Missy both looked forward to and dreaded her birthday all at the same time. This was a milestone year – the Big 5-0. Where she once thought 50 was old, it’s funny how age and wisdom give you a different perspective. She is more comfortable in her skin now than she was in her 20s and 30s. She and her girlfriends all laugh about if they had only known then what they know now, they’d have been a force to reckon with.

She didn’t plan on being alone at this stage in her life. Missy was supposed to living her happily ever after with her husband, Ed, but he died of a sudden heart attack three years ago. She never imagined she would be a widow at the age of 46. It has taken a lot of strength since then to deal with her grief and rebuild her life. She has learned a lot about herself in this time and feels like she is in a good place.

Considering the major milestone she faces in just a few weeks, Missy did not want to spend her birthday alone. A friend of hers told her about an companion agency that basically has guys for rent for special events, vacations, etc. Now she wouldn’t have ever thought she would hire an companion in her life, but hey, shit happens, right? Missy scrolled through the Cowboys 4 Angels website to see what it was all about. She was surprised at the quality of the men – not just in looks, but in education and backgrounds as well. She expected the men would be good looking, but she certainly didn’t expect to find models, former professional athletes, and entrepreneurs.

Missy decided that she would head to Miami for her birthday weekend. In looking at the available men there, it was a tough choice. There was the tall and shaved Tommy, the European gentleman Jovan, extreme sports loving Sebastian, veteran and hockey pro Gavin, military brat Clark, and the Italian Romeo Francis, just to name a few.  In all, there are 16 men to choose from in South Florida, and they are all fabulous. In light of her interests and desires for her birthday, Missy picked Francis to Cowboy up for her weekend getaway.

As the weekend got closer, Missy started to get nervous and contemplated backing out. What was she thinking in hiring a male companion?! Was she really that desperate? What would her friends say of they knew? But then she remembered something. She and Ed had so many plans of what they were going to do in life…eventually. And they never got to do them. You only live life once, and you only turn 50 once, so Missy decided she was going to live it up for her birthday.

She flew into Miami on Friday and stepped out into the typical hot, steamy South Florida weather. Missy wasn’t due to meet Francis until dinner, so once she arrived at the hotel, she took the afternoon for some pampering with a massage, manicure and pedicure. Feeling very much like a limp noodle, she headed back to her room to get ready. Looking in the mirror after she was done, Missy thought to herself, “I look pretty damn fine for 50.” The knock on the door jolted her back into reality.

Palms sweaty and heart pounding, Missy opened the door. Extending a bouquet of roses, Francis took her hand with a light kiss just one second longer that one would expect and her body jolted with an electric current of longing. She immediately melted.

“For the birthday girl, flowers that cannot begin to compare to the beauty of you.”

Missy was barely able to squeak out a thank you. She put the flowers in the room, and they headed out to dinner at the “Versailles” Restaurant, just west of the Little Havana neighborhood. Although the famous restaurant’s name seems to indicate the fare inside will be predominantly French, it actually serves wonderful Cuban food! They chatted easily, as if they had known each other for ages, and enjoyed some savory, traditional Cuban dishes. New to Cuban food, Missy relied on Francis’ culinary training to help with her selections. They talked about all the places they have traveled and those they still want to explore. Lost in the conversation, they closed the restaurant down.

Heading back to the hotel, they indulged in a nightcap. Sipping their drinks on the balcony, they watched the twinkling lights of boats moving on the water and listened to the waves lapping on the sand. The night air dripped with wetness, much like Missy felt as Francis circled his arms around her and nuzzled her neck. Steam enveloped them as the rest of the world faded away.

Missy woke in the morning to breakfast set out on the table. They ate a light fare before heading out to the marina. Missy knew Francis was an avid sailor, so she had arranged for a boat and made reservations at a beach cottage in The Keys.

Francis steered the boat through the water with ease. Missy clung to him lightly to steady herself as she looked to the horizon. The water was dazzling shades of blue, teal and aqua. She was enthralled as she watched him easily manage the sails to chart their path. They anchored the boat just off shore from the cottage and rowed in to the beach. Francis wouldn’t allow her to help offload the supplies. He carried everything in and started setting up the kitchen.

That evening, Missy lit candles around the cottage while Kenny G filled the air with soft jazz and the two prepared for a homemade dinner. Francis put his professional culinary skills to work in preparing an amazing birthday meal. Clad only in an unspeakably sexy swimsuit, he seasoned the steaks and crafted the salad while Missy popped open a bottle of Merlot. Intermittent kisses and touching briefly interrupted the culinary prep while the hum of cicadas filled the evening air.

Missy was impressed by Francis’ confidence in the kitchen, and began to wonder if she she was more hungry for the food or him. They dined below the stars in between sips of wine talking about everything under the moon until attraction got the best of them. Oblivious to time, they dashed off hand-in-hand for a warm, welcoming swim where their passion exploded on the soft Florida sand. The privacy of the alcove welcomed the heated interlude that had been hinted at all day.

Missy had to admit that this was one of the best birthdays ever. The Big 50 was starting out alright!