Chapter 12

Hoping to lighten her suddenly serious mood, Clay teased lightly, "I might, if you give me another bite of the brownie, and promise we are still on for dancing when we're finished."

To show that she really meant what she said, as well as that he was even more important than her love of chocolate, Shane pushed the whole plate towards him. With a smile he divided both desserts, transferred one half of each to the other person's plate and returned one share to her.

As if by agreement, they finished in silence, sharing only smiles as they ate.

They walked along the plaza after Clay paid the bill until they came across a bistro that had a live band playing. Soft jazz wasn't his favorite music to dance to, he really preferred traditional ballroom music, but sometimes you had to accept what was available and at least he could still hold Shane in his arms to this, rather that gyrating in front of each other.

Two hours later, having only taken the same ten minute break that the band did, they both admitted to being tired and ready to leave.

When the cab pulled up in front of her apartment Clay was about to ask the driver to wait for him while he walked her to the door, but Shane put a hand on his arm and said, "I usually don't do this, in fact, its not like me at all, but I'd really like it if you would come in…"

Clay looked at her inquiringly, unsure of exactly what she meant. Was she asking him in for a more private good night, or long enough for coffee, or did she had much more than either of those in mind?

"What I mean is, you won't need the cab…unless you don't want to stay," she clarified.

With a tender smile and a gentle hand on her cheek, he nodded, then paid and dismissed the driver. As they got to her door, Shane handed him the key and Clay gladly unlocked it to let both of them inside.

Shane put her keys in her purse after Clay returned them and laid it on the hall table. Once that routine was done, she suddenly seemed to be attacked by nerves. She fluttered around the living room not quite sure what to do.

Capturing her gaze with his Clay said, "Shane, I don't have to stay if you are unsure about this. I won't think badly if you've changed your mind."

"Oh no! It's not that! It's just that this is so unlike me that I wasn't sure if I should offer you coffee, or a drink, or just take you right to the bedroom..."

He had to wonder if that meant she'd never invited the Count in, but then thought maybe he took her to a hotel or back to his place. He could certainly afford the first and his place was surely much more luxurious than her apartment. Maybe the 'oh-so-refined' Count couldn't be bothered to be seen in such lowly surroundings. However, that wasn't what mattered right then. What mattered was that she had asked him in and he needed to try and put her at ease about her decision.

Closing the short distance between them he cupped her face in his hands. "Shane there is no right or wrong thing to do, I'm happy just being here with you. That being said, I don't need anything to drink, but I would like to kiss you."

"Oh Tony!" she sighed and melted into his arms.

He was happy that she was now at ease, but wished she hadn't used the name he was coming to hate hearing on her lips.

Their kiss slowly built in passion until when it broke both of them were short of breath. He smiled tenderly at her and softly suggested, "Now maybe you could show us to the bedroom?"

To be continued…