I closed my fingers and moved it away. “No, Clay. I love it. I'm just...I don't know what to...” Words failed me completely, so instead I seized his mouth with mine, kissing him deeply. I let my tongue invade his mouth, tasting him. I couldn't stop the moan that I made deep in my throat. “God, I love you so much.” Clay whispered against my lips as I ran my fingers up through his hair.

“I love you too. More than anything.” I said softly back to him as he tugged my tank top over my head. And we lost ourselves in each other all over again.

It felt like hours later before we finally emerged from the loft, Clay's necklace laying against my chest. Clay wore a contented smile and I knew I was glowing. I was riding a blissful wave of euphoria. Our earlier argument, all the misunderstandings and doubts had been erased by the reminder of why I was so intensely in love with my boyfriend. Clay watched me touch the butterfly at my throat and he gave me that smile that said I was the only thing in his world that mattered.

“Good morning.” I said to Ray and Clare, who were drinking coffee and looking a little bleary eyed. “Too loud, Maggie. Shh.” Ray put his finger to his lips. “Oops, sorry.” I apologized, filling a mug for myself.

“You guys look rough.” Clay commented, opening a packet of croissants. Clare grimaced. “Thanks, Clay.” He looked sheepish. “I just meant you don't look like you slept much.” Clare turned surely. “Well my charming boyfriend here, spent most of the night throwing up.”

“Yuck. Sorry, Clare.” I gave Ray a look before turning to the refrigerator to get the milk for my coffee. “Are Daniel and Rachel up yet?” I asked. Ray shook his head. “Don't think so, haven't seen them.” I was worried about how things went between my two best friends last night. I was dying to talk to Rachel and get the scoop.

Clay came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, placing a soft kiss on the side of my neck. He pushed a plate of buttered pastries toward me. I picked one up and started eating it. Ray watched me for moment then turned an alarming shade of green. “I'm gonna be sick.” He said, before running down the hallway.

Clare sighed before getting off of her stool to go after him. Clay and I grinned. “Sucks to be them.” Clay remarked, turning me around in my arms so he could kiss me properly. He pressed my back into the island as his hands held my hips tightly.

Someone cleared their throat behind us, causing me to break away. Looking over my shoulder, I saw Rachel and Daniel come into the kitchen. “Good morning, you two.” I said, pulling away from Clay so I could get my friends some coffee.

I watched the two of them closely, trying to gauge the current state of their relationship. They didn't touch or do anything else that indicated a change in the way things were between them. But I just knew. There was a difference in the way they looked at each other. The air around them seemed to crackle with a chemistry that I had never noticed before.

I handed Rachel a cup of coffee and raised my eyebrows at her. She looked back at me blandly. “So, how was the rest of your night?” I asked them pointedly. Daniel propped himself up on a stool and grabbed a croissant. “Fine. Slept like a brick.” Was all he said.

I looked over at Clay, but he had gone into the other room to straighten up the couch from the night before. Okay, I was going to have to get Rachel alone if I was going to get any answers. “I've got to finish packing up my stuff. Rachel can you come with?” I asked, pulling her by the arm.

Daniel looked over at her for just a moment and it was then that I saw it. The way his gaze rested on Rachel told me everything I needed to know. They had clearly moved through their impasse. And I wanted details!

“I guess.” Rachel said less than enthusiastically. She must have sensed my inner cobra preparing to strike. I led the way up the stairs and I heard Rachel's gasp as she came into the gigantic room. “This is where you slept? Dear Jesus.” She said, taking it in. She walked down the stairs into the sunken area with the whirl pool. “I'm feeling a bit jipped.” She joked, before sitting on the edge of the tub. She looked at me and arched her eyebrows. “Hmm. There's something different about you.” She told me coyly.

I blushed a deep and furious red. Crap. She was so going to turn this whole chit chat around on me. Damn her! Rachel tapped her chin with her finger thoughtfully. “Yes, something is definitely different. But I can't quite put my finger on it.” Rachel cocked her head to the side and then grinned at me deviously.

“You and Clay totally did it!” Rachel squealed. I rolled my eyes, trying to hide my embarrassment. “Uh yeah.” I said. My face was on fire! Of course I wanted to share that important piece of information with my best friend. But I felt a little strange talking about it.

“And...how was it?” She prompted. Rachel was notorious for needing the dirty details and I fully intended to disappoint her. “Well, he had me hanging naked from the rafters for a little while...and then I decided to use the end of my hair brush and...”

“You're so ridiculous, Maggie.” Rachel retorted as she cut me off. She pinched my arm. “You aren't going to tell me anything are you?” My friend knew me too well. I shook my head. “Not a thing.” I grinned, crossing my arms over my chest.

Turning the conversation around, I looked at my friend and gave her a look. “So, you and Daniel...” I trailed off, hoping she'd fill in the blanks.