Nicole Smith

The Gift Excerpt

As promised, here is an excerpt from The Gift, my newest short story. What you see here may change some before it’s published since my editor has not reviewed it yet. As always,  I’m sure she’ll have advice to make the story even better, so keep in mind this is without any significant edits.

*

As the light of morning began to peak its head over the distant horizon, a woman and man lay lovingly curled against each other, their limbs entangled, and their hearts laden with love for one another.

“Good morning, beautiful,” the man whispered as he leaned in to kiss his wife’s cheek. He lingered for a moment, nuzzling his nose against her silken skin.

“Stop, Alex, that tickles,” Melissa giggled as she pushed against his chest with the palm of her hand. But his body was firm and strong and did not move, not that she really wanted it to. She loved the feel of his body pressed against her own. She had since the first time he’d kissed her and she’d felt the pressure of his body against her own.

“Oh, you think that tickles? How about this?” His fingers danced along her belly and up to her armpits where he knew she was the most ticklish. Her squeals of laughter filled the room.

“Stop!” She begged him.

“Kiss me, and I will,” Alex wiggled his eyebrows suggestively at his wife.

Melissa ran her hands up the side of Alex’s body and over his chest to wrap around his neck. She pulled him close and pressed her lips firmly to his. Her tongue traced the outline of his lips.

A groan of appreciation rumbled through his body. “I could stay spend the entire day in bed with you.”

“Um, that would be nice.” She pulled back from the kiss and rubbed his cheek. “Unfortunately, we have bills to pay, so our lazy asses need to get out of bed, and you need to go to work”

Alex rolled his eyes. “Must you always ruin my fun, woman?”

“Sadly, I must.” Melissa stuck out of her lower lip in mock sadness. “Be patient, my love. There’s always tonight.”

“That’s true.” Alex groaned as he rolled out of bed. “It looks like it’s going to be a beautiful day.”

“That’s what the weather report said. I sure hope so. I’d love to work out in the yard today before I tackle those articles for work.”

Alex kissed Melissa on the nose. “It’s a good thing one of us has a green thumb. Otherwise, our yard would look like a wasteland.”

“And it’s a good thing you’re a cook because we’d starve.”

Alex laughed as he walked into the bathroom and closed the door behind him. Moments later, Melissa heard the shower turn on. Smiling to herself, she walked down the stairs and into the kitchen to brew a pot of coffee. She would take her shower once Alex was done with his.

*

“I’ll see you tonight, babe,” Alex said as he grabbed his travel coffee mug, kissed his wife and headed out the back door.

“Okay. I’ll be waiting here with bells on.”

He looked over his shoulder at his wife. “Will that be all?”

“Maybe. You’ll have to hurry home and find out.” Melissa’s eyes twinkled as she stared at her husband.

He laughed. “You’re a tease.”

She shrugged. “I am what I am and nothing more.”

Alex shook his head and walked to his car. As he backed out of the driveway, he rolled down the window and stuck his head out.  “What do you want for dinner tonight?”

“Surprise me.”

“Okay,” he called. He backed the car up and drove off to catch the train into the city like he did every other morning.