He pulled a bouquet of 12 yellow daisies from behind his back and handed them to her. She lifted them to her nose and inhaled deeply, already giddy from his romantic gesture.

"Thank you. These are my favorite."

"I remembered you mentioning that once," he said. "You're welcome."

"They're beautiful," she observed.

"So are you."

Her heart skipped several beats as she turned to set them down on the table next to her in the breezeway. She reached her arms out to take his hands in her own. Pulling him in, she started walking backward, guiding him into the kitchen, never breaking eye contact with him.

She felt resistance coming from him as they turned the corner and looked up to see him staring at the table, wide-eyed.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"What is all this?" he retorted as he took in the view in front of him. Two wine glasses, a steak dinner, a set table, and flickering candles.

She said she was ordering food, man, I thought this was gonna be pizza or something.

"Uh…dinner?" she sassed.

"I know what it is, I just wasn't expecting everything to be so…"

"Fancy?" she finished.

He laughed. "Yeah."

"I hope this makes up for last night."

"You don't have to make up for anything," he argued.

"I just want our second first date to be special."

"Anything would be special, as long as I'm with you."

"Ditto," she winked.

He pulled out her chair and placed his hand on the small of her back, guiding her to sit. After taking his own seat, he scooted toward the table and grabbed the bottle of champagne from the bucket.

"Just to be sure I'm not crazy…Sookie cooked all of this, right?" he asked.

"Do you think I could do any of this?" she confirmed.

"Good point," he nodded.

He opened the bottle and reached for her glass, pouring it half full and setting it back down in front of her. Taking his glass, he did the same and then raised it in her direction.

"To second first dates," he toasted.

"To second first dates," she repeated, clinking her glass against his.

They sipped in silence for a few seconds before she set her glass down and returned her attention to him.

"Hey, do you remember the first time we met?" she asked.

"What?" he replied whilst swallowing the champagne in his mouth.

"I was just trying to remember the first time we met," she told him. "It must have been at Luke's, right?"

He nodded. "It was at Luke's, it was at lunch, it was a very busy day. The place was packed. And this person..."

Her eyes lit up. "Oh, is it me? Is it me?"

He continued. "This person comes tearing into the place, in a caffeine frenzy..."

"Ooh, it's me!"

"I'm with a customer, she interrupts me, wild-eyed, begging for coffee. So I tell her to wait her turn. Then she starts following me around, talking a mile a minute, saying God knows what. Finally I turn to her, and tell her she's being annoying. Sit down, shut up... and I'll get to her when I get to her," he narrated as though it happened yesterday.

"You know, I bet she took that very well, 'cause she sounds just delightful."

"She asked me my birthday. I wouldn't tell her, she wouldn't stop talking, finally I gave in. I told her my birthday. She went and got the newspaper, opened it up to the horoscopes page, wrote something down, tore it out, handed it to me. So I was looking at this piece of paper in my hand, and under Scorpio, she had written 'You will meet an annoying woman today. Give her coffee, and she'll go away.' So I gave her coffee."

"But she didn't go away," she giggled.

"She told me to hold onto that horoscope, put it in my wallet, and one day it would bring me luck," he reminisced as he reached to take his wallet from his back pocket and pulled out the old piece of newspapers, handing it to her.

She breathed out and stared at the tiny scrap in her hand, her heart skipping another series of beats. "Boy, I will say anything for a cup of coffee! I can't believe you kept this. You kept this in your wallet? You kept this in your wallet..."

"Eight years," he finished.

"Eight years..." she whispered.

They made light conversation throughout the meal, often eating in a comfortable silence and simply enjoying one another's company. When they'd both finished, she got up and took their dishes to the sink, rinsing them off and beginning to scrub them. He'd offered to help but she insisted he sit back. He watched her move effortlessly across the room and he couldn't take his eyes off her. He'd never felt such an emotional attraction to anyone. She was gorgeous, of course. But he found himself attracted to her heart and mind even more than her body. She was brilliant, funny, determined and independent. She didn't need him, she could get by without anyone, but she still chose to let him in and he was honored by that. He knew she hadn't had the greatest track record with relationships—neither had he—but she loved with everything she had and he planned to love her with everything he had.

