Lucky glanced up from his task of hefting their duffel bags into the backseat of her small VW, just as she descended the steps from her apartment. The flash of a spontaneous, rare smile, sending shivers up his spine.

He grinned back, completely confused as to what was going on, and exactly how he’d gotten to her apartment this morning. And how it came to be that they were going away together for a "special" overnight trip.

He’d gone to bed the night before, restless and fitful after having decided to leave the ball in "her court." Shocked, when hours later she’d called. Throwing the ball right back at him.

The trick had been in actually catching the damn thing at 3:30 in the morning. Had she really asked him to come over at daybreak so that they could get an early start? Had she really told him more about her self in one setting than she ever had? About her surrogate "family," and how she’d come to live with them for awhile, back when she’d first arrived in town?

She must have, because here he was hours later, loading the back of her car as the sun came up around them in golden rays.

Lucky watched as it shown down on her skin in beautiful glowing patterns. Diamonds falling across her face and the arms bared by her tank top. He barely allowed himself to take a short gander at the wonderfully sculpted legs that were shown off by her shorts.

He cleared his throat after catching himself staring too long. "You ready?" He asked quickly. Closing the back door, and opening the passenger side.

"Yeah," Elizabeth said. Smiling again as she rounded the car.

Lucky felt his heart clutch in his chest as he slid in beside her and watched her push her sunshades on and then insert the key into the ignition. The loud, clinking key chain, dangling dangerously against the skin of her knees.

"Are you?"

"Huh?" He asked. Taken aback by the sound of her voice when he was busy fantasizing about her naked flesh and being in a confined space with her for longer than 30 minutes. "Am I what?"

‘Am I confused as all Hell?’ He thought blankly. ‘Why yes I am Elizabeth…more confused than anything else really……Well, besides tremendously turned on, that is.’

He didn’t know what to make of any of it. Didn’t know what to think of the fact that she’d told him only last night in the parking garage of his hotel that this - whatever it was that was going on between them - was a lost cause. That nothing would come of it.

Yet here they were.

"Ready?…To go?" She asked. A giggle in her voice at his obvious distraction. He’d been so quiet this morning. So quiet on the phone last night…

‘Wait,’ she thought suddenly. ‘Maybe I was too forward…maybe he likes to be the one to make all the decisions or….

"Yes…VERY ready," Lucky asserted, pulling down her shades for a quick moment to say it to her sea blue eyes. ‘Ready for anything you wanna throw at me,’ he finished silently.

One corner of Elizabeth’s mouth tipped upwards, and she pushed her shades back in place. ‘Maybe he’s just tired Lizzie…you deprived him of his morning coffee,’ she thought. ‘Stop questioning everything…tonight is going to be everything you’ve planned it to be…you just have to stop second guessing it…you’re only going to be giving him what he wants. Then you’ll both know where you stand…He’ll go back to New York…or maybe he won’t immediately…but at least you’ll know………………At least you’ll know and you wont’ have to wonder anymore.’

His voice cut suddenly through her thoughts. "So, this place is just about 45 minutes out of town you said?"

"Yeah," she nodded. Pulling away from the curb and swallowing against the sudden lump in her throat. She quickly reached over to roll her window down. In desperate need of air.

"It’s my absolute favorite place in Nevada," she went on. Her words tumbling forth at a rapid pace.

Lucky watched her. She was nervous. She talked crazy fast when she was nervous.

"I thought maybe - you know, that you might wanna see it…and after all you’ve done for me, it’s sort the least I can –

Elizabeth’s voice drifted away as Lucky’s hand rose to cover hers on the steering wheel. She looked down and blinked quickly before forcing her eyes back towards the road.

"You don’t owe me anything," Lucky said stoically. Smoothing one thumb over the small knuckles that had whitened instantly at the memory of Lucky bursting into her apartment that night and throwing an insane intruder off of her. "But I LOVE that you’ve invited me on your trip to…Mt. Charleston right?" He continued. Pulling his hand reluctantly away from hers.

She was starting to fidget.

"Right," she answered softly. Licking her dry lips. "I just…you’ve got till tomorrow night for your convention and I thought maybe you’d want to get away for a bit…There’s only so much you can do in town ya know…before it starts to get old."

‘Convention…tomorrow…’ Lucky thought. Panic constricting his throat. ‘So when are you gonna tell her the truth you ass? Convention…convention…jeez…You know, you could always just tell her the TRUTH…’

"Like I said," Lucky began. "I’m really happy to get a chance to see something that means a lot to you."

‘Tell her the truth when she’s not driving a car down a multi-lane highway.’

Elizabeth bit down on her lip and increased her speed. "I hope you like it."

‘You are such an idiot Webber! You hope he LIKES it?…You hope he likes what exactly? The cabin, the outdoors, or the sex?…Which part?’

"I’m sure that I will," he said again. Trying to reassure that plaintive look she wore on her face. "I’m bound to enjoy anything you love so much."

She sighed nervously and brushed a few strands of hair behind her ear. "You sure about that?…What about dancing?"

"Ah, see I already told you…I could learn to love that. Especially with the right teacher."

In the silence that followed, Lucky sighed and leaned back against the seat. Elizabeth glancing over as he closed his eyes. "You know, you can take a little nap if you want…I know I sort of kept you up last night on the phone…rambling on and on about things."

Without lifting his head, Lucky turned to look at her. The wind, beginning to tickle the edges of her hair a bit, so that they lifted around her shoulders.

Obviously it wanted to touch her too.

"I think I like it when you ramble…besides, I love finding out new things about you…about this place…about Jillian and…

"Walter," she filled in. Nodding as she drove.

Lucky nodded drowsily. "Yes…Jillian and Walter...they sound really cool."

He watched her nod and swallow. They were like parents to Elizabeth. An older couple that had taken her in, once upon a time. Insisting that she take a room in their cabin at Mt. Charleston instead of sleeping inside her car. She’d told Lucky about how heartbroken they’d been when she’d moved out.

