"What's this?" Hicks asked, as he picked up the paper from the coffee table. Ripley glanced over and saw the list of "s" words in Newt's handwriting, some scribbled out.
"Oh, that's some of Newt's homework. She's trying to write a poem using words that begin with the letters in our names, and she's been having trouble with narrowing down her choices for the 's' in Hicks."
Hicks traced his finger down the list, and broke into a smile. "Lord, let me be the person my daughter thinks I am," he said with a chuckle. He looked up at Ripley. "This is what made you think about when we met?"
"Yeah," Ripley agreed, a satisfied little smile as her voice turned husky. "I was thinking about my own 's' words that reminded me of you. Words that don't belong on Newt's list."
Hicks dropped the paper and slid over to Ripley on the couch. "Please go on," he whispered, his voice low.
Ripley placed her hands on his biceps. "Sleek." Her hands came up his shoulders, and then she dragged her nails down his chest to his abs. As Hicks shivered at the sensation, she whispered, "sculpted." Ripley leaned forward, nipping his earlobe before breathing the word "sexy," right next to his ear.
"God, Ellen," Hicks hissed. He cradled her face in his hands and kissed her lips, and Ripley responded by wrapping her legs around him and pulling him closer. "You're so damn amazing," he murmured against her lips, before slipping his tongue back inside her warm, inviting mouth.
They both started and pulled apart at a thump. "Damn it, Jonesy!" Ripley scolded, and then both she and Hicks laughed at the condescending glare the cat fixed on them.
"We should continue this in the bedroom anyway," Hicks said, standing and extending his hand to Ripley. She took it, and he pulled her into another blazing kiss. "There's a nice soft bed there where I can ravage you."
"Sensual," Ripley whispered back, eyes twinkling, before she dashed off to the bedroom. Hicks growled as he followed. Ripley shed her clothes on the way to the bed. He nudged the door closed with his foot as he shucked his jeans and boxers, and crawled to his wife. He dipped his head and nuzzled her neck, giving her the perfect opportunity to say, "Seductive." As he slipped between her thighs, he kissed her desperately.
In the post-coital glow, Hicks rested his head on Ripley's shoulder. "Any other 's' words you want to suggest to describe me, Mrs. Ripley-Hicks?" he teased. "Other than spent."
Ripley turned her head and kissed his hairline. "I think I'm just about out."
"I've got one more for you then," Hicks said, raising himself enough to look in Ripley's eyes. "Smitten. I love you, Elle." Ripley blushed.
"I love you, Dwayne."