Page 51 of The Only Time

It’s Friday and I’m waiting around for Eric to get home from work. Since we had sex in his kitchen, he’s more relaxed around me. It’s like he’s finally willing to accept that there’s something between us.

It’s nice to be open about our attraction to each other in the daylight and not have to hide it away until night time.

We did manage to wait until we were in his bed last night to have sex, but he did invite me to sleep in his bed at dinner. No sneaking into his room anymore.

I’m starting to feel happier and less afraid to sleep at night. I talked to my brothers. It seems as if Don is back in Cleveland. The police have confirmed it, and Gabe even stalked out his house to confirm it for himself.

They still want me to give it some time before I come home to make sure he doesn’t leave again. But Gabe thinks I should be able to come back in the next couple of weeks.

That’s good news. It’s great news. I can go home and have my life back. So, why am I not excited about the idea of going back home?

Before I have time to analyze it, the door opens. Eric places his briefcase at the front entryway and kicks off his shoes.

He’s been back to work for five days, and every day he comes home with a frown on his face. I don’t want to say anything, but I don’t understand why he stays at his job. Sure, he clearly makes a good living there based on his house, but it can’t be worth it if he’s miserable.

I now have a mission every day he gets home to put a smile on his face or at least relieve his stress somehow.

I have dinner ready on the table with wine already poured. It takes a little while to get him loosened up, but I eventually see the tension in his shoulders begin to fade.

After we eat, we’re sitting on the couch with our wine when I spot the game of twister.

I laugh. “Playing Twister in your spare time?” I point.

He looks over and shrugs. “My niece brought it over one time.”

I can’t help the surprised look on my face. “And did you play it?”

He smiles. “Of course I played it. I can’t say no to her.”

That makes me laugh.

“What’s so funny?” he asks.

“I just can’t picture you playing twister.

“Pfft…I’m amazing at Twister.”

“Too bad we don’t have a third person here to be the spinner, because I’d love to see you try to beat me.”

“Well, there just happens to be an app for that,” he says as he pulls his phone out. “Go get the mat and set it up. Also, be prepared to lose.”

“An app?” I ask as I get up.

He proceeds to connect his phone to the surround sound speakers, where there is indeed an app that will call out the colors and body parts for us.

Once the mat is spread out on the floor, we both stand on each end of it. He’s ditched his work shirt for just his white undershirt and black slacks. He looks incredibly handsome.

The sound of a wheel spinning echoes through the speakers until it starts to slow down. His eyebrows raise at me with a smirk on his face as we wait.

“Left foot, red,” the lady tells us.

I put my left foot on the red circle right in front of me. Eric walks onto the mat and places his foot on the circle next to mine instead of on the other end of the mat. I look up at him as he invades my space.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

He smiles down at me. “It’s called strategy, Mia.”

The wheel spins again, and we wait. This time I’m trying to figure out what my next move can be to mess with him. The next move is right hand green. Before he can do anything, I place my right hand on the circles that would be easiest for him.

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