Alex opened her mouth to argue about the wine, but then, she wondered, exactly why she felt the need to. What was about to fill her evening would be much better - much more real - than anything in that glass. And she wasn't even tipsy yet.

It was a wonderful, strange feeling, looking into Jack's stunning blue eyes and not being alone. Knowing that he was looking at her, with lust and intent and hope and expectation, all things that she had, long ago, wondered if she would ever seen in the eyes of anyone again. Such human things, things that were so very alive in their nature. It had been a long time since she'd felt that way, and she closed her mouth. "You're right," she agreed.

She turned slightly, Jack's hand held firmly in her own, the warmth of his smooth palm seeming to radiate up her arm. She shifted her hand to entwine her fingers with his, leading him around the coffee table and through the kitchen towards the open door of the bedroom.