Page 52 of Something Borrowed

The risk of losing her was greater than my fear of marriage.

The reality of her emotions sinks in.

She believes I’ve clipped her wings.

Perhaps I have in a way.

But it’snotin the way she thinks. I never want her to change or stop being her wild self. That’s what I love about her.

That spontaneous unpredictable girl I met in the club.

I sip my coffee, letting time slip away, giving her space to calm down before I make my way upstairs. I pause, listening to figure out if she’s still angry.

I push the bedroom door open and step inside.

She is lying face down on the bed, her shoulders are shaking with tears that are still falling.

I sigh and sit down next to her, pulling her into my arms.

“Vixen, you’re right.”

She huffs.

I stroke my hand over her hair and hold her tighter against my body.

“You’re right - no one owns you, not likethat.”

She says nothing, but I can feel her relaxing in my arms. She’s not fighting me or pushing me away which is a good sign.

“I did what I thought was right - so that you and I could be together.”

I whisper, as though I am trying to calm a wild horse, my voice is soothing, and my hands are moving gently over her.

“I never wanted to lose you - the thought of you going to Europe - I couldn’t let that happen.”

Verity isn’t crying anymore.

I hear her take a deep breath.

“I know.” She says, her words muffled against my chest.

“What do you know?” I ask, leaning her away from me so that I can see her face. She scowls at me and buries her face into my chest again. I chuckle.

“What do you know, vixen?” I ask again.

“I don’t want to go anywhere without you either.” She confesses and my heart melts at her words.

“So, then we can make this work. Stop being so full of attitude all the time.” I laugh, teasing her.

“Attitude? You’re holding me prisoner - what else am I supposed to do?” She snaps.

Fuck.

I always say the wrong thing.

She shifts away from me and folds her arms across her chest, determined not to make eye contact with me.

After staring at her for a while I grin, knowing how to fix this.

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