Tracy rolled over in bed and stretched

Tracy rolled over in bed and stretched. The lightening was again dancing through the clouds and it was hard to tell the time of day. Never had she seen a summer with so little sunshine and so much rain. She knew she had to get up at some point, but bed was far too comfortable. As if on cue two warm arms reached for her and pulled her close. Smiling contentedly she allowed herself to be pulled back and offered her neck for nibbling.

"It's far too early in the morning to be leaving me, Spanky"

"Luke, I have to get to the office and you have to keep working on something to free yourself. I need you back home. All of us do."

"I know that, my Luv, but a few more minutes cuddling won't hurt anyone. Besides the sky is so dark and uninviting I'm sure your staff would understand if you chose not to go to work today."

Tracy was ready with a quick retort until she felt his smiling lips graze the back of her shoulder. Luke knew very well that she wasn't about to miss work just to spend the day in bed with him. Although the thought was tempting and part of her was certainly open to the idea, she had to be responsible and make sure the wheels of finance continued unabated.

"Someday soon we will do that, Husband. But for now I have to get to ELQ. Besides Lucky or Sam are probably on their way here to get me, and my family is becoming more than a little suspicious of my disappearing act. Now with Monica home I can't escape as easily as I used to."

As she sat up and pulled away from his grasp, he started to pout.

"Ah Spanky, now is the time you need a reputation for adultery. That would explain everything."

"Ha, that's your routine not mine" she said as she threw the pillow at him.

"Oh Spankster, you know there's no one else for me but you. That reputation might have been earned but I don't even pretend anymore."

"So you say."

"When are you going to believe that you are my one and only?"

"When hell freezes over..."

"Well strap on your Bobskates, Sweetheart, 'cause we're about to be an ice storm in August."

Smiling saucily at him, Tracy pulled herself up from the bed and moved towards the bathroom. She ignored the whistles behind her as she walked, but gave an extra swing to her naked hips as she moved. She loved the fact that he enjoyed her body so much. She certainly enjoyed every inch of his.

By the time Tracy emerged from the shower, Luke had pulled on some clothing and was setting breakfast on the table. Watching him from the doorway brought a tug to her heart. She couldn't help leaning against the door jam and sighing a deep sigh.

"What's up, Spanky?" Luke asked not bothering to look up. He had a pretty good idea what was going through his wife's head but wanted her to express it anyway.

"I would give it all up in a heartbeat, you know…"

Those were not the words Luke was expecting, but they caught his attention. Looking up at his wife he noticed her odd expression. It seemed halfway between longing and disappointment. Knowing the food could wait, he walked over to stand in front of her and lifted her chin with his finger. Once he was able to look into her eyes he had to know what she was wanting.

"Give what up, Sweetheart?"

"Oh, the stress, the jet setting, the corporate world… I could honestly give it all up if I could guarantee all my mornings would be like this."

"You don't mean that, Tracy. You've worked too hard to get where you are and you don't want to give it up now."

"Don't I? What have I worked for Luke? An empty bed and even more people wanting a piece of me?"

"You're bed isn't empty."

"Tell that to my pillows."

"What I mean is you have me, and I have you. That's not empty."

"We have stolen moments, Luke. I'm sneaking around having an affair with my own husband."

"Well, it's kinda fun, isn't it?"

"You can't be serious! It left fun a long, long time ago."

"Alright, I guess you have a point there. So tell me, what do you want Baby?"

Stifling yet another sigh, Tracy looked around the small cabin then looked up at her husband.

"Do you really want to know what I want?"

"Yes…"

"Okay, I want a house somewhere near water so I can sail anytime I want to, and a staff that would listen to me and do my bidding for a change. I want private weekends at the loft and the occasional adventure into a small cabin. I want just enough volunteer work to keep me distracted and I want to see one of my children inheriting ELQ and running it accordingly. I want to be their source for advice not amusement…"

"And me?"

"And you…" Tracy smiled up at him and cupped his cheek, "I want you at my side every step of the way."

It was now Luke's turn to smile and he leaned down to kiss his wife gently on the lips.

"I can't guarantee any of the rest, but I'll be by your side as long as you want, Wife."