The Marrying Kind

by Judy Christenberry

  That he did, Diane realized later as they wandered through the homes. He made notes and commented on several unique features, and she found they had similar tastes in interior design. When they finished, their late breakfast had been worked off, and they were both hungry again.

  “I know the perfect place for lunch,” he said as she rejoined him after visiting the restroom.

  “Where? Most restaurants will have stopped serving.”

  “Not this place,” he said. “Trust me.”

  After a short car ride, Diane looked up to find herself in the same neighborhood where John’s father lived, but the house he parked in front of was quite different. It was a relatively new one, modern, with great curb appeal.

  “Where are we?”

  “We’re having lunch here.”

  “But, John, I can’t meet someone now. I’m all windblown and have no makeup on!”

  “You look beautiful as always, Di. Come on, you’ll be fine.” After he helped her out of the car, he took her hand and they walked up to the front door. It reminded her of last night, when they’d arrived at his dad’s. But this time he didn’t ring the doorbell; he walked right in.

  “John, what—”

  “You’re right on time, Mr. Davis. And this must be Miss Black. Welcome, ma’am.” The woman greeting them was younger than Mildred, but Diane finally figured out where she was. In the entryway of John’s home.

  “I hope John gave you warning,” she told the woman.

  “Of course I did,” he said. “This is my housekeeper, Mrs. Walker.”

  “I’m delighted to meet you, Miss Black.”

  “Same here. Please, call me Diane.”

  “I will if you call me Gladys.”

  “Gee, she never asked me to call her by her first name,” John said with a smile.

  “Well, of course you can, Mr. Davis,” Gladys said.

  “Only if you call me John.”

  “Of course,” she agreed, her cheeks red. “Lunch is ready, if you’ll just come this way.”

  She led them to a small room next to the kitchen.

  “John asked that I serve you here, because the dining room is rather large. He takes most of his meals in here.”

  “I can see why. It’s charming.”

  “Thank you,” John interjected. “I think so, too.”

  He asked Gladys to join them, and the three of them enjoyed their lunch, discussing several topics, including the tour of homes. John mentioned that he had a lot of the details in his home that Diane had liked. When they’d finished eating, he asked, “Would you like a tour?”

  “I should help Gladys with the dishes—” Diane began, but the housekeeper cut her off.

  “You go along. It will give me time to put the kitchen straight. I know you’ll like the house.”

  John gave Diane a thorough tour of the professionally designed home. It had four bedrooms, a private office, living room, dining room, den and five baths, in addition to a covered patio beside a kidney-shaped swimming pool, where they ended their tour.

  “You really have a palace here, don’t you?” Diane teased.

  “No, it’s not ridiculously overdone, like some of those houses we saw today.”

  “I agree. Your house is so much more a home.”

  He bent down and kissed her. “I’m glad you like it.”

  “I do. Now I need to tell Gladys goodbye and head home. I have to get ready for work tomorrow.”

  “Okay. You go talk to Gladys. I’ll be back in a second.”

  Diane found the kitchen spotless as she entered, and Gladys just sitting down with a cup of coffee.

  “Oh, come in, Diane. Would you like some coffee?”

  “I’d love one, thank you. This house is gorgeous. You must work yourself to death keeping it so sparkling clean.”

  She smiled, her blue eyes twinkling. “No, I really have a cushy job. With only Mr.—I mean John, living here, there’s not that much to do. And once a week a cleaning service comes in to do the vacuuming and the baths.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. I don’t think one person should have to clean such a big house.”

  “I keep thinking maybe John will marry and have a family. He has plenty of room here. It would be nice to see him settle down.”

  Hiding a frown behind her cup, Diane said, “I don’t think that’s in his plans.”

  “What plans?” John asked as he entered the kitchen, carrying several hangers with items of clothing over his shoulder.

  “Uh, plans for a family,” Diane said. “What are those?”

  “Some of my clothes. Ready to go?”

  “Yes, of course. I’m glad I got to meet you, Gladys, and thanks for such a lovely lunch.”

  “Anytime, Diane.”

  After they got in the car, she asked, “Are you going by your cleaners today? Are they open on Sunday?”

  “No, but I can go by tomorrow.”

  “But you’ll be back home before then.”

  “I will? Are you throwing me out tonight?”

  Diane turned to stare at him. “What?”

  “I asked if you were throwing me out this evening? I’d like to spend the night again. Is that a problem?”

  “Uh, no. But I need to get ready for work.”

  “What does that entail?”

  “I have to do my nails, some laundry, catch up on some work…. Then I relax and watch my favorite TV show.”

  “You don’t have to entertain me, Di. I’ll manage on my own.”

  “But I don’t have anything for dinner.”

  “So, I’ll go out and pick up a pizza. You like pizza, don’t you?”

  “Yes,” she said slowly, still trying to think. She’d figured he might take her out a few times on the weekends and that would be the end of their “relationship.” It appeared John had a different idea.

  “Good.”

  “John,” Diane said, swallowing convulsively, “is this why you tire of the women you’ve gone out with? You date them nonstop and then change people the next weekend?”

