Making Changes

Making Changes By: Delinda Jasper A Silk’s Vault Electronic Publication, in arrangement with author Delinda Jasper. Copyright © 2005 by Delinda Jasper Cover Design and Art by Delinda Jasper, © Copyright 2005 Edited by Carol Fortado

www.silksvault.com

All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in part or whole, in any form or by any means, without permission from both the author and publisher. All characters, incidents, situations, institutions, governments and people are fictional and any similarity to characters or persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

CHAPTER ONE “Close your eyes.” “Why?” Mindy eyed Nick suspiciously. He had that “I’m up to something” look, and that look wasn’t always good. Nick smiled that lazy, sexy smile he had when he was trying to be charming. “I have a surprise for you, and if you don’t close your eyes, you can’t have it.” “Nick, I don’t have time to play around. I’ve been out grocery shopping all day, and now I have to start dinner.” Okay, maybe that wasn’t the whole truth. It was only early afternoon and she had plenty of time to cook dinner, but she’d skipped lunch and was pretty hungry. Besides, she was still pretty miffed at him. Even after their argument last week, Nick hadn’t seemed to realize that she needed a little romance. Every day was the same. She cooked three meals a day, cleaned house, and did laundry. He woke up, ate what she cooked, went to work, came home, watched TV, worked on his vintage Corvette, and went to bed. Of course, there were “I love you’s” exchanged in the mornings and before bed, and the occasional kiss, but his idea of romancing her was saying, “Let’s fuck.” She was starting to feel a little taken for granted. He’d promised to try harder, but all week it had been the same old same old. “Oh, come on. I know you’re curious. Just close your eyes.” Damn. As much as she tried, Mindy just couldn’t resist him when he was trying to be charming. Hell, she couldn’t resist him when he wasn’t being charming. She closed her eyes and held out her hand. “ OK, but this better be good—and quick.” “Don’t worry; you’re going to love it. But I can’t guarantee it’s going to be fast. As a matter of fact, I can promise it’s going to take a while, but you’re not going to be complaining.” His voice was sexy, gruff, and close to her ear as he took her hand. Mindy wondered what he meant as she let him lead her through the house. Her hand tingled from the warmth of his touch, but she kept her excitement in check. Nick’s idea of a surprise was showing her the newest doodad he’d bought for his car. Sunlight on her face and the warm, sultry smell of summer told Mindy they were outside. Her curiosity peaked. At least now she knew they weren’t going to the garage. That was a good thing. “Where are we going?” Mindy asked impatiently. “Hang on. Almost there.” He led her a few more feet. “OK, Sunshine, open your eyes.” At first Mindy squinted, trying to get used to the sunlight. Then her eyes went wide and nearly popped out of her skull. “Wh—Uh—How?” Mindy was speechless. Nick grinned. “I figured you would be tired and hungry when you got home, so I threw this together. ” They were standing in the back yard near their pond, and spread out on the ground was a picnic. No, not just a picnic, it was a feast. It was the most gorgeous spread she’d ever seen. A white linen