Elizabeth hadn’t admitted it during their phone conversation the night before, but from what Lucky could surmise about the couple, they probably hadn’t gotten as upset as they had over the fact that she was leaving. Their reaction had probably more to do with the fact that she’d moved straight out of their home into an apartment paid for by her new "boss," Gino.

They had cared for her and loved her when she had no one else, and it had wrecked them to see her leave to be with some, "bum."

It was the nickname they’d given Gino and the nickname that had only made her want to be with him more. He had been good to her and he had liked her…a lot. That had been enough at the time.

Although she’d mentioned the fact that they’d been right in their impressions of Gino all along, she hadn’t told him why. Hadn’t allowed Lucky in on the secret of how they’d come to break up.

Hence, his mind had wandered places it hadn’t needed to go. Places that his vow to leave Gino alone fought with all night as she talked softly into the receiver.

"I can’t wait to meet them," Lucky said. Trying and failing to stifle a yawn that overtook him. Making his eyes water with fatigue.

When her fingers reached out all of a sudden, to brush away a few errant strands of hair from his forehead and whisper the instruction, "go to sleep," it was instantly the last thing he wanted to do.

In fact it was all he could do, not to grab that hand that lightly fluttered over his skin and begin kissing it all over.

Her slim fingers lingered at his forehead. Allowing the soft strands of golden brown locks to sift past her fingertips before returning them to the steering wheel. Her eyes averted from his quickly and out into the distance.

‘You’re nervous?’ She thought sarcastically to herself. ‘You plan on having sex with this man tonight and you’re nervous about touching his hair?…He’s gonna think you’re the biggest tease Lizzie…the biggest tease – just like that guy in the club did.’

Lucky tried to close his eyes in compliance, but they kept opening…over and over again they opened to catch glimpses of her as she drove them to some hidden haven on the outskirts of town. Someplace that had trees a mile high and lakes that reflected the sky. Someplace where she’d said she wanted him to see…Someplace where heaven met Earth in one spectacular array of peace and serenity.

It was this secret haven that had made her voice so sweet and wondrous last night that he’d almost fallen asleep while they talked. He wondered what was ahead…not just on the road they drove now, but in the hours to come. Wondered what would become of them both together…tonight.

~~~~~~

Mt. Charleston, Nevada
The Mount Charleston Inn

Lucky stretched his arms and legs and then turned slowly around in a circle. The majestic beauty of the outdoors wrapping around him on a cool breeze. Tall evergreens outlining the proud ridge of mountains that lie as a backdrop to the lodge just ahead. The heated temperature of Las Vegas having dwindled down to about 10 degrees cooler.

It was beautiful…and dear God so was she.

"Here, let me help you with those," he said quickly. Shaking himself from the reverie that encased his mind. Quickly he moved towards where she stood by the backseat. Reaching around her.

"It’s ok Lucky. I got –

Her words stopped short the exact second his hand slid over hers. Grazing her skin as he gripped the thick strap of the duffel bag that she lifted.

"Thank you," she whispered softly. Finding her voice still usable in the deep recesses of her throat. But it sounded far away to her ears. Far away, when his face was so very close to hers. The smell of his after-shave wafting dangerously close to her nose. He smelled like the salty air in a sea breeze…with just the slightest tinge of cotton candy from the pier to taint it all with sweetness.

In spite of the breeze that carried his scent, she wasn’t cool. The heat of his body behind hers, enough to send the temperature of the entire universe back up 1000 degrees.

She could literally feel the heat in her own body when he cleared his throat and moved slightly away. Removing the bags from her now useless hands. She let out the breath she hadn’t known she’d been holding and caught her self whispering "thank you," again as he pulled away.

"You’re welcome," he mumbled faintly, beginning to walk towards their destination.

He stopped after a moment. Allowing him self a moment to recuperate and take in the full beauty of the place. Lucky breathed in deeply through his nose. The air was so incredibly clear. Much different from New York City, that was for sure. "It’s wonderful here," he said turning to her. "Thank you for bringing me."

She only nodded and smiled as she began to follow him down the path. Too enveloped by the sudden trance he’d put her into by touching her hand, to offer much of a verbal response.

Without any thought to where she was going, or where they were headed. Her eyes drifted down the length of his body as he walked ahead. Skipping along the veins that crisscrossed willy-nilly over the backs of his arms, down to his ever flexing calve muscles as he moved through the thick green Earth at his feet.

So strong, so capable, and so exquisitely handsome that it hurt to look at him when the sun danced through the golden flecks of his hair as it did now. She’d watched it blowing in the wind the entire drive here. Watched his expressions change slightly in his sleep every time a gentle lick of the wind lapped across his face.

To adequately compare him to anything, one would have to actually visit heaven first. And though she was sure she’d never been there, she knew he was the closest thing to it that she could even imagine. Perfection personified in every step he took. Swallowing hard, Elizabeth tried to quicken her pace.

She had promised to show him a good time. To show him the sights and take him on a good hike around the terrain…how would she be able to concentrate on doing any of those things when all she really wanted to do was kiss him from head to toe.

Elizabeth shook herself of those thoughts and breathed deeply through her nose. Hoping the clean, clear mountain air would do the trick…No such luck.

But when they moved onto the porch, she knew she had to pull herself together immediately if she were going to introduce Lucky to Jillian and Walter. They would love him of course, but…

Elizabeth stepped back when she heard footsteps. She hadn’t even needed to knock.

Walter threw open the door. A huge smile bursting across his face when he saw who it was and whom she’d brought with her. He hadn’t believed his wife at first when she’d said that Lizzie was coming for a visit. But here she was…in the flesh.

When she smiled at him over the boy’s shoulder he smiled warmly in return and felt his heart swell a little. He immediately took the bags that Lucky carried.

"Hello son, you must be Lucky…I’m Walter."

Lucky smiled and gripped Walter’s hand. Giving him a firm shake. "Nice to mee –

"No, no, no," Walter said, his smiling growing still as he shook his head. "If you’re a friend of Lizzie’s you get a hug not a shake."

Lucky smiled brightly at the older man’s southern hospitality and enthusiasm as he took him a fierce embrace. Patting him roughly on the back. "Thanks," he chuckled. Trying to hold back a guffaw that was just about ready to burst loose.

Especially with the way Elizabeth smirked at him from behind. She looked precariously close to breaking up herself.

"That’s right!" Jillian cried as she emerged from behind the door. A floral dishtowel slung over her shoulder. "I’ve heard too many good things about you, not to hug you!"

Lucky cocked an eyebrow at Elizabeth, who immediately looked towards the fascinating carpet beneath her, at Jillian’s comment. Her neck going scarlet and then her jaw-line…he could only imagine what her cheeks looked like.

‘Thought you said you didn’t get embarrassed Elizabeth?’ Lucky thought. Smiling softly at her as she looked back up. ‘You’re gorgeous either way Sweetie.’

But the question was when had she talked to Jillian about him? When had she even mentioned him?

"Come over here Sweetheart," Walter smiled broadly. "Don’t even think about skipping out on the hugging session."

In true Elizabeth style, she scrunched her face when the older man embraced her. Forcing herself to accept the gesture of affection.

Jillian smiled at her husband and Lizzie and slowly let go of Lucky. Only to drape her arm over his shoulders a second later. "It’s been too long since we’ve seen her," she commented quietly. "About two months to be exact…thank you for bringing her back," she finished. Whispering the last part in Lucky’s ear.

Lucky smiled, but shrugged slightly. Not wanting to take credit for something he had no part in. "Actually, I didn’t bring –

"Yes, you did son," Jillian smiled. Cutting him off. The wrinkles in her lovely old face crinkling softly around her mouth as she did so.

He could only nod and turn away slowly. Silently watching the scene in front of him unfold and take a new shape. Each of them took turns hugging Elizabeth, and all the while she looked caught somewhere between discomfort…and relief.

‘So afraid to give in,’ Lucky thought suddenly. ‘But wants to…so badly.’

It was a thought that described Elizabeth in a nutshell, and he’d finally just figured it out.

Now the question was…why?

