They were back on the bike in a few minutes and he drove towards Santa Monica. Buildings flew past them and he finally slowed down and parked in front of a gorgeous white building just off the beach. He reached for her hand again as they walked up some steps and to the hostess.

"Hi Boss, your table is ready," she greeted him chirpily and gestured for them to follow her.

They weaved their way through some tables on the terrace, until they reached one that seemed a bit more secluded. They sat down and the hostess handed them menus. They ordered drinks, thanked her and she walked off.

She looked at him over her menu. "Boss? Is there something you forgot to tell me?"

He met her gaze. "Not forget, just didn't think it was important. Do you like it?"

She looked around. Again, a very tasteful ambiente with fairy lights in the bushes and trees and candles on the tables.

"You know I do. Why are you so humble about your successes?"

A waiter brought their drinks.

"Because I didn't want to intimidate or scare you off," he admitted. It was the first time he looked nervous. "You left five voicemails and seven text messages trying to cancel this date because you somehow think you're... I don't know, really... I'm guessing you think I'm too big a fish for you, when really I am not. I'm just an ordinary guy." He shrugged.

His hand found hers on the table and his thumb drew circles on the back of her hand.

"Any more surprises, Mr Leto?" she teased.

"That's all. I just like to keep myself busy. I don't like being idle."

"You certainly haven't been," she gestured at the people eating. "You're driven and hard working. And clearly very talented and skilled to make your vision become reality."

"Thank you," he said, squeezing her hand softly.

The waiter came back and took their order. They ate whilst making small talk. His eyes constantly on hers. He asked questions, was interested in what she had to say and openly answered her questions. He made her laugh. He flirted unashamedly with her, making her blush and then he'd tease her about it.

Throughout the meal he had made sure to touch her, either his knees would brush hers or his fingers grazed hers. After they had finished and settled the bill, he held out his hand and they walked down to the beach. They took off their shoes and walked on the warm sand. Her hand brushed against his, almost shyly. He looked down at her with a warm smile, intertwining his fingers with hers.

The sun was just setting, bathing everything in a magical light. They stopped and looked out over the water in silence, until the orange ball had been swallowed by the water.

This had to be a dream, she thought. Things like this didn't happen to her in real life. People didn't make her feel like she was worthwhile their trouble. Ever. She was so used to being alone, not being enough, second or third choice, being belittled, her work not acknowledged. She found it hard to accept kindness. Hence the tears in the shop.

But Shannon... was so entirely different from anyone she'd ever met. For lack of a better description, he was a man. A real man. The perfect balance of rough and smooth, hard and soft. She didn't know how he managed to have such an effect on her, after just a few meetings. But she did know that her life would never be the same. Her heart, body and soul craved for him.

He tugged on her hand, pulling her closer into him. "You're in your head. Are you going to let me in? Tell me what's going on?"

She looked at her feet in the sand. "I don't know if I should tell you."

He studied her face. "I want you to tell me. Please."

She was quiet again for a moment, mulling over some things in her mind. "You make me feel things I probably shouldn't feel," she admitted quietly.

He turned her to face him. "What things do I make you feel?"

His voice sounded deep, husky. But then again, she might just be imagining things.

"I think you know exactly how you make me feel, Shannon," she replied softly.

"I don't," he replied. His hands were holding her shoulders gently. "I really don't, so you have to tell me."

She stared at his chest, swallowed hard and licked her lips before she whispered: "You make my palms go sweaty, my heart thumping louder, faster. You make me lose my cool with just a few words, turn me into a rambling idiot. I can't stop thinking about you. Which is totally ridiculous. I mean look at me... and look at you." Her hand gestured between him and her.

"What's ridiculous about that?"

"Because I'm here," she held her hand flat out where her stomach was, "and you're here." Her hand went up to above her head.

He placed his finger under her chin and made her face tilt up. "Look at me," he ordered quietly.

It was the hardest thing ever. Not because she didn't want to look at him. Because she was scared of what she would see in his eyes.

Amusement.

Rejection.

Disappointment.

Anger.

Pity.

Or a mixture of them.

When she finally did meet his hazel eyes, they were so intense, her breath hitched.

"I want you," he said with such conviction and calmness like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I want to be with you. All these things you just said? You make me feel them too."

Her heart was back to thumping wildly. "I... do?"

He nodded, as he cupped her face, letting his thumb run over her bottom lip, his eyes following his movement, before he met her gaze again. "I am going to kiss you now. Is that okay?"

She had barely moved her head up and down, before his lips made contact with hers. Electricity pulsed through her and they both moaned into the kiss. He angled her head to kiss her deeper, the taste of his tongue in her mouth making her knees weak, and heat pool between her legs.

He wasn't a man of many words, so instead he let his body speak for him. His hand cupped her head, holding her in place, his other hand was on her back, pulling her closer into his body. He felt solid, strong. His body heat seeped into hers.

He pulled away slightly, breathing heavily. "I would like to continue this somewhere less public, if you don't mind."

She nodded and they made their way back to the bike. He helped her put on the helmet, stealing a quick kiss, before he got on the bike and she behind him. She didn't care where he took her. She felt blissfully happy sitting on his bike, feeling the vibration of the engine, her arms wrapped around his torso, his hand every now and again coming off the handlebar, to squeeze her hand gently.

They pulled up to a gate, he stopped and punched a code in, it slid open and he drove up a short driveway, then parked the bike in front of a house with clean lines. She got off and took off her helmet, looking at the house.

"This is my serenity," he murmured into her ear, standing behind her.

"It's beautiful," she whispered, closing her eyes at the feel of his breath on her skin.

"Let me show you inside," he brushed his lips over the side of her neck.

He took her hand and guided her up some steps. He unlocked the door and let her in. She toed off her shoes at the entrance, placed the helmet on a seat by the door and walked in behind him.

There was a living room, a dining area and a kitchen, all open plan. A set of stairs to the right, with a hallway and a few doors. He led her into the living room. It was minimalist, but tasteful and homely. Photos were on the walls, some paintings, a sculpture here and there. A big window overlooked his garden. It looked peaceful. An oasis.

"What do you think?" he asked quietly, watching her take it all in.

"It's so peaceful and homely," she ran her fingers over a picture frame. It showed him and, as she now knew, his brother, with big smiles on their faces. "I love it."

He placed his hands on her waist, turning her to face him.

"Can I get you a drink?"

The way he said it, his eyes flickering between her lips and her eyes, she knew he was just being polite.

"No, thank you," she whispered.

He leaned in and she tilted her head up, meeting him halfway in a slow, sensual kiss. His fingers cradled her head, buried in her hair, her hands snuck around his waist and up his back.

His hands dropped to her jacket and he tugged on it.

"Off," he breathed in between kisses.

She complied happily, whilst he shrugged out of his coat.

He gathered her in his arms, engulfing her in his strength. He tilted her head to kiss her deeply. Their tongues exploring and probing.

Her body was on fire. Each of his touches went straight to her groin, making her want him badly.

Suddenly she felt her back hit the cold wall. His hands wandered down her sides as he devoured her mouth, finally coming to rest on her ass. He grabbed it and lifted her. Her legs wrapped around his waist as if they'd done this a thousand times before and he pushed his hips into her heat. She could feel his hard bulge.

They both groaned at the feeling.

"Bedroom," he panted, voice husky, "I haven't shown you my bedroom yet."

His lips were on hers again in a searing kiss and he carried her blindly through the room and up the stairs.