Satisfaction is a Good Thing.

by Jo and Bridgid

Maximus stabled Legion then walked briskly through the arched gateway into the garden, smiling broadly as he approached his wife.
She was still holding the stem of the yellow rose and he let his fingertips brush across its petals before continuing their way to her cheek.
"You are far more beautiful," he whispered then found her lips with his.

His black hair glistened damply in the warm air, small drops of moisture reflecting the sunlight like tiny diamonds. They had been
married several years now but she still could never look at him and not almost lose her breath. "Welcome home," she murmured.

"Home," he repeated.

"You are satisfied?" she asked.

"I am more than satisfied," he smiled, "though should you warrant me the favor of showering with me, the level of that might find itself advanced."

She tipped her head, looking up at him. "I've been gardening. I suppose I could use a bit of a...wash."

"Ah, then," he grinned, offering her his arm, "shall we?"

Though the house was very old, they had made certain improvements in bath and kitchen. The shower stall was large with three walls and its floor
all done in Roman design mosaic tile. Her hands foamy with orange-scented soap, she rubbed them across his wet chest, dropping her eyes then
to follow a trail of foam as it dripped down his torso, curving inside his hip toward his inner thigh. He was brushing his nose along her temple and
gasped when she reached to catch the foam. She smiled to herself. Cleanliness was such pleasant virtue.

So was toweling one another dry later. That could take, and usually did, just as long as the washing.

Dried and rather glowing, they lay in each other's arms across the wide bed. "Now I am satisfied," he smiled, sliding his palm down the line of her hip.
"At least for the moment."

"My lord's satisfaction is always of utmost concern to me," she purred, turning on her back and stretching her arms above her head.

He caught his breath then murmured huskily, "You know I can never resist your breasts when you do that."

"You need to resist?"

"Ah, so soon, then, does satisfaction need renewal." And propping himself on an elbow, he leaned over her body.

Some while later as he sat at the big oak table in their huge, beamed kitchen, she set a cup of tea in front of him, kissing his ear as she straightened.

He nodded toward the refrigerator. "You would not happen to have some soused ox face in there?"

"You've invited Jack and Bridgid for dinner," she smiled, her words a statement, not a question.

"If that is all right with you."

"I'm pleased. I've been wanting to have them over. We've been so busy getting this place built and settling in that I've seen far too little of them.
But, no, not a speck of soused ox face in the whole house. The good captain will have to make do with steak."
Meanwhile...

"Are you nervous or something?" Bridgid asked as she took the leather thong from Jack's hand. He'd been fumbling with it for several minutes. Moving behind him, she gathered his hair up and clubbed it back the way he usually did. Moving in front of him she straightened his collar.

"When was the last time you saw me nervous, Siren?"

"Nervous, I guess never but jittery,  last night when..

"Stop now, Bridgid. Those moments are private between us."

She laughed and brushed an imaginary bit of lint from his impeccable wool coat. "Who's here to hear?"

Taking her elbows in his hands he gave her one of those heart melting smiles. "I am just preparing. I know you, Bridgid and sometimes you do let fly during the most inopportune moments."

"Tis part of my charm." she smiled, mocking his accent. "Are you ready?"

"Ready , willing and bolstering up my couth. Jo knows me well but the General may be of your mindset. I'll behave. I promise."

"Tis all I can ask." He counter mocked her before kissing her mouth. It was one of those tender little pecks like you would see a couple of kids in a playground share.

"Thanks, I'm sure you ramp that up later."

"We will refrain from speaking of what will happen later from this point forward. Now, If you will fetch the wine I have selected we will be under way."

"Aye, my captain. I am here to obey your every command."

"Siren, behave."

"Aye."

A short time later, they stood at the front door of their hosts abode. Bridgid raised her hand to knock but Jack swept it away. He did the honors then quickly placed his hands behind his back to stand as a man of his station should. He respected the General and his bride. Bridgid of course matched his stance though she should have looped a hand on his arm.
Maximus opened the door, a warm smile on his face. "Welcome," he greeted, his eyes clearly revealing how truly glad he was to see them. He was dressed in
rust-colored slacks and a flowing ivory cream silk shirt and his smile only broadened when he saw the Captain's stance. He was not feeling particularly
military this evening, not after his afternoon with Joimus, but he inclined his head in that way he had of greeting an arrival, then after shaking hands, made a
gesture with his arm to invite their entrance.

The scent of baking potatoes, sizzling steak, and a mixture of other appetizing odors wafted from the kitchen as Joimus hurried out to join in the greeting.
"Bridgid, Jack," she said warmly, "how perfect you are our first dinner guests. Come, come on into the kitchen."

The kitchen was really a dining room-kitchen combined. There was no separate formal dining area. It had brick flooring with a rich golden area rug centered
under the big oak table. To the left was a huge fireplace, an arrangement of horse statuary lining the long mantel. The ceiling had hand-hewn beams that had
darkened over the centuries and in the kitchen section, baskets, copper pots, and dried herbs hung from them. The cabinetry, like the mantel, was done from
highly-polished cherrywood, with dark beige granite tops.
"Oh my gosh what a beautiful house you have." Bridgid exclaimed as she looked around with awe. "Is the entire house this wonderfully rustic? The bedroom too?" She asked. Feeling a nudge from Jack she looked his way and recognized the look on his face as his usual scolding. "What? I didn't refer to anything personal,Jack."

He cleared his throat and offered Maximus the bottle of wine. "I selected this with you in mind, sir,"

Bridgid moved toward Jo to give her a hug. "Now what can I help you with?" She looked at the copper pots and other accoutrements in the kitchen and wondered where all of the plugs were. "Everything smell so good, Jo. Jack will never want to go home." She leaned in close to her to whisper. "He sure does appreciate a good meal. At least I can keep him happy in some respects."
Joimus squeezed Bridgid's arm lightly and glanced toward where Maximus was opening the wine. "Yes, satisfaction is very important in all its aspects."

Maximus heard her and looked up from his task, one corner of his mouth quirking a bit.

With Bridgid's help, she got all the food into serving dishes and onto the table. The steak had been rubbed with a special blend of pepper and spices, the baked
potatoes sent steam spiraling upwards as their split skins ached for the application of butter and sour cream. There was a large salad of mixed greens, grape tomatoes, avocado cubes, cheeses, and small slices of tiny zucchini. One platter held large broiled mushrooms stuffed with a mixture of chopped mushroom stems, chives, lemon, and cream. There were two loaves of zucchini/walnut bread and some crispy-fried zucchini/onion patties. At each setting were appetizer goblets filled with an inch of V8 juice floating atop about five inches of pineapple juice.

Joimus shrugged. "I seemed to have a lot of zucchini in the bin today," she explained as they all took their seats. Maximus poured the wine, taking his seat last.

Joimus looked down the length of the table to where he sat, his head inclined toward Jack on his right. The General was tan, his skin contrasting with the pale
creaminess of his silk shirt. Yes, she thought, satisfaction is a good thing.