The flight from Honolulu arrived in Los Angeles at four-fifteen p.m. Bob stood up from his seat and took down their overnight bags from the bin, putting them on his seat. He smiled at Jeanne. “Nice flight,” he said.
“We didn’t have to go first class,” she told him. “That was very extravagant of you.”
“Are you kidding?” He chuckled. “On our honeymoon? Come on.”
“I know but—”
She stood up beside him while everyone waited for the front exit door to open. Bob put an arm around her and kissed her on the cheek. “Have a good time?” he asked.
“I had a wonderful time,” she said.
“Good.” He put both arms around her and gave her a big kiss on the lips. The other passengers in First Class smiled and some of them clapped.
“Bob…” Jean was blushing. “Not here.”
“Don’t be silly,” he said with mock sternness. “You’re my wife now. I can kiss you anytime I want.”
She smiled, embarrassed. “I know,” she said.
“You’re mine now, babe,” he said.
She drew in a trembling breath. “I am,” she whispered.
The limousine driver was waiting for them as they exited the terminal. He was holding up a card that read THOMPSON. He smiled at them and took their overnight bags. “Have a good flight?” he asked.
“Had a perfect flight,” Bob told him.
“Good,” the limousine driver nodded and smiled.
They followed him through the terminal, heading for the luggage carousel.
“A limo too,” Jeanne murmured. “They’re so expensive.”
“Enough, enough,” Bob scolded her. “This was our honeymoon. It had to be first class all the way.”
“It was, darling, it was,” she said.
“Especially you know what,” he said, suppressing a grin.
“Shh.” Jean looked embarrassed again.
Bob laughed. “You’re too much,” he said. “You act as though we just met.”
She leaned in close to him and whispered into his ear. “I almost gave in when we first met too,” she confessed.
He put an arm around her and squeezed her tightly. “It’s my devilish charm,” he said.
She made a face. “It’s something,” she answered.
Bob laughed again, this time in satisfaction.
They sat close together in the limousine, Bob’s hand gripping her legs. Once he started to move it up to her groin she gasped in shocked surprise. “Bob,” she murmured.
He looked at her with hooded eyes. “Why not?” he asked. “Why not right here? The driver is way up in front, he won’t see.” He reached down and started to unzip his pants.
“Bob, for God’s sake,” she whispered urgently. “Are you out of your mind?”
“Yes, I am,” he said in a guttural voice. “Whenever I think of you naked and waiting.”
She blushed again, looking at him with an expression more wanton than critical. “When we get home,” she said.
“And all night,” he said. “And all day tomorrow.”
She reached down and put her hand on his crotch, squeezing at the hardness in his pants.
“Why not?” she said.
When they reached the house, the limousine driver brought in their luggage and Bob gave him a twenty dollar tip.
“Why don’t you unpack while I go get the kids at the sitter’s house,” he said.
“I’ll get them,” she said.
“Don’t be silly,” he told her. “Unpack.”
He went outside, opened up the garage door and backed the Lexus out into the street, drove off.
She stood in front of the fireplace mantel, looking at the photographs of Lise, Valerie and Jimmy. She wished the photograph didn’t have Arnold in it. It was too bad that it was the best photograph of the kids she had. She’d thought of scissoring out Arnold’s face after the separation and divorce but decided it would make the photograph look too strange. Anyway, he was still their father.
She drew in a deep sigh, gazing at the photograph. They were really beautiful children. It was unfortunate that they didn’t care too much for Bob. He treated them pleasantly enough.
At a little after five o’clock she heard the Lexus turn into the driveway. Moving to the window, she watched Bob coming up the walk to the front door.
She found herself forced to swallow before she could ask him how it went.
“Fine,” he said casually. “No problems.”
“They didn’t mind?” she asked.
He looked at her accusingly. “What choice did they have?”
She nodded. “I know,” she said.
“Stop fretting.” He told her. “It was quick. I made sure of that.”
“I’m glad,” she said.
“Now…” He looked at her with a wicked grin. “Let’s make us a family.”