Diane waited just outside Will's office until he hung up the phone. An audible sigh and look of frustration crossed his face as she entered.
"Client issues?" she questioned, sitting in the chair across from him.
"No. I'm taking Alicia out tomorrow night, and I can't get a decent table at Alinea, Schwa, or Spiaggia."
"Are you celebrating something?" Diane was well aware of the fact that the restaurants he'd listed were some of the finest and most expensive in the city. Something he and Alicia only indulged in on special occasions.
A little smile crossed his lips. "Yes, our first date," he chuckled, standing to move to the sofa.
Diane looked perplexed.
"The marriage counselor suggested we needed to date. He's not wrong in that. We should have been taking the time to go out for months now. For Alicia, this date tomorrow night will be our first - ever." He briefly explained a bit of what Dr. Benson had told them a few days prior.
Diane shook her head. It was one thing to be a close friend on the inside of all of this, but completely different to be either Will or Alicia in the situation. She interacted with them at work. They all spent some time on weekends, and such together. In many ways Will and Alicia's relationship seemed very similar to what it had been for years, minus Alicia's memories of course. But the actual reality of the situation was complex.
"That could be fun in ways," she commented, trying to ease his obvious frustration.
He chuckled, nervously this time. "Yeah, fun with more pressure this time around. I'm courting the woman I love all over again, but the stakes are much higher this time. The first time around I had everything to gain and little to lose. This time, if things don't work out, I have much more to lose." He looked away, his features becoming saddened.
"Will, you can't honestly still think she won't fall in love with you again? That's absurd."
He shook his head. "I don't know. There's still so much she doesn't know. My biggest fear is that I've put everything behind us, am ready to move forward. But what happens, if in the end she just can't find it within her heart to really love me again? I don't want her to feel trapped in a relationship she's not completely happy with. And if she ever does get some of the really awful memories from the past back, will she be angry at me all over again?" He sighed heavily and stood to face the window. "I just wanted tomorrow to be... exceptional, and I can't even get us a decent table for dinner."
She felt for him as far as his doubts were concerned. But inwardly she had to chuckle, recognizing the boyish nervousness in him. He rarely let his nerves show. She'd only seen it maybe a dozen times in all the years she'd known him. She thought it was sweet in many ways, his nervousness about taking his own wife out on a date.
She moved next to him. "You're trying too hard. You're over thinking it."
He turned his face towards her. "What do you mean?"
"You don't need to impress Alicia with fancy restaurants, and expensive gifts." She looked right into his eyes. "You already bought her some expensive piece of jewelry didn't you?" Her lips curved up into a knowing smile.
Sometimes he hated how well Diane knew him. But if she didn't they wouldn't even be having this discussion. "Yes, I want tomorrow night to be,"
Diane rolled her eyes. "Stop. We both know that Alicia would appreciate the gift. She'd enjoy the five course meal with an exquisite view of the city. But that's not the way to her heart, and you know it." He gave her an understanding nod, placing his hands in his pockets.
"When I was dating Kurt, and I could tell things were becoming more serious, I asked Alicia what it had been about you that made her feel she could trust you with her future. It was daunting to me to commit to one person for the rest of my life, and trust that they would be committed to me for just as long. Do you know what she told me?"
He smiled. "No."
"I don't remember all of the specifics, but she said something like it had seemed as though nearly every day she'd spent with you was better than the last. At that point in your marriage, three or four years ago, while many couples were growing apart, you and she were only growing closer together. One of the reasons she'd been able to put her whole trust in you was that your relationship had never felt forced. It had always felt natural to be with you… that you didn't try to impress her with extravagance. It was all the little things you did that showed her you cared."
She paused briefly trying to recall more of the conversation, and then a gentle smile crossed her lips. "There is one specific thing I do remember her saying. In essence, the moments she fell more in love with you; were the late nights at the library and sitting on your sofa in New York on Sunday afternoons, not doing anything in particular, just enjoying your company."
