"And solitaire's the only game in town. And every road that takes him takes him down. And by himself it's easy to pretend he'll never love again" -- The Carpenters' "Solitaire"

Nick embraced her strongly, never wanting to let go. "You deserve this night of relaxation after what you've been through. I hope I can succeed."

"As long as I'm in your arms, I'll relax."

"So, my love, what shall we do? We can order a movie or I can fix you something to eat."

Her mind whirled as he talked. "You know, I think some food sounds good."

Nick felt like crying once again. "It sounds so good to hear you say that," he whispered as he hugged her tighter. "I'll fix you anything. What'll it be?"

Sara felt her playfulness return to her body. "You," she breathed before kissing him passionately.

He moaned lightly as he allowed himself to be rolled over on his back. "Honey, I'm not one of the major food groups," he chuckled.

"Says who?" she smirked. "I'll eat more after I'm done with you. I think it'd be more fun to cook in the afterglow anyhow."

Nick let out a sigh of contentment as her lips caressed his skin. "I've missed you," he managed to get out before another moan.

"I'm a little scared," she confessed when she brought her face to his.

"I don't wanna hurt you," he whispered. He got a slight smile on his face. "You know, I've always had this oral fixation!"

"You too?" she giggled.

"Uh huh," he smiled bigger. "Care to help me with that if I help you?" She kissed him hard on the lips, trailing her mouth down his body. "Ah, ah, ah. This may seem selfish, but I wanna go first." Her eyes twinkled slightly at his proposal. "Come on up here, kitten," he said sweetly. "Good girl," he breathed as she came to position herself above his face. "Hold on to a couple of those brass bars to steady yourself," he warned, speaking of the head board.

As soon as a tongue crept slowly along her slit, she was glad she had something to grasp. "Oh Nicky, just like that," she moaned. He licked her a little harder, listening to her beg for more. "Please, I wanna make you smile." He patiently waited as he watched her rearrange herself above him. "I just wanna love you so it'll last forever."

The next morning Nick was rudely awoken by the Florida sun shining through the window. The light seemed to almost tickle his nose. He rolled over, snuggling against Sara's body. He smiled as he leaned in and rubbed his nose against her shoulder. She still laid sound asleep. He inched up higher, brushing his lips to hers, receiving no response. He stared intensely. The tears welled as he watched her motionless body. "You just couldn't do it, could ya?" he whispered. "You thought you had to be perfect." He let his tears fall, leaning his head down so he laid on her chest. He heard nothing. Her heart no longer beat for her life....it no longer beat for the love she held for him. "You forgot one little detail. I thought you were perfect already."

The End