The brief trek along the snowy path from the front door to Harry's vehicle was made treacherous by the high heels Madelyn was wearing. No heel would make her equal to Harry's height, but these particular shoes allowed her to fit perfectly under his arm. Taking full advantage, Harry slid his arm beneath her long wool coat and lower, around her waist. Pulling her close, he nearly carried her to the driveway.

"Oh, I wanted one of these when I was younger!"

Harry smiled at her appreciation of his well kept, but hardly fancy, older Jeep Cherokee. "It's been a bit of a project. My step-dad taught me to work on cars a bit while I was perfecting my rebellious teen act. It kept me out of trouble, taught me some valuable skills, and although I thought Robin was a real pisser in the beginning, it brought us together." Harry's eyes lit up in the fading winter light as he spoke of the man who was his second father.

"I picked this one up from an older gentleman. His license was revoked after he couldn't pass the renewal exam. Poor guy was torn up about the loss of independence; he let the Jeep sit in the garage for 5 years before his son finally sold it. I got a great deal, repaired everything that was questionable and every couple of months I drive by his place and take him for a spin."

Having achieved the passenger door, Harry reached to open it but did not release his single arm grasp on Madelyn.

"Let me lift you in, it will be too awkward in a dress and heels." Placing a chaste kiss at her temple, he brought both hands around her waist and raised her to the seat. Less chastely, he ran his finger down her leg and verbally lamented the fact that her limbs were covered. "I was really looking forward to your bare legs." In spite of the coverage, her flesh tingled where he touched.

"Sometimes compromises must be made, Harry. You said 'no tights.' These are stockings. A woman cannot go about with bare legs on a cold winter night." Madelyn improvised a pouty face and continued, "Besides, I thought you might be willing to make allowances once you saw the bigger picture." At that, she pushed her coat aside and leaned across the driver seat to unlock the opposite door. The short black dress rode up, thus flashing Harry not only the tops of her thighs where the garter clips held onto the sheer fabric of the stocking, but also a tiny slice of the bare flesh of her bottom. Narrowing her eyes, she smiled with satisfaction at the sound of the sharp inhale from the man frozen in place at her side.

Harry's hand shot out across her hips as he attempted to slide her nearer. "What are you wearing under there?" His eyes were dark, pupils more dilated than the low light yet required and his voice had gone to gravel.

Wrapping her small fingers around his larger ones, Madelyn removed his hand as she sat upright. Bringing it to her lips, she barely kissed the tip of his long, middle finger. "I told you, Harry. Compromises must be made." A grin spread over his face as Harry backed away and firmly closed the door.

The latest album by the Lumineers floated in the background as Harry navigated down the mountain road, through the center of the valley town and up winding hill at the other side. He kept his hands on the wheel, occasionally removing one to tug at his lower lip thoughtfully, as they conversed. He told her about his plans to buy into Etta's and explained that Murphy and Becca were already welcoming him into the decision making process regarding the expansion. Recently, he had sold the small home he had purchased with the help of his parents when he was a sophomore, and property values were low. He went on to say that he had learned a few things from one or two of his professors and the equity from the house was now sitting in an escrow account, waiting to be invested into the business.

"So you did well on the sale since the market has picked up, but where are you living?"

"Ah, there is an apartment above the restaurant. Murph and Becca lived in it when they first opened, later they rented it out to other students. The last tenant was rough on the place and it sat vacant for several months. I wanted to get the money out of the house so I offered to do all the repairs and repaint in exchange for cheap rent. They aren't really making much money, but it was a loss before I moved in. It's incredibly convenient for me with school and work, and its a fraction of my old mortgage. Plus, in a few months, I'll be part owner anyway."

"I'm impressed. You've put a lot of thought into what you're doing." She liked the way his mind worked. He thought things through, made plans, pursued them with purpose. It occurred to her that he may have applied his mind to her and it gave her a little thrill to think that he could be pursuing her with a similar purpose.

"I paid attention in class, Professor M. I've done my research," he laughed as they pulled into the parking lot.

"Are you going to keep calling me that?"

"What?" he asked. "Professor M.?"

"Yes. It makes me sound old and academic." Clearly she was not computing his double meaning behind the nickname.

"Or," Harry spoke slyly, "it makes you sound like a bombshell agent from James Bond." He wiggled his eyebrows and leaned forward to put his mouth next to her ear where her hair had been swept back. "And even if you were my professor and you are an academic, I still think I can teach you a thing or two."

Madelyn shuddered involuntarily as his hot breath flowed over her ear and his lips brushed the skin of her neck, causing her nipples to contract. Dropping out of the vehicle into his arms, she hoped that it was dark enough that he wouldn't notice. Given the smirk on his face, hope was lost.