She smiled at him. "I guess what I'm trying to say, is that it's not about where you eat, or what gifts you give her that will cause her to fall in love with you again. It's the simple things, the small gestures that I know full well you've kept up all these years. If you want my honest opinion, a date that will be the most memorable for both of you tomorrow would be to choose one of your low-key favorite restaurants, and come up with some other place to take her that you two used to like to go. Yes, you are courting her all over again, so court her all over again. Don't try to turn the process into something that feels like an obligation."
"I don't feel like it's an obligation. It's just getting to know each other again."
"Yes, you will both be getting to know each other again in many ways. But Will...you do know her. Trust that knowledge and those feelings. It's not going to be spending an evening with someone you barely know. It's spending an evening with Alicia, your wife, the woman you've spent the past twenty years dating. It will all work out. Just don't get distracted by trying so hard. She'll see right through that."
He looked somewhat relieved. "So I should return the item of jewelry I bought for her?" he said, exhaling a little laugh.
Diane couldn't help but laugh a bit as well. "Well let me see it. Your anniversary is next month. Let's see if it's good enough for that occasion!"
He laughed. "You just want to know what it is!"
"I want to know if you need to encourage Kurt as to what he should give me for my birthday."
Will moved back to his desk, opening a drawer. "It won't do you any good. Kurt already has a gift for you," he smiled, lifting a bag with a local jeweler's name on it from the drawer.
Diane put her hands to her hips. "Oh really?"
"Yes, but when you try to pry out of him what it is, don't tell him I'm the one who told you."
Alicia stood at the side of the bed looking at the different outfits she'd pulled from the closet.
"So what do you think I should I wear?" she asked Julia, who she'd been talking to for a good half hour at this point. They'd gotten completely off the topic from Alicia's original reason for calling in the first place – her date with Will.
"Whichever one is the sexiest," Julia commented. "Although, it really won't matter to Will. You could be wearing a paper bag, and he'd think you were just as sexy as if you were wearing a low cut formal. I've never seen a man look at his wife after so many years of marriage, the way he still looks at you."
Alicia laughed, rolling her eyes. "Oh come on, be serious. I have to get ready soon."
"Alicia, I am being serious."
Alicia sat on the edge of the bed. "Certainly Josh still looks at you the way you think Will looks at me. And what do you mean the way he looks at me anyway? Every so often he gets a look in his eye that tells me exactly what he's thinking, but it's not like he does it all the time, or in front of anyone but me."
Julia laughed out loud. "If I were there, I'd demonstrate for you. He looks at you, "that way", all the time. Half the time when you aren't even looking at him."
Alicia couldn't help but blush a bit. "I don't know why I'm so nervous about this. We're just going out without the kids." she admitted, glancing over to a photo of she and Will on the dresser across the room.
"You were the same way when you two went out the first time back in college, and I couldn't understand why. It was Will then, and it's Will now. But I think part of it may be because it's new in a lot of ways, and you never have liked new situations. Relax. I bet whatever he planned will be perfect. Where is he taking you anyway?"
"I don't know. He wouldn't tell me. He said he wanted it to be a surprise."
"Did he ever tell you what you two did on your first date back in college?"
Alicia laughed grabbing the items of clothing from the bed she decided against wearing. "Yes, he did. And no I won't tell you."
"Oh come on Leesh, it's been twenty years now."
"And twenty more years, and twenty years after that will come and go, and you still won't know because it's between Will and me."
Julia blew air from her lips. "Okay. I figured it was worth a try," she chuckled.
"Not nice, trying to take advantage of your friend with the memory loss," Alicia joked.
"I know. And Will would kill me if I'd been able to pry it out of you anyway!" They both laughed.
"So, did you buy something new to wear under your outfit tonight? I can only imagine how the evening will end." Julia commented innocently. "It's so romantic you two going out on your first date even though you're married."
Alicia didn't respond at first. Staring at the one outfit left on the bed. "No, we're still... working through that."
