Chapter 16: The Dance
Jack is all dressed ready for a night on the town with a beautiful lady on his arm. He is wearing his black tuxedo. His white shirt emphasized his masculinity. He wants tonight to be extra special for Sue. He has ordered 2 dozens roses to be delivered here in 10 minutes. He checks his pocket for the wrapped gift inside and make sure he has money for dinner. He is all set and going out to the living area to wait for Sue to get ready. Just then the doorbell rings, Jack gets the door and brings in the 2 dozen roses. Puts it on the table where Sue can see it.
When Jack turns around, he stops in his track and stares at her. Sue is wearing a black strapless gown with low-cut bodice and lace on the sides with a long flowing skirt, and high heels. Her hair curled and cascaded across her shoulders. Sue looks gorgeous so much like a goddess. They gaze at each other for a long moment just locking eyes. Before long, Sue notices the red roses on the table.
Jack: Signing-Wow! You look stunning. (His mouth drop open, just staring at Sue)
Sue: Signing-Thank You. (With a little bow) You look super in your tux. Maybe we should change the dress code at the bureau. I’m going to have to recommend that to Garrett. (Laughs)
Jack: Once in a while on very rare occasion is fine to wear a tux, but I prefer to be more comfortable on a daily basis. A nice suit works well for me. (smiles)
Sue: Oh, my. Where did this bouquet of flowers come from? I know it wasn’t here when we got back. What did you do? Buy out the florists in all of Paris?
Jack: (A sweet smile for Sue). You love red roses. So I bought you a bouquet of them. It’s no big deal. Jack thinking: When you smile at me like that, it was worth every penny.
Sue thinking: It’s a very big deal. Just when I think I can’t fall for him anymore, he goes and does something amazingly sweet like this. How can you like a guy like this? Dare I say it to myself; I have found my perfect match in Jack. On the other hand, I don’t want to make a fool of myself in front of him.
Sue: I love the flowers, but this must have cost you a fortune. There are 24 red roses here. I can’t believe you did this for me.
Jack: I’m glad you like your roses. Signing-Are you ready?
Sue: I’m ready and so is Levi. Just let me get my wrap.
Upon their arrival at Chez Mercier, the maitre d’ leads them toward the huge floor-to-ceiling windows with a side view of the Tour Eiffel. Jack pulls open the chair for Sue, and they sit across from each other.
Sue: What a magnificent sight.
Jack: Yeah, there’s nothing quite like looking out the window and seeing the Tour Eiffel as a backdrop while eating a gourmet dinner with an attractive woman by my side.
Sue: You can say that again. (Laughs)
Jack: C’est magnifique! So what do you want to order?
Sue: I don’t know. Everything looks so good. It’s going to be hard to choose.
Jack: Order anything you like.
Sue: You are really going all out tonight. What’s the occasion?
Jack: What, can’t I treat my co-worker to a nice dinner every once in a while?
Sue: Thank you. I still don’t know what I did to deserve all this. But I like it. And I’m going to enjoy you spoiling me just for tonight. (Smiles at Jack)
The waiter appears jots down their order of Chablis white wine, soupe a l’ognion, salade nicoise, escalope de veau normande, & crevettes et coquilles St Jacques a la scampi. For dessert they order croissant aux amandes and fondant au chocolat. The waiter returns later with their food. They are having a great time. Jack and Sue share half of their dinner and dessert with each other.
Sue: The fondant au chocolat is really good. My weakness is anything chocolate.
Jack: Good to know. The croissant aux amandes is excellent. (Smiles and wink)
Sue: I’m finding out all sorts of things about you today that I didn’t know before.
Jack: I know the feeling. Are you ready for your next surprise? (smile and a wink)
Sue: You mean there’s more than dinner out with you? That is more than good enough for me, Jack.
Jack: Yeah, I got you a present.
Sue: You did? I got you a present also.
Jack: We should exchange presents now. You open my gift first. Then I will open yours.
Sue: Okay. Good idea.
