Eligible Ex-husband - Marie Johnston Page 0,41
each other. My face is turned so I’m staring at the wall with the light switch. The machine hums under me, letting me know that I can’t get enough of this man. He could haul me off to bed and I’d gladly stay there, getting pleasured by him, like all the times we used to before we had kids.
His grip on me loosens and he’s pulling away when we hear Abby call, “Mom? Dad?”
Simon
Natalie’s a ninja at avoiding me when we’re still under the same roof.
After our frantic redressing to keep from getting busted half naked by Abby, she left the laundry room to check on the kids and I stayed to get my body under control. I didn’t miss her flushed cheeks and the sense of loss that played out on her face when I pulled out of her.
I don’t regret what happened, but I regret that we didn’t have a chance to talk about it. It wasn’t just a quick fuck. Sleeping with Natalie was never about fleeting pleasure. Every time I’m with her is a commitment to us. I’ve never looked into love languages, but if there’s one that involves sex then that’s mine.
I know it’s the same with her. The similarity was a small part of the magnet that drew us together in Business 101. I had no interest in getting distracted from my studies by parties and random hookups. Wharton wasn’t cheap for my parents, who liked to pretend it was in their social circle. And I liked sex as much as the next guy, but I could never disentangle it from emotions that a young, single guy like me wasn’t supposed to have.
As soon as I laid eyes on Natalie, I sensed she was the same. Not a prude, but with hard boundaries when it came to how she allowed herself to be treated. Somehow, I pushed past those limits last year and it ended our marriage.
But I’m doing better. I’ve been around for her and for the kids and I’m still getting my job done.
We can do this. I just have to convince her of that.
I get a modest supper of macaroni and cheese and peas ready. Something easy on the kids’ stomachs. Natalie is working in the office, but I suspect she’s hiding. Abby tried to play outside but slogged back in after fifteen minutes. They’re low on energy, but I’m sure they’ll be back to normal tomorrow.
While the girls are eating, Natalie comes out and makes herself a plate and disappears. She does it while I’m on the back deck on the phone. Helena’s been a champ fielding any calls and messages left by clients over the weekend, but I check in with both her and Charlie.
Inside, Natalie stays hidden and I get the girls ready for bed. She emerges to tuck them in and read stories. When she leaves their bedroom, I’m waiting, my arms folded across my chest, at the bottom of the stairs. There’s no way she can miss me.
She stops, anxiety darkening her gaze and she chews on her lower lip. “I guess we need to talk.”
Finally. I wave toward the couch. The living room is as public as we can get and if we talk in hushed tones, the kids won’t hear.
She chooses the recliner and my right eye twitches. She’s making sure I can’t sit in the same space as her.
I pick the end of the couch closest to her. Not because I want to be confrontational. I crave being close to her and I have over seven months to make up for. Actually nine from when I moved out and divorce proceedings started.
“About earlier—” she started.
“I loved every minute of it.” I don’t mean to interrupt her, but I get the feeling that if I let her talk, she’ll talk herself out of any progress our washing machine sexcapade made. “And I love you, Natalie. I’ve never quit loving you.”
Alarm flashes in her eyes and she shrinks in the chair. I came on too strong.
“Sorry.” I hold my hands out like I’m showing her I’m unarmed. “I just wanted it out there. I’m trying. I want to be the man you need and want in your life.”
“You are, but your work always comes first.”
“We both know how important it is to me. But I’m trying to balance it.”
She folds her lips in and looks away. I wait, hoping she’ll give me a peek into what’s going on in that pretty head of hers. Surprisingly,