She closed her eyes for a moment, with the smile still lingering on her lips.
Nikolas, unable to check his desire, leaned over and playfully kissed the tip of her nose. Holding her chin, Nikolas kissed her cheeks. Anna turned her face upward, inviting him to kiss her lips. Nikolas readily obliged and gave her an adoring kiss.
The waiter brought caviar, thinly sliced bread and butter, and foie gras. He filled the champagne glasses again.
"To our happiness, Anna," said Nikolas as he brought his glass to her lips. "From now on I will call you my true love. My Anna, my agape," whispered Nikolas in ecstasy, cherishing every word.
"That's very romantic of you, Nikolas," replied Anna. "And I will call you Niko, winner of my heart. Niko, my love."
"Thank you Anna, Agape."
Nikolas wondered what temple this goddess had escaped from. The guests at the nearby tables glanced at them enviously. At the end of their meal, the ship's captain came to greet them.
***
It was almost two o'clock in the morning when Anna kissed Nikolas good night in front of her suite. Still thinking of the night spent dancing with Nikolas, she crept in carefully, not wanting to wake her mother. In a way, Anna wished her mother might be awake, so she could share her joy with her. She hesitantly went to her mother's bedroom door, but withdrew her hand from the knob. The evening could only have been more delightful if she had someone to tell about it. Anna just wanted to be assured it was not all a dream.
About an hour later, Anna finally closed her eyes and snuggled beneath the white goose down cover, completely naked. In her contentment, sleep came to her quickly. She welcomed it with a smile.