Jack takes the thin velvet box out from his suit pocket and gives it to Sue. Sue takes her gift out of her purse and hands it to Jack. They look at each other for a long moment, before opening their gifts.
Sue: Oh! What a beautiful heart pendant. Thank you so much, Jack. In case you didn’t know I really love my present. (Smiles at Jack)
Jack: I’m glad you like it. Would you like me to help you put it on?
Sue: Yes, but only after you open my present. Which I’m afraid will pale in comparison.
Jack: I’m sure I will love your gift because it comes from the heart.
Sue: That’s true. This is from Levi and me.
Jack: This is so great. A grandfather pocket watch. I’ve always wanted one. My dad had a pocket watch similar to this one. Thanks, Sue. You did a good job of picking out my present.
Jack gets up and comes behind Sue to put the heart pendant on her. His hand is trembling, that has never happen to him before. It takes him a few minutes to get the clasp in place. When he turns around to look at Sue, the heart pendant looks so pretty around her neck. He is glad he bought the pendant. Just seeing Sue smile at him like this makes it all worth it.
Sue: Well, Levi helped me pick it out. He saw it first and told me to get it for you. (laughs)
Jack: Thanks buddy. By the way, they’re playing our song. Voulez-vous danser avec moi?
Sue: Would you mind repeating the question?
Jack: Sure. Voulez-vous danser avec moi? It means; would you like to dance with me?
Sue: Oh, I don’t know. I can’t hear. I could be dangerous out there on the dance floor. (Laughs)
Jack: I’ll take my chances. I have a feeling it will be worth it. And I have a few moves on the dance floor you haven’t seen yet. (Smile and a wink)
Sue: You’re on. By the way, what is “our song” called? You never did tell me. And have you talked to Eleanor since the children’s charity event?
Jack takes Sue’s hands and leads the way to the dance floor as they recall the children’s charity event and the bachelor dream date bet between him, Bobby, and Italian stallion win-at-all-cost-over-the-top Myles. (laughing)
Jack: I’m not sure what “our song” is. When I figure it out, I will tell you. You know that Eleanor wasn’t too happy with me since that night. I don’t think she has forgiven me for not being her “dream date”. Not that I had anything to do with that in the first place. I’ve been meaning to ask you, did you put Lucy and Tara up to that or was that Lucy’s brilliant idea?
Sue: Seriously I had nothing to do with that. It was Lucy’s brilliant idea.
Jack: I thought so. I’m glad we got the chance to dance together that night. It was fun.
Sue: Yes it was. I had fun that night too.
Jack: Let’s just have a great time tonight and not think about D.C. just yet. I mean we are in Paris, France. The city of lights, city of love where anything can happen!
Jack takes Sue in his arms and Sue snuggles close to him. Her gaze locked with his and slowly her hand crept up to thread her fingers into his hair. Then, Jack lifts her up, whirls her around the dance floor, showing her all the moves he promised her. Jack leading Sue, they dance closer, then farther away, but she is drawn back against him again and again. Later, Jack dips Sue, his strong arms holding her securely against his body. His hand splayed across her back, he is so close he can hear her heart beating. Sue loves being in Jack’s arms, she rests her head on his shoulder. They were both breathing hard when the song ended. Staring at each other over the tiny distance that separated them, Sue wished that Jack would kiss her now. They dance twice more before they leave the restaurant.
Sue: You are a really good dancer. Where did you learn how to move like that?
Jack: Thanks. I can’t reveal all my secrets to you or else I’d have to kill you. (Just kidding, lifts brows and smiles at Sue) Let’s take a walk around Paris; this is our last night here. We should make the most of it while we still can.
Sue: Good idea. Levi and I need to walk off all the delicious French cuisine we have been eating the past 3 nights.
Jack: I know just the place.
They walk around Paris heading towards the Ile Saint-Louis along the Seine River. As they get there, Jack hears a three piece orchestra playing. He pulls Sue into his arms again and they dance once more under the moonlight and sparkling stars in the sky.
Sue: My mom always said; trust the one who leads the dance. He’ll never steer you in the wrong direction. I think I know what she means by that.
