I feel more than hear her approach me as she makes her way quietly into the kitchen. There’s an excited pinch in my stomach knowing she chose to meet me again tonight.
Without turning around, I head to the freezer and ask. “Which brand do you want to try this time?”
A few nights ago, I’d been trying to sleep when the possibility that she might go in search of another midnight snack had driven me out of bed and down to the kitchen. I’d sat at the island, watching time tick away slowly on the clock above the stove, wondering if this was a futile effort.
After a couple hours, I realized she wasn’t showing up and went back upstairs.
I’d come down the following night and waited, but she hadn’t shown. The next night had gone much the same as the two previous, except this time when I stood and turned to go back upstairs, I’d been stopped in my tracks by the sight of Tess hesitating in the entryway of the kitchen. She’d looked unsure whether to come in or not.
The way my insides softened laying eyes on her should have been alarming, but I ignored that physical warning like I had so many others before it.
“I’ve been waiting for you,” I’d said.
A hint of a smile tugged at her lips. “Tonight?”
“Every night.”
She’d sat down at the island and tipped her chin at the freezer. “Let’s start your rocky road education then.”
We’d found each other the following evening, and again tonight, making this the third night in a row. It’s become an unspoken ritual, one we don’t discuss during the day but one that I also don’t want to miss.
The truth is, I haven’t been home much this past week. I’ve been keeping Augusto alive, albeit just barely at this point, and have spent the last few days trying to extricate the location of Adriana’s body and the name of the man responsible for her death out of him.
His men are tearing the city apart looking for their missing capo so every extra day we keep him alive and in our custody is a massive risk. But turns out he’s a stubborn bastard. He’s refused to give us anything useful, no matter how much fun Fabian and Marco have had with him.
During the long, fruitless days I spend in his company, the only thing I look forward to are these midnight encounters with my wife. More than I should, especially since there’s something else entirely that I should be focused on.
When he lays bleeding at my feet, all I can think about is the way her blonde hair falls across her face when she bends her head to take a bite of ice cream. How she closes her eyes and savors that first taste. How they’re a completely different shade of blue when they reopen.
It’s starting to become a problem, how much she occupies my thoughts.
Even now, as I look back at her over my shoulder because she hasn’t answered my question, my breathing deregulates seeing her in a two-piece silk pajama set with lace trim.
Groaning, I drop my forehead against the freezer and will my cock to stop throbbing.
“Do me a favor and close your robe.”
“Says the guy without a shirt on.”
Turning, I see her eyes are hooded and tracing down the slope of my back. Her chest rises noticeably with every one of her deep inhales.
“There’s a simple solution to this… discomfort we’re both feeling,” I point out.
She sniffs, closing her robe. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Laughing, I turn back towards the fridge. “Which one do you want tonight?”
We’ve already tasted half of the brands of rocky road Diana bought, ranking them from worst to best. Soon we’ll either have to change flavors or go out of the country to find brands we haven’t tried.
“Hmm, how about the one that has a cow on the front,” she suggests, taking a seat as I grab the pint and a spoon and set both on the island between us. “For a guy who doesn’t like ice cream, you’re sure making a habit of staying up late to have some.”
My eyes find hers as I remove the tub’s lid.
“Who said it’s the ice cream I’m staying up for?”
She blushes prettily, looking down and away, and that softening in my chest is back, more acute than ever.
When I hand her the pint, she pushes it back towards me.
“It’s your turn to try first tonight,” she explains.
“Then your turn tomorrow night?” I ask.
She nods, blushing once more when I say, “It’s a date.”
I try the ice cream, enjoying the way her eyes stay fixed on my face to take in my reaction.
“You were right, rocky road really is a superior flavor.”
“I told you,” she says with a pleased smile, reaching for the spoon in my hand and taking a bite herself. “Mhmm, this one is good. Very nice marshmallow to chocolate ratio.”
“Where does it fall in the rankings for you?”
“First, I think.”
I whistle, impressed. “First place, huh?”
“I’m telling you, it’s by far the best one. Here, try another bite,” she adds, lifting the spoon to my mouth.
Before I can eat it, a drop of melted ice cream slides off the rounded surface of the spoon and falls onto my chest. Both of our gazes fly to the spot, watching as it slowly trails down between my pecs. Lifting my eyes to hers, I find them heated, her cheeks flushed pink.
“I can practically hear your thoughts, amor.”
She doesn’t acknowledge me, her hand coming towards me instead. Gently, delicately almost, she traces the path of the ice cream with her index, scooping it up and bringing it to her mouth.
“Yum,” she says, smacking her lips.
My pupils dilate, my eyes darkening with lust. “There you go again, provoking me.”
Tess eyes me innocently. “It’s too good to waste even a drop.”
A growl rumbles deep in my chest, making my voice vibrate when I speak. “I’m keeping note of all of this.”
“I hope you are,” she whispers.
My eyes snap to hers. “What was that?”
Clearing her throat, she answers. “Nothing. Here have some more ice cream.”
