Dread and delight; my last date with Vince

A wave of dread washed over me as I thought about the upcoming date with Vince. I knew he'd pull out all the stops, more than he usually would. He was keenly aware that I had a monumental decision to make between him and Randy, and our last date – the concert – had been a bit of a disaster. The pressure was on, and I could feel it settling heavy on my shoulders.

To distract myself, I plunged into a day of domesticity. I did all my laundry, including the bedding, enjoying the fresh scent of fabric softener. My home office, which had become a bit of a chaotic hub, was meticulously organized, and the living room was tidied until it gleamed. Feeling a pang of hunger, I went downstairs and brought up a tray of food in the fridge in the basement from the mountain Aditi and Dominic had brought over the other day. It was a tray of Aditi's incredible cooking: golden, perfectly crisp samosas, bursting with spiced potatoes and peas; fragrant biryani, each grain of rice infused with aromatic spices and tender chicken; and a rich, creamy paneer butter masala that made my mouth water just looking at it. I ate some, savoring every bite, then carefully packaged the rest into freezer-safe containers for later.

As I was finishing up, I picked up my phone and texted Randy. "Thank you for one of the best nights of my life," I wrote, a genuine smile on my face. "It was a night I'll never forget." His response came almost immediately, curt and to the point: "Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for joining me." A small pang of something I couldn't quite name went through me at his brevity, but I quickly brushed it aside.

Later that afternoon, my doorbell rang. It was Vince. "Hey," he said, his smile easy and warm. "Are you free?"

"Hey! Yeah, I just finished up some stuff. What's up?" I replied, leaning against the doorframe.

"Perfect," he beamed. "I was thinking, there's this fantastic new jazz club downtown. It's got this amazing vibe, really intimate, great music..."

My heart sank a little. "Oh, Vince," I interrupted gently, "I was actually just there recently."

His smile faltered, just for a second, a flicker of disappointment in his eyes. "Oh," he said, the single word hanging in the air. He quickly recovered, though, forcing a brighter tone. "Well, that's alright! I had a backup plan anyway. A little surprise."

"Oh?" I asked, a playful eyebrow raised. "Are you going to share this surprise, or keep me guessing?"

He chuckled, but it sounded a little forced. "Nope. It's a surprise. You'll just have to wait." I knew, with a certainty that settled deep in my gut, that he didn't have a backup plan. He was scrambling, trying to save face. He leaned in, kissing me softly. "I'll reach out later with the details. Just be ready for an adventure."

"Okay," I said, kissing him back. "Sounds... exciting. Thanks, Vince." He gave me a quick squeeze and left.

After I moved my laundry along, folding and putting away the clean clothes, I decided to nap for a bit, needing to recharge after the intense night and morning. I drifted off, only to be woken by the familiar buzz of my phone an hour later. It was a text from Vince.

"How do you feel about heights?" it read. My eyes widened. I automatically knew he was planning a hot air balloon ride. Of course. He was trying to be grand, memorable. Despite my internal groan – I secretly hated heights – I quickly typed back, "I'm fine with heights! Why?"

His reply was swift: "Perfect! Just wanted to make sure. Dress comfortably but nicely. Think layers."

"Okay," I texted back, a small smile playing on my lips. "What time are you picking me up?"

"Around 7:15 PM," he replied.

"Thanks, Vince!" I sent, already picturing the evening. This was going to be... an experience.

I was dreading the date already, and it was only 4:30 PM. I sighed, pushing away the thought and deciding to make the most of the afternoon. I took another shower, washing my face thoroughly, and then put on a comfortable pair of shorts and a t-shirt, settling onto the couch with a book. I lost myself in the pages for a while, letting the quiet of the house soothe me.

Around 6 PM, I put the book down, the time ticking closer to Vince's arrival. I went upstairs to get ready. I did my makeup, keeping it soft and natural, then chose a casual, stylish, but form-fitting and low-cut shirt and a comfortable but form-fitting skirt. I slipped on a pair of flats, knowing comfort would be key for whatever Vince had planned. My hair was pulled back into a neat French twist, and I finished with a spritz of my favorite perfume. I grabbed my over-the-shoulder purse, tossing in my phone, a charger and charging cable, my keys, wallet, asthma inhaler, chapstick, and a small comb. Fully prepared, I went downstairs and headed to the coat closet, looking for a nice but warm jacket. The evening air could be chilly, especially if we were going somewhere high up. Once I picked it out, a cozy, faux fleece jacket, I placed it on the couch near my purse.