~~~~~~~

~~ A hour later ~~

Gripping the edge of the slanted rock above him, Lucky lifted himself and climbed up over it. Grunting as he did so.

"You ok back there city boy?"

Lucky chuckled and shook his head. "Yeah, I’m doin’ just fine thank you Missy…a little thirsty – but fine."

Elizabeth halted mid climb and smiled back at him. "You see that big round thing around your neck?…That would be a canteen – which is traditionally filled with water…which can be consumed if -

"If you don’t quit your yackin’ and make it up that rock there, I’m gonna reach up and pinch what I didn’t get a chance to last night."

"Oooh," she giggled. Turning back around to the task at hand and lifting herself above the next obstacle in their path. "Threats," she finished. Grinning.

"Not a threat – a promise," he sighed. Making it over the same rock that she had just maneuvered past.

Elizabeth bit her lip and moved up and into the clearing. Gazing down at Lucky as he mopped his sweaty brow and did the same. The muscles in his arms straining against the elements as he pushed himself forward.

"Damn…"

"What?" He asked. Sighing as he stood and brushed off his shorts. Panting a bit.

"Nothing," Elizabeth stuttered quickly. ‘You’re just unbelievably gorgeous,’ she finished silently in her head.

Lucky let his eyes travel over her trim body. "Did you hurt yourself or something?" Concern raced through his eyes in a millisecond. But he didn’t see anything. No scrapes, no bruises, not a single scratch…

Just slightly sun-kissed…and moist from the beginnings of perspiration…

"I’m fine," she said nodding slowly. As if trying to convince herself that she really was. That her heart wasn’t beating a mile a minute and that even if it was, it was simply due to the hike.

"So, what do you think?" She asked suddenly. Turning her eyes back to the clearing and the lake ahead. Things that were safe.

She had to keep her head clear. Had to do this the right way.

Though he never took his eyes away from her, he understood beauty all too well. "Beautiful…Amazing."

When she turned to smile at him and grab his hand, his breath caught all over again. "Come ‘ere…I wanna show it to you."

His legs weren’t steady enough after that climb to withstand the shock of having her take his hand in hers. He would have collapsed if not for the fact that she was practically dragging him forward.

When they reached the water’s edge, she finally let go of his hand. Although he wished to God she wouldn’t have. He watched as she knelt down to the ground and reached inside the sparkling pool to scoop a handful of the liquid into her palms. The water sliding down the length of her arms as she did so. Closing her eyes, she dribbled some of the drops just over her collarbone.

And he nearly fainted.

Elizabeth opened her eyes after a moment, feeling his heated gaze. "You look like you need some too."

His incredibly dry mouth gaped a bit and he could only nod in response. "Y-yeah…I think…yeah."

Lucky got to his knees quickly and began to splash the cool, clear water against his face. Raking his drenched fingers through his bangs to get them away from his face. God it felt good…

God, he looked good.

Elizabeth balled her fists to keep from running her fingers through the same hair that was now streaked darker with damp strands. She watched longingly as transparent drops rolled to a point on his bottom lip and then his chin before dropping into oblivion. As his long, wet fingers dragged themselves through the ripples of water next to the shore.

Lucky looked up and caught her eyes. Catching her staring. But something told him not to touch her right then…that it wouldn’t be smart.

"You are so incredibly beautiful."

Stunned for a moment, she blinked her way out of it and looked down. Pushing a few non- existent strands away from her face. "Thank you."

He took a deep breath and let his eyes travel over her petite frame once more, before drawing them away. Noticing that she was uncomfortable with what he’d just said. Even if it was the most honest thing he’d ever stated in his life.

He had to take this slow…

She was tending to the untying of her shoes just to avoid his eyes.

