Whisper My Name

Chapter 35

February 20, 1992

Niagara Falls, New York

He don't know you've been coming around

He don't know that we've been out of bounds

Things we do are better left unsaid

'Cause you and me can never keep our heads

~ What He Don't Know ~ Heart ~

It had been another long day. They returned to the cottage less wet, but still very chilled. John had insisted that Marlena shower while he made them a light dinner of Caprese salad, and some crusty Italian bread. They had stopped for groceries on the way home, but finding the energy to cook a full meal was something neither of them would have tonight. John rinsed the Romaine, and drained it before chopping it into bite sized pieces. He'd chosen burrata since the texture was much creamier, and Marlena loved it. Slicing the tomatoes, he smiled when Marlena exited the bedroom in a dark blue bathrobe with her hair curling around her shoulders.

She couldn't take her eyes off of him. The muscles in his back rippled as he moved, and her mouth practically watered. Coming up behind him, she trailed her fingers across his phoenix tattoo, and whispered, "You've warmed up."

John scattered cubed tomatoes over the lettuce, and started dropping bits of burrata onto the salad. He didn't realize his lack of a shirt would be such a distraction to her. "How's your shoulder feeling, Doc?"

"Stiff. The skin feels tight, but that's because it's healing," she told him, leaning against his back, and resting her cheek on his shoulder.

"We're going to take those stitches out in the morning," he said. Marlena smiled at the rumble she felt in his chest. "Then we start with some slow exercises, and rub lots of lotion into the skin."

"How do you know all of this?" she asked him.

"I wish I knew," he told her. Shaking a mixture of balsamic vinegar and olive oil, he dressed both salads. "It's just another one of those things I'll likely never know."

"I'm so tired," she whispered.

"Well," John said, lifting the plates from the counter top, and turning to walk towards the glass topped dining room table. "You will eat first, and then sleep."

Marlena lifted the bowl that contained the bread John had sliced, and followed him. "The salad looks amazing. I can't decide if I'm hungry or tired. Plus, after two days of activity, my leg muscles are so sore."

John sat in his seat, and pulled Marlena towards him. "Come sit with me," he told her softly. She settled onto his lap, and opened her mouth as he fed her small bites in between feeding himself. When she'd finished, and her belly was full, she allowed her head to drop onto John's shoulder with a sigh.

"I love you," she said with a small yawn. "I love you so."

John pushed his empty plate to the side, and gripped her waist firmly, lifting her to her feet. "Come here, Doc."

Scooting his chair back slightly, he lifted Marlena onto the edge of the table sitting her in front of him. He reached for her foot, setting it on his thigh, "Do you remember those foot rubs I used to give you at the end of a long day? How I would knead out those tight muscles?"

Marlena smiled shyly, and then moaned as she felt his smart fingers start to work their way across her skin, "I do...oh! Although I think your fascination with my feet in stockings had something to do with that as well." Leaning back on her palm, she closed her eyes with a soft moan.