He stood there, unable to move, mesmerized by her beauty. He went back and forth with the idea of moving closer to her, finally convincing himself when he realized he couldn't go another second without being near her. He rose from his seat and walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close. She immediately melted into him, her back perfectly molding to his chest. He reached a hand up to move her hair away from her shoulder and nuzzled the spot behind her ear with his nose. She released a long, shaky breath, letting go of the plate and sponge that were in her hands. His hot breath covered her neck and lit her senses on fire. He placed a trail of kisses down her neck, beginning at her ear and settling on a soft spot right behind her collarbone.

"You know," she breathed, hardly able to form a sentence.

"Hmm?" his lips vibrated against her skin.

"There's ah," she cut herself off as he started to suck, "there's dessert in the fridge," she managed to finish.

"There is, huh?"

"Yes," she said, her voice shaking.

"Should we eat it?" he toyed.

"Do you want to?"

"Not really," he hummed. "Do you?"

"Not really."

"Good answer," he said as he turned her in his arms and locked eyes with her.

He leaned down to kiss her but she pulled back just before his lips touched hers.

"Can you give me like 5 minutes?" she asked.

"Oh…um yeah. Sure. I can do that."

"Thanks," she smiled, leaning up to kiss him on the cheek. "I'll be right back."

She left the kitchen and grabbed a lighter from the mantle, then hurried up the stairs. She lit each of the tea lights and stepped back, admiring the glow they emitted.

Stepping into the bathroom, she removed her clothes and jewelry and slipped into the blue teddy that ended barely 3 inches below her hips. She slipped into the lacy matching thong. Looking into the mirror, she exhaled sharply.

I can do this…can't I? Jesus I'm pretty sure I was less nervous about losing my virginity at age 14 than I am about this.

She locked eyes with her own in the mirror.

It's Luke. You like Luke…no, you love him. Isn't this what people who love each other are supposed to do? I mean that's why it's called "making love", right? Damnit, Lorelai, pull yourself together.

She exhaled again and leaned in toward her reflection to fix her hair. Pulling back, she stood there for what felt like forever, nervous yet ready. Her body preceded her mind and she began to walk toward the bedroom door a few seconds before deciding to do so. Gently, she turned the handle and stepped out into the hallway. Slowly, she made her way back down the stairs and into the kitchen, where he was seated at the table, staring down at his folded hands.

"Hi," she said, leaning against the entryway.

He looked up and his eyes widened, mouth agape. "H-h-h-i," he choked out.

"Whatcha doin?" she teased.

"Just w-w-aiting for you I th-think."

"Mmm," she nodded in understanding as she walked toward him.

"So," she said, bending down behind him and wrapping her arms around his shoulders. "That was a pretty nice dinner."

He struggled to clear his throat. "Yeah. T-t-tasty."

She moved her lips to the side of his head and took his earlobe between her teeth, playfully nibbling.

"You know what else is tasty?" she whispered seductively.

"What?" he said, almost inaudibly.

She turned him around in his chair and straddled his lap. Reaching below the hem of her night gown, she slid her hand into her panties, covering her middle finger in the rich juices that pooled between her folds. She pulled her hand out and he watched in shock as she guided her finger to his lips and let him suck on it. She moved her lips back to his ear and whispered "me."

He hooked his hands beneath her thighs and she took his cue, wrapping her arms around his neck. He stood up and carried her out of the kitchen and into the living room, stopping momentarily to lean her against the banister and kiss her hungrily. Moments later, she whispered "upstairs", and he climbed toward the second floor as quickly as humanly possible. She held tight to him as he let go with one hand to open the door of her bedroom. He had to steady himself on his feet when he took in the sight before him.

"Lorelai," he breathed as he lowered her to the ground.

"Yes?" she asked playfully, the corners of her mouth turned slightly upward.

"This is…"

"Our first time," she interjected. "I wanted it to be amazing. And memorable. And magical."

