Erin felt her fingers go numb and vaguely heard the crash of glass on the floor. Elaine was at their side in an instant, cleaning up the shards as Dave turned to face Aaron and his girlfriend.

"I'm giving you and your zoccola one minute to leave before I have security escort you out." Erin watched his eyes narrow and knew he was furiously angry despite the even tone he used.

"This is a public space, Dave. You can't order me around here," Aaron shot back, his face flushing with anger.

"Wrong, yet again. Aaron. This is a private dining establishment, of which I happen to be part owner. Leave, now, and if your zoccola even so much as looks at my Erin in the wrong way ever again, I will make certain you feel the full extent on my anger. I should have dealt with this at Penelope's party, I just wanted my lover to be happy, though, so I let it slide. I realize now how large of a mistake that was."

Beth snorted and Dave fixed his gaze on her. "Drunks and people who love drunks are all the same. Blaming everyone else for their problems. People like you disgust me."

"For your information, Beth, this is non-alcoholic champagne. Apologize to Erin and get out. Elaine, please send Isaiah over to escort these two out." He sat back and reached out for Erin's hand and she grabbed hold, squeezing tightly. "Your apology, zoccola?"

"I'm sorry." It was sullen and begrudging, and Erin nodded absently at the woman, not really wanting to hear anything from her. "Your henchman won't be necessary, Sir. Aaron and I were just leaving. It seems my appetite has fled." The woman stood and stalked off, Aaron hurrying after her.

Erin's shoulders slumped and Elaine came up to her side, smiling sweetly. "I had Peter get you a new glass, Ma'am. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"Not at the moment, no. I'm sorry about that display."

"It's perfectly all right. You have a wonderful partner, I just wish I could find someone who care for me that much."

Erin nodded, wiping away the traces of tears on her cheeks. The young woman stepped back and took the glass another young woman held out before filling it and handing ti to her. "Thank you." Erin took a sip of the drink and tried to smile at Dave. "I love you."

"I love you, too, my dearest rose. Do you want to finish or head home?"

She took a deep breath and looked down are her lobster. To her surprise, she found she was still ravenous and she bit her finger lightly. "I want to stay and finish our meal, Davie. I refuse to let Beth and Aaron ruin our night together, honey."

He smiled warmly and moved his chair around to sit at her left hand. Elaine came and moved his place setting before melting into the background ounce more. "I love that you're finally coming out of the bubble you wrapped yourself in at rehab. Is that why you didn't get chocolate for tonight? Afraid it would melt?"

She choked a little on a bite of food and grinned through a cough. "Chocolate is more Penelope's taste. Though she did tell me feathers can be fun." Erin tried to copy her friend's wicked smile, her heart lifting a little at her Davie's attempt to make her feel better.

"They can, my rose. We'll have to get some to play with." He took another bite of steak and she dabbed at the bit of juice that ran down his chin. "Are we going to stay for dessert?" he asked as he took hold of her wrist, stilling her hand.

She swallowed loudly, feeling desire pool in her stomach at the possessive look in his eyes. "Only if we split something. I'm barely going to be able to finish this." After a few more bites, she took a deep breath. "What does zoccola mean?"

"Nothing nice. I'd rather not specify, Erin. I probably should have kept my cool and just called her by her name all along. I just couldn't think straight after I saw the heartbroken look in your eyes."

She leaned over and kissed his cheek softly. "What would I do without my knight in shining armor?"

"I find myself asking that question more and more. You've grown on me, my beautiful English rose, and I can't picture living without you." He rubbed her shoulder lightly, and the warmth of his hand against her bare skin sent shivers through her. They finished their main course and Elaine came up to their table, removing the dirty plates.

"Do you know what you'd like for dessert?" she asked, looking at them expectantly.

"Something for us to split," Dave replied, smiling, "and not chocolate." She nodded and headed back into the kitchen. "Did you want to go to Mass before work next Wednesday?"

"Will it be Ash Wednesday already?" He nodded and she pulled out her phone, looking at her calendar. "It will be easier to go before work, Davie. Why don't we plan on that." She added it to her day and then put the phone away, smiling brightly at him. "You do know that this doesn't make it any easier for me to ask for his forgiveness."

"Do you need it?"

