CHAPTER ELEVEN

As Luke busied himself around the diner, he couldn't hide his smile. Babette and Miss Patty had watched for the last half hour, speculating about what had caused his unusual demeanor. Miss Patty said she heard Luke had gone to New York for a couple days. In her usual way, she insinuated that maybe Nicole had put that smile on his face. The two women left, quickly spreading the word that Luke was acting strangely today. Luke, in his own little world, didn't notice that half the town soon came in to witness his newfound happiness. Even a brief appearance by Taylor, hadn't changed his attitude. Everyone knew something big was up with Luke.

Lorelai quickly straightened her house, and put in a quick call to Rory. When Rory asked about the night before, Lorelai confessed that she had broken it off with Jason. She also added, that Luke and Nicole were finally going through with the divorce-for real this time. She told Rory that Luke had dropped in last night but conveniently left out the outcome of that meeting. She wasn't ready to share that information, nor did she want to tell Rory the details. She was still amazed and consumed with the magnitude of their love, wanting to keep it close just now. She thought about heading to the diner, but she wasn't sure how she would react seeing Luke there. All these new feelings, and remembering last night-it was a little overwhelming. So when the phone rang, she wasn't surprised that it was him. She was pleased that they were thinking about each other at the same time.

"Hey."

"Hi, Luke. How's it going at the diner?"

"It's good, busy. Seems like everyone in this whole crazy town has been in today."

"Yeah, well, that's good right?"

"Maybe, just seems strange. But everything about this town is strange. Why should today be any different. So, what have you been up to? Thinking about me?"

"Yeah, kind of nice to have someone to think about. And I had to straighten up. Things were sort of everywhere."

Luke smiled, thinking about their wild night. "Sorry about that."

"I'm not. I loved every minute."

"Yeah, me too. I hated to leave this morning."

Lorelai changed the subject. "I talked to Rory."

"You didn't tell her about last night..."

"No. I told her you came over but I left out the 'good stuff'."

Luke laughed again, "Yeah, about the 'good stuff'. That was kind of unexpected......you're not sorry,,,"

Lorelai whispered back, "Never. It was wonderful, and a long time coming. I really do love you, you know."

"Same here. Last night, well......"

"I know."

Luke liked that they both were on the same page, finally. "So, the reason I called besides the obvious....... Would you like to go to dinner tonight? I was thinking we could get dressed up and go somewhere nice. You know, a date, our first."

"We sort of skipped that, didn't we? The dating part, getting to know each other."

"God, Lorelai, I think we've been 'dating' for years. Just didn't realize it. That's why last night happened.........so quickly........we couldn't deny it any longer."

"The proverbial 'train wreck'"

"Yeah, something like that."

Lorelai laughed and thought the first date thing might be fun, going out in public with her new man. Lorelai agreed quickly and after they hung up, ran upstairs to start getting ready. She really wanted to look special for their first night out together.

She was actually ready when the doorbell rang. When she opened the door, she was greeted by Luke dressed in a dark suit holding a florist box filled with red roses. He was amazed at how beautiful she looked. He had seen her dressed up before but this was different. This time it was just for him and he loved it. He pulled her close and gently kissed her, smelling her perfume and feeling her warmth. She kissed him back, loving this new feeling of finally being truly loved. They held each other and shared small kisses between sentences.

He told her about his day at the diner, about the endless parade of costumers, the looks, and the whispers. Lorelai laughed and added she thought she knew why.

"How could you know? You weren't there. Smart move, by the way."

Lorelai smiled, "I didn't have to be. You forget. I have my own private source right next door."

"Yeah, she and Patty did spend a little gossip time there this morning. So what's the word?" Luke flashed to last night and their little talk about 'the word'.

"Well, the word is, that you went to New York and something 'big' happened between you and Nicole. That she put such a smile on your face that it didn't go away all day. And, that not even Taylor could make it disappear."

Luke looked at her to see if she was hurt by the rumor. But all she did was grin knowingly back. He felt a 'dirty' about to come out of her mouth, so he kissed it.

"You don't mind that the whole town is talking about Nicole and me?"

Lorelai, snuggled closer. "No, of course, not. I know who put that smile on your face. It's fun that they don't know. And it's fun to know that you were smiling all day......because of last night.....with me. Because.......I was too."

He pulled her lips to his, kissed her deeply, but pushed her away before it got too hot. "That's no way to start a first date, Miss Gilmore." He gave her a quick squeeze and added, "But a perfect way to end one."

