The Adulterer's Unofficial Guide to Family Vacations, A Novel by Leslie Langtry Page B

real.Would the same thing have happened to us somewhere else?”
    For the first time this evening, he laughed, “Actually, if we met in the French Riviera and didn’t have the kids, we probably would have wound up in bed a lot sooner.”
    I had to agree, “That’s true, which begs the question, what if we weren’t in such a romantic environment?”
    “I don’t think you can deny that we certainly have a lot of pent up passion for each other.”He released my hands and reached for his beer, “What did you feel when Terry kissed you tonight?”
    The question startled me, “Well, nothing, really.”
    “You weren’t aroused?”
    I thought about this, “No, I wasn’t.”
    “But when I kissed you for the first time, you were?”
    Drunk or not, I could see where he was going, “Yes.But I was turned on earlier in the evening.If you hadn’t kissed me when you did, I probably would have kissed you.”
    “So, it was more of a seduction thing that began earlier in the evening.” This was something I remembered hating about him when we were younger – his inane ability to dissect every emotion.
    “I think we seduced each other.Look, before you overanalyze this, I’ll admit that I have been lusting after you since the first day.”A look of triumph crossed his face.I raised my hands, “But that could just have been a romanticizing of old memories.”
    “Or it could be that you found me completely irresistible.”
    “True.But my point is,” and by God, I hoped I had one, “I don’t know which it is.Do I want you because I’m nostalgic for memories or do I want you because I can’t bear one moment outside your arms?”
    It was as if I’d struck him in the face.In the darkness, I could see his smile growing.Either way, I wanted him.That’s what he must be thinking.
    “I think that sums up the situation nicely.”Was he doing a little end-zone dance in his head?
    “But it doesn’t solve anything.And very, very soon, we need to make some real decisions,” I tried to rationalize, but already his Cheshire Cat grin was causing my skin to tingle.Drinking my beer did nothing to ease the desire that was running up my spine.He probably knew that.
    “Right.Tomorrow we’ll decide.”Alan stood, pulling me up to him.His lips were hot on mine and I realized that I could do nothing but give in.We left the chairs and beer on the terrace.Our clothes were on the floor before the door clicked shut.
     

 
    Chapter 12
     
    “What if we stayed longer?”Alan’s suggestion was followed by a forkful of pancakes.Instantly, the kids burst into a chaotic chorus.
    “Yay!Can we really, Daddy?”
      “That would be awesome!
    “Please say yes, Mommy, PLEASE?”
    It was impossible to tell who was saying what.As their voices got louder they leaped out of their chairs and paraded around the table chanting, “Stay longer!”Alan gave me a sheepish grin.Either he forgot the kids could hear him or he realized should have discussed it with me first.Or maybe this was part of his plan all along.
    “Do you think this will solve anything,” I whispered to him across the table.The children’s chanting created a sound barrier around us.They couldn’t hear us and nobody else could either.
    “Maybe,” Alan reached for the syrup, “maybe a few more days will help.”
    “Daddy is the best!We love Daddy!”All four had abandoned their earlier chant and were praising Alan to the whole room.While it was fun to see all the amused glances from other people, I realized with a start that my kids were also referring to him as “Daddy.”
    “All right, all right!” I stood among the Lilliputians to make myself heard, “Daddy and Mommy will make a few phone calls during your nap and we’ll see what we can do.”The children swarmed me, not noticing my implication that Alan and I were the parents of all four of them.After a few minutes we managed to quiet them down and wrestle them into their seats to finish breakfast.
    “Mommy and Daddy,