Chapter 21

"Dance?"

Her insides had warmed at just the mention of the word. What was it about this man, she wondered, that completely disarmed her? Lizzie had felt delightfully carefree at that moment. It could've been her favorite tune filling her soul, releasing it from its heavy chains if only just for that instant. It could've been the beer, though she'd only been sipping; it had already loosened up her tense mood. Or, it could've been the powerful stare from the stranger's turquoise eyes that brought that unsettling, foreign feeling.

Why did she feel like a silly schoolgirl when he looked at her?

With all her might she tried to suppress the embarrassing blush that fought to take over her fair skin and smiled nervously.

"I never dance," she confessed.

His arm draped casually onto her chair and he angled himself closer to Lizzie.

"You'll have to this once. Frankie's made another bet."

Lizzie nodded. She didn't know whether to feel horrified or thankful to her son.

The stranger took her by surprise as he leaned in closer to her and the feel of his breath on her cheek sent alarming shivers through her body.

"Better watch him, I think it's becoming a bit of a habit."

The music played and she could feel the nervous anticipation building up inside her stomach. Beside the fact that she was worried about making a fool of herself out on the dance floor, just the thought of being close to this man made her heart do flips.

It was inevitable, she knew, and as he held his hand out to her, she couldn't escape his charming smile. And oddly, she didn't want to. Suddenly she couldn't pull the silly grin from her face. Lizzie took a breath and let her own hand fall acceptingly into his grasp. The stranger's grip was unnervingly powerful, yet pleasing as Lizzie's fingers laced into his; almost a perfect fit. For just that moment she stepped out of herself and let him lead her away…

He braced his arm firmly around her waist, with his other still in her grasp. Nervous, she placed her hand gently on his shoulder, reminding herself to breathe. She'd found him to be a caring and considerate dance partner. With ease the stranger initiated a couple of twirls. Lizzie hadn't minded because soon she was back again in the comfort of his arms.

Caught up in his gentle embrace, too many exciting, dangerous emotions flooded through her. As the singer's soft voice rang through the auditorium, Lizzie was lost; lost in a fantasy she could never have imagined. His hypnotic eyes seemed to take her in and swallow her up. The stranger's smile seduced her, pushing away the many doubtful thoughts from her head.

She didn't even know his name.

But as his warm gaze penetrated her defenses she began to experience that familiar feeling from so long ago. She never would've admitted to that feeling…until now.

It was love.

Lizzie's attention snapped back to the present just as her cab pulled up into Patrick's driveway. It was a full half hour drive, but lost in her thoughts it felt more like seconds.

She moved to open her purse for cab fare when the driver interrupted.

"It's been taken care of."

"Thank you," she nodded with a smile and exited the cab. Of course. Patrick had become notorious for planning. She could hardly wait.

It was a cold, clear evening. It was peacefully silent except for the sounds of the ocean waves. A cool breeze nipped at her neck and Lizzie pulled her coat shut as she knocked on the door.

On the other side of the door Patrick took one last glance around to make sure everything was in place. He was nervous. The details of the evening had managed to occupy most of his attention, but as the hour drew nearer his nerves began to get the better of him.

Only hours before he'd thrown out his last pack of cigarettes. He didn't need them. But then he ended back at the trash can countless times in search of them…always walking away.

What if she said no?

That disturbing thought had occurred to him more times than he was comfortable with.

But when he opened the door the sight of her washed away all his fear.

"Hello," he greeted.

Her hair was down, curled slightly at the ends and her cheeks were rosy from the cold. To his surprise she had a brilliant glow about her.

Beautiful- that was the word that came to mind.

"Hello, Patrick," she answered, an impressed smile on her face.

As always her bewitching eyes grabbed him. He didn't lose sight though of her sweet smile as he led her in. His hands removed her coat to reveal a long burgundy dress that fell around her ankles. The slit came up to her mid thigh and the plunging neckline was much sexier than Lizzie's conservative style.

He leaned down and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips. His eyes appreciatively drank in the sight of her.

Lizzie nearly gasped as she walked in. Dressed sharply in a suit and tie, her handsome prince gazed lovingly at her, and the interior of his house took her breath away.

"It's amazing," she breathed, her eyes taking it all in.

Like glowing fireflies, dozens of candles lit up the dining area and living room. All sizes, large and small settled luminously on shelves, tables, and windowsills. The glittering sparkle of the many tapers reminded her of a fairy tale. In the corner a warm, blazing fire burned and soft music played from his stereo. Her hand held tightly to his as he led her to the seating area to an elegant table setting.

It was sensory overload; the romantic lighting from the candles, the sweet sounds of the music wafting through the room; the always tempting cologne that Patrick wore. But that wasn't all - there was also the promising aroma of a delicious feast, and the tingles that ran down her arm from Patrick's touch was the icing on the cake.

Caught up in the moment, her eyes met his and she reached for him, pulling him into a passionate kiss.

It would've been easy to stay like that with her, holding her soft body against his, savoring the taste of her lips but before they got carried away somehow Patrick managed to remind himself of his carefully laid plans.

He pulled away from her, trying not to lose himself in the desire of her eyes. "Hungry?"

Lizzie smiled seductively. Not for food.

His eyebrow raised and he cleared his throat, gesturing to the place settings. "Dinner is served."

After a sumptuous dinner of steak and lobster, Lizzie took one more sip of her wine and gave him another kiss. "This was perfect, Patrick. Thank you."

