The Reluctant Romantics Box Set (The Fall, The Mind, The Heart)

I picked up my phone to call him as I stepped into the tub, getting him on the second ring.

“Hey, wife,” he said sweetly, instantly making me long for him.

“How long will you be?” I asked letting out a moan as my body hit the scalding water.

I heard a chuckle and then, “What the hell are you up to?”

“Me?” I replied coyly. “I’m just soaking in a hot tub surrounded by candles.”

A throaty moan accompanied his next question. “Hmmm, is there room for me?”

“Absolutely not, I don’t want to be anywhere near you or your impregnating penis,” I teased.

“That bad today?” he asked, already knowing the answer.

I loved my children with everything in me and so did Dean, but the truth was they were hellions.

“Look…stay far away from here. I love you enough to tell you to run. Run for your life! Go have an adult beverage with a friend…or better yet, have an entire dinner where you aren’t interrupted, then go home and watch an hour of adult programming. Live for the both of us!”

More laughter then a quick, “No, it was partially my penis that got us into this mess. I’ll be there soon.”

“If you insist, but the girl child has grown up a year since this morning. I love you.”

I hung up then folded a hand towel in thirds, making a pillow for my head, when a soft knock at the door interrupted me, just a mere thirty seconds after I had found my Zen.

“No one is in here,” I barked loudly.

“Dallas, I need to talk to you.” Rose, of course it was Rose.

“I love you, sis, but you will be hit with anything I can find if you enter this room.”

The door opened and I grabbed a handful of my mother’s mini soaps, assaulting my sister with them.

“S

top it. Damn it, I need you!” she said, swatting away my flying weapons.

“Everybody needs me. I need a bath without interruptions, you selfish hag!”

“Fine,” Rose said pouting, slowly backing away giving me just enough time to change my mind. I wasn’t about to give in.

No way!

Damn it!

“What is it, Rosie?”

“Stop calling me that!” She walked over and put the toilet seat down, making herself at home. I sighed, peeking around the curtain to get a look at her.

“Spill it,” I demanded with a sigh.

“I…I…”

“I…I…what? My water is getting cold,” I whined.

“I slept with Jack,” she said, peering around at me, catching my reaction.

“Well, hell yes, sister. It’s about time! But I can’t say that’s a big shocker, Rose. Is that all?”