I am sorry for the delay in updating this and it's just a short chapter now because I'm still finding it tough to write Ric. I think I need to watch back over some of their scenes together - last week's episode should help! Hope you like this.

Serena emerged from the bathroom with a host of smart alec remarks and jokes about Ric's situation but when she entered the room the sight before her sent all of them flying out of her head.

Ric was pulling on his shirt and Serena caught sight of his bare torso. Standing stupidly for what seemed like an eternity but was in fact less than ten seconds, Serena's eyes ran over Ric's body. He was leaner than she would have expected. She also noted the scars before self-awareness kicked in and she remembered to turn away. She walked over to the table she had left her watch on and picked it up, focusing carefully on what she was doing as she put it on. She took a deep breath, she was ridiculously flustered. Get a grip Serena, she told herself, it's Ric bloody Griffin not George Clooney!

Ric heard Serena opening the bathroom door just as he was pulling his shirt on. He deliberately avoided looking in her direction as he expected to hear a joke about his "morning salute" or even some smart remark about him getting dressed. When she was silent he turned out of curiosity to look at her and was surprised to find her standing somewhat dumbstruck by the bathroom door, her eyes running over him briefly before she turned away, still without a word.

He wasn't sure but… Had Serena been blushing?

He watched her as she put her watch on with great concentration. Ric finished buttoning up his shirt and began to tuck it into his trousers. Serena half turned towards him but then swung away again.

What on earth is the matter with her, Ric wondered.

'Sorry, thought I'd be dressed by the time you came out.' He said, watching carefully for her reaction.

'It's fine.' She said, still with her back to him.

She sounded slightly shrill he noted. She couldn't possibly be… Ric grinned to himself. No. Not Serena Campbell. Surely it would take more than a naked chest to embarrass Serena Campbell?

This was ridiculous Serena thought. It had definitely been too long since her last shag if the sight of Ric Griffin was getting her into this state.

She had been so focused on herself that she had not heard Ric crossing the room until he was right behind her. She felt his hand on the small of her back as he leaned to pick up his wallet from the table in front of her.

'Excuse me.' He spoke in a low voice right next to her ear. She could feel his breath against her cheek. Her own breath caught in her throat and she held it until he stepped away, which he seemed to take his time in doing.

Ric held back a smug smile as he stepped away from Serena, noticing how she exhaled deeply. He'd had plenty of room to reach around her for his wallet but he had decided to see what affect his proximity would have on her and was more than a little chuffed at the results. It certainly made up for how awkward she had made him feel when they woke up.

Regaining her composure as Ric moved further away it dawned on Serena that there had been no need for Ric to lean so closely to her. She turned and caught sight of a smug smirk on his face and realised he had done it on purpose. Oh great, she thought. It was bad enough she had been so flustered to begin with but if Ric knew of the effect he'd had on her it was suddenly ten times worse.

Ric suddenly had the upper hand and that was something Serena wasn't going to allow for long.