Chapter 20
“M
an, I can't believe my eyes.” Tyson chuckled. “I never thought I would see Kevin Hezekiah Jennings standing over a hot stove. I thought the only thing you knew how to make was cold cereal.”
Kevin was too busy concentrating on the cookbook and stirring the cream sauce to pay Tyson much attention. Tyson leaned on the counter and Kevin exploded.
“Man, be careful! It's taken me all day to get those rolls to rise and you're about to smash them.”
Tyson jumped back with his hands raised. “Sorry, man, I didn't see them.” Kevin grunted at his friend and moved the dough to a safe location. “Man, Marlissa has you
jacked up
.”
Kevin relaxed at the sound of Marlissa's name, even smiled. “That's my baby.”
“It's good to see you happy again.” Tyson frowned when he pulled a rice cake from the cookie jar. “Ugh, whose bright idea was this?”
“Marlissa said I need to watch my sugar intake.”
“What else does she have you watching, the cooking channel?” Tyson put the rice cake back.
“Man, forget you.” Kevin discarded his friend's musing. “If I want to cook my wife a special dinner, that's none of your business.” Kevin checked the oven temperature before placing the salmon inside.
“I guess that means you've discussed the divorce with her?” Tyson said, sampling a crab-stuffed mushroom.
“Those are not for you!” Kevin scolded, then asked, “How is it?”
Tyson laughed at his boy, and then took another one. “Not bad. So how did she take the news?”
Kevin rescued the mushrooms before Tyson devoured them. “I haven't discussed it with her yet.”
“What? Why not?”
Kevin shrugged. “I don't know if the time is right.”
Tyson threw his hands in the air. “Man, you're standing in here in an apron and mittens looking like Yan Can Cook on steroids and you don't know if the time is right?” Tyson shook his head. “You're crazy.”
“Hey, man, don't you have somewhere to go or some people to harass or something?” Kevin charged.
“Hey, doc, don't you have a wife you need to talk to?”
Kevin exhaled deeply. “I don't need a lawyer, I can handle my wife by myself.”
“Fine, but if you don't talk to your wife soon, you
will
need a friend to talk to.”
That was an hour ago and Kevin had long since admitted that Tyson was right; he did need to have a talk with Marlissa about the divorce. Kevin really didn't understand his reluctance. Their rekindled relationship had blossomed into a love affair that, at moments, stirred him to a point where nothing and no one mattered to him. Marlissa filled his dreams and most of his conscious thoughts. On more than one occasion Kevin had reprimanded himself for daydreaming, trying to recall her scent, her smile, or her touch while examining patients.
Touch: now that was a much-needed addition to their relationship. During their marriage Kevin had spent many days literally starved for the touch of the woman he loved. In the beginning he would voice his need, but Marlissa refused to make the effort, so he stopped. Presently, Marlissa could give lessons on the art of sensual touch. Kevin didn't know if she was aware, but on several occasions her soft touches had rendered him senseless. And her kisses . . .
“Get a grip,” Kevin reminded himself, and pressed the play button on the CD changer.
He heard the garage door at the precise moment he lit the third candle on the formal dining room table. Marlissa had just unbuttoned her coat when he stepped into the kitchen.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said, followed by a hug.
Marlissa thought the hug was tighter and the kiss a little more intense than normal. “I hope you're not expecting any other visitors tonight.”
“Of course. I am an only child and I don't like to share.” Kevin still held her.
“Good.” Marlissa stepped back and removed her coat.
“Get a grip,” Kevin mumbled. Marlissa was wearing that tangerine tank dress, his favorite. Kevin promptly received her coat and hung it in the coat closet. “Have a seat in the dining room. Dinner will be served shortly,” he instructed, then swiftly disappeared.
Marlissa followed Kevin's instructions and walked to the dining room. The display before her left her awestruck. “Honey, did you do all this?” she called over her shoulder.
Kevin approached from behind, but instead of jumping, Marlissa relaxed into his embrace. Kevin expressed appreciation by nibbling on her neck, something he hadn't done in a long time. “Yes, I cooked and set the table,” he answered between bites. “I made your favorites, stuffed mushrooms, baked salmon, asparagus, baked potato.”
Marlissa didn't hear the menu; she was too busy praying he would give her a hickey.
“First, I want you to open this.” Kevin had to tell her twice before she was able to comprehend what he'd said and open her eyes. A white box lay in her chair.
Kevin's arms remained around her and his lips against her neck as Marlissa opened the tall box.
“Kevin,” Marlissa gasped. “Thank you.” It was the angel she'd admired in the store window on Piedmont Avenue six weeks before when Kevin first unexpectedly showed up at the apartment. “When did you get this?”
“That day after I left you in Starbucks.”
Marlissa suddenly spun around. “I didn't know you cared back then,” she whispered as tears pooled in her eyes.
Kevin removed the angel from her hands and placed it on the mahogany table. “'Lissa, I never stopped caring about you.” He wiped her cheek, and then reassured her with a kiss that escalated them to a level of passion they'd never experienced. If not for the need for oxygen, they would have continued the voyage. Kevin struggled to regain control. “We should eat now.”
Marlissa recognized the distraction for what it was and agreed. “Do you need some help?”
“No. I think you should stay in here.”
