It came as a shock that Ian was a staunch Catholic. I hoped his religious affliliation wouldn’t cause any additional digging into the circumstances of his death. Tabitha had been through so much. Luckily, the local priest turned a blind eye to the cause of his demise, and we buried Ian with lots of pomp and sacred circumstance. Once the funeral was over, we went back to trying to live our lives. But the big bed upstairs felt empty without Ian’s presence and guilt hung over us both.

Tabitha had taken to coming to bed long after I was asleep, if at all. I missed touching her, tasting her, loving her.

After a month, I’d had enough. I wandered into the living room to find it lit only by a flickering television. Tabitha sat curled up on the couch, her face wet with tears.

“Honey, we have to talk about this,” I said.

“How could I not have known how unhappy he was?” Tabitha looked up at me and her voice broke.

I almost answered, but she continued as if she hadn’t even asked the question.

“But, I did know. I suspect his fling with Sherise was just one of the symptoms. And he wasn’t as considerate a lover as he had been in the past. Things had changed. I just wish . . . .”

Sinking down to sit beside her, I picked up her hands and held them in mine.

“I feel so guilty. I . . . .” She turned her head away. “I made love to him and then told him I was going to divorce him unless he got his act together.”

“So, that’s what you argued about. I heard raised voices. I’m glad I didn’t have to divulge all that to the police.”

She nodded. “When I found him dead, I just knew they were going to arrest me. I . . . .” She cleared her throat. “I felt certain the details of the affair were going to come out, and everyone was going to find out I’d lied about where I was going that morning.”

My breath caught in my chest. “You didn’t go to the doctor?”

“No, that was just cover. I was going to meet with my lawyer. But, halfway there, I changed my mind and turned back. I called Ian and asked him to meet me at home. I wanted to work things out.”

“Oh, baby.” I put my arm around her and pulled her tight against me. She was so soft. Her body molded to mine, and I couldn’t help the zing of desire that shot through me. I longed to make love to her. Without thinking, I lowered my mouth to hers.

She answered my kiss with a passion I hadn’t expected. Her tongue stabbed deep into my mouth. I slid my hands down her sides and then back up, dragging her shirt over her head. She wore a red lace push-up bra that cupped her luscious breasts.

My pants were uncomfortably tight and I reached down and flicked open the button. The zipper slid down of its own accord, the rasp sounding loud in the room.

Tabitha giggled. I unhooked her bra, caressing her soft skin and thumbing her nipples while I devoured her mouth with hungry kisses. She unbuttoned my shirt and I shrugged it off, anxious to feel her skin against mine. I had no recollection of shucking my pants, but suddenly we were both naked.

This was my dream come true. To have Tabitha, alone and all to myself.