Page 62 of Whispers of My Skin

“Why would I leave when this is my home?”

“It may be your home, but you won’t be sleeping in my bed tonight.”

I keep moving but he’s quicker.

Joel catches me in his arms, turning me around so I’m facing him. I keep my head down but he takes my chin between his thumb and fore finger, forcing me to look at him head-on.

“I shouldn’t have to remind you that it’s my bed too, darlin’. So you can forget any ideas you have about sleeping alone. Not. Happening.”

He may be angry, but so am I.

“You can’t order me around.” I narrow my eyes angrily at him.

“Don’t tempt me to do something drastic, Tara,” he warns.

“Oh, go fuck yourself,” I retort, spinning out of his arms to run into the room, slamming the door behind me. I’m so pissed I don’t even think about how immature my response was.

So, that went well then.

But tomorrow’s another day. Hopefully once we’ve both calmed down, we can have a more sensible, rational, cool headed conversation. I need him to understand where I’m coming from, because this is important to me. He needs to understand this is not about him, it’s about me. I really hope he’s going to get on board with my plans, because I’m going to go ahead whether he likes it or not, and his negative reaction has just made me all the more determined.

This isn’t about him, or even us. It’s about me and the life I want. About what I need to feel more confident in myself. I’m not the silly little girl he met all those years ago. I’m a fully-grown woman with a mind of her own. And what on earth is so unreasonable about me wanting to complete my education? Why can’t he get that?

I’m getting undressed in the bedroom with all these angry thoughts flying round in my head, when the door is suddenly flung open, making me jump. My heart’s in my throat as I look over at Joel standing in the threshold, his large frame filling the doorway.

He’s breathing heavily, nostrils flaring like a bull with a red rag being waved in front of him.

So much for letting our tempers cool and starting afresh in the morning.

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