When it started growing dark outside, Stacy put the Lasagna in the oven and finished the garlic bread. Slade pulled the table close to the fire. He just wanted this to be a special meal. In some ways he felt like it was his last.
The smell of the food cooking filled the room. Stacy put the dishes on the table and Slade put candles. They both laughed thinking about their first dinner with no power. She took the lasagna out and put the garlic bread in. It wasn’t long before they were sitting at the table lit with candles.
He reached across the table and grabbed her hand. “This is our last night of the trip. I want to thank you for a great vacation.” He squeezed her hand and let go.
“It has been a wonderful trip. I needed this so much.” She couldn’t look at him for fear he’d see the tears forming in her eyes. She’d never felt this way about any man. Suddenly it was overwhelming to her that they may never see one another again. He was a huge star. Why would he want to see her again? All she was to him was a way to get his reputation back. Her stomach turned to a huge knot. Why did she have to fall for him? Him, of all people to fall for.
Slade noticed how quiet she had gotten. He wondered if she was having the same thoughts. His heart was aching with just the thought of being away from her. What could he do to let her know how he felt? The old Slade would not hesitate to get her into bed, but not Stacy. He respected her and wanted to do this right. He was almost ready to make the big gesture. He groaned at the thought. Not three days ago he was telling Andrew he would never date a woman steady again. It was too much trouble.
“What’s wrong?” He looked up to see concern in her eyes. “You groaned.” She explained.
“Oh, sorry, I was just thinking that this is our last night together.” He took a deep breath and decided to just go for it. “Stacy, I’ve never met anyone like you. You’ve changed me.”
“I feel the same way. I’ve never felt this way.” She gasped as she realized she spoke that out loud.
He grinned. “I know what you mean. It may sound cliché, but I feel something happening between us. It’s something really spectacular and mind boggling. My heart aches just thinking about tomorrow.” He turned slightly red at his admission.
“I’m glad it’s not just me. It’s like we’ve known each other forever. I don’t know how to explain it.” Stacy almost shouted with joy, and Slade felt the same way. Maybe miracles did happen.
“I think it’s fate that we met and that you won the contest. I want us to stay in touch.” He reached out and held her hand tightly in his. “I want to see you again. I will be back in the country around December 20th. We can video chat while I’m gone. It will be cheaper than trying to get through international cell lines.”
She grinned and sighed. This was like a dream and she was afraid she’d wake up. She looked up at him with a serious look on her face. “We only have one problem.”
His heart sunk. Here it comes, the bad news, the earth shattering news. “What’s that?”
“I don’t know how to video chat.” She started laughing and he joined in.
“Well, that’s not a problem. I’ll call you when you get home and walk you through the set up. I’m pretty sure you have a web cam.” He started back breathing and relaxed.
“Yes and I’m a quick learner.” She squeezed his hand.
They finished their dinner and grabbed mugs of coffee and walked out on the deck to watch the snow fall. They sat holding hands talking. It was as though they had to know everything about one another. When it got too cold they walked back in to sit by the fire.
Slade turned on his mp3 player and played soft music, then reached out and pulled Stacy into his arms. She wound her arms around his neck and he pulled her close. They danced for over an hour without talking, just feeling. It was surreal. It was as though they were one person. He stroked her back and kissed her on top of her head.
She looked up and kissed him lightly on the lips. She closed her eyes trying to remember everything about his kiss and him. Sadness swept over her and tears slowly streamed down her face. He gently wiped them from her cheeks.
“Don’t cry. It won’t be long and we will see one another again. I promise we’ll talk every day.” He pulled her closed to his chest and they stood still just holding each other. He could hold her forever. He inhaled her scent which was rich lavender. He knew it had to sustain him while he was gone. He closed his eyes and clenched his jaw. It took everything he had in him not to carry her upstairs and make love to her all night. But she was different, this was different. He knew that the wait would be more than worth it. It would be the best thing he ever did.
Stacy pulled back and sniffled. She was embarrassed that she let her emotions get the best of her. “Sorry, but I’m soft hearted. I always have been.”
“Just another thing I adore about you. Don’t ever be sorry for feeling. It’s what makes you special, well one of the many things I’ve found that makes you special.” He kissed her on the forehead.
“I guess I need to go up and pack my things. What time is your manager picking us up in the morning?”
He kissed her hand and groaned. “He said he’d be here by ten.”
“Well, better get everything ready to go.” They walked hand in hand up the stairs, both of them feeling sad. They went into their rooms to pack.
Looking at the lonely bed, Stacy realized that now that they had power, there was no reason to sleep downstairs by the fire. She put everything in her bag and put it on top of the dresser.
He walked to her doorway and watched her pack her things. He had the same thought about the sleeping arrangements. He decided lights or no lights he was holding her all night.
“Stacy, I know we have power, but I want to hold you tonight for as long as I can. Let’s sleep in here tonight.” He wondered if she would.
She looked up at him. “Do you think that’s a good idea?” She was hoping he did.
“I want to do this right. I will just hold you, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to make love to you all night. I’m not doing this the way I usually do. We’re going to take our time and savor our time. It will be beautiful when we do come together.”
She smiled and nodded. “Ok, I will miss your arms around me at night tomorrow.” She was not ashamed or embarrassed by that statement. They had already formed a bond that was beyond anything she ever thought she could have.
He went downstairs and put another log on the fire. She went into the bathroom and changed into her nightgown. When he came back, she was already under the covers propped up on pillows. He went into his room and changed into his black sleep pants.
When he walked into the room she couldn’t help but look at his gorgeous chest. He was one handsome man. Stacy’s heart swelled at the thought of him wanting her. Especially when he could have any woman he chose. All he had to do was snap his fingers and they’d come running.
Slade slid under the covers and pulled her into his arms. Stacy turned toward him and he shook his head.
“None of that because I’m on a thin tether and if you look at me with those beautiful green eyes I will not behave like promised.” He turned her back to him and pulled her up against his chest. “Just this is going to be hard enough.”
Stacy grinned and pulled his arms tighter around her waist. She entwined her fingers in his and closed her eyes. This was heaven. She knew sleep would not come easy when she got home alone. She would count the days until they were together again.
They both drifted off to sleep, each of them having dreams of the other. He woke several times in a lot of discomfort. He was trying to do the right thing. This was going to kill him.