She looked away. He wasn't making light of the situation. In fact he only chuckled because the request seemed so simple that he was surprised she bothered to call a service.

"Of course I can help. Open the trunk."

"Oh bless you. Thank you!" She hurried over and released the trunk. Mathew tried to ignore the view of her backside as she bent over to pull on the tire. "It's down here but hard to reach."

"Step aside."

She did as he asked. He set his things down, a briefcase and his suit jacket. Unb.u.t.toning his cuffs, he rolled up his sleeves. "I have to say that I will expect something out of this." He slipped her a sly smile. She looked on with a puzzled frown.

"First names? Call me Mathew. It's time."

She nodded. "Oh okay, Mathew. Thank you so much for this. Here let me." She took his suit jacket to keep it from dropping off his briefcase to the floor. "I've got to get home to my babies."

It was the first he heard of her having children. He knew she was a widower, but no one ever said she had kids. "You're a mommy?" he asked, heaving the tire out of her trunk.

"Two boys. Danny and Denny. Twins," she said and her eyes glistened with repressed emotion. He couldn't tell if the threat of tears was from happiness or a cloud of sadness that seemed to follow her. Mathew bounced the tire, and it gave a short roll before spinning and falling over to its side. He retrieved the hand jack and crowbar next. "That must be a handful, two little ones."

"You don't know the half of it. But they are sweet babies." She checked her watch once more. "I don't mean to be rude, but how long do you think this will take?"

"Thirty minutes and you're on your way," he said. He bent with his knees to take off the lug nuts.

"It's my babysitter. She charges me two dollars for every minute I'm late."

Mathew looked up. His mother was a single mom. He remembered their struggles too well. She died of breast cancer when he was in college. He never really got to reward her for all her efforts. In the dim parking light, he saw Nurse Kimberly Jensen in a different light. Admired her even. "Don't you worry. I'll get you home in time."

She cast her eyes away. "About today, the thing with Lacy. I should have listened to you. I will take full responsibility for this."

"Mr. Dagwood is stable. He's awake now. I'll deal with Murphy."

"But how? I know you have to report Lacy and I..."

"My patient. I'll take care of it," he shrugged. A verbal reprimand should be all she suffered. In fact he'd revisit the discussion with Murphy to make sure of it. The tire dropped off. He reached for the other and rolled it on. He tightened the nuts and had her done in fifteen minutes instead of thirty. She smiled so brightly at him until he found himself grinning with her.

"You're my hero. Thank you Doctor, ah...Mathew. I can't tell you how you're saving my life."

Mathew set her busted tire in the back of her trunk, with the crowbar and jack. "You can't ride too long on that spare. Make sure to see to it in the morning."

"I will. I will," she said. He opened her car door for her. Kim stopped at the kindness and then smiled again. She handed him his suit jacket and their fingers met, his lingering. She dropped her hand and her eyes. "Good night."

"Good night, Kimberly. After a man changes your tire, he's bound to call you by your first name."

She laughed at his persistence. "Fine. Call me Kim."

"Good night, Kim."

He closed the door. She started the car, gave him a little wave and then backed out. Mathew watched her drive away. A night with a beer and frozen dinner was usually his highlight. Who knew that changing a tire could top that? Dusting his hands, he got his things and headed for his car.

"Hi, Kim," Anne yawned, sitting up on the sofa.

"I'm so sorry, Anne. I had a flat tire," Kim said, dropping her purse on the chair near the door. She was only ten minutes late.

"No worries. I got some schoolwork done. The boys are sleep in your bed tonight. They insisted."

Kim smiled. She couldn't wait to get to her babies. She paid Anne and thanked her again, walking her to the door. As soon as it closed, she began to strip. Her body was worn out. She was in her bra and panties by the time she made it to her bedroom. She stopped at her door and smiled. Danny lay horizontally with his legs over Denny who was spread eagle on the bed. Simone kept telling her that they needed to be potty-trained. So did Anne. But she kind of liked them in their pull-ups. They were still her babies. It hurt her to leave them behind for a long shift. She grabbed her nightgown, slipping it on, she eased into bed. She righted Danny, fixed the covers and made sure they were both comfortable. She'd make them pancakes in the morning. Reaching for the lamp, she turned it off. As soon as she eased below the covers, she was asleep, at home.

Chapter Three.

My Life Simone "Joining us today is Keith Livingston. Keith has been with Caspian for seven years. He accepted the role of Senior V.P. of National Accounts. I'd like everyone to welcome Keith into the fold."

Keith was greeted with a round of applause. Cain looked on, slightly amused that the new neighbor was his boss in some respects. Keith nodded to everyone and gave a half smile. "I'm welcome to any ideas, suggestions or feedback you may have. I'm the new kid on the block, so bear with me. First thing I'd like to do is meet with your teams and get an understanding of your inflight initiatives."

"Welcome! You'll fit right in," Cain's father in-law said. "Now, shall we?"

