Sidney stood in the hotel lobby by the entrance of the restaurant checking his watch. 8:03. He had made it just at 8 o'clock on the nose. It had taken some juggling to get done in time. The PR coordinator for Gatorade just wouldn't stop talking. Finally he approved the new direction of the campaign and was able to end the call. During a few breaks throughout the afternoon he had been able to run upstairs and shower and then an hour before he finished he ran upstairs to change for dinner. He heard the shower running when he entered the room and it was all that he could do not to slip into the shower and join Caroline. He changed into a plain white collared shirt and a black suit he had packed thinking they would have a special evening out. Now all he needed was his date.

The elevator doors opened with a melodic ding and Caroline stepped out, more like stumbled out. She was trying to get used to these heels. When she first put them on they didn't seem so bad, but now only 5 minutes later she was learning the challenge of wearing heels. She saw Sid in the distance looking at his watch. She knew she was running late and felt terrible. Shuffling towards him she went to call out his name when he turned in her direction, his eyes scanning the vast lobby. His eyes seemed to pass over her and then flew back. She watched as his expression grew unreadable and then darken. She worried she had upset him for being late, especially after he had promised he would be on time. As Caroline finally reached him, the heel of her shoe caught the grouting of the tile floor and she pitched forward. In the split second of the fall all she could think was pain and humiliation, but two large hands found her sides and kept her from falling. He pulled her up and helped her find her balance. The feel of his hands on her sent a volt of electricity through her blood stream and all of a sudden he was very close. Something she never seemed to get used to.

"Oh god, thank you, I'm sorry, I just can't get used to these shoes." She rambled as he withdrew his hands and took half a step back. He wasn't speaking and Caroline was convinced he was irritated with her.

"I'm so sorry I was late. I don't have an excuse, I just, well, it just took longer to get ready than I anticipated. I hope you haven't be waiting lo—" she was interrupted mid-ramble.

"You're breathtaking." Sid's voice was low and serious.

She stopped talking and looked at him.

He was staring at the overabundance of skin exposed by the low cut dress. Her cleavage was center stage and she felt naked under his gaze.

Instinctively her arm crossed over the exposed cleavage and her hand rested on the opposite shoulder. Covering herself inexplicably.

His hand covered her hand and pulled it off the shoulder and led it back to her side.

"Don't." he said. "You look beautiful."

"It's not too much?" she asked feebly.

"No. No, you look amazing." He said, his eyes roving her body up and down.

Feeling overwhelmed she looked down at the top of her feet.

"You look amazing too." She said softly.

His hand came up to her neck and gently led her closer to him. He ducked his head down and placed a heated kiss just behind her ear, his nose lost in her sea of hair. She felt him inhale deeply and a wave of desire washed over her.

He pulled back and smiled. "Let's get some dinner." He said.

Caroline still lost in a haze of heat, could only nod dumbly.

Sidney took her hand in his. His hold was soft but firm, like so much of him.

As they walked into the restaurant Caroline could feel Sid's eyes on her. She felt desirable, something she wasn't used to. She was always so taken aback by his looks and while she knew he found her attractive, she wasn't used to feeling…sexy. In this dress though, she felt like his eyes were undressing her and it made her feel…empowered.

They reached the restaurant and were being shown to their table when she heard a voice yelling in the dining area. "Bethany, Bethany" the voice called. Groaning she tried to ignore the calls.

Sid gave her a nudge.

"Is that woman calling you? She is looking right at us. And why is she calling you Bethany?" he looked at her in confusion

Caroline didn't know what to say. It was the lady from this afternoon, Helen was her name and she was waving down the pair. Quickly Caroline tried to explain.

"She thought we were married remember? I saw her after you left and she kept asking me questions about you and I and I didn't know what to say, so I made up this story and I gave myself the name Bethany." She reddened by this admission. "And you are an architect." she further explained.

Sid looked dumbfounded for a minute, and then a smile grew across his face. "Well, come on Beth, lets see what they want."