Sensing Alicia's hesitancy Julia apologized. "Leesh, I'm sorry. I just assumed that after so long… we haven't talked about it for a few months…"
"No, no. It's okay. We're getting there. It's all me, and Will seems to understand, at least outwardly." She sat on the bed again thinking through the past few days since she and Will had seen Dr. Benson, and briefly explained to Julia what he had suggested. "Sometimes I think it's silly, holding out on him like I have. I'm definitely attracted to him. He came out of the bathroom this morning with only a towel wrapped around his waist, and I almost felt faint. It was one of those moments I've experienced a few times where I was completely ready to throw caution to the wind and tell him to take me right there."
Julia chuckled. "Attraction obviously isn't an issue for either of you."
"No. But there is a part of me that feels self-conscious about being completely naked in front of him. Sometimes it just seems like putting myself in a very vulnerable, exposed situation."
"Well it is. But he is in the exact same boat. Maybe that's why so many of us do it in the dark, or remain half clothed the first time. But I think you'll decide fairly quickly that you don't feel as exposed as you think you might right now."
"Yeah, I guess I can see your point." Alicia sighed. "I'm more worried that I've disappointed him. I just don't want to make things worse by continuing to hold out on him."
"Leesh, you're too hard on yourself. I know you and Will. You would never be a disappointment to him. Exposing your vulnerability isn't something you do easily. Only those closest to you get to see that part of you. Will knows that. He also knows that physical intimacy isn't something you just give away easily, that it does have to mean more to you. You held out far longer than most of us to have sex for the first time, waiting until you and Peter were engaged."
"Peter was the first person I slept with?" This was a bit of a surprise to her. Everything she'd read, or seen on screen recently, made it seem like sleeping with someone after a few dates was perfectly normal.
"Yes, at least that's what you told me back then. Alicia, like it or not you were always the good girl. Being there for, and being the example for Owen, studying your brains out so you'd do well in school, partly to make your father proud of you, but also because you refused to become like your mother who slept around a lot after the divorce because she felt like she'd been trapped for too many years."
"She's still that way," Alicia said, with a hint of agitation.
"Yes, and Will knows all of that because you allowed him into your personal bubble almost from the beginning. Because the two of you were always so close, people just assumed you'd slept with each other long before you ever had. You'd fall asleep together on the sofa or in bed after hours of studying. He spent two full days at our place once nursing you back to health after you came down with a bad case of the flu. He stayed with you all night one time after you'd gotten into a really awful argument with your mom about Owen. You've always allowed him to see you at your most vulnerable phases in life.
There was more than one instance where he could have taken full advantage of that for his own benefit, but he never did. He never seemed impatient, or tried to pressure you into anything no matter the situation. I guess what I'm saying is… stop worrying about it. You'll know when you're ready to take things all the way. I'm sure Will understands that. He knows you better than anyone else.
That doesn't mean that you should ask his opinion on everything, but I would trust his judgment. Trust that he isn't going to put you into any situation that he knows will make you uncomfortable. Leesh, he just wants you to be happy. You always have been, and always will be, his top priority."
"I'm not sure if that was supposed to be a pep talk or meant to put the pressure on. How am I supposed to live up to that?"
Julia laughed. "You already do live up to it. Just don't tell Will. My life wouldn't be the same if he stopped treating you like a queen, and I didn't have anything to hold over Josh's head!"
They both laughed. "Josh seems to treat you pretty well. You are the one who just got back from ten days in Hawaii."
"Yeah, he does treat me well. But it never hurts to have some backup ammo in place."
"So you guys are planning on coming out for New Year's?" Alicia questioned.
"Yes, it's been a few years since we attended the annual Gardner New Year's Eve party."
"Good. It will be nice to spend some time with you outside the rehab facility."
"You know you could always come visit me," Julia offered.
"I know. Maybe I will." Alicia looked down at her hand where a simple silver ring sat on her pinky finger. She and Julia each had one. It had been something they'd done in college. Suddenly Alicia longed for her friend to be closer. Julia had been the one other person besides Will and Diane who she'd been able to confide in since the accident. Will was her husband, and Diane was great, but she was enough older that a lot of their life experiences were different. Julia's life as a wife and mother were similar to her own, and it had been a great comfort to talk with her over the past months.
"I better go. Will is going to be back with the kids from Grace's game soon. I hope you feel better soon."
