By the end of the following working week, Erik hadn't seen Rosaline nor spoken to her for longer than a few minutes at a time. In turns out that it was reporting season at school, which meant that Rosaline was spending all of her spare time collecting assessment data to use for her student reports. Erik was surprised when Rosaline briefly informed him of her workload for the week. Up until this point, he wasn't aware of how hard primary school teachers worked, and if he knew one thing about his Rose, it was that she undoubtedly worked harder than any other teacher at Panorama Elementary. In an attempt to take some of the pressure off from her consuming schedule, Erik had organised a quiet night in for him and Rosaline ahead of time. It was currently seven o'clock and Erik couldn't stop himself from wondering where in the world she was. Earlier in the week, she had agreed to meet Erik at his house just after six o'clock, which was why Erik was slowly beginning to feel worried when she was nearly over an hour late. Fortunately, just as Erik was about to dial her number he heard the doorbell ring. Practically flying out of his seat and heading towards the entrance, Erik couldn't open his front door fast enough.

"Rose! Where have you been? I've been waiting since six, I was just about to call you." Exclaimed Erik, whilst flinging himself at Rosaline and giving her a bone crushing hug.

"I know, I'm sorry. I got held back at work again, I didn't want to leave until I had finished writing up those last few reports. Then I had to speed home, take a shower and change before racing back over here." She tiredly explained.

"Speeding? Sweetheart, if you had just called to let me know that you would be running late I wouldn't be as concerned as I am. The last thing I want you doing is putting yourself in danger on the road." Erik responded, as he ushered Rosaline past the foyer and in through to the living room.

"I know, I'm sorry. It's just been a crazy past week." Rosaline apologised, before kicking off her shoes and throwing her exhausted body down against one of the plush couches.

Moving to take a seat beside her drowsy body, Erik gently picked up both of Rosaline's feet and placed them in his lap. With her shoes off, Erik began softly massaging her stiff and sore feet. He knew that she was too proud to give up wearing heels to work, which was why he found himself attempting to ease some of the pain in her body. Within a minute or two, Erik was surprised to see Rosaline's eyes drift close while her mouth fractionally opened to allow a few pleasurable moans to escape.

"Erik...that is such a comforting feeling." Rosaline told him, with her eyes still very much firmly sealed.

"It's the least I can do." Erik truthfully told her, with a content smile on his face.

Sometime later, Erik left Rosaline's side so that he could go and reheat the hearty chicken and mushroom soup that he had prepared earlier in the day. Despite her reluctance to eat, Erik knew better than to allow Rosaline to skip dinner. He had even offered to spoon feed her, which she adorably agreed to for the first few mouthfuls before giving in to simply feed herself. Snuggled up against each other on the couch was exactly where Erik wanted to be, especially after the tiresome week that Rosaline had evidently endured.

"I've missed you." Erik told her at some point during the night, when the pair were watching a film.

"I've missed you too." Rosaline easily replied, before leaning in towards Erik and puckering her lips for a longer desired kiss.

"I've missed these lips." Erik admitted after their sweet exchange, causing Rosaline to release a fit of giggles.

"And I've missed that laugh." Erik nonchalantly added with a pleased expression of his own.

"You're much to kind Erik, I love you." Rosaline whispered in reply, her voice devoid of all laughter and instead full of longing.

Gazing at her from beside his place on the couch, Erik felt a burning intensity to show Rosaline just how much he reciprocated those same feelings for her. With one hand loosely woven between the tendrils of her dark locks and the other hand circling the exposed skin above her hip, Erik made it no secret that he wanted her in anyway that she was prepared to give him. Erik didn't waste another second before closing the distance between them and connecting their lips in a passionate kiss. Unlike most of their exchanges in the past, Erik could sense that this kiss was one fuelled entirely by raw passion. But before allowing himself to become too enamoured by their current state, Erik had to first ensure that Rosaline was feeling well enough to continue their loving embrace. The last thing he wanted was to coerce her into kissing him whilst she was still feeling exhausted and potentially ill.

"Rose, are you feeling alright?" Erik asked her between taking laboured breaths.

"Why wouldn't I be?" She retaliated, while pausing to study his sensual lips.

"I just wasn't sure if..." Erik trailed off, before resuming their heated smooch.

