"Which translates into men," Tim replies.
"Any in particular?" Vin asks.
"No, just men in general."
Tim warns Vin, "Don't even try to pry it out of them. It doesn't work."
Vin starts laughing and pins me with a stare. "Does the term cruel and unusual punishment ring a bell?"
I groan. "Oh, no you don't. Not again."
"Gwen, what's he talking about?" Amber asks.
Not taking my eyes off of Vin, I reply, "Nothing."
We finish off our drinks and decide to call it a day. We head back through the market to where Vin had parked the jeep and make our way back down to the hotel, where Vin goes in to return the key. The sun is setting about the time we make it back down to the cottage. Standing on the porch together, we watch until it's completely gone.
Taking my hand, he leads me into the living area, where there are lit candles all around and our dinner is on the table.
"How did you manage this?" I ask.
"I'll never tell."
He leads me to the table, holding my chair out for me, then sits in the chair to my right. He takes the covers off of the plates that were on the table. Crab, lobster, boiled shrimp, potatoes, mixed vegetables, and rolls. We take turns dishing out different items onto each other's plates, then start to eat.
Naturally, I hit the crab first. The shells have already been cracked, so the only thing left to do was break it apart to get the meat. Picking up a crab leg, I snapped it, pulling off one side and using the small fork, split the shell down the center and fished the meat out. Luckily it came out in one piece, so I dipped it into the butter sauce and holding it up, opened my mouth and slowly let it slide in. Vin watches me the entire time.
"Mmmmm, this is excellent," I comment, going after the next crab leg.
"Here, let me," he offers, following the same steps I just used. He dipped it into the butter sauce and held it above my mouth, waiting for me to open it. When I did, I snaked my tongue out and wrapped it around the crabmeat, pulling it into my mouth, with Vin's fingers brushing my lips.
I continued through the rest of the meal as if nothing had happened. Everything was delicious. We somehow made it through the rest of the meal without any other incidents, but it was hard as hell.
Vin gets out of his chair and taking my hand, leads me into the living area. He flips a button on the wall and music starts to play.
"Dance with me?" he asks.
I walk into his arms and it feels like coming home, a safe place that you never want to leave. We dance to a few slow songs, and then my favorite one comes on, "This I Promise You" by *NSYNC. Closing my eyes, I lay my head on his shoulder. He tilts my chin up, looking deep into my eyes, as if trying to read my soul. An unwanted tear falls, and he brushes it away. I try to lay my head back down, but he won't let me. He slowly lowers his lips to mine, conveying his feelings in this kiss. It's soft and tender, full of promises. We break the kiss and he takes my left hand in his, sliding a diamond ring on my finger. I'm watching this as if it's a dream.
Tilting my chin up, he says, "I love you," before tenderly kissing me, then holding me even tighter in his arms as we continue to dance together, listening to the words of the song.
When the song is over, I pull back from him a little, and the tears that I had so desperately tried to hide from Vin fell openly. "Why?" I ask. "Why me? What could have possibly happened between us that led you to this decision?"
"Well, let’s see. You don’t put up a front and act like someone or something you’re not. You speak your mind. You don’t take shit from anyone. And you don’t give me my way every time I want something either. I love being with you. I love being myself when I’m with you. I don’t want to end up old and alone. Yeah, I’ve had girlfriends or lovers, or whatever you want to call them, but nothing comes close to what we have. This is real, Gwen, and I don’t want to lose it. I’ve had my playtime. Now I want to settle down, well, as much as my profession will allow, and I want to do that with you."
"All of that in the short time that we've known each other?" I cautiously ask.
"I told you in New Orleans that I could read people, know when they want something from me, and know when their feelings are genuine. You have got to be the most down to earth person that I know. And I know that deep down you care for me, probably more than you want to admit, and that’s why I feel that we can make it work between us." Then after a short pause, he adds, "Oh, that plus the great sex."
That made me smile a little. "You’re not going to stop until I say it, are you?"
"Nope," he replies with a smug grin on his face.
I take a deep breath and look into his gorgeous eyes and say, "I love you too. God help me, but I do. But I want you to know that that fell in love with the man, not the Hollywood Hero. I tried my hardest not to, but you make it so easy to love you, the real you."
"That’s all I wanted to hear." He leans down and his lips meet mine for a long, slow, thorough kiss.
Taking my hand, we go around the room blowing out the candles, then walk into the bedroom together.
After slowly undressing each other, Vin gently lowers me onto the bed with him covering my body. This time, our loving is slow and hot, taking our time, savoring each moment. Slowly and gently he slides into me, my body wrapping around his. He begins to move slowly, the passion building until we both can't take it any longer, then stopping to lay motionless for a minute before beginning again, loving the way our bodies felt together. The sea breeze drifting into the room cools our heated bodies. We loved this way for hours. With the moon high overhead and candlelight dancing on the walls, we finally let ourselves go and fall over the edge together.
Vin slides off of me and cradles me in his embrace. Holding up my left hand and watching the diamonds reflect the candlelight, he asks, "So, what do you think?"
"It's beautiful. Thank you." I say, reaching up to gently kiss him. The ring has a marquis cut diamond in the center and marquis and baguette diamonds at its side.
"You know, I've bought lots of jewelry before, but this one scared the hell out of me."
"Why? It's just a ring."
"No, it's a ring that I bought for the woman I love. There's a difference."
"I feel bad because I don't have anything to give you."
"You already have. You've given me your love and you've given me hope that we can make a future together."
"I don't know how we're going to accomplish that, with us living and working in two different places."
"We'll figure it out."
He gets out of bed to blow out the remaining candles in the bedroom, and then joins me again.
"Get some sleep, we've got a big day ahead of us," he says. Taking my hand and bringing it to his lips, he presses a kiss on the symbol of our love. "I love you, Gwen," he says looking down at me.
Reaching up and gently placing a kiss on his lips, I reply, "I love you too."
We both fall into a peaceful sleep, now knowing where our lives are headed.
