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angry with Peter and had
decided to stay. Some friends dropped her at home when the dance was over. “So
much for a night to remember,” she remembered thinking. Although aside from
it being an early evening it had been a glorious night. She had laughed so much
with Ian and enjoyed their time together. She had just changed clothes when her
mother called up the stairs that Ian was there to see her. Her stomach was in
knots. Ian here? Why? As she descended the stairs her legs trembled. But she
immediately relaxed when he looked at her and smiled.
    “Hi Alex. I’m so glad you weren’t in bed yet. Seems my date took ill too
so I was hoping you’d come along with me to the after prom activities. Your Mom
said it was okay with her if you wanted to.”
    If she wanted to?!!! She couldn’t believe her luck. Maybe she wasn’t so
mad at Peter after all.
    “I would love to Ian.” Alex hollered at her mother who was mulling around
in the kitchen. “Mom! I’m leaving with Ian.”
    “That’s fine dear. Have fun and be careful.”
    Be careful. If she was being careful she would not be going at all. But
she wanted this time with Ian; what little time she could have before he went
off to college in California.
    They had a great time together that night. First, they went bowling with
everyone then over to Tom Jensen’s house for a late night swim. After that,
they all went to Denny’s for an early morning breakfast. After breakfast they
said their good-byes to the rest of the group as they all decided to call it a
night. They climbed into Ian’s car and Ian turned to Alex and grabbed both her
hands. Alex shivered at his touch.
    “Alex, I don’t want tonight to end.”
    “I know Ian. Tonight’s been pretty special for me. I’m not going to
forget it any time soon.”
    “Alex. I want you to stay with me awhile longer. I want to be with you
Alex. My parents are out of town. Will you come back to my house with me?”
    Alex’s mouth grew dry and she didn’t know what to say.
    “I don’t know Ian. I want to. Just what do you mean exactly by wanting to
be with me?”
    Ian grinned.
    “I think you know what I mean Alex. I want to make love to you. I want to
have this one sweet memory of you to hold onto when I’m at school.”
    “I don’t know Ian…I…I…want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my
life. I think you know that. But I don’t want to be a one-night stand either.
As much as I’d like to go home with you, I think you better take me home.”
    Ian knew she was right. He’d fought his attraction for her all these
years and couldn’t explain why he’d decided to throw it all away and give into
his feelings tonight. He just knew he had to. He had to have her.
    “Baby I know.” He cupped her face in his hands and tenderly rubbed her
cheeks with his thumbs making her burn with desire. “I’ve wanted you for so
long now. You are so special to me Alex and I thought I was being noble by
staying away from you. I knew we couldn’t fight these feelings that spark
between us if I didn’t stay away from you. I didn’t want to use you then go
away to school. You deserve better than that Alex. You deserve a man who wants
to marry you and take care of you. I’m not that man Alex and I never will be.
I’m just a kid that desires the hell out of you.” His heart sunk as he said
these next words. “But you’re right. I better take you home.” He turned from
her to start the car.
    “No!” Alex cried and grabbed his arm. “No,” she said softly this time.
“I’ll die Ian if I never know what it would be like to make love to you. I’ve
dreamed of it for so long. I don’t want to just dream any more.”
    Ian slid his hand to the nape of her neck, caressed her cheek with his
other hand and smiled sweetly into her eyes. “Be sure Alex. Please be sure.
Whatever happens after tonight I don’t ever want you to hate me or regret
making love to me.”
    “I’m not sure that it’s the right thing for us