tablecloth covered the grass, and on top was an assortment of covered dishes. The most amazing part was the dishes weren’t paper or plastic, but sterling silver with two china place settings and crystal champagne flutes. “Nick, it looks wonderful.” Nick smiled and helped her down onto the cloth. “Your feast, Milady.” Mindy was charmed. She sat back and allowed Nick to fill her plate with assorted cheeses, meats, salad, and rolls so warm and fresh they seemed to have just come out of an oven. They ate and laughed and talked. All too soon the meal was over and Nick began clearing the dishes. “Here, let me help you with that,” Mindy said, reaching for a stack of plates. “Oh, no you don’t.” Nick smacked her hand. “You sit back there, relax, and let me take care of you for a change.” The combination of warm summer air, cold champagne, delicious food, and good company had Mindy feeling a bit lusty, and suddenly she couldn’t wait to get Nick back inside and thank him for the picnic. Finally he was starting to get a clue. “Thank you. Nick, the meal was really wonderful. How ‘bout you take those dishes in and leave them in the sink. I’ll take care of them in the morning. It is too nice an evening to be washing dishes.” Her voice was soft, seductive, and full of unmistakable desire. “Oh, but we aren’t done yet. It’s time for dessert!” His laugh was smooth as silk and sent delicious shivers up her spine. But Mindy would not be deterred. She wanted him in bed—now. But, she also didn’t want to let him know just how much his little picnic had affected her. She wanted him to work for it just a little more. “Oh, honey, I don’t think I could eat another bite.” Oh, hell. He had that look again. “Don’t worry baby, you don’t have to eat a thing.” Setting a bowl of ripe red strawberries nestled in ice and a bottle honey on the blanket, he crawled towards her on his hands and knees. The predatory look in his eyes reminded Mindy of a panther. A hungry panther, and she was his prey. His hand shot out and cupped her behind the neck, pulling her to him. Before Mindy could say anything his mouth was on hers. His lips and tongue plundered her mouth, probing and tasting. Before she realized what was happening he had slipped her tank top over her head, only breaking lip contact for seconds. Mindy sighed when the warmth of his lips returned to hers. She ran her hands up his muscular arms and down his back. Just as she was about to pull his shirt up and explore his chest muscles, Nick pulled away. Grasping her hands and holding them above her head, he pushed her gently backwards onto the tablecloth. “Now, you be a good girl and keep your hands over your head. You just lay back, Sunshine, and let me make you feel good.” Mindy couldn’t argue with that. She closed her eyes and luxuriated in the sensations. Strong, nimble hands stroked her warm flesh, heating it to the boiling point. She let out a small moan of pleasure when the hands pushed her bra aside and cupped one breast. The mixture of the warmth of the late afternoon sun on her skin, the champagne bubbling through her veins, and Nick’s hands on her body had her reeling. The sensations flowed together intoxicatingly. The feeling was so delicious, Mindy felt as if she were floating. She opened her eyes. She wanted to see his face, to look at his magnificent body as he made hers feel so good.

Nick leaned over her, still softly stroking her flesh. He slid his hands around her back and deftly unhooked and discarded her bra. His hands continued their journey down her body until they met resistance in the form of cut-off jean shorts. Smiling wickedly, he made quick work of the shorts, unbuttoning and sliding them off her long legs in a matter of seconds. He took longer with the pink lace panties beneath. Mindy wiggled under his hands as he lightly brushed his fingertips over the silky material. She had just gotten her bikini wax done. Everything down there was bare, and twice as sensitive as normal. She bucked wildly when his hand cupped her throbbing mound. The heat from his palm seeped through the flimsy material and set her skin on fire. “Mmm, Sunshine, you’re already wet.” He hooked his thumbs in the waistband and pulled the panties off and tossed them away. “God, you’re so beautiful lying there, squirming under my touch. Your hair looks like flames spread out like that. Mmm, you smell so good,” he said as he dropped a soft kiss onto each inner thigh. His voice was melted chocolate and his hands were feathers on the inside of her thighs. Mindy wriggled and twisted, trying to get his hands on her pussy, but he was careful to stroke only her thighs and lightly over her pussy’s swollen lips, staying away from her throbbing juicy center. “Oh, please, Nick.” Mindy rasped. “I need you inside me. Please fuck me.” Pure sexual laughter rumbled deep in his chest. “Baby, you can beg all you want, but dessert hasn’t even begun to be served.”

CHAPTER TWO Mindy didn’t know what he was up to, but she certainly liked it. He hadn’t paid this much attention to her body in years. But now that he was, she wasn’t sure how much more she could take. Every nerve ending in her body was on fire. She felt as though she would die if he didn’t give her pussy some attention soon; it was throbbing so hard it hurt. She looked up at him, the sun reflecting off of his tousled dark hair. At some point he had taken off his shirt and now she admired how his muscles rippled under taut, bronze skin. She started to reach up to touch him, but his stern look and shake of his head made her arm drop back to the ground above her head. She wanted to feel his smooth skin beneath her fingertips, but she loved the restraint he was putting on her. It was exquisite torture. He moved over her again, and her eyes widened as she realized what he was going to do next. Nick held the bottle of honey over Mindy’s body. A slow, lazy grin spread across his face at her gasp, but he was quiet as he flipped off the top and began drizzling honey all over her. Warmed by the sun, the honey felt like liquid fire oozing over her breasts, stomach, and thighs. She felt glorious and sexy, and the throbbing in her pussy upped its tempo. Her back arched and her hands grasped and tangled in the white cloth beneath her. When he’d covered her body in the amber stickiness, he tossed the bottle aside and wordlessly lowered his mouth to her. His tongue flicked out and began licking her body clean. Starting on one breast, he licked and sucked every drop of honey from her silky skin. He worked his way from one breast to the other, taking time to suck and tease and nibble each turgid nipple before proceeding on his way down her body. The liquid heat between her legs spread like wildfire to the rest of her body. His mouth left hot, slick,