A few minutes later, the front door opened, and Vince let himself in. "Hey," he greeted, walking over and leaning down to give me a soft, lingering kiss. "Ready?"

"Ready as I'll ever be," I replied, a small smile touching my lips.

His eyes swept over me, a genuine warmth in his gaze. "You look beautiful," he said, his voice sincere. He helped me with my jacket, holding it open for me, and I slipped my arms in. I grabbed my purse, slinging it over my shoulder. With his keys, he locked up my house, a familiar gesture that always made me feel secure.

We walked to his car, and he opened the passenger door for me. The drive was about twenty-five minutes, and we talked a little bit about our days. "So, how was your day?" I asked, glancing at him.

"Just the usual," he replied, a hint of mystery in his tone. "Getting everything set up for tonight."

We pulled into a large, open field, dimly lit by portable floodlights. Vince parked the car and handed his keys to a man in a pair of overalls who approached us. My heart sank. There, looming in the twilight, was a massive, hot air balloon, its colorful fabric spread across the ground, with a large basket resting beside it. I knew it. I was dreading the date even more now. If Vince truly knew me, he'd know that I hated heights.

A man with a kind face and a weathered cap, presumably the operator, greeted us. "Welcome! Ready for your flight?"

"Ready as we'll ever be," Vince said, a wide, excited grin on his face. He helped me into the basket, which felt surprisingly sturdy. The operator handed us each a travel mug. "Hot herbal tea," he explained. "To keep you warm up there." We thanked him, and the gentle hiss of the burners starting filled the air.

As the balloon slowly began to inflate, we were mostly quiet, the anticipation building. "It's... bigger than I thought," I murmured, trying to sound casual, my knuckles white as I gripped the edge of the basket.

Vince chuckled, sensing my slight apprehension. "Don't worry, you'll love the view. It's breathtaking." He reached for my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Just relax and enjoy the ride." We talked without really talking, the vastness of the impending sky making small talk feel insignificant. We kissed often, quick, soft presses of our lips, but it felt awkward with the operator just inches from us though his attention was focused on the rising balloon. After one such kiss, Vince pulled back slightly, his brow furrowed. "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice low.

"Nothing," I said quickly, perhaps too quickly. He knew me well; he knew something was wrong, but to his credit, he didn't push it. He just squeezed my hand tighter. As we ascended, the world below us shrank, and the sky transformed into a canvas of fiery oranges, purples, and deep blues. We caught a beautiful sunset, the colors bleeding into each other in a spectacular display. "Wow," I breathed, truly awestruck. "It's... incredible, Vince."

"Isn't it?" he whispered, his arm wrapping around my waist, pulling me closer. We took a few pictures, trying to capture the impossible beauty, and commented on the changing hues. "Look at that," he murmured, pointing to a streak of fuchsia. He turned to me, his eyes reflecting the sunset's glow, and kissed me, a long, tender kiss that was just for us, high above the world.

After what felt like an eternity, but was probably just over an hour and a half, the operator began our descent. We landed smoothly in a quiet field just on the outskirts of town. The man Vince had given his car keys to was already there, waiting for us. He helped me out of the basket, steadying me as my feet touched solid ground. Vince stepped out next, and the man handed him his car keys back. "Thank you both so much," Vince said to the operator and the driver, his voice filled with genuine appreciation.

"Thank you," I added, my voice still a little shaky from the height, but a smile on my face.

Vince and I headed to his car, and he opened the passenger door for me, making sure I was comfortably seated. As he started the engine and pulled onto the road, he glanced at me. "Are you okay with Thai food?" he asked.

"Are you kidding?" I laughed, a genuine laugh this time. "I love Thai food! You should know that by now."

He chuckled, a warm sound. "I do," he confirmed. "Just making sure. I got us a private table at that new place on Elm Street."

During the ride there, I undid my French twist, letting my hair fall loosely around my shoulders. I pulled out my comb and ran it through my hair, untangling the waves, then meticulously put my hair back up into the neat French twist. A few minutes later, we arrived at the restaurant. It was a charming place, with soft lighting and the inviting aroma of spices wafting from within. Vince helped me out of the car, and we walked in, immediately greeted by a hostess who led us to a secluded, intimate table nestled in a quiet corner of the restaurant.

