The next morning she was on the back porch watching the dogs sun themselves, her feet up on the table, and a cup of coffee in her hand when a shadow suddenly blocked her light, startled she looked up to see Hilliard looking at the dogs holding a cup of coffee in his hands.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

"You're back?"

"Yes. Had I known we weren't going to be gone very long I wouldn't have asked you to stay."

She shrugged, taking her feet off of the table.

"No, don't rush off." He put his hand on her arm keeping her from getting up completely.

She eased back into her seat feeling a little awkward because of the kiss they had shared the night before. Granted, it was just a kiss, but for her it was her first kiss, and the fact that it had happened with a man like Hilliard made her feel shocked and, if she was honest, a little excited. She wondered what he was thinking as they sat in silence watching the dogs.

"You look tired," she stated the obvious.

"I am." He rubbed his face not elaborating.

The awkwardness grew as they sat for a few more minutes before Charlie could no longer take the silence and jumped to her feet.

"To hell with it," He said as he rose quickly and pulled her to him, causing Charlie yelp in surprise just as his lips took hers. This time he was not as gentle as his teeth nipped at her bottom lip.

She held still, shocked, trying to figure out what she felt as he placed his hand in the small of her back and pulled her against him. When her body came into complete contact with his she gasped at heat that shot through her. Whatever she was feeling it wasn't fear.

Taking advantage of that gasp he deepened the kiss as his tongue invaded her mouth and his other hand wound its way through her hair. Her legs were tangled with his and her tank top did nothing to preserve her modesty as he crushed her against his chest. Her arms hung limply at her sides, but she knew it wasn't fear that kept her from returning his kiss it was a complete lack of knowledge of what she should do.

His lips left hers but he didn't release her. "It's all right Charlie."

She took a deep breath which was a mistake because it reminded her of how very little she was wearing. "Why did you do that?" She looked at his neck focusing on the chain that hung around it.

"Because I wanted to and I have wanted to for a while now." He tilted her chin up with his fingers.

She licked her lips automatically, not even aware that she was doing it. "But you kissed me last night?" she asked not understanding. "You even said that it was a bad idea." She watched as his lips quirked in amusement, all of her attention focused on them.

"Don't you ever do something that you know is a bad idea but you just can't resist? Like eating an extra piece of chocolate or having that extra glass of wine?"

"Yes, but those things would only affect me. Not you?"

"So my kiss affected you?" he asked his voice low and husky. It was a tone she had never heard from him and it did funny things to her insides.

"Of course it did. Did you think it wouldn't?"

"I had my doubts."

They were silent as Charlie continued to stare at his lips.

"Touch me Charlie."

"Now wait a minute." She moved to step back and he immediately let her go.

"I get the feeling that you have never simply touched a man and not in a sexual way, in a friendly, sentimental way."

"Ohhh." It was all she could think to say.

He ran his hands over his face. "Just ignore me. We'll pretend this never happened all right?" He picked up his coffee cup and moved back into the house leaving Charlie alone. With his warmth gone she felt the effects of the gentle breeze on her skin and was again aware of how little she was wearing.

Calling to the dogs she picked up her cup and walked back into the kitchen just as there was a knock at the front door. There was no way that she was going to answer it dressed the way she was so she walked down the hallway towards the bedroom. "There is someone at your door."

He looked up from his phone which he had been checking with a frown. Charlie noticed that he had removed his shirt and dog tags and his muscles had grown from the last time she had seen him shirtless, if that was even possible.

"Don't shoot the messenger. I don't live here and I'm not exactly dressed to answer the door," she said defensively walking over to her bag to grab some clothes. "Besides that, I'm your student and I don't think I should be here right now."

Hilliard's eyes ran the length of her and there was a look in his eyes that was new to her. It was a day of firsts, and she would have to sit down and think it all out later. "You're probably right," he agreed before muttering something under his breath that she swore sounded like he he couldn't wait until the quarter was over then he sat down his phone and left the room.

Charlie finished gathering her clothing and was headed towards the bathroom when the door slammed and she heard an oath roll through the house. The dogs who had already been on alert from the knock at the door were looking up at Hilliard expectantly. Charlie walked to the end of the hallway to see what had happened.

"That was your friend Blanche." His eyes narrowed as he watched her reaction.

"Blanche? What was she doing here?" Charlie's eyes grew wide in shock.

He considered her for a minute then shook his head. "I'm guessing that she saw your car out front and was checking to see if you were here." He started towards her, pushing past her as he walked into the bedroom.

"What did you say?"

"I told her that you and I were getting dressed and she should come back later," his voice dripped sarcasm so she was guessing that that was not what he had said. He sighed as he sat on the end of the bed and started to take off his boots. "Sorry, I'm in a foul mood. She did not outright ask for you so I asked her if I could help her. She said that she didn't know that this was my house and that she thought a friend lived her."

Charlie nodded trying to keep up.

"I then told her that she was mistaken and that I had just arrived home and was getting ready to go for a run."

