Aidan woke to Sage poking him and saying his name. She wore a green dress different from the ones she wore in New York, because it was more sophisticated. The dress covered more of her as it went up to her collarbone and almost to her knees. It was simple but fit so well her narrow waist accentuated the curve of her hip.

"A princess, I must be dreaming."

"Not funny. You need to get ready."

"You look beautiful. Do I have time for a quick shower and shave?"

"You have twenty minutes. Towels are in the bathroom. I'll leave you with some privacy."

He made his way downstairs in fifteen minutes. Bea saw him first and cooed. "Isn't he handsome?"

Her dress differed from Sage's as it was colorful and flowing. She reminded him of his Onset neighbor who was a free spirit artist.

Sage nodded approvingly. "Sage stand with him so I can take a picture. Closer..."

Aidan put his arm around Sage, as if they were dating. Bea smiled with approval. "Oh, your dress matches his eyes." Aidan felt the heat in his neck. "Alright, now kiss."

"Mom. Aidan needs a drink."

Aidan could wait for a drink.

"Sage, I think the man wants a kiss more than a drink."

Aidan wanted to reply, hell yes. "Bea, if Sage is uncomfortable in front of her mother, I'll be happy with a drink."

Sage whispered. "Thanks," as she kissed his check.

It was not the exact kiss he longed for. Feeling her soft lips on his skin only made him want to taste them.

William entered the room wearing a suit. Aidan smiled, because another of Sage's plans had backfired. He shook the older man's hand. "Nice suit, sir."

He shrugged. "Special guest. A special dinner."

Sage looked miserable. "Why are you pouting princess?"

She blurted. "Because they like you more than me."

The other three laughed. "Darling, why are you unhappy we like your boyfriend? Why wouldn't we? He treats you like a princess and is a very nice boy."

"Bea, he's a young man, an intelligent young man. He's offered to put together some information for me."

"What information?" Sage asked.

"Something about a competitor." The older man waved his hand like it was no big deal. Although he had told Aidan, he was looking to acquire the company.

"Did you two have a nice nap?" Bea asked.

Sage looked at her plate. "How did you know we fell asleep?"

"Darling, your door was ajar. I have to say you made quite the adorable couple curled up together."

"Honestly, I'm surprised you're letting us share a room." Sage found some confidence.

"I'm not naïve. This saves one of you from sneaking down the hall."

Aidan wished he wasn't across the table, because it was hard to support her. Although it would ruin his chance to find out if she snored, he said, "Truthfully, if you would prefer we don't share a room, I will stay in my room."

Bea smiled. "He's so respectful. Sage, I'm not sure, we could have picked a better man for you. Please stay where you are."

Across the table, Sage smiled weakly. At least he had tried.

William said, "I like how he knows how to drink a glass of wine."

"Sage taught me, didn't you princess."

William smiled, "What are your plans for tonight?"

Sage quickly answered, "A movie."

Aidan asked, "You want to go out?"

"No, we can watch one here. You can pick." Sage smiled at him. He knew she was trying to make the most of a trip whose purpose failed.

Dinner ended with a rich chocolate mousse. Aidan announced, "I think I died. This is delicious."

"I can ask Rosa to get you more," Bea said.

"No, thank you. I have to keep my figure."

Bea laughed and Sage rolled her eyes. William said, "Sage, show him the exercise equipment."

Aidan wondered how many more surprises the house held. He'd have to wait because Sage suggested he go change out of his suit. When he was through, she put her jeans on as well.

It satisfied his curiosity when Sage led him down a set of stairs into the basement. There was a comfortable room with sofas, and shelves filled with games.

"Was this your playroom turned teen hang out?" She laughed as she nodded. He loved her laugh. "Did you do naughty things down here?"

"We stole alcohol from upstairs and drank."

Aidan had done more than drink in a few basements. Sage led him to a door, and he saw the equipment. "Nice." It looked like gym quality machines.

"And here." She opened a door. Inside were shelves of wine bottles.

"That's unbelievable. No wonder you're an expert at picking wines. You really are amazing. All this and I had no idea when we met. You are very normal. You know shopping at Trader Joe's."

She smiled. "Because this is not normal?"

"Definitely not!"

"How about this?"

She led him to the opposite side of the basement. There was a theater room complete with a large screen and reclining chairs.

"Do you think your parents would let me live here?" He teased, although he should have expected it because Mark had a room similar.

"Probably. They love you more than me." Sage pouted.

"I think they love us equally." He teased again.

She slapped his arm, and he pulled her into a hug. "You know, if it doesn't work out with what's his name, you can marry me and make your mother happy."

"Ha, ha, ha, like you'd ever want to marry me."

Aidan didn't answer, because he didn't want to lie. "What are our movie choices?"

They settled on an Avengers movie. She liked superheroes. Hopefully, it would keep her mind off bedtime.

He had his own concerns about bedtime. He needed to figure out a way to constrict his blood flow. His sisters complained about how hard it was to be female. Their blood issues were once a month. His were anytime, anywhere and brought on by a single thought.

When the movie ended, Sage said, "You hungry?"

"I can always eat."

He followed her up the stairs into a large kitchen. The kitchen meant business. It wasn't family central like his mother's kitchen. She opened the refrigerator. It was a full-sized fridge with no freezer. The freezer, also full-sized, was next to it.

She took out the bowl of leftover mousse. "Do you want more?"

"Do you?"

"Duh." She retrieved two spoons and held one out to him. She dipped her spoon straight into the large bowl.

"So this is how we're doing it. Not serving it."

"Mm, nope."

Watching her eat was giving him blood flow problems. He tasted some but was enjoying Sage. Somehow she got some on her nose. He reached his hand towards her, and she froze.

"Your nose." He rubbed it off with his thumb.

He saw a faint blush, and then she announced she had enough.

"Bedtime?" he asked, and she sighed.

Once behind her closed bedroom door, he said, "Listen, I won't try anything. I know you don't want me, so there would be no point. I'm a guy and sometimes, we seem like we want something, but it's just nature like our curse."

Sage laughed. "Are you kidding me? Your curse!"

It was his turn to be embarrassed. They took turns getting ready, and each wore flannel bottoms and a tee. She was in bed with her covers up to her neck and her back to the center when he finished changing and brushing his teeth.

He pulled back the plush covers and climbed in. "Goodnight Sage. For what it's worth, I had fun being your boyfriend."

He leaned over and kissed her cheek.

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