Chapter 7
Ben was delighted the next day when Felicity surprised him by driving them to Plattsburg, a town about 30 minutes from St. Louis. He had the biggest grin on his face when she told him their plans.
"I reserved us a room at a bed and breakfast. I thought we could spend the weekend at the lake, rent a boat or maybe have a picnic. Anything you want to do. We hardly ever get the chance to just spend some time alone, and I really wanted to go somewhere with you. I mean, we could think of this as a mini vacation," Felicity said with excitement in her voice.
"Wow, this is amazing. I can't believe you did this," Ben replied, reaching across to take her hand in his.
"I am glad that you like it," she said with a smile.
"I can't wait to see the bed. I wonder if there will be a tub, too. Now that would be fun," he said with a smile as he kissed her hand.
Felicity laughed and said, "Well, you will just have to wait and see."
There was indeed a large tub in their room, which Felicity had to prevent Ben from insisting they use right away. She told him she wanted to go explore the lake nearby and that they would have plenty of time for that later. Ben tried to act disappointed but he was way too happy to be there with her to care. They spent the day exploring the area around their bed and breakfast. They found a hiking trail that went through the woods and took a leisurely walk, stopping often to kiss beneath the trees.
"Ben! You are going to get my clothes all covered in dirt. Let me up," Felicity pleaded, but with little effort. He had tackled her, making them fall to the ground. He began to kiss her passionately as they lay on the grass.
"So what? We can get changed later. Come on, we are supposed to be having fun, remember? It'll be just like when we were at Yellowstone, remember?" Ben said as he moved his kisses to her neck.
"Of course, how could I forget. You were determined to completely mess up my hair that day. Remember? You kept putting leaves and twigs in my hair, and then just laughing as I tried to pull them out. I think my shorts were permanently ruined from rolling around in the dirt that day."
"Yeah, but I say it was worth it. We had such a good time. I remember thinking that I had no idea you were in such good shape. You hiked that whole trail without even blinking an eye. You amazed me." "Well, I was with you, I felt like I could do anything. I mean, I was so surprised that you wanted to drive across country with me. I will never forget how you came back for me. I was so shocked," she replied.
"Yeah, I was just, too. But I was lonely without you and I really wanted to spend that time with you. I felt like it was my chance to get to know you, and for us to see what we had between us."
"I'd say we had a lot between us, kind of like we do now," she said as she brought his face back down to hers, kissing him passionately.
They were starving when they got done with their hike, so they went to town and found a diner and had lunch. Then they decided to spend the afternoon at the lake. They rented a boat and took a leisurely sail, enjoying the warm sunshine and the quiet time just the two of them. Ben wrapped his arms around her and held her close, whispering words of love into her ear as they watched the water.
"Do you remember when I followed you to Rhinebeck? I saw you out on the canoe with Greg, and I remember thinking to myself, that I wished it was me with you," Ben said as he kissed her on the cheek. "And now, with us here on this lake, I feel like I am getting that chance."
"Ben, I gotta say that I am sorry about telling you to leave that day. I was upset with you, but I shouldn't have told you what I did," Felicity replied.
"No, I deserved it. I did. I just was so shocked when you said you didn't want me in your life anymore. It was like getting kicked in the stomach," he said as he shook his head, ridding himself of the memory.
"I'm sorry," she said as she turned to look at him. "I wish I had handled things differently then and not been so....I don't know, just stupid in a lot of ways," Felicity said with a sigh. "If I had listened to you then, what would you have said?"
Ben blushed, "I guess what I said in the restaurant. You know, about having made a mistake by letting you go and that I wanted another chance with you. I don't think you would've have listened to me then, though. You were pretty pissed."
"I wasn't pissed, I was just confused. I had no idea why you would do that, tell Richard about Greg's problem. But when I thought about it, and when Greg asked me, I knew it was because you were jealous. I just couldn't admit why. I was still too scared then."
"You know, it about killed me thinking of you spending that weekend with Greg. I wanted to be the one there with you," he said before chuckling softly. "What?" she asked. "What? What is so funny?"
"I don't know, just when I was waiting for you that day, waiting to talk to you. I had these silly little fantasies," he said shyly.
"Really? What sort of fantasies?" she smiled.
"Oh, that you would tell me that you wanted to be with me, and that I would kick Greg out and we would make mad passionate love in front of the fire," he laughed, looking down at his feet.
