Maxwell was in bed waiting for Fran when she entered their bedroom. He set the book he was reading on the nightstand, watching her prepare for bed. As she ran the brush through her hair, he slid out of bed and took the brush from her.
"Did you talk to Eve?"
"Yes."
He paused, meeting her eyes in the mirror. "Well?"
"Are you going to finish?" Maxwell rolled his eyes and continued brushing her hair. "She needed to talk to me and since I wasn't here, Eve went to the office because it felt like me."
"What the hell does that mean?"
"At first I didn't understand it either but the more I thought about it, I began to understand what she meant. Everyone's personal space absorbs and takes on that person's personality." Fran mentally reviewed what she said but quickly dismissed her uneasiness behind the words she chose. "Anyway, the office to Eve felt warm and safe and comfortable."
"But that still doesn't explain why she was rifling through your work. Besides, she should have waited until you came home."
"Eve knows she was wrong Max. There's no need to belabor that point anymore."
"I just want to know what was so blasted urgent that she couldn't have waited until we were home." "
Eve has a little problem." Fran purposely paused, knowing it would drive him crazy. "It's David."
Maxwell's body stiffened. Cautiously he asked, "What about David?"
"He wants to be more than friends."
"How much more?"
"He wants them to be boyfriend and girlfriend."
"Why do I get the feeling there's more than what you're saying?"
"You're right. There is more. And you're not going to believe it when I tell you." She pulled him closer to whisper, "David wants a relationship but Eve doesn't want anything to change between them. She's afraid of making a commitment. Can you imagine? I mean where could she have possibly picked up an idea like that?"
Maxwell groaned inwardly and followed Fran across the room. He knew he was treading on dangerous ground but felt the need to ask anyway.
"Did Eve say why she didn't want a relationship with David?"
"She cares for David but she's not sure it's the same way he cares for her."
"Well that may not be a bad thing, rushing into a relationship at her age."
"And when do you propose that she learn about relationships and how to handle them?" Maxwell began to respond when Fran stopped him. "I'd be very careful how I'd answer that question if I were you."
"The only thing I was going to say is that whatever Eve decides, I'll support her."
"You mean it?"
"No, but I'm trying my best to suppress every instinct that wants to lock her in her room until she's thirty."
"I thought I broke you out of that overprotective habit," Fran said sliding into bed.
Maxwell turned out the lights and settled under the covers beside her. "Curbed the tendency maybe. Broke me out of the habit? Never."
"I'd like to revisit our discussion earlier."
"Which discussion is that sweetheart?" he asked brushing her hair aside.
As he left a trail of soft kisses along her neck, she gently nudged him. "I'm serious Max. I want to talk about Eve's punishment."
He sighed and moved away from her. "We agree that she should be punished."
"Yes. The only sticking point was the amount of time. I still think a week is enough time. Don't you, given the circumstances?"
"If I concede to a week," Maxwell asked, "will you promise not to bring up The Thing?"
Fran chuckled. "Anytime soon or not at all?"
"I would prefer that you never bring it up but I'm not insane. I know that's your way of twisting me around your little finger."
"Well," she said running her fingers down his chest, "at least one of my ways."
"Fran!"
"Okay sweetie. I won't bring it up again."
"Thank you."
"Unless I really need to."
Maxwell drew her body under his own. "I don't know what I'm going to do with you."
"If you don't know after sixteen years of marriage, we've got a problem."
"Fran?" he whispered nipping her earlobe.
"Yes Max?"
"Remember that rain check?"
"What about it?"
"I'd like to cash it in now."
Maxwell's fingertips drew light, feathery swirls along her thigh. He captured her mouth as he unbuttoned her nightshirt and stripped it from her body. Pulling her panties down her legs, Maxwell nudged her legs apart and pressed his hardness into her. She arched her body into his, looping her long slender legs over his waist.
Rising from her embrace, Maxwell quickly discarded his pajama bottoms. He reached for her hand and pulled her into his arms. Whispered moans of passion tumbled from Fran's mouth as she pushed him backward onto the bed.
She threw her head back at the feel of him entering her. Through narrowed eyes he watched her, guiding his hands across her body. His fingers spread over her, cupping and stroking her breasts. He closed his eyes, marveling in the pleasure of Fran's body moving against his.
Her hair fell in a curtain around him as she leaned forward, grazing her lips with Maxwell's. His hands trailed down her body, bracing his fingers at her hips as he plunged into her.
Fran's breathing grew erratic as he thrust into her a final time. She drew in a sharp intake of breath as the tight coil of desire spun wildly within her soul.
She closed her eyes, savoring the delicious sensation of Maxwell's climax flooding her body. Settling next to her, he drew the sheets around their bodies as Fran lay contently in his arms.
"Apparently I need to keep a permanent rain check with you," Fran said.
"You can cash that check anytime," Maxwell replied tightening his embrace.
