We Met in September

Prologue

We met in September and married in November—you could say we decided not to take it slow.

Ned was the wind that caressed my face, his fingers the breeze that combed through my hair. He kept me warm through the frigid January nights when he wrapped his body around me like a blanket of snow.

He was my other half and my soul mate, my calm in the storm. Most of the time, I couldn’t tell where I ended and he began. We completed each other in every way.

I never believed in one true, great, all-consuming love until I met Ned. I often had to pinch myself to believe I was so fortunate.

We talked for hours and went for long walks and communicated without saying a word. We completed each other’s thoughts and sentences while we lounged on the beach holding hands and gazing at the heavens. I could see Ned in the stars. Ned was a star. I could see Ned in everything.

I could taste him in the salt air and hear his liquid silver laugh in the clanging sails on the masts that swayed in the breeze. I swam in his scent, and the waves lapping against the hull reminded me of his deep breathing when he slept.

The gulls joined in our laughter when we made love on the deck of Alrakis, out on the open rolling ocean. It was a freedom I couldn’t imagine giving up, and a joy I relished each day.

I never dreamed it possible that I would meet someone I would fall so completely in love with and who would fall so completely in love with me. Ned and I had promised to love, cherish, and grow old together. And I knew we would. I knew we’d be together forever.

But as the months flowed by, Ned never grew old because Ned was, in fact, dead. At least that’s what everyone kept telling me. I went to his memorial service and I played the grieving widow, but he never left me. He promised he wouldn’t; and Ned always kept his promises.

Chapter 1

French Kiss

The first thing I noticed was the massive sail with what looked like an EP emblazoned on it. The letters were ornately stylized, but I think it read EP.

The boat was beyond extraordinary. I’d never seen anything like it, and I wasn’t even sure you called it a boat—I guess it was more like a yacht. It was long and sleek and glistening white. It sliced through the waves like a warm knife through butter, and the sun was so bright that I had to squint and put my hand over my brow even though I was wearing sunglasses.

The wind was playing havoc on my hair, and it kept blowing into my eyes. I grabbed it and held it behind my head in frustration for messing up my view.

As the massive sailboat neared the pier, I couldn’t stop staring. I didn’t know anything at all about sailing, but I sure could fantasize about being on a boat like that, lying in the sun while people delivered drinks and snacks to me.

Totally gorgeous, huh? I heard, jolting me out of my nautical-induced daze.

Unbelievable. I sighed as I watched the sail start to crinkle down.

Such a playboy, she mused. I sure wish he’d play with me.

I turned to look at her as confused as usual.

Stoney, what are you talking about?

I received an appalled expression.

Really, KC? she said indignantly. "Tell me you weren’t feasting your eyes on one of the hottest bachelors on the planet."

My mouth dropped open, and I whipped my head back around to peer at the boat.

My god, what is wrong with you? she asked. If you tell me you didn’t notice him, I’m taking you to the hospital so they can shock you back to life. Then she punched my shoulder.

Ow, I said, grabbing my arm.

I didn’t want to tell her I had been staring at the boat and hadn’t even noticed anyone actually on board. She was right about me needing to be shocked back to life. I just didn’t want to admit it to her or myself.

I scanned the deck toward the wheel near the back—was it called a wheel? I had no idea, but that’s what it looked like to me—a giant steering wheel. And then I saw him, and I instantly understood what she meant.

Oh, I said, unable to articulate anything further.

He was tall and had a muscular chest and shoulders and arms, his muscles flexing for all to see under his white tank top. His body tapered down to his hips like an inverted pyramid, like the swimmers I watched in the Olympics. I could only imagine what his abs looked like.

His white cotton pants flapped in the wind, allowing a somewhat erotic view of his long, lean legs, his tight behind, and his other assets. He had on sunglasses, and his hair was blowing in every direction, the sun highlighting its coppery tones streaking through chocolate brown. Yep, she was right. He was a god, and I couldn’t help but sigh.

