Rolling over, half-awake and half-asleep Rachel hit touched something that felt unfamiliar. Rubbing her eyes, she saw a notepad with a rose behind it. Stretching, Rachel sat up; disappointment tugged on her when she realized it was from Gordon. As she read it she could his voice in her head, she picked up the rose she sniffed it. It was beginning to wilt but its musky scent was still pleasant. She looked over at the clock it read 11:30. Well, I had better take a shower, afterwards I could possibly reread some of the chapters in the book, she mused. Swinging her feet out of the bed, she noticed that James had brought over her satchel she smiled. Picking up her satchel, she opened it. She grabbed her hairbrush, toothbrush, and her deodorant, then taking out her clothes she laid them on the bed beside her. Sleep still clinging to her, she made her way to the bathroom.

Finding an empty spot on his counter she put her stuff down, grabbing a bottle of James’s aftershave she opened and inhaled deeply, it smell like him she smiled to herself. She put on the water for the shower. After brushing her hair out, the relatively hot water felt great as it rained down on her, she just stood there for awhile. Then, she grabbing the bar of soap that she saw sitting in his soap dish, she rolled rolling it in her hands till the bubbles came forth. I think it’s a Irish Spring, she mused. Leaning over, she began washing her legs, she when she heard a door close with a clang.

Through the glass door, she could tell who it through the shower door. I certainly hope it’s not the maid. Would a maid go clean these extended stay rooms, she wondered. She didn’t realize she had wrapped her arms around her, what she should do, she continued to be unsure. Rinsing her hands, she crept over to the shower door opening it she peaked out.

Relief flooded through her, she put a hand over her heart. “Oh, it’s you. I was worried.”

“Hello, there beautiful.” James with his sleeves rolled up, was making his way over to her. Rachel shook her head. “In these extended stay rooms there’s no maid service.”

“Well, that’s a relief.” A sly popped into her head as she grabbed his tie and tugged gently. “Com ‘ere.” She said, allowing an equally sly smile spread across her face.

“It would be my pleasure.” He said, his voice was distinctly deeper.

Balancing herself on the shower wall, she leaned out and kiss him thoroughly on the mouth.

“That was very nice, I better be careful.” He chuckled.

 “I’m glad you could come back.” She said a moment later.

“I can’t get wet. It might look suspicious if I show up later in a different outfit.” He smirked.

“But wouldn’t it be fun to get the precinct talking?” She could resist herself, he looked just too good to believed.

“I suppose it would be better than the usual precinct gossip.” Rachel could tell he was considering it.

“You could join me, I bet when they called you this morning you didn’t have time to shower.”

“You’re right there.” He sighed, and then smiled. “It would feel good.”

A few moments, later James joined her in the shower. They embraced under the pelting water, they even shared a watery kiss. 

She asked leaning on her elbow, looking into his deep blue eyes. She liked how his arm draped across her hips. “How long do I have before I have to go to my class?” She ran her fingers through his wet tresses.

“I’m here till I have to drive you to class. We won’t be going after the Chechen until late into the night. We will be able to have dinner, if you would like?”

“That would be fantastic.” Leaning in she kissed him on his soft shoulder. “To think, I had planned to read a few chapters before class. You’re quite a distraction James.” She chuckled.

“You are just as distracting, Rachel.” He shook his head, he traced her arm with his hand.

It caused a shiver of delight in her. “Now, before it gets too let and if you would allow me. I would like to take you to lunch.” She offered, smiling.

“That sounds good to me.”

She rolled over but right as she was about to get out of the bed he pulled her close to him, she couldn’t suppress the gasp that it caused in her. “I said that sounded like a good idea,” He chuckled. “But I never said I was done kissing you yet.”

“Oh really?” She managed to ask him before he silenced her with his kisses. She was growing addicted to them. She broke the kiss, “I can deal with that.” She said before laughing and pulling him back down for a kiss. 

He watched as she pulled, zipped and button her slacks on her slim legs. Coming up behind her, he hugged her. Her warmth comforted him. “You are such a knock out,” He whispered in her ear, before kissing her cheek.” She turned in his arms to face him, she brushed a stray lock of his hair that fallen onto his forehead. 

“You make me weak in the knees, James.” She blushed at her admittance, and looked downward for a moment.

His heart sped up. “It’s nice to know that an old man like me still has it, to make a beautiful woman like you weak in the knees.” He half joked, smirking. He was pushing his mid-forties and it thrilled him to have her in his arms. Especially since he knew half if not more of the men he worked with would do anything to be in his place right now.

“Old man, you are not an old man.”

He chuckled, bitterly. “I’m probably twice as old as you if not older than you are.”

“Oh yeah, how old are you?”

“I’m will be forty five soon.”

“Pish. Pash.” She gave a wave of her hand. “That’s not very old.” She smiled at him.

“With you I have to admit, I don’t feel old.” He finally admitted to her.

“Good.” He felt her soft lips press against his. Then she flittered out of his grasp and he watched as she slipped into her sweater, which accentuated her curves very well. He put on his blazer, he would put on his holster later.

“I’m ready she exclaimed!” She walked over to him.

“So where are you taking me for lunch?” He asked looking her up and down, he pulled her close.

“You know that quaint little diner, Scotty’s, by the courthouse? I thought that would be nice place for us to go.”

“Yeah, isn’t that where all the hot shot attorneys go?” He smiled.

“Yup, especially when they’ve had it with Pizza or Chinese.”

“I’ve been there a couple of times before a hearing or two.” He paused and the thought struck him how others would see them there, together. “Rachel, if we go there” He paused, he pressed his lips together thinking of how he could put it. He cleared his throat. “we may run into people we know.”

She put a finger to his lips, then she took quickly took it away. “James, as far as they need to know at most, if anything is we are friends. They don’t have to see our, how shall I put this…” He grabbed her hand and kissed it, he didn’t want her to think that annoyed him, she smiled before she bit her bottom lip. She could do any time she wanted, he thought amused. “Our more romantic side while we are there.”

He didn’t know what to say or even where to begin.

“I wouldn’t want you to have to worry about anything getting back to Barbara.” She continued, then she was the one who grew silent.

“Oh, Rachel. I just don’t know what to say.” He paused and squeezed her. “How is it possible that no one has scooped you up?” He said over her shoulder.

“I had to meet you.” She replied.

For some time the two just embraced. He felt as she breathed against him. The thought he had earlier before drifting to sleep drifted into his mind over how long they would be together, how long would they have at this happiness. He didn’t know but he promised himself that he would enjoy it as long as he could and he would make sure she did as well. She deserved the best, and if he was going to be honest with himself, he wasn’t sure exactly if that was him. But he just couldn’t let her go, not yet anyway.

“Rachel, you steal words from me.” He admitted.

“James, you are a wonderful man.” She ran her fingers through his hair. “I’m just lucky that I’ve gotten to know you.” Then bringing his mouth down to hers, they shared a gentle kiss.