Teensy bit mature 😝 Honestly this was inspired by LightxShadow 's oneshot... If you've read his/her book you know what I mean! Kudos to them!

Lilly Linton glared angrily at the man standing before her. She couldn't believe it! After all they'd been through, he was still refusing to let her come with him! Again! 

"Mr. Linton, I have already explained this twice before. You are not needed on this trip. It is not business and purely personal." Mr. Ambrose said through gritted teeth.

"Why won't you just tell me why?" Lilly asked softly, quietly, sadly. "I mean, to be frank, sir, you know so much about me, yet I know so little about you. And, I have been in your employ for quite some time now, haven't I?" 

"Yes," Mr. Ambrose's normally impassive face twitched slightly. "Two years, four months, and fifteen days in fact."

Ms. Linton smiled. Of course he would remember. "How could I forget? And yet... Do you not trust me?" Sensing that the woman in front of him, was in fact, a bit distraught, Mr. Ambrose stood from his desk and walked around it, standing in front of her.

During these two years, four months, and fifteen days, Lilly Linton had hardly changed at all. She was 21 now though, and he 27. However, the same fire, intelligence and bravery shone in her chocolaty brown eyes that he had to admit- he loved. "Of course I do, Lillian." During these last two years, both Mr. Ambrose and Ms. Linton had shared a colorful, fiery, passionate at times, past. The ice around the financial magnates heart had finally begun to thaw, and Lilly's fiery maelstrom had only gotten stronger. Mr. Ambrose knew this, and he admitted to himself that it would probably save him more time telling her rather than arguing with her. So, he opened his mouth and begun to speak.

"My mother, Samantha Genevieve Ambrose, is dying of cancer. She has been for a while now." Comprehension seemed to dawn upon the features of Lilly's face. "I know about the letters in your drawer," Mr. Ambrose added unnecessarily. "And I am afraid this may be the last time I will ever be able to see her again. I must take care of my family now, and will most likely be away from London for five years."

Lilly, who, after such a long time with this man, could see that he was devastated. Not just at his mother's impending death, but also of his absence from London. But there was something more in his sea blue eyes. He was hiding something. But at the moment, she was too preoccupied with his revelation to care much. Five years?! That's a long time...

"I see." Lilly nodded, dropping her gaze, trying to conceal the tears that had started to flood her eyes. "I won't be able to excuse my absence this time. That- that was smart of you to tell me, Mr. Ambrose."

Mr. Ambrose, noticing her rather meek expression, tilted her chin up. He was met with her teary, glassy brown eyes. Already, a tear had gather on her long black lashes. The emotions building up within his usually stone cold heart was beginning to rise up. Blast this woman! He thought. Emotions are a waste of time! But he couldn't tear his gaze away from his Lilly's face. "I-I guess this is goodbye now, Sir." She forced a smile, one that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'll see you in five years." She started to walk away, donning her top hat and buttoning her ragged tailcoat over the still bright peacock pattern adorning her waistcoat.

Mr. Ambrose watched her walk away, fighting an impossible battle raging within him. You won't see her for half a decade Rikkard! At least say a proper goodbye! Finally, against his better judgement, he strode toward her before she had reached the door. Grabbing her shoulders, he pushed her up against the door. THUMP! It was a good thing he'd sent all his employees home early for the day, else Mr. Stone would be knocking at the door, wondering what was happening behind it.

Lilly looked up into the stormy, darkened eyes of her former boss. "What are you doing-" she started but was cut off by the lips pushing hers apart. Lilly couldn't help but let out an involuntary gasp against his mouth. She hadn't felt them in months...

His hand stayed at her waist while the other traveled up her back and into her hair. In the process, her top hat was knocked off, but neither cared. Lilly reached up, throwing her arms around his shoulders and running her fingers through his neat black hair. Mr. Ambrose pulled away, his eyes a deep unfathomable blue green. "I'll miss you." His voice was icy, controlling the emotions that he tried to keep in check. Lilly's heart melted into a pool of chocolate goo.

"I will too." Their lips met again, a colliding, unstoppable force. Mr. Ambrose, still several inches taller than her lifted her up, pushing her up against the cold wall of his office. Her legs wrapped around his waist. Slowly, agonizingly, his lips trailed down her neck, leaving soft kisses in their wake. Lilly had never felt more alive than before. She felt them moving, his legs paving a clear path into his bathroom and into a smaller, secret doorway in the room. She'd only been in here once before, when he had been sick a year ago. It led into his small, dark bedroom. The only furnishings in there was a bed, dresser, and small wardrobe.

Mr. Ambrose threw her down onto his bed, bending over her small form. He sometimes forgot how tall he was compared to her, for her large, brash personality made up for her lack in height. His deft fingers found the buttons on her tailcoat, and he felt her shudder beneath them.

He met her lips again as the tailcoat was thrown off, soon followed by the rest of her upper garments, leaving only her petticoat behind. She wore it under her shirt, after all. Lilly had started already on his 17 year old tailcoat, which, by the way, was still immaculate. She threw it off, and her fingers quickly undid the rest of his buttons.

She gazed, wide eyed at the expanse of chiseled flesh above her. She had always known Mr. Ambrose was fit but... Her fingers trailed down his collar bones, tracing the smooth line of his chest. She was rewarded with a throaty growl that made her smile widely. His arms went around her, untying the strings of her corset. His mouth made its way to her ear, nipping and licking it playfully. "Let's hope the wall doesn't blow up this time." And it didn't. Not at all.

After an eventful night, Rikkard lay awake. Dawn light was already starting to creep in, judging by the sky in the small window of his room. Days always started like this, but this day wasn't normal. For one, someone else was in his bed with him, and he didn't mind at all. Lilly was still curled peacefully in the hollow of his chest and arms. A warm, satisfied smile graced her beautiful features. Unconsciously, Rikkard was etching her features in his mind, this moment, and the new feelings. He knew he would never forget the night before, or Lilly's peaceful, alluring face. Her closed, delicate eyelids, long lashes, and tanned skin. Most women valued a pure white skin tone but he loved the brown of her velvety skin. Her nose was delicate, tapering to a point. Her pink lips were slightly swollen yes, but that only added to the feeling in his chest.

Yes, Rikkard Ambrose knew he was wasting time, staring at her like this, reveling in the After. But he couldn't help it. He would be leaving soon, and he needed this time, right now, to be with her. As the first of the sun's rays started to shine into his eyes, Rikkard slowly, ever so carefully, stood up. Lilly fell back onto the lone pillow of the bed, the thick linen blanket around her bare shoulders. He dressed, then packed up the rest of his meager possessions. At last, it was time. Bending down to be eye level with Lilly once again, he leaned forward and pressed a last, lingering kiss to her lips. She shifted toward him, a small smile gracing her features, her eyes starting to flicker open, but by the time she was awake fully, he was gone.

Lilly felt something, a gentle, feather light touch against her lips. They lifted in a brief smile, and she opened her eyes, expecting to meet the gaze of the not so cold, not so emotionless man that she loved. Instead, she was greeted with a cool, empty room.