I know, right? she gushed.

Who is he? I asked and heard her incredulous gasp.

She looked at me like I had three heads.

How long have you been living under a rock? she sort of yelled at me.

I flinched. Undoubtedly this was someone I should have known, but I just shrugged.

We have got to get you out more, Prudence, she exclaimed. Everyone on the Eastern seaboard knows who Ned Ellion is, KC. You’ve lived here how long now?

Almost two years, I mumbled. You met me my first week here.

I hated when she called me that horrible nickname, Prudence.

Well, I’ve failed miserably as a friend, she huffed. Don’t you read any of the sailing, yachting, or business magazines around here?

Um, no, I said as I looked at him and his boat again.

They were getting closer now and moving slowly toward the pier where we were sitting.

Is he parking it right here? I asked.

Parking it? she said. "You are so not a native."

Duh, Stoney, I said. You’re right, I’m not. I don’t know anything about sailing. We didn’t have boats like that in Louisiana, or if we did, I never saw them. We had fishing boats and shrimp boats and airboats and pirogues.

She rolled her eyes at me.

Yeah, yeah, little Miss Bayou Girl, she giggled.

Shut up, I teased back.

I sipped my french kiss martini while I watched the show. The boat, yacht, whatever it was called, eased up next to the pier. Several guys on the dock met it and picked up ropes to tie it off. The god on board went below the deck, and I was disappointed I’d lost my view of him.

So which Greek god is he? I asked more to myself than to my starstruck friend. Stoney just shrugged her shoulders.

You know I don’t know anything about your mythology, KC, she said.

"It’s not my mythology, but let me see, I said. He could be Adonis or Apollo. No, I’ve got it. I’ll call him Eros."

OK, she said, humoring me as usual. Tell me about Eros.

Eros was the god of love, sexual intercourse, cupids, desire, and pleasure, I whispered. He was often shown with wings and arrows, and his symbols were a bow, arrows, candles, hearts, cupids, wings, and kisses.

Mmmm. She sighed, taking a sip of her cosmopolitan as his head popped up and he emerged back on the deck of the boat.

So, Stoney, what’s so special about him other than his mythical beauty? What did you say his name is again? I asked.

Edmund Ellion, but he goes by Ned, she said. He’s the cofounder and CEO of one of the largest sail-making businesses in the entire world—Ellion/Patterson. Comes from extreme wealth, travels the world, never been married, who knows about kids, but I’ve never read about any—lives the life of the rich and famous.

I took another drink as I watched him walking around the deck. He’d pulled a white V-neck sweater on over his tank top and was running his hand through his hair periodically.

So have you ever met him? I asked.

No, KC, we don’t exactly run in the same circles, she said.

Well, he’s right here right now, I said. You could introduce yourself.

With that she laughed riotously.

Are you crazy? If I ever got close enough to talk to him, I’d be so tongue-tied, I wouldn’t even remember my name!

I downed the rest of my drink, quickly wondering if she was watching what was happening.

Well, you might want start recalling it, Stoney, because he’s walking this way right now.

She tipped back in her chair and knocked her drink over, sending cranberry juice splashing all over my pale-yellow dress. I jumped up, and my chair fell over backward, my scarf flying into the wind.

Shit! I shrieked a little louder than I meant for it to come out.

I grabbed my cocktail napkin, threw my sunglasses on the table, and fruitlessly dabbed at the red mess all over the front of me.

Oh crap, I’m sorry, KC, she said as she came over with her napkin in hand.

We were so busy trying to salvage my dress that neither of us noticed him catch my scarf.

Can I help? a deep voice said, sending a shockwave through my stomach.

I spun in the direction of the voice, and there he stood with my pale-yellow butterfly scarf in his hand. It was Eros himself, and he’d pushed his sunglasses up on his head. His green eyes nearly took my breath away. I wasn’t expecting them to be green, but then I’m not sure what I was expecting. I heard Stoney inhale sharply as I tried to get my head together.