  “No, it’s not. Usually I date a woman once a week, waiting to find out if I want to keep seeing her. Which I usually don’t. But you are something different. I can’t find a time I don’t want to be with you. If you get tired of me, you’ll have to kick me out. Deal?”

  “Deal,” Diane agreed, smiling slightly. Somehow she didn’t think she would be the one walking away.

  Once they were inside her apartment, he asked, “Mind if I hang these in your closet? They won’t take up much space.”

  She gestured toward her bedroom. “Go ahead.” Then she stood in the middle of the living room, suddenly feeling awkward in her own place.

  He came back out and tugged her against him for a kiss that she tried to resist.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “If I let you distract me, I won’t get anything done.”

  He pulled his hands back. “Go get busy.”

  But as she turned to head into the bedroom, he patted her on her backside, surprising her.

  “What are you doing?” Diane yelped.

  “Just giving you a little love pat.” He kissed her again. “Now, quit taking up my time. Go!”

  Diane couldn’t help laughing. His teasing made her heart feel lighter as she tackled her chores.

  A couple of hours later, during which she had washed a load of clothes, given herself a manicure and caught up on some work, John knocked on her bedroom door. When she called out, he opened it.

  “I’m going to go get us a pizza. What do you like?”

  “Green peppers, lots of cheese.”

  “Okay. I can live with that,” he assured her. He turned away, then swiveled back and said, “If you’ll give me your key, I can make me a copy of it while I’m out.”

  She stared at him. “Why?”

  “In case I get home from work before you do. Do you want me standing outside your door until you get home?”

  He wanted a key? He wanted to see her on a
week-night? Diane wondered if he was playing a joke on her. But it made sense, didn’t it? In a pushy kind of way. “Okay, here’s my key,” she said, reaching for her key ring. “I just didn’t think—Well, whatever you think.”

  She stood very still as she heard him go out. One of the flight attendants from next door must’ve been coming up the stairs. He greeted her without stopping.

  Wasn’t he even attracted to her neighbors? All six flight attendants were beautiful women. But Diane didn’t think he even stopped to introduce himself.

  At the knock on her door she hurried to open it, thinking John had changed his mind. She swung it open, only to find her neighbor Carolyn, the blonde with the model body.

  “Who is that gorgeous hunk who just left your apartment?” she gushed. “Is he a brother or a friend or what?”

  Diane realized all the choices were staid and safe. Obviously, the woman didn’t think Diane could attract a man like John. “He’s my lover.”

  Carolyn’s jaw dropped. “You’re kidding.”

  “No, I’m not. Didn’t he introduce himself?”

  “No, he just said hi and kept going. He’s your lover?”

  “Yes. Why do you doubt me?”

  “You just…well, you’ve never seemed interested in dating. And he—he, Diane, seems like the type to be interested in!”

  “I agree,” Diane said, moving back to close the door.

  “How about I come over and ask him to a party? That’d be okay, wouldn’t it?”

  “Certainly!” Diane snapped as she shut it. Then she banged her head against the wooden panel. She shouldn’t have agreed to such a stupid thing. John might think she didn’t want him here with her. Maybe if she explained—

  The sound of a car door closing had her spinning around, running into the bedroom to peer out the window. No, John’s Mercedes wasn’t there. She drew a deep breath. What was wrong with her? She couldn’t spend the whole time he was gone running to the window every time a car pulled into the lot.

  She would go into the living room and find something to do. And she did, until she heard the key in the lock and her door opening.

  “John, I’m so glad you’re back!”

  He laughed. “I like that greeting. I’ll go out and come in again. It’s worth a second trip.”

  “No! I have to explain! I didn’t mean to—She wanted to know if you—I didn’t know what to say—”

  John walked over and wrapped his arms around her. “Calm down, honey.”

  “I just didn’t want you to think I—”

  He kissed her.

  They broke apart when they heard a knock on the door.

  “Here,” he said, picking up the pizza box. “Put it in the kitchen. We’ll eat as soon as I get rid of this.” He nodded toward the door, then walked over and opened it.

  Diane took one look at Carolyn in a sexy dress and ran for the kitchen.

  “HELLO,” Carolyn said with a siren smile. “I’m a next-door neighbor of Diane’s. I wondered if you’d like to come to a party.”

  “Well, that’s very nice of you, but Diane and I—”

  “Oh, she’s not invited! I mean, Diane never comes to our parties,” she said, recovering her smile.

  “Then I don’t think I will, either. But thanks for asking.” He closed the door, even though Carolyn was still standing there. It was satisfying, turning the lock. Had the woman hurt Diane? Surely she didn’t think he’d go anywhere without her.

  Somewhat tentatively, Diane walked into the living room, two plates of pizza in her hands. “What did you say to Carolyn?”

  “I said I wasn’t interested in her party.”

  “You did?” A smile replaced the uncertain expression on Diane’s face.

  “I did. I told her I only went places with you. I hope you don’t have a problem with that.”

  “I don’t. I like it.”

  “Good. Then let’s eat.”

  He took the plates from her and strode toward the sofa. She’d had the television on and his favorite show, a police drama, began. He patted the cushion next to him. “Sit here,” he said, “right next to me.”