Marlissa reached for him, but this time it was Kevin who retreated. “I'll be right back.”
Inside the kitchen Kevin was so distracted by his desire for Marlissa that he absentmindedly tried to remove the bread from the oven without an oven mitt. “Ouch!” Kevin shook his hand then ran some cold water to alleviate the burning sensation. While the pain subsided, he battled with his desire to touch Marlissa. Convinced his willpower would win, Keven rejoined Marlissa in the dining room.
“Honey, I can't believe you did all of this for me,” she said as she watched him spread the feast in front of her. “You must have been in the kitchen all day.” Marlissa meant the compliment, but mainly wanted to redirect her thoughts. At the moment, food was the furthest thing from her mind.
“I don't mind, you're worth it.”
As usual they enjoyed dinner nibbling from each other's plate. Seated next to Marlissa at the table, the candlelight, soft music, and the tangerine dress proved to be too much for Kevin to handle. Watching Marlissa eat stimulated Kevin almost to the point of pushing him over the edge. He soon gave up on feeding her and surrendered to the silent beckoning of her lips. Food was long forgotten as each feasted without interruption.
“This is getting out of hand,” Kevin whispered when Marlissa maneuvered to sit on his lap.
If he would just use his hands,
Marlissa thought, kissing his neck.
“Kevin, why don't you touch me?” she whispered back. “I know I appeared nervous before, but I like the way you used to touch me.”
Kevin pulled back and regained control of his breathing. “I like touching you, but if my hands start roaming your body, I won't be able to stop.”
“Okay.” She blushed, but his face was stone serious. Marlissa had a way to relieve his anxiety. “Let's dance.” She took Kevin's hand and led him into the living room.
Dancing to the melodic sounds of Brian McKnight and Luther Vandross, the sensual kissing continued, but it wasn't enough for Marlissa. Frustrated, she reached behind her and covered his hands with hers. Kevin assumed she was trying to break away, and motioned to step backward. His breath caught when she glided his hands to a part of her he hadn't touched in a very long time. Marlissa buried her head in his chest while he caressed.
“'Lissa,” he said, his breath labored, “you should leave now.”
“Why?” she asked, and at the same time pressed closer into him. “I thought you like when I spend the night.”
Kevin stopped his expedition and cupped her face. “Baby, if you stay here tonight, you'll end up in my bed, but we won't be sleeping. And we won't cuddle until the sun comes up.”
“Oh,” was the only word Marlissa could verbalize.
Expressions of both relief and disappointment washed over Kevin's face as he watched Marlissa walk away from him and back to the dining room table where she blew out the candles. His eyes bulged and his mouth gaped as he watched her remove her shoes, then unzip and step out of her dress, leaving it in a heap on the floor next to her shoes.
“Come on,” she beckoned, then started for the bedroom.
Kevin made it to the bedroom to find that Marlissa had already pulled the bedding back, and waited for him to join her on the four poster, king-sized bed.
Kevin stood in the doorway warring with his emotions and his flesh. Making love to Marlissa was definitely something he wanted to do, maybe even needed to do. How was this going to affect their relationship? What if she had a flashback? What if she didn't like it? All those questions flooded his mind, but when Marlissa removed her undergarments and reached out to him, Kevin decided there was only one way to find out.
“Are you sure this is what you want?” he asked, positioning himself next to her on the pillow top mattress. For an answer, she unbuttoned and removed his shirt.
“Leave the light on. I need to see you,” Marlissa said, grabbing Kevin's hand when he reached for the lamp after removing his prosthesis. That was all Kevin needed to hear.
Kevin glanced down at the woman snuggled against him and thanked God this beautiful, passionate woman was his wife. If not, he would be in serious trouble. After this episode he had to be with Marlissa all the days of his natural life. He gained new respect for her; watching her at times fighting to overcome visions of the past. It was then he would speak tenderly, helping her to relax and surrender to him. Kevin had waited so long for her to respond to him, yet her abandonment unraveled him. One thing was certain: he loved Marlissa more than ever. Feeling her body shift in his arms, Kevin closed his eyes.
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Grinning from ear to ear, Marlissa felt like a new woman; like she had just come alive. The tears still flowed in a steady stream, but she wasn't sad at all. Making love to Kevin, to her husband, the man she loved more than anything, was liberating. At moments it was difficult, but Kevin's gentleness and care took her mind and body to heights she couldn't have imagined in her best dream. She chuckled to herself, reminiscing about how vocal and active she had been.
I can't believe that was me
. She laughed silently. Yellow-orange rays sprayed the room and caused Marlissa to blush. Kevin had said they wouldn't cuddle until sunrise. She raised her head and whispered, “I love you.” Assuming Kevin was asleep, Marlissa rested against him, then drifted off to sleep.
“'Lissa, wake up.” Kevin shook her. “We're going to be late for church.”
“Church?” Marlissa had completely forgotten it was Sunday morning. It couldn't be time for church; she'd only dozed off three hours ago. After stretching, she casually scanned her surroundings and smiled. It was not a dream; she and Kevin had made love in their house and in their bed.
“You do remember what church is?” Kevin teased, brushing her curls back.
“Of course I do, but I wouldn't be mad if we stayed right here.” This morning, Marlissa didn't give morning breath a second thought, and neither did Kevin. They kissed until Kevin finally pulled back.