I woke up the following morning to Mark's voice bellowing loudly in the shower...trilling bird he ain't...but that's okay, I like him anyway. I got up and stretched, letting the muscles unkink from the romp the night before. My spine crackled, my thighs creaked, and I felt great. I briefly entertained the thought of joining him in the shower and decided I had better not. We would only end up back in bed, and I would be late for work.
I pulled my old robe on and padded out to the kitchen, put on a pot of tea, grabbed a bag of bagels from the fridge and set about making as good a breakfast as my small cooking talent would allow. Hope he likes half-burnt bagels, I thought. Mark glided into the kitchen wearing nothing but a small white towel. My heart skipped a beat and I felt butterflies in my stomach. He still had this effect on me; and instead of growing less intense it seemed to get deeper.
He hooked an arm around my waist and nuzzled my neck, smelling my hair. I was glad I brushed my teeth while he was in the shower. I caught the back of his head with my hand and brought his face closer to mine, nibbling his lower lip, licking it softly. I was getting hot and bothered when the bagels popped out of the toaster, making me jump and making us both laugh.
I took cream cheese out of the fridge and laid it on the table. "Do you have to work today?" I asked him.
"No. I think I may just settle down with a good book, some good music, and relax. What time do you think you'll be home?"
"Late probably. I've got to train a new bartender, stuff like that. Don't wait up for me." I finished my bagel, dusted off my hands, and started for the shower. He got up too, and started for the bedroom to dress. When I got out he was dressed in his favorite gym shorts and t-shirt: his lounging clothes, I called them. He already had a little stack of paperbacks piled on the coffee table and was programming the CD player. He was so gorgeous...but no, I had to work. I walked up behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist, and pressed myself against his back, kissing the nape of his neck. I could just reach. He turned around, took my face in his hands, and kissed me passionately and slowly, tasting me. I was becoming aroused and he knew it.
"I'll be waiting here for you, sweetie. Thinking about you all day." Mark grinned at me and I almost caved again. But no, I really had a lot of work to do today. I stood on tiptoe and gave him a peck on the cheek.
"You'd better be waiting for me," I said. "And think only good thoughts..."
I left and walked to work with a smile on my face.
Unfortunately the smile didn't last long. I quickly discovered that the new girl had lied on her application and knew next to nothing. She could be taught though, if I had the patience. I did, and she learned quickly. I told her she was probationary for the next two months. After that she would get benefits, and a pay hike. Then I had to untangle more messes: inventory, ordering, scheduling conflicts...all told it was a long, hard day. As I left work I imagined Mark puttering around the house, maybe cooking, probably reading and napping all day. I know that's what I would have done, had I been in his shoes.
I got to the apartment and let myself in to a silent, empty house. There was a note on the kitchen table: Cherie, Got called into work. Sorry, hon. Dinner is in the oven, hope you like Chinese.
Oh no...I groaned inwardly. Oh well, maybe he'd be off sooner than he thought. In the meantime, I'd eat and have a bath, and maybe spend some time with a good book.
I was getting ready for bed when the phone rang. I picked it up, expecting to hear that I was needed at work, but it was Mark. "How are you, honey? I'm sorry I had to go."
"I'm good. Getting ready to hit the hay, actually," I told him.
"Aww, hope I'm not keeping you awake." I could hear the smile in his voice.
"I'd stay awake for you anytime. And you know it. Still working?"
"Yes. Looks like I'll be here for hours yet. Soo...what are you wearing?"