"I'm sure hearing about every sappy detail from tonight will cure me of whatever I've come down with. You better call tomorrow. No secret dates this time!" Julia teased.
Alicia laughed. "I'll call you tomorrow."
Alicia glanced over the upstairs railing at Will, Owen and the kids, who were sitting on the couch watching a Cub's game. She was glad Will and Owen got along so well, relieved honestly, that Owen had grown to manhood with his head screwed on straight. From the few things she remembered from her teenage years, he'd gotten himself into a lot of trouble at an early age.
Their team had just scored the winning run in the ninth inning when she entered the family room. They were all cheering when Will noticed her. He quieted down and moved towards her with a gentle smile across his lips. He looked good in his khaki pants and blue button-down shirt that was rolled at the sleeves. When he reached her, he leaned in, placing a soft kiss to her forehead.
She blushed a bit when he pulled away. There was that look in his eyes she'd been discussing with Julia earlier in the day.
"You look great," he said. His eyes still lingering on her exposed neck and shoulders that her navy blue top revealed.
"So do you," she responded.
Owen took the kids to his place for the night. After they left, Will and Alicia set off for the restaurant. Once downtown, Will parked the car and they walked a short distance to a building on the corner. It was an older building that had clearly been renovated. The sign read, "The Boarding House."
When they entered, Alicia's eyes went immediately to the large chandelier that took center stage in the first floor bar area. "It's made up of wine glasses," she commented, as they moved further into the space.
"Yes. There are somewhere around nine thousand of them. It was made especially for the restaurant. The wine list here is very extensive," he smiled, taking her hand and moving towards the elevator at the far end of the space. "Wait until we get to the main dining area. There's something else I think you'll like."
They rode the elevator to the third floor, where the dark wood continued to be prominent in the exposed beams, inlaid wood floors and tables. Natural light from the two walls of large bay windows made the space inviting, but even more impressive was the ceiling installation made up of wine bottles.
"There must be a few hundred of them up there," she commented as they got closer to the hostess.
Will chuckled. "Almost four thousand."
"Really?" she replied, with surprise.
He nodded, giving the hostess their name. They were seated immediately at a table next to one of the windows. He handed her the wine list. "Look at this first."
One thing that had become apparent to him in recent months was that Alicia had retained her enthusiasm for wine. They kept a fair amount in the house. When the kitchen had been built Alicia had made certain they had a space for a wine cooler.
Since she'd come home from the rehab facility, she'd often have a glass with dinner or at night after the kids had gone to bed. It had been adorable at some points because she'd open a new bottle that she hadn't tried, take a sip, and then hand him the glass. "Here taste this. It's really good." She would say to him. He'd take a sip, chuckling to himself. He knew full well the ones they kept in the house were her favorites, but didn't want to dampen her enthusiasm over it by pointing it out to her.
She glanced at the wine list, and then looked back at Will, who was waiting for a reaction. "There are four hundred and fifty different bottles to choose from?" she questioned.
"And twenty more you can only get by the glass," he added.
"How do you even choose one? I've never seen such an extensive wine list."
"That's part of the fun. And lucky for you, I happen to have the list of wines we have tried before, including the ones we really liked, and ones we disliked."
"So we come here often?" She glanced up from the menu to look at him again.
"Periodically. The food is good and priced right, and I happen to have a wife who really enjoys her wine! In the past when we came, we'd order a wine we had never tried, and take a bottle of something we really liked home with us. This place has only been open for a few years so we're only about forty wines in on the list."
"So which ones do we really like?"
"I'm not going to tell you. I think we should start all over, with one exception. If you choose one of the ones we didn't like before, I'll tell you, and we'll go with your next choice."
"And why am I the one who always gets to choose?"
"Because you like wine much more than I do. You're the expert. I've learned far more about wine over the years than I would have expected. You have cultured me. But I'm perfectly happy with a simple white or red depending on what I'm eating."
She nodded, smiling to herself as she continued to look over the wine list, and food menus. It was clear to her that he had brought her here tonight, and in the past, because he knew it was something she would enjoy, but it was not necessarily someplace that he would come on his own accord. She found it sweet in many ways that he wouldn't just tell her which wines they liked best…that he wanted her to experience it for herself. In essence, he wanted them to make new memories together.
