By the time he returned I was already relaxing in the hot tub, head back, eyes closed, clothes gone, the water warm and welcome on my bare skin. The plates sat on a towel I had spread within reach, the steaks done to perfection, the shrimp still sizzling on the skewers. Red wine winked in our glasses, the champagne saved for later.
I had no intention of leaving the water until absolutely necessary. I planned on eating right where I was, leaning over the side of the tub if I had to. When I heard the sliding door squeal faintly over the soothing sounds of Kenny G’s soprano sax, I let myself sink a little further into the water, until the bubbles tickled my chin.
“Well?” I asked with a slow smile. I heard the solid thud of a belt buckle hitting the floor and opened one eye to see my lover