Erik couldn't deny the fact that he was pleasantly surprised by Rosaline's answer and also in her palpable interest in him. He felt his heart rate increase with every swipe of Rosaline's tongue against his own. Had his eyes not already been closed, he probably would have rolled them at the sensation he was currently experiencing. Erik assumed Rosaline was feeling much the same, given how her delicate hands worked expertly over his broad chest. He loved the feel of having her hands roam his body, and he loved it even more when she so willingly gave herself over to him. Although Erik and Rosaline hadn't taken the steps to make love with each other just yet, Erik was convinced that it was only a matter of time, even if Rosaline herself thought that she wasn't quite equipped and ready to handle Erik.

"Rose, can I...can we?" Erik huskily breathed out his incoherent question.

"What?" Rosaline distractedly replied, while fingering Erik's shirt in between her hands.

"Bed!" Erik practically panted the single syllable word.

Stunned by his own lack of self control, Erik stilled beside Rosaline for a quick second, thinking she would undoubtedly disagree with his presumptuous suggestion.

"Yes!" Rosaline answered him, clearly feeling just as high on love as he was.

Rising to his feet, Erik didn't waste time before scooping Rosaline into his arms and walking straight out of the living room. What he hadn't expected to happen was to hear a squeal of childish delight leave Rosaline's mouth. He cheekily smiled down at her and left a prolonged kiss against her cheek. Carrying her up his stairs was pure enjoyment, as he felt her clutch his neck in a tighter than usual grip. He was almost inclined to loosen his hold on her feminine frame, just so he could hear her exhilarated glee once again but all too soon a familiar lustful feeling crept back into his body. Walking inside his bedroom, Erik gently dropped Rosaline against his satin sheets. He marvelled at the way her breasts rose faintly at her fleeting exertion and in the way her hair fanned out against the bed in the shape of a halo. In that moment, Erik was positive he had never seen a more beautiful sight and what was even more impressive, was the fact that she wasn't even naked (yet).

"My goodness, I love you Rose." Erik yearningly admitted, while moving to join Rosaline on the bed and to resume their heated embrace.

It doesn't take long before Erik has his shirt removed and is running is hands across the goosebumps that have formed across Rosaline's smooth stomach. He senses her nervousness but revels at the fact that she hasn't told him to stop just yet. Erik can't hide his excitement from her and he feels somewhat embarrassed for a brief moment when he observes a change in Rosaline's eager pace.

"What is...oh?" Rosaline mumbles to herself, despite Erik's ability to catch onto her insinuation about his growing hard-on.

"Should we...stop?" Erik hesitantly asks her, not knowing at all how the next few moments will play out.

"Yes." Rosaline whispers in response, whilst averting her shy gaze.

Erik tries his best to hide his disappointment as he eases himself off of Rosaline, but fortunately she's quick to halt his sudden movements.

"I love you Erik, you know that right? I'm just...it's too soon. I'm sorry." She almost shamefully confesses.

"No, don't be. I'm sorry I let things get too real too soon between us when I should have known better." Erik attempts to soothe Rosaline's worries.

"I liked it, I promise you I did but I'm just not quite there yet." Rosaline assures him, whilst moving to sit like a puppy in his lap.

Erik smiles at Rosaline when she lullingly sweeps her hands through his hair. He continues to observe her as she lovingly gazes at every part of him aside from his eyes, before finally meeting his affectionate gaze. Erik hums at the satisfying feeling of her lips meeting his in a painfully slow yet delectable kiss. Only once they have taken the time to savour each other does Erik offer another suggestion for the evening.

"Would you like to stay the night?" Erik asks in an anxious tone.

Despite the long list of occasions where Rosaline has eaten dinner, watched television and lounged around on Erik's couch, she never once stayed the night. Erik wasn't under any false pretences as to the reason why, but he had a particularly hopeful feeling within him that was simply urging him to ask her.

"Yes." Rosaline softy smiles at Erik, just before wrapping her arms around him in a comforting hug.

By the time Erik and Rosaline slip beneath the crisp bed sheets, they are both positively exhausted yet still manage to wear plastered smiles on their faces. After exchanging a few more playful kisses, they both find themselves easily succumbing to the depths of sleep and remain tangled between each other for the remainder of the night. By the time Erik awakes the next morning, he releases a content breath at the knowledge that Rosaline stayed the night. Careful not to disturb her as she continues to sleep peacefully in his bed, Erik quietly shuffles out from between her arms and legs and escapes downstairs to make himself a cup of tea. Making his way back upstairs, Erik suddenly hopes that Rosaline hasn't made any plans for the day ahead. He would love nothing more to than to spend the rest of the day together, even if it would mean simply sitting in quiet. With these love struck thoughts in mind, Erik carefully slips on his robe and exits his bedroom in search of his study, hoping to catch up on some work before Rosaline inevitably awoke.