Near the end of their meal the waiter approached with the bottle of wine they'd decided to take home in one hand, and a large bouquet of flowers in the other. He placed the bottle on the table, and held out the bouquet to Alicia.
"For me?" she asked, glancing to Will who had a loving smile across his lips. He nodded. She took the flowers from the waiter, immediately bringing then close to her nose to take in the sweet scent. Glancing past Will, she noticed the jealous looks a few women wore on their faces as they looked in her direction.
"You spoil me too much," she commented quietly, as they stood to leave.
"You deserve to be spoiled," he said, taking her hand into his.
They drove for a short while out of the downtown area towards home. "Where are we headed now?" Alicia asked.
"Revinia park," Will replied.
"For the music festival?" she questioned.
"Yes. There is a show I think we'll both enjoy tonight."
Alicia smiled, turning to look out the window. The Ravinia park music festival took place every summer. It was the longest running outdoor music festival in the country, occurring regularly since the early 1900's. "My father used to take us to the festival a few times every summer when I was little. It was a good way for Owen and me to be exposed to a variety of quality music that didn't break the bank account."
Will smiled and nodded. "It's a tradition that we have kept up with the kids…although, I think they like being at the park and having a picnic more than anything."
Alicia loved the idea that she and Will brought their children to the festival. It had always been something she had looked forward to doing with her father each year. "What are we seeing tonight?" She asked, as they walked toward the entrance.
"A special appearance by Max Raabe," he replied, an excited gleam in his eye.
"Who is that?"
He chuckled, remembering only at that moment that he had been the one to introduce her to Raabe's music. She had grown to enjoy it along with him, and he hoped she'd still like it now. "He's a German musician. His music is a 1920's and 1930's style, but with a modern twist. I really enjoy his music, and…" he looked at her and smiled.
"I did too?" she questioned.
"Yes, I hope you'll still like it."
"It sounds interesting. I guess we'll see."
There was seating in the large amphitheater, as well as a large lawn area that surrounded it, to accommodate more people. Will thought it would be more fun, and relaxing, to watch from the lawn, so he had brought along some lawn chairs, and a large blanket. Once they had staked out their spot, they walked hand in hand through the park, looking at the various stone and vegetation sculptures that could be found along the many paths.
The conversation flowed effortlessly throughout the evening as they discussed work, the kids, and then the music.
Half way through the show, they'd given up on the lawn chairs and were seated next to each other on the blanket. "So we went to a restaurant that I like and had enjoyed in the past. What are some of your favorite restaurants?" She'd been questioning him on things like this throughout the evening with two-fold purpose. She did want to know his likes and dislikes better, but she was also storing information away for the future. After celebrating Grace's birthday the week before, it had come up in conversation that Will's birthday was in less than two months, and Alicia wanted to be prepared.
"Me? Given my druthers, I'll usually choose pizza if it's a casual night out, or if we're taking the kids along. There are lots of good pizza places around the city. It is Chicago after all. But one of the best is a place you introduced me to near where you grew up."
"Gino's?" she questioned.
"Yes, the original location is best. You can eat outside, and they have a variety of other things on the menu in case some of us," he peered over to her with a broad smile, "one member of our family in particular, isn't in the mood for pizza!"
She laughed. "Hey I can eat my pizza as well as the rest of you," she raised a brow to him.
"Yes you can. But there have been weeks where we ended up eating leftover pizza for dinner two or three nights in the same week at ten pm when we got home from work too tired to make anything else. Then the following Saturday, the kids manage to talk us into taking them out for pizza. By then you've usually had enough pizza to last a month, so it's nice that the menu at Gino's has such variety."
"Makes sense. I like pizza about once every three weeks."
Will chuckled, leaning in to press a soft kiss to her cheek. "Exactly."
