Quentin, Billie discovered, was a highly creative individual. In fact, they spent most of the weekend discovering just how creative they both could be. It started to become a rivalry between them, both competing to see who was more creative, and Billie refused to be outdone.

The tabloids were having a field day. They caught photos of them coming and going from the apartment. They splattered pictures all over social media of them having coffee, sharing ice cream, and sparring together at Johnny G's gym.

As Billie flipped through the latest posts, she laughed and showed him how many views it got. She pointed out, however, that the 'them making out on the bus' video still topped them all.

Quentin flopped on the couch next to her and handed her a bottle of water since they had just come in from a run. "It makes sense, that kid got a front-row seat."

"I like that it's raw," Billie commented, watching them kissing again. "I can't stand the montages they put together of us hanging out. It looks like a bad preview of some new rom-com."

Quentin nearly spit out his water but thankfully swallowed beforehand. "You're right," he managed after clearing his throat. "They do come off rather cheesy. You think we should step up our game?"

Billie pulled her feet up under her and shifted on the couch to look at him. "What did you have in mind?" she asked leaning her head on her elbow and a sexy smile graced her lips.

Quentin put his water down. "Let's see, we've done cute. Half of New York is loving us as a couple already. I think we can win the other half over by being more you know..."

"Sexy, seductive, steamy," Billie supplied.

"Good adjectives. Yes, something like that," Quentin agreed.

"But we need for it to be convincing," Billie said moving closer, "you know what a bad liar I am."

"The worst," Quentin smirked as he slid closer to her. "You're right maybe you're not up to this challenge?"

"But with a master of deception such as yourself to guide me, I'm sure I could pull off... I don't know, something like this?"

Billie got to her knees, cupped his face with her hands, and pulled him towards her for a kiss. She felt him smile but Quentin did not give in as she teased at his lower lip.

She sat back and frowned. Billie's eyes squinted as she took him in assessing, she tried again. Feather-light her lips glided against his. Still, Quentin did not respond. Why was he holding back? Was he trying to teach her a lesson? Was he trying to show her he wasn't as affected by her as she's come to believe?

Confused she sat back again. "Don't you want to kiss me?"

"I do," Quentin confessed, "badly, but I've never pretended with you and I'm not about to start now. What makes your lips against mine feel so delectable is the taste of passion you place upon them. The need I feel, as you press for entrance into my mouth. How your breath warms my soul. Anyone can kiss, Billie, but when we kiss all I can think of is you. The world melts from view and there is only you and me, in a moment of bliss. That's not something you can fake."

Quentin's stare was intense, his words alone conjured up images of how he kissed her time and time again. How his kisses caused her heart to flutter and her body to ache with need. How every cell in her body would come alive and zing. Tingling with anticipation and desire. A need for him that only he could fulfill.

Billie was now more determined than ever to make him feel as she felt. Quentin's eyes widened at first with surprise but then flashed with a deeper connection as his gaze locked on hers. Billie did not rush in, instead took a moment to devour him just with her eyes. She refused to touch him but thought of how his arms felt when he wrapped them around her body, the feel of his chest, bare beneath her fingertips, and how much she enjoyed pleasuring him.

She'd seen Quentin swallow hard and lick his lips that had gone dry. "Billie?" her name almost sound like a plea from his lips. She climbed over him to straddle his hips. Her hand touched his chest and she found his heart beating in an erratic rhythm beneath her palm.

Billie reached back and pulled her hair free from its ponytail because she knew he liked her hair down. The moment her hair touched her shoulders his fingers were running through it. She inched closer. Her lips were so close she could feel his breath against them.

He leaned in to kiss her but she moved her face so he only caught the corner of her mouth and when she heard him sigh in disappointment, she smiled. Billie pulled back slightly and kissed the other corner of his mouth. Quentin tried to move his lips to hers but Billie wouldn't allow it. Instead, she nipped and kissed him along his jaw.

Billie could feel Quentin's body tense beneath her as she denied him what he wanted. His hands gripped her shirt at her back as he pressed her body to his. He tried again to capture her lips but Billie was quicker, and she sought out the soft skin of his neck.

Billie could feel Quentin's quickened pulse beneath her moist lips and flicked her tongue over it. Quentin groaned and Billie grinned as her kisses traveled up his neck and nipped at his ear. She felt him shudder and she almost wanted to giggle she was so giddy from this newly discovered power she had over him.

