Your greatest mistake

chapter 9

Loralie is the first to stir as the morning sun begins to brighten the largely windowed room. She turns onto her back, nestling into my chest, looking out over the lake that is so close it looks like we could easily be on top of it.

She jumps a little when I run my hand down her arm. "Good morning." Her smile is soft and sleepy.

"Good morning, do you want to talk about what is giving you those worry lines?"

Loralie's smile fades, "I'm wondering what they will do when they find out what we have done."

I run my hand up and down her arm again in thought.

When you never have anything for yourself, it gets harder for things to be taken. My own wife is one of the things I am starting to take back. I thought this marriage would give me freedom, but it only took more from me.

"They can't hurt us if they can't find us," I say, giving her arm a little squeeze.

Even with my words hanging in the air I know we are facing the worst of the worst when it comes to our parents and together, I can't imagine how much worse it can be. I push the uninvited thought out. I suggest a picnic outdoors today since we have never had a time without being locked indoors.

We find the kitchen that ended up being the central door on the bottom floor when we first entered the house and to our luck, the cupboards are stocked to the gills with food. Loralie and I won't have to rear our heads from here for at least a month with what we find.

We find a cane basket in the pantry that is an impressive room of its own. We fill it with tinned fruit, crackers, cheese, jam, wine, and a few other things we find.

When I come out of the pantry with the full basket, Loralie greets me with a blanket. I hold my arm out to her and she takes it with a giggle at the gesture.

As grand as this place is I have to admit I like how much more modest it is in comparison to what we are used to.

The property is even more breathtaking in the day. The driveway looks so far now it's light and I find it hard to believe we walked it just last night.

The sun is warm and the lake is still. The water is so still it reflects the sky and the lake's surroundings like a mirror.

The closer we get to the lake the cooler the ground becomes. Loralie sets up the blanket and I put the basket down and quickly gather her in my arms. She squeals in delight.

Her eyes meet mine and she kisses me sweetly. Her kiss speaks to me on so many levels, telling me so many things. It's free and grateful. I kiss her back just as sweetly.

Loralie's kisses become hungrier turning into a plea, I grab her hand to stop her but she continues to kiss me. "SSSt." My words are muffled in her kiss.

I don't want this. Her kiss was honest and then something happened, and that sweetness was taken over by a carnal need, not an honest need for me but one disconnected and perfectly tailored.

I would enjoy it if it wasn't for the desire. I must know her better, not the person they tell her to be for me.

She persists, driving her hands into my hair, tugging enough to send a signal to my groin. Fuck. I have to stop this. An idea comes to me. I begin to walk as she continues.

I smile into the kiss causing her to pull her head back, panting, "What is it?"

My smile broadens. She bats my chest playfully, "What is it? Tell me."

I flick my eyes down without moving my head and her gaze follows. Loralie's face goes white, "Don't you dare! I mean it!"

I take another step and drop us into the cool water of the lake.