They sat in silence in each other's arms for awhile listening to the concert as the sun went down in the distance. Alicia had enjoyed the music, and they had gotten into a discussion about Will's "suboptimal," as he liked to call it, musical talent on the guitar. "You know my original "plan B" for a career, if baseball didn't work out, was to start my own band." He laughed lightly at the thought. "Just think if I'd have taken that route after my arm got hurt pitching, we might be the ones on tour right now!"
Alicia couldn't help but laugh. "Just what I want…spending every night in a different hotel, having to fight through crowds of fans when we go out to eat, and always having to look my best in case the paparazzi are out. No thank you. I'm perfectly happy having an attorney for a husband."
He nodded pulling her closer. "I'm much better at being an attorney anyway." He kissed the top of her head, and then moved to stand up. "Stay here. I'll be right back."
A few minutes later, he came up behind her, placing what he had in his hands where she couldn't see. "Close your eyes," he said, sitting next to her.
She furrowed her brow in question, but did as he asked. He smiled, admiring how amazing she looked sitting there, waiting for his next move. He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her lips before pulling away. "Now, keep your eyes closed and open your mouth."
She smiled softly as her other senses kicked in, enhancing the sound of the music in the distance and the warmth of his body near hers.
He lifted the spoon to her mouth, and her lips closed on the mint chip ice cream. She opened her eyes and looked right into his. "My favorite," she said, reaching to take the spoon into her own hand.
"A little dessert," he replied, handing her the waffle cone cup of ice cream from him. "We couldn't come here and not have some ice cream."
For a few moments it seemed like they were the only ones in the park as their eyes met again and lingered. She had worried over the weeks that at times like this, when he did something for her because he knew her so well…like getting her favorite ice cream flavor…it might bother her because she felt like she knew so few of his likes. As she thought about it now though, it hadn't been that way at all. It had been a comfort in many ways, making her feel at ease. It truly felt as though they really had been together for years, even without the memories. The ice cream, like so many others, was a small loving gesture that she appreciated.
"I hope you got yourself some," she said, dipping her spoon back into the ice cream, "because I'm not sharing!"
"Yes. I figured as much, and got my own… caramel cashew." He reached behind her for his cup, and started eating.
Caramel cashew… She made sure to commit this chosen flavor to memory. She also took note of the fact that his was in a regular cup instead of the waffle bowl like hers, something that she really liked.
"No cone?" she asked, taking another spoonful of the mint chip into her mouth.
"No, I don't really like the taste of cones."
She smiled and nodded as they turned their attention back to the concert.
After they arrived home, Will was getting a glass of water for himself in the kitchen. "What do you want to do now? We can watch a movie, play a game, go to bed."
Alicia leaned causally against the wall watching him. "What?" he questioned, looking down at his shirt to see if he'd spilt something on it when she didn't respond to his question.
She remained quiet, continuing to look at him with a content smile on her lips. He set the glass on the counter and walked towards her. She stepped closer reaching for his arm. Once his body was close enough, she moved in for a passionate kiss, her arms reaching around his neck. His hands moved to her thin waist, gently pushing her up against the wall. A few long moments later, they both came up for air.
"Let's go upstairs," she suggested. He nodded, his hand gently pressed against her cheek.
She took his hand leading him towards the stairs. She'd had a good time with him on their date, but his seductive glances she'd caught periodically throughout the evening, had been taken to heart. Now her own body was reacting to those looks, he'd made her feel nothing less than beautiful the entire evening.
As they reached the stairs, he swiftly reached for her waist turning her towards him. Before she had time to react, he had lifted her into his arms. "For old time's sake," he said, as she wrapped her arms around his neck, and he began carrying her up the stairs. "I kind of miss those few weeks after you first came home, and I had an excuse to carry you to our room."
She giggled leaning her head back some, allowing him to press soft kisses against her neck. They never talked about it, but somehow both knew that tonight would be different. They still wouldn't take things all the way, but her desire to be a little closer to him, to let down some of her guard was greater tonight.
He continued to shower her with kisses, holding her close to him. Her hands moved to the buttons of his shirt. So caught up kissing her, she wondered if he'd even realized the point where she'd undone the last button, and easily slipped the shirt from his shoulders. She had every intention of getting her hands on his bare, toned, chest for what would be the first time – ever – in her view.
