Lucky looked into Marie's eyes as they danced. When she asked him to kiss her he pulled her in tight and kissed her deeply and passionately. When the kiss ended he knew he had to watch it or things could go in a direction that he was pretty sure she did not want them to go to... at least not yet. 

"You have to stick to your word," he thought to himself and then came to the decision that he was not going to let anything happen tonight that they had not done when she was sober. As much as he may want to he would not be able to forgive himself for taking advantage of her and the situation. 

"Mmmm" she smiled and laid her head back down on his shoulder.  "I like your kisses.  They are nice."  She closed her eyes as they danced back and forth.  "You are nice.   Why you so nice to me?  Her breathing began to slow and her words started to slur even more.   "You shouldn't be nice."

"Because I love you silly," he said to her 

They continued to dance and as they did he noticed she was leaning on him more and more. After a bit, he knew she was going to pass out soon and it was time to end the night. 

He picked up his jacket and put it on before picking Marie up in his arms and carrying her back in and up to her room. Once there he laid her gently on to the bed. 

"Its time to get some sleep.," he said to her. 

"Mmmmm...."  She reached for his hand and tried to pull him down onto the bed with her.  "I want you to hold me."

Lucky thinks about her request. So many things run through his head but one stands out above all others. 

"I would love to, I want to but I cant not like this," he says to her

"I told you that you would be in control of what happened. But I also know you have had a lot to drink and I won't take advantage of you in this state," he says before bending down and kissing her 

"get some sleep," he says

Marie moaned her protest, but she was already falling asleep as he bent down to kiss her good night.  She mumbled something undistinguished as she slipped off into her dreams. 

Lucky went over and sat in a chair in the room. He decided that he was not going to leave as uncomfortable as he may be, sleeping in the chair, he knew at least he would be there if she needed him. 

Lucky laid his head back on the hard wooden top of the chair and closed his eyes. He sat there thinking of the night and wondered if she had planned the whole thing or just happened to let go. He never knew her to get drunk accept after Luca died and he had to force her to do that. 

He sat back and slowly fell asleep. 

Marie groaned as the sunlight started filtering through the glass pane window to shine down on her face, yet her face was anything but angelic.  It contorted in pain as the light exacerbated  the pounding headache she had.  She pulled the covers up over her head and found some relief.  Silently she vowed to herself never to get drunk again.  It just was not worth it.  

It had seemed like such a good idea at the time.  What better way to get over the awkwardness and to truly explore and experience what was between Lucky and herself than to remove her own inhibitions that seemed to be constantly getting in her way.  That was why she choose to get drunk.  She wanted to loosen up.  Flashes of last night played in her head from the previous night.  She remembered wanting Lucky to hold her and he had instead kissed her good night. Now she found herself disappointed that she did not wake up to him being in her bed with her.  The thought surprised her.  

Deciding that nature was calling she threw off the covers and sat up on the side of the bed.  She did not make it very far as the motion made the room spin and her face ended up in her hands as she tried to steady her queasy stomach.  Each time she thought she had been successful a new wave of queasiness would over come her until she suddenly jumped from the bed knocking over the light on the little dresser beside the bed.  She barely made it through to the bathroom before she started to empty the contents of her stomach into the toilet.   

Lucky jumps awake as he hears something smash against the floor. He quickly reaches and pulls his gun as he tries to pry his eyes open. He manages to get one of them open just in time to see Marie run past him and into the bathroom. 

"You should be more careful," he says as he puts the gun on the table 

His neck and back were killing him so he decided to make his way to the bed since Marie wasn't using it anymore, and he laid down.

"Much better," he said before drifting off to sleep again. 

Lucky opened his eyes he realized that he had not been dreaming. Turning his head slightly he could see Marie asleep with her head on his chest. It was obvious she had showered and changed but then she joined him. 

"Wow your an idiot you should have joined her last night," he thought to himself. 

Lucky laid there and stroked her hair as she slept and just watched her studying her face, the way she looks taking in every detail and never wanting to forget one detail. 

"good morning," he said smiling at her. 

"I would sleep in that damn chair every night to wake up like this again," he said to her. 

"I am glad you decided to join me."

"So what do you want to do this morning?" he asked her. 

Marie pushed herself up onto her hands and knees and crawled to straddle him and sat on his thighs.  Lucky smiled at her obviously curious as to where she was going with this and she smiled down at him.  Reaching to take his hands in hers she entwined their fingers.  "How about going downstairs after you get ready and have some breakfast then we can go to the pool for some swimming."  She rubbed her thumbs against his hands.  "At some point you have a surprise for me as well."  She smirked and pulled him to sit up.

Lucky smiled and sat up as Marie pulled him to her. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her as he did Marie wrapped her arms around him as they kissed. After the kiss was ended Marie wrapped her legs around him as well. "She is getting playful," he thought to himself. 

Lucky kept her wrapped around him as he stood up and held in the air as he kissed her again. 

She smirked playfully at him as they stole several small kisses.  She manages get her words out between their kisses   "Or we can do more of this."

Lucky smiled at her and laid her on the bed with him on top and kissed her. 

"I choose this," he said before kissing her deeply.

Later that day, Marie and Lucky make the short drive out of Havana into the countryside for their meeting with the Gonzalas brothers.  It had been a wonderful day and as they sat in the backseat of the black sedan, they held hands and spoke about their plans for the casino and hotel that was being built.  Marie was really excited about everything and it wasn't long before they were pulling up the drive of the horse ranch.  Marie looked out the car window at the grand site.  Lining both sides of the drive were paddocks with beautiful thoroughbred horses.  Even at a distance she was able to see the high quality of their breeding.  "Oh Lucky they are gorgeous!  Maybe after the meeting I can arrange a closer look at some of them."

Lucky smiled at her and said, "I think maybe that could be arranged.  "The car pulled up in front of the stables and Enrico came out to greet them."  Getting out of the car, Marie greets Luca's old contact.  "It is good to see you again, Enrico.  How are the wife an kids?"

Enrico shakes both of their hands, "Senorita Lucania.  Senor Luciano.  Very nice to see you.  The misses and children are well, gracias.  Come, Jose is inside.  Marie takes Lucky's hand and they follow Enrico inside.  About half way down the stable they come across Jose.  After exchanging pleasantries the foursome began to discuss the business that was at hand.  The Gonozalas were going to help Marie smuggle alcohol and other contraband into the states from Cuba.  The meeting was quick given Marie's past connection to them.  When they had concluded their affairs.  Jose told Marie to feel free to look around.  

 As they walked from stall to stall looking at all the wonderful horses, Marie read each of their names.  Finally she came to one that stopped her in her tracks, "Luca's Honor."  She looked to Lucky questioningly.

Lucky looked and smiled at Marie. 

"This one is yours. Its the surprise I told you about," he told her

"It is the offspring of Galant Fox and the Philly Top Flight," he told her of the young colts exceptional breeding. 

Marie's eyes grew to the size of saucers, "THE GALANT FOX!?!?! You mean the triple crown winner, Galant Fox?!?"  She looked back at Lucky, "This horse must have cost you a fortunate.  She threw her arms around him and kissed him deeply and passionately.