Chapter 1: More of the same.

 

Lissa stretched and did a soft yawn. She turned on her side and looked at Derrick who had his back turned to her while he slept. She couldn't sleep. They had made love and in his usual fashion, he would hug her a little then complain that he was hot, turn on his side then fall asleep.

She sighed, sat up and picked up her phone from the night table. She pressed the power button to see the time. It was 3:30 a.m. Lissa sighed deeply. She had sleeping issues sometimes. They were getting worse but she had sleeping pills in her work bag.

She quietly stepped off the bed and went to her bag that was hanging on a tiny nail lodged in one of the bedroom walls. She unzipped the small side compartment of her bag and took out her sleeping medication bottle and swallowed one of the pink pills. She tiredly dragged herself into the kitchen, opened the fridge and took out a one gallon bottle of water that was half full. She went into the cupboard removed a glass, rinsed it off at the sink and poured herself a half glass of water. She sipped it carefully. 

Derrick kept his place neat and very clean. It was almost a compulsive act for him to have every single detail of his life planned out. She did admire his organizational skills but sometimes he tried to impose his outlook on her also. 

There were times when being organized was advantageous but she wished he would be more spontaneous. It had been awhile since he had taken her out to dinner or bought her a nice gift just because. 

They had been seeing each other for five years but there was still no mention of a wedding or kids. She emptied the glass, returned the bottled water to the fridge. She washed the glass then walked back sleepily to the bedroom. 

Lissa lay down on the bed and watched Derrick sleep. He hadn't even moved from the position she left him. Lissa sighed and turned on her side in the opposite direction and closed her eyes. She breathed in deeply and tried to clear her mind. Slowly, she drifted off to sleep.

****

Carli lay flat on her back as she waited for Jason to come back from the market. He had gone into Ocho Rios to buy a few food items she asked him to get because she wanted to cook for him. It was their third day at Patrick Blake's condo, and she was enjoying herself. 

So far the caretaker and his wife, Martin and Cornelia Black, were very kind and accommodating to them. When they had arrived at the condo/villa the day after their wedding night, the middle aged couple were already waiting for them. Martin Black helped Jason take their bags upstairs to the master bedroom while Cornelia gave Carli a tour of the house. 

Afterwards, Jason and Martin joined them on the brief tour of the house, the garden and pool area. Martin handed the keys to the bedroom and the front door to Jason. The Blacks told them that they would check in on them on the third day because Carli insisted that she wanted to cook for her husband. 

They did however eat the meal Cornelia had prepared for their arrival, but the next day Carli examined the kitchen pantry and fridge, and decided on doing some oats porridge and saltfish fritters for breakfast and fricasee chicken with white rice for dinner. 

There was a new bottle of orange juice in the fridge and a case of twelve 16 ounce sized bottled waters on the kitchen counter. The Blacks had put in two one gallon bottled waters in the fridge to cool. 

Carli heard a car pull up. She looked out the bedroom window and saw Jason just exiting the vehicle. She scooted off the bed and hurried to meet him at the front door. This was a new routine she had adopted the day after they arrived at the condo.

He had gone briefly into town to access money from an ATM. When he came back she greeted him with a kiss at the door. He would hold her close to him and walk arm in arm with her into the living room. This time as she approached the door, she let her hair down and shook the curls out so they cascaded past her shoulders, down to her back. 

Jason opened the door and looked at her. She was wearing one of his t-shirts and a pair of black leggings. Her hair was loose, which was a treat for him. He loved touching her hair and playing with the tresses when they are loose. He entered the house and reached for her. 

Carli eagerly went into his embrace and looked up at him. She stretched up to him on tiptoe to receive his kisses, Jason bent his head to receive hers. As their lips met, Carli thought of the night they first arrived. He had made passionate love to her, and showed her a little more of his rough side: lifting and holding her in his arms while making love to her. She was suspended in his arms, her legs were wrapped around his hips while he moved inside her fervently with deep, strong thrusts. Afterwards, he laid her on the bed and made love to her in several different positions. 

Carli closed her eyes and kissed him passionately as she remembered that encounter, and also how he gripped her hips hard as he entered her from behind the night before. He was still gentle with her and she was glad for that, but those moments of passion made her close her eyes and bite her lip when she remembered. 

Jason observed the way she greeted him and was amused. He separated his lips from hers and gazed at her more intently. "You are beautiful," he told her. 

