Chapter Ten
As Lorelai and Rory were walking to the diner, Lorelai was trying to formulate in her mind how to approach Luke. She knew he had a strong will, and a definite formula for how he wanted things to go. But she knew she was kind of an off-the-cuff, live-for-the moment kind of person. So how they were going to work this out was going to be tricky. She was concentrating so hard on her plan of attack that she almost missed Rory's little confession.
"What?"
Rory looked at her mother, not wanting to repeat her last statement.
"I said I ran into Dean yesterday on the way into town."
"Really?"
"Yes, but nothing came of it. Lindsay was dropping him off for work."
"And?"
"And, nothing. It was awkward and Lindsay definitely didn't want to talk to me. I didn't know if it was because Dean had talked to her....or if she was still mad about the last time."
"Last time?"
"Well, Dean and I had been talking and she didn't like it. She told him to stay away from me. And then I was talking to Lane one day and said some not so very nice things about her in a very public place. I'm certain she overheard."
"Oh, Rory. Small town here."
"I know. It was stupid and I did feel badly. But she shouldn't have asked him to stay away from me."
"Uh, excuse me. I think if he had listened to his wife we wouldn't be in this mess right now."
"It's my mess, mom. I think you have your own mess going on. The one we are now on our way to rectify."
"And here we are. Luke's diner, our home away from home."
"Mom, you're babbling."
"I've been doing a lot of that lately."
"Well, get over it. You have to go in there and win that man over."
"You make it sound like an athletic competition."
"Well, maybe it will end up that way."
"Dirty."
"Open the door."
Rory and Lorelai entered the diner. Rory noticed Lane right away and went over to talk to her. Lorelai waved to her and asked, "Is Luke around?"
"In the storeroom. Tread carefully, he's grumpier than usual."
"Thanks." Lorelai made her way to the door of the storeroom. She stood in the threshold watching him methodically open boxes and stack their contents on the shelves. She sighed and he finally noticed she was there. She gave him a gentle smile and he tried to smile back. But it just wasn't working. Lorelai pulled the door closed behind her, picked up the knife and opened a box.
"Be careful." Were the only words out of his mouth.
"I will."
Several uncomfortable minutes passed.
"Lorelai, I'm sorry." They said at the exact same moment
"I was..."
"I was..." Again uttered at the same moment.
"Things just got out of control."
"I know. I was there." Lorelai whispered.
"That's not the way I expected things to go. I had a plan."
"It's ok, Luke."
"I've been thinking about it all morning. It is still morning, isn't it?"
"No, technically, it's afternoon."
"Anyway, I came up with only one solution."
Lorelai asked reluctantly, fearing the answer. "And the solution would be?"
"Will you have dinner with me tonight?"
Lorelai breathed a sigh of relief. "I'd be happy to."
"Good. Because since we have slept together two times now...":
"Three, remember the night of the fire?"
"That doesn't count."
"Why? Oh, I know, because you had some other lady on your mind that night."
"Not really. You were on my mind that night. You and your dream..."
Lorelai just smiled at him.
"As I was saying, before I was so rudely interrupted. I think it's time for a proper date."
"Tonight would be great."
"I'll pick you up at six. And I have one request."
"Anything, Luke."
"Wear a turtleneck."
"No way!"
They both laughed and they both realized they might just be ok.
Lorelai started to leave but turned to add, "You better make that six fifteen."
"Yeah, I know, the Gilmore time zone."
"You better believe it buddy."
Lorelai literally bounced out of the diner. Luke came out of the storeroom in a very good mood indeed.
Rory looked at Lane and they burst into laughter.
Luke looked at them like they were the crazy ones, "What?"
"Nothing Luke."
Rory said a quick goodbye to her friend and ran after her mother.
"So?"
"So, I think everything is ok. He asked me to dinner tonight, our first official date. At least, the first we both realize that's a date."
Rory laughed. "This is a very strange courtship."
"It's me and Luke. You expected normal?"
The girls walked down the street giggling and planning an emergency trip to the mall.
Lorelai was actually ready exactly at six. Good thing too, because he was right on time.
Lorelai opened the door to Luke dressed in a dark sport coat with an open shirt, chic casual. He handed her another bouquet of spring flowers, more beautiful than the last.
"Thank you, they're beautiful"
"So are you." The new dress was not lost on him. Far from the turtleneck he requested -- it was deep green, low cut, and accentuated her every curve.
"You look pretty good yourself."
"Thanks.'
They both felt like it really was their first date.
Luke took her to a quiet, romantic spot he had heard about right outside Hartford. They had a wonderful dinner, complete with wine and dessert. There had been dancing afterwards. This time it had not been awkward at all. He pulled her close and their bodies melded together perfectly. She rested her head on his shoulder as he held her close. It was the perfect first date. And it was over much too soon, for the both of them.
Driving back to Stars Hollow, Lorelai rested her hand on his thigh. She turned the radio to an easy listening station she knew, and they listened in silence. No words were needed. As they approached the Dragonfly, Lorelai looked up at Luke.
"Want to stop?"
He looked down at her, "that would be nice.'
