Page 14 of Brant
She leaned forward as if imparting a top secret. "And she washes my undergarments. That's- that's really weird."
"She washes mine," he pointed out, not comfortable with where the conversation was headed.
"That's different. You're a guy. It just feels strange."
"She thinks you want her fired."
Her eyes widened in shock. "Really? Oh, good God! She said that? Just because I did the laundry that one time-"
"And made dinner the other time."
"You told me she wasn't coming in."
"I thought she said she had something to do and would come in the next day."
She gulped her wine and almost choked. "Did you explain that it was a misunderstanding or a miscommunication?"
"Why the hell would I do that?"
"Because she hates me."
"She doesn't hate you. She just wants to know if her job is secure and I assured her it was."
"So, I have to stay out of her kitchen from now on."
"It's my kitchen, not hers, and since you're my wife, then it's also yours," he pointed out reasonably.
Ignoring the sharp jolts of pleasure flowing through her because he referred to her as his wife, she sipped more wine to quell the warm feeling.
"I guess I should just stay out of her way. She really is a very good housekeeper."
"She is. Now-" He pointed his wineglass toward the tree to distract himself from staring at the outline of her generous breasts and the curve of her lips. "How many presents do you expect to see under the tree?"
"Oh, presents!" She leaped up, causing him to shift in alarm. "I left them at the shop."
"Surely you're not thinking of going to get them now?"
"No." She shook her head and drained her glass. "But I have some in my bedroom. And you don't have to buy me anything," she added.
"That's handy, because I didn't." He almost grinned as she struggled to keep the disappointment off her face.
"Well, that's all right."
"Except there is-" He pulled something out of his pocket.
"What is it?"
"It's to be opened on Christmas morning."
"Brant."
"No peeking and you have dishes to wash."
"It's not like you did the cooking."
"I did the dishing out and the selection of the wine." He glanced at his watch. "And I have a conference call in fifteen minutes." He rose and finished the wine in his glass. "I suppose this is goodnight."
"I suppose it is." They stood there staring at each other for a minute before he said goodnight again and walked out of the room.
