After giving a lot of thought to Casey’s proposal, I’d come up with my own plan. I wanted her to have all the life experiences she’d missed out on. A first date. A first kiss. A first dance. So far, we’d done things a little out of order, but it didn’t matter. It was all about the experiences leading up to the biggest one of all.

I was the first point of contact at an exclusive, private club that specialized in, to put it honestly, kink. It wasn’t my thing, but when I’d been discharged from the Marines after my mom’s accident, I’d had to find a job that paid the bills but also allowed me flexible hours. I’d struggled for a couple years, but I’d lucked out when I saw the ad in the classifieds, especially since it had been buried. All it had said, was doorman needed at specialty club, evening hours, well compensated, discretion and confidentiality a must.

Considering my size and former military experience, I figured I’d be a great candidate. I’d called the number on the ad and after an eye-opening interview, I’d been hired. That had been fifteen years ago. Believe it or not, there were more people in the kink community and lifestyle than I’d ever imagined. I met a wide array of members. Influential members, including one extremely expensive, ritzy restaurant owner. Who was doing me a huge favor.

At precisely 8:55, I pulled into Casey’s driveway wearing a navy and white pin-striped suit and dark blue tie. I’d tied my hair back, and in my hand, I held a bouquet of fresh flowers. I knocked and waited. Several minutes passed with no sound coming from inside. I figured this would happen. Casey was so used to me just walking in and making myself at home. I knocked again. Finally, I heard a shuffling from inside.

The door opened a crack, the chain across it halting its progress. Good thing I hadn’t tried to let myself in this time. Her eyes widened at the sight of me. The door slammed, and the chain rattled as she removed it. When she opened the door fully, it was my turn to be shocked. Casey looked fucking gorgeous. She’d twisted her hair up, but left a few long tendrils down to frame her face. She’d put on makeup that made her baby blue eyes pop. But that wasn’t what had my eyes almost popping from my head. It was what she was wearing.

Hugging her every curve was a sapphire-colored, floor-length gown that almost matched her eyes perfectly. It was sleeveless with a sheer panel from just above her breasts to her neck that gave the barest hint of cleavage and had a band of sparkling beads just under her small breasts. Casey was absolutely breathtaking. Feeling like an awkward teenager on prom night, I held out the bouquet.

“These are for you,” I said almost stupidly, struck dumb by the sight of her.

She lifted the flowers up to her nose, inhaling their scent. “Thank you so much, Philip. They’re beautiful. Oh, come in, please. Let me run and find a vase for these.”

She hurried away as I shut the door behind me, my eyes tracking her movements before I lost sight of her as she entered the kitchen. Lord, help me. A few minutes later, Casey returned with her purse in hand.

“I guess I’m ready.”

“Before we go, I just wanted to make sure you know how stunning you look. I was woefully neglectful not telling you as soon as you opened the door, but I was speechless at your beauty.”

“You have no idea how much that means to me, Philip. Honestly, Josie bought me this dress today. I was forced to tell her you were now helping me. In fact, you just missed her,” she chuckled. “She only left thirty minutes ago. I called her, frantic, after you left earlier, because I had nothing to wear. I do feel like a princess though.”

I reached for her hand, bowed, and kissed her knuckles. “Then, I shall be your Prince Charming for the evening, Princess.”

Her laughter lightened my heart. She didn’t do it often enough. I gave her my crooked elbow.

“Are you ready for our date?”

Her smile never even dimmed as she threaded her arm through mine. “Definitely.”

Once Casey was buckled in, I headed toward downtown Pinegrove. It wasn’t a huge city, but it was still large enough that we had a popular downtown with quite a few restaurants and bars on Main Street. It was summer, so a lot of people were out on Patterson Island, which was about a forty minute drive. It was a popular tourist island with a lot of beach rentals. I still expected there would be quite a few people wandering around, even on a Tuesday night. Which is why I chose Patsi’s Table. It was a couple blocks off the main drag. Most visitors to the city had no idea it existed, so it was really only frequented by locals.

