"Neither will we," Lucas chuckled, his thumb tracing circles on her palm. With Lucas by her side, Melanie felt confident that happiness wasn't just a fleeting moment, but a journey they were embarking on together.
THE PORTLAND SKYLINE welcomed them with its twinkling lights as the taxi weaved through the city, a stark contrast to the sprawling fields they had left behind. Melanie pressed her nose against the cool glass, watching the blur of storefronts and street lamps, soaking in the urban energy that was so different from her daily life.
"Here we are," Lucas announced as the car rolled to a stop in front of The Heathman Hotel, its grand façade oozing luxury.
Melanie's eyes widened at the sight, the hotel's posh exterior promising an opulence she didn't often indulge in. Stepping out of the taxi, she felt the crisp evening air brush against her skin, sending a shiver of excitement down her spine.
Lucas took care of the bags, his easy confidence reassuring Melanie as they approached the polished reception desk. She expected him to ask for two keys but watched in mute surprise as he pocketed a single gold card.
"Only one room?" she questioned, her voice a mix of curiosity and a flutter of something else she couldn't quite pin down.
"Hope that's okay with you," Lucas said, his eyes searching hers. "I thought...well, I just thought it would be nicer."
"Definitely nicer," Melanie agreed, the corners of her mouth curving into a smile that reflected her growing trust in this man who continued to surprise her.
They took the elevator to the top floor, and they stepped out into a quiet hallway. As Lucas led the way, Melanie found herself anticipating the view from their room, imagining the city laid out before them like a canvas of possibilities.
Dinner was a melody of flavors and laughter at a quaint bistro tucked away in a cobblestone alley, Lucas's choice proving impeccable. They savored each course, from the delicate appetizer to the rich, decadent dessert, paired with a wine that danced on the tongue.
"Did you enjoy that?" Lucas asked as they emerged back onto the lively streets.
"Every bite," Melanie admitted, feeling the edges of her old caution melting away in the warmth of his company. “My brain is already trying to come up with a way to imitate that cheesecake in freeze-dried form. I’m probably crazy, but that raspberry cheesecake flavor is still lingering on my tongue. I have to try.”
He grinned, impressed that it was the first time she’d mentioned the business since they had arrived at the airport in St. Louis. Perhaps she was enjoying her time away. He hoped so.
They meandered back to the hotel, hand in hand, sharing stories and chuckles that bounced off the buildings around them. The night was alive with the sounds of the city, but all Melanie could hear was the steady rhythm of her heartbeat.
"Look at you, all carefree," Lucas observed, his voice soft with affection.
"Is it that obvious?" Melanie teased, though she knew he was right. This was the first time he'd seen her without the weight of the farm on her shoulders, the first time she truly allowed herself to live in the moment. And not just the first time since they’d married. The first time in the ten years since her grandmother had died.
"Completely," he confirmed, squeezing her hand gently. "It suits you."
As they reached the lobby of The Heathman, Melanie realized that she hadn't thought about the farm or her responsibilities since they’d landed other than the brief thought about imitating the cheesecake. Here, under the gentle glow of chandeliers and Lucas's gaze, she was simply Melanie—alive, hopeful, and falling a little bit more for the man by her side.
The door clicked shut behind them, the sound a clear, definitive marker of privacy. Melanie leaned against the polished wood, her eyes never leaving Lucas as he turned back to face her, his hair slightly tousled from the evening breeze. The way he looked at her made her feel like she was the only person in the world that mattered.
"Melanie," he breathed out her name, and it felt like a caress against her skin, warm and promising. He took a step toward her, closing the distance with an ease that spoke of his innate confidence. She could see it, the gentle assertion in his stride, the underlying strength in his broad shoulders, but it wasn't overpowering. It was protective, encompassing, and deeply reassuring.
She pushed away from the door and met him halfway. When their fingers intertwined, there was a surge of electricity that seemed to pulse through her veins, anchoring her to this moment, to him.
"Lucas," she replied, her voice a whisper of excitement and a tremor of newness. She had not anticipated this moment when they first agreed to come here, but standing before him now, she couldn't imagine it unfolding any other way.
He drew her closer, and the touch of his lips was soft against hers, a tentative question that she answered by deepening the kiss, encouraging him with the parting of her lips. His response was immediate, passionate yet considerate, as though each movement was a word in a conversation only they understood.
Their bodies pressed together, heat building between them—a contrast to the cool sheets that would soon envelop them. With each layer of clothing that fell to the floor, Melanie felt a piece of her guard slip away, revealing a vulnerability she only trusted with Lucas.
In the dimly lit room, they explored the newfound contours and textures of each other's skin, mapping routes of pleasure with tender curiosity. Lucas was attentive, his touches imbued with a desire to learn every reaction, every sigh that escaped her lips.
He lowered her to the bed, happy to be away from the world that demanded so much of them. Her slender frame fit perfectly against his, her red hair a fiery cascade over the white pillowcase. As they moved together, everything seemed right with the world. Melanie felt as if she was where she needed to be.
"Are you okay?" Lucas's voice was low, tinged with concern as he paused, searching her face for any hint of discomfort.
"Yes," she assured him, wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling him back down to reaffirm her consent, her desire. "More than okay."
His movements resumed, confident but unhurried, as if time itself had agreed to slow down for them. With every gentle thrust, every shared breath, Melanie found herself drifting further from the woman who needed to control every aspect of her life. Here, in Lucas's embrace, she could let go, trust, and simply feel.
And when the crescendo of their union peaked, it resonated deep within her. There was no grand declaration, no need for words, just two hearts beating as one, finding solace and love in the quiet afterglow.