The meeting progressed. Down the line, from Marketing to Finance, reports were offered on the status of the various departments. Cain introduced himself when appropriate and offered to share his resources and past business cases, including his quarterly review that contributed to the fiscal year for Keith to manage. He thanked him. When the meeting concluded, everyone gathered around Andrew Hollingsworth for a minute. Cain rose to make his exit.

"Cain," Andrew Hollingsworth said, silencing the others. "Can you see me this afternoon?"

"Sure."

He turned and walked out. Keith Livingston was asking the secretary when he'd receive his computer and phone for his office. Cain stepped up. "It appears we are neighbors," Cain said.

Keith looked back. "Neighbors?"

"I saw you and your wife moving in this morning. Mulberry Heights? I'm your neighbor."

"Oh, interesting. It's a small world, isn't it?"

"It is. Welcome to Castle Rock. If you need anything, just ask."

"I may take you up on that. Lunch? I hear you work for me?" Kevin asked with a timbre of arrogance to his voice.

"Sure, let me know when and where."

Keith nodded. Cain turned and walked away. The day had just begun, and he was already saddled with the worst headache.

Night Maryanne dropped her hand on the inside of the door. She posed for her husband. The barely there sheer lingerie did little to cover her rose tinted nipples or the strip of blonde p.u.b.es over her s.e.x. Cain looked up from his reading. He removed his gla.s.ses. He hadn't spoken much since he came home. Her father gave him the speech about grandkids and how he and Bonnie, Maryanne's mother, were running out of patience. What they didn't realize was that sweet little Maryanne wasn't willing to accommodate their wishes. Months ago he had found the hidden pack of birth control pills she didn't think he knew about.

"Are you still mad at me?" she asked, stepping in the room with a s.e.xy pout.

"The stunt you pulled this morning? You want to talk about it now?"

"It was mother, Cain. I told her of the trip to Florida and she got all weepy. This is the first year since m.u.f.fin died."

Cain rolled his eyes at the mention of the family poodle that everyone was expected to mourn. Maryanne walked toward the bed. She shed the sheer cover-up, he now had a very revealing view of her lingerie. "I don't want to fight. Everyone has been on my case about a baby. How am I supposed to make one if my husband doesn't touch me?"

Cain stared at her. He thought of pulling the curtain back on her charade. But something always held his tongue. She moved the sheets. "Still not talking to me? That's okay. I know what you like," she said, kissing his shoulder. Her hand moved to his groin, and he responded immediately under her touch. She gave him a slick smile. "See, you can't hide what you need from me."

"Listen to me," he said gripping her wrist. "I'm your husband, not your pet. If you ever pull another stunt like this again, I'll..."

Maryanne blinked, waiting. Cain squeezed her wrist tighter and then knocked her hand away.

"You'll what, Cain? What will you do?"

"I'm sleeping in the guest room."

"No!" she shrieked, grabbing his arm. "I'm sorry, okay? I don't mean to be a b.i.t.c.h. I really don't. Baby, please," she said moving up behind him, kissing his back and then his shoulder. "I was wrong. I'll do whatever you want me to. Name it."

He glanced back at her. Maryanne smiled. "I miss you. It's been over a week. Make love to me, please. Do you want me to beg?"

Cain pulled her over by her waist and slid her underneath him. She wrapped her long legs around his waist, ready for him. She smelled of chamomile lotion and soap. He settled between her soft thighs, rubbing his face against the side of hers. "f.u.c.k me, Cain...f.u.c.k me," she groaned. He could feel the desperation in the way she rubbed her v.a.g.i.n.a up against his pajama fronts and her nails scratched at his back. "Make love to me, now!" she said, reaching between them and stroking him as he stiffened from her touch.

Positioned to hover by his elbows, he stared into his wife's eyes. Freeing himself from her grasp, he thrust his stiff erection into her. She arched upward in a startled gasp. Her nipples peaked and strained against the thin trappings of the lace cups of her negligee. Cain moved and stretched her further, thrusting into her warmth, then f.u.c.king her hard until the day's frustrations erupted with his seed shooting jets through her. Maryanne moaned a satisfied release. "I knew you couldn't stay mad at me for long."

He pushed up off her, and she rolled over, satisfied. He hadn't even waited for her to climax, but she apparently had by the way she purred and held herself. Shaking his head, he fixed his pajama pants and rose from the bed.

"Where are you going?" she said, giving a feline stretch over the bed, her lids closing.

"Sleeping downstairs," he said, s.n.a.t.c.hing up the pillow and sheet. She sat upright. "What? Why?"

Cain stopped at the door. He paused a minute longer. She was still very beautiful, and part of him did love her. But even now, he found it hard to reconcile those feelings with what else he felt.

"Come back to bed! Cain!" she shrieked.

"Thanks for the p.u.s.s.y."

Maryanne's eyes stretched. She picked up her pillow and threw it at him. "You a.s.shole!"

He smirked and walked out.

Simone, held down by her wrists, moved underneath her husband, trying to match his rhythm. Keith ravished her, his thrusts harder and stronger each time. She withstood the discomfort and squeezed out a measure of pleasure before he wheezed and collapsed on top of her.

