"Where are we right now exactly?" Karen asked, looking at the tall building.
"Hank owns an apartment here and you brought me to see him." Stevie replied, reaching for her handbag from the back seat.
"But it's your birthday. You spend it on the road or with the girls at the big house, doing something childish and stupid."
"Well, this year it's different. I love you all, but you can't give me what Hank is capable of giving."
"I don't want to hear it!" Karen said loudly, covering her ears. "Should I wait for you or come later and pick you up, or...?"
"No, or maybe in the morning." Stevie winked, getting out of the car.
She entered the apartment building and went to the elevators. It took her to the sixth floor and she hurried to where she was supposed to meet Hank, to avoid any people spotting her. Her knuckles hit the door only once, before it opened. Hank grabbed her by the waist, instantly reaching for her lips, forgetting all about locking the door.
"Missed me?" Stevie laughed, backing off.
"You have no idea. I've been sitting anxiously, counting down seconds."
"I missed you too." She smiled, now giving him a much gentler, loving kiss.
"Happy birthday, sweetheart."
"Don't remind me, I'm getting too old for my liking!"
"You don't look a day over thirty, baby." Her cheeks turned pink because of the compliment, as they stood together, holding each other. "As nice as this is, come. I cooked."
"And it's okay to eat?" She raised her eyebrow suspiciously. "I've never tried anything of yours."
"I'm a great cook!"
"I've heard someone say that to me before."
Hank rolled his eyes, taking her hand in his, asking her to follow him to the kitchen. "Take a seat, I'll be your servant tonight."
"I hope you mean that for later too?"
"Of course. Tonight is all about you, baby." His low voice reached her ears and she already started feeling faint tingling in her more private places.
The table was beautifully served. Stevie thought he actually had an idea about what he was doing. Hank put a plate of what he had prepared for dinner in front of her, leaving her pleasantly surprised.
"This does look pretty good."
"Told you so." He took one for himself too and sat down opposite her.
Dinner time went by quickly as they spent it catching up, since the last time they saw each other was that dinner about a month ago. Hank mostly listened, while Stevie complained about how the tour was going, how Lindsey was still being an ass to her, how she could hardly stand being around him at all. At some point, she began to wonder if Hank was actually listening to her or he was just being silent, because she knew herself and how much she liked to ramble and usually, her listener would lose their interest long ago.
"Are you listening to what I'm saying?"
"You were telling me about the night you and Mick got wasted and he basically carried you up to your room?" A smile broke across Stevie's face that Hank didn't really understand. "What?"
"Nothing."
Dinner plates were put away and a bottle of wine was finished about an hour later. Hank got up to go to the fridge again, as he said, to bring the desert. Stevie was thinking to herself that this man couldn't be real, he had to be a dream. It had been a long time since someone cared for her so much, showered her with attention and made her feel this special.
"It's not much, but I remembered you craving strawberries the last time we were together, so..." Hank put a bowl of them on the table.
"Will I get some whipped cream too?"
"No. You're not that cliche."
"And how do you know me so well?"
"To be honest, I'm not sure." He shrugged, feeding her a strawberry, not without some teasing.
Stevie didn't know what else Hank had planned, but she didn't want any of it. She wanted him. She sashayed over to him, putting her hands on his shoulders as she leaned closer, leaving small kisses on his neck.
"Thank you for everything, you're so wonderful to me."
"I wouldn't have done any of it if you didn't mean anything to me." He took her hands off his shoulders, pressing a kiss to each of her palms.
"I think you should give me a tour of your apartment, the living room is as far as I've gotten."
"You can just ask me where the bedroom is."
"How about you show me it then?"
"Give me a moment?"
"I... sure." She nodded, letting him stand up to leave her for a minute.
She spent the time looking out the window over the city, lit up by its bright lights. She was losing herself in thoughts, when she felt his body pressing against hers, his manly arms circling around her.
"Come with me." They walked to the bedroom and Stevie gasped, when Hank opened the door. The room was overflowing with cnadles in all colors, producing a sweet smell in the air. "You said you like candles."
"I do. It's beautiful, Hank..."
"Not as beautiful as you are." He said, looking straight into her eyes, making her heart beat faster.
Without words, they began undressing each other and when all of their clothes were laying on the floor, he picked her up and walked the short distance to the bed, laying her carefully on it. She took his breath away, laying in on the red satin sheets, her golden hair spread out on the pillows, the candlelight making her skin glow.
Hank joined her, laying down in between her legs, kissing every inch of her body he could reach in his position. Stevie felt a sudden rush of emotions, that she tried to fight back as best as she could, closing her eyes, so he wouldn't see the tears welling up.
At first she felt his lips against hers, that she parted instantly, tasting the wine off his tongue. She was escaping reality, when he entered her slowly, bringing her back, her eyes finally meeting his. They moved together, her fingers laced through his, their lips locked.
Feeling the pleasure building, she broke the kiss, pushing out her chest, breathing heavily. She heard him speak, but she wasn't sure if she heard it correctly. Then he repeated. "I love you, Stephanie." She opened her mouth, but she was speechless.
"I hate you." A voice startled them from behind. "You lying, cheating son of a bitch!"
Hank grabbed the first piece of clothing to cover up, leaving the bed sheet for Stevie. "Lacy!" His wife stormed out, slamming the door shut.
He looked back at Stevie, who was near to the point of a breakdown. "Go... Run after her!"
"Stevie, I don't want..."
"Run after your wife!" She yelled, already gathering her clothes.
Hank spent another moment looking at her, completely torn inside. Eventually, he cursed loudly and did as Stevie asked him.
