And then what happened?

His lips brushed her skin like whispers, and his hands wandered with a tenderness that made her head spin. Bram leaned over her, his kisses trailing down as he pressed into her, drawing a sharp gasp from her lips.

He slowed, his mouth finding her breast while his hand traced the curve of her side. Her moans grew louder as he quickened his pace, her body trembling beneath him.

Her breath hitched against his lips as he kissed her, still deep inside. With a swift motion, he flipped her on top of him, guiding her movements as she rocked slowly.

Bram silenced her cries with his mouth, then trailed lower, his hands gripping her hips as she arched into him. Together they unraveled, his arms tight around her waist, pulling her close as they both came undone.

She lay motionless beside him.

"Dahlia," Bram whispered, "look at me." When her eyes finally met his, he gently rolled her onto her back.

"I'm fine, Bram," she murmured.

"What happened at work today?"

She traced a finger along his collarbone. "Why are you home so early? And naked?"

"Fair question." His lips curved into a smile. "I was having an affair... I'm kidding. A car splashed slush all over me while I was waiting to cross the street."

"Jane spilled coffee all over my iPad. And me."

"I'm going to kill that woman," he growled softly.

Dahlia turned toward him, resting her head against his chest, pressing her lips to his skin. His hand slid down her back, pulling her closer, his warmth enveloping her. In his arms, her eyes shimmered with contentment. After their third time making love, she drifted to sleep on his chest.

Her phone buzzed persistently. Bram reached for it.

"Hello?" he answered.

"Who is this?" demanded Mr. Mel.

"I'm Dahlia's doctor. She's unwell and taking the day off. Someone will collect her things from work."

"Have her call me when she's feeling better," Mr. Mel said.

"Will do." Bram hung up and closed his eyes.

An hour later, Dahlia woke alone in his bed. She grabbed her phone.

"Todd," she said urgently, "I need you. It's an emergency."

"Girl, what did you do?" But she had already hung up.

Todd pulled on his coat, muttering as he shoved his feet into boots. "I'm coming, Dahlia," he promised under his breath.

After showering and dressing, Dahlia found a note on the kitchen table alongside her belongings and a package.

"Had to go to work. Told your boss you're sick. See you later. -Bram"

She sank into a chair, staring at his terse words. Why was he being so distant? Did he think he stood no chance with her? But she'd felt something real between them. Her thoughts tangled together, impossible to unravel.

The doorbell interrupted her spiral. Todd stood shivering on the doorstep, and she flung herself into his arms.

"Girl, let me inside first, I'm freezing to death out here," he said, planting a kiss on her cheek.

Once he'd shed his boots and coat, he opened his arms. Dahlia collapsed against him, tears flowing.

"Come sit," he guided her to the couch. "Wait, don't tell me you sampled him too?"

A laugh broke through her tears. "Sampled? Well, yes, and now..."

"Are you comparing them?" Todd raised an eyebrow.

She blinked at him with wide eyes. "In what way?"

Todd just stared.

"I'm not discussing their...I mean my...look, not that part of it," she stammered.

"Fine, fine. Just tell me what happened," Todd said.

Dahlia began recounting her day, eventually reaching the part where she'd walked in on Bram naked in the bathroom.

Todd's eyes widened behind his fingers. "And then what happened?"

"I gave him a towel," Dahlia said, tucking her hair behind her ear.

"A towel? That's it?" Todd leaned forward.

"Well, I was upset about Jane, so I hugged him, and things just..." she trailed off, cheeks flushing.

"Got steamy," Todd finished with a knowing nod. "Go on."

Dahlia sighed. "I feel something for him, something I can't explain."

"'Something' isn't helpful, honey. Details."

"Forget it," she waved dismissively. "His note this morning was so cold, like I'm just some roommate."

Todd winced. "That might be my fault."

"What? How?" Dahlia's brow furrowed.

"I may have told him you'd already chosen someone else. I didn't realize he was in the running."

"Todd!" She groaned. "No wonder he's keeping his distance. He thinks he doesn't stand a chance."

"So..." Todd wiggled his eyebrows. "How was the 'sampling'?"

A dreamy smile spread across her face. "It was..."

"You little minx," Todd laughed. "Have you made your decision then?"

She shook her head. "Not until I get all my memories back."

Meanwhile, Bram stared at his phone screen, heart pounding as he watched their conversation. "I have a chance," he whispered, pressing a hand to his chest. "Too cold? Roommate? I was just trying not to push..." He picked up his phone and dialed.

Dahlia walked to the table and opened the package, revealing the newest iPad sketch model with all the accessories. Her eyes welled up.

"He's so thoughtful," she told Todd just as the doorbell rang. A courier stood there with a basket filled with her favorite snacks.

She tore open a beef jerky stick and passed one to Todd.

"Bram insists I need more protein.

"Dahlia pressed the phone to her ear.

"Bram," she mumbled through a mouthful, "thank you for everything."

"You're welcome," his voice came through clear. "Remember, you don't have to stay at that job.

I hate seeing you stressed over something that doesn't matter."

"This project matters to me," she said firmly. "I'll explain when you get home. See you tonight."

She ended the call with a tap.

Todd moved around the kitchen, occasionally glancing at her sketching on the new tablet.

"Smells amazing," Dahlia said. "What are you making?"

"Starting with soup, then roast beef. Oh, and Jason's joining us for dinner." Todd stirred something on the stove.

"Thank God you called. I was going crazy waiting until Wednesday.

"She laughed softly. "Love you, Todd."

"Girl, my heart belongs to you. If I were younger and straight, I'd have put a ring on your finger the moment we met."

Her hand drifted to her chest.

"No, don't cry," Todd sighed, turning back to his cooking. "Focus on your work."

This is harder than I thought. Will she forgive what we did?

I wouldn't, he thought.