“Say no more. I’ve helped with that on my place. I had liniment,” she added, “but nobody to put it on for me. So it was aspirin and a heating pad.”

“I hate the smell of liniment,” he returned, making a face. His drink arrived. He lifted it in a toast. “This smells much better,” he added on a chuckle.

She grinned at him. She felt lighter than air, as if she could fly. She had strange hungers as well. She looked at Cort and wondered what he looked like under his shirt. She felt like taking off her own shirt and smoothing her body against his. Heavens, she was losing her mind!

She flushed and almost overturned her glass.

“Oh, you’re empty. Want another one?” the waitress asked, and took her silence for assent. “Be right back.”

“I really shouldn’t,” she told Cort.

“Food lessens the impact,” he repeated, grinning. “Live dangerously.”

“I’ve been doing that a lot,” she mused.

He laughed. How, he was wondering, by choosing a new knitting pattern or doing a new recipe in the kitchen? But he didn’t say it. He was enjoying her company too much.

SHE FINISHED HER drink along with a delicious slice of cheesecake. She’d noticed that Cort was having one as well. It was a dessert she liked.

They went into the casino afterward and she played one of the slot machines, at least until she started feeling dizzy. She dropped to the floor suddenly just after she’d started a new round.

Cort was concerned. He propped her against his knee. “What’s wrong?” he asked worriedly.

“Too many of those coconut thingies, I think,” she said, embarrassed that her voice was slurred. “You’re all blurry,” she added, trying to get his face to focus.

“Oh boy,” he said to himself. He motioned to one of the security people. “Can you stay with her for just a minute? I’m going to need to get a room so that she can lie down for a few minutes.”

“Of course,” the man replied.

SHE WAS FLOATING. She felt lighter than air. She opened her eyes and Cort was sitting beside her on the biggest bed she’d ever been in.

“Did I pass out?” she asked. Her words were still slurred.

“Abundantly.” He brushed back her hair. “Are you all right?”

“I think so. I’m not sure I ever want to have rum again as long as I live, though.”

“It was my fault,” he said. “I’d forgotten that you aren’t used to alcohol.”

“I hated it. Henry was always drunk. Always trying to take my clothes off.” She stretched, her dark eyes on Cort’s face. “I’d let you take my clothes off, though,” she said, smiling a little hazily. “Gosh, you’re so handsome. I never thought a man who looked like you would ever want to take out somebody as homely as me!”

“You’re not homely,” he said, scowling. “You have a pretty face.” He looked down. “And beautiful little breasts. I get hungry just looking at them through fabric.”