Page 121 of Tell Me What You Want

That is such an incredibly macho thing to say that I bite him hard on the shoulder, which makes him cringe, and then he bites me back on the neck.

“What are you, some kind of animal?”

“For you, yes, always, sweetness—we’re like Beauty and the Beast. Of course, you’re the beauty and I’m the beast ...”

That makes me laugh, and it helps me accept his kisses to seal a truce. But that’s when I realize he really doesn’t look well.

“Are you OK, Eric?”

“Yes, but what’s important here is whether you’re OK, not me.”

“No, Mr.Zimmerman, you’re wrong. The one who wasn’t feeling well a few hours ago was you, and you’re not looking so great right now. If somebody should be worried here, it’s me, not you.”

Eric gets off me and sits beside me so we’re face to face.

“You’re beautiful.”

“C’mon, don’t do that, Eric ... Answer me. What’s going on? I saw you have a bunch of pill bottles in your toiletry bag and ...”

“You’re the prettiest and most interesting woman I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.”

“Eric! Do I have to insult you or kick you?”

“Mmm ... I love that warrior you carry inside.”

I’m still smiling as I caress his head.

“You can say whatever you want—I’m not going to change the subject. What’s going on? What are those meds in your toiletry bag?”

“Nothing.”

“You’re lying.”

“You think?”

“I don’t believe you. And you’re making me mad again.”

I can see the struggle he’s having with himself. He wants to tell me.

“Nothing’s going on,” he finally mutters. “Anyway, I don’t want to worry you.”

“Well, I’m already worried.”

For a few seconds that feel like an eternity to me, he thinks.

“Jude ... there are things you don’t know and ...”

“Tell me, and then I’ll know.”

Suddenly, he grins and lovingly rubs his nose against mine.

“No, love, I can’t.”

“Listen, you stubborn ...”

“No, you listen ...” But then he instantly regrets teeing up to say something and ruffles my hair instead. “Oh, little girl, what am I going to do with you?”

Because I want him to trust me, to trust me completely, I decide to open my heart to him.

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