Eva dug her elbow into her companion’s rib cage.

James, shaken from slumber barely stirred and Eva rubbed her elbow in annoyance.

“How can you possibly sleep?  We’re supposed to be on a romantic flight to see Venus.”

He yawned and stretched, stroked her hair and her bare shoulder before laying a kiss on her lips. “We don’t need to go to Venus to see the stars. They’re right here.” He kissed her again and gave her a sleepy smile.

Eva sighed, snuggled in under his arm and closed her eyes.

Sage, pepper, lemon.  Isn’t it heaven, to be here with you now.  By the fire we sit and lick our fingers.

Sage, pepper, lemon.  Isn’t it heaven, to cuddle with you so. By the fire we sit, nuzzle and kiss.

Sage, pepper, lemon.  Isn’t it heaven, to taste you on my lips, under a blanket we shall go.  By the fire we make our passion known.

The bell rings for the second time.  Fashionably late in unfashionable clothes.

He sidles close and I can smell him, earthy and fresh.  His formal attire sits well on him, far better than I thought it would.  You can see his figure, stout but not fat, poised and surprisingly handsome.  His posture is almost perfect yet I notice a slight hesitation in his gait as we walk into the ballroom together.