"Yes, in the morning… close to noon. Miss Novack doesn't get up until then," he replied, remembering the husky lilt of her voice and the way she'd made him promise he would be there… "Look, darling, if I'm not up… but I will be… you come right in and slap me on the bottom! Everyone should be awake and at their thing by noon… shouldn't they?"

"Why… why yes, I guess they should! I'll be there."

"Wonderful! I'm looking forward to it so much, Kevin! And it should be fun for us… I mean, it doesn't have to be a drag, does it…?"

"No… no, of course not! I-It should be fun."

"I'll be waiting, dear… and I just know we're going to have a wonderful time…!"

Christ, he couldn't work! The canvas before him had lost all perspective. His cock was actually stirring inside his pants! Her Goddamned voice… that's what it was, her voice! If only Laura…? Maybe, if he began now… it was early enough to work into it… slowly, methodically, gradually sweeping over her and breaking down some of those barriers…! Damnit, he had to keep trying! She was his wife and he loved her! There really could never be anyone else… could there…?

"What say to a little wine for a pick-up, baby?" he questioned, smiling over at her beautiful, young face, the very face which had turned his whole world upside down. God, he loved her so much, and he knew she returned his feelings. It wasn't that; she just couldn't help herself, and invariably froze right up if he mentioned consulting professional help. "Don't be ridiculous, Kevin! Why should l? Lord, what do you want… a wife or just a plain slut?" Goddamn, sometimes he wondered, "Well… you didn't answer, baby…?" he pressed, smiling over at her.

"So early, darling?" Laura responded, intuitively reading his thoughts, her own subconscious countering like strategically placed men on a chess board. "Well… I have a little headache… but I'll join you if you want."