Patsi’s was a quaint, two-story upscale restaurant that catered to some of the “upper crust” of Pinegrove. A real estate mogul, a pro-basketball player who lived here in the off-season, and the lieutenant governor could often be found eating here. The owners, a gay couple, frequented the club I worked at.

I turned down Porter Street and started scanning for a parking spot. As luck would I have it, I found one just before we got to the restaurant. I loved coming here, but I hated the damn parallel parking. I kept my eyes on Casey to see how she was reacting. So far she seemed calm with no signs of distress. Once I’d maneuvered into the spot, I cut the engine and jumped out to open her door for her.

“Just keep remembering to breathe.” I reassured her as I helped her down from her seat.

“I’m doing fine at the moment, I swear.” She smiled genuinely. Immediately, muscles I hadn’t realized were tense, relaxed.

“Here we go then.” I pulled her close to me, not only to help her feel more at ease, but also because I couldn’t not touch her. Her tart cherry smell wafted through my nose, and I could only shake my head, because the scent fit her perfectly—a little sour mixed with a little sweet.

No sooner did we reach the door than it was opened for us by a hostess.

“Mr. Maxwell?” she inquired.

“Yes, ma’am.”

She smiled and waved us in. “Excellent. My name is Tiffany. I’ll direct you to your table. If you’ll just follow me, please.”

Tiffany led us through the dimly-lit restaurant that was almost completely vacant until we reached a set of stairs. I gestured for Casey to go in front of me. The top of the steps opened up to a separate dining area with empty tables covered in pristine, white tablecloths. I grabbed Casey’s hand to stay in tune with her mood and to keep touching her. She didn’t tense, but instead, seemed relaxed as we weaved through the tables and through open French doors that led out to the rooftop patio. Soft music was playing and small, twinkling lights strung across wooden beams lit up the roof with an ambient, romantic glow.

In the middle of the rooftop patio was a table set for two with a lit candle in the middle.

“Here you are. Joseph will be out with some wine shortly. Enjoy your meal.”

I held out Casey’s chair for her. Her eyes wandered around, taking in the sights around us. Wide-eye wonderment was the only way I could explain the expression on her face. I let her take everything in. Finally, she realized I was waiting for her, and she slid into her seat with a mumbled, “Oh, thanks. Sorry.”

Once seated, I laid my napkin across my lap. “So, what do you think?”

“Oh my god, Philip, it’s beautiful up here. But where is everyone? I expected a place like this to be packed. Not that I’m complaining, mind you. ”

“They actually close in about thirty minutes. I know the owners, and they let me ‘borrow’ the place for tonight.”

Casey narrowed her eyes. “You sure do know an awful lot of people.”

I shrugged, brushing off her suspicious tone. I did actually know a lot of people. “What can I say, I have a lot of friends.”

She was about to respond when we were interrupted by our waiter.

“Good evening. My name is Joseph, and I’ll be serving you tonight. Can I start you off with a bottle of wine? Perhaps a nice pinot grigio or merlot?”

I, personally, wasn’t a wine drinker, but I actually didn’t know about Casey. I’d never seen her drink any alcohol now that I thought about it. I’d leave it up to her.

“Are either of those sweet? I don’t really know much about wine.” She was doing surprisingly well interacting with the man, considering he was a stranger. I was extremely proud of her.

“No, ma’am, neither are sweet, but we do have an exceptional prosecco I could recommend. It’s a little more bubbly and closer to a champagne.”

I could tell she weighed her decision as though it was of the utmost importance. “I’d like to try a glass of the prosecco, please.”

Joseph bowed, and then directed his attention to me. “I’ll just take a Corona with lime.”

“Very good, sir. I’ll bring out water in just a few moments.”

“Thank you.”

Joseph turned and soon, we were alone again.

“How are you doing?” I asked, wanting to make sure she truly was all right.