Lucky did the same.

But when he looked up, the object hanging from the tree proved the answer to his awkward moment prayers. "A tire swing," he said aloud. Smiling as he pointed to it.

Elizabeth nodded and grinned. "Yeah. But I refuse to –

"Oh come on," Lucky said quickly. Rising to his feet and pulling her to hers. "I’ll push."

In spite of how she whined she let herself be dragged forward. Shaking her head the entire time.

Grasping the tire in his hands he held it steady and grinned at her. "Hop on."

Elizabeth shivered when he reached out to take her by the waist. Pulling her towards the swing that hung from a strong branch just over the water. "I bet you haven’t been on a swing in ages."

"Yeah and there’s probably a good reason for that," She mumbled. Biting down hard on her lip. "If I fall, I’ll kick your ass Lucky."

He grinned widely. Every pearly white tooth in his mouth evenly displayed. "Duly noted…and believe me I am very afraid. Now…" he added, Taking her hand and seating her within the hole of the tire. "If you please…"

Gritting her teeth, Elizabeth followed instructions and allowed her head to fall back against his chest as he tugged on the ropes that connected the tire to the tree. Pulling backwards before he launched her into the atmosphere.

He leaned close to hear ear. "Hold on."

Elizabeth squealed as she soared through the air. Her feet dangling over the water as the air moved past her in a wild rush.

Biting his lip, with a grin, Lucky pushed her once more. And though she yelped, she cried "higher."

Jeez, she was the biggest oxymoron he’d ever met.

"You sure?!" Lucky called. Backing up a bit to catch her when she came hurtling backwards towards him.

"Yes!" She screamed. Kicking outwards when he gave her a big push. The breeze rushed past her in every direction and she tilted her head back, letting it sift through her hair.

Lucky watched her for a moment. Forgetting to push. Only remembering to watch every nuance of her face. Every subtle smile as the air caressed her cheeks. Every flash of sunlight through her hanging chocolate strands.

Too distracted to catch the tire when it returned at an increased pace.

It hit him with full force, causing him to grunt and lurched forward. His arms shooting out to the sides to try and catch his wobbling balance before losing complete control. But it was too late. His feet slid along the slippery surface of rocks at the edge and into the water in a split second.

Elizabeth burst out laughing as soon as she heard the splash. And threw her head back as she let her bare feet skid through the water’s surface. She couldn’t stop laughing, and held tightly to the ropes of the tire for support. It’s quickened swinging, beginning to slow the rhythm that Lucky had set.

Lucky shook out his drenched hair as he broke the water’s surface. Drying off the way a dog would dry out his fur after being given a bath. She laughed even harder.

He took a deep breath and treaded towards her. A completely unembarrassed smile lacing his features as the sun and water both reflected off of his flawless skin. "You think that’s funny huh?"

She couldn’t even answer, for laughing so hard. He saw the tears glisten in her eyes and shook his head again. "That’s really not nice…But, you know what I think would be even funnier?"

At the look on his face and sound in his voice her laughter ceased, and she drew her legs up on the rim of the large, round tire. Shaking her head, "no."

Something told her that this would NOT be like last night in the parking garage. He’d catch her this time, and there would be no pinching…only cold water. "No…Lucky no…"

"Oh yes…" he said nodding. "I think you deserve it for laughing at me."

Squealing loudly, she tried to pull her feet away, but his grip was too strong. Elizabeth fell instantly into the cool water. Splashing through it’s surface and landing right next to Lucky with an excited scream.

It was an instantaneous all out war and he swallowed mouthfuls of water due to laughing at her and the way she screamed the entire time. Each of them splashing like crazed sugar-hyped kids at a public pool in the summer. Ducking as the next one launched a particularly large attack.

Elizabeth tried her best to swim away, trying to reach the shore before the next bale of water hit her, but didn’t make it in time. Couldn’t out swim him…he was so fast incredibly fast.

So…

Lucky’s hands reached out to grab her legs and she giggled and yelped again. His strong arms rapidly tugging her back towards him. She couldn’t control her laughter and her stomach hurt so badly that she had to give in. Had to let him just steer her wherever he wanted to go.

"It’s not nice to laugh at people," Lucky panted. His voice suddenly deep and husky as he held her in his arms. The water suddenly not as cool as before.

"I couldn’t help it," she grinned. Biting down on her lip once more. "You looked funny."

Although at that moment, for the life of her she couldn’t think of a damn thing humorous about the way she looked. She’d never seen anything in her life more sexy than Lucky Spencer wet…

Perhaps if he were naked…

Lucky seemed unable to stop grinning. Unable to contain the feeling that bubbled up inside of him. He felt so ALIVE when he was with her. So free…so much like a kid again.

Reaching up to push a few dripping strands of chestnut hair out of her face, he shook his head and felt her shiver at the contact. "You know what you’re like?"

At her silence, he continued. Staring into her eyes. Her eyelashes dark, and matted together from the heaviness of water against the fragile strands. "You’re like the first day of summer…" he smiled. Acknowledging her look of complete bewilderment. "I know it sounds crazy…but you know…when you were a kid and you heard the very last bell ring on the very last day of school before summer vacation…I swear to God, you make me feel just like I used to feel at that moment…like I was free…like I could do absolutely anything I wanted to do, and be anything I wanted to be…

"For 3 months at least," she whispered. Joking, but not…Smiling, but something melancholy settling in the depths of her heart.

Summers had never been wonderful for her, and this – whatever it was between them – would probably last no longer than 3 days after tonight.

"Oh no…" Lucky said quietly. Shaking his head. "Hopefully for a lot longer than 3 months…God, I’d love to feel this way for a lifetime."

She shivered again and closed her eyes. His hand still imbedded halfway between her cheek and in the drenched mane of hair behind her. She could think of absolutely nothing to say. Maybe she could just let herself believe that for a few minutes…

Licking his lips, he watched her own. Wanting to reach out and run his tongue along that full bottom lip of hers. Wanting to catch every drop that fell from them before they were able to make it back home to the body of water that surrounded them.

