Image Credit: Pixels*

 

     “Come here, Rodney,” Wayne called. “Let me get to that head of yours.”

     “While you’re doing that, I think I’ll go to the post office and get some stamps,” Noelle

said, going to the hall closet to get her coat.

     Wayne peeked his head out of the kitchen. “I have some in my wallet.”

     Noelle took her coat off the hanger and closed the door. Slipping it on, she replied,

“That’s okay. I want to get some air anyway.”

     “Suit yourself.”

     She went upstairs to their bedroom and grabbed her purse, then left the house.

     Noelle went to the post office and afterwards, got back into her car and drove around

aimlessly, not wanting to go back home right away. She reviewed the events of the past

evening in her mind. Her exchanges with Wayne had been sparse when he arrived home.

They’d shared a brief kiss and embrace, then Noelle had gone to warm up his dinner while

Wayne spent time with the kids.

     After he had eaten, the children were asleep and they had prepared for bed. Noelle had

taken a long, leisurely bath and was dismayed to discover that Wayne was still awake when

she entered their bedroom.

     “Junior told me that you gave him some pointers on how to write a good book report and

that he got a B on it.”

     “Yes, he did a good job.” Noelle climbed into bed and after turning out the lamp on her

nightstand, turned on her side, away from him.

     “You deserve some credit,” Wayne countered with gentleness.

    “I didn’t do it for him. He’s a bright boy. All he needed was a little coaching.” She

wanted to go to sleep. She felt his warm hand brush the hair away from her ear and her

body gave an involuntary shiver.

     Wayne kissed her neck, pulling her gently into his embrace. “You just can’t take a

compliment, can you?”

     She tried to wriggle out of it. “Maybe because I’m not used to them anymore. Wayne,

I’m really sleepy.”

     “Baby, it’s been almost two weeks. I’ve been getting home late or out of town and

lately, you’re always tired.”

     “Well, I’m sorry, but you know the boys can be a handful. Especially when you’re not at

home …”

     He continued to kiss her, running his hands all over her body. “Just a little bit, baby?”

     I can’t believe you! Noelle seethed inside. We’ve barely spoken since you’ve gotten home and

you’ve got the nerve to use our secret code for wanting to make love, one we both haven’t used in a

very long time. I ought to slap you. Here I’ve been frustrated for so long, waiting for you to show me

a bit of genuine affection.

     “Wayne, we need to talk.” She continued to struggle against him.

     Slipping his hands beneath her nightshirt, Wayne whispered, “Later.”

     Against her better instincts, Noelle yielded to the overpowering desire for her

husband’s affection. You sure know how to push my buttons, she thought weakly, despising

herself.

     There were no further protests.

     Forcing her mind back to the present, Noelle thought with despair, I should’ve told him

no. Simple sex is not going to fix this thing.

     I’m on a road leading nowhere.

 

*Disclaimer: This is not the actual cover.

 

Be on the lookout for my sizzling second novel, The Love Labyrinth©

by Pamela D. Beverly, on Amazon.com and other online retailers soon!