The ambiance was serene, with soft, traditional Thai music playing in the background and intricate wooden carvings adorning the walls. We were immediately greeted by our server, who offered us drinks and appetizers. "I'll have a Thai Iced Tea, please," I said, craving something sweet and refreshing. Vince ordered a crisp, dry white wine. For appetizers, we chose fresh spring rolls with a sweet chili dipping sauce, and crispy chicken satay skewers with a rich peanut sauce. The spring rolls were light and flavorful, and the satay was perfectly cooked, tender and juicy. "These are amazing, Vince," I said, taking another bite of a spring roll.

"Glad you like them," he smiled, watching me. "You always did love spring rolls."

After we finished our appetizers, our main courses were brought over. Vince, knowing my preferences perfectly, had ordered my favorite: a rich, creamy Green Curry with tender chicken and bamboo shoots, served with fragrant jasmine rice. Our drinks were refilled without us even having to ask. We talked about us, the past, our date so far, and our possible future. He spoke about his hopes, his dreams, and how he envisioned us together. I listened, my heart aching with the weight of the decision I had to make. I tried not to say anything that would reveal the turmoil inside me, carefully choosing my words, nodding and smiling, even as my mind raced, weighing Randy's passionate intensity against Vince's steady, comforting presence.

We ordered dessert – a sticky rice with fresh mango and coconut milk, a sweet and satisfying end to the meal. We talked more, the conversation flowing easily between us, though a quiet tension lingered beneath my surface. After he paid, we walked around town for a bit, enjoying the cool evening air and the soft glow of the streetlights. Finally, he brought me back home. As he walked me to my door, he stopped, his hand gently touching my arm. "So," he said, his voice soft, his eyes searching mine, "am I coming in?"

I met his gaze, a decision solidifying in my mind. "Yes," I said, my voice firm. "Come in." I opened the door wider, inviting him into my home and, for one last time, into my bed. We hung up our jackets in the coat closet, then he moved to the kitchen, putting on the kettle for tea. The comforting scent of brewing chamomile filled the air as we settled onto the couch, mugs in hand.

"I think I know you've made a decision already," Vince said, his voice gentle, his eyes kind. "And no matter what it is, I want you to know I understand. I won't push you for anything tonight, not for sex, not for anything you're not ready for."

A wave of unexpected tenderness washed over me, but it was quickly followed by a surge of something else, a rebellious thought. Screw it... let this be the last time we have sex. I put my mug down on the coffee table, the ceramic clinking softly. I leaned over and kissed him, a deep, hungry kiss that left no room for doubt. He responded instantly, putting his own mug down with a thud, and then, without a word, he scooped me into his arms and carried me upstairs to my bedroom, his intentions clear.

We stripped, our clothes falling in a heap on the floor, a testament to our urgency. We tumbled onto the bed, the soft mattress yielding beneath us. He rolled me onto my back, his eyes devouring me, then spread my legs wide, positioning himself. With a guttural groan, he pushed his dick into me, filling me completely, stretching me to my limits. "God, you're so wet," he rasped, his voice thick with desire, "you feel absolutely incredible wrapped around me." He began to thrust, slowly at first, a deep, rhythmic motion that quickly picked up speed, his body moving with a powerful, steady pace. He leaned down, his mouth closing over one nipple, sucking hard, eliciting a moan that vibrated through my entire body. His other hand gently pinched and twisted the other, sending sparks through me. "Let me hear you, sweetheart," he urged.

"Oh, yes!" I cried out, my hips bucking against his, meeting every thrust.  We had sex a few times, each climax more intense than the last, my body convulsing around his, and he came hard inside me each time.

Eventually, exhausted and sated, we fell asleep in each other's arms, the morning light a soft glow through the curtains when we finally stirred. We woke up, a comfortable silence between us, then showered together, washing away the evidence of our night. Once dressed, Vince turned to me, a soft smile on his face. "I had a great time with you last night," he said, his voice warm.

"I did too, Vince," I replied, meaning every word. "It was... perfect." I hesitated, then added, "I'll give you my decision soon." Even though the words were on the tip of my tongue, I held them back, needing this last moment of shared intimacy before the finality.

He nodded, his smile unwavering. "I'll wait to hear from you." He leaned in, kissing me softly, a tender, lingering kiss. Then, he reached into his pocket, pulling out a small, silver key. "Here," he said, pressing it into my palm. "Just in case." He winked, a playful glint in his eye, and with a final squeeze of my hand, he left.