  He slipped his arm around her and they ate in companionable silence. Enjoying the food, the company and the program.

  Till it ended and John dropped a bomb.

  “Let’s take a shower together.”

  Chapter Nine

  Diane could only stare at him. “What did you say?”

  “I said we should go take a shower together.”

  “Why?”

  “I just thought it would be fun. You still seem a little nervous about being naked with me. Why not?”

  “Well, my shower’s not that big. I’m not sure we could get really clean.”

  “Honey, I’m not interested in getting clean. I’m interested in fulfilling a fantasy.”

  Diane gasped.

  When the oxygen flowed once again to her brain, she realized the idea had appeal. She just needed to warm up to it.

  After all, her one affair had been in college, and they’d only had her boyfriend’s car. It had been dark and cramped, with no room to enjoy each other. It hadn’t even been much fun. She hadn’t realized that until now. With John, sex was something to revel in.

  “I’d love to!” she suddenly exclaimed.

  He looked down at her. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, I’m certain. I want to enjoy what we’re doing. I’ve never done that before.”

  “Honey, I’ll take you any way I can get you. But I think you’ll enjoy a shower. Come on.”

  He led her into her bathroom and helped her undress, teasing her about her manicure and pedicure, helping her feel at ease. Then he turned on the water.

  She actually had a large shower, and once they were inside, she realized this was an opportunity to become acquainted with his body as much as he was learning hers.

  They spent a half hour under the spray, soaping each other, stroking and exploring. Diane found the feel of John’s body covered with feminine soap bubbles strangely arousing. The hard muscle under the slippery soap stirred her senses. They continued until John called a halt.

  “Come on, let’s go to bed.”

  She had no argument there. They dried off, which was almost as much fun as the shower, and ran for the bed. In no time they were in the throes of lovemaking.

  After they relaxed again, she lay in his arms and whispered, “I don’t think I’ll ever think of a shower the same way.” Her limbs seemed to weigh a ton, and she could barely keep her eyes open.

  “Honey, have you got everything done you needed to do?” he whispered.

  She had no idea what he was asking, but she said yes. It was the most conversation she could come up with.

  “Then go to sleep. I’ll get us up in time tomorrow morning.”

  She didn’t hesitate to float off in his arms.

  JOHN CUDDLED DIANE against him, thinking about their activities that night. She had seemed so surprised that they weren’t in the shower just to get clean, but to pleasure each other. They’d done both, and had built on their intimacy.

  She seemed to expect him to walk out at any moment.

  Well, maybe he deserved that, but he wasn’t ready to leave her. He didn’t know when he would be ready. She was so strong, so lovable, so…

  Of course, they would probably part at some point, but he didn’t want to think about that now. He wanted to enjoy the time he had with her.

  He set the alarm before he went to sleep. Making her late to work would be a mark against him. He had to prove to her that he could make her life better, not worse. That was his goal.

  DIANE WAS NERVOUS about their first morning together on a workday. Would John want to shower together again? Her morning routine was regimented down to the minute to get her to work early. There’d be no room for dalliances like that. Nor matter how enticing.

  She needn’t have worried. John had got up and taken his shower before she woke. He was already in the kitchen maki
ng breakfast.

  “I don’t eat much breakfast,” she said, to be polite. The truth of the matter was she never ate breakfast on a weekday.

  “Haven’t you heard it’s the most important meal of the day? Now get in the shower,” he ordered.

  After they ate the scrambled eggs and toast John had cooked, they took turns in the bathroom to shave and do makeup. It worked amazingly well, considering they’d never gotten ready together before.

  “All set to go?” he asked.

  Today he didn’t have any meetings, so he was dressed in jeans and a golf shirt, looking sporty and casual. Diane was dressed in one of her suits, her makeup subdued, her hair pinned up in a French braid.

  But somehow, they matched. She was smiling at him and he couldn’t resist snatching a kiss.

  “Did I mess up your lipstick?”

  “No. I’m learning. I have some in my purse. I’ll reapply it when I get to work.”

  “In that case…” He kissed her again. And again at her car.

  “I can’t wait to see you tonight.”

  She gave him a worried look. “I’m not usually home till late.”

  “Come home early and I’ll make it worth your while.” He pulled her close and her body instantly reacted. “I’ll get here early, so I may go grocery shopping for some things I like to have.”

  “Just make me a list and I’ll go shopping tonight, after I get home.”

  “We’ll work it out, honey. I don’t want to make your life harder.”

  John kissed Diane goodbye and watched as she got in her car. He suddenly didn’t want her out of his sight. What if something happened and she needed him?

  He almost ran after her, to warn her to be careful, but he held back. He didn’t want her to know how needy he’d suddenly become.

  ALL DAY LONG Diane couldn’t get John’s comments out of her mind. Come home early and I’ll make it worth your while. Just the thought of what awaited her spurred her to work faster and more efficiently so she could get home to him.

  “Are you in a hurry tonight?” Wendy asked her late in the day.

  Was she that obvious? she thought. “Y-yes, I need to do some grocery shopping tonight. That messes up my routine, but I didn’t get it done this weekend.”