Marriage For One

The doctor left and we were alone once again. Jack turned to me with a scowl on his face.

“I’m sorry,” I started before he could say anything. “I know you can’t keep your hands off of me, so this is gonna be tough for us. After all the sex we’ve had so far in our marriage, three months will feel like an eternity. I hope you can survive.”

“Smartass,” he muttered. Shaking his head, he went to the little closet and took out my bag so I could change into my clothes. I slid down from the edge of the bed and took it from him, but only after I leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. There was something about being able to kiss him when there was no one around that appealed to me. He thought I was being ridiculous, but I didn’t see him try to stop me even once. He always put his hand around my waist, holding me to him for longer. I was pretty sure he liked it too.

“How do you not sneeze, by the way?” I asked while rummaging around in my bag without looking down into it, trying to find some socks to wear.

“I have no idea, but you’re not allowed to sneeze, so I suggest you figure it out fast.”

After an hour of sitting around and signing stuff, we finally walked out of the hospital and straight into the cold. The sidewalks were muddy and wet with melted snow, but the air…God, finally being hospital-free and outside, holding Jack’s hand all the way to the car…it was indescribable.

After saying a quick hello to Raymond, the first thing I asked him to do was take me to Around the Corner.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Jack

We had just stepped into the apartment. I dropped her bag right next to the door and helped her out of her coat. Then I couldn’t hold it back any longer. I gripped her waist and pulled her toward me, gently. She braced herself with her palms on my chest, but she didn’t push me away.

I stared down into her eyes. “Hi.”

Her lips twitched. “Hi back. I’m angry at you.”

“I know.” She was annoyed with me because I hadn’t let her take a quick look at Around the Corner. Before a protest could leave her tongue, and I didn’t doubt it would, I slipped mine into her mouth and stole her breath, again being gentle. Her fingers slowly curled in and she fisted my sweater in her hands. Slowly easing the kiss even more, I sucked her tongue into my mouth and then just let myself have little nips at her lips so she could get her breath back. I knew she was still having trouble breathing through her nose.

“I kinda like it when you’re angry at me.”

Her closed eyes slowly peeled open.

“That didn’t make it any better.”

I let go of her and she swayed a little. “I imagine it didn’t. Too much turtle?”

“Just the right amount of turtle, actually, but I’m not forgetting about the fact that you didn’t let me take a quick look at my place.”

She seemed to be loving picking a fight with me, and when it frustrated me to no end, she seemed to enjoy it even more. I just enjoyed every minute I got to spend with her.

I decided to change the subject. “What do you think about changing out the roses for something more green and Christmassy? It’s that time, isn’t it? It’s going to be December soon.”

She stayed put in her spot and I watched as her eyes got big then she lifted her hand up to her nose.

My adrenaline spiked and I was right back next to her, holding her face up for my inspection. “What’s wrong? What’s happening, Rose?”

She lifted her hand up and made me wait another full ten seconds. “I just learned how not to sneeze.”

I swallowed and my sluggish heartbeat picked up again. “You’re gonna be a difficult patient, aren’t you?”

“What? What did I do?”

I couldn’t stay away from her or keep my hands and lips off of her for too long, it seemed. I walked back and cupped her face, pressing a lingering kiss on her temple. “Come on, let’s get you off your feet. Can you walk upstairs?”

“Do you have work to do?”

“Yes.”

“If you can work in the living room, I’ll lie down on the couch and keep you company. I’ll be quiet, promise.”

Instead of heading for the stairs, I guided her toward the living room and helped her lie down on the couch.

“Okay?” I asked when I noticed she was a little breathless.

“Yeah, I’m fine. How is it that I feel so tired after one car ride and then coming up in an elevator?”

“Other than walking up and down the hospital corridors, you didn’t move much the past week, and you had a major surgery. This is normal. You stay here while I go get a few pillows to keep your head raised and something to cover you up.”