Sidney and Caroline approached the table where Helen and the other ladies from earlier sat. The ladies husband's all sat next to their wives, so Helen headed the table. Two seats sat open at the large round table.

"Oh my, don't you both look gorgeous! Please join us. We insist!" Helen urged the pair.

Looking at the table and at each other, they both felt the obligation and sat in the empty seats. A white haired man with bushy eyebrows and sparkling blue eyes chimed in.

"Us old-timers need some young blood at this table, or we are all going to fall asleep in about 15 minutes." He said smiling.

"Herb!" the man's wife chastised, giving him a swat on his arm.

"Thank you for letting us join you." Caroline said politely.

Helen spoke up, "Bethany, please introduce us to your husband."

Ten sets of eyes rested on Caroline.

"Um, this is my husband," Her eyes looked frantically at Sid's. He just gave her an amused look but offered no assistance as he went to take a sip of water.

"Craig." She finished

Sidney choked on the water and Caroline smiled brilliantly at the table, putting her hand on Sid's back and giving him a few hard pats. "You ok sweetie?" she asked lightly.

Sid shot her a look, then put on his best "I'm in public" smile and exchanged greetings with the group.

"You are an architect, Craig?" asked another older man with graying reddish hair, slicked back. "My brother in law is an architect, what kind of work do you do?"

Sidney's mind raced. "Sports facilities sir, I do work on hockey arenas mostly."

The group murmured impressed.

In no time the pair was engaged in different conversations all across the table.

Caroline and Sid were having a ball. Sid's cheeks were bright as he was on his second Manhattan, a drink, Charlie, the foot doctor had insisted Sid have with him. It was pure liquor, which Sid usually stayed away from during the season. The warmth of the drink and the freedom of being someone else exhilarated Sidney. He also couldn't seem to keep his hands off Caroline. It started off just as his arm around her shoulders during conversation, but as they ate he looked down and saw how short the dress lay across her thighs.

Caroline was listening to one of the wives share her recent trip to Miami when she felt Sid's hand on her knee. She felt the warmth of his hand and it was nice. He rubbed lightly as he continued his conversation with the other side of the table. Then his hand moved up. She didn't think too much of it, other than it felt very good. Over the next few minutes the hand moved up and up until his palm lay on the inside of her upper thigh and his thumb moved gently to the crease between her leg and her torso. Caroline's mind was swimming; she found it harder and harder to listen to her seatmates. She made a quick glance at Sid and he was still in deep conversation, as if nothing was happening underneath the table. All of a sudden, he pressed his thumb against her center. She shifted in her seat, not wanting the group to know what was happening, they couldn't know. His thumb moved more insistent at her. Her breathing became labored, as a sheen of sweat formed at her temples and between her breasts. The pressure felt divine, but she had to keep it together. Finally after what seemed like forever, his thumb pulled back and his hand left her thigh. Caroline didn't know if she should be relieved or disappointed but nevertheless, she could breathe again. However, just because his hand left her thigh didn't mean he stopped touching her. The back of his hand swept up and down the length of her side. The ladies at the table noticed this touch and they swooned amongst themselves and gave Caroline a knowing smile. Red faced she looked at Sid, he gave her a boyish grin, his cheeks flushed and his eyes bright, I think he might be drunk she thought. If not drunk, definitely tipsy. Then before she knew what was happening, he leaned forward and pecked her mouth, his lips soft and warm. He released her mouth and gave her another grin.

The table oohed and ahhed over the young couple. Some wives looked adoringly at their own husbands, while others looked at Sid like they wanted to have him for dessert.

The group enjoyed dessert and coffee, Sid pulled Caroline's seat close to his and kept his arm firmly around her. Caroline, never one for displays of public affection, even when she didn't have anyone to display with, felt somewhat self conscious, but Helen pushed a glass of wine in front of her and with slurred speech told her about how much "Craig" reminded her of her husband. Caroline listened to stories of how Helen and Henry met, fell in love, and made a family, the whole nine yards. The wine relaxed Caroline and she became putty underneath Sid's roving hands. When everyone else seemed to be engrossed in conversation, Sid leaned over and whispered in Caroline's ear. "I cant wait until I get this ridiculously hot dress off you." She looked at him, expecting to see his teasing face, but instead his features were hard and desire gleamed in his eyes.

