Page 139 of Forbidden
After, she asks about Storm, I tell her she’s different. Different than every woman I dated, and bedded, that she is amazing, and perfect.
That she is sweet, cute, and uncontaminated, unlike the many women of past.
I explain, I liked it when Storm came home with cheap regular flowers that made the apartment feel like home.
That I liked her leaving bras or panties hanging over the shower.
That I liked her always being playful and light, especially around problems.
As I pace, I tell her Storm lives in the now, so completely unlike the grumpy me, who plans, and only thinks of the future.
That she encouraged me to relax, and to learn to have fun.
And that she would do things like run home in the rain, laughing, unafraid of getting a cold. I pause, and continue. It’s important to get it out. It has to be done, now.
Being a successful alpha male, with few friends, means I do not share a lot, and that is likely a fail.
As I open up, I tell her I liked it when Storm forced me out of my head, and my penthouse. And how she dragged me into pet stores.
How we sneaked red wine into cinemas, and watched, drank, and laughed.
I adored how Storm had said we needed movie nights. And that we should start our very own traditions.
“That meant a lot,” I say, sighing. “The idea of a tradition, especially knowing nothing about my family, or parents.”
I sit, sigh, and smile, which feels crazy.
Storm brought light into my dark existence, and she saved me. Saved me from remaining in the dark, and hiding from the world.
I laugh, and explain another one of her quirks. That she dislikes the concept of too much money, and that she thought, it makes people act weirdly. The thing is, she is right.
It makes people chase things with wild abandon. And to also act without reason.
We sit in silence and the wise, older shrink pours us green tea.
“So you really did fall for her.”
I sigh, and nod. I like how she changed me. And for the better. “Head over heels,” I say, holding the tea.
“And now?”
My upbeat energy evaporates. “Now… I’ve lost her.”
I rub the back of my neck, at the memory. The pain cutting deep.
“We were at a large gathering in France, and some woman was coming on to me. I should have pulled her up on it, but I thought it was workable. It was complicated. Anyway, it got messy, and we got separated at the party. The woman found me, and she came onto me in the bathroom, naked. I was doing nothing, and I was telling her to back the hell away.”
“And Storm walked in?”
I nod.
“Oh shit.”
“Correct.”
“And she ran?”
I nod. “Storm freaked out, and she has not replied since.” There is a long silence. “I think I was burnt out, from trying to put together too many movies. I was distant, at the time. And she likely thought I had lost interest. I was selfish with time.”
