Chapter 5
He could read her clearly. Always could. He knew her well enough to see that there was something wrong. And that she was trying her best to cover it up with laughter and conversation.
He had awoken to the scent of delicious cooking and made his way to the kitchen to see the table set and her pouring the wine.
"I thought you were going to have me set the table."
"You were fast asleep, and I didn't want to wake you." She barely glanced over at him, but that brief look warned him that something was wrong.
"What is it?"
"What? Nothing." She went to the countertop to grab the salad. "Dinner is ready."
He opened his mouth to say something else but thought better of it. He also knew that when she clammed up, he wasn't going to get anything out of her. He would bide his time.
And he watched her throughout the delicious meal. She was sparkling with such good cheer, it was hard for him to get a word in. So, he listened and pretended he did not notice that the smile did not reach her eyes.
The rain had ended, leaving the place washed clean. The sky was still a leaden slate gray, with the blue fighting to burst through the gloominess.
"This is delicious." He nodded at the potatoes.
"Thanks. I wanted dinner to be special."
He gave her a measured look, which had her avoiding his gaze.
"Won't you tell me what's bothering you?"
His quiet voice had her heart turning over. She had cried and washed her face to try and erase the sorrow so heavy in her heart but had not quite succeeded. They were going home shortly, and it felt as if everything was going to change.
"I don't want to lose you." She picked up her glass of wine and took a sip.
"What nonsense is this?"
"Nothing." Putting the wine down, she tried to eat, but her appetite was waning. "Just a feeling."
"And your feeling is telling you what exactly?" He was trying to be patient, but he had to admit that the feeling of impending doom was upon him. It might have been the weather or the simple fact that their time was at an end.
"That things are changing." She lifted her eyes to his and he felt a wrench in his heart. Making the decision, he pushed away from the table and rose. Taking her hand, he drew her to him and held her.
"We're spending another night."
Her body jerked against his and the face she lifted shone with fragile hope that told him he had made the right decision.
"We can't."
"We will." He murmured gently. "One more night.
We leave first thing in the morning to get ahead of the traffic.
" He was mentally rearranging his schedule.
The early morning meeting with an associate could be pushed back.
Nothing was more important than spending time with her.
And David was a whiz at getting things done.
The man would understand the need for him to spend another night.
"I want to sleep with my wife one more night." His hands framed her face. "Is that okay with you?"
She nodded, feeling the happy tears rushing to her eyes. She had been granted a reprieve. One more night would make a significant difference. It would push away the fear and panic she was feeling.
"Suddenly, I have my appetite back."
"Then let's finish the meal and then go for a walk."
She turned to look out the window.
"It stopped raining, but it's probably cold."
"That's what jackets are for." He kissed her lightly. "Come on woman, let's get to it."
He was happy to see that he had managed to lighten her mood. He had sent a text to his assistant, alerting him of the new plan and saw when she texted her dad. He would probably not be pleased, but to hell with that. He had the company of his wife for another night and that's what mattered.
The rain had dropped the temperature and made puddles of the narrow dirt road.
But that did not stop them. The rain had also beaten the leaves off the trees, leaving a wet blanket of them along the path.
The scent of fall was in the air, the wildflowers bowing their heads as if in defeat to the inclement weather.
Birds were chirping in the trees and for another few hours, she could pretend that they lived here. That this was their usual Sunday night routine. That they were all alone in the world and things were normal. That they were normal.
Determined to push the sadness aside, she relished the feel of his hand holding hers, clasping hers tight as they made their way past the swelling water of the lake and deep into the woods. Trees surrounded them, leaves dripping with moisture.
"It feels as if we're the only two people around," she murmured.
"I wish we were." He admitted quietly. Letting go of her hand, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, bringing her closer to him. The scent of her tickled his nostrils. "I want to pretend that we are."
"It's easy to do right here and now." She snuggled against him, the feeling of contentment stealing over her.
"Cold?" He felt her shivers against him.
"A little."
"Shall we go back in?"
"No." She snuggled closer and lifted her eyes to the leaden sky. "Just a few more minutes."
