The alarm bleated repetitively. Even with the blinds drawn, daylight streamed through the cracked slats announcing its presence by slightly illuminating their bedroom. He watched her. Her long beautiful blonde hair spilled down to her mid back and her body glistened wet from her shower. Quiet like Tibetian monks in meditations, she stood in her panties and bra rummaging in the closet for something to wear to work. Selecting a long sleeved blue floral dress, she turned and saw he was awake.
The red numbers on the alarm clock on the night stand beside their bed read 8 a.m. “Little early for you to be awake, isn’t it?” There was a teasing affectionate lilt to her voice.
A mischievous grin split his lips. It was true he hardly ever woke up before noon. As an actor, most of his rehearsals, performances and appearances were in the afternoon and evening hours. He had never been an early riser.
The sheets still covered his nearly naked body since he usually only slept in his briefs as she slid over to tenderly kiss his lips. His intent was apparent. His kiss, caress, touch, the feel of his body were intoxicating. They were like a drug.
His lips, tender and passionate, caressing hers ignited her passion and desires. “Malan.” His mouth hungrily fed on hers, teeth nipping at her lips. Their kisses intense as their lips locked over and over without a breath. She couldn’t help touch him. Not thinking about it, she just let her hands drift beneath the sheets. Her fingers traced across his bare chest and muscular abdomen, gliding to his naked masculinity. He was armed and ready. “I’ll be late.” She made the weak excuse. When had been the last time they had made love? It seemed like it had been forever. Well, that was an exaggeration, but Thanks to their busy schedules, their lovemaking had gone through a long dry spell of nonexistence. She knew they hadn’t made love in awhile; she needed him, wanted him as much as he did her.
“You can be late. It’s my birthday and I want my present,” he huskily whispered, sealing his lips on hers, gently pulling her back into his embrace and into their bed.
**
The afterglow of their lovemaking hadn’t faded; they’d certainly enjoyed and loved every last minute of it. As always their lovemaking was incredibly mind blowing and although it didn’t seem possible it had gotten better and more explosive and intense the longer they’d been married; that had been three years now. They’d made love three times that morning since they’d been so crazy with needs, wants and desires because of how busy they both were often there was long lapses between their intimate interludes they definitely needed more of them, he thought as he balanced the coffee cup on his hand and sipped the inky brew. The two of them desperately needed to figure this must have for their relationship. Maybe they’d have their favorite, long overdue chats or they could take a personal, private weekend retreat to their cabin on Lake Worth or the beach house in L.A. or Mount Caramel.
Sitting his cup of coffee down on the kitchen table, Malan reached for the plate of eggs, bacon and toast slathered with butter and strawberry jam he’d made for his wife. “I trust you aren’t in too much trouble for being late,” Malan quietly mused as he served his wife. God he missed cooking for her, but since she was already late he didn’t had time to make her a decent meal. Maybe he could make it up to her. He’d cook her dinner after the show tonight and then afterward, well, he left that to his imagination.
As he sat down next to her at the table, drank some more of his coffee and casually read her articles in that morning’s paper, he wistfully wished he could join her for breakfast, but it was too early for him to eat. He regretted that his schedule had prevented him from sharing a meal with her in what seemed like forever. Another thing he wanted to and had every intention of making up to her as soon as possible.
“A benefit of being a senior editor.” Lathal’s talents and work ethic had certainly earned her status in her career and as a credible, respected journalist in the community, the state of Texas and nationally as well. She finished her breakfast, “But I better get going or Kurt might fire me.”
He thoughtfully sipped his coffee. Kurt Blackenridge and his wife shared the editorship of The Horizon, Hallow Oaks’ newspaper. She just felt guilty for taking advantage of that by being late to work, but it had only been that one time today. Kurt wouldn’t fire her. Aside from the preppie veteran reporter who had worked with her since their college days, Lathal was the best journalists Hallow Oaks had.
As she gathered her keys, phone, purse and coat, she wondered what he’d do after she left for work. Go back to bed? Go to the gym? He usually ate after the gym. His schedule had him on the set of “Caped Crusaders” and “The Newsroom” that afternoon and then he had 5 p.m. rehearsals for tonight’s production of “Then There Were None” at The Falls, Hallow Oak’s playhouse. Picking up her spiral notebook, media badge and his Nykon camera, which she frequently used on assignments, she headed toward the front door. Cupping the coffee mug in his hand, Malan followed her. His wife was so beautiful and attractive and the dress she wore emphasized her shapely curves and showed off her shapely long legs. His brown eyes locked on hers. His lips lightly brushed hers. “Just be careful, okay?”
He was thinking about the prison riot, the drug busts, the murders and all the other breaking news stories in Hallow Oaks she’d covered in the last few months. Malan hadn’t said as much to her. Lathal figured he was still pretty upset and angry that they typically sent her, as an editor, when they could have sent other reporters to cover those breaking news stories. Hell, thanks to their schedules, she hardly spent any time with her husband, much less talk to him. She loved hanging out, flirting with her actor husband while he cooked a meal for them in their kitchen. She couldn’t remember the last time they’d had a date night, something they did frequently in the past, or just sat making out on the couch or talking for hours and hours till the wee hours of the early morning; then they’d tumble into bed and make love. When was the last time they’d gone to their cabin on Lake Worth? Or gone to his mother’s house in LA or the beach house in Mount Caramel? They desperately needed a vacation and some time alone together. “It’s my job to cover the news.”
"I know, but,” His hand fisted clutching the mug he held. She thought he might crush it into pieces with his brute strength. “Damn it! Do they have to send the best reporter, who just so happens to be my wife, a woman I love more than life itself to cover every dangerous story in town?"
Her face cupped his cheek, her thumb caressed his chin. Her strength and determination were reflected in her hazel eyes. She appreciated the fact that he was always there and wanted to protect her even though the later desire wasn’t realistic. "I know you worry about me.”
His passion and love for her swirled darkening his brown eyes. “Damn it, Lathal!” His free hand grabbed hold of her arm refusing to let go. “If something happened to you I’d never forgive myself.”
“Nothing’s going to happen,” she assured him. "I'm very careful. You know that."
He stared at his wife. He couldn’t shake the foreboding premonitions he had. He rarely had premonitions. Still there were his feelings that something bad was going to happen to her. Should he tell her? He considered then dismissed it. No, it was ludicrous! He was imagining things.
“I’ll see you at your performance tonight, Birthday Boy,” she promised with a kiss.
He lost himself in the passionate exchange. A husky moan escaped his lips. “I’m going to hold you to that, Lathal Harvey.”
"What happened to my name?" She teased, kissing the side of his neck and caressing his familiar muscular body, feeling his arousal stirring.
"You drive me crazy, Lathal Hamel.”
"That's better," She said in approval yet there was a touch of banter in her voice. “I love you, Malan!”
“I love you!” He kissed her and then slowly released her.
Her graceful strides made the edges of her dress swish around her shapely long legs as she walked down their brick walkway to their driveway. His medium build frame leaned in the doorway. His ankles crossed; his posture casual as he watched her go and get into her car. Damn it! He still had these powerful feelings that something bad was going to happen to her. His desire and need to protect her surged through him. Stop it! He thought sipping his coffee. You’re being ridiculous! Silly! Crazy! She’ll be alright.
They exchanged waves and he stayed standing at the door until she drove away. When he couldn’t see her or her car anymore, he turned and went back into the house.