Jennifer answered, "Darling, come upstairs! I'm in the bedroom."
Jonathan went upstairs to the bedroom, happy to see his wife. But she wasn't in the bedroom.
"Jennifer, where are you?"
"I'm in the bathroom. I'm wearing my new lingerie."
"Do you want any help?" asked Jonathan while heading toward to the bathroom.
"I may need help undressing." Jennifer said with a smile.
"You're so gorgeous in that outfit. Is it for me?" asked Jonathan.
He took his wife in his arms and started to kiss her softly, then passionately. Jennifer answered his passion. Jonathan stopped his kisses.
"Jonathan, don't stop. Please, please..." whispered Jennifer.
"We have dinner, darling. Max is waiting. And I have to go to the office after dinner."
It was the first time he felt no desire with Jennifer in his arms. This evening he couldn't give her the pleasure that she so desired. He felt guilty, but he didn't want to tell her the truth. Perhaps the honeymoon was over.
"If I can't make love to her she'll have an affair." thought Jonathan. He put the thought out of his mind. He had a lot of work problems. He preferred to trust that nature would eventually take its course.
"Jonathan!" shouted Jennifer. "Are you alright?"
"Hmmm?"
"You're not listening to me!"
"Sorry, darling. I have a big problem with a project. I have to go."
"But you didn't eat..."
"See you later, darling !"
He felt guilty and couldn't face her now. He wanted her, but she would discover his sexual disability. He needed to spare Jennifer the truth for another day.
"Max, what's happening with Jonathan?" asked Jennifer.
"I don't know. Mrs. H."
"He's acting odd this evening. I don't understand why he came home for dinner and didn't eat."
"He came home just to see you. You are heaven to him."
"Thanks Max, but he was so cold." whispered Jennifer.
"Perhaps he's working too hard and the project requires all his attention."
"Yes perhaps, but I don't like seeing him like that.
One month later, Jonathan was working late again. He couldn't face his wife. Nature hadn't taken its course. He was still unable to have an erection and didn't know what to do. But he knew that his wife felt the change in their relationship. He avoided her, only seeing her for a few minutes each evening. Every day he left for work early and didn't come home until ten in the evening. Sometimes Jennifer slept or watched TV with Max.
Lately she ignored him when he had his dinner in the kitchen. He couldn't blame her. But this evening, she looked directly at him while he was eating:
"Darling, I've had it with this situation!"
"What situation?"
"We don't see each other!"
"Darling, you know I'm very busy at the moment".
"Yes, but you told me that last month, too."
"So what do you want?"
"What do I want? I need you Jonathan, not just for five minutes in the evening."
Jonathan was tired. "I can't do this right now, Jennifer. I've already explained to you the importance of this project. I'm the one coming up with the ideas on how to obtain this European contract."
"What are we going to do, Jonathan?" whispered Jennifer.
"What do you mean?"
"We aren't a couple. You're never at home. We haven't made love for a month. I miss you." said Jennifer with tears in her eyes.
"I'm sorry, darling. The project should be completed by the end of next month. I'm very tired and all my thoughts are concentrated on winning this contract, can't you understand?"
"I'm trying, but I think you're avoiding physical contact with me. I feel a coldness from you, Jonathan."
"I can't explain it. Maybe I'm not as young as I used to be and I can't juggle everything all at the same time."
He forced a smile. He didn't recognize himself anymore and Jennifer shared those feelings. Perhaps he was beginning to lose her. She wouldn't wait long, she needed to be loved.
During the next month, Jonathan tried to have breakfast with Jennifer. If she needed him, he wanted to give her more time, at least. They tried to be a couple, but there was no physical attraction between them. They didn't make love, but as soon as Jennifer fell asleep, Jonathan would gently take her in his arms and they slept all the night like this.
Jennifer understood that Jonathan had some problems, but for the first time in their marriage, he didn't want to share them with her. She worried. Every morning she woke up in his arms, perhaps he still loved her a little. She wanted to find out what his problems were. It couldn't only be the project. There had to be more going on.