Carli smiled up at him. "You make me feel beautiful," she said, smiling lovingly at him. He turned around and locked the front door, shoving the keys in his jeans pocket.

In a spontaneous move, Jason circled his arm around her waist, lifted her and carried her into the kitchen. He still had the grocery bag in the other hand. He released her and she stepped onto the plush carpet underneath the kitchen counter. Jason placed the bag on the counter top, then turned to look at her. 

"Lucky for you I was able to get the oxtail and the irish potatoes. I couldn't get the brand of sour cream you wanted but I think mayonnaise is a good substitute, so I bought a bottle. What do you think?" Jason came forward and rubbed his hands gently on her arms.

Carli smiled up at him. "I'll make due," she said. "There's some butter and condensed milk here so I'll make it work."

Jason cupped her face in his hands and kissed her forehead. "I want you," he whispered seductively. His eyes were a deep hazel hue. Carli was captivated by their color. She felt her heart skip a beat. She melted against him. "I guess I could start dinner later," she said smiling up at him. Jason bent down quickly, lifted her up in his arms and brought her to the bedroom. 

Kissing her passionately, he laid her on the king sized bed and placed his body weight on top of her. He kissed her pulling and nibbling on her lips, then rolled over on his back, lifting her on top of him. He removed her blouse and was happy to see that she wasn't wearing a bra. He reached up and lovingly caressed her breasts. 

Carli arched her body and closed her eyes, relishing in his gentle touch. "Jason, I love you. I love your touch," she said softly. Jason lifted himself halfway and circled his arms around her lower back, pulling her up to his chest as he lay back down. He began gently massaging her breasts, teasing her nipples as he did so. "Whine for me baby," he told her. Carli moaned. She opened her eyes and looked at him. 

Slowly, she began grinding and undulating her hips while sitting on him.  Jason moved his hands down to her buttocks, cupped them and squeezed. "I want you to ride me Carli. Can you do that for me?" he asked. His voice was deep and sensual to her ears.

"Yes baby. I'll do anything you want," she replied. She let out a little whimpering sound that made Jason groan and bite his lower lip.

"I want you to take it slow at first, then go harder and harder on me. Do you think you can handle that baby?" He asked. He slapped her butt. Carli moaned and whimpered. "Yes baby, yes, I can," she moaned. Jason did a low growl for her. Carli gasped and moaned for him.

Jason slipped his index finger inside the waist of her leggings. Carli rolled off him, stood up and pulled them down. She kicked them off her feet. Jason smiled at her when he saw she wasn't wearing any panties either. He chuckled. "You were preparing for me?" he asked her amused.

Carli giggled a little. "I want to make sure you get what you deserve," she quipped. 

Jason reached out his hands and she came to him. He snaked his arms around her waist and squeezed as he sat up to give her a proper hug. Carli made a low guttural sound as she basked in his embrace and enjoyed the smell of his cologne.

Jason squeezed her harder, buried his face in her neck and began pulling and suckling on the sensitive area. He listened to her moan and briefly smiled while resting his head on the curve of her neck and shoulder. 

"Carli baby, you are so beautiful and you are mine," he said raising his head to look her squarely in the eyes. "Promise me that no other man will touch you or make love to you. Tell me this sweet body belongs to me. That you will never share your sweet kitty with any other man." He slapped her buttocks a little harder and squeezed them possessively.

Carli groaned. "Jasey, I'm yours. I promise. I want no one else. You're all I want. No one else can satisfy me the way you do," she said in a breathy, airy tone. She felt on fire for him. She licked her lips as she looked into his eyes. "I need you to quench my thirst Jason. Make me go crazy, please!" She begged him between soft, sexy whimpers. 

Jason gripped her harder, pulling her head forward, he kissed her. He touched her left leg, urging her to straddle him as he sat on the edge of the bed. Carli climbed on top of his lap. He circled his arms under her thighs and lifted her in his embrace while turning to rest her on the bed, then carefully lay on top of her. He kissed her passionately. Carli moaned and called his name softly. 

Jason moved away from the bed and undressed himself quickly. He removed his sneakers while standing. Throwing away his shirt, Jason blew kisses at her as she eagerly watched him. Unbuckling his belt, pulling his pants' button and zipper, and kicking the jeans off his feet, his gaze boring into her. He slipped off his underwear very quickly and came to her on the bed. He lay on his back, reached out for her arms and pulled her over him. Carli opened her legs and sat on his belly. 

