Andreas got up at 5 am as was his usual routine, brushed his teeth and washed his face but refrained from shaving until after his shower later he went looking for the private gym he had seen the day before on his perfunctory tour of the mansion. Having located it without much hassle he started with some stretches to warm up his taught muscles, there was a gym fridge with bottles of mineral water, and wow this place really has everything!

He grabbed a bottle and got on the treadmill for a good run to get his head straight, he had the most vividly exciting dreams all pale skin, soft smooth and supple melting into his palms and bending to his desires, his dreams were so sensual that when he woke up he had to either release the intense build-up himself or exercise he had opted for the latter.

The treadmill was doing him a world of good, his frustrations being worked out step by step as he increased the intensity level he took off his t-shirt and discarded it across the chair standing to the side of the machine, all lean muscle and rippling flesh he jogged on and on until his legs started feeling like they had enough and he was breathing hard he switched to a lower setting to calm down his heart and cool down slightly just then the door opened and red hair and pale skin walked in, and even as his heart beat faster he swore it actually stopped.

She turned towards him and as blue and hazel met, sparks flew and a sizzling undertone of lust was reflected in each set of eyes. Her eyes scanned over his rippling chest muscles the beads of sweat running down his chest and abdomen to that triangle of muscle at the base of his torso peeking out of his shorts, so sensual she licked her lips as if she could taste the sweet saltiness of each drop, her heart quickened as she followed the line of his pants and saw the bulge that greeted her arrival, her eyes shot up to his seeing the lust and desire there her cheeks flamed and she took a step back, forgetting that she had turned towards him when coming in she hit the large floor to ceiling mirrors with a small bump and realised her mistake.

It took Andreas only three steps to have her in his arms to press her against the mirrors and to capture her mouth with his, kissing her like she was the only water to a dying man in the desert, he gathered her all in devoured her, his kiss was hard yet gentle and his desire to have this woman right here right now was overpowering, her fingers were tangled in his hair, she was melting under his onslaught he moved to kissing and nibbling her neck and she was willingly giving herself up to his passion as his hands came up to cup her breasts and softly pinch her erect nipples and pressing his arousal to her core grinding against her, she gasped, Andreas wrestled his mouth from her neck and looked into her beautiful lust filled eyes, he came to his senses almost like jumping into an ice-cold river after sitting in the sun for hours, his mind cleared instantly he stepped back and mumbled an apology Andreas turned grabbed his discarded shirt and ran from the room.

Laelia stood in the Gym utterly stumped, that was to the most thrilling experience I’ve ever had, I have never been kissed like that before she mused, Ha! That was the best kiss of my life! He is the most gorgeously sensual man, one second I was trying to flee in the face of his gaze the next I was willingly participating in the hottest kiss of all time and I would have willingly given myself to him here and now, and then he ran away.

If he hadn’t run away so fast the gym floor would have had us sprawled on it, it was amazing, I never wanted him to stop but at the same time, my brain was screaming at me OMG what am I doing!

Laelia was still breathing hard and she hadn’t yet lost the haze of passion or the colour in her cheeks by the time she reached the kitchen, Joan noticed all of this and much more, like the faraway look in her goddaughter’s eyes and the trembling of her hands and the roughened redness of her lips, as well as her erect nipples through her blouse oh yes something passionate had just transpired and Joan was going to do everything in her power to make it happen again.

Laelia looked up at Joan, you didn’t tell me he was here. She accused her aunt.

No, I didn’t, was it a nice surprise? Joan asked mischievously.

Laelia goggled at her aunt, what do you mean was it a nice surprise, I went to the gym to have a run like I always do when I’m here and there was this demi-god running on the treadmill all muscle and sweat. She blushed when she whispered the last bit.

Was he just running, is that all that happened? You’re awfully out of breath for someone who didn’t get a chance to jog. Joan sounded very curious.

It’s my fault. Andreas said as he walked into the kitchen wearing sweatpants and a white t-shirt and smelling like a god his hair was still dripping water from the shower and he was still slightly damp but he smelt heavenly, I gave her a fright when she walked into the gym and I would like to apologise profusely and assure her that it won’t be happening again. He was looking at Laelia while he was saying this and Joan could see a deep hurt behind his words and an even deeper regret at saying them, he looked down at the floor and then looked up at Laelia again. His eyes were suddenly sterile without emotion like he had buried everything he was feeling deep in the recesses of his mind. Mrs Hart I would like to apologise for my behaviour and utter idiocy yesterday at my practice I hope you can forgive me, and I would also like to apologise for my behaviour earlier and assure you it won’t happen again.

