Free Without You I Have Nothing by J A Scooter Page A

of
them.”
    “And the biggest
Jacuzzi I have ever seen in the master bathroom, and that bed in the master
bedroom is absolutely gigantic. How do you sleep in it?”
    “That’s not my room. That’s
for my wife and me - should some woman be silly enough to say yes. That’s my
dream room, my prayer room where I ask God to help me in my life as I search
for a partner to love, cherish, honor and yes - obey.”
    Peter’s eyes clouded
but then he shook himself before continuing, “I sleep in the third bedroom. Would
like some wine with your meal?”
    “A light wine would
be acceptable.”
    Peter breathed a sigh
of relief. “Thank God Bob insisted the bar is always full so he and Ted never
go thirsty, otherwise you’d be restricted to iced water, tea or coffee and I
can’t make good coffee.”
    Jennifer noticed he
poured wine only for her and he toasted their success at the play reading in
iced water. She looked even more suspicious when he smiled and joked.
    “I'm not trying to
get you drunk so I can seduce you. I’d prefer that you remain sober and seduce
me.”  Well, at least Peter thought it was funny, but Jennifer was not amused.
    Realizing his gaff he
continued, “To be truthful, I have a low tolerance of alcohol. I can’t drink.”
    As he seated
Jennifer, the curtains silently slid open and he placed the meal of
Mulligatawny Soup, Beef Salad Thai Style and Nasi Goreng (Indonesian Fried
Rice) before her. Her eyes were not on the food, as he made certain she noticed
he gave her a fork and spoon as fitting a Thai meal.
    She sat open mouthed
as the sails of the Opera House came into view and the fairy lights of Circular
Quay with its ferries began twinkling. She said nothing but turned to stare at
Peter. In silence, she began to eat, periodically turning to resume her
inspection of her dinner companion.
    Peter started the
music and the strains of Die Fledermaus gently filled the air. His eyes began
to fill, as he so desperately wanted to touch her. The food was of no
importance.
    “Kick your shoes
off,” was his command and startled, Jennifer did just that.
    He pulled her chair
back and lifted her like thistledown into his arms just as the waltz Dui Du
struck up. Peter’s rich baritone voice startled her as he began singing. She
floated in his arms high above the Opera House and the ferries.
    The lights dimmed
even more.
    Her head was on his
chest and, as he sang, he repeatedly kissed her hair. When the waltz died away,
she looked up into his eyes as if expecting a kiss but Peter was unable to
trust himself and merely kissed her eyelids before leading her back to the
table.
    Once Jennifer sat, he
knelt before her and, taking both her hands in his, kissed them gently. “Thank
you, Jennifer. I’ve always dreamed of doing that and you’ve made my dreams come
true.”
    Peter’s voice was so
soft and gentle Jennifer had to struggle to hear the words.
    The meal was
finished.
    “It’s time to take
Cinderella home. Otherwise, this Prince Charming will turn into a frog.”
    Desperately Peter
tried to make light of the ending of their night, which had meant so much to
him. Jennifer liked his music. She wanted to learn to play chess and she was
the heroine in the melodrama. Peter’s life was complete.
    In the car, he almost
spoilt the night when he allowed his sense of humor to surface. “Put your knees
closer to me. I would rather play with your knees than change gear.”
    Although the Ice
Maiden returned briefly, Jennifer smiled indicating that she was beginning to
relax to his sense of humor.
    He believed he had
Jennifer’s friendship and, as he escorted her to the door, he knew he wanted
more than just friendship and ached to kiss her. Terrified of drowning her in
the sea of fire that a kiss would ignite, he merely kissed her hair and quietly
left.
    Jennifer crept to her
bed and lay there staring at the ceiling talking to herself. ‘Peter, you are
everything I dreamed of in a man - yet you are not a man -