He's so much taller than me that he's bending over me to kiss me and I'm looking up at him. The boots I'm wearing this evening have a square heel that's a good couple of inches in height. I'm not exactly small, and I'm used to guys being not that much taller than me. Being towered over this way is novel, and I love it.

He tears his mouth away from mine while we stare at one another, both of us breathing hard. “Are you sure this is what you want?” he asks.

While I appreciate his sudden manners, I don't want that from him. I need him to obliterate this panic within me. I want him to take over my body, and work me until I can't think of anything but the sensations he's provoking.

“Yes, I want this. Why don't we take it upstairs?”

He steps back and nods. “I need to feed the dogs and make sure everything's safe down here. Why don't you go on up and get yourself ready?”

I pick Brutus up in my arms, and body zinging with nerves, I walk out of the room.

“Put Brutus in your room, close the door, and come to mine when you're ready.” His order is no nonsense.

This is my house, and yet he’s ordering me around as if it is his. For once, though, I don't feel the urge to argue. And anyway, Brutus would be a passion killer. He once ran up behind a guy who was screwing me and licked his butt. The guy was horrified, and I never saw him again. Not that it mattered, because he was a lousy lay. On that occasion, Brutus did me a favor. I don't want him doing the same tonight, though.

“Come on, little fella,” I say as I kiss the top of his head. “Let's get you settled down for the night.” I turn to Samuel. “Don't be too long down here.” I throw him a smile and then shoot up the stairs.

In my bedroom, I decide to take a quick shower. Tying my hair up, I clean my teeth as the water warms, and then I jump under the spray and use my favorite body wash. It smells of holidays and reminds me of the sun and long, lazy days on the beach. It's a sexy scent but light. Coconut, vanilla, and something mildly citrus.

After I've dried myself, I decide to use some body oil. I bought it on a whim, and it has a slight shimmer to it with a golden undertone. It makes my skin look sexy and sun kissed. I use it sparingly, not wanting to leave an oil slick on the bed, but wanting the light glow it gives me and the softness to my skin. Once I've applied that, I remove my makeup and then apply a tiny bit of ever so subtle new makeup.