It had been two months since my trip to LA. I had spoken to Calista two or three times but she had been keeping really busy. We mostly kept in touch by email. And every time she emailed me she asked about my love life. She'd ask who I was dating, how often and how seriously. I had gone on a few dates. (okay, two!) I just couldn't do it. I had been right when I told Calista that no one else would ever measure up. It wasn't because Robert was famous or talented or even because he was gorgeous. There was just something about the way I felt when I was with him. Robert...I had talked to him at least once a week since I'd been back. Amy, my roommate, had freaked out the first couple of times he called but she was starting to get used to it now and she even honored my wishes not to tell anyone else that we still kept in touch. We never really talked about anything serious, just the everyday stuff. One of my favorite things was to pick on him about things I had read or heard about him. I quite often logged on to message boards to see what the fans were saying. Whenever I noticed someone posting about how incredible he was I made sure to put my two cents in. I was afraid to tell him how much I missed him. He never brought it up so neither did I. Calista was of the opinion that he wouldn't talk about anything that had happened between us because he wanted me to be able to move on with my life. As usual though, she wouldn't tell me anything that he said about me. I was also afraid to ask if he was seeing anyone. From what I had seen on some of the celebrity shows and in the magazines, he showed up at every event with Calista. In fact, there were several rumors going around about them dating but I knew better. Calista had met her Mr. Wonderful about a month ago. She never went anywhere public with him because she wanted to keep there relationship private. She seemed quite taken with him and said he loved Liam.

I had been somewhat of a local celebrity since I came back. The local papers and news stations had gotten wind of my trip and wanted to interview me. It was all starting to die down until some national magazine published some pictures of Robert and I at that movie premier. All the local papers reprinted the picture and called to ask for my comment. I tried telling them I had no comment but that backfired. Robert had been right. If you didn't give them something they made up the news on their own. It didn't help that one magazine had printed Robert's quote about us getting married. I managed to get out of it by laughing it off. The commotion was just now starting to settle again.

I had opened up to Amy. I told her everything that had happened. She kept telling me I was crazy for coming back.

It was 7pm on a Friday night and I was sitting at my laptop with a take-out container of chicken fried rice. I had emailed Calista and was reading some message boards about Robert when the phone rang. "Hello?" I immediately smiled at the sound of the soft voice on the other end.

"What are you doing home on a Friday night? Shouldn't you be out having fun?"

"Hmm...I could ask the same of you, you know."

"Yeah but it's only four o'clock here. It just so happens I have big plans tonight."

"Really? What kind of big plans?"

"Well, first I was going to order some Chinese food and then I was going to unplug the phone and work on memorizing my movie script. We start filming in two weeks you know."

I smiled. "Sorry, I didn't realize. I'll never doubt you again."

"Thank you. Which brings us back to you...don't you remember what I told you about getting out of the house more?"

"Are you trying to say I'm antisocial?"

"Actually, I think the word I was looking for was recluse."

"I am not a recluse!"

"Okay when was the last time you were out of the house?"

"Well actually, yesterday I.."

"The coffee shop doesn't count. You just can't do without your daily caffeine slash sugar dose."

"Okay well, Tuesday I went to the grocery store and the post office."

"Mmm...I stand corrected."

We talked for a few more minutes before Amy came in.

"Lizzie, I was just on my way to the coffee shop with Mike and Emily. Why don't you come hang out for awhile?"

I covered the phone with my hand. "Just go ahead, Amy. I'll meet you down there in a little while." Robert overheard me. (I should have muted the phone!)

"Go on ahead, Elisabeth. I really don't need to put off working on this script any longer anyway. I'll call you tomorrow if you want."

"What a silly question! Okay...I guess I'll talk to you tomorrow then..." I really didn't want to hang up the phone. I never did.

When we got to the coffeeshop we sat down at a table with our friends and I ordered my usual. The conversation centered around the big concert that was coming to the Fox Theatre next weekend. Amy and her boyfriend Kevin had gotten tickets and were pretty excited about it. At eight o'clock they turned off the radio and we heard someone begin playing the piano. "That's funny", Amy said. "I don't remember seeing them advertise live entertainment for tonight."

The song was familiar but I didn't think anything about it until someone started singing. That voice...it couldn't be anyone else.

Every breath you take
Every move you make
Every bond you break
Every step you take
I'll be watching you

I turned to look at Amy and found her watching me with sparkling eyes. The others were watching both of us, seemingly in the dark about what was going on.

Every single day
Every word you say
Every game you play
Every night you stay
I'll be watching you

I had my back to the piano and when I turned around all I could see was a shadowy figure hidden behind it. I got up and walked slowly toward the piano, almost in a trance. I suspected I was dreaming. When I got to where I could see him, I stopped. I think my heart stopped too. When he looked up and saw me, he smiled. Oh, that smile! As I stood there and watched him sing the rest of the song, tears began to form in my eyes. There was a slight commotion as people began to realize who he was but I barely noticed.

Oh, can't you see
You belong to me
How my poor heart aches
With every step you take

When he finished the song he started walking toward me. I would have met him halfway but I couldn't seem to move. "Wh...what are...what are you doing here?"

He smiled and shook his head at my stuttering. "I missed you."

I didn't know what to say next. I was more concerned with standing since my knees seemed about to give out underneath me. He shifted his feet awkwardly, not seeming to know what to do next. "So...you feel like going for a walk?"

I snapped out of my trance and realized that everyone in the room was staring at us. As we walked toward the door Amy made her way over to us. "Lizzie, why don't you just take my car. I was planning on getting a ride with Kevin anyway." She turned to Robert and smiled. "I told you everything would go perfectly."

He smiled back at her. "Thanks for helping, Amy."