"You are amazing and memorable and magical."

"Yeah?", she asked, moving her lips up to his.

"Yeah," he mumbled against her lips.

She took his face in her hands and pulled him toward her, guiding him toward the bed. She moved her hands from his face, down the defined planes of his chest and began to work the buttons on his flannel. Sliding it off his shoulders, she untucked his t-shirt and pulled it over his head, gasping at the sight of his muscular upper body.

"God, you're hot," she breathed.

He moved closer and tangled his fingers in her long, curly hair, cradling her head in his palm while his lips devoured hers. The fire within her was ignited when his tongue demanded entrance into her mouth and she immediately lost the fight for dominancy as he took complete control of the passionate kiss. He slid his other hand up her side, brushing the curve of her breast with his thumb.

"Mmm," she moaned into his mouth.

He palmed both of her breasts simultaneously until she could no longer handle the barrier that was her lingerie.

"Take it off," she commanded.

"Yes, mam."

He moved his left hand to the hem of her night gown and pulled it up and over her head at a painfully slow pace. She let out a sigh of impatience and he stifled a laugh at her eagerness. When the thin piece of silk had been removed from her body and tossed to a fireless section of the room, he turned his eyes to her now-naked upper half and felt his heartrate double. He stood there speechless and she was overcome with worry after a few moments of silence.

"Luke? What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he said, snapping back to reality.

"Then why'd you stop?"

"I just—I can't believe—god you're so beautiful."

"Luke…"

"No, hold on, let me finish. I know sex is supposed to be all hot and sweaty and wild and quick. And maybe one day we'll have that when the kids are at school and we're so sexually deprived that we both have to come home from work for a 5-minute nooner. But right now, looking at you, finally being able to touch you and love you the way I've wanted to for so long…it's overwhelming. I never thought I'd get so lucky as to be the man who has the privilege of making love to you. I just…god I love you."

She was crying by then and he brought a hand up to her face, using his thumb to wiped away the tears. He pulled her in for a long, tight embrace and hardly noticed that their bare chests were pressed against each other. All he could think about was how deeply he cared for this woman he was holding and how grateful he was that he could finally show her just how much he loved her.

Her hands traveled down the tight space between their bodies and her fingers worked at his belt, pulling it out of his jeans. She unbuttoned and unzipped him, sliding them down his long, muscular legs. She bit her lower lip at the sight of the tent that had taken form in his boxers and let out an involuntary groan.

"Somebody seems happy to see me," she smirked, returning her gaze to his.

"Well I've told him nothing but wonderful things about you. He's been looking forward to meeting you."

"And I, him," she said, licking her lips at the sight.

Luke placed his hands on her waist and laid her down on the bed, climbing in after her and hovering over her. He used his arms to hold him up and the flexed muscles in his upper body sent an unimaginable amount of wetness pouring from her center. He leaned down to place a lingering kiss on her lips and then moved slowly down her body, placing a trail of hot kisses along his way. He stopped when he reached her core and she began visibly shaking at the feeling of his hot breath on her most sensitive skin. He blew lightly on her through her panties, sending chills forming on every inch of her body.

"Luke," she breathed.

"Shhh," he responded, moving his face closer and licking her through the fabric.

"Oh god, Luke, please."

"Patience is a virtue," he laughed.

"Remember that time when I was so impatient in your diner that I made you tell me your birthday so I could rewrite your horoscope to get some coffee and then I told you to keep it because it'd bring you luck one day and here you are getting lucky right now because of it? Impatience brought us here, my friend."

"I'm taking my time with you and you're going to have to deal with it. Sorry."

"But—"

He moved his face back up to hers and cut her off with a searing kiss.

"Okay," she gave in.

He moved back down and resumed teasing her. He hooked his index fingers under the lace band of her panties and slid them down her long, slick legs. He moved his face back up, hovering over her sex, mesmerized by its beauty. After taking in the sight of her, he lowered his face and began placing long, hot kisses all over the outsides of her folds.