She began grinding on him and closed her eyes as he ran his hands all over her bare flesh. He caressed her breasts, her arms, her sides and waist. Gently, he brushed his hands on her firm voluptuous thighs, and squeezed and massaged them. He also squeezed her buttocks and patted them softly. "Sit on me baby," he said seductively. He cupped her bottom, lifted her and guided her down towards his hips.

Carli adjusted herself and sat on him close to where his member lay waiting for her. She touched it and looked at it in appreciation. He was aroused and looked beautiful. 

She sighed. "I love your dick, Jasey," she said softly. Jason raised himself slightly and lovingly touched her face. "I love your sweet kitty, baby," he said. He lay down again, savoring the feel of her soft body on him.

"Let's make a baby," she said, looking deeply into his eyes. 

"Baby, are you sure?" He looked at her aroused, but was also surprised.

The first time they had made love on their wedding night he hadn't used a condom, but afterwards he made sure to use condoms each time he penetrated her. Maybe his precaution was late considering what happened their first time and the first time on their wedding night, but he still wanted to be more mindful.

He raised himself up slightly, supporting his weight on his elbows. "Carli, are you sure? It may not happen right away, getting pregnant I mean, but it can also happen quickly. Are you sure you want this at this time?" he asked. He looked at her sincerely. Nothing would give him more pleasure than to know he could make love to her and release himself inside her, with the purpose of having a child, but he wanted her to be sure.

"Yes Jason, I want to make a baby with you. I'm your wife but now I want to be the mother of your kids," she said. She was undulating her hips on him. She closed her eyes and began bouncing up and down on him, groaning softly. "I want you baby. I want to give you babies."

Jason lay back and closed his eyes. He swallowed hard. Come what may he was prepared to take care of her and any offspring they would have. He was surprised she was willing to have children so quickly, but desired them for himself also. "Okay baby, I'll give you what you want. Put me inside you," he said softly. 

Carli touched and massaged his member gently. She came directly over him and slowly inserted him inside her. She moaned softly as she felt his member expand and harden further in her.  Slowly, she moved back and forth on him while her eyes were closed. She moaned his name and listened to him tell her she was beautiful and that her 'needle eye' felt good. 

Jason reached for her hands and clasped them in his as she grinded on him slowly.  He adjusted his hips under her and began thrusting slowly upwards in her. Following his lead, Carli bounced up and down on him. She moaned a little louder as she felt his thrusts in her. "Faster baby, give it to me faster!" Jason groaned.

Carli moaned and bounced faster on him. Jason released her hands, sat up and gripped her butt. He bounced her on him and guided her hips back and forth, telling her she was beautiful, and that he loved her. 

"Sweet Carli, I love you. You're so beautiful. I love your sweet kitty. You're so juicy and wet. Ohh ... I can't get enough. You're driving me crazy," he told her.

Carli opened her eyes and looked at him. His eyes were closed. She touched his face. "Baby, look at me," she said.

 Jason looked at her. In the dull light of the evening sun his eyes looked a darker brown; the color of honey. She was mesmerized. She leaned forward and hungrily kissed his lips, then arched her torso back and rode him harder, crying out his name and moaning loudly. She braced her hands on the bed for support, breathing heavily and panting non-stop. 

Jason, sensing the change in her, gripped her buttocks harder and moved more fervently inside her, penetrating her more deeply, giving all of himself to her. With his right hand he reached up and held on to a handful of her hair, pulling on it. Carli let out a sharp cry then groaned deeply in response. Cupping her head, Jason pulled her towards his eager lips. He kissed her then trailed little love bites from her lips to her neck. He felt like he couldn't get enough of her. 

Scooping her up in his arms, Jason lay her down on the bed while still in her and started thrusting deep and hard in her, pounding her with a rhythm that made Carli whimper and moan. Her legs were wrapped around his hips while she begged him not to stop. 

"Yes baby! Yes! Oh god! Yes! Yes! Please! Please don't stop! Yes!" she bellowed.

Faster and harder he pummelled her until she was screaming his name. She felt like she was going to lose her mind. He had never made love to her with such intensity before, and it wasn't the going hard in her that drove her crazy, it was the way he did it. He shifted between lighter strokes to fervent to hard and back again, with a rhythm and pace that took her breath away. 