Thank you, I said, reaching for light scrap of material. I think this dress is history.

He handed it to me and extended his hand.

I’m Ned, he said, smirking as his eyes roamed up and down my frame.

Thanks for catching my scarf, Ned, I replied as I slipped my hand into his. I’m KC, Kathryn actually.

I heard Stoney clear her throat, and he dropped my hand to look at her.

Oh, and this is my best friend and dress destroyer, Tara. I laughed and turned to pick up my chair.

Stoney extended her hand to him, and I noticed it was shaking. I laughed again and tried to bury it so she wouldn’t call me out.

Well, it seems you’re finished with your drink, and since Tara’s had a little accident, please let me buy you another round, he said, his green eyes twinkling.

I looked at Stoney, and I thought she might pass out, so I answered for both of us.

That’s really nice, but you don’t have to, I said. I’m kind of wet and sticky now, so maybe we should go home.

I looked down again at my ruined dress.

But, KC, we’re celebrating. We can’t go home this early, Stoney whined, suddenly finding her voice.

Well, I can hardly go anywhere like this. I motioned to the front of me.

May I make a suggestion? Ned said.

We both turned to look at him in astonishment.

I don’t know what you’re celebrating, but I hate for your evening to be cut short, he started. You’re welcomed to change on my boat. I’ve got extra clothes and anything you need.

He smiled, and I thought my knees might buckle. Was this for real? I was waiting for someone with a hidden camera to jump out at any minute to tell me I was being punked.

I just stood there with my mouth hanging open, not knowing what to say.

That is incredibly nice of you, Ned, Stoney blurted out. "KC, don’t you think that is so nice of him?"

Yeah, now she could suddenly talk again.

Um, yes, I stuttered. But I really couldn’t impose.

Stoney grabbed my wrist so hard, I thought she would break it. I grimaced at her.

Come on, KC, I want to keep partying, don’t you? she exclaimed as she started dragging me toward his boat.

Are you drunk? I whisper-yelled at her. I can’t change on his boat!

He turned and started walking with us, a little chuckle escaping his lips.

Oh, yes, you can, she said back as she continued pulling me by the arm.

I smiled at him as I tripped along.

Let me apologize for Stoney, she must be drunk, I said.

Stoney? he raised his eyebrows.

Oh, Tara Stone, I said. Stoney is my nickname for her, and I’d swear she’s stoned right now by the way she’s acting.

He laughed again.

You’re not from here, are you? he asked.

Is it my accent or my total ignorance about sailing? I asked. Because every conversation I have here literally starts with that same question.

By this time we had reached his boat, and I was feeling extremely nervous about the whole situation. He walked up the four steps to the deck and turned around and extended his hand to me. Stoney dropped my wrist, which was throbbing at this point, so that I could take his hand.

He helped me up the steps, and I turned to her, pulling her along with me.

This boat is amazing, I said.

Thank you, he replied and kept hold of my hand. And it’s your accent. I didn’t know about your ignorance of sailing. Maybe I could teach you.

Wow, he was an expert flirt, and I was so out of my element, it was ridiculous. I didn’t even really know how to flirt.

I gasped a little and looked him in the eyes.

Maybe, I said. But you see, I don’t have an accent. All of you do.

Right this way, he said as he led me down the stairs into the cabin. I turned to look at Stoney, and her face looked like a kid on Christmas morning.

So hot, she mouthed to me, fanning herself with her hand.

I glared at her.

As he led me through the interior of the boat, I couldn’t get over how luxurious it was. It was seriously nicer than my apartment. The wood was beautiful, and every surface shone. We went through a kitchen, and I mean a full kitchen with a dishwasher and everything.

There was a couch to the left with a flat-screen TV nestled in the wall and a dining table to the right with a cushioned seat around it and two chairs. He still had my hand, and it made me a little paranoid, but Stoney was right behind me, so that helped.