tingling skin in its wake. Her eyes fluttered closed as sensation after sensation washed over her, sending her into a state of frenzy. Down across her stomach, dipping into her belly button, sliding first up the inside of one thigh then the other, Nick’s tongue journeyed on the trail of honey. He licked the inside of her thigh where her leg met her body, brushing his tongue ever-so-slightly over her bare mound, yet still completely avoiding the throbbing nub that lay within. Fire exploded within her and she shook uncontrollably. Just as Mindy was sure sweet release was inevitable; Nick’s mouth was suddenly gone from her skin. Nick laughed again when she moaned her protest. He moved his body over her. His jeans were rough against her soft flesh, and added to her frustration. “Open your mouth, baby.” Mindy could feel his warm, damp breath on her ear and she did as she was told, keeping her eyes shut. “Okay, Sunshine, now bite down, gently.” Mindy obeyed and her eyes flew open. Cold, sweet strawberry juice streamed down her lips. Above her, Nick was dangling a huge, bright red strawberry with the end bitten off and grinning widely. As she watched, he lowered the strawberry to her breast. Her skin was so hot from the sun, honey, and Nick’s tongue that she cried out when the cold strawberry touched her puckered nipple. Exquisite pleasure-pain shot through her as he rubbed the strawberry over each nipple in turn. She wanted to cry out for him to stop, but on the other hand, the last thing in the world she wanted him to do was stop. He trailed the strawberry down her body, sending shivers through her. His tongue trailed behind the strawberry, licking the trail of cool, sweet juice, and warming the skin in its path. Mindy’s breath was coming in short gasps. “Oh, Nick. Please.” Nick ignored her pleas and continued moving lower and lower with the strawberry. He traced it over her stomach and belly button and lower still, to the V between her thighs. Mindy bucked and writhed as the strawberry slid lightly down her slit. “You like that, baby? Are you ready for what’s next?” Mindy couldn’t reply to Nick’s husky questions. It was all she could do to keep breathing; the sensations bombarding her body had her breathless. Not waiting for an answer, Nick gently pressed the strawberry into her damp slit and touched it to the throbbing nub there. Mindy screamed and twisted, thrusting her hips upwards as the he rubbed the fruit across her clit over and over. His breath was hot and damp on her mound. He slid the strawberry down and replaced it with his tongue on her clit. He swirled and sucked, driving her crazy with desire. Holding the strawberry by the stem, he slipped it inside her. Taking her moans as a good sign, he began slipping it in and out as he sucked on her clit. Mindy went wild. The sensations of the cold fruit inside her pussy and Nick’s hot mouth on her clit were almost more than she could bear. This was crazy. She was being fucked with a strawberry—and she loved it. The pressure that had been building in her belly suddenly burst. White-hot lightning flashed through her body as every muscle tensed. Nick sucked harder and moved the strawberry faster in her until she cried out. Orgasm rocked her and her pussy contracted, flooding Nick’s hand and the strawberry with her juices. While Mindy was shaking from the aftershocks of her orgasm, Nick used one hand to remove his

