Page 103 of Leviticus
I nodded my head and shifted forward as he stepped out of the tub to dry off.
“Let’s get you to bed and I can rub some cream onto your skin.”
“Cream?” I asked, confused.
“After impact, it helps to condition the skin. Plus, it feels wonderful, or so I’m told,” he explained. It did not bother me that Levi had been with other women in this way. He had already explained to me how different it was.
He helped me from the tub and dried me off slowly, lovingly. As he led me into the bedroom, I stopped him, taking his hands in mine.
“Thank you for loving me. Both as Sir and as Levi.” My eyes stayed locked on his as the words sunk in. He pulled me to him, stealing my breath again with a long, slow kiss that made butterflies erupt in my stomach, just as they had in those first days as a married couple.
“I will always love you, always care for you.”
His words took hold in my heart and kept me smiling and content until sleep took me much later that night after another round of lovemaking.
In the last three days since we had unloaded all of our truths to one another, Levi and I had been closer than ever. We had spent all of Monday in bed together, talking and laughing about everything and yet nothing at all. I had learned that he was allergic to bees, of all things, and I had told him of my dream to one day fly in an airplane. We shared our hopes, our dreams, and a million silly details that came to mind.
“What time is your mother supposed to be here?” Levi called from the study.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
“Now, obviously,” he teased, peeking his head out from the door and pulling me in for a kiss.
“Enough, enough,” I giggled, pushing him away as he pressed kisses over my face.
“No, never enough,” he teased.
“You best be going unless you want to be harassed by my mother all afternoon,” I warned. His face fell and turned serious.
“Ugh, you’re right. Not that I want to go spend the afternoon with Malachi and his grouchy ass,” he grumbled.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
“Well, go deal with his grouchy ass and maybe tonight you can make this ass red,” I promised with a wink.
“Oh, you little minx!” He looked at me like he was ready to pounce.
“Not now. You get going before you’re roped in with us women for the day.” We walked together to the front door, donning our proverbial masks and answering.
“Hello, Mrs. Shepherd,” Levi greeted.
“Mr. Temple, good afternoon!” Mama greeted with a smile.
“I hate to leave so abruptly, but I am wanted at the church this afternoon. Enjoy your afternoon, ladies.” And with that, Levi moved past Mama and Adah, along with Mrs. Price, Adah’s mother-in-law.
“Please come in.” I welcomed everyone in, stifling an eye roll when the two elder women shuffled past Adah, not bothering to help her into the house in her state. Adah’s due date had come and passed and still, no baby had arrived. I offered her a hand as she waddled in. I had expected some form of thanks, but instead she looked at me with narrowed eyes, her gaze calculating.
“Mrs. Temple, what a lovely home,” Adah’s mother-in-law praised, her eyes roving over the house voraciously.
“Thank you. My husband has provided well for me,” I answered. “Please join me for tea in the dining room.”
“We cannot stay for long, I’m afraid. Adah has been a touch more, shall we say, uncomfortable as of late, and does not like to stray from home for long,” Mama commented, rolling her eyes as Adah took her seat well before anyone else had.
“I’m sure it will be any day now,” I said softly, giving my older sister a smile. The smile she returned had no sincerity in it.
“Let us sit and talk,” I stated, breaking the slightly awkward tension.
“Yes, let us. I am so glad you invited us over, Ruth,” Mama thanked me, but I had no idea why. I had not invited them. No, mother had made it abundantly clear during church on Sunday that they would be along today to visit. Instead of arguing, I simply nodded my head.
