"What's wrong with you?" I asked. "You're acting like you don't comprehend what's happening."

"I comprehend perfectly what's happening," she replied, as she got up to answer a knock on the door. It was the Amazon man with a big stack of packages, and my wife took them with a charming smile.

"Hold on," she asked him. "This is a a late shift. Want a bite to eat?"

"Sure, ma'am," he laughed, and then I watched as she got the wrapped plate on the stove that I assumed had been meant forme,and handed it to him.

As it wafted past my nose, I smelled Beef Wellington. That was one of my favorites, but Tallulah couldn't sweeten me up with food this time. There were more important things in the world than Beef Wellington.

"I'm happy to give you as long as you need to come to terms with this," I continued firmly.

"Oh," Tallulah said blithely, sitting down across from me and tucking her curvy short legs up under her. "I don't need any more time."

Then she bent her head down to her sewing project again and didn’t spare me another look. Like she didn’t need any more information and was done with the whole conversation!

Irritation sizzled down my spine, little flares of anger sparking under my skin.

I was supposed to be relieved, damnit! This was supposed to feel like a weight off my shoulders!

"What is going on with you?" I couldn't help blurting out. "Why aren't you acting upset? Crying?"

"I suppose for the same reasonyouaren't crying," she countered, threading a needle with her little pink tongue, her eyebrows furrowed in concentration.

For a moment there was silence, and I could hear the ragged sounds of my heavy breathing echoing in the kitchen.

Something had gone wrong somewhere. This was not how this was supposed to go.

"I have to tell you the whole truth," I said finally, wanting something to get through to her.

Tallulah must think she could get around me the way she always had, with her sweet smiles, her lush curves, the comforting tight warmth of her pussy. Butnotthis time. She was a good, sweet girl, and I was very sorry for hurting her, but she was going to have to realize that I was serious.

"There's somebody else."

"Oh?" Tallulah said. "That makes two of us, then."

My hands clutched the table convulsively. "Don't be ridiculous!" I barked at her sharply. "Youdon't have anyone else."

My wife looked up and her eyes held mine steadily. I felt a sudden uneasy sensation, like the hairs rising on the back of my neck, at the way her big luminous blue eyes stared into mine. There was a cool uninterested expression in them that I had never seen before.

"You're right, Maverick," she said. "Ihaven't cheated onyou. Have you cheated on me?"

The way she put it made me angry. It sounded so cheap and tawdry.

"I love Amanda," I said defensively. "It's not just some one-night stand."

"Of course not," Tallulah said agreeably, taking a sip of her tea, her full lips curving over the rim. “It sounds very romantic, Maverick. I wish you many happy years together.”

I was suddenly unspeakably angry and furious, and I had to grip the table as hard as I could to keep myself calm.

"I'm sure it will be a big adjustment for you," I bit out. "Don't pretend like it won't be."

"Oh, I think it will be a nice little change," Tallulah said, getting up and moving to the kitchen counter. "I find myself growing bored of the same old stale dick. I'm ready for a younger man for a change. Someone who can keep up with my needs."

"Bored with me? I know that’s a damn lie!” I shot at her before I could help myself.

I knew perfectly well that I was a very able and skilled lover. Anything else to the contrary was ridiculous.

"There are things I wantsexually," she said coolly, "that I can't get from you."