jeans and underwear, moving his body up over hers. Leaning over her he brought the strawberry to his lips, bit into it, and tossed the stem away. Mindy stared at him as he chewed, but was distracted by the warmth of his body against hers. She’ d just come, but she wanted him inside her so badly it almost hurt. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him closer, his chest crushing her breasts. Nick smiled that super sexy smile one more time. Then he lowered his mouth to hers, capturing it in a deep, passionate kiss. He slipped his tongue in her mouth, plundering and tasting. Mindy moaned into his mouth. He tasted like honey, strawberry, and her. Nick moved against her, his hardness pressing into her thigh. Mindy opened her legs wider, giving him better access to her. She raised her hips to him, urging him closer—wanting him inside her. Nick groaned as he shifted so that his cock was pushing at her pussy opening. “Please, Nick, I need you inside me.” Mindy’s voice was strained. Nick’s answer was to thrust his hips and his cock slid deep into her dark wetness. Her legs lifted and tightened around his waist as he began moving in her. He plunged deeper into her, filling her completely. Mindy threw her head back and sank her nails into his back as his thrusts came faster and harder. Moans and gasps echoed in the air around them. She threw her hips against him, meeting him thrust for thrust. A pool of liquid fire formed in Mindy’s stomach and shot through her veins. Delicious flames licked her skin. She ran her hands over his back, loving the feel of his muscles under her fingers. He was so hot and hard against her, and inside her. Tremors started in her toes and raced up her body until she was shaking uncontrollably. Nick’s hand slid between them and found her clit. When his thumb brushed the hot little nub, Mindy broke into pieces. She cried out in choking sobs and clasped him tighter to her as her pussy tightened around his pulsing cock. Through the haze of pleasure, Mindy felt Nick stiffen and groan just before she felt his hot seed shoot into her. Sweaty and breathless, they collapsed onto the ground. They lay like that, arms and legs entangled, for a very long time. CHAPTER 3 After a long while, Nick leaned up on one elbow and grinned down at her. “So, am I forgiven for being such a jackass the past few months?” A shroud of disappointment began to settle over Mindy. The sated euphoria of minutes before was fading fast. “Oh, Nick, why did you have to go and say that?” “What? Why do you look so sad? What did I do now? Why do you look so sad all of a sudden? You’ve been complaining that I’m not attentive enough, so I’ve been planning this all week. I thought you liked it; no, I know you liked it. You can’t tell me I didn’t pay enough attention to you today, so what is the problem?” Mindy closed her eyes and took three long breaths to control the building anger before answering. “ You know, Nick, just when I think you’re finally starting to get it, that you are turning back into that sweet, sensitive guy I married instead of the jerk you’ve become lately, you have to go and open your mouth and fuck it up.” Pausing, she pushed him away. Her clothes were scattered around the remnants of their romantic picnic. Romantic…the word echoed in her brain. It wasn’t so romantic now. It seemed to her like the crumpled tablecloth, uneaten food and scattered dishes were a symbol of their relationship. Their

