They were friends for many years before they became 'lovers'.
She left her husband and ran away with her 'lover'.
His wife accused him of having a secret 'lover'.
(..) I let him go. I was just playing. I let him go. I'd never hurt a hair on his pretty little head. Your noodle ain't limp at all, lover boy. I think you sweet on old Billy the Kid. Ooh, but smell you. DEL: Look. (..)1999 The Green Mile