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Another small group of guests arrives, and my eyes are instantly caught by the man in the center. Could it be? I squint through the rest of the crowd. Leather jacket in silvery blue, black t-shirt underneath, snug black leather pants, stiletto boots to match.  He certainly looked like a Star.

I watched him, working the room, stopping here and there with a casual grace, open, humble, little crooked grin making a thrilling appearance when he deemed the recipient worthy.  A tall, thin blonde glides over to him. He takes her hands in his, and I smile at the expertise he has already acquired, learning to give those fake air kisses that so many here seem to relish. They say a few words to each other, and he is off to the next group. 

A waiter comes over to me and offers me a choice of wine.  I pick a glass of white, just in case it should spill.  Mustn't stain my beautiful ice-blue dress.  It took me too long to find, and I was going to enjoy wearing it! The color suited my tanned skin and long, dark hair. Flowy and feminine, tiny soft ruffles along the spaghetti straps with just the right amount of sparkle, the dress' loose flounces starting above the knees perfect for the dancing that I planned to do.  I knew it was mine the minute I saw it. 

Glancing out at the floor to ceiling windows, I see that they lead to a terrace.  The sky has that gorgeous mix of yellow, orange, pink and purple, a gift from the setting sun.  I head out in that direction, but have to stop to chat with a few guests on the way.  When in Rome.  I smile, air-kiss, chuckle at a joke or two, give out the name of the little-known New York dress designer. 

Finally, I am on my way out through the terrace doors. The fresh air slides over me, as in a caress.  I look around and think that this terrace is not unlike a piazza.  It seems to go on and on, and though I know that there are other mansions scattered along the hillside below, there are no tell-tale signs.  The trees, fitted through the stone floor into the rich earth, send their lovely delicate branches upward, each branch lit by dozens of tiny blue lights. It was breathtaking.  Where are my glass slippers? The thought reminds me that the sandals I had chosen were set on high, Lucite heels, leather straps to match my dress, sprinkled with the tiniest crystals, making them shimmer with every step. I sighed at the perfection this night seemed to offer.

 I walk over to some acquaintances and we spend a good hour laughing as they fill me in on their latest escapades.  More white wine, more people enjoying the terrace now, and music soon fills the warm air.  I excused myself from my group, longing for some solo time to explore and admire the wonderful views. As I walked among the other guests, everyone whose eyes met mine seemed to have a kind smile to give, and I reciprocated. I laughed to myself, thinking that maybe people here were not really superficial, as I had thought. Just different, more relaxed, more open, than those to which I was accustomed. 

I found a small bench under one of the farthest trees, one of those that seat two people, the seats facing in opposing directions; an old-fashioned love seat.  I'd always loved seeing those in old movies, and was thrilled to have one right there, for me.  I took the seat facing the ocean, and closed my eyes.  Voices, music, the stirring of the tree leaves in the soft, cool breeze.  I filled my lungs with the delightful feeling, and leaned my head back. 

"Absolutely beautiful." 

I heard the soft voice, the accent, and knew that he must be in the group that was chatting nearby, commenting on the gorgeous setting.  My heart began to beat faster, its sound a little louder in my ears.  No matter, though, because I felt wonderful, and didn't want this moment to end.  I breathed in again, a hint of sandalwood surprising me.   

"Isn't it?" 

My eyes opened wide at the sultry sound so close to me, and looked Right into those stunning blue eyes, lined in blackest blue, setting them off like the perfect frame sets off a masterpiece. My breath, now  caught in my throat, makes my hand shake and spill some wine on the décolleté of the precious dress. "Oh, SHI...oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean you...I, I just didn't want to ruin this dress..." I look apologetically at those lovely eyes, embarrassed and excited, all at the same time. 

That sensual smile crosses his lips.

"I didn't mean to startle you.  I don't think the dress is ruined. Not at all."   

I giggle, "I guess not, that's why I picked this wine anyway, just in case, you know." By now my heart is pounding so hard, this is not normal, and I can't tear my eyes away from his.

 "It looks lovely on you."

 "Yeah" I mock, "the dress or the wine?" Damn my sarcastic, insecure side!

 "Both."   

His cool, quick answer makes my heart stop for a moment. All I can do is lower my eyes, wondering if this is the first time in my life that I'm blushing.  Thankfully, I get myself under control. I smile, clear my throat. "It IS really beautiful here..." My dorky attempt at playing it cool.              

"Fabulous" he says, still not letting me pull away from his gaze. The waiter comes by with more beverages, and as I'm going to take another glass, Eddie asks him if he could bring us a bottle of the wine instead.  Nodding, the waiter leaves to complete his task. I turn to look at Eddie a bit surprised, my eyebrow raised, and he says "It's easier, I'd like to have some as well."  

I shrug slightly, returning his stare, "Sure, ok...I'll share a bottle of wine with you." Flirt.  Two waiters return, one carrying a small garden table, on which the other places a pewter wine bucket filled with ice and the requested bottle, and two new wine glasses.  The wine is uncorked and poured for us, and the waiters leave, grinning at our little romantic setting.  We spend the time talking, making each other laugh, leaning in towards each other to whisper about this one or that one. 

I've lost track of the time, and I realize that I am actually really relaxed with him. The terrace now holds more couples, the larger groups having moved back inside. The music is louder, but slower, and I recognize the song that begins to play. “Bed of Roses” by Bon Jovi.  

"I love this song, can we dance?" Suddenly nervous again, my voice is so low I'm not sure he'll hear me. 

"I'd like that."  

He takes my hand gently, and we walk around our cozy seating, still standing under the tree.  A breeze sends strands of hair across my face, and his silver polished fingers softly set them back into place, then continue down to land at the small of my back, awakening my bare skin there, pulling me close to him. My hands drape behind his neck, and I can't stop myself from running them along the back of his head, making his eyes close and his head move back to meet their movements. We don't speak, but sway together slowly. The heat from our bodies pressed together is luscious, nourishing, intoxicating. 

When the song ends, we are much more than we were before. We sit back down on our loveseat, and Eddie refills our wine glasses. We clink our glasses together, and instinctively intertwine our arms to drink. The movement makes wine spill on me, but this time I don't care. As we unlock our arms, a falling star flashing through the sky catches our attention, and we are awed, by the sight, and by the intensity of our connection. Our faces turn to each other, and we are alone as our lips meet in a deep, consuming, kiss. 

His lips leave their imprint as his kisses continue down my neck, his tongue softly tracing the tiny river of spilled wine.  "Delicious" he whispers huskily, as he kisses me behind my ear, sending a lightning bolt of electricity down to my toes. He tilts his glass, eyes locking with mine, sending the wine cascading down over my collarbone, sealing the promise of the perfect night.

 The End