As she was about to climax in his arms, she reared up and sunk her teeth into his shoulder then trembled and moaned loudly. She lay back spent and shivering, her heart racing. She was breathing heavily. Carli closed her eyes and tried to catch her breath. 

He was still on top of her moving inside her. He had not yet been satisfied. She lay still with her eyes closed and tried to relax. Her limbs were trembling and felt weak. She was exhausted but somehow her body still responded to him. 

His strokes felt delicious to her senses. Though she felt tired, she was still wet and throbbing for him down there. When he climaxed in her, he made a loud groan that sounded almost like a roar to her ears. She was surprised that the sound turned her on. Carli bit her lower lip, moaned softly, and watched as her husband jerked and trembled over her. 

She closed her eyes briefly while smiling, basking in the knowledge that he belonged to her, and she would have the privilege of satisfying him the rest of her life. He collapsed on top of her, breathing heavily. Carli circled her arms around his neck and kissed his head. Jason sighed happily. 

He rolled off her onto the bed and reached for her. Carli glided across the sheets to him, and rested her head on his chest while he held her close to him. He was a little sweaty, but she didn't mind, so was she. She felt satiated and happy. "I love you," he said. His voice was deep and raspy.

Carli sighed. "I love you too Jasey."

Jason kissed her head and smiled. "Let's get some rest, okay?"

"Okay," she replied. She closed her eyes. 

Tiredly, they cuddled with each other until they both fell asleep.

****

Lissa had just finished a counselling session with a teenager the police had referred to her. The fifteen year old girl had been assaulted from as young as nine years old. The police had interviewed the grandmother who claimed that she was not aware of what was happening in her home between her son, the child's uncle and the teenager. 

Both the mother and father for the teen lived abroad. The mother worked and resided in Canada, and was now a citizen, but the father had 'run off' to the United States just over a month ago. Before then, the child stayed with her uncle and grandmother at a very young age. Her mother, Desrine, brought her to the house at six years old and told Sylvia, the grand mother, that she would send money for the child's maintenance, but she couldn't keep the child any longer because an opportunity to work abroad had come her way. 

Amoya was for now, the responsibility of the state until they could identify a responsible relative who could have temporary, hopefully permanent custody of the girl. 

Lissa stood, stretched and walked towards the restroom. She stepped into an empty bathroom stall, lifted her skirt, pulled down her panties and while carefully perched over the toilet, relieved herself. It would never come to her mind to sit on the toilet seats at work though they were cleaned each evening and morning.

She looked back to see if she had tinkled on the seat. She saw nothing, but just in case after she wiped herself dry, she tore off another piece of toilet paper and wiped the seat thoroughly then flushed the pieces she used. She pulled up her panties, adjusted her clothes, opened the stall and went to a sink to wash her hands. Just then, Constable Sudanie Walker entered the restroom, then smiled when she realised it was Melissa.

"Whapm girl?" Sudanie greeted her.

Melissa chuckled. Sudanie was one of the officers she enjoyed working with.

"Just finished a session with Amoya, just about to have lunch. You free?" 

Sudanie lifted her wrist to look at her watch. It was 2 in the afternoon. "There's a lull now in activities. I have a report to write up but I can take twenty minutes. Where we going?"

"I was thinking of ordering and we'll get delivery," Melissa said smiling at her friend. 

Constable Walker nodded her agreement. "Alright that sounds better." She grinned at Melissa. "Okay, just give me five minutes to organise myself and I'll meet you in the lunch room."

Melissa nodded and smiled at her colleague but also close friend. "Cooked food or burger/patties?" she asked her.

"Ehmm," Sudanie paused to think about it. "Buy two patties, one shrimp and the other chicken, yeah? Not feeling for rice today."

Melissa smiled at her friend. "Still feeling bloated?"

"Yes! How yuh know? Since mi guh Gavie's birthday party and mi stuff miself with the shrimp pasta then eat some jerk pork and festival, then ice cream, I feel so nauseous since then," Sudanie confessed.

Melissa chuckled. While that was happening at Officer Gavin Bailey's round robin/birthday celebration, she was on the dance floor at Carli's wedding reception dropping it low. Three days had passed since that beautiful occasion.

"Suh yuh rather soup then?" Lissa asked her friend.

"Yeah. Order the soup and the two patty dem still, but mek it be two beef patties instead," Sudanie told her. "Me reimburse yuh."

