Ever since that moment between Paul and I, I knew something had changed. Something we both would never admit out loud. He broke. His outershell was broken. Now I was inside. And even though I knew he hated it, he didn't bother fixing it. He wanted me to know who he really was. His soft side. Artsy side. The part of him he only reserved for Jane. But there he was, playing my guitar at three in the afternoon while we sat in the garden. Martha resting her head on my lap as I sat on the soft grass.

"D'you know this one?" He asked and began to play again. I hummed softly and began to sing along with him.

" I don't like you
But I love you
Seems that I'm always
Thinking of you
Oh, oh, oh
You treat me badly
I love you madly
You've really got a hold on me
You've really got a hold on me, baby

I don't want you
But I need you
Don't want to kiss you
But I need you
Oh, oh, oh
You do me wrong now
My love is strong now
You've really got a hold on me
You've really got a hold on me, baby

I love you and all I want you to do
Is just hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me..."

We paused and just smiled at each other. Martha let out a bark as we heard knocking coming from inside. Paul stood up and handed me the guitar, leaving to check who it was. I smiled to myself and placed the intrument on the grass. I looked up and smiled to see Richard.

He barely stepped a foot on the grass when I pounced on him. He laughed and held me from falling over.

"Hi." I giggled. He smiled and set me on my feet.

"Hello hello. Did ye miss me?"

"Of course. It's been awhile." I pouted sadly. He pecked my lips and stroked the side of my cheek.

"Ye seem rather giddy today."

I shrugged and held his hand as we made our way back to my spot. I looked back and watched as Paul stood in the doorway, hands in pockets. A hurt expression on his face.

..

"So you and Paul are gettin on now?" Richard raised his eyebrows. "What changed?"

I laid back on the grass and raised my feet up in the air. He chuckled and laid down with me.

"I um....I had an accident. Last night someone broke into the house. I was inside and...he hurt me."

He sat up and looked down at me. I couldn't help feeling appreciative at how instantly worried he became.

"What?? Did they catch the guy? Are you okay? The babies..."

"I lost one. I'm still pregnant but...theres no more twins." I said quietly. He laid back down and rested a hand on my stomach. I placed mine on top and sighed. "I came back from the hospital just this morning. Paul and I as usual had a falling out. He made me feel bad about what happened...about myself. I tried to end it all."

"Sadie why on earth would you even think like that?" He looked at me.

"Just as I was going to jump, he pulled me inside....and we kissed."

It was silent for a few seconds before anyone spoke. I looked over at him and watched as he stared at the clear sky.

"Richard?" I asked. He looked at me, into my eyes. I couldn't help blushing as his big blues looked right through me.

"What else happened?" He asked. I leaned over and stroked the side of his face.

"We talked. He knows about the job. How you helped me. How you listen to me and....how much I like you." I blushed as the last part. A smile spread over his lips.

"You really like me huh?" He teased. I giggled and sat up, straddling him at the waist.

"I do. A lot. He knows."

"What about you two?"

I looked over and noticed Paul was gone. The guitar still on the floor.

"He's got Jane. I know he loves her. I'm not here to ruin anyones relationship. Which is why....we need to talk."

"Talk about what Sadie? I like you, you like me..."

"It's not that simple now is it?"

He sighed. "Why can't it be?"

"Because Richard. You're married. You have a beautiful son and a wife that loves you. Don't mess all of that up because of a silly pregnant girl who's only temporary."

He sat up and rested his hands on my thighs. Our faces inches apart. His hot breath against my lips as he spoke.

"Then, we'll just have a little fun. No harm there right?"

I was about to speak until he interrupted.

"Just a little fun."

I bit my lip and felt his lips slowly brush against mine. I nodded.

"Just a little. A little fun never hurt anyone right?" I asked. He shook his head and moved his lips with mine. Soon, we were laying in the garden, kissing the afternoon away.

..

6:30 pm

I practically skipped down the stairs in only a t-shirt, grabbed the phone as it rang loudly. Richard right behind, kissing my neck as he squeezed my inner thighs.

"Hello?" I asked happily.

"Is my husband there??" She sounded annoyed. I turned to Richard who was shirtless, holding nothing but a sheet around his waist.

"Hold on."

I handed Richard the phone. He looked at me strangely.

Your wife. I mouthed. His eyes widened from their dreamy state as he answered.

"Maureen my love. Is everything alright?" He adked. I wrapped my arms around his waist and kissed his back.

"No...Paul just wanted me over for somethin. Visitng John tomorrow definitly." He continued. Paul walked in and rolled his eyes when he saw me and Richard the way we were.

"Oh there's Paul now. I gotta run." He said trying his best to sound disappointed. I giggled and was shushed by him. "Alright. Love ye."

Then he hung up and turned to me. I pulled him into a kiss.

"I gotta go love." He sighed.

I pouted and nodded. "Okay. Let me help you dress." I smiled. He grinned and reached around, squeezing my bum. I giggled and soon we were busted by Paul.

"If you two are goin to make a habit of this, please do so while I'm out of the house. Not while I'm merely a wall away."

"I'm off anyways. Just let me put on some pants." He winked at me. I giggled and watched him make his way upstairs. I turned to Paul and kissed his cheek.

"Have a nice day?" I asked. He just nodded.

"It was alright. I would ask about yours but...no use now." He said watching Richard run downstairs, buttoning up his shirt. He kissed my cheek and patted the top of Paul's head.

"G'night you two." Then he was gone. Paul sighed and shook his head, heading to the living room with paper in hand and a bottle of beer in the other. I followed and sat beside him on the sofa. He just took a drink and slowly turned to me as I watched him.

"May I help you?" He asked.

"I was wondering if we could finish where we left off earlier. You know, playing songs and singing."

"I dunno. I'm a bit knackered and..." he looked into my eyes and trailed off. "Alright then. Just one song."

"One song." I smiled and walked across the room, bending over to grab my guitar out of the case. It was this moment I remembered I wasn't wearing any underwear. So I decided to play coy.

I pretended to drop the pick on the carpet as I got on my knees to look around. I noticed from the reflection from the glass tv screen, he was watching every moment of it.

I knew there was still that physical attraction between us. I mean there had to be or I wouldn't be knocked up with his child right now. That kind of thing just doesn't go away in the snap of a finger. But he did his best to hide the fact he found me attractive. He was all about Jane. This first week he made my life a living hell. Now it was my turn...in a way I knew he couldn't resist.

..........