marriage was now just the scattered remains of what was once a beautiful love feast. She gathered her clothes before turning back to him. He was still sitting, naked, on the edge of the cloth. She could see in his eyes that he thought she was nuts, and that only served to fuel her anger. “Do you really think a little picnic and a good fuck can make up for months of just ignoring me? And what happens tomorrow? Will things go back to the same old thing, and in a couple of months you’ll throw me another little picnic so that I think you are paying attention to me? You just don’t get it, do you? Do you even know why I’m angry?” “No, Mindy, I don’t know why you are so pissed. Frankly, I don’t understand you at all. You complain that I don’t pay you enough attention. Well, I think I paid you plenty of attention today, and you sure as hell weren’t complaining. As a matter of fact, I remember you squirming and moaning and begging for more. You complain I’m not romantic enough, well this was fucking romantic.” Nick gestured wildly at the scene of their recent interlude. His voice kept getting louder until he was booming at her. “I used the fucking sterling silver set we got for our wedding and never used because you were waiting for a special occasion. I used the damned china and crystal goblets. That’s fucking romantic. Yet you’re still not satisfied. You say I don’t get it. You’re right! I don’t! So, why don’t you tell me? What is your fucking problem? What the hell do you want from me?” Mindy clutched her clothes to her chest, suddenly wanting to hide her body from him. “Nick, you say fucking to me one more time in that tone of voice, and I swear to God you won’t have to worry about what my problem is anymore. In fact, you won’t have to worry about me anymore at all.” Mindy wasn’t aware she was that close to leaving Nick until the words were out of her mouth. But once she’d said them, she knew it wasn’t an idle threat. She just wasn’t sure how much more she could take. She looked down at him. Even with his face contorted in anger he was gorgeous, with his tousled hair and bare chest still gleaming with the sweat worked up from their recent sexual escapade. Pain so intense it was almost physical shot through her. God, she loved him so much. The last thing in the world she wanted to do was leave him, but she would be damned if she’d go on living the way they had lately. Her heart just couldn’t take it. If something didn’t give soon, she was going to have to do something drastic. She didn’t want to think about that, though. She just wanted him to change. It wasn’t as if she wanted him to become someone he wasn’t. She just wanted him to change back into the man she had fallen in love with. She would do anything to save their marriage, but there was only so much she could do alone. If he couldn’t get a clue on his own, she would spell it out for him. This was his last chance. He either shaped up, or she would ship out. “Okay, you want to know what my problem is, I’ll tell you. It’s you, or rather your treatment of me, ” Her voice was steady and calm, only her shaking hands betrayed the hurt and anger boiling within. “At the best of times, you treat me like a maid. When you’re horny, I’m nothing more than your whore. But, most of the time it is worse; I’m just a fixture, like the sofa. It’s always there, you know it’s there and expect it to be there. You don’t really pay it any attention until you want to sit down. Well, Nick, one of these days you’re going to want to sit down, and the sofa isn’t going to be there anymore.” Nick sighed, exasperated. The anger had gone out of his voice, replaced instead by a confused concern, “Mindy, honey, you’re not making any sense. You’re not the sofa.” Her voice trembled as she fought tears. “Don’t you get it? You make me feel as important as the sofa. I’m just this thing that is always around when you want it and does things for you. I’m not even a person to you anymore. “We’ve been married five years, but for the last three you have been slowly slipping away from me.

At first it was just your job. I understood that, it’s a lot of stress starting your own business. But, even when the business took off and you had to work less, it was always something else. A television show, a baseball game, going out with the guys; there was always something more important than me. But at least I got fragments of your time. “Then you bought that damned car. Now you spend all of your extra time, and money, on it. Oh, don’t get that look. I’m not complaining about the money. You make enough; I’m not worried about stupid car parts. It’s just that, even when you are in the same room with me, all you want to talk about is that car and what you just bought or are going to buy for it. Not that you even notice whether or not I’m in the room most of the time, unless you need something. "I am sick and tired of waiting on you hand and foot. You can’t even get your own beer out of the fridge. You’d rather call me, even if I am busy on the other side of the house, and have me walk the ten feet from your chair to the kitchen to get it for you. And God forbid I get busy and something doesn’t get done. You’d rather bitch for hours than put a friggin’ load of laundry in. "I realize that you think because I don’t work I must be lazy, but you don’t realize just how much I do. You also don’t realize that I would actually like to have a life outside of cooking, cleaning, laundry, and grocery shopping. But, if I have to do everything, I don’t have time for anything else. Tell me, when was the last time you mowed the lawn? Oh, don’t bother to try to remember. That riding mower’s seat is formed to my ass, and you know it. “Well, you know what? I’ve had it. I don’t work outside the home; that is fine. That is the way we both decided it should be when we got married. Between your trust fund, my money, and what you make at work, we definitely don’t need the money. But I do work. I work hard. And I am a person, just like you, who deserves to be treated better than you treat me. "I am your wife, for God’s sake, not your maid to order around and yell at if everything isn’t perfect, and not your whore who’ll be wet and ready just because you say come on, baby, let’s fuck. This picnic could start to make up for the way you have been treating me, but it was a wasted effort if you don ’t even understand what you have been doing, and don’t do anything to change it. If something doesn’t change soon, there won’t be any hope for us.” Abruptly, Mindy stopped talking. She hadn’t meant to go on and on that way. She knew she’d gotten carried away, but it had just poured out. She didn’t know if he understood hell, she didn’t even know if she’d made any sense. Nick just sat there staring at her. That was fine with her. She didn’t think she could handle any more argument. Her self-control was paper-thin, and she felt a bit hysterical. Suddenly she realized she was still standing naked in their back yard. Wordlessly, she clutched her clothes to her breasts and started towards the house. Halfway there, almost as an after thought, Mindy turned and called back, “Oh, don’t even think about leaving those dishes in the sink. If I find one dish, glass, or piece of silver anywhere but where you found them, it’ll all go in the trash!” Without waiting for a reply, she strode into the house and let the door slam behind her. CHAPTER 4 Mindy spent the rest of the evening in their room, not wanting to even speak to Nick for the time being. The next morning, Nick was nowhere to be found. She assumed he had slept in the guestroom; he certainly hadn’t been in their bed. She looked into the guestroom. He was gone and the bed was made, but she could tell he’d made it—it was slightly crumpled. Downstairs was just as empty. She had to give it to him though; he’d washed, dried, and put away every dish they’d used the night before. On the counter was a note. He’d be back late, what a surprise. It was Sunday, so there wasn’t much to do. She spent the day watching old movies and trying not to worry and wonder where Nick was. He was a grown man, and he could take care of himself. Besides, it

