I pulled back the curtain and stared in disappointment at the downpour. Rain splattered across the window and condensation appeared as my breath brushed against it. I wiped my hand across the window and wondered what to do. Katie would be back any minute and my surprise of a jaunt through the woods was dashed. I glanced up to the sky and tried to find a break in the foreboding clouds. With a sigh I let the curtain fall back down and walked back to my chair in front of the television.
Picking up my drink from the table, I gently swirled the dark whiskey around and wondered what to do now. I had promised Katie a surprise and I had to deliver. I slumped back into the chair and tried to come up with something. Sitting still wasn't going to do any good I decided. I got up and walked to the back door, opened it and stepped out into the rain.
There was something about the rain I loved. Maybe it was the way it runs down your face, or the slight chill which sends little shivers down your spine. Maybe, it was just getting closer to nature. Whatever it was, I always got a sense of liberation.
I watched a few raindrops land with a plop into my glass before taking a sip. The cool rain and the warmth of the liquor provided a rich contrast.
Inspiration hit me.
"Fuck me, you're a genius," I said aloud to myself.
I glanced around to make sure no one could see into the garden and walked back into the house. I closed the back door just as the front door opened and Katie walked in.
"Hello love," she said brightly despite the weather.
"Hi, I've got us a bottle of wine I thought we'd like," I said as I walked over to her and gave her a long kiss.
"Wow, that's a nice welcome."
"I treat my wife now and again," I said laughing.
I walked into the kitchen whilst Katie settled and got the bottle and a couple of glasses. I was worried it hadn't chilled enough but the moisture drawn to the bottle told me it was ready. I smiled inwardly at the thoughts that filled my mind as I walked through to the living room. Katie wasn't there so I opened the bottle and poured us each a glass.
An idea struck me as I put the bottle down and I ran up the stairs.
"You're in a hurry," Katie said as I pounded across the landing.
She was in the bedroom which was a good thing. I walked into the bathroom and closed the door. On a shelf over the bath were a row of bottles and I carefully selected one with a neutral scent and poured some into the bath. I turned the taps on and soon steam filled the room. I impatiently tapped a foot as I waited for the bath to fill. After what must have been five minutes, it was ready and I gingerly tested it with my fingertips. It was hot, but by the time I would need it the temperature should be just right.
I turned the taps off and ran back down the stairs to find Katie sat in her chair drinking the wine.
"This is nice," Katie said approvingly.
"Thanks, I thought it would be nice to try something different from the usual."
I sat down opposite and looked at her. The dark business suit she wore was great against the white blouse and really helped to show off her long brown hair. Each morning she got up and got ready in the same way and walked out the door with that same look. She knew she looked great and she knew how to use it. I'd noticed over the months the skirts had gotten shorter and her blouse ever so slightly lower as her confidence had grown. Just thinking about the power she held over other blokes made me dizzy. But tonight wasn't about the power she held it was going to be about mine. This was my surprise and I was determined to see it right.
"So what's this surprise?" Katie asked.
"Ah, the surprise. You'll do anything I ask right?"
"Mmm, now that sounds interesting."
