He had desperately wanted this present more than anything she could ever give him. This Anniversary he would be getting it, she just didn't know it yet. He lit the wicks on the slim tapers, fat pillars, and quietly colored votive candles resting around the bathroom. He smiled when he heard the car door slam, then tested the temperature of the softly scented water one last time. Perfect.
There was nothing worse than working on an Anniversary, bosses had no sense of proportion about these things. She'd rather work Christmas. She dragged herself into the house with all the enthusiasm of a man on the way to meet La Guillotine and dumped her keys on the foyer table. Cocking her head to listen, her day went from worse to pissy at the sound of soft jazz coming from upstairs. Oh no, she dearly hoped he hadn't gone all out and planned some elaborately expensive celebration. She was just too tired and grumpy. The boss had been premenstrual, the customers had been even bitchier, and her feet were killing her.
She slipped her shoes off and leaned against the front door for a moment, the chill of the outside air seeped through the solid oak and her clothes. Her lower back bowed out, pressing firmly to the cool wood behind her. It was kinked up from a day of dealing with the cranky sales staff and irate customers. Management wasn't much help either. Picking her foot up, she rubbed the ball of it with her thumbs, wincing at the mingling of relief and pain. Peeewww. Her feet stunk, sweat and pantyhose were an atrocious combination. The holiday stress was killing her, she couldn't wait until Christmas, just her and her baby cuddled up near a roaring fire and a tree twinkling with lights.
Glancing at the stairs, she sighed. Well, no sense putting things off. He was up there, waiting for her to join him and do the gift exchange and sex thing. Not that she complained about the sex thing. That man could do more with his pinky finger than most men could do with their whole body and an arsenal of toys. She was just too tired and stressed to be aroused. He was going to take this badly, she knew. Their wedding anniversary was the most important occasion in their lives, they agreed to that when they married. She just hoped she didn't snap at him.
She carried her shoes with her, the plush carpet felt decadently good to her abused feet. First thing tomorrow she was buying a pair of black flats, no matter how much he loved seeing her in higher heels. On normal days, it wasn't so bad, she actually did get to get off her feet. The days between Thanksgiving and Christmas, however, it seemed as if the store couldn't operate without her running from one side of it to another. Maybe shoe shopping would pacify him a bit. She was a lucky woman, none of her friends' lovers would have anything to do with a shoe shopping spree. Her man not only agreed to do it, but seemed to relish it. Using the railing as a crutch, she moved upwards. "Nick?"
He didn't appear in the doorway of their bedroom, or even reply. Frowning, she paused at the head of the stairs. "Nick?"
There he was. He stepped into the hallway wearing his red silk robe and a welcoming smile. He could make a dead nun drool and she was no nun. She smiled back. Perhaps a quickie before bed. "Nick."
He pressed a finger to his lips. "C'mon sweetheart." He moved like a panther, one moment he was down the hall, the next he was in front of her, sweeping her effortlessly into the safe cradle of his arms.
"Ni-"
"Shhhh." He carried her across the threshold of their bedroom. Placing her gently on her feet near the closet, he began undoing buttons and zippers.
"Ni-"
"Shhhhh. Just relax and enjoy." He slipped the blouse from her shoulders, then pulled her skirt down.
"Nick. I'm not in the mood for this," she snapped, and instantly regretted it.
"It's okay love. I know." He picked up her hands and pressed a kiss to each one. "Come with me."
Their white and blue bathroom had been transformed into a sensuous escape cast in soft ivory tones with candlelight. A soothing erotic scent underscored the welcoming warmth. Her heart thumped almost painfully in her chest. She should have known that he would cater to what she needed, not what he wanted. Her breath escaped her, only a slight hitch in her tone betraying her emotion. "Oh Nick."