"Yes. Not for his sake, David, but for mine. Either I have to bury the hatchet with him or have incidents like that happen every time we meet. I'm craving peace in my life more than anything. It just seems like certain people can get under my skin so easily." She felt her smile wobble a bit and David clasped her hand tightly.

"Then we'll find a way to make nice with him. Just, keep me away from Beth. I wonder, now that I know her a little better, how I could ever have encouraged him to go after her."

"We all make mistakes, Davie," she replied as Elaine set a slab of cheesecake down in front of them. "Thank you."

"I wasn't sure what kind of sauces you'd like with this, so I brought out an assortment. I personally prefer the persimmon." She smiled as she went back into the kitchen and Erin looked over the offerings.

"Strawberries, caramel, blueberries, and persimmon. Where do we start?"

"Close your eyes and I'll let you guess." She did as told and waited for his next move, humming lowly in anticipation. "All right, open up." She dropped her jaw and felt him slide the spoon inside. Closing her mouth around the cool, creamy, sweetness, she pulled the bite further in, letting the flavor of blueberries explode on her taste buds.

Opening her eyes, Erin smiled lazily at him. "Delicious, Davie." She licked her lips and heard his low growl in response. A throaty laugh bubbled out of her mouth and she leaned forward a little. "Your turn."

He nodded, his eyes sliding closed as he did so. She broke off a chunk and dipped it in the caramel sauce before rubbing it against his lips. His mouth opened, closing around her spoon as his hand closed around her wrist once more. "If you keep that up, we're going to have to explain to Penelope why we're in jail for lewd behavior."

"Well, then, let's finish our plate and head home for part two." Dave grinned at her and they tucked in. Erin found herself enjoying the persimmon sauce immensely, and was glad Elaine had recommended it. As she devoured the last bite, Dave settled the bill and they walked out to the front of the building and waited for the car to be brought around.

Dave slipped his hand down to cup her ass and she giggled a little, stepping closer to him. "I like it when you let me do this, Erin. I love the trust you show me."

"I love being able to trust you. I love knowing how highly you regard me." She leaned over and kissed his cheek. The valet returned with the car and Dave helped her in. As they drove, she looked over at him, a gently smile dancing about her lips. "Penelope said you've defended me to Aaron before."

"I have, and I'll do it again, whenever I have to. The others see how much I love you, and I'm trying to get him to see that, too."

She sighed happily and settled back in the seat, watching the scenery pass. A fine, misty, rain was falling and she felt like it was washing away the gunk of the evening, leaving behind the bright warmth of his love. They pulled into the garage, and he came around to her side, helping her out. "I'll get the honey and strawberries if you'll find the dipper."

Erin opened the fridge and took out the bowl of strawberries. Picking up the jar of honey, she turned and smiled up at him. "Ready, Erin?"

"More than you could even know." Moving past him, she sashayed up the stairs, leaving him in her wake. She left the door to their room open and went over to the dresser, adding the vial of gold dust to her libations. Quickly, she arranged them on the nightstand and began to undress.

"I don't get that pleasure this evening?" Erin turned and shook her head as she untied the neck of her dress, letting it pool around her waist. She took in the way his nostrils flared with desire and smiled. Slowly, she tugged the zipper on the skirt down and let the garment pool at her feet. "My sweet Psyche, you'll undo me before I even touch you."

"I wouldn't want that to happen, my handsome Eros. Step a little closer to me." She held out her arms and he came forward. Once he was close enough, she began to undress him until he was standing in just his boxers. Erin could tell the exact moment his control snapped and she found herself falling back on the bed.

Looking up, she saw him place a strawberry in his mouth before bending down. Erin raised herself up on her elbows and met Dave's lips in a bruising kiss, biting into the sweet berry. The juices coated her mouth and she moaned lowly, wrapping her arms around his neck as they continued to kiss.

His hand cupped her breast, kneading gently. Erin bowed her back a little, trying to get closer to him. Dave's fingers made short work of the front clasp on her bra and she shrugged out of it. Sitting up, he took another strawberry out of the bowl and rubbed it lightly against her nipples. They tightened instantly, and he bent to lick the juice off. "Davie!" she keened loudly, finding the touch wonderfully erotic. "More?"

