Warning, may get intense...

Jake was escorted to a private elevator that went directly to the penthouse on the fifteenth floor of the Lancaster Hotel. He whistled in admiration as he looked around.

The main room was a tribute to Western décor with a modern twist. Earth tones with punches of turquoise and orange made it cozy yet upscale. A massive stone fireplace served as the focal point with a camel colored leather sofa in front of it, an exquisite handmade Navajo rug on the floor, an ornate chandelier handcrafted with amber mica shades, antique copper hardware and elk antlers hung above.

Upholstered armchairs in a tone on tone ivory fabric with a subtle Native American design flanked the sofa on both sides. Oversized colorful pillows trimmed with leather were the finishing touch. Original paintings by local artists hung on the walls and Jake was impressed by an original Georgia O'Keefe featured on it's own wall.

"That one cost almost two million dollars, but well worth it wouldn't you say?" Susan came out to greet Jake still in that jersey dress. "I designed this suite for the hotel, like it?"

"It's beautiful. I didn't know you were a designer, I thought your were into the whole modeling thing."

She went over to the bar and poured herself a glass of wine and gave him bottle of his favorite beer. "You inspired me you know. There's not much work for a 32-year-old model and I remembered our visits to art exhibits and museums when we were together. I discovered I liked art almost as much as you. I got my degree in fine arts and studied interior design. I just launched my design business a year ago."

Jake took a sip from the bottle and chuckled. "Now Susan, you know that you and I are the same age, and if I remember correctly we both have birthdays coming up, in fact yours is two weeks before mine."

Susan wrinkled her nose and stuck her tongue out playfully at him. "Spoil sport."

"I'm happy for you, you have really made something out of yourself, but I should have known, you were always a go-getter."

They went out on the balcony admiring the view of downtown Tulsa.

"So what brought you back to Oklahoma, I thought you were living in Paris or Italy." He asked.

"Florence to be exact. I was there until my husband left me for a twenty-two year old Italian hussy. I made sure he regretted it, took him for half of his net worth." She clenched her jaw, her eyes narrowed.

"Don't mess with an Okie." Jake replied with a wink, touched her glass with his bottle and finished his beer.

"I came back to reconnect with my roots, I was so happy to leave our little town, but never more happy than when I came back. I missed my momma and daddy, missed my old friends and I missed you." She gave him a sly look.

"Me?"

"Last night at Duke's brought back old memories… old feelings. You could have had everything you wanted, college, prestige, money, but you gave it up to keep your family together. I wish I could have had the same courage as you to stay, maybe we could have had a happy life together." Tears welled up and fell freely down her cheek.

"I couldn't do that to you, you had dreams of your own." He took her in his arms to comfort her, wiping away her tears with his thumb. "You want to know a secret about me? I have an IQ of 190. Nobody in my family or my friends know about that. Only my parents knew. It's just as well, because I found out a few months ago that I have an uncle who is also a genius but he's criminally insane. My father called it a curse and for years shunned me afraid that I was headed for the same fate and there are some days I'm not so sure he is wrong." He turned and went inside. She followed.

"No Jake you're wrong. You are the kindest, gentlest man I know. The Jake I know sacrificed it all for love, that is not the picture of a crazy man."

"Yeah well, I gotta go Suzie, I just came by to get my hat." He spotted it on a chair and went over to pick it up.

"Jake stay with me." She grabbed his arm. "I'm flying to London today, to meet with a very wealthy client, come with me. You and I can start over again, with your knowledge of art and history we could be so successful. You can help your family, provide for them the way you always wanted to."

She pressed her body close to him and began to kiss him on his neck. He closed his eyes, old feelings were stirring inside as she led her kisses to his lips. He returned her kiss, moving to her ear, his breath hot against her skin as he went down her neck to her shoulders. He unzipped her dress. It fell to the floor revealing a sheer, low cut black camisole and shorts.

Her body responded in delight as his hands traveled under the camisole up and down her body. It was soon off with one quick move as they swayed in unison to the bedroom. He picked her up and placed her on the bed, nestling her beneath him. He took off his shirt revealing a well muscled chest and she squealed her approval as she began kissing his abdomen then pulled him down to her running her hands along his strong smooth back wrapping her legs around his.

"Just like I remember." She said in a low husky voice. She went to move his chain and saw that it wasn't there. "I'm so glad you're not wearing that old chain. It was always in the way." She said with a laugh and continued kissing him.

Jake suddenly stopped as if waking up from a trance. He leapt off the bed and grabbed his shirt. Cassandra's face popped into his mind and he felt a sick pit in his stomach.

"I'm sorry darlin' but I have to go. Susan you are a beautiful, desirable woman but what we had is gone, and I can't take advantage of you this way. Please forgive me."

"It's that chain isn't it? You never took it off even when I begged you to. You gave it to someone special am I right?" He nodded.

"Who?"

"My eight year old niece Emma." He lied feeling guilty for almost betraying Cassandra. "And I forgot we have a date."

Susan got dressed and smoothed her hair. "You're a good man Jake, don't ever forget it."

"Thank you darlin'." He gave her a final kiss on her cheek and left, this time he made sure to take his hat.

Moments after he left, a call came for Susan from the front desk.

"Your Limo is here Ms. Harper."

"Thanks I'll be down in a minute." She replied in a calm, cool voice.