She started to say something when Sid was pulled away to discuss golf handicaps with the men of the table.

As the tables were cleared and the drinks refilled, couples began to take the dance floor for dancing. Caroline, not much of a dancer hoped Sid was too engrossed in conversation to notice how many people had taken the dance floor. But no such luck.

"Well, Beth, what do you say, how about we show these guys how it's done?" Sid jovially said to Caroline.

"Um, dance?" she asked.

"Don't tell me you don't dance?" he asked in mock outrage and before Caroline could even respond, he pulled her up and led her out to the dance floor.

Like something out of a movie, the song changed to something slower and Sidney pulled her into his arms. His left arm pulled tight around her waist, as his right hand enveloped hers. They swayed together and Sid looked down at Caroline and smiled.

"I'm having a fantastic time." he said.

Caroline laughed.

"Me too. Except every keeps looking at us because of your wandering hands!"

"My what?" he asked looking innocent. "You mean this?" and his left hand moved down and took and handful of Caroline's bottom.

She squealed then laughed. "Yes, exactly like that!"

"Or do you mean this?" and his hand moved from her bottom to the side of her breast. The back of his hand stroking her as his lips moved to her neck and pressing light kisses all over the soft skin.

Caroline let him just have his way with her for a few minutes, too buzzed and too turned on to stop him.

Finally he came up for air and gave a toothy smile.

"You are incorrigible!" she said, smiling at him, not minding at all.

"Aw, that's why you love me though, right?" he replied lightheartedly.

Caroline froze.

Sid noticed the change immediately.

"Care, I…" he started.

"Um, I have to go to the bathroom. I'll be right back." And with that, she dashed away from him, wobbling on the high heels and out into the lobby.

Sid stood on the dance floor feeling lost. He made his way back to the table when he was intercepted by Charlie and some of the other men from the table.

"Craig! Come join us, we were just about to have a cigar on the veranda." Sid never a smoker, but figured he could use some fresh air to clear his head accepted the invitation and followed the men outside.

The air was crisp but not overwhelmingly so. The men all lit up and handed one to Sid. He politely declined.

"Ah, good man. These things will kill you." said Charlie. "I should know, I'm a doctor."

The other men fell into a conversation about mutual funds and IRAs, as Sid and Charlie sat in the large deck chairs over looking the mountains.

"That's quite a lady you got there." Charlie commented.

"Yes, sir."

Gwendolyn, my wife. She is my second wife. Elizabeth my first wife died a few years ago." The older man said.

"I'm sorry, Charlie." said Sid sympathetically.

"Yeah. Elizabeth was the love of my life. I love Gwen, don't get me wrong. She's a good woman, lost her husband about the same time I lost my Liz. She gives me the companionship I need. But Elizabeth, she was it. She was my true love. I'll tell you son, I've made a lot of money in my life and a lot of mistakes, usually the two were related to each other, but the biggest mistake I ever made was not spending enough time with my family. Not telling Lizzy how much I loved her every minute of every day, because before I knew it, she was gone. I told her over and over when she got sick, but the cancer moved through her pretty quickly and then she was gone. We are lucky men when we find the women who will put up with us, love us, and give us our families. But you know that Craig. You and Bethany seem like your going to make it."

Sid just sat there taking in the cold mountain air and Charlie's words. He was right. Time was short. Finding true love was one of the hardest things in the world and he was a fool if he was going to waste anytime not letting Caroline know what she was to him. She was it, she was his love, he felt it down to his bones and it was the truest thing he ever knew.

"Charlie, you're a smart man. Thanks for the chat. I gotta go find Car—Bethany." Sid said quickly.

Charlie gave him a look. "Good luck, kid. Good luck with everything." And with that he gave Sidney a wink that let him know that Sid and Caroline maybe weren't as anonymous as they thought.