Lissa nodded. "Alright," she said. She tore off a piece of paper towel and dried her hands. She walked towards the door and threw the crumpled paper in a bin that was over to the left. 

She looked back to see her friend enter a bathroom stall before she opened the front door and stepped into the station foyer. She walked back to her designated office space, retrieved her phone from her bag and made a phone call to a delivery company to place Sudie's order as well as her own. She felt like soup and a fish sandwich for herself.

****

Jason had woken up before Carli and decided that he would cook the meal for her. He knew she loved cooking for him, but it was late and she hadn't woken up yet. She was still sleeping and he didn't want to disturb her. He quickly removed the two pounds of oxtail from its package and washed and cleaned it. He seasoned it then placed it in the fridge in a plastic container. Next, he washed and peeled the Irish potatoes. He soaked them in cold water with a little salt added. 

He enjoyed cooking and it was an extra treat to cook for the woman he loved. In the meantime, he would steam some veggies. He went into the fridge and took out a large head of cabbage, some carrots and yellow sweet peppers he bought that afternoon. There was some all-purpose seasoning in the pantry, butter in the fridge and some extra virgin olive oil for cooking. Carefully, he washed then shredded the cabbage, cleaned and thinly sliced the carrots and sweet peppers. 

There was a large skillet on a rack. He removed it, rinsed it then used a paper towel to dry it out. He placed it on the six burner electric stove, turned on one of the front burners and waited a little for the moisture to properly dry out. Then he squeezed a teaspoon of olive oil in the pan, lifting and moving it around to ensure the oil was evenly distributed on the surface. 

He had crushed and finely chopped some garlic. Jason was what you could call a minimalist when it came to cooking. He didn't like putting a lot of seasoning on his food. He believed that there were some herbs and spices that were essential and their flavors were enough to adequately season any pot. Garlic was one of them. He retrieved a wooden spoon and started sauteing the garlic on low heat in the olive oil. Next, he added the sweet peppers. There was some ketchup in the fridge. He added a dollop and stirred after adding water. He dropped the shredded cabbage and thinly diced carrots in the skillet. 

He retrieved some dried thyme leaves that were in a bottle and sprinkled it in the dish. He lightly shook out some all-purpose seasoning. Next, he washed and diced up some escallion and rested the pieces on top of the cabbage. He covered it with a glass cover and turned the fire down even further. 

He heard her calling his name. Jason washed his hands at the sink, dried them with the kitchen towel and went to her. When he entered the bedroom she was still laying in bed. She yawned softly and looked up at him. "What you doing?" she asked him smiling.

"Cooking my wife dinner?" he said smiling back at her.

He sat on the edge of the bed and gazed at her. He couldn't believe they were together all alone. He had often fantasized about these moments with her. He shook his head slightly and smiled at her. 

She laughed softly, "What is it?" she asked him.

"I'm so blessed. I guess I'm wondering if this is a dream." He reached out and touched her arm. Carli sat up and moved closer to him. The sheet that wrapped around her fell to her waist. He was captivated by her firm, full breasts as she sat before him. She noticed that he was looking at them. Carli took his hands and made them touch her breasts. She moaned softly as he cupped them on his own.  

"I don't know what it is, but Carli, I can't get enough of you. If it weren't for the fact that we would starve to death I would take you over and over, without stopping." He squeezed her breasts gently. He chuckled. "Maybe just take naps in between, but you're like a drug. I'm addicted." He looked up from her chest and stared into her eyes. 

Carli looked at her sexy husband. She reached up and touched his face. "I'm addicted too Jasey. I can't think straight when you're near me and since our wedding night it's like if you're away for too long I feel lost. I long for the moment you'll take me again. I ache for you inside me. You have my heart. I love you."

Jason leaned forward and kissed her tenderly. He remembered he had food on the stove. He moved his hands away from her breasts and stuck them in the bed sheets. He bent his head to touch her forehead and said, "I'm steaming some cabbage and I don't want it to be spoiled or to burn down uncle Pat's house, so I'm gonna go, okay?"

Carli nodded. "Okay baby," she said. She bit her lower lip and closed her eyes. Jason saw what she did and grunted. He would only wait until after they ate then work it off again. He couldn't help it.

Jason kissed her tempting lips, got up from the bed and went back to finish dinner. Carli lay back on the bed. 

"Oh God thank you! Thank you for this feeling. Thank you for my husband," she prayed quietly.

