"There is nothing enduring in life for a woman except what she builds in a man's heart"

Judith Anderson

The eight am wake up call came way too soon for Lisa's taste. By the time they'd finished dinner and returned to their room it was nearly 11. True to his word, after dinner, she was all his.

She wasn't sure if it was the exhaustion, the massage, the scotch, or the very obvious and very flirtatious public displays of affection that he'd showered on her during their meal, but something sure flipped a switch because once they reached the room, she responded to every look, every touch, and each and every move, with a fervor she hadn't felt in a long time.

David Rossi had always been a very exciting lover. He had the ability to move from taking her in a completely one sided selfish manner to servicing her every need and desire, usually without missing a beat. In all of the encounters she'd had since the end of their relationship, no one had touched her quite like he had. It wasn't just skill, because she'd come across one or two very skilled lovers in her travels. No, it had to be something more than that.

She couldn't nail it down but she knew it had to do with the words he softly murmured or the way his fingers touched her. Most of all, she decided, it was the look of desire mixed with reverence in his eyes. No man before or since had ever quite looked at her that way. She hoped against hope that he had never looked at any other woman that way, and as selfish as it may have sounded, she believed that he had not.

Now, feeling his kisses on her bare shoulder, his mustache tickling her skin, she felt her body stirring once more.

"What are you doing?" she asked, ruffling the hair at his temple, marveling how it was only tinged with gray, despite the fact that he was now in his fifties.

"Saying good morning," he returned, working his way along her neck.

"Hold on there, Romeo," she said, squirming out of his arms. "In case you forgot, you booked this whole Spa Day for me and I've got exactly fifty four minutes to make myself presentable and get downstairs."

"Make yourself presentable?" he asked, with a wry smile, his fingers tracing a pattern along her thigh. "That's what I'm paying them to do to you."

"I didn't say I've got to put on make up and fix my hair," she said, grabbing his hand before it reached its intended destination. "But I at least have to shower. I smell like…you."

He laughed at her last statement. "Good…"

"Oh yes, you've left your scent," she teased, pecking him quickly on the lips and getting out of bed before he could pull her back. "Are you going to spray the furniture while I'm gone, too?"

"Very funny, Little Girl," he groused, eyes twinkling. "Go, get your shower. Then get down there and let them pamper you."

"Make sure you're working hard on the syllabus while I'm down getting pampered," she smartly said, walking to the bathroom. "Shit…my clothes…"

"Check the closet," he yawned, flipping on the television.

She did as she was told and found all of her clothing, on hangers, pressed and apparently clean. "I could get used to having someone do my laundry," she mused.

XXXXX

By the time Lisa had returned to the room, it was nearly 5:30 pm. She'd been exfoliated, massaged, had a facial, a manicure, a pedicure, her hair had been cut and styled, and she'd had an expert make up application. She'd enjoyed every moment of it and despite the fact that she never wore even one third the amount of make up they'd packed onto her face, she thought she looked pretty damn good.

Apparently, Rossi did as well, as she noticed that his eyes were trained on her all night long. He was a perfect gentleman, with just a bit of playful letch thrown in to keep it interesting. After another amazing dinner at the hotel restaurant, they went to the lounge for drinks and dancing.

Upon arriving at the lounge, they found out that it was 70's night. Although they started the night with great trepidation, it turned out to be an evening of fun and laughter. They danced to every slow song, with Rossi taking particular delight in the Barry White tunes. Seems he knew every word and managed to sing them into her ear, with just enough of an exaggerated growl to keep her in a fit of giggles.

By midnight, they'd had their fill of 70's night and made their way back to the room. As he pulled the door shut behind him and locked it, she laughed.

"I would have never guessed you were a Barry White fan."

He turned to find her standing there, now barefooted, smart smile on her face. "Hey, the ladies always respond to Barry White," he slyly said.

"Pick up tips from the Great David Rossi," she laughed, stepping to him.

"Worked on you, didn't it?" he smartly returned, pulling her into his arms.

"Yes," she returned, eyes twinkling, "I was going to ask you to sleep out in the living room until the third verse of Never Gonna Give You Up…"

"Wise ass," he laughed.

"No, really," she went on, "Every woman in the room was wishing they were me."

"You mean there were other women in the room?" he asked, his hands running along her sides. "I didn't notice."

"Oh, Dave," she rolled her eyes, "You really didn't need that line."

"That wasn't a line, My Love," he said, growing serious, "I meant it." He watched as her expression clouded. "What's wrong?"

She shook her head and smiled, "Not a thing."

She was lying and he knew it. "No, something's been bothering you all night," he gently insisted. "Talk to me."

Lisa took a deep breath and slowly released it. "Last night and today have been wonderful. You've been so attentive, so amazing."

He gave her a knowing smile, "There's a "but" in there, isn't there?"

She nodded, "You've gone all out with the limo, the flowers, dinner, the spa…and even last night, when we got back to the room. God, Dave, I can't remember when I've felt so…wanted. And the best part is, I know, it's all genuine."

"It is," he agreed.

"You've definitely shown me that you really did pay attention and you remembered some details I never thought you even knew. I see how hard you're trying to do all of the things I said." She stopped and caressed his cheek. "The problem is, even after all of this, I'm just not ready to put it all behind me…"

"Did you think that was why I did all of this?" he asked. He'd thought, while he was planning all of this, that she could possibly misunderstand his intentions, but he purposely did not discuss their future, or their past, at any point. He didn't want her to feel pressured.

