The first thing I was conscious of the next morning was that intoxicating smell. I smiled, remembering his promise that he would be in London when I woke and I opened my eyes. His beautiful eyes were staring back at me.

“Hey, stranger,” I croaked, my voice still full of sleep.

“Hey, beautiful.” He was stroking my hair away from my face.

“How long have you been watching me sleep?”

“Only a few minutes. You looked so peaceful.”

“You should have woken me. Let me quickly brush my teeth so I can say hello properly.” I scampered into the bathroom and quickly freshened myself up. I was so excited to see him. I wished I had booked the day off from work.

Daniel was lying on the bed fully dressed except for his shoes and his overnight stubble. God, even after an overnight flight he looked delicious. He did look tired, though.

I should let him sleep, I thought halfheartedly. I had to leave for work in just over an hour—that didn’t leave us long together. I snuggled up beside him.

“Hey, what about my proper hello?” he demanded.

I turned my head to see his face and he pulled me on top of him and crashed his lips against mine. Oh, that perfect pressure of his mouth on mine. His tongue stroked the top of my mouth and then pushing urgently against mine. I pushed my hands into his beautiful hair, he was here. We kissed for what seemed like hours. Like teenagers.

I loved kissing.

I loved kissing Daniel.

I became aware of Daniel’s erection pushing against my thigh and I moaned at the anticipation of feeling him. I couldn’t wait any longer and I snaked my hand down to see how much he had missed me. Before my fingers found their destination Daniel flipped me over to my back and pinned me to the bed. My arms restrained by his hands and my thighs by his knees. He started kissing my neck, over and over, tracing my collar bone from one side to the other and then up my neck to my lips again. His tongue trailed across the outside of my lips and dipping into my mouth to find my tongue. He released my hands to run his hands between my breasts to my waist. My arms found his hard back; the feel of him was so reassuring and so sexy. I needed him now.

Abruptly he pulled away from me and pulled me with him so we were suddenly standing. “Come on, you. You need to get to work and I’m not going to be able to stop if I don’t stop now.” I was confused. I didn’t want to stop.

“Don’t look at me like that. I’ve been without you for days. Once I start properly, we won’t be done for hours.”

“I’m not going to be able to concentrate today, the state you’ve worked me into.”

“It’s all part of my evil plan.” He grinned at me and pecked me on the lips. “I’m going to make a few calls. The car will take you to the office. I’m going to work here this morning. Can you leave the office early tonight?” He was all business. How very disappointing.

“Well, I can probably leave on time,” I said heading to the bathroom.

“Good. I’ll be here. The car will bring you back to me. We’ll have no interruptions tonight.” He pulled the bedroom door shut behind him. I was going to have to wait nine hours.

The day passed so slowly, I kept checking my mobile to see if he had called or texted. I was desperate to feel close to him and he felt miles away from me. In the end I gave in and texted just before lunch.

I miss you. I’m looking forward to tonight. L

That just made things worse. I found myself checking my phone even more to see if he replied. He didn’t.

To distract myself I arranged lunch with Anna. I wanted to hear about her shenanigans last night. The date with biker boy. Apparently on Sunday night she gave him her number but she hadn’t let him get anywhere past flirting. He called on Monday and she agreed to go out with him last night. When she walked into Eat with a massive grin on her face. It could tell it was an "I just got laid" grin.

“Someone looks happy!” I grinned back at her—it was infectious.

“He is so, so sexy,” she said, knowing what I really wanted to know. “We had such a nice time. He was such a gentleman. I’m totally into him.” We were laughing. Anna might be blunt but she could laugh at herself so much more easily than I could.

Anna had said this a million times before, and as much as I hoped that he would be the one she was going to grow old with, it was likely that we would be having a conversation in a couple of months about how boring/unreliable/sex-crazed/unfunny/too-funny/stupid/rich/not-rich-enough he was. But it was nice to see her happy for now. We spent lunch trying to decide when the perfect time was to have sex with him for the first time, which of course took the entire hour despite us both knowing it would probably happen on the date Anna drank a bit too much.

In the end I left the office just after 6 p.m. When I arrived at his house I rang the doorbell. I didn’t want to use the keys he’d given to me. Daniel answered the door. He chin was covered in stubble and he stood there barefoot in faded blue jeans and a t-shirt that looked well-worn and well washed. He looked amazing. I loved Casual Daniel. I couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear when I saw him. He didn’t take his eyes off me when he told whoever he was speaking to on the phone that he had to go. I flung my arms around his neck and he lifted me off the ground and into the house.