We walked silently through the parking lot toward Amy's car. When we got there he turned me around to face him. "Elisabeth? You haven't said a word. Are you glad to see me or...not?"

He was looking intently into my eyes. As I stood there looking at him so many emotions came rushing back. I hadn't even realized how much I had blocked out in the two months since I'd seen him last. I finally found my voice. "Robert, of course...of course I'm glad you're here. How could you doubt it? I'm just...surprised."

He smiled and wrapped his arms around me. "You're surprised that I'm here or surprised that I missed you?"

"Well, I guess both..."

He continued looking at me in a way that made me feel weak. He must have noticed I was a little wobbly because he tightened his arms around me. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as he leaned in closer to me. He lightly brushed my forehead with his lips and continued searching my eyes with his. Finally, his lips found mine with a sweetness and gentleness that made my heart jump into my throat. When he pulled away he had an almost shy look on his face. "I don't mean to rush things...but for the last two months I've been wishing I'd done that before."

I drove around aimlessly for awhile just glad to have him sitting beside me. Of course the first question out of my mouth when we got in the car was inevitable... "So...How long are you staying?"

It was too dark to see the look on his face but I could tell he didn't really want to answer the question.

"Well...I have to fly back at 6am Monday morning....but I was hoping not to think about that for the next couple of days.."

I nodded, thinking that was probably a good idea."So how long have you been planning this trip and how long has Amy known about it?"

I couldn't see him but I could hear the smile in his voice. "It was actually kind of a spur of the moment thing.

I decided to come last night when Calista finally lost patience and yelled at me. I called Amy from the airport this morning."

"What do you mean Calista lost her patience and yelled at you? About what?"

"Well, I...she seems to think you're all I've been talking about for the last two months. I think she got tired of hearing about it."

"You've been...I'm sorry...you've been talking about me?"

"Um..Yeah. I'm glad she didn't tell you because she won't ever tell me if you even mention me when you talk or email her."

"Hmm. Well, at least she's not taking sides." Running out of places to drive, I pulled up at my apartment. "So, you want to see where I live?"

"Sure. Do you keep it neater than you did your hotel room?"

I rolled my eyes as we got out of the car. "That's not fair. I was only there for a week and I didn't have time to pick things up."

As soon as I turned on the light in the apartment he began to look around. "Hmm...not too bad. Amy must be a good housekeeper."

I turned around with my fist raised, ready to punch him, but he was prepared and grabbed my arm, pulling me to him. He put his arms around me, holding both of my arms behind my back. His eyes were dancing with laughter as he spoke. "I withdraw the comment..." He continued to hold both my wrists behind my back with his left hand while running his right hand gently along the side of my face and back through my hair. "I'm sorry if I'm complicating your life...I know the reporters around here just recently backed off. They're gonna be all over you again now."

"You know what? I don't care. I'll just have to learn how to make up stories for them like you do." He smiled and let go of my hands. "Do you want something to drink?"

"Um, yeah actually. I didn't get any coffee at Westside. I know you have some around here somewhere." "How'd you guess? I'll go make some. Just have a seat."

I went into the kitchen to make some coffee and when I walked back in, he was staring at my laptop. "Elisabeth, what in the world...what is this?"

"Hey! Nobody told you to be nosy. Put that away!" I had forgotten that I left it open to a message board devoted entirely to him. He was looking at me with a very amused smile on his face that made my cheeks turn pink. He pulled me down on the couch beside him.

"So which discussion is it that you found so interesting? Is it the one about what color my eyes are or the one about whether I wear boxers or briefs?" He closed the laptop and turned to face me. He still had that amused smile on his face. "Elisabeth, earlier tonight when I told you I'd missed you, you didn't say anything. Have you missed me at all in the last two months?"

I avoided his gaze. "I hate it when you ask me questions you already know the answer to."

"I just want to hear you say it."

I looked in his eyes and put my hand up to his face. "I missed you, Robert.", I whispered softly. "I missed you and you have no idea how glad I am that you're here."

He smiled sweetly. "So then why didn't you call me more often instead of logging on to some message board to talk to people who don't even know me?"

"I like to read all the messages about how cute you are...and I was afraid to call you very often because I thought I might be bothering you.."

He gently put his hands on the sides of my face and made me look straight at him. "That's ridiculous. If you were bothering me I wouldn't have told you to call. Now, about this whole message board thing...do you ever post any messages or do you just read?"

I looked away and smiled. "I've posted a few messages on there."

"So, what did you say about me?"

"Umm...nothing much." I racked my brain trying to think of a message that I could show him, one that wouldn't completely embarrass me. (I had started that 'boxers or briefs' discussion just to see where it would go but I wasn't about to tell him that!) I flipped up the computer and scanned the messages. "Umm...okay here's one I posted about how talented you are. We were talking about 'Chaplin' and how great you are in it" I turned the screen so that he could read it. "I think the coffee's done. I'll go get it."

I was getting a couple of coffee mugs when I all of a sudden had one of those moments when I stopped and realized what was happening. Robert was in my apartment. He came here just to see me. He kissed me. I shook my head and rubbed my eyes, making sure I wasn't dreaming. Finally I filled the coffee cups and went back into the other room. Uh-oh. Something tells me I stayed gone too long. He was staring intently at the computer screen with a sort of half smile on his face. When he looked up at me he had that amused twinkle in his eyes. "What...what are you doing?"

"Oh, I was just reading some of your other posts..."

I stopped where I was, almost dropping the coffee in my panic to know which post he had read. I was afraid to ask but I had to know. "What post?"

His smile widened as he watched me panic and he began to read the post to me. As soon as he got the first few words out I knew immediately which one it was and began to blush. "I know what you mean about Robert's eyes, AM16, they are mesmerizing. I get the impression that if you looked into those eyes in person you'd be unable to say no to anything he asked."

