“I’ll make us dinner,” I said and left the bathroom in search of something to wear.
“Dallas,” Luke called. I turned to see his reflection in the mirror, still shaving, still barefoot and still totally naked. “I love you.”
I smiled and blew him a kiss, then turned on my heel and headed for my closet.
I decided that it was too late in the to day dress up, so I grabbed an oversized, faded Pink Floyd t-shirt, the most un-appealing pair of underwear I had-white, cotton boy shorts- and made my way to the kitchen. The girls had, indeed, gone shopping. My mouth watered at the sight of freshly ground beef. Hamburgers it would be. I placed the patties in the skillet, and then cut up lettuce, onion and tomato for the trimmings.
“Something smells good,” Luke announced when he walked into the kitchen. I turned around and let him pull me into his arms. I buried my face in his neck and inhaled deep through my nose. Burgers didn’t have shit on Luke.
“I think that it’s you that smells so wonderful,” I said into his neck. I pulled away from him enough that I could look into his eyes. He smiled down at me, but I could still see the events of the past couple of days were taking their toll on him. “How about we eat, then maybe lie in bed and watch a movie?” I suggested giving him my best smile.
His face softened, “How about I just stand here and let you smile at me all day?” I smiled bigger at his request. “Don’t you want to talk?” he asked, running his finger down my nose then grabbing my chin and raising my lips to his. He kissed me softly and I swear it was the best kiss he had ever given me. I did want to talk to him, but I wanted him to rest more. We could talk tomorrow.
“Tomorrow. Now move, before I burn supper,” I said trying to sound firm, but failing.
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll go find us a movie.” He left me to finish cooking and I did so successfully without burning anything.
Luke and I ate like pigs. I guess neither one of us realized how hungry we were. He offered to do the dishes and I didn’t argue. I went to the bathroom, retrieved the dirty towels and clothes from around the house and took them to the laundry room. I was sorting them when Luke walked in and grabbed my hand. “Bed” was all he said and it was enough convincing for me. Luke had chosen an Adam Sandler comedy for us to watch. I clambered onto the bed and he followed, gracefully, wearing nothing but sexy black boxer briefs and a smile. I sighed at the sight of him. I snuggled into his side, my back to his front, his arm draped over my stomach and Luke turned out the light. Ten minutes into the movie, I heard him lightly snoring in my ear. The sound was like a lullaby to me and I drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 2
Dallas
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Tuesday’s Gone” was playing when I opened my eyes. The movie was ending and it was dark outside. Carefully, I moved Luke’s arm from around me and was almost out of bed when his hand reached out and grabbed mine.
“Where’re you going, beautiful?” I smiled at the endearment.
“Just to the bathroom,” I said standing. Luke sat up and looked at me. “You want me to come with you, baby?” I smiled again.
“No, I’m okay. Go back to sleep.” I walked to the bathroom, proud of myself. Baby steps. Of course, the light was off and I got a little panicky before I turned it on, but managed to do so without hyperventilating. Peeing without Luke holding my hand-done. When I walked back into the bedroom, Luke was gone and the lights were still out. Okay, maybe I wasn’t ready just yet. The T.V. had been muted, but was still on and casting an eerie light over the room.
“Luke,” I called, too scared to walk ten steps to the light switch. No answer. Oh shit. Oh shit. My breathing was becoming heavy.
“I’m coming, baby, just looking around.” My body sagged with relief and if it hadn’t been for the wall, I would have fallen on my face. I decided to hang out in the bathroom until he got back. It didn’t take long for Luke to “look around.” He was back before I made it to the other side of the bathroom.
“I’m here,” he said, walking through the bedroom and into the bathroom in search of me.
“What were you looking at?” I asked, walking into his arms like it had been days since I had seen him and not minutes.
“Just checking around outside. I wanted to make sure the fire was burned out completely.” Shit. I had blocked so much out of my mind the past several hours, I had forgotten I burned down the damn barn. “You okay?” Luke asked, putting his hands on either side of my face. I nodded up at him and he gently rubbed his thumb over my bad eye. Then, surprisingly, he bent to kiss it. “I love you,” he said looking so deep into my eyes that I felt like his soul had said it and not his mouth.