"That was it?"

"Yes." He stood up. "I'm about to change Charlie. Do you want to watch?" he asked, reaching for the zipper on his pants.

Charlie followed the movement of his hands then blushed to the roots of her hair before turning to make her escape but he reached out and grabbed her arm stopping her.

"Again, I'm sorry Charlie, that was uncalled for. I forget you're so innocent." His eyes met hers asking for her forgiveness.

She looked away nodding. She couldn't explain why she trusted him but she did. She should be running scared by all that was happening but she couldn't, she wanted to stay and see what would happen next. "So what are you going to do now?"

"I am going to go for a run."

"Now...but you're exhausted?" she protested, looking at the heavy shadows under his eyes.

"I'm not that tired, and I have a sneaking suspicion that Blanche is across the park watching."

"Probably, she-" Charlie bit her lip thinking better of what she was about to say.

"She what?"

"Nothing." Charlie turned to go to the bathroom.

"No, I would like to hear what you were about to say," he insisted.

Sighing, Charlie turned back around to look at him. His hands were on his hips, his pants were riding low, and his hair was in disarray. He did not look like the normal stodgy Dr. Hilliard. "She is probably hoping that you will go running shirtless since she probably more than enjoyed the sight you made when you answered the door."

He looked stunned then a slow smile started. "Are you jealous Charlie? You sound jealous."

"Why should I be jealous I'm the one who got kissed?" There it was, that little devil that she never knew was in her was poking its head out again. But she was jealous, she was jealous that Blanche had now seen what she had seen. Hilliard in all of his magnificence. She had started thinking of his silence about being in the Navy as their secret.

"Yes, you were." He had that husky tone in his voice again, the one that did funny things to her insides.

"Should I run shirtless?" He started flexing and striking poses. Charlie knew he was trying to lighten the mood but it wasn't helping.

Ares pushed passed Charlie to see what all of the fuss was about, sniffed the air, watched for a minute, snorted, then turned around looked over his bulky shoulder farted and left.

Her eyes meet Hilliard's and they both busted out laughing.

"I think that said it all." He shook his head. "Go change Charlie. I'll be gone when you leave so I'll just say thank you now."

Charlie nodded forcing herself to turn and walk out of the room, wishing that he had said thank you like he had last night, with a kiss.

*******

Was she jealous? That was all she could think about while she dressed. If she was it was a new emotion for her. At least where a man was concerned. She knew she wasn't afraid of him, and she knew she had enjoyed the kiss, and she suspected that if she were to ever wake up next to him again it would be under very different circumstances. That thought scared and thrilled her at the same time. Would it be possible for her to even get that intimate with a man? Before the idea had always made her sick but with Hilliard...? She stopped as she was pulling her hair back and looked at herself. No that idea, most certainly, did not make her sick.

She finished dressing, a small smile playing about her lips. She decided to leave her bag and just took her keys and wallet. She left out the backdoor and went out the back gate that lead to an alley, and she had to laugh at herself. Was it really necessary to be so covert about it all, she was only dog sitting after all?

Realizing that it was not about her, it was about Hilliard, she decided it was better to be safe than sorry. She walked the length of the block and then started back up the front of the houses on his block, and when she arrived at her car it was to see Blanche leaning against it. It was a good thing she had left her bag.

"Hey Charlie. I saw your car and decided to wait and see if you wanted to have breakfast." Blanche smiled.

"No thanks, I don't eat breakfast." She watched Blanche closely trying to see if she suspected anything.

"What are you doing out so early?"

"I was taking a walk before I head to the library."

Blanche looked over her shoulder and into the car. "I see your books, would you mind if I join you? I hate to study alone."

Charlie sighed inwardly. She had the feeling that she would not be getting much done. "Sure," she said aloud.

"I found her!" Blanche called.

Charlie looked over her shoulder to see Hilliard making a pass on his run around the park. He had put on a tank top and running shorts. He looked stunning as his muscles rippled.

"Did you know this was his house?" Blanche asked, walking around to the other side of the car watching his progress. "I had no idea that he was so...built."

"Is it? Is he?" Charlie unlocked the doors as she cast a glance at the house.

"I thought you were here so I knocked on the door."

They settled into the car giving Charlie a chance to form a reply. "Why would I be at Dr. Hilliard's house?"

"I would be if given have the chance. You should have seen him when he answered the door." Blanche leaned her head back on the car seat and groaned. "He wasn't wearing a shirt and boy is he ripped. Who knew that under all that hair and those dress shirts was perfection."

Charlie shook her head. "Hardly perfection, I'm sure."

"No, I've seen my fair share of hot men and he is sublime. He even had the sexiest tattoo around his bicep."

"Even better than the perfect Will?" Charlie asked, curious if Blanche thought that Kellan was better looking.

"For sure." Blanche nodded.

"I'll take your word for it," Charlie said as she pulled away from the curb trying hard not to be upset by the knowledge that Blanche now knew just how remarkable Dr. Kellan Hilliard really was.