"Come in," I whispered.

She stepped through confidently, though I eased her towards the balcony first. I wanted to talk to her for a little while, ease any nerves. Actually get to really know her. I knew all of them, of course, but not who they were at heart. Elena seemed to sense what I was doing. The night was still young, and we had all week. Making love that first night wasn't necessary, despite how eager we both were.

Anything she was comfortable discussing, we talked about. She didn't ask me too many personal questions, seeming to know I had to keep certain things hidden, but she was more...