As soon as I realized what he was reading I put the coffee down and tried to close the laptop and stop him but he held me back with one hand until he was finished. When he stopped, even my ears were red. I wanted to run and hide somewhere but he grabbed my hand and pulled me down beside him. He still had that amused smile on his face. "Elisabeth?" I turned my head to look everywhere but at him.. He put one hand behind my head and began genly twirling his fingers through my hair right at the nape of my neck. "Elisabeth, do I really have that effect on you?"

I gave up and turned to look at him. Having his hand in my hair like that was beginning to make me dizzy. "Robert, do you remember that day you showed up at my hotel room before I was even out of bed and I didn't want to let you in but I did anyway?"

"Yeah..." He spoke in a whisper. His fingers were now gently massaging my neck and he looked as if he was waiting for me to continue.

"Robert, I can't...I can't talk to you with you touching me like that..."

He smiled and continued looking straight into my eyes. "Okay..." He put his other hand on my back and gently pulled me closer to him. A second later his lips were on mine. They were so warm and soft...I'm sure I was kissing him back but I couldn't seem to think straight. My head was all cloudy. He slowly moved his hand down the middle of my back until it rested at my waist. He then lightly broke off the kiss, still holding me close. "So...since you can't say no to me, you'll let me read the rest of the messages you posted, right?"

"Mmm...Robert...I'd really rather you didn't. That last one was embarrassing enough. Can't we just watch TV or something instead?" I looked up into those amazing eyes. They seemed to be pleading with me.

"Robert, if you read those messages you'll think I'm a nut. You'll catch the first plane out of here as fast as you can and I'll never see you again."

"Elisabeth..." He took a deep breath and looked at me very seriously. "I already think you're nuts and I still came all the way out here to see you..."

I shrugged and leaned back against the couch with his arm around me, taking my coffee cup in hand. "Okay. But I warned you so I wash my hands of anything you find out that makes you afraid to be in the same room with me."

He smiled, satisfied that he had gotten what he wanted, and picked up his coffee as he began to sort throught the various posts. Every now and then he would laugh or squeeze my shoulder. I had turned on the tv and was trying not to pay attention to what he was reading but I was too curious and kept glancing over to find out. Suddenly he turned to look at me with wide eyes and raised eyebrows. "Hey! You started that whole 'boxers or briefs' discussion! I can't believe you're discussing my underwear with a bunch of total strangers."

I couldn't help laughing at him. I was still embarrassed but now he was blushing a little himself. "I warned you...but I don't quite understand your objection about strangers. Would you rather I talk about it with people you know?"

He narrowed his eyes at me and then laughed and shook his head. "You know, if you really want to know, I..."

I quickly held up my hands. "No! No, no, no. Don't tell me. I really don't want to know." Hmm. More like I don't think I can handle knowing something like that right now!

He grinned. "I guess that's the kind of thing I should save for later in the relationship."

He went back to reading but I couldn't stop thinking about what he said. Did "later in the relationship" mean that we are in a relationship and that he thinks there will be a later in the relationship to look forward to? I knew I was way over thinking and should just relax, but...I felt a little like Ally when she told Renee 'And if he doesn't love me I don't know what I'm going to do.'

Before I could think about it any more Amy walked in. I knew she was probably anxious to talk to Robert so I invited her to join us. We all sat and drank coffee and talked for several hours. Amy told stories that I would have preferred Robert not hear but he seemed to enjoy them.

It was about two in the morning when I drove him down the road to the hotel he had checked into earlier.

He wouldn't let me walk up to his room with him. "It's late. I don't want you walking back to your car by yourself." I must have looked disappointed because he gently touched my cheek and added, "Don't look like that. I promise to be right by your side all day tomorrow."

The morning sun was barely coming through the window when I woke up. I rolled over and glanced at the clock, seeing that it was only 6:30. I started to roll over and go back to sleep but then I had a thought. I was showered, dressed and at Robert's hotel by 7:15, yawning the whole way. As I entered the hotel and headed toward his room, I dialed his number on my cell phone. It was three or four rings before he picked up and I could tell by the soft, hoarse tone of his voice that he had still been asleep.

"Hello?"

I smiled just at the sound of that sleepy voice. "Morning, sleepyhead..."

"Lizzie..." I could tell by his voice that he was smiling. "Wow..you're up bright and early this morning."

I was unable to contain a tiny laugh. "You have no idea." I tapped lightly at the door to his room.

"Hang on, somebody's at the...Elisabeth?"

"Can I come in?" He hung up the phone and a few seconds later I could hear him unlatching the door. He opened the door slightly and peered out at me. "You did this on purpose just to get back at me.", he growled.

I smiled and squeezed through the small opening. "Mostly, yes. There were other reasons too, though." My heart was racing just at the sight of him. His hair was tousled, his eyes were only half open...and all he was wearing was a pair of boxers.

"Such as?", he grumbled as he walked over to the bed and layed back down.

"Such as, wanting to spend as much time with you as possible. But mostly it was just to get back at you." I smiled as I walked over and sat down on the bed beside him. He was laying on his stomach and as I spoke he pulled a pillow over his head. "Uh-huh. Well, I'm going back to sleep." His reply was muffled by the pillow. I watched him pretend to be asleep for a minute and then began lightly running my fingers up and down his bare back. "Well, at least I can tell all those girls on the message board that I know what you sleep in..."

He pushed the pillow aside and turned his head to look up at me with a half smile. "Actually I just put these on because I didn't think you'd want me to answer the door in nothing..."

"Oh..." I blushed. He suddenly turned to his side and grabbed me by the waist, pulling me down beside him. He pinned me on my back and leaned over me, staring into my eyes with a look that made me melt.

