Silence and a stream of marijuana-scented smoke followed Cody from the couch to the light switch in the kitchenette. Weed wasn’t my thing; it just put me to sleep. When Cody had smoked it in Alaska, it made him paranoid, so I knew I needed to tread lightly.
I needed answers, though, and decided to ask gentle questions. “Cody? Are you okay? Why were you sitting in the dark?”
He opened the refrigerator and selected lunch meat and cheese, then pulled bread from the cupboard. After he made one sandwich and popped a top off a bottle of Dos Equis, he moved to the couch and turned on the TV. Not once did he look at me.
Confused, I followed in his wake and lowered myself to the couch. “Hey. Where have you been? What’s happening?”
Silence.
I had a funny feeling he was ignoring me on purpose, and I lost the ability to care if I “woke” him.
“What are you doing? Didn’t you think that maybe I would want a sandwich, too?” I spoke to the cold air. The stupid ignoring game aggravated me.
“Fine. I guess I’ll make one myself.” He didn’t react to the comment I made, apparently to no one. Stunned to find all the food in the refrigerator had been eaten, I scrunched my face. Only one piece of yellow cheese sat on the top shelf. It wasn’t even in the wrapper anymore; it had grown hard and crusty.
“Did you eat all the food?”What the hell is he doing? This is so fucking weird.The empty bread bag in the sink led me to believe he had eaten the rest of that, too. I pulled open every cupboard door only to find all the groceries I had brought home earlier in the week had disappeared.
“Cody?”Did he seriously eat everything? Or could he have thrown it away?“Did you put the food somewhere else?”Am I just imagining things?
A commercial made him chuckle. I sat beside him on the couch and tried to talk to him, again. “Will you please talk to me? I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. I’m sorry for whatever I did. If you tell me, I’ll change.”
It was as if I was a ghost. Like he couldn’t see me, and I was hovering in a parallel dimension. I hated being filled with anxiety. Not knowing what I needed to do differently made me sick to my stomach. I poured a glass of whiskey and took an Oxy. I needed to forgethow unimportant I was.
THE NEXT MORNING, he snuggled up to me, kissed my ear and pushed his erection against my ass. I was thrilled his attitude changed from the weird night before. I rubbed against him and repositioned myself.
With one hand on my hip, holding me steady, he shoved himself into me, and I whined even though I was ready for him. He liked it when I made it seem like he hurt me a little, even if he didn’t. I loved it when he woke up wanting me.
He finished in a hurry but rolled me over right away and started from scratch. Soft kisses started on my lips, and I held my breath as he kissed me with the entirety of his passion.
The way he moved above me, teasing with soft touches, drove me crazy. His lips traveled from my chin to my breasts and warmed my core. He kneeled between my legs, and I moved against him teasing, making it impossible to resist me.
Sheets wrapped around us as we changed positions after each of my orgasms. Pillows had been pushed off the bed and softened the landing when we tumbled onto the floor.
We continued our love making in the compact shower, I wrapped my legs around his waist, and he heldme against the wall. I didn’t even care anymore where he had been. My husband was back. He was home safe.
Early in our relationship, Cody had asked which position I enjoyed the most. The shower was it; the angle allowed him to hit my sweet spot and I couldn’t hold back the intensity of my release. Sometimes he would cover my mouth with his hand so our neighbors wouldn’t hear.
Hot water streamed over and between us when an odd realization hit me: usually Cody was always vocal when we made love, but I still hadn’t heard his voice. Not even a moan.
He stood behind me and nuzzled my neck, then whispered my name. I loved the sound of his smooth cadence and was thrilled to hear his voice. Although when I comprehended his words, I second guessed myself.
“I need to know something.”
My eyes lit up; I was so relieved he wanted to talk to me again. I turned to face him and smiled. “Anything, my king.”
“How many of Elaine’s customers have you fucked?”
Stunned, I backed away and tilted my head. “What?”
“I saw how the guy with the glasses looked at you. Like you were a bottle of whiskey he wanted to drink.”
I laughed. “Jake? He’s harmless.”
“Oh, you’re on a first name basis with him? I suppose he’s the reason you didn’t straighten your hair the day I came to see you. Maybe he’s the reason you’re smiling more often.”
Dammit; the curls. I knew better than to leave the house without straightening my hair. I’m so stupid.I tried to blow off the ridiculousness of his accusation but knew better than to roll my eyes. I did push my limit, though. “So, I’m not allowed to smile now?”
Anger laced his words, his eyes darkened. He gripped my hips with both hands, his fingertips practically punctured my skin. I was sure they would leave bruises. “How many times have you taken him behind the building and let him fuck you when he doesn't have money to pay his bill?”