But she would move…He could feel her beginning to stiffen in his arms. She would swim right away if he didn’t act now…

They turned slightly as the current of the water moved with the breeze, and the sun shifted down through the clouds and into her eyes. Sapphire light - all ablaze.

He moved closer to her. Using both of his hands now instead of one to clasp her face.

Her skin…so wet…so perfect…she looked like porcelain. Like a porcelain doll to be handled with care. Never broken.

Elizabeth held her breath, as he moved in. Her eyelids debating whether or not they wanted to be open or closed for this. For he would kiss her…she knew it. She felt it in her every nerve ending. And he was so beautiful…those red, dripping lips were so magnificent…that she wasn’t sure she was willing to miss them by closing her eyes…

She gasped when he lessened the space between them to mere centimeters. Suddenly nervous, and almost…frightened, she looked down into the water, and felt his fingers push her chin back upwards.

"I wanna kiss you so bad right now," he whispered. The nature around them providing the only soundtrack for the moment, other than the beating of their hearts.

A bird’s call to her red-breasted lover in the trees, the lapping of the water against their clothing, and the rapid in and out of their own breathing, the only constants.

She could say nothing. Feel nothing other than excitement and an extraordinary sensation of goodness and warmth as a portion of his lip brushed against hers, seemingly inadvertently. Timidly at first…as if testing the waters.

They were so close…She’d never been this close to anyone without actually kissing them.

He licked his lips and stared down at hers for a moment. Continuing to cup her face in his hands and speaking softly. "You’re not gonna move away are you?" He asked. His breath practically her own at this point. His voice, so exquisitely deep and yet faint - all at once…how was it even possible?

"When I try and kiss you…you’re not going to swim away like a fish are you?"

Elizabeth smiled. And when she did, his lips mirrored that action. They were so excruciatingly close that if she tilted her head just a fraction of an inch they would be kissing and there would no longer be any room for discussion.

"No," she sighed. Her hands finding the firm biceps that were covered by his now sopping wet T-shirt. "I don’t think…I don’t think I’d be able to – get away from you anyway…"

His lips paused in their consistent hover over hers. Finally centering over her mouth "Smart girl…"

She breathed in through her nose the instant contact was made. Certain that she’d never felt anything so amazing in her entire life. Certain that the tingling that shot through her body at record speed could NOT be natural. He kissed like…

Were their fireworks? Was this the end of the world? Was this the beginning?

He kissed like…

Small charges of electricity ricocheted like bolts of lightening being detonated throughout her entire body, one tiny explosion after the next.

He kissed like…

He took her plump, bottom lip into his mouth. Sucking lightly on the tender bit of flesh before taking her entire mouth, and then pulling back to sip at her top lip in the same fashion he had the first. Repeating the cycle, as something that resembled a whimper escaped her throat.

He kissed like…

She tasted even better than he’d imagined. Like candy and fruit and sweeter than anything he’d ever had in his life. Getting closer still, he smoothed his thumb against the corner of her mouth. Letting her head drop back against his fingertips to get a better sample of her deliciousness.

He kissed like she’d never been kissed before, and she desperately wanted more. Yearned for more.

Elizabeth’s hands searched for more to hold on to as the kiss strengthened and they began to turn in the water. Absently seeking for more of him to touch, her fingertips burrowed into his broad shoulders. Through the soaked white t-shirt, and into the depths of his flesh.

He was so big and so strong and when he kissed her…he seemed to be kissing all of her at once.

She moaned and trembled when his tongue eased against the inside of her lips

This was…

Dear God, how was she supposed to deal with not having this again when he left? How was she supposed to…Why was this happening to her?

Elizabeth gasped when he pulled away breathless, her entire body lurching forward without command from her brain. Her trembling hand quickly smoothing down his cheek on it’s own accord. Watching him as he blew out quickly through his mouth. His beautiful lips, swollen and redder than ever.

Their eyes caught, and Lucky had to look away. Her eyes, so deep, so full of passion that if he hadn’t broken contact he might have ripped her clothes off and taken her right here in the water.

It would be so easy…they were all alone. They both wanted each other. ‘Slow down,’ he instructed himself. ‘Slow down Cowboy.’

He licked his lips and bit down hard. Never in his life had he felt this way about a kiss. Ever…it was like…

"I think we should stop…" he panted.

Elizabeth grinned at his breathlessness, and noticed her own. "Ok…for now."

When he grinned back he ran his thumb down the center of her lips and she kissed it quickly. ‘For now?’ he thought blankly. His brain, unable to comprehend or even ask her what she meant by that one.

"We should…should probably head back now huh?" He continued. Trying with everything he had to pull himself away from her. If he were going to survive, he had to. "Jillian said she’d be making dinner…and I suppose we’re gonna need time to dry off…and um…I need time for a cold shower."

Elizabeth nodded and stared at his lips. "Yes…dinner…I’ve definitely worked up my appetite."

Lucky bit extra hard on that swollen bottom lip of his and shook his head. She was going to eat him alive…he was sure of it. He started treading backwards to the shore. Keeping his eye on her. "Stop that now."

She could only stare as he hopped out of the water, sopping wet. His clothes clinging to him at every angle. A defined stomach and chest outlined by the creases of his shirt. Thin rivulets of water following the paths that his veins took along his forearms, and trailing along those beautiful calves as he moved farther up the bank.

He was the one who should have been the stripper.

She wondered what that long, lean torso would look like naked.

Lucky looked up at her as he sat to put his shoes on, watching her – watch him. Then watching her turn away to find her own shoes.

Sweet Jesus…the way her blouse clung to her every single, curve….He could just throw her down on the grass and…

‘Relax Spencer…RELAX…it took days for her to even let you kiss her…and that kiss was more than you could have ever, EVER dreamed of…so ease up.’