"Elisabeth, I, ah...I think it's only fair to let you know that it's a bad idea to walk into what is essentially my bedroom first thing in the morning and start...touching me like that..." Even as he spoke he was gently stroking my arm. He leaned in and softly put his lips to my neck, gently kissing me at first and then nibbling slightly. "Wow...you smell incredible. And right now I would like nothing more than to attack you...but seeing as how I've been awake about five minutes and probably have major morning breath, I'm going to go take a cold shower instead." Without another word he headed for the bathroom leaving me there to catch my breath.

I layed there listening to the water run in the shower. I couldn't believe how strong my feelings were for Robert. I had spent 4 or 5 days with him in LA. I didn't see him for two months. Then he comes to visit and it's like no time has passed. I wasn't usually the type to rush into things and ever since I had gotten burned by my cheating ex I had been a very independent person. I didn't really need anyone to make me feel complete. Until now...

Not only did I have this overwhelming desire to give myself to this man, mind, body and soul but I felt like I wouldn't be able to live my life if he wasn't in it. I wondered if he knew how completely he had me. I wondered if he was having any of the same feelings. He did come to visit me, that had to be a good sign. But we live so far apart and there are so many women who are crazy about him. Why should I think he would want to or be able to commit to me? And what about the biggest obstacle of all? He seemed to be doing really well since he had gotten out of rehab, but what if...I couldn't even bear to think about it. I was so deep in thought that it startled me when he opened the bathroom door. I hadn't even heard him turn the shower off. I ran my eyes over him without saying anything. Wow...is there ever a time when he doesn't look incredible? He had put on a pair of blue jeans and a black t-shirt that perfectly contoured his chest. But I think what made him look so sexy was his bare feet and wet hair. I guess he must have noticed my gaze because he laughed softly and turned in a circle.

"Are you done studying me now?"

"Sorry", I said as I walked over to him. "It's just that I...you, um...that color looks really good on you."

He rolled his eyes as he pulled me into his arms. "Thanks. So, what would you like to do today?"

Hmm...now there's a question. For the first time, I took the initiative. I put my hand lightly against the back of his neck and rested my other hand on his shoulder. (He may have had a cold shower, but I didn't!) I slowly drew closer to him until I could feel his heart beating against mine and his breath on my cheek. I glanced into his eyes briefly before I pressed my lips to his, softly at first but then more insistantly. He rested his hands lightly on my hips. When we broke apart he looked at me with a sparkle in his eyes and one raised eyebrow. "Hmm...It seems my litte Elisabeth has lost her stutter and her shakiness. What.." Before he could continue I ran my hand softly down over his chest and kissed him again, lightly sliding just the tip of my tongue between his lips. That seemed to push him over the edge. He moaned softly and ran his hands up slightly, tightening his fingers around my ribcage. He began to kiss me more hungrily searching my mouth with his tongue. I was beginning to completely lose control when he stopped suddenly and backed away. He looked a little flustered as he spoke. "Elisabeth, I really think we should slow down a little bit." When he looked up and saw the pout that came across my face he smiled and gently touched my cheek.

"Elisabeth...you have no idea how much I want you right now and how much self-control it takes to push you away. But...I'm leaving here in two days...how much harder do you think that will be if we make love today?And tomorrow, and Monday before I go to the airport..." He grinned at me.

I gave him a small smile before returning to my pout. "I guess that wasn't the primary thing on my mind right now..."

He laughed. "I know...but I don't want to rush this. It's been hard enough being away from you these last two months and I barely kissed you before you got on the plane. Let's just enjoy the weekend and then go from there." He smiled widely at me. "Believe me there will be plenty more opportunities!"

As we left the hotel, still trying to decide how to spend our day, he turned to me and asked, "So, um, what triggered the change?"

"Huh? What change?"

He tilted his head to one side and looked at me. "You know. The change from the shy girl who couldn't get within three feet of me without turning into a nervous, stuttering wreck to the girl who was about to tear my clothes off in my hotel room just now."

As we got in the car I could see him watching for my reaction out of the corner of his eye. "I don't know. Maybe it was when you answered the door in you underwear...There was something about seeing you when you first woke up that made you seem more human."

He gave me a strange look. "Human...as opposed to...what?"

I laughed, realizing it sounded silly. "I don't know. As opposed to...some guy that just stepped out of my dreams..." I looked away as I said it, a little embarrassed. At first all he said was, "Oh.", making me wonder if I had said too much. He waited for me to look up at him before he continued. He had that amused sparkle in his eyes that made me crazy.

"So, if you thought I stepped out of your dreams that would seem to indicate that you were dreaming about me before we met?"

"You're putting words in my mouth."

"No, no I'm not...I'm just asking a question. A question you seem to be trying to avoid answering."

I started driving, still not knowing where I was going. It gave me an excuse not to look at him. "I'm not avoiding the question. I'm just not answering it because I assumed you were joking. Why else would you ask such a ridiculous question?"

"I don't think it's ridiculous. A, you brought it up. B, you obviously knew who I was before we met because you called me by my name, my first name by the way, the day I bumped into you. And C, I'm suspicious because that day I showed up at your hotel room you told me that you'd been dreaming but you didn't specifically say it was about me."

"Uh-huh. So, where do you want to go?"

He rolled his eyes. "Somewhere where there's not a lot of people. But you're not getting off that easily."

All of a sudden I knew exactly where we should go. I pulled into a nearby parking lot and dialed my cell phone. "Mrs. McKinney?..Hey, it's Elisabeth...Yes, I was very surprised! Mmmhmm...well, I was trying to think of a fairly secluded place to go and...right. Great! Thank You...No I don't mind at all...okay...yeah, you too. Bye."

Robert looked at me questionly as I pulled back out on the road. "Who's Mrs. McKinney?"

"Amy's mom. We're going to spend the day at their house."