Andreas cleared his throat and looked at Joan, I will of course be looking for another place to stay till my home is liveable as they messaged me this morning to inform me that I will only be able to move into at least one of the rooms in 3 weeks, the remainder of the house will take at least 2 months if not more, there was extensive damage done via the recent flooding and with the vandalism that occurred in the last few weeks.

Joan shot a glance at Laelia; she saw the crease on her brow and crossed her index and middle finger behind her back hoping that Laelia made the right decision here.

Turning to her aunt Laelia said pointedly, I’m sure my godmother can offer you the use of one of the rooms here as well as meals for the time period, and I’m also sure that you can earn your keep in some way. Don’t you think Auntie?

Joan was smiling, and Andreas was looking from Joan to Laelia and back again he was very confused right now but he would literally do anything to not go back to that crummy inn.

Yes, I’m sure that will be fine, what do you think Andreas, would you like to live here for the next 2 months or till your house is completely habitable? Joan asked him.

I’m at a loss for words… Yes please Joan that would be lovely and maybe I will learn how to cook while I’m here. Andreas was smiling at Joan.

He looked towards Laelia, are you sure you are okay with me staying with your aunt? I’m sure she needs to get permission from the owners first.

Funny that she is blushing, he thought.

Yes, I’m perfectly fine with the lady doctor staying with the old biddy if that’s what you mean Doctor she was laughing. And the owner won’t mind at all I’m absolutely sure of that.

Andreas burst out laughing. Only if you’re sure they won’t. I am awfully fond of the old biddy as you call her.

Laelia blushed a bright red, oh my, he has the sweetest laugh so pure so sexy. Why did I just basically force him and my aunt to live together, that means ill see him every weekend doesn’t it?

He was watching her, she was even cuter when she blushed, and she was definitely blushing now, I wonder why?

Well, that’s settled then, Joan piped up, clearing the atmosphere. Andreas, it’s time to teach you how to make Malva pudding young man, come on let’s get all the ingredients from the pantry ill recite them and you fetch them give my old legs some rest having a young stallion around. She giggled

Auntie Joan, you’re teaching him how to make Malva? You never taught me how to, why does he get special treatment and I don’t that’s just unfair; I also want to learn how to make it.

Mrs Hart, I would be delighted if you’d call me Andreas, He said from next to her suddenly.

Laelia gave a start, oh! You walk so quietly, uhm yes that would be lovely, my name is Laelia you can just leave the Mrs Hart nonsense.

That’s a beautiful name Laelia, he purred, oh my god can someone purr but I swear he just purred my name. Laelia sighed.

Thank you Andreas she replied with her cheeks warming once again. But that does not alter the fact that my godmother is teaching you something that has been a family secret for generations and she has never even taught me.

Well if you promise not to tell her I will teach you how to do it once I have learnt it, the only catch is you will have to invite me to dinner at your place. Andreas looked naughty and conspiratorial

Deal! I love sweet things, the sweeter the better but in the last 2 weeks I’ve been dying for sour tastes like lemons and limes I would love something that combined sweet and sour right now. She licked her lips

Andreas caught the movement and stared at her lips; he dragged his eyes away and looked up into Joan’s knowing face. He coughed and turned around to get a glass of cold water from the dispenser by the fridge.

Andreas took the moment to look up at Laelia and what he saw was a woman struggling with her past and future, she seemed so out of place standing there with a sad look on her face, then she looked up into his face and she smiled, his heart stopped again and he caught himself before he staggered. What is wrong with me, it’s like she has a direct live wire connection to my body or is it my heart?

She caught the slight panic on his face and then it was gone, he was gorgeous and she was broken to broken to love so why every time she was in the presence of this man did her heart race and she became an utter mess of desire.  Have I been too long without a man to satisfy my needs and desires? Yes, that must be it my body is telling me I need a man or is it hormones again or just this particular man?