Caroline sat on the plush couch in the women's bathroom. She didn't know what to do. He knew. That was no coincidence what he said. He must not have been asleep when she told him. She felt mortified. People didn't fall in love this fast. Whatever they were doing, it was just fun and easy and he would move on eventually. That was her belief. That was what she kept telling herself. Love made things complicated and made her weak. She needed to be strong when the fallout came. She needed to protect herself.

Caroline wiped at her eyes and got up to inspect herself in the mirror. Her makeup had faded a bit but her little crying spell hadn't ruined too much. She put her cool palms on her cheeks and took a few deep breaths. She would tell him he misunderstood. That she had said that in the heat of the moment. That she didn't mean it. They would have a good laugh about it.

Making her way down the long deserted corridor back to the lobby and the restaurant, she saw Sidney coming towards her quickly.

"Oh, hi. The bathrooms are that way if that's what your look…" her sentence was interrupted by his hands on her face and his mouth desperate on hers. He kissed his frantically, deeply, his tongue entered her mouth hard and insistent, like he was trying to drink in every ounce of her. She stood there like a rag doll, letting his hands and his mouth do all the work. Her tongue found his and battled it. Finally after forever he released her mouth but kept his hands on her face.

"I love you too." He said catching his breath.

Oh.

"I…" she started.

"I did hear you this morning. He interrupted. "What you said. I know. I have all these feelings inside that I'm trying to figure out too, but I don't need to anymore, because I know that I love you too. I love your smile and your heart. You are so good. So kind. So beautiful. And knowing that you love me makes me feel like I can do anything, be anything. I don't want to waste a minute not telling you what I feel. Because you deserve to know how I feel and I want to know how you feel." He looked at her expectantly.

She bit her lip, her eyes filled with moisture. "Well, you know how I feel…"

"Tell me." His eyes bore into hers. The blackness of his pupils overtaking the chocolate of his irises.

"I love you, Sid." She said softly.

He gave the largest smile and pressed his lips to hers.

He released her. His hands moved to her bare shoulders. His thumbs swept across her jaw. His eyes still so intent.

"I love you Caroline."

Her smile attempted to match his in size and then she pressed her lips to his. Their kisses became heated quickly and in no time they were deep into a make out session that was not appropriate for public, despite the desolation of the conference room corridor.

Sidney's mouth left hers and he took her hand to a nearby door. Opening the door and looking into the dark room, he saw that it was a closet, filled with linens and extra chairs. He pulled Caroline into the room and clicked the lock on the door. They stood in the darkness finding each other. His mouth was on her neck as her hands came up onto his dark hair. Feeling the softness between her fingers, she guided his head towards the most sensitive spots, although even in the dark, he seemed to know exactly where they were.

His mouth still on her neck, he pushed he against a stack of chairs and in an instant dropped to his knees. His head nestled into her dress, feeling the flowing fabric cool against his heated skin. He lifted the skirt, intent on finding the treasure that lay underneath. Navigating through the fabric he pulled down her pantyhose and felt the heat of her cotton covered mound. Pressing his nose against her, he felt the moisture from his early ministrations. He breathed in her scent, as he heard her breathing become labored. He licked at her and she shuddered above him. In one swift movement he pulled down the underwear and pressed his lips to her center. He paused for a moment surprised when he found her completely smooth. He pulled back and was able to just make her out in the darkness. Thank god it was dark otherwise he would have seen the mortification on her face.

"What happened here?" he whispered.

"The spa, they insisted." She said shakily.

"Remind me to thank them." And hitching her leg over his shoulder, he dove into her. Licking and lapping at her folds. His nose nudged her clitoris as his tongue tickled and teased at her opening. Caroline's hands lay on Sidney's head, not really serving a purpose other than giving her proof that he was there and this was happening. It was so much more sensitive now, every kiss, lick and bite amplified to an unbearable degree. His hands gripped her dress around her hips as he dove further and further into her until she felt the familiar climax build. He kissed her thighs, not wanting this to end quite yet. He pressed kisses up at her public bone and when enough time had passed, moved back between her folds. He drew her in and out bringing her to the brink and then retreating. Her moans, sighs and sounds of pleasure filled the quiet room. The pressure built and built and built until she could not hold on any long and she shouted out his name and her release into the darkness.