“Why didn’t you use your keys?”

“I don’t know. Shall we have some wine?” I was trying to divert his attention. I didn’t want him to think I wasn’t making progress with feeling positive about our future together. I’d unpacked my case and hung stuff up in his wardrobe. That was enough progress for now. I kicked off my shoes and followed him into the kitchen. The wine wasn’t even poured before he pressed me against the fridge, exploring my mouth with his tongue. I relaxed. It felt so familiar. I was so pleased to have him back.

Daniel finally poured us both a glass of Rioja. “You have far too many clothes on.” Daniel growled at me as we clinked our glasses together. He took me by my free hand and led me up to the bedroom. Finally, I had been waiting far too long for this. My knees trembled in anticipation as we climbed the stairs, my breathing became shallow, and I tightened my hand in his.

Daniel let go of my hand and slumped in the silver gray armchair in the corner of his bedroom and took a sip of his wine. I was expecting him to ravage me not sit down for a rest. But he didn’t take his eyes off me as I tried to work out what was going on.

“Far too many clothes. Take them off. Please.” His voice was low and serious. He had every intention of giving me everything I’d been wanting all day, but he was going to try to kill me with the anticipation first.

I felt the wetness pool between my thighs. I placed my glass of wine down on one of the various chests that littered the huge room and I stood in front of him. I fingered the top button of my shirt and tentatively undid it, watching Daniel watching me.

Skimming my skin as I went, I released one button after another and then pulled it off my shoulders and it pooled at my feet. Bringing my hands back up, I traced the edge of the cup of my bra then slid my hands down my body to my waist. Daniel’s eyes followed my hands, every now and then glancing back up to my face with a dark serious look.

I unzipped my skirt and it fell to the floor with my shirt. Daniel took a deep breath but said nothing, his arousal very evident by the tenting in his trousers. There I stood in my bra, panties and hold-ups. Daniel’s examination of my body from his chair was so intense it was as if he were caressing and stroking me all over with just his brooding stare. My urge for his body increased with every moment. His desire for me was emanating from his intense staring at my body, like he couldn’t tear himself away even if he wanted to, even if the house was on fire. It made me feel so powerful, so desirable, so ready for him. Every moment he didn’t touch me I wanted him more.

I reached around my back and unclasped my bra and pulled it away from my body, freeing my breasts. My nipples were painfully erect and desperate for his tongue. He knew it, he could see. I unintentionally groaned, unable to hide my arousal at his enjoyment of my body from a distance. Without thinking I reached for my breasts and kneaded them together desperate for release, letting my head fall back relishing the sensation of my smooth, tight skin.

“Panties, Leah.” His sharp tone reminded me that however powerful I felt, he was in charge. I let my breasts drop and hooked my thumbs into my panties. Leaning forward with my eyes on Daniel, I stepped out of them. I was left with just my black hold-ups on. As I straightened my back, Daniel stood up. I expected him to reach for me but instead he just very slowly circled me, taking in every inch of my body without a single touch. The anticipation was unbearable. I could feel the wetness against my thighs. How long could he hold out? My god, was he ever going to touch me?

He was so close behind me that I could feel his breath.

“Daniel, please!” I stammered, dizzy with craving.

“Have some self-control, Leah,” he teased.

My knees weakened as he appeared in front of me again. I tentatively lifted up a hand to touch him.

“Hands by your sides.” I let my hand swing to my side and barely able to focus I dropped my head defeated.

Then finally he reached a single finger under my chin and brought my face up to meet his eyes. I felt my skin light on fire at his touch. I tried to push myself against him but he kept a single finger on me.

“Look at me, Leah.”

He then brought that finger tantalizingly slowly down my neck. My breathing increased and I felt waves of pleasure build deep inside me as he followed a path down between my collar bone and between my breasts. As if barely able to contain himself, he paused and exhaled and then his finger continued down my stomach. It was unbearable, I was desperate, my breathing ragged I then I couldn’t stop it my climax washed over me—I came screaming his name, begging for him to touch me. In the midst of my climax I stumbled and Daniel grabbed me and pulled me toward him. The feeling of his fully clothed body against my naked one seemed to extend my orgasm and I just continued to gasp for air unable to believe the shudders continuing to pass through my body.

“Baby, you’ve got it bad. If that’s what I can do with one finger on nowhere in particular, you are going to have the night of your life.” I couldn’t speak, but he was right. I wanted him so badly that he could make me come just by looking at me.

