Sandy looked wistfully out the airplane window as the plane started its descent into Las Vegas. This vacation was an important stepping stone for her since Rick had passed away. She hadn’t been able to bring herself to take a vacation until now. It just didn’t feel right. But it was her birthday, and she needed to start living again, so here she was. Thankfully, Stacy had agreed to fly from Los Angeles to meet her in Vegas, so she wouldn’t have to spend her birthday alone. She had tonight to recover from her trip, and their adventure would start when Stacy arrived tomorrow night.

Once in her room at the hotel, Sandy kicked her shoes off and let out a big sigh. She had survived the first leg of the journey. Now it was time to enjoy the ambiance of Vegas and relax. She took a walk around the pool, admiring the flowers and listening to the water. A little dip in the Jacuzzi proved to be the perfect remedy for the stiffness she felt after her flight. Back in her room and feeling like a limp noodle, Sandy dozed off to sleep, listening to the sounds of the Strip and thinking about the full agenda of activities that would start tomorrow once Stacy arrived. They would start with dinner at one of the best steak houses on the Strip, followed by a three-hour tour of the Strip by limo. The following day would be a day of pampering at the spa, capped off with the Shania Twain show.

The sharp pitch of the phone ringing instantly woke Sandy up. Dazed and groggy, she wondered who would be calling this early. It was barely light out yet. As she answered the phone, she could hear Stacy crying on the other end. Through choked words, Stacy explained that her Mom had been taken to the hospital due to a suspected stroke. Doctors weren’t sure she was going to make it.

“I’m sorry Sandy. I’m not going to be able to come to Vegas,” she said. “I have to be here for my Mom.”

“I completely understand,” said Sandy, her voice sounding much stronger than she felt. “Of course you have to stay there.”

Hanging up the phone, Sandy began to cry. She found herself in the exact position she did not want to be in for this trip – alone in Vegas. She first contemplated canceling all of the plans and heading home, but everything was already paid for and she couldn’t get refunds. Just then, she remembered an ad she saw in the airline magazine on the flight. There was an agency that had guys here you could hire as escorts.

What the hell are you thinking, Sandy? A male escort, really? Have you lost your mind? She pulled up the Cowboys4Angels website on her computer. Oh my, these guys are gorgeous! It would just have to be another birthday present for herself, and it certainly beat the alternative of doing all of the activities alone.

Sandy called the phone number and was shocked to hear the Agency owner’s on the other end of the phone. In a rushed voice, driven part by excitement and part by fear she would back out of doing it, she explained her situation to Garren. He was so sweet and caring and couldn’t have been nicer. Sandy chose James as her birthday companion and booked her appointment before she could back out. Now time to really get ready for an adventure!

When Sandy heard the knock on her room door, her heat skipped a beat. She felt immobilized and had to will herself to walk across the room and open the door. James’ 6 foot frame filled the doorway, and he stood there holding a bouquet of flowers with a Happy Birthday balloon. Sandy instantly smiled and relaxed just a little.

“Is the birthday girl ready for her fun-filled adventure,” James asked?

“Absolutely!” was Sandy’s response. And they were off.

Sandy felt sexy in her little black dress with the splash of hot pink walking through the restaurant with James by her side. He pulled out the chair for her to sit down when they reached the table. The rest of dinner was a blur as they drank red wine and dined on steak, roasted potatoes, and vegetables. The conversation flowed easily as they talked about James’ military career. Being a veteran herself, Sandy understood his pride in service, as well as the invisible, internal scars he must feel from whatever happened to cause the visible one on his cheek. The waiter arrived with a complimentary dessert decked out with a sparkler shooting ribbons of light. James cam around to her chair as the staff sang Happy Birthday. Leaning in close, he whispered in her ear, “Make a wish princess” and kissed her cheek. Sandy’s head swam as she blew out her candles.

When they stepped outside after dinner, the limo was already waiting for them. James held her hand, electricity flowing between them, as she climbed in back. Sandy found a red rose and champagne set up for them. Nestled side-by-side in the seat, they toasted in celebration as they were whisked off for their tour of the Vegas Strip.

The first stop was the infamous old Vegas sign that greeted guests as they arrived in Sin City. The driver offered to take their picture. Sandy prepared to step next to James, but he had a different idea. He whisked Sandy off her feet and held her in his arms. Surprise gave way to giggles, and she laid her head on his shoulder smiling broadly for the photo op. They stopped at several of the resorts to see the themed shows – a fire and lava display at The Mirage and the Bellagio water fountain show synchronized to music. The final stop was in the old section of Vegas on Fremont Street where they watched the laser light show synchronized to music as people zip lined down the street overhead. James wrapped his arm around Sandy’s shoulder and she leaned into him as she took in the magic of Vegas, mesmerized by the experience.

On the way back to the hotel, they snuggled in the limo. James stroked his hand up and down Sandy’s back as she sat with her head on his shoulder. She felt a fire inside she hadn’t felt in a very long time, and the heat rivaled the lava they had seen earlier. As she looked in his eyes, they reflected the flickering lights better than any of the light shows they had seen.

Back in her room, Sandy didn’t want the magic to end. Looking out over the city from the balcony, they were intertwined. Passion, longing, and desire filled the air and the heat between the two of them grew at a rapid rate until it erupted into a fireball that enveloped them.

Waking in the morning, Sandy was surprised to find breakfast set out for her, as James called out, “Come on birthday girl. Time to wake up. You have some more celebrating to do.” They spent the day soaking up sunshine by the pool and trying different frozen drinks by the pool until it was time to go to the concert.

Seated in the auditorium, Sandy was thrilled with their location center stage about 12 rows back. The lights dimmed, and for the next two hours, they swayed and sang to the music as Shania put on a fantastic show. Arriving back to the room, she found champagne and a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries waiting for them. James fed a strawberry to her, and when he wiped his finger across the edge of her lip to catch some of the juice, she licked it from his fingertip. The steamy heat of the night mixed with the electricity between them, creating an atmosphere charged with excitement as the curtain drew on the evening.

As Sandy walked through the airport to catch her flight the next day, she felt lighter. There was a spring back in her step. This was definitely the best birthday she had ever had! As the plane took off, she thought, “I may just have to make a yearly trip to Vegas.”