Quentin was always the one in control when they kissed. Always giving, yet always longing for her to return what he gave. This time she wanted to give. Her eyes met his and what she saw there caused her heart to stop. There was no mistaking that look for anything but love because it was shadowed with fear, with this kiss she was either sealing a deal or breaking his heart.

There was no hesitation, Billie knew what she wanted. She wanted that love she'd seen reflected in his eyes. She wanted it desperately. With her lips over his, Billie sealed the deal as she poured everything she was into that kiss, handing her heart over to him to do as he wished. She didn't care about the consequences anymore. She needed him and had long ago convinced herself she didn't need anyone. If she were playing the fool, she'd do it gladly for this one moment of absolute bliss.

Quentin could taste salt on his lips. He reached up and with the pads of his thumbs swiped away tears that had fallen from her eyes. He held her face pressed between his palms and gave back all that she was giving him. His heart felt elated. His body was as light as air, like a great weight, had been lifted. He realized this is how it must feel when two souls make love.

He had no idea how long they kissed. Billie pulled back and let out a half laugh-half sob as the back of her hand came up to cover her lips.

Quentin smiled at her. "I sure as hell didn't teach you that."

"I beg to differ," she told him. "You've taught me everything and yet I have so much more to learn. If you're willing that is?"

"Oh, I'm more than willing. I love you, Ms. Billie Dupree."

Billie smiled that smile he loved but she didn't say it back. Quentin was surprised however that it didn't hurt like the last time. Perhaps that was because he knew she showed him with her actions. He was willing to wait for that day when she could bring herself to admit it to him but he didn't doubt she loved him too.

"Why don't you go jump in the shower and I'll make us breakfast before you have to leave for work," Quentin offered.

"Okay," Billie agreed, "you sure you don't want to join me?"

"After that kiss, I don't trust myself to join you?" Quentin admitted.

Billie stood up. "Okay, if you're sure?" She gave him that come-hither stare she didn't know she possessed.

"I've decided your evil. You look like an angel but are in fact the devil."

Billie grinned as she sauntered over to her bedroom door. "I offered so; don't say I didn't ask."

"Temptress!" he called after her.

Billie heard his throaty laugh, as she closed the door and leaned against it. What the hell just happened? Her fingers touched her lips, that kiss? She was in love. Billie was in love with Quentin Harrison. The thought brought both fear and elation. He said it, he said that he loved her, yet she couldn't bring herself to say it back.

Billie tried not to think why. "Baby steps," she told her heart as she readied herself for work.

Quentin was expecting her to return to the table dressed as she was at the poker game, no makeup, hair slicked back into that knot, a woman's equivalent of a suit.

Instead, she returned with a stylish red dress that fit her like a glove, hugging her every curve, belted at the waist, black stilettoes, her hair down and her makeup perfect.

"I thought you were going to work," Quentin asked as he put down the omelets he made at the table.

"I am," Billie replied and she took the seat he pulled out for her.

"I see. Given up on that "one of the boys" look you had going. Finally figured out that you are just as beautiful with or without makeup and your clothes weren't fooling anybody?"

Billie laughed. "Let's just say you bring out the woman and me and I like it. Besides, if I'm the devil then I should dress the part don't you think?"

Quentin liked that he was the cause for this sudden transformation but laughed at her reference to her red dress.

"Are you trying to sabotage your own company? Those poor slobs are going to have a devil of a time concentrating on work today," Quentin said joining her. "Should I stop by for lunch to make sure they are keeping themselves in line?" he teased.

Lunch? Donavan? She completely forgot about him until now. What if she couldn't reach him? She definitely didn't want him showing up at the office at the same time as Quentin.

"You know I have a meeting so I won't be able to break away for lunch. How about you meet me for dinner."

Something about Billie seemed off when she spoke. She suddenly appeared fidgety and nervous like she had something to hide but that was ridiculous. Wasn't it?

"Okay, I'll use the time to pick up my things from my friend's apartment. Although I could just keep buying a new wardrobe, it seems a bit excessive."

"Sounds good." Billie almost looked relieved by his answer and again he had to wonder what was going on.

They enjoyed breakfast together. Quentin even volunteered to drive her to work, since he'd be picking her up for dinner. Billie gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and laughed when Quentin looked disappointed.

"I'm going to be late," she gave as an excuse, he still frowned at her, causing her to giggle.

"I'll make it up to you tonight," she offered.

"You better," Quentin said giving her that grin. Oh, that grin. What he could do to her with just a smile.

Billie waited and waved to him as he drove off. Today was going to be a good day.