Taking a deep, cleansing breath, he stood up once his shoes were laced. Slowly walking over to where she sat and extending his hand. It was a dangerous move, but he wasn’t about to let her forget what had just happened, by breaking contact. "Come on…let’s go."

God, was it just him or had her smile gotten even more beautiful in the last 45 seconds?

"Ok."

~~~~~~~

~~ About 2 Hours Later ~~

"Wow…"

Lucky’s breathing faltered as he exited his room and out into the hallway. Immediately falling backwards to lean against the dark wood paneling on the wall behind him.

She wore a white turtleneck, and a black pair of those pants that were loose everywhere but right at the waistline. And her hair…her hair flowed down across the front of her shoulders. Still wild and untamed like it had been earlier…only dry now.

"You look…" Once again his voice trailed away as he searched for the right words.

"I forgot to bring my blow-dryer," she commented shyly, pulling her fingers through the mass of curls that surrounded her head.

Lucky reached up and looped one soft spiral around his fingertip. "You should forget it more often."

Elizabeth breathed in deeply through her nose, and once again tried not to become intoxicated by his scent. His face looking incredibly soft now and free of stubble. She wanted to reach up and touch him…but she didn’t.

Touching his face would have been…

‘More dangerous than looking at him?’ She asked herself. Her eyes trailing over the loose fitting gray dress shirt that hid everything she’d seen in that wet t-shirt of his. God, it was even more exciting to imagine what he looked like under there now.

"Are you hungry?" She asked suddenly. Nerves flapping through her stomach like that glitter of butterflies he’d told her about. "I’m famished."

"Yeah," Lucky nodded slowly. Taking in her stance. The way she quickly folded her arms across her stomach.

‘Please don’t close up Elizabeth,’ he thought quickly. "Hey," he called softly. Grasping her hand to still her as she began down the corridor. "Is everything ok?"

"Yeah…everything’s fine," she nodded. Flashing that million-watt smile from before.

"Ok," he nodded. Following her. Biting his lip when she avoided taking his hand.

‘Table it until after dinner Spencer…it could be your imagination…it could be she gets weird when she’s hungry…it could be, she regrets what just happened.’

He sighed and shoved his partner-less hands in his pockets before following her down the hall.

~~~~~~~

Jillian and Walter’s Private Dining Room

~~ About 1 hour later ~~

Lucky leaned back in his chair, rubbing his stomach. "Mrs. Henderson that was –

"Ah!" the older woman corrected quickly. Holding up her hand. "That’s Jillian to you, my dear."

He smiled and patted his stomach again. Surveying his empty plate. "That was WONDERFUL Jillian…I’d love to get the recipe from you."

"Oooh," Jillian smiled. Nodding towards Elizabeth. With a ‘and he COOKS too,’ expression on her face. "Thank you Lucky," Jillian continued. "It’s about time someone appreciated my fried chicken."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes and smiled. "Jill, I appreciate your fried chicken, I just –

"You just won’t eat it," Walter filled in, with a knowing glare. He shook his head as if ready to give her a lecture. "You need some meat on your bones little girl."

"I have plenty," she sighed. Glancing at Lucky for help.

He held up his hands. He was too full to fight. Besides…she could stand to eat a little.

Jillian made some sound that resembled both a sigh and a ‘pushaw.’ "Well, a girl’s gotta keep her figure if she’s gonna be taking off her clothes every night, doesn’t she?"

"Jill!" Elizabeth nearly shouted. Her mouth gaping wide.

Lucky covered his mouth with his hand to keep from laughing at her expression of shock. He didn’t know why he found it so funny, but damnit he wanted to bust up at that moment…and when the whole table did – he did as well.

Even Elizabeth was laughing.

God, it was good to hear that. Elizabeth having fun with people who teased her like family, and obviously loved her like family as well. Though he wished he knew more about where she’d come from. About her "real" family. She never wanted to talk about them. Never even mentioned them during their phone conversation the night before. Only that she’d left home.

"Well," Walter began a few moments later. Wiping tears of joy out of the corners of his eyes from laughing so hard. "I bet I know what she won’t be able to hold out on…"

Elizabeth’s mouth dropped open once more. "You didn’t."

"Oh but he did," Jillian nodded as she turned towards Lucky. Winking at him. "My husband can only make ONE dish that’s worth a damn and it just happens to be little Lizzie’s favorite thing in the world."

"What’s that?" Lucky asked, leaning forward to prop his head in his hands. Eager to know the slightest detail about the lady at his side. "Let me guess…it’s got chocolate in it?"

"Bingo!" Walter shouted. Earning a smirk from Elizabeth.

"BROWNIES," Jillian announced in long drawn out syllables. "A moment on the lips…a lifetime on the hips…as most good things in the world are," she said suggestively. Eyeing both of the young people across from her.

"I’m going to get ‘em! Come help me take them out of the oven Lucky."

"What do you need his help for?" Elizabeth asked. Watching Jillian with suspicion.

"Well, if I want to actually get them out of the kitchen and onto the table before they’re eaten, I can’t necessarily ask you or Walter for help now can I?"

Elizabeth huffed and folded her arms over her chest. "Oh so first I eat too little, and now I eat too much?"

"It’s so hard being you isn’t it…getting teased all the time?" Jillian laughed. Tugging Lucky into the kitchen by his hand.

Once inside, Lucky smiled broadly as Jillian moved towards the oven and pulled open the huge door. He moved towards her and grabbed a couple of oven mitts from the rack. "Thank you."

"For what?" Jillian asked. Looking at the handsome young fellow from the corner of her eye, as she pulled the pan from the middle rack. "You’re the one who’s doing it."

"Doing what?" Lucky smirked. Helping her to lift the hot pan out and set it on the counter top.

"Making her smile…making her happy."

Lucky stepped back for a moment and shook his head. "I’m not so sure about that yet…but thank you for saying so."

"Oh…" Jillian sighed knowingly. "So what were you thanking me for? Brownies your favorite too?"