He led me into what I assume was the master suite because it had a king-size bed with a couch to the left and recessed lighting above. There were also two windows above it on either side. He pulled me to a closet and opened the doors. As promised it was full of both men’s and women’s clothes. He let go of my hand and opened another door that led to the bathroom. He flipped on the light and came back out to me.

Please just make yourself at home and use whatever you need. He smiled down at me. I’ll go make us drinks while you change. What are you having?

French kiss, I blurted out before my brain had control of my mouth. I just shook my head. I was so smooth, I could hardly stand it. OK, now that I’ve humiliated myself fully, please just ignore me. That’s what I was drinking on the dock, but wine or whatever is easiest would be wonderful.

He laughed out loud, and it made my stomach tremble on the inside.

And I believe you were having a cosmopolitan, right? he said to Stoney.

She just shook her head with a dumbstruck look on her face. He laughed again and headed out the door, pulling it closed as he went.

As soon as he disappeared out the door, Stoney flung herself on to his bed, kicking her feet like a teenager.

Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god! she squealed. I am lying in Ned Ellion’s bed!

Stoney, get off of there, I reprimanded her.

She sat up and looked at me like a maniac.

KC, we are on Ned Ellion’s boat, in his room, in his bed, with him making drinks and offering for you to change clothes! she gushed. "He is so into you. I can’t believe this is happening. This is without a doubt the best birthday I’ve ever had!"

Oh, for heaven’s sake, calm down, I said. "He is not into me. This is kind of crazy if you ask me. I mean, why does he have all of these clothes for a woman? Are you sure he’s not married or something?"

I’m sure, she said, jumping over to the closet. Let’s look at what you have to choose from.

She started going through the numerous shirts, pants, and dresses hanging in there.

I don’t know, Stoney, I said. I mean, I can’t just take his clothes. This is weird, don’t you think?

She raised a finger at me.

You listen to me, KC, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Please don’t be you and blow it for us. Just go with it, OK? I admit it’s a little weird, but we are on Ned freaking Ellion’s boat!

Yes, you’ve mentioned that, I said, rolling my eyes at her. What if he’s some kind of perv, Stoney, and he drugs us and has his way with us or something even more terrible?

One, we could only be so lucky, she said. Two, he’s a CEO of a huge international company. I don’t think he’d get away with doing that kind of thing, do you? Three, I’m telling you he’s into you, so don’t screw this up.

She turned back to the closet.

You are certifiably insane, I said as I started looking through the closet with her.

She pulled out a dark-blue wrap dress.

This is nice, she said, holding it out to me.

I don’t know, I said. Look how low cut it is.

That’s the point, she said. God blessed you with tits, KC, so you should show them off once in a while.

Stoney! I said. Please.

Oh, shut up and get in there and put this dress on, she said as she pushed me into the bathroom. I want to see what you look like in something other than grandma clothes.

I don’t wear grandma clothes, I objected as she slammed the door in my face.

I looked around the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror. I liked the pale-yellow dress I had on. It had a boat neck and three-quarter-length sleeves with a keyhole cutout in the back. A grandma wouldn’t wear that, would she? OK, maybe my dress was conservative, but my three-inch platform pumps definitely weren’t grandmalike.

I unzipped it and pulled it over my head. I found a washcloth in the cabinet and wet it with warm water to wipe the sticky cranberry juice off of my stomach and chest, then filled the sink up with water, and put my dress in it. I think it was probably ruined.

I slipped the blue dress on like a robe and tied the inside tie and the outside sash. I was a little shocked when I looked up in the mirror. It was really low cut and showed my cleavage but somehow not my bra. It was also a lot shorter than the dress I’d had on, hitting me above the knees. I stepped back from the mirror and turned to get the side view.

A knock on the door made me jump.

OK, what are you doing in there? Stoney’s impatient voice asked. Come on, I want to see.

I opened the door and stepped out slowly.

I don’t know, Stoney, I said. I think it’s too clingy and too short.

I twirled in a circle.

