"Going somewhere? " Sean asked, Tess was sitting at her mirror backstage, the curtain had already fallen for the final time that night and all the girls were headed home.

She pulled out her lipstick from her purse and swiped the color across her lips. "Maybe, " she responded vaguely. It wasn't really any of Sean's business, "why?"

"Because you look excited, " he said, gushing. He was almost one of the girls at times, with a feather boa slung across his shoulders, leaving a pink feathery trail in his wake. "By the end of the night you're ready to pack it in and go home, not tonight, huh?"She caught his eyes through the mirror, he looked worried. His eyebrows knitted, bringing attention to his bald head.

"No, not tonight. " She applied another coat of mascara and dipped the wand back in the tube. "I have a date."

"And?" He pressed, "where's he taking you? Somewhere lavish, I hope. "

She laughed, "The Hilton."

"Nice..." he nodded his approval, "penthouse suite? "

"Probably not. "

"Darn. Too bad." He pouted, "The Queen deserves nothing but the best. "

She shook her head in amusement and got up. "You're so full of shit, Sean. Good night!" She waved slightly and headed for the stairs her 4 inch heels clacking down the metal staircase.

"Have fun! " He called, "don't do anything I wouldn't."

"And what would that be? Learn his name?"

"When in doubt, say, Mike. "

He could hear her laughing as she walked down the stairs. God, he loved her and she knew it.

-'-'-

Tess pulled in front of the hotel, with butterflies soaring in her stomach. Why this was different, she couldn't figure out; but it was and she loved it.

The man she was married to would have never taken her to The Hilton, he wouldn't buy meat if he could avoid it. Although, she thought bitterly, he could afford to have multiple affairs. The thoughts entered her mind before she could stop them and unshed anger pierced her gut. Damn him.

She shook her head and tried to clear her thoughts of the past. She didn't need it, holding onto it wasn't helping. A tap on the window startled her. "Holy shit!" She jumped and slammed on the horn. "Vince, don't do that!" She pulled the door handle and stepped out of the car allowing the valet to take over.

He was laughing, clutching his ribs. "Did I scare you?"

"No," she said defiantly. Her hand came up over her heart, accentuating the V that dipped down her dress.

"What's in that?" She nodded towards the bag in his hand.

"You'll see," he teased and grinned mischievously.

"If you think you're hand-cuffing me to anything, I'm out of here," she warned.

He shook his head, "it's nothing like that, Tess. I promise, you will love it. He reached inside and held the package out just long enough for her to read the label.

"Thanks!" Something unfamiliar spread through her, he didn't forget.

"I remember, it was your favorite when we were married. "

He took her arm and led her towards the hotel.

"It was. " She smiled brightly, "I guess I forgot that I wasn't the only person in our marriage."

"You weren't the only one who liked good sushi either. " A beat of silence and he said, "I never forgot the good times, Tess. "

"Problem being, " she said and he cut her off with a response of his own. "There weren't very many? " He cracked a smile to let her know he was kidding. His arm settled around her back and she didn't pull away.

"I hate valet parking, " she grumbled.

"Why? Because you can't make a quick getaway? " He asked, holding open the door to the hotel.

She laughed and shook her head, "when did you get so paranoid? "

"About the same time you became fun." He handed over his credit card to the pretty girl across the counter.

"Reservations for Scali, Vincent." She ran the card and he could feel her eyes drilling into his face with a come hither gaze.

"Of course." She flashed him a bold smile. "I have you right here in the deluxe suite. "

He pulled Tess closer in a possessive grasp. He was a taken man tonight and the pretty thing behind the counter wasn't going to ruin that.

"We'll need some champagne and strawberries sent in as soon as possible. "

The other woman nodded and handed over their key cards. "Enjoy your stay in room 406."

Tess couldn't help herself as she hit the button for the elevator. "Good job, Vince," sarcasm rolled off her tongue.

"What? " Confusion colored his tone.

"You restrained yourself." She nodded, he deserved a reward for that.

"What are you talking about?" He asked as they climbed into the elevator.

"Oh please, even I could see her panties melting as soon as you walked in the door," she scoffed.

"Well you should know, you're a professional Panty Melter."

"Awe... such a compliment. Do I make your panties melt, Vince?" She teased.

They stepped into the hall and the elevator doors slid shut behind them

"Every day."

She couldn't stop the smile that spread across her face. "You're not right in the head, Mr. Scali. "

"I never claimed to be, " he shrugged his shoulders and slid his key card in the door. "But I married you, didn't I?" He caught himself a second too late. "Oh dammit...Tessa...I'm a dick. I didn't realize how bad that came out. "

"Up yours. Do you ever think before you talk or does this stupid shit just fall out of your mouth? "

He swallowed sheepishly, "I really didn't mean it," he said softly.

"I think you're still bitter that I divorced you," she replied smoothly and began toying with the miro-buttons on her dress, the creaminess of her breasts was enhanced by her hands against them.

"Now that I'm back on top, without."

She revealed her black lace bra. "Your help. "

Vincent couldn't keep his eyes off of her. He kicked the door with the heel of his foot and it slammed closed. "You're trying to backtrack. And if you think, " she stepped in close to him and opened the top button of his shirt. "That you're getting any part of my club or my money." She opened his fly and hit her knees. "You're out of your mind."