Lucky licked his lips and grinned. "I am quite fond of them…but what I really meant was thank you for having me here…it reminds me a lot of being home."

Jillian stopped her task of removing the foil from the pan and smiled warmly. "That’s a nice thing to say…Walter and I never had any kids you know…so we love having Lizzie and her friends here…well – most of them," she added soberly. Looking back down at the pan.

The name ‘Gino,’ instantly popped into Lucky’s mind but he didn’t say it. He’d been surprised that Jillian and Walter had taken such an immediate liking to him, considering that ‘minor,’ debacle.

"Well," Lucky began softly, not wanting to step on any toes. "From what I can tell she thinks you guys are pretty special too. You’re like parents to her…not that I know much about her parents but –

His words faltered when Jillian looked up into his eyes startlingly. Her gray eyes suddenly sad. She paused for a long moment and then nodded. "Be patient with her Lucky…she’ll tell you all about her family when she learns to trust you a bit more."

"Oh, I wasn’t - I wasn’t trying to fish for information or anything like that. I just –

"You just care," Jillian allowed quietly. "It’s ok, Lucky…I knew you weren’t trying to pump me for information about Lizzie…You look far too smart for that.

He grinned as she continued. "And seeing as you’re a smart boy, and I like you…I’m going to let you and Elizabeth have this pan all to yourselves –

Lucky held up his hands. "Oh, no Jillian that’s ok…you and Walter –

Jillian tilted her head to silence him. "You obviously haven’t seen Elizabeth demolish a pan of brownies…please – take the whole thing. It’s good for her…she doesn’t treat herself enough."

Nodding silently, Lucky took the huge pan into his arms and inhaled. "They smell delicious."

"Good," she sighed. Dusting her old hands off on her apron. "Sweetheart just remember what I said ok?…Be patient with her…She’s a little like a flower, you know? When it’s cold and dark she closes right up…but shine a little sunlight on her and she’ll open up like the warmest day of spring…"

Lucky could only nod as he answered with quiet understanding. "Thank you."

"You’re welcome…and you know…just like with those flowers, a little food doesn’t hurt either…now hurry and take her on in those brownies."

He chuckled and paused in his path towards the door. Turning to deposit a soft, sweet kiss on Jillian’s cheek. "Thank you again…I’ll remember that."

