"No, I don't think so. " She crossed her arms over her chest like she was defending herself against him.
"You've been getting your way for the last two days. It's my turn. " With that she turned and left the room.
Richard watched her admiringly as she sashayed off down the hall. The bewitching curve of her rear end beckoned to him.
It was her turn, huh? Yeah, he wanted in on that game. He got up and followed her to the kitchen.
Jenny stood in the center of the room and turned all the way around. The room was huge and had everything a cook could dream of. Granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. A triple oven and a large ceramic cooktop. There was a stainless steel warmer, and a built-in coffee station.
The kitchen was huge, modern, but had a definite cozy ambience, as well. A brick fireplace took up one whole wall, and it had a built-in pizza oven. There was a breakfast nook adjacent to it where you could sit and sip your coffee and feel the warmth from the fire on cold winter mornings.
The brick continued on and encircled a curved, wrought iron door that led to a wine grotto. The beauty and comfort of the room soothed her soul. She had never been in a room like this before in her life. She felt the room down to her bones.
"This is beautiful, Richard. "
"I'm glad you think so, sweetheart. "
"No, I mean it. It's an amazing room. " She touched her hand on the surface of the big, scarred, pine table that stood center stage in the room.
He answered her back with a grin. "Well, if you like it that much, maybe I can talk you into making breakfast? "
They sat on the terrace and sipped the last of the coffee as they watched the boats go by. The mood was quiet, still and comfortable. Richard couldn't remember the last time he had ever felt so at peace in a woman's company. She was soft and gentle, and undemanding.
She hadn't blinked an eye at his suggestion that she make breakfast. She fell into it with an enthusiasm and playfulness that was relaxing. He had moved around beside her in the kitchen as she found the things she needed and proceeded to make him the best breakfast he'd had since his mother died.
She didn't seem to mind the feminine work and he didn't think there was a motivation behind it. None besides hunger, anyway.
For the first time, he saw her eat with an appetite.
"You cook really well, Jenny. Thank you. " She flushed and took another sip.
"Thanks. I think your kitchen did most of it. "
"I don't think so. It never does that for me when I walk in there. " He smiled and continued.
"You seem to be the perfect woman. You cook great. You make your own money. You seem to have raised responsible kids. God kno
ws you're hot in bed. "
She watched him warily and wondered where this was going. "Is there a question in there somewhere? "
"Sure. You must have divorced him, right? No sane man would ever want you to get away. Was he mean to you, did he hurt you? " He almost didn't want to know the answer. Just thinking about her being hurt by a man was tearing his guts up.
"Not the way you mean. He never physically hurt me. Basically, what happened was that we grew apart. He cheated on me. It started early; when I was pregnant with the boys. It was a dangerous pregnancy, twins often are. " She paused. Maybe that would be enough of an answer for him.
It wasn't.
"Go on. "
She took a breath. "The doctor wouldn't let me have intercourse after the first trimester. " Her voice became softer. "I tried to be a good wife. I tried to make him happy w-with " She couldn't go on. She was too embarrassed to say it.
He searched her eyes. Saw her embarrassment. It finally dawned on him what she was trying to say.
"Are you telling me that you were still making the bastard come, even though you weren't supposed to be having sex, and he cheated on you anyway? " His voice was a roar. He all but yelled it.
She nodded. "The marriage deteriorated from there. We stayed together for the boys. And now it's over. "
"Yes, It's over. " His voice had an edge of finality and satisfaction.