When Elisabeth opened the door and he laid eyes on her, all conflicted thoughts were replaced with raw emotion. She was a vision, wearing a pale taupe nightgown with a lace bodice. Her hair fell softly around her face and she had an ethereal glow about her. When their eyes met, it was evident she felt uncertain as well. He cupped her face, "You truly are God's promise." She took his hand, kissed his palm, and led him to the bedroom.
The two stood, locked in a deep gaze, fully experiencing what they found in each other's eyes. They kissed, and Jackson immediately felt her yield under his embrace. They began a surreal dance of body and mind that left them both dizzy with passion. It was as if their bodies were created to be together, not at all unfamiliar, entwined and as one. Elisabeth felt a safe harbor in his arms, and Jackson wanted to give her every part of himself. Neither had ever felt so vulnerable, yet they trusted each other completely and without doubt.
Jackson understood for the first time in his long life the vast difference between having sex and making love. When his mind finally began to return to reality, he worried that he might have hurt her. Being so swept away, he couldn't be certain if he had been gentle enough. He looked down at her beneath him and asked, "Did I hurt you?"
She met his eyes with a smile. "Of course not, I'm not made of glass."
He rolled onto his back pulling her close to his chest. They were quiet for a long time until Elisabeth propped up on her elbow, tracing his jaw line with her finger. "You are going to break my heart." It wasn't a question, but a statement, as if it were inevitable. Jackson didn't respond immediately. He wondered how she could still think that after what they had just shared.
Searching her eyes, he said, "Then I will surely break my own." She laid her head back and after a moment, he felt a teardrop fall onto his chest.
***
They woke to the doorbell. Elisabeth sat up, "The caterer."
Jackson started to get up. "I'll take care of it."
"No, I have to give them the check. Stay here." She got out of bed and grabbed her robe. Jackson took in the beauty of her body with the light of day. She was entirely feminine, yet each muscle was defined, sinewy. The body of an athlete. She narrowed her eyes while slipping into her robe. "You're leering."
He wiggled his eyebrows and grinned. "Get used to it." She turned to leave the room and briefly dropped the robe off one side to flash a bare shoulder. "You're killing me!" He shouted after her.