Felicity giggled, "Oh really? You think I would've let you do that?"
"No, not really. I was just going crazy out there. And I felt so guilty. I guess my mind wandered to other things. I just wanted you so bad."
"Well, I think you might just get lucky this time," she said as she leaned into kiss him. They sat on the boat for some time, just kissing each other and enjoying the closeness. When the sun began to fade behind the clouds, they decided it was time to return to their room and get dressed for dinner.
Before they went to dinner, they decided to stop at some antique shops along the way. Ben bought her an antique silver hand mirror and brush set that she had looked at longingly. She was at first reluctant to accept the expensive gift, but he insisted and she smiled adoringly at him as he bought it for her. They had dinner at a nice inn that was set back from the road. Ben ordered them wine and they toasted their weekend as they sat gazing at each other across the table. When Ben asked her to dance, she was surprised but delighted. There was only a simple piano player but they enjoyed dancing closely as they listened to the music. When they got back, they decided to take a dive around the lake and watch the sunset. It was a beautiful sight, with oranges and yellows that seemed to fill the sky. They each marveled at how clear the sky was and how it seemed to be just perfect for them to enjoy their evening.
When they returned to their room, Ben decided it was time for them to enjoy the incredible bathtub in their room. He walked over to her, as she was washing her face in the bathroom.
"Don't you think that we need to use this great bathtub? I mean it's just sitting here, waiting to be used," he said as he nuzzled her neck.
"Hmmm...maybe you can convince me because I am pretty tired," she said jokingly.
"Well, let me see what I can do," he said as he turned her to face him. He took her face in his hand and kissed her slowly, savoring the way her lips felt against his. He moved his hands down to caress her sides, and then moved them so that they were closer to the bathtub. Their kisses grew more passionate as their hands roamed over each other's bodies. Ben stopped for a moment to fill the tub up with water, as Felicity undid the zipper on his pants. Soon, they were standing naked next to the bathtub, with their hands moving hungrily across each other's skin. Ben led her into the bathtub and they sat close to each other, kissing each other languidly as Ben's hands roamed searchingly across her body. They made love there in the bathtub, enjoying the special closeness of the space and the feel of the water around them. Afterwards, he held her in his arms and caressed her shoulders as he kissed her atop her head. They went to bed soon after, exhausted but fulfilled from their romantic day together.
Ben woke up early the next morning, unable to sleep anymore. His head was full of thoughts, all about the beautiful woman lying next to him. He thought about the day they had together yesterday and smiled. She had really surprised him, as she often did. He was forever amazed at her, everything she did just filled him with awe. He got up from bed quietly, not wanting to wake her. He walked over to his suitcase and reached into the side pocket where he had put the box. He opened it, and gazed at the ring as he wondered if now was the time. He lay back down on the bed and began to kiss Felicity lightly on her shoulder and neck. She moved a little, letting out a low sigh as she started to wake up.
"Hey," she said as her eyes began to open.
"Hey," he replied as he leaned over to kiss her on her nose.
She giggled and asked," Why are you awake so early?"
"I don't know, I guess I was just too happy to sleep anymore," he said softly.
"We had quite a day yesterday, huh?" she smiled. "I don't want to ever leave this place, it's like our secret hideaway."
"Yeah, it is," he said, then growing silent for a moment.
"What are you thinking about?" she asked as she rubbed his chest with her hand.
"A lot of things actually. About you, about us. About how we are going to be seniors next year. Can you believe that?" he replied as he began to run his fingers through her hair.
"Yeah, I know. It doesn't seem possible. I mean, where has all the time gone? I remember when I first came to New York and now I am going to be a senior," she said as she shook her head in disbelief.
"I guess what I was thinking is that I want our last year to be great, for us to really just have fun, because everything is going to change after we graduate. You know what I mean?"
"Yeah, I mean it's like the safety net is gone. College kind of kept all of us together and life will be different soon. It's exciting, but it's also a bit scary."
"Yeah, but it will be good. We will be together, right?"
"Of course we will be together," she replied as she touched his cheek.
He looked at her lovingly and then hung his head down, looking at her hand in his. "I...I know things were kind of odd at the end of the year, you know, with...with the whole mess with Avery..."
"Ben, you don't have to explain.." she interrupted.
"No, I want to say something. I know now that it was a horrible mistake for me to go with her, and that it really hurt you when I did. And...and that is the last thing I ever want to do, hurt you. I think I was just worried, it's silly I guess, but I was worried that you were disappointed in me, with the whole probation thing..."
"Ben, I am never disappointed in you. I just wish you would share things with me more, that's all," she said quietly.
"I know, that's kind of what I wanted to say. God, this is not coming out right," he mumbled as he looked down again.
"It's okay, go ahead," she said encouragingly.
"I just want you to know that I love you, I really love you. And I know sometimes that I can be kinda dumb and insecure, or whatever. But I know now that it doesn't matter what I am worried about, that I just need to share it with you. And that everything will be okay, because I love you and I know that you love me."
"That's right. We love each other and that will get us through anything," she replied as she kissed him on the cheek.
"So, I was thinking, I mean I was just wondering, what...I mean, you know, about after graduation, where we will be or whatever, and I ...I wondered if you thought, I mean. Let me start over," he said as he looked her in the eye. "Felicity, I guess what I am trying to say is that I love you and I want to be everything that you see in me. And I...I want to spend the rest of my life with you. There is nothing that would make me happier. Felicity," he said as he took her hand in his and looked at her intently. "Will you marry me?"
Felicity lay there shocked, unable to respond right away. She tried to catch her breath, which seemed to immediately go into her throat. She looked at him with her eyes wide, and her mouth open.
"Okay, well, you don't have to answer right away. I mean, it's okay, you can think about it," Ben says nervously, looking down at his hand in hers.
Felicity started to giggle and cry all at the same time. Ben lay there stunned, wondering what was going on and if he had totally screwed it up. As her giggles started to subside, the tears began to roll down her cheeks freely as she reached to him and said " No, no. It's just...it's just that I have dreamed about this moment all of my life. I mean, I used to watch you in high school and I would day dream about this moment as I sat watching you in class. And I would write 'Felicity Covington' in my notebook," and as she said this, she started to giggle again. "But I never really believed that it would happen, I mean not then. And I still dreamed about it once we became lovers, I dreamt about this moment and now it is here," she said as he wiped the tears from her eyes.
Ben looked at her and asked shyly, "So, is that a yes?"
Felicity threw her arms around him, kissing him all over, as she said excitedly "Yes! Yes! Yes!" Ben took her tightly into her arms, amazed at what had just happened. She kissed him all around his face, his eyes, his forehead, his nose as she continued to cry tears of happiness.
Suddenly, Ben remembered the ring. "Oh, wait. I forgot the ring," he said as he reached behind him. "Man, how could I forget the ring?" he muttered.
"There is a ring?" she said with a big smile on her tear stained face.
"Of course," he said nervously as he opened the box. He waited anxiously to see what her reaction to the ring would be, he knew it wasn't very big and he worried she would not like it.
But, she just launched herself into his arms all over again, kissing him hard on the lips. He broke the kiss, laughing and said, "I guess you like it, then?" He came out of her embrace to look her in the eyes.
"Yes, yes, I love it. I can't believe you did this," she replied giddily.
"Well, I wanted to do it right. I mean, I know it's not real fancy or anything but..."
"Ben, I love it," she said happily.
"Well, let's see if it fits," he said as put the ring on her finger. Of course, it was a perfect fit and Felicity looked at it for a long time, just amazed at what had happened and how beautiful it was. Ben rubbed his fingers across her hand and looked at her with complete contentment on his face.
"I can't believe you are actually going to be my wife," he said quietly.
"Yes, I am going to be your wife," she replied, as she came out of her trance. She took his face in her hands and brought their lips together quickly, kissing him with utter abandon and joy. As he held her in his arms, he knew that this was what he had wanted for the longest time and he could not remember ever being so happy.
Before he knew what was happening, she began to kiss a trail of kisses down his chest to just above the blanket. The she moved the blanket away and continued her crusade. He lay there enjoying the soft, yet passionate way that she kissed every inch of his body. And when she brought her face back to his, he turned her over so that he could return the favor. But she didn't allow that for long, turning him back over so that she could take control. He lost his breath several times that night, as she seemed to have lost all her remaining inhibitions and he thought several times he would not be able to keep up with her. They made love slowly and passionately, until the first rays of sunlight began to come into their window. Later, after she had fallen back to sleep in his arms, exhausted from her fevered actions, he held her head to his chest and wondered how he had ever gotten so lucky. He silently vowed to never disappoint her and to always take care of her, for as long as they both lived.
Ben was delighted the next day when Felicity surprised him by driving them to Plattsburg, a town about 30 minutes from St. Louis. He had the biggest grin on his face when she told him their plans.
"I reserved us a room at a bed and breakfast. I thought we could spend the weekend at the lake, rent a boat or maybe have a picnic. Anything you want to do. We hardly ever get the chance to just spend some time alone, and I really wanted to go somewhere with you. I mean, we could think of this as a mini vacation," Felicity said with excitement in her voice.
"Wow, this is amazing. I can't believe you did this," Ben replied, reaching across to take her hand in his.
"I am glad that you like it," she said with a smile.
"I can't wait to see the bed. I wonder if there will be a tub, too. Now that would be fun," he said with a smile as he kissed her hand.
Felicity laughed and said, "Well, you will just have to wait and see."
There was indeed a large tub in their room, which Felicity had to prevent Ben from insisting they use right away. She told him she wanted to go explore the lake nearby and that they would have plenty of time for that later. Ben tried to act disappointed but he was way too happy to be there with her to care. They spent the day exploring the area around their bed and breakfast. They found a hiking trail that went through the woods and took a leisurely walk, stopping often to kiss beneath the trees.
"Ben! You are going to get my clothes all covered in dirt. Let me up," Felicity pleaded, but with little effort. He had tackled her, making them fall to the ground. He began to kiss her passionately as they lay on the grass.
"So what? We can get changed later. Come on, we are supposed to be having fun, remember? It'll be just like when we were at Yellowstone, remember?" Ben said as he moved his kisses to her neck.
"Of course, how could I forget. You were determined to completely mess up my hair that day. Remember? You kept putting leaves and twigs in my hair, and then just laughing as I tried to pull them out. I think my shorts were permanently ruined from rolling around in the dirt that day."
"Yeah, but I say it was worth it. We had such a good time. I remember thinking that I had no idea you were in such good shape. You hiked that whole trail without even blinking an eye. You amazed me." "Well, I was with you, I felt like I could do anything. I mean, I was so surprised that you wanted to drive across country with me. I will never forget how you came back for me. I was so shocked," she replied.
"Yeah, I was just, too. But I was lonely without you and I really wanted to spend that time with you. I felt like it was my chance to get to know you, and for us to see what we had between us."
"I'd say we had a lot between us, kind of like we do now," she said as she brought his face back down to hers, kissing him passionately.
They were starving when they got done with their hike, so they went to town and found a diner and had lunch. Then they decided to spend the afternoon at the lake. They rented a boat and took a leisurely sail, enjoying the warm sunshine and the quiet time just the two of them. Ben wrapped his arms around her and held her close, whispering words of love into her ear as they watched the water.
"Do you remember when I followed you to Rhinebeck? I saw you out on the canoe with Greg, and I remember thinking to myself, that I wished it was me with you," Ben said as he kissed her on the cheek. "And now, with us here on this lake, I feel like I am getting that chance."
"Ben, I gotta say that I am sorry about telling you to leave that day. I was upset with you, but I shouldn't have told you what I did," Felicity replied.
"No, I deserved it. I did. I just was so shocked when you said you didn't want me in your life anymore. It was like getting kicked in the stomach," he said as he shook his head, ridding himself of the memory.
"I'm sorry," she said as she turned to look at him. "I wish I had handled things differently then and not been so....I don't know, just stupid in a lot of ways," Felicity said with a sigh. "If I had listened to you then, what would you have said?"
Ben blushed, "I guess what I said in the restaurant. You know, about having made a mistake by letting you go and that I wanted another chance with you. I don't think you would've have listened to me then, though. You were pretty pissed."
"I wasn't pissed, I was just confused. I had no idea why you would do that, tell Richard about Greg's problem. But when I thought about it, and when Greg asked me, I knew it was because you were jealous. I just couldn't admit why. I was still too scared then."
"You know, it about killed me thinking of you spending that weekend with Greg. I wanted to be the one there with you," he said before chuckling softly. "What?" she asked. "What? What is so funny?"
"I don't know, just when I was waiting for you that day, waiting to talk to you. I had these silly little fantasies," he said shyly.
"Really? What sort of fantasies?" she smiled.
"Oh, that you would tell me that you wanted to be with me, and that I would kick Greg out and we would make mad passionate love in front of the fire," he laughed, looking down at his feet.
Felicity giggled, "Oh really? You think I would've let you do that?"
"No, not really. I was just going crazy out there. And I felt so guilty. I guess my mind wandered to other things. I just wanted you so bad."
"Well, I think you might just get lucky this time," she said as she leaned into kiss him. They sat on the boat for some time, just kissing each other and enjoying the closeness. When the sun began to fade behind the clouds, they decided it was time to return to their room and get dressed for dinner.
Before they went to dinner, they decided to stop at some antique shops along the way. Ben bought her an antique silver hand mirror and brush set that she had looked at longingly. She was at first reluctant to accept the expensive gift, but he insisted and she smiled adoringly at him as he bought it for her. They had dinner at a nice inn that was set back from the road. Ben ordered them wine and they toasted their weekend as they sat gazing at each other across the table. When Ben asked her to dance, she was surprised but delighted. There was only a simple piano player but they enjoyed dancing closely as they listened to the music. When they got back, they decided to take a dive around the lake and watch the sunset. It was a beautiful sight, with oranges and yellows that seemed to fill the sky. They each marveled at how clear the sky was and how it seemed to be just perfect for them to enjoy their evening.
When they returned to their room, Ben decided it was time for them to enjoy the incredible bathtub in their room. He walked over to her, as she was washing her face in the bathroom.
"Don't you think that we need to use this great bathtub? I mean it's just sitting here, waiting to be used," he said as he nuzzled her neck.
"Hmmm...maybe you can convince me because I am pretty tired," she said jokingly.
"Well, let me see what I can do," he said as he turned her to face him. He took her face in his hand and kissed her slowly, savoring the way her lips felt against his. He moved his hands down to caress her sides, and then moved them so that they were closer to the bathtub. Their kisses grew more passionate as their hands roamed over each other's bodies. Ben stopped for a moment to fill the tub up with water, as Felicity undid the zipper on his pants. Soon, they were standing naked next to the bathtub, with their hands moving hungrily across each other's skin. Ben led her into the bathtub and they sat close to each other, kissing each other languidly as Ben's hands roamed searchingly across her body. They made love there in the bathtub, enjoying the special closeness of the space and the feel of the water around them. Afterwards, he held her in his arms and caressed her shoulders as he kissed her atop her head. They went to bed soon after, exhausted but fulfilled from their romantic day together.
Ben woke up early the next morning, unable to sleep anymore. His head was full of thoughts, all about the beautiful woman lying next to him. He thought about the day they had together yesterday and smiled. She had really surprised him, as she often did. He was forever amazed at her, everything she did just filled him with awe. He got up from bed quietly, not wanting to wake her. He walked over to his suitcase and reached into the side pocket where he had put the box. He opened it, and gazed at the ring as he wondered if now was the time. He lay back down on the bed and began to kiss Felicity lightly on her shoulder and neck. She moved a little, letting out a low sigh as she started to wake up.
"Hey," she said as her eyes began to open.
"Hey," he replied as he leaned over to kiss her on her nose.
She giggled and asked," Why are you awake so early?"
"I don't know, I guess I was just too happy to sleep anymore," he said softly.
"We had quite a day yesterday, huh?" she smiled. "I don't want to ever leave this place, it's like our secret hideaway."
"Yeah, it is," he said, then growing silent for a moment.
"What are you thinking about?" she asked as she rubbed his chest with her hand.
"A lot of things actually. About you, about us. About how we are going to be seniors next year. Can you believe that?" he replied as he began to run his fingers through her hair.
"Yeah, I know. It doesn't seem possible. I mean, where has all the time gone? I remember when I first came to New York and now I am going to be a senior," she said as she shook her head in disbelief.
"I guess what I was thinking is that I want our last year to be great, for us to really just have fun, because everything is going to change after we graduate. You know what I mean?"
"Yeah, I mean it's like the safety net is gone. College kind of kept all of us together and life will be different soon. It's exciting, but it's also a bit scary."
"Yeah, but it will be good. We will be together, right?"
"Of course we will be together," she replied as she touched his cheek.
He looked at her lovingly and then hung his head down, looking at her hand in his. "I...I know things were kind of odd at the end of the year, you know, with...with the whole mess with Avery..."
"Ben, you don't have to explain.." she interrupted.
"No, I want to say something. I know now that it was a horrible mistake for me to go with her, and that it really hurt you when I did. And...and that is the last thing I ever want to do, hurt you. I think I was just worried, it's silly I guess, but I was worried that you were disappointed in me, with the whole probation thing..."
"Ben, I am never disappointed in you. I just wish you would share things with me more, that's all," she said quietly.
"I know, that's kind of what I wanted to say. God, this is not coming out right," he mumbled as he looked down again.
"It's okay, go ahead," she said encouragingly.
"I just want you to know that I love you, I really love you. And I know sometimes that I can be kinda dumb and insecure, or whatever. But I know now that it doesn't matter what I am worried about, that I just need to share it with you. And that everything will be okay, because I love you and I know that you love me."
"That's right. We love each other and that will get us through anything," she replied as she kissed him on the cheek.
"So, I was thinking, I mean I was just wondering, what...I mean, you know, about after graduation, where we will be or whatever, and I ...I wondered if you thought, I mean. Let me start over," he said as he looked her in the eye. "Felicity, I guess what I am trying to say is that I love you and I want to be everything that you see in me. And I...I want to spend the rest of my life with you. There is nothing that would make me happier. Felicity," he said as he took her hand in his and looked at her intently. "Will you marry me?"
Felicity lay there shocked, unable to respond right away. She tried to catch her breath, which seemed to immediately go into her throat. She looked at him with her eyes wide, and her mouth open.
"Okay, well, you don't have to answer right away. I mean, it's okay, you can think about it," Ben says nervously, looking down at his hand in hers.
Felicity started to giggle and cry all at the same time. Ben lay there stunned, wondering what was going on and if he had totally screwed it up. As her giggles started to subside, the tears began to roll down her cheeks freely as she reached to him and said " No, no. It's just...it's just that I have dreamed about this moment all of my life. I mean, I used to watch you in high school and I would day dream about this moment as I sat watching you in class. And I would write 'Felicity Covington' in my notebook," and as she said this, she started to giggle again. "But I never really believed that it would happen, I mean not then. And I still dreamed about it once we became lovers, I dreamt about this moment and now it is here," she said as he wiped the tears from her eyes.
Ben looked at her and asked shyly, "So, is that a yes?"
Felicity threw her arms around him, kissing him all over, as she said excitedly "Yes! Yes! Yes!" Ben took her tightly into her arms, amazed at what had just happened. She kissed him all around his face, his eyes, his forehead, his nose as she continued to cry tears of happiness.
Suddenly, Ben remembered the ring. "Oh, wait. I forgot the ring," he said as he reached behind him. "Man, how could I forget the ring?" he muttered.
"There is a ring?" she said with a big smile on her tear stained face.
"Of course," he said nervously as he opened the box. He waited anxiously to see what her reaction to the ring would be, he knew it wasn't very big and he worried she would not like it.
But, she just launched herself into his arms all over again, kissing him hard on the lips. He broke the kiss, laughing and said, "I guess you like it, then?" He came out of her embrace to look her in the eyes.
"Yes, yes, I love it. I can't believe you did this," she replied giddily.
"Well, I wanted to do it right. I mean, I know it's not real fancy or anything but..."
"Ben, I love it," she said happily.
"Well, let's see if it fits," he said as put the ring on her finger. Of course, it was a perfect fit and Felicity looked at it for a long time, just amazed at what had happened and how beautiful it was. Ben rubbed his fingers across her hand and looked at her with complete contentment on his face.
"I can't believe you are actually going to be my wife," he said quietly.
"Yes, I am going to be your wife," she replied, as she came out of her trance. She took his face in her hands and brought their lips together quickly, kissing him with utter abandon and joy. As he held her in his arms, he knew that this was what he had wanted for the longest time and he could not remember ever being so happy.
Before he knew what was happening, she began to kiss a trail of kisses down his chest to just above the blanket. The she moved the blanket away and continued her crusade. He lay there enjoying the soft, yet passionate way that she kissed every inch of his body. And when she brought her face back to his, he turned her over so that he could return the favor. But she didn't allow that for long, turning him back over so that she could take control. He lost his breath several times that night, as she seemed to have lost all her remaining inhibitions and he thought several times he would not be able to keep up with her. They made love slowly and passionately, until the first rays of sunlight began to come into their window. Later, after she had fallen back to sleep in his arms, exhausted from her fevered actions, he held her head to his chest and wondered how he had ever gotten so lucky. He silently vowed to never disappoint her and to always take care of her, for as long as they both lived.