Sheila smiled as she watched her children playing without a care in the world. Secretly she wished she could feel that carefree. The past year had been tough with the divorce, but she was glad to see it had minimal effect on the kids. It definitely took a toll on her though.

After 12 years, it felt strange to no longer be married. Granted things had been rocky for a while, but there was still an ease of familiarity with her ex that made things comfortable. She was struggling to find her footing in this new world of single life. It was a lot of effort to go out and meet new people and try to figure out who could be trusted, especially since she had been off the market for so long. The whole dating scene had totally changed.

Thursday at lunch, Sheila had confided to her friend Amanda that she needed a getaway to just relax. She was thinking of heading to Vegas for a weekend when John had the kids. Amanda felt sorry for Sheila and the awkwardness she was feeling with her new situation.

“Let me know when you are planning to go to Vegas. I know someone out there who can show you around and make sure you have a great time.”

A few days later, Sheila did all the planning required to secure her weekend trip to Vegas in three weeks when Mark had the kids again. She told Amanda about her plans. Amanda was almost as excited as she was.

“Great! I will let my friend know and arrange for you two to meet.”

“I don’t need you trying to play matchmaker, Amanda. I’m still smarting from my marriage ending.”

‘I wouldn’t do that. But this will ensure you someone who knows the town to show you around.”

As the time for her trip got closer, Sheila had to admit she was getting excited about it. It will be nice to unplug from home life for a couple days. She would unwind and relax on Friday with a massage and some spa time after she arrived. And Amanda had arranged for Sheila to meet her friend James on Saturday. She really hoped the trip turned out as well as she hoped it might.

Sheila arrived in Vegas around 4pm on Friday and went straight to the hotel. She stopped in the room to drop off her luggage and then headed to the spa. She had a wonderful massage and pedicure that totally relaxed her. When she returned to her room, she felt like a limp noodle and didn’t feel like going back out. So she ordered room service and then admired the Vegas strip from her window. The city bustled below. She needed this trip more than she cared to admit. As she sipped her wine and looked over the Vegas strip, her mind wandered to thinking about the next day. She was curious about James, this friend of Amanda’s. She wondered what he would be like. It has been so long since she has been in the company of a new male, so the thought made her a little nervous and excited all at the same time, especially since Amanda had been so vague when discussing him. Well, she would find out for herself soon enough since they were set to meet tomorrow morning. As she snuggled into the crisp, white linens, the bed cradled her like a cloud, and she drifted off with James on her mind.

Sheila woke up refreshed the next morning. Today would certainly be an adventure. All she had been told about today was to prepare for some hiking activity during the day and then Vegas nightlife in the evening. It was a little unnerving leaving everything in the hands of someone else. At the same time, she had to admit it felt nice to not worry about making plans.

She grabbed a quick bite for breakfast and then got herself ready for the day. James knocked at her door right on time at 9:00am. The butterflies Sheila had in her stomach turned into the running of the bulls as she prepared to open the door.

The vision of James that greeted her made her catch her breath. James was smoking hot in cargo shorts and a t-shirt as he smiled and greeted her with a rose. “Nice to meet you Sheila,” he said. Are you ready to start your Vegas adventure?”

Sheila could barely answer, but managed to squeak out a “Yes.”

They headed out to the car and started the adventure.  On the drive, James explained they were headed to the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation to hike the Keystone Thrust trails. “I hope you’re up for it,” he gently chides. Before she could stop from saying it, Sheila responded, “I’m up for anything with you.”

The trails were gorgeous! The rock formations were tall and rugged, much like James. No matter the path, the rocks seems colorful and painted, almost as if the desert came alive. James helped Sheila steady herself on the more rugged parts of the trail. James holding her hand or placing his hand on the small of her back to steady her made Sheila feel things she hadn’t felt for a while. Her skin tingled and a warmth radiated through her that wasn’t from the surrounding heat. It was James reigniting a fire inside of her that she thought was dead. The morning passed quickly as they enjoyed the beauty around them.

