Alexi pulls out my chair as we seat ourselves at the dinner table at eight, standing beside it so as not to cage me from behind. Constantly aware of that little fact. Always makes me love him all the more.

We are in the grand burgundy and gold dining room of the classy hotel, alone so far as we are first here, and he slides his hand down the open back of my silver sequin gown as he moves beside me to sit down. Trailing fingertips down to where the dress closes over my bum and runs ...