His Dark Secret 2

Monica was at a loss for words. She hadn't expected to hear that.

"Well, no, it doesn't have to be." She'd found her voice at last. "What would you like to do next?"

"If it is all right with you, I would like to see where you live."

Monica's bottom jaw dropped. Were all European men this honest, this direct?

"Well, sure, if you like. It isn't far from here."

She drove home, with Ben following in the rental van. She parked in the driveway as usual and saw Ben pull in behind her.

A slight breeze was blowing, causing the wind chimes to make a faint, tinkling noise. She was aware of Ben mounting the porch steps to stand behind her as she unlocked the front door.

She stepped into the living room, where the lamp was still lit. Ben entered silently behind her.

"This is the living room." Her arm swept outward to indicate the sofa, coffee table, recliner, and television. "Over there is the kitchen, and down this hallway are the bedrooms."

"Mm." Ben's arms slipped around Monica's waist, and he pulled her close. "You can show me the rest later. Right now, I am only interested in you."

His hands moved slowly over her back, tracing a path of fire along her skin. His lips met hers, his tongue slipping into her mouth, and all of a sudden, she was like jelly. It had been so long...

She felt her knees buckle beneath her, and Ben's strong arms held her, supporting her, as he lifted her and carried her down the hallway.

The following morning, she fought her way through a thick fog of sleep, gradually awakening to find herself lying in her own bed, alone. She still smelled the scent of his musky aftershave, and on the pillow beside her own was a neatly folded piece of paper. Curious, she picked it up and opened it.

'Thank you for a lovely time. I will be in touch soon. Love, Ben. '

He'd written two x's after his name. Monica felt a knot of uneasiness in her stomach. She'd never taken a man home with her after a first date before. What would her family think of her if they knew?

She ate breakfast, dressed, and went about her normal routine for the day. Ben called later in the evening.

"I hope I am not interrupting anything, but I could not wait to hear your voice again," he said.

"Oh, no, that's fine. I'm glad you called." The sound of his voice brought back memories of the previous night in vivid detail. He'd done everything right - touched her just as she liked to be touched, sending shocking waves of pleasure coursing through her to the tips of her toes. "I was so fast asleep I didn't even hear you leave!"

"I had to get back to my children. We are planning a trip to the zoo tomorrow, and I was hoping you could come along."

"Sure, that would be fine," Monica replied after only a moment's hesitation.

"Your grandchildren are also welcome, if they want to come."

"That's very nice of you to offer. I'll ask Jill. I'm sure she won't mind."

The group of five arrived at exactly eleven the next day. Emma rode in front beside her son, with Donata in the middle seat and Wyatt and Lolly in back. Monica sat beside Donata, and from her house, it was a short drive to Jill's home. Monica saw her daughter standing on the porch with five-year-old Ryder and three-year-old Jerni. Ryder was wearing his Woody shirt and grinning ear to ear, while dark-haired Jerni wore a purple Tinky Winky shirt and a slight frown.

Monica got out of the van, and Jill took both children by the hand and walked with them to where their grandmother stood.

"We'll have them home before six," Monica told her daughter.

She helped first Ryder, then Jerni, into the van.

"She's a little shy with strangers," she explained to Ben and his family.

On the way to the zoo, Wyatt stared sullenly out the back window while Ryder chatted happily with Lolly, who smiled politely in return but didn't say much. Jerni looked on wistfully.

Later, as the group walked around looking at the exhibits, Ben and his son stayed together, talking animatedly, while Emma kept an eye on Lolly and Monica watched her grandchildren. Every so often, Ben drew her into the conversation he and his son were sharing.

While the kids enjoyed themselves at the petting zoo, Monica chatted with Donata.

"Have you ever been married?" she asked.

"No. I lived with someone for many years, but in the end, it did not work out."

"I'm sorry." Monica wondered how well Donata had known Amelia and Karl, whether they'd been close, how much she missed them.

"It is all right." Donata smirked. "I guess I am just not the marrying kind." She glanced at Ben, then lowered her voice so only Monica could hear her. "And after what my brother has been through, I doubt he will ever marry again."

"That had to have been horrible for him, to have lost his son and his wife so close together like that." Monica spoke in the same low tone. Ben and Wyatt, still chatting together, were oblivious to the women's conversation.

Donata made a sound like 'Hmph.' "You do not even know the half of it!"