"Sweet, sweet rose," he murmured, picking up the jar of honey. Unscrewing the lid, he thrust the dipper in. Her eyes focused on the slow way he thrust the utensil in and out of the thick liquid, and she felt her breathing begin to speed up. Her hips moved restlessly and he chuckled lowly. "Does this excite you?"

Biting her lip, she nodded, not trusting her voice to work. He drew on her suddenly too warm flesh with the dipper, making design on her, trailing it down to just above her panties. The stickiness of it only served to heighten her feelings of desire. And then his mouth was engulfing her breast; it was so very warm and his tongue licked and pushed against her nipple, sucking the honey off.

The first orgasm swept over her and he pulled down her panties, seeking out her clit with his wonderful fingers. "Dave, please, more. I, I…" Her words quickly became incoherent as he drove her to another shattering orgasm. Somehow, all traces of honey had left her skin and she pulled him down on top of her.

Reaching into the bowl once more, he took out four medium sized berries and looked into her eyes. "You do trust me, right?" Erin nodded and he grinned wolfishly. She shivered at the deliciously feral look in his eyes. "Good," he whispered, dipping each berry in honey before placing them in her, down there. The new experience felt so wicked and she lifted her hips in sweet anticipation. "Ah, Erin, that's right."

His hands cupped her ass, raising her up a little before burying his face in her quim. Erin dug her fingers into his hair, kneading in time to his lips and tongue working out the honeyed fruit. "Davie, don't stop. Oh, fuck, please," she murmured, feeling that sweet, tight, heady, feeling build up in her core. "No more, I need my release."

"Of course, Erin." He entered her, and she wrapped herself around him, drawing him in deep, as she'd found she'd liked. They moved together, building up to the pinnacle of desire. Her nails raked down his back as she came and he hissed in pleasure, collapsing on her as the last waves of passion swept over them.

Dave cuddled her close to his chest, kissing her forehead as they both tried to get control of their breathing. "We never used the gold dust, honey."

"Do you feel up to another round tonight?" he asked, nuzzling his face into her neck, nipping at the hollow there.

"Maybe later on. I kind of just want to cuddle at the moment." He nodded and she threw her leg over his hip, molding her body close to his. "Where did you pick that trick up from, Davie?"

"Carolyn, actually. She said she'd read it in a book and wanted to try it. Never did fail to drive her wild. Did you enjoy it?" He stroked her hair and she nodded hesitantly.

"Weirdly, I'll say yes. I've never had anything like that done to me before. I suppose I could get used to it, with practice." She smiled and he leaned in to kiss her. "But in the book, the lover used grapes."

"What is this magical book that both of you have read?" he asked, raising an eyebrow as he smirked.

"Wouldn't you like to know? Women have to have a few secrets, after all." She leaned in and kissed him once more. "Or do you want to know each and every little secret about me?"

"Not yet, my rose. I want to uncover them one by one." He caressed her side, resting his hand on her hip, stroking her flesh. She shivered and cuddled closer to him, feeling him stir against her thigh.

"A little slower this time, yeah?" she asked, rolling onto her back, pulling him on top of her. She sighed as he entered her still ready body, rolling her hips up in time to his thrusts, drawing his in deeper and deeper. They took their time, building the pleasure to greater and greater heights. "Yes, right there," she moaned as he kneaded her breasts, thumbing her nipples lightly.

"Tell me what you want, Erin." His voice was harsh and throaty, like it usually was when he was trying to hold back, to prolong her pleasure.

"I want to cum with you. Take me over the edge, Davie." He grinned at her, maneuvering his hand down between the juncture of her thighs, thumbing her clit in tight circles, pinching lightly. It didn't take long for her to reach the crest, and she tightened around him, arching up as the orgasm swept over her.

Once more, he collapsed atop her, his heavy weight comforting to her. She reached up and cupped his face in her hand, smiling gently. "What is it, my sweet rose?"

"I finally understand why Psyche's sisters would be jealous of the love she found with Eros. They never saw the true face of love. I love you, David Rossi. And I know I always will." She felt herself tear up and he brushed the crystal drops away from her cheeks.

"Erin, my sweet English rose, I love you, too." He wrapped an arm around her waist, holding her close as she yawned. "Sleep, safe in my arms tonight and every night until God calls us home." Dave kissed her forehead and she sighed, snuggling into him as she drifted off to sleep.