Page 84 of The Texas Sterling Collection
We enjoyed our usual buddy shower Saturday morning and then had a leisurely breakfast. It was after 10:30 by the time we prepared for our trip.
“I need to pack.” I rummaged through the clothes in my closet. “Do you remember where we put my suitcase?”
“You don’t need your suitcase. Everything is in the truck. We’ll take the Denali, and I’ll drive. Your job is to be chauffeured and be handsome.” Wyl pulled me into a hug.
“What about the breakfast dishes? We’re leaving a mess.”
“Stop worrying, Rod. Margarita will clean things up. We’ve got a drive ahead of us.” He pushed me out of the bedroom, through the front door, and down the sidewalk to the truck, opening the passenger door. “Make yourself comfortable, cowboy.” He offered me his hand, and I slid into the fine leather seat in the luxurious Denali. Wyl fastened my seat belt and then made sure I was comfortable before closing the passenger door. Hurrying around the truck, Wyl climbed into the driver’s seat.
“Ready to roll?”
I nodded. “Let’s go.” Wyl was up to something, but I had no idea what. “Why all the pampering?” I tried to weasel information out of him, but he remained coy and would reveal nothing.
The drive to Fort Worth took about four hours. Including a stop for lunch, we arrived at the hotel at 4:00 p.m. and checked in. Wyl had booked a concierge suite. A chilled bottle of champagne waited, and fresh flowers adorned the coffee table. Wyl opened the champagne and poured two glasses, handing one to me.
“Here is a toast to the happiest couple in existence.” Wyl raised his glass. We clinked, then sipped the delightful nectar. Wyl took both glasses, set them on the table, then drew me into a kiss.
I loved Wyl and wanted to spend the rest of my life with this man. Maybe tonight after the opera, I would work up the nerve to propose. Being his real husband would be a dream come true.
“Let’s go grab dinner.” Wyl ushered me toward the door after our lips parted. “I understand this hotel includes a five-star restaurant on the top floor.”
“Wow. Do we need to change before dinner?”
“No, we’ll eat first. I have a limousine scheduled to pick us up at seven. The curtain opens at 7:30. We have a private box.”
Limousine? Private box? Concierge suite? Wyl spent a fortune on this trip.Rod reminded himself of their checking account balance, stopped worrying, and started enjoying the moment. They took the elevator up to the restaurant.
“Two for dinner.” The maître d’ showed us to a private table with a spectacular view of the lights of Fort Worth. He pulled a chair for me, and I sat. He placed a napkin in my lap. He did the same for Wyl.
“Dr. Bonner and Mr. Sterling, enjoy your dinner,” the maître d’ bowed before backing away.
We started with a martini. Tito’s, of course. Dinner began with a spicy chilled butternut squash soup. The entree was Prime Tenderloin, still mooing, with a potato-pepper medley on the side. The dessert was rhubarb sorbet. The food was unbelievable, as was being here with Wyl.
Back in our suite after dinner, Wyl went into the bedroom and began laying out our evening clothes. I started to wonder if he was feeling okay. I’d not known him to be this attentive. Starched jeans, white shirts with bolo ties, full-quill ostrich boots, silk sports coats, and white Stetsons completed our attire.
After getting dressed, we took the elevator down to the lobby. Everyone eyed us as we strolled through. The limo waited in the circular drive. The driver hurried around and opened the door. Wyl offered his hand, and I took it and climbed in. He followed, and we sat in the roomy cabin as the driver maneuvered the few blocks to the Bass Performance Hall.
The limousine stopped at the front entrance to the Performance Hall, and the driver hurried around to open the door. We climbed out of the limo, and several couples turned to gawk. I tugged at Wyl’s elbow and whispered, “People are looking at us.”
Wyl grabbed my hand and held on tight. “Let them stare, babe. They’re just jealous. We look damn good, and we’re Sterlings!”
We entered the performance hall and removed our hats. The usher escorted us to our private box. After a glance at the printed program, I explained the story to Wyl.
The lights dimmed, and the curtain rose. I gazed at Wyl as he became absorbed in the opera performance, drinking in the striking features of the handsome man I loved. How had I been so lucky to have him walk into my classroom four months ago? It didn’t matter. We’d been through a lot in those four months, but our mutual love helped us overcome those hurdles. I turned to watch the performance.
When Act One ended, the lights brightened as intermission began.
“Wow, this is amazing.” Wyl smiled at me. “I’m glad you gave me a brief overview of the first act. I understood what was happening, and the English translation on the teleprompter above the stage helped me understand the lyrics.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it, babe.” I smiled and winked at Wyl.
Wyl leaned over like he intended to whisper something, but blew in my ear instead. Shivers went down my spine. I couldn’t wait to get him back to the hotel after the opera. My body was craving his. I refocused and gave Wyl a synopsis of the second act.
The lights dimmed, and the curtain rose. Wyl once again became involved in the performance. Despite my love of Don Giovanni, I thought of nothing but Wyl’s breath in my ear.
When the opera ended, Wyl asked, “Are you ready to return to the hotel, cowboy?”
“Boy howdy!” I couldn't wait to get him naked and in my arms.