Holy crap, it’s perfect, she exclaimed. You have an awesome body, KC, and that dress really shows it off. He won’t be able to take his eyes off of you!

She was practically vibrating with excitement.

Stoney, I don’t want to look like I’m trying to show my body off, I said. Maybe I should wear pants.

No! she yelled. No way. You are not hiding your kick-ass body from the world’s most eligible bachelor who invited you to change clothes on his multimillion-dollar sailboat.

She grabbed my shoulders.

KC, it’s time you lived a little and let go of that damn ex who broke your heart. You will wear this dress and you will flirt with Ned Ellion, and with any luck, you’ll spend the night in his bed with him!

My mouth dropped open.

Stoney, I can’t believe you said that.

Well, believe it, Prudence Steelsnatch, she said. Now, let me fix your hair, it’s a mess.

She started running her fingers through my dark hair, smoothing the disarray caused by the wind. My hair was naturally thick and wavy, and it fell just below my shoulders. She tucked one side behind my ear then licked her thumb and combed my eyebrows up with it and her fingers.

Did you just spit on my eyebrows? Are you done now? I asked in exasperation, and did you really just call me Prudence Steelsnatch?

She smiled.

Yes, I did, and, yes, I think I am done. Now let’s go drool over Mr. Fucktastic out there before he loses interest.

Stoney, please, I said. You kiss your mother with that mouth.

She rolled her eyes at me and hauled me to the door. As we walked toward the kitchen, I felt self-conscious in the very short, very clingy dress. We looked around to find the cabin empty.

He must be up top, she said, pulling me toward the stairs.

Maybe he ran for his life, I muttered.

My mind was still reeling from her calling me Prudence Steelsnatch. I mean, really, where does she even come up with stuff like that?

As we made our way up, I hadn’t realized it had gotten dark while I was changing. We emerged into the night air and heard his voice behind us.

So there you are, he said. I nearly stumbled I turned around so fast. Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.

I smiled and took in the sight before me. There were lights all over the boat, even up on the mast. The wind had died down, and it was breathtaking to see the lights from the harbor reflecting off the water.

Ned standing there with a drink in each hand was enough to make me wet. Dear god. Did I really just think that? My mind was in the gutter, but worse, my body was reacting in lecherous ways.

He sauntered over to me and offered me the white martini.

French kiss, he said, raising a sexy eyebrow suggestively.

OK, he was killing me now. I couldn’t ignore the tingles I was feeling in my lower extremities.

And a cosmopolitan for you, he said as he handed Stoney her drink. Then he stepped back and openly appraised me from head to toe. I like the dress, he said. You look beautiful.

I was speechless, and I heard Stoney snort. I swear I wanted to kill her for getting me into this.

Thank you, I said. And thank you for the hospitality. Really, this is going above and beyond.

Nonsense, he said, gesturing to the other end of the boat. Are you hungry?

I looked past him and was taken aback by a beautiful spread of food. Was that here before? I’m pretty sure it wasn’t. How in the world did he do that while we were down below? Then it occurred to me that he must have already had plans and had this stuff preordered for when he got to the dock.

I’m so sorry, I said, suddenly realizing what was happening. You obviously had plans tonight, and we’re intruding.

He smiled widely, showing off his perfect teeth.

Plans are meant to be changed, he said, reaching out for my hand. I took a sip of my drink, hoping I wouldn’t spill it while I walked, then took his warm hand and let him lead me to the other end of the deck. His hand felt slightly rough and very strong, and I swear it made my entire arm heat up and tingle.

As I surveyed the table, I was stunned by the arrangement and variety of hors d’oeuvres. There were fruits and cheeses and meats and little toasts with caviar and jellies. There were amazing-looking chocolates and cream puffs and tarts and shrimp that looked really different from the shrimp I was used to eating.

He led me to a cushioned bench seat and sat down, releasing my hand to tuck my hair back behind my ear. When he touched me, I thought my face had caught on fire. Stoney took a seat next to me, gulping down her cosmopolitan more quickly than she should.

