She returned to the living room, a small bag in her hand and Niles eyes widened. "What's that?"
"You'll see. Are you ready for your surprise?"
He swallowed hard, his hand reaching for his tie. "I-Um, yes, of course."
"Well, then, come on…"
"Where are you two off to?"
She nearly screamed, startled by the unexpected sight of Martin and Frasier as they entered the room. Her heart was racing and she put her hand on her chest to calm it. "Oh God… you scared the life out of me! What are you doing here?"
"We live here?" Frasier suggested, making Daphne roll her eyes.
"I know that, you pompous-."
"Daphne, maybe we should go, all right?" Niles suggested.
"O-okay…" Still shaking from the fright, she felt Niles hands on her shoulders, massaging them gently in an effort to calm her. But he was actually doing the wrong thing.
Feeling his hands on her shoulders only made her desire for him increase and she was only seconds away from dragging him into their bedroom for an afternoon of lovemaking that he would never forget.
Miraculously she was able to contain herself and simply turned in Niles' arms to kiss him.
"Come on, my love." He said softly, kissing her in the same manner.
His arm draped around her, she leaned against him and they walked out the door. She no longer cared what Frasier and Martin thought of them or felt the need to tell them where they were going. But just as they reached the elevator, Niles popped his head into the condo. "I'll bring her back later, but don't wait up."
He turned to find her in the open elevator, her arms outstretched. He filled them immediately and they had several blissful seconds of kissing and touching before the elevator reached the lobby floor. The ding of the bell broke them apart immediately, but their fingers remained entwined. It was then that she realized that it was probably the first time since she'd first set foot in the Elliot Bay Towers that the elevator had managed to move through nineteen floors without stopping once. It was, by all accounts, an answered prayer. For the hot kisses they had shared during that elevator ride were barely enough to tide her over until they got to Alki Beach.
The hidden cove was less than ten miles away and fortunately she wouldn't have to make a stop at that horrid gourmet deli, but it seemed much further. She decided not to make any mention of his brother's infatuation with that silly delicatessen. To do so would prompt Niles to insist that they make a "quick" stop (one that would turn out to be hours long), because Niles was never one to be outdone by his older brother. No, if Frasier went to the gourmet deli, Niles had to go as well and it was certain that hours would pass while Niles checked out each and every item, asking the same silly questions that she had asked of the staff.
No, she would not have it. Not today, not now. Not when her longing for Niles was almost more than she could bear. A gourmet delicatessen could wait.
Passionate lovemaking in a secluded cove could not.