Luke parked the truck near the outside room, and walked around to help her out. He pulled her into an embrace and kissed her gently.
"You know it's a myth that the guy is always prepared."
"It's also a myth that the girl never is."
Then they walked hand in hand into the same room that just that morning had been full of conflict.
But this time it was different. As soon as the door was closed, Luke pulled her close and kissed her softly. He gently caressed her and whispered softly in her ear. His warm breath teased every nerve in her neck as his teeth gently nibbled at her lobe. She returned his every move and soon their every breath was in tune, their hearts beating faster by the minute. Time stood still as they began the ancient ritual of love making. They undressed each other slowly, letting their hands linger and explore as each piece fell away. Their clothes fell into a heap, intermingling just like their bodies. Lorelai pulled him into the bathroom and filled the Jacuzzi with warm water. Luke eased in the tub behind her and wrapped his arms around her. He kissed the back of her neck while his hands caressed the rest of her body. She settled back in his arms and enjoyed the warm water and the sensual massage. When they were thoroughly aroused, he pulled her out of the tub, gently dried her off and led her to the bed. They made love slowly, their eyes locked. It was almost too intense, the wordless promises they were making. No words were needed - - the only sounds were sighs and moans of their pleasure in the dark. And afterwards they snuggled, her leg draped over his thigh, his arms wrapped around her. He whispered words of love in the dark. Words Lorelai had always wanted to hear from someone. She just hadn't realized she had been waiting for those words from him. She returned his thoughts, with words of her own. They drifted off to sleep wrapped in each others arms, bodies entwined like their pile of clothes.
Luke woke up at his usual time and watched her sleep. Her dark curls framed her face and spewed over the pillow. Luke had always thought her beautiful but now she held a special beauty for him. She was now the woman he loved and the woman who loved him back. They had professed those words over and over during the night.
Luke eased out of bed and walked around to her side to pull the sheet over her body. He bent down to kiss her, and her eyes opened sleepily.
"Hi."
"Good morning," he returned.
"Don't go. It's cold in here."
"Sorry, have to get to the diner."
"Luke. Not this morning."
"Sorry." Luke walked into the bathroom and turned the shower on. He stepped in and grabbed the shampoo. Luke felt the cold air and saw Lorelai holding the door open.
"So you are like every other guy. Once you get the girl, its business as usual.' Lorelai teased with big wide eyes.
"No, I'm not like other guys. I'm just a guy with a business to run. And how was I supposed to know that I was going to be seduced by the local old maid, anyhow?"
Luke was giving it back in spades.
"Old maid? Well, that's just insulting." Lorelai usually hated early morning games but this time was different.
She stepped into the shower with him and took the shampoo bottle away. She poured some into her hand and approached his head. He grabbed both her hands with one of his. He wrapped the other around her and kissed her soundly on the lips. Lorelai was really starting to enjoy this. She tried to turn away but his kisses just landed on her neck instead. She was especially sensitive there and he knew it. Lorelai surrendered and he let go of her hands, placing them around his neck. She let him wash her hair. He soaped his hands and gently washed her body. Luke let her wash his hair and reciprocate the body wash. It was a sensual, slippery experience for both of them. When Lorelai tipped her head back to rinse her hair, Luke took a long look. When Luke tipped his head back to rinse his hair, Lorelai took her own long look. She stood on her side of the shower and he stood on his. They devoured each other first with their eyes and then their hands. When the sweet torture brought them to the brink, Luke pushed her against the wall and took possession of her. They finally stepped out of the shower and toweled each other off.
Dressed and ready to leave, they both took one last look at the room. They wrapped their arms around each other and walked to the truck in the cool morning air.
Luke got her home before seven, and gave her a quick goodbye kiss at her door. Lorelai quietly let herself in. She closed the door, smiled and let out a big satisfied sigh. When she turned to go up the stairs, she found Rory pointing to the clock on the wall.
"First date, mom. What will that man think?"
"I think that he thinks that he's a very lucky man. I think that he thinks that he loves me."
"And you? What do you think?"
"Ditto to all the above."
Rory reached over to hug her mom. "Now up to bed young lady.'
"Gladly, mom! Hey, it's not even seven yet and you're up and dressed?"
"I have a job interview in Hartford. The paper has an opening for a summer intern. The hours are long and it pays peanuts but it will keep me busy. And Doyle thinks I have a good chance of getting it since I'm a Gilmore and all."
"Long hours and in Hartford? I sense a plan here."
"Experience on a real newspaper."
"Miles away from Stars Hollow and all summer."
"Yep."
"Hope you get it babe. Wake me when you get home."
"Thanks mom." Rory walked out the door. "I think I'll stop by the diner for a coffee to go."
"And why would you do that?"
"Just to see if the man has that same silly grin on his face."
"I don't know what you are talking about." Lorelai started up the stairway but yelled over her shoulder. "Call me and let me know."
Rory walked out the door laughing.
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At last, the deed!! The pressure is off!!!Please don't rip me because Luke wasn't prepared. It just makes for a better story. We all know Luke would be prepared. He's that kind of guy. Anyway, go with the flow of this story. I'm a romantic and that's the way it's going to stay!! Summer vacation remember??