In a fog, I watch as a pretty young woman smiles and nods at me then begins setting the table with the covered dishes. She chatters to Leo, her cheeks pink. Jealousy pierces the fog causing me to sit up straighter, watching Leo and the woman. But the more I watch, the clearer Leo’s impatience is even though he smiles and nods at her, he’s looking at me. I can tell he’s confused when I smile, the woman is forgotten as I get up and walk to him. He holds out his hand, I take it. He draws me up against him, “What are you smiling about?”
“You. I’ll tell you when she leaves,” I whisper against his cheek.
He doesn’t like that, so he’s already frowning when the poor woman tells him my Pellegrino was forgotten. The look he turns on her has her stumbling an apology. Oh dear, we are really going to have to work on that temper of his.
I turn my own attention to gathering up the plates and taking them over to the large rug in front of the television and the couch. Like I have done the few times I’ve given into an easy evening and come to the room before Leo is due and have dinner alone, I push the couch back a bit and go back to the table for the rest of the plates. I’m just getting settled, tossing the throw pillows on the rug when Leo comes back with my Pellegrino.
“What are you doing?”
“I don’t like eating at the table, it’s like a picnic. Come on, sit down. I’m hungry.” Leo shakes his head in bewilderment at me. “Please, Leo.”
“If you want me to sit then I am thinking it is not enough to tell you how much I love your body as it is, perhaps you need to see it. Take off your robe, sweetness. I want you naked.” He’s nuts. “A fine dining experience is more than just a cut of steak prepared correctly, it is more than just the taste, it is the aroma, the presentation, the visual aesthetic. Today, you are mine.”
“Leo, please.” He really wants me to sit and eat naked in front of him, he’s crazy.
“I want to see your body.” I’m wet at the hunger and demand in his eyes. I don’t even think as I untie the robe, letting it slide open. Leo tugs it off me, his free hand cups a breast, all I can do is watch as he leans down and presses a kiss against my tight nipple. He lets me go with a smile, “Now, I am ready to eat.”