"Um...okay. Why?"

"You'll see."

About twenty minutes later we started up a long driveway. As we rounded a corner, a large home came into view. "Whoa! This is Amy's parent's house?"

"Yup." I started to drive around to the back of the house but stopped when I saw Amy's mom come rushing out the front door. I put the car in park and got out. "Lizzie, hi! Sorry I can't talk, sweetie, I'm late for work! Jonathan left already so there's no one here to let you in...you have your key, right?"

I smiled at her. "Yeah, I have it, but I don't really think we'll be in the house that much."

She walked over to the passenger side of the car where Robert had the window rolled down. "Mr. Downey...I'm happy to meet you. It's an honor to have you at my house."

Before he could respond she rushed off to her car, yelling as she went. "Lizzie, there's plenty of refreshments in the fridge at the lakehouse.."

As I got back in the car and drove around to the back of the house he glanced over at me. "Lakehouse?"

I parked the car around back and got out. "Let's go."

He got out of the car. "Do I hear water?"

I smiled and reached for his hand. "Come on." We walked through a short patch of woods that opened up to a beautiful secluded lake with a tiny waterfall. Off to one side was a small two story white house. Robert pointed to it. "That's the lakehouse?"

I grinned. "Completely furnished and bigger than my apartment."

He shook his head slowly. I walked over and sat down on a deck beside the lake and he followed. "So, are you ready to answer my question now?"

I sighed and turned to look at him. "Why is it I'm the one always having to answer questions? I'll tell you what. I'll answer any question you want under one condition. For every question I answer for you, you have to answer one for me."

He studied my face for a minute and smiled. "Okay. But you still have to answer my question first."

I smiled sweetly. "Could you remind me..."

He gave me a look and moved over behind me wrapping his arms around me. He tilted his head and spoke softly in my ear. "Did you ever dream about me before we met?"

I leaned my head back against him. "No. I don't remember ever dreaming about you before we met." I tilted my head to look at him. "At least...not while I was asleep..."

A slow, incredibly sexy smile spread across his face. "Lizzie, dreaming while you're awake is usually called fantasizing."

"Really? Well, then I guess my answer is no. I never dreamed about you before we met." Before he could say anything else I stood up. "Okay, it's my turn. But first let's go get a blanket out of the house so we can sit in the grass. It'll be much more comfortable than this deck."

He followed me into the house and I got a quilt out of the closet. "I'm going to go to the bathroom. There's the kitchen if you want to get something to drink."

I went upstairs and decided while I was gone to change into the bluejeans I usually left up here. The dressier clothes I had chosen earlier today no longer seemed appropriate. As I walked back downstairs I could hear Robert talking on his cell phone.

"No, I didn't tell her yet...I really wanted to wait until Monday morning...yes, right before I get on the plane...Don't you think it would be better that way? Yeah, I've definately made up my mind."

One of the steps creaked and he turned around. "Oh! Um...did you want to say hi to her?" He smiled and held the phone out to me. "It's Calista...she wants to say hi..." He was watching my face as he handed me the phone and I could tell he was wondering how much I had overheard.

"Calista, hi, how are you?" I walked toward the kitchen to get something to drink.

"Hi, Lizzie! Are you enjoying your surprise?"

I smiled at the ridiculousness of the question. "Is that a rhetorical question?"

She laughed. "Pretty much, yeah. Listen Lizzie, I'm not going to keep you on the phone, but call me when he leaves and let me know how your weekend went, okay?"

I agreed and hung up the phone. I grabbed two cokes out of the fridge and went to look for Robert. He had already taken the quilt and gone back outside. I was really curious about that phone call. He was definately talking about me and something he wanted to tell me Monday morning. I just couldn't imagine what it was. When I got back outside he had spread out the quilt and was sitting leaned back on his elbows. I sat down beside him. "So, time for my question. You said you were driving Calista crazy talking about me. What were you saying?"

"Hmm...that's pretty easy. It was everything."

"What do you mean, everything?"

He smiled and ran a hand through my hair. "I mean everything. How much I missed you, how beautiful you are...you name it. I think she just got sick of hearing me say your name. Which brings me to my next question. What exactly did you fantasize about?"

I paused for a minute. "I'm sorry Robert, I just can't answer that. I couldn't make the words come out if I wanted to."

His face had the beginnngs of that amused smile that always drives me crazy."Okay, so how about just telling me when you had these fantasies?"

"When? You want a date and time? I...I don't know! I didn't write it down." I was really getting embarrassed with this line of questioning and I felt like I still needed time to digest what he had said about me a few minutes ago. Did he really think I was beautiful? I turned to look out at the lake, stretching my legs out in front of me and leaning back on my hands.

He watched me silently for a minute, but I didn't turn to see the look on his face. Finally he turned around and faced the opposite direction so he could look directly into my face. He spoke softly and seemed to be trying very hard not to smile. "Elisabeth, I'm not asking you for a date and time. I'm just saying that you have to remember what it was I did that caught you attention. Was it Ally McBeal? Was it a particular movie?" He didn't seem to be able to hold back his smile any longer. I could tell he was really enjoying this. "All I want to know is what I did that made you fantasize about me."

I began to chew one of my fingernails as I spoke. "Actually, it was an interview. I had seen some of your movies and I thought you were talented, but it was an interview that caught my attention."

"An interview. Well, that's interesting. I guess that means that it was me that you liked and not one of the characters that I played. So ah, which interview was it?"

"Umm...I think it was with Diane Sawyer."

"Diane Sawyer?" The way he said it, it was more of a statement than a question. That amused sparkle was back and I had a feeling I had gotten myself in deep this time. I just nodded my head, waiting for him to continue. "Elisabeth...Diane Sawyer interviewed me while I was in prison..."

