Dead Love - By Wells, Linda

1

Maggie Ryan was running late. Her alarm hadn’t gone off, so she had rushed through the shower, leaving Mike in bed to catch a few extra minutes of sleep. He would have to deal with getting the boys to school. He worked at home, and his schedule was flexible. Since Pembrooke Academy was only a few blocks away, he could walk them to school. He enjoyed grabbing a cappuccino and bagel at the local coffee shop on his way home.

After her shower, Maggie dressed in beige string bikini panties, matching lacey bra, sheer stockings, and a straight “just above the knee” taupe skirt, crisp white tailored blouse, and a classic fitted navy blazer with gold buttons. She slipped on her taupe heels and then stood in front of the full-length mirror to see if the gold wings on her left lapel were straight. After brushing her long blonde hair, Maggie pulled it back in a sleek ponytail, fastened with a tortoise shell clasp. The look was chic and professional. She applied light powder, smoky brown eye shadow and liner, mascara, blush, and a neutral pink lipstick. She was a natural beauty with full lips and light blue eyes, the makeup adding the finishing touch. Maggie was a flight attendant for Century Air, a “senior stew,” with ten years of service. She was flying a turnaround to Miami out of LaGuardia three days a week. The days were long, ten hours plus, but the work was exciting. In spite of the inevitable flight delays and the occasional irritable passenger, the job was fun and each day was different. In addition, she liked the perks. She and Mike loved to travel, and the job offered them that opportunity.

Maggie gulped down the last of her coffee, took the cup into the kitchen, and slipped into the bedroom to say good-bye to Mike. She leaned over the bed where he was deep in sleep, whispering, “Wake up, Mike. It’s time to get the boys ready for school.”

He yawned and said, “Good morning, lover,” in his sleepy, sexy voice.

He put his arms around her hips and tried to pull her into bed with him. He was boyishly handsome, with long sandy brown hair, which fell over his forehead, blue eyes, and subtly rugged features. His rough beard was so masculine, and she loved feeling his face against hers when they kissed. His arms were still around her as her lips brushed his, and he responded, touching her leg, sliding his hand up her skirt, touching her silky panties.

She reluctantly pulled away from him, saying, “Later, sweetheart. I love you, but I have to go,” while softly brushing his hair off his forehead with her fingertips.

Maggie rushed out of the bedroom. She would have loved to crawl into bed with him, memories of their passionate, earthy lovemaking from the night before still fresh in her mind, but she had to get to the airport. Thoughts of his body inside her made her ache for him, but she knew they would be together tonight. She couldn’t wait to feel his arms around her as he held her close to him, naked, his body blended perfectly into hers. Their desire for each other was as intense as the day they met.

Though it was long commute to LaGuardia, they loved their West Side co-op. It was near the boys’ school, Central Park, many great restaurants, shops, and historic sights. There was so much for them to enjoy by living in the city. Mike could work at home and take care of Mike Jr. and Tim when necessary. Besides writing for a scientific journal, Mike had published several books in his field of expertise, the biological and chemical sciences. They enjoyed city life, but escaped for occasional weekends to his family’s cabin in the Poconos.

After a quick peek at the boys, still asleep, Maggie grabbed her small carry-on and purse and left the apartment. She caught the elevator to the lobby and hurried out of the building. She walked the short distance to the Express Subway Station entrance and took the stairs down to the dank platform. It was hot and muggy that early June Monday morning. She began to perspire but kept her pace. Checking her watch, she noted it was 6:45 a.m. She would have plenty of time to make the 7:30 a.m. check-in for the nine o’clock flight. She hated rushing, especially in this heat.

Maggie and the others on the congested platform felt harried and damp from the