He treats me like a princess and gives me gifts and his attention.
But he also gives me something else.
A shot at learning who he is. Touching his humanity.
And for whatever reason, he is so real tonight,vulnerable and powerful at the same time.
He is someone else.
Someone no one has seen before.
He reads my eyes before handing me my wine again.
“Let’s talk,” he says curtly, collecting his drink and showing me to the couch.
The fire crackles and the light is tender like a hug.
I sit next to him, holding my wine.
“What bothers you?” he asks, more in control and stern this time.
I shift my gaze to him, my emotions slowly swirling.
Like him, I’m nervous.
Unlike him, I can’t hide it.
“I am a little afraid,” I say.
His coldness dissolves into a soft smile.
He studies me before tossing his head back quietly, chuckling and rubbing his hand over his eyes.
“Do you think you’re the only one who is afraid?” he asks, and I notice relief in his voice.
He finally focuses on his wine, takes a few sips, and sets his glass down. I do the same, mirroring his moves before shifting my eyes to him.
“What scares you?” he asks, and my chest tightens.
“Things getting out of control.”
Luminous tenderness sparkles in his eyes.
“That’s it?”
I softly nod.
“Yeah…”
He takes my hands and brings them to his chest before lifting them to his lips.
They’re both wrapped in his touch.
“You know what scares me?” he asks, his eyelids sliding down, his gaze tilted to my hands for a second.
“No.”
He shifts his eyes up.