I was still chewing on my fingernail. "Uh-huh. Yeah, I think that was the one."

He shook his head, still smiling widely at me. "I don't believe it."

I stopped chewing my nail and looked up at him. "What?"

"All this time I had you pegged for Miss sweet and innocent. I never even guessed..." That incredibly sexy smile and the amused sparkle he had in his eyes was beginning to feel like torture.

I gasped and looked at him with wide eyes. "I AM sweet and innocent!"

"Hmph..yeah. Sweet and innocent and have a thing for guys who are IN PRISON!"

"HEY! That's not why...I didn't...you..."

He interrupted my stuttering. "Hey, it's okay. I just need to get to know this wild side that you seem to have been hiding from me. I mean, If I'd known you had a thing for bad boys..."

I raised my fist with the intention of hitting him really hard in the shoulder but he just laughed and grabbed my wrist before I could hit him. He took my other hand and pulled me into an embrace that made me forget all about wanting to punch him.

He leaned his head against mine and whispered softly in my ear. "Elisabeth...are you sure you don't want to tell me exactly what you fantasized about?"

I looked up at him but he didn't give me time to answer. His lips found mine in a kiss so warm and soft that I began to melt in his arms. I curled my hand around the back of his neck as he placed his hands on my shoulders and began to run them slowly down my arms. I tried to be good (as he had suggested!) but I didn't really feel in control of my own body. I again slid my tongue into his mouth and ran my index finger down his chest. He put his hand behind my head and gently leaned me backward until I was laying on the quilt and he was leaned over me, propped up on one hand. Soon he began kissing my neck and nibbling my ears while softly running his finger along the top of my v-necked shirt. I ran my hand down his back and looped my fingers through his belt loop.

"Mmm...um, Robert?"

He barely stopped long enough to answer me. "Yeah?"

"I, umm...mmm...didn't you say we should take things slow?" He stopped and looked at me but his eyes were still burning with passion.

"Did I?" He took a deep breath and sighed. "I guess I did say that." He pulled himself away from me with some effort. He offered me his hand to help me sit up but I closed my eyes and layed there for a minute wishing I had kept my mouth shut.

When I opened my eyes he was watching me with a smile. "Are we going to be alone here all day?"

"At least another six hours. Unless you'd rather go somewhere public and be mobbed by fans."

"No, I don't really want to do that, it's just.."

"You're afraid to be alone with me because you think I might try to seduce you?"

He laughed. "Well, there are definately some things I didn't know about you until today but I'm more concerned about me not being able to keep my hands off of you."

I sat up and tilted my head as I looked in his eyes. "So who asked you to?"

He smiled and looked at me with raised eyebrows. "Lizzie..." He said something else but I didn't hear him. It was his eyes. I looked into those eyes and it suddenly hit me. I am so head over heels in love with him...and so terrified to tell him...He was looking at me expectantly.

"I'm sorry, what..what did you say?"

"You okay?"

"Fine. I'm fine. Why?"

"You just kind of spaced out for a minute." He was looking at me in a way that I couldn't quite interpret. "So, it's your turn to ask a question..."

And that's how we spent the rest of the day. Sometime around noon Mrs. McKinney called and said that she had a picnic basket full of food delivered to the front porch of the main house so I went and got it. We were so busy talking that we probably would have forgotten to eat. It's amazing what you can learn if you only ask...

"So, what were you talking to Calista on the phone about that you haven't told me yet?"

He shook his head. "I knew you overheard some of that. How much did you hear?"

"Enough to be curious..."

"I can't tell you that yet. Partly because I really want to wait and partly because...well, I just can't tell you yet. Try a different question."

"Okay, umm...That last night I spent in LA I fell asleep in your arms while we were watching movies. You stayed there and held me all night. I know you didn't sleep well, so why did you stay?"

"Uh, well, I had this beautiful woman asleep in my arms, that's not usually something I walk away from... Aside from that, I knew you were leaving the next day so I really didn't want to go home. The truth is, I slipped some sleeping pills into you dinner, so..." I couldn't do anything but stare at him. "But, if you don't mind me asking, how do you know I didn't sleep well? I thought you were sound asleep all night."

"Oh, that....well, I guess I woke up two or three times but I didn't want to say anything because I was afraid you'd leave."

"Hmm...the things I'm learning about you today. Not only do you have a thing for bad boys, you're also seductive and manipulative. I'd better watch myself. Between those last two there's no telling what you'll talk me into."

"So how many of my movies have you seen?"

"This is where I'm supposed to say 'all of them', right?"

"Please don't. I've done a lot of movies...if you say you've seen all of them I really am going to think you're nuts."

"Well, I've probably seen about fifteen or so."

"Fifteen."

"I've rented one every week since I came back from LA so that's eight...I think I saw about that many before I met you."

"You've rented one every week?"

I smiled slightly. "I missed you..."

"Once again - you could've just called me."

"Sorry. I'll try to do better."

"So, if you've been renting one every week, what did you watch this past week?"

"I believe I already answered a question for you. That means it's my turn."

He rolled his eyes at me. "I'm sure you'll catch up. Which one?"

I sighed. I hated not being able to say no to him. "Two Girls and a Guy".

He seemed to be watching my eyes carefully. "You hated it, didn't you?"

"Robert! I didn't say that!"

He was holding back laughter. "You didn't have to. I can see it all over your face. Just tell me."

"I..you know...you did a really great job and I.."

"You hated it. Just admit it." He was really trying hard not to laugh now.

"I didn't hate it. I just..." I sighed and bowed my head, raising only my eyes to look up at him. "Did you have to get so...friendly...with Heather Graham?"

He couldn't contain the laughter any longer. "Is that what this is about? You didn't like the movie because of one little five minute scene? They hardly even showed anything! Did you see any skin?"