Her teeth were gritting and she was quivering so intensely that the bed was shaking with her. He looked up at her through long eyelashes and smiled against her sex at the sight of her, proud that his actions were bringing her this pleasure. He licked the length of her slit, lapping at the juices that flowed from her core.

God she tastes good.

As her shaking intensified, he gave in and moved his tongue to the tiny nub at the top of her slit, the place he knew she needed him most. He flicked his tongue rapidly and repeatedly at her clit, her hands flying to his head and taking his hair in her fists.

"Oh Luke. Oh god. Yes. Ungh right there. Don't stop."

She repeated these things time after time and when he felt she was close, he brought two long fingers to her entrance and thrust them into her, pumping in and out of her fast and hard. She shook as she came and he licked his lips, swallowing the taste of her but happy that it lingered. He moved his face back up to kiss her and she tasted herself on his lips as he brought her down from the high.

"Wow," she breathed.

"Yeah," he laughed. "Wow."

"On your back, mister," she commanded.

He did as he was told and she moved herself on top of him, straddling him. She slid his boxers down his legs and her eyes went wide at the sight of his fully erect penis.

God he's big.

She licked her lips in anticipation of being filled with him, but wanted to give him a little attention first.

Gotta return the favor.

She took his shaft in her hand and stroked him slowly and lightly. It was his turn to be impatient. He groaned and she smiled wickedly at him.

"Lorelai…"

"Yes, Luke?" she played along.

He let out a sigh of defeat. "I guess I deserve this."

"You most certainly do, babe," she replied.

She moved her face down to his tip and placed kisses around its circumference. Licking her lips, she parted them and guided his massive member into her mouth. She flicked her tongue at the tip for a few short seconds before sliding him further in and beginning to suck.

She increased her pressure and pace as his groans grew louder and she brought her other hand to his balls, toying with them.

"Lorelai," he said sternly.

She stopped abruptly and looked up at him. He gave her a look of warning and she knew that if she went any further, this would be over before it even began.

He took her by the hips and flipped her back over so he was once again on top. He leaned down to kiss her quickly and then began to get off the bed.

"What are you doing?" she asked, grabbing him by the wrist.

"My condoms are in my wallet and my wallet is downstairs. I'm brilliant, I know."

"Don't wear one."

"Lorelai…"

"It's okay. I'm on the pill," she reassured him, rubbing her hand up and down his strong forearm.

"Oh," he exhaled in relief. "Okay. Good."

He moved back over her and locked eyes with her.

"You okay?" he asked. "Need anything?"

"You," she said bluntly. "Inside of me."

He needed nothing more than those four words. He positioned himself at her entrance and gave her a loving kiss as he slid into her.

"I love you," he murmured against her lips.

"I love you too," she whispered, moving her hand to run her fingers through his hair, never breaking their gaze.

Once he was buried deep inside of her, he stayed still to make sure she was okay. She gave him all the reassurance he needed when she bucked her hips against his. He began to stroke in and out of her at a slow, steady pace, but as the pleasure built and their bodies needed more, he found himself thrusting into her hard and fast.

"Luke. Ungh. Uh-huh. Yes, please. Oh god. Right there."

I probably shouldn't be this surprised that she's so vocal during sex. It's not like she shuts up any other time either.

He felt her muscles tightening around him and he knew she was teetering on the edge of bliss. He brought his hand between them and reached down to rub fast circles around her clit while also moving his lips to the hollow of her neck and sucking hard.

She came with loud shrieks and sharp gasps. A few strokes later, he found himself tumbling over the edge as well, spilling into her and collapsing on top of her. When their breaths began to even out, he rolled off and laid down beside her. She grabbed his wrist and moved his arm behind her head, settling into the crook of his arm. He ran his fingers through her dark curls and placed several long kisses to the top of her head, whilst inhaling the scent of her shampoo. She closed her eyes and laid her head on him, falling asleep to the steady beat of his heart. Just when he was about to dose off, she spoke.

"Hey, Luke?"

"Hm?"

"I think 5-minute nooners at lunch while the kids are at school would be great someday."

"Me too," he whispered, his heart flooding with excitement at the thought of a family with her. A future with her.