Chapter 90
I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out. I was processing the course of events. He unbuttoned my skirt and then started to pull it down but before it was over my h**s I stumbled as the backs of my legs hit the bed and fell backwards and he was right on top of me.
I stiffened, “Was that…was that a test?”
He made an mmmm sound and started to k**s my neck.
“Azriel?”
“Mmmm, you taste so good, baby. Even if you do smell like a man.” He laughed.
“Azriel!” my hands landed on his chest and I tried to push him back. He reared back onto his knees at the end of the bed and I sat up and scooted backwards.
He gave me a grin, “I’m very pleased with you right now. Let me show you.” He reached forward and ran his hand up my leg. I swatted his hand away and blazed a dirty look at him. He reached for me again and when I went to swat him away again, he caught my wrist in his hand and his expression darkened, “I said I’d like to show you how pleased I am with you. You want me
this
pleased, trust me.” His facial expression made a chill crawl up my spine.
He laid me back down and started kissing from my throat down my arm and then his mouth was over and between my breasts. He looked up while kissing me and gave me a little smile. I laid there stiffly, a scowl on my face.
He stopped and looked up at me and sighed, “Okay, yes. You passed. Can you forget about it so we can move on with our day? I have so many things planned. So many things…” he started tonguing my earlobe. I winced, feeling a little sick. He’d left me alone here for hours wondering where he was and then I’d been afraid that those old people were part of something sketchy. And they were; they were here to scam me. To see if I’d try to, to what, escape with them? Would they have driven me right to him? Then I’d have been in big trouble. What would he have done?
I shook my head. He rewards obedience. He punishes defiance.
“Don’t be mad at me,” he whispered, “I’m
so not mad
at you.”
I squirmed out from under him and went over to the table and took another mouthful of coffee and then wandered over to the screen and looked out at the pond. He came up behind me and put his arms around my waist and his chin on my head, then softly said, “I wanted to believe that you’re being real with me, about what we discussed last night. I guess I just had doubts and I wanted to put it to rest. Either you’d pass and I’d know you’re really giving me a chance, or you’d fail and then I’d know.”
I spun around, “Know what? That I was capable of Oscar-worthy performances? And then what would you have done?”
“I…” he started, took a deep breath, then said, “I don’t know what I would’ve done. But I’d have been devastated. Devastated. I’m glad you passed. Now I can breathe easier, baby. Please don’t be upset. I want us to have a good day today. We can go fishing, I bought us fishing rods. We can go to dinner later; I booked a table at this little place not far from here.”
I shook my head, giving him a disapproving look.
He continued, caressing my face as he talked to me, “I’ll cut wood and we can have a bonfire with some marshmallow roasting tonight, then tomorrow morning we’ll head back to the city. I called the Pattinsons and they were busy today but we’re meeting them at their house tomorrow for brunch and then we’ll head home. I have to jet away for a business trip and I’ll be gone for a couple days so this is time for us before I go.” He was looking at me with puppy dog eyes. I wanted to stay mad. But I didn’t, at the same time. I wanted today to be the first day since the day before grad of not hating my existence, I wanted today to be the first day of my engagement, the engagement I’d agreed to be in last night. I meant it last night. But the reality was that this wasn’t a typical engagement. He wasn’t a typical man.NôvelDrama.Org © 2024.
“You didn’t trust me. Last night meant so much to me and you thought I was playing you. I thought we decided on a new beginning.” I looked down at my feet away from those puppy dog eyes. They were totally adorable and cracking my armor.
“I want that so much. I wanted it to be real. I fell asleep believing it was real. I was so happy last night, baby. It meant a lot to me, too. It meant everything. But when I woke up this morning I had this little voice telling me it was too good to be true. You probably wanted me dead a few days ago. When Earl shot at me, all I could think of was that you’d be relieved if he’d killed me, relieved thinking you had your life back. You’ve been through a lot. I started to doubt that I deserved this about face and then I started to think maybe you were just placating me until you got a chance to run. I couldn’t think straight so I went for a walk and picked those flowers. Then I went for a drive. Then I just decided to set up a little test, that’s all. You passed. I feel better. Please just…” he looked a little bit lost. He ran a hand through his hair and looked at me, eyebrows raised, lips a little pouty.
I felt my anger soften a little. I guess he picked up on it because he started jerking his head to and fro, searching my face, looking like he was searching for a sign I wasn’t angry. He smiled but it was punctuated by a question mark. Then he raised his eyebrows again and I smiled back, “S’mores,” I said, “For the bonfire and you’ve got a deal.”