Sweeter Than Wine by Rita Hestand

much as pleased him.
However, there was a spark between them threatening to spread like
a fire.
    Taking a deep breath he nodded and smiled at
her, "We have two choices. We can return to our hotel, or find
another inn."
    Lacey shrugged, "Well, it seems silly to go
back to the hotel and then come back this way again tomorrow. Why
don't we find something down the road, that way we won't be miles
from the redwoods."
    "All right, we will take our chances then."
He smiled. "You really are a good sport Lacey, and I'm sorry for
taking the advantage."
    Lacey's smile didn't quite reach her lips,
and he thought he saw a tremor in her hand, "There is absolutely
nothing to be sorry about, now let's go find us a place before it
gets too dark."
     
    * * *
     
    As Lacey grabbed his waist and hung on, she
wondered how she had ever pulled off being so callus or cool. His
kisses had shocked her, made her come to life, invigorated her, and
made her want more of them. She seemed to turn into some she-demon
when he kissed her, hungry for his kisses and touches too.
    Still, she couldn't tell him that.
    No, she was doing the right thing, putting a
few rules up. It was fine to have fun, as long as no one got hurt.
And she didn't want to be that someone. She had come an inch of
letting Sam take that advantage, wanting him to. She was drawn to
Sam's charm. However, letting him know it, would be detrimental to
her heart. Sam wasn't seeking a relationship, and there was no
future with this man. He had to remain nothing more than a friend.
She refused to go home with a broken heart.
    It was almost dark when they found an off the
road inn. Sam stopped, "How about this place?"
    "Looks great." She smiled wearily. "Let's try
it."
    "Hey, you are tired. Let's go see if we can
find a good nights sleep." He winked.
    Although he took her hand to help her off,
she released it quickly.
    "I'm sorry," the innkeeper shook his head,
"I've got one room and that's it." The short little man behind the
counter said looking over the rim of his glasses at them.
    "How many beds does it have?" Sam asked his
expression serious.
    "One King size bed, and I ain't got no
rollaway." The man said as though exasperated at answering that
question all day.
    "Conventions in town or something?" Sam
inquired.
    "Nope, fishing tournament. We were booked
solid, but one fella decided he wouldn't be staying. Something
about his wife calling and them having a baby." The innkeeper shot
them a look over his reading glasses. "So you want it or not?"
    Sam turned to Lacey, "It's your call?"
    "I don't think…." She began but he cut her
off with a big smile.
    "Scared?"
    "Of course not," she turned beet red. "We'll
take it."
     
    ***
     
    After Sam agreed to pay the first night, he
gave the innkeeper a credit card and waited.
    "Fine follow me," the clerk said and led them
down the hallway. "Don't you have luggage?"
    "We're on a motorcycle," Sam explained,
"Besides, we're just site seeing. We have accommodations up the
mountain."
    "There's a cycle bunch up by the reds now.
You hurry up there tomorrow you might catch them." The man said,
finding the room and turning the key to open the door for them.
    Sam took the key from the man and led Lacey
into the room.
    The gigantic bed stared at them as they
entered. Both of them looked then turned their attention away at
the same time.
    The ocean view beckoned them from the
window.
    "Look, did you ever see "It Happened One
Night?" he asked, grabbing her hands and holding them out in front
of her.
    "Sure," she began to smile. "Oh, yes, your
right. We can build a tent to separate the bed sort of. You can
have your side, I can have mine." She brightened.
    "Good, that's settled. Now, I'll toss you for
who goes first in the bathroom." He took out a nickel and was about
to flip it, when she stopped him.
    "But I'm the woman, shouldn't I go first? I
mean it is the gentlemanly thing to do."
    "Ah…but we are strictly pals, you aren't a
woman to me, not any more. So we'll