wasn’t the first time he had taken off on the weekend and stayed gone all day. He was probably over at his best friend Bubba’s house, fishing in his pond. It crossed her mind to go down to the marina, rent a boat, and spend the day out on the lake. But cruising the lake wasn’t much fun alone. So, instead, she lazed around the house and went to bed early with a good book. Anything to keep her mind off Nick. It was late when she felt Nick slip in beside her. Feeling him next to her, she was finally able to slip into a deep sleep. The next morning she couldn’t help but feel sad when she awoke to find him already gone from the bed. Even after everything she’d said to him, nothing had changed. She’d hoped her words would have woken him up, but he had obviously just ignored her as usual. Of course, there was one other possibility to explain why he’d been avoiding her since their fight, but Mindy didn’t want to think about that. Unfortunately, it was the only thing on her mind. What if Nick had just decided being with her wasn’t worth the work it would take to get their relationship back on track? What would she do then? Trying to push those thoughts to the back of her mind, Mindy got out of bed. She might as well get up and get her day started. Laying around moping about her failed marriage wasn’t going to change anything. Besides, she was hungry. Everything would be brighter once she had some caffeine. She quickly threw on her robe, hurrying to get downstairs and start the coffeepot. But when she got to the top of the stairs, she stopped dead in her tracks. The strong, inviting aroma of coffee was wafting from the kitchen, up the stairs and right into her nostrils. Did Nick actually make coffee before he left this morning? Even as she thought it, she knew how preposterous it was. Nick hated coffee; he wouldn’t have made it. Yet he obviously had. As she descended the stairway, more smells, delicious and mouth-watering smells, mingled with the coffee. Her curiosity and appetite aroused, she followed the scents. Surprise nearly knocked her down when she rounded the corner and entered the kitchen. She couldn’t suppress the gasp that escaped her, because she couldn’t believe her eyes. The kitchen table was set with two place settings. A platter filled with scrambled eggs and bacon sat in the center next to a pitcher of orange juice. Nick was bent over, pulling a pan of biscuits from the oven. Setting the biscuits down on the counter, Nick looked up and smiled. “Good morning.” “Morning,” Mindy replied. “What’s all this?” “It’s breakfast. Ouch!” Nick dropped a hot biscuit onto a plate and sucked his burned finger into his mouth. “Hot little suckers. Come on, before the eggs get cold.” “Nick…” “No, don’t.” Nick quickly crossed to her and placed a finger over her lips. “Please, Mindy, don’t say it. I know that cooking one breakfast won’t fix anything, but it’s a start. Please, I want to change. I want to make things up to you. It’s going to take me a while, but please don’t shut me out. Please let me try.” The pleading she saw in his eyes nearly brought her to tears. There was no doubt in her mind that he was sincere. He really was trying. She didn’t know how long it would last, but she was willing to give it a try. She took a deep breath and smiled. “There better be cheese in those eggs.” “Would I make scrambled eggs for my wife any other way?” There was that charming grin again. They ate breakfast in jovial camaraderie. Nick kept the conversation going with details about how things were going at the office. A calm peace had settled over them. When Mindy stood to take the dishes to the sink, Nick grabbed her hand.