I turned to look at her, boring my eyes into hers.

What? she said. Don’t look at me like that. I’m celebrating Prudence.

So what are you ladies celebrating if you don’t mind if I ask? he said, raising his eyebrow at my new moniker.

It’s Stoney’s birthday, I volunteered, hoping to take some of his intense focus off of me and praying he wouldn’t ask about Prudence.

Yeah, and KC promised to take me out because she never goes out with me, she said, smiling at her revelation.

And why is that? he asked. Does your boyfriend not like it when you go out?

Really smooth, Mr. Ellion—very smooth indeed.

She doesn’t have a boyfriend, Stoney happily reported. She just stays home and reads her damn books.

OK, Stoney, maybe you should eat so your mouth will be full and you’ll stop talking, I said, pulling her up to the table.

I took a long pull on my martini and wondered again what in the world we were doing here.

So is the french kiss acceptable? he asked, standing beside me and putting his hand on the small of my back. I nearly choked.

Yes, it’s wonderful, I squeaked, looking up into his piercing green eyes.

He was so close to me, I could feel his breath on the top of my head. He was absolutely magnetic, and I was mesmerized by his eyes and his overall charm and presence, or maybe it was how he exuded confidence. He was so different than anyone I’d ever met.

I took another sip of my drink to keep myself from leaning into him and pressing my lips to his full, blush mouth. What was happening to me? Good-looking men did not affect me this way. But to say Ned was good looking was sort of criminal. He was beautiful, more than beautiful. I couldn’t really come up with a word for him.

I had to get a hold of myself or I was going to be in trouble tonight. I don’t know what his end game was, but his pull was overpowering.

Well, before you two rip each other’s clothes off right here, let’s eat, KC, Stoney said.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. When I opened them, he was smiling radiantly.

I’m sorry, my friend has no filter, I said. She’s not usually this bad. Well, yes, she is, but I thought she would have a little better control of herself, since we don’t even know you.

I shook my head and walked to the opposite side of the table, downing the remainder of my drink on the way.

What? she said. The electricity between you two could light up the harbor.

I jerked my head up to look at him to see him raising his eyebrows and shrugging his shoulders. Oh my god, was he agreeing with her?

I find your friend to be very perceptive, he said, staring hotly into my eyes.

Holy crap. Was this really happening? He was so openly coming on to me. Based on what Stoney had told me about him, I was convinced he probably slept with a different woman every night. But if he did, why wasn’t that ever in the media? Or maybe it was reported, but I wouldn’t know because I didn’t even know who he was until she told me. She did call him a playboy, though. And he had a closet full of women’s clothes on board.

You look like you’re trying to solve a problem in your head, he said to me.

I raised my empty glass, not knowing what else to do or say.

He came around to my side of the table and lightly brushed the back of his hand across my cheek, sending sparks through my face. If my heart had beat any faster, I think I would have had a heart attack.

I’ll take that, he said, taking my empty glass from me. Ms. Stone? Would you like another?

Call me Tara, and you bet your sweet ass I would, she said, handing her glass over. I’m enjoying watching the show.

I cringed, and he laughed again, taking our empty glasses downstairs.

Stoney, what is the matter with you? I chastised her as soon as he disappeared.

Oh come on, KC, she said. He wants you so bad, the sex is dripping off of him. Have you seen the way he’s looking at you? And holy crap, that whole touching-your-face thing. I don’t know how you stayed standing. If he touched me like that I would have jumped him on the spot.

That is utterly ridiculous. I seethed. I don’t know what is going on here, but it’s kind of freaking me out, OK? I think we should go. He’s so, he’s so intense. I’m not sure I can handle it.

Aha! she yelled. So you do feel it too. Thank god because I thought for sure you were going to ruin it. You listen to me, Prudence, you are going to flirt with Ned Ellion and let him wine and dine you, and if things go the way I think they will, you’re going to screw his beautiful brains out later on tonight.

