she wanted and hold nothing back, that she could have all of him.

"Hold your hands there," he said, and then he got on his knees and lapped her core with one long, sinful lick.

"Lay down." His voice was gruff and commanding, and she followed his lead easily, climbing onto the kitchen floor before spreading her legs so that he could see every inch of her. For a long moment, he remained standing above her, his keen gaze traveling from her face, to her breasts, to her stomach, and finally to the soft pink space between her thighs, only slightly revealed beneath the hem of her skirt. When he finally lowered himself to his knees, it was while he was staring at that space, the ghost of a smile playing across his lips. "Hands above your head," he said, and she obeyed.

"Perfect." The word was so enraptured, she wasn't sure if he was referring to her action or simply to her body. Either way, it made her shiver with anticipation. Her back arched involuntarily and her pussy quaked, but she should have known that he wouldn't satisfy her so easily. Instead, the was a tear of foil, and he pulled down his pants slowly before gripping himself and rolling the condom over the tip.

Unable to control herself, she licked her lips, and then he gripped his cock and teased her opening, tracing her slit gently before circling her clit with his thick head. Then, just as quickly, he released his cock and bent over her, pushed aside the deep Vee of her sweater, and then his lips teased her pebbled, sensitive nipples.

Even then, though, he didn't kiss them. Not really. He licked them slowly and gently, circling a the peak with the tip of his tongue before pulling away and blowing his warm breath over them.

Her back arched against the carpet again, but she paid the rough fabric no mind. She was too mesmerized, watching as Wade pored over her body, studying it like he'd never laid eyes on her before. When he'd finished tormenting her nipples, he kissed his way down her stomach, nibbling the sensitive flesh there, then traveling to each of her sides and kissing the little dip of her ribs.

It was the most agonizingly sexy torture, and she was torn between wanting it to stop and never wanting it to end.

"Wade," she whispered, trying her best to find whatever shred of awareness was left in her. Still, nothing else came out. Hell, he didn't even look up. He only mumbled against her skin and continued his descent to her waiting heat.

"Wade," she tried again, but the word became a moan as his lips met hers and his tongue dipped between her folds, teasing her clit with the soft, gentle licks.

He circled her, kissing her more intensely with every moment until she quaked and writhed beneath him, until another plea was on the tip of her tongue. She'd come so close to crying out, and then he'd pull away and tease the rest of her pussy, pushing his tongue into her opening and teasing her.

"I need you," she rasped. And whether it was because she felt like she might explode, or because he was merciful, he listened. Slowly, he slid her legs further apart, and then teased her opening again with the head of his cock, his other hand rubbing her clit all the while.

Jeez, that alone felt mind-blowing. If he only did that, she might have come in the span of a minute. She was so close already, and she arched into him, hoping he'd push inside her fast and hard to relieve the all-consuming need that was eating her alive.

"Wade, I--" she gasped as he slid another inch deeper, closing her eyes to savor the way her body expanded to fit him.

"God, you feel even better than I imagined," he groaned, and then his face was only inches from hers, and as his lips came closer and closer to her own, his cock slid deeper and deeper inside her.

The heat of him was overwhelming, almost as intense as the weight of his body against hers or the way his cock pulsed inside her, making every thrust feel deeper than the last. Almost without her noticing, he'd taken her wrists in one hand and held her firm against the floor, and the rough fabric of her clothes scraped against her back with every thrust.

Pleasure and pain.

Push and pull.

Every move was more scintillating than the last, and when she looked into his dark, hungry eyes, that's when she knew.

This was everything.

* * *

Her smooth thighs were wrapped around him, pressing against his waist more forcefully with every thrust, and it was all he could do not to hold them there and push inside her hard and fast until he’d spent himself completely.

Her gentle moans as he thrust into her slowly, then the little gasps she let out when he worked her harder. The way her channel spasmed when he hit just the right angle.

"Wade," Violet laid a palm on his cheek and pulled him close, kissing him with so much intensity that he didn't have to ask to know what she wanted. Her body clenched around him tighter than ever, working him until the ball of need in the pit of his stomach spread outward, energizing every cell of his body. He took her bottom lip between his and sucked, willing himself to make this last longer, to let it go on forever.

But Violet wouldn't have it. She arched against him again, her legs pulling him in so deep that his eyes nearly crossed. The tiny quakes of her walls grew stronger until they burst, shuddering and writhing along with the rest of Violet's body. She pushed her breasts against his chest and he buried his head against her neck, kissing the small space behind her ear.

Then, she nearly jumped and he couldn't take it any more. He kissed her harder, joining her greedy thrusts until all he could feel was the push and pull of their skin and the rise and fall of their bodies. The ball of need inside him exploded, shooting out in every direction until he lost himself comletely, his mouth falling open as he finally collapsed.