"d.a.m.n, baby, that was good," he said kissing her face.

"Mmhmm," is all she said.

Keith rolled off her. Simone pulled the covers up over them both. He was panting, his arm over his eyes, chest sweaty. She too had to catch her breath. Feeling the stickiness of him leaking out of her, she ached so bad from the size of him until she could barely move.

"Where you going?"

"A shower."

"I'll come too," he said getting up.

"No, relax. I just need to clean up," she smiled.

Keith smiled. "Don't stay gone too long. I had a h.e.l.luva day. I want to celebrate some more with you tonight." Simone winked and left. In the bathroom, she said a silent prayer of thanks that the shower didn't require a curtain to be hung. After unpacking all day, the master bedroom was the last, and she barely had enough energy to make the bed.

Grabbing tissues, she wiped her sore p.u.s.s.y. Looking down, she saw specs of blood. "d.a.m.n it." Her period had started. That would explain why she was so moody all day. Her heart sunk. She had hoped that she was pregnant. As she flushed, she sat on the toilet and sighed. Who was she fooling? A baby wouldn't replace what was missing between them. She shouldn't even try to bring a child in the mix until she figured their issues out.

"Simone? You okay?"

"I'm fine, baby," she answered. She rose and turned on the shower. Then she proceeded to check the box marked 'bathroom' for her box of tampons.

Keith fell asleep before she returned to bed. Of course he would. The talk about seconds and thirds was nothing more than his ego. She tied her robe and left the room. Their new home was larger than the other and tomb silent. It was so quiet she could hear her own foot falls on the hardwoods when she descended the stairs. Living in the city had made her accepting of nighttime noises like someone pa.s.sing on the street, a car horn, a screeching cat, something. Night noises meant the city was alive. Things were moving constantly. She found that comforting. It would take some time to get used to the silence of suburbia.

She couldn't have a cigarette. Something sweet would have to do. But they hadn't gone grocery shopping yet. Then Simone remembered her special gift she received earlier. Collecting a plate and knife, she sliced a piece of the pie the neighbor had brought over and smiled. She sat at the table alone in the dark, eating. Satisfied, she returned the evidence of her binge to the sink. It was then she noticed the moon, full and bright in the sky. She couldn't take her eyes off it. The evening carried a pleasant warmth that enveloped her.

With bare feet, she stepped out into the freshly mowed gra.s.s. There was a gazebo, aged with chipping white paint. Weeds and wild flowers grew all around. Of course she could have chosen the flat smoothed over stones to walk along, but she preferred the gra.s.s.

The moon enticed her. It had to be something from a fantasy novel. It hung so large and bright in the sky, Simone was mesmerized. She climbed the steps of the gazebo and sat on a stone bench. When she and Kim were little girls, escaping the fights between mom and dad, she would flee to the roof. The best times were the nights the stars appeared in the sky with a full moon. In the Bronx, she didn't see many stars most nights. Here in New England, the sky looked as if there was some kind of solar explosion of twinkling lights.

Kim was a great big sister. A nurturer. She'd tell some of the best stories and rea.s.sure Simone when she felt lost or fearful of their turbulent home. Now Kim was back in New York alone and still reeling from the death of her husband. She should be there for her. Not here.

Simone sighed.

Cain tossed the beer in the garbage can. He had polished off two. It was ridiculous to leave his bed. h.e.l.l, he was the one that had to go to work in the morning. Rejecting Maryanne was pointless. His wife wouldn't change, and he would just eventually conform to her wishes. Still he was so tired of the tug-of-war in his marriage. He'd take insomnia over a night in her bed, pretending at marital bliss. Washing his hands in the sink, he noticed the sprinklers were on. Why the f.u.c.k are the sprinklers on? The timer wasn't set. He made sure of it. He walked out of the kitchen and to his terrace to turn off the control. But before he turned to go back to the guest room, he saw her.

She sat out under a gazebo in the middle of her lawn. She stared up at something. Cain followed her eyes and saw the moon. He hadn't even noticed it before. It was larger, brighter than normal. It made his eyes water to look at it for too long. He stepped out further on the terrace, captivated by it. Then he looked over to his neighbor. She rose. Her head lifted and she spotted half of him in shadows and the other half looking at her. She wore a lilac silk robe and a long nightgown that seemed to shimmy like liquid under the moonlight. She closed her robe, her hair flat and even to her face.

He thought to say something to her would be polite. But seeing her that way in the moonlight, he couldn't speak. She dropped her eyes, never returning them to him. She walked away, with her robe flowing behind her. Cain's gaze lifted to the moon. He wondered what she was looking at, or for?

Morning She moaned in discomfort, rolling to her side. Menstrual cramping tortured her monthly since she'd stopped taking the pill.

"d.a.m.n it," she groaned.

It was time to wake. Her eyes were sticky with sleep. Her lids parted a fraction, then a little wider. She focused on the digital time display on her clock. Reaching behind her, she tried to locate his body through the sheets, "Baby, wake up."

His side of the bed was empty.

"Keith?"