This is the revised version of Attraction - and if you're reading it elsewhere than on Wattpad, I say shame on you, thief.

The apartment was pitch black when I got back, which wasn't odd at all, but it struck me as weird because the conversation with Tom had made him feel a lot closer. I'd almost expected him to sit on the living room couch with a tumbler of whiskey.

With a sigh, I flicked on the lights, perhaps using a few more than necessary. I even put on some music to make me feel less alone.

Every now and then I checked my phone, wondering if I'd missed his call. Talking to Lara shouldn't take all night, but perhaps she was busy. It wouldn't have surprised me as she was constantly doing something important. What classified as important was beyond my knowledge, though. Taking care of Dante couldn't be a full-time job, surely. Especially since he had Chris with him.

The fridge held a couple of eggs, a bottle of Coke and cheese. It wasn't enough for a gourmet meal, but I could whip up a simple omelet. Living with more or less empty pockets because I couldn't hold on to money had taught me one or two lessons about making food from scraps.

Cooking fumes rose from the stove when my phone rang out loudly. I'd put it on full volume after checking it the tenth time.

"Hi," I said, relieved that Tom couldn't see my ridiculous smile.

"Hi, I talked with Lara. You're welcome to join, but apparently you have to follow her whims—her words, not mine."

The fluttering in my stomach rose exponentially. "Cool. So where are you and how do I get there?"

"We're in Baltimore, so just hop on a train." He made it sound so easy. Which is was. But the implications of what I was about to do hit me with full force. If I joined them, how would we act? Would we behave like a couple? Were we a couple? It was one thing to steal moments in the privacy of Tom's apartment, but going with the entire group would be an entirely different matter.

"Do you still want to come?"

"What? Yes." I must have taken too long to answer. "Sorry. Just thought about something."

"Something I should know?" he asked.

"No...well, will I stay with you or like...in separate rooms?"

"I doubt you'd want to pay for your own room, but it's up to you." I could hear how the scales of his shell slid into their initial position. Wincing at my stupidity, I thought of something to say to make it all better again.

"I didn't mean it like that. I'm just not sure what you've told the others about us."

"They know we live together." The shell was still in place. No dent made.

"I still miss you, that hasn't changed."

There was a breath of silence. A tiny fragment of time when none of us spoke.

"I said it was up to you. I don't want you to feel forced into anything." His tone was different. Not yet warm, but still an improvement.

I exhaled in relief. "You're not forcing anyone." I almost said that I wanted to wake up next to him, but it would have been too soon. We weren't there yet. What we had was an ember of something, but it was fragile and temperamental. If forced to flare alive, it might as easily die never to rise again.

"Call me with details tomorrow. I'll pick you up at the train if possible."

"Thanks. And thanks for asking Lara."

"No problem."

We cut the call, and it struck me that we'd left on a much sourer note than a mere hour ago. It wasn't a good sign at all, but hopefully we'd make it work once we saw each other again.

*****

I dozed off on the train, tired from not sleeping enough the night before. After that strange and stilted conversation with Tom, I'd lain awake, wondering if it was a stupid idea to join them. I'd be forced to see Dante and Chris happily joined at the hip while worrying about whether Tom wanted me far away or close. It was ridiculous of course. Tom had admitted that he missed me. He'd sucked me dry in the kitchen, damn it. That fact alone should have kept me calm, but then, my mind was overactive sometimes.

"Next, Baltimore Penn Station." The stale computer voice woke me up from my thoughts, and only then did I realize that I hadn't called Tom to give him the details.

I smacked my forehead and plucked the phone from my pocket. The added stress made it easier to press call.

"Hi Joachim." We were back to formal it would seem.

"Hi. I'm at the station soon. Sorry, I forgot to call. Fell asleep."

"You're already here?" He sounded surprised.

"Yes, I took an early train." A fact that made me quite embarrassed. I'd taken the first train possible, which meant that it was only 8.30 am. He sounded awake enough, though, so hopefully I hadn't made more of a mess of everything.

"I'll see if I can pick you up. Don't think we're scheduled to leave until later. Stay at the station while I check with Lara."

Even though I knew she called the shots, it was starting to bug me that he had to check in on everything all the damn time. I wondered if it would have been the same if I was his husband in more than print.