"Alright." They had stopped at the crest of the hill. "We never did manage to have dinner in town."
"Next time."
"That's a promise." He turned her to face him. "Feeling better?"
"Much. Thank you."
"That's what I'm here for." He cupped her face between his palms, green eyes darkening. "Now, I would very much like to get my wife naked."
A smile curved her lips. "Your wife would be a fool to object to that."
They made it back to the cottage before the light rain came. Seeing to the fire while she made a pot of coffee to go with their cake, he spread a blanket by the fire. They sat and watched the water trickling down the windowpane, a feeling of contentment stealing over them.
As soon as they were finished, he undressed her slowly, his lips covering every inch of exposed skin. By the time they were both naked, the passion was burning as bright as the flames in the hearth.
He loved her gently at first, the passion escalating between them until it was impossible for him to keep to the measured pace. He was hungry for her, the feel of her slender curves beneath him, driving him crazy with a need so great, he could hardly comprehend it.
Kadian clung to him, tears streaming down her cheeks as he sent her crashing, the climax taking hold of her in a tight and wonderfully crazy embrace.
Here in his arms like this, with him making love to her, she felt as if nothing could touch them, nothing could ever have the power to take away their happiness.
Here was home for her and she clung to it.
Tomorrow would come, but for now, they were here with each other and nothing else mattered.
*****
He adjusted the collar of her jacket, letting his touch linger.
It appeared to them that last night had been a turning point in their marriage.
Last night had been special. The lovemaking had taken a turn that had them both shaken to the core.
Last night, he hadn't let up, giving them only a few miserly hours to get some sleep.
"I'll be right behind you before we turn off the highway." He was delaying the process of leaving but could not help it. He had the sudden urge to say to hell with everything and just keep her here with him. "And slow the hell down. You drive like a maniac."
A tremulous smile curved her lips as she lifted her hands to his beloved face. He had not bothered to shave, and the scruff made him even more attractive. "It's not my fault that you drive like an old woman."
His eyes narrowed at her and made her laugh.
"Slow down."
"I will," she promised. "Now kiss me."
He did. He had meant for it to be light, but it got away from him. He drove the kiss deeper, longer until the heat burst into flames. Gathering her against him, he gripped the back of her head, driving his tongue into her mouth, until they were both trembling from the passion.
It took considerable effort for him to end the kiss. Stepping back, he let go of her and stood there floundering, eyes darkened. Her lips were swollen, eyes glazed. Reaching out, he tucked a tendril of hair behind her ear and noticed that his hand was not quite steady.
"Go," he said hoarsely. "Before I forget everything and..." He stepped back and without another word, went to his vehicle.
It took her a moment to get her weakened legs to move and for the blood to stop pounding in her ears. Pressing a hand to her chest, she wrenched open the door and entered her vehicle. It felt as if she was leaving her heart and soul at this isolated cottage.
Touching the start button, she backed out and took her time along the dirt road. She glanced frequently in the mirror to track his progress. He was always right behind her, even when they had reached the open road.
At one point, he got lost behind two vehicles and called her.
"You promised to slow down."
Easing back on the accelerator, she allowed the vehicles behind her to pass. Then it was time for them to part ways. At the intersection, he came alongside her, his gaze eloquent as he stared at her.
"I'll call you," he mouthed.
"I love you," she mouthed back, before driving off. The heaviness stayed with her the rest of the way.
*****
David had juggled the meeting for him, but he did not have time to go home and change.
"Tell me." Not lessening his stride, he walked into his office with his assistant hurrying behind him.
"Coffee first." The very efficient David put down his device and went to pour a cup.
Bringing it back to the desk, he lifted one thick brow at his boss' attire.
"I'll get a suit from the closet. You have ten minutes to prepare for the meeting.
The airline is in the news again. The sour grapes management team are crying corporate bullying by us, specifically you. "
Leon sipped coffee and merely lifted a brow. "Really?"
"Yes. Bad press of course." David scrolled through his notes. "The clinic downtown has a hitch."