This Time Around

Simon stood there for a moment and looked down at his feet, seemingly unsure of what to say.

"I wouldn't want to impose," he said, looking up from the ground to meet my eyes.

"Come on Cowell, we're friends, you're not imposing. Now get your British ass in my car," I said with a playfully forceful tone as I turned to get into the driver's seat.

"Uh-oh, Cowell's going home with Abdul," we heard Ryan shout in a sing-song voice from the doorway.

"Goodnight Seacrest," Simon said, grinning, as he plopped down in the passenger's seat.

"You two have fun tonight," Ryan said, bidding us goodbye before quickly shutting the door.

We both had a good laugh at Ryan's comments, and then we were off, my car hugging the bends of the curvy road as the wind blew in from the rolled down windows.

We rode in a comfortable silence for a few minutes, and then I reached over to turn the radio on, searching absent mindedly for music we could both agree on. I stopped as the soothing sound of the piano and strings wafted through my speakers and smiled as I recognized Frank Sinatra's smooth voice.

Love is lovelier
The second time around
Just as wonderful
With both feet on the ground
It's that second time you hear your love song sung
Makes you think perhaps that love like youth is wasted on the young

"I love this song," Simon and I both said in unison, as we both reached to turn the volume up. His hand brushed softly against mine. He took my hand and gave it a light squeeze, pulling it into his lap. A smile played on his lips as we made eye contact, and there was an instant deep connection made between the two of us. I felt like he could see right into my soul.

"Me too," I said with a laugh as I broke the connection, turning my eyes back to the road ahead of us.

Love's more comfortable
The second time you fall
Like a friendly home
The second time you call
Who can say what brought us to this miracle we've found
There are those who'll bet
Love comes but once and yet
I'm oh so glad we met
The second time around

I looked over at Simon again to find him reclined in his seat, eyes closed, softly mouthing the lyrics as they were sung. He slowly caressed my hand with his thumb in time with the music.

Who can say what brought us to this miracle we've found
There are those who'll bet
Love comes but once and yet
I'm oh so glad we met
The second time around

"Frank can just sum it all up, can't he?" Simon asked rhetorically, opening his eyes as we pulled into my driveway.

Yeah, I thought, he certainly can.

I pulled into the garage and shut the door behind us, getting out of the car quickly and taking a few deep breaths in order to quell my growing desire for him.

Don't give into him, Abdul, I reminded myself. Friends. You're just friends.

"Friends," I whispered quietly.

"What's that love?" Simon asked me.

"Nothing," I replied with a bright smile as I proceeded to punch in the code to the security system on my house. Opening the door, we were immediately greeted by my hyperactive dogs, who had a lot of pent-up energy after being locked inside for quite some time.

Simon knelt down to greet the little furballs, and I smiled as I watched them fight for his undivided attention.

They're too much like me, I thought with a giggle.

He stood up and took around, admiring a few different paintings and decorations I had in my foyer.

"Your place is nice, Paula, I'm actually quite impressed."

"What? You think I can't decorate?" I asked playfully.

"Judging by the way you dress," he said looking me up and down, "No."

I let out a dramatic gasp and a punched him on the arm, pretending to be offended.

"No need for violence, love," he said, crossing his arms and taking a step back.

"Would you like a drink?" I suggested as I moved into the living room, turning on the overhead light.

"That sounds lovely," he replied. "Scotch please."

I retreated to the kitchen where I prepared our drinks, returning to find Simon reclined on my couch, softly drumming his fingers on his belly as he hummed a soft tune.

I stood motionless, smiling as I took in the view of him. My eyes traveled down his facial features to his chest, where his tight white t-shirt clung to his body, so much so that I could see the slow rise and fall of his breaths. My eyes followed its path further down as I admired his waist and legs, ending with his feet where I noticed that he had taken off his shoes and was now barefoot.

Even his feet are sexy, I thought with a small giggle as I started moving again, making my way towards him.

Simon heard my movements and sat up, reaching for his drink as I handed it to him. I joined him on the couch as we carried on a light conversation.

"Refill?" I asked him, standing, when I noticed he was draining the last few droplets from his glass.

"No thanks love, I think I'm about ready to call it a night," he said, stifling a yawn.

"Oh, boring you am I?" I asked.

"Not in the least," he replied, following me as I turned off the lights and padded up the carpeted stairs to the second floor.

When we reached the top of the stairs I turned to face Simon, who was leaning against the wall, smirking at me as I gave him instructions.

"Okay, spare bedroom is at the end of the hall," I said, pointing to my right, doing my best to ignore how sexy he looked leaning against the wall. "There should be a few towels in the adjoining bathroom, you can find them in the linen closet."

As I finished my sentence, the lights flickered for a moment and then the power went completely out, leaving us in total darkness.