Kiss me in the dark

***( To get the full effect of this song, listen to "Kiss Me in the Dark" by the Randy Rogers Band on YouTube. Trust me.)

To read the previous edition of Twirl, go here: http://aduckinherpond.blogspot.com/2008/11/this-close.html


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When Wade's warm lips finally parted from hers, Vivi could breathe again. Her eyes fluttered open and she found herself bathed in his soft blue gaze.

He just smiled. Vivi beamed back. There was nothing she could say that would make the moment any more perfect than it was.

Her eyes flew to the clock above the neon sign and she cursed. "Holy sh--."

"Well, darling, I must say I'm flattered," Wade drawled with a grin. "I thought I was good, but I didn't think I was that good."

"No, it's not that," Vivi snapped. Wade's grin faded and his eyes slid away. Vivi cursed again. "I mean, no, not that, you are wonderful. I felt like I was twirling. I cursed because it's almost midnight."

"When were you supposed to be home?" Wade asked, his teasing grin switching immediately to a concerned expression.

"Ten." Vivi's voice was small as Wade glowered at her. "What?" she snapped defensively. "I was having fun."

Wade pressed his forehead to hers. "Didn't you ever learn there can be such a thing as too much fun?"

"No," Vivi replied stubbornly. Wade laughed and dropped his arm from her waist, sliding his fingers in between hers.

"Come on," he said, pulling her from the wooden floor. "Let's get you home."

Vivi blinked as they passed from the dark dance floor into the lighted restaurant. Hilda had already boxed up all her food.

"I cut you two pieces of pie," she told Vivi proudly. "You could use a little filling out, darling. You're as skinny as a rail."

"What did you cut me, Hilda?" Wade teased, sliding an arm around her thick shoulders. "Anything good?"

"Everything here is good, boy," she replied, swatting at him. "Now get this pretty little girl home, ya hear?"

"I hear," Wade droned as he lead Vivi out the front door. "Tell Bill I'll be back to thank him in a minute." Hilda nodded and waved good bye as the wooden door shut behind them. Rubbing his thumb over the soft crescent of skin between Vivi's thumb and first finger, he swung her hand in the parking lot. The stars twinkled over head and the soft glow of the streetlights glimmered around them. The only sound was the crunching of their boots as they crossed across the gravel parking lot.

It was perfect. Vivi felt giddiness bubbling inside her as she squeezed his rough hand.

"So when do I get to meet your folks?"

It felt like she had been drenched in cold water.

"What?" Vivi swung her head to look at him. His blue eyes met hers.

"When do I get to meet your folks? I don't want them worrying where you are all the time." Vivi looked down, her mind desperately trying to calculate a plan out of this. The last thing she wanted was for her father and Wade to meet.

"My parents are weird," Vivi hedged. "They're not really nice people."

"But they're your folks," Wade said, his forehead crinkling. "How can they be mean?"

Vivi wrapped steel around her heart to keep from melting. "It's kind of like your dad and grandpa," she explained as they stopped in front of her car. "We're just two different people."

Wade nodded, and Vivi breathed a sigh of relief. An idea flashed into her head.

"Hey," she said, catching his hands and beaming up at him. "My friend Susanne is having a party on Friday night. Go with me."

"Meet your friends?" A smile crept across Wade's face. "Really? I'm not too country?"

"I think you're perfect," Vivi said breathlessly, gazing into his blue eyes.

Wade shook his head. "Darling, you got a lot to learn," he murmured. "What time?"

"Eight at The Club downtown," Vivi said. Wade winced.

"I've got to work here until nine or so," he said. "I can come after that."

"Great." Vivi felt her heart oozing inside her chest and wondered if she was ever going to feel solid again. With a crooked grin, Wade lowered his lips to hers. The happiness spilled from her toes and her fingertips, and she felt like her entire body was shimmering with joy!

"VIVI!"

To be continued...