The restaurant he had chosen was perfect. Perched high on the side of the hill, it overlooked an open-space nature reserve and the city lights below. Built of enormous stone bricks, it featured three turrets and a large walkway that surrounded the building. The building had the aura of a medieval castle.

They were greeted at the door by a sharply dressed man who took their coats. Harry confirmed they had a reservation with the host, who led them up a wide, open staircase. As he had requested, they were seated in a small alcove that featured a view that went on for miles. The grounds beneath them were softly illuminated, and further down, the lights glittered in the valley. It was a spectacular presentation. Madelyn made appreciative comments and Harry silently congratulated himself for achieving the romantic setting he felt she deserved.

The host had sent someone from the bar to their table immediately. Madelyn sipped her old fashioned and Harry sampled a beer from a local brewery as music from the live jazz trio below, floated to the second floor.

"I've been looking into some of the craft breweries in town," Harry was thoughtful as he swirled the beer in his frosted glass. "Right now, Etta's is serving only what is mass-produced in bottles. I'd like to push Murphy's business model and offer something made locally, and serve it on tap."

"Is this business what you want for the long haul? It's more than a financial investment?" She wasn't meaning to interrogate him, but her interest was piqued. Harry was distinctively different from most people his age. There was an increased intensity and determination in him. Madelyn sensed it as he talked about his education, his business plans, and when he had been fucking her as well. She felt as if he was electrically charged and she was drawn to him intellectually as well as physically.

"It is what I want." Harry closed his eyes momentarily before continuing. "I thought I would come out west for college, then head back east where my family is located. But I fell in love with this place, with the mountains and the lakes. I've made friends that feel like family. This is where I see myself putting down roots. I'm not going anywhere." He angled himself toward her and looked into her eyes as he said the last part.

Okay...

With impeccable timing, their server arrived at the table to share the specials for the evening and suggest wine pairings. She was a cute redhead and an equal opportunity flirt who introduced herself as Megan. The three of them joked over some of the pretentious wine descriptions before setting on a white that would go nicely with the seafood pasta for her and Chilean sea bass for him.

"We'd like to order dessert now as well, if possible."

"Of course, let me bring you the dessert tray." The young woman began to turn away, but Harry called her back.

"What is your favorite?" he addressed Madelyn.

She was perplexed as to why he wanted to order dessert before dinner had even been served, but opted to humor him. "That would be a toss-up between chocolate mousse and crème brûlée."

"We have both," offered Megan.

"We'll take one of each, packaged to go. Will you bring them with the check, please?"

Megan nodded in the affirmative and strode toward the kitchen.

"Harry, I don't know if I'll have room for all of that! And why are we taking it to go?"

"Hmmm... I have other things planned for dessert."

"Alright," she drew out the word. "Will you please reconsider splitting the bill with me?"

"No. I will not." He was absolute and a little gruff. "Possibly I should clear something up." He spoke more gently now. "Madelyn, I am not a starving student. My family is not wealthy, but we are quite comfortable. I am serious about my education and I have a full-ride scholarship to the university, plus a living stipend. I have always worked and saved. My internship was paid and Murphy has kept me on the payroll nearly full-time. I wasn't kidding when I said I had good teachers and I paid attention. I live conservatively and I've managed put enough aside so that I am able to take good care of myself." He took her hand across the table, stroking the back with his thumb. "I can afford to do this and other things for you. I want you to let me."

Madelyn knew when to walk away. There was no point in arguing. For him, this wasn't an equality issue. This was simply how he was raised, and his way of demonstrating that he wanted to care for her.

Dinner had been wonderful. The music continued to provide a sultry backdrop to their conversation. Megan had provided attentive, yet discreet service. The food was an explosion on the palette. Harry insisted on sharing bites from his fork and the fish nearly melted in her mouth. Although he had limited himself to the one beer and a single glass of wine as he was driving; Madelyn had indulged in a second glass and was feeling pleasantly relaxed.

The wine brought a blush to her cheeks that the candlelight accentuated, and Harry was loath to keep his hands to himself. Slipping his hand under the heavy brocade cloth that covered the intimately sized table he stroked the back of her left knee. Madelyn sighed contentedly and relaxed into his touch, sliding her leg further toward him. He felt the vibration of her shoe hitting the floor, just before his leg lit up with the sensation of her thinly veiled foot gliding up the inside of his calf.

"Shall I get the check so we can move on to dessert?" Harry's lips twitched upwards.

"Mmm-hmm... that's a good idea. Mind if I excuse myself to the restroom while you do that?"

Harry stood and moved to pull her chair out. Helping her to stand, he bent to kiss her softly. "Be quick, I want to get out of here."

Madelyn blinked a few times to clear her head of the wine and the heat that she felt pouring through her spine. Her mind was wandering to lovely places as she made her way to the ladies' lounge. Her thoughts were so lost in Harry and what else he might have planned, that she didn't notice that she had been followed down the corridor.