He stayed there for some time. Kissing her heated, wet skin. Not yet ready to leave the softness and suppleness of her. Finally he pressed a kiss to her center and lifted himself to his feet.

She was panting, trying to catch her breath.

"We need to get out of here." he said hoarsely. "I want to take you upstairs and ravish every part of your body."

Caroline nodded in agreement. "Yes." her soft voice agreed.

He pulled up her undergarments and took care in smoothing her dress. Licking his lips, he tried to rid himself of her release so that he could kiss her properly. She didn't seem to care, as her hand came around his neck and she pressed her mouth to his.

"I love you." she said against his mouth. She felt his smile under her lips.

"I love you too." he said.

They made a quick exit from the restaurant. Saying their goodbyes to their new elderly friends. Charlie shook Sid's hand and told him he hoped to see him again. Caroline grabbed her purse and received a hug from Helen. It had been fun pretending to be someone else. But Caroline was ready to go back to being herself, this alter ego was exhausting.

They made it to the elevator before they attacked one another with fervor. She really was insatiable when it came to him. His kisses while satisfying, just kept her wanting more. He had her pushed up against the elevator wall, his thigh wedged between her legs. As they kissed, she felt herself grinding wan toning against his leg. She felt him harden and she knew needed him inside her quickly. Luckily they reached their floor and in no time had made it back to their suite.

They didn't even make it to the bedroom. As soon as the door shut, her hands were at his belt, his hands at the back of her dress. She dropped the shoes, she had taken off the moment they reached the elevator, along with her purse, his jacket found the same fate. In mere seconds her dress laid in a pool on the floor and he was naked from the waist down. He slid into her, her back against the wall of the living room. He surged into her, and she met him thrust for thrust. There was no foreplay, just Sidney's head buried in Caroline's hair as his hips snapped into hers with alarming force. His large thighs pounded at hers so much Caroline knew her thighs would have bruises tomorrow but she didn't care. At all.

He loved her.

The thought of this person inside her, this man had let her into his heart made her shudder with the enormity of it all. She clutched at him, her fingers carved themselves into the planes of his back. Once again that familiar feeling built inside her and in moments she felt herself ride the orgasm and then Sid did the same. He lay pressed against her for a few minutes, his chest heaving on hers. She could hear his heartbeat in the silence of the room, it was so fast. Her hand came up and cradled his head holding him to her.

Finally he pulled back, slipping out of her and looked at her.

"You love me." she whispered.

"I do." he confirmed.

She smiled tiredly and he pressed his lips to her damp forehead.

He carried her to the bed, divesting her of her bra and she removing his dress shirt. He lay on top of her his body covering hers. He placed kisses on her face and neck, then he moved to her shoulders and her arms. The breasts were next, then her stomach. Each kiss seemed to get warmer and wetter. He kissed her thighs, her knees, her shins and the tops of her feet. Caroline laid there, her eyes watching him. Sid pulled back and with a whisper said, "turn over." She did and he moved over her calves, listened to her moan when he reached the backs of her knees, he moved up her thighs and planted a kiss on each side of her bottom. Her breath hitched when he did that. He covered her back with kisses, taking his time as he crisscrossed her back. He finally reached her neck, then pressed a final kiss on the back of her head. He pulled her pliant body to the side and slid into her from behind. His hands palmed her breasts as he reached deeper and deeper from this angle. It was slow and steady. Heady and full of love. His lips pressed kisses into her shoulder as his rhythm matched hers. He whispered loving words into her ear. How good she was, how wonderful she felt, how hard she made him, how much he loved her. It was then she arched her back and came for the nth time that day. He followed and slumped his body against hers. There was no way to tell where she ended and he began. Neither cared, for now they were one and that was all that mattered. Caroline wanted nothing more to stay awake, to show him how much she adored him, but the draw of sleep was too strong and she succumbed to slumber, feeling complete for the first time in her life.