Husband By Request
“You’re shameless. I’ll be waiting.”
Euphoric, she hung up, then phoned Paul. He answered on the second ring. No doubt he’d seen the caller ID and thought it was Andreas.
He said something in Greek she didn’t quite catch. But one day soon she would understand everything because she’d found a tutor and was going to start lessons on Monday morning.
“Paul? It’s Dominique.”
“Hi.” There was an element of surprise in his tone.
“I was wondering if you have plans for tonight?”
“Nothing I can’t get out of. What is it Andreas needs to be done?”
She smiled. “It’s what I want done. I’ve invited Olympia and Andreas’s parents for dinner at seven. I was hoping you’d come. We’re going to watch home movies. I understand you’re in ninety percent of them.”
The silence lasted so long she thought maybe their connection had broken.
“Paul?”
“I have no interest in Olympia. If I come, you need to know I’m doing it to help you.”
A frown creased her brows. “I don’t understand.”
“I’ve already said too much. See you at seven.”
“Wait—Paul—”
To her chagrin he clicked off, leaving her feeling uneasy on several counts. She knew she wasn’t mistaken about his affection for Ari. But it appeared she was way off base about his possible interest in Olympia. In fact he’d reminded her a little of Theo just now.
Why did he think she needed help? Unless it was to smooth the path with Andreas’s parents?
She’d never felt closer to her husband. Their reconciliation was working. They were talking, confiding in each other. So far they hadn’t reverted back to their old patterns. He was starting to trust her, and she him.
But Paul’s cryptic remark worried her. Though she got busy fixing dinner, her lighthearted mood had vanished like the sun slipping behind a giant thunderhead.
Once she’d set the table in the elegant dining room, she hurried to the bedroom to shower and get ready. While she was struggling to zip up the back of her new blue and white jersey print dress, Andreas walked in the bedroom.
“It looks like you need help.”
She saw the devilish glint in his eye as he moved toward her. A thrill of excitement coursed through her body.
Instead of finishing the job, he pulled the spaghetti straps off her shoulders and began kissing her nape. His hands kneaded her hips and stomach with restless urgency, turning her legs to mush.
“It’s too late for this!” she cried breathlessly, feeling his powerful body brushing against her. “Your parents will be here any minute.”
“Don’t worry about them. They’ll wait for us in the living room.”
“We’re expecting other guests too.”
His hands stilled on her body. “Paul?”
“Yes.”
He bit her earlobe gently. “What do you know that I don’t?”
Her heart thudded. This was her chance to relate what Paul had said earlier. But instinct told her his remark had only been meant for her to hear.
This evening she would keep her eyes and ears open. Once she and Andreas went to bed, then she would tell him. By that time maybe she would have solved the mystery.