“Besides,” I continued lightheartedly alluding to my current state, “it’ll give me a chance to settle down so I can actually drive.”

She stood and reached down to gently help me up.  Guiding the way, we went through the rooms and she took care to highlight and share information about the pieces of art she had displayed throughout the house.  Stopping all too briefly in her bedroom, she walked us back to the living area to open the French doors that led to the garden and pool. 

Mocking herself she laughed lightly “As you can see I took my art history credits seriously in lieu of horticultural ones.” 

My eyes never left her since we’d stepped outside but I laughed with her anyway even if I hadn’t looked around to see what she was referring to.  Instead, my focus was on her and the doors in the background that led into the bedroom…where I wanted us to be.

My rhetorical question echoed slightly in the open space we occupied.  “So these doors lead back into the house as well?” Already walking toward them, I expected her to follow.  “May I?”

Reliance on her being a gracious host paid off.  “Of course. Let me go in to unlock it and let you through.”  She went in and quickly came back into view through the doors I was standing next to.  Smiling, she opened them and ushered me in, leaning her frame against the door behind her.

“So that’s it,” she said keeping the lighthearted mood, “other than the skeletons in the closets, you’ve toured the house in full.” 

I chuckled at her comment as I proceeded into the bedroom, relieved my inspection didn’t reveal pictures of past girlfriends.  It would only be my presence that would influence this room.  That was a certainty. 

Approaching her bed, bending slightly, I smoothed the surface of the sheet covering it.  Breathing deeply I inhaled her scent that permeated the room.  I was intoxicated with her and everything she could offer.  Turning to face her, I let myself down slowly and sat on the edge. 

Locking eyes, breaking the warm silence, I asked,   “Let me stay?”

It was obvious she wasn’t expecting my query.  Her body straightened from the door and unconsciously leaned towards me.  Then she asked slowly, “Are you sure?  You’ve been through so much lately.  I don’t want us to rush this.” 

The surprise in her look had disappeared supplanted by sincerity in her gaze. “Let’s take our time.”  Affirming that we were in no way superficial, provisional or contingent on immediacy of intimacy she continued softly,  “I’m not going anywhere.”

The passion for me witnessed just earlier coupled with loving consideration.  It was right then I fell for her completely.  Wordlessly, I extended my arm palm upwards, urging her to come to me and complete the perfect evening. 

No longer a question, rather to be interpreted a declaration, I repeated,  “Let me stay.”

Then I waited for her answer.