He raised his wine glass with a satisfied smile. The night wasn't over yet, he reminded himself. "To us."

Lizzie smiled happily, meeting his glass with a clink. After enjoying a lavish meal on a table decorated with a vase of fragrant roses and seated next to the man she was in love with, her heart couldn't be happier. "To us," she repeated and finished the wine in her goblet.

With some concern Patrick stood from the table, gently taking her wine glass from her and headed to the refrigerator to refill it. In his mind he was going to need all the help he could get.

Automatically she rose from the table taking the dirty dishes to the sink. Lizzie turned the water on and grabbed a soapy sponge. Busily she began rinsing the dishes.

His lips gently grazed the sensitive skin on her neck, nearly causing her to drop the plate in her hands.

"Leave them," he whispered.

Her eyes closed, savoring the tingly sensation of his lips having delightfully made their way back to her skin, now running baby kisses along her collarbone.

In a smooth quick movement he shut off the water. "You're much too beautiful to do dishes," he murmured, reaching for a towel and taking Lizzie's hands in his.

Her chest began to rise and fall and she felt ultra sensitive to his touch. Gingerly he took the towel and wiped the soap from her hands. It was a simple gesture but the slow and deliberate way he massaged the cloth between her fingers and palm gave her goosebumps.

His eyes met hers, and he lifted her hand to his lips and placed a gentle kiss on the soft skin of her knuckles. "Now, how about that game of Scrabble?"

The wine had made her giddy. Or maybe it was his suggestive tone. She giggled. "I've been looking forward to it all day."

With a smile, he grabbed her fresh glass of wine and led her to the living room. "Me too."

"I've been thinking of new words," she said flirtatiously as he gestured for her to sit on the sofa, but the light from the fire and candles was not nearly bright enough to read the board. She squinted in the dim light and noticed that some tiles had already been set out.

"What's this? You've already started?"

"Thought I'd give us a head start," he replied, now leaning over the board and lighting large candles on both sides.

She looked at him, now sitting beside her on the couch and nudged him. "That's cheat…"

Her eyes did a double take and turned back to the board, the words now readable by the light from the candles.

The word "marry" was set out horizontally on the board, and just below the "m" vertically an "e" was placed there to make the word "me."

A giggle escaped her lips and she nudged him again. "Very cute, Patrick."

His face was serious as death as he set the ring box down underneath the words, the box making a small thud.

Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of the black velvet ring box and chills ran down her back. He wasn't joking.

She was speechless as he moved to kneel before her, lifting the tiny box and setting it in the palm of his hand. She could feel a blush flooding her cheeks. Dumbstruck, her mouth hung open as she watched him lift up the top.

This was definitely for real.

Her eyes flew open wide as they met the beauty of the jewel in his hand. Frozen in position she sat, gaping, her eyes bounced back and forth from her handsome lover's face to the incredible offering.

On top of the band of shiny gold sat a breathtaking trio of round diamonds. Her eyes nearly blinked from the bright sparkles of the stones. Lizzie was momentarily stunned by its magnificence.

But it wasn't just the ring that left her in a state of wonder.

Patrick's heart was pounding in his chest. A small bead of sweat began to form at the top of his forehead. She'd thought he was kidding. As her gaze settled on the ring, he willed himself to stay calm and find the right words.

"Lizzie," he began, his voice slightly shaky, "years ago when my wife passed away it was like… they buried my heart along with her." She was deathly silent and it made him very nervous. He continued, trying to steady his trembling hand. "Year after year passed and I felt dead inside. I went about my life; breathing, eating, sleeping, working… It was as though my soul had forgotten how to feel anything but pain and sadness. I was stuck. But when I met you and Frankie, I remembered. I remembered what it was like to feel happy again. I remembered what it was like to feel love. You're the one, Lizzie. You are the one who brought me back to life."

Tears began to trickle from her eyes and Patrick took that as a good sign.

The ring looked tiny in his fingers as he pulled it from the box, holding it up, offering it to her. "Lizzie Morrison, will you marry me?"

She couldn't believe this was happening. His words had pierced her soul and the tears fell steadily. Some might say that they'd been together barely three months and that it was too soon. In Lizzie's mind she didn't see the sense in waiting to find out if it was right when she already knew that it was.

Her heart had revealed it during their first dance.

Still he looked at her, waiting, every muscle in his body tense, his eyes fearful. Oh God, he prayed, please say yes.

A smile broke out in her face and she nodded happily. "Yes," she whispered in between sobs.

A look of relief washed over Patrick's face and he smiled happily, hoping that he'd heard her right. Gently he took her hand and slid the band onto her slender ring finger.

Lizzie didn't even stop to admire the new ring on her hand. She threw herself into his embrace and held to him tightly, overcome by tears and sniffles. Her heart was filled with joy. Never again did she want to spend another day without him.

Patrick's fingers stroked the silky softness of her hair. He was trying to catch his breath and braced her against him in fear that she might change her mind and run away from him. No, he thought. I'll never let you go.

"I love you, Lizzie," he breathed and his lips pressed a firm kiss to the silky hair covering her ear. Overcome by emotion, he shuddered with relief. His voice was slightly shaky when he spoke. "As sure as I'm sitting here, Lizzie, for the rest of our lives I promise to make you the happiest woman on earth."

She pulled from him then, glancing towards her gorgeous engagement ring with a smile and looked deeply into his eyes. "I already am."

A/N: One chapter to go! Hope you enjoyed this one...as always, please review!