He nods. “I never knew what he’d do next. I think my sleeplessness started as a survival mechanism. If I were awake, he couldn’t surprise me.”
My heart shatters for him, and I lean into his side, wishing to go back in time to save him.
I can’t change his horrific past. I can simply love him.
“He wanted to get rid of all my poor traits. The ones I inherited from my mother.” He snickers. “I am too much this, too little that.”
“He didn’t break you.”
“No.” Eyes locked on mine, his shine with unfiltered love. “Only one person wields that power. You.”
“You’re safe with me,” I murmur.
He palms my cheek and kisses me, the demons of his past backtracking.
As we walk away, I plan to redefine this building. He won’t keep it as a shrine, a place to grieve. Laughter and kids’ happiness will fill its halls.
The rest of the day goes by too quickly, wrapped in the dreamy bubble of togetherness.
On the rooftop of a skyscraper, we savor a delicious meal.
Every person has glanced our way, coming to shake his hand while I pretend to be delighted about the introduction.
“I think I prefer eating in,” I mumble after another person interrupts our time together. Plus, I don’t like how women glance at him as if waiting for one sign from him to pounce. Totally disrespectful considering he’s out with his wife.
Through a rehearsed smile, I place my hand with my engagement and wedding band on his arm in a subtle sign to back off.
“You’re a preschool teacher, how sweet,” one says, smiling, but it couldn’t be faker.
“Important as I am shaping the kids that will become our future—capable, confident.”
My husband grins at me, pride etched in his eyes. “My wife. I could buy her the world, yet she wants to shape the next generation. She’s doing the meaningful part.”
I kiss him, and she quickly excuses herself.
“You handle them well,” he says, sounding proud.
I bite my lip, conveying a teasing tone. “I don’t have a reason to be jealous.”
He leans into me, nibbling on my lobe. “Good girl. I have eyes only for you.”
I slide my finger down his shirt buttons. “I’m not jealous because you don’t give me a reason. But then we’d have other issues.” I seek his eyes. “That doesn’t mean I am not territorial. I’m very possessive of you, husband.”
“Me too, wife. Me fucking too,” he says and cups the back of my neck, slamming his mouth on mine. It’s raw. It’s claiming. It’s us.
Flushed, I return to my dessert while he declines a bite, saying, “I just love watching you enjoy it. I’ll have mine at home.”
That almost has me choking on the fluffy cake.
His eyes darken, jerking his chin at me. “A problem, wife?”
I shake my head, doing my best to appear like I am not horny and wanton, that I would let him fuck me right here, right now.
I take my sweet time, wanting him to lose it by the time he can have me.
Amid all the playfulness, I forget my husband is a terrific predator, biding his time and attacking when I don’t see it coming.
As he sips his champagne, he slips his hand up my thigh.
