Page 134 of The Quiet Wife
“Oh, love, I missed you so much,” he murmured against her lips. They kissed a long, aching time. Rediscovering each other after the unbearable separation.
Eventually, she pulled away. “Can you lock the door?”
He reared back and stared at her.
“Well, if you are planning to make love to me five times, we’d best get started!”
He laughed and buried his face in her neck. “Lord, how I’ve missed you.”
They held each other for a long time.
“I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you too,” he gazed into her eyes. “So much.”
When he’d recovered some semblance of calm, he swept her into his arms and carried her to the settle where he sat them both down, with her on his lap amid much giggling. He’d missed giggling with her so damned much.
“I don’t expect anything of you,” she kissed his knuckles. “I’m still a married woman.”
“What would you like of me?” he asked, curious.
“Jemie Whistler, you…” she took a breath to steady herself. “You are the love of my life. It’s as simple or as complicated as that.” She paused and swallowed as emotion threatened to overwhelm her. When she spoke, her voice was the colour of tears. “There will be no-one else for me. I’m not a green girl, I’m a grown woman with children now old enough to wed. What I want… what I want is my dearest friend and my lover. I want to walk with you, talk with you, laugh with you and if we are lucky enough to find time and space; to love with you.” She leaned forward and kissed him gently on his lips. “I want you to draw me. Paint me. Naked. On the bed. With my hair down.”
He nodded and wiped moisture from her face with his thumb even as his own eyes watered.
“And I love you.” The words came out as choked as hers were. “I will always be your friend, always be your lover, and I will give you as much as you want of me. You’ve had my heart from the beginning. It was always yours. Only yours. If you want the rest of me…” he offered awkwardly.
She nodded and stroked his face, brushing away a stray tear. “So, we will be the happiest not married couple in London?” she gave a teary, hiccupping laugh.
“We will, my love. We will.”