"Okay, first, it was longer than five minutes. Second, no I didn't really see any skin but it was pretty obvious the two of you did and that's the whole point!"

He shook his head. He was still laughing but trying to control himself. "I cannot believe you're jealous."

"I'm not jealous. I, I am not jealous. I just thought it was unecessary, that's all."

He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me back against him. His lips were so close to my ear that it sent a chill down my spine. "Lizzie, it was a movie. I was acting..."

"Mmhmm. And you're very good at it."

He tightened his hold on me and began to run his fingers up and down my arm. "Lizzie, are you going to be the type of girlfriend who gets jealous every time I do a love scene with someone?"

I leaned my head back against him and tryed to see his face but he was holding me too tight. "Oh...I didn't realize I was your girlfriend. At least now I know what to tell the tabloids when they call."

"Just answer the question."

I thought for a minute. "You know, I'd love to say no, but...yes. I will, I'm sorry. I promise to be good and not hassle you about it but as far as how it makes me feel...yes. I'm always going to be jealous any time someone is kissing you or touching you or..." I pulled back and turned so I could look in his eyes, lightly touching his cheek with the back of my hand. "I can't help it."

He gently kissed me and shook his head, still laughing quietly. "You're so cute..."

I decided to bring a small radio out of the house so that we could dance. We started out the same way we did in my hotel room in LA, with his hands lightly on my waist and mine on his shoulders but I quickly turned the tables on him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my body tight against his. I felt his hands tense slightly on my hips before he wrapped his arms around me. As we barely moved to the music I laid my head against his chest and spoke softly. "Robert, that night that we danced like this before, what were you thinking?"

"Hmm. Well, I was thinking how incredible it felt to hold you like that."

"No, that's not what I mean. I mean, why did you feel it necessary to torture me like that."

"Oh, that. Well, I really love watching you get nervous and... Well, to be honest it was a major turn-on the way you body just kind of went weak. It was almost like you were melting into me."

"Oh. You noticed that, huh?"

"I noticed."

I took a deep breath to hide my slight embarrassment. "Well, I'm glad you enjoyed my nervousness because you've probably seen the last of it."

He pulled away slightly and looked at me with one raised eyebrow. "Really?"

"Yup."

He smiled and I could tell he was enjoying the challenge. "You think I can't make you nervous anymore?" "Don't I seem pretty comfortable right now?"

He grinned. "Sure. Right now..." He leaned forward slowly and I could see the mischievous look in his eyes. But only momentarily before he pressed his lips firmly agaist mine. His hands slid lightly down over my hips and then back up, finding their way under my shirt. I jumped slightly when I felt his warm fingers on my skin. He continued to slide his hands up my sides until they rested against the soft silk of my bra. He tightened his fingers against my back and brushed just the tip of his thumb lightly along the side of my breast. I was trembling as I ran my hand firmly down his back and slid my fingers into the pocket of his jeans. It seemed as if my ploy was working when I heard someone clear their throat. I jumped and opened my eyes to see Amy standing at the edge of the clearing.

Robert turned to face her. "Amy...hi." She must have seen the look on my face because she immediately apologized.

"Sorry Lizzie, but my mom and dad are going to be here any minute. I just thought it would be better for me to inturrupt now than for them to inturrupt in a few minutes..."

I blushed as I thought about what could have been happening in a few minutes. She smiled a little uncomfortably. "Uh, anyway, they want to have a cookout out here tonight and mom wants to know if you'll stay...Of course if you have other plans..."

I started to make some excuse not to stay but Robert inturrupted me. "We'd love to stay."

Amy smiled. "Great. I'm just going to go get some things from the house."

As soon as she left I crossed my arms and turned to face him. He smiled sweetly at me. "Something wrong?"

"Yes! You are a tease."

"Lizzie, I have to leave you wanting more. I'm afraid once I give you want you want you'll dump me."

The look on his face was so cute but I refused to give him the satisfaction of smiling. "Don't be clever. That's ridiculous anyway because what I want is you."

"Oh. Well that's very reassuring." He smiled and pulled me into his arms, kissing the top of my head softly. "Elisabeth, you don't know how good it feels to be here with you..." But because Amy's parents arrived at that moment, he didn't get to finish his thought.

Amy returned a few minutes later with Kevin. After we ate, we built a small campfire and sat around it talking and roasting marshmallows until late in the evening. Everyone loved Robert, but that didn't surprise me at all. It was about ten when we left. Instead of asking him where he wanted to go I drove straight to my apartment. I wasn't taking a chance on him saying it was late and he should go back to his hotel.

"So", he said as we arrived at the apartment, "Why don't we curl up on the couch with some popcorn and watch a movie?"

I smiled. "Sure. Why don't you pick out the movie. After being outside all day I kind of feel like taking a shower. I won't be long."

I got in the shower and a few minutes later heard him tapping on the bathroom door. "Lizzie? Where's the popcorn? I'll go ahead and start making it."

I smiled slightly. "What?"

He repeated himself, louder. "Where's the popcorn?"

I smiled wider. "Robert, I can't hear you. You'll have to open the door!"

A few seconds later the door opened and I heard him ask a third time. "I said, where' s the popcorn?" I sighed at the thought that he was standing there with nothing but the shower curtain between us. "Oh. It's in the cabinet right above the microwave."

"Oh, okay." But he didn't leave. "It's, um, awfully steamy in here..."

I smiled again. "Yeah...you should probably shut the door now or you'll let all the steam out!" I heard the door shut but waited suspiciously. "Robert?" There was no answer. I peeked my head out from behind the curtain and saw him leaning against the sink.

He smiled as water from my hair dripped down onto the floor. "Hi."

"Hi...Um, I actually meant for you to leave and close the door behind you..."

"Oh, I see..." He smiled again and left.