Per Dr. Benson's suggestion, they had changed in the same room together a few times. But she'd remained hesitant. Keeping distance between them, and turning away when he was fully naked. Or when she was putting on, or removing, her bra.
Tingles rushed through her after removing his undershirt, feeling his bare skin beneath her fingers.
They fumbled to the bed, both falling on top of the soft bed coverings. He continued to press kisses to her neck, her hands on his chest. He was savoring the feel of her hands on him, and wanted nothing more than to get a layer of her clothing off. But he didn't attempt it. He didn't want to push her further than she wanted to go, and bring this heated moment to a swift end.
A few minutes later, she was on her back, he lay next to her. His lips pressed firmly to hers, his hand was on her waist, his fingers fumbling to gain access to the bare skin beneath her shirt.
She reached for his hand, gently moving it aside. He pulled his lips from hers, and watched as she sat up next to him and pulled her shirt off over her head, revealing her porcelain skin, and the soft lace bra that barely covered her breasts. He inhaled as she grasped his hand again, placing it back to her bare torso.
His eyes wandered over her as he gently ran his hand over her bare skin pulling her close again. He gently laid her down on her back, trailing kisses from her neck, to her chest, then onto her abdomen.
The thrill of his lips on her bare skin, sent shivers through her body. After he kissed her abdomen a few times, he looked up into her eyes. She watched, in thrilled suspense, as he slowly moved back to lying on his side next to her, lifting a finger to her chest and began tracing the outline of her bra. He looked back into her eyes, as if begging for permission for his whole hand to be allowed to do the same.
She smiled, leaning in to kiss him again, taking his hand into hers and pressing it firmly over her breast. She could feel the smile on his lips as they continued to kiss, and his hands fondled her breasts over the thin layer of lace.
After the evening they'd had, her confidence, having grown ten fold it seemed, and likely his as well. She pulled away from him a few minutes later, removing herself from the bed. She smiled at his immediate reaction of concern - thinking he'd gone too far.
"You okay?" he questioned.
"Better than okay," her voice full of seduction.
He sat up, just as she began to undo the button on her pants. He watched with hunger in his eyes as they slipped to the floor, and she crawled back onto the bed next to him.
He pulled her down next to him, pressing his lips to hers with more intensity. He took full advantage of his free hand that could now run along her bare legs, and over the soft lace fabric that covered her bottom.
She couldn't ignore the excitement that rushed through her as their hands moved over one another's bodies. Nor could she ignore the hardness she felt at his groin beneath his pants, pressing against her. For a few minutes things grew more intense. She wondered where this would end, not that she wanted it to end. But just as the thought crossed her mind he stopped and looked at her.
"I am really enjoying this, and I have had a very good evening with you, but I think we better stop. I am not going to be able to control myself much longer."
She understood, but couldn't help one more little flirtatious tease. "Too bad," she said, with a provocative pout across her lips, reaching her hand around him grasping onto his bottom.
He chuckled. There was only one way to deal with her when she acted this way. Though, she typically teased him like this fully clothed at work - when he couldn't do a thing about the lingering want in her glances, and brush of her hands over his arm that had far more meaning to them than anyone watching would know. He swiftly grabbed onto her, pulling her on top of him, and began to tickle her.
She laughed out loud in protest. "Stop," she pleaded, mid laugh.
He laughed to. "You'll soon learn that teasing me without clothes on, makes the tickling more intense. And I like it because I get to feel your body squirm against me!" His fingers tickled her torso one last time before he let go of her.
They both lay a little breathless next to each other. "I'll think twice before teasing you again." She smiled broadly at him, a look of love in her eyes.
After preparing for bed, they fell asleep curled up in each other's arms, satisfied that their first date had once again been a memorable one.
A/N; Happy New Year Everyone! I appreciate everyone reading these lengthy chapters. As a point of reference, all the restaurants, places, and events listed throughout this chapter, are actual places and events in Chicago. If you have any desire to see the wine chandelier, and wine bottle ceiling installment, you can view pictures of them on "The Boarding House" restaurant website.