I look out the window again. It is the fourth time in the last half-hour. A futile effort, the lone street light is barely visible through the snow. Certainly, not a major storm - only a few inches, but you are still late and I am concerned. And anxious also, it has been two weeks since we were last together. Our expectations for this evening have grown daily.
In the kitchen, I check on the meal and turn down the heat on the lasagna. Your nearness comes to me and I gaze out the window just in time to see a jeep turning into the driveway. Going onto the porch, I open the outer door as you breeze in, white flakes glistening in your midnight hair.
Without a word, you move into my arms. Your fluffy down coat and my vest act as pillows enclosing our bodies and keep us apart. The air squeezes out and I can finally feel you underneath. Our lips meet in a short tender kiss of two lovers relieved to see each other on a nasty night. I pull back a few inches to gaze into your brown eyes. The desire in them is obvious. A slight smile forms on your lips. We join again, this time in a long deep kiss of two lovers too long without each other. Our lips part to allow our tongues to perform their dance of love. I taste your lipstick and inhale your heady perfume.
As our kiss melts, your hand has somehow moved under my vest to the folds of my flannel shirt. You gently rub the hair on my chest, grazing my nipples and causing the entire area to tingle. "I have been dreaming of this all day!" are your first words.
"Glad to see you too, I was worried." I respond.
"Oh Darling, you know nothing would stop me from you tonight."
Your hand cupping my chest, squeezing the muscle, the long nails pinching the skin. As your hand withdraws, I comment "Darling, you have had your nails done."
"You noticed, nice and long just the way you like them. No snow shoveling for me."
We move into the darkened house. Our conversation turns animated as we discuss the happenings of the day. You unbutton your coat, as I remove it, a sound from the kitchen grabs my attention. I hurry to check on the dinner.
After starting the stuffed mushrooms, I set the timer and remove our white Russians from the refrigerator. "If I break a nail on these boots" I hear you say from the other room.
"I'll be right back. Let me help."
You kid "Too late now, it is done, only broke three."
Turning back toward the doorway, I hear the clicking of your heals as you enter the kitchen. Now able to really see you for the first time, my breath is suddenly gone. I stare, speechless, soaking in your vision. "I will take the blank stare and open mouth as a compliment" are your sexually confident words. I still can only nod my head in agreement. "Since you were making dinner, I thought I would do my part for the evening. No one except you will ever see me in this outfit."
The blood finally begins to return to my brain, but only an astonished "wow, Carmen" can escape my lips.
You laugh "How did you know? That was the exact effect I was going for."
My eyes refocusing, I can now appreciate the woman before me. You are matched perfectly. Your eyes and hair offset by the color of the dress. Your legs encased in shimmering nylons, highlighting your calves. Knowing how much I enjoy your feet, the shoes are stylish, but still exposing your ankle. A black pearl choker surrounds your neck. As you move closer, the light from the hallway frames your head. The glow through your hair makes you look on fire.
Looking at your swollen nipples, I comment on how the rest of you must be a little chilled. "The den will be more to your liking."
Handing you a drink, we move as one into the den. The fireplace is before us and off to one side is the dinner table for two. Soft music from an unseen source permeates the room. I guide you to the big sofa; a down comforter already laid on the cushion.
Placing our drinks on the coffee table, we join in our first unfretted kiss of the evening. As our kiss deepens, we move closer and closer together. Our urgency begins to block out the rest of the world. There is passion, but not physical, this joining is for our souls. The flame from the fire seems to have leaped atop us. It slowly descends throughout our body diffusing the cold.
A bell rings in the kitchen, the mushrooms are ready. "Well, whatever you are making smells delicious."
"That is not the meal, it is my cologne - Au de Beoff."
"So that is why you smell good enough to eat."
"Keep that thought for later, darling." Is my wishful remark. We break, our hands the last to release.
When I return, you are standing in front of the fire, your eyes closed, listening to the music and sipping your drink. "Penny for your thoughts" I query.