Page 40 of Her Demanding Biker
She said if you tried to boil a frog in water that was already heated up, he'd just jump out.
I thought that meant that the frog had some good sense and the person that tried to put him in the water was a complete asshole.
Something I didn't bother to tell my mom 'cause she would have made me clean my mouth out with soap.
But she said if you put the frog in regular water and slowly heat it up, he'd end up boiled to death before he realized what was happening.
Why hadn't I seen it before?
Maybe because Arlys was so damn sweet and loving.
How had she grown up that way with a father who acted like he was God almighty?
A cold, loveless sumbitch.
When I'd met her, she'd just turned sixteen.
She'd lived with her despot of a dad for that many years with only a part-time housekeeper who made meals and signed school slips.
Arlys had been in that pot of water with the temperature going up and up for sixteen years and had stayed an absolute sweetheart. It was a damn miracle.
I knew I didn't deserve Arlys.
I never had.
The fact that she'd fallen in love with me was a gift from God even though I'm sure I tested his patience more than anyone should. Maybe he had plans for me in the future, but I only had one plan.
Making life so damn good for Arlys that she wanted me to stay with her.
When I asked her for a chance, I didn't think she'd give it to me.
I just wanted a chance to finally show her that she could have a life where she was with someone who put her first.
I would be that man.
"Arlys?"
My damn heart was in my throat.
It was beating so hard I thought I'd lose my hearing from the sound of it in my head.
She looked up at me and I could see the pain and fear in her eyes.
I wondered again if I should have fought the transfer to Korea or was there another way to save her back then.
How stupid had I been?
"Hmm?"
I wanted her to tell me what to do.
If she wanted me to give her space, I'd do it.
If she asked me to leave her alone, I would have done it, too.
"Hmm?"
Damn it, I could happily drown in her eyes, and I'd been a damn good swimmer.