By mid-afternoon they were back at the hotel. They cleaned up from their hiking workout and then hit the strip to see what Vegas was all about. They grabbed a quick lunch at Raku Grill, a Japanese charcoal grill restaurant James knows well, that’s virtually unknown to tourists. Then they set off to explore the posh hotels, looking at the beautiful fountains and artwork at the renowned Bellagio, and taking a gondola ride at the Venetian. The gondola ride was absolutely romantic and magical. As Sheila reclined against James in the back of a gondola, she felt like she was living a dream because she couldn’t believe she was in the arms of of this very sexy man. She could feel his breath on her ear as the gondola was gliding across the water, and the heat she felt welling up inside of her made the rest of the world disappear. The afternoon flew by, and before they knew it, it was time to get ready for an evening on the strip.

Sheila picked her outfit carefully, wanting to impress her sexy date. Taking a final glance at herself in the mirror, she felt pretty for the first time in a long time. When James saw her step out of the room, he let out a whistle. “Wow Sheila, you look amazing,” he said as he spun her around. She blushed, unaccustomed to receiving compliments.

If she knew how to whistle, she would have done the same looking at James, the Adonis before her. He looked as if he had stepped right off the pages of GQ Magazine in his khaki pants and crisp shirt, unbuttoned just enough to cause Sheila’s imagination to roam.

Their first stop was dinner at the Alize restaurant. Enjoying a glass of wine to start, Sheila admired the breathtaking view. She ordered the pan-seared Maine lobster, while James picked the tea-soaked duck breast. While waiting for their food, they chatted about the fun they had over the course of the day.

James looked intently at Sheila and asked her why she came to Vegas. She hesitated before replying quietly that she had needed a getaway. Curious about the fragile beauty before him, James prodded further. “What are you trying to escape?” The question made Sheila look down and get teary-eyed. She wasn’t sure how to answer the question, but in looking at James, he seemed sincere in truly wanting to know. His genuine concern for her made Sheila relax and she opened up about her painful divorce and feeling lost in navigating her future. James gently held her hand and said he was sorry she had to go through that. “That’s in the past, and with your inner and outer beauty, I know you have a bright future ahead of you.” Sheila blushed again.

Dinner was delicious, and after they finished, James told Sheila he had a surprise for her. “Oh, what’s the surprise?” He replied, “You’ll have to just wait and see.” They headed out to the strip, and before she knew it, they were at the New York, New York Hotel.

Sheila practically squealed when she saw they were going to a Cirque de Soleil show. She had always wanted to see one of their shows with the daring acrobatics. She had never heard of the show Zumanity. They settled into their seats which were actually on a red velvet couch. The lights went down, and Sheila felt James take her hand. As the show unfolded before them, Sheila could feel the red creep up her neck. This show was not your normal Cirque de Soleil show. It was Cirque acrobatics with a sexual bent. It was daring, revealing, hilarious, raunchy and fascinating all at the same time. Sheila felt the stirrings that James had reignited in the morning become a raging inferno inside of her as she watched the bodies of the performers bend, twist and slide all around each other to a hypnotizing beat. Her fiery, wanton core made her squirm just a bit in her seat. She became intensely aware of James’s arm around her shoulder and the heat radiating from his body. “This is exactly the re-awakening you need to get you back in the groove,” he whispered in her ear.

After the show, Sheila was acutely aware of the fire burning within her now. Back at the hotel, they grabbed a glass of wine and admired the view of the strip below. James’s strong arms were around her as she leaned back against his chiseled chest. As the heat of his breath brushed her neck, the heat inside her erupted into a fireball that consumed them both, while the rest of the world faded away.

Back home, Sheila was getting the kids back into their routine to get ready for the coming week. Amanda stopped by, anxious to find out how her Vegas trip went.

“So, how was it? Tell me everything.”

Sheila told her she had an amazing time. But it was time to ask the burning question she had.

“Tell me how you know your friend James. Spill the beans.”

“Well, I have a confession to make,” Amanda said coyly. “James is a male companion from the agency Cowboys 4 Angels that I hired to show you around Vegas because I knew you wouldn’t go out and do anything on your own. I wanted your trip to be amazing, and I have used their companions before. Please don’t be mad at me!”

Sheila laughed as she hugged Amanda. “I’m not mad at you. Thank you for being an amazing friend!”