He pushed me back onto the bed and I lay temporarily sated watching him undress. He was as hard as I’d ever seen him when he freed himself from his boxer briefs. I pushed myself up to sit so I could get a better view.

“See something you like?”

“Oh, yes.” I grabbed his bottom and pulled him between my legs and on top of me as I lay back. The feeling of his weight on me, his skin touching mine, his smell surrounding me wakened my senses and I moved my hips against him. I wanted him inside me.

“Leah, stop. You’re going to make me come.”

“That’s the idea. I want to feel you. Please, Daniel.”

I didn’t have to wait another second. He plunged into me, driving right up to the hilt, catching me by surprise. My nails dug into his shoulders so hard I must have drawn blood but I couldn’t think about that. All I could think about was the feeling of fullness I was experiencing, as if it were for the first time.

“I’m not going to last long, Leah,” Daniel said between his slow thrusts.

“I want to see what I do to you.” I meant it. I wanted to concentrate on him. I clenched around him and he threw his head back and moaned and I watched him fall apart.

Daniel rolled off me and pulled my head to his chest. I could feel his heart hammering away in his chest as I gently stroked his chest. I could stay like this forever I thought. We both lay there wordlessly until Daniel’s heart rate returned to normal. I pushed myself up on my elbow and pushed my lips against his chest.

“Stay there,” I said as I went to move off the bed.

“Don’t leave me.”

He sounded so sad that I brought our still joined hands to my lips and kissed his fingers. “I’m just going to run us a bath. Is that OK?” He nodded but his voice bled into his expression and he looked worried.

I pushed on my pink robe and slipped into the bathroom, turning on the taps to fill his huge around bath. I added some oils and switched the dimmer switch on the lights and arranged my iPad to put on some soothing music that reminded me of our first date together.

When I came out of the bathroom Daniel was scrolling through his emails on his Blackberry and when he looked up and saw me watching him he looked guilty and dropped the phone onto the bed.

“I’m sorry,” he said, weary.

“Sorry for what? The emails?”

He nodded. “Don’t be. I get it. Do you need to work? I can have the bath on my own.”

He stood up and grabbed me before I had a chance to finish my thoughts. I wanted to reassure him I wasn’t angry with him, why would I be? I understood how work could take over at times and he was in charge—that must be super demanding compared what I did all day. But he was raking his fingers through my hair and kissing me as if it were our last few minutes alive on earth and I forgot what I was going to say.

“I can’t think of anything I’d rather do than have a bath with you.”

He led me into the bathroom room, peeled off my robe, and held my hand as I stepped into a bath the size of a hot tub. The water was a perfect temperature.

We lay in the perfectly temperate water, me between Daniel’s legs, my back against Daniel’s perfect chest. We talked about Anna’s new biker friend, Brendan’s sudden upturn in productivity and how things were going in the office generally. Daniel didn’t offer anything about work. In fact, he seemed very quiet. Was it jetlag?

“How was the flight? Did you manage to sleep? You seem tired.”

“I slept a little.” He scraped his fingers over my breasts grazing my nipple. I tried to ignore the sensation that small movement brought to life in me.

“What’s going on at work?” I asked.

“Later,” was all he said as his other hand delved between my thighs. I was lost; my ability to form sentences left me completely.

I could feel his erection building behind me and I slid around so I was astride him. I clasped his face in my hands and moved forward to kiss him which moved my sex along his hardness and I felt him twitch beneath me.

Breaking our kiss, I reached between us and positioned him at my entrance. Daniel reached around my waist and forced me onto him, impaling me on him, hard and fast. I gasped and he pushed me away slowly and then again, with force pushed me down. I held my hands against his chest trying to keep my balance. The water rushing against my clitoris felt glorious. Daniel continued to push and pull my body, creating the perfect rhythm. I was vaguely aware of water spilling out of the bath but I couldn’t care. I just wanted him to never stop.

Daniel pulled me toward him to grasp one of my nipples in his mouth and the slight change in position together with the pressure to my nipple intensified the thrill across my body. I threw my head back and Daniel’s hand dived toward my clitoris. I tried to push my body away from his. It was too intense. I screamed that it was too much, but he ignored my cries as the pleasure crashed over me and I felt him shudder beneath me.