“What do you think you’re doing, young lady?” “I’m going to go rinse the egg off these plates before it gets hard and crusty.” She smiled and rolled her eyes. “No, you’re not. I’m going to do the dishes, and you are going upstairs and get dressed.” Uh, oh. He was being mischievous again. “What are you up to? Why do you want me dressed?” “Me? Up to something?” Nick feigned innocence. “I’m not up to anything, I just have a surprise for you.” Mindy planted her feet and crossed her arms stubbornly. “I’m not putting a stitch of clothing on until you tell me what’s going on.” Nick crossed to her, sliding his hands over her arms. The heat from his hands scorched her skin, even through the terry cloth of her robe. His grin widened and his voice turned husky, sexy fire flashing in his eyes. “Baby, as much as I would love for you to go around without a stitch on, it might create quite a sensation at the spa.” “What spa?” Mindy did her best to keep a stern look on her face, but it wasn’t easy with him so close. His touch was sending little bolts of lightening through her body. “Oh, you know, that day spa you’ve been wanting to go to forever. They were booked up, but they had a last minute cancellation. So now, milady, you are going to have a full day of pampering and beauty. ” Mindy couldn’t believe her ears. She hadn’t thought Nick had even been listening when she’d said she wanted to go to the exclusive day spa. She certainly hadn’t thought he would ever think she should go, he always said she was beautiful enough naturally. She stared at his beaming face. He was getting such joy out of this, out of doing something sweet for her. She hadn’t seen that look on his face in years. She opened her mouth to tell him thank you, but a lump rose to her throat, leaving her speechless. Oh, good gracious, she was going to cry over a silly little day of beauty. “Well, what are you standing there for? Get that sexy little bottom upstairs and in the shower. We leave in thirty minutes.” “We? I think I can drive myself. Don’t you have to get to work?” “You could, but I’m going to drive you. I have a few things to take care of at the office while you’re at the spa, but then I’ll pick you up at one for a late lunch and we can spend the day together.” Again, Mindy was speechless. This never happened. For a split second she thought of looking around for the pod person who took over her husband, but she decided not to mess with a good thing and hurried up stairs.

CHAPTER 5 Mindy leaned back in the car seat. She felt glorious. The five hours she’d spent at the day spa had been glorious. She’d been scrubbed, wrapped, detoxified, made over, and any number of other things she had no name for. She felt like a new woman. And Nick was acting like a new man, or maybe just a bit more like the one she once knew.

He’d picked her up as promised and taken her to a beautiful little restaurant for a delicious and leisurely lunch. They’d laughed and talked just like they had when they first got married, about everything and nothing at the same time. Mindy was happy for the first time in months. Now they were in the car on the way home. But as they neared the road that would take them home, Nick didn’t turn. Instead, he kept on going. She asked where they were going, but all she got was a cryptic smile and a mysterious, you’ll see. Mindy’s curiosity shot up a hundred percent when Nick pulled the car into the parking lot of Lakeside Marina. Wordlessly he got out of the car, retrieved a bag from the trunk and started down the pier. “Don’t you think it’s a little late in the afternoon to go out on the lake? We won’t get much time in before dark,” Mindy called as she hurried after him. Nick grinned back at her. “It’s not too late to go out, Mindy my dear, if you plan to stay out for a week.” She was puzzled for a moment, but as she watched Nick step onto a huge houseboat, realization dawned. She ran the last few feet to catch up and scrambled onboard behind him. “You rented a houseboat for a week? Really?” She beamed. If there was anything in the world Mindy loved as much as Nick, it was boating. Any kind of boat, she just loved being out on the water. When she was a child she used to dream of living in a houseboat some day. Not the kind permanently moored at a pier, but the type families took out on vacations. The kind you could go anywhere on. The kind they were standing on. She looked around, barely able to hide her excitement. Then something odd struck her. “Wait a minute; this is the Finklestien’s boat. Did they really rent their boat to us for the week?” Nick laughed, obviously enjoying her excitement. His grin was huge when he finally answered her. “ No, the Finklestiens did not rent us the boat. As a matter of fact, this boat doesn’t belong to the Finklestiens. It belongs to us.” For the third time in one day, Mindy was speechless. She had no idea what to say. She looked at Nick, hoping words would come to her, but he just grinned and went inside. She was hot on his heels, wanting to know what was going on. “Nick, when did you buy this boat?” “The papers were finalized today.” He went into the large stateroom at the back and emptied the contents of the bag onto the bed. There was nothing in it but a bikini, a pair of his swim shorts, and two toothbrushes. Mindy was sidetracked for half a minute. “We are going to be away from home, and all you brought me was a tooth brush and that string you call a bathing suit?” Her words would have made someone think she was annoyed if she hadn’t been grinning ear to ear. Nick’s eyes darkened with lust as he stalked toward her. “Trust me, honey, you won’t need anything else. And the bikini is just for when there are other boats around!” Then he was on her. One hand slid into her hair, pulling her lips to his as the other one slid down her back to cup her ass, and pull her hard to him. Mindy gasped into his plundering mouth. He tasted so good. Heat surged through her, turning her brain to slush. A slick wetness dampened her panties. His roaming hand found its way up her shirt, and she gasped as it cupped one swelling breast. Oh, God, she wanted him.