****

Derrick came for Lissa at 6:30 that evening. They were supposed to watch a movie, eat popcorn and do things normal couples do, but upon entering the car, Lissa noticed his sour mood. She turned to him and assessed him silently. She placed her bag in her lap and leaned back. "You taking me home tonight?" she half asked, half told him. 

Derrick looked over at her then directed his gaze to the front of his vehicle as he pulled out of the police station's parking lot. "Something came up at the office, one of my subordinates was having difficulty closing a deal and I had to step in. Now the client wants me to handle his portfolio directly," he said.

Derrick Smith was an investment banker and a very ambitious one. He had worked his way tirelessly up the corporate ladder and wasn't afraid to pull all-nighters if he felt it was necessary. He wasn't an obese man however. He made sure to find time to go to the gym, whether it was an early morning or late night session. He was also very mindful of what he put into his body. He lived an organized life and had very little interest in change unless it benefited his career. 

While he drove he made very little conversation. In the beginning, Lissa would talk to him while he drove filling the silent space between them, until one day he told her that the quiet was his way of recharging from the hustle and bustle of work. Plus, while he appreciated that she needed to express herself, he preferred she wait until they were home. The problem was sometimes he never got around to asking her about her day. If she was persistent, after a while, he would humor her and listen for a few minutes, but lately he didn't even pretend to be interested anymore. She was beginning to feel like an inconvenience. 

"Do you still love me?" she looked at him.

Derrick manoeuvred his vehicle in silence for a minute before he answered her. "You know the answer to that," he said. 

Lissa shook her head. "No, I don't," she replied. "If I did I wouldn't ask you, would I?"

"Lissa, why this now, hmm? What's bothering you?" He glanced at her briefly. His dark eyes bored into her briefly then focused on the traffic.

"We hardly do 'couples things' anymore. And at night you no longer hold me when we sleep." LIssa looked out her passenger side window as she spoke. 

"I took you to watch a play recently," he told her matter of factly.

"When was that Derrick?" She turned and looked at him.

Without looking at her he answered, "About three months ago or maybe five months. I don't recall exactly."

She shook her head. Derrick glanced at her then focused on the road. 

"Okay. When?" he asked feeling annoyed with her.

"Almost a year ago," she said sadly. "Ten months ago to be exact."

Derrick turned the vehicle onto her street and drove up quickly to her gate. He leaned forward and opened the car door for her. Lissa looked at him and slammed the door shut. Derrick looked at her as if she was insane. "Lissa, I have to go home and prepare. Even though my associate will be handling this portfolio with me, I have to cover ground to make sure I understand the specs of this client. I will call you tomorrow."

Lissa hissed her teeth. "Lately ... lately all you talk about is work. What about us time Rick? I love you! I can understand you have to work, but you're working practically all the time! Or are you lying? Do you have a little office fling going on? Hmm?"

"You're crazy," Derrick said, his voice indicating his frustration. 

"Lissa, please get out of my car. I have tons of work I need to do. I have my clients to deal with plus this new thing on my plate. I would think you would be happy for me."

"Derrick baby, I am happy for you, but when are we going to enjoy the fruits of all that hard work? We need to spend time together. I have vacay time coming up. We could take two weeks and go somewhere," She said, her eyes pleading for him to listen to what she was proposing.

"That sounds good, but I don't have the time for that. And you could enjoy the fruits of my labor if you would come to some of my company's corporate mingles, or take up the opportunity of the reduced price of my gym membership. I could add you to it, if you were interested in getting more fit." He looked at her, his eyes looking her up and down. "Where I'd want to go for vacation you'd need a bathing suit."

Lissa looked at him assessing her with his eyes. She hissed her teeth, opened the car door then slammed it shut. "For the umpteenth time, nothing is wrong with my curves. I'll be thirty-one in October. I'm not twenty anymore. I love you unconditionally Rick. I'm not getting that vibe from you." 

Derrick looked at her and sighed. "Lissa, Lissa stop being silly. You know I love you. I love you enough to tell you the truth. Look, I will call you tomorrow, okay? I gotta go." He smiled at her, blew a kiss at her then drove off.

Lissa hissed her teeth. Sometimes she wondered if he really loved her or if he was with her because she was willing to 'keep house' with him. She opened her yard gate, fished through her bag for her house key and used it to open and lock the door behind her.