Page 65 of Marcel
She nodded.
“I will calldown for something. What are you in the mood for?”
She shruggedlistlessly. “Anything.”
“I willdecide.” Tilting her face up, he kissed her gently and wouldhave moved away when her arms came around him, and she clung.
“Make love tome.”
He started, lookingdown at her with a frown. “You have been through the wringerregarding emotions and have not eaten anything since yesterdaymorning. I am not a monster.”
“I need you.”
“You needsustenance, and I will see to it that you get it.” Unlinkingher hands from around his neck, he pressed her against the pillowsand watched as she closed her eyes. Planting a kiss on her cheek, herose and made his way out of the bedroom.
Opening her eyes,Nikki stared blindly at the doorway. Her mother was dead. She hadgiven up on life. After the death of her husband, Norma Johnstondecided that life was not worth living, even though there was a childinvolved. That was the matter, and it hurt so much that she couldbarely stand it.
Feeling the freshtears behind her eyes, she furiously blinked them away. It was timeto stop this nonsense. She was mourning for a woman who had not lovedher the way a mother should.
Climbing off the bed,she made her way into the bathroom to take a shower.
She was pulling thet-shirt over her leggings when he returned bearing a heavy silvertray that looked like the housekeeper had sent up the entirekitchen.
“You are up.”He observed with a pleased smile.
“I am.”She nodded to the tray. “Is there any food left in thekitchen?”
“Breakfastand lunch. Want to eat out on the patio?”
“I would lovethat. Let me get a wrap.” Selecting one from the vast closet,she slipped her feet into comfortable mules and followed him out.
“It’sgetting chilly.”
“Fall is almostupon us.” Putting the tray on a side table, he gestured for herto sit. “Coffee and freshly squeezed OJ.”
“And bacon,eggs, strawberry preserves on wheat toast. Yummy.” She smiledat him and watched as he made her a plate.
“I want you totry and eat as much as possible.” He sat across from her andpicked up his cup.
“You took careof me.”
“Part of myjob.”
“You could havegone into the office.”
He shook his head.“Dad and Matthew are handling most of the meetings, and Irescheduled the rest.” His golden eyes wandered over her face.Her hair was scooped up on top of her head, with tendrils escapingthe untidy topknot.
Her face was freshand clean of makeup. She reminded him of a very pretty coed. “Ibet you were a cheerleader in high school.”
She gave him astartled look at the turn of conversation. “Head cheerleader.”She admitted with a laugh.
“I should haveknown.”
“I was veryactive and competitive.”
“I never wouldhave guessed.” He teased, happy to see some sort of normalcygoing on with her. She had scared him yesterday and worried him withher hysterics.
Picking up the toast,she took a big bite, turning her head to stare out at the trees,bending in the brisk breeze. “It looks like we are going to getsome rain,” she said.