Jack lifts her up, spins her around and around. Sue is clinging to him, both arms around his neck. Then gently he lets her slide down his body until her feet is back on solid ground. Jack puts his arms around her waist and holds her snugly against him. They stay that way for a long moment, just holding each other close and locking eyes. The world just fades away as they dance with each other under the Paris stars and moonlit night. Sue thinking: I feel like I’m in heaven right now. This feels so good, so right to be in your arms.
Jack: Sue, what are you thinking about right now?
Sue: How much I like dancing with you. Tonight has been amazing.
Jack: I feel the same way. Sue? Jack thinking: This is it, I’m going to kiss her, I can’t wait any longer.
Sue: Yes. Jack. Sue thinking: I hope Jack kisses me tonight.
Jack: Are we on the same page, Sue? Because if we’re not. I need you to tell me right now.
Sue: We’re on the same page, Jack. This is where I want to be. (smiling up at Jack)
They look at each other for a long moment before Jack makes his move and gives in to the impulse. Jack leans forward to kiss Sue; at first, he brushed his lips lightly against hers. For a second Sue thought her heart stopped, then kicked into overdrive. His hand encircled her neck lightly, drawing her closer to him. His tongue traced her lips and then claimed her mouth slowly. His fingers combed through her soft curls, cradling her head in his palms, holding her in place as he continue to kiss her. One hand trailed down her neck, caressing her, moving across her shoulders and down along her spine. Jack deepened the kiss, as his fingers caressed her back, pulling her against him.
Touching her face, her skin felt like silk against his fingertips. Lightly his thumb grazed her lower lip. Mesmerized by the look in his eyes, at first Sue could only stare up at him. Then Sue reached out to touch his face, move her fingers into his hair, delighting in the feel of Jack’s arms around her, of his lips touching her so sweetly. Jack’s kiss was like fireworks going off on the Fourth of July.
Jack: You smell like sunshine and roses on a spring day. (gives her his 1000 watt smile)
Then he lowered his mouth against hers again and kissed her long and deeply. He wrapped his arms around her. They were both breathing hard when he pulled back from their embrace to rest his forehead against hers. Sue could feel the steady beat of Jack’s heart beneath her fingers. The tingling awareness that swept through both of them from head to toe felt like an electric shock zinging them both. Their eyes locked on each other.
For this moment in time, it seems like they were they only two people in the world. He leans down to kiss her once more. Then, Jack pulls back from their embrace to gaze down at her. His thumbs brushed against her fiery cheeks. Her lips rose-pink, and her eyes were dreamy from his kisses. Sue wrapped her arms around him, holding on tightly, she didn’t want this night to end. And Jack steals another kiss, their breath mingling together, both wondering what the other is thinking about right now.
Sue thinking: That was a mind-boggling, soul shattering, unbelievable kiss! She wished it could have lasted forever. She never felt such exquisite excitement before. Sue felt cherished and desired all at once. Jack has the power to make me lose my head. Wow! Jack was right, I would have fallen for him the first time he kissed me. Who am I kidding; I am falling for Jack, head over heels in fact; totally besotted. I think it started the first day we met at his office, me being defensive and Jack being so nice.
Jack thinking: Sue has no idea how she is driving me crazy. There’s no question I will kiss Sue again. She can count on that. That was an enchanting, mind-blowing inconceivable kiss we shared! I only wished it could have lasted longer. Sue knocked me off my feet and I’m off-kilter right now. I am utterly smitten with Sue but I can’t let her know that yet. I need to get my equilibrium back; one of us has to be sensible tonight.
After slowly catching their breaths, Jack murmurs something softly in French so Sue can’t understand what he is saying. He doesn’t want to come on too strong and scare Sue away. C’est conte de fee! Vous etes recherché! Then, he runs his fingers through his hair, just to keep his hands busy. He does that a lot when he is nervous. It’s funny because he only gets tongue-tied whenever he is around Sue. Sue has gotten under his skin and burrowed into a corner of his heart.
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