Amy got a beer out of the fridge. She regretted not bringing a wine from home. The beer was not a bad substitute; it was icy cold which helped cool her down. Bruce's body was hot and it made her pretty hot under the collar. She opened the beer and headed for the living room.
She walked over to the radio and turned it on. Amy wondered why no one ever put a TV in the cabin. She plopped onto the end of the sofa opposite of the pillow. A DJ introduced the next song: "Kiss of Life" by Sade. She liked the song; it was soothing, probably better than anything on TV.
...There must have been an angel by my side
Something heavenly came down from above
He led me to you
He led me to you
He built a bridge to your heart
All the way
How many tons of love inside
I can't say...
Everything would be perfect if she had some wine. Amy never really paid attention to the lyrics before. It made her think of Bruce. She was wondering what was taking him so long when he stepped into the room.
"Hey lady..."
He stopped and looked at the candles lit in the living room and the sheets on the sofa. A big grin appeared on his face. Amy immediately sat up and put her beer down. He took her off guard with his entrance. She looked him over. She had never seen Bruce dress so casual. He had on a tank top with a simple pair of cotton athletic shorts. She thought he looked delicious. Amy tried to keep her eyes from wandering over 'all' his bulges.
"... To what do I owe this honor? Were you afraid I was going to smother you in the covers again tonight?" he asked with a sly grin.
It never occurred to Amy that Bruce might've wanted to share the bed again. She felt like slapping herself on the forehead. Her pained expression made it clear.
"No I just thought... you said... uh –you might want..."
Bruce had walked toward her as she fumbled for an explanation. He bent down and brought her to her feet as he interrupted her.
"...I thought it would be– "
"–A really sweet thing to do and I love you for it."
Amy went from flabbergasted to warm and tingly all over. He gave her a hug to emphasize his gratitude and kept her in his arms as he continued to speak.
"Great minds think alike. I hope you don't mind: I took the liberty of taking the candles in the bedroom to the bathroom. I cleaned up the tub and ran you a bath. I remember you saying you liked candlelit baths or something to that effect."
"Your memory serves you right."
"I'll put these in the bedroom for you while you're in the bath. Now off with you my lady."
He stepped to the side in a chivalrous manner and swung his right hand out motioning Amy to head to the bathroom.
"Ok, let me get my things."
She started to head away but turned around quickly and gave him a peck on the cheek.
"You're wonderful," Amy said with a great big smile.
"You're not half bad yourself."
"What happened to Mr. Mushy from last night?" she asked with a slightly disappointed expression.
Bruce gave her a quizzical look.
"I really liked when you called me baby," Amy explained with a slight whine.
"Oh that... I get that way when I'm tired," Bruce explained nonchalantly.
"Aren't you tired?" Amy teased.
"No," he answered simply.
"You're rotten," she said as she shoved him playfully and gave him a disgusted look.
"That must be some kind of record. Wonderful to rotten in 60 seconds," Bruce chided her.
Amy turned around and headed to the bedroom for her things. Bruce folded his arms as he watched her walk off.
"I'm heading to the tub before my water gets cold."
"Alright baby," he called after her.
Amy poked her head out of the room.
"You're wonderful again."
"I thought that would do it" Bruce said with a smirk.
"This would all be perfect if I had a glass of wine," she hinted.
"Weren't you just having a beer?" he questioned with a disapproving tone.
"Cheap substitute for wine. I like a nightly glass of wine. It's good for the heart."
"Hey, you better get in that bath before the candles melt down."
"I'm going. I'm going."
She head back in the bedroom to collect her things and finally got in the tub.
Bruce sat on the sofa. He decided to try laying on it. Obviously it wasn't made for a man that is 6'2". His feet would have to go up or off the couch. He noticed the radio on. A new Prince song "On the Couch". It was a real slow bluesy piece. Bruce picked up Amy's beer and finished it as he listened.
Come on baby... ooh, ooh, ooh
Don't make me sleep on the couch
No... No... No...
Love Jones is on the TV again, baby
Ooh, I wanna go down south - yeah
Come on baby
Come on baby
It's so undignified to sleep alone
O yes it is
That's what all the people ain't got nobody do
U know they do
Talkin' (talkin') on the telephone...
It was a really catchy song. The irony of the situation; Bruce didn't want to sleep on this couch, but it wasn't the same reasons the song gave. He just wouldn't be able to get any rest. Asking Amy to trade was out of the question. So was sleeping in the same bed. Maybe there was a little truth in Prince's song for Bruce though he fought it.
...I know, I know, I know, I know that
We agreed to be married (U know I know)
Shouldn'ta let me unzip your dress
Why'd you do it, baby (Why'd you do it) o yeah
confess u tease
unless u please me
Don't make me sleep on the couch
He thought about her in the tub. Her hair would be wet and clinging to her. Bruce remembered when she came to apologize about ordering him back to her courtroom. She had stood outside his door in the rain, getting completely drenched. Not only did she give him the recognition he wanted, there was something erotic about her willing to stand in a torrential rainstorm to apologize. He watched her wet hair cling to her face. Her wet clothes cling to her body.
Bruce had been angry with her up until that visit. He found himself dreaming about her that night. Amy had fascinated him for a long time. Now his mind was riddled with forbidden thoughts again. Bruce decided to do something more constructive: he was going to search for some wine for his lady.