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activities to the playroom, but it hadn’t been that way for a while. Their relationship seemed to flow outward, encompassing other parts of their lives.
    In fact, Jacob was awfully interested in what she did during the week, what she thought, and how she felt. No man had been that way before, and it was nice. He was interested in her, and although a bit possessive…okay, maybe a lot possessive…it was nice to know he cared.
    The one thing Vivienne wished was that Jacob would share his emotions. He could claim that it was all sexual, or just a physical thrill for him, but she knew better. In the heat of passion, she saw something more behind those blue eyes of his.
    She just didn’t know what to call it. Jacob certainly experienced pleasure, but he hadn’t confessed that it was anything romantic. Yet the fire that burned in his eyes, and the way his heart pounded at intimate moments, was a giveaway. He wasn’t as cold as he would have her believe.
    Even the way Jacob kissed flooded Vivienne with emotion; once their lips touched they melted into each other. She had not asked why he’d refused to kiss for the first few weeks. It was clear that kissing affected him, more than he admitted. The touch of their lips disintegrated the distance between them, the fire of passion turning any separateness to ashes.
    It made sense that Jacob would have abstained from kissing, but once imbibing he had been as eager as Vivienne. The romantic kisses, or unexpectedly sweet lovemaking, led her to believe that Jacob harbored emotions he hadn’t shared. Maybe he wasn’t aware of them, or couldn’t deal with them. As long as he stayed with her, Vivienne would be patient.
    Since Jacob had called, the next day Vivienne considered calling him . After all, he had said that she could. But having permission didn’t make it the right thing to do. She should maintain some allure, so letting Jacob know how completely and utterly she missed him during the week wouldn’t do. She was a strong, independent woman who didn’t need a man. Or so she tried to convince herself. Yet Jacob inspired need , along with a plethora of other emotions.
    Early on Thursday, while at her desk slogging through emails, Vivienne’s phone vibrated. She lifted it to see that it was Jacob. Twice in one week…remarkable . “Jacob, you’re calling early in the day.”
    “Good morning, baby.”
    Vivienne smiled. “I’m starting to like these calls.”
    “I was afraid of that,” Jacob said, “but I called because my schedule has changed.”
    “It has?”
    “Yes, I don’t have that seminar tonight…it has been…canceled.”
    Vivienne wasn’t about to argue with that. “So you called to let me know?”
    “I called because I have tickets to the Gershwin to see Wicked .” Jacob paused. “Are you free tonight?”
    The only time Vivienne made plans, at least those that she wouldn’t reschedule, was if she was going out with Jacob. She couldn’t imagine what else he thought she’d be doing. “I don’t have any plans at all. And I’ve seen Wicked several times. Each performance was amazing.”
    “I assumed you had seen it,” Jacob said. “But I also know you enjoy shows more than once.”
    “Absolutely, and that one is no exception,” Vivienne said. “I’ve seen a couple of different performers play Glinda. It’s always a bit different.”
    “I realize this is a little last-minute,” Jacob said. “I just didn’t know that I’d be available tonight.”
    Vivienne noticed that he was being polite. Jacob had many sides to him. “I’d be delighted to go with you.”
    “I’ll be by to pick you up at six, and after the show we can go to dinner.”
    It was good that Jacob no longer balked at dates, because this certainly qualified as a date. “That sounds fine. I assume you are dressing up?”
    “Of course, it’s the theater.”
    “Just checking.”
    “I’m at work, so I’ll just see you tonight, then.”
    The phone went silent, and Vivienne