They sat in silence, each staring intently at the padds in their hands. Surreptitiously, he began to gaze at her over the padd.

I wonder what she's thinking, smiling like that. If it were anyone else but her, I'd swear she was fantasizing about some guy with that kind of smile. I wonder if she ever thinks of me and smiles like that. Nah. Why am I even letting myself think it. She made it clear she didn't want that from me years ago. And its ok..more or less. We're friends, good friends. Buddies. Pals. Compadres. And I don't love her that way anymore….much. Still, I wonder what she'd do if I walked over there and kissed her. He gave a little chuckle at the thought and then tried to turn it into a cough, looking down quickly at his padd.

"You okay? Do you need some water?" she asked.

"No, no. I'm fine." he answered, tugging at his ear.

She smiled, returning her gaze to her padd .

She's doing it again. What can she be thinking? I kinda wish she would think of me when she smiles like that. Hell, I kinda wish she would walk over here and kiss me. Wonder what I'd do. I'd probably be so shocked I'd just sit there with my mouth open. And if I did, I wonder if she'd slid her tongue into my mouth. Whew! Enough of that, down boy! That's all I need, her to see me sitting across from her with a hard on.

He ducked his head and reached for his ear again. She looked up, her eyes widening as she saw why he crossed his legs under the glass table. She couldn't help herself and gave a little laugh. They looked at each other, each blushing, and looked back down at the padds quickly.

Damn! He's sitting there fantasizing too, I know he is. I have to admit I'm relieved that, occasionally at least, I can still have that effect on a man. At least I hope its me he's thinking about.

She peeked up at him and caught him doing the same. They gave each other small, strained smiles and looked down again.

This is ridiculous, a middle aged woman sitting here playing little games with her best friend. I didn't act this giddy as a teenager. Now you just stop this and get your mind on work, woman. Still, it has been kind of fun. I wonder what he'd do if I encouraged him just a little more overtly.

She lowered her head somewhere between shy and coquettish. He watched, his eyes questioning, brow furrowed, head tilted in puzzlement. She tried to control her smile by biting her lower lip. His eyes opened wide and he swallowed.

That did it. The mischievous sprite that lived deep within her burst apart her rational, pragmatic mind. She sat back, carefully placed her padd on the table in front of her, leaned back undulating into a catlike stretch and gave him a lopsided smile.

He gave her a long piercing stare and cracked the smallest of smiles of his own. Then he carefully placed his padd aside and gave her a nod. Her turn.

She smiled and gave him a smoldering come hither stare, stood and sauntered around to the front of the table, raising her eyebrows in a silent dare.

He answered with a half-dimpled grin, stood, removed his coat and threw it over his chair with a flourish and gestured for her to make a move.

Her eyes widened and she gave an involuntary little squeak. Then she got that competitive look in her eyes. She wasn't about to be out trumped. Taking one step toward him, she undid her jacket. Slowly she peeled it off her body, held it out to the side and dropped it.

He gave a quick laugh, took a step big enough to halve the distance between them, tearing the turtleneck from his body and flinging it at her.

Catching it, she gave a throaty chuckle and held it to her face, taking a deep breathe. Head held back, eyes closed, she purred as she dragged it down her neck, over her breasts and pressed it against her belly before dropping it on the floor at her feet. Then she daintily stepped over his shirt, and removed her own turtleneck, gently tossing it at him.

He laughed out loud, held her shirt at each arm like a rope. Taking another step toward her, he threw it over her head and pulled her to him. By this time they had both dissolved into fits of laughter. He tipped her back and started nibbling at her neck growling and laughing.

She drew in a ragged breathe, almost collapsing in his arms at the sudden feel of his lips on her neck. He stopped as soon as he felt her become limp and pliant in his arms and pulled her upright. She placed her hands on his chest, her eyes wide, wet, wanting and vulnerable.

"I, I can't.."

He pulled her into soft hug, rocking her gently in his arms. "Sh, sh…its ok. I know. This is as far as the game goes."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to tease you like that. I just, just got a little carried away."

"I know. Its okay, really I'm not sorry. I was having too much fun."

"You're something else, know that? Under any other circumstances…"

He dropped his arms and firmly stepped back. "No, don't say it. Leave it like this. Funny, a lark, whimsy….nothing more."

"You're right. Nothing more." She said, loving him still with her eyes.

"I'd better go. I think I'm overdue at the gym for a long, tiring workout." He grabbed his clothes and put them back on.

She watched him. "I can certainly understand that."

He started toward the door. "Wanna come?"

"More than you can possibly imagine," she said with a wry grin.

He stopped, turned and gave her a long look. "Aw hell!" He quickly marched back to her, pulled her into his arms and kissed her. All she could think was how much she wanted this and she melted into him. The kiss went on and on and on. When they drew apart, he planted feather kisses on her eyes, her nose, her mouth again and buried his face in her hair before pulling away again.

"I had to know. Just once. I had to know. I'll go. See you tomorrow." He left before she could even say good-by.

She stood staring at where he used to be. Slowly she sank to the floor, touched her lips and smiled.