Lorelai, played along. "I don't do things like that on a first date, Mr. Danes. I'm not that kind of girl."

Luke laughed, and added, "We'll see about that....later. Right now, we have reservations to keep." They both knew exactly how this night was going to end. It just made the game more fun.

He helped her into her coat, noticing the little black dress left little to the imagination. He loved it for him, but didn't want anyone else seeing that much of her. She was finally his, and he didn't want to share any part of her.

"It's cold out. Are you sure you are going to be warm enough?"

Lorelai smiled up at him, "You would prefer a turtleneck, maybe?"

Luke didn't want to answer truthfully. "Maybe."

Lorelai reached up and whispered in his ear. "Nothing underneath, either. But only you and I know that."

"Lorelai, you tease. You shouldn't have said that. Now all night I'll be thinking about....."

"Let's go Luke. Reservations, remember?"

Lorelai kept her hand on his leg as they drove to Hartford. Luke tried to concentrate on the road but found it difficult She tried to get their destination out of him but he was determined to surprise her. Which he did. She was thrilled when he pulled up in front of the new hot spot in town. It was the last place she had expected him to take her. They had talked about it once in their conversations at the diner--before all this had happened-- while they were both seeing other people. She had encouraged him to take Nicole there but he had answered, 'never'. It was not his type of place. She was surprised he had remembered the little talk, and impressed with his extra effort to please her.

They were quickly seated at a small, private table for two. The restaurant was dark, lit only by candles and small soft lights. The music was slow and romantic, inducing couples onto the dance floor. She loved the atmosphere and sat close to Luke the whole evening. She rested her hand on his leg and leaned over several times to whisper in his ear, or share a kiss. He couldn't believe his luck, their luck, actually. Finally, they had found their way to each other after all the years of flirting and teasing. He usually didn't like to show affection in public, but she brought out new things in him. Feelings he couldn't resist.

After dinner he asked her to dance. Surprised, she accepted. He pulled her into his arms, smiling, and remarked, "I did grow up in Stars Hollow. No one escaped Miss Patty and her damn dance studio."

Lorelai laughed at Luke's deep dark secret.

It was getting late, and both Luke and Lorelai wanted to get back to her house. They both wanted to let the feelings that were started on the dance floor continue privately at home. All the way home, Lorelai snuggled close to Luke. It seemed to both of them like the drive would never end. Finally, they reached her house and were quickly inside and in each other's arms.

"I could get use to this." Lorelai sighed, after she removed his tie, his shirt, and started unzipping his pants.

"Yeah, I was just thinking the same thing." Luke replied as he unzipped her dress. Remembering her earlier admission, he let it slid to the floor and found she had told him the truth. He admired her womanly body as he ran his hands over her breasts and felt her soft skin.

"Upstairs, Mr. Danes." She teased as she pulled him toward the bedroom. Once there, he quickly undressed and pulled her to him. He loved the feel of her in his arms, her soft curves meeting every part of his naked body. He had thought of this moment all day. Lorelai softly caressed his back as they kissed. Pushing him back on the bed, she straddled his body, taking him inside of her. Slowing driving him wild with her slow movements and her roving hands and tongue. He came much too quickly but she seemed satisfied and rolled off slowly into his arms. They held each other, whispering sweet words of love, until they were both ready to go again. This time Luke took his time and brought Lorelai to new heights, slowly and sensually. As he slowly pulled out, she felt the warmth of his body fluid spread on her stomach. She wished that something more would come of it but she knew it was too soon and just enjoyed the closeness they now shared. In all the years she had known Luke, she never imagined that they would someday give each other such pleasure. She lay in his arms happy and spent, full of love and warmth for this man. They fell asleep and didn't awake again until early morning. She knew he had to open the diner but she enticed him into making love once more and taking another steamy shower. He didn't care how late it made him. He couldn't say no, didn't want to.

Luke left her at the door, with a deep kiss and a warm embrace, neither noticed prying eyes. Babette had gone out to her porch for the paper and saw Lorelai embracing a dark haired man dressed in a suit. She called Miss Patty and relayed what she had seen-- Jason sneaking out of Lorelai's house. Leaving no question that he had been there all night. Everyone suspected that they were sleeping together but this was the first tangible proof.

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I need R&R. Anyone out there want more? It's almost the New Year and I need to start it out right. So let me know........