A few more days passed and Eva's dreams had not yet subsided. She was still intent on not bothering Frank about it, but the more stress Eva endured because of them the more she needed him. He was the only one who made her fears subside and who could make her feel as though everything would be all right. He knew just what to say and exactly how to touch her. He could sense when Eva needed something as simple as a hug, or as intricate and sensual as lovemaking. He was even aware of when she needed to be a bit "rougher" in their bedroom.
Eva couldn't understand how Frank always knew what she wanted and needed; the only thing she did know was that her love for him grew more intense with each passing day. She felt that no other man in this world or any other could possibly be more perfect for her.
Frank noticed the ever-strengthening bond between he and his wife as well. His emotions seemed to become heightened, and he could sense when something was wrong before ever seeing or talking to Eva.
Jointly, the couple noticed how their sex life was only becoming more sensual and intense. They could make love for hours and never realize how much time had passed. Each time they were intimate with each other felt more pleasurable than the last. Eva found it hard to believe that she hadn't become pregnant again. Frank responded to that by telling her that it "simply wasn't time yet."
One particular evening, Frank had to stay at work later than usual. When he arrived home, Eva was on the other side of the door. She had just taken a shower; her hair was still wet, her skin still moist. She was wearing a short, white robe and Frank knew that there was nothing underneath.
Usually Eva met Frank with the warmest of smiles, a tender kiss, and a, "Hi Frankie, how was your day?" said in her sweetest voice. This evening though, she didn't smile or even say hello. She pulled Frank close to her and began to urgently kiss him. At first, Frank was quite pleased with her greeting, but he soon realized that something was wrong - Eva wouldn't stop kissing him long enough for him to ask.
Her lips still pressed to his, she began undressing him as quickly as she could. The only words Frank could get out were, "Is Faye asleep?" and Eva only nodded. Frank pulled the belt of Eva's robe and saw that he was right in his assumption of nothing being underneath. He then slid the robe off of her shoulders and let it fall to the floor…the couple sank to the floor as well.
Not three feet from their door, Eva got on top of Frank and began to make love to him, well, perhaps that's not exactly the correct term. Her pace was quick, her motions almost rough, which Frank would usually enjoy thoroughly, especially when Eva was the one "in charge." Tonight though, Frank knew that his wife wasn't just "having fun" with him. Her pace slowed down and she laced her fingers with Frank's. She supported herself with the strength from his arms as her demeanor changed. Frank watched as tears started flowing from her eyes.
Frank put his hands on her hips and coaxed her to be still. He then pulled her down to him so her head rested on his shoulder. He understood that she needed to be as close to him as possible, so they stayed entwined with each other.
"Love, please tell me what's wrong."
"I'm sorry, Frankie," she whispered. "I – I needed you and…" She started to cry a bit harder.
"Shh…calm down, Eva. You have me. What happened?"
Breathing a reluctant sigh, she pulled away from her husband and picked her robe up from the floor. She slid it back on and walked to the coffee table. Frank took the throw off of the couch and wrapped it around his waist. Eva then held up a tabloid; Frank read the cover aloud.
"'Children's Author's Dirty Little Secret.' What is this?"
"Open it up," Eva said, trying to avoid sobbing.
Frank read silently to himself. The article boiled down to saying that Eva was leading a very kinky sex life with multiple partners and that her books should not be bought. There were a couple of doctored photos from the very memorable evening at Columbia's included with the article.
"Darling," Frank started, "you always say that these things are rubbish…"
"I'm not upset that…" Eva buried her face in her hands for a moment. She then continued by saying, "Sarah sent in the story. My sister is trying to ruin my life. Why? I don't understand. I think I've been through enough, don't you?"
While Frank's anger at Sarah for disobeying his very clear order pushed itself to the front of his mind, he put Eva's well being before it. He put his arms around Eva and rubbed her back. Immediately, she began to calm down. The slightest touch from Frank soothed her. "Baby, it's not true and that's all that matters…" He paused a moment. "Um, so the greeting that you gave me at the door was…?"
"I don't know," Eva replied, almost embarrassed to look Frank in the eye. "I was so upset and frustrated all day and all I could think of was you. Frankie, when we're - it's just that when you and I are together, everything else goes away."
Frank smiled as he put his arms around his wife. A soft chuckle escaped his lips. "Eva, I swear that some of my traits are finally rubbing off on you."
She looked up at him with questioning eyes. "What do you mean?"
"Darling, have you noticed something about yourself lately?"
"Noticed what?"
"Ever since these various problems of late have arisen, you've been more, shall we say, sexually aggressive."
Her eyes widened. "I have?" She thought for a moment. "Oh my God, Frankie, you're right. I've been a bit of a fiend about that lately…"
"Don't get me wrong, love, I've been enjoying very much, but…"
"But? Buts aren't good, Frankie."
He smiled again. "This is a very good but, Eva. You've been under so much stress lately, and while you should vent it out of your system in some way, perhaps having your way with me isn't always the best route to go."
"You're mad at me, aren't you? Frankie, I'm sorry, I just don't feel myself lately and…"
Frank put a finger to her lips. "I'm not 'mad' at you in the least, baby. The point I'm trying to get across to you is that while we've had several wonderful nights together this week, each time it was you taking on all of the 'responsibility.' Eva, let me take care of you tonight. I can safely say that I will help to relieve you of some of the stress you're under."
Eva smiled as Frank scooped her up into his arms. He carried her to their bedroom and gently laid her on their bed. He removed her robe and turned her onto her stomach. He ran his hands along her back and shoulders. Eva felt the tension escape from her body the moment he touched her. He lovingly caressed her and smiled when she let out sighs of relaxation. He started to kiss her back and shoulders; she needed him and he was fully aware of it.
"Frankie," Eva said, trying not to moan, "you have an amazing power over me."
Frank turned Eva over and smiled at her. He ran his hands up her thighs, causing her back to arch as he neared her sexual core. "Well, I shall try to use it to your best advantage." With no effort, he entered her and slowly moved his hips. "You see, darling, you have taught me that lovemaking can be so much more powerful than mere sex." He bit his lower lip as pleasure coursed through his body.
Their bodies moved together in perfect time. Eva looked into Frank's eyes; he was right. She had wanted him so badly all day long and having him make love to her, as opposed to her tackling him at the door, made her feel less stressed and more whole.