"Ember would be so disappointed in me. She taught me the steps, and somehow, I messed it up after a week of her gone."

Samuel laughed. "I mean, you were juggling a lighter schedule then compared to now. Maybe you should return to the drawing board and see how to manage yourself while employed."

"I will. Thankfully, I was able to get something for tonight. Thanks for going with me."

"It was a pleasure."

He set the bags on the coffee table, and she took out the items they bought. First, from the flower shop, she got some hand-weaved baskets and a bunch of flowers to send to her sister on the anniversary of her parent's death, which wasn't too far away. She had also stopped by the mall to pick up gifts they shared in common with the memory of their parents. She got cards, a small bear, candy, and a frame for an old picture. It was tradition, and despite work, Ember wanted to do things right.

For the party tonight, they stopped by a clothing store to pick out her dress and a suit for him. She had a dress planned for the night at home, but since she was having so much fun shopping with Samuel, she had decided to enlist his help in picking a dress. He, as expected, was an entertaining companion. He teased her on a few outfits and had very little opinion on most of them, but she enjoyed his commentary even when he was getting bored.

To save him, she picked one they appreciated together, and he accepted whatever suit she said fit him on the first try.

"I don't remember the last time I had to help anyone pick out an outfit."

"Sorry, I took so long. I wanted to get the right dress. Besides, it was fun, sitting in that room and watching every woman be envious of me."

"Envious?"

"Mhm." She gave him a Cheshire grin. "For having my handsome and attentive husband with me."

"They see me all the time."

"What's that supposed to mean?" She cackled.

"Magazines. You don't read any?"

"Not really? I am ashamed to say if it's not online and on my read list, I have to hear about it from someone."

"Well, you'd be pleased to know you are on a few of those too. For all you know, the women could have been awed to see a Madden in such a simple store."

"The gown was a thousand."

"I said simple. I didn't say inexpensive."

"So you don't think she was checking out my husband?" He shook his head, and she propped her chin on her hand. "With that tee on and those shorts, you are showing off your physique."

He threw his head back and laughed. "How would I dressed like this be attracting attention to us?"

"You. Look. Amazing. Plus, it's the first time I have ever gone out with you dressed like that."

"It's hot out today." Samuel chuckled, sitting on the arm of the couch as he sorted through the things she bought. "It could have been in your head. I was there and didn't notice anyone looking."

"You didn't see anything because, unlike me, you choose to be unaware of your surroundings."

Amused, he put the shirt he held down and turned to her. "Are you jealous?"

"Maybe I am." She continued, standing to her feet and propping her arms on her hips. She smiled. "Of course, I am not. I am rather proud to have such an alluring man at my side. What I am trying to figure out is what exactly is welcoming the attention. Don't get me wrong you are attractive overall, but there has to be that one thing."

"Just one?" He indulged.

"Could be more, and I am wondering what they are."

She scrutinized him, turning her head one way then another. He sat and watched in silence as she made her assessments. Not that she was thinking of anything important. She was still enjoying the act.

"I think it's your hair." She finally said, approaching him unhurriedly. Her fingers comb through his thick hair with enough force to tilt his head so his eyes were on her face. "It's one of

the healthiest heads of hair I have ever seen. You take care of it well and always moisturize and cream it. It glistens everywhere you go, like glitter under light."

"Could be."

"Or maybe it's your eyes." She moved on, resting her arms on his shoulder as

her fingers moved out of his hair and down his face. Delicately, she thumbed the underside of his eyes. He had brown eyes like her own, but one had to look very closely to tell. They were so dark they could have passed for black. They were dilated, and it appeared as if his pupils had swallowed his iris.

"I bet lots of people have told you that you have a gorgeous set of eyes."

"I think I heard it said once or twice." He licked his lips.

"I bet." She rolled her eyes, seeming uninterested.

It did surprise her that he was allowing things to go on for as long as it did, but she didn't stop. He opened his legs wider, allowing her to comfortably step between them. Her hand moved to his mouth, tracing his bottom lip with the pad of her thumb. A little pressure and his lips fell open. She lifted her eyes to his again, and still, he did nothing. If he was daring her, he had no idea how much she had in store for him.

"It might be the jaws." She whispered, letting her finger fall from his lip to rest her hands on his jaw. She turned his head left and right as if taking in his features. "Not too sharp, but they sure are defining."

"I can chew more gum. Heard that helps with sharpness."

"It's perfect the way it is."

She stole down his neck and over the expanse of his shoulders. "For a lean man, you do have sturdy muscles. Not easy to spot when you wear your sleeves or jackets, but in this tee, it's standing out like a neon sign."

"It must be that."

"No." She kissed her teeth, puckering her lips as she shook her head. "I think I figured out what it is."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah."

Her hands slipped down from his chest, dragging the material of his tee until she got to the waistband of his shorts. Before she could utter a word or go further, his hand manacled her wrist, and he shot to his feet. Her hands went behind her back, and he towered over her.

"Enough."

She chuckled, noting the humour behind his eyes. "You win."

"Do I." She taunted, still keeping her voice low and detached. "I was not done assessing all the qualities drawing so much attention to you."

"Enough."

He repeated, his face closer to hers. He didn't let go of her hand. His body was so close to her that she could feel his heart beating against her chest. She stepped closer, ignoring the burn in her shoulder as it strained from having her hands behind her. His eyes were glued to hers, but instead of indifference, there was hesitation and uncertainty.

So, like at their wedding, she took matters into her own hands. She pushed into him, using his nearness as leverage as she closed her lips around his own. And like at the wedding, he stilled against her, his head slightly moving back, but she didn't relent. She felt his hands release her wrist and moved hesitantly to her hips. Her arms went around his shoulders as she sighed. Samuel's hand moved from her hips and dug into her hair, his hesitation giving way to curiosity. He turned her head and pressed his lips more confidently against hers. He yanked away after a moment, his breathing choppy and harsh. Their eyes crashed as her hands dug into his shoulders, her forehead against his own.

"We shouldn't."

Kali closed her eyes, her hands on his chest as she nodded. "Yeah. I guess not."

But he didn't let her go. His hands still clutched the strands of her hair, he didn't look away from her. Mesmerized, she began to walk him backwards until the back of his legs caught on the couch, and he fell backwards. She pushed her hair away and kissed him softly on the cheek, then with another glance at him, she kissed him again.

She felt heat crawl up her neck as he kissed her back immediately. His hands closed over her thighs as he pulled her higher up on his lap. She tore her lips from his, catching the neck of his sleeves in her fist as she ducked her head down to press a kiss against the pulsing vein in his neck. He caught her chin and brought her lips back to his.

She moaned, her fingers digging into his skin. She bit his bottom lip lightly, eliciting a groan before he suddenly pushed her back.

"I am sorry. I can't. I can't." He pulled away this time, and she didn't stop him. Using his shoulder for support, she pushed out of his lap and dropped on the cushion beside him. "I am so sorry."

"Hey, it's okay."

He scrubbed his face with his palm before falling back on the couch with his eyes closed. Kali pulled her leg underneath her and leaned close to rest her head on his shoulder. Her lips tingled, and her heart was still racing, but she needed to remember their situation.

"I did say you were attractive." She muttered as a joke.

His laughter rumbled beneath her ear, and his hand rested on her arm. "Yeah. That must be it."