I woke at ten with gritty eyes, went for a shower, had breakfast and settled on the bed to eat it while watching TV. What to watch, cartoons or Video Hits? I chose the cartoons, settled back and took a bite of my toast when someone knocked on the door. I groaned in annoyance. It had to be Percy. I put my cup and plate on the bedside table and crawled out of bed.

Adam had his hands on either side of the doorframe. He grinned at my shocked expression and picked me up, kicked the door closed with his foot, threw me on the bed and lay on top of me, supporting his weight on his forearms. "Why so shocked?"

I shook my head and beamed. "I thought it was someone else."

Adam frowned. "Are you expecting someone?"

"I might be." I grinned.

"Have you got any plans today?" he queried.

"I might have." I grinned, enjoying the fact that I had him off guard.

"Oh...I was hoping you didn't."

This was the perfect time to send a message his way. "Hoping or assuming? You know I do have a life, Adam. I don't sit around waiting for you to show up."

He pouted, rolled to lie on the bed and dragged me on top of him. "Damn. I was hoping you did. So, who are you waiting for?"

"Oh...you'll probably get mad." I laughed when his expression became serious. "I met this good-looking guy on the train a couple of weeks ago and..." Before I could finish, he tickled me. I wriggled and squealed, was able to free myself and jumped on the pillows.

He grabbed my ankle. I clung onto the timber bed head and kicked his hand away with my free foot. He caught it, then tugged hard.

I wasn't strong enough to hold on.

Adam had me on my back, leaned over me, pinning my wrists to the bed. He ran his eyes down my body and took in my bum huggers and singlet. "Nice," he said. "Very nice."

I hid my grin and pretended to struggle. "Last time you were here, I said you were a bully. Now I'm sure of it."

"Jasmine." Adam rolled his bottom lip. "You're breaking my heart."

I poked my tongue out. "I don't care."

"You'll regret saying that." He grinned.

I poked my tongue out again. "Yeah? Who says?"

Adam shook his head in disbelief, then put his weight on top of me as he snuggled his face into my neck. "Mm...you smell nice."

I tensed in anticipation.

He laughed. "What's the matter, you seem a little tense?"

My body shook with laughter. "You're beating up on a poor little girl who is weak from hunger because you've interrupted her breakfast. I hope you feel good about yourself."

He lifted his head, frowned at me, and noticed my toast and tea on the bedside table. "Have you just woken up?"

"Yes." I stretched and yawned.

"It's after ten." He cocked his head in question. "Did you work last night?"

"No."

Adam grinned and raised his eyebrows. "So, you're lazy?"

"No. Like I said, I have a life."

He let go of my arms and rolled off me. I sensed a change in his mood. "Do you want to tell me what you do with this life of yours?"

I grinned, ignored the question, sat against the bedhead, picked up my toast and took a bite. I offered him a corner. He shook his head. "Do you want a cup of tea?" I asked, chewing my food.

Adam shook his head, then lifted his hand and rubbed his fingers on his forehead as he studied me.

I enjoyed his uncertainty but pretended not to notice as I flicked through the channels.

He lay and studied me as I ate, and after a moment, tickled my leg and said, "Do you want to come away with me?"

Shocked at his question, I forgot my game and stared at him. "What do you mean?"

"We could go to Ballarat for the night. I have friends with a weekender. They said we could use it tonight." He paused. "Or do you have something else on?"

I pretended not to be that interested in the offer. "Mm...I'll have to check my diary."

Adam laughed, took the cup and plate from me, then lifted me so I straddled him. "You're being a bitch."

Grinning, I put my arms around his neck and kissed him. "I'd love to come to Ballarat with you."

"Good," he said as he placed me on my feet and tapped me on the butt. "Get some gear, coat, jeans, hat, and let's go."

"Now?"

"Now. And hurry up because Molly's in the car."

"Molly?"

"My dog. That's her name."

"You better go get her; she could die locked in the car."

"She's not locked in; the windows are down."

I gasped, "Someone might steal your car, Adam."

"Will you get ready and stop being so bossy?" Adam shook his head and laughed.

"I'm not bossy," I said, shoving my hands on my hips.

He sighed. "Jasmine. Get ready, please, we're wasting time."

I gathered some clothes and said, "Do you have to meet someone?"

Adam had taken my plate and cup to the sink. "No. The faster we get there, the longer we have together."

I frowned at him.

He grinned. "I want to spend time with you. Is that okay?"

Warmth swept through me. "Yeah, that's okay."

Adam threw my bag in the back of the Toyota with the esky and other bags.

"Have you got food already?" I asked.

He grinned as he opened his door and got in. "Some of us have been up for hours."

I climbed into the passenger side. "So, when did you organise this?"

Before he could answer, Molly jumped between us, her tail whacking anything close. She licked my face as I cuddled her.

"Thursday, after I left you. I bought the food yesterday."

I was a bit shocked by this and blurted. "Was..."

"Yes!" he answered before I could finish my question. Adam started the engine, grinned at me and finished his answer, "Yes. You are my intended guest." He studied my scrunched-up face and laughed. "She likes you."

I giggled and pushed Molly away as she continued to lick me. "I'm glad about that. I wouldn't have a face by now if she hated me."

I rested against the window as we drove away and smiled. He might not have asked for my phone number, but he must have been thinking about me when he wasn't with me. Knowing that, felt pretty good.

A weekend away.  And he planned it.  This sounds promising.

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