The bathwater was cold when we finally emerged. Daniel dried my body with one of his impossibly fluffy towels and combed through my wet hair. I loved how he looked after me physically like he did. I felt cherished. When Daniel was dry we headed downstairs, me in my pink robe and Daniel in his pajama bottoms and an old t-shirt. We investigated what Mrs. Bayliss had left us for dinner. Fish pie. Between us Daniel and I set the table, replenished our wine glasses and dished out dinner. He still seemed distant, distracted, but more relaxed.

“So tell me what’s going on at work.” We sprawled out on the largest of the sofas as Daniel channel surfed. He ignored me, seemingly engrossed on whatever rubbish filled the screen. I rubbed his arm that was wrapped around me. “You have to talk to me, Daniel. I can’t be the one that does all the opening up.”

I had his attention now and he looked at me with that same forlorn expression.

“I just don’t want to bother you with anything. It’s not about you and me, it’s all work.” He forced a smile and pulled me closer to him.

“I get that. But I want to hear about it. Don’t shut me out. When something’s bothering you, I want to hear about it. It doesn’t matter that it’s not about us.”

Daniel sighed. “You see things differently.” I didn’t say anything, hoping the silence would force him to elaborate. “I’m not used to talking about work outside of work.”

“You mean I see things differently from Georgina?”

“I’m sorry. I’m not comparing you, it’s just different, and I’m not used to it.”

“You have nothing to apologize for. I’m adjusting to having so many orgasms.”

“Want another?” Daniel whispered and buried his face into my neck, kissing and sucking me. I pushed him off.

“Stop trying to distract me. Talk to me,” I said seriously. “Did Georgina not like you talking about work?”

“No. By the end, I couldn’t glance at my Blackberry without it turning into a full-blown row. But she was right, work was my priority. I thought I was doing it for the both of us. I genuinely felt that, but she just wanted my time and attention.” He fingered the beautiful diamond bracelet he bought me.

“It must have been difficult.”

“It was. And I don’t want to repeat my mistakes with you.”

I nodded. “We need to share stuff in your head as well as mine. I like you to talk about your work. I’m not going to get mad about you looking at your Blackberry or having to work. I’d be a hypocrite if I did. I like to work and I get that you do, too. But share it with me, please?” Daniel hugged me so hard it winded me and then he started to talk.

The New York MD that Daniel fired had left a trail of destruction behind him of which they were uncovering more each day. He had falsified financial figures reported to London, he had told suppliers that he was going to buy Daniel out of the business and some of them had stopped working with Daniel as a result. There were also suspicions that a couple of the suppliers were dummy corporations that the MD had been using to siphon off money from Daniel’s business. If they came across more evidence then they might have to involve the police which would have serious PR implications.

“I dropped the ball. I should have seen all this stuff for myself, I should have known.” I suddenly felt guilty. Had he been less attentive because his attention was directed on me?

“You can’t blame yourself for someone else’s dishonesty and bad behavior.”

Daniel stayed silent for a moment.

“Try taking some of that advice for yourself sometime,” he replied finally. He was right. I did still blame myself for what happened with Charlie. But I was beginning to realize that it wasn’t a rational reaction, even if I couldn’t stop doing it yet.

“It’s so much easier to dish out than it is to take yourself,” I laughed. “But seriously, am I a distraction to you? Should we calm it down a bit, just until the New York situation sorts itself out?”

“No,” he said simply.

We lay back down on the sofa me on top of him, Daniel stroking my back. I must have fallen asleep like that as the next thing I knew I felt Daniel placing me in bed. Sleep fell so heavily over me I couldn’t open my eyes and I let him pull the covers over me and place a kiss on my forehead. “I love you,” I mumbled. I heard him sigh.

I awoke hot, aware that it wasn’t morning. Looking at the clock beside me I saw it was 3 a.m., but the bed beside me was empty. After stripping off the layers of covers over me I went to find Daniel. I could hear him in his study. He was on the phone. Well, it must be to New York at this time of the night. Even there it must be late. The talking stopped and I pushed open the door. He looked so tired.

“Hey stranger.” He looked up when he heard the door.

“Hey stranger, yourself. Are you OK?”

“Yes, sorry. Did I wake you? Let me take you back to bed.”

“No, you didn’t wake me. Will you come with me? You need to sleep, Daniel.”

“I have so much to get through, Leah. I’m so sorry.”

“Bring your laptop and work in bed. At least then you don’t have to go far when you’re done.” He grinned and followed me with some papers and his laptop and I quickly drifted back to sleep the sound of him typing lulling me back to my slumber.