“I might go to one someday when Joey and Taylor get married.” Even as she said that she still didn’t smile. “Will there be strippers?”

“No, we’re just all going to Vegas for the weekend. I’m only going to be there overnight on Saturday.”

Now she laughed. “No strippers in Vegas, uh?” She sat up a bit but Sal held her to him.

“It’s supposed to be just a bunch of guys drinking and gambling. No ones mentioned strip clubs, but if it comes up I’ll duck out.”

“When will you be back?”

“Sunday morning. I’m not even leaving ‘til late Saturday. You won’t even notice I’m gone. I’ll make sure you have a ride. Sofia’s closing that night so she can drive you.”

Finally, she smiled. “Oh, I’ll notice you’re gone. Trust me.” She leaned in and kissed him so long and deep, he could hardly stand it. “You’ll just have to make it up to me Sunday night.”

He stared in her eyes, getting that same feeling he’d had when he looked up and saw her walking down the stairs of her apartment building the day of the shower, looking so incredibly beautiful she took his breath away. For an instant, he’d forgotten all about the idiot her mother had set her up with. He’d had that same feeling over and over ever since and he was sure of one thing now. “I love you, Gracie.”

Her eyes opened wide and she pulled away from him. Not the reaction he was hoping for. Then her hand went to her mouth and she grimaced, her eyes filling with tears. “Don’t say that,” she whispered.

He sat up, straightening them both up. “Why?”

“Because I might believe you.”

He kissed her hand with a chuckle. “I want you to. I wouldn’t be saying it, if it weren’t true.” He cupped her face in his hands. “There is no doubt in my mind—none whatsoever. I’m crazy in love with you.” He wiped the tear that slid down her cheek.

She leaned her head against his hand that caressed her cheek now and closed her eyes. “I’m afraid to love you, Sal, but I do. So much.”

He swallowed hard, clearing away the knot in his throat that her words produced instantly. “Don’t be afraid, Gracie. I’m not.” He lay back down, bringing her with him, feeling how her heart beat almost as loudly as his did. They kissed, but not in the frantic way they’d been kissing lately. This had nothing to do with the physical desires that had been building between them. Kissing her suddenly felt different. Now that he knew she loved him too, he wanted to feel just how much she loved him in every stroke of her tongue—every beat of her heart. These were, by far the best kisses he’d ever experienced.

~*~

Friday night, Sal opened up a bottle of wine and they got in the Jacuzzi. Grace had been nervous about him seeing her in a bikini, but the look on his face when she walked out of the house wearing it, didn’t disappoint.

Everything felt different now. Ever since Sal had told Grace that he was in love with her even water tasted better. He hadn’t stopped telling her since and she’d never get tired of hearing it. Of course, she cried when she told Joey and Taylor. Joey cried with her and Taylor laughed at them calling them hopeless romantics.

She wasn’t even worried about Vegas anymore. Admittedly, she had been when he first told her. The thought of him in Vegas, drinking with a bunch of strippers that would probably be willing to strip for him free, scared the hell out of her. Who knew what else they’d be willing to do? But after his heartfelt admission the only thing she was worried about, was how much she was going to miss him that night.

They sat in the hot Jacuzzi, sipping wine as music played softly from the speakers that looked like rocks in the landscape. She’d had a few glasses now and was really feeling relaxed. Sal pulled her closer to him and they began kissing softly. Having her near-naked body next to his hard bare chest did something to her insides. The wine made Grace feel a little less inhibited and she kissed him with more hunger than usual. She put her glass down and moved her body over his, straddling him.

He moaned when she pressed herself against him and her heart rate spiked when she felt just how aroused he really was. She pressed against him, making him moan even more.

Sal pulled his mouth away, breathlessly. “Gracie, maybe we shouldn’t have any more wine.”

She breathed heavily, staring at his lips. Finally, she understood why she’d avoided being intimate or even coming close to it with anyone. For the longest time she’d associated her first time with the death of her grandmother. She didn’t think she could ever get past the disgust she’d felt that night when her boyfriend had suggested they still go back to the room, especially because anytime anyone asked why they’d broken up the thoughts inundated her.

Now all she could think of, sitting here straddling Sal, was how much she would love for him to be the one. She always said she’d wait for the perfect guy, knowing full well that no such guy existed. But here he was, staring at her and he was definitely far more experienced than any of the boys she’d ever gone out with. “Make love to me.”

His eyes opened wide. “Grace have you ever—”

“Never.” She leaned in, kissing him, wanting him to feel just how badly she wanted him.

When she finally stopped, Sal caressed her face. “I’d love nothing more, Gracie, but you’ve been drinking.”

“So?”

“This whole week you were sober and you never felt ready to go there, but now you’ve had some wine and you are?” He traced her lips with his finger. “I want you…no I need you to be absolutely sure.”