"I know you will."

~~~~~~~

Lucky found her sitting by the fire in the lobby. The inn, near empty aside from themselves and the owners. It was the off season, which meant few travelers and little to do in the way of work. It also meant they had the entire place to themselves right now before they went to bed.

The only sounds, the roaring fire and the soft music that wafted over the speakers installed in the ceiling.

"Elizabeth," he called. Walking slowly over to where she sat.

She jumped a bit as she turned, startled by his voice.

"Oh sorry," Lucky said. Sitting quickly and discarding the pan on a nearby ottoman. "I didn’t mean to scare you."

He touched her face and she closed her eyes. "You didn’t…I was just thinking about something…daydreaming."

"Oh," Lucky nodded. Letting his eyes drift over her perfect skin in the firelight. There was something wrong…something between them that was not quite right for two people who had shared a passionate moment in a beautiful place just a few hours ago.

They were supposed to feel good right now. He shouldn’t be the only one feeling spectacular about what happened. He shouldn’t have been the only one wishing it would happen again.

"Jillian said we could have these," he said soberly. Forcing a smile as he brought the pan to sit in front of her on the thick brown carpet.

She grinned and used the spatula to cut her self a piece. Her eyes closing in ecstasy when she bit into the rich chocolate cake. "Mmmm…"

Lucky smiled as he watched. Wondering dangerously if maybe that’s what she looked like when she…

"That good, huh?"

"Better," she sighed. Picking up the spatula again. She cut another huge piece and held it up to his lips. Offering it to him.

He licked his lips and then bit into the large hunk of fudge. His eyes doing the same thing hers had just moments ago.

"I told you," she giggled. Watching his Adam’s apple bob up and down as he swallowed.

Nodding, Lucky watched the way her eyes lit up. "Those are…EXCELLENT."

Elizabeth laughed. "They must be, because you’ve got it all over your face."

Reaching up for the corner of his mouth, Lucky grinned and swiped at a crumb he couldn’t see. "Here?"

"No…no, let me…" she said softly. Sitting up on her knees to press her thumb against the chocolate speck on his cheek.

He was soft…as soft as she’d imagined.

Their eyes locked for a moment and Elizabeth breathed in sharply. The flickering flames in his eyes almost too much to bare – indigo fire.

Before she knew what was happening, he had wrapped his fingers around her wrist. Moving her thumb to his lips, to remove the brownie crumb from her skin and let it slide into his mouth. Though she trembled throughout her entire body, she kept her hand there. Letting his lips continue to kiss the pad of her thumb, slowly moving to the base where finger met palm. When he finally got there, he went for her mouth instead.

Pulling her softly to him, his lips pressed against hers and he rose to his knees to taste a better portion of her lips. Tilting her head back for better access to her warm depths.

His hands were in her hair again…and she reached out to wrap her around his waist. Telling him wordlessly to come closer. That she needed to feel every inch of him against her.

Lucky quickly complied, splaying the fingers of one of his hands along her upper back to bring her tightly against him. Their mouths fastening together more tightly. Beginning to feast as suddenly they were unable to taste enough, feel enough…

God, it was like his lips and tongue wouldn’t work as fast as he wanted them too. Couldn’t take as much in…or devour as much as he wished. A fire roared through his body that burned hotter than the one that flickered to the side of them. His pants, suddenly becoming unbearably constrictive.

"Eliz…Eliza…Elizabeth," he panted. Finally getting the word out around her eager ministrations. Her mouth just as furious as his seemed to be. Her eyes just as upset as his were when he gently pushed her away. "Sweetie…we need to stop."

"Why?" She asked breathlessly. Her lips still teasing his. "It’s what we both want right?…You’ve been trying to get me to admit it for days…"

"I know…I know," he sighed. Smoothing both hands over her face as he kissed the v of her top lip and then her nose. "I just…I wanna…we should take our time with this don’t you think?"

"What for?" She smiled. Her lips on his again. "You’re going back to New York soon…and I’m staying here…we might as well have some fun while it lasts."

Lucky pulled away abruptly. Keeping both hands on her shoulders so she couldn’t touch him. He couldn’t think with her hands on him. "Is that what you think Elizabeth?"

Her eyebrows furrowed in annoyance. Why was he talking so much? "Is what, what I think?"

"You think I’m just gonna leave?…That we’ll fool around a little bit and then that’s that?"

"Well no," she chuckled sarcastically. "I was hoping to do a little bit more than fool around."

"Ok, well - make love…and then I’d just lea –

Elizabeth stiffened, and shook her head. Her eyes going completely blank. "Nobody said anything about ‘making love,’…Let’s just call it SEX ok?"

Lucky licked his dry lips and stared into her eyes for a moment. Not sure what just happened between them. "Fine…I just –

"Listen Lucky if this isn’t what you want…then my mistake. I just thought that maybe we could have some fun that’s all. But if you don’t want to then that’s cool too."

Elizabeth rose to her feet. Set on leaving the room, before Lucky’s hand clasped around her wrist. "Honey, that’s not what I meant.

"I want you…God HELP ME, I want you – I mean seriously, that’s NOT a gun in my pocket…I just want it to mean something when we make – when we SLEEP together…I mean I haven’t exactly earned the right to do that yet, have I? I haven’t even –

"What right?!" Elizabeth asked. Completely perplexed and actually angered by his reaction. "What the Hell are you talking about Lucky?…I’m talking about SEX…You know, just a good old fashioned roll in the hay. Not some –

She stumbled backwards and was happy by the hands that held her head, when his lips came crashing down onto hers. Cutting off all protest and argument. All breath.

He kissed her with even more fervor than he had before. Eliminating every thought from her head as he smothered her with some form of intensity that she hadn’t known existed on any plane.

When he let go, she felt her heels finally rock backwards onto the floor. The world, continuing to spin on some altered axis.

"What did that feel like to you?" Lucky asked. Breathless but completely serious. His gaze penetrating so deep, it wouldn’t allow her to look away.

"What do you mean?" She asked timidly. Almost afraid to say the wrong thing.

"Did it feel like some ‘good old fashioned kiss,’…like some kiss you’ve had before?"

Elizabeth silently shook her head. Biting down on her lip to keep from crying all of a sudden. It was like too much…too much all at once. Her head was spinning.

"Because it for damn sure didn’t feel like any kiss I’ve ever, EVER had in my entire life," Lucky continued soberly. "Elizabeth take a minute and multiply that feeling by what would happen if we made love right this minute……do you think I could just get up and hop a flight home after that? Do you think I would?"

She searched his eyes and her own began to well up. "I don’t know."

And it was the truth. She didn’t know. Her heart was telling her one thing, while her brain and her life experience was telling her another.

When you loved someone, they either left you or they hurt you like you’d never been hurt before. That was the way life went. It was either one or the other. She closed her eyes to that pain.

Lucky neared closer to her and took her face in his hands. "Please open your eyes," he said softly. Brushing a few wild strands away from her forehead. "Please."

She did as he bid her, and he could swear he saw tears there, but he wouldn’t mention it. Wouldn’t muddle the moment anymore than it already was, by calling attention to something she obviously saw as a sign of weakness.

"There’s something I need to tell you," he said soberly. Gazing deeply into her watery blue orbs. "Elizabeth I didn’t come back to Vegas for some convention…There isn’t any convention."

She blinked hard and shook her head. "What do you mean? Then why did you come back?"

Lucky breathed deeply. "I came back for you."

Elizabeth sniffed through her nose and looked at the ceiling as his hands dropped away from her face. "Exactly!…Exactly what I thought from the beginning," she began. Shaking her head at the insanity of it all. "See, I should always go with my first impressions. The night you asked me out…I knew – you’d just come back to get what you didn’t get the first time –

"Are you for REAL Elizabeth!? You think I flew thousands of miles in the middle of the night to come have SEX with you!? Get over yourself! I came back because I love you!"

Each of them stilled for a moment. The air having been sucked completely out of the atmosphere. One of them in disbelief at the fact that he’d actually said the words out loud, and in THAT way. The other in shock over the fact that the words even existed.

He breathed in deeply. Shaking off his disbelief. At least it was out there now. No more hiding how he felt. No more beating around the bush.

Lucky reached out for her face and just as quickly, she stepped backwards to avoid the gesture. Her mouth hanging wide open as she paid no heed to the huge tear that fell from her right eye.

Timidly, he stepped towards her again. "Did you hear what I said? I said I lo –

"Don’t say it again." Elizabeth said stoically. Holding up her hand as if to ward him off. "Don’t," she repeated.

Lucky licked his lips. "Elizabeth I know it’s crazy. I know it doesn’t make any sense whatsoever, but I do lo-

"NO!" She shouted. Suddenly looking up at him with something in her eyes that he didn’t understand. Her voice louder this time. Loud and almost scary in it’s intensity. She sounded like someone had just told her they hated her – not the opposite. "Don’t," she finished. Her voice immediately, dropped a few decibels. Dropping nearly to nothingness in a nanosecond.

Lucky’s eyes widened with concern and worry. This wasn’t just shock…there was something very wrong here. "Elizabeth –"

"No," she said again inching backwards.

He looked down at her feet and how they moved just millimeters away, as if she wanted to run but couldn’t. As if her feet were cemented to the rug.

Not knowing what to do, Lucky hesitantly reached for her hand and not her face. Eager to make it alright again.

It was a mistake. She screamed again, and this time was able to move. Running quickly down the hall, before he could even take his next step.