Free Hot Licks by Jennifer Dellerman Page A

Languages and found the concept so profound he felt he had to share it with us.”
    Okay. That was out of left field. Though she wasn’t by any stretch of the imagination a religious person, Gwen could get behind the general belief regaled in the Bible and the Ten Commandments, like the not stealing and honoring your parents. The not lying one was difficult at times.
    Seriously, who never told a little white lie – no those pants don’t make your ass look big – but she most definitely agreed with the whole do not commit adultery one. Gwen figured that one was conceived because it could make the wronged party – male or female – commit another no-no.
    Murder.
    Unconsciously, her fingers tightened around the glass of tea. It was Annie that brought her back from those dark thoughts as the housekeeper placed a heaping plate in front of her. “It’s fascinating, really.”
    “Thank you, Annie.” Gwen lifted a triangle of bread and took a huge bite, turning her gaze back to Melinda as if she were eager to hear more.
    Melinda tilted her head, a speculative gleam in her eye as she leveled them on Gwen. “Hmm. Basically, it’s believed each person has a love language that needs to be fulfilled in order for that person to feel truly loved and cherished. And since men and women already speak different languages, I believe it’s a bridge to overcome that gap.”
    Gwen had to agree about the male and female disconnect at least. Even her parents, married thirty-eight years, still misunderstood each other. “Okay.”
    Using her fingers, Melinda ticked off the list. “The languages are physical touch, quality time, words of affirmation, acts of service, and gifts.”
    Annie’s laugh rang out from where she was building more sandwiches from the counter. “I already know a man’s love language. Sex.”
    Gwen nearly spit out the potato salad she’d just stuffed in her mouth, but Melinda only grinned. “It’s not only men who crave sex, Annie. Besides sex is separate from the languages. It’s like this.” She turned back to look at Gwen.
    “You figure out what you’d rather have from your partner and that’s your love language.”
    At Gwen’s raised brow Melinda continued. “For instance, what would make you happier? Having alone time with your significant other or having him wash your car?”
    Gwen paused, the sandwich halfway to her mouth, and considered the question. “Wash my car.”
    “Okay. Would you rather have your honey praise you or give you a massage?”
    “Massage.” No hesitation that time.
    “Hmmm. How about choosing between a hug or doing the laundry.”
    “The hug.”
    “All right. Would you feel more loved by your husband putting his arm around you or because of a gift he gives you, whether big or small, and had no ties to a holiday or your birthday?”
    Gwen hesitated again. Not that she had a husband, but if she had, would his touch make her feel more loved or a gift? “The gift I think. To me, a special gift meant thought went behind the getting of the gift which in turn means I’m on his mind.”
    Melinda nodded. “So your love language could be gifts.” Gwen frowned down at her plate. “So I’m materialistic.”
    “No, not at all. It can be as simple as a rose from your own garden or even a hand drawn card. Mine is gifts as well, followed closely by quality time.”
    “All right.” That confession didn’t make Gwen feel any better about her own greedy self, which must have shown on her face because Melinda waved her hands in the air like she was erasing a chalkboard.
    “You seem worried, so here’s a real example. Andreas once bought me a jigsaw puzzle because he knows I like them. And when the dear man sat and worked it with me, I was in seventh heaven. Not only because I understand just how well my husband hates to be idle, but because we spent time together. He fulfilled my love languages without complaint because he wanted to make me happy. In turn I was more than happy to