They crossed the threshold to their hotel room, but Rick didn't put Kate down immediately. Instead, he watched her taking in the room before her. Being a best-selling author, he had seen fancy hotel rooms before, but he guessed she wasn't as used to the swanky style as was he. He removed the arm from under her knees and her feet noiselessly landed on the carpet, her arm remaining around his neck, his other around her waist.

He couldn't take his eyes off her as she moved away from him and into the living area of their hotel room. There was a table set up with rose petals surrounding an iced bottle of champagne. Next to that sat a bowl full of strawberries, some chocolate-covered, some plain. Moving further into the room, Kate could see a California King sprinkled with rose petals, causing color to rush to her face as she thought about what most people did on their honeymoon.

Realizing that she hadn't heard a peep from her new husband, she turned to find him grinning at her. Yet more color rushed to her cheeks as she smiled at him and asked, "What?"

"Nothing," he replied, moving toward the table with the champagne. "You're just beautiful is all."

The smallest of giggles wafted through the air toward Rick as he ducked his head, looking at his feet, slightly embarrassed at how brazenly open he was being. Normally, he was charming and didn't have any problems complimenting women, but with her. . .with Kate, it was different. She was his wife, she was a stranger; somehow, though, he felt more connected to her than someone he just met.

When he looked up, Kate was standing in front of him holding a strawberry between two fingers staring at him. "Thanks, Rick. You're not so bad yourself." She closed her lips around the strawberry and bit, smiling as the sweetness spread over her, holding his eyes the whole time. Rick watched in awe, suddenly feeling a little warm.

"You gonna pop that, or. . .?" Kate let the question fall off.

Rick snapped to attention and finally released the cork from its prison, allowing the bubbles to flow onto the table cloth. Kate took the glass Rick offered her and waited for him to pour his own. When he raised his glass, she did the same.

"To us," Rick began. "To taking risks, to finding something special, to marrying a perfect stranger." Kate laughed at that last part. He was a perfect stranger and her husband, the realization suddenly seemed crazy, but she had been hoping to find something special with him.

"Cheers," she said as she clinked her glass against his. They drank their champagne in silence and Kate picked up another strawberry, this one covered in chocolate. Rick watched her take a bite and swallowed hard when she moaned her approval, her sole focus on the fruit in her hand. When she finished, she saw that he was looking at her and she blushed.

He chuckled at her. "Sorry. I didn't mean to stare."

Kate rose from her seat, never breaking eye contact with him. "Stare away, Rick." And as she walked toward the bathroom, he did stare. He snapped out of it as he heard the door click close behind her and the shower turn on.

He had another half-glass of champagne while she was cleaning up and getting ready for bed. He hadn't noticed that it was after 2 in the morning when they had gotten back; they had to be at brunch at 10. Swallowing the last of the champagne in his glass, he got up and padded his way to his suitcase which was resting at the foot of the huge bed.

Rick must have taken longer on the champagne than he realized because he was in the middle of pulling out a pair of ball shorts and t-shirt when the shower turned off. He had changed pants and had just removed his shirt when Kate poked her head out from behind the bathroom door. The sight of Rick's bare back caught her off guard, and she found herself staring at his reasonably muscular back when he turned and smirked at her, catching her staring.

"Uh—" she stammered, then, shaking her head and smiling to herself in an attempt to pretend like she hadn't been staring at her husband. "Sorry," she continued, finally finding her voice, "could you hand me my bag? I guess I sort of have a routine and I forgot it."

He smiled at her as he passed her the bag she had pointed out. "Does that routine include walking around your apartment naked?" He turned away, not expecting her to answer.

"With wet hair," she added as she bolted back into the bathroom.

Rick's eyes widened and a smile spread across his face. He was lost in daydream as he put his shirt on and gathered his toiletries. Finally, Kate emerged from the bathroom wearing a tank top and shorts. Rick's breath caught as he looked her up and down.

Her hair was wet, falling in damp waves around her face, which was devoid of makeup but still gorgeous, her skin was silky smooth and smelled faintly of the lotion she had applied, and she was looking up at him with big brown eyes.

Closing his eyes and stepping into Kate's space, Rick wrapped his arms around her waist, placed his forehead against hers, and breathed her in. She could feel his breath hot on her lips and her eyes close reflexively. Placing her hands on his biceps, she ran her thumbs back and forth, allowing the butterflies to wreak havoc in her stomach.

The newlywed couple could feel their hearts pounding high and hard in their chests and being so close to one another was intoxicating. Kate moved even closer, keeping just a sliver of space between them before she raised her face to look into his eyes. Their lips rested against one another, not kissing, but not pulling away, just enjoying the closeness.

Finally, Rick placed his hands on the sides of her neck, thumbs tracing the line of her jaw. . .and pulled away. Kate's exhale chased him away as he walked around her into the bathroom.

Huh, Kate thought to herself, wondering why Rick would cut off such an intense moment. She didn't have to ponder it long because Rick stepped out of the bathroom, walked up behind her, and wrapped his arms around her waist, stopping a moment to kiss her cheek.

"You ready for bed?" he asked.

She froze. Would he expect anything from her? Because she wasn't about to have sex with this man, no matter how sweet he had been tonight, no matter how much chemistry they had, and no matter the fact that they were married. She had just met him that same day!

Turning around, Kate looked at Rick dead in the eye. "Rick, listen," she began, taking in his confusion, "I don't think we should sleep together just yet."

Much to her surprise, he didn't seem angry or even surprised. "Me either," was all he said. He continued when he saw the shock on his face. "Kate, we just met today, and even though we are married, I don't know you well enough yet to be that vulnerable."

She smiled up at him, stretched up on her toes, and planted a chaste kiss to his lips. Kate pulled away just enough to see the sparkle in his eyes before placing another quick kiss. "Let's go to bed, hubs."

Rick chuckled as he crawled in one side of the bed and watched Kate walk around to crawl in the other side. Kate slid in and looked at him, smiling. He smiled back. "Good night," she whispered to him.

"Good night, wife," he whispered back. She scooted infinitesimally closer to him and closed her eyes, waiting for sleep to come. When she opened her eyes again, she saw that it was 3 a.m. and Rick was still looking at her.

"What?" she asked, laughing at the goofy look on his face.

Rick rolled over so he was completely facing her. "Is it too soon for me to hold you?"

Kate's brow furrowed as she thought about it. "Uhm, I guess not." Then, thinking about it a little more, she said, "I think I'd like that."

His smile was huge as she rolled away from him and they scooted toward one another. Rick wrapped one thick arm around her waist and slid the other under her pillow. She snuggled back into him and the way she fit him perfectly caught his breath. The last thing he remembered before drifting into sleep was, I think this woman was made for me.