"Gil?" She was surprised by his bold move. They usually only kissed when they'd had a little too much to drink. If they were both drunk enough, it went further but it always stopped just short of sex.

"Mmmm?" Was all the response she received, he brushed his lips along her shoulder to where her neck and shoulder joined. He placed a kiss there then rolled his tongue along the soft flesh of her neck. She tilted her head to give him better access.

"Are you coming on to me?" She purred. She was getting turned on at this point.

"What do you think?" He asked as he placed his hands on her hips, pulling her closer.

"I think you are." She stated as the warmth of arousal spread over her body.

"And, how do you feel about that?" His kisses became more insistent along her neck and up to her ear.

"I think I like it." She responded. She was definitely feeling the heat.

"You think or do you know?" He whispered in her ear. He stopped his ministrations and looked into her eyes.

"Okay, I know I like it. I just, ah, why now?" She mentally slapped herself, certain she had ruined the moment. He raised his hand, placed it along the side of her face, one finger rubbing under her earlobe, and caressed her cheek softly with his thumb. He realized; in that moment, he was preparing to bare his soul.

"Why is it that we can only touch one another when we're hurting a little too much or we're a little too drunk. Why do we only go only so far? Why do I want to make love to you so much I physically ache? Why do I know, deep down, you feel the same way?" He asked.

"Because, neither of us wants to ruin a very special relationship. And, because, I think, neither of us is really sure what we want." She said.

"Perhaps, I know what I want. Perhaps, I've been too afraid. Afraid you wouldn't feel the same way. In my mind, we are so much more than a fling or mere physical gratification." He paused for a spell but to her it was spellbinding. "You know, when I was off in Jackpot, they thought you were my wife. Why didn't I correct them? I've analyzed it over and over. I came to this conclusion. We're so comfortable. I have this sense of belonging to someone and of someone belonging to me. I showed them your picture. The one you gave me of you and Lindsey. They thought I was a lucky guy. To them, I had a beautiful wife and daughter. I liked it. We've sort of puttered around for so long. Now, I'm afraid of loosing something I may never have had in the first place. But, I think I had it. Do you understand what I'm trying to tell you?" Her reply was a soul- searching kiss.