Lifetime

Yes

We split the coming months between our most desired travel destinations. There was little to complain about outside of the sometimes extensive travel times to get to our next stop. Still, when you're sleeping under the Northern Lights in a glass igloo in Kakslauttanen or in a bungalow over the crystal waters of Tahiti there's no room for a moment's dissatisfaction.

I could bask in the peace of sleeping with the arms of my soulmate around me, the night's sky visible above or the sound of gently lapping waves forever.  Then there was the exhilarating thrill of dog sledding with my own little team of huskies and close-up encounters with several species of shark, nerve wracking in the open water and without any barriers.

My favorite memories were in Lisbon, on the streets of the Bairro Alto district. An early dinner quickly turned into hopping between a few bars that caught our eye.

His pick was set in a former chapel, cozy candlelit seating and soft jazz that made for a more relaxing start to the evening. I was entranced by my choice, our next stop providing me with a museum-like experience that started with a red painted door and bell that granted entry. Antique furnishings, vintage artwork and figurines lined the walls, pulling me from piece to piece. Seokjin followed behind me with an old camcorder attached to his curved hand, a relic that reminded me of my childhood, of my dad recording holidays and celebrations as if I were the star of a movie.

We ventured into the nearest club, the rhythm of house music a thumping that coursed through every nerve. I bounced along with the sea of bodies until my skin was coated in a sheen of sweat, lightheaded from the alcohol I consumed through the night but so alive.

Seokjin was practically carrying me through the crowd, not that I was too intoxicated to walk independently, but my feet ached in the strappy heeled sandals I wore.

We spilled out onto the street behind other patrons, locals and tourists in search of another serotonin boost, Seokjin's head bopping higher above the crowd to give a better view of our surroundings.

I let him guide me alongside him, an arm wrapped around my waist so that I was secure among those dancing and people-watching. He led us to a small booth, allowing me to spin out from his hold while he ordered, my hips moving along to rhythmic beats from the musicians playing on the sidewalk between kiosks.

There was too much noise for the man who approached to ask for a dance verbally without invading my space, his signal given in the smooth steps he took toward me. He grasped my one free hand and nodded toward Seokjin, moving in tempo patiently to see if I'd accept his invitation.

"Baby, I want to dance." I kept my hand in the stranger's, giving Seokjin a squeeze to capture his attention. He was handing over cash to the vendor, waving off the need for any change.

"Stay in my sight." He acknowledged the man who was eager to pull me onto a makeshift dance floor of the cobblestone pavement.

With Seokjin's approval I lost myself in dancing with someone unfamiliar and new, but even with hands on my waist and a firm body that pressed against mine to capture each whine of my hips, I remained drunk on him.

Seokjin took a seat amid the few tables set near the section of food merchants, taking up too much space on the tiny stool so that his legs bent and spread with too much emphasis.

It was his eyes that held me, leching after each movement. We stayed set on one another, my eyes fluttering over my dance partner's shoulder to meet his. When we spun so that my back was to Seokjin I turned around, my rear against the stranger's front so that he became a prop, my dance a show for the man with the carnal eyes and kebabs.

The walk back to our hotel provided enough time for me to sober up a bit, my footsteps less sloppy though I remained tipsy, unable to keep my hands and mouth off of Seokjin even as he worked to scan our keycard against the door.