“I’m doing okay. Focusing on keeping my breathing even. It helps that there’s no one here but us. I only mildly panicked when Joseph showed up. But, really, I’m doing much better than I expected. I’m truly trying to keep my anxiety under control. I almost took my medication, but I wanted to see if I could make it without it. Now, with the wine, I’m glad I didn’t take it. It’s actually so peaceful up here. Thank you for bringing me.”

Needing to feel her skin against mine, I reached across the table for her hand. “You’re so welcome.”

We chatted for a few minutes before Joseph returned with water and to take our order. Before long, we were diving into our meal. I ordered a prime rib with au jus and a baked potato, and Casey ordered salmon with rice. As we ate our meal, I kept playing out how this night should progress. I knew where my body wanted it to lead, but this was Casey. She wasn’t a woman to wine and dine and then take home for the night. I wanted everything about tonight to be special. A night she would remember.

Before long, Casey finished her wine, and set her fork across her plate. She let out a long, satisfied sigh.

“That was absolutely delicious. And I think I’m in love with prosecco.” She hiccupped a little with an embarrassed giggle. “Excuse me.”

“No more wine for you, lightweight,” I ribbed her.

She stuck her tongue out at me. In response, I rose from my chair and stood next to her, arm outstretched.

“Let’s dance.”

“What? Like here? Now?” She looked around the patio.

“Yes, here. Yes, now. Come on.” I continued to wait.

Finally, Casey placed her warm hand in mine, and I pulled her to her feet. I adjusted my grasp on her hand, placing it on my chest, and then I wrapped my free arm around her back, pulling her close. We swayed back and forth to the music coming from the speakers. She was rigid and uncomfortable at first, but the longer we remained dancing, the more relaxed Casey became, until soon, she rested her cheek against my chest.

I inhaled her scent, and for a moment I cursed myself for agreeing to this. I predicted a broken heart in my future. But, I would do anything to see this woman in my arms happy. Even if it was to send her into the arms of another man eventually. Just seeing her this relaxed and seemingly happy was completely and utterly worth it. Over the top of Casey’s head, I saw Joseph pause when he saw us, but I nodded an okay. Not once did Casey pay attention or even notice his presence as he quietly cleared off the table. He hastily left once he was done, leaving us in our own private oasis up here.

It could have been minutes, or it could have been hours that passed. I just knew I didn’t want to let Casey out of my arms. Soon, though, I knew it was time to go. Technically, the restaurant had been closed for over an hour, and I didn’t want to put out the employees any more than we already had.

Reluctantly, I broke our embrace, but still kept holding Casey’s hand.

“We should probably get going.” I murmured.

Almost drowsily, Casey looked around, as if she’d forgotten where we were. “Oh, wow, I didn’t realize it was getting so late.”

We walked back through the restaurant and down the stairs. Just then, my friend Thomas exited the kitchen and waved at us.

Before I even had the opportunity, in a move that had me surprised, but extremely proud, Casey, cleared her throat and spoke up. “Are you the person who let us use your upstairs?”

“Yes, ma’am. Thomas Adkins. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Casey, right?” He reached out to shake hands.

I watched as Casey nervously, and not so inconspicuously, wiped her palm on her dress before slowly reaching out to clasp hands with him, then quickly breaking contact.

“Thank you so much for this. You have an amazing restaurant, and the food was delicious. This was one of the best nights of my life. Well, um, I just wanted to say thanks.”

“You’re absolutely welcome. You and Philip are honored guests, and we’d love for you to return anytime.”

I shook Thomas’ hand before leading Casey out to my truck.

“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.” My glance darted to her as I drove us back to her house.

She turned to look at me, her eyes shining brightly, even in the darkness, with unshed tears. “It was the most amazing night ever. I can’t even begin to explain how thankful I am for what you gave me tonight, Philip. I’ll remember this night for the rest of my life.”

“The night’s not over yet.” I winced, because my words came out far more suggestively than I’d meant.

Thankfully, Casey’s naivety worked to my advantage because she didn’t seem to notice. We continued the ride in silence until finally we were home.