I got out of the shower and put on a pair of shorts and a tank top. I could hear the sounds of popcorn coming from the kitchen so I headed that way. Half of the cabinet doors were open and Robert was searching through one. "Can I help you find something?"

"Bowls. I was looking for..." He turned around and seemed to lose track of what he was saying. I hadn't dried my hair and it was dripping down onto my shirt, making the fabric clingy. I watched his eyes move slowly over me. "I was looking for bowls."

"Oh. Well you're getting warmer." I walked over and opened the cabinet right beside him. I watched out of the corner of my eye for his reaction as I stood on my tiptoes to reach a bowl on the top shelf. I stretched as far as I could, causing my shirt to rise just enough to expose my midriff, but my fingers just barely touched the edge of the bowl. He was watching me closely as I turned to face him. "I can't quite...could you get it for me?"

"I'd be happy to get the bowl for you...but is there something wrong with the one on the middle shelf?" The look in his eyes told me that he knew exactly what I was up to. He reached around me to get the bowl while I looked up at him with the most innocent look I could muster. After he set the bowl down on the counter he smiled at the look on my face and kissed me softly. "So what do you want to drink?" He turned toward the fridge.

I grabbed his hand, pulling him back. "That's not exactly the kind of kiss I was expecting." I pushed him back against the counter and ran my hands over his chest. I could feel his heartbeat quicken as I softly kissed his neck, his chin and finally his lips. We kissed passionately until we were startled by a loud beep signaling that the popcorn was done. As I stepped back I noticed that his shirt had several wet spots from my still dripping hair. I ran my hand over one particularly large spot and smiled. "Sorry. I seem to have gotten you wet. Why don't you let me throw that in the dryer for you?"

I had it untucked from his jeans before he could voice his objection. "Lizzie, it's just water, I..." He stopped as I slid my fingers up his bare chest, lifting his shirt as I went. I lifted the shirt as far as it would go without his cooperation before he reluctantly lifted his arms so I could finish the job. I tossed the shirt over on the counter and began running my hands across his back as I kissed his chest. I moved upward to his shoulders and eventually made it back to his lips. He placed his hand at the small of my back and pulled me in closer as he began to explore my mouth with his tongue. I ran one finger over his chest and stomach and began running it along the top of his jeans.

"Mmm...Lizzie?..."

I backed off just enough to look him in the eye. "Robert, don't even say it. You have been teasing me all day long and I'm not putting up with it. Now, I don't know what you're so afraid of, but.."

He smiled and put his finger to my lips. "I was just going to ask what time Amy is coming home.." "Oh... Well, she's not. She and Kevin are staying at the lakehouse tonight."

I didn't even finish the sentence before he pulled me back to him, kissing me more passionately than ever before. He slid his hand under my shirt, tracing his finger up my spine. "Hmm...seems you forgot to put your bra back on..."

"I didn't forget."

He ran his hands up my sides and gently pulled the tank top over my head, his eyes slowly wandering over me. He began softly kissing every inch of my skin, starting at my shoulders and working his way down to my navel. He took my hand and led me over to the couch, stopping to kiss me passionately and look into my eyes. "Are you sure you want to do this?" His voice was husky.

"Robert...", I whispered, bringing my lips back to his, "I've been dreaming of this for the last two months..." He needed no further invitation.

When I woke up I was still curled up against him on the couch, a blanket draped lightly over us. I lifted my head, trying to see the clock. He tightened his arms around me. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I was just wondering what time it was."

"It's three in the morning." He began gently nibbling at the back of my neck.

"We'd probably be more comfortable in the bedroom." I got up, gathered our clothes and led him to my bedroom.

Soon I was once again wrapped in his arms. I'm not sure I could describe the feeling. It was so comfortable and familiar and yet I still had this nagging feeling that I was going to wake up and find that it was all a dream.

I pressed in closer to him, as if to make sure he was really there. He hugged me gently and began running his fingers lightly over my back. "Robert?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you still think we should have waited?"

"Well...it was a nice idea but it wasn't really working out. Being alone with you all day at that lake was bad enough but after that whole shower thing you pulled..."

"I'm not sure what you mean..."

Before I even knew what was happening, he had me pinned on my back, holding both my wrists over my head with just one hand. I was pretty sure he was smiling, but I couldn't be certain in the dark. "I have a feeling that you have known exactly what you were doing from the moment I ran into you outside the studio. I'll admit you had me fooled for awhile with that sweet and innocent act, the way you'd stutter whenever I got close to you and jump when I touched you. Then you'd bat those eyelashes at me", he ran his free hand along the side of my face, "and feed me lines about how talented I am and how 'everything else fades into the background' when you're close to me. I have it all figured out now, though. All this time you've just been reeling me in. So, you'll forgive me if I don't believe you when you say you have no idea what I'm talking about. You, my dear, should get an award for this performance."

I took a minute to digest what he said and then began to giggle. "You don't seriously believe all that, do you?"

"Are you denying that you heard me the first time I asked for popcorn?"

"I...no. I heard you ask for popcorn. I wanted you to open the door. But that's only because I wanted to make you as crazy and you'd been making me all day long."

"I was making you crazy?"

"Uh...yeah! You didn't notice?"

"Well, maybe." He released my wrists and ran his hand very lightly down my arm and along my side, making me shiver. "Why don't you tell me exactly what I did to make you so crazy?" He began kissing my neck while running his fingers back and forth across my ribcage.

"Mmm... uh, this works pretty well..." I ran my fingers up his back and through his hair as he continued to kiss me, slowly working his way down to my breast. I drew in a sharp breath as I felt his teeth brush gently against my skin and tried to find my voice. "Umm, Robert? You do know I can't handle any more of your teasing..."

He rolled to his back and pulled me on top of him. "I'm not teasing."