92 Pacific Boulevard

The shower door opened. “Champagne?”

“Another gift from Teri and Bobby.”

“Sure.” His gaze was riveted on her. “You are so beautiful.”

“That’s how you make me feel,” she whispered.

While Bruce showered, Rachel went into the kitchen. Although it was an odd contrast with the negligee, she wore her old terry-cloth robe, not wanting to risk being seen through the windows. She opened the refrigerator and sorted through the milk and yogurt and eggs to the farthest reaches of the bottom shelf, where she’d stored the champagne. Moët et Chandon, something she’d never expected to taste.

By the time she heard Bruce, the flutes were out and ready. She’d lit several scented candles, too. The mood was set except for the music. She found an appropriate CD and put it on.

A minute or two later, Bruce met her in the kitchen. He was barefoot and naked with a towel around his waist. His dark hair fell in wet tendrils, dripping moisture onto his neck and shoulders. As far as Rachel was concerned, he’d never looked sexier.

Rachel turned to greet him with a shy smile. She held the champagne bottle in her hand and removed the wire top. “Someone once told me that the correct way to open champagne is to twist the bottle and not the cork. When properly opened, it should sound like a contented woman.”

Bruce pretended to leer. “I’m more than eager to hear the sound of a contented woman.”

“The champagne or me?” she asked.

He grinned. “Both.”

Rachel attempted to follow the opening directions for champagne, and the cork popped much more loudly than she’d expected.

“You can be as noisy as you want, too,” her husband joked, taking the bottle out of her hands. He filled both flutes and gave her one. Clutching his own, he leaned forward and pressed his mouth to hers. Their lips clung as the kiss deepened. Although only their mouths touched, an overwhelming physical response rippled through her.

Bruce groaned and put down his champagne. “Maybe we could drink this later?” he asked, hardly sounding like himself.

“What do you have in mind?” she asked as he took the flute from her and set it on the kitchen counter.

“Don’t you think it’s a bit warm in here?”

“Hmm. I know what you mean.”

“You have too many clothes on.”

Rachel smiled. “You could be right.” She glanced out the kitchen window, saw no one, then peeled off her robe.

Bruce led her down the narrow hallway to the master bedroom, then lifted her into his arms.

“Bruce, I’m too heavy,” she protested but not too strenuously.

“Well … it’s not far from here to the bed.” He shoved the door with his foot, closing it partway.

Looping her arms around his neck, Rachel nibbled at his earlobe and felt his body shiver with excitement. She was excited, too. The freedom to make love without fear of waking or disturbing Jolene was heaven.

Bruce reverently placed her on the bed, his eyes glowing with love and wonder. “These past few weeks.”

“I know, I know.” Reaching for her husband, she urged him down so that he was sprawled across her. They kissed until Rachel was breathless with desire. “Oh, Bruce,” she sighed. “I want you so much.”

No sooner had the words left her lips than the front door opened and closed.

Bruce froze.

Rachel did, too.

“What’s Jolene doing home?” Bruce whispered fiercely.

“She’s supposed to be at basketball tryouts!”

“Rachel?” Jolene called out. “Are you home? Dad?”

“I’ll be out in a minute,” Rachel called back as Bruce scrambled off her. He’d just managed to grab the towel and cover himself when his daughter appeared in the doorway.

A look of sheer horror came over her. She scrunched up her face and cried, “Gross!”

“Jolene.” Rachel hurriedly hid her negligee with a pillow. “What are you doing here?”

“I live here, remember?” She knotted both hands into fists at her sides.

Rachel could feel her cheeks burning with embarrassment.

“If you’d kindly give us a few minutes of privacy,” Bruce said from between clenched teeth. Keeping his hand clamped on the towel around his waist, he walked to the bedroom door and closed it completely.

“I knew this would happen,” Jolene cried from the other side. “It’s like I don’t even live here anymore. All you think about is. that.”

Apparently that was a synonym for sex.

The girl marched down the hallway to her room and slammed the door. The sound reverberated through the house.

“Jolene, that’s not true.” The kid had no idea of the restraint she and Bruce had employed since they’d been married.

“Leave her be,” Bruce said with a disgusted sigh. “This is getting ridiculous.”

“I know.” Rachel was disappointed, too. She stepped up behind him and slipped her arms around his waist. “She needs time to adjust.”

“She’s had time.”

“It’s been less than a month.”

“I thought she wanted us to marry,” Bruce argued.

“She did. Only she’s afraid of what it’s going to do to her relationship with you.”

“Nothing’s changed,” Bruce muttered. He broke away long enough to jerk on his pants.

“But, Bruce, it has. Don’t you see?”

“Frankly, no.” Every movement conveyed his frustration and anger. “We’re married, and I want to make love to my wife. It isn’t right for us to be sneaking around because we’re afraid Jolene might know what we’re doing. She should know. That’s what married couples do.”