I think I’m going to throw up, I said, sitting down shakily. Stoney, you know I can’t do that. I mean, sometimes I wish I were that carefree and adventurous, but I’m not. I haven’t had sex in, like, two years. I’m not even sure I remember how.

Right as it came out of my mouth, I saw her eyes get big as she looked over my shoulder.

I felt my entire body go up in flames as I dropped my head and closed my eyes.

"Tell me he’s not standing right there," I said.

He is, his deep voice said from behind me.

I fell over on my side and put my hands over my face.

Please, God, just strike me with lightning right now, I moaned. But don’t hit the boat. It’s too pretty.

I’m sorry I interrupted your conversation, he said.

I didn’t move my hands from my face or sit up.

Is she going to stay like that? he asked Stoney.

KC, she said, get up. What are you doing?

I’m waiting for the lightning, I said. You might want to move so you don’t accidentally get hit.

I felt the cushion move next to me. Then his hands were pulling my hands away from my face.

Come on, sit up, he said, pulling me upright. I brought a bottle of champagne.

Why, so we can toast my celibacy? I mumbled, still looking down.

Stoney cackled at that one.

I hate you, I said, glaring at her, just so you know.

No, you don’t, you love me! she said. When have we had this much fun?

Gosh, I can’t remember a time, I said sarcastically.

It’s OK, he said, putting his arm around my shoulders. We all hit dry spells from time to time.

I looked at him incredulously.

"Have you ever hit a dry spell?" I asked.

I hardly even cared anymore, having made such a complete fool out of myself.

Sure, he said. It’s not really easy for me to develop any kind of genuine relationship. And sex is just sex, you know? I mean, anyone can have gratuitous sex. It gets old.

I nodded my head in total confusion.

Here that, KC? Stoney said. Anyone can have gratuitous sex. You should try it sometimes. I tell her all the time that she needs a boy toy, but she doesn’t listen to me.

I couldn’t take any more humiliation.

Stoney, I think it’s time we get you home and give Ned his evening back, I said, trying to stand up.

He held me in place.

Please, don’t go, he said, tightening his grip on my shoulders. Stay and have dinner with me. I have it all arranged, and I’d hate to eat alone.

I put my hand on his hard leg, which may have been a mistake, and looked up at him.

You have been so incredibly nice to us, but I don’t know what you’re expecting out of tonight, and I’ve embarrassed myself in more ways than I thought possible, and Stoney is a little drunk, so I think it would be best if we went home before something else horrible happens.

Wow, did you even take a breath in there? he asked.

His face was so close to mine, I could hardly think.

That’s what she does when she’s nervous, Stoney said. Soon she’ll start quoting Shakespeare and shit, and you’ll be so confused, you won’t even know what century we’re in.

Stoney, do you want to become fish food tonight? I raised my voice at her. It would be a shame if I have to kill you on your birthday.

Shakespeare, huh? he said, pulling me closer into his side and turning me toward him. The barge she sat in, like a burnish’d throne, burnt on the water. The poop was beaten gold, purple the sails, and so perfumed that the winds were love-sick with them; the oars were silver, which to the tune of flutes kept stroke, and made the water which they beat to follow faster, as amorous of their strokes. For her own person, it beggar’d all description: she did lie in her pavilion—cloth of gold, of tissue—O’er-picturing that Venus where we see the fancy outwork nature.

I stared into his eyes in disbelief.

Holy, what the fuck? Stoney asked.

"Antony and Cleopatra," I breathed, completely hypnotized.

He leaned in and gently pressed his luscious lips to mine. I melted against him, closing my eyes and relishing in the feel of his soft warm mouth.

And so it begins, Stoney quipped.

I pulled back, shocked at what had just happened.

I’m sorry, I said, feeling flustered.

I’m not, he replied and pulled me in again, pressing his lips to mine a little harder this time. He brushed my bottom lip with his tongue, and my stomach clinched into an icy knot. I