As the tail lights of Katie's car disappeared around the bend, warm arms came from behind Carmen, circling her waist and pulling her back against Alex. She closed her eyes and welcomed the rush of excitement as he kissed her neck. They had the evening to themselves and they would make the most of it, as they always did. His hands slid up and cupped her breasts.
"I love you, Carmen." He whispered as he nibbled her earlobe.
She turned, pushing his hands aside, and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love you too." She pulled his lips down to hers and kissed him with total abandon. Their lovemaking had lost none of its fire.
He lifted her into his arms and carried her into the house. There he stopped and locked the door. "That's so you can't get out." His eyes were full of passion, but a smile played at the corners of his mouth.
She feigned alarm. "What are you going to do to me?"
He lowered her feet to the floor and placed a hand on either side of her, trapping her against the wall. "Anything I want," he answered in a voice husky with passion. His index finger lightly traced her lips, her jaw line and slid down her neck. "You're still the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."
She met his gaze. All the humor was gone, leaving only passion. For a few moments they gazed into each other's eyes. When she met him nine years ago she thought he was the most handsome man she had ever seen. The years and his sweet personality had only improved his looks.
He cupped her face in his hands and lifted her chin as he lowered his lips to hers. His lips were warm and firm on hers, seeking and finding her deepest passion.
She unsnapped his western shirt and slid her hands inside, up his pectoral muscles and around his neck again. His arms surrounded her, crushing her to him until she moaned with desire. Finally he lifted her into his arms again and carried her to their bedroom, kicking the door shut with one foot. There was nothing wrong with their love life that a little secluded time together couldn't rectify.
Later that night she woke to find his arm still around her, one breast cupped in his hand. He was asleep, but still hanging on.
She breathed a deep contented sigh. It was good to love and be loved. Even now sometimes she wondered if it could possibly last. How did a person earn the right to so much happiness?
Yet something had been troubling Alex lately. Typical of Alex; he refused to discuss it. The clinic was gradually consuming more and more of his time. He had been so absorbed in it that he forgot her birthday. It wasn't so important that he forgot, but simply the change. It was something Alex never forgot. She hadn't mentioned it, but when he did remember, he was horrified he had forgotten. She hadn't been thinking about how he would react when he realized he had missed it. She had been thinking it wasn't that important - to her. Obviously it was important to him. Live and learn.