From This Moment by Sean D. Young

them, they looked like the sweetest couple. I thought they were happy. Now, I’ll be taping the first episode with new people.”
    “Well, we’re going to relax and have a great time tonight. You can worry about the new couple on Monday.”
    Jonathan eased off the expressway at the Stony Island exit ramp and followed it to Lake Shore Drive.
    As she stared out the window, Ivy was fascinated by the beauty of Lake Michigan; even in the wintertime, it was beautiful.
    They drove silently for several more minutes until Jonathan found a place to park down the street from the club.
    Coming around on the passenger side, he opened the door and assisted her down out of the vehicle. Jonathan shut the door, hit the locks, and reached for her hand.
    Ivy looked at his outstretched hand and, without hesitation, grabbed hold of it.
    Jonathan clasped his fingers with hers, pulling her gloved hand to his lips and placing a light kiss there.
    They stayed that way, walking to the building side by side. Jonathan smiled at her as he opened the door to the entrance of the club. Walking past him, Ivy returned his smile and waited for him to follow her.
    For the first time that evening, Jonathan felt hope.

Chapter 9
    Jonathan asked the waiter to seat them so they could still see the stage, but have some privacy. He was pleased with the corner table toward the back.
    Keeping the conversation light, Jonathan suggested a pasta dish for Ivy to try as they scanned the menu. Jonathan watched the other couples on the dance floor, swaying to the music.
    Laying the menu aside, he rose from his seat and extended his hand to her. “Let’s dance.”
    At first, Ivy stared at him. Dancing with Jonathan would mean being close to him. Her breast against his chest, the feel of his arms around her, the warmth and that feeling of wanting to get closer made her heartbeat accelerate.
    “I won’t let anything happen to you, baby. I promise. Remember we came here to relax and have a good time.”
    Ivy threw caution to the wind even though her mind screamed that she shouldn’t. She caught hold of his hand, rose to her feet and followed him to the dance floor.
    Jonathan gently pulled her into his solid chest. Ivy’s body melted as he drew her closer.
    Just as she thought, the intoxicating scent of his woodsy cologne drew her even closer to him. When his lips grazed her ear, she relaxed and laid her head against his chest, her left hand splayed across it, allowing herself to get lost in the rhythm of the music.
    The band that was on stage was one she’d never heard before. They played contemporary jazz, but reminded her of the group Incognito. The soothing sound of the piano and saxophone mixed with the powerful tone of the vocalist magnified Jonathan’s touches.
    Jonathan lifted his head and when she did the same, he stared into her eyes. His eyes were mesmerizing and she didn’t want to be anywhere else but right there in his arms.
    Ivy rested against his chest, but squeezed him tighter when he whispered in her ear, “You are so beautiful.”
    Soon the song ended and he gently caught her right hand and led her back to the table.
    “I see you are enjoying the music. I really like this band,” Jonathan said as he pulled out Ivy’s chair.
    “I love the woman’s voice. It was so soothing,” she said as she took her seat.
    Jonathan went to the other side of the table, then looked at her. “You know what?”
    “What?”
    “You are too far away from me. I have to reach across the table to touch you. I need to be close to you, and this table is in the way.”
    “Well come over here, then,” she said and patted the empty seat next to her.
    She was captivated by Jonathan’s tenderness, manners and affection toward her. He really was a sweet guy.
    Jonathan looked pleased by her response. Moving swiftly to the other side of the table, he pulled her into his arms. “Now, this is better.”
    Looking down at her, he smiled and said, “Isn’t this better for