She nodded, a blush creeping up her cheeks.

"Lisa, I did not orchestrate this entire weekend because I thought it would win you back."

"Then why did you do this?" Her tone was only mildly challenging, her eyes showed confusion.

"Because you needed to get away and you wouldn't do it on your own," he explained, watching as realization crept in. "I thought about sending you alone, but for my own selfish reasons, I decided to come with you."

"So, this was not some grand play to win me back all in one weekend?"

"I know you better than that," he softly laughed. "I know it's going to take a hell of a lot more than a fancy dress and a spa day to get you to trust me again. I won't lie to you and tell you that I didn't think that this might make a dent in your armor, but that was just a bonus."

"Oh shit," she sighed, sitting on the sofa. "What a freaking moron I am."

He walked over and sat down next to her. "You're not a moron."

"Aren't I?" she said, looking up at him.

He was surprised to find tears in her eyes. "Lisa…" he began, but she cut him off.

"I was so sure that this was some grand scheme to win me back." She shook her head. "I had totally written this off, wondering how you possibly thought you could erase everything by spoiling me rotten for a weekend. Here I was thinking you were the one doing the wrong thing and it turns out that I'm the one fucking this up."

His first instinct was to comfort her and give her some "there, there, dear" line, but then her recalled that he was dealing with Lisa, and thought better of that action. Instead, he reached over and took her hand.

"I know it's easier said than done," he began, holding her hand in both of his, "But you need to drop that armor just a little bit."

"I'm trying," she said, sniffing back the tears that were forming in her eyes. "But it's not easy."

"I just starting to fathom how much I hurt you," he softly said. "I thought I knew how badly I had…but…"

"Stop," she said, jerking her head up to look at him, "I will not ruin this weekend any more by rehashing the past. I've already done enough damage to it."

The last thing he wanted to see this weekend was Lisa in tears, yet, there she sat. Granted, it was of her own doing, but he had caused the damage the left her distrustful of him. She felt miserable, ungrateful, and he did not want the weekend to end this way. No, he wanted to end this weekend with her relaxed, satiated, and smiling. Bringing her hand to his lips, he kissed it softly.

"Did you enjoy any part of this weekend?" he asked, with a smile.

"Of course I did," she replied, with a small smile of her own.

"Do you think you could enjoy it further?"

"After being so stupid?" she shook head. "Why would you want me to?"

"Because, Little Girl, I busted my ass for this weekend and the least you can do is enjoy it."

She raised a brow.

"Do you think I plan things like this all the time?" he went on, watching as her smile grew. "I had to figure out just what in the hell a three dimensional hydrating facial was and decide whether or not your skin would benefit from it. I had to choose between a mineral wrap and a salt glow treatment, and worst of all, I had to figure out what size dress you wore, do you have any idea what a double edged sword that was? Trust me; I would not do this for just any one."

He watched as she tried in vain to hold back a laugh.

"So, after I went through all of that, the least you can do is enjoy it," he concluded, hoping that the storm had passed.

"I guess I owe you after this one, huh?" she asked, the twinkle returning to her eyes.

"You don't owe me anything," he seriously said, "But I do have a request."

"What?"

"Only that you believe me when I tell you that I will never hurt you again," he concluded, watching her eyes for a sign that she believed him.

"I am trying so hard to believe that," she said, her voice quiet. "I want so much to trust you again. But you've got to be patient with me; trust isn't my strong suit any more than relaxation. I've changed a hell of a lot since we were together last."

"Don't I know it," he softly laughed.

"But now that I know the true intent of this weekend, I don't think I'll ever be able to tell you how much it means to me that you would do this. Sure, I could have treated myself to a spa day, but it wouldn't have been as deliciously decadent as having it planned for me." She smiled at him. "I know, I groused at poor Nigel, but there was something exciting about the whole thing."

"I'm glad you liked it," he said, deciding to go with honesty. "Sitting there waiting for you at dinner last night, I was worried that you'd walk in and give me hell."

"You were worried?" she asked, clearly tickled by his admission.

"I was," he replied, with a smile. "I was fairly certain that you left your service weapon locked up back at Quantico, but not 100% sure."

Lisa laughed. "Wow, I made the great David Rossi nervous."

"You did," he laughed with her. "And if you tell anyone about that…"

"I know you know how to hide the bodies so they can't be found…" she laughed.

"If anybody does, it would be me," he agreed, then, "I'm glad to see you smiling again."

"I'm glad to be smiling again," she said, her tone taking on a seductive note. "And it's still early. We could…salvage…this evening."

He knew that tone of voice and knew where it would lead. "I seem to remember someone saying that I was the one to be initiating things going forward."

"I said you had to pursue me," she corrected, standing up and stepping in front of him. "I did not say you had to initiate every encounter." Hiking up her skirt, she knelt on the sofa, straddling his legs, and then lowered herself onto his lap.

"You're changing the rules as we go along, Ms. O'Reilly." He returned, his fingers gripping the zipper pull on the back of her dress and slowly easing it down.

"I'm a woman, it's my prerogative," she smartly said, slipping her hand behind his head and pulling him close.

"You're not going to make this easy on me, are you?" he said, leaning in for a kiss.

She pulled back, just a bit, denying him the kiss. "Now what fun would that be?"

Leaning forward, he took what he'd been denied and then some.