We took our breakfast out to the screened terrace overlooking the lake and sat next to each other on Adirondack chairs. The lake and ski dock were barely visible through the cover of weeping willows that lined the back of the property. That was good—if we couldn’t see them, they couldn’t see us. We were so close to the camp but so far away.
He took my hand and kissed it. “I’ve been a cad, seducing you and taking you to bed. I hope you’re not feeling remorseful this morning.”
“I made a choice.” I squeezed his hand. “And I’m delighted with the outcome.”
The relief that washed over his face gave way to a huge grin. “In that case, I was wondering, if I could arrange to change mydays off to match yours for the rest of the summer, would you join me here again?”
“I don’t know. Would you expect me to put out?”
He chuckled. “And be naked the entire time.”
“I’m not sure, that’s a lot to ask. I mean, I do look stunning in your clothes.” I tugged at the collar of his shirt.
“You look glorious out of it.” He put his hand on my knee.
“I suppose I could squeeze you into my busy social calendar.”
“Let me take you out to dinner tonight.”
“You mean like put clothes on and be with other people?”
“I think if we went to a restaurant, then yes, clothes would be mandatory.”
“All I want is you, naked, holding me.”
“A much better idea. Although I will have to put some on to go to the market—I’m afraid the cupboards are bare.”
“You should probably drive into town by yourself in case you run into anyone.”
“I hate that we have to hide,” he said.
“I think it’s sort of sexy and mysterious. Sneaking around. Having a secret.”
I could tell he wasn’t buying it either.
After Teddy left to go shopping, I sniffed the collar of his shirt. I loved his natural aroma. A friend told me that when she met the man she eventually married, she knew he was the one because of his scent. I had never thought about smells that way but now I understood.
I poured another cup of coffee and went back outside.
A motorboat circling with water-skiers and the laughter of campers drifted up from the lake. I wondered if Zelda or Hazel were one of them. I found a pair of binoculars on the side table. If I walked to the left-most part of the porch and stood on my toes, I could see through the willow trees. Thelake was filled with boys. I tried to locate Max, but I couldn’t find him.
Max was between my girls’ ages. I allowed myself to daydream about our kids growing up together. But where? There was no way Ronnie would ever let me take the kids to live in another country, and I was sure Teddy and Max couldn’t come to New York.
In my imagination, the five of us would live in this house and have the camp as our playground. It was an impossible dream.
Divorcing Ronnie. Could I? Would I? It seemed as if we’d lost our passion for each other. He said he wanted to work on improving our relationship. How would I go about doing that when I’d started one with another man? So many emotions were whirling around my brain—mostly confusion, uncertainty, despair, and a little guilt.Hell, why should I feel guilty?Ronnie never showed signs of remorse when he did things that hurt and disappointed me.
I let my mind play out more scenarios and all of them came to dead ends. Hazel was the youngest—ten more years until she started college. A lifetime.
I closed my eyes, transported to a hammock hung between palm trees, drinking a mai tai with Teddy fanning me. I heard three low whistles in the distance. Was I daydreaming or was Teddy back? What I knew for sure was that I felt a tingle throughout my body.
I felt the gentlest kiss on my head and Teddy’s hands on my shoulders. I placed my hands over his and sighed.
“Lunch is ready for you, my love.”
I stood up and surprised us both by taking Teddy’s hand and placing it between my legs. “This is what happens when I hear your whistle.”
The way he looked at me, full of desire, made my body tremble. He scooped me up, brought me inside, and put me down on the couch. I lay back panting.
