been involved in a terrible accident there, just two years ago. Although he’d escaped with relatively minor injuries, his then teammate had been in a coma for weeks and had never returned to the sport. I knew Anita hated watching that circuit and I’d already planned to stick with her, once we were there. I’d defy Gabe this once. If he grumbled, I’d point out how it was good publicity for us to be seen together.
I needed another session with Babs, and soon. Tendrils of worry were taking hold, creeping across my life, tainting everything. I hated the chasm that seemed to be opening between Gabe and myself, and if I wanted us to try and reconnect again, maybe it was time I took the lead.
I knew he liked me to look pretty, so I headed for my favourite lingerie shop.
I’d already bought several new bra and panty sets, and I’d been there again today. This time I came away with a ludicrously expensive set in dove grey silk: bra, panties, suspender belt and sheer black silk stockings. Tonight would be the first step towards fixing my marriage.
Gabe had been offhand with me since I came home, but really, that was nothing new these days. He’d been out on one of his bikes again and that normally lifted his bleak moods, but not tonight. I made a start on dinner and then locked myself in the bathroom for a long, luxurious bath. An hour later, feeling pampered and fragrant, I slipped into my gorgeous new underwear and picked out a close fitting jersey wrap dress, along with a pair of high heels. With my hair gleaming and my makeup done, I looked about as good as I get. I smiled at my reflection. If this didn’t work, God help me.
He looked at me, a puzzled expression on his face, when he came into the kitchen. “You going out tonight?”
“ No,” I smiled at him over my shoulder as I laid the table.
His frown deepened. “It’s not our anniversary. And we’re not expecting the photographer back.”
My confidence was ebbing. “I just thought I’d make an effort, for a change.” Open suspicion on his face now, he slipped into a chair and poured two glasses of wine from the bottle I’d already opened. This was not going as I’d planned.
Conversation was stilted over dinner. I tried to introduce a light-hearted feel, but Gabe just grunted or muttered in response. I began to feel desperate. As I served up a ripe and squishy wedge of Brie, I took the bull by the horns.
“I was hoping you’d help me, give me a male perspective on something.” Grey eyes flashed up to mine, a flicker of interest. To calm my nerves, I cut a small piece of cheese and pressed it onto a cracker, buying myself a few moments. “I’m preparing this feature on long-term married couples reconnecting with each other.” I forced a smile. “You know, bringing the magic back into their relationship.” I paused, the cracker hovering mid-way to my mouth. “I had a few ideas I wanted to run past you.”
Appealing to his experience and flattering his ego—usually those tactics worked. I waited. Watched as he nabbed a lump of cheese and ate it with his fingers. “What kinds of ideas?”
“ Making time to spend together. Talking. Trying new things.”
One eyebrow lifted a fraction. “New things?”
“ Well, yes. When people have been together a long time, they can get stuck in patterns of behaviour. It can be exciting to do something different.” I swallowed, and then produced what I hoped was a sexy smile. “In bed.”
His face was impassive. He smoothed his tidy goatee with one finger. “You could argue that when a couple have been together a long time, they already know what works for them.”
In the TV studio, I sounded confident and knowledgeable. I quizzed my guests and experts alike, challenged their preconceptions and captured their interest. Why in God’s name could I not do the same with my husband? The only man I’d ever loved, ever been intimate with. Gabe liked to think he’d taught me everything I know about