I own nothing....well, I do but not these luscious creatures!!

Chapter Five

All during the drive home, Sookie's words echoed through Lorelai's head. Lorelai knew in her heart Luke wanted more than a friend with benefits. But she also was pretty sure he didn't want marriage and a family. Like it or not, watching Sookie's second pregnancy was making Lorelai's biological clock tick faster and harder. She really didn't have many viable eggs left and if she wanted another child...well, she would have to figure that all out later. Right now as she was pulling up into her driveway, Luke was leaning against his truck with his arms crossed over his chest. And he did not look happy.

"Hey, sailor, you're early."

"No, you are late."

"Well, things were hectic at the inn, after I took that 'break' and all."

Luke slowly smiled and uncrossed his arms. "Yeah, I got a little behind too."

"Hey, watch it....getting a 'little behind', that's a little graphic."

Luke laughed at the inference and touched his hand to her lower back. "So are you ready to go?"

"I'd really like to change first. I've been in these clothes all day, well, in and out and in again." Lorelai gave him a shy smile. "Where are you taking me?"

"I thought we'd go see Mazie and Buddy. For some reason, they like you and would like to see you again."

"Well in that case, I'll be just a few minutes. I have to look good for Buddy. I think he has a 'thing' for me."

"Buddy only has eyes for Mazie. I have no competition there."

Lorelai laughed and pulled Luke along with her into the house.

"Come upstairs and we can talk while I'm getting ready."

Luke gave her his patented eye roll. "Like that would ever happen. You know as well as I do that we would never get out of here. And I for one would like to have a good meal far away from Stars Hollow."

"Bad day at the diner?"

"Well, the afternoon was nice but the rest of the day was just plain annoying."

"Happy to hear that the afternoon didn't fall under that 'annoying' category." Lorelai called over her shoulder as she ran upstairs to change. Twenty minutes later she reappeared to Luke's approving wolf whistle. She had on a deep blue sweater and a short black skirt, showing off her impeccable figure.

"So I guess you didn't mind waiting?"

"Well, I did....but now I don't. How can you just rush in like that and then come back down looking like you've just spent the whole day getting ready?"

"A woman never tells her secrets Luke." She gave him a quick kiss of appreciation and they were on their way.

The trip out into the country was pleasant but a little quiet. Lorelai's mind kept drifting back to her afternoon with Luke and her later conversation with Sookie. She sneaked sideways glances at Luke as he drove. It was no use...she would never figure this man out. What did go on in his brain? She had finally figured out how she felt about him....was it anything close to how he felt about her.

Luke noticed her glances and finally asked what she was thinking about.

"Oh, I was just thinking how cute you are when you're all dressed up in dating mode. And how devastated you will be when I run off with Buddy..."

"Sorry, honey, but Buddy only has eyes for Mazie."

Lorelai answered straightforwardly back, "Yeah, I know. They've been together a long time and I still think they are really in love."

Luke glanced over at Lorelai. "Yeah, they got lucky. It's not always that way."

There is was, that zing that Luke will never commit because he'd been burned before. Lorelai was glad they were pulling into the parking lot. She didn't want him to see how much it hurt.

As they walked through the door, Buddy and Mazie both gave them a warm hug. Mazie lead them to the best table in the house, the one back in the corner and away from most of the crowd.

"Mazie, we both want a beer. In a mug if you must, but no champagne this time. We're old timers now, not on our first date. Surprise us with dinner but please..."

"Okay, Luke. But when she dumps you because of your crude old ways, don't come running to me."

"That's a deal."

Lorelai watched Luke interact with this older couple. They were like his parents; you could tell there was a lot of affection there. Buddy and Mazie walked away from the table laughing and touching like teenagers.

Lorelai smiled, "They are so cute. How long have they been married?"

"Must be over forty years now. That's how long my parents would have been married."

"Wow, forty years... That's along time to be with just one person."

Lorelai didn't notice but Luke gave her a sort of sad look. A sad look because that's what he wanted with her...a marriage, a family. He wasn't sure that she was up to that commitment, despite her wish for the whole package.

Working on their second beer and the last of their dinner, Luke and Lorelai both relaxed a bit. The atmosphere was informal, homey even, and the music was soothing and oozed romance.

Luke leaned in to kiss Lorelai several times and she returned his kisses eagerly. Their stolen afternoon had been perfect and now their evening was going well too. Luke asked if she was ready to leave and she smiled back and gave his leg a squeeze.

"Only if you take me straight home"

Luke smiled as he answered, "That could be arranged."

Luke grabbed their coats and helped Lorelai into hers. They said goodbye to the older couple, who in turn offered them a little box of desserts to take home.

Lorelai thanked Mazie and whispered that her desserts were wonderful. Mazie smiled and told Luke to bring her more often.

Lorelai sat close to Luke on the drive home. She leaned her head on his shoulder and rested her hand on his thigh. Several times she sighed and gave his thigh a little squeeze. Sort of her shorthand for looking forward to the rest of their evening at her house. He smiled as he understood her shorthand so well by now.

Luke unlocked her front door and offered to make her coffee to have with her dessert but she declined. She grabbed his hand and led him upstairs, claiming to be 'tired' . Luke laughed and let her pull him up to her room. Luke closed the bedroom door and pulled her into an embrace. They kissed several times, each kiss becoming slower and deeper and leading to caresses and sighs.

Lorelai slowly unbuttoned his shirt and slipped it off. She ran her fingers over his chest and up to his face. Bringing it closer to hers so she could kiss him while he slowly undressed her. Her clothes and his fell in a pile at their feet....quickly discarded and never given a second thought. Luke backed her toward the bed, kissing and stroking her now naked body. Lowering her on the bed, he smiled as she pretended to protest......

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx