Chapter 9 Time Alone

Lucas woke up and realized Elizabeth was gone. His car was still in the driveway. He could only assume that she walked home. He couldn't help feeling angry with her for doing that knowing he has stressed his displeasure with women walking alone at night. He dressed and headed to her house early. He knocked on the door. "Lucas you are early." She said excitedly.

"Why would you walk home Elizabeth? I have told you how I feel about that."

"I'm sorry Lucas. I didn't mean to upset you."

"You could have taken the Porsche. Please don't do it again."

Six months later

The next six months had been busy for both. They spent what little time they had together and were getting to know each other well and their overwhelming attraction to each other was beginning to make it harder and harder to resist temptation. Lucas's patience was wearing thin. He was tired of stolen kisses and quick dinners. He wanted to fall asleep next to her every evening and at the least wake up next to her every morning. He had a plan. This was it. He had to go to Miami to check on his other club and wanted Elizabeth to go with him. He wanted to spend a whole weekend together. That was not all that was on his mind.

He arrived at school and Elizabeth came out. He drove her home and they sat down at her table and ate dinner together before he headed to the club. "Elizabeth, I must go to Miami next weekend for three days and I would love you to accompany me. I have already arranged everything to be taken care of here at the club."

"Lucas I am flattered but I don't know if I can find a substitute that soon."

"Just try hard. Please it would mean the world to me. I will be leaving out at 6:00 am on Friday."

"I will try."

He got up and headed to the door. "I love you, Elizabeth!" He said opening the door to leave.

Elizabeth pushed the door shut behind him and pressed him against it. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply. "I love you too, but you aren't getting out of here without some kisses. "She whispered. He returned her passion, but when he began to run out of air, he pulled back just enough. He nuzzled her nose. "I don't want to leave you." He moaned.

"Then stay." She pleaded. Her heart was beating fast, and she knew their time was coming. Her desire to be with him had reached a point of epic proportions. She knew at this point she would basically do anything he asked. The butterflies in her stomach were growing inside her and she never wanted him to leave.

"I must go my love. I will see you tomorrow. I will be thinking of you all night." He kissed her one more time and made his way to the car.

She shut the door behind him and locked it but felt physical pain in his absence. She had fallen so deep. She wanted to go on this trip so badly. She was going to do everything she could to find a substitute for Friday. She thought Clara might do it. The thought of the two of them having a whole weekend together excited but terrified her all at the same time.

Lucas called her on his dinner break. She answered. "Lucas?"

"My sweet love. I miss you. Any luck finding a substitute for Friday?"

"Clara said she would do it."

"Remind me to thank her when I pick you up tomorrow. Make sure you pack a bathing suit. We can hit the beach.

"Lucas I have heard about those beaches. I don't know if I would feel comfortable at a nude beach."

"Elizabeth? Do you honestly think I would take you to a nude beach? I would not go to one of those myself."

"Okay good. I love you. I will see you in the morning."

When Lucas hung up the phone, he made all the arrangements for their trip. There was a romantic suites hotel right off the coast where he made reservations with all the extras. He was going to Miami a single man but hoped to leave a married one. There was no doubt in his mind that Elizabeth was his future, and he had every intention of showing her that.

Gustave knocked on his office door.

"Come in Gustave."

"How did it go?"

"It went well, everything is set."

"I hope this turns out the way you want it to Lucas."

"Me too. I have never been this excited. I am ready to be married and start a family of my own. It is time. If Elizabeth says yes, I am going to step back and promote Mike to host. I will only be here on Friday's and Saturday's."

"I hope I get to throw you a party when you get back. I will pray that she says yes. I know how much you love her." Gustave grinned patting him on the shoulder.

"I do more than life."

Elizabeth picked up the phone and called Rosemary. "Elizabeth what is it?"

"Lucas asked me to fly to Miami with him for the weekend."

"Well, that is wonderful dear."

"It is, but also a little scary. We have such a comfortable routine. I won't even know what to do with a whole weekend."

"Elizabeth he is such a busy man. You should enjoy every weekend you two can possibly have together. I can think of some things you can do together." She teased.

"Rosemary!"

"Relax I was just kidding. Do you love him?"

"I do, very much."

"Then go and let whatever happens, happen."

"You really do give great advice. There is a reason you are my best friend. Thank You for everything."