The train rattled as it stopped, and plenty of people rose to leave. I should have been one of them, reaching for my bag to get off the train. Looking out the window, I studied the platform. It appeared entirely harmless, and getting off the train was the right thing to do. I wanted to see Tom more than anything, so why did my limbs resist?

"Sorry love, this is my stop." The elderly lady next to me with a cute little purple hat smiled gently.

"Of course. Sorry. This is my stop too. Let me help you." I got out of the seat in an instant, grabbing my backpack from the overhead shelf.

"Oh, that is quite all right, son. I only carry a purse today, and I should think my nephew is right outside."

I smiled in reply, nodding as searched for a polite response. "Thank you." It was meant as a thank you for getting me off the train, but I doubted she understood that part. Indeed, she appeared amused at my choice of words.

Her smile gave me strength for some reason. I trailed after her between the rows of seats, making sure she got off safely. Easier her than me.

My nerves were shot, and I stalled enough to watch the train roll away, clasping my bag with tense fingers. This was it. I'd made my choice, and hopefully it was a good one. The noise from the tracks almost deafened the sound of my phone ringing, but I felt the vibrations in my pocket.

Trying to let go of the tension in my shoulders, I answered.

"Hi."

"I'm in the car. Should be outside the station in fifteen." Ever the efficient one.

"Okay, great. I'll be there." Wanting to make the conversation longer, I searched for something else to say. "Should I buy you a coffee or something?"

"Sure."

"Double espresso?"

"Yeah. That'd be great. Thanks." There was a hint of something there. Perhaps he needed to be reassured just as I did. A simple reminder that I actually knew what type of coffee he liked—could it really be that simple?

The goodbye was less stale this time around, and the nerves twisting my core turned a tad mellower.

I ordered a cappuccino for myself and a double espresso for Tom, checking the time on the large clock inside the station every now and then. The barista worked fast, but she had a lot of customers lined up before she could process my order. She called out names left and right, and with each one, I perked up only to be disappointed. Tom would be outside any minute, and I didn't want to be late.

She read the name on one of the cups. "Joe-chim?"

I smiled at the strange pronunciation. "Yes, here."

"One cappuccino and one double espresso." She handed me the two cups.

"Thanks." I gave her a brief grin before I jogged away, trying to keep the content from spilling over as I navigated the crowd. The station was rather neat and bright but also filled with people with bags everywhere. It was somewhat of an obstacle course.

Sunlight flashed me outside, blinding me for a moment while my eyes adjusted. Blinking, I stared at the weird sculpture standing tall in the middle of the roundabout. The man had four legs and four arms, or perhaps it was two men—two flat bodies fused together to make a three dimensional entity.

A familiar black car with tinted windows eased to a stop by the curb, dragging my attention from the statue. I couldn't help but smile at the sight, my stomach fluttering anxiously. With my hands full, I wondered how I would get the door without making a mess. Tom was one step ahead of me, however, opening the door on his side to reach the passenger side. I knew it was a reflex, but it struck me as sweet. He wore his regular suit, and I instantly missed his casual wear. He'd been freaking hot in that leather jacket.

He approached with assured steps, and when he got close enough, I managed to stay on my feet while he slid an arm around my waist as though it was the most natural thing in the world. With my heart pulsing wildly, I stood on my toes and gave him a soft kiss.

"Welcome to Baltimore," he said, wearing that half-smile I'd seen a couple of times.

"It's good to see you," I replied, feeling all lightheaded and warm from the contact.

"Is this coffee for me?"

"Yeah." I gave him the cup. "It's hot."

"Steaming."

"Absolutely."

"Wouldn't want it to cool down, though."

"Never."

The half-smile widened. "Think we should head back to the others. Lara might send out a search party if we're late."

"Now, why would we be late?"

"I could think of a few things."

My knees were seriously weak. If he continued with this sexual banter, I would stand at attention for the rest of the day.

I leaned closer to his lips. "You're naughty."

He let out a chuckle, a soft, wonderful sound that drove me mad in all the best ways. I sent a silent thank you to the lady who had managed to get me off the train. Missing this opportunity would have been tragic.

"Ready to go?" he asked.

"Are we going to a hotel?"

"Yes."

"Do we have any free time today?"

He grinned just as a cab honked behind us. "Let's save that question for later."

I wanted to object, but I had a feeling that Tom had decided on delayed gratification. My husband was definitely naughty.