Mustering every bit of strength she had, Mindy pushed Nick back and gasped, “Hang on, Nick. There will be plenty of time for that. I want to know about the boat. Can we afford it? What’s going on?” Nick sat down on the bed, pulling her onto his lap. “Okay, I was going to do this later, but, as always, you aren’t going to let me get away with anything.” His smile was sweet. “Yes, sunshine, we can afford the boat. The Finklestiens are selling their house and buying a motor home to travel year round. They’ve wanted to get rid of this for a long time. I sold the Corvette and used that money as a down payment.” Mindy gasped, but Nick continued before she could say anything. “You were right, what you said. That car was coming between us. But it wasn’t really about the car. It was about me. I don’t think I really even enjoyed working on it anymore; it was just a thing to take up my time. I was using it to avoid facing the fact that we were in trouble, and that trouble was largely my fault. “I love you, more than any damned car or anything else in the world. I don’t want to lose you. I know that buying this boat for you won’t change anything, but I thought spending weekends on it together might. I have been neglecting you, and treating you badly, all the things you said to me. I think I knew that, deep down, but I didn’t want to face it until you made me. “I can’t lose you. You are my Sunshine. Without you, skies are definitly gray. I will do anything it takes to keep you, and keep you happy. I can’t promise I will be perfect, but I can promise to try. I got rid of the car and bought the boat so we have something to do together. Now, the house and yard work, you know as well as I do that I’m no good at that crap.” Mindy laughed slightly through the tears streaming down her face. Nick went on. “But I can help a little. The Miller boy down the street is saving money for a car; he will start doing the yard work every weekend while we are away on our boat. And Mrs. Magill has been working for the Finklestiens as a housekeeper for years, and now that they have unloaded this boat, she was out of a job. I couldn’t very well let that happen, so she starts next week at our house.” Mindy was stunned. “You hired a housekeeper?” “Only four days a week. Oh, and she doesn’t do windows.” Laughter flowed out of Mindy as freely as tears. “I can’t believe this. You really did all this for me?” She tightened her arms around him and buried her face into his neck. “Baby, I’d do anything for you.” She had never been so in love with Nick as she was at this moment. It wasn’t the money he’d spent, or the fact that she would now be a lady of leisure with a housekeeper, but it was the fact that he had thought this through so thoroughly. He had really listened to her the other day, and taken steps to start changing. He was finally starting to get it. Hot desire shot through her. In Mindy’s mind there was nothing more arousing than a man who loved you, except maybe a man who knew how to show it. Right now, she had both. Now she would show him how much she loved him. She sat up and pushed Nick back on the bed and positioned herself so that she was straddling him. She pulled off her shirt and bra in two short movements, dangling her full breasts over his face. “Is that so? You would really do anything for me?” She leaned down, catching his earlobe between her teeth. Nick gasped, “Yes.” “I think I’m going to hold you to that.” THE END